I am really, really, really, really, really sorry about not updating in MONTHS but this has been a really busy year for me with the HSC and future decisions being made and everything. I hope you all can forgive me for the late update. Unfortunately I can only upload this one chapter for the time being because the HSC is in two weeks and I really need to study. I hope everyone enjoys it and I won't be able to update for another month or two.

I also wanted to say a big thank you to all those who have been patient and waited for this next chapter and I hope I don't disappoint. It doesn't have much action in it but it has got some Mallory babble which I love.

I also cannot wait for the season premiere that going to be on soon! I am on the edge of my seat with anticipation. My sister and I have all these theories about what will be in the next season and if any of you have any theories please feel free to share! Also Amber Marshall looked absolutely stunning on her wedding day and I think I speak for all the fans when I say I wish her all the best.

I hope you all enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Heartland. All characters (except for Rebecca) and scenes belong to cbc.

Chapter 8

Amy woke up to the sound of rain pounding on the roof. Pulling a pillow over her head, she tried to block out the noise of the raging storm. Yet, despite her efforts, her brain would not shut itself off again.

Groaning, she threw the pillow onto the floor and turned around to look at her alarm clock. Unfortunately being digital, the glowing green numbers were flashing on 12:00 meaning that during the night, the storm had cut the power. Resigning herself to the torture of getting up, she threw her covers off and stood. The coolness of the floorboards soaked into her feet, making her shiver. Regretting not putting on warmer pyjamas, Amy quickly looked around for her slippers and jacket. Seeing her targets over the other side of the room she mentally grumbled, before making the slow, agonizing shuffle over to them.

Sighing at the warmth her new garments provided, she opened the door and made her way into the living room. The hallway was pitch black, with the only light coming from the occasional flash of lightning outside.

As she stepped into the now sparklingly clean living, Amy noticed the kitchen light on. Quickly checking the clock on the wall, Amy saw that it was only 4am. Annoyed that she still would have had an hour of sleep if it wasn't for the storm, the young Fleming shuffled into the kitchen. The smell of coffee hit her as she stepped into the light and her mouth immediately started watering. Suddenly feeling wide awake, Amy rushed over to the coffee pot and poured herself a mug.

Smiling as the hot liquid hit her throat, Amy turned around to see Lou sitting at the table, also with a mug in her hand. Giving her a slight smile, Amy pulled the chair out opposite her.

'Couldn't sleep?" Lou asked as she took a sip of her drink.

"The storm just woke me up. Before that I slept like a log." Amy curled her hands around the mug, warming her hands up with the hot coffee.

"I've been awake for half an hour. Even before that I didn't get much sleep. I can't stop thinking about Ty."

Amy's mind immediately formed an image of the said person and a small frown appeared on her face as she remembered what had happened last night. Her drowsiness and need to warm up had made her temporarily forget what transpired. Her frown increased as she thought of the girl who had arrived with him. Without her wanting it to, feelings of jealousy sprang into her heart.

Lou seeming to know what Amy was thinking about said casually, "You should have stayed last night. Rebecca is an interesting girl."

Amy was too busy feeling betrayal and shock towards her sister to notice the smile Lou hid behind her mug.

"Lou! What happened to sisterly love! And what about us girls have to stick together! That girl's the enemy!" Amy was about to continue her rant when she noticed her sister's shoulder's shaking. Amy smiled in embarrassment as Lou's laughter resounded around the kitchen.

"Nice sister you are." Grumbled Amy sarcastically as Lou tried to get control of herself. After about half a minute Lou was finally in a condition to talk.

"I'm sorry Amy, but once you find out who Becca is, you would be laughing at your reaction too!"

Her eyebrows furrowing in confusion, Amy asked, "Find out who Becca is? What do you mean?"

"She's Ty's sister." Lou answered before another few bouts of laughter took over at Amy's surprised reaction.

"Ty doesn't have a sister." Amy said, believing Lou was pulling the wool over her eyes.

"Apparently he believed that too until he turned up at his dads three months ago and ran into her."

Slowly, it was dawning on Amy that Lou might be telling the truth. The jealousy began to evaporate to be replaced by a glimmer of hope. Hope that maybe Ty and her could heal the rift that was between them and fix their relationship.

The night of the Spring Finale sprang unbidden into her mind. As she remembered Ty leaning in to kiss her, a blush crept up her cheeks. She attempted to hide that fact by taking a long sip of her coffee, hoping that Lou didn't notice.

Inwardly, she scolded herself for feeling this way. She grumbled as she thought how her emotions and memories seemed to have a mind of their own lately. Amy was just a passenger, not able to control her own feelings and thoughts.

Now that they were alone, Amy was hoping that her sister could answer a few of her questions.

"What happened to them?" Amy asked as she remembered the bleeding cuts on Becca and the bruises on Ty. Lou sighed, looking down at the grains in the wood table.

"What always happens to Ty, I guess." Lou replied, looking down at the table without actually seeing it. "His father got in some trouble and bolted. Leaving the two of them to deal with the consequences."

Amy thought about all the times Ty had mentioned his dad, which wasn't that much, and she remembered the look of both love and disappointment in his eyes. She also remembered though how his voice held a wistfulness tune whenever he did. Ty's loyalty towards those he loves knew no bounds and Amy knew without a doubt that if his dad told him to give him a chance and to trust him, he would, no questions asked.

"Well, where are they now?" Amy asked as she took another sip of her coffee.

"Mallory managed to drag the poor girl into her room for the night, I think they're still asleep, and Ty and grandpa just left to pick up Ty's truck and things."

