Beau, for Short Chapter 2: Part Two, a heartland fanfic

Hey! Sorry this took so long to get up… I've kind of been delaying writing it because it's sad. This is the part where the 'tragedy' in the genre comes into effect. This is also the end of this story. I told you it was short. This is also the first story that I'm finishing! Yay! Now I only have five more to go… commitment problems is my middle name. I hope you liked this story. Review! –Steph

Oh and I totally spaced on the year it was in the last chapter. Liz would not have an iPod, maybe not even a cell phone. I don't know. I just put a lot of myself and what I do into Liz. Oops. LOL. And the car is a car from this day and age but I used it anyway, my mom has a Chrysler Pacifica is dark blue. I just pictured Liz's mom having one. Oh well.

And Liz's age is going to be a bit different then what I said in CIC because I'm trying to fit all of this around an actual Olympics date. But I'm having trouble finding the summer Olympics dates so just pretend this winter Olympics is the summer one.

Who watched the Kentucky Derby today? My mom gave me and my step-dad, and herself of course, $1 to bet on any horse we wanted and if they won she would pay us off to whatever that horse's odds were. Guess what horse I bet on? Barbaro! I won $14.20! And I have THE BEST FUCKING IDEA EVER for Baldwin Prince, the sequel to CIC! I have to finish up CIC fast so I can start BP!

Disclaimer: Lauren Brooke owns Brad, everything else is MINE!

Beau, for Short

By Steph

Part Two

Liz's POV

Year: 1972

Place: Sapporo, Japan

Olympics: XI (11) International Olympic Games

This is the greatest day of my life! I can't honestly believe that this is all happening to me! Here I am, 23 years old and headed to XI (11th) Olympic Games! Our plane has just landed in Sapporo, Japan.

I always new my precious Beau was special, ever since I first caught site of her in that overgrown pasture eleven years ago. And now my wildest fantasies were going to become reality!

It all started four years ago, when I was 19. I'd dominated the show circuit all over the United States in dressage. It was after one particularly good show; I'd won the blue ribbon and was happy and excited. I'd been trying out for a place on a competition stables yard. I was sure I'd get it… then the stable owner approached me…

Flashback

The blue ribbon fluttered on the bridle of the magnificent bay animal. The rider had a big grin across her face as she took the trophy in her hands.

Once they were out of the ring Liz jumped off of Dancing Beauty and hugged her tightly around the neck.

"Oh you were brilliant today, Beau!" Liz gushed to her horse in a soft voice. Liz rubbed the white star on Beau's forehead vigorously.

"That was quite a display you showed us just now, Miss Van Darren," a deep, male voice spoke from behind Liz.

Liz turned around, recognizing the voice. She was faced with a tall man in his early fifties. He was slim and fit, active for his age and in perfect health. He had thinning blonde hair and warm brown eyes. He wore a pair of tan show breeches, a pair of spotless black high boots, a white button down shirt tucked into his breeches, a navy blazer buttoned and a gold tie with navy stripes. Shane McKelvy, once international rider and owner of the prestigious McKelvy Farms.

"Thank you, Mr. McKelvy. It was all Beau though, she's a fantastic horse," Liz tried to act casual but inside her heart was pounding. This was what she had worked for. She needed to get that spot at McKelvy Farms.

"A fine animal you've got here, that's for sure," Shane McKelvy patted Beau's neck. "But Dancing Beauty would be nothing without her rider." Liz blushed deeply at the praise. She pulled her long blonde hair out of its bun and shook it around her face. A desperate attempt to conceal her blush. "It would be stupid to not have you at McKelvy Farms," Shane mussed.

"So I got the spot?" Liz asked, practically bubbling over with excitement.

"You're more then welcome at McKelvy Farms but, I'm sorry to say, that I've just offered the spot to another rider."

Liz's heart fell, she felt crushed. She wanted to cry. Liz fiddled with the crop in her hands. "But I thought you just said…"

"I know what I said, and I meant every word of it," Shane said firmly.

