A/N: This is for all the people who wanted me to turn the tables on Jax and make her worry about Joe for once :)

Joe Betrays Jax:

Billy couldn't believe what he just heard in town, he had to tell Jax and Joe. He didn't bother to tell anyone where he was going, so he'd probably get in trouble when he got home. This was more important than punishment; it was his turn to come up with an adventure.

Hoss saw Billy as he rode up the path.

"Hey, Billy isn't it kind late to ride out here?"

"Maybe, can I see Jax and Joe?"

"Go ahead and they're in the barn."

"Thanks Hoss."

Billy ran into barn.

"What are you doing here?" Jax said beaming.

"I have to show you something," Billy said handing Jax the flyer.

"A horse race?" Jax asked puzzled.

"Yeah, remember last summer when we had one?

"No, Pa wouldn't let me go, because women shouldn't watch horse races," Jax said bitterly.

"Sorry, I forgot because Joe was there. Anyway, I know it's in Reno but I was thinking it would be fun," Billy said.

"So we have to figure out a way to go. There is no way our fathers will take us or let us go," Jax said.

Joe walked in at that point caring a pail of water for the horses.

"What are you doing here?" Joe asked smiling.

"Had to bring something out and run it past you and Jax." Billy said handing him the flyer.

"Let's go."

"Remember, we really have to plan this out," Jax warned.

"We should all think about it tonight and talk about it at school tomorrow," Billy said. "I better go…"

Tim stormed into the barn at that moment and grabbed his little brother,

"WHAT ARE YOU DOIN OUT HERE?"

"Just wanted to go for a ride, Tim," Billy said without a hint of concern.

"MA IS GOING OUT OF HER MIND."

"I left a note," Billy said.

"Tell Pa that. Get on your horse," Tim said.

"Good luck, Billy," Jax said feeling sorry for her friend.

"Thanks, I think I'm going to need it tonight," Billy said smiling faintly.

"Go easy on him, Tim," Jax said.

"He has nothing to worry about with me. I would have done the same thing. I told Pa not to push him this hard," Tim said smiling. "I just had to yell, so I could say I blistered his ears."

"Could you give him a swat and say you blistered his backside too? Maybe your Pa won't," Jax asked smiling innocently.

Tim laughed at that and rode off with his little brother.

"Did I hear Tim Martin?" Adam asked as he walked out of the house.

"Yeah, Billy stopped by without permission," Joe said.

"Tim was mad?" Adam asked shocked.

"No, he just wanted to say he blistered his ears," Jax said laughing. "I told him to tell his Pa he blistered Billy's backside too."

"He won't do that," Adam said laughing. "Finish up your chores. It's almost supper time."

"Ok," Jax said.

The next day at school Billy ran up and hugged Jax.

"What was that for?"

"As I got off my horse Tim swatted my backside hard, saying it was your idea. Well I was so mad at you until Tim told Pa he already tanned me," Billy said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I had to promise not to do it again or he would tan me before handing me over to Pa."

"Good, I was worried," Jax said smiling.

"Hey no hugging my sister," Joe said pushing Billy.

"Sorry Joe, I had a brilliant idea about going to the race," Billy said.

"Really," Joe

"We can say we are going camping," Billy said.

"Pa won't let us go without Adam or Hoss." Jax said.

"I'll tell my Pa we're going with Hoss and you can tell your Pa you're going with Tim," Billy said.

"You really are spending too much time with us," Joe said laughing.

"It's kinda an easy plan, and we've used it before," Jax said sounding worried.

"What's the worst that could happen?" Billy said.

"I think we've created a monster," Jax laughed as she walked into the classroom.

The school day dragged on and Joe was dreaming of the horse race. He bet he could win it with Cochise. He couldn't wait to tell Jax and Billy his plan about winning the race. He knew they would agree with him and tell him to enter the race.

"There's no way Cochise can win a horse race," Jax said crushing his dream.

"Why not?"

"Cochise can barely beat Miss Lily," Jax teased.

"You wanna bet?" Joe said harshly not realizing his sister was teasing him.

"Sure, a week's chores if Cochise only wins by two minutes," Jax said.

"Ok, I'll give you five minutes."

"Fine, all the way home."

