James didn't even see it coming, and neither did any of the other people around them watching in horror. It all happened so fast that Jacob barely saw what happened. At one point James was heading back to join his siblings at the tape, next thing they knew, he was on the pavement unconscious and covered in blood. The mare had reared up on her hind legs and kicked James down.

"James!" Mil screamed. She tried to run to him, but Peter held her back. Jacob could hear his heart beat pounding in his ears as he watched the mare once again approach his twin brother. She reared up on her hind legs again, about to come down on Jacobs helpless brother. Not even thinking about what he was going to do next, Jacob pried himself out of Brooks grip and dashed under the tape, placing himself inbetween James and the mares deadly hooves. He braced himself for the pain, but it never came. The mare backed up and dropped down onto all fours, peering at Jacob curiously. Her ears pricked up and she let out a small niegh. She stretched out and sniffed him, her nostrils were enlarged as she nibbled a bit on Jacobs shirt. He slowly reached out and took her by the lead rope. She tended up a little, but allowed him. He slowly lead her over to the trailer, where it's doors stood open waiting for them. Everyone around them was silent.

    The mare followed Jacob into the trailer and let out a soft sigh as they shut the doors, enclosing them in darkness. Jacob felt nervousness prickle on his skin as her warm breath washed across it. Jacob could hear shouting outside the doors, and another minute later it cracked open.

"Jacob? Are you alright?" David asked, his voice was shaking. Jacob dropped her lead rope and ran his fingers over her body as he left the trailer. He slipped out and into his sisters embrace. Mil hugged him so tight he couldn't breath. The next person to hug him was Brook. After she released him, He met Davids fierce glare.

"What were you thinking?" He yelled at him. Everyone was silent around them. Jacob bit his lip and glanced over to where he last saw James. Several paramedics were crowded around him. "Jacob, you could have been killed!" Jacob couldn't take his eyes off of James. They carefully lifted his limp body onto a stretcher, securing his head and bandaging it to stop the blood flow. One of them called over to David. He let out a sigh and turned back to Jacob.

"This is not over, Both me and your mother will be speaking to you when we get home." He said. He then walked over to them, speaking to the paramedic quietly. He looked awefully pale and he held one hand to his head as if he was going to be sick. Jacob let out a shuddering sigh and Mil wrapped her arms tightly around His waist.

"Daddy is just scared." Mil said quietly. Jacob wrapped his arms around her shoulders, burying his face into her shoulder, letting out a shuddering sigh.

   David came back over to them and let out a deep breath.

"They said James will be fine, but they're going to keep him at the hospital over night to make sure." He said. "I've called your mom, She's going to meet me at the hospital. I've asked Officer Clark to take you three home. Brook, your dad is over there." He pointed to where Brooks father was examining the second mare, who was slowly dying. She nodded her thanks and ran to him. "I'm going to ride to the hospital with James. Peter, look after your siblings, your mom and I won't be home till later tonight." He said. Peter nodded and Officer Clark came over to them. As they were walking away, Jacob turned back to David.

"David?" His step father turned to him. "I'm sorry." David let out another deep sigh. He opened his arms and Jacob ran to him, hugging him tightly. David ran his fingers through Jacobs messy hair.

"You saved his life, Jake." David whispered. Jacob looked up to see him crying, which only made him tear up.

"I was so scared." He said, a tear running down his cheek. David let out a small chuckle and hugged him tighter.

"I bet. You did good, Jake." He kissed him on his forehead before telling him to go back to his brother and sister.

***

The next morning was dull. Nobody spoke at breakfast. Jacob couldn't sleep at all that night. It felt weird for him to sleep in heir room without his brothers deep breathing. He kept thinking about James and kept imaging him on the pavement covered in blood, Until Alex finally spoke.

"Your father and I are going to go pick up James from the hospital, so I want you all to feed the animals quickly and be nice to each other." She said. They all nodded, saying nothing. After they cleared their plates, Jacob tried to avoid David and his mother, but they called him into their room. He knew he was in trouble when Alex shut the door behind her and let out a deep breath. She gestured for him to sit on the bed next to her, and he didn't argue. David began to pace in front of them.

"Jake, you could have been killed last night. We need to know why you threw yourself into the way of danger." Alex said wrapping her arm around his shoulders. He shrugged.

"I didn't think. It all happened so fast." He said. David let out a deep breath and sat down next to them.

"You got very lucky last night." He said. "Mustangs don't think when they're mad. One kick and both you and James would have been dead." He said. Jacob shuddered at the thought.

"I think I saw that she was going to kill him, and realized that I can't live without him. I just met him, I don't want some stupid mustang to take him away from me." He said. Alex had tears running freely down her cheeks and she choked back a sob.

"You could have saved him, but killed yourself." David said. Jacob said nothing for a moment.

"Isn't that what brothers are for? We die to protect one another?" Neither of them had anything to say to that, so they left him to go do his chores. As he fed Rocky his bottle, he realized how true his words had been. He was willing to die for any member of his new family. He had never felt like that before with his dad and Hayley.

***

   That afternoon, Alex and David returned home with James. His head was bandaged and his arm was in in a cast and sling. He also had a bloody gash across his right cheek, that would obviously scar. He looked exhausted, but was happy to be home. Their three sisters were the first to greet him with tight embraces. The three of them had made him a welcome home sign while he was still in the hospital, and it now hung in the entry way of the house. David helped James up the stairs and Alex made sure he was comfortable in bed before telling everyone to let him rest.

   Towards the evening, Jacob ran up stairs to get his hat he had left on their room, because Ginny was taking him riding down to the Johnson's barn. James was lying in bed when he came into their room. He was awake, but just staring at the wall. Jacob grabbed his hat and went to leave when James spoke.

"Dad told me what you did." He said. He smiled a bit, but winced as it stretched the skin around his cut on his cheek. "I guess I owe you my life now." He teased. Jacob stopped and came over to his bed, kneeling down next to his brother.

"James, you owe me nothing." he said. James shook his head.

"Thank you, Jake. I love you." He said. Jacob felt his heart leap as James said it. Last night could have prevented them both from ever hearing each other say those words. Jacob felt tears well up again.

"I love you too, bro." He said. Before James could say anything else, Jacob dashed out the door and down the stairs.

***

Hey!!! So I put up a picture of Katharine McPhee, who I've decided to make Alex, the twins mother. So if you don't know what Katharine McPhee looks like, check it out! Love Ya!

~Avis