Sorry, been awhile... Notes at the end...

Chapter 36: See You Again

Shane grumbled as he looked in the mirror, tossing his cell on his bed. He whipped the tie off of his neck and tossed it on his bed as well. He looked back into the mirror; thinking the grey button down and black slacks were a little too dark. It went against his standard outfits; lacking of color.

He heard the soft tap at his door. "Come on in."

Anya walked into his room; dressed in her dress uniform. She looked at her son; trying to figure out when he grew up on her. She smiled at him.

"When did you get so handsome?"

Shane sighed. "I'm not sure mom. I'm thinking it was that growth spurt about a year ago."

"Really?" Anya sighed. "Just like your father. You don't look to happy about today."

"Wasn't exactly wanting to go to…"

"Then why are…?"

Shane looked back at the mirror. "I was going to go for my brother; that's the only reason I was going." He sighed and continued. "Gabe just called me; said it was family only. He's not even going now; something about the Hogarts not wanting a big circus." He turned towards his mother. "It's not like I hated her; Juliette I mean, she had okay moments. She was alright at times. I just don't know if I can forgive her for what she did to Gabe. I know I can't forgive her for what she did to Ronnie." Anya placed a hand on her son's shoulder. She stared at him for a minute; a smile finally playing onto her face.

"I know that the Shane I knew a year ago wouldn't have even cared about this. You would have just brushed it off and said that it wasn't your problem." Anya sighed. "Now? You were planning on going in support for someone that you consider a brother; not just a friend."

"You saying that I grew up somewhere?" Shane smirked at his mother. He turned back towards the mirror.

"Yes." Anya stated, rolling her eyes. "Somewhere between the beginning of the year and now; you grew up. You're becoming a lot like your father. He and your friends helped and in the process; you grew up. You're becoming a good man."

Shane snorted. "Then why don't I feel like I am?" He turned back to Anya; tears forming in his eyes. Anya pulled him into a hug. She held him for several moments; letting him cry out his feelings.

"You stopped thinking about just yourself. You care about people and their feelings." Anya rubbed his back. "You are trying to be the best you can be."

Shane chuckled. "You're sounding like the posters again."

Anya laughed. "Sorry, I'm not recruiting you. I'm just so damn proud of you."

Shane smiled. He hugged her and sighed. "Thanks. I had some great influences and I'm not talking about my friends."

Anya wiped a tear away and led her son out of the room.

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Holly J nodded. "No, I completely understand Jane. Please pass our condolences to Manny and her family. I'll be in touch." She hung up on her side, placing the phone on her desk. She sighed, closing her eyes and leaning back in her chair. She heard footsteps from the hallway, registering who was coming her way. She looked towards the door, noticing her husband coming her way.

"What's up HJ?" Declan asked. "You look bothered."

Holly J shook her head. "That was Jane. She just let me know that the Hogarts have made the funeral a private matter. It's now mainly family and a few other people. She and Spinner are the only "outsiders" going." Holly J motioned finger quotes at the word outsiders. "Jay made them godparents when Juliette was born, something that Manny was fine with."

Declan looked at his wife, troubled. "Well, I can understand that. So, what's wrong then?"

"The kids aren't getting a chance to say goodbye."

Declan looked at his wife in surprise. "Say goodbye? HJ, that girl tormented our girls."

Holly J turned to her husband. "Well, maybe not all of the kids. I know now how much Juliette picked on Nicolette. She was supportive to Elizabeth, helping her out when she did; even if it wasn't in a way I support." She frowned. "I was thinking of Jane's kids."

"I don't understand…"

Holly J grimaced. "Think about it; Veronica was attacked by Juliette. I know from Jane that her little girl went through a lot; therapy being a big part. But what if it helps her move on? Seeing that girl in the grave? It's a dark though, but it could be closure for her. Then there is Gabriel…"

If Declan was confused before, he was now thoroughly confused.

Holly J noticed this as she continued. "Gabriel loved that girl. I know that he loves his girlfriend; you can't watch those two and not see it. But Juliette was a very close friend and confidant. I think if things were different; those two would've dated, even if it was a very short period."

Declan closed the space between them. "Maybe it's for the best. We must respect their wishes." He pulled his wife into an embrace.

"I didn't disagree with you. I'm just looking at this logically."

Declan smiled. "Then we respect their decision and move on. If the kids need our help, we do the best for them; plain and simple."

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Ellie Manning walked towards her daughter's room. She was truly concerned about what had happened in the last week. She knew that while her daughter was recovering physically, her mental and emotional health were a bigger concern. She didn't care what the doctors said; her daughter wasn't going to go through any of the hardships that she went through when she went to Degrassi.

