Chapter Ten

Morning brought rays of golden sunlight into the room, streaming onto the sleeping Indian's face, and slowly brought her to her senses. Aware of a presence by her side, she glanced down, and saw that Wolf had fallen asleep at her feet, protecting both of his mistresses.

"Thank you," muttered Blue Fire, stroking the animal's head, no doubt in her mind now that it was her Spirit Guide that had pulled her to the blonde rancher. "You took me to Alicia, when she needed help, and I am sure you tried to help her yourself. I only hope she will be able to tell me what happened.

"But, first, she must get well," the Indian said, aloud, and got to her feet to get another basin of cool water. Refilling it, she returned to her bedside position, and rinsed the sleeping blonde's bruised face with the damp rag, as a preventative measure for fever. The last thing the ill rancher needed was a fever, along with her injuries.

"Fight, Alicia," pleaded the woman, as she allowed herself to caress a pale cheek with a shaking hand. "You must fight to come back. I have heard of ones that sleep like this, sharing a bed with Death, but you must leave! I know it is not your time to join the Great Spirit; it cannot be.

"I do not know what I would do without you," she admitted, a tear making its way down her face. "Come back to me, Alicia. You taught me much about caring, and living, but even that means nothing to me if you are not beside me. I need you," the tall Indian whispered, her voice hoarse. "Open your eyes, and we will fight this together, I promise."

Praying for any movement from the woman, and watching her face earnestly, Blue Fire's heart dropped when there was nothing. The rancher's breathing was still labored, and were it not for the blood that marred her tender skin, she would have looked almost peaceful.

Her anger growing as she cleaned the woman's wounds, and knew that her own people were responsible for the atrocity, a sudden thought hit the Indian, and was enough to make her lose her breath.

The Apache did this to her, she thought, painfully. I am Apache. What will she think of me? Will she hate me for not protecting her? Will she even want me near her, after what has happened? Great Spirit, I could not handle it if she is afraid of me. If she fears me, I will leave once more, for I do not wish to cause her pain, she decided.

In fact, she decided that once she knew the woman was safe, and would be okay, she would leave, so Alicia would not have to see a reminder of her attackers wherever she turned. She would continue to watch over her, of course, but once again, from a distance.

Remembering the things that needed to be done, the tall Indian quickly fed the horses, and told them she'd take care of their mistress as best she could, before digging into her pack for some fruit she'd taken with her. Not really hungry, for her stomach was filled with worry, she only munched on the cactus fruit, feeding what was left to Wolf.

Then, knowing that trying to keep her mind active would help, she picked up the book "The Last of the Mohicans", and began reading aloud. She started from where she'd last read, and got through several chapters, before pausing for a while to check Alicia's wounds again.

The blood from her injuries had finally stopped flowing, so now it was a matter of keeping them free from infection, and keeping a fever at bay. Stopping every hour, Robyn diligently rinsed the blonde's pale face with cool water, checked her bandages and sutures, before assuring the rancher she was strong enough to fight her way back.

"I know you can do it, Alicia," insisted Blue Fire. "I believe in you; I know you will make it." You must make it, for if you do not, I will not.

Three days passed, with Robyn realizing each morning that sleeping in a hard wooden chair was not nearly as comfortable as the floor, and no progress from the injured young rancher. Blue Fire was glad no one had come by, because she knew no one could know she was there, for it would only cause problems, and she wouldn't leave Alicia's side, unless it was in a wooden box. And the Indian had no doubt if she was found, that would be the result.

As Robyn struggled through the book Alicia had called Hamlet, she held the woman's hand, and felt her heart skip a beat when she was sure the blonde had squeezed her hand! Sure, it was weak, but she knew she'd felt it.

"Alicia," said Blue Fire, anxiously, putting the book down as the literature was quickly forgotten. "Alicia, please, wake up. Come on, I know you can do it! Fight, Alicia!"

With a pitiful moan of pain, foggy green eyes slowly opened, and looked around. When the emerald orbs came to rest on Blue Fire, who was trying hard to contain her tears of relief, they widened in fright.

"N… no," murmured Alicia, withdrawing her hand, and trying vainly to escape.

"Alicia, it's all right," spoke the Indian, gently, as her heart broke at the fear that filled the emerald eyes. "It's me, it's Robyn. I won't hurt you. You're safe, now," she assured her, but did not touch the woman, since that seemed to frighten her all the more.

"Robyn," voiced the rancher, glancing cautiously at the woman, as though trying to figure out if she should believe her.

The tall woman nodded. "That's right," she said. "Do you remember? I will not hurt you," she repeated, calmly.

