I know this isn't the chapter I promised. However, since the lock down, one of my friends has been sending me new songs to listen to. One song just jumped out to me as being perfectly for Tara and Crowley.

To me, Halt is the father figure. Crowley, on the other hand, always seemed to be that person that you feel comfortable telling anything to. "Must have been the wind" by Alec Benjamin fit that head-canon perfectly for these two. So, I figured it would fit perfectly between chapter eight and what is now chapter ten.

Read, Comment, Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Must have been the Wind

I heard glass shatter on the wall in the apartment above mine

At first I thought that I was dreamin'

Crowley looked towards the dark forest. William was talking to Jurgen about the Coltswood family history. Leander, Berrigan, and Lewin were in the middle of a ribbing war. Halt was sitting not far away. He had chosen to be the current camp guard. It was something to do other than worry. Egon and Berwick were talking about past times. Crowley wanted to join any of them. However, Tara was too heavy on his mind. He was deeply worried about her. It was obvious that she suffered. To see her in tears just talking about her past had hurt him. Seeing the terror in her eyes the moment her family name was about to be mentioned made him sick. No family should treat one of their own like that. A child even more so.

But then I heard the voice of a girl and it sounded like she'd been cryin'

Now I'm too worried to be sleepin'

So I took the elevator to the second floor

Walked down the hall and then I knocked up on her door

Crowley finally rose. He was best silent mover of the group. Not one noticed he disappeared. Easily he followed Flare's tracks. They were the clearest in the night. A few minutes later, his ears picked up the sound of soft flowing creek. His heart lurched as he heard Tara's sobs. The Ranger knew his charge enough to envision her huddled by the creek, knees drawn up with arms wrapped around them. He stepped into a small patch of grass by the creek. Flare snorted softly at him. Gently he petted her nose. As he predicted, Tara was sitting by the muddy edge. Sensing him arrive, Tara forced herself to stop crying.

She opened up and I asked about the things I've been hearing

Crowley sat beside her. His hazel eyes studied the girl carefully. He sensed that pulling her close was the wrong move. Tara wanted to be left alone. That didn't stop him from staying. She needed someone there, even if she wouldn't admit it. Her scared shaking had stopped the moment he sat. His quiet presence was enough. She was pulling strength and comfort from him simply being there.

"I don't want to talk about my past," the girl finally sniffed.

The redhead tilted his head forward, "Then do you want to talk about why you were crying?"

"You're hearing things," she grouched back, highly reminiscent of Halt.

She said, "I think your ears are playing tricks on you"

Sweater zipped up to her chin

"Thanks for caring, sir, that's nice of you

But I have to go back in

Wish I could tell you about the noise

But I didn't hear a thing"

A small smile touched Crowley's face, happy she rose to his bait, "If you say so?"

She said, "It must have been the wind, must have been the wind

Must have been the wind, it must have been the wind"

The girl grunted back at him.

She said, "It must have been the wind, must have been the wind

Must have been the wind, it must have been the wind"

The two sat in silence. Tara remained quiet, too focused on her own thoughts and emotions, and let the time drag on. Crowley understood the need to sort through things alone. He had to do the same when Pritchard was falsely accused then exiled. Anger wouldn't get him anywhere. Yet he had learned how invaluable company could be. It was a lot of responsibility leading the charge against Morgarath. It was terrifying knowing that every decision could get him and his comrades killed. Halt had lifted the load. He had been a good confidant.

So I was layin' on the floor of my room, cold concrete on my back

No, I just couldn't shake the feeling

Right now, Crowley didn't know what Tara needed most. The Rangers had been teaching her about love and hope. They were willing to be her family. He understood that her life had been horrible before. Each nugget of information gained reinforced that knowledge. But only Tara could tell them what she had been through. She was the only eyewitness.

I didn't want to intrude because I knew that I didn't have all the facts

But I couldn't bear the thought of leavin' her

A weak sigh escaped Tara's mouth. Hazel eyes glanced to her. He was quick enough to spot her left hand drying more tears. Lips pressed into a thin line.

