Hi guys!

Here I am! I know you guys are champing at the bit to get into this update so I'll keep this short.

To Kyle, yes, we will have more of Jack and Lisa's growing relationship in the coming chapters! PATIENCE guys, it will be worth it. *winks* Trust me.

To guest who left a review about Lisa taking in Jessie, I'm afraid that its probably not going to be the solution your hoping to see but I think it may come close... *no spoilers!*

To Toni, yes, I'm going to be fleshing out Lisa's past throughout this story and the coming stories. There is going to be plenty of her backstory as this Saga unfolds. (Hopefully giving her a more of a past then they have in the TV series)

To the other guest thanking me for uploading, you are most most welcome and I'm glad your enjoying the story.

Hope you all enjoy this update, it's going to be quite the roller-coaster!

DISCLAIMER! I DO NOT OWN THE SONG USED AT THE END. ALL RIGHTS GO TO BETHAL CHURCH, BRIAN AND JEN JOHNSON AND ASSOCIATED INDIVIDUALS. I ALSO DO NOT OWN THESE CHARACTERS EXCEPT JESSIE, WARRIOR AND COUGAR. ALL RIGHTS GO TO CBC AND ASSOCIATED PARTIES.

Chapter 11

'Here we are.' Jack announced to the girls as he pulled the truck up into a parking spot out the front of Maggie's. 'I'll be back in half an hour or so, I've just got to quickly duck to the post office.'

'Alright, let's go Cindy.' Lisa opened the door, the girl sliding out of the seat behind her. 'Do you want a milkshake while we're here?'

'Sure, but I thought this was a horse stuff store.' She questioned as Jack reversed and pulled back onto the road. 'Is it a cafe as well?'

'Yep, come on.' She led the way to the front door, opening it for the girl to go through first. 'Let's go get you a pair of boots and see if there's a horse for Jessie first though.'

'Okay.' Cindy followed her into the store side of the building, spotting the model horses instantly. 'There they are.'

Lisa chuckled as the girl hurried over to them and she followed at a somewhat slower pace, stopping to grab a pair of boots for the girl. 'Found anything?'

'Yep.' She held up a box for Lisa to inspect. 'What do you think of this one?'

She nodded her approval. 'I think Jessie is going to love it.'

'I hope she does.' Cindy looked down at the model again. 'Are you sure it's okay to get it for her? I mean, it's forty dollars.'

'Don't worry about the cost, one model horse won't send me broke. I think it looks just like Warrior.' She looked down at the boots she was holding. 'Try these on, I think they'll fit.'

'Anything I can help you with Lisa?' Maggie asked as she walked over. She smiled as she looked at the girl. 'And whose this young lady? I see you like model horses.'

'This is Cindy, she's staying at Heartland for a couple weeks.' She placed her hand on the girl's shoulders. 'This is Maggie Cindy.'

Cindy smiled shyly. 'Hi.'

'We're here to get some boots.'

Maggie nodded. 'Well, if you need a different size, just hollar. I've got more out back.'

'Thanks Maggie.' She replied as Maggie went back to the counter to serve another customer. She looked down at Cindy sitting on the chair at the end of the rack as the girl tried on the new boots. 'How do those feel?'

'Much better.' She stood up, walking around in them some. 'I think they'll do fine.'

Lisa knelt down in front of her, feeling for how much room she had in the boots. 'That's your toe there?'

'Yep.'

'They're not too tight?'

'Nope. They feel fine to me.' She took another walk in them as Lisa stood up. 'I think they'll do.'

'Do you like them? There's a couple other styles you could look at.'

'I like these ones, and the quicker we finish here, the quicker we can go see Jessie.'

'Alright.' Lisa chuckled. 'I guess it's these ones then. You can wear them out, I'll put these old ones in the box.' She grabbed the box off the shelf and put Mallory's boots the girl had been using. 'Don't forget the model.'

'Found some boots then?' Maggie asked as they walked up to the counter. Cindy nodded. 'I'm glad.'