Amy didn't know what she felt when Lou finished that sentence. It was a bitter sweet moment. On the one hand she felt relief that she wouldn't have to confront or run into Ty any time soon (now that would be awkward), but on the other hand she was slightly disappointed that she won't get to see him any time soon. She wanted to make sure he was ok after the fight he obviously was in last night.

Amy was brought out of her musings as she heard voices coming from the living room.

"Copper's my horse. I can show you him later today. He loves me but he can't jump even if his life depends on it. I tried to walk him over poles a couple of times but he just trips over them. I swear he must be blind but Scott-Scott's our vet by the way. He's a really cool guy. Anyway, Scott said that Copper's eyesight was fine, he is just a clumsy horse. Have you ever ridden before? It's so much fun. You must give it a try. Don't worry if you're scared. I can coach you. I will even do it for free, cause your Ty's sister. I gave Ty lessons when he first came here. He was hopeless. I had to give him secret lessons, which cost extra, because he didn't want Amy to know how terrible he was, but it's ok cause I'm a good teacher and he's pretty good now. At least he can gallop without falling off."

Both Lou and Amy hid grins behind their coffee mugs as Mallory and very bewildered looking Rebecca entered the kitchen. Mallory was still in her pink flannelette pj's, with her hair in a style that looked like it would have belonged on Mrs Frankenstein. Becca seemed to be wearing a pair of Mallory's purple trackies and a borrowed top with a rainbow across the front. Needless to say she looked very uncomfortable in her new attire. Amy, thought back to the night before when she first met her and didn't think she seemed like a rainbow type of girl.

Becca's eyes were bloodshot with sleep deprivation as she shuffled over to the coffee pot, grabbed a mug and poured herself a glass, all with her eyes half closed. Mallory, in Mallory fashion, looked like she had been awake for hours, with her eyes wide awake and her mouth working like a motor already.

"Oh!" Mallory exclaimed when she saw the Fleming sisters, "Did the storm wake you guys up too? Cause it woke us up. Well, it woke me up and I may have accidently woken Becca up as well. How long did you think this storm will last? I mean it seems like it might be dying down but you never know. We could be in the eye of the storm which will lull us into a false sense of security before bam! The wind and rain will hit us again out of nowhere. I saw this on The Day After Tomorrow. It was a good movie. Maybe we should stay near the fire in case a big cold frost or something will come towards us and kill us all-"

"Mallory," Lou firmly cut her off, "it's just a storm, and I heard on the tv the night before that it should die down by the time the sun comes up so calm down."

As Mallory and Lou were talking, Amy watched Becca silently over her mug as the girl slowly shuffled from the bench to the table before pulling the chair out across from Mallory and sitting down. The grimace of pain that crossed her face made Amy suspect that she might still be in some agony from the injuries she sustained last night. The small cuts, most likely made from glass were still bright red across her arms. Amy decided to pluck up the courage and say something.

"I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself last night," Amy said politely, "I was a bit shocked that's all, with Ty's surprise return and all. I'm Amy Fleming."

Becca stared suspiciously at her outstretched hand before shaking it. She reminded Amy of Ty when he first arrived at Heartland. Not willing to let anyone get too close just in case they gained his trust. Yes, Becca didn't seem like the type of girl who would trust easily.

Well, I guess I will just have to push through her wall then, thought Amy, determined to gain Ty's sister's trust and friendship. She had no idea where this feeling came from, though she had a sneaking suspicion it had something to do with this gaining back the relationship she previously had with the girl's brother.

"Rebecca Wilson." Becca answered, before letting go and returning to her mug of coffee.

"Wilson?" questioned Lou, "I would have thought your last name would be Borden, Like Ty's and your dad's."

Becca adamantly shook her head, "Wilson is my mother's name, I don't go by my fathers."

Amy thought, by the way Becca talked about her dad, that there was no love lost between the too. In fact she looked even more uncomfortable than she did entering the kitchen in the rainbow, saying the word father. Amy prided herself on the ability to read people, the way she does horses, as she could read from Becca's tone that her dad was a touchy subject. Wanting to steer the conversation away from uncharted waters, Amy decided to ask the next question, which was a good idea when she noticed Mallory starting to open her mouth.

"So, Becca, will you be staying here awhile?"

"I-I'm not sure." Answered the girl shyly, all the while looking down at her coffee, "I guess I I'll go where Ty goes, so if he wants to stay, I will. That's of course if you'll let me" She hastily added onto the end.

Lou smiled and comfortingly squeezed her arm, "Any family of Ty's is a family of ours." Becca smiled shyly back at Lou, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

"Well, now!" said Lou breaking the silence, "Who's up for a big fatty breakfast of bacon, eggs and sausages?"

When everyone agreed enthusiastically, Lou got up and headed for the fridge. While she cooked, Mallory kept up a steady stream of conversation. Amy noticed that Becca remained silent throughout most of it. Examining her out of the corner of her eye, Amy realised that the girl looked scared. Even though she seemed to be around the same age as Amy, the way she kept her arms and coffee mug held in front of her like a shield, led Amy to believe that she had a child's vulnerability about her that Amy had only seen in one other person: herself. She remembered exactly the way she felt when her mother died; cold and alone in a world that seemed dark and empty and Amy suddenly realised why this young woman was living with her dad who doesn't seem to have much of a relationship with her and why she has trust issues.

It was then and there that Amy decided to help this girl. Not because she was Ty's sister but because, she was a person that needed a friend, and Amy was determined to be that friend.