Monday, summer 19th, Year 3

After all this time, I was finally back. After my father had physically abused me, I had fled to the Sunshine Islands. One day, I had the luck to find a job in Forget-Me-Not. I left my friends to begin a better life… which turned out not so better after all. I found myself falling for Skye, the Phantom Thief. He found out, however, and used it against me.

Told me he loved me, when he never had, just to get what he wanted most with women. When I found out, I knew I had over-stayed my stay. And, where else to go then the place that had greeted me ever so welcomely the first time?

I was glad, as the boat reached the dock, to finally be on land. My stomach was getting weaker every minute on the rough waters. I was to stay at my sister, Chelsea,'s ranch. I recognized a lot of people. Lanna had spotted me first. She rushed up to me, and squeezed me tightly. She informed me of all the details in her life; like the fact that after a whole year, the time that I had left, Denny had finally asked her out. I was happy for her, I really was. She called Denny over, and we chatted a bit, before I said my goodbyes. It was nice to see them again, but they weren't the ones I was aching to see most.

I made my way to Ranch Island. There, my beloved sister was watering her plants.

"Jill!" she said, rushing up to me and giving me a bear-hug. Lanna's hugs were nothing compared to Chelsea's.

"Chelsea! Can't… Breath…" I managed somehow to say.

"Oops! Sorry!" Chelsea said, giggling. Ah, same old Chelsea!

She rushed me into Taro's house so fast, I almost face planted onto the floor.

"Jill? Oh my god, it's really you! It's been too long!" Natalie said, rushing up to hug me. The people here were huggier then I remembered, but it felt nice to know I was loved. Elliot appeared out of no where and smiled, shaking my hand. "It's nice to see you back again, Chels."

"You too, Elliot!"

"So, what brings you back here, Jill?" asked Felicia.

"Oh…" She had caught me off guard. I hadn't told anyone yet…

"It's OK if you don't want to tell us. As long as it isn't as bad as the first time you came here." Taro's family had teamed up with Mirabelle and Julia to arrest my dad.

Chelsea looked at us all, confused, and squeezed Elliot's hand. "Elliot, dear, what are they talking about?" I looked at their interlaced hands with a disgusted eyebrow, and Natalie laughed. "That's exactly what I looked like when I found out!"

I looked up at Chelsea again with a raised brow. "OK, when did that happen?" Chelsea blushed. "It's a long story. But what were you guys talking about?" Of course she wouldn't know. Chelsea was my half-sister, my mother's daughter. She had found out about my father, and left him as soon as she got out of the hospital. Unfortunately, I found out too late.

"I'll tell you someday, Chelsea…" She frowned at me, but didn't say any more.

"Shouldn't you be seeing the other villagers now?" Natalie asked.

"Uh, sure. OK." I said, finally tearing my gaze away from the only family I had left.

There was one specific person I really wanted to see. I went to the Animal Shop.

"Jilly!" Quick chit-chat, more hugs, blablabla, same old. Not that I wasn't happy to see Julia and Mirabelle, because I really was. There was just someone I was very anxious to see again.

"Uh, Julia? Do you know where-"

"Where Vaughn is?" She sighed. "You haven't changed a bit. He's done work for the day, so I don't have a clue where he is."

"Oh, OK. Thanks anyway."

I went walking around, half getting exercise, half searching for Vaughn. I finally spotted him at the beach.

"Vaughn!"

The cowboy turned his head slowly, and I saw him widen his eyes. Those beautiful eyes… I missed them more then anything in the world…

"Oh, Jilly!"

Oh no. Please, Chelsea, not now, please! But, oblivious to my prayers, Chelsea rushed up anyway.

"Common already!"

"What could you possibly want…?"

"We're going to celebrate!"

I looked back at the silver haired man. He was still watching us, but when he noticed my gaze, he tipped his hat, and turned back to the sea. I guess I could always wait 'till tomorrow.

What a day! We finally finished the party. We had a few drinks, drunk singers… Good times, good times…

I decided to go back to the Animal Shop, while I waited for the effects of my drinks to wear off.

"Jill? Do you know where Vaughn is?"

"No, how would I?"

"Well, I thought he was with you! I haven't seen him since he finished work! And it's pouring rain! He could get sick!"

"Oh…" That was all I could manage to say.

I ran back to the beach, hoping he was there. Sure enough, I saw the cowboy still there, out in the pouring rain. Why did he have to be so stupid? I sat down beside him, my sister's bandana the only thing shielding me from the rain.

"Vaughn?" He looked up to me. "Vaughn, please, come back to the Animal Shop!"

"Jill? Why did you leave?" I froze. "You never told me." I left on a Saturday. He had never had the chance to say a last goodbye.

"I-I found a job… And I moved…" He looked away again.

"Oh…" We sat there in silence for a few minutes, soaking wet.

"Jill, you changed me. You made me…" He searched for the right words. "…less mean…" I giggled at his odd choice of words. "And, when you left, I felt… empty… Like a part of me was… gone… You know, you were one of my only friends." Once more, he turned his head to face me. "And the only girl I ever loved."

He put his gloved hands on my chin, tilted it upwards, and kissed me softly.

You know, maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to come back…

My first one shot... Well, it used to be a one-shot... Thanks to some really nice comment, I've been inspired to continue! I corrected one part, where I accidently put Chelsea in Jill's place (I sat down beside him, my bandana the only thing shielding me from the rain.) What did you think of the story? Terrible, I know, but I kind of rushed it. I still feel like bragging though, so… 1047 words. It's OK, I guess… I thought Jill X Vaughn would also be pretty interesting...

Anyway, please review!