Part 2

*Disclaimer – I do not own Big Valley or To Know Her by Name by Lori Wick which is where the idea for Heather's job came from.

**The lyrics are from Francesca Battistelli's song Blue Sky.

Just hold on
Don't turn around
Keep on walking
Don't lose heart
'Cause I am here, I am here
Wherever you are, wherever you are

Heather struggled with the box, until she was out of town. She paused for a few minutes to catch her breath. It was just her luck that another Barkley happened upon her. This time it was Nick, the brother Audra and Jerrod had both warned her about. Nick was known to have no love for Billy Joe or any of his crew and unfortunately for her that included Heather.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Nick Barkley sneered.

Heather ignored him, knowing full and well by experience that answering him would make it worse. He would hate her because she ignored him and walked away, he would call her a coward – but he hated her anyway and did it really matter what he thought? She picked up her box and continued on.

Nick Barkley called after her calling her names and sending insults hurling after her. Heather paid him no mind and continued on. She rounded a corner and saw Curly a short ways ahead. She took a deep breath and turned to meet her fate.

"Bro, you said you be there for me, always. Where are you now?" was her fleeting thought as she approached her boyfriend.

When the rain is falling
And there's no silver lining
And you just can't seem to find the light
When you need a reason
To help you keep believing
Let my love be your blue sky

Eugene stood quietly watching intently as the scene unfolded in front of him. He and Jarrod had come down stairs at a brisk pace when Nick had bellowed for them. They never ran in the house, Mother would have there heads, but this called for an urgent pace. They both had exited their rooms about the same time, and both reached the parlor at the same time. A crashing of a bottle against the side of a table caused them to look to their right as they entered the room, both of them immediately on guard.

Heath stood there holding the bottle pointing it at them. Eugene was so confused he missed most of what Heath was saying, something about a fight, stream and train. What is the world was going on here? He opted for his usual stance – observe and then talk. That was until Heath said something derogatory towards his father. He didn't remember much about his father, but he had learned about him from the stories his brothers told him and he was proud of him. He made a move to jump Heath but Jarrod held him back, Eugene obeyed, Jarrod had been the one to pretty much raise him after all, and he knew not to cross him.

He listened as Heath continued to talk. His ears perking up when Heath began to talk about his mother, something was wrong he was trying to tell them something – a connection between his mother and their father? The very idea was laughable right? He understood why Nick was so upset now, it all made sense now.

"Do you know what she was? She was kind and gentle and fair and left to her own when her husband got liquored up and drowned in some stinking creek – until he came." Heath stated as he nodded up towards the picture of Tom Barkley that resided over the fireplace.

Eugene knew as Heath made that statement that his hunch was correct. Heath was telling them that he was their half brother. There was no way that was possible was it? Jarrod was talking now asking him how long ago this had taken place.

"Twenty-four years." Heath replied.

"Where?" Jarrod asked, yes – where - Eugene wanted to know too. There was absolutely no way this could be true.

"In a mining camp," Heath relied. Eugene fought the urge to role his eyes he already told them that part!

Apparently Nick agreed with Eugene. "You told us that already!" Nick exclaimed.

Jarrod did roll his eyes, "What mining camp?"

Heath replied with one word, "Strawberry."

Eugene was surprised that there was no collective gasp as Heath's words sank in. It could be possible, for Tom Barkley had been there at Strawberry twenty-four years before. Instead of acceptance that it was indeed it was possible there was denial, not that Eugene expected anything else. He did not want to accept it either he looked at his older two brothers, Nick and Jarrod.

Nick immediately protested and in Eugene opinion his words cut too close to home. Attacking the story was one thing but to attack his mother who Heath obviously loved very much was another. Making that statement "You know the kind of women…" was definitely uncalled for.

Jarrod seemed to agree with Eugene again, "Nick!" He chastened.

Heath ignored Jarrod and defended his mother to Nick, "There was only one of my Mother."

Nick continued, also choosing to ignore Jarrod, "Just a simple, sweet, innocent little-"

Eugene was glad Jarrod cut Nick off because he was going to in a minute, and Nick would accuse him of taking Heath's side. "What my brother is clumsily trying to determine is when you came to hear-"

Heath cut Jarrod off saying, "A month ago."

Nick was back to making remarks but Jarrod ignored him, knowing full and well Nick wasn't going to listen. He urged Heath to continue with his story which Heath did. Heath explained that on his mother's death bed she had told him to turn to the last page of the family Bible. When Heath obeyed he found a newspaper clipping of Tom Barkley's death, leading him to believe that Tom Barkley was his father. Nick and Heath were at it again when Heath finished his story, Eugene ignored them trying to figure it all out in his head. Then Jarrod started to speak and Eugene focused on his brother's words.

"You put together a touching story. Not convincing, but touching. However, considering the people it might hurt even if it is a lie, I'm willing to pay. $300, $400 what will you take?" Jarrod asked. So he believed the story to be a lie to did he, Eugene was not so sure.

