A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! PARTS OF THIS EPISODE ARE TAKEN FROM SEASON 4 EPISODE 7 I DO NOT OWN IT!

The next couple days went by quickly and soon it was Kris's turn to meet with the racing board. She couldn't remember being this nervous in her entire life.

When they called her name she felt her stomach flip. She went inside the room and sat down in the chair. She inhaled and exhaled a shaky breath and began her speech. "I lost my jockey license because I participated in an illegal race. One of the lesson's that I learned is that racing rules apply to protect horses. By participating in that race I put horses in danger, which…I regret more than any other mistake I've ever made. Hopefully my conduct will speak for itself, I mean all the work I've been doing at Daniel Davis's clinic and the horse rescues I was involved in and plus the rehab of one of those horses Flame at RainTree Ranch."

"RainTree isn't that part owner of the horse you stole for the illegal match race."

Kris froze but was honest; maybe if she was honest they'd go easier on her. "Wildfire, yeah, that's Flame's father which…"

They cut her off "I see here a letter from the Humane Society sighting you as one of people responsible for rescuing Flame and several other horses from a terribly abusive situation."

"I'm just relieved that what could have been a tragic ending now has a happy ending…almost, that's where you guys come in. I'm asking you to make it possible for me to be a jockey again so I can ride Flame in his big race. Since his father Wildfire is retired it would mean more to me to be able to fulfill his legacy, would you please help me with that?"

"Thank you, Ms. Furillo, you may wait out in the hall, we will come get you when we've made up our minds."

"Thank you."

Kris got up and left the room. She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding in. She looked up and smiled. Matt was standing there. She ran into his arms and hugged him. "You always show up just when I need you most."

He smiled and kissed her head and rubbed her back. The door opened and one of the men walked out. "Ms. Furillo the board has come to a decision."

Kris and Matt quickly pulled away and turned to face him.

"They feel due to the severity of your last misconduct it is simply too early to terminate your suspension. I'm very sorry, but at this time the racing board has decided not to reinstate your jockey license."

Kris felt like she was going to throw up. Her heart sank to her stomach and she felt tears quickly drowning her eyes. But she stayed strong. "Ok, thanks, and tell them thanks for listening to my appeal."

He turned to walk away. Kris sighed; this couldn't be the end of it…could it? She quickly ran after him. "Mr. Fielding, I mean, it's not over, I can make another appeal." It was more of a question but she hoped he'd take it as a statement.

"Under normal circumstance I might encourage it, but your situation is a bit…shall we say delicate."

Kris looked confused. "My situation, why?"

"Ms. Furillo, Dani Davis spoke very highly of you today, and you spoke very wisely about yourself, most of the time that should be enough, but I'm going to level with you. A certain congressmen involved with the gambling race has made an request specifically regarding your appeal."

Kris sighed. "Congressmen Nichols?"

"I think you understand now why it is highly unlikely that the board will ever give you back your jockey license. I'm very sorry, good luck."

He walked away. Kris took a few deep breaths. She turned back around and ran into Matt's waiting arms. She finally broke out into tears and cried into his chest. He just held her tightly and did what he could to comfort her. He knew there wasn't much he could do now. Because of Laura, Kris would never race again.

"Come on, let's get you home." He said softly.

With his arms still wrapped around her he led her back to the car and took her home.

When the reached the house Kris went right inside. Matt fallowed her. She collapsed onto the bed and cried into her pillow. Matt's heart broke as he listened to her harsh breath taken cries. He quickly went over to the bed and pulled her back into his arms. She cried into his chest and clung to him tightly.

"If you want to talk about it, I'm here to listen, if not I'll just hold you." He promised her.

She just nodded against his chest and continued to cry. Matt sighed. Everything had been going so well, why did it all have to get bad again? When would it be good?

"Wh-why di-did I even…even try?" Kris gasped out breathlessly.

"Oh Baby, racing is in your blood. It's in my blood too; it's why I pushed so hard to bring it back to RainTree. "When you love something so much you do whatever you have to, in order to make it happen."

"I sh-should…have known they….they would say…n-no."

"Baby, you've changed so much and they saw it, they did, they wanted to give it to you, it's just because of Laura's father that they said no. It's Laura's fault, nothing you did or said would have made any difference."

"If I hadn't done that stupid match race none of this would have happened!" she yelled angrily. "You told me not to do it but I did it anyway."

"Kris, you keep forgetting, you participated in that race because we needed the money RainTree needed the money…your family, they needed help, they needed money and you wanted to help the only way you knew how. It's who you are Kris; you protect the people you care about no matter what it costs you. Yeah, it may not have been the smartest choice, but you did it for a good reason. You have to let it go."

