A/N I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING! PARTS OF THIS CHAPTER ARE TAKING FROM SEASON 4 EPISODES 11 AND 12 I DO NOT OWN THEM! Thanks to my beta Elena Rain!

The next morning Jean was allowed home. Kris, Pablo, and Matt worked together at getting the house ready and making sure things were ready for her return. Matt was so excited. He hated him mom being in the hospital. Now that she was home he knew she'd be ok.

Jean smiled when she walked into the house and saw all the banners and even a few balloons. "Guys this is wonderful."

"Kris picked out the flowers." Matt said.

"Thank you, Kris. I love them."

She carefully and slowly walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. "And you…" she said to Pablo. "If I had known all it would have taken to get you back here was to be put I the hospital I would have gotten kicked in the chest a long time ago." She joked.

Kris and Pablo chuckled but Matt shook his head. "That's not funny, Mom. You shouldn't joke like that."

"Sorry, Matt."

"It's good to be back." Pablo smiled.

Pablo and Jean smiled at each other.

"Ok, let's get down to business, we have aspirin, chi something tea, and…" Matt said taking the things from the bag.

"Mocha chip ice cream." Kris smiled.

"Oh boy!" Jean responded.

"Lastly, two DVDs." Matt said.

Pablo handed her the movies.

"Old School and The 40 year old Virgin?" Jean asked shocked.

Matt chuckled. "Those movies on classics."

"That's really nice of you, Sweetie, but I'm not going to have time to sit and watch movies. Do you have any idea how much work…"

"Stop!" Matt told her. "The only work you're going to do is get better. Two weeks of rest and rehab, that's what the doctor ordered. In fact I need to call in your prescription. I'll be right back."

Matt left the room and Jean sighed. "He's the one who needs to rest. Did you see those dark circles?"

Pablo smiled. "Matt's fine. He has a lot help. Don't worry about him. Just focus on getting better."

Jean smiled but nodded.

"With that being said, I've got a trail ride to led." Pablo said as he stood. "Let me know how The 40 Year Old Virgin is."

Jean chuckled softly as he left. Matt came back out. "I'm heading out to get your medicine." He looked to Kris and said "You're covering the round up this afternoon right?"

Kris nodded. "I'm on it."

"Great, I'll see you both later." He gave both women a kiss on the lips and left.

"Kris, I just want to thank you. Matt has taken on so much, I don't know what would have happen if you weren't here."

Kris smiled. "Matt really helped me these past few months. It's the least I could do. Plus, I've already failed you as a Jockey. I didn't want to fail you as a…as a daughter too." She added the last part in a whisper.

"Kris, come here, sit by me." Jean said.

Kris stood up and moved to the couch next to Jean.

"I'm going to tell you what I would tell, Matt or Todd in this situation."

Kris just nodded.

"The only way you can really fail me is if you don't try. I watched that race, Kris. I know you tried your hardest to win those races. I saw you. You didn't fail me. You never could. I love you, Kris. You're the daughter I always wanted. You can never fail me as one. You're going to make mistakes, but it's all part of life. I don't love you any less. If anything it makes me love you more."

"Why?" Kris asked softly looking only at the floor.

"Because it reminds me of just how much your past still haunts you."

"I don't know what you're talking about?"

"Let me ask you something, Kris. How often did your real mother say that she loved you? I mean really heartfelt and honestly told you she loved you?"'

Kris sighed and just shook her head. "Once, right before she…she died."

"How many times did she hug you as a child. Or even just hold you and cuddle with you?"

Kris just shook her head. "Hardly ever."

"Your father wasn't around much, right?"

Kris nodded. "He left before I was born."

"I'm sure that does something to your self-esteem. You start to believe that it's impossible for anyone to love you or care about you. It makes you wonder why?"

Kris nodded, still not looking at Jean.

"Then when you make a mistake or you do something wrong you start to believe it's that reason alone why nobody loves you. You think to yourself. "I bet this is why nobody loves me' and so by losing those races yesterday you feel like you let me down and I shouldn't love you anymore, right?"

Again Kris only nodded. Jean seemed to always know how she was feeling even If she didn't tell her.

"Well that is not true. Kris I love you despite all your mistake. Any good mother loves their children no matter what wrong they do. No matter how badly they messed up they will always love their children. It's all part of being a mother. I love you, Kris. I always have, ever since I saw you running from the cops just to protect Wildfire from being put down. I knew in that moment I loved you and I wanted you to live here."

"I love you too, Mom." Kris choked out.

They hugged gently and carefully. Kris smiled through her tears. She suddenly didn't feel so bad anymore.

They pulled away and Kris wiped her eyes. Both woman chuckled. "I better get going for the round up."

Jean nodded and smiled. "Have fun. I love you, Kris."

"Please stop, you're going to make me cry again." Kris chuckled as her eyes filled with fresh tears.

Jean chuckled. "I'm sorry, but just know it's true."

Kris nodded. "I know, I love you too."

They shared one more hug and Kris ran off. The rest of the day was uneventful.

