Hello Readers,

While I'm mostly stepping away from Degrassi fanfiction I am still getting occasional plot ideas. Two that I'm thinking of actually making into stories are a Fitz/Clare/Dallas poly fic. Also, had a request for a Clare/Damon vampire diaries crossover that I have partially plotted. So, if either of those sound interesting and you'd like to see them let me know. It might spark the creativity again, as I began plotting both and kind of stopped.

Anyway, please enjoy these chapters.

Ch. 7 Slipping Off the Radar through a Hole in Space

POW

Steve's fist connects with my face yet again, hard enough that my teeth rattle. Steve is sitting on me and punching away at my face and stomach. My arms are being held and as much as I twist and fight I can't get free of him. I try to buck him off me and get away, but I'm outnumbered and pinned down. Eventually I just brace for each punch. I'm wondering when he'll get tired, but thankfully, when they hear a siren coming they get up and run away.

I don't want to just lie on the ground, if someone finds me they'll probably call an ambulance. Which might be a good idea, but they will call home and Rudy will wait until I'm just healed enough to beat the crap out of me again. Also, the cops will get called, and I'll have to lie or get Steve arrested, and you can imagine how Rudy would react to that.

I get up and pull up my hood, keeping my head down and stumbling my way to the Torres house. I can hardly see as one eye is swollen and I spit out some blood a couple of times on my way to the Torres house. By the time the Torres house comes into view I'm pretty dizzy. When I open the sliding glass door everyone looks over. I don't know how well they can see me but Clare must know something is wrong as she rushes over to me.

"What happened?" She asks. I can hear the tremble of fear in her voice.

Drew and Adam come and take my arms, helping me to the sofa. Clare pulls down my hood, wincing at the sight of my face. The brothers let out a simultaneous "fuck".

"I'll grab the first-aid kit," Drew says. He then turns and bounds up the stairs two at a time.

"I'll get you some water and ice," Adam comments.

"I'm okay," I try to assure my sister. Her response is to twist her mouth at me.

I try to drink the water Adam brought but my lip is swollen, he grabs a straw and I'm able to drink some. Drew and Clare clean me up with the first aid kit, while I sit with ice on my stomach for twenty minutes. After which I tell them about Steve and his cronies jumping me, his friends holding me down while Steve wailed on me.

"You're not going home, we'll hide you here for the night or take you to Owen's. I don't think you should go to school tomorrow Fitz," Drew comments.

"I'll be okay," I shake my head.

"Let's see how you feel in the morning," Clare replies.

"Yeah, we'll hide you here tonight, set an early alarm and we can take you to Owen's before school if we have to," Drew says.

I give in, I'm too dizzy and too tired to argue at this point. I attempt to take off my boots but as soon as I move and groan Clare asks what I need. She helps get my boots off, I stretch out on the sofa and fall asleep to the TV and the sounds of them talking. I sleep all night, waking to the alarm on Clare's phone. I start to get up but groan in pain, start coughing and Clare jumps up to help me.

"You need to rest at Owen's today, we'll tell the school you're sick," Clare asserts.

"Yeah, okay. I need the washroom, you'd better call Owen."

Clare helps me to the washroom and it feels like everything takes twice as long as it normally would. When I leave the washroom Clare is waiting, I do manage to walk to the sofa by myself, but she has to get my boots on for me. While she does that she tells me that Drew and Adam are getting ready and we'll go to Owen's house to drop me off. Owen's mom is already calling the school, pretending to be our mom, to tell them I'm sick.

Clare gets a text that the brothers are ready and we can meet them at Drew's car. Getting up is hard, but once I'm up and walking I'm okay. Getting in Drew's car hurts, there's one particular spot on my abdomen that hurts to breathe, so moving really hurts.

"Fuck, they got you good," Owen says, his face twisting into a grimace when he sees me.

"Steve got me, the others just held me down. At least I won't have to explain myself at school tomorrow, won't be the first time I've shown up with bruises."

After getting settled in Owen's bed I'm asleep again almost immediately. I don't even hear the others leave. I sleep most of the day but Owen and Clare text every time they're out of class. They remind me to ice and eat, which I do. Owen has hockey after school but I'm woken up by Clare when she comes in the room.

"How do you feel?" She asks.

"Stiff," I groan, when I try to sit up.

"Well, you slept most of the day, that's not surprising. I'll get you some water and ibuprofen, you should ice again and I'll make you a snack," she says.

