--Just a chance-- ((Rissa/Open))

[Onzyy]

Michel dos Santos

and

Gustavo dos Santos

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By the light of the moon,she rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night can make you blind
I can just imagine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gustavo stepped into the airy barn, humming to himself. He was actually looking for his wife, Michelle, and he knew that he would find her somewhere with the horses. Or any horse for that matter. She was a trainer, and was most likely to be found with other people's horses, sorting them out. Hearing Gustavo's footsteps four curious heads peeked over their stall doors. Nearest to him was Shock, Sass, La and Mark. The yearling filly, La, was between the two geldings, as Shock was a bit of a bully towards her. His own horse Sass was the first to receive attention, and enjoyed being rubbed just behind the ears.

Gustavo was wearing jeans and a shirt, but knew that even jeans was too hot for the summer weather, but he was still to go shopping for his summer clothes. He spent a few more minutes with Sass, before he moved onto Mark.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michel was in the tack room busy cleaning her bridle for Mark. The saddle was thankfully synthetic, so required less attention than her leather items. She was wondering if she should call her husband, but she would just finish up here. Her mind dwindled back to the arena incident, and she really wanted to help the girl and her horse. Riding should be a partnership, and not a controlled one person show. That was how she trained, and the success rate was excellent.

She looked at her wedding ring, and smiled at the memories of the day that came. It had been two years now, and it had been pure bliss. She was lucky to have found Gustavo when she did.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
But if she feels bad, then I do too
So I let her be

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Status: Complete
Words: -------
Tags:--Rissa::Open--
Horses: --Here--
Outfit:
--Gustavo--
--Michel--
Lyrics:--Her Diamonds::Rob Thomas--

[.Rissa.]

R.ance V.incent

I haven't felt like this,,
In God knows how long,,
I know everything's gonna be okay,,
If you just stay gone.

Rance walked into the barn. His gelding would patiently be waiting for him. The man met a few people since coming here, mostly some of the guys. He looked forward to teaching Zack more about riding. His horse happened to be stalled in this barn also, and Rance, being a trainer, knew no one would mind if he test rode the animal again to see just what exactly the appaloosa could do. What he really wanted was a project horse, but he hadn't come across one yet.

Of course, there was the woman he met in the arena. He couldn't explain what he saw in her, but she was beautiful. He hadn't even got her name from the other day. Perhaps the next time they met, they could get to know each other more. He mainly remembered the way her auborn hair fell around her face. It glistened from the lights of the indoor arena shining down on her. She also seemed to be a very talented rider. The thought of her being a trainer never crossed his mind, nor the fact they could be future competitors to train the better horses for the academy. And of course, she wouldn't be married, most people here were single.

Rance walked into the tack room, deciding to grab halters for his horse as well as the appaloosa. It was upon stepping in, that he recognized Michel. He swallowed and felt his heart speed up drastically. There seemed to be a light glow around her, or maybe he was just seeing things. It took him a moment to get a hold of himself and casual, "Hi," he greeted. His soft brown eyes glanced around the room, and he saw where Ransom's halter was hanging. He reached for it, his hand a little shaky from nerves firing up, though the casual eye wouldn't be able to tell. He spotted the halter that they used on Bock and reached for it. His fingers barley grasped the nylon before it fell to the ground. Rance sighed low and bent down and picked it up. He casually tossed them both on his shoulder. He looked at what Michel was doing. Granted, the stuff she was polishing didn't even look dirty, "How often do you do that?" he asked with a nod of his head towards her tack.

[Onzyy]

Michel dos Santos

and

Gustavo dos Santos

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By the light of the moon,she rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night can make you blind
I can just imagine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michel methodically rubbed the saddle soap into the bridle. The various pieces was scattered around her, and her saddle was balanced in front of her. The black leather was already gleaming, but Michel just cleaned it in any case. It was relaxing, and helped her focus on her usually scattered thoughts. She heard footsteps, but that wasn’t unusual. The barn was busy on days like these. The summer had come, and time had passed without much hassle. The days passed in pretty much the same routine, wake up and train horses. The evenings were just pure bliss. Gustavo did the cooking when he knew she was tired, or they lay sprawled out on the couch watching old classics. He was very much the perfect match for her, but they still felt the void of being childless. They had been trying for last year and nothing so far.

