Here's the scoop.….from the previews, it's looks like Jimmy and Ashley don't officially start dating until school starts again (how much does that suck?). So I'm going to develop their friendship over the summer, and I have storylines that slow the progression of that relationship, until the start of school.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

CHAPTER 5: THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR

"Thanks for offering to come", Jimmy stated nervously. "I'm really glad you're here". Ashley smiled and grabbed his hand. "I'm glad I'm here too…besides, what else are friends for?", she replied, giving his hand a slight squeeze.

Jimmy chuckled. "Oh I don't know.…keeping me sane while I watch my parents pace the waiting room", he answered, his voice rising, making sure his parents heard the last bit; they did, and promptly sat down in the row of chairs across from Jimmy and Ashley.

"James Brooks", the nurse called from the doorway. "I hate my name, sometimes", Jimmy mumbled under his breath. Debbie and Roger walked behind their son. Jimmy turned his head back to the set of chairs, to see Ashley still sitting there. "Aren't you coming Ashley?", he asked, hopefully. She looked over at his parents, Mr. Brooks held the door open. "Sure", she nodded.

Mr. Brooks placed his hand on Ashley's shoulder.…he was never a particularly affectionate man, Jimmy got that trait from his mother, but he had always been kind to Ashley…and she could see how much he appreciated, her being here for Jimmy.

Ashley could tell how nervous Jimmy was, he sat still and quiet; his hands in his lap, playing with the hem of his shirt. He was tired and aggravated from being examined and evaluated all morning. Jimmy's head snapped up, in attention when the doctor walked in. "Okay Jimmy, I've got the MRI results from this morning", the doctor stated, holding up the manila folder. "There's a lot of fluid build up and it looks like the tear has gotten bigger".

Jimmy looked discouraged. "I cant keep draining the fluid Jimmy, it's only a temporary fix. And that ligament has to be repaired, before it causes permanent damage", the doctor explained. "Surgery is really the only option now". Jimmy ran his hand across his face. "When?", he asked, barely a whisper.

The doctor looked at his calendar. "Well, I have a cancellation for tomorrow afternoon, but after that.….nothing until the end of next month, beginning of August", he stated. "That could interfere with school Jim", Mr. Brooks noted. Jimmy looked over at his mother and nodded. "Okay, tomorrow then", he reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, it's a two to three hour surgery, minimally invasive….but because of your condition, we'll probably keep you overnight", the doctor went on explaining. Jimmy nodded slightly, Ashley caught his disappointment and scooted closer to him, putting her arm around his shoulder. "There's a six week recovery time, with absolutely no pressure on that hand until your follow-up, which is at least a week…so you'll have to make arrangements for home health care…". Mr. and Mrs. Brooks both nodded.

Jimmy could feel his frustration growing, Ashley noticed it too. She looked down to see his left hand tightly grasping the wheel of his chair and she placed her hand on top of his, and Jimmy immediately took hold. "….then six weeks of physical therapy.…", the doctor continued. "Great…more therapy", Jimmy groaned, under his breath. Ashley offered a small smile and he reciprocated.

Jimmy didn't hear the end of the doctors speech, he was trying to get all the previous information to register. There was something about two hours before surgery and paperwork. "Okay, see you tomorrow at one", the doctor stated, shaking Jimmy's hand. "Thanks Doc", he replied quietly, following his parents out.

"Well I have to get back to the office", Mr. Brooks stated as the group left the building. Jimmy waived goodbye to his father. "I'll cancel my two o'clock so I can get you guys home. Oh hell, I'll just cancel the rest of the day", Mrs. Brooks rambled, looking at her date book. "Mom, just go back to work….you have to take tomorrow off, so…"

"I'm taking the rest of the week off Jimmy and don't tell me not to", she replied, rubbing the side of his face. He smiled. "Are you sure you want me to go back?", she asked. "Yeah, I'm sure", Jimmy nodded.

"Roger wait", she called out across the parking lot. "Ashley, you're okay to drive the van?", Debbie asked. Ashley nodded. "Okay, here's some money for lunch…make sure it's something healthy", she joked, handing Ashley forty dollars and the keys to the van, hugging them both before heading back to work with her husband.

"Jimmy, stop freaking.…you're done with the first set of your sketches, by the time they need the next set, your hand will be completely healed", Ashley reassured him, paging through his book, during lunch. "But Ash, I'll be laid up for at least a week, that means I'll miss seeing the whole process…watching it come to life", he replied, his fingers running over the page.

Ashley smiled. "Jimmy don't worry so much about the job, Ellie said they'd wait for you. You need to focus on taking it easy, giving yourself time to heal", she said comfortingly. "It's not just the job Ash…I need my hands", he emphasized by holding them up. "I know", Ashley nodded, taking his hands in hers.

