not your everyday visit [Intrepid-closed]

[Cavallo]

<sub>Ripley Marsh was many things. She was professional, effective and what he affectionately referred to as "prickly", but all in all, he felt privileged to call the woman as one of his partners and knew she was a worthy rival, but when he looked at the green-eyed woman somehow "future mother" wasn't a title he would have ascribed to her. Ripley Marsh is pregnant. He watched the woman carefully, read the indecisiveness about her and her situation. Some women would have died of happiness over discovering their pregnancy, but at this very moment Ripley Marsh's face was looking more like she smelled something sour. He couldn't blame the woman. He knew how much racing meant to her and to all of a sudden have that option surprisingly taken from you, well, that would be a bitter pill to swallow. He was happy for her all the same, even if she hadn't fully realized the joyous occasion for what it was.


There was a lot going on in that woman's head and for once he felt sympathy with the woman. This was going to change a lot of things around Witch Creek. His mind immediately jumped to the next natural thought, the father. He wasn't going to ask, but from the last time he's been over at Witch Creek, Brooks and Ripley had been thick as thieves and he felt confident that he could lay this responsibility on the assistant trainer and wondered if the man knew. His brow furrowed briefly at the thought of the man not knowing and he was thinking much along the lines of Mal's thinking. She wouldn't be this puzzled and confused if the man already knew.

Adele watched with totally sympathetic eyes. It was a blow to any career female jockey who wasn't planning on the occasion. She honestly couldn't imagine the blow of having to hang up her chaps and just walk away, but she understood why Ripley was doing what she was - she would have made the same choice if she'd been in her position, but that didn't make things easier. Her whole heart went out to the woman as she looked down at the filly, refusing to meet their eyes. It was a shock to hear that she was not racing, but then to hear about the baby, well it was a lot for any person to process.

Ripley would not be held down for long though and sure as the sun she was firing back in her business-like manner, though it was apparent in her eyes that the news of her pregnancy still lingered in the recesses of her mind. When she announced that she would still be riding in the Breeder's Cup a little flag of warning was raised within Nick, but her gaze dared someone to challenge her on this and he exhaled a long sigh. The protective man-side of him wanted to boldly speak out against her choice, but the friend and business partner side of him understood. You couldn't completely change who you were based on an event like this. Yes, changes would be made when necessary, but if Marsh felt she could handle being pregnant and wrangling her horses than he was going to support the decision.
He nodded at her words. Well then. Adele watched Nick as he processed all that had occurred, waiting to hear next what he had to say. I can say this with complete honesty, I for one will be sad to see you go, but I am happy for you and this baby. As for riding in the Breeder's Cup, the rival part of me is eager in anticipation for your participation. I hope you know that Myself and the Intrepid team are here to help you and your crew in whatever ways you need as you all go through this transitional period - though I doubt you'll be needing our help. He chuckled at that last part, the Witch Creek crew was renown for being cut-throat competitors and being extremely proficient at their jobs and resourcefulness. He had no concerns for the future of Witch Creek.

Adele smiled in agreement with Nick's statement. Thank you for sharing with us. We would have been banging on the doors at your disappearance if you hadn't warned us. Nick wanted to laugh at Adele's words, but they were true. When there was the kind history that Intrepid and Witch Creek that existed, there were natural bonds that were made and concern for the well-being of the members was just apart of the package deal. Adele looked over at Mal, making sure that he himself was ok, but she had a feeling there would be more discussion between the two trainers after they left. She nodded to Ripley in confirmation of her words, she liked the woman and respected her. She personally hoped she smashed in the BC, it would have been exactly the way she'd have wanted to go out.</sub>

[Ripley]

Ripley recoiled at her own pathetic way of doing things. She didn't want their pity, knew she should be rather overjoyed. Instead she was a joykill. And she hadn't even told Brooks yet. Her anguish was quite great. She had to tell him tonight. When the staff went home and he was leaning over the coffee table with the racing sheets. She'd have to tell him then. She took in a big breath, prepared herself mentally and physically for the argument that would come. She knew how men worked, knew they had a sense of overbearing entitlement. Mal and Nick had both suffered from said entitlement, but previous experience with Ripley had basically kept their mouths shut. She was glad her reputation preceded her on this one instance.

