Summary: So this is set when Shawn is sixteen and he has been back living with his father for six months now. Shawn is having to balance his school life, which he is trying to improve his grades to get out of the trailer park. He is also trying to balance working and paying all of the bills as his father has gone back to drinking. Now Shawn has to go to school full-time and work three jobs just to make end's meat every month. On top of all of that he has to deal with his drunk father who occasionally likes to punch him when he is angry and drunk. Shawn is determined to graduate high school and Turner is going to make sure it happens for Shawn as he keeps a close eye on him.

Warnings: Mentions of past abuse, bad words and child abuse.

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Chapter 1

It had been six months since Shawn had started to live with his dad. He had spent a year living with Turner and when his father had finally came back Shawn didn't even think twice about leaving to go and live with him. They had reunited at a police station, but still they had reunited and left together as Father and Son. Six months since he had been back at the trailer park and Shawn couldn't help, but quickly notice how much he did not miss living here. The place was full of rundown trailers, drunks, drug users, criminals and gangs. It was not the nice place that he had at Turner's. The trailer was not the one they originally had as his father had gotten a new one that would be able to be hooked up to his truck. So they only had one bedroom that his father had taken over. So Shawn had been sleeping on the couch something that didn't bother him in the beginning, but after six months things were looking different. He had foolishly believed his father that he would be different and things would be right this time around. Everything had been different for three months. For three months they had talked and acted like father and son. For three months his father was sober and was even working. For three months they had been able to pay their rent and all of their other bills. For three months they had been a family and then it all started to go downhill.

Shawn knew that things could only be good for so long. His father had gotten laid off due to lack of work coming in. That made him upset and that lead to him drinking that night, causing him to pass out. Since then his father had been sitting on Welfare, but it wasn't enough to cover everything plus his now strong drinking habit again. Shawn had to go and get a job three months ago. He went back to Uncle Mike and was able to pick up a part-time job working on the cars. He had been working on cars since he was eight so he was very good at it and his Uncle Mike knew that his dad had lost his job and he needed the money. He had also been taking photographs and making sketches to sell on the street on the weekends. Sometimes he would get a photography job from customers. All of the money had helped him with paying the rent and bills as his father was using the Welfare money to drink away. When that ran out his father went to hustling the pool table.

In between it all Shawn had been trying to keep up in school. He wasn't a little kid anymore, he was sixteen and Shawn knew that he only had two more years left of school before he would be expected to graduate. He wanted to go to College, but he needed a scholarship to do it. If he wanted a scholarship he had to get his grades up as they looked back at three years of High School grades. The competition was intense and he would need really good grades and one hell of an essay about his life to standout enough. Shawn had only three months left of this school year to try and get his grades up. He currently had History, English, Photography and Social Studies. He was currently sitting pretty in his Photography course with a ninety-two percent. His English course he was sitting at about a seventy, which wasn't bad, but it wasn't good enough. His Social Studies course he was sitting at a sixty-two and his History course he was sitting at a pathetic fifty-three percent. He needed to work on his History and Social Studies courses to try and get them higher and he needed to really try on his English course. Turner was his English teacher and his Social Studies course. Mr. Feeney was his History teacher and he was hoping today he could speak to them both and see if he could get some kind of extra work to make up for the poor grades. He didn't know if they would go for it. He knew he would be able to convince Turner to let him have the chance, but he didn't know if Mr. Feeney would go for it.

Shawn was trying to get his grades up so he could have a chance at an Art scholarship to a College or a University. Shawn wanted out of this trailer park, he wanted out of this town and the chance to have something more. The only way he was going to be able to do that was by going to College and getting some kind of degree so he could take that to other cities and get a good job. Shawn wasn't that foolish little kid anymore. Even though he knew he could easily go back to living at Turner's he didn't want to just leave his father yet. His father needed him and he just couldn't bring himself to turn his back on him yet. He wasn't ready for that pain. The problem was he was getting tired. He was working so much to make end's meat that he wasn't getting enough sleep between working and school. He knew extra work for school was going to cut down even more what little time for sleep he had, but he had to try. He only had three more months before summer and then he could work full-time and save up as much money as he could for when he was back in school.

