IN A LAND, FAR AWAY FROM HERE
A/N: Here is the seventh chapter of my fairytale. Sorry for the wait, but I was kinda busy all week...Someone asked me in a review if Higher Ground was actually on air. I don't know if anyone is aware but I read on the net that it was being diffused on two Canadian channels! They're soooo lucky! I'd kill to be at their places! Well, you always have the site of Joe Lando, showing two episodes per months…but still…(sniff!)
Time and Place: Another time, another world.
Summary: Scott and Juliet are respectively prince and princess and are forced by their parents to marry each other. But they aren't in love with each other…
Rating: T/M. It depends of the chapters. It will probably have some violence and sexual content in some chapters.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except my mind! Also, this story is completely AU.
Characters: All of the cliffhangers and their family, Peter and Sophie, maybe some OC. Elaine is still evil but in another style…means no raping or seducing Scott. Walt is just as disgusting as in the show… Oh, and Susan, Scott's mother was nearly killed several years ago…
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Reviews answers: Hey folks! Thanks for the reviews you sent me! I'm glad this story still interest some people even if I screwed it a bit…Yeah, you see with Martin's death and Susan's reappearance…
2008ccampbell, I hope you won't hate me anymore with this chapter…I don't know what I did so wrong…but well that's your opinion! Just tell me if it's because I screwed that story or not…
Melms213, I'm glad you find Susan's reappearance a good twist…thank you. And update one of your stories soon…I miss them a lot!
Queen of Shadows, I find this story a bit odd, too. But I guess that's what I wanted inside. A story completely original and different from what we can see about HG. Update one of your stories soon…like Memories or The Truth Comes Out! They're my two favourites of you!
FrostySnake, I'm happy to see you're still surprised by the turn of events, because that's one of the aims of this story…thank you and have fun writing your stories!
mary-023, well, I don't know if this chappy was awesome but I'm glad you think so…try to update one of your stories soon, I find them light, funny and above all cute! It's really nice to read them before going to school or even after! In fact it's always nice!
Ghostwriter, you just called me back to order with your review! I read it and decided to finish this chapter just after…so thank you, you gave me courage! Oh, and it's been a time since you wrote something about HG…should we expect a story soon or not?
Chapter Seven: Evil is everywhere
Scott heard as the orchestra began playing a soft music of wedding. He still couldn't believe he had to marry Juliet to overthrow this witch of Elaine. She had now every political powers and he hoped she wouldn't interrupt the ceremony. The monster was sitting next to Miss Lipenowski, and anger could easily be read into her eyes. He knew deep inside that she was mad and afraid of losing her place as the new Queen. His father was dead and Shelby was the only one Scott could rely onto now. He hoped she knew he still loved her and that she'll always be a part of his heart. It was just a matter of time before Elaine would be out of the picture. He was sure she had killed his father, and now he remembered she had just arrived there when his mother had been murdered. He watched as Alice Merrick and her younger daughter Jessica, went to sit in the crowd but frowned when he saw Shelby wasn't with them…Where the hell was she?
Juliet's maids of honor began walking in a slow motion, gently sending roses petals to their sides, smiling at the Prince as they stood next to him. Sharon was there too, of course, wiping her sad tears away from her beautiful face. She couldn't believe her daughter was marrying today; to a man she didn't love like she did Auggie. But she wouldn't say a thing; not tonight anyway. She knew Scott and her daughter were up to something; she didn't know what it was but was sure they weren't marrying each other for love. She only hoped the nightmare would end up soon. Since Elaine had taken Martin's place, rumors said that things apparently were hectic at the council. Sharon didn't trust Elaine one second and would never. She was almost convinced she had something to do with Martin's assassination… Juliet began walking down the path looking more beautiful than ever. She tried to put on a brave smile and finally joined Scott, looking over at the servants who were beaming at the young couple. The minister began talking but either Scott, or Juliet couldn't hear him. Scott, because he was too concerned by the fact her lover wasn't there to support him and Juliet because Auggie was standing there, not being able to do anything about this wedding. Scott turned around anxiously, waiting for Shelby to finally appear but he knew deep inside she just couldn't. He finally realized the minister was waiting for him to pronounce his vows and sighed. "I am sorry, Father. Could you repeat please?" The minister nodded and began reciting the sentences for a second time and Scott concentrate on him. When he was finished, Scott turned once again, his eyes scanning the church then turned around with a blank gaze, finally pronouncing his vows. Juliet did the same, as quickly as she could. She knew that she would break down if she was thinking twice. As the minister pronounced them both husband and wife, Scott hesitantly captured her red lips in a quick and light kiss and they turned around facing the people who were standing up, applauding them.