I sit up slowly, my body aching and stiff. Clare returns with water and two pills which I take. She returns again with ice packs and exactly twenty minutes later she's back. She takes the ice packs and gives me a peanut butter sandwich and milk.

"How was school?" I question between bites.

"Fine, we told Bianca what happened. A few people wondered where you were. Maise made a big deal of your breakup, saying you were too cowardly to show up at school after breaking her heart. I didn't see it, but Owen said Bianca smacked her at lunch to shut her up."

"I forgot all about our breakup. I was going to tell you guys when I got to Drew's yesterday but after encountering Steve and his friends Maise totally left my mind."

"Probably for the better, we heard the whole thing from Spinner. Drew, Adam, Alli and I all ate lunch at The Dot. Spin asked how you were after the breakup, so we told him about getting jumped, and he told us about Maise's breakdown in the Dot. Spin said when you're ready to come back to work he'll put you on light duty. Owen and I think you should stay home again tomorrow. Hopefully by Wednesday Maise will have calmed down and the rumors will have died a bit," Clare says.

"Yeah," I sigh. This isn't the first time I've got my ass beat, won't be the last, but I didn't have a job before. It's going to be hard to save for a place of our own if I keep missing work. "I think a hot bath would be good," I comment after taking the last bite of my sandwich.

"I'll start one," Clare volunteers.

I swallow down the last of the milk and she takes the plates. A few minutes later I hear her in Owen's washroom and the water going. I slowly get up and grab my phone, making my way to the washroom. I grab a towel from the closet on my way and see Clare dumping in some epsom salts.

"Go do your homework Crakerjack, I'll be okay. I'll text you if I need you," I assert.

She kisses my cheek and leaves the washroom. I undress slowly and sink into the warm water, turning it off as it almost sloshes over the side. Leaning my head back on the wall, closing my eyes as my mind becomes flooded with thoughts of returning to school Wednesday and hopefully feeling up to working come Saturday.

(CLARE)

"Is everything okay? It's just you seem distant, like you don't want to be with me," I say to Drew. My words hesitant as I'm not sure that I want to know the answer. I asked him to eat alone today. He seemed to be distancing himself recently and the last couple days we ate with either Adam and Alli or with Owen and Bianca.

It's Wednesday, it's Halloween, and Fitz came back to school today. Rumors were running rampant, although I managed to cover some of the worst bruises on his face with makeup, he still had a fat lip. Maise was still running her mouth, but we did our best to ignore her.

"It's not that Clare," Drew sighs. He sets his sandwich down and leans back on his hands. "Not exactly, I like you, you're beautiful and smart, sweet and caring. It's just you seem to be more into my brother though," Drew says and I spit out my drink. He arches an eyebrow and hands me a napkin.

"I like Adam but not that way. He's my best friend, we connect on a different level, and he and Alli are amazing together."

"The thing is I don't think you like me that way Clare. The fact that you and Adam connect on such a level is part of the problem. I feel like a third wheel in my own relationship, and I have for a long time."

"How long?"

"Pretty much the beginning I guess," Drew confesses after a long minute.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I question looking at my hands. I feel terrible, I didn't know Drew felt that way. When Drew doesn't answer I look back at him. He just shrugs, apparently not really having an answer, but something occurs to me and I speak up. "I guess you were kind of pressured into going out with me so Eli wouldn't. That wasn't fair to you, we probably should have broken up a while ago."

"Don't get me wrong Clare I like you, I did want to go out with you, but this isn't working, it's not a relationship," Drew remarks.

"No, it's not, but how about friends?" I question holding my hand out to him.

"Friends," he grins, taking my hand and shaking it.

We finish lunch and go back to school. When I get to 3rd period I tell Adam and my friends that Drew and I broke up amicably. Adam doesn't look all that surprised, but the others do.

"Aww, you two were cute together, and now we can't double anymore," Alli says.

"I'm sure you and Adam didn't need us tagging along," I remark quietly.

Thankfully, class begins and no one else says anything. Adam does ask about the breakup when the two of us are walking to 4th period. I tell him what Drew said and he doesn't seem surprised. All he really says is he's glad that Drew and I are remaining friends. Eli is a bit creepy in class, but no one says anything about Drew and I breaking up. I am sure that Drew told Fitz and Owen at lunch though.

"Want to do homework at The Dot?" Adam asks.

"Sure," I nod.

"We'll pick you up after football," Fitz says.

"Be careful," I tell him.

"We'll watch him," Owen assures me.

