Things slowly began to fall back into place as the week progressed, two weeks having passed now since Maddie had been able to return home. The day out at the Ranger fair had been great but definitely too much for her and so the next couple of days she had to spend resting, much to her annoyance. She wanted to get out, wanted to do things. She was frustrated and angry. Frustrated at her limitations and angry that she didn't seem to be getting any better. Though her family assured her that it was okay, she still believed she was a burden on them with everything they had to help her with. She hated being helpless.

It would take time the doctors said but being patient hadn't ever been one of her virtues. She wanted to be able to walk again, get out of that wheelchair and stop being reliant on her family to help her with every little thing. The house they had rented wasn't wheelchair friendly at best even though they'd rearranged the furniture in an attempt to make things easier on her. If she was downstairs and wanted to get something from her room she either had to ask someone else to grab it or have someone carry her up the stairs back to her room.

Though she was trying her best to control it and not show it to her family, her frustration at her limitations was beginning to get the better of her.

What could she do about it though? Every spare minute she had she would spend going over the exercises she had been given, Abeline, Bonham and Liam having had to force her to stop and rest on more then one occasion. She was pushing herself, pushing herself hard. Not only that, but she was pushing her family and friends away too. Though they were trying hard to understand and be accommodating to her things were beginning to become even more strained than what they already were in their family.

Cordell hadn't been himself either since the day of the fair and after a couple days, admitted to the reason why. He and Geri had broken up. With everything that had been going on Geri had decided to call things off, asking for a break. That, on top of everything else they were going through, just added to the strain they all were already under.

When would life return to normal?

A couple days had passed by before Maddie was well enough to go back to the stables, her day out at the Ranger's Fair having tired her far more than she cared to admit. After much persistence though and reassuring her grandparents that if she started to feel sick she would get them to come pick her up, they'd reluctantly agreed to let her go spend some time with her horses.

Bel and Hope had both already been turned out before she'd gotten there but Mika had left Dakota in for her to tend to. Being stuck in a wheelchair greatly reduced what she was able to do but she was trying to manage as best she could and thankfully Dakota was very patient with her. On her own she managed to catch the mare and lead her out of her stall, tying her up outside as Mika walked up the aisle.

'Oh here, let me do that-'

'No, no, it's fine.' Maddie assured her as Mika tried to take the mare's lead. 'I've got it. I've done it a thousand times before.'

Mika lent against the wall of the stall, watching while her friend struggled for a moment tying a quick release knot. 'I could have done it for you, you know.'

'I'm sick of having people do everything for me.' She exclaimed as she finished the knot. It wasn't as tidy or tight as her knots usually were but it would do. 'I just want things to go back to normal.'

'They won't, you know…' She replied softly. 'As much as you hate it, you need to realize that. Things can't go back to what they were.'

Maddie knew she was right. As much as she hated to admit it, having cancer changed everything.

After a moment Mika stepped closer to her friend, placing her hand on her shoulder. 'How are you?'

'Not… not good.' She said after taking a deep breath. 'I mean, with everything going on…' Her voice trailed off then she looked up at the older girl, her eyes glistening with tears. 'I'm so tired Mika.'

Without hesitation she wrapped her arms around her friend. 'Maddie, I know it looks dark right now but things will get better. You just have to believe they will.'

'I know.' Maddie swallowed the lump in her throat. 'But I'm just so tired… Tired of fighting. Tired of trying to hold it all together. Tired of seeing my family falling apart…' Her voice trailed off again as she struggled to keep her emotions together. 'Dad… Dad and Geri broke up, you know… I thought-I thought I might have a mom again. Be a family again.' She paused again, wiping her cheeks. 'I-I'm sorry. The medication they have me on has been making me emotional lately.'

'Hey, no need to apologize.' Mika assured her. 'I can't imagine what you're going through right now but I try to understand. You must be feeling horrible right now.'

'Yeah, yeah…' She sniffled again and forced back the lump in her throat. 'I've been better, that's for sure.'

