Homestead

Chapter 7

At the start of their arrangement, Chelsea could hardly even begin to imagine all the accomplishments that Vaughn would achieve within the season alone. She pretty much thought they'd start expanding slowly, building up their resources and basically biding their time, and then end the year raking in the profits of their hard work. But the doubled livestock population currently thriving in her barns and the greatly rising numbers in her accounting book were saying otherwise.

Not that she was complaining about being wrong; in fact, she was happily wrong in this situation.

All in all, it was pretty amazing how quickly Vaughn had switched from the role of animal transporter to animal caretaker. He'd even named the last three chickens he'd bought on his own, without prompting! Of course, they were now named Bird, Chirp, and Egg, the least imaginative names possible, but it was a definite start.

Chelsea had been running her ranch for almost four years now, and thought she'd pretty much had every part down pat. Partnering up with Vaughn made her think that maybe she shouldn't be so lax. She needed to up her game now, too – hold up her end of the ranch, so to speak. There had to be something she could improve or expand to make her crops the absolute best.

The first thing that came to mind was crossbreeding crops. Take two awesome things and make an even superduper awesomer thing – that would be impressive, wouldn't it?

She knew it was possible, Taro had mentioned it once or twice when he reminisced about the old days on his own ranch. He didn't seem to know much about it, though, as most of the methods were only really starting to develop near the end of his professional days.

But that was okay. She wanted to figure this out on her own anyway! She planned to go to Sabrina's house and see if maybe the shy girl had any books on crops in that gigantic library of hers. While Sabrina normally lost herself in fantasy and romance novels, Chelsea knew she loved to collect and read any book she could get her hands on. There was at least a chance that she might have something that would help get the ball rolling.

The mansion was always a bit imposing whenever Chelsea laid eyes on it, but she knew it housed very kind, if not a little bit eccentric in Regis' case, and good people. One of the servants, Benjamin, opened the door when she knocked and gestured her into the foyer. He looked a bit frazzled.

"Hello, Miss Chelsea. Regis and Sabrina are home, but are currently, uh, unavailable."

"Is everything all right?" she asked concernedly, his anxious manner raising a little flag in her mind.

"Well, it's –" And then she heard the muffled raised voices coming through the office doorway.

Benjamin sighed and whispered, as though he might still be overheard even with all the shouting, "It's a terrible fight, miss. I haven't seen them argue like this in years. I'm afraid Miss Sabrina will leave for good, if nothing gets resolved!"

"That's horrible," she gasped, trying to peek through the doorway to see what was going on. She had never heard Sabrina protest so loudly before; it was hard evidence that something must be really, really wrong. "Let me try to talk to them."

Benjamin hesitated, conflicted, but finally nodded. "Normally I'd ask any other guest to leave, but I think you might be able to help them. Both Miss Sabrina and Master Regis seem to hold you in high regard. I hope they will listen to you."

Chelsea thanked him and inched towards the office. Maybe she was being too nosy and Regis and Sabrina would kick her out immediately. But she couldn't find it in her to care; she couldn't quite explain her logic, but to her, it sounded like one of those ugly fights where someone inevitably says something they'll regret. She didn't want that happening, especially when she knew she could try to do something to help prevent it.

"… How dare you talk to me in this way?!" Regis hissed, paying her entrance no mind. If he had the physical constitution of a normal human being, Chelsea was sure he'd be flushing with rage. As it was, he remained as pale as always, his thin features making him look especially frightening.

Sabrina remained strong in the face of her enraged father, though. "I'll say it again, since you don't seem to be listening: I won't marry someone I don't love just because it benefits you!" she shouted, looking fed up and hurt. Chelsea's jaw dropped – that's what this was all about? An arranged marriage?

Poor Sabrina, she thought, right at the moment that Sabrina finally noticed her presence. "Chelsea," she called out desperately. "You agree with me, don't you? I shouldn't have to marry a total stranger just because my father tells me to!"

Chelsea didn't even need to think about it. "No, you shouldn't," she replied firmly.

Regis looked close to a conniption. "Stay out of this, Chelsea, this is a family concern!"