"Why? Nobody else has? Pablo still hates me for it! Jean still hates me for it!"

"My mom is working on forgiving you, Pablo will too. I promise."

"Everyone still hates me." Kris said as fresh tears filled her eyes. "I still feel like made a mistake coming home." She whimpered.

"Oh Baby, come here." Matt hugged her tightly and rubbed her back. Laura was jerk to Junior and Kris, and still Kris is the one suffering the most. How was that fair?

"Listen, Baby Girl, if you want to stay home and not come to the race I'll understand. I'm not going to force you to go."

Kris just nodded one more and cried into him. Matt held her the rest of the day and just did what he could to comfort her. She cried herself to sleep that night and Matt only had one thought in his made, and it was how he could make Laura pay?

A few days later was the big race. Kris had decided to go and helped Matt find a jockey to ride him. Kris was still there helping every step of the way. She even gave the newest jockey all he pointers and all the details of Flame. She felt like a new mother leaving there baby with a sitter for the first time. There were a million different things to know about Flame and the race.

Matt chuckled as he watched her. With each passing day she felt a little better and today she was so excited about the race he wasn't sure anything could bring her down. Finally Flame was taken to the starting gate. He went over to Kris and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Relax mommy your baby will be fine." He teased.

She playfully elbowed him in the side, he poked her and she squealed. They both laughed. "I'm sorry, I know I was hovering I just…this is Flame's first race and I want him to win."

Matt smiled. "I know, I think it's cute. Come on, let's find our seats."

As they were walking they ran into Dani, and invited her to sit with them.

"Dani, Kris and I have been meaning to thank you." Matt said as they walked to their seats.

"What? For the freebie post check up? Hey, it's all part of the service we provide as Flame's official veterinary team."

Matt chuckled. "No, for what you did for Kris, at the racing board. You used your power to help someone else and that's really cool."

Dani shrugged. "Eh, I just wish it would have worked. It's funny, I came into this to get back into racing, but the work I'm doing there…really means something to me. Even more than winning a race." She whispered.

Matt gasped playfully. "Did Dani Davis really just say that?"

They all laughed as they made it to their booth. They sat down and Junior joined them. "I know it isn't the front row seat you're used to but, I figure it's just as good."

"Hmmm, I don't know? Do I get mud kicked in my face?"

"Well, the waiter's normally just throw champagne, but I think I can arrange something."

Kris chuckled and shook her head.

"Hey, Dani told me about the racing board, I'm sorry."

"Thanks." She muttered. "You know, I thought everyone was done punishing me and I had done my time. I was honest and I spoke from the heart. I guess…I guess it just doesn't matter."

"Yes, it does. It matters to those who really care about you, like Matt, Dani, and I."

Kris smiled softly. "Thanks, can we change the subject?"

"Sure, so how about them horses?"

Kris giggled and shook her head. She noticed Matt inviting Jean to sit with them and smiled. They had really gotten closer the last few weeks. Kris hoped it didn't change.

Matt sat next to Kris on the other side. "I can't believe this, this day is to us. Can you believe what would have happen if we didn't save Flame?"

"We made it." Kris said. "We made it all the way here."

All Flame entered the starting gate they all crossed their fingers. The gates opened and the horses were set free.

"He's off to a slow start." Matt sighed.

"He's not listening to Lance." Kris said. "Come on, pay attention Flame!"

Matt and Kris continued to cheer on Flame. Kris tried so hard not to sound like a jockey but she couldn't help it. She started to scream out the next move. "Switch the lanes! Switch the lanes!"

The other three looked to her and smiled softly. Flame started to catch up and was almost in the lead, which had everyone screaming and cheering. At the very last moment Flame gained speed and crossed the finish line first.

As everyone else erupted in screams and cheers Kris just sat there, having several flashback of her jockey days as well as all the memories of before she left RainTree, but mostly she remembered how happy she had once been and it was in that moment she really realized just how badly she missed it and just how badly it hurt that she'd never be a jockey again. She knew if she was ever going to be happy again she had to make things right with Pablo and find a way to get her license back. Junior hugged her and she put on a fake smile. As he and Dani headed out Matt hugged her, he saw the look on her face. "What's the matter?"

"I'm fine; we can talk about it later."

"Are you sure?"

She nodded.

"Ok, come on, we need to go to the winner's circle."

She just nodded and followed him. She was going to hurt him later tonight and she wasn't looking forward to it. She was going to be forced to tell him that she couldn't help him anymore. It was just too painful and she was scared to that it would cause him to break up with her. Was it worth it?

