Taking the Fall

Epilogue: What Means The Most

I'm falling even more in love with you
Letting go of all I've held on to
I'm standing here until you make me move
I'm hanging by a moment here with you
I'm living for the only thing I know
I'm running and not quite sure where to go
And I don't know what I'm diving into
Just hanging by a moment here with you

-Lifehouse

(Hanging by A Moment)

The plaques and trophies that lined Riverside's front hallways belonged solely to the Goode name. They were symbols of not only Zach and Matthew's accomplishments but also of their father and his father and his father too. The line went back so far it amazed Zach they had all gone to the same school, lived in the area for so long.

He used to feel a strong sense of pride and purpose looking at the trophies with his name engraved. It had always seemed right that they stood in the front hallway next to his father ones. The plaques with swimming and track records that his father had held for so long used to be the bane of Zach's existence. He was always trying to be better, trying to beat his father. And since he'd done that for so long, he felt like a different person looking at them now, as if they were only chunks of metal, or numbers engraved. But he supposed they were only placeholders for his happiness. Inanimate objects can only bring joy for so long.

His fingers touched the glass that held the trophy he had most recently won for his school: the high school football national championship. The title still gave him a glow inside but it wasn't easy to see. If he'd gotten that last year he would have been walking around with his head held high and stepping on people for months. But the success didn't go to his head anymore. Not after he had figured out what was really important.

Cammie.

Right now she was the only thing he truly cared about. She was his whole world and no amount of trophies, metals, or plaques in his honor would ever account tp his feeling for her.

He couldn't believe his luck. The way his school year had started he would have thought by the end of the year he'd be in jail or dead. But instead he'd gotten the girl of his dreams along with all the trophies and respect of his father and peers. It seemed too good to be true, but and he was certain something bad was eventually going to happen. But it wouldn't be to him and Cammie. He was holding too tightly onto that relationship for anything to ever go wrong. He would never risk losing her.

"Zach?" he heard Macey's warm voice from behind him. "Are you coming?"

He turned around her, seeing both her her and Preston looking at him with slightly suspicious eyes. They obviously didn't understand what he was doing. And if he was being honest he didn't really know either. Reminiscing, he supposed. Zach peeled his hand off of the glass, and began towards them.

"Yeah," he replied. He didn't want to go though. He still felt guilty, even though Vince had gotten just what was coming from him.

Macey gave him a small smile and gave him an understanding nod.

The car ride to the prison wall quiet and painful. Zach knew Macey was thinking the same thing as he was. Feeling the same heart crushing guilt and regret that he did. Things may have turned out perfectly for Zach, but they surely hadn't turned out perfect for Vince. Vince had gotten arrested after a long investigation into him after Grant had woken up, telling everyone the truth about that night. Zach didn't blame Grant, he would have done the same if he'd been a coma for several months. But Zach sometimes wished Grant hadn't woke up, or if he had, had no recollection of that night. But this wasn't a movie and not everything was going to work out perfectly.

However, Vince's arrest made the past six months of his life futile. Everything he had gone through and done was to ensure that Vince wouldn't ended up where he was now. But apparently things were just inevitable. Hopefully it would teach Vince a lesson and he would get out early on good behavior. The only comforting though was that Vince's family had a lot of money that could help push bail further up. But even that wasn't enough to quench his guilt. He also knew Macey felt guilty for alienating him for so long. She had ignored him and begun dating Preston and now that Vince was unreachable she was beginning to rethink everything.

When they got to the jail they decided Zach would go talk to him first, and Macey could follow if she wanted. Preston thought it was best if he hung back, only there to support Macey. Zach wished Cammie was with him. But she was at home helping Grant recover and adjust to being awake again.

Zach couldn't be more thankful to Macey concerning Cammie and Grant. She had organized a series of fundraisers and charities to help pay for Grant's hospital expenses and even get him a better treatment program. Zach was pretty sure most of the money from the fundraisers was mostly supplied my Macey's filthy rich parents but he never said anything. He was too grateful. He knew Cammie felt the same way. She hadn't wanted to be a charity case but she knew that her family needed the money so there was only one choice but to take it.

As Zach walked through the filthy prison he couldn't help but be relieved that it wasn't him in here. It was selfish thought, but it was completely true. The place was dirty and quite frankly; scary. Vince didn't belong here either but he had swum himself up the creek without a paddle. He had no one to blame but himself.

