Promises are like Eggs

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING!

a/n-I know this is way over due, I'm trying to find time to write these stories, I've just been busy with school, hopefully soon, I'll find some extra time! Sorry for the delay, hope you like this chapter! Please review!

Chapter 8

Peter slowly hung up his office phone. He had just received a call from Scott's CPS case worker saying that his case would be going to court. Peter couldn't decide if this was good news or horrible. On the one hand, Scott would finally be getting his chance to get Elaine back, but on the other, he would have to tell his story in front a large group of strangers, his father would be against him, and Peter knew that people would first jump to take Elaine's side because she was the girl.

Peter rubbed his temples in a sign of major stress.

"What's up mountain man?" Sophie asked concerned at his appearance.

"Umm…I just got a call from Scott's caseworker and he said they're going to bring Elaine to court."

Sophie smiled, "That's great, finally he'll be able to get some justice."

"Yea, but I'm also worried about how he's dealing with everything."

"Well, maybe he'll realize he needs to turn to someone, he did before, he told Shelby about the whole thing with Elaine, right?"

"But that's why I'm worried, he did trust someone, and she let him down and told his secret. He's completely unwilling to even consider opening up to anyone."

"Well, all you can do is hope he does, and let him know you're there."

"Easier said then done." Peter sighed

One Week Later

Scott sat nervously in the witness stand of the courtroom. His lawyer had already asked him what had happened; now, all that was left was the defense attorney. Scott looked over to where the man was sitting, next to him was Elaine, and behind her was his father. Elaine was looking at him with complete smugness and his father hadn't looked at him once since the whole proceeding had begun. The other lawyer was looking at some papers he held before him then looked at Scott, slowly standing up. He walked over to the witness stand, all the while making Scott more and more anxious. Finally, the man began speaking.

"Scott, I know you just told your side of what happened, but do you want to take a minute and retell what happened, now let's remember you swore to tell the truth right?"

Scott looked at him confused, "I did tell the truth."

He shook his head, "Fine, now Scott, you say that your stepmother molested you right?"

"Yes."

"If that did happen, how come your father has no knowledge of this ever happening?"

"He was never home, and when he was…well I don't know."

"Scott are you trying to tear your father and Elaine's marriage apart because your angry about your parent's divorce?"

"Objection!" Scott's lawyer yelled

"I'll restate." Elaine's lawyer quickly said, "Scott do you hold Elaine responsible for the divorce of your mother and father?"

"I guess a litt.."

"Yes or no Mr. Barringer."

"Yes, but."

"And didn't that resentment towards her make you want her to pay?"

"Yes, but again."

"And to make her pay, didn't you make this entire thing up? Isn't it true that Mrs. Barringer never touched you, and in fact you had an infatuation with her?"

"No! no that is NOT true!"

"It's not?"

"No, I may have been angry, but I did NOT make anything up and I definitely didn't love her."

He turned to the jury, "And yet he wrote her love letters? I have no more questions."

Scott's lawyer re-questioned Scott, but so did the defense, and in the end, Scott didn't need to worry about waiting until a decision was made, he already knew that he had lost and Elaine had won. The defense attorney had been able to take everything he said, and twist it around until he to himself sounded guilty.

After the trial, Scott and Peter climbed into Peter's truck to head back to Horizon. Peter thought this would be the perfect time to talk to Scott. He looked over at the teen who had his head resting against the window.

"What are you thinking about?"

"I'm just tired."

"Well you've had a long day…"

Scott cut him off, "No, I'm not tired, I just mean I'm tired of all of this."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No."

"Alright," Peter decided he would try to do something to make him feel better, "Hey, what do you say about going to Rusty's for lunch before going back?" He knew Scott would love the idea of eating "real food" for a change.

"Nah, I really just want to get back."

Peter looked at him worriedly; any kid would have given a right leg to eat out, and after the hard day he just had, Peter was sure that Scott would take the break.

"Well when we get back, you need to eat something."

"I'm not hungry."

"Scott you need to eat, it's not healthy to not eat even though you're upset."

He didn't feel like fighting with Peter, "Fine, whatever."

They didn't talk the rest of the way back to Horizon, but when they did, the first thing Peter saw was Shelby walking across the grass. He looked to Scott who was also following her with his eyes. Peter could see that he wanted to talk to her, but that he just couldn't, so Peter knew what he had to do. When she passed and Scott finally started to open the door to leave, Peter spoke up.

