Well, it took a little longer than I had thought, but here is the next chapter. I couldn't decide whether this chapter and the next should be combined into one long chapter, or split into two. Thanks to Crev for helping me with that decision (even if Crev didn't realize it until now).

Another somewhat calmer chapter. I was feeling bad for all those emotions all over the place, so hopefully this chapter will help it even more.

I've seen some new names subscribing (to either me or this fic in particular), and some favouriting as well, and of course reviews. Thank you all for your support. It makes me all happy when I get an email alert letting me know that my story is enjoyed! :)

Unbeta'd, as per, so any mistakes are mine... unlike the characters, who sadly don't.

xxxxx

Emily had avoided her parents all together since the startling revelation about her mother and Anthea's secret love affair. Part of her wanted to just take the bull by the horns and talk to Jenna about it, whilst the other part just wanted to keep the peace. She was ever thankful for Naomi's presence, the silent strength giving the redhead what she needed to keep going day after day. The soft embraces, the tender kisses, everything that embodied her constantly growing emotions for the blonde.

Time was running thin for the redhead, and she had been over to JJ's every day to practice, but her anxiety wasn't doing her any favours. It seemed like every time she would bring Thunder into the practice arena, everything with Jenna and Anthea would come crashing over her like tsunami waves intent on taking her out. Emily never used to have that problem. Anytime she would ride everything would dissolve into the far recesses of her mind. It was as much of an outlet for her as it was enjoyable.

The competition has been weighing heavily on her mind. She had set such high expectations for herself... and with her record, so had everyone else. She had added a few new moves into her arsenal, but her changes from one to the other felt forced and sloppy, which only frustrated her more.

Naomi would come with her every day, and every day she would watch on, always showing her undying support.

"Naomi?" Emily called out from the middle of the arena.

Naomi smiled at her girlfriend, "Yes babe?"

Emily went silent for a moment, as if she was working out how exactly to put something into words. The blonde stayed silent, letting the redhead work it out without pressuring her. "Do you think I'm ready?" she asked meekly.

Naomi's eyebrows shot up. She didn't know, to be honest. It wasn't as if dressage, or anything to do with horses, was an area of her expertise. "Ems, only you can really know that, but even I can tell that you're distracted," she said calmly.

Emily's lips pursed slightly and she nodded her head. Naomi was right, she knew that. With the competition the next day she should be confident in the routine. "Can you turn on the stereo, please? Disk two, song four," Emily politely asked.

Naomi simply nodded her head and went about starting the requested song. After pushing a couple buttons a light classical ballad started softly through the speakers. She watched as Emily closed her eyes and tilted her head back, as if she was letting the music chase away everything else in her life. Naomi saw the sparkle in her girlfriend's eyes when she opened her chocolate orbs and couldn't help but smile. Of course to Naomi, everything Emily was able to do atop the massive stallion was utterly beautiful, breathtaking even, but there was a renewed concentration written on the rider's face.

After going through the routine two more times she dismounted and walked toward the arena gate. Naomi opened it for her and Thunder to walk through, making sure it was securely fastened before following a good distance behind them.

Emily took extra care when brushing him off, making sure his coat was positively gleaming, even in the dense light in the stables. She got out what looked to be black paint and she knelt down at Thunder's front feet, painting the black liquid onto his hooves. The redhead did the same thing with his back feet. She then started to run a comb through Thunder's mane, getting out any tangles that had formed since she had last given him a good brushing.

Naomi watched in serene amazement at just how relaxed her girlfriend was. It was probably the first time in a good few weeks at the very least.

The redhead then moved to Thunder's tail. She gave it the same attention that was given to the rest of his hair and soon it was brushed to perfection. Both Thunder's mane and tail had a natural wave to them, which made them seem that much longer and flowing. She then tickled his muzzle and exited the stall. She smirked at her girlfriend who had undoubtedly been watching her the entire time.

Naomi smiled brightly at her, "Ready?"

Emily turned back to the stallion and nodded once, "I am," she said with maybe a little more confidence than she actually felt.

The blonde gave her a brief look before tilting her head forward, reaching her hand out toward Emily so they could walk out together, hand in hand. Naomi gave her hand a brief squeeze of support. "Is Katie going to be there?" Naomi asked... but what she really wanted to ask was 'Is your whole family going to be there?'

"Yeah, Katie will be, and dad."

"Good," she said quietly as they made it out to Naomi's car. "Where to?"

"I need to go to my parents' house to get my gear so I can make sure it is ready for tomorrow. Hopefully dad will be there so we can talk about when he will be picking up Thunder so I can meet him here," she said, rambling slightly in the process.

The ride to the Fitch Family Farm was short, and somewhat silent without any music on... just the soft rumbling of the engine and every once in a while a high pitched squeaking of the brakes.

