A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! Parts of this chapter are taken from Season 4 episodes 2 & 3 I DO NOT OWN THEM! Thanks to my beta Elena Rain!

Kris managed to stay hidden for the next few days. Then it was the day of the big race. Kris was so excited. Matt had come over early to help her get disguised so nobody would notice her. Dani, was the only other person to see her and find out she was there after Junior. She promised to keep her secret too.

When they arrived at the race track they saw Dani. Matt waved her over.

"Hey," she greeted them.

"Hey, how's it going?" Kris asked.

"Fine, what about you?"

"Excited, I can't wait to see Wildfire race."

"Yeah, I just saw him he's excited too. Nobody knows why."

"Good, nobody needs to know why." Kris said.

"Yeah, which is why I called you over. Can you stay with Kris, help keep her from being seen, I've got to help Pablo and My mom with Wildfire."

"Sure, Matt."

Matt kissed Kris on the head. "Thanks, Dani, you're the best."

Then he ran off. Kris and Dani walked over to the railings to watch the race.

"I'm sorry." Kris said.

"What for?" Dani asked.

"I know it must hurt to see me and Matt together."

Dani laughed. "My love for Matt ended when I met RJ, even now that he's gone, I still don't have feelings for Matt anymore. He's my friend, nothing more."

"Oh, that's good."

"Yeah….look… I have to talk to you about something."

"Sure, what?"

"Do you remember that night, when you left?"

"Um, a lot happen that night, can you be a little more specific?" She sipped her coffee allowing the hot liquid to warm her insides.

"With the cows…."

"Yeah, what about it?"

"Well….there was this moment when I thought I was going to die, and when I didn't it made me realizes that I wanted to change everything about myself and so I've been working hard to do that. I even opened up my own clinic and I've made friends with Junior's girl and so that just leaves you…Kris, I was hoping we could start over? You know be friends?"

Kris just smiled. "I'd like that."

"Thank you for giving me a second chance. I don't deserve it."

"I could say to the same thing to you and to the Ritter's. When I first got out of camp I didn't believe I deserved a second chance either but everyone deserves a second change."

They both smiled and shared a hug. As they pulled away Dani spotted Matt and Pablo headed their way.

"Turn around." She said quickly.

Kris did as she said, not wanting to question it.

"Hey, Matt, Hey Pablo." She greeted so Kris knew why she had just done that.

"Hey, Dani." Matt said.

"How's Wildfire doing?"

"He's fired up, something's got him all exited."

They both wanted Kris to know how much her coming back had helped Wildfire. Kris could hear him neighing and rearing up and down over and over again in excitement. She put her coffee to her lips but just smiled.

Matt and Pablo walked past and Kris turned back around.

"Thank you." She said.

"You're welcome. You know," she started with a teasing smile. "This doesn't mean we're friends now."

Kris laughed, remembering the other times she had said that. Dani laughed with her. A man came to stand next to Kris, as she and Dani watched everyone get loaded into the starting gate. Suddenly a black horse dropped to the ground out of nowhere.

"What was that?" she asked to no one.

The man next to her answered. "His back is out."

He climbed over the railing and walked over to the horse. Kris watched in awe as he helped the horse and got fixed his back for him. "Wow…" she whispered in amazement.

Kris decided to move inside to watch the race; it would be less of chance of her running into the Ritter's or Pablo. Dani stayed down on the ground by the track.

Kris watched from the window, making sure she had the perfect spot.

"Come on, Buddy, I'm right here, just do your best. I know you can win." She whispered.

The race started and Wildfire was instantly in the lead. She smiled and cheered him on, not caring about the people next to her giving her weird looks. "Come on, Buddy, run, run! I'm right here, just go with it, go with it. You got it, you got it."

She then notice Wildfire was starting to get boxed in. So her jockey instinct took over. "No, he's getting boxed in, move him to the outside!"

The next thing she knew he kicked out almost falling over and he continued to just slow down until he finally reached the finish in last place and came to a dead stop. Her eyes went wide and she rushed to get him. She didn't care who saw her. All that mattered was getting to Wildfire.

When she finally reached him she called out "Wildfire!"

"Kris?" Jean and Pablo looked to her and shock.

Kris didn't even notice. She saw a man go over to Wildfire and started touching him.

"Get away from him!" she yelled.

She was going to run over to him but Matt grabbed her held her back. She struggled to break free from his grasp. "It's ok, it's ok. He's the vet; he works with Dani, its ok. You can trust him." Matt told her.

She stopped struggling and watched as he was led away and take to Dani's clinic. Everyone followed to get there fast.

Nobody had time to care about Kris being back yet.

They all waited in the waiting room. Kris paced back and forth, she hated to wait. Every second that ticked by turned her bravery into fear.

Finally the vet came out.

"He's resting comfortably; I've given him a mild sedative."

