A/N: This must be my longest chapter so far. It's also the…blockiest. So I'll keep this short. This is the update chapter for Farmer Boy :)

Disclaimer: Zzzzzzzz

A Small Miracle – Chapter 13 – Rupert's Magic

"Are you okay?" Ty asked, putting out a hand to help her up. Amy took it gratefully.

"Just about." She said, dusting herself down.

"Do you think I did the right thing there?" Ty looked at her nervously.

"Yeah, I think you did. Don't worry, she'll be fine. Do you think I should go and see if she's okay?" Ty shook his head.

"No, she'll blame you if you go to her now. Just leave her. She'll get over it." He pulled a face. "She'll have to." Amy nodded, understanding what he meant.

"I'm just gonna work Rupert, grab some lunch and head off after Sundance, okay?"

"I don't see a problem. How'd you get on with Casey?" he asked, as they walked to Rupert's stable together.

"She was good. After about ten minutes she stopped rushing the poles. I'm going to ride her over them tomorrow, see how she goes." She turned to Rupert, and fastened his green head collar. Clipping on a lead line, she led him to the ring.

"That sounds like a good idea. What are you doing with Rupert?" Ty followed her.

"Join up. I've done plenty of t-touch on him already, so he knows who I am and partially trusts me. I was going get him started today." Ty nodded, and leant on the rail as he watched Amy lead him into the ring.

Amy positioned herself in the middle of the ring, and let Rupert off the line. He trotted away easily, and snuffed at the sand towards the edge. Amy flicked the lunge whip at the ground and he immediately began to trot around the outside, keeping one eye fixed on Amy in the centre. Amy kept him going for several circuits, before sending him into a canter. He had beautiful gaits, it looked like his hoofs barely touched the ground, and he just floated around the ring. Amy changed his direction, and Rupert kept an eye on her, his inner ear quickly falling in and fixing on Amy.

Amy sucked in a delighted breath. It was working! After a few more circuits, he began to fall back into trot and drop his head to the ground. Amy kept him going however, waiting for the final signal. Rupert began to lick and chew, and Amy dropped the lunge line and turned away from him. Amy heard him stop and look at her. Ty held his breath, it was now or never. Amy heard his soft foot falls on the sand behind her, then his hot breath on her shoulder. Amy turned around and hugged him, rewarding him with a polo.

"Good boy!" then she turned away and took two steps forward. Rupert hesitated, and then followed her. Amy walked forward and Rupert followed her as if attached to her shoulder by an invisible force. Ty came into the ring with a small box and Amy walked back to the middle, Rupert following. "

Ty, can you hold his head so I can lower my weight over his back?" Ty nodded and handed her the box. She put it on the floor and stood on it, making it easier for her to lower herself on Rupert's back. Ty held his head, working small t-touch circles softly into his neck. Putting both hands on his back, Amy rested her stomach over his back.

"He's okay, keep going." Ty said softly. Amy leaned her weight against him, and his ears flicked back, but otherwise he was okay with it. Amy leaned her full weight on his back, and his head jerked up in alarm.

"Don't move." Ty instructed. He worked t-touch circles harder into his neck until he accepted Amy. "Okay, swing your leg over, but lay low remember?" Amy nodded silently.

"Good boy..." she breathed as she sat astride his back. "Am I okay to...?" She asked.

"Yes, but keep it very slow." Slowly, so not to alarm Rupert, Amy sat herself upright. Rupert's ears flicked back to her, and didn't flinch.

"Good boy!" Ty exclaimed, patting him softly and offering a polo. "

Okay, lead him forwards." Amy told Ty, squeezing Rupert with her legs. As she did so, he tensed, and Amy braced herself for him to try and throw her off. He shivered for a moment, then relaxed and walked on next to Ty. "Do you think we should get the tack? We've got enough time haven't we?"

Ty nodded and held Rupert's head so Amy could get off. Amy swung her leg over and jumped off, rather than sliding. Rupert flinched as she landed, but under her touch he began to relax again.

"I'll join up with him with the tack on, then attempt to ride him in it, yeah?" Ty nodded, and went to get a spare saddle and bridle that would fit him. We're a good team, aren't we? I'd forgotten how well we worked. Almost like one, he thought as he took a saddle down. He caught up a bridle and numnah and ran back to Amy. Ty put on the bridle with considerable ease, and Amy put the saddle on his back. Having accepted Amy, the saddle itself wasn't much of a problem for Rupert, he just wasn't a fan of the girth. Slowly, Amy did up the girth. Rupert shifted, uncomfortable, and Amy and Ty allowed him to do this, to get used to it. Because of the bond formed by join-up, Rupert was more accepting of Amy and Ty's intentions, as he trusted Amy. Amy checked the girth, found it suitable, and nodded to Ty. Ty grinned widely, and left the arena.

"Okay, go!" He called. Amy repeated the join up process, only with the tack, to get him use to moving with it on. As Rupert was turned round, Ty dived off to get Amy's hat. He bumped into Heather on the way back. She was collecting all her belongings.

"I'm leaving Heartland." She announced, with a thick voice from crying. "You don't need me here anymore, and you don't want me here." Ty had nothing to say to her, as everything she said was true.

"Good luck." He smiled softly, and Heather nodded her thanks. Ty turned and quickly went back to the ring. Amy was being followed; he was just in time. Amy called out for her hat, and Ty waved it, making Amy laugh. Ty quickly held Rupert's head, and Amy ran down the stirrups. Putting one foot in, she quickly and lightly sprang up into the saddle. She took up the reins, and looked to Ty.

"I'll ask him to walk on. Will you walk with me to start?" she said, excitement shaking her voice.

"Of course I will!" Ty smiled up at her, and she smiled back at him. Looking straight ahead, Amy said in a loud, clear voice, "Walk on." and nudged Rupert with her heels. Rupert froze for one moment, before striding out. They walked round one circuit, and then Ty stood in the middle. Rupert stopped, his guide gone. Amy squeezed him again, and said in a softer tone. "C'mon boy, it's okay, it's just me. Walk on now." Rupert shook, and then took first one step, and then another, until he was walking out with confidence. After another circuit of walk, Amy asked for trot. Rupert went immediately into a flowing trot. Any had been correct about his gaits; trot was very smooth and flowing. Amy shook her head in amazement, and asked for canter. Rupert just went faster. Amy restricted movement with her reins, and Rupert shook his head at unfamiliar pressure in his mouth but slowed his trot back down. Amy held him in his mouth, and asked for canter again. This time she got it. She gave with her reins, and he relaxed, forming a canter where it felt like his hooves didn't touch the ground. Amy changed the rein and went through the paces again. Riding up to the gate, she smiled broadly at Ty.

"He's amazing! It's so smooth..." Ty smiled at her amazement, watching her dismount.

"I probably should work with him too. I'll cool him down in his stable and brush him off, if you want to go get lunch." Amy nodded and ran towards the house, still buzzing.

A/N: If anything isn't accurate, please inform me and I'll change it. I wrote this from knowledge only, no real experience. I hope its okay… anyway, as always, review for feedback, and more chapters!

Livy ~ xx