7/10/09- Alrighty, here is the loooongggg awaited chapter update for Ace's Fury. I do apologize for that, in order for me to right it good I have to be in the mood to write which lately has been happening more frequently. Couple things about this chapter...

- You will find that a few things have changed, that I have to fix yet throughout the rest of the story, such as Ace is supposed to be a father figure to Fury, I thought I had changed that but apparently I didn't. Also, the more I grow up the more flaws i realise so... I made it so you know who Ace's parents are and I'm trying to find the names of the races that get you an automatic entry into the derby so if you are really good with that department let me know ;) Also, I put some facts in here, I was routing for Dunkirk this year in the derby and I truely believe that he would've won if it hadn't been wet so I put a little bit about him in here. Other than that I think thats about it, so enjoy :)

P.S.- For those who have me on author alert, TRUSTING THE ENEMY, is next on the list for an update so expect that soon.

Chapter 11:Pasture Buddy

I followed Nicki as she lead me back to my paddock. Steve and Scott were now working on getting me into more races. They wouldn't shut up about Riley's defeat and I can't wait to get back to the stalls to rub it in his face. Nicki wouldn't stop turning every thirty seconds to congratulate me and give me a good neck rub. Her admiration mattered the most to me. Personally, I really don't care what the heck the trainer thinks, sure it's a plus but there's no greater feeling than Nicki's excitement above the saddle.

As we walked past some of the small pastures, horses watched with curious eyes. When I noticed Riley pouting in his paddock I understood why. They all knew who is now the greater horse. When we reached the pasture full of mares I decided to begin my gloating by tucking my head like a true stud would.

"Wow, where did that come from?" Nicki laughed as I bobbed my head profesionaly. "You'd be great in showmanship."

I kept her going by lifting my legs high, not too much for I would look like an idiot but enough to make it look dashing. We were close to the paddock and I realized I had a familar friend grazing in my normal paddock.

"Crap, where the heck am I supposed to put you?" I nickered and the little grey filly shot her head up. Before I knew it she had galloped her way to the entrance. Her small winnie echoed through the yard. "I hope that's a sign that she likes cause I don't know what she is doing in your paddock."

Nicki unlatched the paddock door. Is she really putting me in an area with another horse? My excitement grew as she lead me through with Fury waiting to greet me. As she sniffed my nose Nicki unlatched the lead and shut the door behind.

"Hey Fury!" She reared next to my neck and nibbled on my mane.

"Hey dad!" The new nickname caught me off guard.

"Wait, what'd you call me?" I stared at her with soft eyes.

"You said you'd be my daddy." I tried hard to hide the smile but I couldn't contain it.

"I did say that didn't I?" I nudged her neck.

"Yes, now... your it!" She kicked her legs out and nailed me in the belly.

"Ow... hey!" I laughed and chased after her. "Oh you gonna' get it now girl!"

Human POV

"I think we should shoot for the great lakes downs this weekend."

"Do you really think he'll be ready for an actual race by then?"

"I don't know Steve, we can always scratch if not but by the way he's improving, he'll be ready for the derby next year."

"There is no way that horse will make it there. He is almost three and he is just starting his career."

"That makes him stronger."

"How?"

"Steve, all those other horses will have been pushed since almost birth, I know a horse that was consider old enough for the derby who was just 2."

"Thats not possible, they require three."

"For a racing thoroughbred the horses age every January first. This horse was born late in the year so when he was actually three months he was marked as a year old. Anyway, my point is all those other horses have had their legs run down like crazy. Ace is sturdy, he's stronger boned and he'll be able to last all the way to Belmont."

"Scott, no horse at this ranch has ever made it out of a Michigan race..."

"That sir, Ace is going to change. Imagine what this will do for us? We can at least try. He only needs to win one race and he's in."

"Hows that?"

"He win's the (Looking up Race name, please be patient) and he's in. Of course he should go through a couple races before then but I think he'll be ready soon enough."

