Forbidden love for a Barkley

Part Six:

"Jarrod Returns part II; Tom Barkley's birthday part 1"

While Nick and Stefania were spending the day together and watching the sunset, Victoria was worrying her head off as the sunset gave her the grim reminder of the night Tom was murdered since it had the same colors it did that tragic night. Normally, she wouldn't be worrying like she was, but since Tom's birthday was coming up which made the pain of his murder resurface, nobody could blame her for having the fears that she had. However, despite getting a telegram informing her that he would be home the next morning, Jarrod came back from San Francisco earlier than expected which made Victoria's fears somewhat dissipate. No one knew what it was, but there was something about Jarrod that always seemed to put everybody's, mainly Victoria's fears and worries to bed. Perhaps, it was his ways of comforting and reassuring those around him that was very reminiscent of his late father, but who knows? Anyways, despite being honest and candid + open about stuff, there was one thing Nick was keeping from Stefania; How Tom died. Why was it difficult for him to talk about? He talked about how Heath became a Barkley and Tom's affairs with Kerry Doherty and Leah with ease & Stefania talked about her life in Italy, even her first love Pasquale which was something she never normally talked about to just anybody. So, if she was able to talk about Pasquale without tears, Nick should be able to talk about how Tom died without tears or anything. Fair is fair. That being said: Will Nick manage to talk about Tom's death? Will he and Stefania get back to their homes safely? Stay tuned!

Author's note: I do NOT own "The Big Valley" or the characters associated with the show. The only stuff I own is this fic and the characters of Dr. Drysdale, Stefania Mangano, her family, and Leonard Barkley. Enjoy the story and please, no rudeness, trolling, or anything like that. Thank you!

Warning: Keep tissues, handkerchiefs, paper towels, or whatever handy. This chapter talks about how Tom was murdered and how it haunts Nick. I don't know about you, but I teared up a little. Also too, this chapter may be a long one or brief one, because it commemorates Tom Barkley's birthday and everyone discusses memories of the late Barkley patriarch. Everyone, except Heath of course as he never knew his father. Plus, there may be a short dream sequence and also too, here's a MAJOR SPOILER: another character returns! Oh, and we find out a tragic secret about Stefania!

Warning 2.0: This chapter also mentions the unfortunate fate of Tom's Black Stallion Eustace. Nothing too graphic or anything, but still, I felt the need to warn you about it. Plus too, the reason behind Tom's murder, the person who did it, and the eerie connection to Beth's murder!

(Flashback to part 5)

"Mother?" a familiar voice called out.

"Nick?" Victoria spoke out, hoping it was her second eldest son.

"Audra? Heath? Nick?" the voice called out, again.

Victoria left the window and went into the main foyer where she was greeted by Jarrod who hugged her after setting his brief case down.

"Oh, Jarrod. It's so good to see you! I'm so glad you're home and just in time!" Victoria hugged and kissed her son all over his face.

"Hey, I wouldn't miss father's birthday for anything. Plus, I was due home anyways. San Francisco is boring." Jarrod chuckled.

"Hiya, Jarrod." Audra walked in and greeted her eldest brother.

"Hi, big brother." Heath came in after Audra.

"It feels good to be back home, but it seems as though we're missing a Barkley." Jarrod hugged his brother and sister, before looking around.

"Oh, Nick's been out all day." Audra told him.

"Nick!" Victoria ran over to the front door, opened it, and looked outside, before closing it and feeling her heart start to beat a little faster than usual.

"Mother, is everything okay?" Jarrod was concerned, as he had never seen his mother like this before. Naturally, she was a worry wart like her late husband was, but not to this degree.

"Jarrod, did you see Nick on your way back here? Did you see that sunset?!" Victoria's voice was filled with fear.

"No, I just returned from San Francisco and to answer your second question, I didn't pay attention to the sunset. Now, before anybody says another word, would anyone please fill me in on what I missed?" Jarrod was completely thrown off by everything. Why wouldn't he be? The man just walked through the front door a few seconds ago and already he was expected to know where Nick was, whether or not he saw the sunset, and just everything.

"I'm sorry, Jarrod. You just got home and here I am worrying my head off and expecting way too much." Victoria sighed.

"It's alright, mother but that still isn't filling me in." Jarrod reassured her.

"Nick fell in love with a girl." Audra said in a matter of fact way.

"Nick fell in love? After swearing up and down left and right that he was done with women and romance? That's a little surprising. Good, but surprising considering that it is Nick we're talking about." Jarrod raised an eyebrow.

"Well, Nick met a girl named Stefania and even though he won't admit to it, he has feelings for her. Now, whether that is true or not, we're happy for him and so is mother, but Nick has been gone all day and mother saw the sunset which sported the same color it did the night father was killed and she's been worried that it is going to be a repeat of father and your late wife Beth." Heath took a breath after saying all of that.

"Oh, I think we all know Nick when it comes to a pretty face. He falls head over heels for the girl then he gets his heart broken." Jarrod took his hat off, "Now, regarding mother's fears, it is quite understandable considering what has happened and the tragedies we experienced. I mean every time she sees a sunset, it sets off that memory of father being murdered and us being informed of it. Just like every time I see yellow flowers, all I can remember is Beth leaning down to pick them up, only to be shot in the back. It's natural for certain things to bring a bad or good memory back to us. That being said, mother, I'm sure Nick is fine and I'm sure Stefania is fine, too. After all, this is Nick we're all talking about and he'd go down kicking and screaming. I believe we all know that."

"You're right, Jarrod. You're right, but when you become a parent, no matter how old your child is, you'll always worry about them. I worry about you, Audra, Gene, Heath, and Nick. It's the maternal instinct in me. Obviously, it's a little different than how your father used to worry, but we can delve into that some other time. However, as of now, how about you get to the table and eat something. You must be starved." Victoria's fears started to dissipate little by little.

"Actually, I had a little something in San Francisco, but I cannot pass up the stew Silas makes. Did he make it tonight?" Jarrod rubbed his stomach.

"He sure did." Victoria nodded.

*Back with Nick and Stefania*

It was nightfall. Nick and Stefania were staring up at the starry night sky, waiting to see if there would be a shooting star, so they could make a wish. However, no shooting stars have arrived just yet. Plus, with her question remaining unanswered regarding Tom's death, Stefania had been waiting and waiting for Nick to finally and eventually answer, but seeing as that was not happening, she decided to try again and ask. Who could blame her? He had been candid about everything else in his life and so has she, so why would Tom's death be something he felt he needed to hide? Plus, as part of a growing relationship, both parties are supposed to be honest and candid with each other. Maybe not right away on everything, but on some things such as: first love or loves, past relationships, upbringings, relatives, interests, etc.

"Nick..." Stefania spoke up after a while.

"Hmmm?" Nick turned to her.

"You still haven't answered my question." Stefania looked him in the eyes.

