Hi Guys!

Well, I must admit that I wasn't planning on uploading again so soon but your reviews prompted me to give you all the next chapter earlier then I had first intended. *winks* Thank you guys all so much for joining me for this story, your support and feedback are greatly welcomed! Sadly, this is the second last chapter in the Jessie saga for this part of the story, I will add the final chapter soon but if I get a bunch of reviews maybe I can be convinced to uploaded sooner!

I will start uploading the second part of this story some time next week. I have almost finished it but need to do some editing so once I've got the first couple chapters edited I will begin to upload. I will continue to upload it under this story so it won't be lost in the Heartland fic archives and it's easy for you all to find.

Anyway, enjoy and Lisa's back!

Chapter 34

Jessie sild Warrior to a stop atop a rise overlooking the ranch a few weeks later, jumping down off his broad back as she dropped the reins to the ground to let him graze. The sun was just starting to set as she walked to the old tree stump and sat down as the stallion shuffled off to find some grass to eat. She sighed deeply. She liked it here, wished that she could stay but she knew that that wasn't able to happen.

Clint had been their earlier that afternoon, finalising the rest of whatever he needed to take care of in arranging her foster care, and he had been explaining the process. She sighed again. Now that she was cleared by the doctor as being well enough to go to the home, she would be leaving the next day. She hadn't met the people that were taking her yet, but had assured her that they would take good care of her, and Warrior was allowed to go with her so that was something good at least. No one except Mallory knew about Cougar, the girl already promised to look after her but she still worried about her big cat. She wished she didn't have to leave, but she knew that she couldn't expect them to take care of her full time.

Hearing a rustle in the bush behind her, she turned to see Cougar stalking out of the leaves and smiled sadly. 'Hey girl.' She clicked her fingers as Cougar trotted over to her. 'You know just when I need to see you.' The puma rubbed her head against her and she laughed as she ran her fingers through her thick coat. 'I'm going to miss you girl.'

She sat in silence, rubbing her furry ears gently as Cougar placed her head on the girls lap. There was no way Cougar would be able to come with her, she had to stay. It was best in the long run, for her. With Mallory watching out for her, she would be okay.

Hearing a horse neigh in the corral, she looked down at the wild appaloosa mustang that Amy had been trying to tame. She watched him sympathetically as he bolted around the pen again, he reminded her of Sun Dancer. When she had caught Warrior, he had started to trust her long before the length of time the stallion had been there, but still the mustang hadn't shown any inkling of becoming tame. It wasn't fair to him. He deserved to be free.

The setting sun in her eyes, she knew it was time to head back to the ranch for dinner. giving Cougar one last pat, she sent her away with a flick of her hand as she stood up. The puma bounded back into the bush, and she whistled lowly for Warrior to come to her. 'Come on boy, it's time to head back.' He snorted as he snatched one last mouthful of grass and trotted over to her, holding his head up so he didn't trip over the reins. Picking them up as he stopped beside her, she placed them across his wither then grabbed a handful of his mane and vaulted onto his bare back. A gentle touch of her heels to his flanks and he wheeled around to canter down the trail back to the house.

Jessie patted his neck, deep in thought as she slowed him to make the ride last longer. She looked around, soaking in the scenery. This was where she felt at home, the wild forest. It was as much a part of her as Warrior and Cougar were. She didn't want to leave, but she knew she didn't have much of a choice. She had to go to this new place.

Slowing Warrior to a trot as she entered the ranch yard, she smiled sadly at Jack as he walked out of the barn to meet her. 'Hi Jack.'

'How was your ride?' He asked as he walked towards her, Warrior snorting warningly at him but still allowing him to grab his bridle. Warrior had gone a long way in trusting men from when he had first arrived at the ranch, but he was still cautious. He rubbed the stallions forehead as Jessie slid off his back. 'How are you feeling?'

'To be honest, I'm terrified.' She admitted as she led the stallion into the barn, Jack walking beside her. 'I'm scared Jack, I really am. What are these people going to be like? Are they going to be good people? How are they going to treat me? I just am so scared about my future.'

'Jessie, your going to be just fine with the people that Clint has found you to go to.' He closed the stall door as Jessie led the stallion in and pulled the bridle off him, then grabbed a brush to quickly groom him down. 'I know that everything feels uncertain for you right now, but your going to be okay. You just have to trust me, and trust yourself.'

'I hope your right Jack.' She sighed as she brushed the stallions neck. 'I really do.' Pausing, she bit her lip, then continued. 'Jack, there is something I need to ask of you.'