What Shawn refused to acknowledge was the fact that when his father got too drunk and angry at the world it was Shawn that was taking the hits. He had only happened five times in the past three months, it was nothing Shawn wasn't used to. It had happened in the past before when his mother would take off leaving Shawn alone with his father drunk and pissed. His father never hit him in his face, it was always his torso or his back. Something that Shawn could easily hide and he was thankful for that. Shawn knew it was wrong, but it was just so common in his life that Shawn didn't even think much of it. It was just the life that he was used to, but not the life he wanted. He wanted out of this place and he was going to get out if it was the last thing he did.

Shawn headed into the school a little earlier than normal. He knew that Turner would be in so he wanted to speak to him about some extra credit before school started. Shawn went to his locker and he put his coat and books away before he headed to his homeroom where Turner was bound to be. Shawn walked into the room to see Turner sitting at his desk working on papers. Shawn knocked on the door and Turner looked up. He gave Shawn a smile and was surprised to see him here this early.

"Hey Shawn, come on in." Turner said with a smile.

"Hey Jon. Do you have a minute?" Shawn asked as he walked into the room.

"Always. What's up? It's a little early for you to be here, everything ok?" Turner asked as he gave Shawn his full attention.

"Ya everything is fine. I just wanted to talk to you before school started is all."

"Ok what's up?" Turner asked.

He had been a little worried about Shawn for the last three months. He had noticed that he had been more tired recently. He had found out through Cory that Shawn had been working at his Uncle Mike's garage on the weekends. Turner wasn't happy that Shawn was working, but it wasn't uncommon for sixteen year olds to get part-time jobs.

"I know my grades in your classes suck I was wondering if there was something I could do for extra credit." Shawn said lightly unsure of himself and how Turner was going to react.

"Well that was unexpecting. Alright we can talk about that, but I have to ask why?" Turner didn't know if he should be happy or concerned right now that Shawn wanted to do extra credit.

Shawn sat down on the edge of one of the school desks as he spoke. "I want to go to college Jon. I want to be something, someone more than the kid from the trailer park. So I'm trying to get my grades up so I can get an Art Scholarship or at least have a chance of getting one. So I need to get my grades up and keep them up for the next two years."

"Shawn you know I will always help you out. Your English isn't that bad, you're right on the average in the class. If you want it higher then study more for the tests and if you have any questions you can always ask me. Your Social Studies grade is a little low, but you can get it up. I'll tell you what I want a mural done with all of the Presidents on it, like a timeline with their birth dates and their death dates. I don't want it in the traditional form of a timeline though. I'll give you until the end of this semester to complete it. Do whatever you want with it, get as creative as you want. If you get it done by the end of the semester and you continue to show up to class and do the assignments then I will add an extra twenty percent onto your final grade."

"Are you serious?" Shawn asked shocked.

"I'm serious, but don't think you can just print off some pictures and stick them on a bulletin board. I want something creative and something outstanding. It's a big project Shawn, but I think you can do it."

"So I have complete creative control?" Shawn asked sounding interested.

"Complete as long as it is respectful, but complete. You up for it?"

"Ya definitely thanks Jon."

"No problem. If you need help in any of your courses you can always come to me. I know Eli said you are his star student in Photography. Do you think you want to do that or a career?"

"I might ya. I sell photos and sketches sometimes on the weekends downtown from a table. I've gotten a few photography jobs from it. People seem to like it. I like it. Even developing the photos is peaceful work. I never thought I would like it or be good at it, but I am and I really enjoy it."

"Well you've always been creative Shawn. You've written poetry, you play guitar, you sketch which I didn't know you even did. You're a creative person and you can find lots of jobs where people need someone like you. Good for you. I'm proud of you for trying to get your grades up and looking towards a future. For a long time you never believed you even had one. It's nice hearing that you have hope and faith in yourself just like the rest of us do."

"Thanks Jon."

"Anytime Shawn. Do you want to come by this weekend? We can cook something for dinner and watch a movie."

"Um ya I have to work until about four on both Saturday and five on Sunday, but I could do something afterwards."

"I can pick you up if you want so you don't have to walk over to my place."

"Ya sure that'd be great."

"Alright we can either cook something or we could pick up a pizza on the way back."

"I'm good for either."

"We can figure it out. How about Saturday?"

"Sure I'll bring a change of clothes so I can shower at your place."

"Sounds like a plan."

"Alright, well I am gonna go grab something to eat and then go find Cory. I'll see you in class Jon."