Billy looked at Jax and saw the evil gleam in her eye. She was up to something with the all the way home aspect. He would ask her tomorrow about it.

"Are you both ready?" Billy said. Jax and Joe nodded. "On your mark, get set, go."

The race was on. Joe was right Cochise was much faster than Miss Lily, but Joe forgot about the forbidden short cut and he didn't say Jax wasn't allowed to use it. The moment Joe was out of sight Jax turned down the shortcut, meeting Joe on the road leading up to the house. There was no way he was going to beat her by five minutes. They raced into the yard at full steam.

"YOU TOOK THE SHORT CUT!" Joe yelled.

"You didn't say I couldn't," Jax said.

"IT WAS A RACE AND YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE A SHORTCUT."

"WHAT THE DEVIL ARE YOU DOING RACING INTO THE YARD LIKE THAT?" Ben yelled as he ran out of the house.

The twins looked at their father and knew exactly why he was angry, their mother had died because her horse tripped as she rode hard into the yard.

"No sir," They both said praying he wouldn't tan them. The last time had them wanting to stand for almost a week.

"Cool those horses down and plant yourself on the settee for the rest of the night."

"Yes, sir." They both said.

Joe glared at Jax the entire time they were cooling down the horses. Finally, Jax was sick of it,

"Joe, I won so get over it."

"You cheated."

"No, there were no rules set, so I didn't cheat."

"You know we can't use that path. Pa would wail the tar out of you if he knew."

"He doesn't know and Joe, I won," Jax said smiling.

Joe kept brushing Cochise, glaring. Jax threw her currycomb at him hitting hard in the face and making him get a bloody nose.

"Joe, I'm sorry," Jax said running over to him.

He pushed her down and stormed out of the barn.

Jax walked into the house a few minutes later and was greeted by her furious father, for the second time in less than an hour.

"What happened to your brother?"

Jax shrugged her shoulders earning her a sharp smack to her backside.

"Go sit on the settee."

"Yes, sir."

Jax looked a Joe's face and felt extremely guilty. She would have to apologize when they were alone.

The hours before supper dragged on, this was one of their least favorite punishments, especially when they were angry with one another. Ben was surprised; usually he would have to tell them not to talk to each other. Tonight they weren't even looking at one another. If Jax hit Joe he would at least glare at her. Something was going on. Finally, Hop Sing called them to supper.

"Ok, you're free," Ben said.

They were at the table smiling. Joe was still angry at Jax, but knew better than to argue right now.

"What happened to your face?" Adam asked.

"I was hit with a currycomb," Joe answered truthfully.

"How did you manage that?" Hoss said.

"I don't know."

"Did Billy get in trouble for coming out here?" Hoss asked.

"Tim took care of it," Jax answered.

"You were able to con Tim into telling his Pa that he tanned Billy over here?" Adam asked incredulously.

"I don't know if it was me or not for sure," Jax said smiling.

Adam shook his head.

"I guess, I need to have a talk with Tim," Adam said.

"Why? It isn't any of your business," Jax said.

"Was it your business last night?"

"Yes, I was helping my friend."

"That's what I'm doing too."

"No, you're getting involved because you think older brothers should rule over younger siblings," Jax snapped.

"Jacqueline," Ben warned.

"Sorry Pa," Jax stopped talking but glared at her older brother.

"Jacqueline, glaring," Ben warned again.

Jax looked at her plate and didn't say another word for the rest of supper.

"You both have homework to finish. Go on upstairs and get it done," Ben said.

"Yes sir," They both said.

Jax followed Joe straight into his room,

"Joe, I'm sorry."

"Admit you lost the bet and that Cochise could win the race this weekend."

"I didn't and Cochise won't."

"Then I don't' forgive you. So get out," Joe snapped.

"Fine be a baby about it," Jax said.

The next morning Joe was still angry at his sister. First she cheated and then she hit him. Well, until she admits she is wrong, he taking a page out of her book and wasn't talking to her.

"So are you still mad?" Jax asked. Joe pushed passed her. "Guess so."

Jax decided she was going to have fun with Joe's temper tantrum. He wasn't as stubborn as she was, so if she bugged him enough he would get over it.

Joe stormed down the stairs. He had a black eye from the currycomb.

