A/N: Thank you all so much for your ideas, and with them I no longer have writers block! I figured that it was about time for a certain question to be answered, so I hope you enjoy this chapter. Before reading Chapter 4 however, if you already read Chapter 3, go and read the last paragraph of that first. I had to add something to it in order to make the next few chapters work for the story. Thanks again for your support, and reviews. And if you have another idea for me, send it my way, who knows how it might help me!

Chapter 4

All the horses had been gently tucked into their stalls for the night with a generous dinner of grain and alfalfa. The evening was warm so the massive stable doors were left open to allow a breeze to filter through. A strip of moonlight crawled silently down the corridor, broken only by the shadows of dozing thoroughbreds. But not everyone was sleeping.

Blackbird stood within the blackness of his stall, wondering to himself if Flight Angel was asleep. Every so often he would poke his head through his door to glance into the darkness of her stall, but every time he would slink back into the shadows, not wanting to disturb her. When finally he heard the rustling of shavings a few minutes later, he spoke.

"Angel?" His voice was barely a whisper.

She replied drowsily, "Hmm?"

"I um, I didn't mean to wake you, but-"

"I wasn't sleeping." After a long pause of awkward silence waiting for him to continue talking, Angel took it upon herself to lead the conversation. "I heard you spoke to Phoenix?"

Blackbird, grateful that she had spoken, replied enthusiastically, "Oh yes! We had a great conversation the other day."

Angel smiled, "What was it about?"

"We talked about the difference between a good racehorse, and a great racehorse. It was very enlightening." After finishing his response he thought to himself, Why do you have to sound so stupid? Who says enlightening?

"So I guess he has taken you under his wing then? I knew he was up to something, that Phoenix!" she shook her head.

"Oh I'm not sure about that, we just spoke that's all."

"We'll see, I think he sees something in you." She winked. After another long pause, Blackbird changed the subject.

"I've been watching you a lot lately." After the words had passed his lips, he scolded himself. Great, just perfect. Now she's going to think that you're some kind of stalker.

With a very interested tone, she replied, "Have you?" Her voice was soft and understanding. He is trying so hard. Inwardly, she smiled.

Not sure exactly what to say, he nodded.

"And what have you seen?" she questioned delicately, and then asked herself, Have I overstepped my boundaries? There was a moment of uncertainty that she thought surely she had, when he spoke.

"I have seen," Blackbird paused briefly. "What everyone sees."

She shifted her bodyweight from one leg to the other, then without thinking she pressed him further. "And what is that, Blackbird?" Her voice was the texture of velvet.

He smiled, no longer afraid of what he said to her. "The most beautiful and talented filly to ever grace the presence of a stallion." Her eyes softened, and in an instant her head was rubbed affectionately under his chin. He sighed a deep breath of relief, and nuzzled her cheek, his nostrils flaring at the sweet smell of her coat. "It's true Angel. You are like sunshine, my sunshine, you light up my world."

She pressed her cheek up against his, her eyes closing with happiness. "I wouldn't want to be anyone else's Blackbird, and I wont be."

Blackbird's heart swelled with pride and love. Could this be? Was he dreaming? What filly would want his affections, he wasn't even as talented as Rusty. He wasn't even as good looking; although he did have manners. How is it that she had feelings for him? He was stunned, but happy all the same.

She licked his cheek and smiled. "Not that I don't enjoy spending my time with you, Blackbird, but I do believe you and Rusty have some kind of mock race to settle on the track tomorrow morning? Didn't Mr. Thomas want to weigh your improvement?"

He nodded slowly. "Indeed he did. And then the next morning, you will leave me." His voice was heavy with sadness.

She nickered softly. "I will do my business in California, and before you know it I will be home again. And hopefully I will have another title when I return to you."

"No one can beat you Angel, you know that."

She hesitated, "I'm not so sure. I will do the best I can but I hear they have a filly in the west that is also unbeaten."

"I have faith in you."

"And I have faith in you for tomorrow. With everything Phoenix has been teaching you, I have no doubts about the outcome." She smiled, nuzzling his cheek in confidence.

"Thank you." Flight Angel, with a final glance ducked her head once again into the blackness of her stall. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Blackbird," she swooned.

He smiled, but before retiring to his bed of shavings for the night, he needed to settle one last thing. "Angel?"

"Yes?" she whispered from the darkness.

He twisted his face in uncertainty. "You wont forget me will you?"

In a moment her long face appeared in the doorway again, her eyes softened with understanding. "I can't forget you Blackbird. You're my everything." She nuzzled his face once again with assurance, and then finally turned in for the night. Blackbird, his heart filled with complete happiness, quickly did the same.

A/N: Alright guys, everyone is asking if this story is going to have anything to do with Spirit. Yes! Of course it is, you'll just have to be patient. Actually, I'm thinking that this story might be a prequel to another story. It's risky to say, but we will see. Spirit wont actually be in it, but his ancestors will. If I do decide that this is a prequel, Spirit will have a dramatic effect on the next main character. I dunno guys...we'll see.