Legends are born not made...(OPEN)

[<Amy>]

Aaron was a boy raised on good ol' fashioned family morals. That was painfully obvious which meant he was just compulsively nice, tried to keep his hormones under control and respected women. There was more to the family code but Aaron didn't really have time to list all the stuff his dad had drilled into his head since he'd come into the world. Right now though, Aaron was having a bit of a "battle of the morals" in his mind as he walked Heart alongside Honey and Dixie. He wanted to make it up to Dixie and a race wasn't so bad right? It would give Heart the chance she needed to run herself down or do whatever it was that would get her to chill out. Then again, if he lost there was quite a bit at stake.

What if Dixie asked for something he couldn't give? Say, a date perhaps or maybe something more forward than that? Then, Aaron would be in serious trouble because he was, by all definitions and purposes, a taken man. If Aiden found out it would be the death of Aaron but...there was that chance it was just a harmless game. Maybe she wouldn't ask for anything too demanding? From the look on her face though, Aaron was betting the remains of his sanity were being put up for a gamble here.

Still...he was a guy and couldn't quite turn down a challenge.

"You're on cowgirl!" Aaron grinned and heeled Heart.

The bay paint sprang forward into a gallop, heading for the tree Dixie had indicated. Heart was happy to be moving and thus complied with her master's "need for speed" with all the ferocity of a trained rodeo horse. As they neared the tree though, a squirrel flashed across Heart's path and up the tree. Heart let out a loud whinny and reared, throwing Aaron off her back. Aaron rolled to his feet, scrambling on the wet leaves from last fall. Giving Heart an order to stay, Aaron darted for the second tree on foot, already knowing he had lost time on Dixie which meant he was going to have to give in to the inevitable.

Throwing himself to the ground at the second tree, Aaron laid on his back, huffing slightly and looked up at the sky. He could tell he lost because Heart had thrown him. Said mare trotted up to her master, confused as to why he hadn't remounted or been mad that she'd thrown him. Lowering her head, the mare snuffled and nudged his head.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie had grinned wider than she ever had she was thinking he was going to chicken out but she knew a part of how a guys mind worked they loved to please and didnt like to be beat by a girl it just wasnt how guys rolled in the twenty first century. With that said s he didnt have enough time to say 'whatever the other person wants goes' oh well poor him Dixie wasnt real sure what she was going to do and was pretty sure he had made up his mind considering he got a good headstart. She sighed and kicked Honey into a lazy gallop Honey seeing Heart however was like a fierce competition between horses. "Let er' Buck" Dixie said to Honey who broke out kicking up dirt and grass and what not. Nostrils flaring she passed Heart in a few minutes the squirrel not bothering at the least. Nostrils flared and Dixie had stood up in her saddle like a jockey holding the reins and standing foreward and she did an fast dismount skidding slightly. She looked back and started laughing he was catching back up. Brown waves falling out behind her as she ran her hardest and past the tree and then tripping and falling and then hearing him as well hit the ground. She lay on her back laughing so hard it was almost a tie his legs were so much longer than hers making him more able to do things like run. Dixie rolled over and got up and whistles through her teeth Honey perking her ears and galloping over and receiving a generous pet and alfalfa cube. Honey crunched nickered to her. Dixie and Honey bother approached him leaning over him both heads looking down at him "well cowboy are you ok" she asked with a grin hoping he hadnt been hurt besides his pride.

[<Amy>]

Aaron heaved a sigh and opened his eyes to find Heart standing next to him, head lowered and studying him as if trying to see if she should freak out or not. Aaron raised a hand and she pushed her muzzle against it, snorting softly and swishing her tail. From the gentleness Aaron could tell she was sorry about rearing and throwing him off. "It's ok girl" Aaron murmured, stroking her muzzle. Heart nickered and raised her head as Honey and Dixie approached, instantly tense and protective. Heart tossed her head and squealed, trotting around Aaron to stand between her human and the advancing pair. Aaron yelped and rolled to the side to avoid being trampled when Heart started to prance nervously in front of where he had been laying.

Scrambling to his feet, Aaron grabbed Heart's reins. "Easy girl, chill" Aaron said, catching the mare's bridle and turning her head away from Dixie and Honey.

Now that he was on his feet again, Aaron could feel the ache in his back from hitting the ground when Heart threw him but ignored it. Heart snorted and rolled her eyes, trying to pull her head free but Aaron kept a firm grip on her so she wouldn't try to rush at Honey and Dixie and hurt somebody. After a few minutes the mare quieted again, her broadly blazed face resting on Aaron's shoulder as she stood behind him, looking warningly at the girl and "enemy" mare. Aaron patted her muzzle and kept a firm hand on the reins before he looked over at Dixie and gave a sheepish grin.

