I've been getting such amazing feedback from all of you, through PM's and reviews and follows and favorites, so thank you so much for your support! I have so great plans for this fic, so I hope you'll stick around! My goal for now is to try to update every day or every other day, so there should be a lot of updates headed your way. In about two weeks though, I will be heading into finals week, so if I start to slack off, be patient! Or, be impatient and send me a PM telling me to get my ass in gear! Thanks once again, and here is chapter 3!

Callie stared at Miranda in shock. She had just met this horse, and Miranda was already expecting her to figure out how to help it? she questioned to herself. She glanced back at Chance, and decided that confidence was probably the best solution. To show lack of fear towards the gate, Callie took a step forward, dragging Chance in tow, and slowly touching the gate, being careful not to make sudden movements. She grabbed the gate, and stood there for a second, hoping to convey that this gate was harmless, and that he shouldn't be afraid. That seemed to do the trick, and Chance took his focus off of the gate, and looked to Callie for his next instruction. Callie let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, and continued to march forward until they were all the way in the arena. Miranda watched as the young brunette stroked the horses neck, and gave it quiet praise.

"You're a natural" Miranda said, "He's starting to trust you already, but you know that means that eventually, you'll have to trust him back, right?"

Callie stood, tense, as she listened to what Miranda said. She hated 'trusting' anyone or anything. It was just an easy way to get let down or hurt. Callie sighed as she fought herself internally. She knew that if she never trusted the horse, there would never be any progress and she would have to go back to that wretched psychology office to continue appointments there. Callie finally nodded, letting Miranda know that she was at least willing to try.

Miranda smiled, and walked over to Callie, patting her shoulder as she slid past and continued on to Chance. Chance watched from his peripheral vision, and started to back away when Miranda approached, almost dragging Callie with him. Callie stood her ground and clucked softly, letting him know that Miranda was okay and that he was safe. She walked up closer to his nose and pet him, trying to distract him so that he wouldn't be nervous. Chance nickered and blew air onto Callie's hand while nuzzling her palm. Callie thought she felt her heart melt as the horse warmed up to her.

Miranda finally spoke once more, "I guess I should tell you a little background on Chance. He was found three weeks ago, at a small private farm just north of San Diego. His owners had been abusing and mistreating their animals for a long time. Sometimes they went days without food. When the Animal Cops arrived at the home, one horse had already died from malnourishment, and two others, Chance and another horse we are keeping here, Lucky, were on the brink of death. After the Animal cops rescued them, they brought them here and they have been rehabilitating ever since." Miranda finished

Callie looked at her in disbelief, "Why the hell would someone want to hurt an innocent animal like Chance, did the owners get in trouble? I hope so, because mistreating animals is so messed up."

Miranda stared at Callie with a puzzled look on her face, "Callie, I read your file, you were abused too, that wasn't okay. You're innocent just like he is, they had no right to hurt you in anyway either." Miranda said with a concerned look on her face.

Callie stood in shock for a moment, and then turned back to Chance and began petting him, hoping to avoid answering the question.

Miranda saw straight through her plan, "You know Callie, you have to answer questions, this is all a part of your therapy. You canto try to evade my questions. I used to be great at avoiding questions, so I know all the tricks. Callie, you do know that thode people shouldn't have hurt you, yes? Please answer my question."

"I deserved it" Callie mumbled, in a tone barely above a whisper.

"What did you say?" Miranda asked, curiously.

"Because I deserved it! I deserved every minute of it, because I couldn't save Jude, and because I' m a bad person, okay? You happy now?!" Callie answered fiercly.

This time Miranda looked at the teen in disbelief before speaking, "Callie, honey, you did not deserve it. Those pepole that hurt you may have told you that, but that was them trying to justify their actions, actions that had no justification. I've known you like, an hour now, and just by your personality and the way you treat Chance, I can tell you're no where close to a bad person. You seem like a pretty awesome person to me."

Callie laughed bitterly and rolled her eyes. 'This woman doesn't even know me' she thought to herself.

"I'm sure thats what you tell all your patients here, that we're all sunshine and rainbows, but I can tell you right now, I'm nothing special. I could disappear right now, and no one would miss me." Callie stated with a scary amount of confidence.

Miranda rolled her eyes this time, "I read from your file that you have a little brother, and a wonderful foster family. You dont think they'd miss you?" Miranda asked.

"Not for long, and if they did, they'd get over it quickly." Callie answered somberly.

"I find that hard to believe. I've only known you for a little while, but I'd miss you if you were gone." Miranda replied.

Callie had never seen such a look filled with so much sincerity. She honestly couldn't convince herself that Miranda didnt mean what she had said. Callie felt a wetness on her cheek and swiped at her eyes. She hadnt even realized she'd been crying. Suddenly, Miranda hugged the teen. Callie tensed, and stood motionless for a second, before returning the hug, something she only did on rare occasions. As soon as they released, Callie turned back to Chance, trying not to look embarassed. She hadn't said that much in all of her therapy sessions combined, and out of no where this horse and this crazy girl were making her spill her guts. Chance nuzzled Callie'a arm and nickered softly. This barn was beginning to grow on Callie, but she didnt know how she felt about it.