For those that have been patient; the last part of Gabe's story (for now)

Chapter Nine: She Will Be Loved

Dinner was spent with everyone having a great time. Everyone was impressed with the sauces that Gabriel had created (the wasabi mayonnaise being the biggest hit) and all were surprised on how they complimented the burgers and hot dogs. Gabe, Angie and Alyson had volunteered to clean up the kitchen while the adults had sat in the living room and talked. The three had cleaned up the kitchen in a short amount of time. Gabe had left to throw out the trash; causing Angie to take advantage of the situation.

"You've got yourself one considerate guy there."

Alyson sighed. "I wish he was mine."

Angie looked at her cousin in surprise. "You two aren't dating? What's wrong with him?"

Alyson gave Angie an angry look. "Why is he the problem? Did you ever think that I'm the problem?" Alyson sighed. "Sorry; I'm just trying to figure out what happened today."

Angie gave Alyson a worried look. Alyson motioned for the front door. She let her parents know where they were going if Gabe came back in. They closed the front door and Alyson quickly explained what had happened at the Mason homestead. She took a deep breath and looked at her cousin for an answer. Angie pondered this and took out her cigarette case. Alyson quickly took one and lit up as Angie did.

"So what do you think?" Alyson said after a drag.

"I think both of you are the problem." Alyson shot daggers at her, but Angie continued. "You have the same picture that he does. I think that the two of you should talk about this."

"Talk about it?" Alyson grumbled. "Do you realize how hard it is to do that?"

Angie rolled her eyes. "You've seen in him in his boxers. He's seen you in a lacy bra and skirt." She inhaled smoke from the cigarette. "You two have some kind of feelings for each other; you two are should talk about it."

"The direct approach?" Alyson shrugged. "That's the best answer in all of your infinite wisdom can offer me?"

"Yep."

The door opened and Gabe came out. "Am I interrupting something?"

"Nope, we're good." Angie smiled at him.

"Are you leaving Gabe?" Alyson asked.

Gabe nodded. "Yeah, I have to work a double tomorrow; so I'll have to be in at eight." He turned to Angie. "It was nice to meet you."

Angie pulled him into a hug. "Yes we're a hugging family and we're looking forward to seeing you again. Don't be a stranger." With that, Angie put out her smoke and walked inside. Alyson placed hers on the railing and asked Gabe to wait for her.

Alyson was back outside in a minute. "Do you have a few minutes?"

Gabe looked at Alyson with a concerned look on his face. "Yeah…"

Alyson didn't say a word, but she took Gabe's hand and the two of them walked across the street. They ended up in a small park that had some picnic tables, some swings and other play equipment. Alyson led Gabe to a covered picnic area and she took a seat on the picnic table. She took a drag from her cigarette, her hands shaking. Gabe looked at her with worry on his face.

"Ally what's the matter? I've never seen you like this." He sat down next to her; placing an arm around her. Alyson started to tear up. She wiped the forming tears away furiously with her hoodie sleeves. Gabe gently pulled her hands away.

"Look at me Ally; please?" She turned her towards him; crossing her legs on the picnic table. "Ally, it's me. You can tell me anything."

"I'm not sure that I can." Alyson whispered, looking at her shaking hands. "Not this."

Gabe smirked at her. "Is this about earlier? About what happened in my room?"

Alyson looked up at him. A tear rolled down her cheek. Gabe reached out slowly and wiped it away with his thumb. She closed her eyes and placed her hand on his.

"How do you know what I'm thinking?"

"I tend to pay attention and yes I think we need to talk."

Alyson took a drag and started. "Why did you walk out? Do I disgust you?"

Gabe jaw dropped. "Are you kidding?! You're one of, if not the most gorgeous girl at Degrassi. I think you're absolutely stunning."

"But why…?"

Gabe interrupted her. "I was partially embarrassed because I've never had a half naked woman in my room that I wasn't related to. The other part was me thinking here is this gorgeous girl in my room and there is no one home. It took everything in my power to not toss you on my bed and seriously make out with you."

"Why didn't you?"