Liz's head swirled in confusion. "Then why…"

"You were the leading runner to get the spot," Shane assured the young woman before him. He could see that the news had crushed her. "But today's performance opened my eyes fully to something I've suspected ever since I first saw you ride. You're not suited for McKelvy Farms, no you, Miss Van Darren, have the potential and the talent to be on the United States Equestrian team."

End Flashback

I owe everything to Shane McKelvy. He worked with me on perfecting things that were already perfected. He told me there was no chance I wouldn't make it. Beau and I practiced night and day. I only stopped to eat and sleep, and to occasionally go to my classes at Virginia Tech. I was studying to become a veterinarian.

When the day of the trials rolled around I was a nervous wreck. I spent hours grooming, braiding and re-braiding Beau. She had to look absolutely perfect. Shane McKelvy was the only one who knew what I was doing that day and what I had been training for, for the past six months. He came with me to the trials, to offer his support and to take the position as my trainer.

I got to meet some of the riders already on the team and see their horses. I was offered luck by a few who had seen me ride at shows before.

Finally, it was time for Beau and I to show them all what we could do. Once I was in the saddle I immediately relaxed. Beau performed the routine we had been working on for months without a single fault. I was very pleased with my performance that day.

My nerves returned as they announced the Equestrian Team that would ride in the 1972 Olympics. They got to the last rider on the list and my name had not been called. I had convinced myself that it didn't if I made it this year. I still had Beau, that's all that really mattered.

Then the called my name. I was on the United Stated Olympic Equestrian Team! I couldn't believe it and sat in shock for a minute.

And now, after four years of training and practicing day in and day out I was really here. The 1972 Olympic Games in Sapporo, Japan.

Four days later

It was a little less then a week away that I would ride my first round.

For the first two days I gave Beau a rest and let her settle in. I toured the city with a bunch of the other riders. You know, museums, landmarks, the usual.

Today my family was arriving. Even my 26 year-old brother, Joshua, was coming. Lolly was coming too, even Brad was coming. Over the years Brad had become more bearable. Only slightly though. I still thought he was the rudest and the most obnoxiously annoying person ever but once we passed out of our teenage years his favorite game no longer seemed to be "Annoy the hell out of Lizzy Van Darren." But that's not saying he still didn't love to do it. Brad had been quite the equestrian when we were growing up; he was good too, as much as it pained me to admit. He was currently working on owning his own stables. He enjoyed eventing but his real passion lay in racing. He had quite the hopes and dreams for that stable of his, but they were still only on paper.

Dinner that night was a somewhat tedious affair. I loved having my family and best friend there with me but my thoughts were elsewhere.

I dashed back to the stables as soon as the first opportunity presented itself.

"Hey, Paul!" I greeted the guard that was stationed outside of the US barn.

"Hey there, Miss Lizzy!" the young man greeted me fondly. He was in his mid-thirties. Now before you say anything he was happily married with a five month old daughter. "You look good tonight," he complimented me as he took in my getup.

"Thanks," I said blushing slightly. I was glad that the night was dark; the only light near us came from the lights on the outside of the US barn. I wasn't a fan of dressing up. I like to look good, naturally, but the day that I had begged my mom to let me wear little, pink sundresses everyday to school had long ago passed. I'd much rather wear a pair of jeans, sneakers and a t-shirt or sweatshirt. A sweater would do. But tonight I was wearing a black dress that fell to my knees at an angle and had a v-neck and halter tie in the back. The dress tied together in the back with two pieces of long black satin that fell down my exposed back. I wore a pair of killer black heels and my blonde hair fell in straight, glimmering sheets down my back.

"Do you need any help this evening?" Paul graciously asked me.

"No, but thanks anyway," I politely declined his offer. "I'm just gonna go and see Beau. Do you get off soon?"

Paul looked at his watch. "Derek should be here for his shift in five minutes."

"Good," I said with a smile.

"Are you trying to get rid of me, Miss Lizzy?" he joked with me.

"No," I said with a laugh. "Well I'll see you tomorrow!" I called over my shoulder as I skipped into the barn. Paul called goodbye after me.

