A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! PARTS OF THIS CHAPTER ARE TAKEN FROM SEASON 4 EPISODE 8 I DON'T OWN THEM!

That week Matt had assigned a few other horses to a race but it was out of town so Matt would be gone all day and wouldn't be home till that night, it also meant she'd have to spend the rest of the day alone at RainTree with Jean. But she'd worry about that later. For now she was helping Matt prepare the horses for the trip.

"Malcolm's got a strong finish but he may be too comfortable in the pack, make sure Hullio keeps him forward on the first turn."

Matt looked to her and chuckled. "Do you want to come with me or what?"

"No." Kris groaned. "I'm just reminding you of stuff. "Like Cobada he's a little green in the gate."

"Ok." Matt chuckled. He stood in front of her. "That's it, you say one more word and…I'm going to take you in this truck!" he grabbed her and pinned her arms to her chest and pretended to throw her in the car.

"Stop it! Ok!" Kris giggled as she pulled away from him.

Jean walked over and smiled softly. "Are you all ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be, although Kris is making me start to wonder." He teased.

She playfully punched his arm.

Jean just smiled. "I wish I was coming with you."

"Yeah," Matt nodded. "Me too."

Kris just smiled softly but inside she was thinking the same thing.

"I'll call you guys when I get there."

He gave Kris a kiss on head and got into the car and drove away.

"He'll do great." Kris smiled.

"Yeah…I better get back to the Dude Ranchers."

"Yeah, Me too. I've got to train Flame and the others."

"Ok, I'll see you later."

Jean walked away and Kris sighed. That couldn't have been any more awkward. She smiled and headed into the Barn.

Later on in the afternoon she got caught up talking with one of the Dude Ranchers. It was a 69, almost 70 year old man, who was a huge fan of hers and Wildfire's races. He was really nice and very encouraging of Kris getting back into racing and even invited her on the trial ride with him, but of course, Jean stopped it in the tracks and rushed the elder man away from her as fast as he she could. She sighed as they all drove away and Junior pulled up.

"Hey." She greeted with a fake smile.

"Hey, how you doing?" he asked.

"Fine." She answered.

Junior chuckled as he got out of the car. "Matt called me, said he was worried about you being here alone with Jean. SO he asked…no I'm sorry, he begged me to come down and check on you."

Kris chuckled. "Sounds like him."

"So how are you really?"

Kris sighed. "It's not horrible but it could be better. Jean still isn't 100% happy with me being here."

Junior sighed and hugged her briefly. "I'm sorry. Do you want to get away? You can come join me at Davis Ranch."

Kris sighed. "I'd love to but I really should be working."

"All right, well if you need me call me."

"I will, thanks Junior."

They shared another hug and Junior left. Kris got back to work. She still had a long time before Matt came home. So far it was turning out to be the longest day of her life.

Finally after another few hours she put all the horses back into the barn. She walked over to the house. Jean was outside.

"The Dirty Dozen is in for the night." She said.

Jean nodded. "I'm having some iced tea, would you like some?"

"Sure."

Kris went up to the porch and took the other glass. "The Dude Ranchers gone?" she asked.

Jean nodded. "A new batch on Monday. I love the income but…phew at the end of the day it's good to have the ranch to ourselves again."

"Yeah, " Kris nodded. "It was my favorite part of the day…when I lived here."

"Yeah, me too. I…I'm sorry I was so cold before. I'm still getting used to all this…you and me…together…on our own."

Kris nodded softly. "I understand."

"You're the reason Laura and Junior didn't get married, aren't you?"

Kris didn't answer, but Jean already knew the answer. "How do you feel about that?"

Kris was quiet for a minute but then she answered. "Confused."

"I understand. I only ask because I'm concerned about you. Matt told me about what she did to you."

Kris nodded. "I try not to think about it."

"It's not your fault, Kris. You did the right thing. Junior would have been a lot angrier with you if you knew all this about Laura and waited till after she broke up with him to tell him, right?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right. I never thought of that before. I've been feeling so guilty of making him unhappy."

Jean shook her head. "You've done more good than bad…I hope its ok we talk about this."

Kris nodded and smiled softly. "Honestly I've always considered you more of a mother than…than my real mother ever was."

Jean smiled softly and took Kris's hands. It took everything in Kris not to burst into tears at that moment. It may have been small but it was that small sign of affection that told Kris, Jean was ready to be her mother again. Jean even invited her inside to watch the race together and support Matt.

Jean made popcorn and they both sat down…but they weren't sitting for long. They both stood very quickly and started to cheer for Lap-o, both had huge smiles on their faces as they cheered for the horse. It was just like old times, none of the bad stuff ever happen.

He didn't win but he placed and both girls cheered and hugged. Kris grabbed the phone to call Matt as she and Jean sat back down. Then she noticed Jean staring at her with a smile. "What?"

