Disclaimer: I do not, nor have I ever, owned Big Valley or its characters. I also am making nothing, nada, zip, zilch off of this story.

Author: LittleRedhead

Rating: PG

Archive: Sure, just ask me first

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Chapter 1

12 year old Jarrod Barkley was helping his 8 year old brother Nick with schoolwork in Jarrod's room. Jarrod had no trouble with schoolwork, but Nick was another story. Nick was having trouble with his English lesson and their Jarrod was asked by his parents, Tom and Victoria, to help his younger brother.

"Come on Nick, you know this one," Jarrod cajoled his brother.

Nick glared at the piece of paper on the desk in front of him and slammed a fist down on top of it. The boy had inherited his father's temper. "I can't get it Jarrod. I just can't think of any more synonyms!"

Jarrod was accustomed to his younger brother's outbursts and tried to ignore it. "I know its difficult Nick, but you're smart. I know you can come up with another one."

"I've tried, but I come up dry," Nick protested.

"Okay, let's take a break for awhile. How about going fishing?" Jarrod suggested.

Nick's face broke into a broad grin. "Sure. Do you think mother and father will let us go?"

Jarrod shrugged his shoulders. "It won't hurt to ask will it?"

Nick shook his head and stood up from his chair. The boy followed Jarrod downstairs to the drawing room of their large house.

Victoria was sitting in a chair rocking her youngest child Eugene. Daughter Audra was playing on the floor at her mother's feet. Victoria smiled as her two oldest sons approach her. "Are finished with your lessons Nicholas?"

Nick looked at his shoes, embarrassed. "No mother. I have most of it done, but I got stuck on my English lesson."

Jarrod immediately came to his younger brother's defense. "I think Nick needs to stop for awhile. I thought we could go fishing and get back to the lessons later."

"Well, you two have been at if for quite some time so I suppose it's alright if you take a break. Your father is in his study. Why don't you two go see if he wants to go fishing with you," Victoria suggested.

Jarrod and Nick's eyes sparkled and their faces lit up with broad smiles. They enjoyed their father's company, especially since Tom was often away on business. Jarrod and Nick rushed to the door of the study and knocked. The two brothers waited patiently for their father to open the door.

"Hello boys. How are the lessons going?" Tom asked.

"Just fine father," Jarrod answered. "Nick is almost finished. Nick and I asked Mother if we could take a break and go fishing. She said to ask you if you wanted to come along."

Tom smiled and ruffled Nick's hair. "Fishing sounds like a fun. I wish I could go but I have some important work I need to finish so I can't go. You two have fun and catch a big one for me okay? And Nick, make sure to finish your lessons as soon as you get back."

"I will Father," Nick promised.

"Are you sure you can't come with us?" Jarrod asked.

Tom hated to see the disappointed looks on his sons' faces but there was paperwork that had to be completed by tomorrow morning. "I'm sorry, but I have this work has to come first."

"Okay Father. We'll try to catch a fish for you," Jarrod assured.

Jarrod and Nick went upstairs and grabbed their fishing poles and out to the barn. The boys saddled their horses and rode off to a stream a few miles to the east.

The two brothers enjoyed the ride together. It was a bright sunny day; warm but not too hot. Victoria had packed the boys a light snack in case they got hungry but hadn't told her sons what it was. She thought it would make the ride more interesting if they had to guess.

Nick preferred the outdoors to being inside studying his lessons. He didn't understand how Jarrod could stay holed up in his room for hours reading his books. Jarrod enjoyed this time alone with his younger brother. Jarrod spent a lot of time in his room by himself. Even at the age of twelve, Jarrod knew he spent he needed to make an effort to spend more time with his brother.

When they arrived at the stream Jarrod and Nick dismounted from their horses and grabbed their fishing poles.

"Jarrod, I know where there's a good spot for fishing downstream," Nick announced as he looked out at the water rushing by.

Nick led the way as he and Jarrod led their horses downstream along the grassy bank. As the boys approached the spot a few hundred yards away the brothers heard two men arguing.

Jarrod stopped abruptly and grabbed Nick's left arm and stopped his younger brother. Jarrod put a finger to his lips, silencing Nick's protest.