She shook her head and put her hands on her hips. "What are you thinking, Regis? This isn't fair to Sabrina at all!"

He looked a little abashed at that, but barely faltered. "It's not ideal, I understand, but it's for the good of the company. My hands are tied."

Before she could think up a reply, Sabrina burst out yelling, "For the good of the company, for the good of the company! That's all I hear these days, it seems like it's the only thing you care about!"

"Of course it isn't," Regis insisted. For all his bullheadedness, it was easy to see how much he cared for Sabrina, and how much he believed in what he was saying. "You know I love you, daughter, but this isn't something I can change."

"You can change it, you're just choosing not to because of the company! You always put that company before your family – always, always! Why do you think mother left you?"

Heavy silence fell. Chelsea felt her own heart stutter at the withering face Regis adopted at the mention of his ex-wife. Even Sabrina looked shocked at her own outburst and seemed immediately ready to apologize.

"Father…"

"I'm sorry you feel that way, Sabrina" Regis spoke quietly, painfully. "Look, I've invited Douglas to meet with you to make things easier – I'm sure you'll get along quite well, just give him a chance and let me introduce you two. Benjamin, please escort him in."

"He's already in the house?" the dark haired girl despaired. "I just don't understand how you can ignore my feelings and do something like this, father."

The CEO's fingers curled up in fists on his desk and he was torn between looking angry and looking sad. Any response he might have given was interrupted by a young man entering. He was tall, with dark brown hair, and he was dressed quite lavishly in a flashy suit. His right hand had at least three gaudy rings on it, as if the rest of his fashion style wasn't enough to scream out 'Money Bags'.

"Hello," he said in a posh voice. "My name is Douglas, it is a pleasure to meet your acquaintance, Miss Sabrina."

Years and years of etiquette training, plus her inherent polite disposition, forced Sabrina to respond in kind. "H-hello, it is nice to meet you too, Douglas."

"I must say, you are far more beautiful in person. The picture of you that Regis carries does not do you justice," he said smoothly.

Sabrina tried hard to muster up a fake smile for him. "T-thank you, that is very kind of you to say."

"I knew it," Regis cut in, trying to sound enthusiastic. "You're getting along famously!" He winced at the glare Sabrina sent his way.

"Master Regis," Benjamin spoke hesitantly from the doorway. "You have another guest who is interested in speaking with Miss Sabrina."

Chelsea could see the infamous Stetson behind Benjamin before she could see Vaughn's face. It made her stomach drop a little, because adding Vaughn into this specific equation, no matter what universe one was in, would never be a good idea. The animal rancher had on his usual stone-poker-face, but she could tell from the twitching of his eyebrows that he was just about realizing what a mess he had walked into. His shoulders stiffened and his posture became rigid.

Regis sighed. "Yes, what is it, Vaughn?"

"I… wanted to talk to Sabrina in private," he gritted out, uncomfortable and irritated. Being put on the spot like this had visibly raised his hackles. "Just – just for a minute and then I'll be outta here." Chelsea could see how he wanted nothing more than to get the hell out of this mansion. She didn't blame him at all.

His hand went to his vest pocket and Chelsea immediately knew he was here to return Sabrina's beloved necklace. If he told her that, she was sure Sabrina would jump at the chance to get it back – but when she opened her mouth to explain, Vaughn cut her off with a short jerk of his head.

"This isn't a good time, Vaughn," Regis muttered darkly, standing and slapping his palms on the surface of his massive desk.

"A private chat, hm?" Douglas mused, glancing at Vaughn, then at Sabrina with a calculating stare. Chelsea could see the minute he made a specific assumption about the two of them, as a scowl marred his unfortunately handsome face. "How… quaint."

Douglas, or Snobby Businessman as Chelsea began calling him in her head, then unsubtly looked Vaughn from head to toe with an unimpressed expression.

"What are you supposed to be?" he drawled mockingly. "The island's local rodeo star?"

Vaughn shot him a glare that would cut through the thickest of rock, but didn't say a word otherwise. Chelsea kept waiting for him to spit out a biting retort, an icy put down, even a dismissive insult - something. Vaughn had never been the type to deal patiently with imbecilic or rude behavior, but it seemed something was making him hold his tongue in this situation. She couldn't fathom what.

