"Welcome to Media Immersion everyone, I am and it's nice to see so many familiar faces," Mr. Simpson said to his homeroom class on the first day. Toby sat nearest Mr. Simpson's desk and JT after that, followed by Manny, then Emma, and last Jay. He had failed last year and was now stuck with Emma, and friends.

Sean was on the other side of the room, no one wanted to talk to him, they were all mad because he cheated. Even Jay, he thought that Sean loved Emma, you don't cheat on someone you love. Jay and Emma had become good friends throughout the summer. They had done a lot of double dating.

"Hey Jay, Manny is super upset with herself. Will you please forgive her?" Emma asked quietly.

Jay shot a look at Emma, "Greenpeace, I will be friends with Manny but no more. She had no faith in us at all."

Emma shrugged, "Fine, at least we can all be friends. Without Sean of course."

"Emma, Jay, please stop talking," Mr. Simpson said impatiently. JT snickered and whispered something in Toby's ear. Emma rolled her eyes and began he first assignment of grade 9. An IM popped up on her screen.

OrangeCivicHogart: Hey, u want 2 go 2 the Dot for some food later. Just me and u. it'll b fun.

GreenPeaceNelson: Hogart that sounds like a date.

OrangeCivicHogart: So wat?

GreenPeaceNelson: u and manny just broke up. I'm not goin on a date with u. Besides there is no way ur over her

OrangeCivicHogart: ok ur rite, it's not a date but it'll be fun just me and u. friends hangin out without exes.

GreenPeaceNelson: ok fine but u have to save me from lunch with Toby. he wants to have lunch alone.

OrangeCivicHogart: deal. meet me outside at my car for lunch.

Emma logged off her computer and smiled genuinely at Jay. They were good friends now, but Emma wasn't sure how long that would last.

They bell rang and they all moved on to their next class. Before Emma could even blink the lunch bell rang and she exited Ms. Kawn's classroom. Toby was standing by her locker.

"Hey Toby, I know I said I'd do lunch but Jay needs my help with something. Can I cancel on you?" Emma said trying to sound apologetic. Toby bought the act and nodded. He waved and said he'd see her later.

She shoved everything in her locker and went to Jay's civic. He was leaning against the drivers door looking off towards Sean.

"Hey Jay, what are you eyeing Sean for?" Emma asked standing beside him and looking at Sean also.

"I was just wondering how he managed to cheat on you," Jay said turning to Emma.

She shrugged and looked away from her ex, "I don't know. Of course I'm upset about it but I have friends and school to distract me. There's tons going on at school that I can focus on."

Jay's gaze left hers and widened at a student getting out of a small car. He pointed and Emma turned to see Rick Murray. Her mouth dropped, he should not be allowed back here. "Jay, we have to go talk to Raditch. Rick shouldn't be allowed back," Emma said dragging him towards the school.

"Emma, you can't fight everyone's battles. Let someone else handle this. It has nothing to do with you," Jay said pulling her back. She nodded and sighed. He was right, it was not her battle to fight. They sat down at a near by picnic table and ate lunch.

"Thanks for saving me Jay, I love Toby but not I that way. Every time I've ever had lunch alone with him he try's to get me to kiss him or he asks me to be his girlfriend," Emma said handing him half a sandwich.

He smirked, "What makes you think I'm not going to do the same thing?"

Emma laughed, somehow she felt butterflies in her stomach, oh god, not for Jay. "Jayson Hogart and Emma Nelson, imagine the gossip that would go on if we ever were together."

Jay laughed at her statement, his stomach did a flip when she flashed a smile. It had never done that for Manny. He liked her a lot but he was beginning to think that he liked Emma a lot more. He had always had trouble admitting his feelings but Manny had shown him that it was okay to feel these things. So yes, he did admit to himself he was beginning to like Emma Greenpeace CauseGirl Nelson.

The bell rang and they took their time, Sean passed staring at Emma and Jay. Jay saw and stood next to Emma and planted a light peck on her lips. She looked at him like he had 4 heads, "And that was?"

Jay glanced at Sean, "He was staring thought I'd give him a show and confuse him a little." Emma laughed and they made their way to class. Emma was the last one to enter her biology class and the only vacant seat was next to Rick. She sighed and sat down and didn't even look at him.

