A/N: Thank you again to all of my readers and reviewers! Now, I've been anxiously waiting to write this chapter and now I have. I can't wait to see what you think of this chapter. Hang on tight, it's going to be a very bumpy ride. Side note: I'm going to pause (just for a little bit) to write a quick Halloween story for my Vengeance/Repercussions readers. Enjoy, :)

~ Chapter Ten ~

~~ High Actions ~~

They all stood there watching Hank speed away in his truck, a dust cloud blooming up behind him and staying in his wake. Amy and Ty shared a glance, wondering what exactly had happened inside the house. Amy didn't know who he was, just that he had a very creepy vibe coming off of him. Ty, of course, did recognize him, and he only knew that if Hank was here, then it wasn't good. Hank didn't strike him as a friendly or social kind of person. Jack came walking across the yard just then, dusting his hands off. He looked between the four of them and came to the conclusion that he had missed something of much importance.

"What's going on out here? Who was that?" Jack asked, looking between the four of them still standing there.

Ty sighed before he answered, "I don't know, but I do know that is one guy you don't want to make angry." He, Amy, and Jack turned to face Lou and Peter, the only two who actually knew what Hank's visit was all about.

"Let's go inside and talk," Lou said, crossing her arms against the chill in the air. "Georgie can also help shine some light on this, too." After a pause, she turned and walked back to the house. Peter turned with her, his hand on her back softly guiding her along. Amy, Ty, and Jack went up the walk after them a moment later.

They all gathered in the kitchen, with mugs of coffee or tea. Much to her own dismay, Georgie stood facing all of them, feeling very much like she was on trial. She had just finished explaining everything that had happened last night after Peter dropped her off at the movie theater. To say that they were shocked and disappointed in her would be an understatement. When she was done, she couldn't look straight at anybody, so she trained her gaze down on the floor.

"Now, I can't believe you would do something like this," Jack stated, shaking his head, from his spot at the table.

"Yeah, Georgie, what do you think you would have been able to do?" Amy added, setting her mug down on the counter and crossing her arms when she faced forward again.

"I don't know, I was in over my head," Georgie admitted, lowly. She toed the floor with her sneaker. "Then, I saw Spiridon and I couldn't think of anything else. I should have jumped on his back and rode him out of there." The latter was spoken in a mutter, but she was still heard.

"Ok, I did not just hear you speak about stealing a horse so casually," Lou said, taken aback, stunned. She sat in other chair at the table, with Peter standing behind her. His hands were resting on her shoulders.

"Spiridon is not his horse!" Georgie exclaimed, passionately. "He kidnapped him from the wild, where he's supposed to be running free!" She nearly choked on her last words, the tears springing to her eyes fast.

"Wait, Georgie, how could you know that Spiridon is wild?" Amy questioned, her expression turning curious as she leaned forward.

"Because of this," Georgie explained. She took a couple steps over to the table, reaching for the laptop sitting on top. She opened it up, and tapped at the keys for a minute. Then, she turned it around to show everybody the screen. "Look."

Everybody moved as one to peer at the computer screen. Georgie had pulled up the Man vs. Horse website. "That is Spiridon, and that is Mr. Caldwell," Georgie pointed to the screen, explaining. "He takes wild horses and puts them in this pen, where he whips and beats them into submission. And the worst part is that when he's done with them,...he kills them."

"Well, how do you know that?" Jack asked her, peering over his glasses and the computer screen at Georgie.

"Because, last night, I saw five mounds of dirt at the back of the ranch and one of them had a hoof sticking out," Georgie told them. She couldn't contain the shudder that shook her body involuntarily. "It was so terrible! He shot those poor horses when he was done with them and couldn't be bothered to bury them properly." She crossed her arms across her chest and turned her face away, hastily brushing at her wet eyes. "That's probably why he had no problem shooting at us," Georgie muttered.