"Ok, ok you win" he admitted. "What do you want for your prize?"

He had a vague idea of what she might want but seriously hoped it wasn't that. Well, it might not be so extreme. Either way, Aaron waited for her reply with slightly baited breath, not sure if he would like the answer or not.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie wasnt sure what had happened Heart had become very defensive and Honey was very close to lashing out at the mare before Dixie grabbed her bridle and yanked throwing Honey off balance slightly. "Honey..." Dixie said looking at the mare with an angry face and a very stern voice. Honey merely shook her head rearing slightly hauling Dixie up along with her Dixie held on though and when her feet hit the ground. Dixie jumped up and mounted Honey and began taking her around in fast circles making her dizzy till finally the horse calmed. Dixie took a deep breath she hated it when horses were not getting along together it ruined fun. Dixie looked at Aaron no longer smiling it said completely she wasnt in the mood for play and that she was serious. With that little jerking Dixie was hiding her pain she knew she had some cracked rubs and she was gritting her teeth firmly to keep from moaning with pain. She tried to take a deep breath and gripped her ribs rubbing her side feeling an indention in her rib cage surely it was a broke rib and she winced and hissed. "Well " she said trying to keep a straight face "I need a partner for a team roping so I was wondering if you could help me with that" she said looking at him. Though right no she was serious and in pain she just wanted to go home and lay down and soak in a tub and probably head to the doctor or wrap an ace bandage around her side. "so you willing to do that" she asked curiously Honey shifting her weight making Dixie have to situate herself all over again. Honey felt the tension in Dixie and it was making the palomino mare not to happy. "However if you agree Honey and Heart cant be partners we need horses that wont class" she said frowning even more her mouth a grim line.

[<Amy>]

It was painfully, literally, obvious that Dixie was feeling her earlier injury. Aaron felt horrible for Heart's bad behavior making Dixie strain the injury and sent a glare at the mare. For all the mare cared, it could have been she'd stepped on a fly. Rolling his eyes at the mare, Aaron dropped the reins, glaring the mare in the eye. She snorted but remained still, well trained when it came to being ground-tied. After a moment, Aaron moved away from Heart and approached Honey slowly until he was standing at the mare's shoulder and looked up at Dixie still in the saddle, cradling her side and looking for a team roping partner. Aaron caught her eye for a moment before his gaze lowered, lingering on her ribs before going back to her face. No, his eyes didn't stop anywhere in between.

"I'll help you when your ribs are better" Aaron consented. "I'll ride Comanche. Heart is still a training horse anyway."

Heart snorted behind him but didn't step forward. She simply kept her dark gaze firmly locked on Aaron's back as if demanding to know why her owner was leaving her to stand next to another mare. It was like Aaron had a jealous wife and he was only seventeen. Heart whinnied unhappily but when she received no form of a response, she snorted loudly and turned to glare the opposite direction of her master.

Aaron gave no indication of having heard his mare's unhappiness but kept his gaze fixed on Dixie. "Let's ride back to the stable, you look like you need the comfort of a couch and a couple painkillers. Can you ride alone without passing out or falling?"

Of course only Aaron mounting another horse would make Heart even angrier but that wasn't the point. One of Aaron's friends in Kansas had broken an arm while they had been chasing horses that had gotten out of the paddock and Aaron had had to ride with him after he lost balance on his horse and fell after the break. Aaron didn't need anybody falling and causing more damage.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie tightened the grip on her side she sure was hoping she could make it back and she wasnt in no mood for the ride back. Honey merely turned her head to look at Aaron and lipped at his shirt sweetly in a hello she liked guys and didnt favor females to much though she liked men alot. When he dismounted from Heart Dixie watched him giving Heart an ugly look. When he looked her in the eye she was pretty sure he saw the pain and agony where she just could barely stand it. She couldnt breath in deeply and she didnt move alot last thing she needed now was a punctured lung or even a damaged heart which had been reported for some ones broken ribs which hadnt went treated. Honey very much ignored Heart she knew she had played a part in Dixies pain if she hadnt been trying to protect her human mother. Dixie looked at him for a moment gathering everything he said to her smiling though it was tight " thanks Aaron shouldnt take me too long to recuperate Ill train hard and Ill even come watch you practice while I watch" she said with a smile. She thought about what he asked really hard " Pain killers sounds good" "if you see me teetering or turning pale get off quickly cause Im going to pass out but I think Ill be ok but stay close" she said. Which sucked cause Dixie was already slightly pale her lips pursed in gritting teeth in pain and feeling sick at her stomach pain did that and sometimes it caused you to pass out and she was really thinking about it but it wouldnt be too easy for Aaron with two possessive horses so with that fault it was helping keep her conscious.

