Hi guys,

I apologise for not updating sooner, things have been kind of hetic around here at the moment. I had another doctors appointment this week (a new doctor) and I had to have a bunch of tests done yesterday so I'm not feeling to great right now. We may have answers as to what is wrong with me but I'm not ready to say what it is just yet. Im still coming to terms with what this diagnoses is. (Shes pretty certain I have *something* but the tests are to just confirm) I see her again next month so we'll get definate answers then...

I'll be going on holiday tomorrow for a few days so I probably won't upload till next Friday. I havent been able to work on my next story, New Beginnings, for over a month. There is 2 chapters left of this story and once I upload them I may take a break for a bit. I will be back though, that's a promise. I just want to figure out things here with my health in the meantime.

Thank you everyone who has reviewed, I really appreciate it! Enjoy!

Chapter 35.0

Jessie stroked Warriors shoulder gently as the stallion sniffed her jacket, tears of happinesses in her eyes. She didn't have to leave, she could stay. She was going to stay and no one was going to take her away from here again. The stallion nudged her gently again, blowing softly on her as she twirled her fingers through his mane. 'I'm so happy I can stay boy, are you happy I can stay?'

The stallion nickerd deep in his chest, nibbling at her cheeks with his soft lips. 'That's a yes then I take it?' She giggled, the horse turning away to snatch at his haynet. 'Oh, your haynet is more important than me then?' Warrior snorted, the black setting to work on eating. She rapped the stable door with her fingers as she turned to walk away. 'Alright boy, I'll come turn you out for a bit shortly, that is if the hospital warden thinks I'm up to it.'

'I heard you're going to be staying.'

She turned as Ty walked into the barn, nodding with a smile. 'Yep. They finally made up their minds about Jack and Lisa's request for my custody and just in the nick of time too.' A glance back at her stallion revealed he was still consumed with his haynet. Typical horse, always hungry. 'So I guess everyone is stuck having me around.'

'I don't think that's a bad thing.' Ty chuckled, heading to Spartan's stall to grab him and take him out to pasture. 'I quite like you Jessie, you're a fine girl. I'm glad you'll be staying.'

'Thanks Ty.' She blushed slightly. 'That means a lot to me.'

'Well I mean it. I just hope you'll find a way to keep yourself out of trouble now that you're here on a permanent basis. You gave us all quite the fright when you took off and got caught in that blizzard.'

'Yeah, so I've been told.' Jessie looked down at the ground, slightly embarrassed. 'It wasn't exactly my shining hour. If it wasn't for Warrior-' Her voice trailed off as she turned to the stallion. 'Well, I can definitely promise I won't be pulling a stunt like that again in a hurry.'

'Ty, did you check the back pasture gate?' Caleb asked as he came into the barn, leading Shorty. 'It was open and there's a few cows missing.'

'No, I checked it last night. It was closed and latched probably.'

'I can go look for them.' Jessie offered hopefully. 'Warrior and I would find them pretty quick.'

'Ah, I think not Jessie. It's a man's job.' He glanced at her, frowning. 'Wasn't Clint picking you up today?'

'If I didn't know any better I would think you're disappointed that I'm still here.'

'Jessie's staying.' Ty interrupted with a smirk, leading Spartan out of his stall. For some reason there was something unexplainable that he just couldn't quite put his finger on with Caleb and Jessie. It was almost like jealousy on his part, like he felt that the girl was a threat of some sort. Maybe she was. 'On a permanent basis.'

'So, all those 'man's jobs' that you speak about could be changed to 'girl's jobs' if you don't watch your step.' She smirked. 'Don't try and hide your disappointment Caleb, I know you're just over the moon about my staying.'

'Whatever.' He rolled his eyes then looked back at Ty. 'We need to go find those strays.'

'Yeah yeah, I'm coming.' Ty growled, heading towards the paddock. 'See you later Jessie.'

'Bye Ty.' She glanced at Caleb as he led his horse away and mounted again, a little more than slightly annoyed. What was his problem? She shrugged, heading back out into the cold to go to the house. It wasn't her concern if he didn't like a girl showing him up. She walked in, taking her coat off as the door closed behind her. She frowned. Where was Jack and Lisa? She walked into the kitchen, then the dining room but they weren't there. 'Jack? Lisa?'

