Hi all,

I know, shock horror that I'm alive and updating!

So, um, yeah, been sick in bed the last month with bacterial pneumonia (only found out Friday that it's pneumonia, heading in for xrays this week) which has been a lot of fun... NOT! Spent my 21st in bed sick, no party or anything for me until I'm better and it's taking a long time to get over it because of my other health issues.

Anyway, I'm here now and am planning on attempting to update regularly once more. I'm going to sit down and plan out how this story will continue etc since my original plan had been to follow along with the seasons/episodes but now I'm thinking of going a different way. We'll see what happens.

Anyway, enjoy! Lisa will be back soon, you know I can't keep my favorite ship separated for long lol.

As always, drop a review. It really makes my day.

Bye!

Chapter 66

Jessie was up before the sun rose the next morning, what little sleep she'd been able to have a restless one at that. She laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling as the sound of the horses and the birds outside helped soothe her. She had barely slept, even as tired as she had been. She'd spent most of the night watching the mare, praying she would be okay. Crystal had fallen asleep about an hour ago, finally getting some rest after being up all night snorting every couple of minutes. She couldn't blame her, how long had it been since she'd been locked up in a stall? She'd been running free without restraint for years.

The sound of footsteps walking into the barn made her sit up, yawning as she saw it was Jack coming through the door. 'Morning.'

'Morning Jessie.' He replied, taking a seat beside her on the cot. 'Did you get much sleep?'

She shook her head. 'No, Crystal was up all night. Poor thing.' She turned to him. Something was wrong, she could feel it. 'Jack, what's wrong?'

'Lisa just called.' He sighed, placing his arm around her. 'She just had a call from the hospital. Eleanor had a stroke during the night.'

'Oh no.' Jessie murmured after a moment. 'Is she going to be alright?'

'We don't know. The doctors are running more tests on her now, she's been moved into the ICU. It doesn't look good though.'

The girl sighed heavily. 'Poor Cindy. She was so excited she was to be released today-' Chrystal woke up with a start, snorting as she looked at the two of them sitting on the cot. 'And to be going home and see her. Have you told her yet?'

'No, she was still sleeping when I went up to check on her. I thought I'd come let you know, I guessed you'd be awake.' He stroked her hair softly. 'I thought she could use your support when I tell her.'

'Of course.' She nodded. 'Poor girl. I hope Eleanor is going to be okay.'

'Lisa was told the doctors would ring her as soon as they knew anything so hopefully we'll hear something soon.'

'I hope it's going to be good news, Cindy would be devastated if Eleanor passes away. She's already been through so much-' Her voice broke, her eyes watering and Jack pulled her close to him, the girl resting her head on his chest. 'Oh I hope she'll be okay. I really like Eleanor.'

Jack kissed the girl's head. 'She'll be okay.'

'I really hope she will be.' She sighed again then stood up. 'I better check on her.'

'You alright?'

'I'll be okay.' She smiled then turned to the horse and walked to the stall door. Crystal snorted, eying her warily as she unlatched the door and opened it. 'It's okay girl, you're alright.' She soothed, walking into the stall and closed the door behind her. The mare tossed her head, pawing the ground anxiously. 'You're alright. Easy girl. Easy.' The horse flinched back at her touch, jumping away from her into the stall wall. 'I'm not going to hurt you.' She spoke gently but with a tome of authority. Her heart was pounding, the mare's eyes rolling as she stamped her hoof. There was no question about it. If she wanted to hurt her, she could. There was nowhere to go in the stall. 'I'm not going to hurt you. You need to trust me.'

The mare flicked her ears again, her body quivering as the girl again approached her. She extended her hand forwards to her then took it away, showed her then took it away, watching the mare closely. 'See? I'm not going to hurt you.' She repeated it a couple times further then placed her hand on the mares shoulder again. The mare flinched but didn't pull away, her body tense. Gently she checked her skin again, relieved to see that it bounced back a lot quicker then it had during the night. The mare wasn't so dehydrated anymore, she was starting to recover. 'There you go. You see. It's not so bad.' Crystal snorted, tossing her head and the girl decided not to push her luck and stepped away from her. 'See?' She glanced into the buckets, happy to see that the mare had both eaten and drank. 'I'll go get you some more.'

Jack chuckled, walking to her as the girl grabbed the empty buckets and left the stall. 'You've got the gift too Jessie.'

The girl laughed, shaking her head. 'Oh Jack, the gift is nothing more than a saint's allowance of patience, two pounds common sense, an ounce of understanding and a pinch of love. It's patience more than anything.'