"And what question is that?" Nick moved in for another kiss.

"The question about your father. How did he die?" Stefania slightly pulled back.

"Isn't that a little personal, Stefania?" Nick nervously chuckled, while trying hard not to look uncomfortable.

"Nick, I told you about my first love Pasquale and I never tell anyone about it. Nobody. Not even a close friend. Plus, since we are in a slow building secret relationship, it is only right that we are honest, because aren't relationships about honesty?" Stefania folded her arms.

"Well yeah, but-" Nick was cut off.

"You told me about your father's twice infidelity and how your brother Heath came about with no problem, so why can't you tell me about how your papa died? You see in Italy and in the Italian culture, we value our family ranging from parents to grandparents to ancestors before them and those ancestors." Stefania had a firm tone to her voice.

"I know and I told you that the Barkley family is just the same. We cherish our family members, ancestors, what have you." Nick said.

"Well?" Stefania asked.

"Well, what?" Nick gave her a funny look.

"How come you can't tell me about how your father died?" Stefania asked the question for a third time.

"Can't you tell me a little more about you?" Nick tried to dodge the question.

"Nick." Stefania gave him a look.

(Now)

Nick just looked at Stefania and didn't say a word for a while, before standing up, walking a few feet away from her and the tree, looking up at the sky, and putting his leather glove clad hands on his hips.

Stefania looked at Nick with concern and started to get worried that she could've possibly offended him in some way or another. After all, she did ask a much too personal question, but seeing as Nick was an open book about other touchy and controversial details such as Heath being illegitimate and Tom's twice infidelity, it wouldn't make sense for him to not talk about how his father died. It just wouldn't. Why would that need to be kept a secret? Then again, on the same token, Nick was close to his father and seeing as his father's birthday was coming up, those wounds were opened again and just as fresh as they were then, so maybe talking about it may not be a good idea. Once she heard Nick take a long breathy sigh, she decided to finally speak up.

"Nick..." Stefania finally spoke up, before walking over to and standing behind him, "If I offended you, I'm sorry. I just thought that since you and I have been open about our lives to eachother, maybe-"

"Don't apologize, Stefania. Do not feel you have to apologize." Nick continued to stare up at the starry night sky.

"But Nick, I feel as though I offended you." Stefania was feeling very badly for seemingly offending Nick.

"You didn't offend me at all. Nothing you do could ever offend me." Nick sighed, before turning around to face her, "I've been thinking for a few minutes and you're right. In a growing relationship like ours, both parties need to be candid, open, and honest about everything. You told me about Pasquale and I told you about my father's twice infidelity and Heath, so it is only fair that I talk about how my father died."

Stefania had a look of relief on her face and didn't say anything.

"It's just that...well, I uh-My father's death is something that I can't talk about to just anybody. Now I know it was the same thing on why you never talked about Pasquale to anyone, but my father's death is just something I try to avoid discussing. Sadly, I don't think I can talk to you about it." Nick's voice had a somber tone to it.

"Why, Nick?" Stefania asked.

"Well, to be honest, it's hard to do it without choking up and plus, my father's death...haunts me." Nick could feel tears springing to his eyes just by saying the last part.

"It haunts you? How? I mean I understand feeling uncomfortable talking about it and all, but why would it haunt you? You didn't cause it." Stefania placed her hand on his arm.

"That's right kind of you to say, but I did in a sense." Nick turned away from her and looked back up at the sky.

"How, Nick? How do you figure you caused his death? I mean death sometimes happens at the most unexpected times. Sometimes it is either accidental like falling off a horse or a train derailment or an act of God like a sickness such as whooping cough or pneumonia. Now, how did your father die? Sickness or accidental?" Stefania rubbed his arm as a way to reassure him.

"Stefania..." Nick took a deep breath and tried to hold back any possible tears, before turning around to face her, again, "My father didn't die."

"He didn't die?" Stefania got a confused look on her face.

"No...he was...murdered." Nick's voice began to break.

"Oh, Nick." Stefania hugged him very tightly, "Oh, Nick. I-I'm so sorry. I'm so so sorry."

"So am I." Nick had a single tear stream down his face.

"I know you are, Nick." Stefania rubbed his back with one hand and the back of his head with the other.

"I just wish he knew how sorry I was." Nick sniffed, as more tears streamed down his face.

"What do you mean?" Stefania asked.

"Well, you see, Stefania, the months leading up to my father's death, he and I weren't getting along. We got into a dispute over a gambling bet. I won and he lost, but not only did he lose, he refused to pay up the bet. He only paid half and being one to not accept just anything, I made a huge fuss over the money he owed me which then led to an argument between us that went from bickering over a bet to more personal & bigger things like his infidelity with his first mistress. Then, not so nice things were said and we went weeks to two months without speaking." Nick wiped away his tears.

"Then, he died after that?" Stefania continued to rub Nick's back.

"No. You see, before we went without speaking, I called him a and I quote: 'selfish old coot' unquote and before he went off to ride around that same day, I said and I sadly quote: 'I don't care to ever see you again for as long as I live! I hate you and wish you weren't my father!' unquote." Nick sniffed some more, "Those are the most terrible things I said to my father!"

"Oh, Nick. You didn't mean any of that. I know you didn't." Stefania kissed his ear.

"I never ever got to apologize for them! I never got to tell my father how sorry I was for saying such horrible things and I never will." Nick said in between sobs.

"He died right after you said what you said? That same day?" Stefania asked.

"No, no. He was murdered a couple of months later. However, right after I said the whole 'I hate you and wish you weren't my father' thing, he said and I quote: "You know sometimes, I feel and wish the same thing!' unquote. I could tell that not only did he say that out of hurt and anger, but that he had hurt in his voice and in his eyes. What I said really REALLY hurt him deeply. It was when he got back home that the two of us didn't speak. We'd make pot shots at each other at the table in front of my mother and siblings, but other than that, he would go out one door and I would go out the other & we'd avoid each other all day. It went this way for a long time." Nick had more fresh tears stream down his face.

"What happened after that?" Stefania rubbed his back with her thumb and kissed his head.

"Well, after a while, we just forgot about the whole thing. No making up or anything. Just simply forgetting it. While we did talk, it just wasn't the same." Nick sniffed, sounding a little stuffy and like his hay fever was beginning to flare up, "Then came the night he had to ride out to Strawberry."

"Why did he have to go out to Strawberry?" Stefania asked.

"We own a mine out there. Barkley Mine. He had heard of trouble up there. I guess outlaws were robbing it and trashing it. He wanted to go an investigate, but he was told not to by two of his closest friends; Dr. Millard Drysdale and Septimus Clayton. Dr. Drysdale was our family doctor before his great friend and student Dr. Merar replaced him. Despite being told to stand by, father didn't want to. He was stubborn that way. I guess that's where I get my stubbornness, but anyways, he didn't want to stand by like a statue and have his friends do something dangerous, but they did it anyways as a favor to him, because of the friendship and everything." Nick slightly shuddered while starting to re-tell the story.