Orange wasn't a good color on Vince. It washed out his appearance and made him look like a middle aged man. It was strange seeing him like this: so defeated and lost. Zach could only hope that he would be out soon.

"Hey," Zach said as he took a seat across from his friend.

Vince tried to smile, but Zach could see the absolute terror and self-disappointment in his eyes.

"Hi," Vince said, his voice rough and scratchy like he hadn't had a glass of water in days.

"How are you?" Zach knew it was a dumb question but he didn't know what else to say.

"Superb," Vince said with sarcasm lying blatantly in his voice.

Zach shrugged. "Could be worse."

"I don't see how."

"The Morgan's could be pressing charges and you would be in for more than just assault."

Vince grunted but didn't say anything. Zach knew he knew that he was right.

"I can't believe I'm stuck in this hell hole," Vince muttered, a dark look on his face. "I'm going to get torn apart. Can you say gang bang?"

"You will be fine," Zach said. "Do you still want me to come and see you?"

Vince met Zach's eyes. He looked like he wanted to say yes but didn't want to lose pride by telling him that. But Zach nodded regardless.

"Do you want to see Macey?" Zach wondered.

Vince looked away. "Is she still dating that lanky piece of crap?"

"Preston?" Zach asked, unable to ignore the hostility in Vince's voice. "He's a nice guy Vince."

Vince mumbled something under his breath that Zach didn't catch.

"What was that?"

"Nothing," Vince snapped.

"Well she's still dating him and they're going pretty strong. You missed your chance bud."

"I know," Vince said darkly. "I fucked everything up."

"Maybe you'll have a chance once you get out."

"Yeah," Vince said sarcastically. "Maybe."

Zach sighed; he had tried.

"Do you want to see her or not?"

Vince shook his head. "Not now. Not yet."

Zach nodded his head, understanding where he was coming from. "Sure, I'll tell her."

For a few moments neither of them said anything.

"Thanks," Vince finally said, his voice no longer sounding resentful or angry. He sounded grateful and understanding. "For everything you've done. You've been a good friend."

Zach smiled. "Sure."

"I don't deserve it."

Zach shrugged. "I'd like to think you would do the same for me." Zach had a sinking feeling in his stomach that told him he was probably wrong, but it didn't matter. He needed to say it for both of them.

Vince smiled at him. "After all of this," he said, looking around at the grey walls and armed guards. "I sure as hell would."

Cammie wanted everything to be perfect for Grant's welcome home party. He had come home two weeks ago but hadn't been ready to see anyone. He could barely walk. But now he decided that he wanted to speak to people other than his family. She wanted to bring people over that care about him, and wouldn't make him uncomfortable. She knew that she was kind of smothering him, but she couldn't help it. She had missed him.

Matthew, Bex, Macey, Preston, half the football team, and few other of Cammie's friends were already here. The only person missing was Zach. Cammie knew he had gone to see Vince with Macey and Preston, but they were here and he wasn't. Macey had said something about him having to pick Sawyer up but she wasn't so sure.

When the doorbell rang she practically sprinted to the door. She opened the door and did not expect who was standing on her doorstep. It certainly wasn't Zach.

"Hi Cammie," Adelaide said, sounding slightly shy. It was surprising, Adelaide was a lot of things, but Cammie wasn't convinced shy was one of them.

Cammie narrowed her eyes at the girl. Adelaide had made her life nothing but hell, what in the world was she thinking, showing up here?

"What are you doing here?" Cammie asked flatly.

"I heard about your brother," Adelaide said. "I wanted to say hi."

"Well you can't," Cammie said to her.

"But—"

Cammie knew she was here for the attention. After Zach had dumped her for the second time, publicly made she add, Adelaide had fallen under the radar in order to avoid humiliation. She was embarrassed and angry.

"I think you should leave."

"Cammie," Adelaide said, her voice taking on a tone that almost mirrored a stubborn child.

"I don't know what you're up to but I swear to god if you don't leave my family and Zach alone I will make your life hell."

"And how are you going to do that?" Adelaide asked snidely.

"I'll find away, now get the fuck off my property before I call the police."

Adelaide glared at her but took a step back. "You're a bitch."

"I know you are but what am I," Cammie said childishly to her before slamming the door in her face.

As Zach pulled up to the Morgan's house he saw Adelaide stalking down the drive way. What was she doing here?

He got out of the car, Sawyer trotting out after him.

Adelaide met his eyes as she stalked towards him.