My heels clicked and clacked on the cement center aisle as I walked down the center of the barn. The stalls were filled with some of the most magnificent horses I'd ever seen. They were all tall and lean and muscular. But, they were in all different colors. The overwhelming majority were warm bloods. Beautiful purebreds or mix breeds. They were all lazily munching on their hay nets, their tails swishing contentedly. The sound of hay crunching and the occasional snort were the only sounds in the whole barn. It was so peaceful; if I could I'd gladly sleep in the barn instead of in the hotel. This was my home.

At the end of the barn, right under the hayloft, was a stall that held the most beautiful horse I had ever laid eyes on. She was a Hanoverian Holstein mix with a little Akhal-Teke blood in her. She was tall, easily 17 hands high. She was lean and long with powerful haunches. Her neck was long and muscled supporting a big, elegant head with two deep brown eyes and two perfectly pointed ears. She was the perfect bay color with black points and a flowing jet black mane and tail. Her muzzle was velvety to the touch and her breath warm on my hand. The bright white star on her forehead was my good luck charm. She was Dancing Beauty. My beauty.

"Hey, Beau," I cooed as I rubbed her neck.

Beau nickered warmly at me. My heart swelled with gratitude. I didn't know what I'd do if I hadn't found her in that overgrown pasture eleven years ago. She could have ended up as dog food if I hadn't been paying attention and walked down the wrong street.

"She really is amazing, Lizzy," a deep voice spoke behind me softly. I was startled from my reminiscing of the past and spun around.

"Oh, it's just you. Hi," I said when I noticed that it was just Brad. He was standing behind me with his hands in the pockets of suit pants. His brown hair was messy and flopped over his forehead. And those stupid, enchanting emerald green eyes of his sparkled, probably laughing at me for some unknown reason.

All Brad did was bob his head slightly to acknowledge me. Then he walked towards me and leaned against the empty portion of the stall door next to me. The sleeve of his expensive blazer rubbed against my bear arm. We watched Beau shuffle around her stall for a few minutes in silence.

"You've done good, Lizzy," he complimented me softly after a moment.

"Thanks," I said smiling at his praise. "What about you? What's the latest on your farm?"

Brad was silent for a moment, obviously contemplating whether or not he should tell me the information he held. "Well, you know I've been saving up my money for a while now," I nodded my head in agreement. After the death of Brad's very wealthy grandparents a few years back, Brad had inherited a hefty sum of money. Ever since then he's been saving as much as he could. "Well…" Brad hesitated, unsure whether he could trust me with the information. "Now I haven't told anyone this just yet… but… I bought a horse."

Wow. "Oh my God!" I yelped. "How did you keep that quiet?"

Brad shrugged his broad shoulders. "I don't know. I just wanted to be sure before I said anything to anyone. I'm tired of people treating my dream like just that, a dream. It's not just a dream. I didn't want anyone to tell me I'd wasted my money."

"So, you bought a horse?" Brad nodded. I whistled appreciatively. "So, tell me about it," I urged him.

Brad laughed lightly. "Well he's a colt. Eight months old. Beautiful dapple gray coloring, he has one blue eye and one eye that is almost white. He's already a decent height, leggy, muscular, energetic, great confirmation."

"What breed? What about his sire? His dam? How much did you buy him for? What…" the questions tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them.

Brad laughed again and held up his hand to stop me. "Slow down, Lizzy!" he laughed. "I can only answer one at a time. He's thoroughbred. Sired by Grand Slam and he's out of Poetic Justice."

I swear I felt my mouth hit the stall door. I was that shocked. "Damn, Brad! Grand Slam? As in the Grand Slam?" Brad nodded his head in conformation. "You're kidding me, right?" I've been out of touch with the racing world for the past four years or longer but even I knew who Grand Slam was! He was like the most amazing racer a few years ago. He missed the Triple Crown glory by just the hair on his nose but he was otherwise virtually unbeaten and had won the Breeder's Cup.