'I still reckon you're gifted with the ability to work with horses, just as Marion was and Amy is. You understand them.'

'Maybe because I can relate to them.' She began scooping the feed pellets into the bucket then added the herbs to help calm the mare down. 'In some ways. It's like anything Jack, you have to build trust. For some horses it's harder for them to trust people from what they've been through, just as I have trouble learning to trust people. They need a little extra patience and a lot of love, it takes time to repair the damage that they've been through.' She glanced up at the mare, motioning in her direction. 'Right now she doesn't know who to trust, she's scared, frightened. I know how it is to be like that, that was the way I lived not that long ago, until you and Lisa took me under your wings. Even then it took you guys time, love and patience to earn my trust. Any relationship worth building, be it between humans or humans and animals takes time but the rewards are worth it.'

Jack smiled, patting the girl's shoulder. 'You certainly have a way of putting words together my dear.'

'Old soul is what I believe Mallory calls it when I go all sentimental.' She chuckled. 'Don't mind my little moments of wisdom.'

'You are correct about what you said too honey, I couldn't have said it better myself.'

'Thanks Jack.' She picked the buckets up, heading to the door to fill them up from the tap. She filled up the one with the pellets just enough to cover them then placed it aside to soak as she filled the other bucket. 'But please be honest Jack, do you think I can help that mare?'

'I think you can do anything if you put your mind to it.' He reassured her warmly. 'I saw how you are with Crystal, you'll get through to her. You want me to get the other bucket?'

'I hope so. Yeah, thanks.' She sighed, picking up the water bucket and they headed back into the barn. The mare snorted as they approached the stall and she carefully slipped into the stall, placing the water bucket on the hook then took the feed bucket Jack passed her and walked closer to the mare. 'Look what I've got you.' She took a handful out of the bucket and showed it to the mare as she stepped forward. 'See? Yummy yummy.' The mare snorted then took a step towards her, sniffing the feed in her hand then cautiously took a bite. She flung her head back after she'd taken it, almost like she was worried she was going to be hit for taking the food and the girl sighed. 'You poor thing.' She cooed softly, grabbing another handful and showing it to her. 'You don't need to worry, I won't hurt you.'

The mare gingerly came closer again, taking the food a little bit slower this time. She smiled, stepping away from the mare then hung the bucket up on the hook. It was a small step, but it was a step in the right direction. 'Alright, enjoy your meal. I'll leave you in peace to eat.'

Jack opened the door for her to walk out, latching it securely after the girl. 'She's been through something dreadful, that's for sure.'

'Yeah.' She sighed, tapping her fingers on the top of the door. 'I've got a couple good assumptions I can make from her behaviour. I feel sorry for her, she's already been through so much.' She looked back at the mare then started to the door with Jack. 'We should probably go see if Cindy is awake.'

He nodded. 'That was what I was thinking.'

'It's just one thing after another, isn't it?' She chuckled hollowly. 'First my meltdown last week after the rodeo, Cherry being put down now this? I was hoping for a break.'

'Yeah, we haven't had much of one, haven't we?' He placed his arm around her shoulders. 'We'll make it through though, like we always do.'

'I know. I just wish for Cindy's sake it hadn't happened. Cindy has already been through enough, she's been worried for ages about her grandma.'

'I know, I know honey.' He opened the door for her, the girl glancing at the clock as she walked in. It was almost seven. She sighed. She hadn't thought time had gone that quickly, she hadn't taken Warrior for his run. The sound of childish laughter upstairs reached her ears and she glanced up towards the ceiling. 'I'm guessing she's up.'

'Yeah.'

'Morning Grandpa, Jessie.' Amy acknowledged as she walked in. 'Who rang earlier? It woke me up.'

'It was Lisa. She had some- ah- news for Cindy.' Jack replied. 'Would you mind getting started on breakfast? Jessie and I need to go speak to her.'

'Sure.' She nodded. 'What's happened?'

'Eleanor had a stroke last night, the hospital rang Lisa and she rang me so I could tell Cindy.'

'Oh.' She nodded sympathetically. 'She'll be okay though, won't she?'

'We don't know.'

'I'll see you upstairs.' Jessie whispered to Jack then headed to the stairs, the sound of Cindy and Mallory laughing greeting her as she opened the door. The two of them were involved in a full blown pillow fight, Cindy turning towards her as she stepped in. 'No, no!'

'Gotcha!' Cindy exclaimed triumphantly, bringing the pillow down hard on the girls head. 'Score for me!'

'Hey hey!' She protested as she tried to protect her head with her arms. 'Enough! Cindy!'

