A/N – Been trying to post this for a few hours. Thanks for the reviews and the PM's. When I reread this Chapter the other day I realized that it was one of my favorites.

Chapter 29

Looking back over the week and the amount of work that still had to be done Ty was amazed, even with a system geared towards streamlining everything, the job was daunting. Thinking back to the beginning of the week though, he smiled at memories indelibly etched in his mind.

Monday morning had started nicely in the shower with Amy. After coffee and bagels there was a knock at the door at exactly 7:00 AM and a smiling young man in jeans, long sleeved shirt, duck boots and a fishing vest walked by, ran over to Amy for a hug and turned. "Ready ?"

"Let's go Jackson, I haven't been fishing in ages."

"Bryce helped me saddle and I've got your stuff and a thermos for you from Gran and some apples. GG and Lisa went for a ride instead so it's just us."

Amy smiled listening to JT's non stop dialogue as they walked away. She stripped the beds, grabbed towels from the bathroom and set up a wash, folded the stuff in the dryer and put it away, wiped down the kitchen and headed over to the house.

In the kitchen she poured a cup of coffee, picked up the Ithaca Journal and checked the headlines. It was amazing how little happened in the summer. She also checked the Ithaca Voice an online information site for the area and found some information about the Watkins Glen Crafts Fair happening in two weekends. She bookmarked the site in her iPad and enjoyed 5 minutes of quiet before the girls walked in.

"Morning Mom" they both said and came by for hugs and kisses.

"I thought you two might have gone fishing."

"Naw, we figured Dr. Borden needed the full JT." Maddie said pouring a glass of juice with an evil grin.

"Absolutely" Charlotte agreed.

"Ok." Amy said smiling "Where's Lisa and Grandpa ?"

"Rode out to the nature preserve, they wanted to see it. Charlotte texted Cassidy, she said come on ahead."

"And you two ?"

"Chores and then the MGF." Charlotte answered.

"OK, so if I do this and then choose 9:55 and tap this." Amy sat over her watch setting an alarm and then whooped when it acknowledged with a low bell.

"A girl and her toys." Maddie said laughing "It's a cool watch mom and uhm, it's nice it has a match."

"Aw Mad, that's sweet, you two Ok ?"

"We're great Mom, Gran wants you to come home though, she's muttering."

"Just Gran Charlotte ?"

"JT wondered."

"Next time I think girls, run interference for me Ok ?"

"He's good mom, it's all a bit more confusing for him, we grok stuff he doesn't."

"I get that Mad, still if something he says troubles either of you."

"We'll let you know, two important men in his life, it's been pretty special for the little guy."

"Thanks Mad, Charlotte you too, you've both been great, I know this is weird."

"It's Ok mom, we need something for the tell all biography of your life." Charlotte added.

"I guess." Amy chuckled.

Jackson insisted that Ty ride Merlin out when they left. He was on Jasper, his reining horse. "So you fish much Dr. Borden ?"

"Not really Jackson, GG would love it if I did."

"You any good ?"

"Well, I guess we'll see, some days are better than others. How about you ?"

"I guess, it's usually up to the fish."

Ty rode along with JT "How long have you been riding Jackson?"

"Gran says before I could walk which in my case was between surgeries I guess. Pretty steady though. How about you Dr. Borden ?"

"A girl named Mallory taught me when I came to Heartland. I couldn't ride at all when I met your mom. I had a truck and a dirt bike, I was 17 and your mom was 15."

"I guess that's a long time, Merlin seems to like you."

"He's a good horse Jackson."

They passed the small grotto and got to the large stream soon enough and tied off their horses. Donning their waders Jackson asked "we fishing together Dr. Borden ?"

"That would be nice." Ty answered with a smile working on adjusting his straps.

After sitting down and tying on a fly Jackson looked over. "Here try one of Maddie's Dragonfly's they've been biting pretty good lately."

Ty watched Jack wade out into the river and begin his cast. He watched as Jackson carefully floated his fly in the air and dropped it into an eddy across the rapids.

He waited a couple minutes before starting a recast and seconds after it landed and just when Ty was starting to stand he heard it, "Fish on !" Jackson called.

"Take it slow Jack" Ty said laying down his rod and reaching for the net.

Ty watched Jack with admiration as he played his trout, gaining it some head before a solid set before he turned and tired it. He was impressed watching the young boy, not only his skill in using the currents and rocks but in the strength obvious in his arms and legs as he played the fish.

"A couple more cranks Jack" Ty said as he raised the net to a beautiful 10 inch Rainbow trout that sparkled in the sun.