Once everything was finished she headed back to the house. She was surprised to see everyone was packing everything up, not just for the day but forever. She looked to Matt, Jean, and Pablo and they were standing with smiles on their faces. She went over to them. "What's going on?"

"I've decided to end the Dude Ranch and make RainTree 100% racing again."

"What? Mom that's great!" Kris smiled. "I'm so happy."

"We all are." Pablo smiled.

"With that in mind, Kris how would feel if we raced Flame in the Tucker Stakes in a few weeks?"

"Sure, but only if I get to be the Jockey." She said with a teasing smile.

"Oh, I was going to have Pablo race him this time." Matt teased back.

She playfully slapped him. "Shut up!"

Everyone just laughed.

"You better get some sleep, practice is early tomorrow." Pablo said.

Kris chuckled. "I can't wait."

Everyone just smiled. RainTree was back in the racing business, no more Dude Ranchers. Now, life was perfect.

The next morning everyone was at the track to watch Kris and Flame race. Kris raced normally raced the tracks about 3 times but today Flame could only make it once.

"I'm sorry, I'm pushing him and pushing him he's just not obeying me." Kris sighed.

Matt smiled softly at her. "I know, it's ok. It's nothing you did. He just seems sluggish for some reason." He sighed. "I don't think he'll be ready for the Tucker Stakes this next weekend."

"I'm sorry, Matt. I really tried." Kris looked down.

"It's not your fault. If Flame isn't ready, he isn't ready. We can't force him."

Kris sighed once more and nodded. She climbed down on Flame and walked back over to the fence as the ranch hand led Flame away. Matt could see the guilt all over her face. He smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "Listen to me, this isn't your fault. All right. You've been working so hard lately. I'm proud of you."

Kris sighed and nodded. She didn't believe him but she'd let it go for now. Matt knew her too well though. "Why don't you go take Wildfire out for run? I'm sure that will make you feel better."

Kris looked to Jean and Pablo. They both smiled and nodded. "Just have him back before dark."

Kris's face lit up as bright as a Christmas tree. "Thank you!"

She ran out into the barn so fast it was like lighting. Everyone laughed.

"Matt, if you can't run Flame, who are you going to put in the race?" Jean asked.

Matt just sighed. "We'll just have to withdraw."

With that Matt walked away. Jean sighed. "This is what I was trying to protect him from."

"I know, and I know no mother likes to hear this but you can't protect him from everything. He's got to make his own mistakes otherwise he'll never learn." Pablo said.

Jean smiled softly and nodded. "Thank you."

Later on in the afternoon Kris returned with Wildfire. Both of them seemed so happy and refreshed. A ranch hand came around to take Wildfire but Kris shook her head. "I'll cool him down. Thanks."

The ranch hand nodded and walked away. Kris got down off Wildfire and gave him a nice cool bath. As she was spraying him he turned his head and knocked her hand making her spray herself making her shriek. Then she giggled and shook her head. "You did that on purpose."

Wildfire just laughed and nodded. Kris giggled and shook her head as she continued to bathe him. "You ran great out there today. I haven't seen you run that fast since our last race together." Kris sighed. "That's what you've been trying to tell me isn't it? You want to run again? You want to race?"

Wildfire nodded. Kris giggled. "I'll see what I can do but it's up to Jean and Pablo. They are your legal owners."

Wildfire didn't respond after that he just enjoyed his bath. Once he was back in his stall, Kris went inside and found Matt. She sat down across from him. "Hey."

"Hey, there is my favorite smile." Matt said looking up from some papers. He laughed. "Did Wildfire give you a bath? I thought you were supposed to give him one."

Kris just laughed happily. "We both gave each other a bath."

Matt smiled. She had changed so much from the miserable scared girl he found at the hotel. Her life was finally perfect again and he was so happy for her.

"Look, I wanted to run something by you." She started slowly.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Well…did you withdraw Flame yet?"

"No, why?"

"I know this sounds crazy but I was thinking maybe instead of Flame we run Wildfire."

"What?" Matt laughed. "You want to race Wildfire?"

Kris nodded. "I can feel it, Matt. He's ready to race again. Isn't that what you had said after his leg healed. You could see it and feel it too. You know I'm right. Please, at least let's give him a chance."

Matt nodded. "You're right, I do see it too. But we have to check with Mom and Pablo it's legally their horse."

Kris nodded and the two of them went into the dining room where Pablo and Jean were. Matt explained the situation to them. They were hesitant but agreed to give it a shot.

Kris was so excited and so was Wildfire. In a flash Wildfire was tacked and ready to Race. Wildfire started off a little slow which made everyone a little nervous about if they were making the right choice.

"This is going to sound crazy but can you cheer him on as we go?" Kris asked and took off for another lap.

Matt, Jean, and Pablo, as well as the ranch hands cheered for Wildfire and that made the difference he took off like a…well like a race horse, speeding down the track like no time had passed at all. Kris knew what to do and what time to do it at. It was like it used to be, just her and Wildfire and she couldn't have been happier.

Kris made it back to the start. Matt quickly frowned.

"Kris, I'm really sorry but…"

"But, what? Matt he was great, what could be wrong?"

