Her past catches up with her

I don't own Criminal Minds and/or Higher Ground. Might not be suitalbe for younger children. Mild swearing and possibly a little vilonent.

Prologue- Mt. Horizon

Curtis places the cold, silver handcuffs on Josh. As Curtis pulls him out of the girls bathroom, Josh yells, "When I get out, I'm coming for you Shelby! I'm going to make you pay, bitch!"

"You have the right to SHUT UP! You have the right to an attorney. If you can not afford an attorney, one will be given to you. Do you understand these rights as I have told them to you?" Curtis asks, as he is obligated to do so.

"Yes," is all Josh says as he's placed in the police cruiser. All the non-cliffhangers watch as Josh's taken away.

A few days later, Curtis shows up at the hide-a-way school. Peter and Curtis talk in Peter's office, "I'm sorry Peter. The FBI's concerned about Shelby and Jess. An informant's information that Walt's recovered one hundred percent from his heart attack. He's also stated that he plans to come after the girls.

They thought that maybe the girls could take the GED test to graduate. I know Jess's still pretty young, but they would rather that both girls start college."

"Curtis, I'm not comfortable with this. But if it's going to help the girls. I guess I could give them the test. Shelby can graduated early. She only has a month and a half, but she can graduate now. I'll test Jess in a few days." Peter says, confused and a little sad. "When do I have to have Shelby ready?"

"I need Shelby in less then twelve hours. She needs to say goodbye to everyone, including Jess.

They won't be allowed to speak again." Curtis says, knowing it's going to hurt everyone. But he'd rather have them be emotionally hurt then dead.

"Curtis! My goodness! Thanks for the notice! I guess if you come back later, we'll have her ready. What time will you be back?" Peter asks with disgust.

"Ten tonight. They want to transport her by the dark of night."

"Will we get to know her name?" Peter asks, for his own benefit.

"No. I don't even get to know. They'll let her pick her own name. I'm sorry Peter. But we want her safe, right?"

"Yes. But I don't have to like it. I guess I'll see you at ten tonight," Peter says, ushering Curtis out of his office. He then heads to the class Sophie's teaching. He pokes his head in, "Sophie, could you dismiss your class and come with me please. Shelby, please come to my office in a half hour."

"Sure. Does this mean we have free time?" Shelby asks.

"Yes, just don't bother any other class." Peter says, grabbing Sophie by the arm and pulling her in the direction of his office. Sophie reluctely follows.

"Hey, what's with all the secretsy?"

"I'll tell you when we get to my office." Peter says, emotionless. Once they're in and the door's shut, Peter just paces.

"Peter, what's going on?"

"We have to have Shelby packed and She's to say goodbye to everyone forever. Even Jess. Curtis just left. FBI wants to put Jess and Shelby in witness protection. It's known that Walt's threatened the girls. And Josh's threatened Shelby. So she's getting her diploma early. She's being picked up at ten tonight. We won't be able to see, talk or write to her. It'll be like Shelby Merrick didn't even exist." Peter says with tears cascading down his cheeks.

"And we only have until ten pm? I don't know if I can do this Peter. Shelby's always felt like my own." Sophie says, starting to sob. Peter walks over to Sophie and hugs her.

"I know how you feel darlin'. But Shelby's going to be coming here in a few minutes. We have to tell her. Maybe we can have a goodbye party. I just don't know how I'm going to tell Shelby that she's to say goodbye to everyone she knows. I hope she takes it better then I did." Peter says. With that said, Shelby knocks on Peter's office door. Little did Shelby know that after she walks into that office, her life would change forever.

"Come in!" Peter says, pulling away from Sophie. Shelby walks in and notices Peter and Sophie's sad looks.

"What's going on? Oh no, what?" Shelby asks with fear.

"Shelby, Curtis came to see me a little while ago. He says that the FBI wants to put you and Jess in witness protection program. They have reason to believe that Walt and Josh are going to try to kill you. Jess's going too. So you get your diploma today." Peter says pausing.

"So Jess and I get to go away together and start over?" Shelby asks, confused.

"Well, you and Jess get to start over, but not together. You have to tell EVERYONE goodbye. You won't see or hear from them ever again. I'm sorry Shel. You get to come up with your name. We're going to throw you a graduation and going away party. Do you want to call your mother?" Peter asks, unsure.

"I don't know. Can I think about it?" Shelby asks.

"Sure. You're leaving at ten tonight. Maybe you could write her a letter." Sophie says.

"I'm going to miss my family. She's not my family. The cliffhangers and Jess. Well, you guys are too. Yes, even Juliet and David." Shelby says, smiling with a spaced out look in her eyes. Sophie hugs Shelby.

"You're a special and strong young lady. I'm sorry for what happened to you, but I'm glad it brought you here. You're truly the daughter I've always wanted. I love you and that will never change. No matter if we never see or talk to each other again. All you have to do is think of me and my arms will be tightly around you. I'll whisper 'I love you Silly Shelby'. I'll always be here and in your heart. I know you'll be ok," Sophie says, wiping her tears away. "I'm going to go get a party planned. Shelby, you're going to shine." Sophie says and quickly exits Peter's office.