Heath refused the money saying, "What I'm entitled to a name, a heritage, a part of it all, what's mine."

Nick lost it at that point, for in all three of the Barkley brother's hearts they knew this wasn't just a con, Heath truly believed what he claimed. "All right boy you listen to me, I want you out of this house, off this place and out of this valley. And know this if I ever lay eyes on you again I'm going to finish what I started tonight."

Eugene watch as Nick grabbed the money from Jarrod's hand and slipped it in Heath's shirt pocket as he talked. Heath merely waited for Nick to be done with his tirade before taking the money out of his pocket and slipping it into the half empty cup he was carrying that Eugene had not noticed before. Heath set the cup down and walked out of the room and out of the house only turning once at the door to wave to them before leaving their lives in chaos.

Don't you know that I know
Life can be so hard it makes you wanna give up
But don't you know over the horizon
The sunny day you're looking for
Is waiting right here in my love

Just hold on
Don't turn around
Keep on walking
Don't lose heart
'Cause I am here, I am here
Wherever you are, wherever you are

Heath looked out the window of his newly booked room on the 2nd floor in the Saloon and could not believe his eyes. There was Audra Barkley, herself – the girl reminded him too much of his sister, running heedless into danger without giving thought to the consequences. Just as Heath had this thought two men tried to pull Audra off her horse.

Heath took off running out of the room and down the stairs, all the while thinking that while he could not save his twin sister he darn well was going to save Audra. By the time he reached the outside of the saloon the men had pulled Audra off her horse. He quickly stepped in unnoticed by the men who were occupied with calming down Audra's horse and grabbed Audra's arm.

He half led, half dragged Audra through the Saloon up to his room. He shut the door firmly before releasing her. Then he turned to make sure the door was closed tightly, too bad there was no way to lock it.

"I'm hurt," Audra pouted.

Heath's jaw clenched, "Hurt? You're lucky you're not dead you little fool. What were you doing out there?" Heath paced the room pausing to glance out the window, looking for the two men. Crossing back across the room he checked the door once more, he asked, "well?"

If the situation was not so dire Heath would have laughed at Audra's reply, "No one talks to me like that. Not ever."

Heath settled for a monotone, "No?"

Audra replied back contemptuously, "No."

Heath nodded in the direction of the window, "Try them." He continued to pace back and forth between the window and the door keeping a lookout for the two men.

Audra sighed and answered his question, "I heard my brothers talking about it – what was in town and wanted to see. You don't believe me?"

Heath did not doubt that she heard her brothers talking about something in town, but that something was more of a someone, Him. She ahd come to see what she could make of him. Boy howdy, she reminded him of his sister – that would have been such a Heather move.

Heath grabbed the water pitcher and brought it around to the other side of the bed where Audra was now standing. He ordered her to sit down while he poured water into the basin. She obeyed and sat down. She let her sleeve that had been torn when the men dragged her off her horse hang, leaving her shoulder bare. Apparently she was trying to test him because she was sitting with one leg up on the bed and acting in a manner of an enchantress. Heath was tempted to turn her over his knee on the spot but instead focused his attention on her wounds.

Heath paid little attention to her comments as he worked, although he responded to them. One of the men had scratched her good. Audra was saying something about Nick and it caught Heath's attention. "He takes nothing from anyone." She said proudly.

Heath rolled his eyes, "You're telling me."

Audra smiled, "That's how I'd like to be. My Father was like that. My mother thinks I'm shameless. Jarrod thinks I'm spoiled. Nick – He understands. "Her next words shocked Heath, "You're like Nick."

"Ok," Heath thought, "I knew I had met my match in Nick, but I'm like him? If I'm like him and he's like our father, does that mean I'm like Tom Barkley?" He changed the subject quickly. "Some guy really put his nails into you. Get some soap on that when you get home, you hear?"

When the rain is falling
And there's no silver lining
And you just can't seem to find the light
When you need a reason
To help you keep believing
Let my love be your blue sky

Come on come on
Don't you be afraid
Whatever comes tomorrow
My love is here to stay

Eugene looked out at the scene strewn out in front of him. Fighting – even for a noble cause left such death and destruction and he did not think he could ever get used to it. He figured he was not cut out to be a fighter, no he was defiantly much better off in a classroom. Oh, there was no doubt he could hold his own on the ranch but he was infinitely more comfortable in a setting where he was receiving book learning.

Eugene was so caught up in his thoughts that he did not hear Heather come up behind him. "Hello, Gene." She said softly as she stepped up beside him, wincing slightly as she saw the dead bodies that had not been cleared away as of yet.

Eugene watched her reaction as he knew that she knew what Curley was. The whole town knew Curly was a killer; that he abused Heather and yet there was an air of innocence about her. The Barkley blood in him wanted to protect that innocence, to stop the injustice of the relationship, and yet something stopped him and it was not fear of Nick's reaction. No, Eugene knew something that no one else did, not even Audra.

