Hi Guys!

Look who's back! I guess I just couldn't stay away from ya'll any longer, I thought it was high time to start uploading this new story, the third of the Jessie Saga. While I haven't been able to work anymore on this story while I've been absent, I have been very busy in other areas of my life... At the moment I am trying to sort out myself going to get some training with a person who trains brumbies (our equivalent of the American mustangs) and sort things out to start my career of horse training, equine assisted learning and other horsey ventures... I won't say anymore then that at this time but if I am absent from uploading, life has gotten extremely busy...

I will only be able to upload one chapter a week, I really have got to work on the next chapters in this story. I don't want to start a story and not finish it, I know how annoying that is for a reader. They start reading a great story only to find out that it never gets finished... Life happens, I understand that but I want to be able to make sure that I can finish my stories off...

Since this story is a new story in the Jessie Saga, I thought it was appropriate to start it in Spring. Spring is the season of new birth, new life and I think that it is a very suitable setting for this story and where I want to go with it... I know the last story ended in the middle of winter so I hope you'll all grant me the liberty of changing the season...

This story starts two weeks after the end of Old Demons, Uncertain Futures.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1.1

The feeling of a cold, wet nose being pressed against Jessie's cheek stirred the girl from her peaceful slumber with a groan. 'Cougar, it's too early.' She complained sleepily, trying to push the mountain lion away to get back to sleep but Cougar wouldn't allow it. The cat nuzzled her again, licking her cheek and nudging her with her wet nose. 'Okay, okay, stop.' She pushed her away, opening her eyes. 'I'm up, I'm up.'

With another groan she pushed the covers back, the cat jumping down off the bed to let her get out and get dressed. She yawned as she stretched, looking towards her closed curtains where the darkness of night was still blocked out by them. It was early, just before sunrise, the time that she always got up but the last few days had been harder. She'd been having nightmares again, they were keeping her awake at night. She thought that they'd left but apparently they were still with her when the silence and darkness of night left her alone with her thoughts. Her nightmares were something she was trying to work through, along with her panic attacks and she felt that she was getting somewhat controlling them better as time wore on.

Jessie sighed as she turned the light on and headed to her wardrobe, her cat purring around her legs as she chose what she was going to wear for the day. Her life had changed so much in the last couple of weeks. One moment she was a foster child going to be taken to Vancouver and the next she'd been allowed to stay in Jack and Lisa's care permanently. She'd been given a chance that she'd never had before, she'd been given a proper home with people that genuinely loved and cared for her. She belonged here, she had found her home and a family for the first time in her life.

Clint had finalised the details of Jack and Lisa obtaining guardianship over her a couple of days ago, also going over other things that needed finalising. She was to receive counselling from a psychologist that specialised in working with children who had been through trauma like her, she had her first meeting with her next week. Another thing that they'd had to sort out was her schooling. Because of her past and other things that had been taken into consideration they'd enrolled her in a distance education school with the possibility that she would go to normal school once they'd deemed that she would be able to cope.

She placed her pyjamas in her dirty clothes hamper after she'd changed then tidied her room and made her bed. It was still something she was getting used to, having her own room and her own space. Lisa had taken her to a couple places in town to get her some things to make it her own. Now, horse posters took pride of place on her walls and the model horse that Cindy had given her sat proudly on her dresser. She was happy with her room, it was large and spacious but it was cosy too. It held a charm that her room at Fairfield didn't have, it was as different from it as day was to night. She loved going to Fairfield but this was the place she really loved to call home. It felt like a part of her, and she a part of it.

A drawing she'd drawn of her and Warrior sat next to the model and she smiled. He was probably still sleeping in his stall waiting for her to arrive with his first feed of the day. She'd been so unbelievably relieved that she could stay for his sake. Warrior needed her and she needed him. It was only thanks to Jack and Lisa that her staying had become possible and her life-long dream her new reality.

Jack and Lisa. She quickly dusted down her dresser, careful not to knock the model over as she wiped the top down. Lisa was headed back to France on Tuesday, she was going away for business for a couple of weeks but she had promised that the time apart would go quick and that they'd spend plenty of time together when she returned. She'd been relatively busy for the last week or so but she'd always managed to find time to speak with her. If not in person, they'd have a chat on the phone before she headed off to bed. She didn't mind Lisa not being around as much as she had before, kind of. She knew she was definitely more attached to Lisa then she was to Jack but it was in a different kind of way. Lisa was a woman, she could understand things that Jack being a man couldn't. They also had their experience of their pasts that brought them closer together with a connection that she didn't have with Jack. She still was attached to him too but it was different with him being a man. She was still a bit cautious but she was gradually working through that and was trusting him more each day. She knew her caution was just because she'd been bitten once too many times by trusting and loving people only to have her heart broken. She'd loved Robert but he'd never returned her affection, not like Jack showed his granddaughters and her. It was like she had always had to work to earn his love where's Jack gave it to her freely. She didn't have to prove anything to him or be something that she wasn't. He still cared for her the same.