"What happened to Drysdale and Clayton?" Stefania asked.

"We didn't hear back for a while, because they promised once they found out what the trouble was, they'd ride back to Stockton and inform us. That didn't happen, of course, because our servant and wonderful friend Silas, who rode up to Strawberry to see if everything was okay, came back, eyes bloodshot from tears and barely managing to speak." Nick sniffed some more, as that moment and the moments that followed played out in his head.

*Flashback to that moment*

Getting worried by the minute due to not hearing back from either Dr. Drysdale or Septimus, Tom paced back and forth in the parlor room. Despite trying to reassure himself that everything was okay, his gut instinct was telling him otherwise. After all, he didn't even eat supper tonight and usually he gorged on whatever it was Silas, Victoria, or Audra made and was always to first to eat and the first to finish, but tonight, his heart and stomach were not in it. He was worried about Millard and Septimus, as they were good friends of his and usually when they did the Barkley family any favors, they usually came back right away or sent a telegram immediately, especially Millard since he was a well-respected doctor and always had a sense of urgency. Unable to sit tight and wait any longer, Tom had just sent Silas up to see what in the Sam Hill was going on and if Millard and Septimus were okay. So far, Silas had not returned or sent an urgent telegram which only exacerbated Tom's worries, because not only did he feel responsible for the safety of Millard and Septimus, but now for the safety of Silas, who was also like family to the Barkleys due to his kind nature and undying loyalty. As Tom continued to pace up and down, a door opened and in came Victoria.

"Tom, would you stop pacing? Everything will be fine." Victoria was starting to worry about her husband as his pacing and nerves started to have an affect on the rest of the family.

"Pacing? Who's pacing, Victoria? I'm not pacing. No pacing here." Tom tried to get out of this by denying it, but was failing miserably due to the shakiness in his voice giving him away.

"Thomas Wardell Barkley, fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me and you're not fooling me. You're pacing and very worried. Anybody with eyeballs can see that. Now, would you stop your worrying? It'll all be okay. For all we know, dumb kids could be doing stupid things to show off and they chose Barkley Mine to be the place of trickery, if you will. You know how kids can be dumb." Victoria tried her best to make light of the situation and make her husband feel at ease.

"Victoria, something tells me that dumb kids are not the culprits. Not this time. Something just feels off. I mean I've known Millard and Septimus for a long time and you know they would've been right back here before we could count to three, especially Millard since he is a doctor and has that sense of urgency." Tom inhaled deeply and let out a very breathy sigh, before putting his hand on the wall and his head on his hand, "Something went wrong. I just know it."

"Tom, you mustn't think this way. I mean like I said, for all we know there could be dumb kids causing pandemonium. Remember the last time there was trouble, you, Nick, and Eugene went up there to see what was going on, and found out it was three teenage boys causing trouble. In fact, you and Nick threatened to turn those boys over your knees and tan their bottoms & almost did, before Eugene stopped you two and gave those boys a good talking to in a Jarrod fashion. Remember?" Victoria was still trying to lighten the mood up and even chuckled a little.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's true and Eugene did kinda sound like Jarrod when he took that approach. Nice, but a little terrifying at the same time." Tom chuckled and nodded, "However, I wanted to tan their bottoms so very badly for nearly destroying our mine and causing trouble. I would've done so with my horse reins had Eugene not been there."

Before Victoria could say anything, the front door creaked open and footsteps were heard coming their way. Once the door opened, there stood Silas.

"Hiya, Silas." Tom greeted, as he walked over to him.

Silas didn't say a word.

"Is everything okay?" Victoria joined her husband.

Silas still remained silent.

"Silas..." Tom put a hand on his shoulder, "Where are Millard and Septimus?"

"Mr. Barkley..." Silas looked up at Tom, eyes bloodshot and wet from crying, "I-I'm so...sorry!"

"So sorry? What happened?" Tom guided Silas to a chair and helped him sit down, before sitting in an adjacent chair.

Silas just shook his head and looked down at the floor.

"Silas?" Tom was growing concerned and his stomach started to form a series of knots, as he knew by instinct that whatever Silas was about to hopefully say wasn't going to be good.

Silas continued to look at the floor and not say a word.

"Silas, please tell us. Whatever it is, we can take it." Victoria tried to reassure him.

"It's Dr. Drysdale and Mr. Clayton." Silas finally spoke up after a few more moments of total silence.

"They're okay, aren't they?" Tom asked.

"Afraid not, Mr. Barkley." Silas sadly shook his head no, before looking back up at Tom once again, fresh tears streaming down his face, "I'm so sorry."

"Silas, are they hurt?" Tom could feel his heart begin to beat fast.

"No, Mr. Barkley. It's much worse than that." Silas looked back down, again.

"You mean they're..." Tom stopped mid-sentence as he started to realize his fears were coming true.

"I'm so sorry!" Silas wiped away his tears, "It was horrible. Something I hope to never ever see again."

"That bad huh?" Victoria got a sad look on her face, as the deaths of Septimus Clayton and Dr. Drysdale started to sink in.

"Dammit." Tom quietly muttered under his breath.

"That's such a shame. They were such wonderful people." Victoria put her hand over her chest.

"I'm so sorry I had to be the one to deliver such awful news." Silas sniffed.

"Oh, Silas. Don't be sorry. You did the right, because otherwise, we would've heard about it in the papers. Days later." Victoria put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Heard about what?" Jarrod walked into the room.

"Barkley Mine. Dr. Drysdale and Septimus." Tom spoke in a somber voice.

"Oh yeah. They said they were going to check it out. How did that go, father?" Jarrod asked.

"Not good." Tom shook his head.

"They were murdered, Jarrod." Victoria added.

"Murdered? Two of father's closest friends? Murdered?" Jarrod had a hard time wrapping his mind around it.

"Yes. Murdered in cold blood. Doing me a favor, mind you." Tom stood up, "I feel as though I sentenced them to their deaths."

"Oh now, father, don't blame yourself. Criminals don't discriminate. They kill whoever." Jarrod told him.

"Yeah, but they took two of our very closest friends." Tom walked out of the main foyer and into the parlor room.

*In the parlor room*

Tom grabbed his gun and loaded it, before putting it on and grabbing his hat.

"Father, what are you doing?" Jarrod, who had followed his father, walked in.

"I'm going to go into town and inform their families." Tom grabbed a shotgun and started to load it up.

"Why do you need two guns to do that?" Jarrod asked.

"Safety first." Tom replied.

"What about Barkley Mine?" Jarrod asked.

"That's next on my to-do list." Tom said.

"Well, if it'll put you at ease, I'll go up to Barkley Mine." Jarrod offered.

"Like hell I'll let you go!" Tom's eyes got big.

"Father, I don't mind. I mean you have more important matters to attend to and-" Jarrod was cut off.

