Champ pulled up to a stop at the end of the drive and Reese looked back at Will. The boy was looking for something and slowly turned back to him. They walked along the drive and stopped outside the barn. No one came out and Reese dismounted first. He tied Champ to the post by the doors and heard Will dismount.

The boy took his colt inside and settled him into his usual stall. Pagan circled the insides of his stall as Will hung his tack and locked the door for the night. Silently he walked back outside and glanced up at Reese.

"Something's off."

Reese scanned the distant fields and checked the house for signs of life but found nothing. No lights were on and no sounds came from the grassy hills. Will scratched his head as he walked up to the house and pushed the door in. Reese followed him through the downstairs and they found the kitchen table set with covered food and drinks poured in glasses. The boy smirked when he read a note by his spot and looked up at his father.

"They're running late. They'll be in soon."

He watched Will toss the note away and wash his hands at the sink. Scanning the table's spread of food, he could tell only the men of the family and possibly Grace would be eating. The usual spot Joe always ate at when they were young wasn't made up. It looked untouched, as if it hadn't been used since he went back home. Distant barking caught his ear and he looked out the kitchen window just as Bear cleared the hill.

The dog flew through the fields and Will opened the back door on his way out. When the dog met him, he was knocked down onto his back and covered in kisses. Laughing, he fought to push Bear off but failed as he received another bath of kisses. Running hooves broke through the laughter as Reese saw Jeff and Billy leading the race over their father. They rode passed the two and Bear finally let Will up.

The dog trotted up to Reese and the man slid his hand over his head. Bear glanced up at Reese and then turned his head back to the hills. Cliff came into view and stopped his mount as Reese met his gaze. The man helped Grace down and she walked up to them while her uncle rode down to the barn.

"Welcome home."

Will smirked and asked "What did I miss?"

Grace walked into the kitchen and said "Nothing. Just been busy."

"Doing what?"

She glanced at Reese and said "Working."

Will caught the questioning look from Reese and said "There are some homes we've been building up in the woods to allow each sibling some space of their own while being within an hour of here."

"Where's Joe?"

"She's still up there."

"Why didn't anyone stay with her?"

She looked at her brother and said "You know Mom."

"Yeah. Stubborn stubborn stubborn."

They laughed and Reese took a deep breath. He heard the hall door open and watched the two move to the table as the men entered the room. Mack approached Reese while the brothers took their seats at the dinner table.

"Did you have a good trip?"

"Yeah."

He caught the amber gaze and said "She'll be here in a few. Had a few things to finish up for the night."

"Since when did anyone move out of this place?"

The man chuckled and said "We're trying to put an end to the old image of our family."

Reese bit back the snort and said "Good luck with that."

Mack took a seat at the table and said "Pull up a chair and relax. You know you won't be leaving until tomorrow. It's nearly sunset and we don't let anyone leave this late in the day."

He felt the eyes rest on him and said "I'm good."

Jeff caught his gaze and asked "How is Teddy and Calli?"

"They're fine. Will can fill you in on your son."

The silent blow was received with a hard look and Reese left the kitchen. He felt the eyes following his disappearance and let out a controlled sigh when he stepped outside onto the porch. The door shut quietly behind him and the tension slipped away as he descended the steps. A light was on in the barn office and he quietly crossed the drive. Champ nudged his shoulder as he approached and he untied the reins.

They entered the barn and he checked the office. Joe was writing something down in a file and she closed it as her eyes turned to him. She put the file away and met him as he put Champ into a spare stall.

"Staying for the night?"

Reese removed the tack and said "Orders from your father."

She took the gear as he settled Champ in and carried it into the office. It rested on a bench in a corner and she shut the office for the night. Reese left Champ's stall and joined her at the door.

"You look tired."

She caught his gaze and said "It's been a long few days."

"That sounds like an understatement."

Her brown gaze drifted back to the fields and he brushed a loose strand of hair out of her face. The touch was warm to her skin and she looked back at him.

"I'm fine."

His amber gaze remained fixed on her and he spotted the healing cut on her temple. It was closed but still hadn't scarred and faded yet. His eyes slid over the rest of her and he could see the wear on her. She seemed thinner than the last time he saw her and her skin was pale again. He saw the weariness in her brown eyes and the coolness of her skin confirmed the progression of the disease.

"Where am I staying tonight?"