"Hi Emma," she heard him say quietly.

"Don't talk to me," she said without even looking over to him. He then snapped his pencil in half and ran out of the room knocking over his chair.

RICK'S POV

I have had enough of Degrassi's crap. They all need to be taught a lesson. Jimmy and Spinner have been being mean to me since the second they saw me. They made the list. Emma Nelson is a bitch. She made the list. I like Emma, and I know she likes me too. Jay kissed my Emma. He made the list.

Rick carefully inserted notes into Jay, Emma, Spinner, and Jimmy's lockers to meet the following day. Right after first bell. Student would slowly clear the halls. He retreated home for the evening and planned how this would work.

xxx

"Hey Em," Jay said sitting down next to her at the Dot that afternoon. She had come straight from school and held Rick's note in her hand. She had no idea who it was from.

"What's that?" Jay asked pointing to the note. Emma tossed the note towards him and he read it carefully. "Yeah, me, you, Jimmy, and Spin all got one. No ones knows from who," Jay said handing it back to her.

Emma shrugged and smiled a little, "It's probably some joke from JT or something."

Jay smiled and nodded, "Your right. So what are we having today? I'll go grab some stuff."

"Um fries and a strawberry shake for me," Emma said with a grin. The Dot fries were the best in town. Jay returned with two fries and a strawberry shake for Emma.

"How much do I owe you?" Emma asked taking a sip of her shake.

Jay shrugged, "Nothing, it's on me."

Emma smiled and Jay's stomach flipped again, "Now this really feels like a date Jayson. Especially after that kiss at lunch." Jay smirked and shook his head as she laughed. He really did like her. He just wasn't about to admit that to Emma.

xxx

Emma entered the hallway the following morning with Jay. They saw Jimmy and Spinner casually lounging against the lockers. No one had any idea what was going on and they waited patiently. Rick turned the corner with an evil look in his eye. He was dressed in a suit and hugged a back pack to his chest. Jay sensed something off about the situation and stood up straight pulling Emma closer to him. If something were to happen here than he was going to try and protect Emma.

Rick stood away from the group that lined casually against the lockers. Jimmy followed by Spinner, then Jay and then Emma. Jay was particularly close to Emma. Rick cautiously removed the gun from his bag and all of their eyes widened. Jay's grip got tight in Emma's arm.

"Now, you all may wonder what you have done to me to make me take such drastic measures," Rick said quietly. Jimmy took off down the hall and Rick followed. They made it around the corner before Rick shot Jimmy in the back. Emma jumped and grabbed the back of Jay's shirt. He stepped in front of her cautiously when Rick returned.

"Ah coming to my fair lady's rescue Jayson?" Rick said lifting the gun towards him. Emma froze still gripping Jay tightly. Jay's grip did not loosen on Emma either. Spinner stepped carefully away from Jay and Emma.

"Rick, I don't know what your thinking. I didn't do anything wrong, none of us did," Jay said raising a hand.

"You Mr. Hogart have stolen Ms. Nelson's heart and therefore she will not love me. She is beyond smitten for you," Rick said through clenched teeth.

"It is simple for you Emma, you love me and I will do nothing to hurt you," Rick spoke again, this time calmly.

No one moved, and so Rick raised the gun towards Emma and Jay. Jay jumped towards Rick but then Rick simply turned the gun on himself and shot himself. He dropped to the floor and the 3 teens stood in shock.

They all exited the school cautiously. It was too early for camera crews and parents to have arrived. All other students have been bused away. Jay, Emma, and Spinner stood together as they brought out Jimmy on a stretcher.

They turned away when Rick was brought out. Emma could smell the blood in the air and tears streamed down her face. Spinner's mother had just arrived and took Spinner home. Emma knew Jay was on his own and her mother would arrive soon.

She took Jay's hand and intertwined her little fingers. "Mom will be here soon, you shouldn't be alone. Come home with me. It's okay," Emma said quietly looking up at Jay.

Jay nodded, and they made their way away from the school a little more. The climbed into Jay's car and went back to Emma's house.

They entered the house and Spike came running towards Emma enveloping her in a hug, "I'm so glad you are okay."

