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"Hey Shawny!" Cory slapped Shawn on the back as the two of them walked out of the school, Topanga and Angela next to them. "Now that wasn't too hard, was it?"

Shawn smiled tightly and shook his head, "Nope, not really. Heck, if things keep going this way, I might even graduate!" A ripple of laughter from the group. "And it's smooth sailing from here. What's this, the twentieth? And we don't have to go to school until the third that's ― he pretended to count on his fingers, then just shrugged, "A lot of days of freedom."

The conversation naturally turned to the Christmas plans from there.

"Well, I'm going to Pittsburg, but my parents agreed to let me spend New Years here." A small cheer from Shawn and Topanga, half from the news, half from the look on Cory's face. Cory himself kissed Topanga, smiling at her.

Angela's fingers intertwined with Shawn's, "What're you doing for Christmas?" she asked, watching as her breath froze in the air.

Shawn shrugged, "No idea. Jack's going to his step-dad's. But I know I'll drop by Turner's―" a shrug, "Other then that, no plans."

Cory stopped, his eyebrows coming together in the middle, "Hey, speaking of dad's, did He ever call again?"

Topanga was flashing Shawn looks, but he didn't need them. "Yeah, he did. Yesterday. It's fine though, I'm okay."

Angela squeezed Shawn's hand tighter, stepping back a little. Topanga also dropped back, leaving Cory and Shawn. Cory looked stunned, almost as if he'd been hit in the head with something large, like a teapot. "Why didn't you tell me?" Cory's voice fell somewhere between worried and disappointed.

Shawn walked a little bit ahead, but let Cory catch up. "I knew you'd act like this. You are so over-protective Cor. I can handle my dad." A lie, but maybe it'd be small enough that Cory wouldn't notice.

"What're you talking about?" Cory was exasperated. "You know you can't handle him. You've never been able to. Have you seen him? He's at least three times as big as you are." True. Shawn was tall, but very thin.

Shawn knew he wouldn't be able to shake Cory off, "Okay, now you know. Just drop it, okay? Nothing else will happen."

Cory stood sot hat he was inf front of Shawn, blocking the path. His eyes were full of worry, he didn't want to see his friend hurt. Not again. "Shawn, stay over at my house, at least until the holidays are over. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Shawn's eyes searched Cory's, looking for something that would betray his friend's words. He found nothing. "Okay Cor. I'll come over on Christmas Eve, if it'll make you feel any better."

Cory smiled, throwing his arm around Shawn's shoulders. "We good?" he asked, waiting for the answer he had heard so many times.

"Yeah Cor, we're good."

Next chapter has Chet Hunter. So just review.