The two of them instinctively looked for Nick before they tried to carry on any further conversation. Nick, of course, did not know about their friendship, and they intended to keep it that way. They spotted Nick giving orders to the men who were clearing away the bodies, getting them out of sight. He was so busy he would not notice them and if he did he would not say anything to them.

"Where's Jarrod?" Heather asked.

Eugene nodded his head over towards their left. "He's over there with our newfound brother Heath."

Heather paled, "Heath?" She choked out.

Eugene nodded looking out at Jarrod and Heath. Heath was trying to role a cigarette and Jarrod handed him one of his. Eugene did take note of Heather's reaction and said, "Yeah, apparently my father had an affair twenty-four years ago in Strawberry. Heath is the result of said affair."

Heather grabbed Eugene's arm, "Heath Thomson is here?"

"Thomson? Is that his last name – he wouldn't tell us." Eugene said finally turning to look at Heather. "Heather, you aren't looking very well. Let's get you inside so you can sit down." Eugene said alarmed as he took in her appearance. He took her arm and gently led her inside to a chair.

"I'm sorry I worried you." Heather said softly after a few minutes. "I wasn't expecting Heath to be here."

"How do you know Heath?" Eugene asked as he poured a cup of water for her.

"We grew up together in Strawberry." Heather said. She did not elaborate on her answer and Eugene changed the subject for the time being.

"Where is Curly?" He asked. "I know he wouldn't have let you come this morning if he was around."

Heather grinned. "He and Billy Bob took off. The whole gang rode off. They will be gone for several months – the law was getting to close."

Eugene snickered, "The law has been living with them in their camp."

Heather frowned. "Shhh. – No one knows about that and they can't!"

Eugene blanched, "Sorry, I forgot where we were."

Heather smiled at him to show that she forgave him. Eugene was the only one who knew her secret. Heather was an undercover agent with the Treasury Department. She had been sent to infiltrate Billy Bob's gang and find out where he had stashed the money from his big bank robbery in town. Without the money they couldn't prove that he had committed the robbery even though everyone knew he had done so.

The only reason Eugene knew her secret was because she needed a contact. Someone who could receive her messages from her boss, someone she could trust. If anything were to happen to her Eugene would get a message to her boss. Eugene had taken the time to talk to her and get to know her and so she had chosen him for her contact going so far as to tell him everything about her mission, something that was normally highly discouraged.

Eugene decided to take the chance to dig into Heather's past by asking. "So you grew up with Heath?"

Heather gave a rare smile that reached her eyes. "Yeah, he was the best friend anyone could ever ask for."

Eugene smiled in response. "Good, I'm glad. I'd hate to think my brother was anything less than honorable."

Heather laughed, "Well, you do not have to worry about that."

At that moment they were interrupted by Jarrod. He was standing in the doorway of the room. He cleared his throat, "I'm sorry to interrupt Eugene, Miss Thomson, but we are leaving now Gene."

"You aren't interrupting anything, Mr. Barkley." Heather said softly looking up at Jarrod with a cordial smile. "I will talk to you later Gene," she said turning to look at him. He was staring at her in shock, "Gene what's wrong?" She asked.

Eugene did not reply right away, instead he turned to his brother. "Jarrod, go on outside, I will be right there."

Jarrod although surprised by Eugene's terse order nodded his head. "Just so you know Heath will be riding back with us."

"So Heath is staying?" Heather could not resist asking, her tone earnest.

Jarrod looked surprised at her question but did not wish to pry into her privacy. "Yes, for the time being. Although I do not know how long he will stick around."

Heather only nodded as Jarrod turned and walked out of the house. Eugene turned and looked at Heather once he was sure Jarrod was gone. "Heather, how old are you?"

"23."

"And your last name is Thomson?"

Heather nodded, knowing exactly what Eugene was hinting at. "Yes, and I grew up in Strawberry with Heath."

"You're Heath's twin sister." Eugene stated softly.

Heather nodded blinking back tears. "Yes, but you can't tell him or anyone else until after we get Curly and Billy Bob."

"Fine," Eugene stated, "But you better be careful, you hear? You are my sister after all."

Heather laughed, "What is Nick going to say when he finds out?"

Eugene laughed and said, "I guess we'll have to wait and see. Goodbye Heather, please check in with me soon. I will worry now that I know."

Heather agreed as Eugene left the house. She stood up and went down to the cellar where the children were waiting for any word on the outcome of the gun fight.

"It's over," Heather stated softly. "I want you to be very good for your Ma. Can you do that for me?"

The children readily agreed as the oldest boy looked up at her with tears in his eyes. "Pa's dead isn't he?" He asked harshly.

Heather shook her head as tears filled her eyes. She never knew her Pa, never even knew who he was until today when Eugene told her. She could not imagine knowing your Pa and having him taken away because He stood up for what He believed in. She opened her arms and gathered the sobbing children to her. She was glad that Curly and Billy Joe were gone; she was free to do what she could for Nettie and her family.