She took a deep breath and said "That I'm still working out. Our spare rooms are tied up right now."

He glanced back at the stalls and found the rest of them full. Silently he turned back to her and she leaned against the door frame.

"Some of Dad's relatives are crashing here while they are passing through."

"I didn't see them when we got in."

"They are around here somewhere but don't usually show up until after nightfall."

"Do I know them?"

She smirked and said "Yeah and I should warn you to keep your distance."

He stepped aside as she stood up and pulled the barn doors shut for the night. She turned back to him and they headed back to the house.

"Trouble makers?"

"Grudge holders."

They stopped on the porch and he opened the door for her. They entered the hall and he watched her stop at the base of the stairs. She listened to the kitchen conversation and caught his gaze. He followed her upstairs and they slid into her room, shutting the door behind them. She walked over to her window and opened it to let the cool air in for the night.

"Should I be worried?"

She smirked and said "Just don't turn your back on them until you are riding back home."

He watched her sit on the end of her bed and slip out of her boots. They landed with a quiet thud and she ran a hand along her neck.

"You look exhausted."

"Story of my life."

She stood up and headed to the bathroom. Turning the light on, she started the water and came back to the door.

"I'd stay here where it's safe until I get out."

"Worried for my safety?"

"Don't want the hassle that would come if you are spotted going downstairs after leaving my room."

"Big brother Jeff still on his high horse?"

That earned a smile and she said "Only if you are."

The scowl brought out a quiet laugh and he took a seat on the end of the bed as the bathroom door shut. He heard the shower turn on and looked around the room. It didn't seem different from his last stay in it but he could still feel a change. Silently he listened as the shower ran and ran a hand through his hair. Spotting a photo on a desk he didn't remember, he stood up and walked over to the furniture.

He picked up the photo and found himself looking at a sneak shot of him and Will in town while he was staying with Reese. They were in town sitting on the sidewalk edge, enjoying a cold drink. He put the photo down and picked up another one that was of Will and Grace. It looked like a photo from school during the winter and just looking at it, no one would guess the two weren't siblings. Hearing the water turn off, he put the photo down and walked back to the bed.

Muffled coughing caught his ear and he walked up to the door. His hand rested on the knob and he heard water running again. When it shut off, he tested the handle and turned it. The door opened and he found her drying her hands. She looked at him and he watched her toss some tissues into the trash.

Stepping into the room, he bypassed her attempt to stop him and dug out the tissues. Seeing the blood, he threw it back into the trash and looked back at her.

"You need help."

"I know what I'm doing."

"Joe, you're coughing up blood. There has to be something someone can do."

Her brown eyes got back some of their defensive fire and she said "There isn't. I'ved looked."

"You didn't look hard enough. We'll find someone who can help you."

"Reese, there's nothing that can be done. The doctors have done all they can."

His eyes flash and he growled "You're not going to die."

The tone gave away more than he wanted and he knew it when her eyes lost their defensive glint and took on the gentle look she had found this last winter. He looked away and she caught his face.

Slowly she had him look at her and said "I'm not giving up."

"If you did, I'd never forgive you."

Smirking, she said "I know."

He held her gaze as his hand slid through her damp hair and he kissed her temple. The coolness of her skin felt like ice against his lips and he took a deep breath. Looking back at her, he let her leave the room and watched her pull her hair back from her neck.

"Did you eat anything when you two got in?"

"Wasn't hungry."

She sent him a very old look and said "Come on."

"Joe, I'm not hungry."

"I don't care. I am."

He smirked and followed her out of the room. They descended the stairs and heard the voices coming from the family room. Bypassing the door, they walked into the kitchen and he watched her open the fridge. She dug out some left overs and fixed two plates. The portion sizes were far from equal but he wasn't going to push it when she was actually eating.

She heated the food and they took seats at the table. Sitting across from her, he watched her eat a few bites before trying his own. The food melted in his mouth with seasonings and he took a drink to wash it down.

"Wow."

She smirked and said "At least you approve of something."

Amber eyes turned on her and he said "I didn't say I disapproved."

"You weren't approving either."

Frowning, he took another bite and let the silence settle between them as he ate. She finished her plate off first and he watched her lean back in her seat as she studied him.

"That's the most I've seen you eat in a while."

"Some days I get hungry so I eat."

