A/N – I don't own HG, if I did it would still be on the air, because unlike Fox Family I realize what a great show it is…

CHAPTER TEN

            Scott awoke earlier than usual the next day.  He didn't have to be in kitchen for chores for at least an hour.  He stretched.  A walk around campus sounded good to him.  He quickly got dressed and headed outside.  As usual, one of the staff members was waiting for him.  This morning it was Jeff.

            "Morning Scott"

            "Morning Jeff.  Are you as tired of this as I am?"

            "You broke the rules Scott and now you have to regain our trust."

            "I know.  I know."

            "It won't be long Scott.  You're doing great.  I'm glad to see that you're trying."

            Scott smiled.  He was trying.  He wanted to regain everyone's trust so that he could talk to Shelby.  He needed to know that they were okay.

☼☼☼☼☼☼☼

            Scott had a pretty typical day.  He was accompanied to class by Peter (even poked awake several times in English), was followed around during his free time by Roger, and escorted to his nightly chores by Jeff.   But his day was about change.

            Peter pulled him aside before group.  "Scott, I need to talk to you."

            Scott's heart dropped.  He couldn't think of a single thing that he had done wrong.  How could he get in trouble with the staff constantly shadowing him?  "Sure Peter.  What's up?"

            Peter motioned for Scott to sit down.  "Well, Scott, I just wanted to let you know that you're doing great.  You've been making great progress in therapy, your grades are up, and you're working really hard on your chores.  Your honesty last night really impressed me."  Scott smiled in response.  "What is one of the important lessons that you've learned?"

            "That all actions have consequences."

            "Right.  But while negative actions have negative consequences, positive actions have positive consequences.  I think that you are slowly earning back our trust.  And I would like to reward you for that.  So, starting now, you no longer have to be followed by a staff member.  You are still on shuns, but you may speak with Cliffhangers on your own for one hour each night after group."

            Scott was speechless.  Finally.  Finally he would be able to talk to Shelby.  "Thanks, Peter."

            "Don't thank me.  This is all a result of your own hard work."  Peter smiled.  "And if you do a good job in group tonight I'll even let you go back to bunking with Cliffhangers."  Peter glanced at his watch.  "Speaking of group, we better get moving if we don't want to be late."

            Scott jumped up from his seat.  "There's no way I'm spending another night with you.  No offense Peter, but you snore."

            Peter laughed and headed to the front of the group room.  "Okay, gang.  What do you say we get started?"  He waited for the groans to die down.  "Tonight's topic: What I've learned about honesty and consequences, as led by Scott."

            Scott was initially taken aback, but that quickly subsided at the thought of being back in his own bed.  "Well, you all know that I've bent just about every rule there is here…"

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

            True to his word, Peter allowed Scott to speak with the Cliffhangers.  The group, knowing that Scott and Shelby hadn't spoken, graciously left the couple alone. 

            "Hey," Scott started sheepishly.  "How ya doin?"

            Shelby shrugged.  "Been better cowboy.  You?"

            "Nowhere else I'd rather be right now."  He shuffled his feet around and ran his hands through his hair nervously.  "Shel, I'm not sure what to say, except I'm sorry that I didn't talk to you about what was going on.  I was pretty messed up by the time I got back.  I  mean, I never really even grieved for my mom.  I didn't even make it to her funeral.  I'm still haunted by that thought."

            "But why Scott?  Why did you do all of this?"

            He was holding back tears by this time.  "I don't know Shelb, I mean…" he droaned off and tried to collect his thoughts.  "I'm not sure that it's something I'm ready to talk about it yet – with anyone."  He saw Shelby pondering this and quickly added "but when I'm ready, you're the first person I'm coming to."  The two were silent for several minutes.  "So, what do you say Shelb?  Can you forgive me?"

            Shelby looked Scott straight in the eyes.  "Of course Scott.  I love you.  I just want you to know that I'm always here for you."

            Scott breathed a sigh of relief.  He felt like the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.  He wrapped his arms around Shelby.  "I love you, Shelby Merrick."  And then he leaned down and kissed her for the first time in a very long time.