"No! I just lost two of my closest friends. I'm not about to lose my son, too!" Tom shook his head, "No, you're staying here."

*Back to the present day*

"So, did Jarrod fight your papa on it?" Stefania asked, still trying her best to console a crying Nick.

"No. Jarrod never usually fought father on stuff. That was my job." Nick sniffed, again and lightly giggled.

"I kinda knew you'd say that and if it's worth anything, I'm very sorry about the loss of Dr. Drysdale and Septimus." Stefania kissed his head, again.

"Thank you, Stefania. That really means the world." Nick's crying had come to soft sobbing after a while.

"Anyways, what happened in between that time and when your papa died?" Stefania asked.

"Well, after Jarrod made his offer, I walked in to console father and made my offer. Man, did he fly off the rails. He told me in no uncertain terms that none of the Barkley children were to set foot near Barkley Mine. That after he informed the families of Dr. Drysdale and Septimus Clayton, he would mount up and ride to Barkley Mine himself." Nick held onto Stefania, "He kept good on his word. He informed their families, made the coffins, help bring their bodies back, and then, headed up to Barkley Mine. Of course, he didn't just simply go up there. He had a fight on his hands from all of us."

"A fight?" Stefania was bit thrown off.

"Oh yes. We all came up to him and told him that he would be...he would be...he would...be..." Nick had a hard time saying the rest, as another round of fresh tears poured down his cheeks.

"Go ahead, Nick." Stefania slightly rocked him a wee bit, "Go ahead."

"We all told him that he would be signing his death warrant, but man, he was a stubborn man and nobody dared argue with him. Once he made up his mind, that was it." Nick's soft sobbing started to slightly turn to intense crying, once again, "After mother, Audra, Jarrod, and Eugene failed to persuade him otherwise, I decided to go ahead and try. Maybe he would've listened to me."

*Flashback to the time Nick tried to talk sense into Tom*

Tom was busy loading up the gun he kept in his holster when Nick walked in.

"Alright, if you won't listen to Jarrod, Audra, Eugene, or mother, you're gonna listen to me. The only way you're gonna get out of here is by going through me." Nick said in a very firm commanding way, before walking up to his father, "Look, father-"

"Nick, if you're trying to talk me out of something, you're wasting the good air in your lungs." Tom spoke up.

"Father, do you realize how dangerous this is? You cannot go up there all by yourself. I mean there could be 10 or 20 troublemakers up there. They'd outnumber you." Nick told him.

"What are you saying? I'm too old to handle myself?" Tom turned around to face him and folded his arms, "That's a very nice thing to say to your own father!"

"Father, I didn't-" Nick was cut off.

"I'll have you know that at my age, I can run this ranch all by myself and I did when the rest of you were stricken with an illness and had to be quarantined. Plus, I'm a fast shot and my hands are lethal weapons. I can take a whole crowd of people in a fight. You'd be surprised." Tom firmly reminded him, while waving his finger.

"I know that, father. I know that. We all do, but think about it for a minute, Dr. Drysdale and Septimus are dead. Murdered. Don't ya think you should have somebody go with you? I mean going alone is...well, asking for trouble and asking to be killed." Nick tried to sound reasonable, but instead, sounded very overprotective and like he was starting to shout.

"Nick, I assure you and everybody in this entire house that I'll be fine." Tom grabbed his hat and gloves.

"Father, why don't...why don't I go up there and do it for you?" Nick suggested.

"Nick, we've been through this before and the answer is a big N to the O. No." Tom shook his head.

"Then, why don't I go with you? I mean if there's more than one outlaw up there, I can help take them on. You'd be much safer with me or somebody as a chaperone." Nick insisted.

"Nick, I'm old enough I don't need a chaperone! Case closed." Tom walked out of the parlor room and headed to the door that led to the barn.

Nick darted out of the parlor room after his father and straight to the door that led to the barn, tripping over his own foot, bumping into the door in the process, and falling down.

"What kind of foolishness?" Tom sported the 'what the hell just happened' look on his face, "How on earth did you get here before I did?"

"Oh, you know, exercising. I needed that run." Nick scrambled to get to his feet, but finally did.

"Now?" Tom wasn't buying it.

"Father, we're looking out for your safety. I wish you'd realize that." Nick got in front of the door and blocked it.

"I appreciate it, Nick but the fact remains that I need to check out Barkley Mine. I need to finish what Septimus and Dr. Drysdale started and get those responsible for their murders. I can't just let them die in vain. Now, move away from the door." Tom was bound and determined and nobody was going to change his mind.

"No! Father, they were two of the toughest men and yet they got taken down. That should tell you something." Nick still insisted.

"What should it be telling me, Nick?" Tom asked.

"It should be telling you that you'll need more than your guns to go up there. You need one of, if not two of us to go with you. If you have the muscle of two of your sons, then you'll stand a better chance against lord knows how many of them are out there." Nick told him.

"Nick, we made an agreement and if I remember correctly, that agreement was that none of us went up to Barkley Mine together. Only one of us goes. Is my memory going bad on me or is that correct?" Tom folded his arms and raised an eyebrow, "Also too, what do you mean by 'guns'? I have just one gun and that's the one I'm wearing."

"I loaded up a shotgun for you and I have my gun on me. Also too, I remember that agreement, but sometimes, you have to break the agreement out of common sense and this is one of those times." Nick went to hand him the loaded up shotgun.

"Nick, I only need one gun and I'm not in the habit of breaking agreements." Tom rejected the shotgun and put his hands up.

"Well, you did break one agreement. Your romance with Kerry Doherty." Nick reminded him.

"Okay, I broke that agreement, but I made up for it." Tom gave him a look.

Nick didn't say a word and just shrugged.

"Look, son, I appreciate the concern like I've said many times, but I'll go and check everything out, then come straight back. Nothing to worry about. Now, let's stop this horsing around and move away from the door." Tom tried to reassure Nick that everything would be okay, but he wasn't doing a good job of it.

"I'm sorry, father but I can't with a good conscience." Nick shook his head.

"Nick, I'm getting pretty tired of this. Now, move aside!" Tom was starting to get annoyed now.

"No, father! I said you're gonna listen to me and by God, you are! Now, you're not leaving until you agree to let me at least follow you close behind." Nick slightly raised his voice and folded his arms, "This is Barkley Ranch and those are my rules! Effective immediately and everybody is gonna follow them. Everybody, including you."

"Your rules? Who died and left you in charge of this ranch?! Nick, I'm old enough to make my own rules and I'm going to Barkley Mine! Conversation over. Now, move aside before I have to forcefully move you myself." Tom also slightly raised his voice and scoffed.

"I'm not moving a step further." Nick stood his ground and shook his head. He was bound and determined that nobody would be going anywhere without agreeing to his newly made rules of going to Barkley Mine.