Adam and I order snacks when we get to The Dot. Spin isn't working today, and the café is busy with hungry students. We spend a couple hours talking and doing homework. When Drew, Owen and Fitz arrive Drew and Adam leave, they have to get home for dinner and say they'll see us tomorrow. Owen, Fitz and I order dinner and eat at the café.

"We should probably spend the night at home," Fitz comments while we're eating.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Owen questions, while my stomach sinks at the thought of going home.

"I don't think it's ever wise to sleep at home, but Rudy will start bugging us," Fitz replies.

"You're not exactly in shape to fight if your step-bastards try anything," Owen remarks.

"I try not to fight, we'll stay in Clare's room and leave if we have to. One or two nights at home and we'll spend the rest of the week at your house. If we don't make the occasional appearance it just gets worse," Fitz asserts.

Owen sighs but he knows Fitz is right. We finish eating and Owen drives us home. Mom is making dinner when we come in. We don't see Rudy, which is good. We do however hear several voices upstairs which means Steve has friends over. A rarity for him, but it's usually druggies like him.

We hug Mom and go upstairs, straight into my room, but we catch a glimpse of Jake in Steve's room. We hear at least four voices, so we're not sure who the other two are. Thankfully, we don't hear Eli among them. Fitz blocks my still broken door and we sit on my bed.

"You know, we're going to have to fix your door," Fitz remarks.

"Yeah, but when will we have the time or the house without Steve or Rudy," I sigh.

Fitz nods and gets out his homework. I spend the evening helping him with his homework and listening to the loud boys in the boy's room. Rudy behaves himself tonight, we rarely have anyone to the house for obvious reasons, but the few times we do Rudy will be on his best behavior. He knows that witnesses mean more potential for getting caught. You might think that having people over would mean nothing would ever happen. However, eventually guests leave and then Rudy is usually worse. Even when it's Steve that had friends over, though Steve is never the one to face the full wrath of his father.

We don't leave my room unless we absolutely have to. It's after ten when some of Steve's guests leave, but at least one of them seems to stay. We wake early Thursday morning, changing quickly and leaving the house. We walk to The Dot and get ready in the washrooms and employee break room. Not knowing who Steve had over we didn't want to linger at the house.

Spinner gives us breakfast and between customers he asks how Fitz is doing and why we're here so early. After finishing breakfast Fitz and I walk to school. I tell him I'm going to my locker when we're inside, and he says to be careful. I don't quite make it to my locker as I hear my name being called when I pass Miss Dawes classroom.

"Clare, can I see you a moment," Mrs. Dawes calls.

I stop in my tracks and arch an eyebrow. I don't have Miss Dawes this semester, so I'm not sure why she'd want to see me. I am quite surprised to see Eli in the room. I'm fairly certain he doesn't have Miss Dawes this semester either.

"You know Eli Goldsworthy don't you Clare?" Miss Dawes questions and I nod in response. "Eli is writing a story for submission to a national publication and was requesting some editing help. You're the best editor in the school. If you're willing to do it, I can give you some independent project credit for it."

I bite my lip, sure that Eli arranged this, but not sure how he could guarantee that Miss Dawes would ask me. While I don't entirely trust Eli, independent project credit would be good, especially if I want to graduate early. I don't know how to tell Fitz about it, but I nod slowly. "Yeah, I'll edit."

"Great, we can meet after school in the computer lab," Eli grins.

"Sure, sounds great, Eli," I nod, "excuse me, I need to get to my locker."

I leave the room and start walking very fast to my locker. My stomach starts to churn as I question whether or not I made the right decision. I'm still sure Eli orchestrated this somehow, my mind begins racing with just how. Did he specifically request me? If he did he would have had to know that I was the best editor in the school. If he didn't request me, how could he have guaranteed that Miss Dawes would have asked me to edit? Miss Dawes could have done it herself or asked a senior to do it. Maybe I just won't tell Fitz about working with Eli, I know he won't like it and he might forbid me to do so. At least, Eli asked to meet in the computer lab, so we'll be at school with other students around.

I don't tell anyone about working with Eli after school. Other than my mind being preoccupied with how Eli could have orchestrated my editing help, the morning is normal and boring. Alli and Adam are eating lunch alone, so I decide to eat with my brother, Bianca, Owen and Drew. It's a nice day so we eat at a picnic table outside, and I see Maise lurking around, watching us from the steps. In fact, she ambushes us when we go to the steps when we're done eating.

"Hi Fitz, want to come over tonight? I'm ready to go all the way," Maise says, in front of all of us while she hangs off of Fitz.

"Maise we broke up, leave me alone," Fitz replies, pulling her off of him.