A noise from at the top of the stairs caught her attention and she glanced up, heading over close to the foot of the stairs. Jack and Lisa were standing at the top of the stairs, a guilty look on their face like as if she'd caught them in the middle of something. 'What are you two doing?'

'Nothing.'

'Nothing at all.' Lisa agreed. 'We were just ah, discussing the need for some serious cobweb removing. There's a lot of cobwebs up here.'

'Lisa.' Her hands went to her hips as she cocked her head to the side with a smirk. 'You don't fool me one little bit. You two are up to something, aren't you?'

'Maybe, maybe not.' Jack came down the stairs with Lisa following, placing his hand on her shoulder with a smile. 'It's for us to know and for you to find out.'

'Hmmmmm.' Her eyes darted between the two of them. They were up to something, and it most definitely wasn't just 'nothing' like they said. 'How about I go have a little peak up at those 'cobwebs' myself.'

'Ah, that's not necessary.'

'So, it isn't nothing then.' She replied with the biggest smirk. 'Awe, come on. Tell me! Please, pretty pretty please?'

'I think it's time you and I take a trip to town young missy.' Lisa caught the thankful look that Jack gave her. With Jessie out of the house they could finish off her room without her little prying eyes around. It had been hard enough keeping their preparing the room a secret but it would prove impossible to paint it without her knowledge if she was still around. 'How would you like a sleepover at Fairfield?'

'I can come see your house?' Jessie raised her eyebrows then looked at Jack. 'Is it okay?'

'Of course it is. You two can have some quality girl time without me around to crash your party.'

'Thanks Jack.' She smiled. 'Can you feed Cougar for me?'

'Sure. Don't you worry about her or Warrior, they'll be fine.'

'Alright, well I guess that I'll come then.' Jessie glanced over at her bags. 'I'll just grab a couple things.'

'Thanks for getting her out of the house for a bit Lisa.' Jack remarked to her under his breath as the girl headed across the room. He had no idea how he and the girls were going to get her room completed so she had somewhere to stay other than in the living room but Lisa's idea was a godsend. 'We'll have it finished tonight, we'll just have to let it air out overnight.'

'That's okay Jack, it's my pleasure.' She assured him with a smile and a kiss on the cheek. 'It'll give me more time to get to know Jessie when she's actually herself and not stressed out of her mind and give her a chance to relax and un-wind. She's had a rough couple of weeks.'

'I've been thinking about that.' He continued. 'What do you think about the three of us taking a weekend vacation up to the fishing cabin? It could be a kind of celebration or something for her being able to stay and I think the break away could do us all some good.'

'That sounds like a very good idea. I'm in on it and I know Jessie will jump at the chance to spend time with us. It'll have to be next week though, I have some prior commitments this weekend.'

'Great, I'll see about getting things ready for the trip then.'

'Okay, I'm ready.' Jessie remarked as she walked back over, carrying a small bag. 'Let's go.'

'Woah woah woah.' Lisa laughed, looking at the girl. 'Aren't you forgetting something?'

'Um…' She scrunched her face up as she tried to remember. 'I don't think so.'

'Your gloves.' The woman motioned to the gloves on the girls stretcher. 'The cold won't help your hands heal and I don't think Barbra will be happy with you if you don't take care of yourself. We're going to duck in and get her to check you over quickly.'

'I should have known it was too good to be true.' Jessie sighed, heading back to get her gloves. 'I hope it's worth it, you know I don't like doctor's.'

'I know but there's no harm in her quickly looking you over is there?'

'I guess not.' She slipped her gloves on and picked up her bag, heading for the door. 'Bye Jack.' She remarked as they followed her to the coat rack. 'I'll have to check those 'cobwebs' when I get back.'

He chuckled, handing Lisa her coat. Jessie sure was going to be in for a surprise. 'See you Jessie, have fun. Don't cause too much trouble for Lisa.'

'Trouble? Me?' She exclaimed in pretend horror, putting on her jacket. 'Never. You must have me confused with someone else.'

'No, I'm pretty sure I've got the right person.' Jack gave Lisa a kiss on the cheek. 'Drive careful, the roads will still be icy.'