"How's your eye?" Ben asked.

"Ok," Joe said not looking up.

"Morning," Jax said smiling.

"Good morning," Ben said.

"Good Morning Joe," Jax said knowing he would have to talk to her. Pa didn't allow rudeness at the table.

"Morning."

"Did you sleep well?" Jax said smiling.

"Yes."

"Do you know when our math test is this week?"

"Friday."

"Joe, will you please pass me the syrup?" Jax said sweetly.

Joe pushed it over to her glaring. Ben didn't miss Joe's anger towards his sister.

"What's going on?"

"Joe's mad because he lost a bet," Jax said laughing making Joe's temper soar.

"What kind of bet?"

"The horse race was her idea and she cheated," Joe said.

"How did she cheat?"

"She took the shortcut off the main road," Joe said. Jax stared in shock at her brother. He had just told on her.

"Jacqueline, is that true?"

Jax was still looking at her brother in utter shock and didn't answer.

"Go back upstairs," Ben said.

"Pa…" Jax started but stopped at her father's fierce look and ran up the stairs.

"Joseph, tell Miss Jones your sister will be a little late," Ben said as he pushed away from the table.

"Yes sir," Joe said guilt washing over him, especially when he saw his father take off his belt as he walked up the stairs. He didn't want to hear what he just caused so he ran out to the barn.

"Where's Jax?" Hoss said. When he heard his father start yelling, "I see."

Joe didn't say another word he jumped on Cochise and rode away.

Ben walked into his daughter's room belt in hand.

"WHY AREN'T YOU ALLOWED TO TAKE THE SHORTCUT?"

"It's too dangerous. The horses can trip easily and there are a lot of rattlesnakes," Jax said miserably.

"SO WHY DID YOU DISOBEY ME?"

"I wanted to win the race and Cochise is faster than Miss Lily."

Ben's belt took over the conversation from there. It was a pretty long and hard conversation that left Jax sobbing hard and vowing that Joe was going to pay for this.

"Fifteen minutes and you're off to school," Ben said. "I'll have Hoss drive you and pick you up. You are not allowed to ride on your own for two weeks, so you'll remember to stay on the main road. You're also restricted to the yard and have extra chores during those two weeks."

Not only had Joe gotten her tanned, and restricted. Now she had the humiliation of being dropped off and picked like a little kid. Joe was absolutely dead.

The fifteen minutes flew by, she wasn't ready to leave yet, but knew better than to argue. She washed her face and walked downstairs. Hoss was waiting outside and smiled.

"What happened, kiddo?" Hoss said.

"Nothing," Jax pouted as she lowered herself gingerly onto the seat of the buggy and thought fifteen minutes really wasn't long enough to recover.

"Pa doesn't tan you for nothing," Hoss said.

"Hoss I don't want to talk," Jax said wiping angry tears from her eyes.

The minute they were at the school, Jax jumped out of the buggy.

"I guess, Adam or I will pick you up. So make sure you wait," Hoss said.

Jax walked into the classroom to her seat next to Billy without looking at her brother and tried not cry as she sat down.

"What happened?" Billy whispered.

"Joe's a tattletale and got me tanned this morning," Jax whispered.

"Jacqueline, you already interrupted my class by coming in late."

"Sorry, Miss Jones."

The morning went by slowly. First because Jax couldn't wait to tell her brother off and second because it was absolute torture to sit on the wooden bench so soon after the tanning she took this morning.

The minute recess began, Jax walked up to her brother and pushed him hard.

"WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM? I CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT YOU DID THIS MORNING! I KNEW YOU WERE POUTING, BUT I NEVER THOUGHT YOU WOULD BETRAY ME LIKE THAT," she yelled.

"Sorry," Joe said feeling guilty.

Jax stormed away at that moment because she would punch him if she didn't and she wanted to cry again.

"What happened?" Billy asked.

"I was mad at her for saying Cochise wouldn't win a horse race and she cheated yesterday to prove her point, to make thing worse she threw a currycomb at me. My plan was to not talk to her, but she was being such a pest this morning I lost my temper. Pa asked what was wrong and she gave me an opening. The moment the words were out of my mouth I wanted to take them back, but I couldn't. "

"She's not going to forgive you easily."