[<Amy>]

"I think I see somebody teetering and turning pale" Aaron commented, studying Dixie's face. He knew it would probably not be a good idea to let Dixie ride alone, even on a horse as careful as Honey probably was. Heart was a well trained horse, despite all pretenses of being wild and unpredictable. She would follow where Aaron went because she knew he led her home to a dry stall and food. Honey would probably tolerate Aaron well enough and Heart would manage. That was probably good considering Aaron was having a serious problem with letting Dixie even start the leg of the journey home. She looked ready to fade out right now and Aaron didn't know if he'd be able to get to her before she fell if he started riding Heart. Knowing the mare she would freak at the sudden movement or something.

Aaron clicked his tongue, bringing Heart walking reluctantly to his shoulder. Aaron adjusted her reins so they weren't in front of her and turned back to Honey. He didn't need Heart to step through her reins and hurt her neck or jaw while following Honey. "You won't make it back to the stable" Aaron said softly, eyeing Dixie and knowing in the back of his mind he was right.

Patting Honey's neck, Aaron mounted behind Dixie. "Just relax cowgirl, ok?"

Moving his arms carefully around Dixie's waist so his arms were under hers, Aaron eased Honey's reins from Dixie's hands. "Let's take it easy Honey" Aaron said to the mare, clicking his tongue and whistling softly to Heart.

Heart snorted and tossed her head, unhappy to see Aaron mounting another mare. The bay paint whisked her tail and hesitated to follow at first before slowly, reluctantly, moving to follow the palomino and her master.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie didnt say anything she was trying to concentrate with staying conscious those the pretty spots in her vision were a clue she was about to pass out. Dixie gave him one of those looks and couldnt help but see two of him and shook her head she felt like crap. "Im trying to be strong here I know I wont make it back" she said in a murmur. Dixie jerked slightly as she felt the saddle shrink some and there was something very solid behind her back so she did what instinct told her lean back which she did then she was knocked out head under his chin nobody home in her head she passed out still as ever only thing moving was her chest and that was very lightly least she was breathing still she hadnt died that was a plus. Honey merely just stood there kind of bored not minding the extra pounds on her back if she wanted she could hauled him all the way to New Mexico. As he urged her forward Honey did so a slow easy pace since she had two people on her back not one she was slow and she actually went slower than normal watching her stepping and moderatly listening to the sounds about her with her perked harks. The walk was long and soon within a hour or so the stable was in sight and like most horses that normally ran to the barn for food Honey walked and wasnt in no hurry she liked the scenery and couldnt really get into it. Honey let out a nicker to all the horses her sides vibrating and continued on till she made it to the stable.

[<Amy>]

Aaron wasn't surprised when he felt Dixie going limp. He held Honey's reins in one hand, situating his other arm so it curled around Dixie's waist to stabilize her so she wouldn't fall off anyway. He let her weight rest against his chest, not minding it and glad Honey was a strong and relaxed horse now that Heart wasn't pestering her. Occasionally he checked behind him to make sure that Heart was in fact following. Every so often, Aaron would whistle softly so that Heart would remember to keep following Honey. More or less however, Aaron focused on keeping both himself and Dixie balanced in the saddle. Luckily it was a western saddle and not some fancy English saddle because he had much, much more skill in a western saddle. If it was English, it was very likely Aaron would have moved Dixie to ride on Heart or at least switched the saddles or something.

At long last, Honey began her approach on the stable. Aaron could see his battered pickup sitting in the parking lot beyond the riding rings and pondered if he should take Dixie to the hospital or to the lounge and find a staff member. Chewing his lip, Aaron let Honey meander into the stable yard before reining her to a halt. Decision time.

He could take Dixie into the lounge and find a staff member while he took care of the horses or he could take her to the lounge, take care of the horses and drive her to the hospital. Looking around, Aaron found most of the staff spots in the parking lot empty from what he could see. Even Amy Garland's spot was empty which was unusual. Aaron chewed his lower lip, still debating. Would Honey ground tie while he moved Dixie to the lounge? Well...if she ran off he would just have to find her...later...after he got Dixie to a hospital.