"You can wait here," Emily said once the vehicle had come to a complete stop. Naomi didn't argue. She wasn't looking forward to a run in with the Fitch Bitch, and hopefully staying in the car would keep the peace.

Emily ran off inside and Naomi turned off the engine to save petrol, since she wasn't sure just how long her girlfriend would be inside.

The redhead had barely stepped in the door before she was wrapped in a massive Fitch hug. Her arms moved around his waist and she turned her head to lie on the chiseled chest of her father. "How's my little girl?" he inquired gently, kissing the top of her head.

Emily didn't respond as the complete devastation from the knowledge of Fitch family secrets take hold of her and start to crush her from the inside out. Her entire chest felt like it was being compacted. She heard the soft murmurs coming from her loving father, and his embrace didn't falter.

Finally after a few minutes the redhead pulled away, tears streaking down her cheeks. Rob Fitch reached his hands forward to her cheeks and his thumbs brushed them away, a small smile on his lips. "I've missed you, Emilia," he said softly. "You know you can come home at any time, kid. Plus the rest of the horses miss ya… and miss Thunder too. You know he was the true stallion of the herd."

Emily couldn't help but laugh slightly. It was true. They did only have two stallions, Thunder and Sir Paint, the rest were mares or geldings, but it was no secret that Thunder was the true leader of the herd. It was strange, actually, because the two stallions had never gone after each other, Sir Paint just took the second position in stride, as if he knew that it would get ugly if there was a battle between them. "I'm sure Sir Paint has been reveling in his step up," she said with a small chuckle.

Rob put an arm around her shoulders and walked her further into the house, "He sure is," he responded. "So what brings you 'round here, Ems?" he asked. He always was one to get straight to the point.

Emily nearly stopped on the spot. Should she tell her father of everything she had come across regarding Jenna and Anthea?

"Emilia?" he pressed softly. "Is everything okay? Is Gina looking over you, and her girl, Naomi?"

Emily smiles, "Yes, daddy, Gina is wonderful, and Naomi is absolutely lovely."

Rob wasn't sure if he completely believed his daughter, but he had never been one to push. He was straight forward and up front, and if his daughters or son had something they were keeping to themselves, he had faith that it was for a good reason. All his children knew they could come to him whenever, with whatever, and he would help them if possible… and if he couldn't, he would be there for them. "Good to hear. Have you talked to Katie at all? She's been going out a lot and brought over this rather frail looking girl the other day. I swear that girl couldn't pick up a bale of hay if her life depended on it."

Emily's eyebrows furrowed, then realization hit and she started to laugh, "You mean Effy?"

"I suppose that's what Katie called her, I knew it was an unusual name… probably why I didn't recall it," he replied. "Do you know her?"

"I know her a little bit, her mum passed away when she was a baby, and her dad is Jim Stonem. I know she's a friend of Naomi's, but other than that, I don't know much more than that," she said, slyly slipping in the name of Effy's father to try to see if there would be a reaction.

"Ah yes, Jim, I went to school with him… had to drop out because his girl came up pregnant and he took on the responsibility like a champ. I thought he had two kids though, not just one. Yeah, he had a boy first. He got married before he was born, think they called him Tony." Rob looked like he was reflecting on the past. "Yeah… it was Anthony… and last I knew his wife had their second child and then she passed unexpectedly after that, some accident with a horse right before you and your sister were born. You know your mum and her were good friends, she was there when Jim's wife died. It nearly killed your mum. They were close."

That was probably the most that Emily had ever heard coming from her father's mouth at one time. She wondered if she should press her father for information. He had mentioned they were close, but did he really know how close they were… that they were lovers? Was what she knew actually a secret from her father, or had Jenna come clean about it. By the sound of her entrée in Athena's diary, the Fitch mother wasn't going to tell anyone.

"Did you know Anthea well?"

Rob shrugged his shoulders and started walking towards the kitchen and the younger twin followed him there. "I didn't know her as well as I should have. She and your mum were best mates. Jenna spent a lot of time at the Stonem residence after Tony was born, and even when they were both pregnant. I think it was good for them both to have someone to lean on. God knows that Jim and I were both busy with work and school and probably didn't spend enough time with them."

Emily nodded her head. It seemed to her that Rob was aware that they were close, but it wasn't like he would just come out and say that he knew they were being intimate.

"Anyway, kid, I know you didn't come here to speak about an old friend of your mum's," Rob said with a smile as he got some juice from the fridge and poured two glasses full. He walked to the table and set the beverages down and took a seat.

Emily followed his lead and sat at the six-seater table, reaching for the drink and taking a long pull from it. "Well, I mostly came to see what time you wanted to pick up Thunder," she said calmly.

Rob took a drink of his own, "Well, I know you like to get there early, and it isn't too far away this time, so we could probably leave by five and be there with plenty of time to spare." Father Fitch paused for a minute, "Will Naomi be driving up with us?"