Emma nodded, "Yeah, honestly I don't think we would have made it out of there if Jay hadn't tried to save us."

Spike looked at Jay gratefully, "I owe you my life Jay. Thank you so much."

Jay nodded awkwardly, "I could tell something was off when Rick showed up. I honestly was just trying to make sure Emma got out alive."

Emma's face lit up despite the recent events before Spike spoke again, "Okay well I have to go see Snake with Jack. He can't leave until all the students have been picked up from the church so I'll go fill him in."

Spike took Jack and left without another word. Emma collapsed onto the couch next to Jay with a sigh.

"Jay, thank you so much. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you for that. Did you really mean what you said about getting me out alive?"

Jay nodded hesitantly, "Yeah I did."

Emma threw herself into Jay's arms and began to sob. Jay didn't object and held her tight. He had had a gun pointed at him before, he grew up in a bad part of Toronto. He wasn't completely thrown by the day's events but Emma clearly was.

Emma lifted her head from his shoulder and looked him in the eyes for a moment before kissing him. Jay responded and they both pulled away breathless. Emma looked shocked and she scrambled up and headed towards the basement. Jay followed her and found her sitting on the edge of her bed nervously.

"I'm sorry, I just I got caught up," Emma said quietly.

Jay sat down next to her, "It's okay Em, you've had a terrible day."

She shook her head, "No, it's more than that. I've had feelings for you for a while now. I think they started in the last few weeks, I found myself always asking Sean if you and Manny could tag along more for you than her. Then yesterday spending time alone my stomach was in knots and my heart was racing. I know you don't feel the same but I just need you to know."

Jay sighed, he did feel the same way though, "Em, I do feel the same way. I know I'm not the greatest guy in the world and it's a fucked up way for my feelings to come out but it's true. Why do you think I was protecting you back there from Rick?"

Emma looked up at him with hopeful eyes, "So you do want to be with me like I want to be with you?"

Jay nodded with a small smile, "Yeah Em, I do."

Emma laughed, "Wow, I can not believe it took us to be a gun point to admit that."

Jay smiled, "Yeah we should avoid that in the future. At least we're both okay and we are together if you want to be."

Emma nodded before biting her lip and pulling him in for a passionate kiss. Jay scooted closer to her before pulling away with a smile.

"Emma Nelson you never cease to amaze me," Jay said quietly as they sat forehead to forehead. She gave a sad smile.

"Jay, we just had a gun pointed at us. What if one of us had gotten hurt? Oh my god Jimmy," Emma started to cry. The day's events were finally catching up with her. Jay pulled her into a tight hug.

"Sh, Em, it's going to be okay. I know it was scary, I'm sorry you had to go through that," Jay continued to whisper soothing things in her ear until she calmed down. She took in a shaky breath and wiped her face.

"Oh god, I just keep breaking down on you. I'm a disaster. You should just go I'll see you later," Emma said pulling away from Jay.

Jay looked at her sadly, "If you need to be alone then I understand but please if you need someone call me. I swear I'll be here."

She nodded and watched him travel slowly up the stairs. She didn't moved until she heard the front door close tight. She curled up on her bed and cried herself to sleep silently. Emma had never been so scared in her life but a the same time she was never more sure than she was protected.

Emma woke up the following morning and dressed for school. She hadn't slept much due to nightmares. She washed her face and didn't even try to cover the dark bags under her eyes. She put a bun on top of her head and threw on jeans and a sweatshirt.

She decided to skip breakfast despite Spike's pleas to both stay home and eat something. She grabbed her school bag and stepped out the front door feeling the crisp september morning air. Jay leaned against his car door waiting for Emma.

She sighed when he looked up at her wit the same tired eyes she held, "Hey Jay."

"Hey Baby-girl, did you sleep at all?" Jay asked as she walked over to stand in front of him. Emma was shocked by his sweetness and his nickname. She knew Manny had whipped him into shape but she was discovering just how much.

"I could ask you the same question," Emma said looking at him curiously.

"Yeah, okay fair shot. Are you sure you need to be going today? We could always go back to my place and relax and ignore the world," Jay suggested wrapping his strong arms around her waist lightly. She shook her head no. She gave another small sad smile and climbed into the car followed by Jay.