To Die For

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

a/n I know this totally took forever but I was kind of not in the thinking process for this story. I know I keep forgetting Shelby's mother and I'm sorry. Thanks for everyone who reviewed! I don't know much about the court systems and everything so I'm sorry if something's aren't right.

Chapter 7

Scott stood in the waiting room of the hospital; Peter was telling Shelby what was going on with the test results. Her mother had flown down with Jess and they were also in the room contemplating what the next step should be. Peter held off bring the rest of the group until they could figure out a plan of action for Shelby.

Scott couldn't sit down, he felt like taking one of the chairs and throwing it at a wall. At the moment he hated his father, he had the power to let Scott save the one who saved his life. He didn't understand why his father wouldn't just agree, but then again his father never did take his side with anything, why should he start? As Scott was contemplating everything, he didn't realize his name was being called, "Scott? Scott…hello?"

Scott finally looked up and saw Peter standing next to him with Jess and Mrs. Merrick. Peter walked in front of Scott worriedly, "Are you alright?"

"Yea…I was just thinking about some things." He said honestly

Peter nodded

"Scott?" He looked over to see that Shelby's mother was calling him, "Thank you for everything you've done for her." She walked over and hugged him, he hugged back and soon Jess was in the hug. Peter watched quietly and realized that one day this would be Shelby's family; he knew that the Cliffhangers along with Sophie and himself would always consider themselves as her family, but this was her mother, sister and he realized Scott would one day be her husband. He would be the one who would be willing to die for her, because he already was.

After a while, they met in the conference room where they had found out about Shelby's illness.

"What can we do from here?" Peter asked

Dr. Arkus looked at the four people; he couldn't believe she had had a match, but that the boy's father wouldn't sign off on the operation. He looked at Scott and said, "How much longer until your eighteen?"

Scott thought for a moment then said, "Six months."

"That's too far I'm afraid."

Scott's heart sunk, "Isn't there anything we can do, can't we fight him on this at all?"

"Well..."

"Well what?" Peter asked calmly, "Is there anyway?"

"There's one way that could be a possibility but I wouldn't recommend it, it could ruin the relationship you have with your father."

Scott laughed, "The relationship I have with my father is worth ruining."

Peter ignored the comment, "Could you tell us what it is?"

"If you could prove that he is mature enough and making this decision for good reasons to a court, he could get a court authorization that says he can make his own decision."

Scott spoke up, "Well that's it, that's what we have to do."

"Calm down Scott," He looked at the doctor, "What will he have to do to prove everything?"

"Talk to a psychologist and a judge, his father will probably also talk to the judge."

"How long will it take?"

"I don't think to long, I've seen a few days to a month; it's either yes or no with the decision."

"Alright Scott, are you sure that's what you want to do?" He knew Scott's answer before asking, he would go to the end of the world and back for Shelby without thinking about it

"Definitely," He said quickly, "Can I go and see Shelby?"

Peter looked at Mrs. Merrick who nodded; he walked out listening to Peter and Shelby's mom making arrangement to go to court.

Scott walked slowly to Shelby's room, the information had finally sunken in, he realized that he would be going into court where his father would probably try to use everything with Elaine to prove he couldn't think for himself. When he got to Shelby's room, he quickly changed his thoughts, she didn't need to be worrying about his problems, he opened the door and saw Shelby sitting in bed eating green Jell-O. She looked up at him and smiled, "Well if it isn't my night and shining armor, I was wondering when you were going to come by."

He walked over smiling and kissed her forehead, "Yea well my white horse took a wrong turn."

She laughed and rolled her eyes, "So your dad's an ass." She said jokingly

Scott laughed, "Yea I know, but its ok, we worked everything out."

Shelby looked at him confused, "What do you mean you worked everything out?"

"I'm going to court." His smile faltered for a moment thinking of what was waiting there but returned

"To do what?" She asked concerned

"The doctor said that all I have to do is prove that I'm mature enough to make the decision to donate and they can authorize it."

Shelby's smile grew even bigger, "Oh Scott, that's great!" He leaned down into her open arms and hugged her back. Shelby could feel something was wrong, "Scott is there something bothering you?"

"No, why?"

