Shawn was sitting on the floor watching T.V. as little Morgan sat behind him on the couch. She was giving him his third make pretend haircut this morning. He finished his last spoonful of cereal and placed the bowl on the coffee table. Morgan continued to brush Shawn's hair as he leaned back against the cushions. "How do you want it done this time?" The little girl asked, as she moved closer to Shawn, her little feet dangling over the side next to him. He closed one eye and wistfully looked at her, "Let's see, not to short this time Miss!! You decide though, you have to make me look good for my date!!" He leaned in and tickled her, as she fell back laughing hysterically.

Shawn changed the channel and continued watching the T.V. as Morgan gently stroked her little pink brush through his dark hair. She combed it to the left, to the right, she gave him bangs, she took them away, all the time humming to herself and playfully waving her plastic brush and scissors around Shawn's head. She threw in a verbal, "SNIP, SNIP" every once in a while for effect.

Morgan was almost finished as she leaned in on Shawn's shoulder to reach a difficult spot. Shawn shuddered as the toddler made contact with a particularly tender place. "Oowww" He yelped, as Morgan quickly pulled away from him. "I'm sorry, did I give you a boo boo?" the child pouted with a frown. Shawn smiled and placed his arm around her, "No, no, don't feel bad, you didn't give me a boo boo, somebody else did..you just found it that's all." Morgan gently reached up and patted Shawn's shoulder with her tiny hand, "I'll make it better!!" She squeaked. Shawn smiled at the child's caring efforts, "Thanks, but I think it will take a lot more than that to help this boo boo!" Shawn commented to the air, in frustration.

Morgan shimmied from the couch cushion, "I'll get mommy, she has medicine that makes boo boo's disappear." The child stated with glee as she started toward the stairs. Shawn hurried to his knees and quickly stopped her, "NO, You can't tell mommy, okay!! It's secret.. It will be a secret just between you and me okay!!" Morgan thought for a moment as she placed her pink fuzzy slipper on the first step, "Weeeeeelllllllll, okaay!! I won't tell if you give me some candy??" Morgan held her hand out and strolled back to Shawn. Shawn looked at the shrewd child and smiled, "You're a kid after my own heart munchkin, but I don't have any candy on me! Can I have a rain check??" Morgan laughed, "I don't take checks, silly!!" Shawn smirked and sat back on the couch, "I'll bring you some candy tomorrow okay, I promise." Morgan returned to her seat on the couch and held up the brush. Shawn obliged and scooted to the floor, "Give me the usual!" He muttered as the child started his fourth make pretend haircut of the morning. She was halfway through as Mrs. Matthews strolled down the steps.

"Good Morning pumpkin!! Boy your up early today." She commented as she swooped in and kissed Morgan on the head. "Thanks Mrs. M., I'm always up early!" Shawn responded with a giggle. "I was talking to Morgan!!" She laughed as she mussed Shawn's hair. "Didja help yourself to breakfast?" Amy asked as she made her way to the kitchen. "AS ALWAYS!!" Shawn responded gathering his empty bowl and spoon. Taking them to the kitchen, he washed and placed them on the drain board. "I'm gonna cut out before Cory wakes up, I got to get home and do some things before we go out today. Tell him to call me at home okay, Mrs. Matthews... And thanks for letting me stay over." Shawn grabbed his coat from the banister. "If you wait twenty minutes I'll drop you home, it's freezing outside." Amy shouted as she rose from the kitchen table. Shawn shook his head, "No Thanks!! I'll take the trolley, no bother!!" He was out the door in a flash, before Amy could even respond. She shrugged, "Okay.. I guess."

By the time Cory woke, the Matthews house was already a bevy of activity. "Did Shawn leave, he didn't wait for me?" The curly headed boy inquired as he entered the kitchen in his pajamas and robe. "He was up before the sun, Morgan must have given him twenty haircuts." Mr. Matthews said, glancing through the morning paper. Cory groaned as Morgan entered the kitchen. "WEASEL!! YOU GOT TO LEAVE SHAWN ALONE!!" He yelled, plopping into a chair next to his mom. "Oh Cory!! Stop it, I think it's cute the way Shawn fusses over Morgan, It's sweet." Amy angrily interjected. "MOM!! SHE'S ALWAYS HARPING OVER HIM!! I don't bother any of her little goober friends!!" Morgan strutted up to Cory and waved her little finger in his face angrily, "HE"S MY FRIEND TOO!! HE TOLD ME SO!!"