Uninterrupted, Snobby Businessman continued smarmily, "What an interesting fellow you've associated yourself with, Miss Sabrina. Quite a kind favor you are paying, giving this peon both your time and interest. Do you pity him for his miserable livelihood? Or perhaps for his stunning lack of wealth?"

Chelsea opened her mouth to snap back at him, but was interrupted by Sabrina. "What an absolutely ugly thing to say; you couldn't be more wrong in thinking that I am the kind of person who looks down on others like you clearly do. And don't you dare say anything like that about Vaughn," Sabrina replied coldly, obviously furious.

Even Regis looked upset at Snobby Businessman's remark. "Really now, Douglas, was that petty insult really necessary?" He turned to his daughter, determined not to lose any ground. "But you, young lady, shouldn't talk to your fiancé in such a rude way."

Sabrina nearly squeaked in overwhelming anger. Her attention quickly moved from a fuming Vaughn back to her father. "Me?! I'm the one being rude here? I –"

"Look," Vaughn cut in roughly. "I just need to talk to you Sabrina, just for a second. We don't even need to leave the house –"

"Isn't this cute, how much he wants to meet with you," Douglas sneered. "He's trying so hard!"

Vaughn turned to Sabrina, who was caught up arguing with her father again, and frowned deeply. "Never mind, forget it," he muttered coldly, and turned to leave.

"Getting discouraged, eh, peon? One would think you'd be used to rejection in your lifetime," Douglas taunted smugly.

Chelsea knew it wasn't technically her place to get involved, but one look at Vaughn's shuttered expression and his white-knuckled fists made her lose it. "You need to back off, Mister Douglas." She poked him hard in the chest, watching in satisfaction as the weakling stumbled back, surprised. "Vaughn is easily worth ten, no, twenty of you! In fact, the world would be a much better place if it were populated with more hard-working, decent men like Vaughn, rather than holier-than-thou jerks like yourself!"

He gave her a cool, assessing look, but the smirk returned to his face quickly enough. "Very touching defense for your Cowboy. But I'm in no mood to be lectured by some country-bumpkin farmer. I'll go take a walk and get some fresh air; hopefully, by the time I return, those who are not involved will have taken their leave, and you and I can get to business, Regis." He nodded at the CEO and spun on his heel to head outside. Chelsea watched him go in disgust, before turning her attention to father and daughter.

"Regis, what you're planning to do to Sabrina is unfair and frankly, demeaning. I know you work hard every day because you love your company, but isn't this taking it way too far? And Sabrina, I realize how upset you must be, but even though he's not thinking properly right now, you know your father loves you. What you said about your mother just seems spiteful and mean. I'm sure you two can work this out if you both just calm down, listen to what the other person is saying, and try to understand the other person's feelings." Regis and Sabrina stared at her with a mixture of surprise and shame. Having said her piece, Chelsea finally grabbed Vaughn's arm and pulled him along to the door.

Benjamin offered her a weak smile as she exited, but she could barely say goodbye to him, she was so upset.

"I can't believe that Douglas! What a complete asshole," she fumed as soon as Regis' front door closed behind them. She could see said asshole pompously walking away in the direction of Gannon's shop.

"Leave it alone, Chelsea," Vaughn managed to say through gritted teeth.

"But seriously, the things he was saying about you –"

"I'm asking you to leave it alone."

"Leave it al – I can't believe you're being so passive about this," she muttered in disbelief. "The man who can lecture me for five solid minutes about his porridge temperature is suddenly too shy to give an arrogant businessman a well-deserved 'screw you'?"

Vaughn tugged his hat over his eyes angrily. "This is different. Just. Be quiet. Please."

She hated seeing him so frustrated and closed off like this. "You want me to beat him up for you?" If she was remembering correctly, this offer had helped to distract him the last time he'd been this moody.

