Just a note.…the first half of this chapter is about Ellie and her relationship with Jesse and is a completely made up storyline . The second contains a speculation concerning Jimmy getting mugged, this is not a confirmed storyline, but from the preview commercial, it looks like there may be some truth to it. This chapter takes place about a month after the last one, so all of the college students are on holiday break.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

CHAPTER 13: DO THEY KNOW IT'S CHRISTMAS?

Ellie wiped the tears from her eyes as she drove down the lonely highway. Marco and Dylan had left for home three days ago, but Ellie opted to stay at school and spend as much of the holiday with her boyfriend…but, that was before. Her intention was not to come home until the day before Christmas eve, spend it with her mother, then go back to school…and Jesse.

As she rounded the corner, she could see Jimmy's house twinkling in the dark of early evening. Ellie pulled up to the curb and sat there for a moment…the only light coming from the house was the glow of the white lights strung on the bushes and around the windows.

Ellie walked up and knocked on the front door, but that only confirmed her suspicions…nobody was home. She thought about trying Ashley's house but she couldn't make her feet move. Ellie slid to the ground and started sobbing.

Ellie was crying so hard, she didn't hear Jimmy's van pull into the driveway. She stood up and peered around the large bush to see Jimmy and Ashley laughing at the rear of the van. "How are we supposed to get this into the house?", Ashley asked, looking at the bound up Christmas tree, laying inside. "I never thought of that", Jimmy laughed, shaking his head. "We should've brought the guys from the lot, home with us".

Ashley started laughing too. "I'll call Spinner", Jimmy said, taking his cell phone out of his pocket. "No", Ashley replied quickly, grabbing the phone from Jimmy. "No Spinner…not tonight", she added, placing a kiss on his lips. Jimmy smiled and kissed her back.

Ellie felt awkward, interrupting her friends, but she knew she couldn't just stand on the porch all evening. "I can help", she offered shyly, heading down the ramp. "Ellie?", they both called out in unison when they saw her walking toward them.

"What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming home 'til next week", Jimmy stated as they broke their hug. Ellie turned to Ashley and hugged her as well. "I decided to come home early...the holiday season just isn't the same without you guys", she replied, as cheerfully as she could.

Ashley noticed a slight crack in Ellie's voice, she wanted to push the subject, but stopped when Ellie smiled at her. Together they pulled the tree out and carried it into the house.

"Wow, this tree is beautiful", Ellie exclaimed as they raised the tree into the stand. "Do you know how hard it is to find a nice tree, a week before Christmas?", Jimmy asked, jokingly. "Yeah, we went to four lots before Jimmy found the perfect one", Ashley chuckled.

"El, help us decorate...I want to surprise my parents when they get home from work", Jimmy requested, pulling out a box of lights and ornaments. Ellie looked at Ashley, who nodded in agreement, handing Ellie a strand of lights.

"So, how's the business going?", Ellie asked brightly, trying to head off any questions her friends might ask her. "Great", Jimmy replied. "The first shipment is just about ready for the stores...right in time for the Christmas rush", he chuckled.

"That is so cool Jimmy", Ellie replied excitedly. "Just tell me when they hit the stores, I want to be first in line", she added, turning back to the tree. "Actually, you are", Jimmy stated, picking up a small gift bag and wheeling over to Ellie. "Merry Christmas", he greeted, handing her the bag.

Ellie smiled at him and sat on the couch. "I wanted to give everybody a unique Christmas present...", Jimmy started to say as Ellie pulled a black form fitting t-shirt out of the bag. "The Nash Cronicles", she chuckles at the title on the shrit, a design of an old time newspaper. "I absolutely love it", she squeales, jumping up and giving him a hug."My very own, Jimmy Brooks original".

