I don't own the Cliffhangers or Higher ground or that stuff. I DO own Dwayne, Rowan and any one else I decide to throw into the mix. OK? Pleasurable readings- demonicbunnies

The Cliff Hangers watched as the beat up Sedan pulled its self up the long dirt road the stretch of empty space called the parking lot. "10 to one says they'll have to roll it down the mountain," said Ezra to Auggie. He was pushed forward by the girl who sat behind him.

"I can tell someone was listening in Group yesterday," Juliet said playfully, "Remember that whole thinking before you speak thing?! Anyway, I hope it's a cute guy."

"But what will all us guys do?" asked Auggie. "I'm hoping for some babe who needs someone like me to comfort her in his arms late at night." The group stopped talking and watched as a tall, thin black man got out of the drivers seat and walked around to the back of the car. He appeared to be saying something through the open window. It was easy to tell the response though, a middle finger stuck out into the air. The black man opened the door and pulled out a white boy with short black and blue dreadlocks dressed in blue jeans and an Army jacket. He shook his head and said something to the man, then adjusted his headphones and followed him to Peter's office.

"He's hot!" exclaimed Kat, Shelby, Daisy and Juliet as one. The boys looked at each other.

"Is it just me or is he smiling?" said Auggie to the guys, the girls being preoccupied.

"Head case," said Scott.

"Then Ezra will have a friend," cracked Shelby, taking her eyes away from the cutie.

"Shut up," said Ezra. A Tracker jogged up to them then, stopping the would be battle.

"Ezra, Peter wants to see you," he said. Slowly Ezra got up and strode along the dirt path. Wonder what his story is he thought when walking into the office. The two boys sized up each other. Ezra stared at the youth's icy blue eyes and dark brown hair he had thought was black. In addition to the blue it also had blond streaks. His gaze was sidetracked to a jagged scar that started above the boy's left eye and wound it's way down the side of his face to end along the left jaw line. He had a chin labret and the space between his eyes was pierced too.

Rowan stared back at the kid, tuning out Dwayne. It wasn't anything he hadn't heard already anyway. The kid broke the stare first, looking over at the man who had introduced himself as Peter Scarbrow. Rowan hadn't bothered to take his hand or act falsely friendly. He'd be out of here soon anyway. "Rowan," stated Dwayne, his white teeth flashing against his dark skin, "Try not to get kicked out of this place to fast ok?" Rowan smirked. How long had Dwayne been his caseworker? 4 years? 3? "I mean it. One more screw up and you're not seeing Ireland for a while." This statement crashed Rowan back down to reality.

"You can't do that," he said with his faint accent barely showing through. 8 years of America would get rid of almost any accent and he always had a gift with languages and mimicking tongues.

"Watch me," said Dwayne.

"You suck."

"Look, just try. 3 months. 3 simple months. Screw up here you're back in JuV and your sentence is lengthened. Didn't you pay attention at your hearing?"

"I was counting on you to take notes." Dwayne just threw up his hands, knowing it'd be pointless to argue. Peter intervened.

"Rowan, this is Ezra. He'll show you around for a week, let you get used to everything; he'll tell you the rules."

"Don't bother, he'll break them all anyway," muttered Dwayne.

"Oh, I love you to Dwayne. Tell you what, for our honeymoon we'll visit the Caribbean. Hell, we can name our first born after you."

"I'm touched."

"The question is, touched where?" Peter again tried to intervene.

"Ezra, why don't you take Rowan to group? I'll be there soon, I just need to check his stuff and show Dwayne where to stow it."

"Fine with me," said Dwayne. "First though Rowan, knives. If I were you I'd hand them over before I check you." Good thing you're not me then, thought Rowan. Without saying a word, just turning up the volume on his CD player so it was blasting Nirvana, he pulled out 3 knives form various places on his body. He took his book bag and grabbed one more. "That it?"

"If I had anything else, do you think I would tell you?" Dwayne just began to check him for anything he might be trying to sneak in. While running his hands along Rowan's right lag he felt a plastic lighter.

Pulling out he remarked, "Planning on a campfire?"

"Yeah, s'mores and all." Dwayne finished and Rowan mentally sighed. He still had a knife on him, not to mention another lighter and some cigarettes. Motioning with one hand, Ezra showed him to a large room with metal chairs in a semi-circle. This I different from JuV how? Wondered Rowan to himself. Greta now I'm going to have to talk about all my deep dark secrets and sucky childhood. Yippee. Three chairs for the American law system. There were already 6 other teens in the chairs. Rowan chose the one closest to the window, farthest way from anyone else.

"What'd you do to get in here?" asked a Latino boy a few chairs away.

Rowan leaned back in his chair. "Everything."