'Oh you're no fun.' She pouted, sticking out her bottom lip. 'Please? Pretty pretty please? I leave today.'

'Maybe later.' She looked up at Mallory. 'Mallory, I'm sorry to interrupt but Amy could use a hand with preparing breakfast.'

'Why can't you help?'

'Because Jack and I need to speak to Cindy.'

'Alright, alright.' Mallory tossed the pillow back on the bed and threw her hands up, heading towards the door. 'I know when I'm not wanted.'

'No, you don't but you're learning.' Cindy teased after her then turned to Jessie. 'What's going on?'

'I'll let Jack explain.'

The color left Cindy's face. 'What's happened? It isn't Grandma is it?'

'We'll wait for Jack, okay?'

'It is Grandma.' She exclaimed, looking at the older girl's face. 'Jessie-'

'Come on.' She placed her arm around the girl, guiding her towards her bed and made her sit down. 'Jack won't be long.'

'Just tell me Jessie.'

'It's not for me to tell.' Jessie replied softly, glancing up as Jack walked into the room. 'Here he is.'

'What's going on Jack?'

Jack grabbed the seat from the girls desk, placing it in front of the girls and sat down before he answered. 'Cindy, I got a call from Lisa this morning. The hospital rang-'

'I knew it. Something has happened to Grandma.' She exclaimed, her eyes watering. 'I only spoke to her yesterday, she was fine. She hasn't died has she?'

He shook his head, placing his hand on her knee. 'No honey, she's still alive but I'm afraid she's very sick sweetheart.'

'What's wrong with her?'

'She had a stroke last night.' He gently replied. 'You know what that is?' The girl nodded, tears starting to run down her cheeks and Jessie pulled the younger girl closer to her.

'W-will she b-be okay?'

'I don't know sweetheart, I'm sorry. Lisa said the doctors would ring her as soon as they had any news and she'd ring us straight away. They've got to run more tests and stuff then they'll have a better idea of what's going on.'

Cindy nodded then burrowed her head in the girls shoulder, Jessie stroking her hair gently. 'It's alright Cindy, it's okay.' The older girl comforted, holding her tight. 'It'll be okay.'

'W-what about m-me? W-what will h-happen w-with me?'

'You'll stay here sweetheart.' Jack replied, wishing he didn't have to be the one to deliver the news to the girl. It broke his heart, the poor girl was a mess. She's lost both her parents, now she might lose her grandmother too. Jessie glanced up at him, the two of them exchanging a sympathetic expression. Cindy just clung to the older girl, sobbing into her shirt as she held her. 'You don't need to worry honey, you'll stay here as long as you need to.'

'W-what i-i-if s-she dies?'

'Oh you can't think like that Cindy.' Jessie rubbed her cheek against the girl's head. 'She'll be okay, you have to believe.'

'B-but w-what if s-she does? What h-happens to m-me?'

'We'll cross that bridge if we come to it, okay?' Jack gently squeezed the girl's knee then looked back at Jessie. 'I'll give you both some room.'

She nodded as he got up, giving him a sad smile then turned back to Cindy. 'You'll be okay honey. It'll be okay.' She kissed the girl's head gently, reminded that it was usually her that got the comforting, not the other way around. It would almost be hilarious if it wasn't such a sad turn of events, the girl that was always crying into someone else's shoulder was being the shoulder for a change. Not that she minded, not at all. Cindy was like a sister to her and being an elder sister came with duties and responsibilities. 'It'll be okay.'

Slowly Cindy started to calm down, resting in Jessie's arms as she gazed absentmindedly at the closed door. 'I knew something like this was going to happen. I knew it. Why did it have to happen? Why? I need Grandma, she's all the family I've got.'

'You've got me Cinds.' Jessie replied softly. 'I know it's little comfort but you know I'll always be here for you. I'm not going anywhere.'

'I know.'

'Sometimes things like this just happen for a reason honey, even if we don't know what that reason is. She'll be okay though Cindy, she'll pull through.'

'I know.' The words caught in the girls throat, sniffling as she wiped her tears off her cheeks. 'I don't want to lose her, she means everything to me.'

'She'll be alright Cindy, she'll get through.' Jessie gently reassured her again. 'I just know she'll be okay?'

'You think so?'

'I think so.' She reached over to her bedside table, grabbing a tissue from the box for the girl. 'Here. Blow your nose.'

'Thanks.' She wiped her eyes and blew her nose then rested back against the girl. 'Look at us, you lost Cherry and now Grandma's sick-'

'I know, it hasn't been the best times has it.' The younger girl shook her head. 'But we made it through that and we'll make it through this.'