Cindy placed the horse on the table, then looked back at the model horses. 'Can I go have one last look? I haven't looked at them for ages. I didn't get a catalogue either.'

Lisa chuckled. 'Of course, off you go.' She smiled as the girl skipped back to the stand and turned to Maggie. 'Could you wrap the horse up? It's a gift for someone.'

'Sure.' She grabbed out the roll of brown paper. 'So, where did she come from?'

The woman sighed. 'She's a foster child that Jessie helped escape. She's staying with Jack till her grandmother can take her in a couple of weeks.'

'So, she's one of those-'

'Yes. I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention it to her. She doesn't know that the story of what happened is in the media yet.'

Maggie shook her head. 'To think that those people would do such a thing as abuse their foster kids, it's horrible. They used to come in here, and they were such nice people but come to think of it, I never saw any of the foster kids.'

'They weren't allowed to go with them to town.' She looked back at Cindy. 'She's had it rough, they all did.'

'And you mentioned Jessie? How's she?'

'She's in the hospital, we're going to go visit her soon. That's who the horse is for, Cindy wanted to get her something.'

Maggie gasped. 'Is she alright?'

'She's got cracked ribs and a couple other things. They're mainly just keeping her there for observation.'

'Cracked ribs from the foster home?' She shook her head in disbelief. 'Those poor kids.'

Lisa heard Cindy returning and quietly shushed her. 'Did you get a catalogue?'

Cindy nodded. 'I got one for me and one for Jessie. She can look through it when she gets bored.'

'That's a good idea.'

Maggie got an idea of her own as she observed Lisa and Cindy's conversation. Looking through her book, she pretended to find something. 'Lisa, there's a promotion going that you buy one model horse and you get another one free. Maybe Cindy would like to choose one for herself.'

Cindy's face lit up. 'Really?'

'Yep. Go pick yourself a model.'

Lisa turned back to Maggie as Cindy hurried over to the stand. 'Maggie-'

'Sssh.' Maggie quietened her. 'Consider it a gift to her. From what I heard, she deserves something nice.'

'Your too kind Maggie. I can pay for it.'

'Nonsense Lisa. It's my good deed for the week.'

'If you're sure-'

'I'm positive.' She smiled as the girl returned. 'Did you find one?'

'Yep.' Cindy nodded, placing the pinto model on the counter. 'It looks like Jack's horse Paint. I think I'll name him Paint.'

'That's a nice idea.' Lisa chuckled as she paid for the boots and the other model. 'I think Paint would be honoured knowing that there's a model named after him.'

'Can we go get that milkshake now?'

'Of course.' She picked up the bag with the model and the boots in it. 'Thanks Maggie.'

'See you later Lisa. Enjoy that model Cindy.'

'I will.'

'What flavour do you want?' Lisa asked as they walked to the counter of the cafe. 'I might grab myself one too.'

'Hmmm. Strawberry?'

'Strawberry it is then.'

Cindy looked around the dinner as Lisa ordered. People were eating, there were quite a few people there too. She hadn't seen so many for quite some time. It reminded her of the cafe her grandmother and her used to go to for milkshakes. She was about to sit down to wait, then the front page of the newspaper caught her eye. She looked at the headline, a cold shiver ran up her spine. The photos on the front, she knew them. It was of their living quarters back at the foster home. She opened the paper, more pictures and the rest of the story inside.

'Cindy, let's go. Jack is going to be waiting for us.'

'Lisa, look.' She pointed to the newspaper. 'Why did they do a write up about us?'

Lisa looked at the paper, a silent anger welling inside her at the pictures and the article. She placed her hand on the girl's shoulder. 'I don't know Cindy. Come on, let's go.'

Cindy took one last glance at the paper and followed Lisa out to the side walk to meet Jack. 'Now everyone knows about it. How on earth did they hear about it?'

'I have no idea.' She replied honestly as Jack's truck pulled up in an empty car park. 'But when someone as influential and respected as the Anderson's were, the media is going to be hot on the story. That always happens.'

Cindy sighed as she hopped in the car. 'They're going to just make a spectacle out of it.'

