Renee was still in the hospital when the PBR world finals started. Sean Gleason, Ty Murray, and the bullfighters all wanted Renee to feel included in the goings-on behind the scenes. To do this, Horatio gave her an ear mic and connected her to the others via the mic.
Before the first night of the event, he told his sister to just say something in the mic. Renee didn't know that she was on the same channel as the bullfighters. She did know that she was connected to the cameras of the event in her room. She could see everything that was going on in the T- Mobile Arena.
"Hello...," Renee speaks into the mic. Horatio then turns on the speaker of her mic.
"Renee, Is that you?" Renee thinks that she recognizes the voice on the other end.
"Jesse, Is that you," She asks the voice on the other end.
"Oh, this is going to be fun," Jesse says as he realizes what is going on.
Another voice comes on.
"Nae, are you going to be telling us words of encouragement?" Renee immediately knows whose talking now.
"Shorty, don't make me tease you," She responds to her oldest and dearest friend.
"You know you love me," Shorty says jokingly.
"You have no idea how lucky you are that that is true," Renee responds to Shorty's joke.
"Don't make me tell the others about some of the bulls that attacked you. Or how you were one of the bully's favorite targets until I stepped in. But, honestly, guys Shorty saved my life in the third grade when a school bully tried to drown me in the school swimming pool," Renee tries to build Shorty up a little.
At this time, another voice comes on. "Guys, let's try to keep this professional." It was Frank Newsom talking now.
"You're no fun," a voice chimes in.
"Flint, I was wondering when you were going to join us," Renee tells the PBR's entertainer.
"I'll just tease you all from my hospital bed. Remember, it is all in good fun. I would always give Seth a hard time in high school. Oops, I mean Shorty. The two of us have been best friends since preschool."
"As I said, this is going to be fun. Is this all that will be connected with us, or is someone else silently listening to what we say?" Renee asks the group of bullfighters.
The first two nights of the event went by without a hitch. Nobody got hurt, and no bullfighter had to save anyone. So all in all, they were perfect nights.
Friday night was different. Renee didn't know what was going on. Earlier in the day, Flint had come down with a camera to talk to her. Renee just thought that is an interview for Sunday night. She didn't know that she was going to be honored two nights at the event.
During the intermission, Sean Gleason brought everyone's attention to the Megatron screen. There on the screen was Flint. It was the footage from that morning.
"Hey, everyone, It's me, Flint. I am here visiting an amazing patriot. This woman not only saved Shorty when they were in high school. She served in the United States Marines for fourteen years. She did five tours of duty in Afghanistan."
"Three years at the border working for the Border Patrol, and two years at Miami Dade Police Department. She trained all the horses that are here at the event. She spent her lifetime training both horses and canines to work in law enforcement and military work. From the age of eleven years old."
"Last week, she was at the Western Gift Expo doing police dog demos and beating the Marine challenges. To be honest, she was the one who had set their records to begin with."
"Last week, there was an accident, and her lung collapsed. Shorty saved her, but she is still admitted to the hospital. Come with me, and I'll introduce her and her canine Echo."
Flint then walks the cameraman into Renee's recovery room.
"Did you really do everything that I just said?" Flint asks Renee.
"Oh, I did that and more. I was awarded two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, four Army and Marine Corps medals and five Purple Hearts for my acts of bravery and courage. I was a POW twice. I was tortured for information; I never broke. They could not break me."
"Enough about me. This is Echo. She is my current canine. My other dog is at home in Miami. That canine is a bigger hero than I am. Charlie saved more lives than I ever could." Renee was never one for attention.
While Flint sent out the cameraman, he stayed and chatted with Renee a little. Renee wanted to tell Flint something in private. So she had the cameraman, and her brother sent out.
Alone with Flint, Renee tells him all about everything that happened to her in the last year. She went on to tell him that she has wanted to attend a PBR World Finals since the PBR was founded. Renee was, however, serving overseas most of those years or serving at the border with CBP.
With everything that happened to her in the last year, it is a miracle that she lived at all. Renee wanted to show Flint her skull x-rays from the initial attack and two months later when they fixed her skull. She wanted to show him her back that was all scarred up from her torture. Renee really needed someone who didn't know her at all to know her full story.
Renee's story inspired Flint to do some independent research about everything that he just heard. He couldn't believe that anyone survived what she said that she had survived.
Little did Renee know, but Flint was planning a special surprise for Renee on championship Sunday. This was just Patriot Friday.
Before Flint left, he gave Renee a surprise. He quietly hands Renee a beautiful wood box. Inside the box, Renee found a silver belt buckle. It was not the normal Fan of the Night, but rather a Hero of the Year. Seeing the confusion in Renee's eyes, Flint explains it.
"Montana Silversmiths heard about you and wanted to give you a gift."
Renee never saw herself as anyone's hero and told Flint as much.
"I'm not a hero. I just did what needed to be done," Flint was moved by her humble nature. He was also impressed with everything that Renee had been through the past year.