She stopped at Alyson's door and knocked gently.

"Come in mom."

Ellie slowly opened the door to see her daughter across the room, completely naked.

"What in the world are you doing?! We have neighbors!"

Alyson rolled her eyes as she walked towards her bed and picked up her robe. She pulled it over her shoulders and closed the front; tying the robe shut.

"If you must know, I was meditating. I was communicating with the God and Goddess."

Ellie shook her head. "Alyson…"

"Mom, I know you're having…difficulties with my spirituality. I'm safe. I had the curtains mostly closed and had candles lit. I find it easier to be sky-clad to communicate with them." She gave her mom a look. "Besides, if it was dad; I would've told him to wait."

"How did you know it was me?" Ellie scoffed.

"You softly knock on the door; even if you're mad." Alyson crossed her arms. "Besides, dad is visiting with Grandma and Grandpa. He's not even here." She sighed at her mom.

"No boyfriend hiding in here somewhere?" Ellie challenged.

"No. You and dad made it crystal clear that you didn't want him over. That's probably why I haven't been around unless it was for check-ups with the doctors in the last week." Alyson narrowed her eyes. "Besides, I talked to him about an hour ago. He was supposed to go to her funeral but wasn't allowed to."

"Wasn't allowed to go?"

Alyson shook her head. "Seriously mom; you really need to keep up. I know that you're busy with being a national treasure as a reporter, but maybe try to take a concern in my life."

"Alyson!"

Alyson shrugged. "What? Can you prove me wrong? You've been so busy in the last few months, when have you been around? I can count the number of times I've seen you on one hand. I've seen you more in the last week than I have in the last two months."

"That's not fair. I work very hard."

Alyson shrugged. "Maybe, but I don't care. If you talked to dad, he would've filled you in. He takes an interest in what I do. He's not concerned about my choice in faith. We discussed all the options of what I practice. He's fine with my choices." She frowned at her mom. "As for my boyfriend? That isn't a topic open for discussion. Dad likes him, or at least tolerates him."

"But…"

Alyson growled. "He's not Thomas, mom. He treats me like a queen. He respects me. He talks to me like an equal. He respects my choices and if there is a disagreement; we talk about it." Alyson's tone of voice turned to anger. "He takes care of me. He doesn't yell at me, doesn't hit or rape me." Alyson threw her hands up in the air. "For fuck sake; I wish he'd try and take advantage of me a bit! But no, he so God Damn noble. He and I have such a connection, but he the one that's inexperienced!" She turned to her mom. "Do you know that he accidentally bumped into one of my boobs and apologized?!"

Ellie looked at her daughter in surprise as she continued.

"Yeah, last week before all this bullshit with her. We were out on that bench that he tackled that psycho through the other day. We were having a make-out session since he's not allowed in here. He pulled me closer to him and brushed against my boob. He stopped and made sure I was okay." Alyson smiled at the memory. "Damn, that boy is one great kisser."

"Wow."

Alyson continued to smile. "Yeah. That's what I have with Gabriel."

Ellie blinked. "Do you…do you love him?"

Alyson blinked a few times, letting a few tears run down her cheeks. "With all of my being." She wiped the tears away. "I've been in love with him since Halloween. And after all that happened with her? He did his best to protect me. He took injuries to save me." She let a few more tears run. "He nearly died for me; how can I turn away from him?"

Ellie looked at her daughter.

Alyson rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't even start with me about what I feel or don't feel. I know what I feel with Gabriel. I don't know the future. We might not make it as a couple, or maybe we will. Maybe we'll get married someday; who knows? But I have every intention to be part of his life; as he wants to be part of mine."

Ellie stood a little taller and crossed her arms. "Good. Because I've been talking to your dad, and we came to an agreement; at least in the short term…"

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Veronica sat on her bed, working on her homework. Emily Cameron sat at Ronnie's desk working on her own homework as well. The two girls ended up studying, instead of going to the service for Juliette. Not that they had a choice. Both of their parents had suggested that they spend time together and not worry about the service. The girls had agreed, with some protest. In the end, the parents had won out and they decided to study to kill the time.

Emily had slammed a book shut. She huffed in frustration. "This is bullshit."

Ronnie looked up from her own work, surprised. "What?"

Emily turned to her friend. "Us being here." She motioned between the two of them. "Not that I'm upset for extra study time and hanging out. I'm just not happy that we're stuck here."

Ronnie closed her book. "Yeah, I was thinking the same thing."

