Disclaimer: I don't own any of the higher ground characters, and I don't do this to make $$$. The words to the song Dream Angel are owned by Brian Wilson.
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Scott and Shelby Unlimited
Chapter 9
"I've finally stopped running away from myself. Who else is there better to be?" -Goldie Hawn
The night crept up slowly onto Scott and Shelby as they prepared to go to their tents for the night. It had been a long day of hiking for the two extremely tired teens. They had learned that day how to work with each other, and how to listen to each other. Sure they had listened before, but they didn't really hear each other. Shelby had remembered the sign that used to hang on her wall back home. Her mother loved the saying : Tell me, I'll forget. Show me, I may remember. But involve me....and I'll understand. But she wasn't sure if she wanted to involve Scott in anything more than he already was, and she wasn't sure that he wanted to be anyway. She and Scott came from completely different worlds. Worlds that wouldn't have crossed if they both hadn't been screw ups and came to Horizon. In a way, it was a blessing in disguise. If nothing had happened to either one of them they would have never met, and never shared this feeling together. Shelby had finally come to terms with herself. She was beginning to accept her past, and learn to love herself again. And that was precious to her.
She glanced over at Scott who was kneeling on the ground attempting to start a fire. He furrowed his brow as he tried rubbing two sticks together unsuccessfully. He bit his lower lip and threw the sticks across the camp in frustration, barely missing Shelby's head. She ducked automatically and chucked.
"Having trouble?" She walked over and knelt beside him.
"What does it LOOK like?" he snapped
"Chill, drama king. Can I help?" she asked pushing him out of the way
"If you feel the need." He said without feeling.
"Hand me that piece of glass over there." She said and pointed to a piece of clear glass from an old bottle. He picked it up and handed it to her. "Alright..." she said more to herself than anyone. She angled the glass to where the very little bit of remaining sunshine was shining through the trees and directly hitting the glass. "Okay, now..push those leaves right in front of the light beam". He followed his orders. The light beam was shining on to the leaves. They sat silently for a moment
"What's supposed to be happening?" Scott said and looked up at her through those eyes she adored so much. A piece of blonde hair fell over his eyes.
"Shhhh. Just watch." She said looking back down at the leaves. A little swirl of smoke came from a leaf. Scott squinted. A whole was forming. Suddenly a little flame popped up and it grew and spread to the other leaves. She grabbed some leaves and added it to the small fire and then grabbed a few pieces of the wood that Scott had gathered before and added it. Then she sat back and watched it burn.
"Where...did you learn that?" Scott asked grinning.
"Girl Scouts." She said and shrugged.
"You expect me to believe you were a Girl Scout, Shel? Right."
"I was!" she said and drew her knees to her chest. " For three years."
"I can't imagine you as a Girl Scout."
"Well...I was."
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The night was peaceful for the most part. A few owls hooted and there were crickets constantly chirping, but other than that it was quiet. Shelby laid in her tent staring at the "ceiling". She heard a few light whimpers. She sat straight up and listened intently. Her heart pounding in her ears. Magnifying any sound made in the dark. There was another whimper. She unzipped her tent and tiptoed into the night. She went across to Scott's tent.
"Scott?" She whispered. "Scott?" No answer. She unzipped his tent and climbed in. She zipped it back and crouched watching him. He had a pained look on his face, and he was crying out. Tears were streaming down his face. She wanted to wake him so badly, but he needed to work this out in his mind on his own. Watching him cry made her heart twist around. She crawled over and sat next to him, and took his hand in hers. It quieted him for a minute, but he went on dreaming.
"No, please." He said out loud through tears. Shelby's eyes welled up with tears and they fell one by one down her cheeks. After a few minutes he clamed and was silent. The dream was over. She breathed a huge sigh of relief and laid down next to him. Her head resting on his pillow. She pulled a part of his blanket over her, and settled in to go to sleep. He rolled over and put his arm around her waist...like even though he was sleeping...he knew she was there. It startled her for a moment, but she snuggled up to him and drifted into a dream....
I'm holding you as you sleep
And I get this feeling of peace
I know that you're going to be alright
Cuz heaven's in my arms tonight
And I know that someday, girl
You're gonna change the world
Believing and seeing your wishes all come true.
Scott stirred from his sleep. He groggily opened his eyes. He could see nothing in the dark. All he could feel was a warm body next to his, and the smell of Shelby's hair. His eyes adjusted to the light and he watched Shelby sleeping so peacefully. She was so pretty with her blonde hair wisped about her face. He remembered he had been dreaming. About Elaine again. It was always Elaine. He shuddered thinking about it. He wondered if he had been talking in his sleep again. It didn't matter. He obviously had been, and Shelby had heard him and come to him. Something no one else had ever done. He watched her sleeping and tried to forget about the horrible dream he had been having.