"What happen to him?" Kris asked.

Of course he answers using the big term that she didn't understand. Pablo just looked to her knowing she wouldn't understand. "He broke his cannon bone."

"Ok, what kind of treatment are you suggesting?" Jean asked.

"Sadly I'm not."

Kris's heart sped up. She froze her entire body going stiff, he wasn't serious?

"Due to the seriousness of his injury and the lack of chance for a healthy recover I think it would be best…"

Kris stopped listening; she couldn't hear his next words. The thought alone scared her to death. It made her want throw up. Putting Wildfire down after everything he'd been though, after everything he did to help the Ritter's? No, it wasn't going to happen she couldn't let it. She looked to the Ritter's she could tell by the looks of their faces they were considering it, they were actually thinking about it!

"There has to be another answer." She said.

"Kris…" Jesse started.

"Just let us handle this." Pablo said.

"No, Pablo means so much to all of us, I want to help."

"We've been doing just fine without you." Jean said.

Kris was hurt by that but she wouldn't let that stop her. When they wanted to send him to a slaughter house, she broke parole and ended up back in jail just to save him. She wasn't going to just stop and give up on him now. She caught Matt's eyes and she couldn't stop the tears that filled her eyes. She quickly looked away and went to run away. Matt ran after her.

When he grabbed her arm she stopped.

"You helped me save him before, please Matt; you have to help me do it again. Please." She begged her voice cracking.

"Kris, do you want Wildfire to live the rest of his life in pain? He'd never be able to race again."

"But he'd be alive!" she argued trying her best not to cry.

"It would break his heart never being able to run and race again."

"There has to be something else we can do."

"If there was the vet would have suggested it."

Suddenly Kris got an idea. "The vet….Matt, stay here and don't let them do anything to Wildfire, I'll be right back."

With that she ran out of the room.

A few minutes later she returned with another doctor and explained that he was a doctor and he had another idea that might help save Wildfire. Everyone listened as he mentioned something about a risky surgery with screws being inserted to the bone.

Luckily everyone agreed with the surgery and both doctors got to work of saving Wildfire. Now all they could do is wait. Pablo, Jean, and Jesse were all sitting together. Junior, Laura, and Dani were all waiting together and that left Kris, all alone to worry and wait by herself.

Matt went over to her. He knew out of everyone in that room Kris was the closest to him and if he died she'd have the hardest time getting through it.

"Hey, why don't we go get some fresh air?" He offered softly.

"N-no, I…I can't." she answered.

"Dani will come get us when there is news."

Kris sighed. She nodded and took his hand and stood up. They both went outside and sat down on the bench. The cold air felt good. Once they were alone Kris let her feelings out.

"Matt, he can't die, he's my best friend he can't die!" she cried.

"He's not going to die, he's a very strong horse I promise you he'll be fine."

"How do you know?"

"Let me ask you something, how hard is it for fire men to put out a wild fire? It's not easy right? "

Kris nodded.

"Wildfire the horse is the same way. It's not easy to put him out. He's going to make it through this. He knows you're here and he knows you're not leaving so he's going to pull through. Plus, if he's going to die from anything it would be a carrot overdose." He teased poking her softly in the stomach.

She smiled softly. "They are his favorite."

Matt smiled and nodded. "I know, and you're going to have the chance to feed him a lot more. I promise."

Kris nodded. "Thank you, Matt, I'm so glad you're here to help me through this."

"I love you, Kris, don't forget that."

"I won't, I love you too."

They stayed outside until Dani came to get them. Then they both rushed inside to see the Vet.

Wildfire pulled through the surgery but he had to stay calm when he first woke up. So of course Kris offered to stay with him. Jean objected of course, but when Matt offered to stay with her she finally agreed.

Once everyone left Kris went right to the recovery room and sat down on some hay waiting for Wildfire to wake up. Just looking at him, lying on the ground unmoving, his eyes closed, it scared her. Tears filled her eyes. "You've got to hang in there, you've just got to." She said softly.

Matt walked over to her and sighed when he saw tears slipping down her cheeks.

"Hey," he said softly.

She looked up at him.

"How is he?"

"Still no change." She answered her voice cracking slightly.

She got up and joined him outside the stall. She yawned and he chuckled. "Why don't you go get some sleep? I'll take over."

She shook her head. "I need to stay awake, you could just give me the cup of coffee."

He chuckled. "I had a feeling you'd say that." He handed her the cup. She took a sip and smiled softly. "So, tell me about your new dude ranch."

"Dude ranch? You mean whiner land?"

"Whiner land?"

"Matt, how come you don't have high def TV? Matt, how come you don't have heated towel racks? Matt, how come you don't play guitar? The other cowboys at the other dude ranch they used to sing."

She chuckled. "Sounds like a fun bunch."

"Oh you joke, but I feel like a trained monkey."

She giggled softly.