"I know," Joe said miserably.

"You want me to talk to her?"

"Sure, but I don't think it will help," Joe said.

Billy walked to the side of the schoolhouse where Jax was hiding trying hard not to cry.

"You ok?" Billy asked.

"No," Jax said.

"Is there anything I can do?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"No," Jax said her voice breaking at that point.

"Jax," Billy began and saw the tears forming in his friend's eyes. Jax never cried at school. He pulled her farther from the school so no one would see and let her cry. He didn't care when he heard Miss Jones ring the bell, he wasn't making her walk back into that classroom until she was done crying. "I'm going to tell Miss Jones, you're sick and I'm taking you to my house."

Jax just nodded her head. Billy was back the next minute and they walked farther away from the school and sat on a log.

"I can't believe he betrayed me like that," Jax said through sobs.

"I don't think he meant to. He was mad at you and let his anger get the best of him."

"It doesn't matter, we never tell on each other."

"Jax seriously, I don't think he was thinking. You know when you get mad you have trouble thinking."

"I still wouldn't get him in trouble."

"Jax, he feels awful. He tried to come with me, but thankfully Miss Jones told him he couldn't."

"I guess we better get back or go see your father."

"We don't have to do either," Billy said.

"Billy, you are becoming more and more like us. I don't want another tanning today and I'm being picke up by one of mt brothers so Miss Jones would say something. I guess we should see your father first and go back to school."

"Ok, come on. We can tell Pa you have a headache and were crying because of it. He knows you usually don't cry. Unless you get shot or have to get your bullet wound cleaned," Billy teased making Jax push him.

Dr. Martin was shocked to see his son and Jax walking up to the office. He was even more shocked that Jax looked like she had been crying.

"What's wrong?" He asked

"Jax has a bad headache." Billy said.

"Let me get you some powders and you can lay down for awhile. Billy head back to school."

"Yes sir."

Billy was back in the school a few minutes later. Joe stared at his friend wanting to know what was going on. Billy wrote a quick note saying Jax had a headache and she was at his house.

At lunch both Billy and Joe walked over to the Dr. Martin's office.

"She's still sleeping," Dr. Martin said quietly.

"Is she ok?" Joe asked.

"Yes, just really emotional which isn't like her."

"Is she coming back to school?" Billy asked.

"Maybe after she wakes up. Did she ride to school today?"

"No, Hoss drove her," Joe said.

"Good, I don't want her riding a horse home today. Send whoever picks her up to the office after school."

"Yes sir." Joe said.

"Come on let's get back to school," Billy said.

Joe walked not saying a word. Finally Billy pushed him and said,

"You owe her a huge apology."

"I know."

"Quit beating yourself up, she's fine. She's going to pound you, just so you're prepared," Billy said smiling.

"Why is it that she can cheat and give me a black eye and I feel guilty about getting her tanned?"

"Because, you broke a promise you've had for forever."

"I know. I don't even know where to begin to make her forgive me."

"We'll I would find away or she's going to make your life miserable."

"I will."

Jax show up about an hour after lunch was over, she handed Miss Jones a note and took her chair. Billy squeezed her arm the minute she sat down. She refused to look back or acknowledge Joe.

Joe hoped he could talk to her after school, but the minute he walked out he realized things had just gotten worse. Adam was sitting there instead of Hoss.

Miss Jones beamed when she saw Adam and walked down the stairs with the twins.

"Adam, your sister spent most of the morning with Dr. Martin with a bad headache. He would like you to stop by for more headache powders."

"Thanks you, Miss Jones," Adam said.

Jax climbed into the buggy refusing to look at Adam.

Adam walked into Doc Martin's office

"Your sister wasn't feeling well this morning and I gave her some headache powders. I wanted to give you some more, just in case she gets another one tonight. I would have kept her all afternoon, but she wanted to go back to school."

"Thank you. I'll let my father know," Adam said.

Adam got back in the buggy and asked,

"What's going on?"

"Just a headache," Jax said.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

Joe rode quietly next to the buggy. They refused to look at each other. Joe was taking tentative looks, but Jax just looked down.

"Ok, what is going on?" Adam said harshly.

"Nothing." They both said.

