I do not own Big Valley or any of the original Barkley characters.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

CHAPTER SEVEN

Making their way towards Rockville Nick hoped like mad they could get there before dark. That hour at her friend's place and having to take the alternate route was costing them valuable time. He didn't like it.

"That friend of yours, with all his babbling, mentioned your brother. Do you have any more siblings?" Nick asked as they rode side by side. While they weren't exactly walking their horses they weren't on a dead run either so it was easy enough to start the conversation. She shook her head.

"Is this Uncle Jonathon the only bad apple in the family?" Nick had been wondering that one for some time. She started to nod then stopped shrugging her shoulders instead. "Don't really know? Guess I can see that."

Star pointed to Nick's left hand and turned her eyebrows down in a questioning manner. At first he didn't understand what she was wondering about; that is, not until he realized she was pointing to the ring on his finger. He smiled, "Yeah, I'm married. My Anna will most likely tan my hide by the time I get home. I was supposed to beat her home not the other way around."

When they came to a small creek Nick dismounted his horse and grabbed their canteens. As soon as he had them filled he mounted his horse again. They traveled another hour before Nick had to admit they weren't going to get to Rockville by night going this route. He stopped his horse and looked around. When he looked down the hill from where Star and he sat on their horses he could see at least two riders coming from the direction they had just come. That old man must have said something to someone! He swore silently.

He wanted to swear some more when Star pointed off in the direction of Rockville...more dust was being kicked up. "Girl, I don't know who they are, but," he pointed behind them, "There's a very high chance I know who they are! Question is, do we want to take a chance and meet up with whoever is coming the other way or do we hightail it up this hill and find another way to town?" he looked at the extra bags the old man had given them before they left the cabin, "Thanks to your friend we do have plenty of supplies for awhile."

Star just pointed at him and waited. "I'm going to take that to mean you're not going to be trying to tell me what to do." That part he could live with. While he understood now why she'd done the things she had, he wasn't going to keep quiet anymore. That part, not talking at the old man's cabin, had near driven him up a wall!

For a second Nick thought about pushing their horses forward, but he realized that in order to keep ahead of whoever was coming they'd have to start pushing their horses to their limits. Even if the riders coming the other way were friendly, and would listen, it would mean giving the ones behind them time to catch up. "Come on!" He yelled to Star as he turned and raced up the hill behind them, "Come on!" He put Coco to a dead run and started up the hill. They were long out of sight before any of the riders were close enough to see them.

It was well past dark before the two dared stop and take a rest. Tying up their horses the two went to work fixing a small bite to eat and laying out the blanket. Nick would have gone straight sleep to except Star continued sitting up. The fact that she was upset could plainly be seen by the pain and hurt in her eyes.

Nick sat up and put his hand on her shoulder. He remembered all the fighting he'd seen between families during the Civil War. She had to be feeling much the same way, what with her fiancé being killed by her own uncle and now, as far as they knew, he and others were pursuing them. "You gonna be okay?"

Slowly she turned her head and, holding onto her locket, she nodded. "Well, nice to know my twin was at least a good man. Had to have been to leave behind a woman willing to do everything you've done so far to bring this mess to light. Hate to see what you would have done to me had he really done you wrong." Nick smiled at her.

Star grinned and blushed. Nick could tell something else was on her mind as she continued looking at him. "What is it, girl? What's wrong?"

For a moment she did nothing then, with a few tears finally escaping, she pointed to the locket then to Nick and shrugged. His heart went out to her. "Let's clear his name; maybe it will give you some peace of mind." A sad smile appeared on her face and she nodded.

"You best get some sleep," Nick lay down and turned on his side, "There won't be any sleeping in tomorrow. If we push it we can be in Rockville sometime tomorrow afternoon." 'And if there's gonna be any trouble' he looked up at the stars, 'sure would be nice if some extra help was sent!'