Disclaimer: Hey! I don't own Peter, Sophie, Scott, Shelby etc. FF owns them, I think. I own Ashley and anyone else you don't recognize. Quick re-cap: Cat's at college, David's a permanent member of the Cliffhangers, Peter and Sophie are engaged and living together at Peter's. I've written this in TV format, so it's just like the show.

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THE CLIFFHANGERS RETURN
Chapter 3

Scene opens on Peter walking into the cafeteria and spotting the Cliffhangers at a table. They're all laughing because David spilt his orange juice on his trousers.

Peter: Morning guys, David did you have an accident?

Everyone laughs and David storms off to get changed.

Daisy *dryly*: So, oh great and wise one, why is it that you have graced us
with your presence?
Peter smiles: Actually, I need to talk to Ezra for a minute. He points in the direction of his office and Ezra gets up and follows him.

Shelby: Wonder what that was about?
Daisy looks worried: We'll find out soon enough.

Everyone goes back to eating.

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Peter's Office

Peter: OK Ezra, I've been talking with your parents and they have decided that they are going to permanently separate. The divorce is near being finalized, but your dad has requested that you go home with him for a weekend before the divorce is final. I know you probably don't want to go but I think it would help you if you spent some time with them separately. What do you think?
Ezra furrows his brow, then looks up and sighs: Yeah OK, I'll go. Your right
I should get used to being with them separately.
Peter: OK your dad will be here tomorrow to pick you up. So go get packed.
Ezra: OK, thanks Peter (he gets up and walks to the door)
Peter: No problem, and Ezra (he turns around to face Peter) if you want to talk when you get back you know where I am.
Ezra smiles: Yeah, thanks.

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Opening credits fade in

Peter
Sophie
Scott
Shelby
Ashley
Auggie
Jules
Daisy
Ezra
David

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Later That Day

The Cliffhangers are sitting in a circle waiting for group to start. Peter and Sophie walk in and sit down.

Peter: OK guys, we're gonna have a short group tonight. One word, I feel...... Jules?
Jules: I feel happy, she lets out a happy little squeal to which Ashley jumps. Aug?
Auggie: I feel good, Scott?
Scott: Ah, I feel tired, Shel?
Shelby: I ah, I feel happy, but without the squeal. Ashley laughs. Ash?
Ashley: I feel...... safe. Daisy
Daisy (looks at Ezra who is deep in thought): I feel worried. Ezra
Ezra: I feel anxious. David
David: I feel...... (he smiles) thirsty.
Peter: OK guys, those answers were a little vague but I'm not going to push tonight. Now before you leave I want to make an announcement, Ezra is going home for the weekend so I have decided to bring you guys on a little hike.

A chorus of moans and 'not again' are heard and Peter smiles.

Peter: Come on, it'll be fun. It will be Ashley's first hike so don't discourage her with you moaning.
Ashley: I don't need their moaning to discourage me, the looks on their faces are enough.
Peter smiles: Come on guys, go back to your dorms and pack for two days, we're going straight after breakfast tomorrow.

Everyone gets up and leaves except Ezra who goes over to Peter.

Peter: Hey Ezra, what's up?
Ezra: I was wondering what time my dad will be here tomorrow?
Peter: He said he'd be here early. He'll probably arrive before we leave for the hike so you can say your good-byes in the morning.
Ezra: OK thanks.

Ezra turns to walk away but Peter sees the worried look on his face.

Peter: Ezra, don't worry about this weekend. It'll be fine, just use the tools you've learnt here and try to enjoy the break, yeah?
Ezra: Problem is I don't want a break, I was much happier with me being here and them being there. You know a barrier, this weekend's gonna throw everything off course. My mom will ring my dad to see how I am then the inevitable phone fight will happen. Again, me the cause of it. .
Peter: Ezra calm down, we've gone through this, it is not your fault. Look just try to relax this weekend, you'll be back before you know it.
Ezra calms down a bit: Yeah, your right. OK thanks.
Peter: Your welcome, now go get some rest.
Ezra: Yeah.

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Next Morning

All the Cliffhangers, minus Ezra, are sitting on one of the picnic tables waiting for Peter and Sophie to come out. They walk out of the lodge with Ezra just as a car pulls up and Ezra's dad gets out.

