I will start with an apology. For taking so long. I have honestly struggled to find time to finish what I started, but this fic has constantly been on my mind. Where it will go and so on. Even at this moment I am not sure.

Secondly, I have just read over it until where it is now to refresh my memory. I am not entirely happy with it, but I will finish it first, and then re-work it.

But now, the long awaited…

Chapter 11 (The New Girl)

Daisy didn't manage to take Helen dinner. Peter took it upon himself, curious about her health and when she would return to her duties as a councilor. Because of the nature of Horizon, he couldn't just call in a substitute. Helen had already recovered to a stage of sniffles and a scratchy cough, but her thoughts of and lust for Daisy had made her lazy. Peter's interference with her "lovers rendezvous" had been incentive to get out of bed and see Daisy more regularly.

She woke up early the next day and before her first meal in public she went to Peter's office. He handed her a file on the latest member of the Cliffhangers. Her name was Beatrice and she had moved in the day before. Peter asked her to read it as soon as possible and see him again so that they could discuss her.

"She's different to what you might be used to. I don't know how you will react to her and what this says," he tapped the file. "If you are uncomfortable handling her, we can move her into Sophie's group." He didn't offer any more information.

Helen assumed this was a serious situation and felt intimidated. Not only was she young and by some standards inexperienced, but the other Cliffhangers had already worked through so much. Beatrice would be a raw student and a lot of responsibility would lie upon Helen to orientate her. "I'll have a look at it." Helen said picking up the file.

"Helen," Peter said just before she got to the door. "It's good to have you back. I think the Cliffhangers have missed you."

Helen smiled. "I've missed them."

She found a quiet corner in the cafeteria and opened the file. She saw the Daisy, Shelby and Juliette coming in and heading towards the breakfast line. She caught Daisy's eye and smiled. Daisy blushed, smiling back as she lowered her eyes. She made no move to approach Helen. It had become an unspoken rule between them. "Don't approach me in public." Helen felt a surge of joy and lust down her spine, settling in her stomach. She took a sip of her weak coffee to regain her composure and started reading.

Beatrice Grasmere was 16 and had been a star athlete at her high school in New York. She had been an average but consistent student and had been a candidate for a college bursary based on her athletic ability.

Helen looked up and saw Beatrice take a seat with the Cliffhangers. She had short black hair, and blue eyes, according to the photo in the file, (her hair was naturally blond, according to the description Helen had before her) but from the distance, Helen could not make out her eye colour. Beatrice was slender, her muscles well defined in her tight jeans. She carried her head with a defiant air. She was staring at Helen and David lowered his hand from pointing her out. Helen lowered her eyes back to the file to escape the intensity of the pale stare.

Beatrice had been expelled from her school and was sent to Mt. Horizon after having a same-sex affair with a young teacher, also her athletics coach. During the affair Beatrice's academics and sporting achievements had declined. She began using drugs of every sort, with the teacher. After being caught, Beatrice had been expelled and had spent a while in rehab before being accepted to Mt. Horizon.

Helen shuddered. The new addition to her group would not make things easy, not that she ever expected things to be easy. There was a certain amount of achievement and growth among the Cliffhangers and she was worried how the new addition would affect them. Especially Daisy. For a moment Helen felt jealous and worried. She was sure Daisy felt confused enough, the last thing she needed was a lesbian with issues interfering with whatever was going on inside her.

Helen continued reading. Beatrice's parents were very religious and their relationship with their daughter was non-existent after the exposure of the affair and drug abuse. She hadn't seen them in two months and they didn't want anything to do with her until she was "cured" of her lesbian tendencies and drug problems. The next few pages were descriptions of her time in rehab and reports on her progress. She was at least clean and didn't show signs of going back to her abusive habits.

Peter had made some notes on his and Sophie's session with Beatrice. They described her as rebellious and, as they put it claiming there was no other way to describe her, "in your face" about her sexuality. Peter was convinced she was not really a lesbian, but starved for attention. Beatrice was thriving on therapy. He went on to say that there were deeper issues at stake and that she should be approached with caution.

Helen bit her lip. She felt honored that Peter was allowing her to take on a new student, especially one like Beatrice. At the same time she felt very uneasy about the newcomer. A feeling of dread grew and settled in her mind.

She looked up to see Daisy leaving the cafeteria. She gave Helen an unsure glance and turned her head away as Ezra caught up to her.

Helen decided to head straight for Peter's office, rather than wait. Beatrice was something to worry about and she would feel better if she knew she had support. She knew she couldn't voice the majority of her concerns as they revolved around her relationship and feelings for Daisy. She knocked on his door and was relieved to find him alone. Helen still had not warmed up to Sophie.

"That was quick..." He said pointing at the file.

"That was different," she replied putting the file down on his desk.

He offered her some coffee and she accepted, craving a cigarette to go with it but knew she would have to do without one or the four she felt she needed.

"Do you think you can manage her?" he asked putting a steamy mug of filter coffee in front of her.

"I'll try." Helen said, sipping the strong coffee.

"I was just concerned because of her sexuality," he paused, "er, issues. I'm not sure what your take on something like that is."

"Oh, that doesn't bother me much, what bothers me are your notes on her."

"I want you to have a one on one session with her, and then group with other Cliffhangers, see how they are coping with it. I will talk to her again while you are busy with them. This afternoon, after the classes, if you want me to join you…"

"No, I'll be fine." Helen said. She wanted to see Beatrice in private to create her own impression about the girl. So far it had been hard to remain neutral. "I would like to speak to you after the sessions."

"Of course," Peter said.

The Cliffhangers and their fellow students seemed to pour into the class. She couldn't make out who was who until they had all sat down. Daisy seemed edgy as she took her seat near the back. Helen wanted to smile at her reassuringly or squeeze her shoulder, but she knew that would arouse suspicion. She knew neither of them wanted that. She shook her head inwardly. She had no idea what Daisy wanted.

Beatrice was seated next to David in the front row. She was staring at Helen with the most emotionless glance Helen had ever seen. Her piercing blue eyes were a blank void.

Helen ignored her and started the lesson.