"Wait, he shot a gun at you?!" Lou said, in surprise, her arm dropping down to the table from where she had been leaning on it. She put her hand over mouth, looking up at Peter fearfully. Peter rubbed her shoulders reassuringly.

"Well,...he had the gun pointed at the sky, but it was still scary," Georgie corrected. "Spiridon had heard the sound of gunshot before, but it still scared him like it was the first time." Spiridon's haunted, terrified eyes swam before her eyes and she couldn't escape them.

"Well, I've heard enough," Jack stated, pushing back his chair and starting to get up. "I'll be damned if anyone is going to shoot a gun at Georgie."

"Whoa, whoa, hold on, Jack," Ty intervened, stepping forward. "I've had the unfortunate luck to have had an encounter with this guy, too. He is not some easy-going guy. I could barely ask for his permission to extract a coyote from his fence without him tightening his grip on his gun. Hank is very dangerous."

"We can't leave Spiridon with Mr. Caldwell," Georgie insisted, determinedly. "It's wrong. We have to get him away from there."

"What do you propose, Georgie?" Peter questioned her, holding out his hand imploringly. "We just can't take a horse from someone. There will be severe consequences."

"Maybe we can," Amy murmured, thoughtfully. Everyone turned to look at her in surprise. Georgie's face lit up into an excited smile.

"Amy, what are you talking about?" Ty was the first to ask, turning toward her. He looked at her with concern written all over his face. "I already told you what Hank is capable of and more. I don't even want to think about what he would do. It's not worth risking your life."

"He's right, Amy," Lou agreed, softly.

"No, listen, no one is going to be risking their lives. It's very simple, actually," Amy explained, shaking her head at them. She took a step forward, laying her hands down flat on the table. "You said that Hank didn't call the police on Georgie, right?" Lou nodded slowly, unsure of where Amy was going with this. "Why didn't he? You'd think he would, unless he knew what he was doing was something illegal and didn't want the police sniffing around his place. He said he was being generous, but I don't think so."

"So, you're saying that we go to him and tell him to give us Spiridon or else we'll call the police on him?" Georgie asked, getting excited and happy. They were going to rescue Spiridon after all.

"No, no, there's no we in there," Lou stopped her daughter before she could get started. "You're not going anywhere near that dangerous situation. Plus, you are grounded."

"What?" Georgie exclaimed. "That's not fair! I didn't do anything; I tried to do the right thing."

"Yes, you did," Lou agreed, then continued, "However, no matter your intent, you still trespassed on a man's property and you chose to hide it."

"But-" Georgie started to argue.

"She's right, Georgie. I'm sorry," Peter added. "Grounded, one week."

Georgie huffed and stomped her foot, but she didn't argue any further. Her gaze flitted to the window, then back to her parents, relenting. "Can I at least untack Phoenix?" she asked, in a quiet mumble. "He's been waiting for me all this time."

Peter looked down at Lou, conferring with her for a second. He looked back at Georgie. "Yes, you may go take care of Phoenix," Peter told her, pointing his finger at her. "But as soon as you are done, back in the house and up to your room."

It was quiet as Georgie nodded and walked to the door. The door opened and then clicked shut as Georgie went outside. Lou sat back in her chair, after Georgie left. "Wow, she took that a little easier than I thought she was going to," she admitted, sighing.

"Well, she's growing up," Peter replied, hands landing back down on his wife's shoulders. He rubbed his hands once, twice, up and down on her shoulders. "She's starting to learn that her actions have consequences."

"But Georgie is still Georgie, so be prepared for her to be sulking the rest of the day," Jack chuckled, standing up from the table to refill his coffee cup. Lou and Peter chuckled, too, knowing that he was right. The laughter drifted off, and Lou turned toward her sister, who had been conversing quietly with Ty.

"I also don't think it's a good idea for you to go either," Lou admitted. "We shouldn't get any further involved than we already are." She took a quiet sip of her tea and then set the mug back on the table, pushing it away.

