"Ready for tomorrow?"

The bathroom light was turned off and he watched her enter. She had let her hair down again and he waited as she turned off the overhead light. He drew her next to him as she climbed into bed and wrapped his arm around her.

"Yeah."

His hand slid along her shoulder and he looked down into her brown eyes. He wasn't positive but he thought he found some worry in them.

"We don't have to go through with this if you won't want to."

She smirked and said "I don't go back on my word. I want to do this."

Rolling onto his side, he woke to a stabbing pain in his shoulder and sat up. Catching the injured area, he let out a low breath as the pain settled. He glanced over to the window and found the sun filtering in. Pushing the bedding off, he slid out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. Flipping on the light, he started the shower and slid out of his clothes.

The water instantly relaxed his back muscles when he stepped beneath the stream and he washed his hair with his items his sister had brought with her. Cleaning his skin off, he turned the shower off and towel dried his hair. He wrapped the towel around his waist as he left the bathroom and headed to his dresser. Finding a pair of his faded jeans and a clean t-shirt, he dressed quickly and took the towel back to the bathroom to dry. Quickly he ran a comb through his hair and shut the bathroom light off.

He grabbed his boots from the foot of the bed and slid into them, tugging the laces secured as he went. Standing up, he fixed the bedding and headed into the hall. The other rooms were already standing wide open and all the lights were off. He descended the stairs and caught a whiff of food as he reached the first floor. Walking into the kitchen, he found Mack making breakfast and Teddy, Will, and Grace setting the table.

"You're finally up."

He glanced back at the old man and heard "Joe slipped you a pain killer last night to help you rest."

"Why?"

He smirked and said "When she checked on you, you were restless."

The groan barely managed to stay in his throat but he heard the kids trying to hold back their laughter. Mack cleared his throat and they grew quiet again.

"Get your food and eat. You need to be out of here in half an hour."

They filled their plates with pancakes and each took a glass of juice to the table. Silently they began working on their breakfast and Mack handed Reese a glass of juice.

"Can't remember if you drink the stuff or not."

"Only when necessary."

The man smirked and said "Then drink up before the doc gets back."

"Where is she?"

"Her and Cliff go for a run every morning."

He kept a remark to himself and drank some of the orange juice. Checking on the kids, he found them finishing up and spotted the bags resting in the corner.

"Where's Calli?"

"She is helping Jeff secure their stuff to the horses."

His eyes snapped back at the man and Mack could feel his pulse jump from the hard look he met. He had hoped they would have told him of their plans but apparently they didn't.

"They're going up to where Jeff is working on his place so they can discuss what to do about Teddy."

He didn't say a word and finished the juice. Mack took the glass and handed him a plate of food. Silently he carried it over to the table and watched the three kids jump up with their dirty dishes. They took them to the sink and Mack washed them as they carried their bags outside. The man looked back at Reese and found him staring at his plate with a cool, hard gaze that left him uneasy. Hopefully he hadn't picked up on what was going on this weekend.

Glancing down the hall, he walked to the front door and looked outside. Sure enough he saw the two running back towards the place and Joe was in front as usual. Chuckling, he pulled the door open when they reached the porch steps and stopped to stretch.

"Beat you again?"

Cliff took a deep breath to steady his pulse and said "Like always."

Joe shot him a look and the two men just laughed. She climbed the steps and headed down the hall.

"Is our sour patient up?"

Mack glanced back at his son and nodded. Cliff shook his head and followed the man down the hall. Joe stood in the kitchen pouring herself a drink and Reese was already gone. Mack found the dishes already washed and drying. He scratched his head at the sight and looked back at Cliff.

"I just left him in here with a full plate to eat."

Cliff shrugged and Joe smirked. She finished her drink and washed the glass out. Leaving the kitchen, she climbed the steps upstairs and stopped when she saw Reese leaving his room. He looked the same but she could tell he was not in a pleasent mood today. Taking a deep breath, she caught his eye and then went into her room. He caught the door as it shut behind her and stepped in, shutting it behind them.

She turned back around and asked "What are you doing?"

"What gave you the right to slip me a pill?"

