Welcome back! Sorry it took so long, have not been very inspired lately, but wanted to get this finished so these are the last two chapters for this story.

Ch. 10 Stalker Intesifies

(CLARE)

"Good morning, Vanila Lips," Fitz grins putting his arms around me from behind Friday morning. I blush as I'm sure the name is in reference to him eating me out last night.

"Mark," I giggle, hiding my head in his chest as I turn around to greet him. "Cut that out, especially that one."

"What? Vanilla Lips? It suits you," he grins back before laying a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Awww look at the young lovers," Alli grins coming around the corner. She's with Jenna, while Drew, Bianca and Adam join us from the other hallway. Anya, Owen and some of the football team are coming inside.

"I'm looking forward to your birthday party tomorrow night Clare. I got you the best present," Jenna gushes.

"Hey, speaking of presents," Fitz remarks looking at Alli, "what were you thinking buying my girlfriend sexy panties for her birthday?"

Alli's eyes widen, and I shoot her a pleading look to play along. Thankfully, Alli knows me pretty well and she goes with it.

"Just wanted her to feel sexy, thought she could wear them tomorrow night. Every girl should feel extra sexy on her birthday," Alli replies.

"I should get to class," I comment.

Of course, Alli and Adam have class with me. Adam is looking between us; I think he's suspicious. Thankfully, he doesn't say anything and neither does Alli. We make it through homeroom with no questions. Adam doesn't even ask as we walk to parenting. I sit with Fitz, greeting him with a kiss as I sit down. We turn our work for the week and do presentations. I leave parenting with Fitz, Adam and Jenna, Owen, and Anya just behind us.

"You want to eat lunch alone?" Fitz asks but Jenna suddenly links her arm through mine.

"Sorry Fitz, Clare is eating with the girls today," Jenna says whisking me away. Anya follows us while the guys watch us walk to the caf. The guys end up following us to the caf, but I'm dragged to a table with Alli, Jenna, Bianca and even Anya eats with us.

"I didn't get you sexy panties for your birthday," Alli says.

"I know," I nod biting my lip.

"If they aren't from me and they aren't from Fitz, who are they from?" Alli asks.

"They aren't from Owen, are they?" Anya questions in a panicked voice.

"No, they aren't from Owen," I reply but take a bite of my lunch without further explanation.

"Spill Edwards, you don't just get sexy panties as a random gift," Bianca comments.

I look at their faces, sure that they won't just let this drop I heave a heavy sigh that fluffs my bangs. "I'll tell you, but it doesn't leave this table. Everyone not sitting here needs to think the panties came from Alli."

They exchange looks, there's arched eyebrows, squinting suspicious eyes, and twisted mouths. They don't exactly look like they plan to keep this secret. Jenna even looks at the table where Fitz, Adam, Eli, Drew, Dave, Owen, and K.C. are eating.

"Okay, I'll keep saying they're from me, so who gave them to you?" Alli asks.

"You all have to swear it doesn't leave this table," I insist. One by one they agree, saying they swear and holding up their right hand. "There's a guy that comes into the shop, works at the theater. He found out it was my birthday yesterday."

"Hang on, you got sexy panties from some random perv that works at the mall?" Bianca queries.

"Yeah," I sigh.

"We're not telling Owen and the guys because…why?" Anya questions.

"Because it's a stupid crush. He knows I have a boyfriend I'm in love with. I keep rejecting him, it will stop. I don't want Fitz, or any of the guys, to worry over nothing."

"He knows you have a boyfriend, and he still gave you panties for your birthday. I feel like there's plenty for Fitz to be worried about," Anya comments.

"He doesn't need to be worried, not about this it's a stupid crush and it will stop," I assert.

"Clare…" Jenna begins but I cut her off.

"No, after everything with Owen, and everything with Fitz's parents things are good. I don't want to upset that. It's a crush, I keep rejecting him, it will stop and until it does, I can handle it," I tell them in a hard determined voice. Whether I'm trying harder to convince them or myself is questionable. I admit the gifts are concerning, but how long can Chris keep this up while I continually reject him?

Thankfully, the subject is changed, while the topic doesn't entirely change from me it moves on to my birthday party tomorrow night. We finish lunch talking about it and as we leave the caf the guys come to us. Fitz puts his arm around me, kissing my temple.

"Looked like a pretty serious conversation you girls were having," Fitz comments.

"They were just pressing me for details about last night, and talking about my birthday party," I reply.

"Yeah," Fitz says scratching the back of his head, "the guys were doing the same thing. I tried not to give away too much, but they figured out most of it. I might have confirmed a few details."

