Higher Ground

"Season 2"

Disclaimer: I don't own the show.

Pairing: Scott/Shelby; Auggie/Jules

Summery: New season, new problems.

A/N: I hope you like it.

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Chapter 1: Welcome back

Scott's house

Sometimes wakening up in the morning just plan sucked…but not today. Today is the day that he goes back…back to his school, his friends and most importantly his girlfriend, Shelby. Peter had let them all go home for the summer, okay so maybe only a month, but now it was time to go back.

For many kids Horizon was a place where they could finally find peace and come to terms with who they are as a person. Yet for Scott Barringer it was so much more. At Horizon he finally faced his fear and showed his dad that he wasn't the dead bet he thought he had become. Horizon is where he met a group of friends that would really stick with him through the good and the bad times. Finally Horizon is the place where he met Shelby.

"You ready Scott?" Mr. Barringer asked.

"Yeah dad," Scott said as he took one last look at his room before he grabbed his bags and headed toward the car. When he closed the door to the car door he smiled a small smile as the car drove away.

"Are you sure I can't talk you out of this. I mean the coach really wants you back on the team." Mr. Barringer said. "You are trough away your future." He finished.

Scott didn't answer his dad. For the past week he has been asked all these same question and the answer has always been the same. I'm not ready to not go back. He would always say but it never penetrated his father's brain. All his father wanted was for him to be successful and to have more than what he had…which would be hard since his father was a rich business owner known and respected by many. But still he tried.

I never in my life thought I would be this happy to be going back to school. Scott thought. But being back in that house was something I was not ready for. All the memories of the times she came into my room and told me what time it was and that she was scared of the dark. I could seem to get those visions out of my mind and they have been haunting me ever since I walked back through the front door. Scott was so lost in his thought that he didn't even hear his father's question.

"Scott?" Mr. Barringer said as he tapped his son on the shoulder.

"Huh?" Scott asked turning to look at his father.

"Do you want anything from inside?" he asked.

Scott looked around and saw that they where outside of a gas station. He remembered this gas station as the one he tried to escape from when Roger and his dad where first trying to bring him to Horizon. "No thanks bad."

"You sure…it's the last real food you are going to get to eat," his father joked.

Scott smiled. "Nah…I'm good. The cooking isn't that bad." Scott said.

"Yeah right," his father said as he closed the door and walked toward the gas station.

They where only about an hour away from Horizon and Scott wanted to get there as quick as he could so he could get all settled in before everyone else arrived. Believe it or not he missed all the other Cliffhangers. Auggie, Ezra, Jules, Daisy, and even David. But most of all he was going to miss Kate. She graduated last year and is not longer a Cliffhanger, but she will always be one at heart.

Just then the driver door opened and Scott father sat back down in front of the staring wheel eating a Snickers bar. "Mmmm," he said as he looked at his son out of the corner of his eye. "You sure you don't want one," He asked as he waved the bar in front of his face. "There really good Scott," he said with a smile. And when Scott did accept his offer he popped it back in his mouth. "Oh well, more for me."

"Dad…just start the car," Scott said as he looked out the front window. His dad started the car with a smile as they drove off. Toward the school that held so many good memories and also a few bad ones…a school that held so much room for success for everyone who attended. Scott really couldn't wait to get back there.

Mt. Horizon

Shelby had arrived and saw that all the other Cliffhangers where there, all but Scott. She got out of her mother's car and walked toward the rest of the group, which she had to admit she was kinda happy to see…even David.

Daisy caught Shelby's eye contact and smiled as she walked over to greet her friend. "Hey girl," Shelby said as she gave Daisy a hug. "You have no idea how much I missed you." Just the Jules, Auggie and Ezra came over and joined in the group hug…David stayed back and gave everyone a freaky look. "Hey guys," Shelby said once she felt everyone else hug her.

When everyone finally stepped back Shelby looked at them all and noted that the group looked smaller without Kate and Scott. But unlike Kate, Scott would be coming back…it was just a matter of when. I can't wait to see him again. Shelby thought to herself.

"Shel, this year is going to be great," Jules said excitingly.

"Yeah," Shelby said with a forced smile. "I better go put my stuff away," Shelby said as she walked toward their cabin.

"No so fast," someone said from behind them. "Bags go in my office and I will check them and bring them back to you," the person said.

"Yes my captain," Shelby said turning around to see Peter standing there. She smiled as she walked up to him and gave him a hug. "Don't get used to this because you of all people know I am not an emotional person." Shelby said in his ear before she backed away. "So…when does the final Cliffhanger get here?" Shelby asked wondering what was taking Scott so long.

"Any time now," Peter said as he lifted Shelby's bags and brought them to his office, leaving the group alone.

He should be here soon. So what should I do, should I go freshen up? Should I go change into something different? No Scott doesn't care what I'm wearing. What if he met someone else while we where away? He is a handsome man…surely has no trouble finding girls. Wait a second did I just say handsome and surely? Whatever…I just wanted to get this Welcome Back thing over with so we can get back to normal around here. Shelby thought to herself. And before she realized it she was standing at the deck. The very place where she tried to break it off with Scott.