Unfortunately, this time it just made things worse. Frustrated, he turned to her with narrowed, angry eyes. "Why do you keep saying stuff like that? Why did you defend me in there?" he demanded, exasperated and irritated. "This isn't the first time you've tried getting involved in my personal affairs. Do you always have to be so nosy – what, do you think I can't handle my problems on my own?!"

She glared right back, barely resisting the childish urge to yank on his neck kerchief or smack his Stetson right off his infuriating head. "Because you're my friend, Cowboy! And it's not just me, anyone on this island would try to help you if they knew about some of the things you have to go through! We all care about you. But you're so wrapped up in dealing with things by yourself, you never learned how to accept the help that other people offer you!"

"How can I trust that any of those offers are real? Tons of people spew that sort of bullshit all the time, and no one ever really means it," he snarled.

Her jaw dropped. "You think I'd offer to help but I wouldn't carry through for you? You think I'm lying right now?"

His withering stare was all the answer she needed. She stood shaking in anger for a moment longer before impulsively taking off towards the retreating figure near the café. A strangled, "Chelsea, what the hell are you doing?" followed her, but she ignored it. The closer she got, the more she faltered – come on, she didn't want to actually wail on the guy, as obnoxious as he was, but she had to do something. Just Vaughn's look of absolute belief that no one would ever come through for him was enough to strengthen her resolve as she neared her target, pulled back her leg, and kicked.

Kicked him right in the ass.

The kick was enough to shove him forward, arms flailing dramatically as he faceplanted right onto the grass. More than a little shocked at having actually done it, Chelsea stood stock-still and just watched him.

Douglas scrambled to his knees, turning around with a dirt and grass-covered face twisted in rage. "THE HELL? WHO – DARES?"

Aaaand that was her signal to get the heck out of there. She pivoted and ran, ignoring his furious demands for her to stop. Hysterical giggles bubbled up inside her and she nearly crashed into Vaughn, who had partially come after her and was now staring at her, mouth agape. Grabbing his hand, they both began to run away from the scene of the crime, and by the time they had crossed the bridge and passed Mirabelle's home, neither of them could hold back the laughter anymore.

Vaughn tugged her in the direction of the dock and breathlessly instructed a confused Kirk to take them to Animal Islands. They hadn't heard the irate businessman follow them over the bridge, but they were too caught up in adrenaline and laughter to even care if he was chasing them or not.

Once the boat got moving, they relaxed a little and merely looked at each other. Still wheezing and giggling, Chelsea finally said, "So this is what it feels like to be on the lamb!"

Vaughn chuckled at her joke and roughly brushed at the sweat gathered at his temples. Once his laughter trickled away, his face morphed into something more serious, something a little vulnerable – an expression Chelsea had never seen before.

"You are crazy," he told her, voice quiet. "I cannot believe you actually did that."

His words reminded her of their earlier argument. She puffed up – idly realizing what a sight she must be right now, her red bandana coming loose from all the running, face flushed and a little sweaty, expression indignant and a little smug, hair all over the place from the ocean wind. "Yeah, well, I hope this taught you a valuable lesson, Cowboy!"

He continued to stare at her, not angrily or frostily or piercingly. Just a soft stare, like he was trying to see inside her to find some sort of answer.

Luckily, they docked minutes later at Animal Island, thanking a bewildered Kirk and setting off towards the small pond at the center for a little more privacy.

Chelsea picked up where they left off. "I hope this taught you that I don't leave someone I care for hanging. If I can do something to help or comfort my friends, I do it. And I'm not the only one out there who thinks like that. This entire island has got your back, Jack."

His face didn't change, and it was starting to disarm her a little. She felt her righteous anger slipping away. After all, she had said what most needed to be said; if she continued on, pushing at him, he'd probably just end up mad again. And she did not just kick a man's ass literally to go home with a mad roommate, no sir.

"That was a joke, I know your name's not Jack, Cowboy," she teased, trying to lighten the air a little.

For a split second, she could see the changes in his expression as clear as day. The vague, soft expression dipped into one of surprised consideration, followed by a scowl poking through, before his face finally settled into a look of absolute certainty.

Then he smirked and things seemed to settle back into normality. "I don't think you understand the definition of the word joke, then."

