A/N: This chapter just really wants to be short. I'll try to get the next done sooner than later!

Chapter 32 - Proud

This semester's study weeks were infinitely better and easier than the last ones. Jon didn't have to fight Shawn; he only needed to remind him about the goals he'd made for himself. On Thursday of the first week, Shawn wanted to go see a movie with Cory and some other friends instead of studying, and Jon told him he could, if he was willing to make it up Saturday morning. Shawn thought it over and ended up taking the deal, and he didn't fight Jon about studying when Saturday came around.

As for Jon himself, he tried to maintain as normal a life as he could. He did his work, helped his students, went out with Eli, had Ashley over, chatted with the Matthews whenever he came to pick up Shawn. He kept up his gym routine, and he watched TV with Shawn in the evenings, enjoying every minute of it while it lasted.

After the last final, Jon had to take Shawn to another final exam—with his doctor. Ashley wasn't in, so another nurse took his vitals, and then his doctor ran him through a battery of tests. These days, Shawn didn't complain about any of them, even the blood tests. He kept quiet during the tests he hated, and he chatted with his doctor and nurse during the tests he didn't mind.

"You've made amazing progress, Shawn," the doctor told him after everything was complete. "Looking at your charts from six months ago, I wouldn't have thought it was possible."

"Really?"

"I can tell you've worked very hard and had a lot of good people supporting you."

"Yeah." Shawn grinned over at Jon. "When can I start playing basketball again?"

"Well, I need you to keep an eye on yourself. If your leg starts hurting, or your elbow, you need to stop whatever you're doing and take a break."

"How long do I have to keep an eye on it?"

"For the rest of your life."

Shawn's voice caught. "I can't play sports for the rest of my life?"

"I didn't say that. To me, you look normal. You go play whatever you want."

"Wait. I look normal?"

"Yes, but old injuries can act up when you least expect—"

"I can play sports? Now? Like, when we're done here, I can go play basketball at my friend's house?"

"As long as it doesn't hurt, sure."

Shawn lunged for the doctor and threw his arms around him, catching the man completely off guard. Then he let go and threw his arms around Jon.

Jon held him tightly. "Nice work, Shawn. I'm so proud of you."

He let go, grinning. "So . . . are we done? When do I have to come back?"

"Your guardian can make an appointment if there are any more complications."

"I'm done?"

"I don't see a reason to schedule a follow up right now."

Shawn laughed aloud, whooping, and he all but flew out of the examination room. Jon breathed in to stop him, but just smiled and shook his head.

The doctor turned to Jon. "He's healthy, and he's young. No reason to think there'll be a problem. Still, you keep an eye on him. If he starts to limp, or if he says his elbow hurts, or any other symptoms..."

"I'll bring him in."

The doctor nodded. "You're doing well with him."

"I may not be the one bringing him the next time he needs care."

"Is he staying in the area?"

Jon hadn't even considered the possibility that a new home might move Shawn out of town. He doubted the judge would consider that a very stable or healthy arrangement for him, though. "I don't see why he wouldn't."

"If he does move, we can forward his medical files."

"Thanks, doctor. I, uh, better catch up with him."

The doctor smiled, and Jon headed out to the car.

The next day was the last day of school, which truthfully wasn't much of a school day at all—the kids spent the day clearing out their lockers, signing yearbooks, and playing pranks, making messes the teachers couldn't prevent.

Jon would have liked to drive Shawn to the school, since it was his last chance to do so, but he didn't argue when Shawn said he wanted to walk. Shawn was clearly still riding the high of being declared healed by his doctor, and he had a lot of friends to share the news with.

Feeny dropped by Jon's classroom at break. Jon looked up from the papers he was filing. "Everything okay, George?"

"I saw your grades were submitted."

"Yeah..."

"And I heard the good news from Shawn. Congratulations to you both."

"Oh! Thanks, George."

"Did you tell him how proud you are?"

"Of course."

George nodded. It was quiet for a moment, then he asked, "When is his court hearing?"

"Monday."

"Ah." George nodded. "Any idea which way the courts are leaning?"

"Chet's attended the last few visits. Shawn's social worker says he's been doing his training."

"Did Chet come to see Shawn in the hospital?"

"Once."

Feeny's eyes widened, and Jon winced, realizing how venomous his voice had sounded.

"Forgive my skepticism," Jon said quietly. "And, uh, don't tell Shawn."

"Your secret is safe with me." Feeny smiled wryly. "I'm pulling for you. If you need anything from me—a reference, or a testimony, or anything else—you just call, Jonathan."

"Shawn's already written up a testimony. About how wonderful his father is."

"...I see."

The bell rang to end the break, and Feeny sighed before leaving the room.

Shawn burst into Jon's classroom at the end of the day, when everyone else was gone. "Grades got posted."

"I'm aware." It had been a tight turnaround for teachers. "How'd you do?"

"I couldn't get my math grade up, so I had C's in history and math. But I got an A in English and French!"

"That's amazing, Shawn!"

"I have a 3.0!"

"So proud of you."

"I could get into college with grades like this!"

"Take your SAT's and you'll be well on your way."

Shawn's smile faded a little.

Jon reached out to pull Shawn into a hug, knowing Shawn usually took physical affection well when he wanted reassurance. "Hey." He pulled back, keeping his hand on Shawn's arm. "Anything you want?"

"What do you mean?"

"Trying to figure out how to reward you for your hard work, at school and physical therapy. Any suggestions for me?" He knew he might regret offering, but this could be his last chance to give him a gift, and he couldn't bring himself to worry about what it might cost.

"Croquets tonight?"

"That's a given, Hunter. I'll even pick up a cake. But if you wanted something else . . ."

"A hundred dollars?"

"Is that what you want?"

Shawn's jaw dropped. "You'd give me a hundred dollars?"

A hundred dollars was a little over two months' worth of allowance. Allowance he wouldn't be paying when Shawn left. "If that's what you really want."

"No, I just didn't realize you meant something that good! Now I gotta think about what I want."

"Anywhere you wanna go?"

Shawn shrugged. "There's a fair in town this weekend."

That was a lot cheaper than a hundred dollars. What's more, it would be a nice day with the kid. "Sure."

"Can you get me an unlimited ride pass?"

"Sure."

"And any snacks I want from the booths?"

"Within reason."

"Your idea of reason or mine?"

Jon chuckled. "Mine, Hunter."

Shawn laughed, then his eyes widened again. "Oh! Can we bring someone?"

Jon was surprised they'd gotten this far without him having driven both Shawn and Cory around. This trip was starting to rack up the expense, but he couldn't bring himself to mind. He doubted the Matthews would mind him taking them both, either. "Yeah. Just one other person, though."

"I think Ashley would want to come with us."

Jon tried not to show his surprise. "We can definitely ask her."

"Great." Shawn grinned. "3.0!"

"So proud, Shawn," Jon said again, because the kid deserved to hear it.