The van pulled into the driveway of the ranch the hotel had suggested for horseback riding and the guys piled out, all laughing about something Chris had said about being scared to ride cause he might break something important, like his face. Mike pulled in behind them in her car, and they piled out, laughing at something Mike had said about Chris and his fear of horses. The ranch was huge, the house nearly three stories. A young man walked over to the group with a smile.

"You must be the group the hotel called us about this morning. Welcome to the Rocking J Ranch. My name's Marc and I'll be the one to help you get those horses saddled and ready for riding." he stated shaking everyone's hand. Mike snorted shaking her head.

"The Rocking J, how appropriate." she laughed softly, which made everyone snort and cover their laughter with their hands.

"Follow me, if you would." Marc smiled giving Mike a wink to let her know that he had heard her comment. She ducked her head, embarrassed, and followed the others. JC took her hand as they strolled behind the others who were eager to be on their way. In the stable there were over twenty horses to choose from, and Lance strolled around, a nostalgic smile on his face. Each person walked around trying to decide on a horse, and soon everyone was leading a horse out into the corral to saddle and bridle. Marc made his rounds, checking everyone's progress and nodding in approval.

"Okay, the only rules we have are, don't stray too far from the ranch especially since y'all will be on your own. If the horse your on gets spooked, don't try to stop him, just hang on for dear life. He'll come galloping back here. And be careful. That's it. You kids have fun." Marc smiled then headed back into the house.

"Kid," Chris snorted as he eyed his horse wearily. "I haven't been a kid in ten years."

Everyone chuckled at Chris's obvious discomfort about being so close to the animal he was holding the reigns for. Everyone mounted their horses and started out toward the valley to the direct left of the ranch house.

"Hey guys, wait up." Chris called as he mounted and nudged the horse into a slow gait. "Whoa. Hey, I said whoa not giddy up. Whoa you damn horse!" Chris yelped as the horse started a fast trot.

Justin started laughing at the spectacle Chris was making of himself and started singing their ever popular song 'Giddy Up' for his benefit. Mike and JC laughed shaking their heads with amusement as they watched the others have a grand time racing back and forth. They made their way to a small patch of trees near a small river and all dismounted to stretch their legs.

"The air our here smells so good." Rachel smiled closing her eyes.

"I hear that." Lance agreed with a nod as he walked his horse over to the river so it could take a drink for the cool water.

"I finally found the break!" Chris cried as he ungracefully dismounted from his horse. He turned and glared at the animal, who had nudged him looking for something to snack on. "Is there something I can help you with?" Chris raised an eyebrow at the horse, who whinnied and bobbed his head.

Mike hobbled her horse then sat down in the shade of a tree and watched everyone as her mind drifted. JC and Justin were having a water fight of sorts in the river, Lance and Rachel talked quietly between themselves and Ashley and Joe were walking around, surveying the area. Chris just stroked his horse's muzzle and smiled, becoming to like the creature more and more as the moments passed.

"Hey, you all right?" Devon questioned as she took a seat next to her cousin. Mike nodded with a sigh. "Don't lie to me."

"I'm not really lying. I just have this bad feeling is all." Mike shrugged, her eyes drifting to the man she loved with all her heart.

"Okay, explain." Devon suggested, leaning back against the tree trunk.

"I don't know, really. I just have this foreboding feeling that something bad is going to happen. It's weird." Mike shook her head making a face.

"To JC?" Devon raised an eyebrow. In her entire life time, whenever Mike had a bad feeling about something, something bad generally happened.

"I don't know. Maybe. God, I hope not." Mike sighed glancing over at her older cousin. Devon rested her arm along Mike's shoulders and gave her a smile.

"Don't worry kiddo. I'm sure it's just pre wedding jitters. I mean, your mom has been pressuring you to come up with a date and design for the gowns. Maybe your subconscious is scared something will happen to call off the wedding." she suggested softly.

"I hope so, Dev. What would I do without him?" Mike questioned, gazing at JC. As if sensing her, JC turned and gazed at her curiously and being unaware of what Justin was doing, took a plunge into the water from a push delivered from the younger man. Mike smiled sadly, shaking her head.

"You're not going to loose him in any way, shape or form. So, stop worrying so much. You're young, live it up with him. The two of you are going to build a great life together. Grow old together." Devon scolded as she climbed to her feet. "I think you should rescue your man while he still has a thread of dry clothing." she laughed as she walked over to Chris who was feeding his horse a carrot.

"Hey cowboy." Devon smiled as she patted the horses neck softly.

"You know, horses aren't all that bad." Chris smiled, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.

"I knew there was hope for you yet." she laughed as she noticed Mike walking over to the river out of the corner of her eyes, and nodded with satisfaction.

