The Next Level

Genre: Family, Friendship

Pairings: Pre Rosie and Julian

Main characters: Greg, Julian, Rosie

"Mr. Greg," Julian said, crawling up onto the big easy chair Greg liked to relax in, and perching himself on the big cushy arm, "do you suppose I might… well, would it be alright if I… that is…"

"Julian," Greg said patiently, "just spit it out, Little Lad."

"Might I come with you next time you go to the riding stables with Rosa?"

Greg paused midway as he was raising his coffee cup to his lips. His eyes took on a curious expression as his eyebrow rose.

"Well, sure, if it's alright with Rosie of course. Though I can't imagine it wouldn't be. I thought you didn't like horses though," he said, finally taking the sip of his brew.

"Well… honestly Mr. Greg, I don't. I'm actually a bit afraid of them," he said, with a nervous giggle and sounding almost embarrassed. "But as Rosa comes to watch me play football when I know she really doesn't care for it much, I thought it only fair that I give riding a horse a go. At least to see HER ride. It IS only fair, isn't it?" he asked, suddenly seeming uncertain.

"Well," Greg said, bringing a hand up to briefly tousle the young boy's light auburn hair, "I suppose it is only fair. Are you sure about this, Julian? I mean, REALLY sure?"

Julian seemed to hesitate, studying his palms for a moment or two. "Yes," he finally said. "I'm REALLY sure. Besides, I know I shan't have anything to be afraid of with you and Rosa there?"

"Oh, of course not," Greg replied. "Well, I suppose I should take a look into which horse would be suited to you then. Rosie has upgraded herself to Goldie now, but I don't imagine you want to ride on Mugs. I'll call them in the morning and see who they may have who may suit you."

"Oh, THANK you, Mr. Greg," Julian said, leaning over to wrap his arms around him in a hug. "I can't imagine I'll like it any better afterwards but Mummy and Daddy always say I can't TRULY say I don't like something until I've tried it at LEAST once."

"Well, they're right about that, Little Lad," Greg said, chuckling softly.

The next day, as promised, on his lunch break, Greg called Larkspur Lane Riding Stables and inquired about a suitable horse for Julian.

And thus, the best friend of his niece was matched with a young Morgan mare, just a hand shorter than Goldie, named Miss Marple's Mystery – Misty for short.

When Greg and Rosie, who was attired in her full riding gear – a birthday gift from everyone at Baker Street - pulled up to the townhouse Julian lived in with his parents and baby brother, Julian was fully unprepared for the sight.

He swallowed hard and tried not to gawk as he got into the back seat next to Rosie.

Yes, she was his best friend, and yes, it was common knowledge that he was going to marry her someday. It was just that he hadn't ever seen her outfitted to do something she loved so much.

In a flash, Julian realized why his Mum might like to see his Dad in his footy uniform, and he blushed furiously.

If it was at all possible to develop a raging crush on your best friend, who you already loved and who already loved you, Julian had just solidly managed it.

"So," Greg said from the front seat, "it's about twenty minutes' drive to the stables. I've arranged for our horses already."

"Who do we have, Uncle?" Rosie asked, curiously.

"Well…" Greg said casually, "Julian has a beautiful gentle Morgan mare named Miss Marple's Mystery, she's called Misty for short. Now, she's fifteen hands, so she's smaller than Goldie, but not by much, and I think she'll be well suited."

Rosie smiled and nodded in approval, while Julian simply looked nervously optimistic.

"We also have Pepper and Goldie," Greg said, matter of factly.

Rosie smiled. She'd expected the thoroughbred and the palomino this time, as always.

"I'll be on Goldie," Greg said casually. "Rosie, you'll have Pepper."

Rosie took a moment to absorb this before she gasped loudly. "Oh… UNCLE GREG! I'm riding PEPPER?!"

Greg smiled to himself. He and Rosie had been riding for nearly a year now, and he knew that she was ready to mount the sometimes spirited thoroughbred gelding.

"Yeah, thought you might like to this time," he said. "He reads our moods and I've watched you around him these last few times. You set him at ease, Lass. If I wasn't confident of it, I wouldn't allow it."

Julian watched Rosie in awe, then grinned as she reached over and grabbed his hand. It had become an unconscious habit of hers when she was excited, and while he was accustomed to it, this time, for some reason, it delighted him just a bit more.

Julian stared up at Misty, not sure if he was afraid, or just… scared absolutely spitless.

Rosie stepped up next to him, taking his hand. "She's GORGEOUS, Jules. Look at her, she's SO gentle."

Julian smiled nervously and swallowed hard. "Oh, I agree she's gorgeous Rosa. And I'm sure she's gentle. But I'd just as soon take your word for it."

"Julian, Lad you know you don't have to do this if you really don't want to," Greg said, crouching down to his level. "You're not to do anything you don't want to. Misty will sense it and she'll react if you're afraid of her."

"No… no Mr. Greg, I'm not afraid. I know I'll be safe, it's just… I'm a bit out of sorts with it all."

"Well, then… how about if we put you in her saddle and walk you around a bit first. Let you get a feel for each other."

Rosie grinned up at Greg, then over to Julian. "I think that's for the best. If Misty is like Pepper and Goldie and even Mugs, she'll know your heart."

Julian started at this. How would a horse react to him suddenly fancying his best friend so fiercely?

"I think I'd like that very much," Julian replied. "I trust you."

"Do you trust your horse?" Greg asked gently.

"I will," the young boy vowed.

Even though it would, not unexpectedly, turn out to be his only time joining Mr. Greg and Rosa on horseback, when Julian mounted on Misty, who huffed and whinnied casually and unconcerned, he slowly found his comfort zone with the gentle Morgan mare. The young boy glanced over at Rosie, who sat upon Pepper, looking utterly ecstatic. He shifted his gaze to Mr. Greg, who was mounted on Goldie, reaching down stroking his neck, murmuring to him calming words.

But ultimately, his undivided focus shifted back to his Rosa, something that didn't go unnoticed by Greg.

Julian was utterly awestruck. Suddenly, inexplicably, his Rosa had become something wondrous and amazing, and she hadn't even done anything different. All she'd done was put on riding gear and hoist herself into Pepper's saddle.

"You're alright, Little Lad?" Greg asked, as he steered Goldie to stand next to Misty.

Julian didn't really hear him, as he whispered softly, "I'm going to marry her someday."

But Greg heard Julian, and he smiled.

How did it go? ~KB

Greg grinned at the text from Kieran.

About how I expected. ~GL

He's terrified? ~KB

No. He's head over heels. ~GL

But he doesn't even like horses. ~KB

Not talking about the horses, Kieran. ~GL

Shit. Next level, Guv? ~KB

Think so. For Julian. ~GL

What about Rosie? ~KB

We'll see next footy match, I reckon. ~Guv

Well in that case then, I saw that much last footy match, Guv. ~KB

Oi. Next level. You tell John or I? ~Guv

You hold rank, Sir. Good luck Guv LMAO ~KB

Bloody hilarious, you are. See you in the morning, Sergeant. ~Boss