Just wanted to say...hope this story isn't becoming too predictable, there will be some twists and turns coming up…as well as the return of a past relationship (can you guess who that might be?). I hope no one will be disappointed, and I hope you're all still enjoying this story. And now on a brighter note(?), let's return to creepy Craig…
GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT
CHAPTER 18: STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART PT.2
Ashley took in a deep breath and closed her eyes. She heard Jimmy getting closer, and prayed that he was heading for the kitchen. "Hey Ash, where's the…", Jimmy stopped suddenly when he turned to see Ashley pinned up against the counter. "…everything okay in here?", he asked abruptly, looking from Craig to Ashley. Sensing they were in a moment, Jimmy slowly began to back away.
"Jim, I'm so glad you're here, maybe you can convince her", Craig rambled, still holding tightly to Ashley's arms. Jimmy stopped and locked eyes with Ashley, his rising anger immediately dissipated when he realized she was afraid of Craig. He turned his attention back to Craig and waited for him to continue. "Leo wants to sign her.…but she's confused…says she doesn't want to be a singer, anymore", Craig chuckled. "Isn't that crazy?".
"Wow, that's great, Ash", Jimmy said uncertainly, and looked over at Ashley, who was nervously biting her lip. She gave him an almost pleading look. "Craig man, why don't you let her go, and we can talk about this", Jimmy offered, pulling up to the table, never taking his eyes off of Ashley. Craig nodded as he looked at his hands and slowly released Ashley, he rubbed her shoulders hard and smiled at her.
Ashley walked over and sat down next to Jimmy, immediately taking his hand in hers. Craig sat next to her and stared at their intertwined hands. He took possession of Ashley's free hand and continued. "This is the most amazing opportunity of her life and she's throwing it away", he emphasized, pulling a stack of folded papers out of his jacket pocket. Ashley tried to respond, but she couldn't speak with the large lump that had formed in her throat.
Jimmy watched Craig, still unsure of his mental state. Jimmy had seen the beginning of Craig's breakdown, that time, when Craig visited him in the hospital…but Ashley and Joey had seen the worst.…Craig, mean and violent one minute and sweet and tender the next. Jimmy couldn't quiet figure out where exactly they were at this moment, but he knew he had to keep Craig calm.
"This is what you've always wanted Ash….I'm so happy for you", Jimmy stated as he read over the papers. "But Jimmy, I said I….", she started to say before Jimmy interrupted her. "Shh", he hushed her quietly, then looked over at Craig. Craig smiled brightly at the both of them, then took the papers and got up, "I need to call Leo now".
Just then Ellie came running in. "Ash, it's Emma Nelson…she sounds upset", Ellie stated, handing Ashley her cell phone. "Hello?", Ashley said tentatively. "Oh my God…no. How bad?….Okay, we'll be there as soon as we can", she choked out through the tears that had formed. Hearing the commotion, Marco, Dylan and Spinner walked into the kitchen.
Ashley snapped her phone shut and stood up. "There's been a fight.…Toby was hurt", she sniffled. "So was JT….and Manny", she added, looking over at Craig. "Manny?", he mumbled, snapping out of his thoughts when he heard her name. Ashley nodded slowly and looked at her friends. "We need to get to the hospital.…now".
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Ellie came back with the group, to support Ashley and Craig. There was a group of kids in the waiting room when they got to the hospital. Emma ran up to Ashley as soon as she walked in. "What happened…is my brother alright?", Ashley asked as they hugged. Emma shrugged and shook her head, she couldn't speak through her sobs.
"There was a fight…", Sean spoke up. "…Em and I were in the basement, so we didn't see anything. I guess, JT found out about the party and showed up with Mia. Manny had set Liberty up with this guy who, turns out to be Mia's baby's father. Him and JT got into it, he pulled a knife…Toby and Manny tried to help JT…and they all got stabbed", Sean explained quietly.
"Stabbed?", Ashley asked, painfully. Emma nodded. "JT was stabbed in the stomach, he's in surgery now. I think Toby's gonna be alright…I didn't see where he was hurt, but he was conscious when the ambulance came.…", she trailed off, looking down at the floor. "What about Manny, Em?", Craig asked impatiently. Emma looked up and starting sobbing. "He cut her beautiful face", she stuttered, touching her right cheek.