"Listen Scott, when you're done eating, come to my office, I have someone I want you to talk to."

Scott rolled his eyes, "Peter please, I know I promised I would talk to someone, but you said it yourself, I had a long day, I just want to sleep."

"Just come when you're finished, alright?"

Scott just got out of the truck and closed the door, he walked towards the cafeteria. Peter did the same, but he had someone to talk to.

Scott sat at his now usual empty table, with his head down. He had actually managed to fall asleep, until someone shook his arm.

"Wh-what?" He asked jumping. When he looked above him, Peter was looking back down, then Scott realized that no one else was in the cafeteria. "Where is everyone?"

Peter laughed, "Well, after lunch ended, everyone left. And when I noticed you didn't come to my office, I figured you might have forgotten."

Scott stood up and the two walked over to Peter's office.

"So, this mystery person, who is it?"

"Just don't worry about that, you said you'd speak to them, so you will right?"

"Yea, whatever can't be that bad."

Peter opened the door, Scott looked in to find Shelby quickly standing and looking back at him. Scott took a step backwards and looked at Peter, "You have to be kidding me, Peter this is none of your business!"

"Scott you told me you would talk to whoever I decided didn't you?"

Scott looked at Shelby right in the eyes and nodded, "Yea."

"Ok, we'll you two can talk, I'll check in on you in a little while."

Scott walked into the room, and Peter closed the door behind him. All Shelby told him was that she had something important to tell Scott that she hoped would win his trust.

Shelby looked at Scott's defeated posture and all she wanted to do was give him a tight hug and to take some of his pain, but she knew that would not happen. He was staring at the floor, and becoming anxious.

"What did you want to talk about?" He asked, looking at her for a minute, then away again

Shelby's heart raced, this was the first time he had talked to her without anger in so long, she smiled slightly, then answered him, "Scott, I want to tell you something, but I don't want you to say anything until I'm finished alright?"

Scott just nodded

"Ok, umm…I know what I did, telling everyone what happened to you and everything I mean, was horrible. I know that nothing could have caused you and is still causing you pain. But Scott, you have to understand, I was so caught up in the fight I was in with Peter, I wasn't even thinking.

Scott opened his mouth to say something but Shelby just kept talking.

"I'm not trying to make excuses, you have no idea how sorry I am, and how much pain, seeing you so in this pain has given me. And I figure the only way I can earn your trust back and maybe your love one day," Scott looked at her, "Is to equal everything out. I'm going to tell you why I'm here, and tonight in group, you can tell everyone."

Scott finally spoke back, "Shelby, it's not about equaling it out."

"I know, but I need to give you this, my fate." She looked into his eyes, and he could see she was determined to tell him so he just nodded.

"Ok," She looked down, "When my mom and dad got divorced, my mom started dating. She had a bunch of gross guys, until finally; there was one who she kept bringing home; Walt. I was young and he was a great guy. He would bring me and Jess candy and flowers, and we just loved him. Finally, my mom and Walt got married and what could be better? I had a step dad that I thought was great, but that soon changed. You see, a month after they got back from their honeymoon, I was sleeping one night when I woke up. I heard footsteps outside my door, and then suddenly, it opened and Walt walked into my room," Shelby had tears falling from her eyes, "That was the first time…you see, the reason I understand what Elaine did to you, the reason I hate Walt so much, is because the same thing happened to me, and Walt…" She couldn't look into his eyes, "Walt was the one who did it, my great new daddy, he always said he loved me, I don't think what he did to me qualifies as love."

They were both silent but Shelby spoke again, "So now you know what happened to me, and I will understand if you want to tell Peter or Sophie, or even the entire group."

Shelby was staring at the group when suddenly she felt two warm arms around her, when she looked up; Scott was looking back to her, tears in his eyes. She just put her head back into his chest, trying to hold onto every ounce of safety Scott gave her.

Scott held Shelby knowing that he could and would never tell the group what Shelby had gone through, instead he leaned closer to her and whispered into her ear the four words she hadn't expected, "I'm here for you." And his arms wrapped tighter. The two teens stood in the middle of Peter's office, both crying for the same reason, both feeling safe, even if only for a moment.