Mika smiled at her sympathetically as she pulled away, leaving her hand on Maddie's shoulder. 'I really should get on with my work before Rachel grouses on me…' She said after a moment, glancing around to see if the head groom was in the stables. 'Will you be okay?'

'Yeah.' Maddie nodded, managing a small smile though tears were still in her eyes. 'I'll be alright. Wouldn't want you getting in trouble with your boss. I'll manage.'

'Alright. I'll be back as soon as I can.'

Maddie nodded again. 'Okay.'

Mika lingered a moment longer than after giving Maddie's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, left.

Wiping the last few tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand, Maddie turned her attention back to Dakota. Her mare had been standing there calmly the entire time and a soft chuckle escaped her as Dakota lowered her head to sniff her. 'Hey darlin…' She spoke softly, her voice still thick with emotion. 'Your Mama's an emotional wreck at the moment I'm afraid.'

Dakota nudged her gently with her muzzle and Maddie placed her hand on the mare's forehead, taking in a deep breath. 'I'll be okay.' She exclaimed out loud after a time to the mare but also to herself. 'I'll be okay. With time and patience… I'll be alright.'

With her emotions back under control a short time later, Maddie set to work taking care of the mare. Being in a wheelchair definitely came with its disadvantages. Like the fact she could only groom the mare where she could reach from her chair for instance. Before her surgery, walking came to her like it did breathing. Naturally. Easily. Now though that the ability had been taken from her she realized just how privileged she was and how she took those little things for granted. Little things like being able to dress herself by herself or take a shower by herself. Being stuck in this chair though, forced to become reliant on help from others, it sure was a lot to swallow for someone as independent as herself.

How did those who spent their entire lives reliant on a wheelchair manage?

After trying to reach up to Dakota's back for the fiftieth time and failing, Maddie decided to admit defeat. She would just have to wait for Mika to get back to finish Dakota's groom off. With a glance up either side of the stables she looked for her friend but Mika wasn't to be seen. She must be out riding… She realized with a sigh then looked back at her mare. 'Well, might as well put you away for now girl. I'll have to wait for Mika anyway to turn you out.'

A short time later and only after a decent struggle, Dakota had been turned back into her stall. The mare's hay net was empty as well as her water buckets and after a moment of deliberation, Maddie decided she'd attempt to take care of that. Water first, the tap being a few stalls down. It took her twice as long to fill the bucket and return to the stall as it usually would but she managed and with only spilling a slight amount of water onto herself.

As Dakota took a long drink she locked the stall up again and wheeled herself down the aisle to the feed room. Reaching the light switch took a good effort but she managed and headed over to the stack of bales to begin filling Dakota's hay net.

While she filled the hay net she thought she heard the sound of someone sobbing softly and paused what she was doing, frowning. She listened closely for a moment. Yes. It did sound like someone was crying and it was coming from behind the closed door of the tack room. The half filled hay net was placed on the floor, Maddie quietly wheeling herself over to the door.

At the sound of the door opening, the crying stopped abruptly. 'What do you want?' Elizabeth snarled, her back turned to the intruder.

Maddie was taken by surprise for a moment at the harshness in her tone but approached her still, stopping just a little way back from her. 'I… I just wanted to see if you were okay.'

'What would you care? Just go away.'

Taking a deep breath she shook her head. 'I can't do that.' She replied softly. 'When I see someone hurting I can't walk away. I mightn't be able to make it better but I can try.' She paused again to think then continued. 'Why were you crying?'

There was silence between the two girls for the longest moment then Elizabeth finally turned around. Maddie let out a little gasp seeing her for Elizabeth's arm was in a cast and sling and the right side of her face was swollen and varying shades of black, blue and purple. 'What happened?' She questioned after she had regained her composure, all her thoughts of self pity for her own problems dissipating as she looked at the elder girl.

'Copper Creek Classic happened.' Elizabeth replied guardedly. 'Fifth jump of the class. Diablo refused to jump, we crashed into it. This happened-' She motioned down to her arm. 'and to top it all off, yesterday Diablo attacked two of the grooms. One of them is in hospital and it's not good. My parents and Nana are going to have him put down.' She turned away again. 'Now you know, Miss busybody and you can just go back out that door and leave me be.'