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"Hey", Jimmy greeted groggily. Ashley smiled, trying to dry her eyes inconspicuously, but Jimmy noticed immediately. "What happened Ash?", he asked nervously, looking over at his casted right hand. "Oh, nothing…everything went perfectly", she assured him.

"Where is everyone?", he asked suspiciously. Ashley chuckled. "Me and the nurse finally convinced your parents to go to the cafeteria and get something to eat", she looked over at Jimmy. "Do you want some water?". Jimmy nodded. Ashley handed him a cup of water then sat back down beside him. "So why were you crying?", he asked between sips. "It was nothing Jimmy, really. I just.…".

"I'm sorry Ashley, I forgot.…you know, how much you hate hospitals", he apologized. "I do…but it's not that. I hate seeing you in the hospital. It just reminds me of…that day", she replied, the tears she had just dried, returning to her eyes. Jimmy gave her a confused look. "You didn't know?", she asked, he shook his head and handed her the empty cup. "Tell me", he encouraged.

Ashley took a deep, shaky breath. "We were at Simpson's, me, my mom and Toby. We were watching the news, it was on like every channel. I said some things, Toby ran off and Emma and Mr. Simpson followed him…I think they went back to the school. Your dad called my mom's cell to tell us the surgery was over, your mom was a mess though, and my mom wanted to be here for her", she explained. Jimmy nodded for her to continue.

"When we got here, your parents needed to talk to the doctors, Paige had already taken Hazel home and your mom didn't want to leave you alone, so she asked me to go sit with you. It was supposed to be family only, so your mom said I was your sister", Ashley laughed slightly. Jimmy smiled.

"I just sat there and watched you sleep…you looked so peaceful, just like you did a few minutes ago. But, I guess seeing all this again.…brought those memories back", she looked over at him, he was studying her face. Jimmy gave her a huge grin and she burst into tears.

"Ash?", he called, worriedly. "I-I was so scared Jimmy", she stuttered. "When Mrs. Sauve, came in to get Hazel, I knew…I knew it was you. I started crying even before she came back in. Ellie was holding me…then when she said the words.…I don't know who was crying harder…me or Hazel", Ashley sobbed.

"I was just so scared you were going to die.…that I wouldn't get the chance to tell you how much you meant to me.…how much I still cared for you", Ashley confided, choosing her words carefully. "I think you just did", he replied happily. Ashley smiled. "I did that day too…but unfortunately, you were still unconscious", she joked a little.

"Why didn't you ever tell me any of this, Ash?", Jimmy asked. "I mean, back then.". Ashley shrugged. "I don't know...I didn't think is was the right time. You were with Hazel and I found comfort in Craig, then things got complicated and I left for England...", she revealed.

"Wait, you got back with Craig, because I got shot?", Jimmy questioned. "No", she replied hastily. "We were both hurting because of what happened, yes...but we started to come together because of the band...it just felt right at the time. Craig was familiar, safe...and I needed to feel safe. I didn't realize, until I was in England, that I had just used him as a substitute...for you", she whispered.

Jimmy laughed. "You know, when Craig told me you were 'helping out' with the band, I got jealous. It's wasn't because you were in the band, it was because I knew you two were going to get back together", he confided, shyly. Ashley smile a little. "I'm sorry Jimmy", she apologized.

"Come here" , he called, holding his left arm out for a hug. Ashley leaned down and gently squeezed him. Jimmy looked down at his hand. "Are you in pain?", Ashley asked, concernedly. "A little", he shrugged, wiggling his fingers slowly. "Blue, eh?", he asked referring to his cast color. "Yeah, it was either that, orange or pink.…we all chose blue", she explained with a smile. "Thanks", Jimmy chuckled through a yawn.

"I'll go, let you get some rest", Ashley offered, heading for the door. "No, Ash stay…please?", Jimmy asked softly. Ashley smiled and nodded, sitting back down in the seat next to his bed. They silently watched one another, Ashley rubbing his exposed fingers, until he fell back to sleep.

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An authors note...Okay, so it was a little sappy, but I like sap. In TSS2, Ashley looked so devastated about Jimmy, so I added to that with the little hospital bit. And I wanted to show how much they've always cared for the other...you never forget your first love!

I would like to finish the summer chapters before the show starts up again...that means I will try to update every day or two...at least for this week. The next few chapters will be group chapters...featuring a bunch of characters.

Many thanks to Raina-Bess and Samitiny for their unwaivering support...I appreciate it more than you know. Please keep reviewing with your thoughts and comments.

My disclaimer...Degrassi belongs to Linda Schuyler and 'That's what friends are for' belongs to Dionne Warwick and gang.