"What are you doing here, young girl?" Scott asked carefully walking where the girl hadn't clean yet. Scott approached her to be sure she was who he thought she was.
"I am cleaning your floors, my Prince." She answered obediently, looking down at her work.
"I know that. What I mean is where Shelby is?"
"I am replacing her. Don't worry; I'll be just as useful as she was. You won't even notice the change."
"You didn't answer my question." He pointed out, leaning against the nearest wall, arms crossed.
"I…I don't know." Jess stuttered a bit nervous.
"How come is that possible? You are her young sister, aren't you?"
"Yeah."
"And you don't know where she is?"
"Yeah…"
"She told me you were going to school, why aren't you there?"
"I can't continue going, this is too expensive. We don't have enough money now that Shelby's gone. So my mother just figured I could just replace her here…"
"Where is your mother?"
"In the kitchens. But please don't blame her! We're very poor, we just need to work!"
"Do not worry. I will not blame anybody. I just want to know where Shelby is."
"But why? Did I do something wrong? I promise I'll do better next time!"
"No, look…I care a lot about your sister and I just need to find out where she is. It isn't because of you or anything. I just…need her. Okay?" Scott said tentatively putting a hand on her shoulder and rubbing it softly.
"Okay…So what do I do now?"
"Just go to school. I will take care of everything." He reassured her, allowing himself a little smile. Shelby had told him how important Jess was to her. He now understood why…that kid…she was just wonderful.
"Are…are you sure?" She asked hesitantly, letting her brush hit the floor.
"Yes. Look, I have to go and find your mother. Bye Jess."
"How…how do you know my name?" She asked again, surprised.
"I told you…your sister is someone very special to me." Scott said not wanting to reveal everything to her. He ran towards the kitchens quickly. Whatever had happened to Shelby, he was sure this wasn't good. He walked inside the kitchen and found Alice Merrick at once. He cleared his voice and everybody turned to look at him. "Sorry to disturb you. I just need to borrow Alice for a minute or two." Alice nodded obediently and followed him outside, wiping her dirty hands on her apron. Scott led her to a bench in an empty corridor and looked around to be sure nobody had followed them. "Sit down please." Alice nodded but didn't say anything to him. "I just saw your younger daughter. She told me Shelby left. Where is she?"
"I am sorry, your Highness. I'll repair Jess's mess."
"No…no you don't understand Alice! It's not because of Jess's work, she did fine. I just need to know where Shelby is."
"If this is because of the amount of your people, you don't have to worry, Jess will do great!"
"No…listen to me Alice…I…I love your daughter. She's the best thing that ever happened to me. I just can not let he go. Tell me where she went." He pressed her, not being able to contain his feelings anymore. Alice lifted an eyebrow surprised by his revelations. So it was him…She though pensively at all the times Shelby had disappeared. She knew her daughter was in love but would have never imagined it could be with their Prince.
"I…can't tell you, or…he'll kill us!"
"Who?"
"No…no I can't! Please believe me!"
"Alice listen…nothing will happen to you. I will send guarders at your door if it is necessary. Just tell me who you are talking about."
"He's a merchant, my husband, who's now dead, had debts on him…he took Shelby to pay them."
"What do you mean he took Shelby?"
"As…as a wife."
"And you let him done!"
