"Ma'am, do you have a sec?"

Nat looks up from the papers in her office to find one of the ranch hands. She nods as he steps to the side, a familiar face greeting her. She gets up with a gentle smile as she walks to the door. Trunk of arms wrap around her in a vice grip. 

"You ready to get started Talia?"

"Let's do this Julio"

He keeps his arm around her shoulder pulling her out of the office she has been held up in for a few days now. Her office located in the front of the stables allowing her for to be close to her true loves. A neigh catches her attention as she turns to find Shadow galloping directly at her. She stands looking directly at him as he comes to an abrupt halt in front of her. A smile tugs at her lips as she reaches up to run her fingers down the length of his face. He snickers while a low whistle is heard beside her. She glances over to find Julio standing watching with a grin. 

"That damn horse will kill anyone but won't lay a hoof to you."

She laughs gently turning back to pat her horse before turning to begin walking out. The sounds of his hooves resonating in the stable as he follows her out. They come out in the Texas heat to find Keith in the corral with Oakley. She walks over along with Julio and Shadow. She gets to the gate and whistles making Keith whip his head to her before turning Oakley towards her and galloping to her. 

"Hey I'm taking Julio to the spot, you comin?" 

Keith nods his head while Julio walks over to open the gate allowing them out. Keith slides off of Oakley's back before giving her a nice rub and pat to her back. The horse snickers before turning and prancing around Shadow. The horses begin playing and running around while the trio continue walking. 

"So have you talked to her?" Julio asks Talia. She shakes her head negatively. 

"I was going to but something came up and she left abruptly. You sure you and your team are up for the job?"

Julio holds his chest mocking offended as he gasp. "Ouch, no faith?"

Talia rolls her eyes before nudging his shoulder. Keith then throws in arm around her shoulder making her look up to him. He smiles down fondly at her. 

"I swear you two are closer than any siblings I've seen."

"You have a little brother Julio" Keith remarks looking to him. 

"Yea well we wrestle, you two... well hug?" He says it more like a question making all three tumble over in laughter. 

The wind picks up causing the dust from the road to spiral. All three holding their hats down so they don't blow off. Talia turns as they finally arrive at a clearing. Julio stops behind her along with Keith. She opens her arms as she begins gesturing what she is envisioning while explaining exactly what she wants. Julio nods his head from time to time while Keith comments on what he thinks would be options. After 20 minutes, they begin walking back to her office where she has the paperwork and layouts she created. Keith leans over the blueprints making subtle changes that will be better and Natalia agrees. After another hour, Maria is calling them in for lunch. Julio excuses himself letting her know he will have the crew out here tomorrow to get started. 

Natalia gets a text from Jax telling her to turn on the TV. She directs Keith to sit down with her as they watch. It was an interview with Cass. Keith sat up leaning forward with his elbows on his knees while watching intently. Nat just sat back in the couch amused at her brother as they began listening. 

As expected the interviewer tried prying information out of Cass but Nat was proud of how she handled herself. She was sure her tongue would have been a lot more loose if she was there. 

"I love myself and I love what I do. No past relationship or current family issues are going to sway me from what I truly believe I am meant to do." Cass pauses as she seems to be in deep thought before looking to the camera. "I love myself and that is enough."

Keith can feel his lips pull up in the corners. He can see it, she finally gets it. She understands that it is about her and her alone. No one should be able to define who she is. A nudge to his shoulder makes him turn to Talia. She has a knowing look in her eyes. 

"Fess up"

Keith rolls his eyes as he slouches back into the couch. Nat just lays her arm across the back while propping her head up with her hand. Keith looks back to the TV while the audience claps for Cass and she waves and smiles gently. It was a genuine smile, not her forced one. 

"What happened in her room?"

"I told her the truth." Keith states simply while Nat groans in frustration. 

"Which is?" She tries again. Keith just smirks as he quickly pecks her cheek and jumps off the couch taking his plate to the kitchen. "THIS ISN'T OVER KEITH!"

A boastful laugh is heard making Nat smile. Her phone begins ringing and she quickly picks it up. 

"Hello?"

"Hey sweetheart.." Nat sighed laying back against the couch. Jax' voice sounding low and sultry in her ear. "Did you see?"

"She did incredible." Nat says as her fingers run through her hair. Her mind drifting to the surprise she has started. 

"She's getting her makeup removed and wrapping up. We have a meeting with Tate after this and then we should be on our way back."

Nat hums missing them both and wanting them back. "Do you think this helped?"

"Too soon to tell however I think it was good for Cassie." Nat nods her head even though Jax can't see agreeing with him. "Nat you still there?"

"Sorry... my mind was elsewhere." Nat says still playing with her hair. A low chuckle makes her stomach do flips. "Am I that boring love?"

Nat freezes hearing the term of endearment. After a moment she clears her throat feeling the lump forming as she speaks. "No, no, it's just-" She sighs closing her eyes speaking softly. "I miss you both."

Jax pauses for a moment before his words coming out just as soft. "I miss you Natalia."

The sound of shuffling is heard before the voice changes. "Hey Nat! How is everything going?"

She smiles while rubbing her hand down her face. "Missing my pain in the ass. How are you Cass?"