'Elizabeth…' Maddie started softly after a moment. 'I'm so sorry.'

'Being sorry won't change anything.' She hissed, tears coming to her eyes again. 'Get out! Go! Just leave me alone!'

Taken aback a little at Elizabeth's outburst, Maddie decided maybe it was time to leave. As quietly as she had entered she wheeled herself back out of the tack room, lingering in the doorway for a moment to look back at Elizabeth. The girl had taken down the picture of her and Diablo from the top of the trophy cabinet and held it for a moment before throwing it on the concrete floor as hard as she could. The glass shattered into a thousand pieces and Elizabeth sank to her knees in sobs.

Maddie's heart broke for her.

How would she have felt if her folks had made Bel be put to sleep after she had attacked her that time?

She wanted to help Elizabeth but how could she?

Quietly she left the room and closed the door on Elizabeth's crying, heading back over to finish filling up Dakota's hay net. As she placed another handful of alfalfa into the hay net she looked back towards the tack room door. Her heart went out to her. Despite what she had heard about Elizabeth and how she had been nasty towards her she still felt sorry for her. How could she help her though?

She sighed softly as she finished filling up the hay net and placed it on her lap, wheeling herself back out into the stable aisle once more. There had to be some way she could help.

Maddie found herself a little while later outside the office door, contemplating if she should speak with Nina or not. There had to be something she could do. On the other hand, how would Elizabeth take it if she found out that she was speaking about her behind her back? Even though it was purely from just wanting to help in any way possible. She hesitated for another moment then knocked gently on the door.

'Door is open, I'll be with you in a moment.'

At Nina's invitation she opened the door and wheeled herself into the office, the gray haired lady elbow deep in papers and books while glancing back at her computer.

'I know it was here somewhere….' She muttered to herself as she began looking through another stack of papers before pushing her glasses back into place. 'I had it yesterday….'

'Mrs. Duviack?' Maddie questioned softly after a moment, coming to a stop in front of the lady's desk. 'I'm sorry, if I've come at a bad time-'

'No, no not at all my dear.' Nina interrupted as she finally found the document for which she had been searching. 'Ah, there you are. I knew it was here.' She exclaimed triumphantly. 'One of these days I'll get around to filing all this away….' The clicking of the keyboard indicated she was typing something down and once she was finished she returned her attention to her visitor. 'Maddie, always a pleasure to see you.' She smiled. 'How are you?'

'I'm getting along.' Maddie replied honestly. 'Getting there slowly.'

'Oh that's good to hear. You had us all worried there for a time. Glad you seem to be back on your feet so to speak.' Nina remarked. 'I hope you are satisfied with everything here.'

She nodded. 'Mika has been taking good care of my horses. I couldn't hope to find a better place to board them.'

'Good, good. That's great to hear. And your folks? How are they?'

'They're good. Grampa and Mawline have their fortieth wedding anniversary coming up in a couple weeks so we're all trying to plan something for that.'

'Forty years already?' Nina questioned with a shake of her head. 'My my, how time flies. I was a bridesmaid at your grandmother's wedding, it seems only like yesterday….' She paused for a moment reminiscing then returned her attention to Maddie. 'But I'm sure you didn't come here to listen to me waffle on. There is a reason for your visit?'

Maddie nodded. 'I um…. I wanted to speak to you about Elizabeth. I hope I'm not overstepping, ma'am, but I- um…. Elizabeth seemed pretty upset earlier.'

Nina sighed. 'It is a sorry business but there isn't any alternative. Diablo has become too dangerous to keep around here. I won't have anyone else attacked by that stallion. He will be destroyed just as soon as I can organize a vet and someone to bury him.'

'Are you sure putting him to sleep is the only option?' She questioned cautiously. 'From what I've seen he seems to be quite a hard horse to handle but aggressive? I have a hard time believing that he would want to deliberately hurt anyone.'