"See ya soon Shawn." Turner said with a smile.

Shawn headed out of the classroom and down the hallways to the Café so he could grab some breakfast before school started. He didn't have much food at the house. He would have to do some food shopping on the way home from school today. He didn't work tonight, but he had to work tomorrow night and for the rest of the week. Shawn wanted to use tonight to get as much of his work done as he could. He was also working on a few sketches that he needed to finish up so he could have more to sell. Today in photography he could develop the photos he had taken with the school camera in the last couple of weeks. Eli really liked Shawn and because he was so good at it he let Shawn do his own thing as long as he completed the assignments on time, which Shawn always completed early. It was the one course that Shawn knew wasn't going to be a problem for him. Something Shawn was very thankful for.

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It was the end of the day and Shawn was sitting in his History class listening to Mr. Feeney going on about World Wars. Shawn was trying to pay attention, but he just couldn't get himself interested in it. History wasn't a subject that Shawn could get interested in, because he just couldn't see the point in it. It was History, it was in the past and the past was always hard to focus on unless it was his own. Shawn was trying though and he was taking notes so he could study them for any tests or quizzes that came up. He didn't have to be interested in it for him to memorise facts and spit them back out. Once class was over Cory turned to Shawn.

"So what are you doing tonight Shawnie my boy?"

"I have to get some food shopping done then I am working on some homework and sketches. You?" Shawn asked as he packed up.

"You're going to do homework? Are you feeling ok?" Cory asked with concern.

"I feel fine Cor, I'm just trying to bring my grades up is all. I have to work a lot this week at night so I am gonna try and get as much done tonight as I can. It's no big deal."

"Well if you want you could always come over after you do your food shopping. Have dinner with us and we can do our homework together." Cory offered feeling like he should be in complete support mode with Shawn.

"Ya maybe I'll see what Dad is up to when I get home." Shawn said thinking how he could get more work done at Cory's than he could at home with his father drinking.

"Alright well let's get out of here then." Cory said with a smile.

"I just need a minute I need to talk to Mr. Feeney." Shawn said as he stood up.

"Ok I'm gonna walk Topanga home and hopefully I will see you later tonight."

"Ya I'll probably show up if your parents are cool with me crashing dinner." Shawn said with a smile.

"They always are you know that. Come by and we can work together on the homework plus I want to see the sketches. You talk about them, but I have yet to see any."

"Alright I'll come by after I do some food shopping. I'll be there by five."

"Awesome I'll let my parents know. I gotta go see you soon Shawnie."

"See ya Cor."

Cory headed out of the classroom and Shawn took a breath before he headed over to the front where Mr. Feeney was sitting at his desk.

"Um Mr. Feeney can I talk to you for a second?" Shawn asked slightly unsure once again at how a teacher was going to react to his question.

"Of course Mr. Hunter. What is on your mind?" Mr. Feeney asked giving Shawn his full attention.

"I'm wondering if there is some way I can get some extra credit towards my grade or some kind of make-up test maybe." Shawn asked clearly uncomfortable with the conversation that Mr. Feeney knew had more to do with how he would react than to Shawn asking for more work.

"There is always something a student can do to make up grades in the course Mr. Hunter. I do have make-up tests, but you do not test well normally and I don't want to waste either of our time. May I ask why the sudden interest in your grades? You haven't cared about your grades ever, not that I am not pleased that you are all of a sudden just curious about the why."

"People always said I had potential, but I never believed them and part of me still doesn't really believe it. But I am good at something, I've finally found something I am really good at. I want more than a trailer park life. I want to have my own place and know that it will never go anywhere, that I'll have to worry about coming home to my home not being there in more ways than one. The only way I am going to achieve that is by going to College and I can't get in with bad grades or without a scholarship. I did some research on Art Scholarships and they go back three years in an applicant's high school record. I need to get my grades up so I have a chance at even being looked at. So I'm trying to get my grades up. I'm trying to have hope that there might actually be a future out there for me." Shawn said honestly.

