A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! PARTS OF THIS CHAPTER ARE TAKEN FROM SEASON 4 EPISODE 3 "CALM" I DO NOT OWN THEM! I'M SO SORRY! I feel like it's been forever since I last updated and I'm soooo sorry! The only reason I have is because I hurt my shoulder really bad and so being on the computer was actually painful for me, so I had to wait a few weeks for it to heal before I could write again, but I'm back now and my shoulder has healed a lot, so I'll be writing more. Anyway, enough of my sob story, here is the next chapter:

Kris wasn't sure how much time, if any, had passed by. The next thing she knew the door opened. She quickly sat up and wiped her eyes to make it look like she hadn't been crying. Which wouldn't help anyway, Matt knew her too well. He would know that she had been crying.

She turned around and put on a fake smile. "Hey, how was work?"

He didn't answer. He went over to the bed and sat down in front of her. He used his thumb to wipe away a lone tear that slipped down her cheek.

"Why don't you tell me why you've been crying?" He said. "Don't try to tell me you haven't. I know you well enough to know you have been."

She sighed. "Pablo was here."

"Why?"

"To see when I was leaving. When I told him I wasn't planning to leave he said something that was…..hurtful."

"What did he say to you?"

"It doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does to me. Tell me, what did Pablo say that caused you to cry?"

Kris looked down at her hands and then back to Matt. Fresh tears filled her eyes. "I can't say it; it's too painful for me to repeat." She said her voice cracking.

Matt sighed. "Was it about Wildfire?"

Kris shook her head and sniffed back tears.

"Was it about RainTree?"

She nodded softly.

Matt sighed. He didn't even have to ask anymore. He knew.

"Baby, did Pablo, really tell you that RainTree wasn't you home anymore, or that you weren't allowed there anymore?"

Kris nodded and broke out in fresh tears. "It hurt so bad to hear him say that to me, Matt. It just hurts so much."

Matt pulled her into his arms and let her cry into his chest. He rubbed her back. Kris was a tough girl but Matt was the one person she didn't have to be tough around. She could show her true feelings to him and not have to worry about him judging her.

"RainTree will always be your home, Kris, no matter what anyone says. I own half of RainTree remember, I get to say who is allowed in and who isn't. Pablo doesn't have a say anymore. He left; he is not allowed to say that to you. You are allowed at RainTree whenever you want. I own half of it and you're allowed to come and go as you please."

Kris looked up at him. "What about your mom?"

"She will do whatever is best for RainTree and Wildfire, having you there is what's best for Wildfire. She knows that. It's just going to take some time. But I promise you, you will not be kicked out of RainTree. When you come to visit you'll be welcomed back with open arms."

She nodded. "Thank you, Matt."

They kissed passionately on the lips.

"I love you, Matt."

"I love you too, Kris."

Matt stayed the night with her again. The next morning Kris went back to Dani's Clinic and Matt went back to work at the dude ranch.

Kris was filing some paper work when the phone rang. Dani, who was next to her, grabbed it. Kris didn't bother to pay attention to it until she heard Matt's name.

"Whoa, whoa, Matt, slow down. I can't understand you. What happen?"

Dani looked to Kris her face filled with worry.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"It's Wildfire…."

Kris turned three shades whiter and the next thing she knew she was in the truck with Noah on her way to RainTree. She kept her cool on the outside but on the inside she was scared to death.

She was so happy when they finally pulled in. Once they parked she quickly got out and grabbed Noah's wheel chair. As he explained to Jean what happen, Matt rushed over to help her.

"What happen?" she muttered softly.

"I don't know, but I promise we will find out." he muttered back.

Matt opened and helped Noah into the chair.

"Is Wildfire in the barn?" Kris asked slinging the bag over her shoulder.

"Yes…" Jean started. "…Matt will help you."

"Uh…I would prefer Kris…if it's all the same" Noah said.

"Well, it's isn't. I'm sorry, Noah but it's just the way it has to be. I'm sure Kris will explain the situation to you."

"Actually she did, but I think right now our focus should be on Wildfire."

"I agree." Matt said.

"Maybe, I should just wait in the truck." Kris said softly.

Her pride being crushed once more by Jean's harsh words.

"No, no, come on." Matt told her.

All three of them walked into the barn. Jean shook her head and glared at Kris as she walked past.

As they walked into Wildfire's stall Wildfire's head perked up and he was already looking better.

"Someone is happy to see you." Noah said.

Kris giggled softly and nodded. Jean gave a huff and turned to go back inside. Matt shook his head and smiled. Both Kris and Wildfire looked happier. Matt knew he had to do something to get Kris back to RainTree for both her and Wildfire's sake.

After a quick exam and some new instructions Matt went back inside to speak with his mother. He first decided to tell her about Wildfire and what Noah said about him.