"I don't know it's just…you here, watching TV, it feels like old times. I've missed it. I didn't want to admit it." Jean let out a deep breath. "I know I haven't been really supportive of you living here at RainTree but I want you to know that…that it's changed. I want you to move out of the guest house…"

Kris held her breath not knowing how this was going to end.

"And move back in here with me, Matt too."

"Yes, of course, I will, thank you, but who will live in the guest house?"

Jean started to laugh. "Kris, Jesse never left, he wanted to help Matt so he gave him the guest house, and he's been living here this entire time. So you'd move out of the guest house and move back in here, and let Jesse have his home back."

"Of course, thank you, Jean, thank you"

They both hugged and this time Kris let a few happy tears fall. This had turned out being a wonderful day.

Later that night, Kris was the kitchen looking for some food when the door opened. She looked up and saw Junior and Matt.

They both smiled when they saw her.

"Hey, how about a congratulations, we did great!"

Matt laughed as he and Kris shared a hug. "We did better than great. OH!" He said suddenly. "After Cobada won, guess who came up to me? Zack Wright, he wants us to put together a six horse card."

"You're kidding!" Kris said.

"No, no, no, he'll name the date. I think The Dirty Dozen is finally paying off. We're finally getting back to where we used to be."

"Pretty much." Kris smiled.

"What are you doing in here anyway?" he asked.

Kris smiled so big and said "Your mom asked me to move back in, you and me both. Jesse is going to be moving back into the guest house."

"Really?"

Kris nodded.

"That's great!"

They shared a hug and kissed passionately and pulled away. "Where is mom?" Matt asked.

"Out at the guest house with Jesse."

"Well I'll go get her, celebration dinner."

He looked to Junior. "Are you staying?"

"I'm not sure."

Kris walked over to him and smirked. "Come on, don't make me twist your arm…literally." She said with a small smirk.

Matt and Junior chuckled. "That's just not fair."

"Your choice."

"All right, I'll stay."

"Yes!" Kris cheered.

Matt chuckled and left.

"Kris, I'm really happy for you. I know you've wanted this for a long time."

Kris smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I have."

Junior sighed. "Kris, we need to talk."

"Oh no, I've learned through the year that nothing good can ever follow that sentence." Kris said.

"I'm sorry, Look, I've tried to just play it cool and act like it doesn't bother me but…but I really did love Laura and I'm still angry and hurt by what she did. I'd never blame you, I'm so grateful you helped me get away from her before it was too late but…I just…I'm scared if I continue on the way I am, all that anger and hurt will transfer to you and I'll take it out on you. I don't want to do so I'm…I'm leaving."

Kris felt her heart break, how could such a wonderful night turn out so badly? "How long will you be gone?"

"I honestly don't know. But I'll be in touch. I just really need to get away."

Kris nodded as tears filled her eyes. "I understand."

Just then Matt, Jesse, and Jean walked in. Kris quickly looked away to hide her tears. Matt noticed right away. He went over to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Baby, what's the matter? You were all smiles when I left."

Kris sniffed softly. "I'm fine."

"No you're not. Did Junior say something to upset you?" he asked.

"Yeah, actually I did." Junior said.

Matt turned to face him shocked. "What did you say to her?"

Junior sighed and told everyone there what he had just told Kris.

Matt sighed. "I'm sorry, I don't want to see you leave but I understand why you're doing it."

Junior nodded.

"Will you at least stay here and have dinner with us?" Kris asked.

"Duh! Get over here Furillo!"

He pulled her into a hug and held her tightly. She giggled as she was squished against him. "Junior let me go!"

"Nope, not a chance."

"Matt help!"

Matt laughed. He walked over to the other side and hugged Kris from behind. "Sorry, Kris, no can do."

She squealed and giggled more. She would never admit to it but she was going to miss them ganging up on her.

"Stop it! Let me go!"

Both boys just laughed.

"Hey, Matt, do you think we should tickle her?" Junior asked.

"NO!" Kris squealed and started to squirm in their grip.

Matt laughed but shook his head. "She's been tortured enough. We will save the double team tickle attack for when you get back."

Junior laughed with him and nodded. They both let her go. They joined Jean and Jesse in the kitchen to help cook dinner.

Dinner was made quickly and everyone sat down to enjoy it. They talked and laughed and Kris couldn't have been happier, yet…she felt like something, or rather someone was missing and she couldn't shake it, but who was it?

Jesse raised his drink in the air. "A toast to Kris, for coming into our lives and making it better."

"Actually, a toast to Pablo, he's the one who brought Kris here." Junior said. "If it wasn't for him we never would have met Kris."

"To Pablo."

"To Pablo."

