ATTNETION READERS: Supernatural High is on hold indefinitely. I've never done it before and I hate putting stories on hold, but I have been struggling with that one. The chapters were taking a really long time to get up and that was causing delays for all the other stories. So, I opted to put that story on hold and start on We've Got to Learn to Live with these Ghosts.

Last chapter everyone, I hope you enjoy it!

Ch. 64 Will You Still Need Me?

(JAY)

"Hey," Lucas says when he answers his phone.

After a moment to recover from Jane's bombshell I got out my phone and managed to call Lucas.

"You still at the party?" I inquire.

"Still at the Mason's, but the party is pretty broken up now. What's up?"

"You might want to come over, I know why Jane came home."

"Be there in a few," Lucas says and hangs up.

"Lucas is on his way over," I tell Jane.

She doesn't respond, her head is still down on her knees, I don't know if she's crying still it's hard to tell. I'm also not sure what to do, after what she just told me if I try and sit with her or hold her, she could pull away. If I knew who the guy was, I'd be on a plane to California to kill him right now. I consider calling Paige, she might be able to help, but it also may be overwhelming enough to have me and Lucas here. So, unsure of what to do and filled with anger and worry I just pace the living room until Lucas knocks on the door. He comes in, looks at Jane and sits down next to her.

"Jane, tell us what happened," Lucas encourages in a soft voice.

She sniffles, takes a deep breath, and wipes here eyes. I hand her a tissue and some water, it takes a moment, but she does tell us what happened.

"He was part of my study group, it was at his place that night. By ten everyone else had gone home, I stayed and we quizzed each other with flash cards. He tried to come on to me, I rebuffed him, he didn't seem mad or anything. We continued studying for a little while, then he asked if I wanted something to drink. He brought us a couple of beers, we kept studying, but I started feeling off, sort of woozy. It just kept getting worse…he helped me to his bed…he…" Jane pauses as though trying to remember the events, or maybe trying to find the words. "He was kissing me, trying to take off my clothes. I told him to stop, I wanted to fight but I couldn't seem to get myself to move. I was conscious but…fuzzy for the whole thing, aware of it, but I kind of felt underwater. I guess I fell asleep or maybe passed out. I woke up late the next day and he was gone, I went home, showered and packed, drove straight to the airport and got the first flight home that I could."

She's been staring at a spot on the sofa this whole time, her voice sort of distant. Her way of coping I guess, now she has a few tears rolling down her cheeks.

"You need to go back to California and prese charges," Lucas tells her.

"No, it won't do any good anyway it's my word against his. I just want to get on with my life and never go back there," she states firmly.

"You at least need to make a complaint to the school or something, you can't just pretend like it never happened Jane," I insist.

"Yes, I can," Jane replies stubbornly.

"No, you can't Janie, just like you couldn't ignore Carlos' abuse. You ignored it for a while and then it all came back and you almost self-destructed. You can't ignore this, you need to do something. We need to talk to the school, even if you can't press charges, they need to know what happened, why you left. And, you need to deal with this Jane, if not by pressing charges then therapy or something," Lucas asserts.

"What am I supposed to do? I ran, it happened and I was on a plane the next morning, and I don't want to talk about it anymore, I already told the two of you. I'm done, I never want to talk about it again. It's not like Carlos because I'll never see the guy again," Jane declares. With that she gets up and storms into my bedroom slamming the door.

"We can't just let this go," Lucas exhales.

"We won't, it's late right now and she's pissed and upset. I'm not really sure how to help her though. I'll call Paige in the morning, she would know, and maybe I'll call the school, speak to a counselor or something on Jane's behalf. At least maybe find out what the options are."

"Yeah, good idea. I'm going to go home to Mia, but call me if anything else happens," Lucas requests.

"Yeah, I will," I nod. I go to my room, but Jane has the door locked. "Jane," I call knocking on the door softly, but she doesn't respond. "I'll be on the sofa if you need me," I call through the door. I grab a pillow and blanket from the closet and lie down on the sofa. I can't sleep and I put on the TV, Jane doesn't come out of the room all night and I never get to sleep.

I wait until a fairly reasonable hour to call Paige. I tell her what Jane told me last night, and that she's now locked herself in my room. Paige tells me she'll be right over. When I get off the phone with her I knock on the bedroom door again. Jane doesn't open the door or say anything, so I go to the kitchen and start some coffee. When there's a knock at the door I open it and let Paige in. I tell her a briefer version of what Jane told us last night while she gets herself some coffee.