She wanted to laugh at the absurdity of the moment. She'd told her rivals before the man that lived with her that she was pregnant. Her priorities were obviously lacking in this area. She slapped a dusty hand to her jeans, allowed some amusement to float into her eyes. Perhaps not everything would be bad. As long as everyone allowed her, quietly, to ride in the Breeders' Cup and cap off Mastermind's career, along with Cross'. That would be the key. Until that moment, she wouldn't be going down without a fight.

"Nah, we're not much for needing help. It's just best to be aware of the situation. I suppose I'll have to make it known to the press, but maybe not for a little bit." She rolled her shoulders back, pride not letting her down. "We look forward to your participation as well. You'll be making a full-fledged appearance in the Breeders' Cup. I'd like to be able to have an honest chance against your horses for once."

Taunting rolled off the tip of Ripley's tongue and her green eyes rolled in mockery. Nick knew the score well-enough. She wanted so badly to face off with Intrepid in the Breeders' Cup. It was fun having an arch-rival you could plot with. "And then after that, if I remember correctly we need to have a sit-down chat about the going-ons for next breeding season."


Mal had tuned Ripley and Nick's conversation out for the moment. His gaze had gone immediately to Adele. He cocked a brow at her, nodded toward the barn away from Nick and Ripley. Without a word, Mal strode away, impatient to get Adele away from her boss so he could speak to her in private.

[Cavallo]

And then. THE OLD RIPLEY WAS BACK. He rolled his eyes at the taunt. Of Course Ripley. We came back into the business just to amuse you. You know after all, Intrepid is just here to serve you... His sarcasm was biting, but this was a Ripley he knew how to handle and he figured it wouldn't hurt to help take her mind off other things. Of course, I'll have to stop by and run my entries by you for you approval and all. We wouldn't want to miss any opportunity to service you with high-quality-kick-you-in-the-face kind of competition. To deny you that this year would be unthinkable. He crossed his arms, his posture and voice all business, but his eyes held the twinkle of a man that was amused.

Of course, we can bow out in certain races if you're afraid you'll loose, we just run in races so you can win...naturally....NOT. He rolled his eyes and uncrossed his arms. He wouldn't have missed the BC for the world this year and the rest of the year would be a journey to this end of the year event. I'm genuinely excited for this year's BC and the discussions we'll be having after the fact. His eyes brightened at the mention of next year's breeding season. He was already dubbing his Y15 ideas the WCS crop - it was that intensive. He didn't even really notice as Adele slipped horse reins into his hands and bent closer to Ripley as they talked about devious breeding schemes for the future.

She smiled, pleased with herself at pawning off the yearling onto Nick. Once the man got to talking about breedings, he was hopeless. Landing was widely regarded as a top breeder and it was for a reason - he was dang good at it. It was also the perfect topic for her to be able to sneak away. She'd caught his gaze and as he'd turn to go, she'd pawned off the filly. She strode after him with an eagerness. It had felt like an eternity since she'd buried her head into his chest, kissed his lips or just sat quietly in his presence while he worked. She missed him and the devil himself was going to have to step into her path from following this man into this barn. She turned the corner as her eyes adjusted to the shift in the lighting. The sand glistened on her plaid button up and dusted her worn blue-jeans. She paused to brush it off and watched as a dust cloud took flight into the air. She coughed and raised her hand to her mouth in an attempt to screen her breathing and once the coughing had subsided, she laughed at herself. Her hand having left an unknown smudge on her right cheek and secretly hoped that Mal hadn't seen the embarrassing scene, but then what did she care. He'd seen her covered in worst - though maybe not having a coughing/laughing fit.

She shook her head and smiling at her own silliness looked for her broad shouldered man and his black tee.