Ezra: Hey dad
Richard: Hey Ezra, you all set?
Ezra: Yeah, I'm just going to say goodbye to some people.
Richard: OK, I'll take your bags and wait in the car. Mr. Scarbrow

Richard nods to Peter and puts Ezra's bags in the car and gets in. Ezra walks over to the picnic table full of Cliffhangers.

Ezra: Well, bye guys.
Auggie: See you EZ, have a good trip.
Jules: Yeah bye Ezra.
Scott: Don't get in trouble
Shelby and Ashley say 'bye' at the same time and start laughing.
David: Later man
Daisy: Bye Ezra, have a good time.

She hugs him and he gets in the car. Peter and Sophie wave him off and walk over to the Cliffhangers.

Peter: OK guys, let's get going, we have a long hike ahead of us.
Shelby *sarcastically*: Great, can't wait.
Ashley: Ugh, it's too early.

They start walking and go further and further into the forest.

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In The Forest

They walk through some trees and reach a clearing. Everyone sits down and starts talking.

Peter: OK, quiet everyone, he waits for everyone to stop talking
Shelby: Come on Peter, just tell us what we're doing already. Princess is starting to whine.
Jules: Hey! I have not stared whining yet!
Peter: OK, the theme of your hikes will be co-operation.
Shelby: What?
Peter: Just let me explain OK? We will be pairing you guys up with the person who you are least likely to choose yourself.
Shelby: So, basically you are pairing us up with the person we hate the most.
Peter: Shelby, the word 'Hate' is not being used in this exercise.
Ashley: God Shel, didn't you know, the word hate doesn't exist in Peter World. If anyone says it Peter kills them with his piercing laser stare.

Shelby smiles and looks at Juliet who is confused. She nods towards Jules and Ashley picks up the message.

Ashley smirks: What's wrong Jules?
Jules: That is so not true, Peter didn't kill Shelby when she said the word hate.
Shelby smiles: Guess he just likes me too much
Ashley screams: Ahhhhhh, Jules you're melting.
Shelby looks at Jules and screams too
Jules starts panicking: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, PETER STOP!!!!!
Peter: Juliet calm down, you are not melting. Ashley, Shelby sit NOW, and apologize to Jules for making her upset.

Ashley and Shelby look at each other and try not to burst out laughing.

Shelby *sarcastically*: Sorry Jules
Ashley *seriously*: Yeah sorry, you're not melting.................. You're on FIRE, Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Jules screams: Stop!

Peter: Ashley and Shelby got sit on that log now and do not talk until I say so.

They go and sit down and Auggie tries to calm Jules down.

Peter: Now, as I was saying before, we are pairing you up. The pairs will be David and Auggie.
David and Auggie look at each other 'Oh man'
Peter: Jules and Shelby
Jules: PETER!!!! Are you trying to kill me?
Ashley: Hello, we've just been through that. Weren't you listening? Remember the whole eye thing?
Sophie: Ashley.........

Ashley just rolls her eyes and Shelby laughs.

Jules *whining*: Peter!
Shelby: Suck it up princess, I'm not happy about this either.
Sophie: Then last but not least, we have Scott and Daisy.

Scott and Daisy look at each other and nod. Sophie gives Peter an I-told-you-so look and Peter rolls his eyes. Sophie knew that Scott and Daisy had stopped fighting ever since Shelby went home. She had told Peter but wasn't totally convinced and decided to put them together anyway.

David: Wait, So what about the newbie?
Ashley: As flattering as the word Newbie is, I do have a name. It's Ashley, A-S-H-L-E-Y. If you find that too hard to pronounce, you can call me
Ash. You Know ASH, it rhymes with trash, something I'm sure will feature a lot in your future.
David gets red in the face and walks off mumbling bathroom as he passes Peter
Daisy *dryly*: She's really not a morning person.
Jules rubs the side of her head: At least she didn't throw her shoe this time.
Shelby starts laughing: That was soooo funny
Jules: For you maybe
Ashley: SORRY OK, I didn't mean to hit you.

Auggie: You really aren't a morning person are you. I don't think anyone has got David mad enough to go away twice before. He laughs, You've got some major competition there Shel.
Shelby smiles: I've trained her well.
Ashley: Yeah, my first priority when I got here, to enroll in the Shelby Merrick school of sarcasm.
Jules: You better be careful Shelby, you might lose your coveted title of Ice
Queen.
Ashley: Hey, watch it Princess
Shelby: Hey, only I have the right to call Juliet 'Princess'.
Ashley: So you have Queenie and Princess. No fair, pick one. I get the other.
Shelby: But they're both such great names. How am I supposed to choose?
Ashley smirks: Well (she looks at Peter) take these two days to "reflect" and truly think about your emotions (Peter smiles at her and she turns back to Shelby)and tell me which one you don't want.
Scott smiles: So what are you gonna call Jules until you get the OK on the royalty name?