"Robyn!" Alicia cried, painfully raising her arms, beseeching the tall Indian for a hug, which the woman gave without hesitation, being extremely careful not to hurt the injured blonde. Sobs racked the small body, and Blue Fire held her close, swallowing her own tears.

When Alicia seemed to have cried herself out, Robyn pulled back, and softly brushed away the rancher's tears with her thumb, before realizing what she had done, and quickly turning away to retrieve the basin of water.

The blonde bit her lip, sure that her initial reaction was what had made Blue Fire turn away.

"Robyn, I'm sorry, I…" she began, but sighed. She didn't know what to say. What? I'm sorry I tried to run away from you because you're an Indian and I had a flashback, and I thought for sure you had come back to finish me off? Yeah, sure, why not, she thought, bitterly.

"No, it's all right," assured the Indian, as she wiped the woman's face with the cool rag. "I understand. I will get tea for you. You must drink, and eat when you are ready," she said, and the rancher nodded as the tall woman left the room.

While Robyn was making the tea, Alicia examined her injuries, and was pleasantly surprised to find she was healing quickly. She knew she had her Indian friend to thank for that, for taking care of her.

For a moment, when she first opened her eyes, and again when the bronzed hand wiped the tears from her face, the blonde swore she saw something in the woman's eyes… something like love. But she shook it off, assuring herself that was ridiculous.

And too much to hope for.

It was four days before Blue Fire allowed Alicia to get up, and even then, made sure she was by her side constantly. While she had been restricted to the bed, Robyn brought her tea, cereal, and broth to keep her strength up, patiently helping her with anything, even eating and drinking, if she had trouble or became frustrated.

Two days into her recuperation, the blonde was dying for a bath. Her head itched, and she hated knowing it had been a week since her last washing. When she mentioned the fact to Robyn, the Indian was quick to form a suggestion.

"Why do you not take a bath?" she asked, with a smirk. "I will warm water, and be back to get you soon."

"But, you said I couldn't walk," the blonde pointed out, as the Indian turned.

Smiling, the tall woman raised an eyebrow at her, and replied, "I did not say you would walk." A while later, when Robyn was sure the water was the right temperature, she returned, and revealed her plan to Alicia.

"I will carry you," she said, moving towards the bed, and green eyes widened.

"Uh…" stammered the rancher, and Blue Fire stopped, sensing her discomfort. "Listen, Robyn, that's really nice of you to offer, but I don't think it'll work. I'm pretty heavy," she said, lamely.

A dark eyebrow was raised, shooting down that excuse.

"Alicia, I need to check your bandages anyway," sighed the Indian. "I will carry you to your bath, and check your wounds when you are done. Here," she said, wrapping the blanket around the woman, who was still nude, Blue Fire insisting it would do no good for her to get dressed, since she had to clean her injuries anyhow. Holding the blanket around her, careful not to disturb her healing arm, the tall woman easily lifted the blonde into her strong arms, and cautiously walked into the kitchen, where the tub was set up.

"You must let go of the blanket, Alicia," came the gentle voice, and the embarrassed woman shyly did as she was told, letting the cover fall to the ground, so she was bare in the woman's arms. Focusing on looking straight ahead, Robyn slowly lowered Alicia into the water, flinching herself when the blonde's waist hit the water, and the injured woman gasped in pain.

Since she'd regained consciousness, Alicia had not let Blue Fire examine her more intimate wounds, and so the change of temperature hurt. The small blonde had suffered nightmares every night, and would give a start every once in a while, if she happened to catch Blue Fire out of the corner of her eye without knowing she was nearby. In short, the woman was afraid of her friend, and refused to talk about what happened, despite Robyn's insistence.

"Sorry," said the Indian, and continued placing the rancher in the bath water. "Do not get your arm wet," she advised, and the woman gently placed her injured arm on the side of the tub, out of the water.

"Do you want me to wash your hair?" offered the Indian, and the blonde nodded, scooting forward a bit, glad the water was deep enough to keep her covered. With a gentleness that surprised the young woman, Robyn cupped the water in her hands, and wet the short blonde hair, before softly massaging the soap into the hair, and then rinsing it away, with more care than Alicia knew was possible.

By the time the tall woman was done, Alicia was almost asleep, she felt so relaxed. "I will leave you, now," said Blue Fire, getting to her feet, and turning away to give the blonde some privacy to continue washing. "Call for me if you need anything."