"So how does it look?", Ellie asked, pulling the shirt over her head and modeling it. "Great El", Ashley complimented. "I'm getting my own too...but the grinch is making me wait until Christmas day", she added, jokingly...giving Jimmy a slight grin. "I told you, there's a surprise that goes along with yours", Jimmy reminded her, pulling her onto his lap and kissing her.

Feeling out of place, Ellie silently went back to decorating the tree. Ashley and Jimmy broke away and looked over at Ellie. Jimmy cleared his throat. "How 'bout some music?", he offered. Ashley and Ellie both nodded.

Ashley walked over to Ellie. "Sorry", she apologized, for getting so caught up in the moment and forgetting they had a guest. "Don't apologize Ash", Ellie insisted, hanging up another ornament. "You guys are so cute together...like the perfect couple", she managed to choke out, before being reduced to tears.

"El, what is it?", Ashley asked concernedly, putting her arm around her best friend and walking her over to the couch. "He lied Ash", Ellie sobbed into Ashley's shoulder. "Who? Jesse?", Ashley questioned. Ellie nodded.

"He said they were seperated, that he hadn't seen her in months", Ellie tried to explain. "But she showed up to the office party tonight...the one he invited me to". Ashley looked at Ellie sympathetically, the over at Jimmy, who had just re-entered the room.

"But that doesn't mean they're back together El", Ashley tried to reassure Ellie. "They were never really apart...she's four months pregnant, Ash", Ellie cried as Ashley held her. "He lied about everything...the whole time we were dating...".

"Are you gonna be okay El?", Jimmy asked, rubbing her arm, his fingers unconciously running over the scars that covered it. "I'll be fine Jimmy", she reassured him by taking hold of his hand and squeezing it. "I'm so sorry Ellie", Ashley comforted."What'd you say to some hot chocolate?", she asked brightly. Ellie nodded and smiled, wiping away the rest of her tears.

------------------------------------------

"Well, I'm going to get our popcorn and drinks", Ashley said to Jimmy as they waited for the others to join them at the movie theater. She leant down to kiss him, her hand brushing across his chest as she walked away.

Jimmy uneasily glanced over at a table in the far corner. He stiffened as one of the two shady guys got up and walked over to the concession stand, where Ashley was headed. He watched protectively as she bought what she needed and walked back over to him.

"Spinner just got here and Ellie's on her way...Marco, Dylan and Paige will meet us later", Ashley told Jimmy and handed him a drink. "Are you alright...you look upset?", she asked when she saw the look on his face. "Yeah, I'm fine...let's go", he stated, placing his arm around her waist.

"That movie was awful, Spinner", Ellie groaned as the group left the darkened theater. "Now I know why you decided to meet us after the movie", she added to Marco who was standing with Dylan and Paige in the lobby. "Yeah, Spin doesn't have the best reputation, when it comes to picking out movies", Marco laughed as he greeted her with a hug.

"Hey guys, we need to steal Ellie for a little bit...house shopping", Dylan stated, to the others apologetically. Ashley frowned. "Okay but don't forget, we have dinner reservations at six", she reminded them. "So ladies, should we go see how our merchandise is selling on it's first day in the store?", Spinner asked Ashley and Paige.

"Sorry Hun, but I'm taking Ash to do some last minute Christmas shopping", Paige stated, taking Ashley by the arm. "Paige?", Ashley questioned, then looked at Jimmy. "Go ahead, we'll catch up to you", he chuckled, waiving her on. "Just remind them to email the total number of sales for the day", Paige called out as she walked away.

Inside the store, Spinner was talking to the clerk while Jimmy checked on the merchandise. The clerk took Spinner back into the office to check on the numbers. Just then, the two guys from earlier walked into the store, one headed right for the cash register and the other kept watch.

"Hey, what are you doing", Jimmy yelled as he came around the display. "Take what you can get and go", the one from the register growled and headed for the door as a lookout. The second came up to the table, where Jimmy was sitting and cockily grabbed some of his t-shirts. Jimmy tried to pull them out of his hand, but he couldn't.

