FF Big Valley

Set in same AU as my last story Truth Prevails. I do not own the copyrights to The Big Valley

A/N I edited Truth Prevails back to it's original three chapters and wrote this short (3 chapter)story and am posting it in more of a 'And the story goes on' type of thing; it is NOT the same story ...only a continuation (think of it as a part 2 if you must).

2 A/N I am posting all three at once due to obligations I have. And, while it was read to someone -and I did correct errors caught- due to the time of the year, and other circumstances, I did not have an actual beta reader. I hope this doesn't read to rough.

Ch. 1

Duke's Diary

Audra sat in front of a new vanity. Combing her hair she listened to the noise outside and sighed; it was her children playing with William Madden's. He was a good man, wanted to see her on a more serious basis. However; before she could think any further on the subject a knock came at the door.

"Come in." Audra wasn't surprised to see Heath once the door opened up.

"You look nice." Heath shut the door. "I hope Sheriff Madden's nephew knows what a lady you are."

"He knows." Audra chuckled. "However; I'll tell him you said …." Audra's smile started to grow but then she raised an eyebrow ever so slightly as she saw what Heath was carrying.

"Have you read that?" Audra stiffened a as her half-brother turned his hat around in his hands while still holding onto Duke's diary. "And why do you even have it?" She didn't mean to snap, but she did.

"Relax, I haven't read it." Heath handed over the book. "It fell off your closet shelf when I went to get the box you asked for. However..." Heath shrugged his shoulders. "I've waited far too long to speak to you, and it hitting my shoulder as it fell brought me here ; May I ask some personal questions?"

"Since when have you felt the need to ask permission for that?" Audra pointed to a chair close to the vanity and watched him sit down as she held onto her late husband's diary; one of which had always been hidden from anyone but her. "So? What's on your mind?"

"Duke's been gone seven years. Why not allow...someone...to get closer?" Heath suspected he knew, but hated assuming anything either. "In the past, when I've attempted to ask, you've always shut me out."

"I've had a lot to work through." Audra sighed. "You were in a prison camp: Duke and I in a forced labor one. Is there really any difference? I mean when it comes right down to it none of us had true freedom."

"That part I understand without question." Heath shook his head. "Everyone's talking about how happy you seem to be, but something's off, sis, something my gut says you need to get out. It's stopping you from getting close to William and it's kept you apart from me." Heath sighed. "We used to be so close."

"What are you wanting to know?" Audra knew full-well what Heath was referring to, but a part of her still fiercely guarded Duke's good name. Therefore, she wasn't about to make a peep without specifics being asked.

"Like the look that comes into your eyes whenever Duke's name is mentioned; it's ...different. " Heath plowed ahead before Audra could reply 'Such intensity; Yes, I get having each other's backs in a place like that, but your silent actions shout there's more to your story than what we've been told. I'd like to know the truth; the whole truth. Ones I probably could get answered if I'd read that book."

"Like what? It's not like I didn't talk to the family when I first came back." Audra remained sitting stiff.

"Like what was McColl doing out there in the first place? We all thought he'd headed to town." Heath addressed the subject Audra always seemed to avoid whenever it was brought up at family gatherings.

Audra stood back up and walked to the window as she watched Chelsea hang onto William's arm. It warmed, and broke, her heart at the same time. Sighing, she turned around and folded her arms. "Your right; but tell me this first. Have you ever blamed Duke in the least?"

"Of course not." Heath sat straight. "I confess Nick did for awhile, but even he got around to admitting things weren't sitting right in his gut. Now will you tell me?"

"I guess so, even William seems to think I should tell at least one member of the family. And like you said; we were real close at one point." Audra hurried on before Heath could respond. "Yes, I finally told him; he knows the whole truth but has -out of respect to me, and McColl, kept quiet."

"And the whole truth is?" Heath asked pleased she'd opened up to William, but a little hurt Audra hadn't said anything to him. However; Audra never got an answer as their names were called to go join the group outside.