AN: Time for another session inside JJ's head. Or is it Shelby's head now? Even I have trouble keeping track sometimes. Anyway, I wanted to write this note to remind my CM pals who have not seen HG to feel free to ask any questions as this fic moves forward. I would suggest watching HG on Youtube, but I do understand that not everyone has the time to watch 22 hour-long episodes. If you are interested, though, search for MsAJCook. The account page has all of the episodes in very good quality (along with a smorgasbord of other A.J. material). Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed so far! Keep it coming! Disclaimers can be found in the summary.

And there's the sign that I'm looking for. Well, not exactly the sign that I'm looking for, but considering that it's already midnight, it'll have to do. Rusty O'Brien is the only restaurant near Mt. Horizon. The last time I was here, I was on caffeine restriction. Now I can't go a day without at least one cup of coffee. How things change…

I pull up to the small restaurant and park the SUV. Mt. Horizon is only about five minutes away, but I'm not ready to go there yet. I've shut the people there out for a decade. How will they react to seeing me? No, I need time to prepare. I need time to think of how I want to present myself. And the beauty of it all is that I have that time. I mean, even if the team is looking for me, they'll never find me. Not here. Not even Garcia could find me here.

I try the front door, but it's locked. Not surprising, considering the "Closed" sign hanging in the window. I knock. If I'm lucky, Annie still owns the place. The restaurant also serves as her home, so she'll be sleeping somewhere. If she doesn't hear, then maybe her daughter will.

The door opens slowly and I'm surprised to see a teenage girl behind it.

"Gracie," I ask.

"Yeah," she responds, perplexed, "How do you know my name?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm-," I pause to think. I have no idea what to tell her.

She moves her hand around as if to prompt me. I cough and act like I'm clearing my throat.

"I'm an old friend of your mom. You've grown up into a beautiful young lady." Wow, did I really just say that? Now I feel old…

"Thanks… So we've met, then?"

"You were maybe five or six the last time I saw you, so I doubt you remember. How old are you now?"

"Seventeen. So, what brings you out here at this time of night? Mom's still asleep."

"I was just on the road and needed somewhere to stop for the night."

"You know that there is a camp in Mt. Horizon that isn't too far away, right?"

"Yeah, but I can't really go up there… Not yet, anyway…"

"Oh," she says. Her eyes tell me that she understands. "Did you want to speak with my mom?"

"Yes, please. I mean, if it isn't too much trouble."

"Not at all." She enters another room behind the bar, and Annie comes out a moment later.

"Thank you, Gracie," she calls through the door. "Now get some sleep."

She approaches me with squinted eyes, as if that will help her recognize me. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, I think you can. Do you know a girl named Shelby Merrick?"

She nods, opening her mouth as if to say something, but then she pauses. She starts studying my face again.

"No way," she murmurs.

"Yep," I say, "I'm back."

"But it's been…"

"Ten years, I know. I hope that I'm not hassling you right now, but I was wondering if you have somewhere for me to stay the night?"

"We have a guest room… God, I can't believe you're here! Peter is going to be ecstatic! I should call him." She starts to move to the phone, but I raise a hand.

"Please don't," I shout, "I mean, I'm not quite ready for them to know yet. It's been a long time. That's why I want to know if I can stay here for the night. I'm trying to take everything at my own pace."

"Ok, I understand. You are going to visit them, though, right? Is that why you are here?"

"Yes, that's exactly why I'm here."

"Well, that's fantastic! I'm sure they'll be pleased! Now, if you'll follow me, I'll show you the guest room. I'm sure you must be exhausted by now."

Exhausted is an understatement, but I flash her a smile. "Thank you."

AN: That was a little longer than I pictured it being. Please let me know what you think!