She nodded as she looked around her room, satisfied that it was almost tidy again. She hated having her room in a mess, it had to be clean and tidy at all times. It was her own little space, her own little place where she could go and feel safe if things got too much for her. It was her other safe place, besides Lisa of course.

She quickly ran her cloth over her desk, moving her laptop aside so she could get the dust that had gathered underneath. It was one of Lisa's old laptops that she didn't use anymore since she had a newer one and she'd given her it so she could do her schoolwork and they could video call each other when she was away. Cougar purred, rubbing against her legs as she put the laptop down again and she gave the cat a pat. 'Alright, alright. You'll get your breakfast in a moment, Missy.' She chuckled. 'No need to be so impatient.'

She grabbed the mobile Lisa had given her to replace the other one the police were keeping as evidence and checked the time before slipping it into her jeans pocket. It was time to get moving and get started on her chores before breakfast. She grabbed her hat and coat off the hook next to the door then clicked her fingers. 'Come on Cougar, let's go.'

Cougar bounded through the doorway in front of her as she paused to turn her light off, her claws clicking on the wood as she ran down the stairs. She smiled with a chuckle, heading down quietly so she didn't wake the rest of the family and followed the cat into the kitchen. Cougar was always first down every morning, making a bee-line to the fridge. She certainly liked to make sure she was going to have her breakfast before she did anything else.

Jessie grabbed Cougar's food and placed it in her bowl in the entrance room, putting her coat and hat on as the cat ate. Spring was here but the morning's still had winters chilly nip to them. She grabbed her torch off the seat, waiting for Cougar to finish eating. The house was still and quiet as she looked at the time on her phone again. The rest of them wouldn't be up for another hour or so yet but she guessed Jack was probably already up. He normally went over accounts and things in the early morning when he wouldn't be disturbed by the going-on's in the house. She glanced over at his room, a thin crack of light shone underneath the door. A look back at Cougar revealed the cat was still eating breakfast and she decided she'd quickly find out about the day's agenda before she went and did her chores.

She walked over, knocking softly on his door. 'May I come in Jack?'

'Sure Jessie.' He glanced over from a fly he was making for fishing at the girl as she walked in. 'What's up?'

'Just wondering what jobs I have to do today.' She replied, stopping behind him to watch him work. 'What's the plan?'

'Well, we're doing something different today.' He cut the string he had finished wrapping around the fly then glanced back at her. 'We're going on a little trip.'

'Where?'

'Up into the mountains. I have a cabin near a lake that I visit from time to time to go fishing and I thought this weekend would be the perfect time for a short vacation.'

'Sounds- interesting.' Jessie replied, her tone wavering between suspicion and curiosity.

'Lisa will be coming too.'

'Count me in then.'

He chuckled at her quick turn around and enthusiasm. 'We're going to leave at ten, Lisa should be here around nine thirty so you'll need to make sure that you've got your bags packed and ready to go. We'll be staying at the cabin for tonight and tomorrow night and it still gets cold so make sure you pack plenty of warm clothes.'

'Sure. Anything else I'll need to bring?'

'You've got a bed roll?' The girl nodded. 'Make sure you pack that and your sleeping bag, I can't remember how many blankets I've got up there.'

'Okay.' A noise behind her made her turn and she saw it was Cougar walking over to her. The cat rubbed up against her then nudged Jack for a pat which he begrudgingly gave her. He was still slightly cross that she'd used one of his slippers for a chew toy. 'Can Cougar come too? There's no one around there, is there?'

'No, it's pretty desolate around there.' Jack looked down at the cat as she rubbed her chin on his knee. 'But I don't think this girl has been good enough to go.'

Jessie knelt down beside her cat, rubbing between her ears to make her go relaxed and her eyes go sad. 'How can you say no to this little girl? She'll be upset if she gets left behind.'

It was more the look in Jessie's eyes that made up his mind, not Cougar's. 'Alright, she can come but you'll have to keep an eye on her.'

'Thanks Jack.' She smiled as she gave him a hug. 'Don't worry, I'll watch her like a hawk.'

'Seems like it's my lucky day.' He chuckled. He could tell Jessie was getting more comfortable around him, she was happy to give him the occasional hug if she was really happy about something and she didn't flinch much anymore when he put his hand on her shoulder and such. She was blossoming like a spring rose again, she was opening up like she had before she'd gone to the foster home but this time he was going to make sure she didn't wilt and go back into her shell again. She'd progressed so much already, there was no way he wanted her to go backwards again. 'You better go do your chores now, Warrior will be getting impatient for his food. I'll have breakfast ready by the time you get back.'

'Sounds good. Come on girl.' She headed out, Cougar padding eagerly beside her. The nip of the cold greeted her as she opened the front door and stepped out, the mountain lion jogging on in-front of her towards the barn. It was still dark, the only light coming from her torch as she followed her pet. She breathed in deeply. The early morning was one of her favourite times of the day. Everything felt so fresh and clean, it was a new day with new things to discover. She'd discovered there was a lot about this life that she hadn't learnt yet, little things that she should have known but didn't. Sometimes it made her feel stupid whenever someone had to explain something to her. It was embarrassing that there was a lot she didn't know.