"Well, she sure can talk the wind out of a balloon. Thank you for all the lessons you've taught me. I have to admit, I'm a little scared. I thought I'd always be able to pick up a phone and call you if I need a pep talk. Knowing once I step off this beautiful campus, I'm all alone. It scares me more than just a little. Peter, what am I going to do without you? I never imagined a life without you in it at least once a year." Shelby says, through a few tears.

"Well, I have to agree with what Sophie said. Just because I'm not able to see or talk to you, doesn't mean I won't always be in you life. You'll think 'what would Peter tell me to do? What would Peter do?' Just think of me as your Jiminy Cricket, you'll be fine. I'm so very proud of you. You've changed completely. You're strong enough to take care of yourself. We gave you the tools, use them. Do you want me to call a cliffhangers meeting so we can tell them or do you want to tell them in your own way?"

"I think a meeting sounds good to me. I don 't think I could do that more than once." Shelby says, talking about giving the news of her departure.

"Ok, let's go tell them." Peter says, gesturing to the door. They walk to the lodge. "Attention all cliffhangers! Please come over here and take a seat. Something's come up." Peter says, turning back to look at Shelby. Once they've all taken a seat, Shelby stands where Peter or Sophie (whom ever is leading group) usually does.

"Hey everyone. Oh, thanks Sophie. Jess, please sit down. I want to make sure everyone's here. I have some news. It looks as though Walt and Josh have it out for me. Jess, you'll be talking with Peter about your situation. I'll be getting my diploma today," Shelby pauses. The group claps and cheers for Shelby. She smiles at them and fights back tears. "Thanks guys, but there's more. The FBI's worried that Walt and Josh are going to try to have me killed. So they're pulling me in witness protection. Jess, you'll be taking your GED test real soon and then you'll be going into witness protection. We'll never see each other again. Shelby will cease to exisit. Peter and Sophie are sweet enough to throw me a graduation slash going away party tonight. Curtis will be picking me up at ten. I'm going to go pack. I don't want people to be sad. I get to start a new life with a clean slate. But you'll all remain in my mind and heart. I have to go pack."

Shelby says, rushing past everyone, exited the lodge. She heads to the cliffhanger's girls dorm. Everyone else tears up. Even the guys.

Back at the cliffhangers girls dorm, Shelby's packing her cloths. When she gets to pictures, books, and mementos, Shelby breaks down sobbing. She starts remembering some of the good times. Like when she's able to overcome her fear of heights and climb the side of that cliff to get Annie's daughter after she went missing. Being able to reunite a mother and daughter that loved each other. Then there's the time that the girls had to make a cake from scratch for Hannah. The first time Scott kisses her. The feeling she gets when Scott looks at her in that special way. The strength to stand up to Walt for her and her sister.

Then the bad times. The way Scott first treated her. The way he looked at her after he found out about her being molested. Also about the hookering. When her mother made her go home and care for Walt after the heart attack. She remembers wanting to die. Then the whole experience with Josh. On the streets and at Horizon. The awful feeling of never seeing any of them ever again. Shelby's so upset that she runs to the bathroom and vomits. Her stomach's in many knots. She tries to breath through the nausea. In walks Juliet. "I thought that's my problem."

"I'm not forcing myself to puke. It's nerves. Can you imagine leaving here and being on your own?" Shelby asks without any meanness or sarcasm.

"I guess I'd understand. But I think out of all of us, you'll be the best on your own. You're strong and independent. One part of your life's ending. Or this is an ending to this life and a new beginning to a new, better life. Sure it's scary, but it's exciting too. Imagine all the countless opportunities. I'll miss your 'Queenie' nickname. You're always a pain in my butt, but you kept my on my toes. Thanks. Daisy's going to be here in a minute. She had something to do. I guess I'll see you at the party." Juliet says, turning and leaving the bathroom, then the dorm. Shelby flushes the toilet and stands up at the sink. She cups her hands and runs some water. She puts some water in her mouth and swishes, then spits it out into the sink. She walks out of the bathroom and walks to Daisy's bed. She lays down on it and smells Daisy's pillow. She closes her eyes and drifts off to sleep.

A while later, Shelby's awakened by Daisy. " Shel, wake up. Hon, are you ok? You look kind of green." Daisy says, kneeling next to her own bed.

"I'm fine. What time is it? How long have I been asleep?" Shelby asks, thinking she dreamt the witness protection problem.

"Hon, it's five-thirty. I don't know how long you've been sleeping." Daisy says.

"Oh, Dais you should've seen this bad dream. I had to leave everyone behind. It's awful. Did I miss dinner?"

"Yeah, but we're having a party. We actually get to have cake. Peter's letting us have a twelve ounce can of coke! You can't miss this!"

"What's the party for?"

"Why don't we go see Peter."

"Why? Why am I in your bed? Why's my bed put away? My cloths! What's going on?" Shelby asks, almost in a panic.

"Shel, calm down. Let me go get Peter or Sophie."