"What are you doing here?" Zach asked, grabbing Sawyer's hand and pulling her close to him. Adelaide looked angry.

"Nothing," she snapped. "You're girlfriend's a bitch."

Zach raised an eyebrow but didn't bother to say anything back. She stalked past him. Adelaide's words didn't mean anything to him, she was just a bully.
Zach continued towards the house. When they got to the door he rapped three times on the door.

"Zach?" Sawyer asked as the waited.

"Yep?"

"What's a bitch?"

Zach laughed and shook his head. Sawyer was always so attentive.

"Don't worry about it. And don't say it." He added as an afterthought.

Sawyer rolled her eyes and looked like she was about to respond but the door opened. Cammie stood there with an annoyed expression until she recognized them and smiled.

"Hey," she said and leaned in kissing him lightly. He grinned at her.

"Hi."

"Ew," Sawyer said, making a throw up sound. "Gross."

Zach rolled his eyes as Sawyer dropped his hand and wandered into Cammie's house without an invitation. Probably off to see Sawyer.

"She's adorable," Cammie said to him, grabbing his hand and pulling him.

"So are you."

"You are so cheesy."

"You love it."

This time she rolled her eyes. "Maybe."

He only grinned at her.

"How is Vince?" she asked, knowing she had to. Zach's grin turned into a vaguely sad smile.

"As best as one can be in jail I suppose. He appreciates you not pressing charges though."

She shrugged. "It was an accident."

"I know, but I know you also hate his guts."

"I don't hate him," Cammie argued. "But I can't say that I like him."

"You didn't like me."

"That's a different story."

He smirked. "Sure it is."

"I'm starting to remember why I didn't like you."

He kissed her again. "No you aren't."

"Come on," she said, pulling away. "Let's go see everyone."

Zach smiled as he took her hand. He was glad everything had turned out the way it did. Obviously Vince being in jail wasn't ideal but he would get out, and everything, sooner or later, would be okay. Zach was just happy to be here with Cammie and everyone that he cared about. He remembered the lost feeling he had had many months ago and now the whole, complete feeling he had. The two were so different.

"Sure," Zach said, following behind her.

It was nice to know that even when things can go so wrong and get too bad, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe Macey would be with Vince and maybe Adelaide would find someone that actually made her feel like she didn't need to compete for everything. He knew neither Adelaide nor Vince were bad people. They were just lost. He knew because he had been one of them. But he'd found Cammie and everything had changed.

After all, all it took was one person. He had the sudden urge to tell her that.

He tugged on her hand, making her turn around.

"Yes?" she asked. "Are you okay?"

"You know I love you right?" he asked, not sure how to put his thoughts into words. So he was using one he knew she couldn't get confused. Her expression was soft.

"Yes?"

He bent down a kissed her gently, conveying the love he felt for her.

"I just wanted to make sure you knew."

She smiled, and her hand reached up to rub his cheek.

"I do. And I love you to."

He grinned at her and held her wrist lightly.

"Thank you," he then said, thinking of the feeling he had for her and the way his life and somehow turned out to perfectly. "For everything."

She laughed at him, half thinking he was joking. But she smiled and looked at him with the same expression.

"In that case," she said and squeezed his hand. "You're welcome."

AN: Ok, so probably one of the most corny, cheesy ending that could be written, but that's what you guys like so I tried to give you what you want. I hope you guys all liked the way it turned out. But now its all said and done and I can't be more thankful to my reviewers. The response I got for this story is incredible and I'm grateful for each and everyone of you who took the time to write a review. So since this is done, most of you know that I'm writing the sequel to Fishtale so please, check it out if you haven't already! OK, I'll shut up now and give the final shout outs :)

Shout Outs:

Nicole Goode: I'm glad I could make you feel so strongly about something just by writing words on paper. And thank you and I don't think I will stop writing anytime soon so thank you for the words of encouragement :)

How I Make Lemonade: Nope, I didn't want to make any more conflict. Sorry to disappoint, but this is it.

The One You Never Suspected: Haha thank you! I love that line too. You don't really see how people take their relationship, with the exception of Sawyer and Adelaide. But basically everyone is happy with it because its the epilogue and everything is perfect ;) And thank you for being such a great reviewer I'm pretty sure you left me a decently long review for each and every chapter.

RidingAnglexspy: Yep, it's all been said and done. And so Vince does get found out and he get's what was always coming to him. And thank you so much!

laugh love live: Yep, sorry. This is it. I hope it ended ok. Thanks for the review :)