Thane and Kolyat caught up with Shelby and Porter, walking on either side of Porter's head. Shelby stopped in the grassy area beside the gravel then concrete driveway. Thane and Koylat simply looked at her.

"It's not good for his feet for me to ride him across the gravel." Shelby explained as she dismounted and led Porter through the gravel driveway to the concrete slab that connected to the garage, Porter's metal shoes on his two front hooves clicking against the concrete.

Thane and Kolyat followed beside them and then, Thane told her to wait there with Kolyat. Thane walked to the other side of the garage, onto the wooden porch and disappeared behind a wall for a moment. Thane came back and motioned for their guest to come out. She walked out from behind him and Shelby's face lit up as she smiled from ear to ear.

Shelby tossed her reins over the side of Porter's poll and ran towards her.

"SELENA!" Shelby excitedly exclaimed as Selena's eyes bugged out a little as Shelby practically tackled Selena into a hug, not giving Selena a chance to react differently.

"Hi Shelby!" Selena said as she briefly hugged back.

Shelby stepped back as Selena let go, still smiling.

"I can't believe you're here! Where's Garrus? How long can you stay? How's life? Man, it's been a long time!" Shelby's words seemed to fly off her tongue at Selena.

Selena and Kolyat subtly exchanged "good grief" looks at each other, Thane just walked up to Shelby, smiling, and put an arm around Shelby's waist and rested his hand on her hip.

"I'm glad to see you too Shelby! It has been too long. Garrus said that since I would only be staying for three days, he would let us have some time together, just us. I tried to get him to come, but he kept giving me the same answer." Selena explained.

"That's alright. Just be sure to tell him Hi and happy holidays for me." Shelby said.

Selena smiled a little. "Sure thing."

"You're very pleasant right now... I like it!" Shelby stated.

"It's Christmas time. Even I'm not mean enough to be my normal harsh self through Christmas." Selena said.

"So, at of the end of Christmas I can expect the "frick'n hell" side of you to be back?" Shelby lightly teased.

Selena threw a teasing tone right back at her. "Well, duh!" The two laughed as Shelby took them all back to the barn to put Porter away for the night, giving Kolyat and Selena a pony ride on Porter the whole way back with Thane right by her side.

Shelby couldn't help but smile at Kolyat's face. He was holding onto Porter's shorter, clean cut, mane for dear life as Selena sat right behind the saddle, propping herself up with her arm behind her on Porter's hindquarters. "I'm so glad you're all here!" Shelby said.