[Ripley]

Ripley scoffed at Nick, riding along with the jokes. This was so much easier than thinking about her own issues. She liked talking horses, got an adrenaline rush by simply talking about them. She could hardly wait for Breeders' Cup, but now a sense of dread tinged the overwhelming joy. She would have several pressures as the rider of Mastermind, Cross My Heart, The Devil's Hourglass and Saintly Touch. She worried incessantly about them, her core four. Two would retire with her. Two would go on to do great things. She had to remind herself that everything would not end, that soon she'd be back on the horses again, if not as a jockey, but an exercise rider.

"So tell me a little of your plans for the foals next year. We're bringing in your Thanks For The Memories and shipping her over to meet Red Herring at Firestone Racing. I've got Crowned Queen coming in from Star Thoroughbreds to breed to Mr. Hat And Clogs. Fie will be heading over to your place for I'm thinking... GS Judgement. I'm still wavering on who to breed her too. And the other two breedings I have set in stone are Touch Up and Flawed Princess, GS Royal Crown and Whipped Cream. To say I'm eager for these foals to be born would be an understatement."

Mal could hear Ripley and Nick talking about foals for Year Fifteen. Normally, he'd be all over that conversation, but at the moment all he could think about was Adele. He grinned when she appeared, covered in race track dust and having a coughing fit. She was so real compared to most women around the track. Most of them hid their faults with makeup and defensive attitudes. She simply was a good person with more genuine personality than he'd ever expected to find.

He strode right up to her, placed his hands on her shoulder and pulled her against him with force. He kissed her on the forehead and then a long time on the mouth. Oh how he'd missed her. It burned him to know that they were so close and so far away. His cobalt eyes filled with irritation and desire as he pulled back and stared down at her.

"We need to talk."

[Cavallo]

<sub>He watched as Ripley eased more so back into familiar territory. Horses was a universal language when it came to Ripley Marsh and Nick Landing and right now they were speaking fluidly. Nick smiled at the plans Marsh was ready to set in motion. His eyes lit up in interest when she mentioned potentially sending Fiery Touch to Judgment he got all riled up inside. When Witch Creek sampled his stallions, they usually always found success in the Witch Creek silks and he really liked the sound of this pairing. He listened as Ripley gave him a peek at what she was planning and he was eager to do the same.

Well, I'm definitely thinking that Ethan and I are thinking of calling Y15 the year of Witch Creek over at Intrepid. We confirmed it with your man that Arachne will be paying your boy Mastermind a visit, along with Carmilla to Native Flame...and then if I remembered correctly I'm thinkin' Sunny Girl is still in the books for me? His eyes twinkled at the prospect of El Sol Del Mar paying Impressario a little visit for a Y15 baby. His head was already dreaming of the TC just thinking about that foal. He paused and puzzled and then he had his light-bulb moment, Ah Yes and I think we're scheduled for Royal Assault's last baby too right? He was excited about the prospect of having a sprinter baby out of the mare. And then of course I have a home project planned. he grinned at that announcement. He was eagerly awaiting the arrival of this home project.

One minute she's coughing and then the next she's firmly grabbed and embraced. She had just started to look for Mal and then it was all dark t-shirt and strong arms. She could have melted to the floor in contentment if his arms hadn't been holding her to him. She snuggled into him with a sigh of contentment as he kissed her forehead. God, she'd missed him and then to feel him, his taunt muscled body pressed up against hers and then, yep. She just died and went to heaven when he pressed his mouth to hers. She had to remind herself to breathe as he lifted his head from hers and she drank in the sight of him. She missed him so much it ached and it wasn't like they didn't see each other, but she was growing restless. She needed more. Or was that too much and more than he could give her at this moment? She banished the thought as she felt the passion in his embrace, touch and gaze. No, but something was going to change and she almost eagerly welcomed the change - if it meant she'd get more of Mal. She came out of her kissing daze and she bit her lip in concern and thought as she took in his furrowed brow and frustrated gaze.

