Accompany Me (Leland x Amy)

[<Amy>]

Oh he did NOT just call her a damsel in distress! Amy's glare intensified to where it looked like she was trying to open a portal to hell with just her eyes. If she could just find a rock or something to lodge in his windpipe...Sadly atop a sixteen hand stallion that was not likely and since she couldn't dismount without proving to him that her knee was in fact not exactly cooperating with the rest of her body, Amy was stuck sitting side-saddle and doing nothing but glaring. Sometimes life was just so damn unfair but Amy already knew that. It seemed life liked to remind her just how unfair it was from time to time. Damn cocky bastard.

"If I could kick your ass right now I would" Amy said unhappily. "Kiss on the cheek? Huh! And besides, in my line of work...injury happens." Amy absentmindedly stroked Dutch's mane with one hand, her other still wound in the flaxen strands as the light draft started at a slow walk when Leland started moving. "Sometimes it just doesn't stop hurting. I'm used to it by now. Perfectly capable of walking."

She'd had her blasted bum knee for what, six years? She had literally crashed into a jump with Chico when she was seventeen so that was about right. A girl learned to adapt, despite the common view of guys that women were strictly stuck in their ways. Huh, yeah right. They just adapted like horses, on necessity and only as much as necessary. That was what Amy's momma had taught her and in all her years, Amy had never found momma to be wrong. Why start doubting now?

Shifting a little but unable to comfortably ride side saddle, Amy sighed making Dutch twitch his ears. The chocolate Noriker snuffled and swished his flaxen tail, seeming to intentionally try to hit Leland though he looked passively innocent. Amy shifted her hold from Dutch's mane to his reins, despite having found more comfort in his mane. Though she didn't ride bareback, Amy didn't mind it and with Dutch being such a well behaved stallion it wasn't hard. What was hard? Riding side-saddle without the side saddle and wanting to hit the guy that put her there even if he had the best intentions in mind.

Since the Bowing Creek Trail ran very close to one side of the cross country course, Amy glimpsed snatches of the green through the trees and winced slightly when she watched a student hop the jump before continuing out of sight farther into the course. She missed jumping but...she would put money on it didn't miss her.

[$*Crazy*$]

Leland shook his head he was in for once they got there. Leland knew she wanted to kill just by the way the air felt. It was okay she could kill him after they made it to the barn and then they could 'flirt' of whatever he surmised a childish gleam in his eyes. Leland was a sweetie pie but he just dont know when to stop sometimes other times hes just joking around like a dork that he was. "Well I told you once we get to the barn you can kick it all you want but right now nope dont want you to hurt your leg more" he said frowning at her. He knew he had poured cold water on something that was flaming and now it was now sizzling in the wind. "Huh? You wouldnt kiss me?" he said giving a puppy dog face trying to cheer her up and act all sweet and innocent like he hadnt done anything. Oh that was just adorable a hot guy giving the 'face' and every girl knew what the face was and that the guy more than likely wanted something but she wasnt going to give it willingly. He laughed at her expression and quieted jumping over a rock in his path.

Leland stopped momentarily looking over to the cross country course he began to understand. Perhaps Amy had injured her leg in a riding accident recently or perhaps he was just exaggerating this in his own mind. He turned to look at her "do you want me to put your leg over the horn so you can sit better" he asked curiously no playful gleam to his eyes now he was ever so serious. Angel nudged his with her big head and then began using him as a scratching post. "if I can be curious what exactly happened to your knee" he asked this was the serious Leland that didnt joke around but still it lay right beneath the surface. Leland was almost never unhappy except for the day his dog died but he solved that by getting a puppy from one of the new litters of cattle dogs. He sighed waiting for her to tell him something or ring his neck. He seriously was thinking she was going to kill him but oh well shit happens.

[<Amy>]

If Leland kept it up, Amy would be kicking him for the next six months until there was nothing left to kick. Later Amy would blame her aggression on overreacting because her injury was a sensitive subject but now she was blaming it on the fact her knee hurt like hell, her jeans were wet and she was riding side saddle like no one had since the eighteenth century. Ah the world was so annoying sometimes! "If you touch my leg buster I'll break yours off" Amy growled. That one was a mix of pain and just plain annoyance but it didn't hold enough bite to be a liable threat though she'd probably make his life hell if he tried to so much as touch her leg right now. She could nail him for sexual harassment and probably a couple other fancy terms she couldn't think up at the moment. Flinching at his question like he had slapped her, Amy stared at Dutch's reins in her hand. The knuckles of her hands were white. Great.