'Did you get what you wanted?' Jack asked Cindy as Lisa and her hopped in the car. 'We can go up to the hospital now, they rang to say that Jessie is awake and looking forward to seeing us.'

'I got my boots and a model for Jessie.' She sipped her milkshake as she held her model on her lap as Lisa climbed in beside her and closed the door. 'And I got this model. It looks like Paint, don't you think?'

'It does. What are you going to call it?'

'Paint.'

'Paint hey?' He chuckled as he reversed and pulled back out onto the road. 'Did you find something for Jessie?'

'Yes, I got her a model that looks like Warrior.'

'I'm sure she's going to love it.' Lisa added as she drank her milkshake. 'We'll grab you a couple of shirts and jeans before we go home too, but we'll go see her first. You're just champing at the bit to go see her.'

Cindy laughed. 'Yes, I am.'

Jessie finished eating her breakfast in peace and quiet. Surprisingly, she had had a good enough sleep, what little she had of it once she had been able to sleep in the wee hours of the morning. Lisa was right. Thinking of good things did help her get to sleep.

'Jessie, we're here!'

Jessie looked over, smiling as Cindy, Lisa and Jack walked into the room. She pushed away the table her empty tray was on and patted the bed beside her as an invitation for Cindy to climb up next to her. 'Hey, how have you been?'

'Good.' She sat down next to her, smiling widely. 'Lisa brought me these boots and we have something for you.' She placed the wrapped box on the girls lap. 'Open it up.'

'What is it?' Jessie asked, starting to unwrap the package. 'You shouldn't have Lisa. You've given me too much already.'

Lisa chuckled. 'Jessie, you're worth it. Trust me, I don't mind. Cindy picked it out.'

'Oh, Cindy, it's gorgeous.' She exclaimed as she looked at the model horse. It was completely black, not a speck of white to be seen. The stallion was rearing with his head held high, his mane blown back by the wind. She touched the plastic window of the box, then opened it and pulled the horse out. Taking the model from its packaging, she held it reverently in her hands. 'Its beautiful. Thank you Cindy, Lisa.'

'I picked it because it looks like Warrior.' Cindy continued. 'Do you like it?'

'Like it? I love it. It's the nicest present anyone has ever given to me.' She gave her a hug. 'It's truly beautiful.'

'I'm glad you like it.' Lisa sat down as Jack grabbed himself a chair. 'How are you feeling this morning?'

'Alright. I'm pumped up on painkillers, so I feel great.' Jessie chuckled. 'I did manage to get some sleep, so that was good.' She glanced over at Jack. 'Cindy been giving you a hard time?'

'She's actually quite good. She's better behaved than you, she hasn't gone climbing out of hospital windows yet.' He replied as Jessie rolled her eyes. 'Unlike someone else I know.'

'Very funny Jack, very funny.' She scoffed. 'You know I had my reasons for what I did.' She turned to Cindy. 'How is Warrior? He's alright?'

'He's okay, he's a bit flighty and skittish so Amy has been giving him some herbs to help calm him.'

'Lavender.'

'Huh?'

'Warrior loves the smell of lavender.' Jessie explained. 'I used to hang a bundle of lavender near his stall. It helped calm him and also made the stable smell great.'

'I'll have to see if we can find some.'

'I've got some in a garden at home.' Lisa offered. 'I never thought about using it with the horses though.'

'What about exercising him? He needs to be exercised, he's just got all that energy he needs to burn.' Cindy asked. 'I was thinking maybe free jumping him, I was going to ask Amy. Mallory suggested that.'

'That might work, but he really needs to be ridden. He's used to having a five mile gallop everyday, of course while I was at that foster home I wasn't able to exercise him as much but that's what he's used to. I don't want you riding him by yourself though Cindy, you hadn't ridden a horse before a month ago. He needs someone experienced.'

'How about you ride him Lisa? You ride, don't you?' Cindy looked at her. 'I mean, Warrior likes you.'

'I don't know.' Lisa replied with some strained hesitation. 'Warrior might tolerate me, but who knows what he would be like if I tried to ride him.'