"That's okay, as long as none of them call me Vanilla Lips," I reply and Fitz chuckles.

"As long as Drew doesn't hear that name, you're probably safe. I think Fitz gave too many details, but you are my best friend," Adam comments and I giggle.

"I wonder what Owen was thinking?" I question.

"Probably that he's sorry he never tasted you," Fitz grins proudly.

I giggle again, pinching Fitz's side. I'm sure to get looks from the guys the next couple of days, I'm sure I'll blush but as long as they don't make comments I don't mind. Fitz walks with us until he has to go a different direction to get to his classroom. I don't see Fitz again until he catches me after school to give me a kiss.

"I can come to the mall after practice, hang out until I take you home," Fitz says.

"I'd like that," I grin.

Fitz sneaks another kiss before running off to practice and I meet Jake at the truck. I was going to drop him at home and take the truck but now that Fitz is picking me up Jake just drops me at the mall. Drew doesn't usually work on Friday's because he generally has a game. I go to the shop and clock in, grabbing an apron and my name tag. It's pretty quiet and Fitz arrives just a few minutes before I'm due for my meal break.

"Go ahead and take your break Clare," Chiara says when Fitz walks in.

"Perfect, I'm starved," Fitz grins.

I smile and take off my apron stashing it behind the counter. We go out to the food court and Fitz pays for our food. We sit at a table, and I ask Fitz about practice. He's talking about jumping the hurdles when I feel like we're being watched. I look around and see Chris, he's sitting so he can see me, but Fitz would have to turn to see him. He's a few tables away but he's staring at me. I clench my fists and nearly gag when he blows a kiss in my direction. Thankfully, Fitz doesn't see him and doesn't notice. I don't know that Fitz would go over and fight him, but I don't want to take the chance.

"I have to use the washroom," Fitz says when we're done eating.

"I'm going walk back to the shop, it's time for Chiara to go home," I reply.

"I'll see you there in a few minutes," Fitz smiles leaning over to kiss me.

I smile and we both get up. I could have waited but I didn't want to the way Chris is staring at me. Fitz goes to the washroom, and I start walking back to the shop, but Chris follows me. I don't realize it until he takes my wrist and that's when he sees the bracelet from Fitz.

"He give you that?" Chris asks, looking at the shiny metal and grinding his teeth.

"Yes, he did, he's my boyfriend and I'm in love with him, now let me go," I hiss pulling my arm away.

"That high school boy doesn't deserve you, he doesn't love you like I do," Chris says.

"You don't even know me," I hiss back and then run to the shop. I stop just short, composing myself before I go inside.

As soon as I'm clocked back in Chiara leaves and Fitz comes into the shop shortly after that. I don't see Chris again and Fitz stays until I close. He takes me home and comes in to stay for a little while, kissing me goodnight before he goes. I drift to sleep thinking of Fitz but have a nightmare about Chris.

(FITZ)

I open the door and Clare practically jumps in my arms, she's so excited. In an hour is her birthday party at my house, but she spent most of the day shopping with her parents for a car.

"Someone's excited," I chuckle.

"Come see my new car," she grins taking my hand and interlacing our fingers. She pulls me down to the street where her new car is parked. It's a light blue four door sedan. Nothing fancy but it looks safe and comfortable, and it definitely looks like her. "It's great, I take it you're happy?"

"I love it, and now I don't have to rely on you or Jake for rides," she comments.

"I like taking you around, but it is good to have your own car and I'm glad you are happy. We have a while before your party, do you want to take me for a ride?"

Clare nods happily so I go back to the house and close the door, locking it. I get in her car, and we drive around the neighborhood. She tells me about the car's features and what she likes about it. We return to the house and set out the food for the party, guests will start arriving soon.

Alli, Jenna and Dave are the first to arrive. Followed by the Torres boys and Bianca. Soon the house is full of guests and most of them are crowded around Clare. Wishing her a happy birthday or asking about her car. At the end of the night Clare is happy and that's all I really care about. The party is over by eleven and Clare stays to help clean. Owen, Anya, Johnny and K.C. stay to help clean too so it doesn't take long.

"I know you work tomorrow; you want to come over after? Hang out until you have to get home?" I ask Clare when I walk her down to her car at the end of the night.

"Yes, I'll call you when I'm leaving. Thanks for my party," she smiles before pressing her lips to mine.

After several long minutes I reluctantly pull out of the kiss and open her door for her. She gets in the car and drives off before I go inside. I sleep well with dreams of Clare and spend most of Sunday doing chores. Dad is home but he's going to dinner with friends tonight and we get the house clean.