Later that night, after the race, Matt and Kris were in the guest house cuddled together in bed.

"So, what happen today? Flame won and you got a look on your face like you just lost your best friend." Matt asked.

Kris sighed. "Matt I…I'm sorry. I…I can't help you anymore.'

"What?"

"It's just too painful Matt. I didn't realize until race day, just how hard it would be to give up that bond. That moment when the horse and I cross the finish line totally in sync with each other. I really am sorry, Matt. I've tried so hard to be a team player and not let my emotions get in the way but I just…I can't do it anymore. I'm sorry. If you want to break up with me, I understand."

"Kris, I'm not breaking up with you. I'm not dating you because you're helping me with the horses. I'm dating you because you're an amazing person and I love you. I'm not happy that you won't help me anymore, but I do understand why you're doing it and I'll support you, but I'm not breaking up with you. I love you, Kris. Nothing you do or say can change that."

Kris nodded and they shared a deep kiss. "I love you too, Matt. I'm really sorry."

"I know its ok." He kissed her head and sighed mentally. He only hoped she changed her mind because there was no way he could handle all these horses on his own.

The next day, Kris went to Davis ranch. She had to talk to Pablo and once and for all find out what his deal was and why he still hated her.

She found him in the stand as he watched horses race. "I need to know why you're still so against me." She told him.

"I'm not against you. Kris." He said. "I brought you to the Ritter family, everything after that was my responsibility."

"Those were my mistakes." Kris said. Did he really feel guilty for mistakes she made? Is that why he still hated her? He felt like it was all his fault that she messed up? "Matt and I have gotten passed it and Jean has made her peace with me…."

"Don't even try to tell me how Jean feels, you have no idea how badly you hurt her! I'm not going to let it happen again." He said loudly and that's when it finally hit Kris. Pablo was so mad at her because of how badly she had hurt Jean. He cared about Jean, as more than a friend and he was angry at her because she hurt the woman he loved.

"This isn't about RainTree…this isn't about Matt or Wildfire. It's about Jean. That's why you've been acting like this you…you're in love with her."

"Promise me." He all but begged.

Kris shook her head. "I won't. I promise. Pablo you can trust me. You never told her?" Pablo's silence said it all and she continued. "I know what it's like to worry that if you tell someone how you really feel everything will fall apart. Pablo, please, I need you back in my life. I am so, so sorry."

Pablo looked to her and for the first time in…what felt like forever…Pablo pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry I've been so hard on you." He whispered in her ear.

"Let's just move on, ok?" she choked out, forcing the tears of happiness back.

He nodded and they both just stood there holding each other. Kris was so happy to have Pablo back.

Once she left there she went back home. She decided to go visit Wildfire.

"You should have seen Flame out there." She said. "You would have been so proud. Your son has a future on the race track. But just so you know you will always be my first love."

"Well that hurts." A voice said.

She turned and chuckled as she saw Junior.

"Sorry, but it's the truth. Wildfire always has and always will be my first love."

Junior pouted. "I thought I was your first love."

Kris giggled. "Nope, sorry."

Junior laughed and shook his head. "Thanks a lot Wildfire."

Wildfire neighed and nodded. Kris laughed. "He says you're welcome."

Junior laughed with her.

"KRIS? KRIS?" a voice yelled.

"In here, Matt." Kris yelled back. Matt walked in and had the biggest smile on his face. "Kris, you're never going to believe what….Junior? I didn't know you were coming over."

"Yeah, I just wanted to check on, Kris. I knew she's been having a hard time since the racing board rejected her."

Matt nodded and smiled softly. "Now I can tell you guys the good news together. I got my mom to consider racing again."

"What? Matt, that's great!" Junior said.

"Yeah, you must be really happy, that's great news." Kris said.

"Thanks, yeah, I am really happy. I'd be even happier if you changed your mind to help me." Matt said.

Kris sighed. "I'm sorry, Matt. I just can't."

Kris left the barn. Matt sighed. Junior sighed too. "Any ideas on how to help her?"

"Get her license back." Matt answered. "Get Congressmen Nichols to change his mind."

"Wait, Congressmen Nichols?"

"Kris didn't tell you? He called the racing board and told them not to give Kris her license back."

Junior sighed. "Laura promised revenge I just didn't think it would be this bad."

Matt nodded. "Any ideas?"

"Maybe…I'll be in touch."

With that Junior was gone and Matt sighed. Pablo and Jean were both slowly coming around and trusting Kris again, RainTree was back in racing everything was supposed to be perfect and yet, it was still anything but.

A/N so what do you think? Leave me your thoughts in a review.

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