So I took the elevator to the second floor

Walked down the hall and then I knocked up on her door

She opened up and I asked about the things I've been hearing

Tara slowly scooted closer. The Ranger didn't move. He silently watched the stars danced on the creek water. Flare snuffed somewhere behind them. The redhead knew she was munching on the delicious grass. Here, by a water source, it had to be delicious for the mare. The other horses would be jealous. Such a thought made him smile.

She said, "I think your ears are playing tricks on you"

Sweater zipped up to her chin

"Thanks for caring, sir, that's nice of you

But I have to go back in

Wish I could tell you about the noise

But I didn't hear a thing"

"Halt always says that you need pay more attention to your surroundings," Tara muttered softly.

A chuckle escaped Crowley, "He does like to say that. But he's far from perfect." He paused before quietly adding, "None of us are perfect. However, it the imperfections you've got to love sometimes."

She said, "It must have been the wind, must have been the wind

Must have been the wind, it must have been the wind"

"Why?" was the response.

A rock quietly skipped down the creek after Crowley threw it, "Imperfections mean we have room to grow. They add to our character, our personalities. They draw us together like pieces to a puzzle."

She said, "It must have been the wind, must have been the wind

Must have been the wind, it must have been the wind"

"Is that why you Rangers stick together?"

"In a sense. We form a bond with our mentors over our years of training. When we graduate, that bond grows the more we learn about and work with our comrades. Missteps, struggles, and imperfections only make the journey more memorable."

Aim my boom box at the roof, I'm playing "Lean On Me"

Just so that she knows that she can lean on me

He looked down as Tara's warm body pressed against his. Brown eyes stared out into the forest. They were glazed, unseeing. Carefully the Ranger wrapped his left arm around her body. He watched for some sign that Tara didn't want him holding her. The girl merely sighed. Tensed muscles relaxed.

And when she hears the words, I hope she knows she'll be okay

"I don't want to talk about them," she spoke sadly. Hands gripped Crowley's shirt, "I don't remember my parents outside of what the servants and my uncle and aunt said." Tears trickled down her face, "I don't want to think about them. Not them, not their kids, not everything that happened – everything they did to me."

Aim my boom box at the roof, I'm playing "Lean On Me"

Just so that she knows that she can lean on me

Crowley nodded, "I understand, little one. You don't have to talk if you don't want to."

"They did horrible things. They even told me that they knew it was wrong. I asked them why. Neither gave me a response. I never learned why."

To that, Crowley had no response. All he could do was tighten his grip on her trembling body.

And when she hears the words, I know exactly what I'll say

"Will you listen…whenever I feel strong enough to talk?" she asked. Her tone was soft, weak, scared. She was afraid that he would reject her, push her away. Crowley knew she was afraid to left in that darkness alone.

Softly he replied, "Always."

Promise I'm not playing tricks on you

You're always welcome to come in

You could stay here for an hour or two

If you ever need a friend

We can talk about the noise, when you're ready…

"I love you, Crowley," Tara whispered.

That drew a warm smile from the Ranger. He watched an owl take flight. High above, both humans watched a shooting star race past. Gently he rubbed her side, "I love you too. We all do."

With that, he rose to his feet. Arms gently picked her up. Her head rested on his left shoulder. Flare quietly trotted behind the Ranger. Her soft muzzle reached over to her rider. Tara reached and petted that nose. Crowley smiled. When brown eyes turned back to him, he kissed her forehead.

"Will you tell the others?" the seven-year-old asked as they neared camp.

Crowley met her tired, scared gaze, "When you're ready. Tonight, however, I heard only the wind."

…but till then

I'll say, "It must have been the wind, must have been the wind

Must have been the wind, it must have been the wind"

None of the Rangers spoke as the pair entered camp. The Ranger horses quietly greeted Flare upon her return. Crowley would put Tara to bed. Halt, who had traded places with Leander, came over. A small smile touched Tara's face as the grizzled Ranger pulled her close to his body. Sleep overcame her. Slowly her fingers released Crowley's hand.

The commander whispered softly, "Goodnight, our little star."

I'll say, "It must have been the wind, must have been the wind

Must have been the wind, it must have been the wind"

Hope you guys liked it.

The Redmont chapter will be up shortly. It was three-quarters written when I got this idea.

Here is the next chapter.

Ready to find out what Baron Arald, Lady Pauline, and Ranger Farrel know about Tara?

Read, Comment, and Enjoy!