AN; Sorry this isn't an update, it's just that there have been problems with the website so my chapter didn't get shown as "uploaded" correctly. Apologies for those of you who have already read the lou/Mitch chapter. Going to be working on Tamy chapter next week :)

Mitch was sat in his trailer, relaxing after a busy afternoon. He had been working and making sure everything was sorted at Heartland before they all got back from their memorial ride. He decided to make himself scarce once he had finished everything, just so he didn't bump into Lou. He didn't want to make this day any harder for her than it already was. He picked up his coffee and turned on his TV, flicking through the channels to see if there was anything on. He saw that the Big Bang Theory was on its 47000th re-run and decided just to keep that on as it was one of his favourite shows.

After watching two episodes, he was disturbed by someone outside, he flicked off the TV and peered out from behind his curtains. He saw that Lou was with Venus, in the barn. He stood up and put on his shirt and grabbed his hat and went outside to go and help, seeing as it was his job after all.

As he approached the stables, he could hear Lou crying, he knew that today would have been a hard day for her so he could understand why she was upset.

"Hey – is everything okay?" He asked, walking behind her.

Lou jumped, "Oh my god, don't do that!" She shouted, while furiously wiping her eyes to hide any signs of tears.

"Hey, I'm sorry, I heard you out here and thought you would need me to come and help," He explained, "It is my job after all."

"Yeah, well, it's okay. I can occasionally look after a horse you know," She replied, sharply.

Mitch sighed, "No, I know that. I was just trying to be helpful seeing as I can see that you're upset," He said, "Now, I know it's none of my business and I know things didn't end exactly great between us… I just want you to know that you can always talk to me. Even if it's just to shout at me and call me every name under the sun, I can take it."

Lou smiled momentarily, "Thank you. I do appreciate it. But I just want to be left alone, it's okay, I'll sort Venus out. I have missed her while I've been away."

Mitch nodded, "Okay, well, I'll be in my trailer if you need me or change your mind about anything," He said, as he walked away and as Lou began sorting out Venus.

Back in his trailer, Mitch had put on the television. He knew that there was something not 100% right with Lou, and had a feeling it was more than the memory of Marion that was doing it. However, seeing as they were no longer an item, he felt like it was not his place to get involved. He felt bad about everything that had happened between them, but in breaking up with the woman he loved, he knew he was doing the right thing for himself. He always felt like he came second to her job, and for his own sake, he knew he needed to end it. He couldn't cope with being away from her for weeks or even months on end. It was better for both of them, although he did really miss her.

About 20 minutes later, he decided to put some food on, so he put two potatoes in the microwave and began cooking them. As he was prepping some salad, there was a faint knock on the trailer door. He wiped his hands on a towel and went and opened the door, "Oh… hey Lou, is everything okay?" He asked.

"No… I – I just don't know what to do!" She stammered as she broke down into tears.

"Hey, come on. Come in, let's talk," He said, taking her hand and helping her up the steps. Once she was in the caravan, she fell into his arms and began sobbing.

"Shhhh, it's okay," He said, softly, "It's okay."

Once she gained some composure, she stood up straight and wiped her eyes, "I'm sorry about that… oh you're cooking, I'll just go." She said, as she saw the food on the side and the microwave going.

"Hey no, don't worry about that. I was just starting off some baked potatoes, but they can wait. Come on, sit down…" He said, and then looked at his sofa and realised it was full of clothes, "erm, sorry I haven't cleaned up, one second," He said as he grabbed his shirts and threw them onto the bed at the other end of the trailer.

Lou took a seat and sighed, "I really am sorry about this. I don't even know why I am here…"

"Lou, honestly. Don't worry about it. I know something has upset you, and I want to be available for you whenever you need someone." He explained, taking a seat next to her, "You can talk to me about anything. And the earlier statement of calling me every name under the sun still stands. You can call me an ugly bugger all you want, and I won't feel insulted – that much," He joked.

Lou laughed, "I could never call you ugly, you're far from ugly… But yeah, I just need to talk to someone about this. I don't want to load it all on Amy, especially seeing as she has to look after Lyndy by herself while Ty is away visiting Lily, and I just have no one to talk to."

"Well, that's obviously why I'm here," Mitch said.

"Okay, so… it's my dad. He's been acting strangely for a few weeks apparently and he told me and Amy today that he has been having tests done at the hospital, and they've found a shadow, on his brain. They aren't sure whether it's nothing, or cancer, or something else. I don't know what to think, or feel," She cried.

"Oh Lou, I am so sorry… I honestly don't know what to say," He replied, taking her hand in his, "How are you feeling about it all? I know you won't be feeling great or anything, but it'll be better for you to get it all out."

"I – I just don't know… I am so scared, Mitch. I don't know how I am going to cope, I don't think I can go through burying another parent. It's just so hard. I miss my mom like there's no tomorrow, and I know I may not talk about her a lot, but there is not one day that goes buy where I don't think about her… I just don't want to lose my dad. I love him so much!" She explained, wiping away her tears.

"Yeah, I understand about not talking about your mom every day, I'm the same with Zach," He said, "Tim is going to be okay though, I know he is."

"You don't know that, though!" She cried, "I am so worried, and I feel so guilty!"

"Why? You couldn't have done anything?" He asked, feeling confused.

"Well, I haven't been around as much these past few months, and I had no idea about any of this. Amy had said that he had been acting strangely these past few weeks, and after the whole Mongolia thing – she just kind of thought there was something up. He also, split up with Casey!" She exclaimed.

"What?! I thought those two were really happy together?" Mitch asked.