"Nick, I hate to do this, but I'm gonna count to three and before I get to three, you better have moved aside." Tom was not in the mood for these games and wanted to get this over with, "One."

"C'mon, father. Don't do the counting thing. I'm not a kid." Nick replied.

"Could've fooled me with your current behavior. Two!" Tom retorted.

"Father, I'm not a four year old anymore. The counting isn't gonna work on me now and I'm not budging!" Nick raised his voice.

"Two and a half!" Tom took a step closer to his son.

"Now, father-" Nick was interrupted.

"Two and three quarters!" Tom got even closer to Nick, now face to face, nearly nose to nose with him.

"What?" Nick gave his father a quizzical look.

"Three! That does it." Tom managed to move Nick away from the door without much effort, put him under his arm, and swatted him on the backside about six times, before letting him go.

"Ouch! What did you do that for?" Nick gave him a look.

"For blocking the door and fighting with me on this. Now, I'm going and that's final." Tom opened the door and started to leave, only to look back, "And if I catch you following me on your horse, there'll be more from where those six came from."

Nick didn't say anything and continued to give him the same look.

"Good. Now, we came to an agreement." Tom said, before walking out the door and into the barn.

Nick grabbed the shotgun and followed his father out to the barn.

*Out in the barn*

Tom saddled up Eustace and started to get himself mounted when he saw Nick coming out. Annoyed to the point of being mad, he shook his head in disbelief.

"Nick, what did I just say to you, son?!" Tom was slightly mad now.

"You forgot something." Nick went to hand him the shotgun.

"I don't need that blasted shotgun. I thought I made that perfectly clear." Tom still rejected the shotgun.

"Yeah, you made it clear, but how about you use your common sense for a change and let me ride with you. At least to Barkley Mine." Nick was starting to sound persistent now.

"For the last time, NO!" Tom raised his voice.

"Then, take the shotgun at least!" Nick tried to hand his father the shotgun.

"No! Look, son, you're paranoid over nothing and so are your mother and your siblings! I've been up to Barkley Mine before and nothing happened. Why should this time be any different? Yeah, Septimus and Dr. Drysdale got murdered. That's tragic and all, but they were strangers to Barkley Mine. For all the outlaw or outlaws knew was that they could've been lawmen or something like that. Once or if they see the actual owner of the mine, they're more likely to back off. They wouldn't dare mess with a Barkley. Heck, all of Stockton would hunt the culprit or culprits down and tear them limb from limb & I highly doubt they want to take that risk." Tom sounded confident and very cocky. Clearly, he believed that because he was who he was that, that made him untouchable.

"You don't know that, father. Not all criminals are like that. Some just don't care." Nick had worry in his voice and was not liking the gut feeling he was having, as his eyes began to gloss over.

"Nick, you're paranoid over nothing. Look, I'll be back before you know it and you'll see that you and everyone else were worried over absolutely nothing." Tom leaned down and gave him a kiss on the head, before turning his attention to the road he was going to take, "Giddyup, Eustace."

Eustace did what he was told and started to leave.

"Dad..." Nick called out.

"Whoa, Eustace." Tom pulled at the reins to make Eustace stop, before turning around to see Nick walking up to him, a little surprised his son called him 'Dad' instead of 'Father'.

"Take the shotgun." Nick made one last attempt to hand the shotgun to his father.

"I don't need it, son. Besides, what would I want with the shotgun?" Tom asked.

"Please...just take it." Nick insisted once more, "Please."

"Alright, I'll humor you." Tom smiled and took the gun, before riding off into the sunset.

Nick tried to choke back any tears that threatened to spill, as he watched his father disappear in the distance.

*Back to the present day*

"I still am surprised I said 'dad' instead of 'father'." Nick sniffed.

"When did you find out about his murder?" Stefania asked.

"Well, despite trying to remain calm and reassure myself that everything was okay plus be the "strong arm of the family" while he was gone, I couldn't just sit on my hands and do nothing." Nick replied.

"What did you do?" Stefania started to stroke his hair.

"I did what I would always do. I kept my gun on, loaded up a shotgun, and I saddled up my horse Goldie and mounted, before riding off. That was of course after I told Jarrod to keep an eye on the ranch and to not tell mother anything until father and I returned." Nick sobbed some more after saying the last part, "Obviously, father didn't return with me!"

"Oh, Nick." Stefania held him closer and tighter than before.

"I rode all the way up to Barkley Mine. Once I finally got up there, I-I-I-I-I-I stayed far behind in order for him to not see that I followed him." Nick cringed, as that moment started to play out in his mind. Who could blame him? It was a traumatic event that forever changed the lives of the Barkley family and plus, it was still as clear as day.

Stefania didn't say anything and just held onto Nick. She felt so sorry that he had what appeared to be guilt from not making up with his father. Guilt that he had held onto for all these years since Tom died. Her heart was breaking for him.

*Back at Barkley Ranch*

After having something to eat, Jarrod met up with Victoria in the parlor room and despite her wanting to wait up for Nick to hopefully return safely, the eldest Barkley child had convinced her to rest up in order to take her mind off of things and that he would inform her the moment Nick got home, after of course, he went into his "Pappy mode" and had a word or few with Nick on being late & worrying their mother. It was obvious that Jarrod both inherited part of that trait from his late father and the other trait came naturally to him for two reasons; One, he was the first born Barkley child and the first born always had that parent-like aura to them. In fact, the elest child would usually step up to the plate and be the "parent/head of the house" in their parents' absence. Once they were old enough, of course. And two, upon watching how Tom could be strict, yet loving at the same time, all of it rubbed off onto the eldest Barkley child. Plus, Jarrod was more mature, middle of the road, level-headed, and dependable which was something a parental-like figure needed to be. They couldn't be too lenient or too strict which Jarrod fully embraced when it came to Nick, Audra, and Eugene when either Tom or Victoria were away and still embraced it to this day, despite the fact that Nick, Audra, Eugene, and now Heath were adults themselves. Jarrod still had that parental-like authority over them; loving and strict in a similar matter Tom had been, even if it did annoy the crap out of Nick half of the time. Anyways, Jarrod found himself looking at a family photo album at pictures of Tom and smiling at each one. He was just about to turn the page when he stopped at one particular picture.

"I had forgotten about this time." Jarrod whispered to himself, as he looked at the picture of Tom sitting at Jarrod's bedside.

"Jarrod?" Audra walked into the room.

"Huh? Oh, hey, Audra. I'm just looking through some photos and found this one of father sitting near my bedside." Jarrod pointed at the picture.

"Oh, I remember that time. I think you were suffering fatigue and trying to work on a case, because while you gave your opening statement or argument at the trial, you fainted right in the middle of it." Audra tried to remember that incident, as best as she could.

"Yeah and father was right there." Jarrod nodded, as the memory started to come back little by little.

"Why was father in the courtroom?" Audra asked.