When Flint left, Renee saw him wink at Horatio. Renee, however, didn't say anything about it to her brother. Since she was still in the hospital, she never saw the video or the standing ovation that she got from the audience. That was just the first time during the week where she was going to be honored. The other time was Championship Sunday. The whole year is leading up to this night. This was the pinnacle of the PBR.
Championship Sunday started out like every other day. The only difference was Renee was supposed to be discharged from the hospital just before the event.
No one knew that Renee, Horatio, and Echo were planning on surprising everyone with an appearance. They went directly from the hospital to the event. Renee had her brother bring her western wear to the hospital for her to change into. She couldn't go to a rodeo-style event in cargo pants and combat boots.
When the three of them go to the Arena, Horatio calls Shorty.
"Shorty, it's Horatio. Renee just got out of the hospital. We are actually at the back entrance to the Arena. We want to surprise everyone, but need your help to do it." Was what Horatio told Renee's best friend.
"Wow, is Renee sure she is up to it?" Shorty asks to confirm her commitment.
When his sister fiercely nods her head yes, Horatio tells Shorty as much.
"She's positive. Has she ever done anything halfway?"
"No, good point," Shorty answers Horatio's question.
With Shorty's help, Renee gets smuggled into the event. No one knew that she was there until right before the event started.
"So, what's going on tonight?" Renee asks as she just strolls into the commentator's meeting.
When everyone turned around, they were just shocked. The last time anyone saw her, she was in a hospital bed. Now they needed to figure out how they were going to work her into the event. Ty knew exactly when to introduce her to the crowd.
"We can remind the crowd of the last video of her, then have her bring out the flag. Both Renee and Echo can go out with the flag. We can give her the best seats in the house to watch the event. Do you want to still talk to the bullfighters during the event, or do you just want to surprise them when they see you down in the dirt."
Renee knew that Shorty already knew since he was the one who got Renee and Echo in unnoticed. She did, however, want to surprise the others since she knew that Shorty wouldn't have spoiled the surprise for her.
Right before the event started, Horatio, Echo, and Renee walked down to the hidden spot that they have set up for surprise entrances to the event.
Nobody knew she was there until Sean Gleason and Ty reintroduced her.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, may I please direct your eyes to the center stage area. You are about to be introduced to an incredible woman. You might remember her from Friday nights patriot spotlight. The last time you saw her, she was in the hospital. We just found out
that she was released a few hours ago. The only place that she wants to be is here."
"We have a special treat for her later in the night, but for now, please give a huge Las Vegas welcome to Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Renee Hope Kerrigan and her police canine Echo."
To Renee's complete and utter amazement, the whole crowd got to their feet and gave both of them a standing ovation. Renee walks out with Echo to a roar from the crowd. The two of them stood there, holding the flag out for the world to see.
As the national anthem was sung, a bald eagle soared down and landed on the arm of a waiting handler. Renee stood in awe of the sight.
When the song was sung and the prayer completed, Renee was greeted by all the bullfighters as they led her to the best seats in the house.
As that afternoon went by, the intermission was quickly approaching. Renee still had no idea what Flint had planned for her.
When the intermission came, the Megatron lit up. Then Flint's voice came on.
"You all met Renee Kerrigan, but who is she. Well, I am here to tell you all about this unstoppable force that is Renee. Look at the screen, and you will see the x-ray of her skull after an attack she survived going through in March of this year. These are x-rays of her ribs, both lower legs, and both forearms. All the breaks you see were broken bones. She shattered her whole skull. The next x-ray is her skull now. See, it is almost completely metal. After her attack, she overworked herself and passed out. Fracturing her occipital bone. Later she was shot, drugged, buried alive, and involved in a terrible accident while she was attempting to arrest a person involved in human smuggling at least."
Photos of her truck and video of the accident were played on the screen.
Flint continues, "This woman survived this, five tours of duty in Afghanistan, fourteen years in the Marines, three years at the border, and three years in Miami. This amazing woman should have died more than a dozen times, but she is still here. And get this she only weighs 110 pounds and is only 5 feet tall."
What Flint says now was a surprise to Renee. "Ford and King Ranch heard about everything that you have done for this country and about your recent accident."
The next thing that Renee knows, James's face is on the Megatron.
James was being presented with a brand new hunter green F-350 Super Duty. The new truck even had duly tires in the back. The new F-350 was complete with oversized tires and raisers. The Ford and King Ranch replaced her vehicle. By this time, Renee was reduced to tears. The last thing that was on the Megatron was an excited Piper and Charlie.
"Hurry home, Charlie and I have a surprise to show you," The teenager was clearly excited about something.
The presentation ends, and again Renee and Echo receive a standing ovation. She was very embarrassed since Renee was never one for the limelight. The event finished with a near photo finish. They didn't know who was going to win the event until the last ride.

