A/N- Hello everyone! I've got another story for ya. Don't worry, I'm NOT giving up on Two Roads One Path. I just have all theses different ideas for other stories popping in my head that I want to try and I'm working with vakariangal on a collaboration story; which is up on her account and you guys should check it and her other stories out! Anyways, enough of my babbling. Please R&R and I hope you guys enjoy it!

~Second Chances~

Shelby woke up and thought about her parents' stage behavior lately. Why her mother wanted her to learn a bunch of foreign based dances like the Tango, Salsa, and Paso Double was completely oblivious to her. Shelby had told her parents on several occasions, that she didn't want to do their suggested occupations that seem ed to change every week. She wanted to sign up with the military program and eventually become an N7 soldier.

Besides, she and her dance instructor had pretty much given up on her. Each time she went to dance class, she and her instructor just sat and talked the whole time. Shelby had become friends with Ellie. They had a lot in common and Shelby looked up to Ellie. After all, Shelby is only 16 and Ellie is 26 and Ellie can do whatever she wants.

Ellie's mom had suggested dance to her when she was young and liked it enough to stick with it. Shelby, however, felt like her parents didn't care about what her opinion was on an occupation. Shelby stopped caring so much about that when she learned that she could sign herself up when she was 18.

"Have you told them that you ARE signing up when you turn 18?" Ellie asked.

"I've certainly tried. But every time I bring up anything N7 related, they seem to block me out like I'm not even in the dang room." Shelby sighed. "I just don't get it El. They never used to flat out ignore me. Shoot me down or dismiss the topic yah, but never ignoring."

"Maybe they're only trying to protect you Shelby. Parents can be weird like that."

"Protect me from what? I can handle myself." Ellie popped up.

"Just a sec. Wait here." She said and walked away.

"Not like I can go anywhere else. There's still 20 minutes left to "dance"." Shelby said with air quotes around dance.

"I guess that's true." Ellie said and smiled at Shelby as she came back with a punching bag on a floor mount.

"Ellie, why the heck do you have a punching bag , of all things, in your closet?" Shelby said with an eyebrow raised. Ellie threw some hand wraps at her.

"This is no ordinary punching bag Shelby. This, is Vernie. The venting aid." Ellie said and smiled.

Shelby laughed. "Ok. Then what is "Vernie" doing out here?" Shelby said as she wrapped up her hands already half knowing why.

"Today, he is going to test your earlier statement. Prove that you can handle yourself." Ellie said with a friendly "show me what ya got" look. Shelby smiled and shot Ellie's look right back at her.

"Less stalling, more punching. " Ellie said.

Shelby took up a fighting stance and threw a fast, hard punch at the bag. Ellie, who was bracing the bag, stumbled backwards. Shelby raised an eyebrow at her and gave her an "I told you so" look.

"Okay, so you caught me off guard." She said and braced the bag again.

Shelby fixed herself and threw repeated, fast, hard punches at the bag alternating fists. Shelby got about eight hits in when she had to stop. She had knocked the bag over, right on top of Ellie.

"Oh my gosh!" Shelby said laughing. "Are you ok?" She asked and pulled the bag back back up and helped Ellie to her feet.

"Yah. I'm fine. I guess you CAN take care of yourself. Just reminded me to never pick a fight with you." Ellie said and they both laughed.

"I should go. My dance practice is supposed to be done by now."

"Alright. See ya tomorrow." Ellie said and waved as Shelby walked to the door.

Shelby turned her head to Ellie. "See ya tomorrow El." She said and waved to Ellie as she walked though the door.

Little did they know, tomorrow would be a completely different world.