Mike smiled at JC, who had turned to her the instant he had noticed her walking toward him and Justin. He waded out of the water, and walked barefoot across the sandy bank to meet her halfway.

"You all right?" he questioned, taking in the sad expression of her eyes. She said nothing, only walked over to him and rested her head on his shoulder, hands resting on his sides. JC's arms came around her immediately, and he stroked her back in a soothing gesture.

"Hey, what's wrong, sweetie?" he inquired softly, becoming concerned. She shook her head silently, reveling in his concern. Her hands shifted to press against his back as he pulled her closer, trying to figure out what was going on.

"I'm sorry, JC. I didn't mean to worry you, I just needed my rock for a minute." Mike told him suddenly as she pulled away slightly. JC smiled and leaned down to kiss her lips softly.

"It's okay, I was just wondering about the expression in your eyes." he replied softly as he pulled away from her.

"It was nothing, don't worry about it." she smiled up at him, trying to give the reassurance she wasn't really feeling.

"Don't tell me things to make me feel better, Michaela. You know better than that." JC scolded gently. Mike sighed closing her eyes.

"All right. I just have a really bad feeling that something terrible's going to happen, that's all." she shrugged, trying to make light of it.

"Like what?" he inquired raising an eyebrow.

"I don't know, but don't worry about it. It's probably nothing." Mike shook her head, standing on tiptoes to press another kiss to his lips before he could protest. JC sighed inwardly as he wrapped his arms around the love of his life. He would let it go, for now. He leaned down and swept her up into his arms and she laughed with surprise. He waggled his eyebrows at her with a devilish smile as he walked toward the river.

"JC, don't you dare." Mike cried out, clutching her hands behind his neck as the water came closer.

"Don't I dare, what?" he inquired innocently.

"So help me, God, if you get me soaked....." her voice trailed off as he waded knee deep into the small river. Justin and the others watched with amusement, all yelling for him to drop her into the cold water.

"Now, do you honestly think I would do something like that?" JC questioned, a look of mock hurt on his face.

"Yes!" Mike laughed loudly, nodding her head.

"You asked for it now." JC laughed shaking his head as he let one arm drop to his side. Mike squeezed her eyes shut, preparing herself to be submerged in the water below her.

"Come on, JC, do it! Drop her like a bomb!" Justin laughed from his position on the grass. JC smiled down at the shuddering young woman in his arms and dropped his other arm. Her legs swung downward, but because she had a good grip on his neck, the only part of her body that actually touched the water were the toes of her shoes. Until JC slipped and lost his balance. Mike let out a shriek as they splashed into the water. JC twisted so he could take the brunt of the fall, but that didn't stop the water from totally soaking Mike to the bone. She climbed to her feet and glared down at a laughing JC.

"You're cut off." she railed, her lips twitching with amusement. She turned on her heel and waded out of the water.

"Now hold on just a minute. I'm cut off? From what?" JC laughed as he followed her to the tree where she had been sitting under, earlier.

"Nothing! Just forget it." Mike tossed her hands into the air with a laugh. The turned to face him and pushed him playfully, her clothes dripping wildly and her shoes making the squishy sucking sound with each step she took. Rachel and Lance had disappeared, but the others were laughing at the hilarity of the situation. JC sighed and hoisted his giggling fiancé over his shoulder.

"JC!" she yelled, pounding on his back. "Put me down you freak show!"

JC reached up and slapped her rear end and she yelped in surprise. He then turned to everyone with a smile. "Meanwhile, back at the ranch, we're going to get dried off. Make sure Mike's horse makes it back to the stable, would ya?"

"JC, for Heaven's sake, I can ride the damn horse back!" Mike exclaimed with a groan because all the blood was rushing to her head. She propped one hand on JC's back and hoisted herself up so she wasn't dangling anymore.

"You guys could help me out, you know." she railed at her friend who were standing by with smirks on their faces.

"Nah, we're figuring he's getting practice for when you two get hitched." Devon grinned shaking her head.

"My own cousin, a traitor!" Mike yelped as JC walked over to his horse and somehow managed to remove the saddle one handedly. He then plopped her on the horse's back then climbed up behind her. Mike folded her arms across her chest as JC leaned over to grab the reigns.

"Happy trails." Chris smiled to the couple before they headed back in the direction of the ranch. Mike shivered slightly, and leaned back against JC's chest for warmth.

"Devon, lets go for a walk." Chris suggested suddenly as he took the reigns of his horse.

"All right." Devon nodded as she took the reigns of her horse. The two walked across the grass, and just strolled along the tree line in silence, their horses walking behind them at a leisurely pace. The air was pleasantly warm, and Devon smiled raising her face up to the sun, eyes closed. Chris took her hand and stopped, turning to face her.