"Yes, Amy, I think she's right," Ty agreed, his hands reaching up to take a hold of her arms. "Hank is already a little angry with us. I think we should just call animal welfare, they'll be better equipped to handle Hank. Not us."

Amy shook her head. "No, that's the last thing that will stop Hank," she argued. "If we send animal welfare or the police, he might feel cornered enough to do something drastic. We can't risk Spiridon's life. No, I think what we need to do is go there ourselves and give him an ultimatum. We demand that he release Spiridon to us of his own free will, or we will get the police involved. If we do this quietly and reasonably, it should work. He's not going to risk getting into trouble with the police, all for the sake of a horse."

Ty still looked unsure, but as he gazed at her, he saw the resilience in her eyes. She was never going to stop until she rescued Spiridon. This wonderful, courageous woman standing before him was that fearless young girl he fell in love all those years ago. Amy would stick her neck out for any horse, and Ty wouldn't have had married her honestly if he wasn't willing to stand by her always. And it was the very reason of him loving her that made his decision for him.

"Ok," Ty gave a short, affirmative nod of his head. "We'll go get him. Let's go get the trailer hitched up." Amy smiled at him, and leaned up on her toes to peck him on the lips. She whispered a thank you against his lips. Her gratitude filled him a warmth that nearly blocked out the dread in the pit of his stomach. He smiled back her, keeping his negative feelings to himself. Amy took his hand, and led him out of the house.

Lou sighed, sitting back against her chair. She put her hand over eyes, then ran it down the side of her face. She crossed her other arm over chest. "I don't like this," she said, morosely. "I just have a terrible feeling about all of this."

"Yeah, this isn't sitting well with me either," Jack agreed, taking his cup and placing it in the sink. "but Amy knows what she's doing and Ty is going with her. We can only hope that will be enough."

Lou nodded, eyes cast downward, her hand running along Peter's hand to reassure herself. Peter leaned down, wrapping his arms around her in a more comforting hug. He kissed her cheek, whispering 'it'll be okay' against her skin. But the fright was still there.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

It was afternoon by the time Amy and Ty got the trailer hooked up to the truck. The yard was empty as they climbed into the truck, nerves jangling. Georgie must be in the barn untacking Phoenix, or she must have finished and gone inside the house already. Ty looked over at Amy as he started the truck. He watched her take a deep steadying breath as she buckled her seat belt. Her breath released as the seat belt clicked and she looked up straight out the windshield.

"You ready?" Ty asked her, softly. He put extra meaning into the words, giving her one last chance to change her mind and not go through with this.

Amy didn't say anything for a minute. Then, she nodded slowly and turned to face him. "Ready," she nodded, more surer this time.

They pulled out of the long drive of Heartland and onto the street. They drove mostly in silence, watching the fading sun turn the sky bright orange. When they approached Hank Caldwell's ranch, Ty slowed the truck down and paused right in front of the ranch. He took deep breath and released it slowly. Amy didn't put any pressure on him to hurry along. This was it. There was absolutely no turning back after this. They both knew that this was a big moment and that they had to do it, but even Amy was starting doubt if they would succeed.

It was the sound of a horse neighing a terrible and painful sound that spurred them on. Ty turned the truck into the driveway, and they bumped along until he pulled the truck to a stop in front of the house. Amy soon got a one-track mind as the horse called out again. Worry and concern took over her facial features. She took off her seat belt and reached for the door handle in one swift movement.

"Wait," Ty said, grabbing her arm before she could get out of the truck. She glanced at him almost impatiently. "Amy, I want you to promise me that if things start to get dangerous, we leave and let the police handle Hank. Promise."

Amy stared at him, and her gaze softened as she saw the worry etched clearly on his face. Worry for her. She smiled reassuringly at him. "I promise," Amy whispered, reaching up to touch his cheek. They stayed like that for a minute and then they broke away, climbing out of the truck.