Rolling his eyes, he finished his food and rested his utensils on the plate as he finished off his drink.

"How is Calli doing?"

"She's doing fine. Teddy is keeping her busy. Will's visit didn't help with the kid's neverending energy."

She smirked and asked "Did you two have a good time?"

"When we kept busy."

"And the times you weren't busy?"

He took a deep breath and said "It had nothing to do with him."

"Deep thoughts?"

"Unfortunately."

She caught his glance and her hand crossed the table to rest on his. The coolness that had startled his skin felt calming and he took her hand in his.

"Promise me you won't worry about me when you should be worrying about yourself and your family."

"Joe."

Her brown eyes recovered their intensity and she said "Promise me."

He took a deep breath and said "I promise."

She forced a smirk but left their connection intact. It seemed to ease the tension that still surrounded them when they were alone. He finished his drink and she let go of his hand to take the plates over to the sink. Sitting at the table, he studied her as she washed the dishes and felt the coolness leaving his skin. When she dried her hands and looked back at him, he stood up and followed her out of the kitchen.

They sat on the back porch and she watched the sun begin its evening set behind the wood boundary. He leaned forward on his knees and let the quietness settle his uneasy nerves.

"The strangest thought crossed my mind when I saw you in the barn."

"What was that?"

She smirked and said "I thought that just maybe this thing between us would turn into something concrete and then I realized I'm letting the heat of the day get to me."

Amber eyes lingered on her brown ones and she said "Don't analyze it. It was just a silly thought."

She looked away and heard "It already did."

Risking a glance back at him, she saw the guarded look and heard "The only difference between this relationship we have now compared to the last one is that we're different people who have a son."

"I know."

"Do you?"

She looked away and said "I told you I didn't want you to feel like you had to become more involved. It's better if we just keep this where it's at."

"For us or for your family?"

Brown eyes turned on him and she said "For us."

He frowned and said "I told you I wasn't scared of your brothers."

"No but you did admit to how scared you are of what is going to happen."

"Joe, I didn't say that."

"You did when you slipped upstairs."

He turned his eyes away and took a deep breath. She watched him rake a hand through his blonde hair and let out a silent sigh. The man was doing everything possible to not let his emotions interfer with the arrangement between them but even he was allowed slip ups.

"What I said was the truth but I shouldn't have said it."

She looked at the nearly gone sun and said "It's what I tell myself every morning when I get up."

He looked back at her and heard "I keep telling myself I won't die and let it help me get through the day."

She took a deep breath and looked up at him. His gaze was calm and confident and she felt his arm wrap around her shoulder. It wasn't pressing anything on her but provided her with the old strength their friendship always lent her. She let her head rest on his shoulder and let out the restrained breath his gesture created. His chin rested on her head and she closed her eyes.

"We'll get through this together."

She looked up at him and he met her gaze. He could see her strength wavering and kept silent.

"Don't make promises like that."

"It's the truth."

"Reese, I need at least one person in my life to be honest with me."

"Joe."

"My whole family makes promises like that to me when we knew the truth. If I make a recovery and I beat this disease, it will be a miracle but right now I need someone to just be there for support and not to put hopeful wishes in my head like everyone else."

Her brown eyes held his with strength he hadn't seen in years and he nodded. Slowly she lowered her head on his shoulder again and his chin rested on hers once more. They watched the last of the sunset and let the silence serve as a silent blanket of comfort. Letting their guards down, they didn't notice the children watching them from the kitchen door. Mack startled them by clearing his throat and announcing his presence.

"Eavesdropping and spying are not looked kindly on in this family."

Will shot him a look identical to his mother and said "I have a right to check on them."

The man was surprised at the boy's tone and said "Keep your tongue around me or I will lay you out on the floor."

The smirk on the boy's face lightened the air in the room and Grace asked "Is Reese going to be around a lot Will?"

The boy glanced at her and said "I hope so. He's good for her."

She nodded and said "I hope so."

Mack chuckled and saw the two adults approaching the door. Reese let Joe in and they turned their guarded gazes on him first. He shrugged with a grin and left the room. Joe turned her attention to the two spies and they smiled up at her.

"You two need to get to bed."

Will sighed and said "I'm not tired. Can't I stay up longer?"

She shook her head and said "If you plan on helping us tomorrow you need your rest. I know how tiring a day in the saddle is at your age."