"Do you want to go to the service?" Emily asked.

Ronnie sat in contemplation. She had wanted to go but was unsure what she was going to do. She sighed as she looked at her friend.

"Part of me really wanted to go, but a small part of me is kind of glad I'm not."

Emily looked at her. "Can I ask why?"

Ronnie smiled. "Isn't it obvious?"

Emily looked at her in curiosity. "You want to fill me in?"

Ronnie motioned for her friend to follow her. The two left the bedroom and headed downstairs. They ended up in the kitchen. Ronnie had offered food and drink to her. Emily took a water, but claimed she wasn't hungry. Ronnie took a water for herself and took a seat at one of the seats at the kitchen counter.

"So, I've been battling this whole incident in my head for the last few days."

"And?"

"Part of me is still upset."

Emily looked at her friend. "Upset? That's how you'd put it?"

"Em, how am I supposed to put it?" Ronnie had raised her voice a bit. "Juliette beat and raped me; for no other reason than she was angry at my brother. Can you justify that much abuse as "getting even"?"

"And you wanting to get back at her when you found out Gabe was in the hospital because of her!" Emily challenged. "How does that make things even?"

"It doesn't." Ronnie stated, matter-of-factly. "It…it doesn't even matter anymore."

Ronnie looked down towards the floor. "Em, I was so angry for a long time. I wanted to lose myself in whatever I could to stop hurting. I just wanted to feel something, something other than hopelessness." Emily looked at her friend sympathetically.

"I never feel like I recovered, at least as a whole." Ronnie continued. "I recovered physically; all wounds healed but the scars will never fade. Maybe, just maybe it's supposed to be a reminder of what happened. That weighed on my mind for a long time, but again I got better. Emotionally, that incident did a lot of damage."

"You weren't yourself for a good while." Emily had said finally. "You're still not 100%, but you've really come a long way." She took a drink from her glass. "Maybe, in your own right; you're healing."

Ronnie laughed, but it was hollow. "I've been trying. I've calmed down, a lot in the last month. I was a brat, doing things to get my boyfriend to sleep with me." Ronnie shrugged. "Just to heal from all of the trauma."

Emily looked at her friends, oddly. "You were willing to sleep with him?"

"I wasn't planning to do a lot of sleeping." Ronnie said flatly.

"Why?" Emily asked. "I thought you were waiting for…"

"Things changed." Ronnie stated. "I did something that I probably shouldn't have…"

Emily looked at her. "You don't have to tell me, Ronnie."

She sighed. "It's nothing. I just need to refocus on getting better." She looked at Emily. "You want to get out of here and do something?"

"Like girl stuff?" Emily smiled. "Just us or am I making a few phone calls?"

Ronnie smiled. "I'll let you decide."

Emily drained the water from the glass. "My phone's upstairs. I'll be right back."

Ronnie watched her friend bound out of the kitchen and up the stairs. She was glad to have a girl's day, which was she was sure she needed. She finished her drink and took them to the dishwasher. She loaded them and closed the washer. She placed her hands on the counter and sighed.

"I'm so sorry Shane." She let a few tears slip from her eyes. "I've been a terrible girlfriend. I've been unfaithful to you, and I hope you'll forgive me." She sighed again, wiping her eyes and heading up the stairs to plan with her friend.

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Gabe limped up the stairs to the chapel. He had to do this; otherwise, he knew that he wouldn't be able to move on in his life. He had dressed up for the occasion, dark shirt and slacks. He wasn't about to give up his black Chuck Taylors; his friend wouldn't mind, he thought. He reached out and opened the door. He walked into the chapel, crossing the threshold and ready to pay his respects.

Gabe looked around the small chapel. He noticed that most of the people were Filipino, minus a few people he did notice. He saw that Mr. and Mrs. Cameron were sitting in the front, assuming next to Uncle Jay and Aunt Manny. He noticed that Tony and J.J. were on the opposite side of Manny. His own parents were in the row behind them, giving comfort to the family.

Gabe took a few more steps closer into the chapel. He wasn't sure if he could do this, but deep down; he had to do this. He needed closure and to say goodbye.

"Are you okay, young man?"

Gabe turned to an older woman, dressed very nicely for the service.

"Uh, sorry." Gabe swallowed. "I'm here to say goodbye to my friend."

The older woman nodded. "I remember you." She smiled at him. "You were Juliette's little friend. You were at her last birthday party."

Gabe nodded. "Yes ma'am. I'm Gabriel Mason. Juliette was a very close friend."