Flashback:

Scott and Shelby where sitting at the edge of the dock talking about what life was like. They knew that there relationship was over but neither one of them wanted to admit…until finally Shelby did. She knew it would break his heart, and hers, but she also knew what had to be done. Sure he said the could make the long distance relationship work…but she knew better that to make promise neither one of them would be able to keep…it wasn't fair.

"We can make this work," Scott said as tears rolled down his cheeks.

"We would both be making promises that both of us know we wont keep," Shelby said as she too had tears rolling down her face. She loves Scott, she really, really does. And she so does not want to lose him but she knows that this is the only way.

Just then Scott leans over and takes her in his arms like he has so many times. "I will never forget you Shel," he said as he held her tighter as if he was never going to see her again…and after tomorrow that might be true.

"I have to go," she said, as she got out of his embrace, as hard as it was, and walked back to the dorm.

"I wont give up on us," he said as she walked away. "Never."

End Flashback:

Shelby looked around and the still clam water. She was alone now, all the others had went off to the main lodge to say hi to everyone but she really didn't feel like saying happy greeting to people that she didn't want to. Also she really wasn't in the mood. Scott had yet to show up and she knew he was supposed to be here a while ago, she heard Sophie and Peter talking about it.

She laid her head back on the wooden bench that she was sitting on thinking about all the good things that happened to her last year.

Flashback:

Scott was sitting on was of the many chair that where in the lounge. He had been depressed ever since Shelby was taken out of Horizon because her stepfather was ill and she needed to take care of him...that was messed up beyond belief.

"Come on Scott play us something…we all know you can play," Jules said from where she was sitting next to Auggie. "Come on!"

"Yeah come on man," Auggie said.

Scott looked at the as if they where crazy. How could be play the piano at a time like this. Shelby is out there doing god knows what with her stepfather. On second though maybe he should play to get out his feelings. "Fine," he said as he got up from where he was sitting.

He went over to the piano and sat down. His fingertips brushed the top of the keys as if they where the most delicate things he had every touched. Then he started to play a song that his mom had taught him long ago…something that he thought he had forgotten.

As he played along with the music his head bobbed as he became so engrossed in the music that everything else just faded away. Nothing matter but the sound of the music and the way it made him feel. He poured all his feeling into what he was playing and you could easily tell. Soon he was lost in the sound of the music and didn't even hear when the center of his music walked into the room…that is until Jules screamed.

"Shelbyyyyy!" she shouted as she went over to a person she really didn't like but was really glad to see.

"Hey girl…welcome back." Auggie said.

"It's good to be back," Shelby said as she was released from the group hug and she came face to face with Scott. "I missed you."

He didn't say anything he just brought he close to him for a hug and at that moment Shelby thought she was going to break down…god she missed Scott so much.

End Flashback

Shelby continued to stair out over the water. How come my life change so much in a year? Ever since he came along I haven't been able to think straight because all I seem to think about is him. I want to be the women that he thinks I am…that he knows I can be. Shelby thought. She had no idea what was taking Scott so long to get here…she lived just as far away as he did...okay so maybe he lived a little further away but still.

Is he taking his time because he doesn't want to see me? Did I say something wrong in the letter I sent him over summer…while our short one-month summer. I should just be glad Peter gave us a summer after all…it's Sophie I know it, she is good for him. She had softened him up a little bit and he is a little easier to push around, but he is still no resistance Peter that we all know and love.

A smile came across Shelby face as she remember a time when she hated Peter because he was so control and she could never get away with anything…oh how the times have changed.

"I can tell by that smile that you're thinking about me," a voice came from behind her and instantly she knew who it was and he smile grew wider. "Okay at least I hope thinking about me brings that smile to your face," the voice said again.

"Why Scott, by the sound of your voice I would have to guess that your uncertain." She said as she stood up and walked over to him. "There is no reason to be uncertain about my feelings for you…because I love you," she said. "Nothing will ever change that." She added as she brought her lips to his.

'Well I am glad to hear it," he said when the parted. "Now we have to go to the lounge because I guess our group is the lucky one that gets the freshmen this year and Peter wants to introduce him right away." Scott said as he held Shelby in his arms. "I missed you," he said as he brought his lips to hers once again.

"Same here," she said as she came out of his arms and took his hand. "Shall we?" she asked as they started walking toward the lounge. It was defiantly going to be a great year here at Horizon.

Lounge

They walked into the lounge and the new kid was standing by the window looking out at nothing, which was starting to freak some of the cliffhangers out. What was this guy's deal? Shelby and Scott walked in and as soon as Shelby saw whom the new kid was she froze.

"Shel? Shel what's wrong?" Scott asked as they stopped dead in their tracks. The new kid looked as soon as he heard Shelby's name and Scott saw. "Shel are you okay?" he asked but she didn't respond.

The new kid walked away from the window and over to Shelby. "Shelby…is it really you?" he asked. Shelby looked at him with wide eyes. "It's me…Mike." He said.

"I know…I remember you," Shelby said.

AN: I hope you like it!