"Let's just say...I screwed up, lost my career, my favorite horse and got so freaking embarrassed I still can't face any of my old friends from the circuit that were there at the time" Amy said stonily. "Crashed a jump and screwed myself over from an Olympian to a second-rate rescue stable owner."

Ok, to clarify when she was in pain would probably be the only time Amy would ever refer to her stable badly. Usually she would grumble but right now she felt rather hostile and Leland was poking an old wound, almost literally.

Sighing, Amy pulled in a deep breath and let it out slowly. She really needed to relax or she'd hurt herself or somebody else. Dutch snuffled softly, flicking his ears worriedly. Amy patted his neck and forced her tensed up muscles to relax. She was going to stroke or something if she didn't chill. Forcing one of her hands to unlock its deathgrip on the reins, Amy raked it through her still wet curly hair.

"I'm sorry I'm so bitchy. It's just...a sore subject...literally in this case."

[$*Crazy*$]

Leland got the faint image of him being kicked from America to Japan and snickered at that. He thought Amy to be a fighter though right now she was acting like someone or something had stuck a branding iron to her ego making it stand out like hairs with static electricity. The air about bout of them crackling with irritation and disbelieving annoyance. When she spoke to him again Leland held up his hands like he was innocent and said politely "fine fine I wont touch just thinking you were uncomfortable was all" he mumbled incoherently. Angel snorted lightly tossing her head up and down trying to gain access to Dutch but Leland held fast as he kept firm handle on the frisky mare and the stallion was still relaxed. However he turned to her now stopping to watch her curiously as she gripped the reins so tightly and he about touched her to keep her from cutting into her hands but stopped himself she was a woman in turmoil and not to happy with herself why would he touch her. She would more than likely punch him or even bite kick or slap him not knowing how she was. Though he was getting the signal loud and clear she wanted to be left alone. However she soon answered his question and nodded about.

He watched her facial expressions learning soon that she had a terrible accident that had almost cost her life but it seemed she lost a prized horse in this effort as well which made Leland feel for her thinking of plenty people he knew who hadnt come back out of accident and now they were six feet under and wishing they could ride one more time. Leland was keeping quiet letting her vent it sounded like she needed it and plus it would probably help her calm down some or so she hoped cause he was interested but the question he had asked was like he had reopened a new wound or perhaps something more. He sighed he was always screwing up in someway and it was always around the feminine companions whether friend or wanting to be more. He lifted his head up letting his body stretch to the sky a various amounts of joints popping in protest and not only that as he nodded to her as she spoke in what sounded like an apology. "No reason to apologize I completely understand" he said good naturedly as they finally reached the barn Leland happy about that "can you get down or you need some help" he asked curiously not wanting to bruise her pride more.

[<Amy>]

Seeing the stable up ahead, Amy sighed and looked over at Leland. He was a very enduring soul, if nothing else. With her agitation and aggression spent, Amy seemed more relaxed now though still a bit twitchy because the ache was spreading from her knee toward her hip and ankle. She hated to think how bad it would be when she was seventy if she lived that long. Considering how many accidents humans were prone to and the drugs doctors gave these days did everything short of making peoples' brains leak out their ears, Amy had to say her chances were forty:sixty. Oh well. If she lived to sixty she'd be happy, maybe not as achy too if she didn't live to be old and wrinkly with crazy curly hair sitting in a nursing home with a bummed leg. Reining her Noriker to a halt, Amy sighed at his question. Time to swallow her pride.

Looking down at Leland, Amy chewed her lip for a second, debating. If she got down on her own she would probably crumple in a heartbeat. Great.

"Just...come here."

Reaching down Amy put her hands on Leland's shoulders and slid herself forward. Dropping out of the saddle Amy was right in her assumption that her leg would not be happy. The ache snapped in her joint from patella to pelvis and buckled sharply making Amy yelp and almost fall off balance if she hadn't hand her hands on Leland's shoulders. Shifting her weight to one leg and leaning on the guy slightly, Amy sighed and glared down at her own limb. Sometimes she wondered if it would be more convenient to cut it off.

"It'll probably rain this afternoon" Amy deduced, still leaning on Leland. "It only aches when its going to rain."

Dutch snorted, turning his head to watch his mistress worriedly, his ears swerved toward her as he idly sidled over to Angel, now free of a rider. Amy caught sight and lifted a hand from Leland's shoulder and snagged his reins.