Cory grabbed her hand and shooed it away, "No he's not!! He's just being nice so you'll GO AWAY!! AND LEAVE HIM ALONE!!" Cory screamed at the top of his lungs as he leapt from the table, quite annoyed. Morgan followed behind, not backing down, "He is so my friend, he even told be about his secret boo boo, he said it was just between him and me, so there!!" Alan shot Amy a confused look as Cory stumbled to shut Morgan up quick!! "MORGAN!! YOU IDIOT!! Mom she doesn't know what she's talking about!!" Cory shoved his sister lightly; turning quickly he motioned her to zip her lips. Just then Eric came through the door and leaned against the counter, catching the tale end of the conversation.

"Cory, what is she talking about, what boo boo??" Mrs. Matthews inquired, a bit confused. She turned to little Morgan, "Honey do you mean Shawn's eye??" She asked as she leaned down to face the small child. Morgan shook her head, "No he has a boo boo on his arm and it hurt him this morning, he did so tell me about it!!" Eric looked up at Cory with a worried expression; he decided to spill the beans. "Mom, Shawn has a massive bruise on his shoulder, me and Cory accidentally saw it last night!! He told us it happened at the game, but I say no way, it looks like it's already starting to heal." Cory sighed and rolled his eyes, "YOU DON"T KNOW THAT!! SHAWN WOULDN'T LIE!!" Eric sarcastically smirked at Cory's innocent observation. "Oh Please, come on Cor!! All Shawn does is lie when it comes to this stuff, you should know that by now, he is your best friend!!"

Alan sighed and sat down at the table. "All Right, you two, enough secrets, I want to know exactly what's going on! Morgan you go into the living room and watch cartoons, while mom and me talk to your brothers." Mr. Matthews turned Morgan toward the living room and gently patted her away; Mrs. Matthews motioned for Cory and Eric to have a seat. "We want to know everything, so start talking." Cory's heart sank, his stomach churned. He felt as though he was betraying Shawn, discussing such a personal and confidential matter. Shawn would kill him if he knew he was talking to his parents about this, without telling him first. Cory knew in his heart it was the best thing, but Shawn would never understand, he just can't be reasoned with when it comes to his own good, and Cory had a feeling this particular volcano was about to erupt.

The sun actually peeked through the frigid, gray sky, for just a visit, this peaceful Sunday afternoon, as Cory, Topanga, Shawn and Libby, enjoyed a few rounds of Chip and Putt, indoors of course. It was just too cold to face the miniature course in the biting winter weather. Shawn miraculously found twenty bucks in his jacket pocket, just before meeting Cory, so he was ecstatic. Libby was the perfect date; she held his hand and the two shared at least three interesting, enlightening conversations over a pizza with the works. They were obviously quite smitten with one another as the day progressed. How sweet and gentle Shawn behaved toward Libby, it was a bit surprising to Topanga, who couldn't help feel like an old married woman next to the fresh love birds. Cory on the other hand was not his usual self. He was quiet and not so jolly, a little jumpy even. His mind was definitely not on golf and pizza.

The twilight came and the sky grew darker as the boys walked the girls to the bus stop. Cory, Topanga and Libby were all headed uptown while Shawn would wait and catch the trolley downtown, after their departure. The foursome broke into pairs and found private places to finish their day together. "Libby sat on the bench and rubbed her arms. Even though she was layered to the hilt, sporting her brand new Jones full length Petticoat. Shawn took her cue and placed his arm around the beautiful blonde girl. "I hope you had a good time tonight, I know I did." Shawn commented as his blue eyes met hers. "I loved it, I'd like to see you again, soon. I can't explain it but when were together I get this goofy feeling in my stomach, kind of like dancing fireflies." Shawn smiled as Libby giggled at her colorful remark. Shawn couldn't tell if she was blushing or freezing as her cheeks took a rosy hue.

Shawn brushed her hair away from her face as she closed her eyes and leaned forward. Finally after an eternity their lips met. Libby placed her gloved hand around the nape of Shawn's neck and allowed herself to be enveloped by his kiss. Shawn stroked Libby's hair tenderly as he let the kiss linger just a bit longer. He definitely felt it; deep down his soul stirred as he realized he'd finally felt what everyone else was talking about, the spark that ignites a flame, which could grow to something deep and meaningful. They parted, but remained close. Just staring into each other's eyes, both grinning wildly. "WOW!! Libby exclaimed! That was the best kiss I've ever had. I guess it's true what they all say." Shawn furrowed his brow in confusion, "Who are they, and what do they say." He questioned, still stroking Libby's soft hair.

"The girls at school, rumor has it Shawn Hunter is the best kisser at John Adams." Shawn smirked, "Huh! Well, I wouldn't believe everything you hear, especially the rumors that float through school." Shawn answered quietly." Libby nodded, "Don't worry, I'm not that kind of person, despite what you might hear about me and my friends, rumors can be cruel." Libby gently brushed Shawn's cheek with the back of her hand, the two began to kiss again, and again, and again as the uptown bus came, and went.