"She doesn't want to press charges, but I was going to call the school and find out what her options were," I tell Paige.

"Good idea, let me see if I can talk to her," Paige comments and goes back to my bedroom. "Jane, it's Paige. I know some what you're feeling, what's been going through your mind."

After a few seconds Jane opens the door and lets Paige in. The bedroom door closes again and stays closed. I get out my cellphone, find the number for Stanford and spend the next hour calling several people there to find out what Jane can do. Lucas comes over while I'm still on the phone and waits in the living room with me. Just after I get off the phone Paige and Jane come out of my bedroom.

"I talked to a counselor at the school, you can still press charges. You can also file a report with the school. If he assaulted you then it's likely he assaulted others or that he will," I tell Jane.

"Dean did, I wasn't his first victim or his last. If I'd pressed charges right after it happened he may have been arrested, he may have been found guilty at the trial," Paige tells her.

"You can't run from this Janie, you tried with our father and then it nearly broke you when he returned. You may never see this guy again, but what if you see someone that looks like him?" Lucas questions in a pleading tone.

"I wanted to forget about Dean too, it didn't work," Paige says.

"Even if I go back to press charges there's no evidence now, it won't do any good," Jane sighs.

"That's not true, it goes on record that you accused him of rape. Yeah a trial probably won't go anywhere, and there may not even be enough evidence to get to a trial, but he will at least get investigated. Investigated by the cops and by the school. I'll go with you and be with you the whole time Jane, you tried ignoring this and it didn't work, if you at least try and fight back it might help to heal you," I plead with her.

She sighs and looks down before looking back at me, "Will you really come with me?"

"Yes, I'll fly back with you and stay with you, I'll be with you when you tell the school and come with you to press charges."

"Okay," Jane nods.

"Good," I smile with relief, "I'll find us a flight."

(CLARE)

"Clare? You okay?" Mark asks sitting next to me on the end of my bed.

I smile at my boyfriend and take his lips for a soft kiss. "I'm fine, just marveling at the fact that it's been a year already. Feels like it was just yesterday when I met Jeff at the bonfire we're about to go to. At the same time, it feels like it was a lifetime ago."

"It has been quite a year. Come on, everyone's waiting," Mark tells me. He kneels down putting my shoes on for me, then helps me up and we walk out to the living room.

There's too many of us to fit in one car, so Adam rides with Mark and I in his car. Drew, Bianca and Paige ride with Spin in his car. We park at the beach, grab some things from the cars and start walking down to the sand. It's not dark yet, but a fire is going already. We're some of the first to arrive, Sean and Em are already here and greet everyone. Their wedding is in less than a month, everything is done and planned and both are very excited. Mark and I sleep at their place once or twice a week, usually though he's at my house.

Spin starts the BBQ with Sean while Emma and Paige begin getting the food ready. Drew, Adam and Mark are setting out beach chairs. I step back a little as I get hit with a wave of memories. A year ago at this very end of summer bonfire I met, and kissed Jeff. A year ago Zig was attending the bonfire, Maya, K.C. and Jenna were all here. Zig and Maya are gone now, Jenna and K.C moved across the country. They do keep in touch though, they e-mail often, text sometimes and Jenna calls every Wednesday evening. She calls our house and they talk to anyone that's there.

"Hey spacey," Jay remarks hugging me from behind.

"Hi," I grin hugging him and then Jane.

"What's on your mind?" Jay asks.

"Nothing, really. How are you two? I haven't seen you all week," I comment.

The two of them have been dating for almost two months now. After Jane revealed that she'd come home because she was raped Jay went with her to California. It was hard for her to press charges and make a statement, and with insufficient evidence there wasn't even a trial. Some other girls came forward and he did get expelled. They offered for Jane to attend the summer semester and stay on track for graduation. Jane decided that she needed some time, she had a really hard time even being back on campus. She returned with Jay and they became an official couple soon after returning. Both of them have been very happy together.

"We're doing good, I've been working a lot and when I'm not working I'm usually with Jay. Or helping Mia out with baby Izzy," Jane remarks.