'Diablo has always needed a strong hand to keep him in line.' Pushing her chair back from the desk she got to her feet, walking over to the mahogany display cabinet across the room. Opening the glass door she picked up a photo frame from off the shelf and returned to Maddie, handing the photo to her. 'That horse there is his great-grand-sire, Hurricane. That horse took me through the Olympics in Moscow, 1980. I was twenty-two years old.' She paused for a moment. 'Hurricane was a great horse with a fire inside him and he was just as hard to handle as Diablo is, even more so to a point. I was the only person who could get near him. He wouldn't stand to have anyone else within twelve feet of him. If I ever saw a one person horse, it was Hurricane.'

'Diablo inherited many traits from Hurricane-' She continued after a pause. 'Including the tendency to be vicious. Hurricane trampled one groom to death not long after the 1984 games. After that I couldn't trust him. He was retired from eventing and I made the mistake of keeping him as a stud in the hopes to breed another Olympic champion. He had the looks and the talent but with a temper to match.'

Maddie nodded, digesting the story that Nina had told to her.

'The groom he killed was my best friend, Bobby Sanders.' Nina said as Maddie handed the photo frame back to her. 'So you understand now why that horse must be put down. I should have done it long ago…'

'Can't you give Diablo one last chance though?' She questioned hopefully. 'I mean, maybe there was a reason for why he attacked the groom.'

Nina looked down at her. 'Are you questioning my judgment?'

Maddie swallowed under the woman's piercing gaze. 'No ma'am, I'm not. I'm just saying that it would be horrible to put Diablo down though if there is the chance that maybe he didn't have to be.'

She folded her arms, looking at the young teenager for a long moment. 'Just because you've trained two wild mustangs doesn't mean you are an authority on horse's, young lady. You still have a lot to learn.'

'I don't claim to be ma'am and yes, I know I still have a lot to learn.' She replied, meeting Nina's eye and holding contact with her. 'But can you please give Diablo just one more chance?'

'And you would be wanting to work with him?'

Maddie shook her head. 'Obviously in my condition,' She motioned to her chair. 'That is out of the question. What I'm asking is to be able to assess him and look at what happened and maybe spot something that has been overlooked. If anyone is to work with him it would be only under your supervision and with measures taken to ensure that no one gets hurt. Just one week is all I'm asking. One week and if there's no improvement in his behavior then well…' She sighed. 'At least he was given a chance.'

Nina thought about what Maddie had proposed for a moment. 'Why would you want to do this? I know Elizabeth hasn't been the nicest towards you. Why would you want to help her?'

'My Mama taught me there are two kinds of people in this world. Those that help people and those that turn their back on them. If I see someone hurting I want to try to help. It's the right thing to do.'

At that, a smile crept across her lips. 'It would seem that what I have heard of you is true then. Alright-' She nodded as she placed the photo frame back onto her desk. 'You have convinced me to give Diablo one last chance. Instead of one week, you will have two. I will oversee what you do but you may change anything in his routine and such if you believe it will help.'

Maddie nodded. 'And we will need to have Elizabeth on board with this too.'

'Don't you worry, I will speak to her.' Nina replied. 'Come. You can meet Diablo.'

The stallion barn. A building set as far away from the other buildings as possible. While it was still made in the same design and materials as the other grand barns Maddie could feel an eary atmosphere to the place as she wheeled herself down the alleyway following Nina. There were fifteen stallions and six colts all stabled under the same roof, each of the stalls constructed in the same way. Concrete walls with a few inches of thick metal bars up above that didn't allow for any horse to horse contact. The fronts of the stalls were made the same, high walls with only metal bars for them to look at the horse across from them.

As Maddie looked around she couldn't help but feel sorry for them.

These stallions lived a life of confinement more than prison inmates did.

Walking down the aisle, the sound of a commotion coming from the last stall became louder. A horse was squealing and kicking, its iron shoes clanging against the metal door. A few feet back from the stall door they stopped, the stallion baring his teeth as he reared up and pawed at the door.

'And that's Diablo.' Nina said with a sigh as she watched the stallion. 'He's always been a bit hard to handle but he's never been like this before.'