Cass laughs while Jax keeps telling her to give the phone back. "She's missing her sister. Now- WAIT JAX!"

Nat laughs loudly as the two seem to be arguing over the phone. "Love, I'll call you back."

"Talk to you soon Jax"

With that she ends the call and stands up stretching her body as she takes her dirty plate to the kitchen gently placing in the sink. Her eyes going to outside where the dark clouds begin showing over the valley of the hills. She is quick to check the forecast to find a large storm heading their way. Checking her phone, she is quick to head out and whistling loudly. All workers near turn to their mistress.

"Alright boys, pack it up. Storm is rolling in!"

Just like that, the staff begins getting the horses and other equipment put up. She begins looking around for Shadow. The horse being very skittish when it comes to storms. She finds Keith riding in on Oakly stopping at the porch looking to her. 

"Storms coming in."

"Yeah, I know... Told the crew to wrap it up." 

Keith nods as he nudges Oakley towards the barn. Natalia continues to look around before whistling in a low frequency. She waits for a moment but Shadow doesn't come forward further worrying Nat. She walks down from the porch and begins walking the dirt path. Her whistle continues to play out hoping her boy will come running. 

"Shadow"

She hollers but still no answer. The dark clouds are now rolling in like waves over head and the wind has picked up. She begins to turn back but a familiar neigh has her snap back before running down the hill. Her heart leaping out of her chest finding Shadow pinned against a tree with a rattle snake coiled up in front of him. The tail of the snake shaking creating a rattling sound. She is quick to come down making the snake's head snap to her. It quickly snaps at her, it's fangs sinking into her jean covered ankle making her hiss. She jerks her leg making the snake fly back before Shadow's hooves are quick to stomp on it. 

Nat falls to her knees as the pain courses up her ankle into her leg. She has been bitten before but it still hurts like a bitch. Shadow is quick to come over nudging her head against Nat. Nat wraps her arm around Shadow's neck as the horse hoist her up and onto his back. She leans over allowing her head to lay against the back of his neck. He is quick to find his footing making it up the hill Nat just traveled down. Nat can feel her vision becoming spotty. Rain begins to dribble down onto them before a thunder claps. Shadow stops and Nat can feel his heart beat accelerate astronomically. 

"It's alright boy." Her voice a mere whisper as she tries to sooth the horse. Shadow just shakes his head realizing his rider needs help. He is quick to sprint back to the ranch. Nat can feel herself loosing consciousness as he makes it back. The horse snickering loudly to gain the attention of everyone. They few men left are quick to Shadow as they find their mistress barely hanging on. 

"GO GET KEITH!"

One of the men walk up to Shadow holding their arms up as they gently 'woah' him trying to calm the horse. Everyone is fully aware he only answers to Talia but they had to try. It doesn't take long for Keith to come barreling out of the stables to find his sister's unconscious form on the back. He whistles lowly catching Shadow's attention. The horse recognizing him. He walks over gently to him with one hand out. Shadow's head jerks once but doesn't move away. Keith tries again and the horse allows for him to get close. Keith cups her face to find her body is hot. He picks her up as the down pour gets worse. Shadow is quick to run to the stables to take shelter. The few men lock up the gates before going towards the house. Keith already made his way in with his sister. 

"MARIA!"

The woman comes bustling towards him with a distraught look as she cups Talia's face in her hands. The woman then leads him to the kitchen gesturing to the table. He gently lays her down as Maria begins moving her hair out of her face searching for any sign of damage. She begins moving down her body lifting her arms gently before lifting her shirt enough to inspect as well. She then moves down her leg where she notices a blood mark through her jeans near her ankle. Maria begins taking off her boots before rolling up her pant leg. 

"Shit"

Keith curses seeing the inflamed ankle with the clear indents from a bite. Maria is quick to the sink ringing out a wash cloth and bringing it back ice cold to her ankle. Keith runs to the living room to get his cell before dialing for an ambulance. He comes back to find Maria telling him to move her to the couch, that she needed to elevate her leg. He does so quickly gently laying her down on the couch before pushing pillows under her legs. Maria comes in with a bowl and a few wash clothes. She rings out one for her forehead, the next is to press to her ankle gently. 

The storm continues to rage on outside and Keith is worried the ambulance won't be able to make it in the wind. The window comes crashing open making Maria jump as the wind and rain blast through the area. He gets up pushing the shelter's closed and locking. He turns to find Maria still tending to Natalia so he quickly begins going to all the windows in the house doing the same. He looks out to see the ambulance lights coming down the path making him sigh in relief.

The next hour involving the medics coming in with different syringes and IV drips to aid. The storm didn't allow for them to leave so they were doing all they could from the house. Keith saw Nat's phone lighting up and picks it up without checking it. 

"Hello"

"Keith? Where's Natalia" Jax ask confused through the phone. 

"Talia is currently with the medics. She got bit by a snake and is unconscious."

"What do-"

CLICK

Keith looks to the phone to see the signal completely lost. He checks his phone to find the same problem figuring the cell tower went out. He pockets the phones before going back to his sister's side. Her head still covered in sweat while the medics try to lower her temperature. All Keith can do is hold her hand and hope as the thunder roars on outside.