"NO! Dais, tell me what's going on! That wasn't a bad dream! I'm leaving! Oh, why didn't you tell me?"

"Because you seemed calm and at easy. I want one more memory of you being the strong independent Shelby. I'm losing you." Daisy says, trying to hold back the tears. Shelby leans over and tightly hugs Daisy.

"We'll always be best friends. Weather my name's Shelby or Shelia. When anyone asks me who my best friend is and I'll always be saying Daisy Graves," Both girls giggle. "Come on. We have a party to get to." Shelby says, smiling.

"Let's go. I'm sure Scott wants to spend as much time with you before you leave forever." The girls just sit there for a few moments in silence. Then, they both stand up and walk out without saying a word.

A few minutes later, Daisy and Shelby walk into the lodge. Everyone yells "SURPRISE!" then starts singing 'for she's a jolly good fellow'. Shelby and Daisy smile and look at each other.

"Shelby, this cake," Sophie carries a big cake with a diploma and a picture of a girl with Jane Doe underneath it. One candle in the center, lit. "is for you. For the accomplishment of getting through high school and for your courageousness to start a new life on your own. We know you are going to make us all proud. Now LET'S PARTY! Within reason." Peter says, smiling. Everyone dances and laughs. They all have a great time. Eating cake and ice cream. Shelby and Scott kiss and hold each other. Peter and Sophie let them, knowing they'd never see each other again. They pull off into a corner where they could talk alone for a few minutes.

"I'll never forget you Scott Barringer. You are and will always be my first true love. You'll be with me until the day I die. I'll miss your touch, the way you look at me and most of all, the feeling I get when I'm with you. It'll be with me no matter what. I'll always love you Scott Barringer." Shelby says, leaning in for a long passionate kiss. When they pull apart Scott just stares at her for a few moments.

"Shelby Merrick, you're so beautiful. Don't let anyone every make you feel cheap, dirt or used. No one as wonderful as you can be anything but heavenly. If you take your confidence with you, no one will make you feel anything but what you want. You can always find me online. I'll always be listed. I'll never forget you." Scott says and kisses her again. When they pull apart, Shelby just stares at his face. She runs her soft hands over his face trying to remember his face, not just visually, but through touch too.

Curtis walks in and the music's cut off. "Sorry, but Shelby it's time to go. Say your goodbyes and I'll put your bags in the truck. You have ten minutes. " Shelby kisses Scott.

"Don't forget that you did nothing wrong and you're an amazing young man. Don't ever forget that." Shelby sheds a single tear. She walks over to Jess. Jess's already crying. "Jess, don't let anyone tell you that you aren't a special and an unique young lady. I left a letter on your bed that I need someone to give to mom. I'll always remember you as my sister and my friend. No one will ever make me forget you." Shelby hugs and kisses her on the cheek. Jess goes and stands by Scott. Scott holds her. Shelby heads over to Daisy.

"Hey you. Take care of yourself. I know you can take care of yourself. Just ask your dad. Ha! Be good to yourself. You'll find the man meant for you.. Make sure you do what you want to do in life, not what people want you to. Don't forget me," Shelby says hugging Daisy. She pulls away and heads over to Juliet.

"Hey you. Don't be so hard on yourself queenie. Auggie's been good for you. Hope everything works out the way it's supposed to for you. Take care." Shelby hugs Juliet. When she pulls away from Juliet. She stands in front of Auggie.

"Hey Aug, you take it easy. You need to look after Juliet. You're always real nice to me. Thank you for that. Stay out of trouble," Shelby hugs him, then pulls away. She steps over to Ezra.

"Hey EZ. You're going to find someone who fits with you. Don't worry or stress. Take care of yourself," Shelby hugs him and kisses him on the cheek. Then she steps over to David.

"David, you've been nothing but trouble. I hope you find your way. Ease up on everyone. They all really need it. You do too." Shelby holds her hand out to shake hands with David knowing he doesn't like to be touched. But David leans over to her and quickly hugs and pulls back. Shelby smiles then heads for the door. That's where she meets up with some teary adults.

"Hey you two. Thanks for teaching me that it's ok to be myself. And for showing me how to cope with things the right way. This is a huge coping problem. But because you incredibly warm people, I've learned to deal and move on. Now you all must do the same. Just don't forget about me, ok?" Shelby says starting to cry and reaches over to hug them both at the same time.

"We'd never forget about you. You just make us proud." Peter says still hugging her.

"I sure couldn't forget about you. We love you too much. Be a success at life. Find a man, settle down and have tons of little Shelby's. That's what life's really all about. Being happy is the other part. Don't forget that." Sophie says squeezing tighter. Shelby starts to cry harder. They pull apart as Curtis walks in.

"You all are my family. This place will always be my home. My mom and dad. And all my sisters and brothers. Take care of yourselves. I'll pray every night for you all. Bye." Shelby says with a wave.

Shelby turns and walks out of the lodge for the last time. She walks to Curtis' car. She gets in and watches the school with all her friends get smaller and then disappear forever.