'I'll be careful.'

'Oh come on already.' Jessie rolled her eyes. 'Why don't you both just kiss already?'

'Someone is starting to sound like Mallory.'

'Mmmhmm.' Lisa replied, turning back to the girl. 'You ready to go?'

'Yep.'

'Alright then, let's go.' She ushered the girl out the door, catching Jack's amused smirk on the way. It was slightly embarrassing, Jessie's little remark. Jack had only tried to kiss her once before, after they'd gone fishing together and they hadn't because the girls and Ty had been watching. Since then he'd only kept it to a peck on the cheek and she didn't really know why. Maybe she should speak to him about it, the thought briefly crossed her mind as she opened the back of her car. 'Just pop your bag in there.'

'Okie doki.' The girl replied, putting her bag in the boot. Lisa closed it up and she headed for the passenger seat as the woman hopped in. She smiled cheekily as the car headed down the drive. 'So Lisa, have you and Jack actually kissed yet?'

'Jessie.' She laughed, shocked by the girls forthrightness. 'That's not really a polite question to ask.'

'Sorry.'

'But to answer your question, no.' Lisa continued as she turned onto the highway. 'You got your seatbelt on?'

'Now I do.' She quickly put it on. 'You and Jack like each other, don't you?'

'Yes, we do.'

'How long have you been seeing each other?'

'Is this interrogation time hey Jessie?'

'No, sorry.' She glanced down at the floor. 'Just curiosity. My mom used to have different boyfriends all the time and she didn't care who she kissed.'

'Ah, I see.' Another thing the girl had missed out on. Seeing what a proper relationship was actually like. She wasn't the kind of person to judge but from what Jessie had said about her mother she wasn't exactly the best role model for her. 'I'm not like your mom-'

'I noticed. I wouldn't have stuck around this long if you were. I love my mom but there's no way I could live like she did.'

'What was it like, other than your father?' She decided to change the subject off her and Jack's relationship to something she could use to learn more about the girl. 'You haven't really said too much.'

'It wasn't great.' Jessie sighed. 'I don't really remember much I guess because I was so young but what I do remember isn't the life I'd choose. We never actually had a home I don't think, we used to move a lot. Mom would move into houses with other men and I'd be there but I mostly remember staying out of their way as much as possible. I didn't like any of them. Always loud and rough, drinking and smoking. I somehow knew it wasn't right even back then, I didn't like being around when they brought out alcohol. Especially around my father. He was bad when he was sober, he was worse when he was drunk. When we weren't going from house to house we were on the road living in the car or motels. We never stayed for more than a couple weeks in one place. I don't really remember any happy memories from when I was little. There was one though.'

She smiled, pausing a moment as she looked out the window at the scenery. 'It was a couple weeks before Mom was killed, it was my birthday. She actually made me a cake, the first cake I remember and brought me a little stuffed horse toy. I loved that thing. I named it Brownie.' Lisa chuckled with a smile. 'It was a bay with four white socks, I absolutely addored it. Anyway, Mom was seeing this guy, Frank at the time. He was okay, I liked him better than my father and I remember he was around from time to time. My father and he never got along though, it wasn't pleasent. He wasn't anything like Jack, he wasn't a gentleman but he didn't like the way my Mom was treated. He was there for my birthday but then he disappeared and I never saw him again. Mom was killed not long after and well, you know the rest.'

Lisa nodded, glancing at the girl. Jessie's face was devoid of emotion, she stared out the windscreen at the scenery infront of them. It was hard, she knew. Knowing down the track what a parent was really like and thinking back on it was hard. 'Do you miss her?'

'Yeah.' Jessie fell silent for a moment, trying to choose her words. 'I do miss her, she was my mother after all but in another way I don't miss her. I definitely don't miss that kind of life, believe me.' The girl huffed. 'I know if things didn't happen the way they did, I'd be following in her footsteps because I didn't know any other way to live. I've seen that life, drugs, gangs, you name it. It'll always be with me but I don't choose that life. I want a good life, not one like my mother lived. I guess sometimes I'm scared that I'll turn out like her though. I really want a second chance to live a life I can be proud of. Make something of myself.'