'Lisa, Warrior trusts you and he does need to be exercised.' Jessie continued. 'Just ride him in the corral first and see what he's like and then if he's okay with you maybe take him on a trail ride. He can't stay cooped up or he's just going to get so restless he'll go crazy.'

'No, I agree with you there.' She sighed. 'Are you sure it's okay if I rode him?'

'I trust you and he trusts you. Just take it nice and slow.'

'I don't know Lis.' Jack interrupted, his tone conveying his concern about the whole idea. 'I don't want you getting hurt if he turns mean.'

'Lunge him first and see if he's alright with that. It'll take the edge off him and then you can decide if you want to get on him. I don't want you getting hurt either, that's the last thing I want.'

'It won't hurt to try, he's got to be exercised. Last time half of his problem was because he wasn't able to burn his energy. I'll be careful with him.'

Jessie nodded. 'Thank you Lisa. That's one worry taken care of.'

'No problem.'

'So.' Cindy joined in, changing the conversation. 'How much longer are you going to be stuck in here for?'

Jessie chuckled. 'Cindy, a few more days at least. I'll be happy to get out of here, that's for sure. I'm sick of it already.'

'It didn't take long.' She placed the model horse catalogue on the girls lap. 'I'll have to see if I can borrow some books from Mallory for you, but for now, you can look through this.'

'Thanks Cindy.'

'So, Jessie.' Lisa spoke up. 'Did you get any sleep last night?'

'I got a little, but not much. I guess I have too many things on my mind.' She sighed. 'I was awake till two, it was so annoying.'

'Do you want to talk about it?'

She shook her head. Not while Cindy and Jack were present. 'No, not at the moment.'

'That's alright, you don't have to.'

Jessie was about to reply when Jack's phone rang. Quietly excusing himself, he walked out of the room and into the hallway to take the call. She looked down at the model in her hands. She wanted to talk, needed to get it out but she wouldn't in front of Cindy. 'How have you been Cindy?'

'Alright, I guess.' Cindy nuzzled into her. 'I mean, I'm in better shape than you.'

Physically, yes, emotionally, she wasn't so sure. Cindy was a good two years younger than her, and Cindy had always been shown love and kindness. It was different for her, she'd never had to rely on anyone but herself, she had never been abused or beaten by anyone before and she hadn't been burnt by those who said they loved her. It made her resilient to a degree, but Cindy didn't have that. Didn't have that experience. 'Cindy, don't lie to me. You're upset, aren't you?'

'No, I'm fine. What would make you think that?' She laughed half-heartedly, trying to shrug it off as a joke but then quietened and became serious. 'I'll just be happy to go back to my Grandma.'

'You can talk to me, you know that.' She pressed gently. 'I'll always be here for you.'

'I know.' Cindy replied as Jack walked back in and she looked over at him. 'Interesting conversation?'

Jack looked at Lisa, not answering the girls question directly. 'Rebecca needs to speak with Cindy again, so she asked if I could take her around. It would only be for an hour or so, you could come with us or stay here and talk to Jessie.'

'I think I might stay.' She could see the girl needed to talk but she knew that she wouldn't do it if Cindy or Jack was around. 'Do you mind Jessie?'

'Not at all.' Secretly, she was glad to get some alone time with her.

'Do we have to go now?' Cindy complained. 'We just got here.'

'We've been here nearly an hour, and I'm afraid so Cindy.' He motioned for her to come along. 'You can see Jessie again when we come back to pick Lisa up, if she's not asleep.'

'Fine.' She sighed heavily as she gave the older girl a hug then climbed down off the bed. 'I'll be back later Jessie.'

'I'll hold you to it.' Jessie called after her as she and Jack left. She sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, clearing her head. She breathed deeply a couple of times, then opened her eyes again. 'I love Cindy dearly-' Her voice trailed off.

'But sometimes you want to say things when she's not around.' Lisa finished the sentence with a chuckle as she brought her chair over closer to the girls bed. 'She's a nice girl, but sometimes you need your space too.'