Something was eating at him and she inwardly felt a touch of relief that she wasn't the only one here in this relationship that was having an inner struggle. She sobered and nodded, but her gaze took a serious touch, true concern for him filling her eyes. Honesty was a quality that she valued highly and she always knew Mal to never be lacking in that department and so she nodded and prepared herself. She crossed her arms casually.

Well. And hello to you too. She chuckled slightly, but then sobered, I agree. We do need to talk. What is it that you have on your mind?</sub>

[Ripley]

Thoughts of Ripley's pregnancy clouded Malcolm's brain momentarily. He felt a brotherly panic for the slim woman he worked for. For horses most pregnancies went well. God knew Ripley was as stubborn as one so her pregnancy should be a breeze. But she was unmarried and judgement often came down on women especially in the male dominated racing world. His cobalt blue eyes lit with a fire and he vowed to protect Ripley as much as he could. Brooks was the dad, but he'd be too busy pampering the not-so-easy to pamper Ripley to do much else.

All of these thoughts whipped through Mal's brain as Adele spoke. He barely heard her through his inner-panic. What if Adele became pregnant? They didn't even live together. They had no combined partnership like Brooks and Ripley? How did things work when you never saw your other half outside of weekly visits? He scoffed inwardly. Their relationship was worth me to him than just weekly visits.

A glare furrowed his brow. "I have a ton on my mind. Particularly with this recent announcement. It just makes what I have to say all that more important and at the forefront of my brain." The man turned on his heel beginning to pace like a caged tiger. He couldn't look at the jockey, couldn't stand still out of nerves and fear of rejection.

"Adele, we have come to a tipping point." He huffed, stopping in front of her, legs spread as though he were about to do battle. "I can't do this weekly dirt. It's too rough on both of us and sometimes we can't even do the weekly visits. How is anyone supposed to live like that? It feels like a tryst almost. I don't want that."

His blue eyes locked on hers, daring her to deny this fact. She couldn't if she felt even half what he felt. "I have to have more of you. I need more of you in my life." He felt his stomach roil over in his gut. "I'm in love with you Adele. I can't take less of you. I don't know which comes first. Are you a conventional sort? Do you need a ring and a wedding to move in with me? I can do that, but I don't want to wait that long... That's going to take forever. Too long for my taste. But I'll do whatever you need Adele."

His gaze bore into her from three feet away. He would cringe if she denied him, but he had faith that she wouldn't. He rubbed his hands on his pants, looking at the dust-covered, horse-hair covered woman he'd gone and fallen in love with.

[Cavallo]

<sub>There were some serious topics she'd wanted to cover with Malcolm - serious matters of course being, what he wanted to do for his birthday, or to pester him about when she was going to get to go with him back to the diner and pester Suzy about what a busy-body Mal was - those kind of serious matters, but as soon as she saw Malcolm's glaring eyes of concern furrowed deeply her concept of "serious matters" was quickly redefined. This wasn't your hey...I don't like the perfume you wear kind of deal...and right off the bat she sensed that this was going to be one of those life changing moments that would either make or break their relationship. The thought of him breaking up with her immediately made her want to throw up as the color visibly drained from her face as she fought off the wave of nausea and quickly focused on Mal. Something very drastic was about to change between them and as she looked at a very perturbed Malcolm she didn't get warm fuzzy feelings. Her frame stiffened as she braced herself for whatever was to come, crossing her arms in front of her, holding herself in case the world decided to let go of her.

"I have a ton on my mind. Particularly with this recent announcement. It just makes what I have to say all that more important and at the forefront of my brain." Her azure eyes were sharply focused on his hard chiseled features as she subtly nodded her head for him to continue, her lips pressed into a thin tight line in preparation for the worst. What else could have Mal so pensive if it wasn't something that had gone wrong? He was an honest, but caring man and she knew he cared for her and she had a feeling that if he were going to end things with her then this would be the way it would happen - trying to protect her while ripping her heart out. The thought caused her face to grimace subtly, but she schooled her features to remain cool, but inquisitive and nodded for him to continue on with whatever he had to say.

