Chapter 10: mission
Jake saw that Badger wanted to say something to Mallory either out of protest or anger but also saw that he was speechless as a result of the shock and heartbreak that her words has caused him. He knew that since he was the only one that truly knew why Mallory was feeling this way about Badger and how to fix it, it was up him to do so.
He began to think of the steps he would have take till his self mission was complete. Step 1. Was to calm Mallory, who was still gently crying into his shoulder while muttering what a terrible person she was, and get her settled in front of the tv watching a movie or in bed. Before starting step 1. he mouthed to Badger that he would be back
" Mallory, listen to me and I mean really listen to me before you have a Mallory rant ok? You aren't a terrible person there's a really good reason that you feel this way" he tired to stress that importance of his words so that she wouldn't miss it, which he guess she didn't
" Jake what are you talking about it? What reason? Wait do you already know the answer?" she asked as a million questions began to fill her head which was a change from the unbearable guilt she had been previously feeling
" yeah but I can't tell you, this is something that you have to figure out on your own" he said as he began to lead her out of the barn and towards the house, about halfway there Mallory stopped and turned to him
" what if I figure it out too late and he wants nothing to do with me?" she said sadly as she imaged it but couldn't bear the lasting effect that might cause on both of them
" hey, you won't I'm pretty sure you're close to figuring out but say you do and it is too late, I'll tell you way before that happens ok?" he said as he put his arm around her and gent lend her into the house
Jake continued to lead her into her bed room and made her get changed into her pyjamas , she was still upset by the time she was lying in her bed which led him to decided to rub her back till she fell into a peace sleep. Just before he left her room he made sure that she was tucked in and was comfortable, after seeing that she was fine he turned off the light and shut the door while holding her boots which he placed by the door.
After he was finished doing that he decided to put step 2. into affect as he headed into the living room where Jack and Lisa where cuddling in front of the fire
" hey Jack, Lisa sorry to interrupt your evening together but I hoping if it was ok to talk to you about something" Jake said as he faced them, feeling the fire warming up the back of his legs
" hi Jake sure you can, whats going? We saw Mallory she kinda looked upset, everything ok there?" Jack said as he looked at Mallory concerned that something had happen to the young girl he consider the closest thing to a third granddaughter
" yeah everything's fine sorta, honestly shes running scared from her feelings for Badger and he overhead which means there could be some drama. I just wanted to let you know in case something happens and if you could talk to Mallory" he said as he saw a knowing look on the older man's face, just as Lisa went to get some more coffee
" i can talk to her and I will get Lou to do it to, she might listen better if it comes from a fellow girl, as for Badger I'm guessing you already have a plan in mind I mean you seem to have all this worked out" he said as his respect for this young man grew more each time he dealt with him
" yes I do, I'm going to talk to him when we are finished and I will try to make him understand if not encourage him to talk to Mallory calmly" he said although doubted his plan would work according to plan due to the fire crack Badger could be sometimes
" ok well call on me if you need anymore help for me, I'd be happy to do it" he said as smiled at him while he watched Jake get up from his seat and begin to walk towards the door
While Jake walked towards the loft in the barn to see Badger, he tried to think of every way that this could go wrong as a way to prepare himself. When he went into the barn he heard this strange noise coming from the loft, from the door that was left opened he could see that Badger was packing his bags. He could tell that step 3. was going to be a tough one
" what do you think you're doing ?!" Jake shouted at him in pure outrage and shock as he walked up to Badger who had stopped packing in order to turn around and see who had spoke
" I'm leaving" he said as he continued to pack his things, he refused to discuss this with someone who he consider a rival for Mallory's heart
" why?!" he said in utter rage at the boy in front of him as he seemed unaware of the damage he would cause by his parting
" why? You heard her, being with me makes her feel wrong inside. You really think that I can stay around here and watch be happy with someone else" Badger said as his anger and hurt began to rule his head
" you have no idea what you're talking about, which makes you leaving even more stupid than it was before" he said as he considered throwing something at Badger but thought that would defeat his point
" oh don't I? Why don't you enlighten me almighty one" he said heavy with sarcasm
"Mallory likes you a lot but she scared of her feeling because... Well that not for me to say she can tell when she figures it out if you stick around enough. You both have to change your ways, she can't run from her feelings and you can't run when things become to much, got it?" he said with a certain air of authority as he tried make Badger understand and to figure it out
" ...why do you even care" Badger almost whispered, kind fearing his answer in case it became that a confession of his love for Mallory
" because Mallory deserves happiness and she has that with you" Jake said truthfully as he started to walk away believing that he had got through to Badger and decided to head home while step 3. was in effect
Badge sat there and thought about what Jake had said and decided that he was right he should stick around but then again he wanted to give Mallory space. After a while he was ready to do what needed to be done as he placed a letter addressed to Mallory on top of the drawn he drew of her.
He took one more look at it as he turn of the loft lights as he left the barn and Heartland