"There always has been a future for you Shawn and there always will be. You are a very bright young man that has overcome a great deal in your life. I have no doubt in my mind that if you get your grades up and keep them up you will receive a scholarship or two for College. You've always had the potential, you just never had the faith in yourself and I am very pleased to see that you are starting to have that faith and I hope it grows and you take over the world with your talent. Now as I was saying I don't think a make-up test would be very helpful to you. You are a creative person though and a wonderful photographer if anything that Mr. Williams has said about you is true, which I have no doubt that it is. There is a Renaissance Fair on Friday it begins at nine and it goes until nine at night. I want you to go there and take pictures for the school newspaper and the photo booth. They asked me this morning if I knew of any students that would like to take pictures strictly on a volunteer basis. If you want I can tell them that you will be there and those twelve hours can also be used as part of the forty hours of community service that you need to complete to graduate. If you agree I want you to take the photos and then write me a thousand word paper on what you have learnt about that era that day. It doesn't have to be anything amazing and I am not looking for proper English. I am strictly looking to see what you have learnt during those twelve hours about that era. If you do that then I will add five percent to your end of the year mark. Every time you do something that is extra credit I will add five percent assuming you do the job to the best of your ability. How does that sound Mr. Hunter?" Mr. Feeney asked calmly.

"I'll take it. Do I develop the photos or do they go somewhere?"

"I believe they will develop the photos that will not be used for the newspaper, but you can ask Glen Hilton, he is the one in charge of the event. He will know what he wants done with the photos."

"Ok I'll ask him then. We don't have school at least on Friday so I won't have to worry about classes. I don't have to dress up thought right?" Shawn asked slightly afraid of the answer.

"No Mr. Hunter you do not need to worry about dressing up, but I would recommend you go looking professional you never know who might offer you a photography job."

"I'll look professional I promise. Thank-you Mr. Feeney."

"You are welcome. You need to know that I am doing this out of faith in you Mr. Hunter. If you skip my classes and don't do the work I won't continue to give you opportunities to get extra credit. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal I won't let you down."

"I am sure you won't. Enjoy the day and hopefully you will learn something."

"I'll do my best. Thanks again Mr. Feeney."

"Yes now go home, do your homework." Mr. Feeney said with a smile.

"I'm actually gonna go over to Cory's place and we're gonna do it together. I'll see you tomorrow." Shawn said with a smile.

"See you tomorrow Mr. Hunter."

Shawn grabbed his bag and he headed out of the classroom and down to his locker real quick to get his books that he would need before he headed out for the grocery store. Once he grabbed a few things for the trailer for breakfast and easy dinners for the week Shawn headed back to the trailer to put it all away. He got there and sure enough his father was drinking and smoking his cigar at the table with a couple of men from the trailer park.

"Oh good you brought food. We were gettin' hungry boy." Chet said loudly with a loud laugh afterwards.

Shawn didn't say anything he just went and put the food away before he headed into his room and grabbed his sketch book and pencils before he headed back out.

"I'm going to Cory's I'll be back later." Shawn just said as he closed the door behind him.

Shawn had a very strong feeling he would come back tonight to find out that most if not all of the food he just bought would be eaten up by the three drunk men in the trailer right now. It pissed Shawn off thinking that he had bought that food to cook to feed himself and his drunk father for the week and now it would probably be all gone by the three drunk men in one night. Shawn was getting sick of this, but he had to be there to take care of his father. Shawn didn't know why, but he just felt like it was the right thing to do and something he had to do. At least tonight he was going to be eating dinner at the Matthews' place so he didn't have to worry about it until tomorrow.

Shawn arrived at the Matthews' just after four. He walked in through the kitchen and smiled at Cory who was sitting at the table doing homework while Amy was in the kitchen.

"Shawnie boy you made it." Cory said with a smile.

"I told you I would be here. Good evening Mrs. Matthews." Shawn said with a smile as he headed over to the table to sit down with Cory.

"Evening Shawn. How are you?" Amy said with a smile.

"I'm good thanks. Yourself?"

"I'm doing well. Are you staying for dinner?"

"If that's okay."

"You know you are always welcome. Are you boys going to do your homework?"

"We are, but first I need to see those sketches." Cory said to Shawn.

"Ok, but they're not finished yet." Shawn said as he opened his book bag and pulled out his sketch book.

"You sketch Shawn?" Amy asked with surprise.

"Ya I just mess around. I've sold a few with some photographs on the streets on some weekends. I've gotten a few photography jobs from it and a few people have wanted me to do sketches of them" Shawn said with a shrug as he opened is sketch book.

Amy came over to look herself and she was very impressed by what she saw.

"Oh Shawn that is beautiful."

