Chapter 9:

Mallory and Badger had spent the good part of ten minutes in his truck kissing and just enjoying how uncomplicated it sudden become as they both forgot why they were fighting with each other. They both knew that if Mallory wasn't inside the house soon then Jack, who they knew was watching them through the kitchen window, would come and get her. So they agree that they would talk about everything in the morning after they had finished their chores. A reluctant Mallory got out of Badger's truck as she walked towards the house a plan began to form in her mind

" you took your time coming in, what were you two doing?" said Jack as both him and Lisa took her slightly messy appearance and began to draw his own conclusion

"ummm... Nothing we just talked and stuff" she said as she quickly came up with a lie that would sound believe able but she knew Jack would see right through it, he always did

" well ok then, just be careful ok? You know that I'm always here if you need me right, I'm not just your guardian but I'm also your friend" he said as he walked up to her and embrace her in a hug

" I know that Jack thanks... Um I should go to bed and let you guys do whatever you guys were doing" Mallory said as she smiled at the older couple who seemed happier than she had ever seen them

She went into her room where she began to her plan into action, after she was showered and dressed for bed she grabbed her jumper and boots as she walked out of the house making sure that everyone else was asleep.

She knew how risky this was, she didn't know how many times she could get with by sneaking up to the barn in the middle of the night to see Badger. She quickly checked on the horse to make sure they were ok, then decided to silent walk up the stairs leading towards the loft and gently knocked on the door.

Badger was shocked to see her standing at his door, he didn't expect to see her till tomorrow although he wasn't disappointed.

"I figured we could talk now and not later, I mean while everyone is asleep and it wouldn't depend on us rushing our chores or anything" she said as she walked towards his bed and sat down

" yeah ok, we both know we have feelings for each other so I guess the only question is are you and Jake really over?" he asked as he took her hand and gently stroked it with his thumb as they both settled on the bed facing each other

" yeah its over between us... But you should we're still best friends which means we are going to hang out and talk" she said as she look him thinking that the only way they could move forward is by telling the truth

" ok I can handle that as long as you're only friends and it doesn't go any further than that...so what does this mean ... Are we together now or ..." he said hopefully but trying to conceal the excitement in his voice, slightly slipping up

" I guess it does..." she said as leaned forward to kiss him just as a horse from down below began to make some noise, Mallory quickly got off the bed and ran down stairs to check on the horses but saw everything was ok

" I better go before someone comes out ad checks on the barn, trail ride tomorrow?" she asked as she went on her tip toes and kissed him on the cheek, she began to walk away when he grabbed her arm and pulled her in closer to give her a more passionate kiss

" ok you should go before I change my mind and keep you captive here" he said as he smiled as he watch her run across to the house

In the morning, she went into Amy's room to see if she was awake but saw that the room was empty except from a note to Mallory that stated that her and Ty had went to the lake house to check on the wild horse up there but they may take a few day depending on how the badly horses are. Mallory doubted that this was the whole truth but deciding that they probably needed some couple time which is why she voted against calling either one of them to get advice on the whole Badger thing

" hey when Amy and Ty leave?" Mallory asked Jack as she went into the fridge to get some orange juice

" early this morning, they took some hay with them to give to the horses, which means that you and Badger have double the work to do today" Jack said as he drank his coffee and read his paper

" sure that's fine, we'll just go for a trail ride in the afternoon unless theres any client that Amy left me to deal with" she said as she saw Jack's face grow slightly less happy at the thought that they would continue their plans. Just as Badger walked into the kitchen looking slightly messy and mucky

" hey so I've all the chores including yours, Mallory, so give me ten minutes to clean up and then we can go on that trail ride" he said as gently kissed her on the cheek

" sure yeah ok thanks, I'll go and tack up the horses. Bye Jack" she said as she give him a quick hug as she left the kitchen, knowing that he wasn't happy at the thought of them alone

After Badger was finished showering and was dressed he came out to find that Mallory had been true to her word as she had tacked up two horses. After a while of them riding around and talking, they decided to sit by the lake where they took their shoes and socks off in order to put them in the water while they were sitting Badger put an arm around Mallory's waist.

Badges couldn't believe that this was finally happening, that they were finally together it seemed to him that he couldn't be happier. If only it two sided. Mallory was happy but as always there was a nagging feeling in her stomach that was telling her something was wrong, although she tried to ignore it.

After a while it start to get dark so they decided to head back to Heartland where they along with Jack and Lisa had dinner together. However when they had finished Badger and Mallory got a big surprise as they headed towards the barn, holding hands.

" hey there Mallory, Badger" Jake said as he smiled at seeing he again,despite it only being a few days and he had to admit to himself but he was kinda glad that Badger and Mallory were together

"Jake!" Mallory shouted as she dropped Badger's hand and ran towards Jake, having thinking that him staying away was a lasting thing, while Badger mumbled a sort of greeting towards him

"how about we go for a walk and catch up on stuff, you can come too Badger if you want?" Jake asked as he looked from Mallory to Badger

" you know what? Why don't you guys go without me I mean I should probably check to see if Jack needs me for anything. I'll see you later ok?" he said to Mallory who sweetly nodded as she gave her a quick kiss and headed back towards the house

For a while Jake and Mallory just walked around the pens and were walking into the barn when Jake decided to bring up the elephant or rather the badger in the room, so to speak

" when did you two get together,huh?... It's ok I'm not mad or anything" he said as he saw the look on her face, he was curious about it

" last night after the barn dance..." she said as she began to trail off, not really sure how she felt about it knowing that she couldn't ignore that feeling inside her forever

" come on, tell me whats really going on in that brain of yours Mallory. You know I know better than that" he said as he sensed something was wrong while he putting a comforting hand on her arm. He had kinda already guessed what was going on with her

" I keep having this feeling that something's wrong, I mean every time we kiss or he touches me i get this feeling... I don't know why... I mean this is what I've wanted for ages and now I have it ... It feels wrong Jake. What's wrong with me" Mallory said as she began to slowly cry as he pulled her closer to him

" there's nothing wrong with you, Mallory ok? It's understandable, I get it ok?" he said as he gently stroked her back trying to get her to calm down as he fully understood everything

As he looked up towards the loft stairs, he saw Badger who he guessed had heard pretty much everything since he looked as though his heart was slowly breaking and not for the first time