"I love you." he murmured before he kissed her lips tenderly. Devon sighed with contentment as she returned his kiss. Reluctantly he pulled away from her after a few brief seconds.

"I think JC had the right idea." he mumbled absently stroking her cheek.

"What do you mean?" Devon inquired softly, raising an eyebrow.

"Marriage. It's beginning to look good to me. A house to come home to with you inside. Maybe a couple of kids. I don't know." Chris shrugged, suddenly becoming extremely nervous about what he had just said. He shook his head with amusement at his feeling of being a young kid again, asking out a girl for the first time.

"Chris? What....what are you saying?" Devon inquired, equally as nervous as him because she had no idea where he was running with this train of thought. Chris glanced over at her, his eye veiled from all emotion.

"I've been thinking that maybe we should get married. Not right away, maybe in a couple of years. But I'm not getting any younger and I want a family. I want a family with you." Chris shrugged, trying not to get carried away. She could still say no, because they had only been dating for about ten months now. Even though they hadn't been together long, he knew he didn't want to spend his life with anyone but her.

"You and me, married? A family? Are you sure, Chris?" Devon questioned, turning to face him.

"Yeah. We could have one of those long, open engagements where if for some reason you or I don't want to go through with it, then we can call it off. It won't be set in stone, unless you want it to be." Chris nodded, his heart filling with hope.

"You have to ask me properly. You have to go to my uncle, considering both my parents are gone. If he gives his permission, then you can ask me." Devon replied, hiding her devilish mirth. Chris sighed, closing his eyes. Mr. Costeo was one tough cookie, and he really didn't want to face the man, but it looked as if he didn't have a choice. Chris smiled suddenly as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cellular phone. He quickly dialed the Costeo's home number and held the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Could I speak with Mr. Costeo?"

"Which one. There's seven here right now."

"Well, Devon Summers' uncle."

"Hold on a minute."

Chris sighed, becoming nervous with each passing second. He turned on his heel suddenly and walked off to the side so Devon couldn't hear what was being said. Devon raised an eyebrow becoming perturbed with the happenings of this day. She hadn't really believed Chris was serious, but with him calling her uncle like he did, he must have been. She didn't quite know how to feel about that. It wasn't as if she didn't love him, because she did. Lord, what brought this whole thing on? He's so...charming. He looks like a little boy when he smiles at me like that. She shook her head ruefully.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Mike closed her eyes and leaned back, settling more comfortably in JC's arms. "Where'd you learn how to ride bareback?"

"For The Girl Who Has Everything." JC answered mysteriously with a smile of his own.

"What are you talking about?" Mike laughed gazing back at him.

"The video. Horses. Bareback. Beach. Starting to ring any bells?" he explained patiently, as if he were explaining the Hiroshima Bomb to a toddler.

"Oh, right. I remember now. But dear, I'm the smart ass, not you." Mike smiled patting his cheek gently. JC sighed ruefully shaking his head as Mike shivered yet again.

"Cold?"

She nodded burrowing closer to him. JC held the reigns in one hand and pulled her closer with his free arm. She smiled and placed a soft kiss on his jaw line.

"Better?" he questioned softly. Mike nodded as the ranch house came into view. She sighed silently when JC dismounted. He helped her down off the horse and stood there for a moment, hands nearly circling her waist.

"We better go beg for something dry to wear." she stated softly, her ominous feelings returning with the sudden force of a semi truck. "We wouldn't want you to get sick or anything."

JC nodded and turned to lead the horse into the stable. He was gone for only a few minutes before he walked back out into the cool air and saw Mike gazing curiously around her, as if she were looking intently for something. "You okay?"

Mike turned and smiled at him with a nod. "Yeah. I've been listening to the Police too much this past week." JC quirked an eyebrow and she laughed. "Oh oh oh, I always feel like, somebody's watching me..." she sang as they headed up to the ranch house. Within the next hour, JC and Mike had changed into borrowed clothing while the clothes they had been wearing were tossed into the drier. The couple sat in the kitchen with Marc and talked about trivial little things and soon the rest of the entourage came bouncing through the back door laughing because Chris had become terribly attached to his horse.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

It was late as JC, Justin and Mike walked down the hotel hallway. Joe, Chris, Lance, Ashley, Devon and Rachel had all opted to go out for a late dinner and catch a late flick at one of the movie theaters in town. They had exclaimed that it was much too early to call it a night and hit their rooms.

"I'm going to Chris's room to play a video game." Justin mumbled when JC and Mike stopped in front of JC's hotel room door.

All right, have fun and don't forget we have a photo shoot in the morning with Teen Dream magazine." JC reminded him with a laugh as he slipped the key into the lock.

"I know, dad." Justin sighed rolling his eyes as he let himself into the adjoining room, slamming the door behind him.