"Hey Hot Stuff, you on your way?" I ask when Clare calls later that night.

"Yeah, I'll be there in a few minutes," she says but her voice seems to shake.

"Everything okay? Your voice is shaking," I comment.

"I'm fine," she says after a deep breath, "just tired."

"You sure you want to come over then? I'll miss you, but I'll understand if you just want to go home."

"No, I want to come be with you," she replies.

"Okay, I'll see you in a few minutes," I reply.

The mall isn't very far and it's only a few minutes later that I hear the doorbell. I open the front door and as soon as I do, she jumps in my arms. Her arms around my neck, holding tightly and she seems to be shaking. I envelope her in my arms and rub her back as if soothing a frightened child. I kiss her temple and pull her inside, locking the door.

"Clare, you're shaking, what's wrong?" I question. She doesn't answer at first, keeping her head on my chest, one of her arms sliding down my chest, she begins fingering my t-shirt. I feel a deep breath on my chest, and I think I hear her sniffle before she answers.

"I'm okay, when I was getting out of my car someone was driving very fast and nearly hit me. Just scared me," she says softly.

"People do drive like maniacs down this street. Are you hungry? I made myself a burrito for dinner, I can heat the meat and beans and make you one," I tell her.

"That sounds great," she smiles and seems to be calmer now.

I take her lips for a quick kiss and pull the burrito fixings out of the fridge. I sit at the table with her while Clare eats her food. Then we go up to my room, cuddling and kissing on the bed. It's late so we don't have very long, but I'm happy to just be kissing her and holding her. When her alarm goes off telling her she needs to leave for home I walk her down to her car.

It doesn't escape my attention that she looks around when we go outside. I suppose looking for cars racing down this street. It seems like more than that though, her head swivels around almost the entire time we're outside. I can hardly capture her lips for a kiss. I open her car door for her and watch her drive away. She still seems to be looking around as though a phantom were going to jump out at her.

When she's out of sight I go inside and clean up, before showering and going to bed. When I get to school Monday morning Clare is showing Owen her new car. She's very happy and going over everything while Owen sits in the passenger seat watching her. I get out of my car and walk to her side.

"She's showing off her new car I see," I remark leaning down so I can see them. Clare smiles and I capture her lips for a quick kiss.

"Yeah, it's a nice car. When I pulled in though she was down near the ravine, I went to go check out what she was doing and she distracted me with her new car," Owen informs me.

"What were you doing down near the ravine?" I ask Clare, pulling her from the car and bringing her into my arms.

"Oh…nothing…just…thought I saw Reese," she replies but she answers so slowly I don't think she's telling the truth. I want to ask, but if she wanted me to know she would have told me what she was really doing down there. I don't like to think that she's hiding things from me.

"I haven't seen Reese in this neighborhood since he moved. Let's go inside," I remark looking toward the ravine and wondering what she's not telling me.

(CLARE)

"I'd wish you good luck, but I know you'll do great," I smile, kissing Fitz before his first track meet.

He grins and kisses my temple before I join my friends in the stands. Adam, Alli, Jenna, Owen, Anya, Drew and Bianca are all here. Fitz's dad had to work but Owen's mom is here recording the meet for Fitz's parents. Spinner is also here; he is often at the Degrassi sports events when he's not working and not too tired. I sit between Adam and Spinner while watching the meet. I cheer especially loud for Fitz but make sure to cheer for everyone.

"I'm thirsty and I need to pee," I remark when there's a break for the teams to get hydrated.

"Me too," Anya agrees.

"You know it's weird that you girls go in packs. I know what you both like, I'm hungry anyway, I'll hit the snack stand," Owen says.

"I'll go with you," Adam says standing up. I start to reach into my purse, but Adam shakes his head "We got you."

I smile and follow Anya down the bleachers to the school. The washrooms closest to the doors have long lines. We walk farther into the school, passing the hallway with our lockers and I notice what looks like a rose on mine. My heart starts pounding, Fitz would have given me a flower before the meet, not that he had time to go buy one.

"I need something from my locker, I'll see you back on the bleachers," I tell Anya. She shrugs and I walk to my locker. I take the rose taped to my locker and the note behind it.

You are mine.

He doesn't deserve you.

I will make you see it.

After reading the note I crumple it and the rose in my hand, tossing them in the trash on the way to the girl's washroom. My eyes darting around looking for Chris as I walk. I use the washroom quickly, feeling as if I'm being watched, my eyes continue to dart around as I make my way back to the bleachers. I don't see Chris anywhere, but I can't shake the feeling of being watched.