Maddie took it all in for a good long moment, her eyes meeting with that of the black stallion's. Yes, there was a look in his eye that she didn't trust but she could see more than just that. Pain. Anger. He was hurting and the only way he could express it was by this behavior. She went to wheel herself closer to the stall and as she did so, Diablo reared again, throwing himself into the door trying to get at them. The only thing between her and that stallion was that thick metal door with the bars up the top half, the bottom half covered in dents from where he'd been kicking against it. In this state there wasn't even any chance of calming him down. It was like the mere sight of a human sent him into an uncontrollable rage.

'When did this start?' She questioned, wheeling herself backwards to where Nina stood. 'When did this behavior begin?'

'Elizabeth and the grooms looking after him have said he's been more of a handful for about a month or so but we didn't expect him to get so bad.' Nina began to explain. 'When horses are under a strict training and competing regime as his it's only natural they'll be under some stress, it's unavoidable. It comes with the territory. The last three competitions Elizabeth has only just been able to control him but during their last competition Saturday it was like something inside him snapped. He saw that jump and didn't even attempt to jump it, just ran straight into it. It took over twenty attendants to corner him and catch him, he had to be sedated to get onto the float. Since then, every time someone comes into the stable this is what he's like. The groom who was attacked yesterday was trying to bridle him to take him out for his walker time and it took five others with whips to get him off her when he attacked.'

Maddie shook her head. She felt so sorry for the stallion. 'Can I see his feed chart and records?'

She nodded. 'They're in the feed room. I'll just be a moment.'

Nina left and even though it was only her there with him, the stallion didn't calm down any. Already from what she had been told Maddie had a feeling she knew what the problem was. Being stuck in that stall and only getting out to be ridden or on the walker or go to competitions wasn't any kind of life for a horse. When was he allowed to be a horse? Of course he was going to snap. She was just surprised it had taken so long for him to get to this point.

Nina soon returned with a couple thick blue folders and handed them both to her. 'Everything you would need to know is in these. I've just had a call from one of the grooms, there's an injured horse I need to see. If you need anything else, Elizabeth will be pouting around here somewhere. If you look hard enough, you'll find her. Alternatively, you have my number.'

Maddie nodded. 'I'll take a look at these and get to work. I'll let you know if I come up with anything.'

The old women left and Maddie began looking through Diablo's records, starting with his feed rations. As she looked over what he was being fed she shook her head. He was being pumped full of grain and pellet feeds as well as high calorie supplements as well as alfalfa hay. 'Well, there's problem number one…' She remarked under her breath. 'Feeding way more and stuff he really doesn't need.'

Time slipped by as she read through his records, the stallion finally settling down after a long while, if circling his stall endlessly could be called being settled. Reading through the records she had come up with another four reasons that could attain to his current behavior and had begun to write down some notes to discuss with Nina.

'What are you doing here?'

Maddie looked up as Elizabeth walked into the stables and closed the folder on her lap.

'Why have you got Diablo's records?' She questioned coldly as she saw that was what was on her lap. 'Give me that-'

'Elizabeth.' She interrupted her sternly. 'I'm only going to say this once so listen up. I don't care about what you think of me but I am trying to help your horse. I spoke to your Grandmother, she has given me two weeks to figure out what is going on with Diablo and to show improvement in his behavior.'

'You?' Elizabeth scoffed. 'What would you know about horses? My grandmother has been around horses all her life, she's been in the Olympics. If she says Diablo is dog meat then that's what he is.'

'Is that what you believe?'

Silence fell and she looked towards her stallion, shaking her head after a long moment. 'No…' She sighed softly as a brick in the wall she built around herself was cast down. 'But what can I do? I mean, look at him.' She motioned to the stallion who was again kicking at the door of his stall. 'He's like a caged lion.'

'The first step is working with me.' Maddie replied. 'Call a truce or whatever between us for his sake. We need to be able to work together.' She paused. 'Do you think you can do that for Diablo's sake, Elizabeth?'

She nodded after a moment and looked down at her. 'Where do we start?'

Maddie smiled at her. 'Right at the beginning.' She handed her one of the folders. 'We have a lot of work to do.'