"I LOVE YOU AND YOU BROKE MY HEART," Maise screams loudly.

"We went on like three dates, you can't love me, you're nuts," Fitz states. We walk past her and start to go inside.

"You'll regret breaking up with me Mark Fitzgerald," Maise screeches.

"Dude she's obsessed," Drew remarks.

"I know, but we went to homecoming, a party and like one date after that. Unless she counts all the times hanging with me at work as dates," Fitz shrugs.

"The girl is nuts she probably does, maybe we should introduce her to Eli," Owen comments.

I bite my lip thinking about this afternoon and working with Eli. He does smirk a lot more in 4th period, but thankfully doesn't say anything. Not even when we're leaving class. Adam and Alli are going to The Dot, they invite me but I tell them I need to work on something at school. I tell Fitz that I'll see him after practice. When I'm sure no one is around I walk to the computer lab. On the way I see Drew flirting with Jess near the gym. She's smiling and blushing and my stomach sinks a little. It was an amicable breakup, and I'm sure I don't like Drew that way, but it still hurts to see him moving on so fast. I turn around taking the long way to the computer lab and Eli is waiting for me.

"I have the story all pulled up for you," Eli grins.

"Thanks," I reply, setting my backpack down and sitting down in front of the computer.

We're not alone, there's several other students in the lab, some working in pairs, others alone but everyone concentrating on their own work. Eli pulls his chair right next to mine as I begin reading his story. He's written a good story, but a rather dark one. I try to concentrate on the story, reading it through, making corrections for grammar and punctuation here and there. It's hard to truly concentrate as Eli is so close, looking over my shoulder and seeming to intentionally brush his arm on mine or lean in so his breath is on my neck. Honestly, it's beginning to get unnerving.

"Ummm this would be easier if you weren't watching me Eli," I remark when I can no longer take it.

"But I want to watch your brilliant mind work, Clare. Watch what you do and learn," Eli says, his voice is low but he is very close to my ear. I look around the room, no one is looking at us, no one else is bothered by how very close Eli is to me. I push Eli back a little and go back to editing, trying very hard to concentrate on the work. It only lasts about 30 seconds before Eli breaks my concentration again. "I knew you and Drew wouldn't last Clare, I knew you'd break up. You were not meant to be with Drew, but you and I are soulmates Clare, we belong together," he whispers in my ear, sending a shiver along my spine.

I scoot my chair over a little but Eli scoots closer to me. He continues to tell me that we're soulmates, meant to be together, and how he knew it from the moment he saw me. I have to get out of here and away from Eli, even if for just a few minutes.

"I need some water," I remark, getting up.

"I'll get it for you," Eli offers immediately.

"That's ok, I could use the break from staring at the computer screen anyway. I need the washroom too, I'll be back in a few minutes," I assert.

I probably should take my backpack and run out, but I don't. I manage to walk very calmly from the computer lab. When I turn the corner I practically run to the girl's washroom. I use the washroom and after washing my hands splash some cold water on my face. I start to walk toward the vending machine, but stop when I think about going back to the room with Eli. Leaning on the wall and closing my eyes, wishing I hadn't wanted the independent project credit so much.

"You okay Clare?" Sav asks.

I open my eyes to see him giving me a concerned look. "Yeah, just…" I start but my sentence drifts off as I'm not entirely sure what to tell him.

"Waiting for your brother?" Sav asks.

"No, working with Eli in the computer lab," I confess.

"Well, that seems like an incredibly bad idea. You have a project for communications class or something?"

"No, Mrs. Dawes asked me to edit a story Eli is writing. I'm getting independent project credit for it, so I agreed to do it."

"You know you and my sister are just way too ambitious when it comes to school. I haven't even started on my senior independent project and I'm actually a senior. If you're editing can't you do that alone?"

"He insists on watching me, he's also taking the opportunity to tell me how we're soulmates and destined to be together. That he knew Drew and I would never last, because Eli and I are meant to be together. I'm not sure how, but he had to have arranged this. I shouldn't have agreed, but I couldn't pass it up. Eli's just being so creepy, I told him I needed the washroom and a bottle of water, but I'm going to have to go back. I left my backpack and everything in there."

"I'm surprised Fitz agreed to let you do this," Sav comments.

"He doesn't know, he never would have and I didn't want to argue with him," I admit. Sav twists his mouth and gives me a look, I look at my shoes.

"I've got some homework to do, I could do it in the computer lab," Sav says after a moment.