'How did you guess that?' Jessie laughed. 'I've never said anything of the sort.'

'Call it a woman's intuition.'

'I love Cindy, but sometimes she is a little much.' She rolled her shoulders back, then winced as pain from her injuries shot through her. 'Man, those bruises must really look like something, they're still making me stiff and sore. I feel like I fell off a horse then got run over by a freight train.'

'Well, if they look like anything like the ones on your face, I can see why.' They were black and purple, deep bruises that marred her skin and made her face swollen. It had started to lessen a little, but not by much. 'Do they hurt?'

'A little.' She conciensolessly touched her cheek, then winced. 'A lot. I'm just glad that there's no mirror in the room, I don't think I'd really want to see how I look at the moment. Barbara had to take pictures of my injuries for the police investigation, I don't even want to see them either. My face was the only thing that my father didn't scar, unlike the rest of my body. I don't think I could bear to see it like the way it is. It looks terrible, doesn't it?'

It did. There wasn't a makeup made that could hide those bruises like she had to those bygone years. 'They'll fade Honey.' She assured her gently. 'It might just take a couple weeks.'

'Guess I had better steer clear of mirrors then.' She tried to crack a joke, but inside she was breaking. She didn't want to see the evidence of what he had inflicted upon her, another lasting reminder that she was nothing more than an old rag doll. She could still see the smug look on that man's face as he mercilessly rained down blow after blow on her. She could still feel the punches, hear his laughter. A new fear gripped at her heart. She had thought it was going to be over, but what if they made her stand up against him in court? She wouldn't be able to see him without losing the plot, either completely breaking down or trying to rip his throat out with her bare hands. 'Will they make me testify against the Anderson's?'

Lisa was a little stunned at the question, but realized that there was more going on behind her eyes that she couldn't read. She knew that she had a tendency to overthink, just like herself, but it wasn't going to do her any good stressing herself out when she needed rest so she could heal. She knew the thought of testifying against the person that had abused her was only going to scare her further. 'Jessie, I don't know to be honest.'

'I don't ever want to see his face again.' She said with a touch of venom in her tone. 'If I ever saw him again,' Her hands began to shake as she tried to contain herself. 'I don't think I could.' She looked at Lisa. 'First my father, then him. I'm just so tired of it, tired of the memories and the nightmares. I just want it to end. I just want to be happy again.'

'Oh Jessica.' She placed her hand gently on the girl's small, slender one. Jessie flinched a little at her touch but accepted it without protesting. It was hard seeing her like this. She'd been so happy and confident before she'd gone to the foster home but now she was back to square one again. 'You will work through this and you will be happy again. I promise you that.'

'But how can I be happy, with the memories of what happened flashing before my eyes every time I close them?' She looked at her, her eyes troubled and haunted, like she was searching for answers she'd never find. 'I don't have a home, I don't have family. I'm just a broken orphan that no one wants. Why? Why did this have to happen to me? These scars,' She looked down at her arms, covered by a long-sleeved hospital gown. 'They're living reminders every day, every time I look at them. I'm ashamed of them. I'm ashamed of myself. I'm nothing but a broken, unwanted sack of crap.'

'Jessie, that is not true.' Lisa said softly, holding her hand. 'Never be ashamed of being broken, because strength is nothing but pain that has been repaired. You will get through this. Life goes on. You have to keep going, keep fighting.'

'But what is the point of fighting on? What is the point of living anymore.'

Lisa placed her hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. 'You go on for what the world can offer you. Jack, I, we care for you. Warrior, that stallion would do anything for you. What would it do to him if you give up? He'd be so upset and crazed with fear and grief that he'd had to be put down. I know it's hard, I know it's tough, I know you want to give up. Jessie, I have been there.' She looked into her eyes as she started to tear up. 'Jessie, I have been where you are now. I have wanted to give up, give in. I wanted to die. Things in my life, it was nothing like it is now. I had nothing, I had no one really I could turn to but I had to keep going and I worked through if. If I had decided I wanted to stop living, I would have missed out on all of what I have now. Jack, my work, you. I am thankful every day that I kept going, that even when the odds were against me I didn't give in, didn't give up. I came through, and I know you can too.'

