I do NOT own The Big Valley or any of the original Big Valley characters. Thanks to my Beat Reader for all her help and to Martha for answering a lot of questions when it comes to California, towns, distances etc.

*Victoria's memory comes from the episode "Presumed Dead".

End of the Rainbow

Chapter Thirteen

Jarrod stood in front of the fireplace in the living room and waited until Audra and Victoria sat down. Heath remained standing near the couch. "What is it?" Victoria knew Jarrod had to have major news as she saw the telegrams in his hands. After all, telegrams meant news, good or bad, they meant news.

"Is it Nick?" Heath stood with his hands on top of the couch, mostly to brace himself if the news was indeed about his missing brother and it wasn't good.

Jarrod looked at the telegrams and sighed, "It may be." He wasn't surprised by the confused looks that came upon the family's faces, as he looked at both telegrams again. "Either Nick has a twin or," Jarrod paused and sighed. "Nick's helping…" he paused again as he looked at the second telegram, "his wife deliver her horses to us soon."

Major shock waves ran through each and every one of the Barkleys. Audra gasped, Victoria had to use everything she had inside of her to keep her composure and Heath was grateful he had a hold of the couch. "Exactly what do those telegrams say, and who are they from?" Victoria looked at the telegrams and then to Jarrod.

"Met Patrick Barnes helping fiancée bring horses to you. Could pass for Nick. Warn Nick not to have heart failure when he meets him. Anna Bronson." Jarrod looked at his family, not surprised to see turmoil inside their eyes; he felt it too. He read the other one. "Mr. Barkley. Received telegram from friend in Holt. One Patrick Barnes married Cat O'Brian there. Heading your way. Fits brother's description. Chance brother suffering from amnesia. Please advise when he arrives. Will continue looking. Detective Bryan C Colt."

"Amnesia." Victoria again steadied herself as she remembered standing in a jail cell with her own lost memory returning and what it had been like to realize what her family had been put through not knowing where she was, or what had happened. "Jarrod, you have to go into town. Will you stop by and talk to Dr. Merar? Find out more about amnesia and, if it is Nick," she cleared her throat, "if it's not just someone who bears a striking resemblance to him, ask the good doctor what we should do, please." She had to know. She had to know if there was anything they could do to help Nick remember, if it was indeed him.

Jarrod felt as if he was walking on thin ice, just waiting for it to break. He took a deep breath. "I already have, Mother." He looked at each member of his family and saw the hope within each of them. How he hated what he had to say. "He said he couldn't tell us what to do; however," he could see a razor sharp knife going through each member of the Barkley clan and felt his own shearing him in two, "we risk a great deal by pressing the issue. The medical field is still learning about the human brain and the results that can come from, as the doctor said, 'that kind of pressure'."

"So, if it's Nick," Heath exploded, "we say nothing at all? We can't even tell him his real name?" He whirled around to leave only to have Victoria jump up to her feet and plant herself in front of him.

"Heath Barkley!" Her voice was not necessarily loud, it was only raised. "I know how upsetting this is to you, to all of us. We have to think about him though," she choked on her words, making Heath's shoulder sag as he felt resignation setting in, "we do nothing that would hurt him in any way, if it's him." There was no way she was going to stand by and watch any member of the family hurt another member, not if she could help it.

Heath sighed as he quietly said, "I'll warn McCall and the others." He headed for the door; no one tried to stop him.

"I want it to be him," Audra grasped her hands together, "and I don't. That sounds awful doesn't it?" She looked at her mother and oldest brother. She didn't like feeling 'this way', but she felt so mixed up inside. Yes, her mother had had amnesia, but she knew who she was before she actually came home. The idea of having Nick on the ranch, but not knowing who he really was, it was heartbreaking.

"No," Victoria gave her a sad smile, "it sounds like a very normal reaction to such news." She looked at Jarrod. "They're to arrive tomorrow, correct?" She was sure she had it right, only the news had her a bit rattled and now she couldn't quite remember.

Jarrod nodded. "That's what Miss…I mean, Mrs. Barnes said in her telegram." 'One more telegram though, and I think I'll scream.' It was a thought he kept to himself as he left his mother and Audra to talk while he headed for his study.