'You know Jessie, that's a very mature statement honey.' She slowed the car as they headed into town. 'You are something Jessie. Your kind, independent, strong. You don't have to worry that you'll turn into your mother, your life now is so different from the life you would have had.'

'I know. I still can't help but think of it sometimes.' She sighed, then turned to her. 'Do you think she'd be proud of me?'

'I'm sure she would be.' Lisa looked for a car park, finding an empty one out the front of Maggie's. 'You want a milkshake before we go see Barbara?'

'Milkshake and no doctor?'

'Not an option.'

'It was worth a try I guess.' Jessie sighed as she got out, joining Lisa as she locked the car. 'Strawberry please. Can I have a look around?'

'Sure.' She opened the door, letting her in. 'I'll go order and come join you.'

'Okay.' The girl headed into the store, thankful that the cafe and the store were almost deserted. A couple customers were at a table near the window and there was a lady trying on hats but other than that there weren't any others besides workers. It felt weird, coming back to where she'd stolen from, the night she'd stolen from the charity bin still playing on her mind. She walked over to the shirts, browsing through them then kept looking around.

Something sparkling caught her attention and she glanced around, heading over to the glass cabinet. She smiled, looking at the shiny belt buckles and necklaces but it was a pretty rose gold colored watch that really caught her eye. A black horse reared in the center of the watch, surrounded by sparkling crystals. It looked like Warrior. Her eyes searched for the price tag and she drew her breath in. There was no way she'd ever get that, not in a million years.

'Something you like in there?'

Lisa's voice startled her and she jumped, her heart pounding as she turned to her. 'You've really got to stop sneaking up on me like that Lisa!'

'Sorry honey.' She took a look in the display. The girls interest in the watch hadn't gone unnoticed. 'That looks like Warrior, doesn't it?'

'Yeah, kinda.' The girl sighed inwardly. There was no way she was going to say that she liked it. Lisa had given her so much already. 'How long will our drinks be?'

'Maggie's probably finished them by now. Come on, I got you a muffin too.'

Jessie grinned, following her back to the cafe and climbing onto a seat at the counter. Lisa took a seat beside her, passing her her muffin when the lady placed it on the counter. 'Thanks.'

'You must be Jessie.' Maggie smiled as she brought the milkshakes over. 'I'm Maggie.'

'Hi.' She dug into her muffin, letting Maggie and Lisa talk. She glanced around, hearing the door open and another customer walked in, heading straight for Lisa.

'I thought that was your car out there Lisa' Val remarked as she came over. 'I'll take the usual to go thanks Maggie.'

'Hi Val.' Lisa tried to be cordial, wishing that the woman wasn't there, especially when she had Jessie with her. 'Fancy seeing you here.'

'I thought you were supposed to be in France.'

'I was.' She rolled her palms on the edge of the counter. 'Things came up and I decided that I would postpone my trip until I felt that I could go.'

'That wouldn't happen to have anything to do with those foster kids Jack was looking after, would it? You have your own life Lisa, you don't need to go looking after kids no one wants. Even their own parents don't want them. Why should you bother helping with them? Surely Jack doesn't expect you to give up your life to help him on some whim of his. They don't belong at Heartland, Jack doesn't need to go taking in every stray off the street like Ty.'

Jessie glanced down at her mug, hearing every word in their conversation. Without even knowing what was happening to her tears began to form in her eyes. The glass shattered as she dropped it on the floor, running to the door.

'Jessie-' Lisa called after her but the girl was out the door before she could stop her. She turned to Val, her eyes blazing. 'Don't you ever speak like that about them. You know nothing about them.' She glanced at Maggie. 'I'll be back to get that item shortly.'

The girl looked around as she stood in the alleyway, tears running down her face. Had Lisa really given up going away because of her? Without really knowing where she was going she ran down the alley, just wanting to get as far away from that woman as possible.

'Jessie? Jessie!' Lisa called, hurrying into the alleyway after the girl. Jessie stopped running, hearing her call to her. 'Jessie.' She approached her, the girl standing head down with her back towards her. Gently she placed her hand on her shoulder. 'You okay honey?'

'Yeah.' She lied with a sniffle as she wiped her cheeks. 'I'm fine.'