"Shawn, man you really are talented look at these." Cory said amazed and he flipped through the book.

"Thanks." Shawn said bashfully.

"You have a true talent Shawn. They are beautiful. You know there is a woman at my work who wants to have a mural painted on her daughter's wall. She wants a Once Upon a Time theme to her little girl's room. If you think you are up for it I could get her to call you." Amy said.

"Really?" Shawn asked.

"If you want. I don't know how well you are at paint, but if you want I can get her to call you."

"Ya that'd be awesome. What's her little girl's name?"

"Danielle. She's four and obsessed with Disney. She has even gotten her a princess canopy bed. Her daughter will be gone for the week in May so she was hoping to surprise her when she came back."

"Ya it's not really my thing, but I'll give it a shot. I can sketch something real quick that you can show her if you want."

"That would be great Shawn. "

"I'll sketch something and give it to you for her."

"Perfect she is going to be thrilled to find someone as talented as you are. Plus she's willing to pay." Amy said with a smile as she headed over to the kitchen again to work on dinner.

"Awesome any extra helps." Shawn said.

"What did you talk to Mr. Feeney about?" Cory asked.

"Extra credit to try and bring my grade up. He's got me doing some volunteer work doing photography at a Renaissance Fair on Friday for twelve hours then I have to write a thousand word report on what I learnt about that era." Shawn answered.

"I don't know if I envy you or pity you." Cory said with a smile.

"I don't have to dress up just look proper and the twelve hours goes towards my community service hours that I need to graduate. So there's a plus. Also he said the report doesn't have to be all proper and perfect he's more interested in what I learnt during the twelve hours I'm gonna be there. The best part is if I do it the best I can then he's going to give me five percent on my final mark. And he'll give me more opportunities to add more percent as long as I continue to show up to class and do the assignments. "

"Good for you Shawn. People who try and show initiative are always rewarded and think of all the experience you get to have. Good for you." Amy said supportingly.

"Ya that's awesome man. We're off Friday, Topanga and I could always stop by and see you. She would probably love to go." Cory said.

"Probably already has an outfit for it." Shawn joked with a smile.

"That wouldn't surprise me actually."

"You can stop by, but I don't know how busy I'll be so I make no promises."

"Fair enough, now on to English homework." Cory said with fake enthusiasm.

Cory and Shawn worked on their homework until dinner. At dinner they all talked about their day and Shawn was always amazed that every night they would all sit down for dinner and talk about their day without having to be forced to. It was a surreal situation to Shawn and one he always missed when he was back home at the trailer. Even when he lived with Turner they would talk about their day and Turner would always listen to him and actually talk back. Where his father just gave a nod and Shawn knew he hadn't heard a word he said. It was nice to be able to talk about something without talking to a human wall. After dinner they did some more homework until about nine when it was time for Shawn too head home. After dinner Alan had also wanted to see his sketch book and Shawn couldn't help but smile at the praise he had received from Alan, a man he had always seen as his second father. Not his real father, but the father that was always there for him no matter what. Shawn knew he could go to Alan with any problem and he would listen to him and if he was mad enough he would lecture him and treat him like he was one of his own sons. It had been a comfort to Shawn over the years to know that he could always come over and he would be treated like a member of the family.

Shawn headed back to the trailer and he wasn't shocked to see that his father and now five men were sitting around the living room drinking and eating the food he had just bought. Shawn also knew that he wouldn't be able to go to bed any time soon. With a sigh Shawn headed back out of the trailer and down to Uncle Mike's garage. He knew it would still be open for another twenty minutes. When he got there he could stay in the back office and do some more homework and he could also sleep on the couch until tomorrow morning when he could go back to the trailer and get ready for school. It wasn't much, but at least he would be alone and in the quiet. It was also something he had done quite a bit in the last three months to the point where his Uncle didn't even ask him why anymore. It was the rule of the trailer park, what happens in the trailer park stays in the trailer park. Even if a child was being abused or neglected they didn't call the authorities and if they couldn't fix it themselves they would just ignore it and hope for the better. That was the point that Shawn was at, they just ignored what was happening and hoped that something changed Chet's ways once again. Shawn truly didn't know how much longer he could keep this up, but he was going to be seeing Turner on Saturday to hang out and watch movies like old times and Shawn was looking forward to it. At least he was getting on track with his life, even if he was exhausted all the time. He only had two and a half more years before he would be graduated and he could be living in the dorms. All he had to do was get his grades up and keep them up. It would take some getting used to and it would be a lot of work, but he could handle it and he would get used to it. With that small hope Shawn went to his Uncle's garage to settle in for the night.