Craig sunk down into the chairs and held his head in his hands. Ellie sat next to him and put a comforting hand on his back. Jimmy and Ashley waited for word on Toby's condition. "Did you call your mom and Jeff?", Jimmy asked, pulling Ashley closer. "I cant get a hold of them.…they went to see Jeff's brother and his family, I don't know their phone number and my mom's phone's not on", Ashley anguished.
"Isaacs family?", a nurse holding a clipboard, called out. "I'm his sister", Ashley stated weakly, as she stood up from her seat. The nurse smiled and put her arm around Ashley. "Your brother's doing just fine…he has two deep wounds on his shoulder, the doctor's in there right now stitching him up", she stated. "Will he have to stay here", Ashley asked. The nurse nodded. "We'll keep him a few hours for observation…. and then he can go home. I'll come back when the doctor's done, so you can see him", she added with a smile. Ashley turned to Jimmy and let out a sigh of relief.
"Is there any word on the girl they brought in…Manny Santos?", Craig asked the nurse anxiously. "I'm sorry sir I can only give that information out to the family and they're on the way", she stated and turned to walk away. "I'm her boyfriend damn it.…tell me", he ordered, pulling the clipboard from her hands. "Sir please, that's confidential…sir…", the nurse yelled as Craig persisted. Ellie and Spinner ran up to help, but Craig escaped them and started running down the hall, calling Manny's name.
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"You up for some visitors, man?", Jimmy asked as he opened the door to Toby's room. "Sure, c'mon in", he responded with a small smile. "What were you thinking…trying to be the hero? You could've been killed Toby", Ashley scolded, sitting next him on the bed. "I didn't know you cared, Sis", he joked backed. "Of course I care Toby", she stated quietly. Toby smiled and patted her hand.
"Are you okay Tobs?", Emma asked sincerely, as she peeked her head in. "I'm fine", he answered quickly. "How are the others?". Emma walked in slowly. "Um, JT's still in surgery…but Manny should be fine…physically, that is", she said, her voice trailing off at the last part. "Manny wants to see you, Ashley…she right down the hall, room 317", Emma added hesitantly. Ashley looked over Toby and then to Jimmy. "Go, I'll stay with Toby", Jimmy said with a nod.
Ashley thanked Jimmy with her smile then turned and kissed Toby's forehead. "I'll be right back", she whispered as she rose from the bed. He smiled and nodded slightly. Jimmy caught Ashley's hand as she passed, she stopped and kissed his lightly before following Emma to Manny's room.
"So do we need to get you a cape now, superhero?", Jimmy joked, when the room was finally empty. "I'm no hero man", Toby shrugged, but then winced when he moved his shoulder. The silence between him and Jimmy was uncomfortable. "I just couldn't let it happen again", he added. Jimmy looked questionably, over at Toby. "I couldn't stand around while another one of my friends died", he admitted, quietly.
Jimmy gave him a small smile and scooted closer, resting his hand on Toby's uninjured shoulder. "You're a good guy, Toby….I'm proud to know you", Jimmy stated, with a nod. Toby lowered his head in embarrassment. "Same here Jimmy", Toby said, holding his hand out for Jimmy to shake. Toby looked over at Jimmy, who seemed deep in thought. "I'm glad you and Ashley are back together.…you make her happy", Toby stated. "Yeah?", Jimmy replied, almost surprised. "This is the happiest I've ever seen her", Toby added, with a smile. But Jimmy wasn't so sure…..
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"How are you feeling?", Ashley asked, plastering a smile on her face as she walked into Manny's room. Manny instinctively raised her hand to cover the gauze bandage on her face. "I'll be fine, they have a plastic surgeon coming tomorrow…I guess I lucked out.…the gash is near the jaw line…minimal scarring", she rambled uncomfortably. "I wanted to talk to you about Craig", she added, getting right to the point.