When she was done, Alicia called for a towel, and her face turned a lovely shade of scarlet when Blue Fire lifted her out of the tub, wrapped a towel around her chest that covered her waist, and then carried her back to bed. She allowed the woman to fully dry off on her own only after she was seated on her mattress.

Alicia couldn't help but marvel at the excellent care Blue Fire was giving her, and wondered if the tall Indian would now say her debt was fulfilled, from so long ago, and leave for good. After all, she had done for Alicia what the blonde had done for her.

Her fears were confirmed when she walked out into the living room, after getting dressed on her own, and saw Blue Fire packing her things into her leather bag.

"Robyn?" she asked, quietly.

The Indian jumped, and turned to face her, her blue eyes looking sad. "I must go," said the tall woman, trying to keep her voice even. "It is best for you."

"What do you mean?" asked the blonde.

Robyn sighed. "Alicia, you fear me," she said. "I see it when you look at me. You have nightmares about what my people have done to you; it is not right for me to remain here when it causes you pain."

The blonde sat down on the couch, and motioned for Blue Fire to join her. The Indian sat beside her, silently.

"I'm sorry," said the rancher. "I don't want to be afraid of you, Blue Fire. And it's not you - it's my memories. Maybe it'll be better if I talk about it…"

When the small blonde began her tale, Blue Fire wished she could block it out, but knew she had to listen. Her blood boiled at the woman's description of how the Indians had arrived at her house, and started demanding, in rapid Apache, to know where Blue Fire was. She pretended not to understand, so one asked her in English.

Alicia refused to answer anything, claiming she didn't know where the Indian was, and had no idea where she would be. The Apaches didn't believe her, and beat her into unconsciousness, striking her each time she ignored their questions.

The next time she came to, they were dragging her deep into the forest. She was dropped unceremoniously on the ground, where she was given an ultimatum: tell them where they could find Blue Fire, or die. She looked her interrogator right in the eye, and spit in his face. The Indian grabbed her throat, and as the world faded away, the small blonde vaguely acknowledged an inhuman growl as Wolf came to her aid.

"I guess one of them distracted him, while the others took care of me," she said, and Blue Fire was surprised the woman wasn't crying - the tall Indian herself was near tears. "That's all I remember until just a few days ago, when I woke up."

Robyn was silent for a time, and then said, her voice a bare whisper, "I am sorry. I should have been here. It would not have happened if I was here."

Alicia was quick to correct her. "Robyn, if you were here, they would have captured you. I didn't tell them where you were because I knew they would hurt you if they got a hold of you," she explained. "I think it's better that you weren't around."

The Indian was confused. "You… you do not blame me for leaving you to them?"

The blonde's jaw dropped. "Blame you?" she repeated. "No, of course not! Blue Fire, what happened was not your fault. There was nothing you could have done." Suddenly, the petite rancher understood what had been bothering her tall friend - guilt.

"You've been blaming yourself this whole time, haven't you?" Silently, the tall woman nodded, and hung her head, to which Alicia sighed. "Blue Fire, I'm sorry. I would have said something sooner, but I thought you were acting strangely because of the way I was treating you."

Robyn just shook her head. "And yet you fear me still," she stated.

"No," said the blonde, with enough conviction in her voice to make blue eyes look into her serious emerald pools. "I don't fear you, Robyn, believe me. I know you won't hurt me - I trust you. It's just the memories, and they'll fade eventually," she assured herself, and the tall Indian.

"Still, perhaps it would be best if you did not have to see an Indian every day," sighed the woman, her dark hair covering her face as she lowered her head.

"No, please," protested the blonde rancher. "Don't go, Robyn. I trust you, but I… I don't know what I would do if you left. You've taken such good care of me, Blue Fire. Please, don't go, not yet," she pleaded.

The Indian nodded, extremely glad she didn't have to leave. "I will stay," she said, and was surprised when the small woman enveloped her in a quick hug.

"Thank you." With that settled, Blue Fire decided it was time for them to eat something, and prepared a light meal for them both, making sure Alicia's still sensitive stomach could handle the soup.

Even with Robyn sure of her place in Alicia's home, she kept her bag packed, in case something should arise, and she'd have to leave.

It wasn't more than two weeks after the blonde had finally revealed her story to Blue Fire, when they were enjoying a nice breakfast, and there was a loud knock on the door. Wolf growled, menacingly, and the Indian told him to be quiet as she opened the door. Only if it was trouble could he snarl again.

The woman frowned when she found herself face-to-face with a large cowboy of a man, wearing a leather vest over his crisp shirt, and a gold star reflecting brightly in the morning light.

"Blue Fire?" asked the big man with the gold badge, and the tall Indian raised an eyebrow at him.