"Isabelle is adorable, she's such a good baby," I smile. Mia gave birth to Isabelle Evelyn Valieri on August 6th, and Izzy is ten days old today. "Are Lucas and Mia coming tonight?"

"Yeah, they should be here soon, Mom is watching Izzy tonight," Jane tells me.

"Good," I smile just as we hear our code whistle.

I look back and see Lucas, Mia, Johnny, Samantha, Anya and Jeff. Adam goes over to greet his girlfriend and take her stuff, the two are still very happy together and rapidly falling in love. She was especially supportive, for both of us, on the anniversary of our dad's death last week. An event that was somewhat easier to get through this year, though Adam and I stayed up all night. Mark and Anya stayed up with us and I didn't go wandering alone at night this time.

I greet Johnny and Samantha, they are still together and still happy. Samantha and Anya moved into an apartment together a few weeks ago. Jeff didn't want to stay at his aunt and uncle's, he and Peter got an apartment together, they moved in last week.

I hug Lucas and Mia, both are tired, but happy to be out of the apartment. Mia has new pictures of Izzy to show off, both are beaming parents. Mia walks off to show the pictures to Paige and Emma, Lucas goes to help out with the BBQ.

"How are you liking the new apartment?" I ask Jeff.

"It's great, Pete's a good roommate, he's coming tonight, he should be here soon. I came with Anya, Sam and Johnny."

"Cool," I grin and then shift uncomfortably. It's not as though Jeff and I haven't spent any time together since our breakup. We are friends, but I still feel a little awkward around him sometimes. Though, I suppose the whole triangle with he and Mark and I was always a bit awkward. I'm saved when I see Owen, Tris and Zane coming down the path. "Hey guys," I smile walking over to hug them all.

"Hi Clare," Tris and Zane grin hugging me together.

"Hey," Owen says hugging me tightly. He's been pretty mopey since Vanessa moved, it's not like he hasn't been out with other girls, but he misses Vanessa. I hope he finds someone else soon.

I walk with Owen down to the food, grab a drink and sit down at the bonfire with Mark. He puts his arm around me and kisses my temple. The last people to come before it gets dark are Alli, Sav, Peter, Jimmy and J.T., only Alli and Sav were here last year. Thinking of the people missing from the bonfire this year makes me a little sad.

"I know that look in your eye," Mark says pushing a curl behind my ear.

"Just thinking of the people that aren't here this year."

"I miss them too Clare," he whispers before taking my lips for a soft kiss.

"FOOD," Spinner yells breaking me from my thoughts and the kiss.

Mark and I get up to get food, sitting back near the fire next to Adam and Anya. We eat and then walk near the water with my twin and his girlfriend. When the sun starts to set we sit down watching the sunset then my lips attach to Mark's.

I can't help comparing this year's bonfire to last year's all night, and in many ways I'm sad because so many people I love are missing tonight. I'm also happy though because I'm deeply in love with Mark, and though people are missing there are new people here tonight like Mia, Jane, Samantha and the Ice Hounds that came.

"Did you have a good time tonight?" Mark asks when we're back at my house and getting ready for bed.

"I did, it was bittersweet, but I did. I miss Zig, Jenna, K.C. and Maya a lot and especially times like tonight when I really feel their presence missing. At least Jenna and K.C. may someday come back for a bonfire or major event."

"We'll never forget Zig and Maya, they were there tonight because they were there in our hearts."

"I know," I smile kissing my boyfriend's lips gently, "I love you Mark."

"I love you too Clare. I always have and I always will."

Epilogue: Five Years Down the Road

"Clare," Mark calls to me, "we need to go. We're supposed to be there in twenty minutes."

"We're just going to my place, it's ten minutes away, and anyway I'm ready," I remark stepping out of the bedroom.

"You mean Spin and Paige's place, you haven't lived there in over two years," my fiancé comments before catching my lips for a steamy kiss.

This month I started my junior year at Ryerson. Mark and I have been living together in our own apartment for a little over two years now. Mark graduated DeGrassi and works at the garage with Jay and Sean. A few months ago, after Spinner and Jay's birthday party, Mark proposed and I said yes. We've been together almost six years now, minus a few breakups here and there, never more than a month or two at a time. Of course, when we announced the engagement everyone was happy for us. The day of the wedding is next October, so we have over a year to plan.