Gabe looked down. "I'm pretty inexperienced and I didn't want to ruin a good thing…"

Alyson interrupted in an angry tone of voice. "Ruin a good thing?! I've been giving you signals for weeks now! I've been wanting to kiss you every chance that I could take! So I'm one of your buddies? Are you keeping me around as a replacement for that whore Hogart or am I just a practice girlfriend that you can do what you want with? Well you can go fu…"

Alyson didn't get to finish her rant. Gabe had reached over and placed a kiss of burning passion on her lips. They both felt that feeling that they had for each other. They exchanged kisses for several moments until Gabe broke away. The separating of lips made a significant pop. Alyson had to try to catch her breath.

"What I was trying to say before someone interrupted me; was that I didn't want to ruin a good thing until I really knew what I felt about you. It was between that and asking your mom and dad for permission for me to ask you to be my girlfriend. You want to talk about facing a firing squad…"

"Which was worse?" Alyson got out after a moment.

"Your mom actually." Gabe smiled. "Your dad was straight and to the point. With your mom being the best news anchor in all of Canada; she asked all of the questions with everyone there. That was tough."

Alyson giggled. "Yeah; she's the best." Alyson moved closer to Gabe, placing her head on his shoulder. "I'm so sorry about the outburst."

"It's forgotten." Gabe wrapper his arm around her. "I knew when I started liking you that I was looking at you. I wasn't looking at her multi-platinum recording artist of a father or award-winning journalist of a mother. I was looking at a gorgeous woman with wisdom of a couple of lifetimes, the heart of poet and soul of an angel."

"Charmer." Alyson bumped him, causing him to laugh. "Thank you for the kind words."

"It's the truth; well the way I see it."

"Okay." Alyson sighed. "So are we official?"

"Definitely. Alyson Lee; will you be my girlfriend?"

"Like you have to ask? My answer is yes."

"Then I have no problem being your boyfriend." Gabe and Alyson kissed. Gabe looked at his watch and broke the kiss.

"Sorry angel, but I have to go. It's nine and I need to get some sleep." Gabe got up and offered his hand to Alyson. "I just have one request."

She took his hand as she hopped off the picnic table. "Anything."

Gabe sighed this time. "Let's take our time with us being girlfriend and boyfriend. I was serious when I said I'm pretty inexperienced in the dating game."

Alyson nodded. "I couldn't disagree with you. No rush for anything."

The two walked back to the Manning home, where they exchange a few more kisses. Alyson walked in and enjoyed the rest of the evening with her family. When the relatives and family friends left for the evening; Craig and Ellie asked their daughter about Gabe. She only replied that they were officially boyfriend and girlfriend, but they were taking it slow. They agreed to it and both had stated that Gabe was welcome anytime. Ellie had insisted that they get to know him better. Alyson agreed and headed up to her room for the night.

Gabe enjoyed the walk home, thinking and thanking the powers-that-be for the wonderful woman that was now his girlfriend. He came home to an empty home. He headed upstairs for a long rest. He took out his cell and texted Alyson that he was home safely. They talked for a few more minutes before Gabe called it a night.

As the two drifted off to sleep that night; they both realized that this was a new world ready for them to explore. They would do it one step at a time.

And with our new couple drifting off to sleep, so ends the first part of the story...

I really have to thank the readers for this. You guys have been reading this story with minimal updates and I'm sure were waiting patiently for this chapter. Many thanks for your continued reading!

So we will now switch to Veronica's part of the story next. Don't worry; you'll see Gabe and Alyson in the next part, but more than likely, you will see the niners shine more in this section than not. I'm currently working on the next chapter, but believe me; it's not an easy thing to do at this moment. The next chapter is about half way complete and not anywhere closer to getting done. I'm hoping that I can put a dent in the rest of the chapter and get to the next one after that. If everything goes well; I should have the next chapter up by October.

Many thanks again to CrashAgainstMySkin for suggestions with Ronnie's storyline. I have a feeling that I will follow your advice; but it will take some time to get to that point. It's not a Degrassi story without a little bit of needed drama first.

Thanks again!