I do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters. School is winding down. Not only do I need a break from school, I need a break from doing things in scenes. Thanks to my Beta Reader though all mistakes are still my own.

Last Train to Freedom

Chapter One

Jarrod climbed aboard the train that had pulled into the Chicago train station. He'd left home to visit an old friend and was now eager to get back to California and to his law practice. He could see the sun setting off on the horizon as he boarded the train. First thing he'd have to do is head for the dining car then to the sleeping compartment he'd reserved.

"Hello, Mr. Barkley," Jonathon the conductor smiled as Jarrod made his way to the dining car, "Good to see you again." While Jarrod did not make that many trips back to Chicago, when he did, he always rode "Jonathon's" train.

"Good to see you too," Jarrod sat down and began eating. The food smelled good and tasted delicious. From where he sat, he could see a white haired gentleman who was built like an ox sitting on the other side of the dining car. Two younger men, both large built, and a young brown haired woman sat with him. Jarrod didn't like it when he had the funniest feeling come over him, one that said he'd be meeting up with the man with the young men and young woman again. That kind of feeling usually meant trouble. Before he finished his food the men and young woman had left.

"Jonathon," Jarrod stood up and stopped the conductor once again, "which sleeping compartment is mine? The ticket master wasn't sure. He just knew one had been reserved."

"It's the last door on your right." Jonathon answered as he went about his business. Jarrod made his way down the hall, his mind on his family and Stockton. So engrossed in his thoughts was he that, by the time he'd reached the end of the sleeping compartment, he wasn't thinking. He opened the door on his left and went inside. It was dark; dark enough that he'd usually open pull the curtain aside before laying down. As it was, he took off his shirt, shoes and socks and crawled into bed. It wasn't long before he was asleep.

Deborah Hansen slipped away from her over protective father and brothers. She was tired of their hounding. At least she had her own sleeping compartment, and she was tired! Slipping into the darkened room she slid off her dress and kicked off her shoes. It wasn't long until she was under the covers. 'Boy, what did they do? Put a smaller bed in here?' she thought as she hit the 'wall' sooner than expected. She might have checked on things, but she was just too blasted tired. Soon, she was fast asleep.

As tired as they were neither one woke until the sun slid underneath the curtains and then it was Jarrod opened his eyes first. The sun was giving the room just enough light to wake him up earlier than he wished to be waked up. He had shock waves go through him as he realized someone was sleeping in the crook of his arm and had a hand over his chest! He turned his head and had additional shock waves go through him as he realized it was the young woman he'd seen in the dining car. HOW had she gotten into his compartment?

Before he could say or do anything, Deborah opened her eyes and shot straight up gathering the blanket up around her. "Who are you and what are you doing in my room?" she demanded.

"Your room?" Jarrod sat up, "This is my compartment. What are you doing here?"

"Sir," Deborah's voice grew firm, "I have had this compartment for the past two days. I know for a fact that the only empty sleeping compartment on this train is the one across from mine. The conductor told father it…" she stopped as she remembered the conductor's words 'it will be occupied tomorrow night'.

Jarrod quickly ran over the events of the previous night. Good grief! He slapped his forehead with his right hand, "I turned left instead of right!" The smile that came onto the young girl's face was one that was just dying to bust up laughing. His own smile began to spread only to be interrupted when the door slid open and the white haired gentleman stepped inside. That infuriated her. Her father just assumed that everyone was up and around as early as he was. He never knocked. One look at the scene that met his eyes and he exploded as he whipped out his pistol, his eyes throwing balls of fire towards the stranger with his daughter.

Deborah thought fast. She knew her father and brothers well enough to know they'd shoot first and then ask questions, and she could hear her brothers coming. Thinking of the offer she'd received from her friend in San Francisco she made a quick decision, hoping the gentleman would go along with her, at least until they got to California and away from her father and brothers. "Now papa, is that a way to treat your new son in law?"

It was all Jarrod could do to keep a straight face, but what choice did he have? The man had a gun pulled and cocked. "My what?" Mr. Hansen's face looked as if someone had taken cold water and thrown it on him.

"You're new son in law? We might have waited, but that nice reverend was available so we took advantage of it," Deborah prayed like mad that what she'd overheard the conductor tell another passenger was true. If not, both she and the stranger with her were in bigger trouble than they already were.

"That reverend!" Mr. Hansen uncocked his pistol as his sons appeared, "Is a no good con artist! He was thrown off the train in the middle of the night! So," he put his hands on his hips and glared at Jarrod, "My new son in law best be prepared to retake his vows as soon as this train stops in the next town!" he turned around and stormed out of the room dragging his sons with him.

Deborah slid off the bed, threw her dress back on and shut the door. "Look sir," she turned around, "Papa's not the kind to listen to reason when he gets like that. That being the case, may I make a suggestion?"

Jarrod threw on his shirt, "And just what would that be?" he asked as he slid on his socks and shoes. This morning was not starting out the way he'd planned on.

"Give Papa his marriage until we hit California. As long as you don't demand your husbandly prerogatives, we can get the married annulled once we hit San Francisco and Papa and my brothers have left us. I have a friend who wants me to work for her anyway."

Jarrod smiled, "I get the feeling it's not going to be that easy. What if your father and brothers hang around for a while?"

"Then put up with me until they're gone," Deborah sat down next to him, "It's that or let them shoot you and spread lies about me."

Jarrod wasn't sure what he thought of it, but he didn't see where he had much choice. Before he could say anything they heard footsteps approaching the compartment then a man practically banging on the door. "It's safe to come in, Papa." Deborah called out.

Mr. Hansen poked his head in, "May I at least have my son in law's name?" he still did not look like a happy camper, but he was speaking polite enough. "Jarrod, Jarrod Thomas Barkley," Jarrod answered and sighed inwardly. He had no wish to be shot by an angry father nor did he wish for the young woman's reputation to be ruined.

Both he and Deborah noticed the surprised look that came onto the man's face. They looked at each other and instantly thought basically the same thing, "How does he know the name!"