"Well…I'm just sorry…" he smiled again and said "we're going to have to withdraw Flame because we've got a new horse for the Tucker Stakes."

Everyone cheered. Kris got down and hugged Wildfire. A ranch hand led him away as Kris got hugs from everyone. This was a sure win. Nobody could ever beat Wildfire. He was unbeatable!

"This call for a celebration dinner!" Jean called.

"Yes!" Matt cheered "Free food."

Kris playfully slapped him. "Matt, Wildfire eats less than you and he's a horse."

"That's it, Furillo you better run."

Kris squealed and took off in a run. Matt ran after her. Jean and Pablo laughed as they watched the two of them act like children.

Kris may have been fast on a horse but off a horse she was the slowest runner ever. Matt quickly caught up with her and grabbed her around the waist. She squealed with giggles as he spun her around. He dropped them both to the ground and started to tickle Kris as she squealed in giggles and squirmed trying to get away.

"Matt, stop!" she laughed. "No tickling!"

"Yes, tickling, tickling is allowed when you just slapped me."

"You were being a dork." She giggled.

"Oh, so now you're really asking for it!" He moved to her armpits making her scream in laughter. "NO! STOP IT!"

Matt chuckled but continued. "Say you're sorry."

"No." she laughed.

He grabbed her arms that were fighting his hands and pinned them over her head and used his other to continue on her weak spot.

"NO!" Kris screamed laughter. "Ok! Ok!"

"You've got to say it, Kris."

"NO! I can'!"

Matt laughed and stopped giving her a chance to catch her breath. She panted hard and said "I'm sorry for hitting you, and I'm sorry for calling you a dork."

"Good girl."

He let her sit up and they both stood. They went inside the house to celebrate. They invited over Junior and Dani to celebrate with them. To their surprised when Junior got there he wasn't alone. Jillian was with him.

"What's going on?" Kris asked.

"While I was away, Jillian and I ran into each other. We spent some time together and we agreed to give us another try. I was going to tell you when I got back but everything happen with your mom and I didn't think it was the right time."

"It's all right. It's good to see you happy, again. Join in Jillian." Matt smiled.

Everyone smiled and sat down to eat. They laughed and talked all through the meal. After dinner during dessert Pablo and Jean shared a look. They both smiled at each other and nodded. Then Pablo spoke. "Kris, there is something, Jean and I have been wanting to talk to you about."

"Um…ok…whatever it is….Matt made me do it." She teased.

"Hey!" Matt laughed and poked her stomach making her giggle and jerk away.

Jean and Pablo laughed.

"No, no, no one is in trouble. Kris, you're 18 now so technically you don't have a legal guardian anymore, yet, should anything happen to you, my name is on the papers as such." Pablo said.

Kris nodded.

"Jean and I have been discussing it and we both feel that we should take my name off that paper and make it so I'm not your legal guardian."

"Wha-what? Why? Did I do something wrong?" Kris asked panicked. "I haven't stolen any cars or horses or anything like that. I swear!"

Jean and Pablo laughed. "No, we want to take my name off that paper so we can put it on the other paper under Jean's name….the paper in which you become our daughter…."

Kris gasped as her eyes filled with tears. "You want to adopt me?"

They both nodded. "We love you, Kris, and we'd love nothing more than to be your mom and dad."

"Yes! Yes! Yes!" she cried. She hugged them both and cried into their shoulders. "I love you both soo much too. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Matt joined in the hug, Junior and Dani and even Jillian too. They all shared a hug. They may not have shared Kris's DNA or had the same blood type, but they were her true family.

That night, Kris and Matt were sleeping peacefully. Suddenly Kris shot up in bed and screamed. "NO! GET AWAY FROM HIM! MATT HELP!"

Matt sat up next to her. "Hey, it's ok. It was just a bad. You're safe. Shhh, it was just a bad dream." He said hugging her to his chest.

Kris panted and looked around. "W-Wildfire." She choked out.

"He's safe too. Shhh you're safe, I'm right here. Nobody is going to hurt you. Shhh."

"Someone was trying to kill Wildfire, they wanted to hurt him, Matt."

"Shhh, Baby, it was just a bad dream. Wildfire is fine."

"Can we go check on him please."

Mat nodded knowing she wouldn't go back to sleep until she saw for herself Wildfire was fine. They both got out of bed and went into the barn. Wildfire was safely in his stall eating some leftover food from dinner. Kris sighed in relief. "He's ok."

"Feel better?" Matt asked.

Kris nodded. "Thank you, I'm sorry, I woke you for this."

"It's ok. Come on, let's go back to bed."

Kris nodded and they left the barn. Once they were safely back inside the house a person crept out of the shadows and went into Wildfire's stall with his leash and led him out of the stall and away from RainTree.

A/N all right so as you can tell unlike in the series Wildfire really has been stolen. Now the only questions is who did it? If you guess right I'll tell you, so leave me your guesses in a review. Also Jillian will be back more. I just needed to get her in the story so I threw her in that scene.

For updates, sneak peeks, and sometimes cool pictures, FIND and LIKE me on facebook at "hopelessromanticgurl"