"What happened to your hand?" Adam asks when I sit down. He was about to hand me my drink but is just looking at my hand. I look down and see a few scratches, it must have happened when I crushed the rose and note. I was too frightened to notice the pain or the blood apparently.

"Not sure," I reply as I can't think of a decent reason for my hand to be scratched.

Adam gives me a look; it probably doesn't help that my eyes keep looking around. He doesn't say anything though and Fitz is in the next race so my eyes focus on him. I continue to look around for the rest of the meet to see if I can see Chris. I never do but keep feeling like I'm being watched. Adam keeps looking at me, and I know I'm not cheering the way I was before I knew Chris was here. When the meet is over Degrassi has more wins, Fitz won all of his events and I go down to congratulate him.

"Congratulations, you were amazing," I smile kissing Fitz. "You all did," I add looking at K.C. and Dave when I pull my lips from Fitz's.

"Thanks Clare, celebratory party at my place," Dave says.

"I need to shower, I'll meet you at my car," Fitz tells me, stealing my lips for another kiss. He picked me up this morning since I didn't have work and I was coming to the meet. We were going to hang at his house after if they lost and there was no celebration.

Fitz walks off with the team and I start weaving my way through the crowd to get to the parking lot and Fitz's car. Suddenly, I'm grabbed by the waist and turned to face Chris. He's looking at me, a smile that is both lewd and malicious, eyes that are coveting and angry.

"You can't just come to my school, leave notes on my locker, watch me at my boyfriend's track meet," I spit at him.

"That boy doesn't deserve you," Chris snarls.

"You know nothing about me or my boyfriend, now let me go," I assert, trying to get out of his grasp but he holds tight. Plenty of people are around, but they're all ignoring us.

"You love me, the way I love you, I know you do, and I'll make you see it," Chris hisses.

"I love Fitz, now get off me," I snap back and kick his shin. He winces in pain but doesn't release me. Instead, he leans in as though he's going to kiss me. I start to lean away, and nearly fall but get caught by a pair of hands.

"Hey asshole she has a boyfriend," Owen snarls shoving at Chris. Adam is helping me to stand now that Chris' hands are off me. Chris glowers at Owen but walks away rather than fight him, something most people would do.

"You alright Clare?" Adam questions.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I nod.

"Who was that prick?" Owen asks.

"I don't know he just suddenly grabbed me," I reply. I should probably tell them about Chris but that's a much longer conversation and I still don't want to worry Fitz over what's a silly crush that will have to end.

"Come on, Fitz texted, party at Dave's place but we're getting some supplies first. Bianca took Alli and Jenna, you can come grocery shopping with us," Owen says.

"How did I get stuck babysitting all the boys?" I groan and Adam laughs.

We go to the parking lot; Drew is waiting at his car and Owen gets in his with Spinner. I ride with the Torres boys to the store. Owen and Spinner must go to another one, but we all meet at Dave's place. By the time we're at Dave's the rest of the team is here. I get out of Drew's car and go to Fitz linking my arms around his neck to greet him with a kiss.

"Some fucker was hitting your girl after the meet. Looked like he was trying to kiss her," Owen enlightens Fitz, and he pulls out of the kiss.

"Who?" Fitz asks clenching his fists and snarling like an angry lion. "Some other guy tried to kiss you?"

"Forget it Fitz I'm fine and he's gone, Owen made sure of that," I tell Fitz kissing him temple.

If he's this angry over some stranger trying to kiss me then I can't tell him Chris has been stalking me. I take Fitz's hand to pull him into the house and then remember the groceries, so we go back to Drew's car and each grab a bag. Dave is getting music set up and we put bags in the kitchen where Bianca and the girls are getting pizza set out with paper plates.

We stay at Dave's party until it starts to wind down. We stay along with Owen, Anya, Bianca and the Torres brothers to help clean up. Then Fitz drops me at home since it's near my curfew. He helps me out and walks me to the door.

"You want to come to my place tomorrow? My dad is off, but he won't bother us, I can pick you up in the morning and we can have breakfast together," Fitz says.

"That sounds wonderful," I smile.

Fitz grins and takes my lips for a tender kiss. He pulls away after a moment and we say goodnight. I go inside with a smile on my lips, a smile that remains on my lips while I shower and get ready for bed because Fitz remains on my mind. Even as I drift to sleep, he's on my mind, but my dreams are not of Fitz, Chris invaded them instead. I wake early from a bad dream, and I can't get back to sleep.

(FITZ)

"Hi," Clare smiles when I pick her up Saturday morning.

"Hey Buttercup, you okay, looks like you didn't sleep very well," I remark brushing my thumb over the dark circle under her eye.