"No," Brad said a bit harshly.

"Wow. How did you get a son of Grand Slam?" I asked in awe.

"Haven't got the slightest idea," Brad said. "I was down in Kentucky one weekend, just touring some farms and talking to some trainers and owners, just to get a feel for what it would be like and all. I overheard the breeding managers of one farm talking about a colt they were going to sell and asked me if I wanted to take a look at him. I told them I wasn't in the market for a horse right then but they insisted that I at least look at the colt, so I did. I instantly fell in love with the little dappled bugger. I checked him over and then I asked who his sire was. One thing led to another and the next thing I knew I owned a son of Grand Slam. I couldn't believe it either," he added when he caught my astounded expression.

"So, what are you going to do with him?" I asked eventually.

"Well I've got him at Zach's little stable right now. You know Zach, right?" Zach was one of Brad's best friends who, coincidentally, had the ambition to be a world class horse trainer.

"Yeah."

"Well, Zach's gonna train him for me and we'll put him in some races next year, just to see how he goes. I don't know about the Triple Crown, maybe not this time. I don't want to push him and it's only our first time. I'll put him in some stakes races though, I'm hoping for a shot at the Breeder's Cup," he confessed.

"Wow, that's amazing, Brad! I can't believe you didn't tell anyone!"

"Yeah, I guess. Don't tell anyone though, I'll tell them later," he told me.

"Okay fine, I won't tell," I assured him. "But I know they'll be really proud of you, Brad."

We were silent again. My eyes were on my own beautiful horse but my thoughts were absorbed with what Brad had just confessed to. Then I remembered, I hadn't asked the most important question.

"What did you name him?"

Brad was silent for a moment again. "Fine but don't laugh," he warned me before continuing. His full name is… The Baldwin Way."

Three days later

Only five more days until my first round. I was nervous, but more excited by this point. Beau and I had had some very good workouts in previous days. I had been planning on running through routines again today, but it was raining, and pretty hard at that. There had been a mad dash by hundreds of Equestrians from countries all over the world to get the indoor arenas. Needless to say I didn't make it in time to call dibs on a ring. Hey, I like my beauty sleep. I can't ride into the arena to be viewed by millions all over the world in just a few days time with big bags under my eyes, can I?

A big hay delivery came in this morning which was kind of weird given the fact that it was rainy cats and dogs outside. Pardon the cheesy expression but it was fitting. I would have thought that they would have delayed the delivery until tomorrow when it wasn't raining or to later today. The delivery guys just kind of dumped the hay outside of the barns. Now all the grooms and stable hands were making a mad rush to get it inside.

Instead of watching more videos on past Olympic dressage competition, somehow Lolly convinced me to go out to the town. We went shopping and just basically hung out, just like old times. It was especially cool because all those participating in the actual Olympics had to wear these passes around their necks. I can't even say how many times people stopped me and asked me what my sport was. I was wished enough luck to fill a wishing well in the four hours we were gone.

After we had dropped all of our bags and purchases off at the hotel I dragged Lolly back down to the stables. The rain had stopped by this point and the sky was clear and sunny once again. I wanted to take Beau out for a walk. Not riding, I'd just lead her around and let her graze. I liked to give her a little exercise everyday.

"Do you smell something?" I asked Lolly suddenly as we walked down the long gravel path that led to the complex where all the barns were located.

"Uh, should I?" Lolly asked, confused.

I sniffed the air again. "I just thought I smelled smoke," I said with a shrug. I sniffed the air once again; maybe I was just going crazy. But no, there was defiantly that distinctly smoky smell looming in the air.

Lolly sniffed at the air too. "You're right; it does smell like smoke…" she paused for a moment. "Oh my God!"

"What?" I asked quickly.

"Look!" she shouted. She pointed up into the sky ahead of us. I followed where he finger was pointing and sure enough there was a plume of gray smoke rising into the blue sky ahead of us.

"Get the horses out of there!"

"Hurry! Get more water! Call the fire department!"

