"The One" – Part 92

Summary and additional notes in part 1.

Author's Note: There's a flashback in italics!

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

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Degrassi!

-oOo-

"It wasn't that bad, princess," Adam assured his girlfriend. They were at a red light, so he turned to face her. They were on their way to Eli's place. From there, the three of them were driving to Clare and Dave's house.

Fiona looked at him with a small smile. "You're right, but I still feel bad."

He reached over and lightly rubbed her shoulder. "Don't," he said softly.

She smiled a bit brighter, enjoying his touch.

When they were getting ready to leave Drew and Abby's house, she made a comment that she wished she could take back. She was aware that the two brothers had gone on an early morning run. Drew mentioned at breakfast they drove back, but she hadn't realized they initially set out on foot!

"We took a long path, and let me tell you, Drew's a machine! I was winded by the time we reached our destination," Adam laughed.

"Thanks bro!" Drew said with a grin.

"Where did you end up?" Fiona asked curiously.

"At a relatively nearby car dealership," Adam answered. It took them almost an hour to reach it! "I picked up a rental car for us to use during our stay," he revealed.

"You did?" Fiona responded surprised.

He nodded. "Yeah, I placed a reservation for it online last week." Having their own car would definitely be convenient! They could go where they wanted without relying on rides from family and friends.

"He got a BMW!" Drew added excitedly. The car his brother rented looked like a sweet ride. He was a little jealous!

Fiona frowned a little. "That sounds expensive." She paused and fought the urge to cringe after the words left her mouth!

"I'm sure you guys can afford it!" Drew laughed heartily. He was happy that his brother listened to his advice to 'elevate' his style!

Fiona glanced at Adam apologetically. He sent her a reassuring look.

"Besides, I'll be borrowing it a lot while you're here!" Drew added.

Abby playfully shook her head at her husband. "Of course!" she laughed. She had expected no less!

Adam returned his eyes to road once the light changed. He was happy to focus on something else. Truth was, he was feeling guilty. He hated keeping things from Fiona. She had made an assumption last night and he allowed her to believe it.

He was always an open book with her because he had nothing to hide! But what he discussed with his brother, he wasn't at liberty to share... By the end of the long weekend it should be a moot point anyway, he reminded himself. He had faith that Fiona would understand he was between a rock and a hard place in this instance.

As he pulled into the parking lot of Eli's apartment complex he sighed.

"So this is where Eli lives?" Fiona noted with a playful grin.

"Yeah. What you do think?" Adam teased her. He turned off the engine.

She gave him a look. "I think it's nice. It's so interesting to see everyone as adults." She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the passenger door.

Adam nodded. "I can imagine!" he agreed as he also exited the car. He regularly kept in touch with his high school friends, so it wasn't weird for him. However, tonight there were going to be a bunch of people he hadn't seen in awhile at Simpson's retirement party, so he understood the feeling!

Eli lived on a tree-lined street with rows of duplexes. Behind them were a few tall residential buildings. They all had about fifteen floors and many of the apartments had balconies. Adam led the way as they walked towards the middle one, hand in hand.

"Which floor?" Fiona asked as they entered the elevator.

"He's on the fourth one," Adam answered. In no time they were there and knocked on his friend's door. After a few moments it swung open.

"Welcome to my humble abode!" Elijah Goldsworthy said with a smirk. He stepped aside to let them in. He was wearing a green rock band t-shirt and a pair of loose fit blue jeans. It was actually the most colorful outfit Fiona had ever seen him wear!

"Sorry the place looks a mess. It was Jen's turn to clean but she didn't!" Eli added.

Fiona glanced around. It didn't look bad at all to her eyes. Sure there were a few coffee mugs and scattered papers around, but she had seen much worse back in college.

Adam snorted. "Right, shifting the blame!" he ribbed his friend.

Fiona spotted some framed pictures of Eli and their mutual friends over the years. She smiled as she recognized Adam, Clare, Dave, Alli, Drew and others. A few of the photos featured a woman with dyed black hair, worn in a choppy bob.