"Spinner, help", Jimmy called, just as he and the clerk re-entered the store. Jimmy was struggling with both guys now...Spinner ran towards Jimmy, and grabbed the second guy, pinning him against the wall. "I'll call security", the clerk called out and ran back into the office. Spinner held the guy tight to the wall until security came.

"Jimmy", Spinner called out, running to his friends side. "Dude, don't move, you might be hurt bad", he added, trying to push Jimmy back down. "Spin, I'm okay...just help me up", Jimmy insisted, nodding to his over-turned chair. Spinner nodded and waived over a security guard for help.

"Wer're gonna need to take your statements", the police officer told the boys, once they were settled, they both nodded. "Then we can go?", Jimmy asked, still holding a bloodied tissue to his nose. "Sure", the officer replied, patting him on the shoulder.

---------------------------------------------

"Home already?", Mrs. Brooks greeted, surprised to see the kids at the front door. Ashley smiled cautiously and walked in, followed by Spinner then Jimmy, "What the hell happened to you?", Mrs. Brooks asked, as she touched Jimmy's bruised cheek.

"It's nothing Mom...just a little fight", Jimmy stated, heading for the kitchen. "A fight...who would...?", Mr. Brooks asked agrily, getting up from the couch. "What Dad? Who would hit a kid in a wheelchair?", Jimmy interrupted, bitterly.

"No Jim...I mean...yes...", he stuttered, walking over to his son. Jimmy wheeled fast down the remainder of the hall, Ashley gave a small smile and followed. "There were some guys at the mall, they were trying to rob the store...they were taking our shirts...Jimmy tried to stop them...", Spinner explained, feeling guilty that Jimmy got hurt.

"Thanks Gavin", Mrs. Brooks said, giving Spinner a hug. Mr. Brooks glared disapprovingly at him. "Uh, I guess I'll go now", Spinner said uncomfortably, pointing at the door behind him. Mrs.Brooks nodded and walked him out.

"How's that?", Ashley asked as she placed a cold washcloth on Jimmy's face. Jimmy flinched at first, then nodded. "I'm sorry I wasn't there", Ashley apologized. "I'm not", Jimmy blurted. Ashley gave him a confused look.

"What if it was you instead of Spinner, Ashley?", Jimmy asked, seriously. "What if they wanted to hurt you?", he continued, becoming more and more upset. "What could I have done...I couldn't even defend myself...how could i have protected you".

Ashley smiled and took hold of his hands. "Jimmy, life's full of what ifs...we cant spend every day worrying about what might happen", she stated, snuggling up close. "We have to live for now...and right now, the only thing that matters is you and me".

------------------------------------------

My note...holy crap, that took me forever. This chapter has been loaded for days but I kept changing it, I tried to fit in the some of the dialogue from 'Cant Hardly Wait'...but it just didn't fit.

btw...those previews rocked my socks off...I have never been so excited for an episode to air...I cannot wait.

A little rant...I just have to say...applause, applause to Aubrey. I cant see anyone else portraying 'Jimmy' like he does. He gives the charater such emotion and depth...you cant help feeling for him(and not in a pitying way). I swear, those previews almost made me cry...he's just so wonderful. And there is so much chemistry between him and Melissa...they totally heat up the screen.

Reviewers...yipee(jumps up and down), four this chapter...you guys are awsome. Raina-Bess, I love having the other character involvement in the story...I'm glad you do too. Samitiny...thanks for the compliment...but if I had it my way...Jimmy and Ashley would take up most of the screen time(oh, and the episodes would be an hour long). Beth Pryor...thanks for the review...I'm glad you like it. Mrs. Graham...(gives big hug), thanks for taking the time to review, not one, but three chapters...and p.s., sorry to make you cry.

Disclaimer...same old, same old, Degrassi is not mine. 'Do They Know It's Christmas' belongs to everyone in Band-Aid.