Gingerly, the country boy maneuvered his other arm around Dixie so he could support her shoulders and lower body while dismounting. It was awkward but he managed it without dropping her, that was definitely a plus. Heart snorted and looked toward the stable expectantly but Aaron was still on the lookout for a staff member to at least take the horses.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie wasnt moving anytime soon. She probably wouldnt wake up till she had been taken properly cared for. Honey stopped and stood stark still as he dismounted pulling Dixie with her. Honey watch curiously and she snorted sniffing Aaron. Dixie thank god wasnt that heavy and that is what he should be happy for what would happen if Dixie was a really chunky person he would be screwed unless he had a huge adrenaline burst. A tack door opened in the back and Savannah stepped out dusting her hands on her pants. She pulled her blond hair into a pony tail to keep it out of her face she had been on her way to give wormer to her stallion she stopped short when she saw some boy carrying what looked to a be a young girl not much older than eighteen. Savannah had never seen someone so pale and that made her think the girl dead. The instructor looked about great she was the only one here where had the other instructors gone coffee break? She gritted her teeth stuck the wormer in her pocket and came forward in a fast walk. "Boy you need to set in her in the lounge I left the door open go set her down Ill take care of the horse. With that Savannah walked past him grabbing Honeys' and Hearts' reins like she didnt even care with that she hooked each one to a lead rope tying them up and feeling nuzzle in her back she had seen the palomino mare she was pretty and sweet after she got to know you but she wasnt to fond of Savannah at first. Savannah sighed and hurried to the lounge needing to treat the girl or call the morgue.

[<Amy>]

Aaron glanced at the blond instructor and decided to follow her instructions and ask questions later. Heart however, had a serious problem with this woman, whoever she was. With a loud squeal, Heart threw her weight backward and rolled her eyes, white rimming the dark optics. Her expression was one that plainly said "oh HELL no!" The paint shrieked and neighed, flinging her weight about trying to find her human. She kicked up her heels and snorted, lowering her head and then flinging herself backward in a half rear, lashing her tail, ears pinned against her head. Her neighing sounded like screaming. Tied up like a pack mule was NOT how Heart let herself be treated. The mare continued throwing herself around, fighting the lead and squealing as loud as she could like someone was torturing her.

Meanwhile, Aaron made his way into the lounge carefully. He felt horrible, knowing if he didn't go stop Heart soon she'd hurt herself but he had to take care of Dixie first. Finding the couch in the lounge, Aaron carefully laid Dixie on it. Checking her pulse just in case, Aaron relaxed a little when he found it. Even though he probably shouldn't have, Aaron carefully worked the hem of Dixie's shirt up so he could check her side though he left her modestly covered as he checked the bruising and swelling on her side.

Hearing the lounge door open, Aaron caught sight of the instructor and straightened up. "I have to go stop Heart or she'll fling herself to pieces" Aaron said, sliding past the instructor and out of the lounge.

In the yard, Heart was still going at it but caught sight of Aaron. Aaron held up his hand as he approached his mare, talking to her soothingly. The rodeo mare tossed her head and strained at the lead until Aaron was within range and shoved her muzzle forcefully against his chest. Aaron untied her lead and unclipped it, gathering her reins and then doing the same with Honey.

Moving quickly, he let Heart into her stall and then set Honey into hers. As quickly as he dared, Aaron took off the tack from Honey before moving to Heart's stall and doing the same. Moving in two trips, Aaron moved the appropriate equipment to the right chests in the tack room labeled "Aaron McClain" and the chest labeled "Dixie Canyon." With the gear stowed and horses in their stalls, Aaron jogged back to the lounge. His boots clopped on the stairs and stopped when he got inside.

"Did she wake up?" Aaron asked, panting a little from running around in the stable combined with the fact he was worried..

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Savannah entered the room watching the boy examine the injury she gave him a smile. Savannah frowned though she wasn't sure what had happened tot he girl she had been left out in the blue for that part. She went to the sink and washed her hands not wanting to infect anything if Dixie had cuts or whatever it was like a physical examination. The instructor was on her knees in front of the couch looking over Dixies body finding minor scrapes and some serious bruising to her rib cage on her right side. Savannah shook her hand and ran two fingers over her ribs finding simply that Dixie had broken atleast two ribs and cracked a few other no wonder the poor girl had passed out. With that Savannah left the area exposed and went to the the cabinets rummaging through them finding a zip lock bag and quickly headint over to the freeze popping a few ice cubes in there. The ice pack would help with the bruising and swelling. Savannah gently pressed the back there and pulled her shirt down to help hold the ice in place. With that Dixie headed back to the fridge looking through first aid finding exactly what would help Dixie pain killers. She came back with a syringe and needle along with the morphine. She got about 3cc just to get her by for now. With that she stuck it in her arm it would immediately take effect. "No shes not awake yet but shes getting some color back" Savannah said putting the needle in biohazard container. "Ill be right back mind keeping an eye on her for a bit need to go worm my horse real fast" she said with that she jogged out the door.