'Sure. What is it?'

'I need someone to leave my guns with. I don't really have a use for them now, now that I'm safe that is. I don't really want to take them with me, and I don't think I would be allowed to anyway.'

'I'll take good care of them for you Jessie, don't you worry about it.'

'Thanks Jack.' Jessie patted Warrior neck, then headed out of the stall and they started to the house. 'Is Lisa coming to say goodbye?'

Jack nodded. 'She's coming for dinner tonight, and she's going to come before tomorrow before you leave. You know she wouldn't let you leave without saying goodbye.'

'I'm glad.' Inwardly, she sighed. Outwardly though, she kept on her facade of being strong. 'You know, I might have only been here for a couple months, but I've seen the way you and Lisa act. Whatever you do Jack, don't let her go. She's an amazing woman and your lucky to have her. She's one in a million, never forget that.'

'I'll keep your advice in mind.' He blushed slightly, amused that the girl had noticed, but then again they really couldn't hide the way they felt about each other. Reaching the porch, he opened the door and let her go inside in front of him. 'Do you need help packing?'

'No, I already finished.' She shook her head as she headed into the dining room, the smell of dinner from the kitchen in the air. 'I'll just go clean up.'

Before she let him see her get emotional she quickly headed into the bathroom and closed the door behind her, slumping against the wall. She couldn't hold the tears in any longer. She began to sob, letting all her emotions out. She felt scared, terrified, and a hundred other feelings that gripped her heart.

Looking at herself in the mirror, her tear filled eyes stared back at her as rivers ran down her cheeks. Everything felt uncertain to her, unknown. The uncertainty of her future terrified her, but it was what she was leaving behind that really was ripping her heart out. It wasn't just Cougar. There was Jack and Lisa too. As much as she hated to admit it, she had gotten too attached to them. She had gotten attached to the others too. She felt like she belonged here. Really belonged. For the first time in as long as she could remember she felt like she truly belonged, and yet tomorrow she was leaving it all behind. She was being taken from it all.

She had hoped that by some miracle she would have been able to stay, but she knew there was no way possible for that to happen and knowing that she was leaving tomorrow just confirmed that it wasn't going to happen. She could understand that they couldn't look after her, but she still couldn't help the way she felt. She didn't really know how she felt. Everything was all so confused, so uncertain. Her emotions were all over the place.

'Jessie, are you alright? Can I come in?'

Jess heard Lisa's voice outside the door, and quickly tried to wipe the tears off her cheeks. 'Yeh.'

'Dinner's ready.' Lisa continued as she opened the door, then saw Jessie standing at the basin wiping her face. 'What's wrong honey?'

'I'm scared.' She admitted as Lisa came over to her, pulling her into her arms and she buried herself into her. 'I'm terrified Lisa.'

'Oh Jess, it's going to be okay.' Gently, she began to stroke the girls head as she held her tight, letting the girl cry in her arms. Her heart was breaking for her, yet she tried to reassure herself that this was best for the girl in the long run. 'Your going to be okay.'

Jessie let herself cry until there were no tears left to cry, a calmness coming over her as she felt Lisa's strong embrace. Slowly, she began to feel better, and she wiped away her tears as she looked up into Lisa's kind eyes. 'I'm sorry Lisa.'

'You don't need to apologise sweetie. I know what emotional turmoil your going through. I know how hard all of this must be on you.' She looked down into Jessie's brown eyes, wiping the last of the tears off her cheeks with her thumb as she cradled the girls face in her hands. 'Your going to be okay. Your going to be okay.'

'I just wish I could know for certain. I just wish I didn't have to go.'

'I wish things could be different too honey, but they can't be.' Lisa could feel herself getting emotional looking into the girls sad eyes. 'Everything might feel uncertain now, but your strong. You will be okay. You just have to believe.'

'That's what Jack said.' Jessie chuckled a little. 'I know Lisa, I know but I just can't help feeling like this.'

'It's just going to take time Jessie. I'm sure everything will be okay. You have Warrior, and even though your going to a new place you have each other.' She wiped the last tear off the girl's cheek, then glanced down at her watch. 'It's time for dinner. Do you need me to tell them to wait a moment, or are you okay?'

'I'm okay now.' She quickly went to the basin and splashed some water onto her face to freshen up, then wiped her eyes and face down. 'I bet everyone is going to be glad to see me go tomorrow. They'll have the living room back then.'