"Well done Jackson"

"Let's get him out." JT said excitedly as Ty lowered the net and Jack reached in. Ty took the picture a few seconds later and soon Jackson was holding him under the water and he shot out of his hands.

JT retied his fly while Ty waded out. He started his cast and then lost the rhythm which sent his line and fly soaring off behind him. JT watched and said nothing as if he didn't notice as TY walked back to free his fly from a bush.

JT wandered out into the stream and cast as Ty walked over and waded in again. By the time Ty was ready to cast JT had landed another one "Fish on !" He called out as he reeled in an 11 inch brown trout which he quietly netted on his own and released without the show or the picture.

Ty cast a couple of times and then lost one behind him again.

Jack looked over and then turned back to the river. The third time Ty fouled Jack reeled back, lay down his rod and walked over.

"How about I get you fishing and you teach me to build a truck Dr. Borden, deal ?" Jackson stuck his hand out and smiled.

Ty smiled "deal buddy and we don't have to mention this to anybody right ?"

"Sure thing Doc, us guys have to stick together" and they shook on it then bumped fists.

"Ok, Doc, lay down your rod over there, you should use mine, it's shorter."

"Shorter ?" Ty asked as he walked back and lay down his rod.

"Ok, get over here by the edge and get down on your knees."

"On my knees ?"

"You gotta get closer to my size for now Dr. Borden."

"That's not going to make this easier Jackson."

"You should try it in a wheelchair."

"Knees it is then." He said getting down.

"Ok, you're taking too long to bring your arm to cast, it's 1 – 2, past two you lose the fly behind you."

"2 count."

"Right 1 – 2 - cast. Eventually it's a feel but 1-2 usually works. You see over there, follow the other shore and you can see where my fingers pointing there's a pool in the middle of those rocks, right past that dead log on the other shore."

"I see it."

"That's my special spot and we're gonna cast into that pool and get you a fish."

"That's pretty specific Jackson."

"Well Dr. Borden, that there's a deep pool with a funnel so the cold water swirls around in there and the fish like that. We're a team now so you gotta promise you won't always go to that spot just when you're having a hard time you know."

"Got it, keep it a secret."

"Ok, so lay out some line, I'll let you know how much."

It took Jackson about 20 minutes to get Ty into a good rhythm.

"So it's always 1-2 but you change the timing, sometimes it's a slow 1-2 and sometimes it's faster."

"Well sure, I just say 1-2 to relax you and it worked, you're doing great, it's more a feeling."

When Jackson was happy with Ty's progress they worked to get him to consistently lay a fly down in that pool and on the third drop "Fish On" Jackson called as the rod dipped and a trout ripped line, dove and Ty got up off his knees to work his catch.

"Careful, when he hits that funnel he'll rip some more line." Sure enough the rod bent sharply for a second and Ty let the reel go and line out for the trout before pulling back.

"That's a good set, ease him around Doc. Easy, easy, go to the left or you'll catch up, that's it." Jackson grabbed the net and waded out to meet the line "Keep him tight, rod high, easy, easy" Jackson whispered and leaned over "two more, easy, got him !" And when he lifted his hand a 12 inch brown trout wiggled in the net.

"Excellent ! Let's get a picture." Jackson said waddling out, net in his hand and that huge smile plastered on his face.

Ty insisted that they take the picture together so he held the fish out in front of Jackson. They set the phone against a rock and set the timer. The picture was great. Both Ty and Jackson had big smiles, Ty held the fish and Jackson had his thumb pointing up at Ty's face, he was turned sideways and smiling right at Ty. They packed up after releasing the fish and Ty turned to him.

"I can't believe you fished in a wheelchair Jackson."

"I never fished in a wheelchair Doc, where'd you get that idea, besides, how would we get one down here ?"

"You said that …."

"Oh no I didn't, I said that you should try fishing in a wheelchair Doc I never said."

"You are something else Jackson" Ty said laughing "but thanks, I had a great time."

"Me too Doc, so I guess we'll have to practice together since this is a secret."

"I guess so."

Jackson smiled and Ty gave him a leg up on Jasper. "We better get you back, you don't want to be late for your first day of work. You should bring Uncle Bert an apple."

"I'll think about it Jackson, thanks for today, I had fun."

"It's fishing Doc, if it's not fun you're doing it wrong."

"You never get skunked ?"

"Oh sure, Gran's law, if you were meant to catch a fish they'd call it catching."

TY smiled and followed behind Jackson up the hill and then along side him.

