Sam shivered involuntarily in her jacket as she steered Ace towards the Secret Valley. A single drop of rain fell on her nose and she kicked her horse into a full gallop. Her head ached beyond belief and her vision began to waver into a black spot. But she didn't dare stop, didn't dare quit until she saw Jake.

Her dream kept replaying itself in her mind . All she could think of was the blood on Jake and the Phantom. It was something she couldn't stop thinking about, something that hurt, bothered more then the unknown sickness she had.

Ace climbed on and stopped when he fell into the spot next to Witch, Jake's silky black mare. Sam slid carefully to the floor and ground tied Ace alongside Witch. She had to hold onto the horn of the saddle until she could stand without the dizziness and upset stomach.

"Jake!" Sam yelled as a few more raindrops landed on her face. "Jake!" She stumbled into the cover of the tunnel. "Jake!"

She staggered through, calling his name as she leaned on the wall for support. "Jake!" She made it to the opening into the hidden valley. There was a loud neigh in recognition and footsteps although she could tell if it was Jake or the Phantom. Everything was blending together in a whirl of color.

Jake stood still with his arm outstretched, waiting to see if the great white stallion allowed his touch or demanded him to leave. He wasn't sure how long they stayed staring at each other. Wether it was minutes or hours he couldn't say but his arm was hurting badly.

The Phantom' s silvery ears perked up suddenly from their cautious position and he let out a loud neigh. Jake turned around to see Sam, barely conscious as she leaned on the wall for support. He forgot about the Phantom and ran to her, wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her erect.

"Sam. Can you hear me?" Jake asked worriedly.

"You were late." Sam whispered as she tried to give him a reassuring smile.

"Damn it Sam! I told you to stay put!"

"There's a storm." She argued quietly as she leaned on him.

"So you decided to put both our lives in danger instead of just mine!" Sam was barely awake but at his words she pushed away from him, angry now.

"I'm sorry Jake! You're right, I am completely stupid. Forgive me for caring about what happened to you! Next time I won't bother! And you can go out with Rachel Slocum for all I care!" She yelled angrily.

"Rachel?" Jake asked.

"Yeah, I called Darrell!" She hissed, shaking her head to try and clear it.

"Please tell me you didn't."

"Yeah I did. And he told me about the storm. And about your prom date." Sam didn't know why that fact bothered her. Jake and her weren't together, he was free to see whoever he wanted. She kept telling herself that it was just because it was Rachel but she also knew she'd feel the same anger towards any other girl.

"Rachel is not my date! Darrell asked her out, not me!" Jake replied in a firmer tone.

"Right! Like you really mind. I mean, she is the prettiest girl in school right?"

"Sam, you're acting crazy! It's Rachel you're talking about! I am not taking a Slocum to the prom. Who said I was even going to the prom?"

"Yeah, whatever!" Sam yelled, causing the room to spin and making her hug her stomach. Jake grabbed her arm but she shrugged him off. "I'm fine!" She snapped.

"I'm not going to argue with you on this. We have to go." Jake said in a softer tone as he remembered that she was sick. The Phantom neighed again, stamping his foot in impatience. Sam looked up at him and walked slowly over to his side, barring her face into his silvery hair.

"Hi Zanzibar." She whispered softly. He bobbed his head up and down. "Thank God you're ok."

"He's fine Sam. We have to go. Remember the storm?" She knew he was right but she didn't want to leave her stallion so soon. Besides, Jake had done it again, he had made her feel like an eight year old again. Dumb that she had come for him. "Sam. We need to leave."

"Fine." She hugged the Phantom once more before backing away from him. "Bye Blackie."

Her and Jake walked to the mouth of the tunnel when the Phantom followed slowly behind. "No Blackie, stay here."

"He won't go far. Come on." Jake grabbed her hand and she would have pulled it out of his grip she thought that she could walk without his help. But she knew she couldn't so she allowed him to lead her outside where Ace and Witch were standing in the now sheeting rain.

Jake helped Sam onto Ace, lifting her gently into the saddle. He then ran to Witch and turned her quickly around.

"Can you make ok?" Jake asked.

"I can ride a horse thanks!" Sam hissed. He shook his head but only started Witch down the slope. The Phantom following a few feet behind them.

R&R Please. The more reviews the better. And yes, Sam's dream did mean something. You just have to keep reading to find out what.