Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Higher Ground characters in my story. All rights are reserved to whoever owns the show now. Yada, Yada, Yada. I'm sure you get the picture.

Summary: Scott and Shelby are forced to go their separate ways after they graduate from Horizon. Can fate bring them back together?

Category: Romance/Drama

Rating: I'll just say PG-13

Author's Note: This chapter was a long time coming. I can't believe it's been over a year since I've last updated. I'm sorry about that. It was never my intention to go that long. I just got wrapped up in other things, I guess. I will finish this story, though. I'm actually about ready to wrap up. Maybe a chapter or two left to go? I don't know. I hope that there are still some of you out there interested in reading this.

Just another little note: This story might be a little sappy, but sappy isn't always bad right? Actually, I can't really say what you might think of it so I'll just let you be the judge of that. I just wanted to give you a fair warning.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second Chances

Chapter Eleven: A Night To Remember

Roses were scattered atop the small, two person table while a single flame danced in the center. The girls had spent most of the day preparing for that night, which namely consisted of conning Auggie and Ezra into helping them. Neither were too fond of the idea to set up Scott and Shelby. Both argued that if they got back together, they would do it on their terms and only their terms.

Daisy had to admit, part of that could have been true. Their plan to provide ambiance might not have worked at all, but what was the harm in at least trying? The worst that could happen would be that they failed and even then Scott and Shelby would be no worse off then they were at that moment. That was what she had said to Ezra to finally convince him, who in turn convinced Auggie immediately afterward.

So now here they were setting the mood for, what they hoped would be a reunion for Scott and Shelby. Auggie and Ezra's job was to bring them to the table at exactly 8:00 p.m. Daisy, Katherine, and Julliette had made it clear that they didn't care what the two said to lure them, just as long as they arrived on time.

And they did.

It was 8:00 when Shelby's breath had caught in her throat and butterflies attacked the inner wall of her stomach. For a split second she smiled before catching herself and wiping it away just as quickly as it had come. Had Scott done this?

"What is all of this?" She heard his voice behind her as if her thoughts had cued his entrance.

Shelby turned to face him. "You mean, you didn't know anything about this?" They were standing a few feet apart on the gazebo overlooking the quad.

"Ezra told me that they were holding a 'group' out here. He and Auggie wanted to give everyone a chance to catch up."

Their motive suddenly clicked in her brain and she smiled in knowing as she turned back to the table. "I'm out of here." she said, trying hastily, but unsuccessfully, to make her exit.

"Wait a minute." Scott stepped into her path, reaching out to take her arms. "So they set us up. They worked hard to make this happen for us. Why not enjoy it?"

Shelby rolled her eyes. Of course he wouldn't have minded if she'd stayed. It would give him hope. "How many reasons do you want?" she asked.

"Shelby, I'm serious."

"So am I."

Without saying another word, Scott took Shelby by the hand and began to lead her toward the lit up table. Against her better judgment, she followed him. She sat when he pulled the chair out for her, and immediately regretted the action. She shouldn't have stayed there with him. Her goal was to spend as little time with him as possible. Now that she had failed, they were all but over.

"I won't try to convince you of anything, Shel." Scott promised, taking a seat opposite her. "I just want to know about you. Where are you now? What do you do?"

"Still in L.A. I'm an assistant for an editor of a small paper there. Not a glamorous job. I basically just do what he tells me to do, but there was no college degree required. That's always a plus." She still seemed so bitter, but that had always been Shelby. He smiled at the thought.

"That's really great. I'm glad things are going good for you."

"Yeah. No drama for the first time in my life."

Scott nodded. "I know what you mean." He looked down to the silver platters lying in front of them. Slowly, he removed the platters from their plates to reveal a cooked lobster for each of them.

They ate with little silence as the continued to catch up on all that had changed the passed ten years. To Shelby's surprise, their conversation wasn't awkward and carried on smoothly, without a hitch. To Scott's, Shelby was being open with him. She wasn't always trying to run, to escape what made her uncomfortable. They were actually enjoying themselves. And before either of them knew it, hours had passed and their candle began to flicker in the melted wax.

Shelby took that as her time to exit. "Looks like the night is just about through." She motioned to the candle burning out.

Scott shook his head. "It doesn't have to be."

"Yes," she nodded, "It does."

"Shelby,"

"I had fun tonight, Scott. Against my better judgment, I stayed and I had fun. I enjoyed talking to you, catching up if you will. Maybe now we can have our closure."

"You can't be serious."

"Why not?"

"Because, Shelby! What's standing in our way now?" She opened her mouth to reply only to be cut off. "Ten years ago, we didn't have a choice. We had to go where we were sent. Now, we're adults. Our parents aren't dictating our lives. We can be together. I can move to L.A. You can move to New York. It doesn't matter to me."

"You promised you wouldn't do this, Scott."

"I lied."

Her wall was crumbling, despite her will to keep it strong. Scott had made a good point. What was standing in their way now? The distance? Something more?

"What makes you so certain that we wouldn't break each other's heart again?" she asked him. "So the first time wasn't technically our fault, it still hurt us both. And we fought like crazy ten years ago. What makes you think that things could be different now?"

"I'm not saying it would be. You are the only girl that can annoy and make me so happy at the same time. You know all of the right things to say that will push my buttons and no one can get to me like you. But I love you, Shel. I want to be with you, and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make that possible. If it means giving up my partnership, I'd do it without a second thought. I want to be with you, Shel," He was kneeling at her side, squeezing her hands as if letting them go would mean letting her go. "Only you."

Shelby blinked the tears away, and opened her mouth to speak. "Okay." she said, surprising even herself. With hesitation, she slid out of her chair to be at Scott level, and smiled at his expression. "I didn't come here for this, Scott. I had no intention of it. I was more insistent on avoiding this issue completely, but okay. I do love you, Scott."

Scott smile, taking her head in his hands. He slowly leaned down until his forehead rested gently on hers. "I love you," he whispered again before taking her lips in his. And this time, when he kissed her, she didn't pull away.