"A couple? That will leave him with three races before the derby. That is not enough experience."

"If I recall, Dunkirk has only raced three times before the derby this year."

"Yeah and look where he ended up, eight place. That would be a complete waste of money for the ranch and we can't afford that."

"Sir, Dunkirk wasn't prepared for a sloppy track, but Ace, he will be. He gets experience no other horse in that derby can. Michigan weather."

I couldn't help but laughing. The weather was always changing here. It could be sunny and eighty today and end up sixty and rainy tomorow. Small footsteps approached slowly and I realized Nicki had returned. I turned back to Scott.

"If you think you can get this horse ready for the derby than you keep trying. But, if I don't think he will get us anything I will not allow this Scott."

"I'll get him ready, don't you worry about that."

I turned back to Nicki as she got closer.

"He all set? Your coming tomorow aren't you?"

"Yeah, I'll be here, as usual."

"Good. He's got a lot of work. Tomorrow just get him started on the trails, I don't want to be pushing him too hard."

"You got it Steve."

"Alright then, Ace is all set in his stall then you are good to go."

"Stall?" She looked confused. My heart began to increase slightly.

"Yes, that's where you were supposed to put him. Fury is in his paddock currently."

"Well, they seem to get along quite well." I sighed.

"Nicki!"

"What?" She laughed. I found it hard to find the comedy in this situation.

"That colt has never been in a pasture with other horses and putting him in with a six month old filly is not a good idea!" I stared speed walking to the barn. Scott and Nicki followed.

"Steve, I'm telling you they are fine."

I ignored her. I was dreading getting any closer to the paddock, in fear of seeing a slaughtered baby filly.

When we got there I was stunned. Ace grazed peacefully as Fury nipped at his neck.

"Told ya."

"You know Steve, we outa' try seein' if Riley will pasture body for him."

Why? He's doing fine here with Fury."

"You never know with that horse. Riley would be able to hold his own, Fury would be dead in two seconds if he has a blow up."

"What makes you think he'll have a blow up?"

I ignored their annoying rants and watched the two horses peacefully grazing together. I always knew keeping that horse would pay off some day. Scott thinks he could possibly be ready for the most exciting horse race of the United States and the horse is more friendly to others than we had once thought. This is exactly how I wanted him to turn out.

"All I'm saying is we shouldn't take the risk that little filly."

"All I'm saying is you should trust him a little more." I chuckled at their fighting.

"Alright kids, they are fine for now. We'll try another horse but I'm not worried about that right now. Scott I want you working with the new filly if thats ok with you."

"Sure, I'll head their now." He walked away in defeat.

"So you really think he'll be ready for the derby?" I looked at her.

"Wait, how do you know..."

"Scott told me a couple days ago. He's really counting on Ace to make it there."

"Ha, I doubt it kid. We'll see how Ace is by November. He'll get a chance to get some snow rides in. Right now, I'm just glad that he's finally coming around."

"Pretty darn good for an abused guy isn't he."

"Yes he is. Did you know his sire used to be a champ at eventing?"

"No way! I love that sport."

"Yeah, I did some research once we recovered Ace's papers at his old place. His mother is nothing more than a pet. She was a real beauty though. Gorgeous grey mare. Then his sire, he was almost jet black. Somehow the jack... uh, the idiot who owned Ace somehow got a hold of the sire and bred him to his mare. After that he just left them out there and found a new hobby." Abusing, I thought to myself.

"I still can't believe what happened to him." She stared at Ace with the softest eyes.

"Yeah. Well Nicki, I think your mother is probably wondering where your at about now." As soon as I said it, the disappointment was obvious on her face. She loved it here.

"Yeah I guess so."

"Hey, your doing great by the way." She lit up.

"Thanks." She whispered. "Well, I'll see you tomorrow."

I watched her walk away. I heard Ace nicker from behind me. When I turned to look it was as if he was telling her good bye, and went back to grazing with the filly. I chuckled, everything was falling into place just as I wanted it to.