"Oh no you don't loverboy" Amy said, smiling a little at the stallion with one hand still on Leland's shoulder. "We just got you two detached."

Dutch snorted, obviously unhappy with his mistress's preventing him from going to Angel but reluctantly stilled even though he could probably pull free easily. He was at least a ton in weight, a powerful draft and with his owner now leaning on another human and off balance thanks to her leg he could more than easily pull free but...didn't.

[$*Crazy*$]

leland would have to say when he grew old he imagined sitting out on his porch with an old dog rocking in his rocking chair as the wind blew through his salt and pepper hair while he perhaps chewed on some sugar cane and watched his flowers grow. Then he would slowly melt away to be nonexistent then be nothing but a slab on this earth with his many pets. However soon Leland was lost in thought about that imagined if he had a daughter thinking how he would react to the boyfriend she brought home and Leland smiled to himself thinking how much he would love to grow old and be with someone he loved or he sure hoped he found someone. Leland waited watching her curiously and she seemed to be sizzled out now. He smiled and came over to her when she asked like an obedient puppy coming there and standing there like a solid statue. When she slid from Dutch he held his arms for her to take but when she yelped and fell forward Leland reacted on instinct snaking a hand around her waist to steady the stable owner. "You okay? you need to sit down" Leland said looking around for a chair for her to plop down in and perhaps prop her leg up. He frowned seeing nothing but bales of hay.

Leland was entirely to sweet to someone he barely knew yet he was willing to help. Leland looked up to investigate the sky "rain? sounds fun but my grandma is the same with her arthritis and she gets mighty grumpy so she stays in bed" he said with a grin knowing just how she felt. Leland decided to watch Dutch try to get over to Angel only to be caught by Amy and Leland laughed as Angel as well reached out for Dutch only to be pulled back from him by Leland. Angel gave him a look that could put daggers to shame. She stopped her hoof and snorted reaching out again her neck and Leland letting her after losing his balance gaining it and holding on to Amy as to not fall on the woman. "Gosh you fat cow" Leland said shoving at Angel who was now lipping at Dutch nickering to the stud happily like she had been expecting something for a long time and she hadnt received it yet.

[<Amy>]

Amy rolled her eyes, trying to ignore the fact that Leland had his arm around her waist. It was kinda hard to ignore but don't blame a girl for trying anyway. Amy reminded herself that Leland was probably a player or he was just being nice and it was a knee-jerk reaction to catch her, that was it. Nothing more. Amy shifted her weighed and flexed her knee experimentally. She could still remember quite painful physical therapy sessions when she'd been newly injured. God, she most definitely didn't miss those days. She missed Chico but that was about all Amy actually missed from her old days. Come to think of it, Chico would probably be retired by now...pastured and comfortable well into old age.

Pushing the thought away, Amy laughed a little. "I sound like a younger version of your grandma" Amy said, shaking her head. "If I'm that bad at twenty three, I'll be a terror before I'm forty!"

Amy nearly overbalanced when Angel pushed Leland but managed to keep herself upright thanks to Leland's hold on her though she did blush noticably. Putting a hand on Dutch's neck, Amy shifted so her weight was off her aching knee and looked around for something to distract her from Leland. She found it in, bless him, Frisco. The Siberian Collie, better known as a Siberian husky crossed with a border collie, came ambling out of the stable with his half-curled tail wagging lazily and big brown eyes looking up at Amy curiously. Amy smiled.

"Hey Frisco, everything quiet?" Amy asked, reaching down to rub Frisco's ears while the dog poked his nose around Leland's feet and legs in typical doggy curiosity. Looking back at Leland, Amy debated for a moment before standing on tip-toe for a moment and putting a quick kiss on Leland's cheek before working her way out of his hold to stand next to Dutch. "Thanks for the help loverboy."

Dutch snuffled and lipped at Angel's neck, swishing his tail and looking very content though Amy could tell he did want to get out of his tack before he died of old age wearing it.