She looked into his eyes, "Yes there is, just tell me what's wrong."

"Look, Shel, it's nothing that you need to be worrying about, it's nothing really."

Shelby placed her hand on his cheek, "Anything that has to do with you has to do with me, just tell me." She said sweetly

Scott looked at her and said, "I'm just nervous."

"About what, the operation?"

"No, the thing with the court."

She smiled, "What are you worried about?

"What my dad will use against me."

Shelby realized what he was talking about, "Oh Scott, the judge would never use that for a deciding factor, that wasn't your fault. You don't have to be sorry for it, he will see that."

The Next Day

Scott sat with Peter in an attorney's office located in Agnes. Sophie had brought the rest of the Cliffhangers to go and see Shelby, so Peter thought it would be a good idea to bring Scott then.

"Well; Mr. Barringer, Mr. Scarbrow, you have a good solid case, I think we have a definite chance of winning in court." The lawyer said

"When can we get this to trial?"

"I'll make the call and hopefully in the next few days it can be set up."

The lawyer left the room to call and see when there was an opening in court, quickly he returned, "Good news, the judge had an opening for 4:30 to hear our case. She will then decide if it will go to trial."

Peter and Scott both smiled. They talked some more to the lawyer and also called Martin to let him know he was due in court, he was furious to say the least but agreed to appear. When it was finally 4:30, a guard walked out of the court room and told them the judge would now see them; as they walked in, they were directed where to sit. When Scott's father walked into the room with his lawyer, he wouldn't even look at his son, Peter leaned over to Scott and said, "Don't worry about it."

"I wasn't." He said calmly

After a minute, the guard spoke, "All rise for the honorable Judge Finley."

The entire room stood as a lady dressed in a black robe walked in, Scott wasn't sure whether or not her being a woman would be a good thing. When she sat down she said, "You may be seated," When they did she continued, "This is Barringer vs. Barringer on the issue of whether or not the minor can donate a portion of his liver. What is your side?" She asked Scott's lawyer.

"Well your honor, my client is well aware of all the dangers that come along with the operation. He also is the only existing donor at this time that matches."

"Alright, Defendant?"

"My client knows that his son is not capable to make this decision."

"Is there any reason why he feels this way?"

"There have been instances in the past where the prosecutor has not made the correct decision."

"What were the circumstances?"

Scott winced, he knew what was coming.

"There are issues involving abuse between the minor and my client's ex-wife."

"What sort of abuse, how is this relevant?"

"Sexual abuse your honor, he instead of telling someone turned to drugs, also he never stopped her and this went on for almost eight months."

Judge Finley looked over to Scott; she was not expecting to her that he was the victim of sexual abuse. He had his head down in embarrassment while another man sat besides him with an arm on his shoulder speaking to him quietly, "Who are you?" She questioned looking at Peter.

When he realized she was talking to him Peter said, "Peter Scarbrow your honor."

"And what is your role in Mr. Barringer's life?"

"I am the principal at the school he attends."

"What school is it?"

"Mt. Horizon."

"That is the school for troubled teens isn't it?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Your doing a good thing up there, I have sent countless children up there to get help." She smiled

"Thank you your honor."

She turned back to Martin's lawyer, "If the boy is getting help for his abuse, I don't understand what it has to do with this case."

"He is unable to make the right decision; my client feels that his son is only risking his life just for a girl."

"Is this true?" She asked looking at Scott

"No your Honor," She gave him a questionable look, "I would never risk my life for just a girl, I however would risk my life for someone I love. This isn't just another girl, she was the one who saved my life in the first place."

"How do you mean?"

"When I first arrived at Horizon, I refused to talk to anyone about my past. Shelby was the first person I told about my stepmother; she accepted me, told me and eventually got me to believe that what happened wasn't my fault. Your Honor, she saved my life, I was depressed and alone, but she came along and accepted me, past and all; she was the one who finally convinced me to tell my secret. So I would never just risk my life for a girl because this isn't just a girl, this is the girl I love, the girl I would spend the rest of my life with and the only way that could ever happen is if I now return the favor and save her life, but the only way to do that, to ensure that she will be around long enough for me to spend my life with her, is to risk my life, and THAT I am willing to do."