'Don't say that Jess, we're all going to miss you.' Lisa placed her hand on the girls shoulder as they walked out to the dining room. 'Jess, would you like me to stay with you tonight? If I would make you feel better.'

'If you want, I'd appreciate it.' She smiled up at her. 'Thanks Lisa.'

'Your welcome honey.'

Jessie took her place at the table, sitting quietly as the family began to come in and sit for dinner. Slowly, she ate dinner as they talked around the table but she didn't listen to their conversations. She had a lot on her mind, her thoughts still a jumble. Her stomach was in knots, but she forced herself to eat what was placed in front of her. Lisa knew she was upset, and she smiled sadly at her as she felt Lisa place her hand on her knee. Lisa squeezed her knee gently, a conversation passing between the two of them without words. Slowly, she picked away at her plate till it was empty, then excused herself and changed into her pajamas to get ready for bed.

Leaving Mallory's room, she went back over to her cot and sat down as the family began to clean up from dinner. She knew she should go help, but she needed a moment by herself to just take a breath. Tomorrow she was going to a new place, and she wondered what she would be doing this time tomorrow. What were these people like that were taking care of her? Would they treat her well? There was a feeling of dread in her stomach that she couldn't shake.

'Do you want some desert?' Lisa asked as she sat down beside her. 'You didn't eat much for dinner.'

'I'm not hungry.'

'I thought so.' She rubbed the girls shoulders as she leant against her. Wrapping her arm around the girl, she wished that she could take away the girls pain. She wished the girl didn't have to go through this. She wished she could take care of her, so the girl wasn't thrust at the mercy of a bunch of strangers but she knew she couldn't. 'You want me to plait your hair?'

Jessie nodded. 'Thanks Lisa.'

'Your welcome sweetie.' Gently, she began to braid the girls hair into a French plait, the girl nodding her head sleepily as her body relaxed to get ready for bed. 'There you go.'

'Thanks.' She repeated as she laid down, letting Lisa place the blankets on her. 'Night Lisa.'

'Good night Jess.'

Jack and Lisa sat together quietly on the couch after everyone had gone to bed, the crackle of the fire and the sound of Jessie's breathing the only noise in the quiet house.

Jack looked down at Lisa, the woman watching Jessie sleep, deep in thought. 'You okay Lisa?'

'Yeh, I'm fine.' She replied, turning to look at him. 'Jessie's quite upset with having to go to that family tomorrow.'

'I could tell.' He placed his arm around her, the woman in turn leaning against him. 'She'll be okay Lisa, and Clint says the family is happy to let her visit here whenever she likes.'

'That's good.' Silence fell across the room again as she watched the girl sleep. Even though she had only been there a couple months, she couldn't help but feel like she was going to be saying goodbye to a family member tomorrow. She knew the girl adored her, and she had gotten attached to her in return. It was going to be hard to say goodbye. 'I'm going to miss her.'

'I'm going to miss her too Lis.' Jack admitted, placing a kiss on her head. 'But she'll be able to come for visits, and you can see her when your not in France.'

'Yeh, I know.' Her voice trailed off as she rested against him, gaining strength from his embrace. 'But it's not going to be the same.'

'What do you mean?'

'I know she's safe here when I leave, but we don't know this family at all. Is she going to be safe with them? How do we know for certain that they're going to take good care of her?' She looked up at him, her blue eyes glistening with tears in the firelight. 'What if further down the track she gets put into a worse situation then she was in? I just want to know that she'll be safe.'

'Clint speaks very highly of this family. They're good people Lisa.' He wiped away a tear rolling down her cheek. 'Your really not handling her leaving well are you?'

Lisa nodded her head. 'I've grown attached to her Jack. You know I don't have any children, she sort of filled that hole in my heart. I always knew she would be leaving, and I told myself to keep my distance but I just couldn't leave her crying out for affection and the longing of someone to turn to. I never thought it would be this hard on me though when the time came for her to leave. I'm really hope for her sake this family is good, she's had enough of a hard time as it is. I just wish I could look after her myself. I would, if it were possible, but-' She let her thoughts trail off. They both knew she couldn't. 'I just hope it works out for her.'

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Is Lisa's concern for Jessie's safety legitimate? Are things going to turn out for Jessie? What's going to happen with Jessie when she goes to the foster home? How are things going to play out? Will she ever see Jack and Lisa again? Will she get to return to Heartland? I guess you'll all have to see what happens! Adios!