[<Amy>]

Aaron looked over the back of the couch as the instructor got up and saw that she was right. Dixie had a little more color in her face now rather than looking like a corpse. Nodding to the woman, Aaron one of the chairs off and sat down. He knew he would have to check Heart to make sure the mare hadn't hurt herself flinging all over the place but that would have to wait for now. Aaron wasn't sure what the woman had given Dixie but she just hoped it wasn't going to make her too out of it when she woke up. Still, that was probably a lot to hope for considering what kind of pain meds it took to help with broken ribs which Dixie undoubtedly had.

The seconds ticked on into minutes and Aaron kept his gaze moving around the room restlessly. Glance at the clock, glance at the door, stare at the unmoving cabinets in the other room, look over at Dixie. Not awake. Look at the dark T.V. screen, glance down the hall, look at the door. While his gaze was busy roaming, Aaron's hands fidgeted in his lap.

It was a bad habit he had to be honest. When he was bored or waiting for something, Aaron had trouble keeping his hands still. He would usually have a pack of cards or something to help with times like that but unusually there wasn't a deck of cards in his pockets like usual. Just to be sure, Aaron checked both his front pockets and sighed when he found no deck of cards. Oh well. He would just have to deal with twitchy hands.

According to his dad it probably meant he'd have Parkinson when he was older but Aaron didn't believe it. Twitchy hands didn't mean he'd be twitchy and shaky when he was old, just that he was bored or impatient. Either way it was rather distracting when there was really nothing else to look at except an immobile room and an unconcious girl.

[$*CrazyHick*$]

Dixie was coming to moving her head and eyebrows She figured she had fallen asleep but quickly remembered she had been with a boy and that got her attention and slowly opened her eyes. He was like an angel she had never seen the morphine making become very how is the word loopy in her mind she saw wings and such on him and she had to blink several times to make she sure she wasnt dead though she did laugh and groan and then speak in a soft voice "dang I thought I had died and gone to heaven with a hot ass angel as my guide" she said holding her side looking around the room rather lazily not sure if she wanted to continue anymore her head swimming and she closed her eyes."What happened" she asked curiously remember she had been talking to him and next thing she knew she was in this strange room with him and she smiled at him and patted his hands. She moved her hands down to her ribs and removed the ice pack "how bad is it now" she asked curiously she didnt really feel any of the pain at the moment thanks to the morphine other wise she would probably still be knocked out. Dixie was thinking and he wellbeing of Honey made her eyes widen "oh my gosh Im so sorry I passed out is Honey ok I didnt hurt her did I" she asked not even remembering him getting behind her she was afraid she done hurt her horse and was freaking out not good.

[<Amy>]

Aaron looked up when he noticed Dixie starting to move her head, brows furrowing and finally eyes opening. Her eyes were slightly glazed and dazed in appearance making Aaron once again wonder just what the instructor had given the girl. She blinked at him several times before speaking, her tone somewhat disappointed but the words making Aaron have to fight not to laugh. A grin broke through though but the rest he kept quiet, wondering just what his sisters would have thought if they could hear this. Oh the twins would never let him live it down! Still, that didn't last long before Dixie remembered what had happened. Aaron stood up and crouched next to the sofa.

"Easy cowgirl, Honey is fine" Aaron assured. "I rode her back to the stable with Heart, they're both in their stalls right now. You broke a couple of ribs but they look better now with the ice. If anything she handled it all better than Heart did. One of the instructors gave you some painkillers but made poor Heart almost break her neck. Unfortunately though, I'm not your guide to heaven, just the medical clinic." Aaron offered a grin.

Aaron hoped the extent of the injury was just a few banged up ribs but one could never be sure. Besides, he wasn't familiar with the instructor that had been helping Dixie and would probably feel better if an actual doctor had taken a look at her, then he'd probably give her a lift home and hope somebody there could keep an eye on her.

Then he would probably have to drive back to the stable to check on Heart and maybe give Comanche a work out of some decent kind before he ran out of daylight. His uncle tended to be a bit antsy when it came to curfews which was painfully annoying but understandable since his uncle did run a ranch and was practically trained to worry when one his "hands" didn't come back in time since that might spell danger one a larger ranch like the ones his uncle used to run. Either way he would have to take care of Dixie first and figure out what to do about his uncle later.