"SO he's tied up that's all. That's good. It means Wildfire is going to be ok…"

That was to break the ice, now it was time to talk about something else….or rather….someone else.

"Mom…"

"Honestly….Matt don't."

They both knew where this conversation was headed.

"Ok…."

"I can't believe she showed up here, knowing how I feel."

"For what it's worth she only came back to help Noah."

"And because it was Wildfire. She can't come back. I won't have it."

"You won't have it?"

"RainTree can't have it."

They both walked into the kitchen and Matt was full out angry now.

"What about my needs? What about Wildfire's needs?"

"What are you talking about?" Jean asked.

"You show how Wildfire perked up when he saw Kris."

"This discussion is over."

"This isn't a discussion it's a full blown argument!" he yelled shocking Jean. "Kris belongs here with us!"

"No she doesn't and what made her think she could just blow back into town…."

"BECAUSE I ASKED HER TO!" Matt screamed out.

Now Jean was really shocked. "What?"

"When I said I was looking for horses I really went to Colorado, she was working there. I convinced her to come back."

"Why would you do that?" Jean asked.

Matt scoffed. She really didn't listen to a word he said to her….EVER! He had told her more than once how he felt about Kris and he was tired of repeating himself only to be ignored so he decided to answer her question with a question. "Why? Why do you think, Mom?"

With that he turned and walked away. He was hoping to see Kris before she left with Noah.

As he reached outside Kris was just putting the wheel chair back into the car. He went over and wrapped his arms around her from behind. She jumped but giggled when he kissed her ear.

"Don't you dare think you're leaving here without a goodbye kiss."

She turned in his arm. "I'd never leave without a goodbye kiss." They kissed on the lips. "I would however leave before your mom grabbed her shot gun and turned it on me."

Matt sighed. "She's still in shock that you're here. She'll come around. I did."

"You were never really angry at me to begin with."

"True….but still, she'll come around Kris, I promise. One day you'll be allowed back here."

"I know, I believe you."

They shared one last kiss and Kris got into the car and drove away. Matt sighed as she left. He wished he could go with her. But he had to take a bunch of people who, when he told them to hold on to the reins all looked up at the sky in confusion, on a trail ride.

Kris on the other hand ended up having a much better afternoon. She decided to stay behind and work late, she would never admit to it but she had gotten used to Matt being with her at night and she wasn't looking forward to sleeping without him tonight.

She just did one last check to make sure everything was set and ready for tomorrow when Dani walked in.

"I'd ask what you're doing here but you do own the place." She giggled.

Dani smiled. "I forgot a credit app, I mean the business is good but we still don't have the income to pay all the bills."

She was quiet for a second before she spoke again. "Noah told me what happen at RainTree. Matt stood up for you."

"Yeah, yeah he did." Kris smiled. "Jean…that hasn't changed, after today, I don't think it ever will."

"Not with that attitude. Kris let me ask you something. When you first got here, how did you get the Ritter's to trust you?"

"I stole Wildfire to save him from being killed." Kris answered very confused.

Dani laughed. "I mean after that, what did you do that made them trust you and love you enough to invite you into their family?"

Kris shrugged. "I don't know."

"You proved to them you had changed. You proved to Jean you weren't that bad girl from Camp Lagrange who did all the wrong things and hurt all the nice people. You proved to them that you really were a good person and you did wants to change your life. You proved yourself to them, right?"

"Yeah, I guess, but so what?"

"So, Kris, you've got to stop tip-toeing about Pablo and Jean and just prove to them that you've changed. Prove to them you can be trusted, prove to them you were only trying to protect them, prove to them that you're the only person who can keep Wildfire healthy and happy."

"How do I do that?"

"Face your fear, do the one thing you've been too scared to do since you got here….stand up to Jean, go to RainTree tell her you're going to stay and you're going to help Wildfire get healthy again. If she doesn't like it that's too bad because at the end of the day you're the reason Wildfire is alive today."

Kris chuckled. "Could you write all that down for me?"

Dani chuckled with her. "No, just trust me, once you do that. I think it will start proving to her that you're here to stay and you mean them no harm."

Kris sighed and nodded. Dani was right, for Wildfire's sake, she had to do this.

"Hey, why are you being so nice to me? I mean, I know I saved your life and stuff but this…"

"Honestly, I don't want to see you go. It's been a long time since I felt like I had a girlfriend."

She sat down on a small bench. Kris chuckled and sat down next to her. "If I had told you when I first got here that we'd be having this conversation…"

"I wouldn't have believed you." Dani smiled. "But things were a lot different back then."

"Yeah," Kris smiled and nudged her side teasingly "You were such a snob."

"And you didn't trust anyone."