So dream angel, through the night
You can fly forever, never wonderin why
Dream angel, in my arms
With just one smile you can take my heart away
In her dream, Shelby was running towards water, because she heard Scott calling to her, but the run seemed to never end. She could see him, and she could reach out for him, but it was so far away. Suddenly Daisy popped up in front of her and Shelby stopped running and just stood there. She no longer had the energy, nor did she want to run anymore. Daisy turned and walked towards Scott. She reached him and they walked to the water hand in hand. She yelled for Scott to come back, but he didn't even look back, and Shelby was once again left alone.
I'll do the best I can
And I hope that you'll understand
But baby, we're gonna be okay
We'll weather the storm along the way
And someday when I am gone
You'll have the strength to carry on
Believe me and feel me
I'm always by your side
Shelby woke up and shifted. Scott was awake.
"Hey...what are you doing up?"
"I had a bad dream. I had to look at something beautiful to help me forget." He whispered.
"Oooooh, good one. Pre meditated or spontaneous?"
"Wouldn't you like to know." He teased and pulled her close to him. She yawned and drifted back into a light sleep.
So dream angel, through the night
You can fly forever never wonderin why
Dream angel, in my arms
With just one smile you can take my heart away.
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The next morning they packed up and finished the hike back down the mountain. Two people were getting VERY anxious about the night ahead of them.
Shelby smiled when Horizon actually came into view.
"Home sweet home...." she said sarcastically as they walked onto the lawn. The cliffhangers were all outside sitting at one of the picnic tables hanging over books. Juliette looked up and smiled brightly when she saw them approaching.
"Hi guys!" she called cheerfully. "How was your hike? Did ya have fun?"
"Loads." Shelby said without feeling. "Where's Peter?"
"He's with the Ridgerunners. He'll be back soon." Kat said and nodded. Shelby and Scott dropped their heavy packs to the floor and took seats at the picnic tables. After about 5 minutes Peter reached the group.
"Well, Scott, Shelby, you survived. Congratulations. I want you both to come with me."
"Hey man, I didn't do it, whatever it is, I swear." Scott said quickly.
"No, it's nothing like that."
They followed him to his office. He motioned for them to sit down and they did so.
"I want you guys to tell me what you learned about each other on this hike. Shelby, you first."
"Uh..I learned that Scott doesn't know how to start a fire without matches, and I learned to trust someone besides myself."
"Scott?" Peter urged.
"I learned that Shelby was a girl scout, and I learned that sometimes people want to work out their problems alone and they don't need any help that doesn't come from inside themselves."
"Good. And one more thing. Where is your twine." He asked motioning towards their feet.
"Uhhhh." Scott said and looked at Shelby.
"You told us we had to work as a team...and um...see....the only way we could do that is if we weren't tied together. Sometime a team works better apart....." Shelby said trying to save their butts.
"Uh huh. Nice try. Look, you two have had a long week, so I'm gonna let this twine thing slide, okay? But don't get in the habit of not listening to my instructions."
"Okay." They both muttered.
"Alright. Uh..go get changed, clean yourselves up, and then join the other kids for class." The two just sat. He looked at them and raised his eyebrows "That means..NOW. Skid addle! Scoot. Now. Go."
They rose and left Peter's office.
"Woah. You saved us on that twine thing. I owe ya big time."
"I know you do." She said as she turned and walked toward her dorm.
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Night fell on Horizon. Curfew came and went, and Scott quietly sneaked out of his dorm. Without waking a single guy. He smiled as he walked towards the docks. He saw a figure sitting, her legs out over the edge.
"Shel?" he called
"Guess again." A voice answered back. Scott stopped in his tracks and hesitated. Where was Shelby...and who was THIS?
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Hey guys. Sorry it took me so long. I have been soooooooooo busy with homecoming and all. I made this chapter really long (well..it took me 4ever to write) If you wanna know what happens...I want reviews!!! I love reading them! Well anyway, hope you enjoyed this chapter. I'm sick, so I'll probably be home all day , so I'll try to post the next chapter today, okay? Great! Have a great week. God bless. And OH YAH!!! I looked in the TV guide for Friday, and if it's right....HIGHER GROUND IS BACK IN THE GAME!!! It hasn't been shown in the TV guide all September, but now......it is! For this Friday at 8 pm!!!!!!! Maybe all those emails and phone calls that we bugged them with finally brought them out of la la land. Higher Ground Lives On!!!!!! Yay!!!!!
~BEE~