Jessie looked up at her, speechless. 'But, Lisa, you seem so-'

'Perfect?'

'Yeah. I mean-' She stopped, not knowing what to say. 'Your rich, you could have anything you want. Life isn't hard for you.'

'Money isn't everything Jessie.' Lisa chuckled lightly. 'And life is just as hard when you do have it.'

'I guess I just imagined that you had a perfect life.'

'I guess you did, now you know the truth.' She fell silent, then turned serious. 'Jessie, one day I will tell you my story, but it's not for now. Even with what you've been through, it's too much for you at your age. You shouldn't have had to go through everything you did. You're so young, so innocent. You shouldn't have had this trauma, this emotional and physical abuse from those who were to love and care for you. Even if I can't tell you now, I understand.' She brushed the girls cheek gently, careful not to hurt her bruises. 'And I promise to help you get through this the best that I can. You don't have to go through this alone. I will help you for as long as I can.'

Jessie took her hand, smiling at her. 'Thank you Lisa.'

'Your welcome honey.' She smiled as she gave the girl a hug. 'It might seem dark now, but even as the sun chases the night away, it will turn to light again.'

She looked at her as Lisa held her arm around her. 'How did you get through?'

'It was a song I heard on the radio.' She was taken back to when she had heard it, sitting in her car on the edge of the freeway one morning when she had decided that she was going to kill herself. 'It saved my life.'

The girl raised her eyebrow. 'How can a song do that?'

'It's hard to explain, but when I heard it it made me realise that it wasn't the end for me, that there was light at the end of the tunnel.' She kissed the girl's cheek gently. 'You need to get some sleep now, do you want me to sing it to you?'

'You can sing?'

'Ssssh, it's our little secret.' She put her finger over her lips. 'You can't tell anyone. Promise?'

'Promise.'

'Alright then, close your eyes.' I know it's all you've got to just be strong, And it's a fight just to keep it together. Jessie nuzzled down against her, her head resting on her shoulder as she listened to her sing. I know you think that you are too far gone. But hope is never lost,

Hope is never lost. She paused for a moment, kissing the girl's head gently. Hold on, don't let go. Hey, hold on, don't let go. The girl let her body relax in her arms and she continued. Just take one step closer, Put one foot in front of the other. You'll get through this, Just follow the light in the darkness. You're gonna be ok. Lisa looked down at the girl, her eyes misting. Jessie had been through so much, she had already been through way too much in her young life and now for this to happen to her- She kissed her head again gently as she continued to sing. I know your heart is heavy from those nights But just remember that you are a fighter, a fighter. Even though now the girl looked like she was breaking, she was a fighter. She had proved that. You never know just what tomorrow holds, And you're stronger than you know. You're stronger than you know. Jessie was strong, even if she didn't believe it. She just needed to learn and to realize that she was still strong, that there was strength even in being broken. Hold on, don't let go. Hey, hold on, don't let go. Just take one step closer, Put one foot in front of the other. You'll get through this- The girl was going to make it through, she was going to make sure of that because she wasn't going anywhere. Jessie needed her and she was going to help her get through. Just follow the light in the darkness.

You're gonna be ok. And when the night is closing in, Don't give up and don't give in. She glanced back down at Jessie, the girl's breathing deeper as the child drifted off to sleep. She smiled, resting her cheek on the girl's head. This won't last, it's not the end, It's not the end.

You're gonna be ok.

I think this song couldn't be included at a better time. To everyone stuck home, this too will pass. Live will go on. We just have to be strong and lift each other up during this time.

If anyone wants to listen to the song here in this chapter it's called 'Your Gonna Be Okay by Brian and Jen Johnson from Bethal Church on YouTube. I highly recommend it, it's a beautiful song and rather fitting for what Jessie and everyone in real life are going through at the moment.

Stay strong, chin up and press on.

Till next update, stay well! I'll see you all again soon!