"If you were there you'd hate it to."

"If I was there….yeah…"

Matt sighed. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok; I'll come back someday…hopefully."

"I'll make sure of it."

"So, why don't you play guitar, I mean, you mix your own music, so why not sing?"

Matt laughed. "Let's just say, gambling wasn't the only thing I got from my father. I also inherited my father's horrible singing voice. Trust me my singing would only make us lose business…." Matt smirked. "..Hey, that's not a bad idea. I'll be back I need to go buy a guitar."

Kris laughed. Matt laughed with her.

"What about you Ms. Furillo, do you sing?" Matt asked once their laughter had calmed down.

"Oh no, I definitely do not sing."

"Have you ever tried?"

"Yes, and I've embarrassed myself in the process."

"School play?"

"Didn't even get that far, I once tried out for my school's glee club. The teacher was laughing so hard he almost wet himself."

"Ouch."

"Yeah, needless to say that was the last time I ever sang. Plus….I never had time to sing. I spent most of my time taking care of my mom."

"Have you spoken to her?"

Kris looked in on Wildfire; she didn't feel the need to answer his question. Her silence would say it all.

"Not once?" Matt asked again.

Kris just looked to him then the floor.

"When was the last time you heard from her?"

Again she didn't answer. Matt was starting to worry.

"Kris?"

She looked up at him, tears filled her eyes. "I haven't spoken to her since she left RainTree. I called but she never called me back. Then…a few months ago….I got a call….she overdozed on sleeping pills and….yeah you get the picture."

"Oh Kris, I'm sorry. Why didn't you call? Junior and I would have come to help you with the funeral and everything."

Kris shrugged." I didn't know. I thought you'd all hate me for what I did so I didn't call."

Matt sighed. "I'm sorry; I wish I could have been there."

"Would you believe me if I told you I was the only one to show up to her funeral."

"What about your brother, or your friend Winn?"

Kris shook her head. "Jace, is my half brother, same father. He was with my dad and didn't want to leave. Winn….he….he couldn't get away."

"Kris, Baby, why didn't you call me. I could have been there for you. I could have held you or comforted you. What about Rosie? She didn't go?"

"I never told her."

"Kris, Baby, you need to start opening up to people."

"Why? All that's ever done is get me hurt. Anyone I've ever trusted has betrayed me in some way or another. You're the only person who has really been there for me, even though we fought sometimes you were still there for me."

Matt smiled. "I will always be there for you, Kris. That is a promise."

She smiled softly and nodded. "I know, thanks, Matt."

They shared a kiss. They pulled away and Kris sighed. "Anyway, that's my sob story for the night."

Matt chuckled. "Whenever you need to vent just tell me and I'll listen."

"I love you, so much Matt."

"I love you so much too."

The kissed again. A sudden stir caused them to break apart.

"He's waking up." Kris said.

"Keep him calm, and keep him down until I can get the vet here." Matt told her.

Kris went back into the stall with Wildfire. Matt called the vet.

It all happen quickly, The vet came and everyone else arrived waiting for news on Wildfire.

Luckily everything had worked just fine and Wildfire stood up. Kris smiled widely. He was going to be ok. To everyone's surprise he slowly went over to where Kris was standing by the stall and pressed his nose to the bars. Kris chuckled and rubbed his nose. "Hey, Buddy, are you feeling better? I knew the doctor would make you all better."

"Ah, you shouldn't touch him yet." Jean said.

Kris pulled her hand away and looked to Jean. "What?"

"Don't touch him until we know for sure he'll be ok. Plus, you shouldn't get close with him again. You came back for Wildfire; now that he is better you're leaving again. You'll hurt him and break his heart all over again. You're the reason all this happen in the first place. Because you left him."

"You kicked me out." Kris said.

"You were about to get thrown in jail again I didn't want RainTree to get in trouble for your stupid actions."

"I was trying to protect my family, so if that's stupid then fine, I'm stupid but I will always do whatever I have to, to protect my family; because when I was younger, nobody did anything to protect me."

With that Kris gave Wildfire one last pet on the nose and walked out of the room. Matt sighed.

"Matt, don't you dare go after her. Why would you bring her back her?"

"Do you ever listen to a word I say? I love her, Mom! I love her more than any other girl I've ever been with….sorry Dani…..I was miserable without her in my life. At first I thought I'd focus on racing the horses but then you took that away from me too. Kris was the one thing that made me happy after you opened the Dude Ranch. I'd think about something fun we did and I'd feel better. Then, I'd be forced to go on a trail ride with people I didn't even know and I lost that happiness. That's why I brought Kris, back. I'm sorry if you're angry but you should be glad I did because without Kris Wildfire would be dead right now."

With that Matt left too.

A/N ah, so the reunion didn't go so well. Will Kris feel bad enough to leave again? Can Matt find her and convince her to stay? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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