A little note...there are no spoilers in this chapter.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

CHAPTER 6: CRUEL SUMMER

"Hi guys", a surprised Debbie Brooks greeted as she opened her front door. She stepped aside and Spinner, Ashley and Ellie walked into the house. "Gavin, Ellie…no work today?" she questioned. "Nope, I'm working a double tomorrow", Spinner stated. "They're updating the computers at work today…so there's nothing for me to do there", Ellie explained. Mrs. Brooks nodded.

"How is he today?", Ashley inquired, putting her bag down. "Better than yesterday…but still grumpy", Debbie chuckled, Ashley smiled. "Well, we're here to change that", Spinner chuckled. "I'm sure he'll enjoy the company.…thanks guys", she smiled.

"Oh we're not staying Mrs. Brooks. We came to take Jimmy out", Ellie explained. "Yeah, we thought a picnic would be nice", Ashley added. "Good luck with that", Debbie laughed. "He's barely been out of bed the last four days". Ashley, Spinner and Ellie followed Mrs. Brooks up the stairs, determined to cheer Jimmy up.

"You have company, my dear", Mrs. Brooks announced cheerfully, as she walked into Jimmy's room. "Hey it's the pity committee", Jimmy laughed as his friends walked in. "Please tell me you guys have something better to do today, then hang out with me". They all shook their heads.

"Well then, make yourselves comfortable", Jimmy offered, waiving his hand around the room. "What'll it be today Ashley….A-game show, B-talk show or C-cooking show?", he chuckled, picking up the remote. "D-none of the above", she smirked, grabbing the remote from him and clicking off the tv. "We're taking you out."

"That's nice of you.…really, but I don't feel much like going out", Jimmy stated. "Too bad", Ashley giggled. "C'mon guys", he protested. "Don't make me drag you outta that bed, man", Spinner joked. "Spin?", Jimmy groaned. "Grab it", Spinner ordered, pointing to the trapeze bar above Jimmy's head.

Jimmy reluctantly did what he was told, Spinner came around to his right and helped him into his chair. "Okay, so I'm up…let's just go downstairs and watch a movie or something", Jimmy offered. "No, no, no.…today is the first beautiful day in like a week.…we are so going out", Ellie stated firmly. Jimmy sighed. "You guys aren't gonna take no for an answer, are you?"

Ellie shook her head and smiled. "No way, man", Spinner replied. "Not a chance.…you're out-numbered three to one Brooks", Ashley laughed. "Make that four to one", Mrs. Brooks chimed in. "Okay, fine….just give me a few minutes to get ready", Jimmy finally agreed. Ashley looked over her shoulder and smiled at Jimmy as she was walking out, he couldn't help but smile back.

"Okay, who's chauffer?", Debbie asked as she pushed Jimmy down the hall. "Well definitely not Spinner…he pushes like he drives", Jimmy smirked. Spinner wrinkled his face at Jimmy, Jimmy did the same thing back. "I'll do it", Ellie offered, taking hold of the handles. Mrs. Brooks looked between Ashley and Spinner. "And Ashley will drive", she stated, handling her the keys. They all started laughing.…except for Spinner.

"So exactly where are you guys taking me?", Jimmy asked as they settled into the van. "Well we haven't quite decided yet. Where's the best place to have a picnic?", Ashley asked. "A park?", Ellie offered. "No, too many kids", Spinner pointed out. "How about the beach?", he added. "Too far", Ashley frowned. "Yeah, and I'm not exactly dressed for the beach, guys", Jimmy replied, referring to his sweatpants and t-shirt.

"Yeah, what's up with that, dude…did your mom dress you this morning?", Spinner chuckled. Jimmy gave him an incredulous look. "Uh, yeah", he answered sarcastically, holding up his casted hand. Spinner held his head down in shame. "Sorry man", he mumbled. When Jimmy started laughing, the girls followed suit and soon Spinner was laughing too.

The group ended up in this camping area, near the pond where Mr. Mason took Spinner and Jimmy fishing, when they were kids. "This is perfect Ash", Ellie complimented, as the group ate lunch. "Yeah, great suggestion Jimmy", she smiled. "I just thought it would be sunnier", Ashley added looking up at the cloudy sky. "Well there was absolutely no rain in the forecast today, so I think were safe", Ellie stated.

No sooner did Ellie say that, there was a small clap of thunder. "Okay guys, let's head back", Ashley said, repacking the cooler. "No, we just got here...how about some volleyball?", Spinner offered, picking up a beach ball that the wind blew next to him.

"Are you serious Spinner? There's not even a net", Ellie pointed out. "So we improvise...here, we'll use the table...you and Ashley on that side and me and Jimmy on this side", Spinner suggested. "I really don't think Jimmy should be playing", Ellie replied. Spinner looked at Jimmy. "It's a beach ball El. I'll be fine if I just use my left hand", he smiled. Ellie shrugged and looked at Ashley, she nodded.

The group was so engrossed in the game, they hadn't even noticed it had started to rain. "It's starting to come down hard, let's go guys", Ashley stated. "No way Ash, we're not goin' anywhere until someone breaks this tie", Spinner challanged.

"No Spiner, now", Ashley ordered, nodding to Jimmy. Spinner looked over. "Yeah Jimmy, we need to get you outta the rain, man", Spinner stated. "It's a little rain Spin...I'm not the tin man, I wont rust", Jimmy, chuckled. "No Dude...your cast", Spinner said, pointing to Jimmy's hand. "Oh no", Ashley gasped when she saw the streak of blue dye running down Jimmy's grey sweat pants.