Shelby and Ash grin widely and look at each other.

Shelby + Ashley: 'Princey'

They burst out laughing as does most of the camp and when they finally calm down David walks in covered in leaves and dirt.

Scott laughs: What happened to you man?
David: I fell down a cliff
Ashley: Hanger

Her and Shelby burst out laughing and Shelby's laughing so hard she falls off the log they're sitting on, bringing Ashley with her.

Ashley *still laughing*: Thanks Shel! She scoops up some leaves and throws them at Shelby
Shelby laughs: Hey! She picks up some leaves and hurls them at Ash.

A full fledged leaf fight breaks out between Shelby and Ashley while they are still laughing hysterically. Peter eventually breaks it up and makes them sit down. Shelby and Ash sit there smiling with leaves in their hair.

Scott laughs: OK, so where is Ash going?
Ashley: Yeah, which group do I have the pleasure of being a third wheel?

Peter and Sophie look at each other and smile. They turn back to Ash and say in unison 'Our group'
Ashley: What!
Daisy: Ahhhh, you get to go with Peter and Sophie because they are the people that you probably don't want to be with. One of your more profound ideas Peter.
Peter smiles: Thank you Daisy, and yes Ashley, you will be going with Sophie and I
Ashley looks shocked: Your kidding me, right?

Peter shakes his head and is about to say something but gets interrupted by someone speaking on the radio in his pocket he walks off to answer it and Shelby smirks.

Shelby: Good luck, you're gonna need it. (she slaps Ash on the back)

Peter comes back into the clearing and puts the radio in his backpack. 'OK guys, that was Jeff. There's a storm coming in from the south but it shouldn't reach here until tomorrow night. I'm gonna cut the hike short.

Jules: Thank you, God.
Peter: OK guys, here are your maps. He hands one out to every pair and picks up his backpack. Now, we are going to walk through the forest and drop each pair off at a site. You have to work TOGETHER to set up camp, and you have to stay there tonight. In the morning, pack all your stuff and make your way back to horizon using the map. If you don't arrive back in pairs, you get shuns. Everyone understand?............ Good. Let's go.

Everyone picks up their packs and starts following Peter. First they drop off Shelby and Juliet, then David and Auggie and finally Daisy and Scott.

Daisy: So this is our new home, huh?
Sophie: Yup, so set up camp and some rest, you have a big hike ahead of you tomorrow.
Daisy *sarcastically*: Can't Wait
Peter: Bye Guys, see you at Horizon.
Scott: Later man.

Peter and Sophie and Ashley walked for about 20 minutes in silence. Peter finally breaks it

Peter: You OK Ashley? You want to take a break?
Ashley: Please, I could walk for hours, but if you need a break go ahead. I'll just walk on ahead without you.
Peter smiles remembering seeing Ashley play basketball her first night here. 'You really are an athlete aren't you?'

Ashley: I could run circles around you any day.
Peter: I don't know Ashley, I'm pretty fast.
Ashley: Just bring it on Petey boy, BRING-IT-ON!

Peter and Sophie smile and continue walking in silence.

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Finally they reach the campsite and start to set up they're tents.

Ashley: You guys don't have to put up an extra tent for my benefit. She looks a them strangely because they each have a tent in their hands.
Sophie: What do you mean?
Ashley smiles: Hello, he's gonna sneak into your tent the second I fall asleep
so save yourself the trouble of putting up a tent that won't be used.
Peter *serious*: Would you mind if we stayed in the same tent?
Ashley: Shelby told me you guys are engaged, it's not illegal to act like it. (she smirks) And it's fine with me...... as long a you keep the volume down!
Peter and Sophie turn red and Peter tries to change the subject: Yeah, OK, let's set up the tents then.

Once they had both tents set up (P+S's and Ashley's) Ashley starts a fire while Peter and Sophie go check on the others. When they come back, Ashley is asleep by the fire. Peter picks her up and puts her in her tent without waking her, then he and Sophie go into their tent for the night.

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Next Morning

Sophie gets out of her tent and stretches. She's surprised to find Ashley already up and poking a blazing fire with a stick.