Cory and Topanga were around the corner sitting on the stone wall in front of the library. Cory seemed a million miles away as Topanga stared at him. She felt a little jealous of Libby after watching Shawn dote over her all day. "Cory, what's with you? You seem out of it today?" Cory glanced at his girl, just now noticing how pretty she looked. "I'm sorry, I just have a lot on my mind." He grimaced as the words fell from his mouth. "Well talk to me, maybe I can help." Topanga offered, as she took his hand with hers.

"Shawn slept over last night, and Eric and me saw this big bruise on his arm and chest, it was scary, reminded me of a few years back, ya know." Topanga nodded with concern. "Well, Morgan must have found out and blabbed it to my mom and dad, next thing you know, they round up me and Eric and we had to tell them all the things we've been suspecting. Before you know it, Feeny's over and their all talking about reporting Shawn to DHS again. I felt like such a traitor!! I mean I didn't even mention this to Shawn, he would knock me out if he knew I felt like this, AND told my parents."

Topanga wrapped her arms around Cory's neck as the two leaned in to face one another. "Cory, you might not see it, but you did the right thing. We all know Shawn's dad is not a mean guy, and we all know he loves Shawn to death, but he has hurt him in the past, maybe it was an accident, maybe he really doesn't mean to do it, but he did, and he can never really be trusted again."

Topanga placed her hands on Cory's shoulders for emphasis, "Look, it's only natural to suspect foul play, when you see Shawn a little roughed up, it's not wrong to doubt Shawn's honesty, it doesn't make you less of a friend to him.. If anything it makes you more his friend than ever. He LIES CORY!! He lies to all of us, and the scary thing is he's so damn good at it!! Sometimes it's hard for you to see past that because you look up to Shawn so much!! You don't like to see him hurt or neglected, so you're looking out for him by doing what you did. You're doing what he should be doing for himself. He may be angry with you at first, but he will realize your intentions were good, you have to confront him, and you have to talk to him!! Do it soon Cory before it's too late and something happens to him that none of us can fix!! I honestly think you're the only person in the world that Shawn trusts and listens to. Well besides Mr. Turner. Maybe if your still not sure, you can talk to him first. But do it soon, because time is wasting, every minute Shawn spends in that environment is a potential disaster." Topanga threw her arms around Cory and felt him shaking against her; she gently rubbed his back and whispered in his ear, "It's going to be okay."

"GET A ROOM!!" Shawn yelled from the corner as he strolled up to the embracing teens. Topanga smiled, as did Cory, hiding his real emotions. "So Hunter!! You look pretty happy there, did ya do it, did you... Well you know??" Shawn laughed giddily, "Come on Cory, you know I don't kiss and tell." Cory shook his head, "YES YOU DO, WHAT ARE YOU NEW??" Shawn patted Cory on the back, "You know me too well buddy, TOO WELL.I soooooo kissed her, maybe a thousand times, at least three uptown busses passed by while we locked lips, she is something Cor, she speaks to me!! Were gonna see each other again tomorrow, I'm going over her house and were gonna rent movies!" Topanga leapt from the wall and joined Cory, locking elbows with him. "We gotta get a move on okay Cory, school tomorrow." Topanga reminded him as she tugged on his coat.

Shawn pouted and nervously kicked the wall, "Come on it's early we can hang a little longer??" he pleaded. "Naw, sorry Shawnie, I gotta walk Topanga home and hit the sack, I'm beat from that hockey marathon last night." Shawn sighed and looked around restlessly. "We'll see you tomorrow okay buddy." Cory playfully socked Shawn on the arm as he began walking with Topanga. His heart turned upside down as he walked away from his friend. Shawn remained with his hands in his pockets, biting his lip. Cory walked ten paces and turned suddenly. He marched right up to Shawn, until he was inches from his face. "Go home Shawn..you've been avoiding it all weekend, now go home..Unless there is something making you AVOID IT!! If that's the case you can come with me right now and stay the night, on one condition, you and me...we sit down and talk about WHY you don't want to go home!!"

Shawn sneered at his best friend, "I don't know what you're talking about!! I'm not avoiding NOTHING!!" Shawn protested angrily as he backed away from Cory. Topanga watched the scene play out anxiously, noting the typical way Shawn will run as soon as someone reaches out to him. Her heart melted with sadness, knowing he would be gone in a few seconds, hoping Cory could hold him there long enough for him to accept the invitation. It wasn't meant to be, Shawn rolled his eyes and sighed, "Look I'll see you guys in school, thanks for today..Later." Shawn turned on his heels and strutted down the street in a huff. "Come on Shawn, talk to me.I'm your best friend!" Cory yelled as the distance between them grew. Shawn turned, shrugged uncomfortably, "Cory!! Please, back off...THERES NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT!!" Shawn's voice still echoed in the dark silent night as he disappeared around the corner.