He casted Reese a glance and the man shook his head. Rolling his eyes, he followed Grace upstairs and Joe looked up at Reese.

"Has he been trying his magic on you?"

"Not really but I bet he thinks he can use me against you."

"Will he be able to?"

"No."

Smirking, she led him upstairs and they stopped by her room.

"I think it's best if you just stay in there tonight. Just keep it down."

He smirked and said "I won't alarm the guard dogs."

She held back her sigh as he went into the room and she walked down the hall to check on the two. Grace was sitting on her bed reading and Joe took a seat next to her.

"You were a lot of help today. Thank you."

She put her book down and said "I always want to help. You went out of your way to help me when I was little."

"Don't ever feel like you still owe us. You're part of the family."

She nodded and said "I know that but it seems different now."

"Because of Reese?"

Again she nodded and said "I like the guy, I really do. It's just the relationship with Will is something I didn't think would bother me so much."

Joe ran her hand through the soft hair and said "He offered for you to come with Will to visit his place when you wanted to once Will was comfortable there."

Grace looked up at her and asked "He did?"

She nodded and said "Just keep that in mind. Now, get some sleep. We have another long day ahead of us tomorrow."

The girl smiled and hugged her before climbing under her bedding. Joe saved the page Grace was on and set the book aside. She walked over to the door and turned the light off as she shut the door. Walking down the hall, she knocked on Will's door and found him already in bed staring up at the ceiling. She left the light off and walked over to the bed.

"Hey."

Will looked at her and asked "How are you feeling?"

She smirked and said "Tired from the day's work but I'm fine."

He kept his amber look on her and she said "I hear you had a good time with Reese."

"I did. He let me hang around him while he did all his daily work. I also got to spend time with Teddy."

"Did you two stay out of trouble?"

"Yeah."

She saw the smirk on his face and said "I'm glad."

"Mom?"

"Yes?"

Will sat up and asked "Do you still love him?"

She looked at him and said "Will."

"Please just tell me. When we saw you tonight together, it just seemed right. I don't want to hope that maybe it will happen in the future unless I know the truth."

Taking a deep breath, she met his gaze and said "I did love him but that was seven years ago."

"Then what about now?"

"Now, it's like getting to know someone new when there is a lot of history between you in the first place."

He frowned and said "You're not answering my question."

She held his burning gaze and said "Yes."

The smile lit up his face and then disappeared. He fell quiet for a moment and looked up at her when he knew what to say.

"Why did you give him back the ring?"

"He told you?"

Will shook his head and said "I found it. I was getting something for him out of the office in the barn and I ran across it."

Joe felt like the questions were never going to end but she never kept anything from him before and wasn't going to start now.

"I gave it back to him because I don't need it anymore. Once he knew the truth about us, I didn't need that source of strength. Besides, he promised his mother to give it to the right person."

"But isn't that you?"

"It might have been but not now. Now, get some sleep and let it go for the night. If you want to talk tomorrow about it, we will. Right now we both need our sleep."

Will nodded and she kissed his brow before standing up. She walked to the door and looked back at him.

"Tell him night for me."

Smirking, she pulled the door shut and found Jeff waiting for her in the hall. His gaze was simmering and she squared her shoulders for the confrontation.

"If you are going to yell at me for a conversation with my son, save it for tomorrow."

His gaze fizzled out and he wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him back and felt the deep breath he let out.

"Just be careful. He broke your heart once. I can't bare to see you have it broken again."

She looked up at him and said "He won't."

Jeff let her go and she walked down the hall to her room. Shutting the door behind her, she found the man standing at the window and quietly gathered her sweats for the night. He kept still as she changed in the bathroom and climbed into bed when she came back into the room. As she curled up on her side, he took his place on the bed next to her and met her gaze.

"I take it the two are settled in?"

She nodded and said "You should get some sleep as well. The ride back is going to be a long one."

He stopped her from rolling over and said "I'm not the one in need of sleep."

"Working on it."

He smirked and said "No you aren't."

She met his gaze and let him wrap an arm around her waist. Her head rested by his shoulder and she held his gaze as his hand slid along her arm. He watched her eyes slowly close and kissed her brow. Watching her sleep, he let her nearness calm the clawing in his gut. Right now it didn't feel like he was getting her back only to be losing her at the same time.