"No! Of course not! I didn't want him to take her but he threatened me with a weapon. Shelby got scared he would kill me and accepted his deal before I could say anything. And then he beat me and I collapsed onto the floor. I only woke up several hours ago when Jess came back from school. I don't even know where he took her, or where he lives now." Alice finished and began crying, folding her head into her hands, not caring of the dirt. She had taken everything for her and was finally letting it go. Scott looked at her compassionately and gathered her into his arms, softly running his hand through her hair in comfort.
"I promise you that we will find her soon. I am not letting this guy go with it. I am making my army go search for her right now. I swear to you Alice, we will find her and bring her back…"
"Thank you."
Shelby was cooking for her now to be called 'husband' when this one came back from his businesses. She was wearing a short red vulgar dress Walt had brought for her in the morning. He had forced her to wear it even if she didn't like it. She had told him she would look like a slut but he had just slapped her in the face, telling her not to respond him when he said something.
"You're so appetizing with this dress." He stated, walking closer towards her and putting his hands on her lips.
"Pardon me?" Shelby pushed him away and continued working on her diner.
"You heard me wife. Sit here." He ordered pointing to the bed.
"I think you misunderstood here. I am absolutely not going to sleep with you."
"Are you kidding me? I paid for this, and waited long enough. Now you sit!"
"Never. You hear me? Never will I be with you like this!"
"Look, little whore, you don't really have a choice. Either you lay on the bed yourself or I'll make you do this."
"No one is going to force me into a thing I don't want!"
"Well, that's it! I'm tired of your antics of frightened virgin!"
"Who said I was a virgin?" She challenged him thinking that he would be disgusted if he knew he would never be the first.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me."
"Your mother assured me the contrary. If she lied…"
"She didn't lie because she didn't know I wasn't anymore. So are you still willing to make a slut sleep with you?"
"You wouldn't want to know…in fact that's much better if you aren't anymore. I won't have to be kind and gentle in order not to hurt your young body…"
"You are sick Walt. I will never have an intercourse with you. I'd rather die!"
"Oh really? Well, we'll see…" He took her right arm, squeezing it hard and forced her onto the bed. Shelby yelled and struggled in an attempt to push him away from her. But he was to strong and managed to take both her hands in one of his. And he began traveling her face with his other hand smiling sickly at her. She began to cry, trying to reach for Scott's spirit. She had done it once and was sure she could do it again. Walt noticed she had calmed down and released her hands. He worked on her dress, trying to find where the buttons were and finally noticed they were on her back. Shelby closed her eyes as he squeezed her waist tightly against his own body.
"Please Walt; don't…do…that to…me! I'll do anything you want!"
"But all I want is here, my dear…" He turned her around and his fingers began working on the buttons. He slowly but surely undid them, and when he was finished, he began kissing Shelby's nude back. Shelby quivered with fear as she felt his mouth and tongue on her own skin and began struggling again. Walt quickly got mad at her, as he thought she was finally giving in. He took his belt of and first thought of strangling her as she began yelling again. He was so furious he couldn't control himself anymore. But he decided otherwise when he looked back at his wife's body. Her back was so soft and clear. She only needed some punishment, he knew it. After all, He wasn't going to screw everything now…after all he had managed to do to have her. With his leather belt he started beating her and heard her whimper. He had to admit he loved her whimper, it made him feel powerful. He continued during several minutes when she finally fell into unconsciousness, exhausted by his actions and her tears.
Shelby woke up several hours later to a male voice talking softly to her. She opened her eyes, only to find several pairs of eyes looking down at her. "Where am I?" Scott dismissed people out of the room to talk to her in private. Alice, Jess and Miss Lipenowski who was always on the lookout for anything special that happened in the castle, (lol!) left the room shrugging. She tried to move a little, but just couldn't. Her back hurt her too much and she couldn't remember why. "What happened?" She asked hoarsely, looking up at Scott's face.