[$*Crazy*$]

Okay first thing Leland noticed was she fit perfect in the curve of his arm like she was meant to be there. The mere closeness to her was oddly making his pulse speed up and he became aware of it as it was probably seen in his jugular against the thin skin right above the vessel throbbing from the pressure of blood. Leland felt like he was perspiring around Amy she stirred things in him he hadnt felt in a long time maybe she was just meant to be the flirt that was but she defiantly flirting no doubt about that. He liked it though that and something else liked it too and he averted his eyes about that. Okay he was still young and a growing boy he had certain urges and sometimes they couldnt be helped. Leland laughed at what she said about when she would be old and that she would be worse than his grandma and that gave him something to imagine for sure Amy hadnt met his grumpy and boy was that old she cat prissy. However his eyes went over to the dog coming lazily towards them the dog had brought a smile to Lelands face causing him to reach down carefully as he stroked the dogs ears.

However poor Leland was completely caught off guard as Amy turned to him and reached up on tippy toes to to plant a chaste kiss on his cheek. Leland brought his free hand up to place it where her lips had touched his skin already feeling as a red heat curled up from his neck to his cheeks to his full face. She had certainly surprised him and whens he turned away after speaking to him Leland didnt know what to do. He was stuck in the middle of standing here like a lovestruck baphoon to taking her in his arms and kissing her like she deserved and he was confused his brain sending him signals loud and clear but his body wanting to do more than just stand there. Okay screw it he grabbed her arm lightly pulling her into his arms. He looked into her eyes curiously before bringing his lips that extra space to plant his onto her in a soft uncertain kiss but nevertheless he broke it off entirely to soon. He smiled against his lips "no prob."

[<Amy>]

Amy turned when she felt the grip on her arm. It wasn't too hard or just a brush but a warm and sturdy grip. The dark-haired stable owner turned, wondering what Leland might want and trying not to blush again. When she turned to face him, it was just in time to find him leaning in. Amy almost had enough time to flinch back but sadly "almost" was like "close" and only counted in horseshoes and hand grenades. Well...ok maybe it wasn't that bad. Ok...the guy could kiss she had to admit that. Her mind seemed to blank out so, instinct took over and almost against her will Amy found herself leaning in a little. Her hand went limp from Dutch's neck, resting on Leland's forearm, his arms probably settled around her waist or something like that.

When he cut off the kiss Amy felt her face flush red in half a heartbeat. Her mind snapped back to itself and she found herself in a stable yard getting kissed in the arms of a guy she'd met TODAY for crying out loud. Several thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. If students saw her, she'd never live it down! She had a reputation to uphold anyway.

Although reluctantly, Amy pulled herself out of Leland's arms and stood next to Dutch again giving Leland a warning look. "Not here loverboy, probably not ever. There are minors around."

She could have done worse. Could have socked him in the jaw or knocked his block off all together. But...she didn't. Instead she flushed scarlet and looked almost seventeen again, shy but oh so knowledgeable, standing next to her stallion. The only difference between Amy and the lovestruck mare Leland held the reins to? She didn't do brood. If she had a guy she wouldn't share and Leland didn't strike her as the "one girl" type. She had more control, or so she told herself.

Gathering Dutch's reins which had slipped from her hands, Amy winked at Leland and turned, starting to lead the stallion toward the barn, limping slightly. Dutch snorted reluctantly, not wanting to leave Angel but did as he was bidden quietly enough. Amy smiled and stroked his velvety nose, casting a sly glance over her shoulder toward Leland.

[$*Crazy*$]

Leland was pretty sure he was heaven when his lips had been on hers. Like a zap of an electric current making his body shudder as she herself returned the kiss he had offered him in turn making him excited. He knew he should have kept going on but reason told him to stop due to the fact he had just met her didnt need to rush into things so fast it would be odd and Amy didnt like the 'minors' and he wondered why she cared about the opinion of others about her Amy didnt strike that to him which surprised him but she also had a reputation to hold on her and keep her slate clean. Didn't need too much drama in her life but hell he had to try he was a guy after all and every girl least liked some sugar every now and then and plus he thought himself a decent kisser. He sighed defeated at this prospect and watched her move away from him blushing head to toes. Leland smiled like he hadnt done anything and let her walk Dutch back

Leland stood there for a few moments wondering what was going through his mind. However what was going through his mind was wild fantasies and he loved it though he had stopped blushing from her kiss and stood watching her go away looking at Angel petting her slick coat. As he also lead her behind Dutch the mare nickering to the stallion as the went opposite of them pulling her into a stall beside the door. She stomped her hoof in impatience as Leland pulled her saddle and bit and bridal off hanging it on the stall door as he pulled the hoof pick from his pocket as he cleaned out her hooves. Then he took the soft brush running it over her smooth expanse of horse flesh. She snorted and nickered to Dutch from across the barn.