The Wind beneath My Wings

A/N This is listed as Fantasy/romance, not drama.

Chapter Nine

Previously: Heath might have continued thinking on the conversation only the path he'd been on came to an abrupt end, and he found himself in shock when he saw a huge cougar crouched on a boulder that set on the side of a nearby hill. However, the blonde haired cowboy shuddered even more when he saw Eugene step in front the most beautiful woman Heath had ever seen-even if he couldn't believe he saw wings on her. However, before he really had time to decide whether he was really seeing wings on the woman, Eugene was pushing her backwards as the cougar let out another cry and sprang off the boulder, aiming itself at the youngest Barkly.

Heath stood inside the hidden cave as Eugene checked Dawn's injured wing; he wanted to make sure it hadn't been made worse when she'd fallen-she'd tripped over a small rock when she'd stepped backwards when Gene had pushed her. Both were grateful for Heath's appearance, as they knew things would have been worse had his blonde haired brother had not saved them by shooting the cougar. That might not have been the case only, while she could not explain it, some of Dawn's powers were temporarily being affected due to her injured. It made no sense to either of them as it was only her wings that had been hurt, and thus only her flying should have been hindered. As it was, she'd been shocked to learn that her ability to communicate with the animals had also been affected.

"What is she?" Heath, who couldn't help but stare in amazement, asked before he realized what he'd said. He quickly changed his question and asked who she was as he slid his pistol back into its holster.

"This is Dawn." Eugene, who had automatically stepped in front of Dawn, in a very protective manner, answered as he explained everything. He then begged his brother to remain silent. "Her people have wings, can fly and have various talents just as humans do. However, it's only once in a blue moon that a mortal man happens to meet one of them. Her wing is almost healed. She'll be able to leave soon." Even as he said the words, Eugene knew that-somehow- he was going to find out how the two of them could be together. Naturally, he did not give his blonde haired brother that information, feeling sure Heath would try to talk him out of it…or worse yet, tell the family.

Heath wasn't sure what to think. He'd never believed in anything like fairies and other mythical creatures, and yet here he was standing in front of a being described in many of the stories…even if she didn't claim to be any form of deity. "You said you live high up in the mountains," Heath said after a moment, and then asked about her family.

"They'll be looking for me." Dawn sighed and looked at Gene while answering Heath. "I really need to go farther up into the mountains. If any of them find me this far down, some of my abilities hindered…" her voice trailed off knowing how upset her family would be, especially her eldest brother.

"Then we need to get going." Gene told her; he wasn't surprised by the wonder in her eyes and the increased shock on Heath's face.

"The family knows I'm tracking you, Gene. If you just go off and say nothing, they'll want to come after you." Heath wasn't trying to get Gene to change his mind; he was simply stating fact.

Eugene didn't doubt the things Heath said in the least. Still, he wasn't about to desert Dawn, or knowingly put her in danger. "Go home then, and tell them you found me but I wouldn't come. Tell them I'm staying with my patient for now." Gene laid his hand on Dawn's shoulder while keeping his eyes on his brother. "It shouldn't surprise them, since no responsible adult; especially a Barkley, would shirk their duties."

Heath had seen the looks that Gene had given Dawn, and she him, so he suspected it was more than duty that compelled Gene to answer the way he did. Heath couldn't blame his little brother. As beautiful as the…whatever she was, Heath knew he'd be reacting the same way if he was in Eugene's shoes. However, Heath also knew that he needed to do as Gene had been asking him and the rest of the family to do for a long time now…treat him as an adult instead of a young boy who needed to grow up. "Head to the lodge," Heath said after a few minutes. I won't tell anyone you're there, just that you're okay and to drop the subject. To appease our dear brothers, I'll tell them that I'm going to rejoin you…in case you need help. Then we can head up even further into the mountains."

"How far away is this lodge?" Dawn asked, looking at Eugene.

"Five miles, by the time we get there, we'll be in the mountain area. However, I dare say not as high up as you'd like to be." Eugene answered and then looked at Heath and nodded, telling him they would do as Heath suggested.

~oOo~

Starrs was once again pacing back and forth, only this time he was standing in inside the home he shared with his mother. The inside looked much like the homes of the humans he and his people stayed away from, but no one would have known it by looking at the outside. How could they when Starr and his people kept a false cover over homes-making them blend into the mountains in which they lived. He was once again threatening to go look for his sister.

"Would you quit your pacing!" Ella stepped into the huge living room of her home. It held a few chairs that were especially made to accommodate their wings and a few strange looking musical instruments.

"We can't find Dawn; she's nowhere to be seen! I don't understand why you forbid me and others to go pass our normal boundaries to look for Dawn, and she has got to have gone pass them! What do you know that we don't!" Starrs, who was famous for a temper and raising his voice-though he'd never raised it at his mother, was actually yelling at her. He didn't like being confused and, since Ella was more than protective of all her children, he was lost.

Ella, who was actually internally climbing the walls as bad as her son but hiding it better, sighed. She wanted nothing more than to send her son beyond their boundaries, but the voices she was famous for hearing told her to wait. "It is not time yet." She gave her son a hard stare, feeling for sure she would not have to say more. She didn't.

Starr, who was well aware of his mother's gifts, reigned in his temper and left the room…though he was still mumbling his own opinions under his breath.