After Ty shut his door and Amy walked around the truck to stand beside him, there came a bang from the back of the truck. Both of their heads turned toward the sound and Ty's eyes narrowed in curiosity. "What was that?" he muttered. They walked over to investigate it. Getting closer, they could just make out a dark head crouched in the bed of the truck.

"Georgie?" Amy called out.

A second later, the thirteen year old sat up slowly, guiltily. "Hi,..." Georgie replied.

"What are you doing here?" Amy questioned her, accusatory. "I'm guessing Lou doesn't know you're here."

"I don't care how much trouble I get in. I have to be here," Georgie defended herself. "I have to be here for Spiridon. He needs me. I can help rescue him; he'll recognize me from last night. He'll know I'm not going to hurt him."

"Georgie, you can't be here. We don't know how this is going to play out," Ty told her. He made a motion toward her, and Georgie stood up, coming over to the side of the truck. Ty held out his hand, helping jump down from the truck. Her feet hit the ground with a soft thud.

Amy put her hand on Georgie's back, leading her over to the cab of the truck. "We can't take you back, so I want you to wait in the truck," Amy instructed her. She opened the door and waited for Georgie to get in.

"But I want to help!" Georgie exclaimed, pouting.

"I know, Georgie, but this is the best thing for you to do," Amy replied. "You're just going to have to trust me on this." Georgie hesitated, and then climbed into the truck sullenly.

"Here," Ty reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. "Take my phone, and if we take too long or if you hear something, call the police immediately. Whatever you do, don't get out of the truck."

Georgie took the phone and flopped back against the seat, grumpily. Ty shut the truck door and he and Amy were off. They followed the sound of the crack of a whip and a horse's whinny again. When they passed the house, they saw Hank inside the round pen, driving Spiridon around and around with a whip. It snapped on the stallion's rear, and the horse bucked and neighed, running and turning sporadically to try to escape. Spiridon was covered in sweat and his eyes were rolling, but Hank just kept coming at him. He looked like a man possessed in the fading light.

"Hey!" Ty yelled out to him.

Hank spun around, which didn't help to calm Spiridon down. The stallion ran around the pen again, then stopped at the back, ears and eyes appraising the situation carefully and tensely. Hank tossed the whip to the ground, and stalked to the gate. "What the hell are you doing here?" he threw out. He banged through the gate and over to them.

"We want to offer you a proposition," Amy stated, the lead rope she had brought from the truck dangling in her hand.

"Whatever it is, I'm not interested," Hank declined. Now, he was just twenty feet away from them. "Get the hell off of my property!"

"You're going to want to be interested, Hank," Ty told him. "Let us take the horse and we won't get the police involved here. You can leave town and no one will ever know."

Hank was now closer. "You better think twice before you threaten me again, boy," he warned. "Get the hell off of my property!" Then,...Hank strode past them and toward the house. Amy and Ty didn't know what happened, until they heard the slam of the house door. They looked at each other confusedly for a minute.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Let's get him."

Amy and Ty spun around and saw Georgie standing there in the yard. "Georgie, I told you to stay in the truck," Amy reprimanded her.

"I'm here now, let's get Spiridon before Hank comes back out," Georgie suggested. She didn't wait for them to respond, she just started walking to the round pen. Spiridon watched her with guarded eyes. She got to the gate and opened it slowly. "Hi, boy," she murmured to the spooked stallion. She started taking slow steps into the pen, toward Spiridon.

Amy followed behind the young girl slowly and Ty stopped at the gate. "Be careful, Georgie," Amy whispered. Georgie nodded faintly and held out her hand, holding it out in a peace offering. Spiridon continued to watch her, without moving closer but also not moving away. The girls were about three feet away from the horse and they stopped, to let Spiridon decide to come the rest of the way. They waited an agonizing, tense two minutes, before Spiridon finally took a step forward. Ty kept glancing over his shoulder at the house. He knew this process of getting Spiridon to trust them took time, but he didn't know how much time they had left. Spiridon took another step closer, and Georgie couldn't stop the grin that started to splice her face. Soon, Spiridon's nose butted against her outstretched hand.