The footsteps approached the tack room, but she brushed it off. Owners and grooms had been coming in and out for last while, just adding to the contentment of being around horses. There was nothing to cleaning tack, but having two horses in training, a yearling, and the gelding belonging to Gustavo made for a lot of tack to clean and look after, but she enjoyed it. Once again her thoughts dwindled back to the rider in the arena, and Michel wondered if she would accept help. That was what Michel was being paid for; to help the students with their horses. Though, if she knew horse people, which she did, they would rather be stubborn about it, than do something about it.

The footsteps entered the tack room and the voice broke the wall of her thoughts. Michel recognised the voice as the same one from the arena. Rance. Michel was thankful that she wasn’t wearing gloves today, thankful that her Celtic wedding band was actually on her finger, and thankful that she wouldn’t be leading on the poor guy. He seemed so friendly and kind, but she was married, and now that she thought about it, the only married couple at the Academy. It was an intimidating thought. Michel decided to answer quickly, before she seemed rude. “Hello,” she said, and looked at the cheek piece which she held in her left hand, “Um, yeah, whenever I feel like I need to chill.” Her semi- British accent rang slightly in the room. Michel had been in the States for a while now, and that accent was quickly taking over her British one. However, Christmas was around the corner, and she and Gustavo would be going back to spend it with their families.

Michel had the words that were engraved on the inside of the ring memorised. Gustavo had made sure that it had been in his native tongue. A Portuguese phrase meaning, -My heart, forever yours- and on his band, and similar phrase, but this time in Scottish Gaelic. For the passing stranger, the words may mean what they say, but to the couple it held a deeper meaning.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gustavo had made himself comfortable in La’s stall. The yearling was still young enough to be accepted as a large dog, and he treated her like that. As soon as he was settled, she had come and lay down next to him with her head in his lap. He played with her forelock, and watched the sun rays dance on her back. The filly was greying out nicely, and would be a steel grey, or a rare roan when older. Gustavo watched the filly doze off, and felt compelled to do the same, but resisted. If Michel found him a sleep then he would never hear the end of it.

He hummed a tune, though he wasn’t sure which one, and broke off laughing when it sounded like La was starting to snore. In fact she was just breathing very deeply, but it sounded funny none the less.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
But if she feels bad, then I do too
So I let her be

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Status: Complete
Words: 6.5.6
Tags:--Rissa::Open--
Horses: --Here--
Outfit:
--Gustavo--
--Michel--
Lyrics:--Her Diamonds::Rob Thomas--

[.Rissa.]

R.ance V.incent

I haven't felt like this,,
In God knows how long,,
I know everything's gonna be okay,,
If you just stay gone.

The western horse trainer kept his posture at he leaned against the door frame. He noticed her tone towards him was obviousley telling him she wasn't interested in conversing and more interested with her work. It was as she angled the cheek piece, that he saw a gleam on her left hand. Rance swallowed suddenly, a nerve catching his heart and making him even more nervous than before. Was she married? The horror in his brain never came to his face at the thought that he was hitting on another man's wife. He hadn't seen the shiny thing on her finger before, until now. Had he known at first, well, he wouldn't have been this way. The man wasn't the sort, she was taken, he would've left it at that.

He tried hard not to let it show that he just acknowledged anything, and that along, he just wanted to carry on a friendly conversation. He parted his now dry lips, "I see," he simple replied to her comment, which, eh, might have had a double meaning, "Well, um, I'll see ya around," his voice was undoubtfully cracked up a little in embarrasment. He didn't even wait for a reply before he turned and walked off, a bit faster paced than usual. There was one question aching to be answered the back of his mind, who. Who beat him to the chase, who had captured hear heart and locked it up for theirs alone. What kind of a man did it take?

He reached the appaloosa gelding's stall, just passing a man humming to a horse two stalls up. Without a word, the trainer opened the stall door and slipped inside. The calm gelding seemed displease with the presence of the human, knowing he was going to have to work. His tail flicked as the halter was quickly slid over his face.

