Jesse sighed heavily before retreating down the ladder and out of the barn.

Bo rubbed his forehead lightly, it was starting to hurt from the stress of everything and all he wanted to do was return to how things were before. On some levels, he really wished he hadn't gotten involved at all.

Luke slept on, the medicine and the stress of the past week exhausting him.

Jesse sighed as he stood in the middle of the yard, shaking his head. HIs boys were growing up...and facing futures that none of them had ever expected them to. And for once, Jesse didn't know what he could do for either of them...they had to work all this out for themselves.

Luke seemed to be well on his way, with Jaime growing steadily into a good ol' girl and he getting the love of his life in order too...it was just the carrer that Luke needed to work out. Jesse knew he was reluctant to leave the farm - what with Jesse growing older and all...but Jesse was determined not to let Luke stay here on account of him.

The only worry was Bo...and this little boy named Troy who Jesse hadn't even met yet...Bo didn't know what to do and neither did Jesse if he was honest with himself.

Luke woke up three hours later blinking as he did so, looking about the room restlessly. He had never been one to stay still, and now when he was forced to, he felt as if he would go crazy. Biting his lip he reached for his crutches and hobbled out of bed, slowly makng his way to the kitchen.

Jesse wasn't in the kitchen and neither was Bo. Jesse had gone to town for some groceries before all the shops closed for the day and Bo was still out in the barn, doing chores but trying also to figure out what to do.

Luke sighed softly not seeing anyone. By nature he was a loner, but sometimes he craved his family...

Going to the cupboard he got out a glass and turning on the faucet let it run cold before getting himelf a drink, bracing himself on his wooden crutches.

Bo continued to work outside, having to do double chores now Luke was out of action.

Luke glanced out the window and saw Bo moving around. Carefully he made his way outside and lowered himself carefully onto the porch.

Bo didn't notice Luke hobble outside, too busy concentrating on his work and the thoughts running through his head.

Luke watched him for a minute not sure what to do. He got the feeling it wasnt the time for small talk.

Bo soon moved onto the last chore, chopping the wood up to make firewood for them to use.

Luke sighed feeling useless looking longingly at the wood.

It was then that a car pulled up just on the edge of the driveway and Jaime stepped out, followed by a young man. Smiling she turned to him and said something that was hard to hear when they boys were as far away as they were...although they could have a pretty good guess at what was said when the next moment she was in his arms and they were locked in a gentle lip lock.

Luke sat in shock half tempted to go screaming at the young man to keep his mouth to himself.

Jaime eventually pulled away with a smile, hoisting her school bag onto her shoulder again, her cheeks a slight pinkish colour as she blushed, tracing a finger softly down the young man's cheek before stepping away, breaking away her hand from his.

With a small wave from the both of them, the young man got into the car in the passenger side and Jaime waved at both him and his father as they drove off, watching him disappear down the road before heading to the farmhouse - not realising Luke had witnessed everything.

"What in Sam Hill was that?!" demanded Luke. Surprised your cheeks aint bue stead of pink as long as ya went without air..."

Jaime jumped back at the yell as though she had been burned, dropping her bag as she saw Luke on the porch, swallowing softly.

"Daddy..."

"Glad you know who I am...now how out you tell me who was that?!"

Jaime bit her lip a little, swallowing hard before lifting her chin a little and heading inside past him as she said.

"My boyfriend..."

"B-b-boyfriend?!"

Jaime nodded with an 'mmm hmmm' as she walked into the farmhouse, putting her school bag in her room before going to the fridge to get some lemonade.

His mouth a thin line as he hobbled inside. "No. No! you're too young!"

Jaime sighed and shook her head, looking to him as she drunk her lemonade.

"I'm near 16 Daddy!"

"Exactly....that ain't old enough!"