Everyone raised their glass and tapped them together. They all drank and continued to eat. That's when Kris realized, she may have made up with Pablo but he still wasn't here. He wasn't at RainTree where he belonged. He was too far from her for comfort.

"Kris, Baby, are you all right?"

It was then she realized tears had filled her eyes and everyone was looking at her. She quickly looked away from them. "I'm sorry,"

"It's ok, what's the matter?" Matt asked.

"I'm sorry." She repeated.

She got up and quickly rushed outside. Matt went after her.

He found her in the barn crying into Wildfire's neck Wildfire had his head wrapped around her protectively. Matt smiled. Wildfire considered Kris one of his own and was always there to make Kris feel better.

Wildfire looked up at him and nodded neighing softly. He took that as his cue to go over there. He put his hand on Kris's back. "Baby, what's the matter?"

"I'm sorry, I just didn't realize until tonight how much I missed Pablo being at RainTree. He belongs here."

Matt sighed and nodded. "I'm sorry, I know you miss him. I wish I could do more, why don't you plan to hang out with him the next time he is here, maybe help him with the horses or something."

Kris smiled softly and nodded. "Thanks, Matt, I'm sorry."

"Don't ever be sorry for crying. I love you."

"I love you too." They shared a kiss.

Jean walked in. "Are you all right?"

Kris nodded. "I'm sorry for running out like that."

"It's all right. I miss Pablo too. RainTree feels very empty without him here."

Kris nodded softly. "I wish he'd come home."

"You did, maybe one day he will too."

Jean and Kris smiled at each other and Kris hugged her. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They went back inside and finished up their dinner. Matt and Kris shared a tearful goodbye with Junior and went upstairs to bed. Kris cried herself to sleep but Matt just held her and did what he could to comfort her.

The next morning it was back to work. They had 12 horses and only six horses allowed in the race. The question was which six? Matt and Kris were by the stand at the bottom steps, in the middle of the racing track.

"All right, so our game plan in Flame, Lap-o, and Cobada?" Matt said, "We still have three other slots."

"And 9 horses to go." Kris nodded. "Um…I think we should run them in sets. That's the best way to see who is ready."

Matt smiled at her and nodded.

"So let's run Anonda with Pretzel, NNakyawith Landslide, and Dra…"she stopped when she noticed the look on Matt's face. "What?" she asked.

He chuckled. "Nothing, I'm listening."

She giggled. "You're watching my lips move but not understanding one word that just came out of them."

He chuckled. "All right you caught me. I'm sorry, you're just so beautiful, and the way the sun is hitting you, you just…you look so perfect."

Kris blushed softly. "Thank you, but we need to focus."

"I think we should take a break."

"Why so we can make out?"

"You said it not me."

She playfully slapped him and shook her head. "You are such a guy. Let's at least finish this and then we can take a break."

Matt sighed. "All right, so we're running Pretzel with Nakya, and Landslide with Anonda?"

Kris giggled and shook her head. "I knew you weren't listening. We're running Pretzel with Anonda, and Nakya with Landslide."

Matt shook his head. "I think we should do it the other way around."

"Why?"

"I just think its better that way."

"No, this is the order based on their speeds. Your way has a beginner with a advanced and then it's an automatic win. That's not fair. We need to put the beginners with beginners and the advanced with the advanced."

Matt shook his head. "My idea is better."

He really did like her idea, but he was in the mood for a playful fight.

Kris shook her head knowing what he wanted. She decided to play along.

"No, my idea Is better, Matt."

Matt shook his head. "My idea is better, say my idea is better."

"I won't lie to you….AH!" she shrieked when he started to tickle her sides. She burst into giggles as she fell to the grass. "Stop it, Matt!"

He laughed and continued. "Tell me my idea is better."

"Never!"

"Then I won't stop."

Kris giggled squirming around on the ground trying to grab his fast moving fingers. "Stop it!"

"Not until you say the magic words."

"Nope!"

Matt shrugged. "Fine, you've left me no choice. He moved to armpits and she screamed.

"Not there! Ahhhahaha, Matt stop it!" Kris squealed laughing harder and squirming more.

"Say it, Kris, say!"

"OK! OK!" she laughed. "Stop! Stop!"

He stopped tickling her but kept his hands at her sides in case she decided to trick him.

"Your ideas are better."

"Good girl." He kissed her on the lips and pulled back helping her back to her seat on the step.

"You're such a dork. You do know we're still doing it my way right?"

He laughed and nodded. "Of course."

"Good, so we're racing Anonda with Pretzel, Nakya with Landslide…"

Matt smiled as she went on and on. She really was herself again, and he couldn't have been happier. The last piece of the puzzle was the get Pablo back at RainTree, but would that be possible?

A/N all right readers, same question :P Do you think Pablo will ever come back to RainTree? Leave me your thoughts in a review!

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