"How about Halloween?" Mike inquired as she followed JC into his room.

"What about Halloween?" JC questioned raising an eyebrow curiously.

"For a wedding date. You know, kinda like the Crow had going on in the movie?" she laughed giving him a playful shove.

"I don't think so." he shook his head.

"Why not?" Mike exclaimed tossing her hands into the air.

"Because, dear heart, they both died. Remember?" JC pointed out with a rueful grin.

"Oh, right. I forgot. How about June 17th?" Mike replied with a smile.

"How about June 27th?" JC countered as he stripped off his shirt tiredly.

"Okay. June 27th, 1999?" Mike inquired making a face as she sat down on one of the two beds.

"How about 2000. You'll have graduated by then and you wouldn't have to worry about classes." JC suggested slipping on his favorite shirt. Mike walked over to him and started buttoning his shirt for him.

"I like 99 better. I'll be 22. Old enough for the responsibility and young enough to still have fun." she smiled up at him.

"All right." he agreed softly. "Where?"

"Beach." Mike answered immediately without thinking. "At night, with torches."

"Really? How come?" JC questioned snaking his arms around her waist.

"I dunno. Because I want to dance with you in the moonlight on the beach." she shrugged with a smile.

"How about we have the ceremony inside and the reception on the beach?" he suggested.

"Will there be torches?" she questioned as he pressed kisses to her throat.

"If you want them."

"Will you dance with me?" her eyes fluttered shut.

"For our whole lives."

"Can I go barefoot?" she shivered slightly.

"If you'd like."

"A bonfire?"

"I insist."

"What about a song?"

"I don't know. What do you think?"

"I'm thinking 'From This Moment On' by Shania Twain."

"Sounds good to me."

"I love you."

"JC?"

"Hhhhmmmm?"

"Do you really want to marry me?"

"Yes. You complete me."

"Okay, Jerry."

"Well, isn't this sweet?" an icy female voice questioned, startling the couple. Mike and JC broke apart and turned to see an angry young woman. Mike glanced at the young girl, something teasing the back of her memory.

"Who the hell are you and how did you get in here?" Mike demanded, highly aggravated at the intrusion.

"Not a word from you!" she spat out angrily. "JC, how could you throw me over for that tramp?"

A furious tick appeared in JC's jaw as he reached for Mike's arm. "I have never seen you before in my life, so how, pray tell, could I throw you over?" JC questioned in a dangerously low voice, raising an eyebrow as he pulled Mike over to him. He knew Mike's temper and he didn't want anything to set this woman off.

"Did you honestly think I would let you marry her without doing anything to stop it?" she exclaimed with a laugh. "I've been watching the two of you. So happy together, doing everything that we should be doing together. Horseback riding, water fights, picking out dates. All that should be done with me."

"What are you talking about?" JC demanded loudly.

"What am I talking about? I do everything you ask because I love you and now you're marrying that....that woman, leaving me alone and pregnant." the irate woman practically yelled, tossing her hands into the air.

"Oh no. I don't think so. You're delusional lady." Mike shook her head, fire leaping into her eyes.

"I told you to shut up!" she stormed as JC's hand tightened on Mike's arm.

"That's it. I've had it. This goes way beyond the line of pure infatuation. In fact, this has a scary resemblance to Fatal Attraction, a movie this broad probably has down word for word somewhere in her demented mind." Mike shook her head, yanking her arm out of JC's grasp, then turned and walked over to the phone. She picked up the phone and angrily punched the zero button.

"Michaela." JC stated in a voice that made the blood turn to ice in her veins. Mike turned to see the woman holding a gun, pointed directly at her.

"What are you planning on doing?" JC questioned as Mike dropped the phone, fear evident in her eyes.

"You're scared of me, aren't you? Good." she smiled viciously then turned to JC, gun still trained on Mike. "You see, I'm going to kill her so she won't stand in our way anymore." she purred stepping closer to JC. He flinched visibly when she stroked a fingertip down his jaw line. Mike took an involuntary step forward, her hands tightening into fists. The woman turned to Mike with an ice filled glare.

"I'm not a heartless bitch like yourself. I'll let you die doing something that you'll never do again. During a goodbye kiss with my fiancé." she stated coldly, motioning with the gun for Mike to walk back over to JC. Mike did as she was told, her gaze never leaving his. His eyes betrayed how angry he was, but her eyes held all the love she felt for him. She turned her back on the gun toting lunatic and gave him a brave smile.

"Always remember, I love you and this isn't your fault. Now, kiss me, Josh." Mike whispered, resting a hand on his cheek. JC sighed, bringing her closer, then kissed her with such intensity she thought the world had dropped out from under her.

"I'm sorry." JC whispered against her lips and quickly turned in a half circle as the woman fired the gun.

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