"I didn't realize you live with your girlfriend!" Fiona remarked excitedly. She knew Eli and Clare had been engaged at one point and had a painful break up during their senior year of college. Clare was now married with a child, so it was good to see that Eli had also found happiness with someone!

Adam and Eli looked at her, and then glanced at each other before laughing.

"Jen and I are just friends," Eli clarified. She was his roommate! He had known her for years – they both worked at the same crappy record store following college – but they were completely platonic. Despite having a lot in common, there were times when they could drive each other up the wall! Even if they entertained the idea, they both knew a relationship between them would never work!

Adam laughed. "Can you imagine? That would epic!"

Eli glared at him. "Just as wonderful as you dating Naomi would be!" he fired back.

Adam cringed at the weirdness. "Okay, not funny…" he conceded. It wasn't a slight. Although Naomi and Jen were both pretty girls, some people stayed solidly in the 'friends' category. He was certain all parties would be in agreement about this!

"Guess I stepped on a landmine here…" Fiona joked.

"No!" Eli and Adam responded at the same time.

Fiona laughed.

"Okay, let's head to Clare's," Adam suggested, ready to move on.

Eli smirked. "Sounds like a plan."

When they got to the parking lot, Eli whistled when he saw their rental car.

"Nice!" he grinned and initiated a fist bump with Adam. "Dude, this must have cost you a pretty penny! I'm not mad at you though!" he laughed. "Can I ride shotgun?"

Adam chuckled as he shook his head at Eli's enthusiasm. "No, but you can sit in the back!" he replied in jest.

"That's cold, bro!" Eli noted with playful frown.

Adam shrugged and they both laughed.

"You can sit in the front," Fiona interjected. She didn't mind. Besides she knew they hadn't seen each other in awhile.

"No, that's alright," Eli waved her off. He didn't want to come between the lovebirds!

Fiona shook her head. "Really, it's fine," she insisted and opened one of the back doors.

Adam threw her a quizzical expression. She met his eyes and smiled, reassuring him that it was okay.

-oOo-

Clare and Dave lived in a single family home in the neighborhood of Riverdale. It actually wasn't too far from Degrassi Community School! Like Eli, they also were also on a tree lined street, through the section they resided in look much more like a typical suburban area.

"We're here!" Adam announced as they came to a stop in front of a two level house with a blue painted front door. It had an open green lawn. Parked in the driveway was a gray family sedan. The three of them got out of the car and walked up the steps.

"It's going to be serious cuteness overload!" Eli exclaimed as he smiled at Fiona.

They all chuckled.

"He's right. She's my munchkin!" Adam grinned.

Fiona looked between the two of them amused. "She must have you both wrapped about her finger!" It warmed her heart how attached they were to the little girls in their lives!

Adam nodded. "It's true!"

Again, they all laughed.

After Clare had given birth, the first few weeks with Sierra at home had been a major adjustment for her and Dave. Clare found it hard to establish a new routine with people constantly dropping by, however she was elated to have Adam's help. He seemed to know when she was getting overwhelmed and pulled back when they needed time to themselves as a family. Somehow it all worked out. When it was time for him to return to Boston, all three Turners were sad to see him go, as was he.

Eli knocked on the door and moments later a familiar face answered.

"Hey guys!" Dave Turner greeted them with a bright smile. He was wearing long khaki shorts and a pale orange t-shirt. In his arms was his baby daughter, Sierra, who giggled excitedly upon seeing the guests at the door.

They all had huge smiles as they exchanged 'hellos' and hugs.

.

tbc

A/N: Here's where I do my usual chapter comments, but looks like we're having to wait and see what happening… Some interesting reveals, no? Aww, Adam and Eli reunited. Once we see Clare it'll be an official Misfits reunion!

Reviews are like tip jars for writers :D

Next update will be tomorrow, 8/19! It's a flashback... and yes, we'll see Clare!