'Don't let Val get to you honey, she was way out of line. Nothing of what she said is true. You do belong at Heartland and you belong with us. Jack and I both want you very much.'

'Thanks.' She sniffled again, turning to her. 'Who was that woman anyway?'

'Just a person who has more money than brains. Val Stanton, she's high up in the horse society and she thinks she owns the place.'

'So she's Ashley's mom.'

'Yes.'

Jessie raised her eyebrows. 'Like daughter like mother. No wonder Ashley was so stuck up about Warrior being a cross-bred, having a mother like that.'

'They're both cut from the same cloth those two.' She glanced back towards the Cafe as Val left. Gosh, that woman got on her nerves! To have the audacity to say those things about Jack behind his back and then what she said about Jessie-Why on earth did Jack even bother to still talk to her? Obviously she was good at only showing him the side of her that she wanted him to see. 'I need to go back and pick up a couple things, do you want another milkshake? You can't let her ruin enjoying your time with me.'

'Yeah your right.' The girl nodded. 'Alright. Let's just hope we don't run into anymore of your 'nice' rich horse society people.'

'I couldn't agree more. I've had more than enough of them for one day.'

Jessie followed Lisa back into the Cafe, slightly embarrassed about what had happened. Maggie was cleaning up the mess she had made and she quickly went over to her. 'Let me help clean it up.'

'Its okay Jessie, I've got it.' She finished picking up the broken glass, placing it into the bin and grabbed the mop to quickly go over the floor. 'All done.'

'Sorry for breaking your glass.'

'Its okay Jessie, don't worry about it.' She brushed it off as she headed back behind the counter. 'Would you like another one?' The girl nodded and Lisa went to grab some cash from her purse to pay for it. 'Don't worry about it Lisa, it's fine.'

'You sure?'

'We're not all like Val Stanton.' She winked at Jessie. 'Have in or to go?'

'To go. Jessie has a doctors appointment.'

'Couldn't you just have let it slip your mind?' Jessie teased, not at all looking forward to Barbara reminding her that she needed to look after herself. 'I'm fine Lisa, honest.'

'Your still getting checked over Missy, no getting out of it. Your the one who went and got yourself stuck out in the blizzard and got frostbite.'

'Don't remind me.' She groaned. 'It's so embarrassing.'

'So my Soraya was telling me about your horse Warrior Jessie.' Maggie remarked as she made up another milkshake. 'Do you compete with him?'

'No, I've never actually thought about it to be honest. I haven't had the chance either.'

'You should think about it.' Lisa agreed. 'What's he best at doing?'

'Besides saving my sorry hide from myself? Running and jumping, anything to do with cattle as well. I don't really think he'd have have a particular discipline that he wouldn't be good at, he's an all-round horse.'

'Have you tried barrel racing him?' Maggie questioned, placing the milkshake on the counter. 'There's a rodeo coming up in a couple months, you should see how he'd do in it.'

'Not officially. It wouldn't be that much different to cutting with a mustang. Both require speed and agility and he's got tons of each.' Jessie took a sip of her drink, contemplating what she'd suggested as the woman grabbed something from under the counter and handed it to Lisa. 'Is that the rodeo Soraya is entering? She mentioned something about 'Queen Of The Rodeo' contest back at Amy's birthday party.'

'Yes, that's the one. Hey, your around twelve ain't you?'

'Just over. Why?'

'The age requirement to enter the contest is twelve, if your interested in that kind of thing. It wouldn't hurt having more competitors, numbers are kind of low around her. Most of the girls couldn't be bothered trying their hand at it.'

'I highly doubt that I'd be any good at whatever that entails.'

'At least think about it Jessie.' Lisa agreed with Maggie. 'It might be fun.'

'I'll think about it, that's all I'm going to do.'

'Alright, well we best get going. See you Maggie.'

'Bye Lisa, Jessie.'

'So, what'd you get?' Jessie asked curiously as they walked down to the doctors office.

'Just something I ordered a while back.' Lisa replied, glancing at her watch. She quickened her pace slightly, the girl matching her speed so they wouldn't miss her appointment. 'Let's see what Barbara has to say about your little escapade.'

I'm not 100% happy with this chapter but I just don't have the energy or inclination to change it. Please excuse the underpar content, I did try...