Sophie: Your up early. You OK? Your not a morning person remember?
Ashley smiles: I woke up early, couldn't get back to sleep so I decided that poking the fire with a stick would be more fun than writing in that journal Peter gave me.
Sophie smiles: It's not that bad. Sometimes it helps to get your feelings out on paper, where you can really see them
Ashley: Maybe

Peter walks out of his and Sophie's tent and stretches as well. 'Morning all, you're up early. You OK?
Ashley: Yeah well, I got a bit of a head start on sleeping last night.
Peter smiles: Yeah, you were out like a log when we got back. OK, we'll eat and then get moving, it's a long walk back.
Ashley: You know the long walk is sounding better, why don't we do that first?
Peter laughs: You know the food really isn't that bad.

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Shelby and Juliet's Campsite

Shelby: Come on, Queenie we've gotta get moving.
Jules: I'm coming, just let me finish this sandwich.
Shelby: Wow, you actually want to eat? You must be sick.
Jules: Shut up Shelby...... OK, I'm done, let's go.
Shelby: About time!

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Scott and Daisy are walking in the forest

Daisy *sarcastically*: Well, wasn't that refreshing?
Scott: Yeah, right...... I can't wait to see Shelby.
Daisy: Of course I just had to be stuck with the love-lorn puppy dog.
Scott smiles and cocks his head at Daisy: You think I look like a puppy?
Daisy smirks: oh definitely, you know that one what's its name......
Scott: Um, Beethoven?
Daisy: No, the other one...... Oh yeah, Santa's Little Helper.
Scott think for a minute then stops walking: Hey!

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It shows a series of clips of each group walking

1)Shelby and Juliet walking, Shelby walking in front and Jules Whining
2)Peter, Sophie and Ash walking in silence but all with content looks in their
faces
3)Scott and Daisy walking, Scott laughing at something Daisy says
4)Auggie and David walking fast and arguing at the same time.

All the pictures merge and you see that the four groups had all walked into the same clearing.

Peter smiles: Well I see we are all on time, come on keep moving.
Scott: Wait, you set this up? You rigged the maps.
Peter smirks: Maybe, keep moving
Auggie smiles: Nice one Peter, I like it.
Peter: Thanks Aug, now speed guys, come on. I think that storms is coming in sooner than we thought it would.

Ashley walks up to Shelby

Ashley: So, did you pick one?
Shelby: I've decided that you can have Princess, on one condition.
Ashley: What?
Shelby smiling: I get to keep Princey.

They burst out laughing and walk ahead of the group.

David: You know I've nothing against the newbie, she's actually pretty cool. But did you have to put Shelby's double in our group?
Peter smiling: Get to know her David, you'll probably find out she's not like Shelby at all.
David: Please, how can you deny it?
Peter: They both hid behind sarcasm, only similarity I can see, and unless I'm mistaken, you do the same thing. So if she's Shelby's double, she's yours too.
David mumbles something and walks off.

Sophie: I guess reading all those psychology books paid off huh?
Peter smiles: Yeah, but David's right. She is a lot more like Shelby than I'd like to admit.
Sophie: Care to elaborate on that?
Peter: She hides behind the sarcasm like Shelby does, has the same walls built up, she even dodges the questions about home like Shelby does. But the thing that worries me the most is this look she gets in her eyes. I've been watching her since she's got here, she settled in a little too well, like she was happy to be here. I'm not saying I'm not glad she didn't cause a lot of trouble her first few days here, but she adjusted immediately, too fast. You say the way she tried to cover up what she sad about here step-father being like her dad. There's something she's not telling us, and I'm going to find out what it is.
Sophie: You always did like a challenge didn't you.
Peter: I just hope we can help her.
Sophie: Don't worry, she'll learn to trust us and hopefully let us behind those walls sooner than Shelby did. Until then, all we can do is support her.
Peter: I know Soph, I know.

They continue walking through the forest, desperately trying to find a way to get their newest kid, on HIGHER GROUND.


***SINEAD***



I know this chapter didn't really have a major story line, but I think it's OK. Sorry I haven't updated for a while, like I said before I'm studying plus I had to go to hospital yesterday. They put me asleep and everything, REALLY scary. I am soooooo not a needle person, I told them that but instead of not sticking a needle in me, they stuck one in me for 3 hours! Stupid hospital. ANYWAY, enough about me, Please Review