Her jaw tightened and she said "You weren't going to get any rest if I didn't do something to ease the pain."

"I've been fine taking care of myself for the last seven years."

His tone was harsh and she could feel her own temper starting to rise. Looking away to remain in control, she checked the time and took a deep breath.

"After the long day yesterday, you needed the rest."

"Don't you think I would've taken something myself if it bothered me enough?"

Slowly she looked back at him and asked "What is this really about?"

His counter stopped on the tip of his tongue. How she had seen through the fight he was trying to create he didn't know. Her brown eyes continued to stare back at him and he slowly swallowed.

"Calli."

She smirked and said "I promise you Jeff won't do anything to harm her."

He let out a low grunt and said "That isn't what I'm worried about."

Joe caught his arm and said "If you let me get cleaned up, we can see them off."

Feeling her hand leave his skin, he finally felt the anger leave and noticed how she looked. Her hair was damp from the running, but some color was back in her face that was missing last night. He saw the tone in her arms more pronounce than he last remembered and he met her gaze finally. She grabbed clean clothes and stepped into her bathroom. Letting out a restrained breath, he left the room and walked downstairs.

When he stepped outside onto the porch, he took a seat on the steps and watched Billy settle the bags onto Pagan and his horse. Will was adjusting straps and Grace was talking with Teddy. Looking away from them, he spotted Jeff helping Calli up onto Bella. The door opened behind him and Mack took a seat next to him.

"Try not to come off as the overbearing brother."

He shot the man a look and said "I think your sons have that down better than me."

Mack chuckled and said "Well, you won't have to worry about them this weekend."

Reese looked back at his sister and watched Jeff climb onto his horse, Trex. The door opened behind him and he watched Joe pass them on the steps. She crossed the driveway and caught Jeff's saddle horn.

"Keep her safe."

He nodded and Calli rode up beside them.

"I won't let him do anything foolish."

Joe smirked and said "I know."

"Be careful."

She glanced back at her brother and nodded. He shot a look back at Reese and met the hard gaze with his own. Jeff looked away and led Calli around the house. Joe watched them leave and spotted Billy pulling Teddy up in front of him. Cliff brought out their father's horse, Salizar, and Mack approached him.

Joe walked over to Will and Grace, glancing at Billy when she approached.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. Keep them safe."

"I mean it."

He nodded and she looked back at Grace. The girl nodded and her brother did when she checked on him. Stepping aside, she watched Billy guide them out into the fields in a gallop. Turning to her brother and father, she joined Cliff on Salizar's side and looked up at Mack.

"Ready when you are, Cliff."

The man nodded and turned to Joe. He caught her shoulder and she nodded.

"Promise me, if anything happens you'll let me know."

"I'll be fine."

His doubt flashed for a second on his face and he went back into the barn to get Griffon. When he emerged with his stallion saddled, Reese stood up and watched the two siblings hug. Cliff climbed into the saddle and Mack swung Salizar around. The two glanced back at Joe one last time and then took off down the driveway. She watched them slowly disappear and let out a silent breath.

Glancing back at Reese, she found him watching with a hard gaze and headed into the barn. She grabbed the tack off the wall she needed and joined Daemon in his stall. The stallion nudged her arm as she saddled him and attached his bridle. Taking the reins, she walked him out into the aisle and shut the stall door.

"Where is your father and Cliff going?"

She looked up ahead and met the amber eyes in the doorway. The man hadn't missed a beat when her brother had brought Griffon out.

"They have some work to do in town this weekend and will be bringing Jones back to look at you."

She guided Daemon up to him and handed the reins over.

"I need help working him and I know Champ wants to run."

"I can saddle him."

She shook her head and said "You can help me, but only on my terms."

The man frowned and watched her prepare his horse. Champ came eagerly to the door and they traded reins. Joe walked Daemon outside and swung up into the saddle. She watched Reese climb up and waited.

"How long?"

She smirked and said "All morning."

He rolled his eyes and she gave a whistle. Bear came running from around back of the house and she turned back to Reese. He held her gaze and she looked down at Bear. The dog waited for her signal and took off when she nodded. Following him into the pasture, she heard Champ following and let the race begin.