Ashley nodded hesitantly and sat in the chair next to the bed. "I know Craig had another manic episode...Joey came by, the doctor said he was taking some kind of stimulant, to keep him up, and it weakened the strength of regular meds", Manny repeated what she had just been told.
Ashley nodded, unsure of why Manny was telling her this. "I also know about Leo wanting to sign you...and that Craig still has feelings for you", she added, shifting in the bed. "Manny I'm not taking the offer and I...", Ashley started to say before she was interrupted.
"He's never gotten over you Ashley...sometimes I think he only got back with me, to fill the void you left", Manny said in a sadly, bitter way. Ashley looked away, almost ashamed. "I think I need to clear the air", she suggested as she stood up. "Thank you Ashley...he's on the fifth floor, room 503", Manny whispered. Ashley stopped walking and turned. "Feel better Manny", she said before leaving the room.
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Ashley was surprised to see Jimmy waiting for her outside of Manny's room. "Is Toby alright?", she asked concernedly. Jimmy nodded, "Your mom and Jeff, just got here". Ashley looked at him, confused. "Toby had his uncle's phone number, the nurse called", he explained.
Ashley looked down at the floor. "I need to go talk to Craig", she whispered. Jimmy nodded andslowly looked up at her. "You should take the offer Ash", he stated with a small smile. "Craig's right, it's the chance of a lifetime".
Ashley motioned Jimmy to follow her to a set of chairs. She hated looking down at him when they talked, she'd much rather have him close to her, so she could touch him, and look him straight in the eye. "It is the chance of a lifetime, but Jimmy I don't..."
"It's always been your dream, Ash", he interrupted her. "People change Jimmy...dreams change...", she started. "Because of me?", he asked, not giving her a chance to respond. "That's my biggest fear Ash...that I...that this...", he trailed off. Ashley softly ran her finger across his cheek. "We've already had this conversation, remember? You could never hold me back, Jimmy", she reminded him.
"I don't want to spend the best years of my life, away from the ones I love... traveling on some lonely tour bus. I want stability, a good job, a nice house...maybe a little family", she added, with a slight twinkle in her eye. Jimmy pushed off her knee and put his hands in the air. "I don't know if I can give you all that, Ash.", he replied, his voice full of frustration.
"But, it's worth a try, isn't it?", she asked, pulling him closer. Ashley tenderly cupped his face and kissed him before standing up. She smiled and walked over to the elevator. "He's still in love with you, Ash", Jimmy blurted. Ashley turned around and walked back over to him. "I know", she replied, taking his hand and holding it tightly. "The only difference is...I'm not in love with him, Jimmy...I'm in love with you".
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An author's note...Don't worry, I didn't kill JT off...I wouldn't do that to poor Toby. Needed some nice Jimmy/Toby interaction. Toby's always respected Jimmy and now Jimmy respects him...I think it shows a lot of maturity and growth of both characters. And I know, deep down inside, Ashley and Toby really care for one another...like in HF2, when Ashley's talking to those two girls in the hall, Toby 'accidently' bumps into her as he passes her, she smacks him back and they both laugh...typical brother/sister relationship.
I tried to incorporate the message I think they were trying to give us in CHW, that Jimmy wants to be able to be everything Ashley needs...but he's not sure that he can. So just like in the episode, when he tries to break up with her because he thinks she will enventually want to leave him; I had him suggest she take the job, so she wouldn't feel obligated to stay with him. But, just like the episode, Ashley tells him that she loves him for who he is and wants to be with him, no matter what (Aww, so sweet).
Reviewers...Ktgymchick...very nice, pyschic abilities...or am I just totally predictable? Hope not...anyway, thanks for the great review and your confidence...it means so much to me.
Beth Pryor...yeah, I wasn't getting e-mail alerts either, hope that's all fixed. Thanks, so much, for the review and the encouragement!!!
Raina-Bess...I'm so happy you reviewed, and I'm glad you liked the chapter.
Depressed Sweden-Lover...I'm so glad you like my story. I'd love an interview, just pm me with your questions.
Disclaimer...Degrassi is not mine. 'Straight From The Heart' and Bryan Adams are also not mine.