Warrior snorted eagerly as she opened the door, flicking the lights on as she walked in. Cougar followed her in and she closed the door behind the cat then turned to Warrior. 'Hey boy.' She rubbed his forehead, the stallion sniffing her jacket. 'You hungry mate?' The horse nodded, nudging her and she laughed as she grabbed his feed bucket. 'Okay, okay. I'm getting you your food mate. Steady on.'

Cougar laid down outside Warriors stall as she made her way to the feed-room and poured his oats and chaff into the bucket. She smiled, seeing Warrior nibbling at the cats ears over the door of his stall, Cougars purrs echoing through the barn. They really were the best of friends. Unlikely friends at that too. The Hunter and the Hunted. Cougar had grown up with Warrior, she'd learnt to respect his kind and they shared a special bond. She didn't bother the other horses, it had taken quite some time before they felt comfortable with her but now they just ignored her presence. She wasn't a problem at all.

Warrior tried to get his nose in his feed bucket as she came back over and hung it up outside his stall. 'Hey, hey. One moment mate. Patience.' She grabbed his lead off the hook next to the door and clipped it onto his halter. He neighed hungrily as she opened the door and let him into the walkway, dipping his nose straight into the bucket. 'There you go.' She laughed. It was the same ritual every morning. 'It's still there, it didn't go anywhere.'

Jessie set to work mucking out his stall as the stallion ate, replacing the soiled sawdust for fresh and removing it out of the barn. By the time she'd finished with that his bucket was empty and she grabbed his brush to groom him down. 'Did you enjoy that?' He leaned against her as she scratched behind his ears. It was his favourite spot and he closed his eyes as he enjoyed it. 'Your just a big baby too, like Cougar.'

Having finished grooming him she grabbed his gear and tacked him up. She was glad she was back to herself, she was able to take him for his rides herself now. She patted Cougar as she untied the stallion and picked up the reins. 'You be good girl. Let's go, boy.'

The air was still crisp and clean as she mounted, riding out of the yard at an easy trot. Warrior shook his head as they passed the corral, eager to get running. She patted his shoulder with a smile, holding him in at a trot so his muscles would get warmed up before she let him run. 'Patience big guy, patience.' He shook his head again, flexing his neck as he pranced instead, his tail whipping back and forth like an angry snake. He wanted to run, he wanted to feel the air between his ears, to feel the earth underneath his hooves. 'We'll run soon mate.' Her hands were soft on the reins but still keeping contact with him as he dropped his head, chewing at the bit. They turned towards the trail past the arena which led to the Overlook through the forest on the edge of the paddock. Warrior snorted as they entered the trees, pig-rooting as she struggled to contain his energy. She sat his antics expertly, one hand on the reins the other on his neck to calm him. 'Soon, but not now.'

She glanced around as Warrior settled down slightly. It was still dark but her eyes were accustomed to seeing in the night. She didn't need a torch to tell her where she was going. Between her instincts and Warrior's there was no need. The ability to travel in complete darkness was a skill that had saved her life from time to time. Even now with no direct threat to her or her horse she was still alert, listening for anything and looking for anything that was out of the ordinary. It was a habit she was accustomed to and one she wasn't going to give up. It was better to be prepared for something then to be caught off guard.

As they came out of the trees Jessie could see the first rays of the sun over the horizon. Warrior snorted again, shaking his head as he asked to run across the meadow. She chuckled, letting him have his head. 'Alright, alright, you can run.'

Warrior leapt forward, his hooves tearing up the ground as he raced across the pasture. The girl laughed, leaning down low over his neck as she urged him on faster and faster. The stallion stretched out as the ground started to incline to the top of the hill galloping almost at his full speed.

She reined him in as they reached the top, the stallion sliding to a stop and rearing in the sunrise. Jessie patted his neck, breathless from excitement as she turned him in a small circle to keep him moving. 'Good boy.' She breathed, the stallion dancing as she let him catch his wind. 'Good boy.' The faint sunlight bathed the hill in a soft glow, the girl and the horse silhouetted against the morning sky. She smiled, feeling the sun warming her body as she turned the horse again. The ranch beneath was still quiet, the only light that of Jack's shining through his window. She squinted then waved at him. She could just see him watching her from the window, waving back and she smiled. Warrior carried on walking in a circle, still moving underneath her as she looked at the ranch beneath her with contentment. This was her new life. This was her new beginning. This was everything she had ever dreamed of, had ever wanted. She'd found it here. A home, a family. There was nothing more that she could wish for. She had everything she needed right here. She patted the stallion as she nudged him in the flanks, the stallion rearing again as the sun bathed them in its glow. 'To new beginnings boy.'