Amy watched them ride up to the family barn with a big smile on her face. "Here are my boys back with big smiles. Did we have a good time ?"

"Awesome mom" Jackson announced. "you go on Dr. Borden, I'll take care of the horses, time for the blue PJ's."

"Thanks Jackson, we'll go again soon." He said it with a smile and Jack turned and smiled at him with a nod and a thumbs up.

"How bad did he outfish you ?" Amy asked when Jackson turned into the barn.

"Pretty bad but I did get one" Ty said and handed her his phone. She stared at it and quite unconsciously had tears in her eyes a second later.

"Hey, hey, give that back if you're going to cry. What's wrong Ames ?"

"Nothing, just seeing him, nothing Ty, never mind."

"I would never hurt him Amy, you know that."

Amy smiled, reached up and kissed him "Of course I know that Ty, go get your scrubs on, don't be late. I love you. Oh, riding Spartan with you today at 4:00 showed up on my schedule mysteriously Dr. Borden, care to explain ?"

"Part of my new keep Amy smiling regimen." He said it pulling her closer. "I made an executive decision partner, you ride every day." This he whispered leaning over her ear getting very close.

"Have a destination in mind ?" She whispered back taking a nip at his neck.

"Hoping for elevator rides in the trees." He said it almost breathless into her ear and then he bit down, it wasn't gentle but he knew what it's effect on her would be.

Amy sighed a shiver gripping her. "That's playing dirty Ty."

Ty stepped back with a huge loving smile "Consider it upping the ante Ms. Fleming, can you handle the challenge ?"

Amy smiled "Game on Dr. Borden. Now go … to … work." She said it turning him with a little slap on his butt.

"Yes boss." He said it with the cutest smirk and then turned and trotted towards the medical barn.

Amy watched him go, took a deep breath and started to turn. "It's a nice view coming or going for sure."

"Always has been Betty, what have I missed ?"

"The girls are getting my Chief ready for one, I'll bring the tag along tether and load it for dinner."

"What brought this on ?"

"Seriously Amy, I love you but all three kids biking to Syracuse and no adult supervision ?"

"Trish ?"

"One's not enough with that crew and if JT's in that side car I'm riding behind him, Lisa's coming along too."

"Ride safe Betty, wish I was going with you."

"Still can."

"I have work piling up."

"And a ride at 4:00." She added smiling.

"I'm starting to wonder if he isn't doing all these things to get on your good side."

"Does it matter ?"

"Nope and we'll be at dinner."

"That's the idea of the BBQ."

"Betty, I know what you want."

"As long as we understand each other Amy, you need to come home."

Amy had nothing to say so she sighed, nodded and turned to her work "I'll come out when the club gets here."

When she came into the family barn she smiled when she turned the corner and found the girls helping Jackson get his chores done. He had no idea that he had a ride coming.

"How's the Chief ?"

"Fine mom, fired right up, sounds awesome, tank full, fluids level, tandems on and tight."

"Thanks Charlotte."

"Sandra said a guy's coming to measure the auto shop, what's going on ?"

"No idea Mad, there's another mind at work here these days, kind of exciting actually."

"He's going to buy you stuff isn't he, you just love stuff."

"I actually do love stuff Mad, especially the stuff I get to share. Get finished, you've got like 10 minutes."

"10 minutes for what ? No more adoptions till later."

"Never you mind JT, get done." Amy said rubbing his head

"Mom, can Bobby and Brin come for adoptions and dinner ?"

"Yes Charlotte, of course, tell Gran please. They'll be here starting at 6:00." Amy added.

"One's twins right ?"

"Not identical Charlotte but yes. 9 year olds, a boy and a girl."

"And the other's an elderly man ?"

"He's 66 so middle aged but can't get himself up because of his hip, he's retired and would like to ride regularly. They've got a small place and 2 mules so the horse will have company. He lives with his son's family, his wife passed. Local, Cortland I think. I also think they're taking care of his rescue bill which is nice. The twins are from B'ville."

"We're from Cortland."

"Maybe you are, I'm an Ithacan."

"I know JT, but Mad and I lived in Cortland, we went to school there."

"I guess, where's Dr. Borden from ?" Jack asked.

"Vancouver, British Columbia." Amy answered him when the distinctive sound of motorcycles filled the air and her phone alarm sang almost simultaneously.

"We done ? Amy asked "Let's get these guys away and you girls should change."

"Come on Jackson, you're with me." Amy turned and sent a text to Maddie asking her to get JT's riding outfit.

