Chapter 2

The dust settled around her as she moved towards the fence, "One day you won't be so lucky" Tracy said as she made her way over to the gate.

"It's not a case of being lucky" she mused "It's a case of not being kicked" Kate mumbled.

"Stop trying to be a smart ass Kate," Emily said as she walked over. "One wrong move and you're up shit creek, and I thought I said to let the filly out not let him out" Emily sighed "Just do as I ask you next time. Okay" Emily said softly.

"I wasn't trying to be smart Emily," Kate said as she hopped over the fence.

"That stallion doesn't look like a filly to me" Emily said as she carried on walking away.

"Way to piss her off Kate" Tracy said as she made her way over handing her, her stetson back.

"I didn't mean to piss her off" Kate said wiping her brow.

"You know how she gets Kate"

"Yeah I know, just wish she weren't such a hard ass all the time"

"Aunt Emily a hard ass?" Robert asked as he caught the back end of the conversation.

Tracy groaned "Where's Megan?"

"She's gone to look in on the foals, Mom"

"Why don't you go and get changed and help Kate check the fencing" Tracy said softly before turning back to Kate "And while you are doing that I'll go and talk to my sister, okay" Kate sighed as she nodded. "And Kate leave the stallion from now on. Okay" Tracy warned.

"Do you both not trust me with that horse?" Kate asked.

"You've only been here a few months, that stallion on the other hand has been Emily's for the past 10yrs" she paused slightly as she watched Robert run into the farm house. "The last person that tried to rode that horse, was nearly killed a few years ago" she said firmly.

"I thought Emily was" Kate's jaw dropped slightly.

"He is used only for breeding purposes only now, so if you like your job, you'll stay well clear of him and don't get cocky around Emily" Tracy warned. "Be back before sundown, supper will be on the table" with that Tracy headed back to the house.

"Hey sweetie"

Emily raised her eyebrow slightly "Has Robert gone to help?"

Tracy nodded "You do know she isn't trying to piss you off on purpose."

Emily chuckled "I know that, but does she know how to follow orders? You can't do all this work on your own. I know we have Peter and Adam, but if she's going to fit in fully I need to know I can trust her with the only things I truly care about" Emily said handing Tracy the mug.

"Worried about the farm" Tracy teased.

"Yeah because a farm can't be replaced" she teased. "I can't lose you and I refuse to have Robert put in harm's way, you and I both know he likes to help out and if she wants"

Tracy placed her finger on Emily's lip to stop her talking. "Enough, firstly I can look after myself. Secondly I would never allow Robert in harm's way. You think I like it when you walk out this door. We are all that little boy knows Em"

Emily nodded "I know, how's the filly doing?" changing the subject.

"Seems to be doing better, are you working tonight again?"

Emily shook her head. "Having a few days off,"

JJ made her way back into Garcia's office. "What did he say?"

JJ sighed softly "He said I can take as much time as I need"

Garcia looked at her the only way she could describe her best friend was broken. "So Montana. I've found a few good places for you to stay"

JJ shook her head slightly. "Oklahoma"

Garcia turned and looked at her "Seriously?"

JJ nodded "Yep seriously"

Garcia shrugged as she pulled up a new webpage. "You sure this time?"

JJ shrugged "Yes"

Garcia pulled up the state webpages looking at the best holiday areas. JJ leaned over her shoulder. "What's that place?" she asked.

"It's a tiny town on one of the back roads, I think" Garcia said as she pulled up some more information. She chuckled slightly "Yep it's that small it doesn't even have a hotel or anywhere to let for that matter" she mused.

"What's it called?"

"Hooker" JJ laughed slightly

"That doesn't sound good" Garcia pulled up the map of the area "Talk about barren" she mused slightly. "Jayj, there are better towns to go and towns that actually have hotels and other places to let"

JJ nodded "True but looks like somewhere I want to visit"

Garcia looked at her as though she had just grown three heads. "There isn't anything to see or am I missing something?"

JJ shrugged again. "Anyway thanks I may ring round a few places tomorrow"

"JJ you'll let me know where you're going right?" Garcia asked just JJ headed out the door. "JJ!" all she got was a wave above her head.

JJ smiled as she got off the phone, she had changed her answering machine message on her works cell phone, before turning it off and leaving it in the draw at the side of her bed, before pulling her personal one out.

'Hey, sorry I didn't stick around before Pen, but I just need away from everything right now. I need to find myself again, I look at case files and think that could so easily be me. I need to be able to close my eyes and not see blood everywhere. I need to find my balance again and I can't do it while I am looking at case files or talking to my friends. I just need to be alone. I will message you when I have arrived but my phone won't be staying on for long. Please don't be upset with me or worry about me. This is something I need to do. Love you & stay safe, JJ x'

JJ sat on the edge of the bed as she hit send throwing it to the side as she ran her hand over her face. She spent the rest of the evening packing, she had turned her cell off in case Garcia tried to ring her to either find out where she was going or to talk her out of it. As much as she loved her best friend she was drowning, she was peering into an abyss and if she was honest she couldn't handle anyone right now.