[Onzyy]

Michel dos Santos

and

Gustavo dos Santos

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By the light of the moon,she rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night can make you blind
I can just imagine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michel listened to his words, Rance's tone being different. Worried she looked up only to find that he wasn't there anymore. That was strange, not having caught his double meaning. Why men were so strange she did not know. Having put back the bridle, she quickly found a specially made rope halter that she used on her yearling. The halter had knots in places that when put on La's face, would be on pressure points. only halter training the young horse, Michel found her self enjoying just doing that. It wasn't as strenuous as the full training that her other horses were going through.

Leaving the tack room, she saw the cowboy's back disappear into a stall that was right next to Shock. Well that isn't awkward at all. she thought, knowing that she would have to face him sometime. Then a brief thought ran through her mind. Did he like her? Now that was interesting. Yet she was happily married and considered the cowboy no more than a good friend. She slowly walked down the barn aisle towards La's stall and found a pleasant surprise. Well hello my love. she said towards the curly haired male.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gustavo was dozing lazily with La's head in his lap when Michel arrived. He gave her a warm, loving smile. He lived for this woman, and loved her dearly. Gustavo got up, and slipped out from the stall. La looked indignant at the thought of being woken up, but quickly fell asleep again. Gustavo looked around to see if anyone else was in the barn, but saw no-one. He didn't know that Rance was in a stall close to them.

Silently he drew Michel into his arms, and leaned forward slightly to kiss her. Her soft lips were a safe haven for his, and he could kiss her all day if he felt like it.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
But if she feels bad, then I do too
So I let her be

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Status: Complete
Words: ...
Tags:--Rissa::Open--
Horses: --Here--
Outfit:
--Gustavo--
--Michel--
Lyrics:--Her Diamonds::Rob Thomas--

[.Rissa.]

R.ance V.incent

I pulled over by the curb,,
I've been sittin' here all night,,
Wonderin' what it was I did so wrong,,
That he did so right.

The halter easily slipped around the fat gelding's sleek face. Rance collected the lead rope in his hands and was about to exit the stall when he heard the voice of woman, not just any woman. The voice of Michel. He heard some shuffling going on in the next stall to him as well. The trainer swallowed, his brown eyes turned back to the gelding, almost as if asking the horse what he should do. The animal gave him a easy answer and stomped his foot in annoyance and impatience.

The cowboy didn't hear anything else, they might have gone in the stall together or something. Plus, he didn't have all day to hide out, he had to get on with life. His ballcap shielded his face from the world as his brown eyes stared at the ground as his boots emerged from the stall. He quickly looked up, something catching the corner of his eye. His expression was one of surprise as he saw a man kissing Michel right in the aisle way. It was even more shocking to find out this man looked nothing like a cowboy, nothing like a man who would know anything about hard work. A nose shoved into Rance's shoulder, causing him to go forward a bit. The walked out of the stall, his loud hooves clanging on the cement.

Rance knew he was noticed now. He quickly masked his previous expression and stood on the other side of Boch, away from them, as he tied the gelding to the stall. Acting like he wasn't looking or paying attention. But, how! How could such a graceful, beautiful woman fall for a man like that? He was totally opposite.

[Onzyy]

Michel dos Santos

and

Gustavo dos Santos

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By the light of the moon,she rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night can make you blind
I can just imagine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michel yielded quietly to Gustavo, forgetting completely where she was. Nothing went through her mind, but a little niggle in the back of her mind told her that they were being watched. She withdraw, and noticed the disappointed expression on Gustavo's face, but indicated with her eyes to where she thought the person was standing. Turning around she blushed a deep red when she saw that it was Rance.

Hell, she was embarrassed when she him. For her it was just plain awkward to have someone watching them. the gelding next to the man was beautiful, and was built like a true western horse. It was the only way that she could stop thinking about being caught, and Michel knew that she was like a teenager who had just been caught.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Gustavo didn't want to stop, but followed Michel's gaze to the man. Well, the man was a cowboy that was for sure, but Gustavo felt anything but threatened. It wasn't in the curly haired man to be such. He and Michel had been through a lot in the last 2 years, and a cowboy sure wasn't going to change that. Mark had also stuck his chestnut head over the stall door to see what all the fuss was all about, and neighed in welcome to the gelding that was there.

