Title: Casting Stones

Rating: R
Chapter: 4. Chapter 3
Fandom: Degrassi: The Next Generation
Summary: "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said to them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." John 8:7 AKJV. A new patient enters the rehab center where Clare volunteers, but her boyfriend thinks he wants a different kind of treatment. Eclare. Flare.
Comments: N/A.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the idea.

Clare groaned, the pain overwhelming her body, as she suddenly woke up. She lifted her head, finding herself on the edge of Eli's bed since he was sprawled out. Somehow they had lost the covers in their love making – fucking. She winced at the thought of letting Eli fuck her and more than once in a night. She slowly pulled herself up and crawled out of the bed quietly. She grabbed one of Eli's black Dead Hand t-shirts off the floor and put it on to cover herself before she would present herself to his parents.

Clare walked slowly down the stairs, trying to find a way to subside the aches consuming her body, while combing her hand through her ratty hair. She tilted her head to the side, squitting at the bright lights as she walked into the kitchen. She yawned before mumbling a "Morning" to both his parents and took a seat at the table next to Bullfrog.

CeCe, sitting across from her, smiled, finishing her bite of food before greeting the teenager, "Good morning, Clare."

Clare started to reach out for the juice carton, but one of her aches spasmed. She winced, her arm going to her side, with a painful gasp. "Damn Eli," she cursed under her breath once the pain dulled to a throb. She went back to the obnoxious effort to get the orange juice carton and then, with a successful smile, poured herself a glass.

CeCe placed a plate full of pancakes, eggs, and bacon in front of her, offering, "Here, Sweetie. Eat."

Clare smiled softly, "Thanks, CeCe."

Bullfrog, who was smirking, finally spoke up, "So… you had a… long night."

"Bullfrog," CeCe chided warningly. "Not now."

Clare frowned at his comment and Eli's claw marks were suddenly burning her skin. She set her fork back down, losing her appetite.

CeCe smiled concerningly at Clare, "Don't mind him, Clare. Eat. You're going to need it before you go to school. You're already late."

"Do I… we really have to go today?" Clare asked timidly. She was afraid to meet either of the parents' eyes so she just stared bashfully into the plate.

CeCe sighed heavily, pursing her lips together, "Well…" She glanced over at the clock, checking the time, and then looked at her husband.

Bullfrog shrugged nonchalantly, "As long as you guys go the rest of the week. Cece, go call the school."

Clare beamed, looking up at him as CeCe got up, "Thank you."

DTNG

Clare laid lazily against Eli, who was leaning back against a tree in the park with his arms wrapped securely around her body. When he had finally woken up, she decided they needed to go somewhere his dad would make crude comments and chose the park as their destination. She was reading through his latest story, her head resting back against his chest while he sat, content with holding her.

Clare's eyes finished the last sentence and smiled, turning her head to look at him. "It's good," she complimented, setting it down on the ground beside them. She rewarded him with a small peck on the lips.

"Thank you," Eli grinned, his hand trailing slowly up and down her body. "You feeling any better?" he asked.

Clare shrugged, "I guess." When he frowned, she smiled, reassuring him for the millionth time, "It was worth it." She turned around in his lap and closed the distance between them, kissing him softly on the lips. He kissed her back slowly, tightening his hold on her.

DTNG

Clare sat up against the wall in Fitz's bed, one earbud of the headphones in her ear, swaying her feet in the air to the music. She was reading through her history book while Fitz was getting himself decent in the bathroom. Usually, she did not act like this when helping a patient, but… this was… Fitz. He was so different compared to the patients she had worked with in the past.

Fitz cleared his throat, catching her attention.

Clare tugged at the wire, the earbud falling down on her lap with the other. She looked up at him and smiled, "Nice to have hygiene, huh?"

Fitz mock pouted, trying to be offended, while making his way across the room, "Are you saying that I'm gross, Edwards." He sat down on the opposite edge of the bed.

"Repulsive," Clare teased with a smirk.

Fitz, touching his heart, gasped while slowly scooting closer to her, "That hurts!"

Clare leaned forward slightly, two sets of blue eyes locking. "I'm sorry," she whispered apologetically.

Fitz stopped when his face was nearly inches from hers. He smiled at her, whispering back, "I forgive you." He leaned forward to close the gap, dropping hand gently on her thigh.

Clare hissed in pain, trying to back away from him, and felt damned when she realized her back was against the wall already.

Fitz pulled back, removing his hand, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"You… didn't hurt me," Clare assured, cursing Eli for her bruised body. She quirked an eyebrow, cocking her head to the side, "But I don't know what you think you're doing."

"I think I was going to kiss you," Fitz stated bluntly.

Clare frowned, looking down, as she dropped her textbook on the ground, "Fitz…"

Fitz frowned, his eyes falling upon her bruised wrists, "Did he hurt you?"

Clare shook her head, mumbling, "We had…" She blinked with a sigh, trying to put it delicately, "Last night was rougher than usual."

Fitz's eyes widened in realization, "Saint Clare lost her virginity to Emo Boy? Since when?"