Kris smiled softly and shook her head. "I didn't have many girlfriends even before Camp Lagrange. Even when I was younger, I wanted to be accepted so badly. You must have been the Queen of all the popular girls."

"Eh, they were only my friends because I had money, or to date my brother. I guess that's why I don't have any friends now."

"Hey, what am I chopped liver?" Kris teased pushing her playfully.

Dani laughed and playfully pushed her back. "No, of course not, you're horse manure."

Kris gasped playfully but as Dani started to laugh Kris did too. It was the real beginning to a true friendship.

"Well, I better get going. It's getting late and you have someone very important to talk to."

"Yeah, that's not going to happen tonight. If I go back there tonight Jean might take my head off."

Dani chuckled. "Well then get back home and get some sleep. You won't be any good if you're half asleep while talking to Jean."

Kris chuckled. "I've got some more work to do, but I'll be leaving soon."

"All right, Furillo, I didn't want to play this card but you've left me no other choice."

Kris looked to her confused.

"Stop working, go home, and get to sleep, or you're fired."

Kris burst into laughter. "Ok, ok, I'll go."

She put the clipboard down and followed Dani out the door. She was right; if she was going to stand up to Jean she was going to need a good night sleep.

The next morning Kris woke up early, showered, grabbed a quick breakfast and went on over to RainTree. She grabbed Wildfire's leash, and led him to the paddock, and the slowly started to walk him in circles. Just that alone was enough to cheer them both up. She saw Jean coming from the corner of her eye and figured it was now or never.

"I don't believe this!" Jean said.

"What? That I didn't leave or that Wildfire is moving well?" she asked. She went over to the side to talk to her face to face. "I know that I'm pushing when I shouldn't…" she started. Shaking inside, scared to death of how this was going to work out. "But you and I both know that Wildfire would have been put down if I hadn't stepped in. I don't expect you to give me another chance…." Her voice started to crack and she had to force herself to not break down and cry. "…And I know I'm not part of this family anymore. I just want to make sure Wildfire gets better. Even if he never races again, I don't care. He has to stay alive, he needs to get better, and you need me to help him do that!"

Kris waited, this was it, the moment where Jean would kick her out or let her stay.

"It's lunch time, I have to go."

Kris's heart broke. That didn't sound accepting at all. Jean started to walk away when she said "His blanket is in the barn if he gets cold."

Kris smiled, it wasn't much but it was Jean's way of telling her that she was allowed to help with Wildfire, and that was enough for Kris. She was one stop closer to being home. She continued to walk Wildfire around.

The next couple of days went smoothly. Dani had allowed her all the time off that needed and Kris spent most of her time with Wildfire. Matt even stepped in to help when she needed a break. He was improving everyday and Kris was so proud.

One afternoon, Kris was out on another RainTree call with Noah, thankfully it wasn't Wildfire. As Noah got out of the car, Kris started to gather the things. "I'll grab your stuff and meet you inside." She told Noah.

He nodded and went inside. Kris looked to Jean. "I guess, I'll see you around." She said awkwardly.

"Yeah…"

Jean nodded and went back over to Matt and Pablo, who were with Wildfire.

Just as Kris got the last bag and closed the top to the trunk she heard Wildfire neighing and she could see him acting up a bit. She wished she could help but for now she had other horses who needed her, until….Wildfire jumped over the paddock and started to run toward her.

She dropped all her bags and opened her arms and ran into him. She hugged him tightly around the neck without a care in the world. Matt raced over and stopped behind Kris, he just smiled. Jean and Pablo were in awe.

Kris giggled when Wildfire nuzzled her neck. "Hey, stop it that tickles."

Matt chuckled from behind her. "He's like me, he's not allowing you to come here or leave here without a hello/goodbye kiss."

Kris giggled and turned around to greet him. They shared a kiss, but Wildfire nudged Matt with his nose. Kris laughed. "Somebody doesn't want to share me." She teased.

"Too bad, Wildfire, she is mine." Matt laughed.

Wildfire neighed and shook his head. Then he nudged Matt again only this time harder, almost knocking him over.

Kris laughed. "Someone is very jealous."

"You listen here buddy, Kris is my girlfriend, and you can't have her."

"Matt, are you really fighting with a horse?" Kris laughed.

"I'll fight anyone to keep you."

"You do realize he could kill you right, or do something to re-hurt his leg then I'd kill you."

Matt laughed. Kris laughed with him. Even Wildfire laughed, in his own way. Kris had never felt happier than she did at that moment, and it crushed her to know, she was going to have to put Wildfire back and go back to helping Noah, this wasn't her home…yet. But she vowed to make it her home again, no matter what it took.

A/N Yay! Happy ending for Kris, but that's not over yet. Will Wildfire's action help Pablo and Jean accept Kris, or will they continue to hate Kris, and be verbally abusive towards her? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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