The frantic shouts reached our ears as we neared the stable area. I broke into a jog, Lolly was right behind me. When we reached the clearing where the all the stables were my worst fears were blossoming into reality right in front of my eyes.

Thick clouds of black smoke were rising out of the roof of one of the barns and spiraling upwards, clouding the sky once again. Red and orange flames leaped towards the sky, engulfing the walls of the barn, jumping to some surrounding bushes and shrubbery. The smell or burning hay and wood filled the once fresh air. Stable hands, grooms and riders from all different countries rushed about, holding onto frantic horses. Running in and out of the burning barn. The horses that were outside of the barn were jumping and prances around their backs hollowed, heads high, muscles taught, ears flat back and eyes rolling. Their frightened whinnies pierced the air.

I could have sworn that the horses… no, it wasn't possible.

But it was.

I recognized those frightened horses. I saw them several times everyday. I'd interacted with them all in the last four years everyday. They were US horses. I still didn't want to believe what was right in front of me but something caught my eye and my worst fear was realized in that second.

The American flag that had once blown proudly in the breeze above our barn was on fire. The flames ripped and tore through the symbolic symbol without a thought. The red and white stripes and 50 white starts on the liberty blue background were quickly disappearing. Diminishing every second. No longer were their thirteen stripes to represent the thirteen original colonies, no longer were there fifty stars that represented our fifty states. There was nothing, only the pole it had once hung on remained. The bronze eagle on top was melting fast.

The scream of a horse in pain tore through the air.

I was brought back to reality at the spine tingling, chilling right down to your every bone sound.

I looked around the yard frantically. Searching in vain for my Beau. My eyes landed on every bay present but I knew, even before closer inspection, that none of them were Beau.

The roof in the back of the barn collapsed with a deafening crash. The wood crackled in the air.

Another scream, even more pain filled and tortured then the last, ripped through the air.

I froze at the sound. I knew that voice, how couldn't I? Sure I'd never heard it like that before but I couldn't mistake it for the world, no matter how much I wished I could. I could recognize the once sweet voice that still lay in the undertone, if I was half deaf.

"No!" I gasped as I ran through the throngs of horses and people to get to the barn.

"Liz!" Lolly called frantically after me as she saw me dash to the barn.

The huge double doors flung open against the outer walls. The inside was dancing in the cruel light of the flames. The shadows danced in cruel and crude ways. The red and orange flames jumped about, lapping at the walls, mocking me. The smoke made it almost impossible to see. A rush of hot air burst towards me as another portion of the roof gaveaway. I was almost inside when an arm pulled me back.

I struggled against the hold but the person was too strong for me to get away. I flailed around madly in a vain attempt to have my freedom back. Two strong arms snaked around my waist from behind and pulled me backwards, away from the burning barn.

"Let me GO!" I yelled frantically.

"Stop! Lizzy, please!" A familiar voice pleaded with me. Brad. I looked up at him; his usually sparkling and dancing eyes were filled with pain and sadness.

That looked scared me all the more. "Let me GO!" I yelled again. I struggled against his strong hold some more but my attempts were futile. Brad was too strong. Tears pooled into my eyes helplessly.

Another scream tore through the air, coming from the black fortress like confines of the barn. The ferocity and intensity and pain behind the scream tore my heart out. The tears were streaming freely down my cheeks now.

"Please!" I begged Brad uselessly. His arms didn't relax their hold on me. "Please!" I sobbed again. "I need to get Beau!"

"Lizzy!" Brad pleaded helplessly with me. "I can't… I won't let you go into that barn. There's nothing you can do," his voice was pained. I struggled fruitlessly once more. His arms didn't budge; they were still locked against my waist, pulling me away from the flames and smoke and into his hard chest. "Lizzy, please! There's nothing you can do," my struggling ceased.

I tried to block out the next scream that ripped through the air.

"She'll be okay… right?" I managed to sob out.

"I don't know, Lizzy," Brad spoke helplessly into my ear.