When he turned away from her, her heart lurched, but didn't move as she watched him anxiously pace. At this rate she felt like he was about to tell her that her parents had died and that she was just not the right one for him, oh and that her childhood dog had died, but she simply watched as the man she had come to love and care for pace out and search for the right words to say.

"Adele, we have come to a tipping point." She arched an eyebrow at him and inwardly tried to summon her courage to face whatever Malcolm was about to throw at her as he took of a determined stance before her. She met him in like, though she was pretty certain her knees where slightly shaking and could give out at any moment. The words were suddenly flowing from his mouth and she felt her mouth slightly opening in gaping surprise that couldn't be masked. So their relationship was weekly dirt. Granted she wasn't pleased with the amount of time they spent together and she had to concede that point to him, but even if their time was fleeting it had never been dirt to her. His last words rang sharp and jagged through her soul. He didn't want the dirt of their relationship. Oh. My. God. He's ending this. She gritted her teeth together and her chin took on a defiant tilt as she summoned her pride to steel her legs and emotions from breaking down in front of Malcolm and met his challenging blue eyes with a solid wall of unyielding blue. His eyes dared her to disagree with his comments and she quickly thought of some choice statements, but quickly bit her tongue as she noticed that he wasn't done and hoped he'd hurry d destroying her so she could crawl up in the first dark corner to die in. She loved this stubborn, cocky Irish prick. She'd let him see deep into who she really was and exposed herself like never before - no man before him had even come close to the depths that he'd touched in her and she knew innately that no other man would even come close and here he was saying that he didn't want what they had. The thoughts whirled a mile a minute in her head as she waited for him to finish, but she steeled herself and forced the voices in her mind to be still for just a few more moments of this torture. She didn't deny his statements and answered his challenging gaze again with a silent surrender. She wasn't going to contradict him now.

And then the next few words that rolled out of his mouth undid her. "I have to have more of you. I need more of you in my life." Her eyes silently filled with unshed tears that she refused to allow to fall. How was it possible for the world to be falling apart only seconds ago and then all of a sudden be made right? She bowed her head in silent shame, unable to look the man that she so desperately loved in the eyes. She'd doubted him and immediately thought the worst scenario, but here he was only asking for more of her and she knew instantly that she was only too willing to fill the request and his next few words were like nails in the coffin sealing her fate to be hopelessly and irrevocably dedicated and in love with her Irish man.

"I'm in love with you Adele. I can't take less of you. I don't know which comes first. Are you a conventional sort? Do you need a ring and a wedding to move in with me? I can do that, but I don't want to wait that long... That's going to take forever. Too long for my taste. But I'll do whatever you need Adele." She dared to look up at him as a silent tear broke through her restraints and trailed down her right cheek, leaving a wet track of cleanliness on her dust covered face. No longer was there a rigid self-defense in place, but the walls around her came down as she reached out to him, needing the reassurance of his arms around her. Holding her. Cherishing her. She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his chest, inhaling the familiar scent of him of horses, sweat and pure maleness about him. She collected herself and dared to look up at him with a smile that she knew would melt his toes, shimmering with hope and love just for him.

Well then. She whispered as she gazed up at him and she immediately wanted to soothe this fears and fulfill his every need. A surge of possessiveness overwhelmed her as she cocked an eyebrow and held him closer. Looks like my mother is gonna skin me alive next time she sees me because I'm thinking you need to drive me home to pack. Her gaze suddenly heated with desire and urgency. But you better make an honest woman out of me later Mr. I expect to see you in a courthouse in a few days...there's no reason to put off the honeymoon to later though right? She'd never been the girl to dream of her wedding and what good was it with her family miles away when the man she knew she wanted to be with for the rest of her life was right here in her arms? The effect this man had on her and the proximity of the hard planes of his chest was making her breathing ragged as he began to overwhelm and cloud her senses and she knew right then and there that he'd better drive with a lead foot because she wasn't sure how much longer she was willing to behave.</sub>