"Yes," she drawled, glancing around uncertainly at the other men with him. They all held rifles, and wore cowboy hats, still mounted on their horses, glaring down at her. Recognizing only one, Jake, she clenched her jaw; she still didn't like the feeling that developed in her gut when she saw the man.

"I'm Sheriff Pete Riser, and you're under arrest." That said, he withdrew his handcuffs, and prepared to place them on the woman in front of him, when a small blonde spoke up.

"Under arrest?" repeated Alicia, skeptical, sure he had to have the wrong Indian. "For what?"

"Murder. Of two white men," he added.

"I think you've made a mistake, sheriff. She didn't -"

Robyn cut her off, holding up her hand. "No, Alicia," she said, silencing her. "They are right." Green eyes looked confused, and hurt. "I am sorry," she whispered, swallowing her pain at seeing Alicia's verdant orbs fill with disbelief.

Putting her hands in front of her, she was ready and willing to let the man chain her, when a loud cry was heard from the forest. Several Apache warriors stormed through the land, in full paint and dress, coming to a quick halt in front of the woman of their own color.

"Dotth'izh ko'," said one, and Blue Fire narrowed her eyes.

"Let me guess," she said. "You want to take me back to pay for my crimes."

"What do they want you for?" demanded Alicia.

"Returning to the tribe when she was banished," said one, who spoke English and served as a translator for the others. "The pale-faces want you, too, Dotth'izh ko'? Well done!" he chuckled, when she nodded.

The tall woman growled at him, but the sheriff interrupted her anger. "Now, hold on a minute. We're placing her under arrest for murder," he explained. "Since we can't very well kill her twice, I think we need to reach some kind of agreement."

"Such as?" questioned the translator, a pompous Indian Robyn knew as Iron Horseshoe, but everyone called Big Head.

"Well, why don't ya'll take her back, since I'm sure you'll be hard on her, and you just give her a few lashings for us," he suggested. "I'll send a few of my guys along to make sure she gets whipped good, and then you can do whatever you want with her." He expected her own people would fry her or something, the damned cannibals they were known to be - however false that conviction was.

The Indians nodded, and the tall woman was shoved roughly over to her former brothers for capture. Holding her wrists tightly behind her, Iron Horseshoe and another Indian restrained her from escaping, although she really wasn't planning on it, until she heard the next words that came from the sheriff's mouth.

"Jake, why don't you stay here, and make sure Alicia doesn't follow. We don't want her to get hurt," said Pete, and the man in question nodded. "She's a clever one," he added, as a warning.

"Sure, sheriff," he agreed, standing beside the blonde, who was watching Blue Fire in earnest. "Don't worry about a thing; Alicia may have more bright ideas than a porcupine has quills, but I won't let her go anywhere," he grinned, meeting the prisoner's blue eyes with his own delighted but evil stare.

"No!" cried the Indian, struggling when she realized Alicia would be left alone with the man she despised.

…than a porcupine has quills… she mused, thinking hard. Why did that sound so familiar to her?

That was what the Shadow Man had said to Brian…

Jake was the Shadow Man! It all made sense now! The money Alicia owed him, the poisoned feed, never coming around when Robyn was there, having Brian do everything so the blonde wouldn't suspect him, having to gain her trust… The Boss, whoever that was, wanted Alicia's land, and Jake was trying to sabotage the ranch!

"No, you can't!" Robyn insisted, trying to twist free of her restraints.

"Silence her," someone ordered, and Blue Fire felt a sharp pain in the back of her head, before everything went black.

Alicia tried to run to her side, but Jake gripped her arm, and held her to him. "No!" she shouted, trying to squirm free, ignoring the pain in her still healing arm. Her heart aching, she watched as two Indians grabbed either of the unconscious woman's arms, and dragged her unceremoniously through the dust and rocks, her moccasins slipping off and her feet scraping the entire way.

"It's all right," soothed Jake, pulling the upset woman to his chest. "She won't hurt you anymore."

"She never hurt me!" cried the blonde, trying to push away from the man. "You! Fuck you, Jake! You helped them arrest her! Don't touch me!" Flinging the man's hands from her arms, she stormed into the house, and with a sigh, Jake followed after her.

"Alicia, please, wait!" he called, determined to get her to trust him, if it was the last thing he did. Then it hit him - she'd cursed!

She must really be mad…he realized. All that work I did, and I was so close!

All the more work for him to gain her trust again. If he couldn't, the plan would be a little more difficult to execute, and the Boss said he didn't want to hear of any more setbacks…