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It was Saturday and Turner was just arriving at the garage to pick up Shawn. He wanted to really talk to Shawn tonight about how much he is working. He had noticed in the last few months that Shawn was getting to be more and more tired as each week went on. Turner wanted to know just how Shawn was holding up and what was going on at home. Tonight was going to be a perfect time to have a causal conversation about it. He saw Shawn walking out from the garage and he looked exhausted. Turner could see he had been working hard all day and Turner was glad he brought his car tonight and not his bike. Shawn would be able to relax on the drive back. Turner watched as Shawn waived goodbye to his Uncle Mike before he spotted Turner and his car. Shawn headed over to the car. Shawn got in and he sunk back into the seat with an exhausted sigh.

"You alright?" Turner asked with concern.

"Ya I'm just tired" Shawn said with a heavy voice.

"Well why don't we go pick up a pie and we can head back and just relax. You can crash there tonight if you want." Turner said as he put the car in drive and headed off for his neighborhood.

"God you have no idea how amazing a bed sounds right now. It's right up there with a hot shower." Shawn said with his eyes closed.

"I don't know what to ask first, why a bed sounds so good as you should be sleeping in one every night or why you have no hot water." Turner aid with concern.

"Electricity got cut off on Tuesday. I thought I paid it, but I must have forgotten and after having a bad record with them they cut it off now when we miss a payment. Between today's shift and tomorrow's shift at the garage I'll have enough to make the full payment so they can turn it back on. But no electricity means no heat, also means no stove or oven or anyway to cook food. I was able to start a camp fire though outback and I've been able to cook soup that I got from one of the food banks a month ago for dinner for the last few days." Shawn let out a yawn before he continued. "As for the bed I haven't slept on a bed in six months. The trailer my father got only has one room and he's sleeping in it so I sleep on the couch"

"What? Shawn why didn't you tell me you've been without electricity for six days? Why isn't your father paying the bills and not you? And why the hell if you only have one room would he have you sleeping on the couch? I don't even know where to start." Turner said frustrated at the situation.

"Because if he passes out and throws up in the bed that's his problem to clean up. If he passes out and throws up in the living room I'll have to clean it up so it's just easier to let him sleep in the room."

"Your father is drinking? I thought you said he was sober Shawn."

"He was for months then he started again when he lost his job. It's not that bad really Jon. It's nothing I can't handle. I shouldn't even be telling you this, but I'm tired and I talk a lot when I'm really tired. It's fine really it's nothing that I haven't already been through plenty of times."

"Shawn just because you are used to it, doesn't mean you should have to deal with it. That doesn't make it right. You're gonna be staying with me till Monday when I know you will have electricity again and I don't want to hear any arguments." Turner said in a serious voice.

"You won't get any from me Jon. I'm tired and having a quiet place to do my homework is a bonus. Plus I'm very confused on what the hell my History chapter is even talking about."

"I'll read it with you tomorrow and we can go over it. What do you work tomorrow?"

"I only work from noon till five tomorrow. I worked extra all this week to make up for the time difference so I could have a few hours Sunday to work on homework. I have to write a thousand word report about the renaissance for Feeney for Monday." Shawn said as they arrived at the pizza place.

"Right for the extra credit, George told me about that. You still like the same things on your pizza?"

"Yup."

"I'll be right back."

Turner got out of his car and headed inside the shop. He ordered a large pizza for him and Shawn and once it was ready he headed back into the car. He put the pizza on the backseat before he backed out and headed the rest of the way to the apartment.

"I was surprised he even let me do any extra work. I thought I would for sure hear a lecture from him. He was actually really surprised and all for it. I can't screw this up or he's not going to give me anymore and I really need marks in his class even if it's just five percent."

"What is your mark in his class right now it can't be that bad."

"Fifty-three."

"Ok that's bad, but it's a pass right now. I'll help you out with your homework tomorrow and I'm sure between the two of us we can figure out what its saying. You also have that book you have to read by Friday with a two thousand word report remember." Turner said.