Clare shrugged, mumbling, "Since the night we…" but quickly trailed off in realization, her head snapping to face him. "It's none of your business!"

"I thought you were waiting until marriage," Fitz mocked.

"I was waiting until I was in love," Clare corrected, her eyes sad.

Fitz frowned, sighing apologetically, "Don't be sad…"

Clare shook her head, "It's not you." She shifted uncomfortably. "My parents are getting a divorce so I don't know if I even believe marriage works out anymore." She looked back up at him, continuing to speak, while wringing her hands together roughly, "I mean, I believe in God and that He forgives all. He's absolutely amazing, Fitz. But… humans sin and, unfortunately, my parents and myself are human."

"That doesn't explain why you let Eli… hurt you," Fitz piped quietly.

"He didn't mean to hurt me," Clare informed. "We just got carried away. He's got a few bruises too."

Fitz's eyes fell back to her wrists, "Those were there yesterday."

Clare rolled her eyes in frustration, starting to get up, "I don't have to explain myself to you. You have an appointment with Doctor Carson."

Fitz took her hand in his, pulling her carefully onto his lap. "Clare," he breathed softly.

Clare closed her eyes sadly, shivering slightly. She swallowed, "Fitz, I'm only here to help you get better."

"I'm fine. I'm not an addict," Fitz confessed quietly.

Clare opened her eyes to look at him, mumbling, "What are you talking about?"

Fitz cupped her cheek, shrugging, "You like me, Edwards."

"We're friends," Clare whispered, leaning into his touch, only to quickly turn her head away. She stood up, escaping his arms, and backed away slowly.

Fitz shrugged nonchalantly, "Maybe. Maybe not."

"You're confusing me," Clare stated with a frown.

Fitz rolled his eyes with a heavy sigh, getting up, "Whatever. I have an appointment." He gave her one last look – pity – before walking out of the room.

DTNG

"And then he just… walked out?" Alli questioned before taking a sip of her latte.

Clare brushed her bangs out of her face with a nod, "Yeah. I-I don't understand why he would be in rehab if he's not on drugs."

Alli tried not to laugh at her friend's confusion, "That's what you're worried about? That he's in rehab and not an addict?"

Clare frowned, her flushed face burning with a million emotions, "They're putting him through drug rehabilitation with drugs, Alli! It could wear down his body and… maybe even his mind."

"He probably needs some kind of mental help anyways," Alli shrugged, brushing the topic off nonchalantly. "Clare, he tried to make moves on you and you're worried about this rehab shit."

Clare winced at the reminder, looking down, as she tugged her hoodie sleeve down over her hand to hide her wrist. "I know what he was trying to. But I have Eli."

Alli shook her head with a frown, "Eli's not good for you, Clare."

"I love him," Clare snapped in disbelief.

"I see he how he treats. He's suffocating you. I wouldn't be surprised if he's even beating you," Alli confessed, her brown eyes drowning with concern.

"Alli, that's a serious accusation," Clare informed quietly, looking around nervously to see if anyone had heard her friend.

Alli felt her heart snap in two, realization setting in, "Oh god… he isn't…"

Clare looked down at the table, shifting from the pain still aching her body. She shook her head, "We just… fucked… last night, Alli." She hated that word. Fucked. But it was true. Eli fucked her all night long. She dropped her head on the table in shame, shielding her face with her arm.

Alli blinked at Clare's language, "Like…. he…?" She ran her hand through her friend's hair. "Clare… you know how you tell everyone that you volunteer at the rehab center because you feel like God wants you to help save others?"

Clare nodded, not moving from the hidden position.

"Maybe God placed Fitz there to save you," Alli suggested quietly.

Clare looked up at her friend, shaking her head, "It was so painful, Alli."

Alli moved her chair around to the other side of the table next to Clare, wrapping the redhead up in her arms of comfort. "I know, Clare. But it's over. He's done. He's not… fucking you, Clare," she nodded.

Clare shoved her face in the crook of Alli's neck, shaking with uncontrollable sobs.

Alli looked up, rocking Clare gently from side to side, as Eli walked through the door.

Eli frowned, walking over to them, and gave Alli a questioning look. He quickly pulled a chair up to Clare's other side.

Alli gave him a warning look before carefully turning Clare into her boyfriend and got up, leaving them alone.

Clare settled into Eli willingly, crying softly, "I love you. You know that, right?"

Eli nodded, clutching her close to him, "I know, Edwards. I love you too." He pressed his lips against the top of her head in comfort, reassuring her he was there.

Clare pulled back from him, wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie. "I'm done working at the rehab center," she mumbled.

Eli frowned, rubbing her arm up and down gingerly, "Why?"

"Mom thinks it's a bad influence," Clare lied easily, sniffling against the fabric.

Eli nodded, shrugging, "Well, your mom and I actually agree on something."

Clare fought the urge to frown at his comment and, instead, forced a humorous smile, "Maybe you two can actually get along after all." She leaned in close to him.

Eli smiled, mumbling, "Maybe." He closed the gap between them, his lips meeting hers in a soft kiss.