"Yes, Spin and Paige's place, it's always going to be home to me in a way. Even if someone else sleeps in my room now," I reply grabbing my purse.

Mark grins and grabs his keys, we go downstairs to his car. A classic GTO he fixed up with his brother, he's very proud of the car. I know it meant a lot to him to fix it up with Sean. Sean and Emma are actually why we're going to my eldest brother's place tonight. Their five-year wedding anniversary was a couple of days ago and tonight we're all celebrating. Emma graduated and she has a good job as an environmental lawyer with a prominent firm in town. She's only been working there a couple of years, but she's a good lawyer and usually has a full case load. Last year she and Sean moved into a small house they purchased themselves. They were happy to move out of the house where Sean and Mark had spent a lot of their childhood taking care of their mom. A woman they have not seen since the day she was arrested trying to steal from them. No one misses her. Sean and Jay have recently been talking about buying a garage together, they've even been looking at a property recently.

"Hey Sis," Adam smiles as he and Anya get out of the car.

"Hey guys," Mark grins as we hug Adam and Anya.

Adam and Anya dated all through high school, she stood by him during his surgery and all the hormone therapy. It just made their relationship stronger, and they are very happy together. Anya works as a physical therapist, Adam is going to Ryerson with me, we're both majoring in literature and journalism and we have most of the same classes. Adam and Anya have an apartment a couple blocks from us, they moved in together about the same time Mark and I did. Most evenings we're at their place or they're at ours, most weekends everyone still gathers here at our childhood home.

"We're here," Adam calls as we walk into the house. As long as someone's home they don't lock the front door still.

"YAY Untle Abom, Antie Care," Marissa and Nathan yell as they run out of the back. Our twin niece and nephew are also half dressed. Paige couldn't believe she was pregnant with twins, of course Spinner warned her that twins run in the family. Not only did they have a boy and a girl, but their birthday's are exactly three weeks after mine and Adam's. They turned two this past February, they're growing so fast, it's hard to believe they'll be three in five months.

"Marissa, Nathan you two need to get dressed get back here," Page calls to them.

"Come on you two, you need to listen to your mom," I comment picking up Nathan. Adam does the same with Marissa, we take them into their room, which used to be my room. We set the twins down, hug Paige and Spin and leave the twins with their parents to get dressed.

Aside from being a wonderful father our oldest brother is doing well. He still runs The Dot and Above the Dot, but he bought it from the previous owner. He had to take out a loan, but he says it was worth it. Paige went back to school, she took a year off after getting pregnant, but she's back now. She's going to Centennial to get a business degree. And of course, the two are still deeply, madly in love.

"Hey Kids," Jay greets us coming in the front door with Jane.

"Hey Old Man," Adam shoots back.

Jay and Jane got married last year, it was a small and beautiful ceremony. I knew they would get married, I'd never seen Jay so happy with anybody. Jane never did return to Stanford, after the rape she couldn't. She works at The Dot as Assistant Manager, she also does the bookkeeping. Jay went back with Jane to California so she could press charges and then returned with her again two years later after he was arrested for another rape. There was physical evidence for that case and it went to trial, Jane testified. He was found guilty and got ten years, which helped Jane feel like some justice had been done. Jane has also been Jay's main source of support during his fight with HIV. He's doing well and the medical community makes strides every year. He came so close to ending his life when he found out, but you'd never even know he was HIV positive. Jane makes him extremely happy, I know they're safe when they are sexually intimate, and they've even started talking about adopting kids.

"Loot at my pwetty dwess," Marissa calls as she runs out fully dressed now.

"You look very pretty Marissa," Jane grins.

"Me too," Nathan says running out after his sister.

"You look very handsome little man," Mark says and Nathan grins.

"Hey everyone," Spin says, "anyone need a drink?"

Jay and Spin go into the kitchen to get drinks for people just as Lucas, Mia, Jayson and Izzy come through the door. Izzy turned five in August, she's adorable, smart and feisty. She's definitely got personality traits from both her parents. Mia graduated U of T with a marketing degree and she's been working at a marketing firm for a couple of years now. Lucas still works as a security guard, he even still works nights, but last year he got a better job working at Toronto Western instead of a strip mall. The two of them got married the summer before Izzy turned one. Jayson is their four month old baby boy, named after Jay of course. He's such a cute baby, Lucas and Mia are proud parents and Izzy is a wonderful big sister.