Gustavo saw his wife's reaction to being caught, and he drew her into his side, as if protecting her from something. He was slightly taller than her, and it showed when she reacted like this. When they had met as teenagers, it was her kindness that had drawn him to her. Enfolding his fingers through hers, he coughed once and placed a smile on his face. Hello, I'm Gustavo dos Santos. Pleasure to meet you.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
But if she feels bad, then I do too
So I let her be

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Status: Complete
Words: ...
Tags:--Rissa::Open--
Horses: --Here--
Outfit:
--Gustavo--
--Michel--
Lyrics:--Her Diamonds::Rob Thomas--

[.Rissa.]

R.ance V.incent

I pulled over by the curb,,
I've been sittin' here all night,,
Wonderin' what it was I did so wrong,,
That he did so right.

Rance heard the shuffling of feet and knew he had been discovered. He was hoping the would just go on with their business, well -in another room- and he, with his. His hands fumbled at the knot, not even tying it right the first time. His nerves were so wracked up, he was surprised he still knew he was looking at a horse. Finally, he tugged the knot tight, only to hear a man clear his throat.

The cowboy looked at the from the corner of his eye before meeting the man's smiling face. Hell, anyone would smile if they just got done kissing her. The man next introduced himself. Rance wished he would have left the barn completely, why did fate have it this way? He forced a small smile on his face, staying where he was by the horse, "Nice to meet you too," he forced the words out of his mouth in a pleasing manner, for Michel's sake, "Rance Vincent. Sorry I, uh, interuppted you," No, not at all, he apologized. Honestly, he wasn't sure what to say. He didn't even dare cast a glance in the woman's direction.

Really, the trainer had no reason to be standing where he was, but he couldn't bring himself to move. His hands fiddled with the mane of the gelding, acting like there was something keeping him between the barrier other than just will itself. A idea finally struck him and he bent down and asked for the gelding's foot. The animal wouldn't give. Rance gently squeezed the horse's chesnut on it's leg and in annoyance, lifted it's foot to get away. The trainer grabbed the hoof in his hands, saying 'good boy' in a quiet tone.

[Onzyy]

Michel dos Santos

and

Gustavo dos Santos

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

By the light of the moon,she rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night can make you blind
I can just imagine

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Michel kept staring at the ground, not knowing what to do or say. It was so awkward just to be standing there, and she knew that Gustavo's protective streak had taken over when he drew her into his side like that. Well, it seemed Rance didn't know what to do either by the looks of it.

Gustavo watched as Rance bent down to lift his horse's foot and quickly parted a kiss on Michel's brown hair, when he knew the cowboy wasn't looking. He wasn't exactly sure what had happened between the two before or if they knew each other, but Gustavo just left the topic. He had other things on his mind. Such as Michel and her weird mood.

Michel checked that nothing was going on, and looked up. She was sure that the heat had abated from her face and she smiled. More to herself than to anyone else. There was tension in the room, and she felt that it could be cut like a knife through butter. Men and their ego's

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

And I don't know what I'm supposed to do
But if she feels bad, then I do too
So I let her be

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Status: Complete
Words: ...
Tags:--Rissa::Open--
Horses: --Here--
Outfit:
--Gustavo--
--Michel--
Lyrics:--Her Diamonds::Rob Thomas--

[.Rissa.]

R.ance V.incent

I pulled over by the curb,,
I've been sittin' here all night,,
Wonderin' what it was I did so wrong,,
That he did so right.

The western trainer wondered why the two were still hanging around. He knew the other man was judging him, trying to figure out the situation. But he never would, unless Michel said something, but only assumptions could be made. Honestly, the cowboy wanted nothing more to do with either of them. It was no one's fault, these sort of things just happened.

He moved to the back hoof, starting with his calloused hand at the animal's rump, he coasted down the gaskin, the knee, and to the hoof itself, clucking. He applied pressure with his fingers, squeezing. The gelding barely lifted his foot and Rance caught it. His brown eyes quickly inspected it. He then let the leg drop to the ground. The gelding let his hoof fall in a relaxed formation, and kept it there as the man now crossed the invisible barrier on the otherside of the horse. He looked at the couple, wondering if he should say something, "How long y'all been together?" he threw the question out there for nothing more than curiosity. He could see, by the way they were, they loved each other. The cowboy knew he couldn't change that, and well, there was obviousley someone else out there for him.

His musculuar frame bent down and he grabbed the other front foot of the gelding.