Cindy nodded even if she wasn't fully convinced then looked up at her again. 'How is Crystal this morning?'

'She;s doing better, way better than yesterday.'

'I feel a 'but' coming on.'

Jessie chuckled. 'But-' The girl giggled. 'She is starting to get quite flighty and nervous. I don't know if she'll be able to stay in the barn much longer, she's really starting to get upset now that she's feeling better.'

'Maybe she would be better outside, in one of the smaller pens.'

'I'm thinking so, I might turn her into one tomorrow.' She wiped a stray tear the girl hadn't gotten off her cheeks. 'You alright now?'

Cindy nodded, her expression sad but her eyes shining with courage. 'I'll be okay.'

The girl smiled at her then kissed her forehead and gave her another hug. 'You come talk to me anytime you start feeling upset, okay?' The girl nodded again. 'I mean it Cindy, I don't care what I'm doing. I don't want you hurting and keeping it bottled up inside.'

'You mean don't do what you do.'

'Oh ouch.' She teased, playfully punching the girls arm. 'That's a cheap shot.'

'I'll agree if you also agree to not keep things bottled up.'

'Oh blackmail now?' She chuckled. 'Alright, you've got me over a barrel. I agree.'

'Promise?'

'Promise. Do you promise?'

'Promise.'

'Good girl.' She smiled then glanced over at the sleeping cats. 'You know, they probably want their breakfast and I'm feeling rather hungry too. Do you want to go eat?'

'Sure.'

'Alright then, let's go see what they've cooked up.'

'How's she looking?'

Jessie glanced around, smiling as she saw Scott walking into the barn. 'Hey. Didn't expect to see you so early.'

'Yeah.' He shrugged. 'I had a visit out this way and thought I'd come check on my favorite little sister.'

'Your only little sister.' She chuckled, bumping him playfully then turned back to the mare. Crystal was watching them nervously, her nostrils flared as she stood with her body tense. She sighed, placing her head back down on her folded arms again, looking at her over the stall door. 'What am I doing Scott? This isn't Cherry. Saving her isn't going to bring my girl back.'

'No, it won't.' He placed his arm around the girls shoulders. 'But she needs help and I couldn't think of anyone better to take care of her.'

'I know. I- I just miss Cherry.'

'Of course you do. Crystal can't replace her and she shouldn't replace her but she needs love and time and you can give her both. Besides, it'll help keep you busy.'

'That's why I asked Jack to let me look after her, I know I need to do something. It's just hard though and now Cindy's grandmother has had a stroke-' She sighed again, heavily. 'It's just so much to deal with. Poor Cindy is a mess, she's having a nap at the moment so I'm out here but I don't know how to help her. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to help this one. I just feel so helpless. I want to fix them but I don't know how.'

'Jessie, I believe in you. I know you can help both of them. Just trust yourself and do what you do best.'

The girl looked up at him. 'What's that?'

'Be yourself.' Scott smiled. 'Your bright, cheerful, happy self. I mightn't have spent much time with you yet but trust me, you light up the room when you walk in.'

'That's kind of you to say.' She blushed, glancing away. 'You mean that?'

'I do. Jessie, you are a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart. You are kind, loving, smart, compassionate. You're the kind of person both people and animals like to be around because you are so genuine. You don't pretend to be something you're not. You're mature, thoughtful.'

'Thanks Scott.'

'Your welcome and I know you'll find a way to help both Cindy and Crystal.' He turned back to the horse. 'How has she been?'

'Getting very nervy. Can't say I blame her though, she's been through a hell of a lot. She's been eating and drinking fine once I was able to encourage her to start, I don't think she's dehydrated anymore.'

'That's very good, you've done a good job.'

'I just don't know what to do now. I mean, it's too dangerous to try and do anything with her in a stall since it's such a small place but on the other hand I don't think she's ready to be able to go out into a paddock yet. What do you think I should do?'

'It's still possible that she could relapse so I wouldn't try doing anything with her for the rest of today, just keep her in here till tomorrow then see how she is. If she's improved more then maybe think about putting her in a larger pen. I'd still be keeping an eye on her though, even though she's starting to be lively she's still very weak.'

'Alright.' Jessie smiled. 'That's the plan I'll follow. Thanks.'

'I better go check on the other horses before I go-' He patted her shoulder. 'So I'll see you around. Look after yourself, you hear.'

'I will.'

'Good. See you around.'

She nodded. 'See ya.' Crystal snorted, stamping her hoof as Scott headed out of the barn. 'What am I going to do with you?' She wondered out loud, resting her head on her arms again. 'What am I going to do?'