They split, the girls headed to the house and Amy and Jackson to the garage. Halfway across the way Jackson giggled when Ty now in his scrubs scooped him up onto his shoulders.

"You better hope Uncle Bert doesn't catch you slipping out Dr. Borden."

"Well, let's not wonder about that power struggle for now and focus on this guy." Ty said lifting him over and into John's arms.

"Hey Rocket !"

"Hey Jax, how's your birthday going buddy ?"

"It's not my birthday until September Rocket."

"Told you John" Trish said "We'll just have to take it home and wait."

"Take what home, no, no no, that's not fair !" He was looking around wildly as to what they could be talking about.

"What do you think Amy, we could just get him something else for his birthday." John asked.

"C'mon mom !"

"Ok John, go ahead." Amy said with a bright smile and laugh.

"Here you go Jax, what do you think ?" John said it stepping back and turning so Jackson could look down and see the bow on the sidecar and then setting JT on his feet.

"Whoa, a sidecar, that's so cool, wait, what ? mom ?"

It was then that the girls walked up ready to ride and handed Jack a sweatshirt, his flack jacket and his helmet. "Go ahead JT, lunch at Dinosaur with the club." Amy said with a big smile.

JT ran up to her and she bent over for his hug, "This is awesome mom, thanks."

"Thank the club JT, they did it."

"Yeah but I bet it was harder to say yes than building it."

They all laughed and Amy hugged him again "Have fun sweetheart."

Ty looked over and smiled watching Lisa and Betty walking up in jeans, chaps, leather jackets and boots.

"Ladies ?" John looked up surprised.

"We're coming John or can't grandmothers ride along ?"

"Great Grandmother" Lisa added with a grin as she ruffled Jackson's hair.

"Sure, welcome aboard. Girl's get the garage, let's go." Rocket called out.

"Nice outfit, where's Grandpa Lisa ?"

"The chaps and jacket are yours Amy, his hands are bothering him, probably his knees too, I gave him two pills, let him read the paper, maybe nap."

"I'm making him an anti-inflammatory tea and some cream, paperwork can wait."

"Anything to help Amy, if you can get him to actually use it."

"He'll use it" Amy said sounding pretty determined.

"Ty is there a problem ?"

"Nice bike Betty, Lisa, ride safe."

"Bring back enough for everybody !" Amy said. "Ready Jax ?" She asked checking his safety belt and giving him a last kiss and hug.

"You bet."

"Ok, little buddy, you get the honors." John said looking down.

Jackson raised his right arm and the bikes started, when he dropped it Trish and Rocket pulled out followed by Betty w/ Lisa behind her and several other members and then the girls pulled in followed by Cooter and the rest, a minute later you could hear them heading east toward Route 34 for the off the beaten path route north to Syracuse.

"Betty's bike, a '53 ?" Ty asked.

"She refuses to tell me what it cost, that's one rare bike."

"Ok so your bike, your Norton, the girl's bikes, Betty's bike, that leaves another Scout."

"Sure does" Amy said smiling. "You can ride it, but at your age, we have to watch your heart, you may be better suited for that Norton."

"Nice Fleming, very nice."

"Ride any of them Ty, I love your Norton, you built it, it has a part of your heart in it, it's familiar and now that the girls are done with it, probably unlike anything you've driven."

"Seriously, not gonna let up huh, at least I don't color my hair."

"Not because of grey hairs Ty."

"Says you, I've got the inside track."

She smiled and blushed,"touché my love, touché."

They turned and arm in arm, Amy walked Ty back to the Medical barn where they split up. Ty went off to the conference room. Amy walked into what her staff lovingly referred to as her potions room. There was a main feed and supplement room where most of the herbs and infusions included in the normal course of the barn operations were kept, this room was smaller and more compact, it had a desk and was considered Amy's personal domain. It took her about 40 minutes to get her two remedies ready. One was a tea made with lemongrass, peppermint, green tea, turmeric, celery seed, devil's claw and dried apricot. The other was a cream consisting of coconut oil, beeswax, camphor, menthol and eucalyptus. She packed the teas into 20 teabags that she filled and stapled shut. She put the bags into a small mason jar and printed a label.

Once the cream was mixed to her satisfaction she spooned that into a small glass container, labeled it and headed back out. She passed Ty and Bert with several techs using a horse to map a surgery. She stopped to look in for a second, leaned up to kiss Ty on the cheek and turned to leave.

"We don't all get kisses ?" Bert called out.

"Sorry Bert, did Ty show you his fish ?" Amy didn't turn just called back on her way out.