"IZZY!" Marissa and Nathan yell happily, they are both very fond of her.

The kids giggle and run back to the twins room just as Drew and Bianca come through the door. They are still together and as happy as ever. Drew did graduate high school, he still works at the cell phone kiosk, but is taking classes at Centennial to get his coaching certificate. He's also led both the football and basketball teams at Centennial to victory in the last few years. Bianca is going to U of T to get a degree in criminology. She had the opportunity to go to schools farther away, just as Adam and I did. And, just like us she wanted to stay close to home and family. My second oldest brother married his high school sweetheart two and half years ago, they got married here at the house. So far, no talk of kids from the two of them, but I have a feeling when Bianca graduates the subject may be broached.

The last people to arrive are Jenna and K.C. and Johnny and Samantha. Jenna and K.C. flew in from Vancouver for the anniversary party. They've been here all week and it has been great to visit with them. They came in for Drew and Bianca's wedding, and Jay and Jane's wedding, but we don't get to see them that often. They do keep in touch though, through e-mail mostly. They still live close to Caitlin, Joey and Jared, they love being so involved in Jared's life. Jenna's going to fashion school and K.C. is getting a degree in microbiology. I know they've talked about marriage before, but as of yet no proposal. Given the disaster that was K.C.'s parents marriage, the early pregnancy and Maya's death I'm not sure that they will do the marriage thing. As long as they're happy together that's all that matters.

Johnny and Sam are together again, they've been on and off for the last several years. They always come back together though, and last year they moved in together. Since living together there's been no more breakups, and I foresee a proposal for them soon. Johnny graduated U of T with a degree in literature and got his teaching degree, he now works at DeGrassi in the English department. Samantha got her degree in hospitality and she works at hotel near the marina. Jeff and I remained friends, we still are friends, but after he graduated he was drafted to a school in Switzerland with a hockey scholarship. He's so far away and only makes it home during the summers and Christmas break usually, but when he is back here I do see him.

"Anyone heard from Owen and Tris recently?" Emma asks.

"They'll both be home at Christmas. He's dating a girl named Karen, says she's real sweet, doesn't like his classes any better this year though. Says the team crushed their opposition last night, his coach expects NFL scouts to start showing up for Owen and a few other players. Tris is happy in L.A., he's got a few auditions coming up and a part in a sitcom. He's got a new boyfriend, uh Grant I think Owen said," Fitz informs them all.

Owen called last night after his first football game of his senior year season at Michigan State. He got a football scholarship, in his senior year at DeGrassi he was scouted by three different schools for football. All of them were far away, it was hard to have him go, but he calls a lot, he e-mails and he visits home every Christmas and summer. Owen's ability with sports is taking him far and he's very happy, so we're happy for him, even though we miss him like crazy.

"I'm glad they'll be home at Christmas," Spin smiles before putting a hand on Drew's shoulder. "Speaking of excellent players that was an incredible game last night little bro," Spin beams with pride.

"Thanks, Coach says there's a couple of scouts coming to our game against Ottawa in a couple of weeks. He thinks I have good chance of being chosen, but I'm going to finish getting my coaching certificate," Drew tells us. Now we all beam with pride.

Everyone breaks into little groups and small talk conversations until we're sitting at the long table to eat dinner. Jayson is asleep, Nathan sits between his dad and me, Marissa between his mom and Adam, and Izzy across the table from Marissa.

"So how's it feel to be married five years?" Spin asks Sean.

"Amazing," Sean grins before kissing his wife.

"Here's to another 60 years of bliss for both of us," Spin smiles and we all raise our glasses.

"We have more happy news, we're going to have a baby," Emma says and the table erupts into cheers.

"We'll have a new baby niece or nephew at our wedding," I grin at Mark.

People get up to hug Emma and Sean, including us, before sitting down to resume dinner. I look at my fiancé, the love and of my life and smile before taking his lips for a gentle kiss. I look around the table at my brother's, their wives or girlfriends, our friends that are our family. I realize just how lucky I am, how happy, how strong we all are. Together we've weathered many storms, and I know together we'll help each other get through anything.

That does it for this story, I may at some point do a Christmas chapter. Replacing this will be "In No Particular City", that would be the Dawson's Creek inspired story. The sext story to get updated will be "Live in My House, I'll be Your Shelter".