"I had forgotten my brief case and my gun, so father must've decided to ride all the way up to Modesto to give it to me. I remember him walking in on me while I was tearing the entire courtroom and a few offices apart looking for them." Jarrod told her.

*Flashback to that time*

A trial was set to begin in an hour and everybody was ready accept Jarrod. It seemed as though he couldn't find his gun or his brief case which was a surprise, because usually the eldest Barkley child was always prepared. He never ever forgot anything or left anything unfinished. What kind of lawyer would he be if he did? Not a very good one, obviously. As he continued to ransack the office he was in, he was hoping against hope that he didn't leave his brief case and gun at home, because that would mean two things; One, he would have to postpone the trial and go back home. And two, it prove that he was very irresponsible which would disappoint the client, because the client had heard Jarrod Barkley was the best of the best when it came to attorneys & if he was irresponsible, it would be a huge disappointment to the client, because the client did not really trust anybody, attorneys included. Plus, it would disappoint his parents, especially Tom, because the Barkley patriarch had boasted to some about his son being a lawyer and having his own law office. If he were to show an inkling of irresponsibility, his father's boasting would've been for nothing or so he thought.

"Where are they? Where are they? Where are they?" Jarrod made more of mess than he had already made.

Knock, knock on the door.

"Come in." Jarrod was not paying too much attention to who was at the door.

The door opened and a person came in.

"Jarrod?" the voice said.

"I'm sorry I'm taking long. I'll be ready in a bit." Jarrod continued to look around for his brief case and gun.

"Jarrod." the voice said, more firmly this time.

"Father? What are you-" Jarrod looked up at his father, before looking around, then back at his father, and nervously chuckling, "Well, this is slightly embarrasing!"

"I was going to say, are you missing a couple of things?" Tom held up Jarrod's brief case and gun.

"Oh, thank you, father. Where on earth-" Jarrod was cut off.

"In the parlor room." Tom told him.

"Well, I can't thank you enough for bringing them to me." Jarrod smiled.

"You're welcome, son. However, I must say that it is surprising that you would forget your gun and brief case. You never forget anything and this isn't like going off, being a few miles from home, and realizing you forgot something. You were out of town and realized." Tom handed him his brief case and gun.

"First time for everything, huh?" Jarrod put his gun on.

"Jarrod, I'm not gonna beat around the bush. Your mother and I are concerned about you, son." Tom started.

"Concerned?" Jarrod asked.

"Yeah, this case has been stressing you out and you've neither eaten nor slept a wink. Audra and Nick brought this to our attention when Audra discovered your plate was still full & when Nick discovered you were still up when the rest of us had turned in for the night. He said it looked as though as you were burning the candle at both ends. Now, son, I must ask what's the matter? You've worked cases before and none have seemed to stress you out to this extent." Tom had a look of concern on his face, "And don't say: 'Oh, father. Everything is fine. Audra and Nick are crazy.' in order to brush me off, shut me up, and send me on my way."

"Father, I-" Jarrod was interrupted when the court clerk came in.

"I hate to interrupt things, but the trial is set to begin, Mr. Barkley. The jurors have settled into their seats except one. Also too, if I may ask who's this lovely gentleman?" The court clerk informed him.

"Thank you, Byron. I'll be right out and like I've said, please call me, Jarrod. Oh and this is my father, Tom Barkley. He's the one you call 'Mr. Barkley'." Jarrod introduced the two men, before making his way to the door.

"Nice to meet you, sir." Byron shook Tom's hand.

"Likewise." Tom shook his hand.

"Oh, Byron, give my father that juror's seat. I mean we can't leave the jury minus one, now can we?" Jarrod headed out to the courtroom.

*A few moments later in the courtroom*

Everyone had settled into the courtroom. The jurors, Tom taking the place of the juror who is absent, the witnesses, the judge, Jarrod, etc. The case was about a young lady named Madeline Oppenheim known to others as 'Maddie', who had been accused of a murder she said she did not commit. The murder was of an ex-con named Kyle Adams who had been pardoned by the governor of California. Adams and the Oppenheim girl or somebody had crossed paths & something happened that led to his murder. After getting the blame for his murder, getting death threats from his family and friends, and desperate to prove her innocence, Madeline had it on good authority that her best to win the case would be the hire one Jarrod Barkley as her lawyer, because he was the best of the best and he never lost a case. Nevertheless, after hearing her story and knowing/considering Kyle was a convict who would lie, cheat, steal, and had a hatred for women, Jarrod believed Madeline was innocent and was hellbent on proving it, despite being told otherwise by Kyle's friends and family plus those who worshipped him like a hero/kissed the ground he walked on. Something neither Jarrod nor the judge understood. Anyways, after the prosecutor Jamie Carlisle was done with his opening argument/statement, it was Jarrod's turn to speak and tell everyone why Madeline was innocent. With that, Jarrod stood up.

"Ladies and gentlemen of this court room, you heard Mr. Carlisle's argument, now, you'll hear mine. Anyways, we all know murder is sick, don't we? Of course, we do but...but, anybody with a brain and eyeballs plus common sense knows that we're not dealing with just any murder. No, no, no. We're dealing with the murder of an ex con. You see, Kyle Adams was not your average Joe. He-" Jarrod was cut off when Jamie stood up.

"I object your honor! Mr. Barkley is clearly trying to find a way to get Miss Oppenheim off the hook!" Jamie raised his voice.

"Your honor, I'm just trying to remind the court room and everybody that Kyle Adams wasn't a saint by any means & I would like to continue without interruptions from Mr. Carlisle." Jarrod said to the judge.

"Your objection is overruled, Mr. Carlisle. Mr. Barkley, please continue." The judge nodded to Jarrod.

"Thank you. Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted was that Kyle Adams wasn't a saintly figure. No, he was a hardened criminal. A criminal who had zero regards for everything and anything. A-" Jarrod stopped midsentence as he started to get dizzy.

"Mr. Barkley?" The judge called out.

Jarrod didn't answer due to the dizziness getting worse and everything going all slow motion around him.

"Mr. Barkley?" The judge called out, again.

Jarrod still didn't answer and Tom was getting concerned about his son. The Barkley patriarch was tempted to get out of his chair and go to where Jarrod stood, but he knew he'd be out of order if he did.

"Mr. Barkley, is everything alright?" The judge asked.

Before anybody knew it, Jarrod's eyes rolled and he fainted.

"MR. BARKLEY!" The judge yelled, as he peered over the bench.

"JARROD!" Tom left his seat, hopped over the gate, and knelt down beside him, "Somebody, get a doctor! Now!"

"The court is adjourned until further notice." The judge dismissed everyone out of the court room.

*A few hours later at Barkley Ranch*

After returning home, Jarrod was in his room and being seen by the newly appointed physician Dr. Merar, as Dr. Drysdale had retired. While that was going on, Tom was downstairs, sitting on a step and very worried.

