Finding Yourself

Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own. If I did, I wouldn't be here right now, writing this.

Chapter Five: Strangers

Kaitlin rode into camp. From the moment she entered the camp she felt that eyes were watching her. Not too many eyes though. She felt several curious glances at her but she also felt only one unblinking stare. She looked towards where she felt the stare coming from and she saw a person wearing Arabian garb staring at her. The person saw her and quickly turned their glaze elsewhere. Kaitlin watched him walk away and wondered why he was staring at her. Shaking her head, she dismounted Zodiac and began to try to figure out which tent was hers. Or she tried to at least. Everyone she tried to talk to ignored her and kept walking. Finally, an Arab man walked up to her. He had a kind face and seemed delighted to she her.

"Frank Hopkins! So nice to see you again! You have a new horse!" said the Sheikh joyfully.

"You must be mistaken. I'm not Frank Hopkins," said Kaitlin, amazed that an Arab would think that she was her father.

"But you look so much like him! Who are you then?"

"Someone else. But I have heard much about Mr. Hopkins. I decided to try my hand at the Ocean of Fire. My horse, Zodiac, is actually a son of Hidalgo," Kaitlin said, trying not to give too much away.

"You plan to race then?"

"I do," she said, nodding her head.

"What is your name then?"

"My name? Um, my name is Kyle… Kyle Sand."

"Nice to meet you Kyle," said the Sheikh, shaking Kaitlin's hand.

"Same to you. Where'll I be staying?"

"In that tent next to that white flag with the colorful symbol. A rider from port told us that a cowboy was coming in so we put up the flag that the cowboy Frank Hopkins used in the race. We thought it might be him, coming for another try at the race," the Sheikh said, pointing out the tent.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you," Kaitlin said sincerely.

"It's okay, I haven't seen or heard from him in many years. He and his wife, my daughter, moved to America and I haven't seen them in a few years. Every year I hope that they will return to see me. But they never do."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I trust that they are okay. I just wish I could get a chance to see them again, see if they have a family, see my grandchildren. She was all I had left. And I am old and don't have much more time left here on earth," the Sheikh said with a sad sigh.

"Sir, I lied to you about my name."

"You did? Why would you do something like that?" asked the Sheikh, pretend shock taking over.

"Because I didn't want to be found," said Kaitlin, ashamed as she looked down at the ground.

"Why?"

"Because sir, I'm a girl and I want to be able to race in the Ocean of Fire. I've heard tales about it ever since I was a little girl. I always wanted to ride in distance races but my mother never let me. My father was a distance rider and it almost got him killed. Since then, my mother decided I would never race."

"What is your name, child?"

"Kaitlin, Kaitlin Hopkins. I'm the only child of Jazira and Frank Hopkins. I ran away from my home to ride in the race."

"So your father, he does not know?"

"No. No one knows I left."

"Wouldn't they worry?" asked the concerned Sheikh.

"Probably not. Not enough to try and find me."

"Maybe, maybe not."

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Kaitlin, confused.

"Maybe you are underestimating your parents. They love you and if they could, they would track you all the way to Arabia. They would."

"Not my parents," snorted Kaitlin.

"We will see, Kaitlin. You look so much like your father yet your mother is also present. I see them both in you. They must be very proud to have you for a daughter."

"I guess," said Kaitlin as the Sheikh walked off. "I guess…"

Frank smiled to himself. Kaitlin was there. She had ridden into camp on Zodiac and looked like a mirror image of him, only younger. She had done a good job with her disguise but he could see right through it. She was trying to pretend to be a boy and she was fooling everyone. She always had been able to do that. She could even fool Jazira, but she had never been able to fool him. Never. Somehow, she had always given herself away, like she was doing now. And Frank would have to confront her once she settled in. But not until she settled. At least now he knew who she was and could relax for the time being.

Much later that night, Frank knocked outside of Kaitlin's tent. Kaitlin answered and Frank asked in an Arabian accent, if he could enter. Kaitlin was about to refuse then she realized that a boy wouldn't do that so she allowed him to enter. He nodded thanks to her and stepped inside. Once inside, Frank spoke.

Still using the accent, he said, "I saw your nation's flag. It was the same flag they used when the American cowboy rode here. They are saying that you are the cowboy, but you don't look completely like him. I knew the cowboy."

"You knew my fath…" Kaitlin said, almost giving herself away.

"Your father, child? Your father was the cowboy?" asked Frank still using the accent and tried to sound surprised.

"Yes. Did you know him well?" Kaitlin asked, curious.

"No, I didn't know him…"

"Oh…"

"I am him," said Frank in his normal voice as he took the Arab disguise off.

"Dad?" asked Kaitlin in disbelief.

"Kaitlin, I came to find you. Your mother and I were worried about you. If you wanted to race, you should have just asked!"

"I did ask and I was turned down! I wanted to race and you would never let me! I got sick of waiting around!" Kaitlin exclaimed.

"It wasn't a good idea, Kaitlin. This race is dangerous," Frank said in a serious tone of voice.

"Sure it is!" Kaitlin exclaimed, mocking Frank.

"It is. But it if you want to race, I will let you, provided that you let me come with you on the race."

"But you will pretend not to know me, right?" asked Kaitlin with narrowed eyes.

"Of course."

"I'll do it."

"Good," sighed Frank as he replaced his Arab garb and left the tent, a smile on his face. He had found his daughter and convinced his daughter to allow him to follow her along the race. He would let her race but he would be staying at a safe distance to keep an eye on her.

Author's Notes:

Is it still good? I can't tell. I hope to post the next chapter some time this weekend. Please read and review!

Reviewers!

Soccer-Bitch – Glad you like it and soon I will post more on a regular basis.

Gurlzrock – I read your fic. It's good. Glad you like me enough to keep reading it.