"Really?" I question, looking back up at him hopefully.

"Let's get you that bottle of water first. We'll stay for a bit and then grab Alli at The Dot, you can sleep at our place tonight. I'm sure my parents and Alli won't mind," Sav says and I smile.

"That would be great, thanks Sav. I'll tell Fitz to stay at Owen's tonight."

We walk to the vending machine, Sav gets two bottles of water, one for himself and one for me. While he's getting the water I text Fitz that I'm sleeping at Alli's tonight and he should stay at Owen's. We return to the computer lab, Eli glaring at us as we walk in together. Sav sits at the table right next to us, sitting on my side. Eli glares at him again but doesn't say anything. Anytime Eli tries to get too close or say something Sav will shoot him a look. With Eli mostly behaving and Sav here I'm able to concentrate.

"Come on Clare," Sav says standing up after about half an hour, "we need to go get Alli and get home."

"Clare doesn't have to leave with you," Eli snaps.

"I'm staying at Alli's tonight, so I actually do have to leave with Sav," I reply. Eli's face changes, an odd amalgamation of anger, disappointment and possibly suspicion. "If you email me the story I'll finish editing by the end of lunch tomorrow so you can get it submitted. It'll be faster without you watching me anyway. Bye Eli," I remark, grabbing my stuff and leaving with Sav.

Eli stands up and watches us leave but doesn't say anything. We pick up Alli and tell her I'm sleeping over, she just smiles. Adam waves and says he'll see us tomorrow. While we're driving to their house Fitz texts to say that he's sleeping at Owen's and asks if I need clothes or anything for tomorrow. I tell him I can probably borrow stuff from Alli, but I'll let him know.

Mrs. Bhandari has dinner ready when we get home, she's surprised to see me but doesn't mind that I'm sleeping over. We eat with the Bhandari parents and then Alli and I go up to her room. She talks all evening about Adam while I finish my homework. At least Alli stops talking when she falls asleep. I'd like to say that I slept all night, but I wake from a nightmare about Eli, Steve and Rudy. Shaking and sweating, I slowly get out of the guest bed. I don't want to wake Alli so I tiptoe to the door and across to the washroom, I splash some water on my face and lean on the counter.

"You okay?" Sav whispers from the doorway.

"I'm okay, just a bad dream," I whisper back.

Sav motions for me to follow him, so I follow him down to the kitchen. He makes us both some tea and we sit at the kitchen table talking for over an hour. Well, I do most of the talking. I tell him about my breakup with Drew, that it was amicable, how he felt and why we started dating to begin with.

"I shouldn't have agreed to help Eli. I knew something was fishy, I guess I hoped he was sincere in wanting my help. He was really creeping me out this afternoon though, like we were in some teen vampire romance or something," I sigh.

"Funny, I thought you liked teen vampire romance," Sav teases and I can't help but giggle. "You can help Eli, but I would keep your distance. If he insists on working alone then tell me," Sav says and I smile.

"Thanks Sav," I grin and kiss his cheek, "I feel a lot better. I'm ready to go to sleep again."

"Go to bed, I'll take care of our cups," Sav remarks.

Quietly returning to Alli's room I'm able to get to sleep and sleep peacefully for the rest of the night. Waking to Alli's alarm the next morning, I borrow some clothes from her and have travel toiletries in my backpack. I text Fitz that I don't need anything and will see him at school. Sav takes us to school and Alli goes to her locker. I go to homeroom, checking my school email on one of the computers in the classroom. Eli emailed his story, when I open the email there's a large rambling paragraph about how we belong together.

"That's creepy, you should show Fitz," Alli remarks.

"No, it will just make him mad," I remark.

"Adam," Allis says, and I cringe a little bit, "look at this creepy email from Eli."

Adam walks over and looks over my shoulder at the e-mail. "That is creepy, he is definitely obsessed. Have you told Fitz? Do you want me to talk to Eli?"

"No, and no, just ignore it. For whatever reason Eli is infatuated, it will stop," I remark closing the email and signing out.

Adam and Alli exchange a look, but at least they don't say anything. When I leave homeroom Sav is waiting to take me to art. I wave to Adam and Alli and we start walking to art.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to the game with me tonight, maybe go out afterwards?" Sav asks.

"I'd love to," I smile back.

We get to art and Drew comes in a moment later, neither of us says anything about going out tonight to Drew. The smile stays on my lips until Steve comes in the room. It's not just that he entered the room, it's the look he's giving me, like he knows something. It's a look that makes me nervous and makes my stomach do nervous flips.