She rolled her eyes. A wet drop on her nose startled her into looking up; a lazy drizzle began to fall, washing her in a cool haze.

"I didn't know it was supposed to rain today," she said simply. She wasn't complaining, the rain felt nice on her flushed skin. Vaughn seemed to enjoy it as well.

"Better head back," he replied. "Wrangle the animals inside before one of 'em gets sick."

"I'll help," she decided, following him back to the boat.

The rain grew stronger as they trudged back to the ranch. Through the heavy veil of water, Chelsea could make out a figure standing near her home underneath an umbrella. Upon closer inspection, she could tell it was Sabrina, waiting for them.

"Chelsea, Vaughn," Sabrina greeted cautiously. "I just – I wanted to apologize for getting you involved in my argument with my father. It was inappropriate and rude, and it put the both of you in difficult positions. Father and I have reconciled and apologized to one another."

Chelsea smiled kindly, feeling a little bad now about how harshly she had lectured her friend earlier. "It's fine, Sabrina, I'm just glad that everything's resolved. And about Douglas -?"

Some of the timidity disappeared as a glower appeared on Sabrina's delicate face. "Douglas has left the islands, for good. And without a fiancé." She sucked in an audible breath and turned to face Vaughn head on. "I especially wanted to apologize to you, Vaughn, for all of his awful comments. And for me ignoring your pleas to talk. It seemed very important, and I didn't pay much attention to it at all. My father feels the same way."

Chelsea nudged Vaughn gently in the side. "I'll go sort out the animals, you two should talk."

He looked like he was about to argue, but then nodded tightly. He hated anything getting in the way of his work, she knew. But he recognized how remorseful Sabrina was and how important that necklace was to her, and knew he could trust Chelsea to get the job done. Or at least, that's what she interpreted from his single nod. Her Vaughn-speak was getting better now that they were roommates, but it wasn't perfect.

Not wanting to linger and intrude, she smiled one last time at Sabrina, clapped Vaughn on the shoulder, and scurried across her field. She had a whole lot of irritated wet cows and sheep to appease.

The chapters seem to want to be longer these days, which I guess I can work with, haha. It might take me an extra day or two to crank out a chapter because of it, but I kind of like the length as is. I feel like more happens in longer chapters, i.e. I feel like I get more accomplished.

This one was tough to write because of all the dialogue and arguing. In the game, this Bitter Argument event between Sabrina and Regis is a lot shorter, tamer, and ends more neatly. And Douglas was, thankfully, nonexistent. But...

Warning, small rant ahead:

I usually dislike having a character lecture other people about their bad ways, and being that constant voice of reason. Mostly because, in real life, if people are arguing, they usually won't stay quiet and listen peacefully for a whole monologue, especially when the content is inherently patronizing them. You know what I mean? It makes the lecturing character become a sort of Mary-Sue, because after she or he speaks, the people listening feel ashamed and magically see the light, every single time. That's not to say that this NEVER happens in real life, just that a lot of fanfiction has it happening constantly to make the lecturing character seem super reasonable and smart and persuasive and awesome.

I kind of did that here with Chelsea, but I let it slide because in my mind, I think of it as less of a lecture, and more of her just being fed up and snapping out. Her lines aren't long, and Regis and Sabrina were going to see reason at some point - her remarks didn't make them change their minds, just pushed them to the resolution faster. I hope that this explanation makes it more bearable for the readers, too.

I also love Sabrina (just not with Vaughn, for some reason). This chapter didn't really show that all that much, but I hope it didn't come off as bashing her. I just figured she would be so upset and preoccupied with her own issue at the time, she wouldn't be the most attentive friend for Vaughn even if she did have a crush on him.

Your feedback was amazing last chapter and was so inspiring. I have no plans to abandon this story, even if there are zero reviews; but it was so wonderful to hear from all of you, I truly enjoyed it. Thanks so much and I hope you liked this chapter as well! Please continue sending me feedback if you have the time.

Please stay tuned, and I apologize for this monstrosity of an author's note. I got carried away, haha, but seriously: I love you guys, have a wonderful day!

Sincerely,

evergreenlove