"Pa told me about this morning and if you went to Doc. Martin because you didn't want to sit on a hard bench all day, Pa will tan you twice as hard."

"I had a headache Adam. I sat on the bench for two hours before Billy took me to Doc Martin's. Plus wouldn't a doctor know the difference between a sore backside and a headache. The anatomy is totally different," Jax snapped.

"You're about ready to have an even sorer backside, if you snap at me like that again."

Jax looked back down.

"Something is going on and I want to know what," Adam said sternly.

"Nothing," They both said again.

"Fine, I'll let you two work it out. Jax when we get home, you need to go to your room."

"Why?"

"You were sick today and I think you should get some rest."

"Ok," Jax said.

Adam was surprised that she didn't argue. Usually she would say the headache was gone and she didn't want to waste a beautiful day in her room. She must not feel well still.

Jax walked up to her room and put on her night cloths. She was glad that she wouldn't have to go down for supper. She had no desire to sit at the table and try to act happy.

Joe's betrayal was hard to accept and she was absolutely heartbroken. Every time she looked at Joe she wanted to cry and it infuriated her. She should want to pound him, not cry. How could this one act hurt so much? She had worse tannings in her life and had many tannings because of something Joe did. Why was this so different? To her irritation the tears came again and she started crying.

Joe was out in the barn, not feeling much better. He did his chores and without being asked did his sister's chores. Adam saw him doing Jax's chores and asked,

"What's going on?"

"Nothing," Joe said.

"Why did you tell on her this morning?"

Joe looked at his older brother in shock.

"Joe, you two have taken tanning upon tanning because you refused to tell on each other. Now this morning, you turned her in without batting an eye. So what was different?"

"I don't know. I was really angry this morning about yesterday. As soon as I said it I wanted to take it back."

"What happened yesterday?"

"She cheated and," Joe stopped.

"And threw a currycomb at you."

"I decided I wouldn't talk to her, like she does to me all the time. She wasn't accepting it and kept bugging me. Finally Pa asked what was going on and before I knew it she was heading upstairs for a tanning because I betrayed her."

"Temper must have gotten the best of you," Adam said.

"Jax's temper is worse than mine and she's never betrayed me."

"Joe, she'll forgive you. Don't worry."

"Jax can hold a grudge for a while."

"I won't let her, "Adam said confidently and added, "Get your chores done and thank you for doing Jax's without my having to ask you."

Adam walked into Jax's room to find her sleeping. It looked like she had cried herself to sleep. He decided to leave her alone and walked back downstairs.

Ben came in from the lumber camp right before supper. He knew the twins would be at each other's throats about this morning and he wasn't looking forward to the fight. He bet Adam had them on the settee waiting for him, to his surprise Joe was doing homework and Jax was nowhere to be found.

"Where's Jax?"

"Upstairs. She spent most of the day at Dr. Martin's because of a headache. I told her to get some rest. The last time I was up there she was asleep."

Ben walked up and saw his sleeping daughter. Like Adam he realized she had been crying. He sat on her bed and stroked her hair. Jax woke up,

"Hi, Pa," Jax said sleepily.

"Are you ok?" Ben asked.

"Yes, sir."

"Why were you crying?"

"My head hurt."

"Do you need more powders?"

"No, I don't like how they taste."

Ben picked his daughter up and hugged her.

"Is this about Little Joe and this morning?"

Jax shook her head no, but the stupid tears came again.

'Are you sure?"

"Pa, how could he do that to me?" Jax said crying.

"He was angry at you and you pushed him until he broke."

"I never would tell on him," Jax said still crying.

"I bet he feels worse than you do."

"I should be angry, so why am I sad?"

"You think he betrayed you and that hurts."

"I don't think, I know he betrayed me," Jax said angrily. Ben laughed at her anger.

"Jacqueline, that minute Joseph told me you cheated, I knew what you did."

"So he told on me twice."

"No, he didn't. The only way you'll feel better is to talk to your brother," Ben said.

"I don't want to talk to him," Jax said adamantly.

"You don't have a choice," Ben said and called Joe.

Ben left his twins in Jax's room with a warning.

"I hear anything break and both of you will find yourselves over my knee. Do you understand?"

"Yes sir," They both said.