"Yeah – they were. But he felt guilty for being ill, supposedly. After all, her husband, Hank, and her brother both passed away from Cancer… he just didn't want her to have to go through it all again. They are back together now, she was being stubborn and didn't let him get his own way. In a way, I'm glad that he has her to go home to. Just so he's not on his own, you know?" She said.

"Yeah, I get it. Wow… I really am sorry, about all of this. I just want you to know, that I am always going to be here for you. If you ever need someone to talk to, give us a call, or text or just even turn up, and I will be here. I don't want you to have to go through all of this on your own. Yes, I know you have your sister, and your family but its sometimes nice just having someone else to help you through," He told her, "Does Georgie know – or?"

Lou's face dropped, "Oh my god… Georgie… How am I going to tell her? I don't want her to have to be worried for no reason… I mean, if it comes back that there is nothing wrong, I would have worried her for nothing. I think I am going to have to call Peter and speak to him about it… As much as he isn't always here, he needs to be in the loop as well as everyone else."

"Yeah, that's a good idea, he could also help you figure out if you want to tell Georgie, or if you're going to wait," He reassured her, "So…"

"So, what?" She asked.

"Do you want to stay for some dinner? I mean, it's getting late-ish and I'm betting you haven't eaten since before the memorial ride…" He said, "I'm not doing it to try and get back together or anything, before you think anything like that. I am doing it as a friend, who is concerned about his friend after she just told him some horrible news."

Lou smiled, "Yes, thank you. That would be lovely."

Mitch gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, "Now, it's nothing special, just some jacket potatoes and some salad… I haven't had a chance to get to the shops this week, I've been busy."

"That sounds lovely," She replied, "Do you want me to do anything?"

"No, no. You just sit there and put on the TV and relax," He said, passing her the remote.

Lou smiled and took the remote, she turned on the TV and saw that he had last been watching The Big Bang Theory, which her and Mitch used to watch together when she was over at the trailer. She smiled and clicked it on and began watching it and every now and then she looked over at Mitch preparing the salad, 'he sure does look good in the kitchen, she thought.

"Okay, that's the salad done, the spuds will be done in about 20 minutes, ah probably once this episode has finished," He said, looking at the television, "I see you found a good TV show there," He teased.

"Yeah, it was already on when I turned it on," She laughed, "And I haven't had chance to watch any in a couple of months because I've just been so busy."

"Ah right," He replied, as they both turned to watch the show.

When the food was ready, Mitch got up and plated it up and handed her a plate, "Here you go, Potatoes al a Mitch," He grinned.

Lou laughed, "Wow, these look great. Thank you, I really appreciate everything you have done for me tonight."

"Lou, don't worry about it. I am just doing what I'd do for anyone else, and what I'd hope you'd do for me if I ever needed it," He explained.

"Yeah, I would," She replied.

The pair of them spent the evening watching TV and talking about things, Lou had been so grateful for Mitch's friendship and everything that he had done for her tonight. It was times like this where she wished that their relationship had worked out, but they both felt that the split was for the best. She was glad that they could still be friends.

Mitch was in the middle of telling her about his and Peter's babysitting time where they were trying to get Lyndy to stop crying when her phone rang. She picked up and saw that it was Georgie, "One second it's Georgie," She informed him.

"Hey, love, is everything okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, mom, where are you? It's like 8pm. Grandpa and Lisa said you had gone to the Dude Ranch and for a run… they expected you back a couple of hours ago." Georgie asked.

"Oh – sorry, I am with Mitch. Just catching up and he was cooking so I stayed for some food… Erm, do you think you will be able to come and give me a lift home? It's a little too late for a run now?" She asked, but was interrupted by Mitch.

"It's okay, Lou, I will give you a lift home," He said, and Lou mouthed "Are you sure?" to which he nodded.

"Actually, Georgie, it's okay. Mitch is going to give me a lift back," She informed her, "Erm, we will be around half an hour? Or do you need me home sooner? Nope? Okay. I will see you later. I love you, Georgie. Bye." She said, as she put the phone down.

"Who was that?" Mitch asked, jokingly.

"Oh shush," She laughed, "By the way, Georgie was totally up for coming and picking me up, you didn't have to say you'd drop me off."

"Ah it's no bother, it wouldn't have felt right getting someone to pick you up, especially after everything we have been talking about. I just want to make sure you're okay," He explained.

Lou smiled, "Thank you. Okay, shall we watch the end of this episode and then go?"

"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," He replied, as they turned the volume back up.

After the episode had finished, they both got into Mitch's truck and they drove the ten minutes back to the ranch. As they pulled up to the front of the house, Mitch turned the engine off and turned to her, "Are you going to be okay?" He asked.

"Yeah, I mean – I am not going to be able to forget about it or anything, but I think now I have managed to get it out and talk to someone about it, I'll sleep a little easier tonight. I just want to say, thank you. Thank you for everything you have done for me tonight, I really appreciate it," She said.

"Lou, don't keep thanking me, I don't want to see you hurt and upset. I am always available for you, just text me or call me if you need me and we will meet up and talk. Just please don't try and go through this alone, it's not going to be easy, but it will be easier with your family and people surrounding you. I still care about you and don't want to see you hurt," He said, softly, while taking her hand in his.

Lou smiled and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Mitch, I don't know what I would have done without you," She said, giving him a hug, "Okay, I will see you tomorrow."

"Alright, see you," He said as she opened the car door and left. He turned the engine on and watched her walk into the house. Once the door closed, he backed out of the space and began the drive back to his trailer. As much as he had enjoyed being together with Lou, he was glad that he was still able to be there for Lou, as a friend.