I my held filled with the smoke and all I could hear were the screams still coming from the barn. My precious horse was in pain and I couldn't even be there to comfort her! That mere thought brought the tears on harder. My body raked with sobs. Brad held onto me tighter. I turned around and buried my head in his chest. I desperately tried to block out the noises coming from around me.

Soon the fire engines tore into the clearing at fast speeds, sirens blaring at full blast. The firefighters worked fast and were soon shooting jets of water from their hoses. The water bloomed out of the nozzle and rocketed towards the flames, doing the best to calm them as they could. They soon managed to get the blaze under control.

The US's stable manager and three veterinarians rushed back into the stable as soon as they were allowed to.

I tried to break away from Brad once again but was not able to. He still held me tightly to his chest.

I watched the doors, hoping and praying beyond belief that my beautiful, bay girl would walk out of them at any moment. She would whicker gently and trot over to me on her springy, effortless step. I'd throw my arms around her neck sob some more. I'd still have Beau and everything would be okay again.

But she didn't come out. Ten minutes later a vet in a white lab coat that was splattered in black char and deep red stains emerged from the smoky fortress. He spoke briefly to someone and then walked in my direction.

"Are you Elizabeth Van Darren?" he questioned me when he had reached Brad and I. I nodded my head meekly. Brad finally let me go. "Dancing Beauty is your horse?"

"Yes," I choked out. "Is she alright? What happened?"

"Miss Van Darren," the vet addressed me sullenly. My heart started to beat faster. "I'm afraid… Please! Don't go in there!" he shouted after my already retreating back.

"Lizzy, stop!" Brad yelled after me.

I didn't listen to any of them. My feet carried me forwards and into the barn.

When I was inside the barn I stopped and looked around myself. It was dark, the smoke still billowing in pillows and rising off of the smoldering wood. There were some pieces that were still burning. The aisle was wet from the hoses and water still dripped through the roof. The back part of the right side of the barn had given away and I could see the black sky above my head. There a small cluster of people around the back, left side. I ran to them, almost tripping on something on my way… hay. Charred and burned beyond use but it was a bale of hay. The stuff littered the aisle. My heart pounded, stupid hay delivery guys.

I gasped when I reached what used to be Beau's stall. The stall was filled in with bales and bales of blackened hay and charred boards and beams of wood.

Beau was lying in the wet aisle on her side, her sides heaving. I sank down next to her head and cradled her big, elegant head in my arms. She was covered with a thin sheet so couldn't see her back or legs but her big, brown eyes told me that she was suffering. Despite her pain she whickered when she felt my touch, when she smelled my sent near her.

Her eyes said, now that you're here everything will be alright.

I wanted to cry again. The tears dripped down my face and several splashed onto Beau's bay cheek. I quickly brushed them away; they only left small marks darker then the rest of her fine coat. It looked like she was crying too.

"What happened to her?" I asked the vets and barn manager as calmly as I could but my voice shook from suppressed emotion.

The US barn manager, Kirk Nesto, looked at me mournfully. "When the hay was brought in this morning it was still wet. You know that when wet hay dries it can start fires. That's what happened. It started fast; it ate up all the dry hay still up there. All the other horses got out but the hayloft gave way and fell on top of Beau's back…"

I was silent as I digested the horrific information.

"I'm sorry, Miss Van Darren," one of the vets spoke next. His voice held a note of finality.

"No!" I gasped. "Isn't there anything, anything, you can do?" I desperately asked them.

"Dancing Beauty is suffering from severe burns on her back, legs and stomach. There isn't much we can do."

"But I…" I stuttered. "I don't have to ride her anymore! I just can't loose her! Please! There has to be something you can do!"

"Well we could give her medication for the pain, I suppose," one of the vets began doubtfully. "She'd also need to be taken to the animal hospital. But the pain would always be there, the burns are of the worst severity and they go down deep. She'd always be in pain. There isn't a chance of you riding her ever again."

"She'll go into shock soon enough. The trauma from an accident like this would be enough to kill her," another vet jumped in.

"What should I do?" I whispered fearfully, already knowing the answer that I would get.