"Tom?" Victoria walked over to her husband and sat next to him on the stairs.

"Huh? Oh, hello, Victoria." Tom snapped out of his thoughts.

"Has Dr. Merar said anything?" Victoria asked, while looking up the stairs.

"Nope. Not a word." Tom shook his head, "I hope it's nothing serious with Jarrod."

"I hope not either, but what would cause him to faint?" Victoria bit down onto her thumbnail.

"Maybe he forgot to eat something?" Tom suggested.

"No. It isn't like Jarrod to skip meals. Unless of course, he's under stress, but he never gave off any inkling that something was bothering him. That is until Nick and Audra brought it to our attention about a case that was bothering him. Do you think it all finally caught up to him?" Victoria started to put two and two together.

Before Tom could say anything, Dr. Merar came down the stairs and met up with the husband and wife duo.

"How's Jarrod?" Victoria asked.

"He's fine now. In fact, he's resting. However, I don't think he should be doing any attorney work right now." Dr. Merar started.

"Why? Is his health compromised?" Victoria held onto Tom's hand.

"Oh no. Not at all. However, he is suffering from what is commonly known as fatigue. Apparently, he has been so wrapped up in his work with a particular case that after depriving himself of food and rest in order to show strength and determination, it all finally caught up to him." Dr. Merar explained.

"I knew there was something going on, especially after Nick and Audra brought it to our attention and after I found his gun and brief case. I knew there was something." Tom sighed and shook his head.

"How long is he to be on bed rest?" Victoria held Tom's hand a little tighter.

"For a good two months. I'm sure his client and the judge can understand, given the cirumstances." Dr. Merar told them.

"Oh, I think they will. I'll have Jarrod write them a telegram, explaining it all." Tom said.

"I think you or Mrs. Barkley better do it. Jarrod may not put in all the details." Dr. Merar insisted.

"That's true. Well, don't you worry, doctor. We'll all make sure Jarrod follows doctor's orders." Victoria told him.

"Good and please do. I'll have about 10 of my patients disobey my orders and I do not intend for that list to continue." Dr. Merar made his way to the front door.

"Don't you worry, doctor. Out of our children, Jarrod is the one who always listens and does what he's told. However, if it were our daughter Audra or our second son Nick, well there would be a fight on your hands." Tom half heartedly laughed.

"Just make sure he isn't doing anything attorney-like or overworking himself. Make sure he rests." Dr. Merar said, before leaving.

"Well, we heard the good doctor. Keep Jarrod off his toes." Victoria said to Tom after Dr. Merar left.

"He seems a little crusty on the personality." Nick chimed in.

"Nick?" Tom looked around, but didn't see Nick.

"Father, I'm on top of the stairs." Nick tapped the ground with his foot.

"Sssh. You'll wake Jarrod." Tom shushed him.

"Like I said, that Dr. Merar is a little crusty on the personality or lack thereof." Nick whispered as he sauntered down the stairs.

"Why did you-" Tom was cut off.

"Nick, that's not very nice to say of Dr. Merar." Victoria gently chided him.

"I'm just calling it like I see it, mother." Nick shrugged.

"Nick, I know he isn't Millard Drysdale, but he's very good." Tom waved his finger at his son.

"Yeah, but it just isn't the same since Dr. Drysdale retired." Nick sighed.

"I understand, son. However, that is not our priority right now. Our priority is Jarrod and keeping him off his toes." Tom put his hand on Nick's shoulder.

*Back to the present day*

"Nick actually said that about Dr. Merar?" Audra sounded shocked.

"Oh yes. While I was recovering from my fatigue and fainting spell, Nick and Dr. Merar didn't quite hit it off, but then again, Dr. Merar had just started his practice, so he was very serious about everything. No jovial attitude or anything. I mean he's still serious now, but he also finds time to be jovial and fun." Jarrod nodded, while looking at the picture of him and his father.

"Now that you say that, I can understand why. I mean he had to be nervous about having his own practice." Audra said.

"Oh yeah. I mean remember when I opened up my own law office that you and Nick made a bet on?" Jarrod asked.

"Oh Jarrod, do you have to bring that up?" Audra gave him her 'really?' look.

"Yes, because it was so funny how mad you and Nick got when father took the money away. However, that's not my point. My point is that I was very nervous about cases, filing, etc. I barely earned my law degree and license when I first opened my office, so I wasn't the jovial person I am now. I had my nose to the grindstone, so I can understand Dr. Merar's attitude at the time." Jarrod explained, "Gosh, father and I really got close during that time."

"I thought you were always close to father." Audra gave him a weird look.

"Oh, we were close, but not as close as he and Nick were. He and Nick were two peas in a pod just like mother and I are, but during that time and others, we used it to get closer than before." Jarrod sighed.

Audra placed a comforting hand on his knee.

Jarrod started to think about the night Tom was killed and sported a solemn look, before turning to Audra, quickly smiled, and turned the page to view more pictures.

*Back with Nick and Stefania*

Due to more emotions coming out, Nick had since stopped telling the story about the night of Tom's murder. He didn't have the heart to continue as it was all still fresh in his mind now as it was then and the overwhelming guilt he still felt only made it 100 times worse. Stefania, who had spent time comforting Nick, had tears spilling out of her eyes as it tore her heart to shreds that Nick had been holding this in for a long time, the fact that he had his father taken from him, how his father was taken, and how much she could relate to his guilt feeling. She also knew what it was like to have this overwhelming guilt and sadness hidden within. She knew she needed to tell Nick the story or stories of a tragedy that happened, but wanted to wait.

Stefania continued to hold Nick close to her and gently shush him.

*Stefania's POV*

"Poor, Nick! I hate to see someone get this torn up as it tears me up inside and out."

I feel more fresh tears stream down my face.

"Curses! I promised myself no tears and here I am getting watery eyed. However, his story is very heartbreaking and sadly, I can relate. Boy, I can relate."

I kiss Nick on the head and rub his hair some more.

"I think I best tell him. I mean I have had this lingering for a while as has Nick regarding his papa, so I believe it is high time. If he told me, I should tell him. Fair is fair."

*Outside of Stefania's mind*

"Nick..." Stefania spoke up, as she slowly pulled out of the embrace.

"Yes?" Nick slowly pulled away and sniffed.

"Nick, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. Something I have never told anybody." Stefania looked down.

"What is it? You were married once before?" Nick asked.

"No. My only other love was Pasquale and that's it." Stefania shook her head.

"Then, what is it? I don't wanna keep on guessing." Nick told her.

"Well, you see, years ago when I was 11, I was playing with my six year old cousin Dominique. Oh, we were close. I was like a big sister to her." Stefania's voice started to sound shaky just by bringing up her cousin.

"What happened to Dominique?" Nick had a concerned look on his face.