Emily smiled at just how much her father knew her. "I um… I think she was going to drive up on her own, just so there wasn't any awkwardness," she replied with a small shrug.

"Well, Jenna isn't going to be there, so I'm not making James go, and Katie said she was going to go to support you," Rob said. "Do Katie and Naomi get on?"

"I don't think they hate each other," Emily said with a slight laugh.

Rob joined in her guffaw, "I suppose that's a start. I'll just have Katie sit up in the front with me, if you and Naomi don't mind sharing the back."

Emily took another sip, "I'll ask her. If she wants to, I'll let her know she can ride with us instead of following behind."

"Sounds good. Picking up your clothes then? I've already shined up Thunder's show tack, so you don't have to worry about that."

"Yeah, you know how I am about everything the night before, dad," she said with another little laugh.

Rob picked up the now empty glasses and started to rinse them in the sink, nodding his head. "Yes, I do. I'll get Thunder's hooves done tonight and make sure he's all ready for tomorrow," he said as an afterthought.

"Oh, I… I already did that, dad," Emily said bashfully.

Rob Fitch laughed, "That's my girl. So are you heading out?" He turned around to look at his little girl, a smile still plastered to his face and his blue eyes shining.

"Yeah, Naomi's out in the car waiting…"

"You left her in the car?" Rob interrupted.

Emily's face showed her shock, "Well I wasn't sure if mum was home, and well, she doesn't much care for Naomi."

Rob regarded her for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders. "I do see your point. You mother is quite fierce when she thinks her cubs are in trouble. She isn't much of a fan of that Effy girl either. Maybe if she realized she was Anthea's girl she might let up a little."

Emily just stared at him, and then nodded, turning around to get her competition gear from the closet in her old room. She also grabbed a few supplies she thought she might need, shoving them into a bag. Once she got everything settled she walked back out to tell her father goodbye, but he wasn't there. She shrugged her shoulders to herself before realizing the door leading outside was cracked open. She pulled it open further, nervous for what she might find. It didn't seem too serious though, as her father was just talking to Naomi, who was leaning against her car smoking a fag.

xxxxx

Naomi had just gotten out of her car to smoke and stretch her legs when she saw the door open. She tensed for a brief moment, readying herself for a battle with Mrs. Fitch… but it wasn't her. Instead it was the polite and mild mannered husband, Rob. The blonde relaxed slightly, bringing up the cigarette up to her lips to draw in another breath of nicotine and tobacco.

"Hey Naomi, I was wondering if I could have a few words," Rob said with a smile as he moved further from the house.

Naomi nodded her head, "Sure can, Mr. Fitch."

"There's a few things, actually," he stated, but when Naomi didn't interject, he continued. "First, and foremost, I wanted to thank you, and please pass my thanks on to Gina as well, for taking care of my little Emilia." Rob cuffed Naomi on the shoulder and nodded his head with a genuine smile plastered across his face. "Now that that is out of the way, I'd like to invite you to ride with us tomorrow. Jenna and James won't be going, just Emily, Katie, and myself… so there's plenty of room for you to ride with us. Save some petrol, and you can sleep on the way, since we're meeting at the Jones' at five AM."

Blue eyes nearly popped out of her head, "Did you say five AM?"

Rob laughed loudly, "Yes. So will you be riding up with us then?"

"I think I will be. I'm not much of a morning person, and with my luck I'll end up running into a tree again," she responded with a chuckle.

"We can't have that happening again. Emily was so distraught. I don't want to see my baby girl like that ever again, so you better keep your car away from trees… and ditches too, and bridges…"

"I got it, Mr. Fitch… safe driving for me," Naomi interrupted, her eyes flicking over Rob's shoulder when she saw Emily walk out the front door.

Rob turned around with a bright smile, still lightly chuckling. "Emsy, it looks like I convinced Naomi to join us."

Emily's smile was bright enough to rival the sun, and the blonde couldn't help but smile back at her. "That's wonderful!" she said excitedly, giving her dad a kiss on the cheek and giving him a one armed hug.

He leaned over and kissed his daughter on the head before turning around, "See you kids tomorrow then." Rob stopped at the front door and gave them a wave before disappearing inside.

Naomi put the finished fag into an old water bottle so she didn't litter it on the grounds of her girlfriend's parent's property. "Back to the house then?" Naomi questioned as she and Emily got into the car and buckled in.

Emily nodded happily and reached across to grasp Naomi's hand in her own, giving it two quick squeezes. Naomi responded by bringing her girlfriend's hand up to her lips, kissing it gently. "Back home sounds lovely."

xxxxx

What did you think? Let me know! :)

Kind of feels like the calm before the storm, doesn't it?

Next chapter should be the competition unless I get extremely mushy and try to give Naomily another strife free chapter! LOL!