"It's your choice, Miss Van Darren," one of the vets spoke softly to me.

I starred down into Beau's pain filled eyes. I stroked her quivering neck.

Could I ever look into her eyes again without feeling guilty? Guilty that my own selfishness had caused her to be kept her in pain?

She let out a loud groan and her mouth worked up and down. Foam and saliva dripped down onto the cement.

I gulped. I couldn't do that, but then again… I couldn't stand to see my precious horse, my best friend, in such pain.

I looked into the beautiful brown eyes again. There was so much pain there and yet… I was sure of it, so much love and trust. My heart thudded. I'd promised to take such good care of her eleven years ago. I knew what I had to do to take care of her, but I couldn't bring myself to say the words.

Flashback

Liz jumped back over to where the filly was flying the tall grass. She lay down next to the filly on her stomach and rested her head against her shoulder. "You're all mine now girl," she whispered in satisfaction. This was the horse from her dreams. "All mine," she repeated with a smile. "I'll take great care of you and we'll be a great team. You'll love your new home," she assured the small filly. The filly's ears flicked back and she rested her muzzle in the grass. "I'm going to call you Dancing Beauty," she said suddenly as she envisioned the filly's smooth movements once again. "And I'll call you Beau," she said with a smile. "Beau, for short."

End Flashback

Her eyes seemed to say, it's okay, you've taken care of me. We've had eleven great years together, we've made it to the Olympics; we've made it as far as we're going to go. You'll do the right thing… I trust you. I love you.

"I love you too," I whispered as the tears fell down my face harder. This time I made no attempt to brush them off of Beau's face. Now we were both crying.

"Okay," I whispered so softly I wasn't sure if they could hear me at all. "You can do it," I forced the words out.

"Are you sure?" one of the vets asked me. I just nodded my head.

They started to prepare the injection that would end an eleven year long legacy.

"You're doing the right thing, Liz," the Kirk rested a hand on my shoulder briefly. I just nodded again.

"Are you ready?" a vet asked.

I nodded again. I was crying too hard to be able to talk by now.

The vet inserted the needle into my beloved horse. He pressed down on the syringe and the liquid entered her body.

"I love you so much," I whispered fiercely as Beau's breathing started to slow. "Know that, okay? You're the best horse ever. So beautiful and smart and brilliant. I'm sorry I let this happen to you. Forgive me, please. I'm just trying to do what's best for you. I'll never ever, ever forget you Beau. You're the greatest horse ever, everything about you is perfect. No horse will ever replace you in my heart. I love you so much… you're my best friend ever. I love you." My eyes blurred through the tears.

I looked into those beautiful, big, chocolate brown eyes of hers for the last time ever. They reflected love and trust and understanding back to me.

Then, she let out a deep, shuddering breath and her eyes closed slowly. She didn't breathe again.

"No…" I moaned as I hugged her once proud head to my chest.

My body was raked with loud sobs that tore through my chest. Tears poured down my face faster then I had ever thought possible as realization hit me like a wreaking ball.

Beau was gone, she wasn't coming back. I'd never spend all day in the stable with her, brush her beautiful coat until it shone, braid her mane for shows. I'd never sit astride her and feel her powerful haunches underneath her again. Never ride her into the show ring, never perform those complicated dressage movements on her again, never accept a blue ribbon. Never hear her whicker when she saw me coming, never hear her neigh or see her play in the field, never see her gallop or graze, never see her spirited bucks. Never see her loving, trusting eyes again.

I rubbed the still warm start on her forehead vigorously. Desperate to keep some connection with her. Whatever I could take.

One of the vets silently handed me a lock of her black tail. I clutched it in my hand and cried harder still. I pressed my cheek against Beau's.

I don't know how long I sat there, crying and holding Beau's head.

Someone came pulled me to my feet eventually and I collapsed into the strong, protective, loving embrace.

a/n: so who's crying? I've gotten so attached to Beau in these two short chapters that I almost didn't think I could do it. I thought I'd have to go back and change that chapter of CIC. Review. -Steph