Oh look...a new chapter! im not dead! just real life is kicking me in the butt! enjoy! all disclaimers still apply.:
Today was the day! Thank the gods. Wolfy would have murdered her brother if he wasn't so damn happy to come home. Three months in the hospital and Four was finally cleared to go home. No riding for right now but he can do swimming and other light exercises.
Eric and Zeke were helping the man, in crutches and an air cast, outside to the truck where Wolfy was waiting. The doctors were optimistic that the plates and pins in his leg will hold now after the shock wore off, but they cautioned that he must not stress his leg too much. Wolfy wouldn't hold her breath.
"Ok let's go. Come on grumpy." Wolfy joked, holding the door open for Four. Eric and Zeke helped the tall man into the truck, padding around his cast with a thick blanket. Four gave them a thin smile before reclining a bit. Wolf got into the passenger side of the truck, while Eric took the driver and Zeke followed in his truck.
It was a long ride of course; with frequent stops to have Four reposition his leg and the big blanket so he wouldn't be uncomfortable, but when the arrived in the courtyard, night thick and heavy around them, it was pure bliss.
Lights were blazing, a fire roaring next to the fountain, a table set out and there was the gang waiting for him.
"Wow, they missed me?" Four asked in wonder.
"Yeah we don't understand it either. You've been a dick lately but yet here they are, waiting for you." Eric said bluntly, eyebrow raised as he looked in the mirror. Four winced and looked out the window. Yeah, he had been a dick lately, he was just very very worried that Max and Tori were going to fire him. He was after all a liability now.
Wolfy yawned, stretching as she woke up and Eric pulled to a stop. Uriah all but ripped the doors opened and everyone clambered to help Four out the truck. All but Tris. The young woman hung back and watched, moving to help Eric and Wolfy with their bags.
Voices clambered around him, different pitches. Seeing the reluctance of his girl...girlfriend? Someone he kissed? God Four didn't even know? He was such an ass. He decided right then and there to fix everything. Maybe tomorrow though? Tory and Max were speaking, leading him into the house.
Trías watched, a small sad smile on her face before a gentle hand touched her shoulder.
"It's ok Triss. You can talk to him later. Come on, you can come hang out with me and Eric. We need to get him settled." Came the soft sound of Wolfy. Trías nodded, walking after the duo. They had done so much for her and she felt at ease with them.
The duo spoke in tandem, following Wolfy's instructions. There was a couple of spare rooms above the kennels. With the dogs all out in their respective guard positions for the night, they could sleep in peace without interruption .
"I didn't even know that these were here." Tríss said in wonder, opening a red door to the obviously big apartment. Wolfy chuckled, walking in and throwing down her bags.
"We keep it here. Mostly for married couples. Though none of us are married so whoever needs to get away can use these to get away. Tríss in the closet there is extra blankets. This one can be yours for the night." Wolfy explained, directing her friend.
Eric wandered over to help, while his girl went to the apartment next door. They joined again in the hallway, the couple going to bed and Tríss going to bed in her room as well. She settled easily enough, the distant worry of what was between her and Four a memory for the morning.
Too bad Four was struggling. It was blatantly apparent the next morning. Tríss woke up to yelling. Groaning she rolled over, trying to come to when her name was hollered in the cascade of voices. Popping up she listened again.
"You're a dumbass! Like she really took your job?! Tory and Max said she's just filling in for you and you still got your job!" Well that was Wolfy. Tríss struggles to understand everything, but then the voice of Four made her freeze.
"Bullshit! The gang is already asking if she can take my place! Tríss took my job!" He thundered. Tríss blinked, before she felt her body shudder. Silence reigned as some thumping was heard and a door slammed.
A gentle knock came from the door and she opened it to find Eric.
"Come on girly. Me and you are gonna go for a ride." Tríss nodded on autopilot and she went about getting ready before following Eric.
The ranch was exploding with the voices of Wolfy and her brother, like World War Two has come again. Tríss and Eric got lobo and another horse out before they crept into the big pasture, heading for the hills.
Minutes into their ride, Tríss felt tears coming down her cheeks, Lobo bobbing his head in worry. Eric turned his black around concerned. He sidled his horse up next to her and pulled her over to let her lean and cry.
"He's a dumbass darling." Eric rumbled. Tríss hiccuped before leaning back into her saddle.
"If you don't mind Eric, I'm gonna go to the herd and stay there. Just for a while. I would appreciate if you can keep everyone away from me." The whispered request broke Eric's heart but he nodded. He gave her a brotherly kiss to the forehead before taking off on his horse. Triss watched him go, before gently nudging Lobo in the direction of the herd.
It was quiet, leaving Triss alone with her thoughts. Amongst the herd, she smiled, watching as a couple of goals played tag with their mothers looking on and Leon grazing on a grassy knoll. It was peaceful.
Unlike her mind. It raced and whirled. So many thoughts and emotions. Yet it settled on one thought. Sterling her spine, Triss made up her mind. She would do what she thought was right. Turning Lobo, she began a slow walk back to the hacienda, to speak with Max and Tori.