Disclaimer: I don't own anyone but Kali.

Moonlight streams into my room and I wake with a jolt. The clock beside my bed tells me it's 2:41AM. Looking out my window, I get a full view of the stables. I see a shadow moving through the stalls though and my heartbeat quickens! I quietly make my way to my wonderfully grand walk-in closet and exchange my PJ pants for some breeches.

Creeping down the long halls in the dead of night gives me a feeling of dread. So I start sprinting on my toes. I pass the servants' quarters and stop at the shoe closet. Finding my riding boots takes only a second because of the tidy order that the closet is kept in.

I run around the edge of the yard to the stables, and creep towards the door. The lights are on, but dim and I can hear soft sounds coming from Charlotte's stall. Panic grips my heart and I have to force myself not to breathe so loudly.

Inhale

I drop to my hands and knees.

Exhale

I start crawling pass Mickey's stall.

Inhale

He nickers loudly.

Exhale

I freeze.

Inhale

I continue and stop in front of Charlotte's stall.

Exhale

I slowly stand and peek over the door.

Gasp!

…………..

Abby is standing in front of Charlotte stroking her neck and silently crying. I take a tentative step inside and Abby whips around.

"Hi," I whisper, moving into her arms and snuggling into her neck.

She doesn't say a word, but wraps me up and runs her fingers through my hair.

Charlotte snorts and startles us both. I give a little giggle and kiss her huge cheek.

"Let's go now okay?" I ask yet persuade.

"Let's go riding," Abby suggests.

I'm shocked, Abby hates riding. She went once and that was it.

I nod and move into action, tacking up Joel and bringing him into the yard. Abby follows me out and I hand her a spare helmet. Then I race back into the tack room to grab my helmet and lead Charlotte out. Once again without any tack.

Abby's already on Joel so I swing up on Charlotte and we set off at a quiet walk. Heading into the dark woods.

START ABBY'S POV

I know that when on a horse your suppose to pay attention to what's in front of you. And especially when you never ride (like me.) But I can't help watching Kali on top of her horse. Her posture is relaxed (yet perfect, like always,) her legs dangle around the horse lightly and her hands rest on her thighs.

Guilt pulses through my veins for leaving her so much today. I kept having panic attacks and flashbacks though. And the staff at the ER weren't very supportive. I wondered how many times I'd been sedated today. When Kali went for her statement they were going to do it again. So I fled. But I came back. I am not my mother.

END ABBY'S POV

The trail opens to a field and I nudge Charlotte into a canter. Bent low over her strong neck I let the wind whip my hair around and close my eyes. Charlotte always takes care of me.

I can feel Abby watching my every move. And I feel awkward, I know she was sedated but I wish she had been there more today. Or rather, yesterday. Suddenly I hear a faint voice shouting. I turn Charlotte around and head back to where Abby is making a slow pace on Joel.

"Did you hear that?" I ask, a bit breathless from the long canter

"What?" she looks almost scared.

The shout drifts to use again… from the house.

"John," my eyes go wide in realization and I kick Charlotte into a gallop and we race through the forest. I direct her off the path and towards a short cut. Hurtling over logs and stepping lightly while still at an extreme gallop, we crash through the trees and into the yard.

"John I'm here!" I scream, panicked.

He looks at us coming towards us and his face shows relief.

"What are you doing?" he shouts up at me once I've stopped.

I slide down and take a step towards him, Charlotte follows.

"I was-" I try.

"It's past 3 in the morning and my little girl isn't in her bed! What was I suppose to think?" he yells.

"John I-" try again. Instead it's just tears.

He gathers me in his arms and holds me tightly. I must tell him.

"John… Abby," I choke out.

"I'm sorry sweetie, we'll call her tomorrow," he murmurs.

"No she's…" and on cue Abby comes out of the woods on Joel.

He let's go of me and walks up to her. She dismounts and they embrace. I scurry over and lead the horses back to the stable. Abby and Carter follow. I take care of Joel and Charlotte and put them back in their stalls. Then Carter brings me back to my room and I fall asleep. Not bothering to wonder where Abby is now.