I do NOT own Big Valley nor any of the original characters.

For The Sake of His Comrades

Chapter Twenty-One

Nick stood next to the fireplace; his mother and Audra sat on the couch while Jarrod sat on a chair. Nick had asked Dixie to help Heath with some chores outside figuring it would give him time to talk to the rest of his family.

"Well out with it," he looked at his family. He wasn't blind. He could tell, as Dixie had been concerned about, they had their reservations, "we've told you everything. She didn't know I was going to be kidnapped, helped me escape the first chance she had and, like I already said, she did not force me to go to Nevada with her. I did that on my own," he looked at his mother. The woman had been quite vocal about the fact that Dixie had been with the Littles. "She was forced to marry Billy Little and, under the guise of 'taking care of her', the Littles were actually holding her basically just like a slave. Surely you can get the marriage annulled?" He looked at Jarrod.

Jarrod nodded, "Since the marriage took place under those circumstances and it was never consummated, I'm sure I could."

Nick continued, "I've asked her to marry me a couple of times, but she won't unless she's convinced it's not going to cause any problems between us. As she said on the way here 'the war tore enough families apart, I'll not be the cause of a wall going up between you and yours'." He looked at each member of the family, starting with Jarrod.

The man was silent for a moment then shook his head slowly, "I think you're asking for a number of 'mountains' to climb but, I guess truth to told, everyone does. I'll not be holding what happened against her and welcome her as well."

Nick then looked at Audra. She too remained silent for a moment then shrugged her shoulders, "I agree with Jarrod. I think you're asking for extra problems, but if you love her enough to deal with it, I'll accept her."

"Mother?" Nick looked at the woman who, while little enough, was not one to be trifled with. He hoped she too would accept things.

While Victoria did not explode the tone in her voice was very serious, "Don't get me wrong, Nick. Dixie seems to be a very nice, polite young lady and, obviously she has spunk or she wouldn't have accomplished everything she did, nor been of any help to anyone during this ordeal. I am grateful she stepped in and set you free and I admire her for being one capable young woman. I am, however," she looked straight at Nick, "very concerned that you may be mistaking gratitude for what she's done for love; maybe you even feel a bit guilty for what happened to her in Mayville." The looks in his brother's eyes, and his sister's, said they too had thought of that possibility.

Nick shook his head, "I asked myself that same thing, mother; I asked it more than once," he stepped away from the fireplace, walked over to the slightly opened living room window and looked out, Dixie was petting on of the horses, "I am grateful for everything she's done and, and I do wish I could have stopped what happened that night in Mayville. However, I do not blame myself. With that said and done," he turned and walked back to the fireplace and faced his family once more, "I do love her. Please, just accept that. I want to marry her."

Before Victoria could say anything they heard McCall and Heath both yell, "WATCH OUT, DIXIE!" Nick ran to the window, Dixie was lying motionless on the ground while McCall got one spooked horse under control. Nick turned around and flew out the door.

Scene Forty-One

Victoria, Heath, Jarrod and Audra once again sat, or stood, in the living room. Dr. Merar and Nick were upstairs with Dixie.

"I've never seen Nick so shook up before," Jarrod looked at his mother, "I sure hope that gal makes it. It will just kill him if she doesn't."

Victoria had known that the moment Nick had turned away from the window. As he'd carried the young woman up the stairs, she'd also known it wasn't gratitude or guilt that motivated his desire to marry her. She'd seen that much in his eyes. Finally she'd admitted to herself that, despite what Nick had told them about Dixie and the Littles, she'd been holding them against Dixie. She'd needed someone she could see to blame for what had happened to rob her of her son that night.

Victoria looked toward the stairs, "I guess we best let them know they have our support. They'll need it." She stood up as she saw Dr. Merar walking down the stairs.

"Doctor?" Victoria stood up, as did others.

"How is she?" Audra asked.

"She's had a concussion, doesn't remember being knocked down by the horse. That's normal though. She'll be fine. Nick is still with her. I'll be back later to check in on her."

"May I go talk to them?" Victoria asked.

"Go right ahead." the doctor answered as Jarrod held the door open for him. It wasn't long before Victoria stood in the bedroom. Nick stood up when he saw his mother.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Victoria looked at the young woman lying in the bed.

"I'll be fine," Dixie sat up the best she could, "I was just telling Nick I think it might be best if he sends a telegram to a friend of mine who lives up in San Francisco. She may have room for me there." She wasn't blind. She'd seen the way Mrs. Barkley had looked at her when she arrived. Dixie didn't want to be the cause of trouble between a mother and her son.

Nick looked at his mother, "I told her it wasn't necessary. I asked her to marry me again." The look in his eyes begged her not to make him choose.

Victoria shocked both of them by smiling from ear to ear, "Going to be kind of hard to have a wedding if you go to San Francisco."

Dixie's eyebrows turned down, "I thought you didn't approve."

"If you're willing to deal with what others will hand you then," she shook her head, "I'm fine with the marriage if that's what the two of you want." Grins appeared on both their faces. It was indeed what they wanted.

Closing Scene

Folks had arrived at the church. Adam Cartwright, his son and the rest of his family sat up front. At Nick's invitation they'd all traveled to Stockton for the wedding. Heath slipped out of the chapel and went to see what was holding his brother up. He had to hold in a laugh as he looked in the room. Nick stood in front of his bedroom mirror cussing up a blue streak. He'd been fighting his tie for the past few minutes, and it was winning!

"Here let me help you," Heath walked in chuckling, "You know, this is what you get for bringing a fiancee home with you." Not that he minded. He'd never seen Nick happier, and Dixie was a fine young lady.

Nick smiled as Heath finished helping with the tie and headed for the door, "We best get in our places, or that bride of yours just might think she's been left standing at the altar."

"No way," Nick hurried out the door, "My feet may be feeling a tad bit cold, but they ain't that cold!" Soon he and Heath were standing next to each other watching as Jarrod escorted Dixie down the aisle. Her wedding dress was decorated with white flowers and shiny pearls that lined a V shaped on the front of the dress. Her hair hung to the middle of her back unrestrained.

"We gather here together..." Father Paul started speaking once he and Dixie were standing next to each other. Nick barely heard the priest's words as he smiled upon her. He was back on his ranch; he had his family and a bride to boot. As far as Nicholas Barkley was concerned, life was perfect.