"The One" – Part 6

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: Thank you for the reviews guys! Here's a lengthier chapter! And Adam is in it :D

This is not related to my Degrassi timeline fics. (See my Author's Profile for details!)

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

Fiona sighed heavily as she walked towards the apartment. She considered asking her assistant to come with her, but ultimately decided it was best to face the music alone. She could only imagine what Beth told the other housemates. They probably all hated her and she couldn't blame them. She understood that Beth was the wronged party in all of this. Ending things so abruptly came off as cruel, but Fiona wasn't sure what she could have done differently. The problem was her feelings had changed. From that point on it was a no-win situation.

Fiona gave the front door a few hard knocks before using her key to enter. She took a deep breath as she came in and closed the door behind her. The foyer was empty, but she heard voices coming from the kitchen.

"Hello?" she called out. The voices paused. Seconds later she heard footsteps heading her way.

Tami and Gretchen came out into the hallway with their arms folded. They both looked very mad.

"Tell me you've come to apologize," Tami demanded in a no nonsense tone. Her brown eyes held anger behind them as she stared Fiona down.

Fiona looked away.

"Fiona…" Gretchen trailed off disappointed. "What the heck is going on?" She ran a hand through her wavy black hair.

"Um… I've come for my things," she said quietly.

"So it's true? You're leaving Beth for some guy?" Tami questioned pointedly. Fiona hesitated. "How long has this been going on?"

Fiona snapped her eyes to Tami's. "Nothing's been going on! I can't believe you think that!" she said annoyed.

"What am I supposed to think? One minute you're with Beth, the next you're leaving her cold!" Tami yelled.

"I didn't cheat on her!" Fiona refuted. "I just… things have changed. I never wanted to hurt her."

"You just can't make up your mind?" Tami derided her.

Fiona looked at her darkly. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Alright, this isn't constructive!" Gretchen intervened. "Tami, I want to speak to Fiona alone." Tami opened her mouth to protest. "Alone," she repeated.

"Fine," Tami huffed. She threw Fiona one last dirty look before walking off.

Gretchen and Fiona waited as the click of her heels against the hardwood floor sounded further and further away.

"Let's go to the kitchen," Gretchen suggested. Fiona nodded and followed her there. "Do you want any coffee?"

Fiona shook her head. "My mind is frazzled as it is," she remarked.

Gretchen smirked. "I bet."

Fiona watched as Gretchen made herself a cup of joe. She was relieved to be here with just her. Gretchen and Fiona had been friends for many years, long before either had met Beth. If there was anyone who could be the least bit neutral, it was her.

"So... Tell me what's going on," Gretchen demanded in a casual tone as she sat down. "Suddenly breaking up and moving out sounds major, Fi."

Fiona sighed. "I know. I feel terrible."

"But not terrible enough to make things right," Gretchen noted with a wry smile.

Fiona shook her head. "It's not like that. I wish things were different. I never wanted to hurt Beth, really. But you know me. I don't put on airs. I don't think it's fair to anyone to just go through the motions. The truth is, I know she's not the one for me. I know that sounds awful, but I can't pretend otherwise."

Gretchen took a long sip of her coffee. "You're right. It does sound awful," she deadpanned.

Fiona winced. "I know. I'm a horrible person."

Gretchen shrugged. "Maybe you're a little too honest for your own good?" she suggested. "The time tested 'It's not you, it's me' rolls off the tongue easier that 'you're not the one' or 'we don't have a future.'"

Fiona lowered her head.

"That girl has been crying all night. I want to know why," Gretchen pressed.

Fiona took another deep breath. "I ran into an Ex of mine. Adam and I dated in high school and during my first two years of college. I hadn't seen him in over seven years. He's so different. We're so different… but there's something there. I don't know how to explain it, but I know. I love him. I don't think I ever stopped loving him."

"Holy shit, Fi!" Gretchen stared at her wide-eyed. "That's… Well, that's something."

Fiona looked away with a small grin. She knew she sounded crazy to others. The depth of her feelings for Adam even shocked her. It was so sudden, yet had been under the surface all along. Now that she acknowledged it, she couldn't stop acknowledging it. She had never felt for anyone else the way she did about him.

-oOo-

Adam yawned as he looked bleary-eyed into the mirror. His reflection showed that he had been out all night drinking. His eyes were tired and his hair flew every which direction. He turned on the faucet and splashed water over his face. When he looked up again, he felt a little bit better.

He quickly brushed his teeth and hopped into the shower. He didn't have any plans for today, except to go to the gym. He was looking forward to the physical activity. Perhaps it would help him get his mind right.

Last night he couldn't stop thinking about Fiona. He buried his sorrows in beers and after awhile managed to have fun. He joined in with his buddies on their favorite game – chatting up girls. He flirted with a hot waitress and she seemed into him, but he just wasn't into it. He went home alone at 3am. He was the quintessential drunk guy in a cab.

Adam sighed as he soaped up his chest. Yesterday he had spent six hours with Fiona. He enjoyed every second of being around her, but looking back he could only feel sadness. She was with someone else. He didn't even know when he would see her again.

Out of eight million people in New York City, he had run into her Friday morning. It had to mean something. It couldn't be a random coincidence. He lowered his head and watched the soap suds run down his abs. 'How did I get here?' he thought bitterly. He hadn't seen her in years yet he felt as hung up on her as he did when he was in his teens!

He had dated plenty of girls in the years following their split. But he could count the number of serious relationships he had on one hand. And when he was honest, he could admit that he compared every single one of them to Fiona. It wasn't right, but it was the truth.

Adam moved his face directly under the spray of the shower, embracing the feel of the water hitting his skin. It was a welcome distraction from futile thoughts. Minutes later he stepped out of the shower and toweled off.

When he returned to his room Adam noticed a beeping noise coming from his window. He walked over the ledge and saw his phone charging. He noticed he had a new text message. He quickly opened it and what he read made him smile.

** Hey. Any chance you'd like to do brunch 2day? – Fiona C. **

"Yes!" he exclaimed to no one in particular as he pumped his fist in the air. He couldn't believe she contacted him! His wide grin turned into a frown when he took note of the timestamp.

"Shit!"

.

tbc

A/N: Anyone else surprised Fiona didn't show up with back up? She took her lumps, which is admirable! And wow, it does look like Adam is hoping for something more. But will this be too much for him?

Reviews rock! :D (especially since the traffic counter is still down!)