"Good boy," Georgie murmured, rubbing his face slowly. His breath brushed her cheek in fast, short puffs.

"Good boy, Spiridon," Amy repeated, in the same low tone. She stepped over to his other side, and clipped the lead rope to the muddy, raggedy halter he wore. She patted his neck affectionately. "Good job, Georgie," she praised the younger girl. Georgie beamed in happiness from the compliment.

"Ok, we ready?" Ty called from the gate.

"Yeah," Amy called back, giving the stallion one last pat. Then, she clicked her tongue and started leading him out of the pen. Georgie walked alongside them, as Ty opened the gate.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM MY HORSE!" came the loud, booming voice. It was quickly followed by a gunshot. Amy, Ty, and Georgie all instantaneously ducked their heads, but Hank had only fired it toward the sky, this time. Spiridon jumped and backed away until he was at the end of the rope. Amy held onto him tightly, trying to keep him calm.

"We're taking him with us, Hank," Ty told the enraged man. "It's in your best interest to let us. No one needs to get hurt."

"Like hell you are!" Hank spat, and he ran straight toward them.

"Georgie, get behind Ty," Amy instructed the girl. She tried to choke down her fear, but it was rapidly growing. Georgie didn't argue for once, reading the situation for what it was: dangerous.

"Georgie, call the police," Ty also told her, hoping she still had his phone and she didn't leave it in the truck.

Georgie fumbled in her pocket for the phone, and then Hank was right in front of them. He reached for the lead rope in Amy's hands, but Ty blocked him, stepping in the way. Spiridon danced in place, frantically. Ty glanced quickly over his shoulder at Amy. He saw her struggling to hold on to Spiridon, but there was a determined line on her face and in her eyes. She tried speaking soothing words to the horse. There was no way she was going to leave him now.

"Let us go," Ty said to Hank, his tone low and even, one final time.

In the flash of a second, Hank brought his rifle up and jammed the end against Ty's chest. Ty flinched upon the impact, but, otherwise, he remained completely still, keeping an even stare with Hank. "Back. Off." Hank ordered, seething. "Now."

"You can't keep him here, you monster!" Georgie exclaimed.

Suddenly, Georgie darted underneath Ty's arm and toward Hank. Hank barely spared her a sidelong glance, like she was an annoying insect. He raised his gun and swung it out. It collided with the back of Georgie's head and the thirteen year old was falling. Hank shoved her out of his way, and she flew into the fence, hitting her head again and crumpling right there on the ground.

"Georgie!"

Amy was horrified at what she just witnessed and now seeing Georgie lie there unconscious. Then, everything blurred together. She heard Ty call to her telling her to go to Georgie and get her out of here. Then she just saw him lunge at Hank, tackling him to the ground.

"Ty!"

With her heart pounding loud in her ears, Amy backed Spiridon into the pen again, unclipped him, and closed the gate. She watched Ty fight with Hank for a slow second, frozen. Then, she rushed over to Georgie, dropping to her knees down beside her. Amy didn't know what to do; she wasn't a doctor. She only knew enough to know that this was very bad. She pushed Georgie's dark hair off of her pale face. When she touched the back of the girl's head, her fingers touched something wet and sticky. Pulling her hand back, Amy found that it was covered in blood and a lot of it. She gaped in horror and uncertainty as her fingers started to shake. Pushing through the fog in her brain, she pulled off her jacket and held it against Georgie's head. She wasn't even sure if it was going to work. Pretty quickly, she started to feel the blood through the jacket.

Suddenly, a loud gunshot pierced the air. Amy jumped from the sound of it. What happened next scared her more than anything else:

Silence.

A/N: How was it? Was it how anyone expected? I know I'm leaving it on a cliffhanger, but I won't leave you too long. Please review and tell me what you are all thinking now. :)