When Renee, Horatio, and Echo arrive at the Miami-Dade International Airport, they are greeted by James, Piper, and Charlie.

Going down the escalator, Charlie broke free from James and Piper. Running up the down side of the escalator. The Marine canine was very excited to see her partner after nearly three months apart.

Charlie just about launched herself into Renee's arms. With lots of licks and tail wags. Echo was very eager to reunite with her doggie sibling. The two canines were dancing around the group of humans barking and whining.

When Renee and her brother got to James and Piper the four of them hug each other. Gathering up their bag at the baggage claim, Renee and Horatio had not left Miami by plane but they did return that way.

A month ago they were involved in a fiery crash while they attempted to arrest the suspect in a sailors murder and human smuggling. Renee not only flipped her truck, it barrel rolled turning end over end. When it stopped flipping it caught on fire and ended up exploding in a giant fireball.

When the four of them plus the two dogs walk back to the garage, they saw Renee's new truck. The truck that the Ford company and King Ranch had given her to thank her for her service. The truck had been delivered to her house while she was still in Las Vegas.

"It looks just like the last one," Renee thought to herself.

That is when James shows her a surprise. The Ford company had managed to put police lights and sirens in the front of the truck.

"Look, you don't need to have a detached siren and lights on top. The buttons are inside on the center console," James was very excited to point that out.

This truck was her on duty truck and her personal truck at the same time. The side didn't say Miami- Dade Police it was what they call an unmarked vehicle.

It was very tall and long. Renee had to climb up into the drivers seat. James climbed into the front passenger side. The dogs jumped into the extended cabin in the back. Piper and Horatio climb into the back row with the dogs. Echo and Charlie were sitting in the middle of the seat.

Everyone headed out to drop Horatio off at his house. They were then going to make a pit stop at McGraw's Paintball and Gun Range. Piper didn't know why. Renee and her dad had a surprise in store for the teenager.

Piper had not gone to the property since Renee left for her road trip to pick up a puppy.

As they pull into the property's parking lot. Renee puts the truck into park. Jumping out of the truck.

"Charlie and Echo, you stay here. We will be right back," Renee tells her canine partners.

With that the three of them walk through the back door. Piper knew that this door led to a storage room. Walking through the door. The three of them are greeted by two- eight month old puppies.

"Which one's ours?" Piper asked Renee.

Renee and James had a surprise for the girl. Both puppies were theirs.

"Well, the brown and blue little boy is mine," Renee looks over at James and winks at him.

"The blue one with the odd colored eyes. The little girl, is yours Sweetie," Renee is barely able to contain her excitement.

Piper eyes widen as she turns to face her dad.

"Really, Daddy, she's mine," Piper was jumping up and down.

"Surprise, she's an early Christmas/ Birthday present," James answers his daughter.

"Her birthday is Christmas Eve. We usually combine the two of them," James explains to a clearly confused Renee.

"We'll see about that," Renee says as she winks at the girl.

"This is Patriot," Renee tells the two of them. "He is going to be trained as a forensic detection dog for Horatio's team. What are you going to name your puppy?" Renee ask Piper.

The girl was clearly thinking long and hard about what she was going to call her new dog.

"I like Indy, short for Indigo. Since she is a blue color," Piper tells Renee and her dad.

The three of them that entered the property leave as a group of five. Now in the car was seven. The people were outnumbered by dogs. Now there was four dogs and three people.

It was late so the truck headed to Renee's house. James and Piper lived at Renee half of the time. The other half of the time her brother Horatio lived with Renee.