Disclaimer: I don't own Bonanza or any of the Cartwrights except for Jenny. I just play in their world.

"Jennifer open the door." Ben Cartwright called through the door of his youngest child as he tried the knob again.

"No!" 5 year-old Jennifer called from inside her room where she sat on her bed with her arms crossed in a pout, dressed in some of Little Joe's hand-me-downs.

Ben sighed and he ran a hand through his hair, feeling exasperated with his daughter.

He had been trying and failing to get her out of her room for almost an hour now so they could go into Virginia City to meet with a seamstress since Jenny had recently out grown most of her dresses.

"Let me try pa," Adam said softly. He could tell his father was growing irritated with his baby sister.

Adam knocked on the door, "Jenny, open the door sweetie." He called through the door with a gentle tone.

"No! I won't go Adam!" was the answering response and Adam opened his mouth to speak but instead his father nudged him out of the way and rattled the locked door knob.

"Jennifer Mae Cartwright!" Ben said sternly through the door. "You unlock this door right this minute or it will be a month of extra chores for you." He threatened.

Ben knew that it was a bit excessive. But he also knew how to get his daughter to unlock the door.

Jennifer's eyes widened when she heard her father use both her middle and her last name because she knew that meant her pa was serious, and that she was in trouble.

Ben stayed silent as he listened for a moment, he fought a smile when he heard the lock on the door unclick and he waited for a moment to collect his thoughts.

Once he had his wits about him Ben opened the door to see his daughter sitting on her bed and he walked in, closing the door behind him as his blue eyes softened.

"Jenny, don't you want to go into Virginia City with us?" He asked as he sat down on the edge of the bed, finding Jenny's small pout amusing.

"No pa, I'm not going." Jennifer declared in a resolute tone as she pouted.

"Why ever not?" Ben asked as his brow furrowed with confusion. "Today is the day that we meet with Mrs. Cuppbert to get some pretty new dresses made for you."

"Cause," Jennifer muttered as she looked down at her lap playing with her fingers.

Ben rubbed his eyes as he cleared his throat, reminding himself to be patient. "Because why, honey?" he asked as he watched his daughter carefully.

"Cause Little Joe will laugh and not want to play with me anymore." Jennifer explained as her pout turned into a sad frown at the thought of one of her older brother not wanting to play with her anymore.

"Ah, that explains it." Ben thought as he wondered what his 9 year-old could have possibly said to get his youngest in such a state. "What makes you think that? Did he say something?" he asked, wanting to get this settled so they could go.

Jennifer nodded as she began to fidget, "He said that if I wear a dress then I'll be a girl and we can't play together no more, cause boys can't play with girls." she continued as she sniffled, her heart breaking at the thought of not playing with her brother anymore.

Ben placed his hand under Jennifers chin and he gently raised her head to look at me, "Jenny look at me. Honey, what Little Joe said isn't true. Okay? He was just teasing you. You can still play with him like you have always done."

"Really pa?" Jenny asked as she gazed at Ben with wide blue eyes.

"Really, I promise. In fact, when you are here at home you can still wear your pants and shirts if you want." Ben told her as he smiled softly.

Small arms wound their way around Bens neck as Jennifer hugged him tightly, "Thanks pa." she said as she smiled against his neck.

Ben softly chuckled as he hugged her back gently squeezing her. "You're welcome Jenny honey, shall we go to town now?"

Jennifer let go of her father with a nod and a smile on her face, "Okay pa, I'll go get the boys." she said as she hopped off the bed and she hurried out of her room, Ben following with a chuckle.