The woman nodded. "Yes, I remember you." She took his hand. "It's hard to see my granddaughter like this, but I understand you two were very close."

Gabe nodded. He swallowed the lump in his throat. He felt the tears were close to coming. The older woman patted his hand.

"I'll take over here mom."

Gabe looked just to the right of the older woman. Manny had come over to see what was going on. The older woman nodded again at Gabe and walked back towards the front of the room.

"Aunt Manny…"

Manny shook her head. She didn't say anything but pulled the eldest Mason child to her. She held him and let him cry into her shoulder. She whispered to him, comforted him. She was there for him in this time.

Gabe had broken from the hold, holding onto Manny's shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Aunt Manny…"

"Shh." Manny looked at him, tears in her eyes. "It's okay."

"But…"

"Stop. I won't hear it." Manny smiled. "You still care about her, no matter what happened between the two of you. That's all that matters to me."

Gabe's shoulders slumped. "Aunt Manny, you're not mad at me?"

Manny looked at him softly. "No. You did everything to be a friend for her. I'm hurting, much like you are right now. No parent should ever have to bury their child."

"I should've done more for her." Gabe sighed. "I was her best friend."

Manny gave him a half smile. "You did your best. You were trying, I know you were." She took his hand. "I know your parents said for you to stay home, but I'm glad you're here." Manny led him to the front of the room.

Gabe watched his parents give him a look. Spinner merely nodded to his son; his mom's reaction was hard to read. Jay merely met Gabe in the front row. He placed a hand on Gabe's shoulder and smiled as he walked past him. Gabe stopped by Tony and J.J.

"Thanks for coming." Tony shook Gabe's hand.

"You doing better?"

Tony nodded. "Nothing broken, which is good. I'll be better soon."

Gabe turned to J.J. J.J. didn't say anything, he just walked up to Gabe and hugged him.

"If you guys need anything…"

Tony nodded. "We'll be in touch." Tony patted his brother on the back. "We'll give you a few minutes to say whatever you need to say." J.J. broke from the hug and followed his older brother.

The two boys moved with the rest of the family near the back of the room. Manny helped Gabe to the casket where Juliette was in rest. He took a moment and with Manny's help, kneeled next to the casket. Manny kissed the top of Gabe's head and walked back a bit, giving Gabe some space and privacy.

Gabe looked on in the body that lay in the casket. Juliette's hair was styled that the mohawk was brushed down against the sides of her head, giving the appearance of a shorter haircut. The cut above her eye was covered; with a light application of makeup covering her eyes and lips. She was wearing a blouse and leather jacket over it. Her hands were clasped together and lay on her stomach. She still looked beautiful in death as she had in life.

"Hey Jules." Gabe started. He sighed not sure what he wanted to say.

He gripped the side of the casket, shutting his eyes tightly. "I should be yelling at you, grabbing you out of this casket and… and…" He sighed again. "I can't do it." He opened his eyes.

"I just can't be mad at you anymore." Tears welled up in his eyes. "You did a lot of horrible things. You did things to your family, your friends." He shook his head. "What you did to me is bad enough, but to go after my sister… that's what hurt the most." He took another sigh. "I just…I'm not mad anymore. I'm hurting because my first friend, my first crush and my first heartbreak is not going to be around anymore."

"It's not the same with Alyson." He continued. "Yeah, I know, you aren't happy with her as my girlfriend. You wanted it to be you; kind of like what I wanted. It's in the past now, just like all the great times we had. I guess that's all I have left, the memories of some really awesome years." He cleared his throat. "I've got something for you to take with you. It was something I was going to give you last winter. I hope that you see, where ever you are, that I still care."

Gabe reached into his front pocket. He fished out something and put it under her hands. He bumped his head into the casket. He let out a deep breath. He stood up and looked into the casket one last time.

"I forgive you Juliette. I'll always forgive you in the end." Gabe stated. "I hope that you find forgiveness in the great beyond. I hope you're not hurting anymore."

He leaned into the casket and placed a kiss on her forehead. "I'll always love you."

He turned from the casket, limping away to his parents and godparents. He didn't look back; he was going to do his best to keep looking forward.

He wouldn't forget the past…

It's been awhile since I worked on this story. Don't get me wrong; I still enjoy writing this Fic. I just had to do a part of this story that was always going to be difficult. Death is that way sometimes...

So there are a few little things that came up in this chapter that are setting precedents that will come to light here in the near future. I hope that you caught them and are looking forward to what happens next. They are coming and it will shake the foundation of my characters in the long run.

Word of warning; there will be some changes that you might not like.

Stay tuned...