"Your husband beat you hard." Scott said emphasizing the world 'husband'. "You apparently fell into unconsciousness and we found you lying on your bed." He explained sadly, slowly caressing her cheek with the back of her hand.
"How did you find me?"
"I heard your calls into my head." Scott looked down at the girl peacefully resting on the small hospital bed. He knew the scars on her back were hideous. At the idea of what Walt had done to her, Scott wanted to vomit. He looked into her sad but beautiful eyes and took her hand in his. "What else did he do to you? Did he…"
"No, no he didn't." Shelby said shaking her head.
"Why didn't you come here to tell me about your wedding?"
"Scott you have a wife to take care of. Beside I just couldn't. Walt took me away before I could have done anything. And I don't think you need to deal with me too, with what happens in your life actually."
"Dealing with you? You never were a weight in my life, you perfectly know it."
"Scott, stop all this sweet talking because there is no hope for us."
"What are you talking about Shelby?"
"We never will be together now."
"Yes, we will, once Elaine isn't the Queen anymore and in jail for the rest of her life."
"What? Scott, in case you have forgotten, I'm married and I don't think Walt will let go of me that easily."
"Well, that's not in his power anymore. I sent him to jail this morning."
"What? What do you mean you sent him? For how long? And what's gonna happen to me?"
"Well, first thing, you have to say here at the hospital for a week to recover. The doctor will tell you more about it later. And after, you're going to be living either with your family or at the castle with Juliet, Auggie, Katherine and I."
"You want me to live with you?"
"You forgot I wanted to marry you Shel, because people married and in love live together."
"What about Juliet? Are you sure she's gonna be okay with me living with you?"
"Shel, you know I married Juliet only to overthrow Elaine, not because I felt I needed to save my father's honor. I have no feelings for her and it is completely mutual. You know the worst in this story is that the council had finally accepted our union."
"What? They had given us their benediction?"
"Yes. But then, Elaine had to ruin everything, as always."
"Oh my god!" Shelby took his face into her hands and kissed him, not feeling any pain arching her back anymore. It's amazing what love can make you do!
He kissed her lips back, just as softly as he already had done many times before. "I am not letting you go again Shelby, not in a lifetime." Shelby caressed his cheek lovingly, smiling bitterly. "I love you so much my tender love."
"I love you, too, Scott." They blissfully stayed in each other arms for a while before remembering Shelby's family and friends were waiting to visit her outside. Scott pulled back and opened the door to let them enter.
"Shelby, I will come back later to see how you are going." He announced, smiling nicely at her. "I'm a busy man, now." He said with a smirk.
"Alright. Take care of you." Shelby answered as Jess went to hug her. "I missed you baby."
"I missed you too Shel! I was so afraid!" Jess said as she cried into her sister's arms.
"I am fine now, don't worry." Alice joined the hug, whispered smoothing words to both her daughters. The doctor cleared his throat waiting for them to listen to him.
"Well, miss Merrick; it seems you are going pretty fine, except for those bruises and cuts on the back. We did all the tests and you weren't raped during your unconscious state.
"I already figured that out."
"Well, that's great! She can go home soon then?"
"Uh, I have something more to say, Mrs." The doctor began, taking Shelby's case history in his hands.
"What is it?" Shelby asked confused. What could be wrong with her now? Just as soon as things were getting back to normal, something was always interfering with her happiness!
"It seems that you are with child, miss." The doctor said carefully.
"Excuse me? She's with what?" Alice frowned, sitting on the nearest chair she found. Jess just stood back confused. Oh God…how am I going to say that to Scott, now? Shelby thought nervously, biting her lip hardly as she looked back and forth at her family and the doctor.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
Wow, wow! That was an intense part, wasn't it? Next chapter will be up as soon as possible but I really don't know when since I didn't even began thinking of it…Of course I already have some ideas and big lines of it. But you all know that writing a chapter takes time sometimes. Especially when you have school, homework and out goings with friends the night…I know, I know…I have a full interesting life beside don't forget to read & review! That's very important to know about your opinions about this story.