"Oh shit I forgot all about it. Right ya okay."

"You need to keep all of this organized so you don't forget anything important. The school office has planners for free you should grab one that way you can keep track of everything." Turner suggested as they pulled into a parking spot.

"That's not a bad idea. I can use it to keep track of all the work I have to do too."

They headed inside and up to the apartment as Turner spoke as he held the pizza.

"Do you work a lot at the garage?"

"Twenty-five hours a week roughly, some weeks are more. Plus now I have three photography jobs within the next two months. Plus I have a job with a college of Mrs. Matthews' to paint a mural on her four year old daughter's wall. I made a sketch for her and Mrs. Matthews showed it to her and she loved it. I have to do that in May and she wants it done by the time her daughter gets back in a week. So I'll be busy plus school work." Shawn answered as they headed inside.

"Shawn you can't work that much plus be able to handle your school work. No wonder you are exhausted when do you sleep?" Turner asked as he put the pizza down on the coffee table before he removed his jacket.

"Up until a week ago I slept in your class." Shawn said jokingly, but partly true. There had been nights when Shawn didn't get any sleep and he had to sleep at school to even get any sleep at all.

"I'm serious Shawn. You can't keep working so much you'll burn yourself out. You're already well on your way." Turner said with concern.

"I'll be alright. With the photography jobs I won't need to work at the garage as much which frees up some time. I'll be okay Jon." Shawn said as he removed his jacket and for the first time Turner was able to see that Shawn's left hand was wrapped in a tenser bandage up to his elbow.

"Shawn what happened to your arm?" Turner asked with worry as he pointed to Shawn's left arm.

"Oh it's nothing. I just hurt it at work last night." Shawn said as he sat down on the couch.

"When did you work last night? You were at that fair until nine, what time did you go to work?" Turner asked as he sat down beside Shawn.

"Uncle Mike needed a car finished by morning and everyone else had already worked and gone home. I went in last night at ten and worked on it by myself until about five this morning. Then I went home and got cleaned up and slept for maybe two hours before I had to go back in for my shift for today. Around one in the morning I think I nodded off for a second and I banged my wrist between the motor and the hood. It's fine, it's just a little sore from working all day. Thankfully I'm right handed." Shawn said with a small smirk, even though how he injured it was a complete lie. His father had done it last night when he got back to the trailer. Shawn was certain his father was going to break it when he pushed him to the floor and stomped on his wrist. He then got the call to go into work and he took the chance to get the hell out of there.

"Here let me take a look." Turner said as he turned to face Shawn.

Shawn didn't even both to argue and Turner knew he was tired to not even put up a fight. Turner carefully took Shawn's wrist and unwrapped the tenser bandage and he couldn't believe that Shawn's wrist and part of his forearm as black and blue. His wrist was swollen and it looked very painful.

"Shawn how hard did you hit it?" Turner asked with worry that Shawn's wrist was actually broken.

"Pretty bad, it was one hell of a wakeup call."

"Shawn we should get this looked at it could be broken."

"It's not I've had it broken before I can move my fingers this time around. It's just sprained. It wasn't swollen before, but I guess working with it all day today it got irritated."

"You shouldn't have been working with it at all Shawn. You shouldn't be working tomorrow with your wrist like this."

"I'll be fine. It's only for five hours. I'll just be careful with it."

"You need ice on that." Turner said as he got up and headed into the kitchen. He grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and he went back over to the couch.

Shawn took the ice pack and gently placed it against the top of his wrist.

"I'll be fine Jon."

"I don't like you being hurt and I don't like the fact that you were so tired you fell asleep while working in a car. You could have cut your hand off Shawn. That worries me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault and I'm not mad at you I'm just concerned. You never used to be this tired living with me. I know you love your dad and I want you to be happy where you are living, but I'm worried about if it's the best place for you to be living in."

"I've always lived with my dad except for that year Jon. I'm used to it. Things go good for a while and then things go bad for a while. It'll turn around soon. He'll find a job and I won't have to work so much. I'll be okay Jon."

"I know you will be, but it don't make it any easier. Come on let's eat something and then you can take a shower and just relax for the night. Tomorrow we can worry about your History chapter."

"It's like fifty pages."

"Ok maybe I'll read it tonight so tomorrow we can go over it together." Turner said with a smile as he picked up a piece of pizza and put it on a plate and handed it to Shawn before he got his own.

