A Not So Perfect Homecoming

As the car pulled up to Raintree, she looked out the window realizing that no one was really around.

"That's odd," she whispered quietly to herself as she stared intently at the main house.

"See," Winn stated as he turned to look back at her "no harm done."

She nodded her head quietly not really wanting to talk. She hated to admit it, but she had expected a huge homecoming with everyone standing outside waiting for her return.

Trying to push the negative thoughts out of her head, Kris slowly maneuvered her way out of the car and stood by the door looking around.

"Can I ask you something Winn?" she questioned as she turned to look at her old friend.

"Why are you working for Tina Sharp?"

He looked at her for only a moment before he smiled "I'm not," he replied.

"Then who are you working for?" she asked "You must know, since you are a driver and all."

He nodded his head quietly as he looked at his watch, quickly checking the time.

"How is Jace?" he asked, changing the subject.

"In jail for a little while," she replied "for aiding and abetting a criminal."

He looked at her for a moment and quietly shook his head. "Bummer," he stated.

"Yeah," she sighed, "I put him there."

His head whipped around to look at her and she winced at the look she knew he was giving her.

"It's a long story," she whispered quietly "a very long story."

"I bet it is," he replied.

She could feel tears brimming on her eyelids as she turned once again to look at him. She hadn't felt this alone in quite a long time, not since she took off after the match race.

"I have a baby," she stated quietly.

"I heard," he replied "it's that Junior guy's isn't it? I think I heard somewhere that you two were hitched."

She nodded her head, smiling slightly. "Yeah we did," she replied.

"It's too bad about his plane going down."

She looked at him in shock for a moment before asking the question that was on the tip of her lips.

"How," she asked "did you know about that?"

He shrugged his shoulders quickly muttering an equally quiet response "Jace."

She wasn't sure how to really reply, so she nodded her head quietly. She had betrayed her brother, at least she felt like she had. The guilt was eating her.

"Well," Winn replied "I have to be somewhere very shortly so I should let you go. It was great to see you Kris, take care of yourself and that baby."

"You take care of yourself too," she replied waving slightly as his car pulled out of the driveway.

--

Well," the man asked, "did you do what I instructed you to?"

"What do you think?" she replied snidely holding out her hand. He placed a thick white envelope in it quickly before looking around.

She opened it for a moment flipping the money quickly, determining if it was all there.

"Thanks," she replied softly.

"And, how did it go?" he asked questioningly waiting for her response.

"Perfectly," she replied, "it went just as planned."

"How did she take it?" he asked excitedly, almost too quickly.

"You know how she is," the woman replied "but I thought that she swallowed it quite well, considering."

The man nodded quietly looking at the woman in front of him. Kris was definitely a spitfire that was for sure.

"And she has no idea it is me?" the man questioned, making sure his identity was safe.

"Chill out," the woman bit back "Do you think I am that stupid?"

"Let's keep it that way," the man stated as he turned around and walked away from her and out of the warehouse.

She rolled her eyes at his back as he made his dramatic exit and she quickly plopped down in the chair she had previously been sitting in.

She sat for a moment at the small table and stared at the empty glass in front of her. She blew a poof of air out of her mouth and wisped her bangs to the side.

This was only the beginning, and she knew she still had a lot of work to do before she got the full amount she was promised.

It seemed like a miracle that day he approached her, offering her a deal she couldn't refuse. Get Kris Furillo, and he didn't care how, and she would be handsomely rewarded.

She would have normally told the person off, but this time it was different. She knew the man well enough to know that she couldn't tell him no. Plus, her jockey career was fledging and it wasn't long until she would be retiring, she needed the money.

Picking up the white envelope and sighing she quickly stood up and walked to a bright red convertible and hopping over the door, got in.

--

She quickly made her way to Wildfire's stall gently nuzzling his head with hers.

"Hey there." She whispered "at least you're happy to see me."

Wildfire neighed in response and she gently scratched his head before rubbing her hand along his nose.

"Wildfire," she whispered "don't ever leave me."

He stomped his foot in response which caused her to smile.

"Well" she stated into the air "where in the world is everyone?"

Rubbing Wildfire one last time she made her way from the stables to the main house. She stood for a moment on the porch before plopping down on the swing and gently rocking back and forth.

She wasn't sure what it was about this place, but even after so long it still felt like home. Wrapping her arms around her shoulders she rested her head on them and looked off at the track.

Tina was back, and she wasn't really sure if that was a good thing or not. Something in her gut told her not.

But she had to admit, she really did miss racing. She missed the feeling of the horse moving beneath her legs, the way they connected for that one moment as they streaked towards the finish line.

If anything she should be grateful for the chance, but something told her not to count her eggs before they were hatched.

She was startled out of her thoughts by the sound of the front door being opened, and she suddenly felt silly. She had forgotten to check the main house.

"I thought I heard a car door," she heard Junior say as he looked around before his eyes met hers.

"Hello," she stated quietly gently waving to him.

Suddenly the door was jerked out of his hand and she saw both Matt and Dani standing next to him.

"Junior," Dani stated "what are you staring at like that. You're going to catch flies."

He quickly closed his mouth and pointed to her sitting on the swing and the squeal that escaped Dani's lips notified everyone else in the house.

As everyone filed out, some with coffee cups in their hands, she couldn't help but wish she was still back in the stable with Wildfire and the other horses.

"Kris," Matt questioned "where have you been? What happened? We were worried sick."

Similar sentiments were stated by several people but she really didn't know how to respond. Slowly she stood up and grabbed the bassinette that Jason was in. She leaned down and placed a kiss on his forehead, gently sweeping away some of his hair.

"I'm fine," she stated "just an old friend needed to talk."

She knew the two peoples eyes she needed to avoid, and did so with skillful determination.

"And now," she stated "I'm back. Sorry if I worried you."

Her eyes suddenly met Juniors and she inwardly cursed.

"Kris?" he questioned looking at her and reaching out for her. "What is really going on?"

She could feel her resolve weakening, and she took a few steps backwards away from him to clear her head. She couldn't help but turn away when she saw the hurt on his face.

"Like I said," she repeated "just catching up with an old friend."

"Who?" she heard Pablo ask and her eyes jerked up and met his.

Damn it she thought, she was two for two. She saw him looking at her questioningly.

"Just an old acquaintance from a long time ago." She replied.

"I thought you just said it was an old friend."

"Same thing," she replied casually as she felt her heart beating in her chest. "I'm really tired guys, I think I am going to go lay down."

She turned and looked at them all for a moment before she turned bassinette in hand, and headed towards the bunkhouse.

A few people called her name, but she really didn't care. She needed some time alone, some time with her son, to just think.

After all this was Tina Sharp she was dealing with, and lord knows who else.

--

Pablo looked at Junior for just a moment as they each nodded their heads at one another. If anyone could read Kris it was each other and they both instantly knew that something was off.

"I got it," Junior stated looking at him as he slowly stepped off the porch and headed towards the bunkhouse.

"Well," Dani replied "that was just strange. Did anyone else get the feeling she was hiding something?"

They all nodded their heads quietly in response watching Juniors form slowly make its way to the bunkhouse.

"You think he will get it out of her?" Matt asked.

Jean looked at her son for just a moment before replying.

"One way or another, son, I think he will."