"I'm so sorry Jimmy...I just wanted you to have fun", Ashley apologized. "I did have fun, Ash", he insisted. "Oh sure, first we practically kidnap you, then we get caught in the pouring rain and end up sitting in the waiting room of your doctors office...what's not fun about that", Ashley stated sarcastically.

"I was with you Ashley...I had a great time", Jimmy said, gently tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Jimmy", she gasped. "You're so beautiful Ash", he complimented. "You liar...I look hideous, I'm soaking wet, my makeup is washed off, my hair is all frizzy...", she rambled nervously. "Beautiful", he whispered as his soft lips met hers.

They broke away just as Ellie and Spinner walked in. "Okay, that hand dryer trick does not work", Ellie complained, wringing out the bottom of her t-shirt. "Yeah, tell me about it", Spinner agreed, using paper towels to dry his dripping shorts.

The nurse appeared in the doorway and waived for Jimmy. Ashley got up and pushed Jimmy forward. He leaned his head back and looked at Ashley. "What do you think Ash, should I go for pink this time?", he joked, holding up his soggy blue cast.

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"Hey Ash, what's the emergency? We weren't supposed to meet until six", Ellie asked, sitting down next to Ashley. "It's not really an emergency...here this came in the mail for me", she said, giving Ellie the envelope.

Ellie read the letter. "Wow this is great Ash...isn't it?", Ellie questioned, noticing Ashley's long face. Ashley shrugged. "Sure...I guess?", she replied hesitantly. Ellie gave her a confused look. "Didn't you know about it?", she asked. Ashley shook her head. "He wanted to surprise me".

"Okay? But I still don't see the problem Ash", Ellie stated. "I don't know if I want to go, El?", Ashley confided. "Why not?", Ellie questioned. "Summer's just starting...and I missed so much with you guys last year. Plus, it's for like six weeks...I wont be back until, at least, the middle of August...you guys are leaving for university and school starts the following week..."

"Calm down Ash, Marco and I weren't leaving until the end of August, and you probably wont miss much because Spinner's always here and Jimmy and I will be busy getting at the comic book company", Ellie explained.

Ellie noticed Ashley's eyes fall to the table when she montioned Jimmy. "It's Jimmy, isn't it?", Ellie prodded. "What's wrong with Jimmy?", Spinner asked as he passed the table. He sat across from Ashley with a concerned look on his face. "Nothing's wrong with Jimmy", Ellie snipped. "Ashley has a dad dilemma".

"Oh", Spinner nodded and got up to serve the next table. "Don't worry about Jimmy...", Ellie started to say. "Jimmy and I are just friends, El", Ashley interrupted. "No Ash, I see the way you look at one another...there's something real there".

"I don't know...things are going so good with us, why screw it up?", Ashley questioned, taking in a deep breath. "I broke his heart twice, El...twice. I never want to put him through that again". Ellie smiled. "Maybe you should ask him what he wants, Ash". Ashley nodded and sighed. "I will...after I get back from London".

Ashley stood in front of Jimmy's front door for about five minutes before finding enough courage to knock. "Hey Ash", Jimmy greeted with a great big smile. "I thought you were hangin' out with Ellie tonight...". Ashley nodded. "Yeah, we met earlier...do you have a minute?", she asked hesitantly.

"For you, of course", he replied sweetly, backing away from the door, letting her in. "Are you all alone?", she asked, looking into the quiet house...all except for a stereo in the background. "Yeah, both my parents are working late", he stated, nodding for her to follow him.

"Should you really be lifting that?", Ashley asked concernedly, when Jimmy bent over to pick up a cardboard box. "Yes mom, my hand's fine", he chuckled. "Besides, this stupid thing comes off in two weeks...that is, if it lasts that long", Jimmy laughed, turning his hand over to show Ashley the worn down palm of his second blue cast.

"Okay, I worry...so sue me", Ashley smirked, following him into the family room. "Wow, what happened here?", she commented, when she looked into the now empty exercise room."I finally convinced my dad to let me have this room from for what I want", he chuckled, placing the box on a desk.

"This is my art section, over there is the music section...maybe we can even get the band's stuff out of Joey's garage. You could bring your keyboard over...", he suggested, raising his brow and smiling. Ashley smiled back, getting caught up in his excitement.

Jimmy pulled on her hand and wheeled to the middle of the room. "And this will be the...chill area...a couch maybe some tables...but for now, you can sit right here", he stated, gently pulling her onto his lap.

Ashley snuggled close to Jimmy. "I have to tell you something", she started, swallowing hard. "My dad and Chris are having a baby...I mean, there surrogate is. They want me to be there for the birth and to help them before hand", she explained sadly. "When are you leaving?", he asked quietly. "Next Monday", she replied.

Jimmy held Ashley a little tighter. "It's only for about six weeks and I'll e-mail every day...", she rambled. Jimmy smiled and raised a finger to her lips. "Just promise me one thing...", he said, caressing her cheek. "..you don't run in to that Allistiar guy and end up staying in England again". Ashley wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her forehead against his. "That's two things and yes, I promise", she whispered, kissing his waiting lips.

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An author's note...so, this is how I'm going to keep them apart for the rest of the summer. I'm trying to follow how the season is supposed to go, based on spoilers and previews. The only semi-spoiler I have is from that clip...you never forget your first love...when Jimmy's sitting on the couch and Ashley comes in half dressed...in my story, that room will be the music/art/chill room in Jimmy's house.

Huge thank you's to my wonderful reviewers...samitiny and Raina-Bess...thank you so much for sticking by this story and to Mrs. Graham who has just joined us. Please continue to read and review.

My usual disclaimer...Degrassi does not belong to me and the song 'Cruel Summer' belongs to Bananarama.