"It's about some witches." Shawn said confused.

"Oh the Salem Witch Trials. Oh that I can explain easily. I was afraid it would be about some battle in some third world country that no one really knows about. I can do the Witch Trials."

"Well that's good because I don't get it. But it might have something to do with the fact that I tried reading on my break tonight and I could barely make out the words."

"Ya that might have something to do with it Shawn. Once you get enough sleep you'll have no problems with it. How was the fair yesterday?"

"It was different. Cory and Topanga came by to say hi. I was really busy all day and I took over three hundred photos that I have to develop for the coordinator. But he said I did such a good job that once he sees the developed photos and if he likes them he said I could work for him come the summer as an assistant. Which would be cool, because he's one of the best photographers in Philly."

"Good for you Shawn. That would be a great opportunity for you."

"Ya he has a wedding in July in Paris. Actual Paris, France and I could be going with him. It's crazy to think about it."

"That's amazing Shawn. Paris seems like a great place for you to visit. The streets are covered with artist expressing their work and art. That would be an amazing opportunity for you and learning experience." Turner said with a smile and supportingly.

"Glen, that's the guy he was telling me how he doesn't speak French so when he goes down there a few times a year he has to hire a translator. I told him how I speak French and he was really happy about that, because he wouldn't have to hire a translator."

"You speak French? We lived together for a year, why do I not know that about you? How did you learn French?" Turner asked shocked.

"When I was eight I had a babysitter in the trailer park. He was French and he taught me while he watched me after school I can read, write and speak French. I mean it's not perfect, but it's passable."

"See I didn't know that about you. That's cool Shawn and you can use that for jobs."

"Ya I guess I never really thought much of it. I just have to get through the next three months of school and then I could be working during the summer, save up as much as I can for school next year."

"You shouldn't have to worry about that Shawn. You should just be focusing on school and not having to worry about paying the bills. It's not fair to you, whether you are used to it or not."

"It is what it is Jon. He needs me, he's my dad. I'm gonna be there for him."

"I know you are, but just promise me if it becomes too much you will come to me."

"I promise Jon."

Shawn had finished eating and he got up to put his plate into the kitchen as Turner put the leftover pizza into the fridge.

"I'm gonna shower and then I think I'm just gonna crash. Is that cool?"

"Ya no you need sleep and as much of it as you can get. Go shower and then curl into bed. It's already made up for you. If you are not up by ten thirty I'll get you up so you can eat some breakfast before you go into work. I'll also pick you up at five so you don't have to walk back here."

"Ok sounds good. Then homework, lots of homework." Shawn said with a heavy sigh.

"It'll be okay we can get through it. Just rest tonight and we can worry about your homework tomorrow." Turner said with a smile.

"Ya ok. Thanks for letting me crash here."

"You're welcome here any time Shawn you know that. You still have a key so you can be here whenever you want."

Shawn gave Turner a small smile of thanks.

"Go take that shower and keep the ice on your wrist when you get out for a little bit."

"Ok" Shawn said as he headed for the bathroom so he could take a shower and then crawl into bed and sleep.

Turner watched as Shawn headed into the bathroom. He wasn't happy about what was going on, but he also knew there wasn't anything he could do about it. Shawn didn't want to leave his dad and part of Turner could understand that, but the other part of him hated that Shawn was so loyal to a man that didn't deserve it, father or not. Turner was just going to keep a very close eye on him and be there for when Shawn needed someone. Turner thought of Shawn as a younger brother and he was not about to let Shawn deal with all of this on his own. He was going to be there for Shawn and help him out. If nothing else he was always going to make sure Shawn knew he was welcome in this home whenever he needed to be here. Turner just hoped that Chet smartened up and realised just what he is putting Shawn through. With a heavy sigh Turner went and sat down on the couch. He wouldn't need to read Shawn's History book now that he knew it was about the Salem Witch Trials. So he pulled out some of his own markings and got to work on that so tomorrow he could give Shawn his full attention.

It was twenty minutes later when Shawn came out of the bathroom and headed into his old bedroom. He closed the door and without even turning the light on he went over to the bed and crawled under the covers. He made sure his wrist was propped up so he wouldn't roll onto it in the middle of the night. He put the ice pack over it and he closed his eyes. He was asleep within minutes feeling safe for the first time in months.