"I'm okay, just one of those nights that I couldn't get comfortable. I was tossing and turning, I'll be fine, I don't work today and you're driving," Clare says, taking my hand.

She pulls me down the stairs to my car. I open the door for her and help her in. We get to my house, and I help her out, unlocking my front door. Dad is already gone; he's spending the day with friends. Clare and I make waffles for breakfast and eat at the table. After eating and cleaning up we go up to my room. I pull her onto the bed, cuddling her in my arms. She lies in my arms with her eyes closed. I put on a movie thinking that she's going to fall asleep, but she suddenly looks up at me. I open my mouth to ask if she's okay, but her lips are suddenly on mine.

Her lips crush to mine, kissing me with a feverish passion. She grips tightly to the back of my neck as though I'm an anchor. My hand caresses her arm while the other combs into her hair, holding the back of her head. She shifts a little drawing up one leg and bending it, brushing over my hardening, constrained bulge. My eyes roll back a little and I make a throaty moan into the kiss. My hand at the back of her neck tightening and holding her to me instinctively. When she suddenly pulls out of the kiss, I worry that I made her uncomfortable.

"I want to give you a blow job," she says suddenly. Just the words leaving her lips makes my dick twitch. Her voice never wavers, but something in her eyes gives me pause.

"Clare, that's a big step from making out with Owen while you both stroke him off. As much as I'd enjoy that I don't think you would and that's not what I want for our one full day together. I think that's something we should work up to," I tell her.

"Why don't you sound like you want me to?" She questions scrunching her face.

I take her face in my hands and gently kiss her lips tenderly. "I do want you to Clare, believe me I do. It's not the same though, when a guy goes down on a girl it's pleasurable for them both. When a girl goes down on a guy it's amazing, but usually not for the girl. I would love for you to, but let's wait. If you really want to do something sexual right now let's get undressed and make out together in the bed while cuddling. If we want something to happen more than that it will, but there's no pressure."

"Okay," Clare smiles. She starts to get up, holding her shirt ready to take it off. I catch her hand and she looks back at me.

"If you really want to do something for me, let me undress you," I request. she bites her lip and then nods.

I stand with her and kiss her nose before gently taking her top off. Smiling when her cream-colored bra is revealed, holding her breasts so wonderfully. I toss her shirt behind me and gently kiss along her collarbone. Holding her waist, I gently turn her around ready to unlatch her bra when I freeze. Her upper back pretty much centered between her shoulder blades is a nasty bruise. Purple and blue to a sea green in color.

"Clare, what happened?" I exclaim softly dragging my fingers over it. She hisses and whimpers when my fingers touch her battered flesh.

"It's just a bruise," she replies.

"A nasty one, and that doesn't explain how you got it," I remark.

"Last night, slipped in the washroom, it's just a bruise. I'm fine," she tells me. Her words say she's fine, but her voice waivers. "Do I get to undress you?" She questions.

I'm pretty sure she was trying to distract me, but it worked. Just the thought of her undressing me, her nimble fingers taking my clothes off and unwrapping me like a present makes my dick twitch. I smile at her, placing my fingers under her chin and gently kissing her lips.

"I would love for you to undress me," I grin.

She smiles and grips my shirt, pulling it over my head. When my chest is revealed, she places a soft kiss on my chest, bringing a pleased exhale from my lips. I unhook her bra and let it slide down her arms. Kissing the top of her breasts as her ample bosom falls free. My hands replace the bra and I massage gently, kissing her neck while she begins to open the fly on my jeans. I let my hands traverse down her luscious curves, resting briefly on her waist before I begin opening her jeans.

I open her fly, allowing her to peel my jeans off first, she tugs them down and when they fall at my feet, I step out of them and kick them away. I take my time with her jeans, slowly pulling them down her legs. Revealing her soft, supple skin to me. As I slowly get her jeans off, unwrapping her like a present, I kiss down one leg. With her jeans off and draped over the end of my bed I kiss up her other leg. Repeating as I hook my fingers in her panties and slowly pull them down her legs.

When we're both naked I lift my covers, lie down and put my arm out for her. She gets into bed, her naked body nuzzling up to mine and it's like heaven. My lips touch to hers and my heart soars. This feels like heaven, her skin on mine, her warm breath drifting into my mouth, her heart beating against my chest. Her fingers softly drifting over my skin. holding her in my arms against my naked body. I want to just freeze this moment and stay in it. No pain, no stress, nothing bad. Just the girl I love wrapped tightly in my arms, connected by my embrace and our connecting lips. I never want this to end.