"We were playing by a river. Oh, it was so beautiful. In fact, we would go there every Saturday to throw rocks and flowers into the water." Stefania had another round of fresh tears threatening to pour down her cheeks as her lip started to quiver, "We were always so...careful. Dominique wasn't that good of a swimmer and I was still conquering my fear of water. I had been so afraid of the water as bullies had once tried to drown me."

"Oh, Stefania. I'm so sorry that happened to you. I can see why you're terrified of water. However, what happened to Dominique?" Nick placed his hand onto her shoulder.

"Her little hand slipped out of mine!" Stefania burst into tears and put her face into her hands, "The current was coming so fast!"

"Stefania, you don't mean..." Nick stopped mid-sentence, as he started to fear the worst based on what Stefania had just said.

"Nick, I tried to hold onto her and get her out of the water, but she slipped away from me. Being terrified of the water, I ran to get my papa and uncle, but by the time we got back, it was too late." Stefania said in between sobs.

"Too late?" Nick asked.

"She was swept away. While my papa and uncle kept looking and looking, I decided to conquer my fear and jump into the water. At first, I could not find her, but after what felt like an eternity, I saw that she was floating. Gathering up what strength I had left as I was tired from looking everywhere, I picked her up and brought her out of the water. She was unconscious and I thought she had passed out, but..." Stefania bit down on her fist.

"But what?" Nick had a sympathetic tone in his voice, as his heart was beginning to break for her.

"But...But...But..." Stefania sobbed harder and fell face first into the grass.

"But what? Stefania, but what?" Nick picked her up and lifted her chin up, so they were looking each other in the eye.

"Oh, Nick!" Stefania threw her arms around and cried into his shoulder, "It was all MY fault!".

Nick, knowing full well how Stefania was feeling and how long she had held this guilt within her, hugged her very tightly and gently shushed her while rubbing her back.

"It was all MY fault! Her little hand slipped away from me!" Stefania went from sobbing to crying loudly and openly, "Sweet little Dominique! Her life cut short!".

"Stefania, I know how you feel. Believe me, I do. Why do you think it was hard for me to tell you about father?" Nick was heartbroken for her, as he knew what it was like to carry the guilt of surviving and being unable to protect a loved one. He knew the pain Stefania had carried with her all these years. However, the only differences were that Dominique's death was accidental whereas Tom didn't simply die; he was murdered in cold blood. Plus, Dominique was a child, Tom was a grown man.

Stefania continued to cry into Nick's shoulder.

"Stefania, why did you hold it in this long?" Nick asked.

"I tried to bury it in the back of my mind and just forget about it, but it keeps rearing its ugly head from time to time. Plus, my family won't hear me when I try to tell about how I feel horribly and blame myself. I mean they tell me it was an accident and to just forget it, but Nick, I can't just simply forget it. I can't." Stefania told him.

"I know, Stefania. Just like how I can't forget father's murder. My family tells me that there was "not a damn thing I could've done differently" and "father wouldn't want me carrying the guilt for the rest of my life". Maybe they're right, but they don't truly know how I feel inside. How horrible I feel about the awful things I said to father months before and how I curse myself for not getting up to Barkley Mine in time to stop the man responsible." Nick's eyes glossed over once again.

"Nick?" Stefania sniffled.

"Yes?" Nick said.

"The anniversary of Dominique's death is coming up. Usually we would go to the river to leave flowers as a memorial, but since we are not in Italy, we made a little memorial dedicated to her in the backyard of our house. Would you mind coming over and paying your respects to give me comfort & just because?" Stefania asked.

"Of course, Stefania. Of course. However, while I'm there with you and your family, let's act as friends like we promised." Nick told her.

"Yes, because we must keep our growing relationship a secret for now. I almost forgot until you just said that. Thank you for the reminder and you really mean it by saying you'd come out to pay your respects and be by my side?" Stefania held onto Nick for a little while longer, before slowly easing out of the hug and looking him in the eye.

"Of course, I do. We Barkleys keep our word. Barkley honor." Nick held up three fingers with his thumb on top of his pinkie finger while putting his other hand over his heart.

"Thank you, Nick. I bet your papa taught you and your siblings honor among other things." Stefania lightly smiled.

"That he did. That he...did." Nick sadly nodded, "He was a good father, Stefania. He may have had his faults, but he was a good father nonetheless. He didn't deserve to die the way he did. He didn't deserve it at all."

"Nick, this may be very very out of line for me to ask, but were you the one who found your papa?" Stefania asked.

"Yes. However, I didn't find him dead. I found him shot and severely wounded. You see, despite him telling me to stay back, I saddled up my horse, got the carriage put together, got my horse hooked up to the carriage, got myself mounted, and followed him. A far distance behind, but still following him." Nick started to re-tell the story of the night Tom was murdered, yet again.

*Flashback to that night*

Despite Tom telling him and the rest of the Barkleys to stay back while he went off to investigate Barkley Mine, Nick got the carriage put together, saddled up Goldie, got her hooked up to the carriage, got mounted, and took off after Tom. He stayed a close distance behind Tom, but not too far away and not too close to where Tom could see him.

"Slow down, Goldie." Nick softly said to the horse.

Goldie obediently slowed her galloping, slightly.

"God I hope my gut instinct is wrong. God I hope it's wrong." Nick said to himself.

*A few moments later*

Nick was a few feet away from Barkley Mine when he saw something that was shocking and horrifying at the same time. He rode closer to the horrifying and shocking thing in order to see what it was.

"Whoa, Goldie." Nick pulled on the reins in order to get Goldie to stop, before getting off, and walking over to it.

Goldie let out a frightened whinny.

"Eustace! My God, My God!" Nick's eyes bugged out as he had just made the horrible discovery of Eustace's corpse.

Goldie let out another frightened whinny, clearly indicating that she was sensing that something was not right.

"My God!" Nick knelt down next to the deceased stallion and put his head in his hands, "Father is gonna be devastated. Oh, how on Earth am I going to-"

A gunshot was heard, causing Nick to duck down and grab for his gun.

"God almighty!" Nick exclaimed.

Footsteps were heard running and as Nick stood up, he saw a dark figure running off. Fearing the absolute worse, he fired about five shots at the figure, managing to hit them with the last shot, but not injuring them enough.

"Who the hell was that?!" Nick started to make his way to the shooter, only to stop himself, "Father! No! No!".

The dark figure got up and ran off as quickly as they could.

"Dammit." Nick muttered, before running up to Barkley Mine.

As soon as he got to the mine, he made another horrifying discovery; Tom was laying on the ground in his own blood, having just been shot in the gut.

"FATHER!" Nick shouted, as he ran over to his father and took him into his arms, putting his one hand on the wound in order to apply pressure, "Father, who did it? What happened? Never mind that, let's get you back into town!"

"N-Nick..." Tom moaned.

"Father, don't speak up. Let's get you back to Stockton." Nick managed to get his father on his feet and help him to the carriage.

Once he got Tom inside the carriage, he yelled "giddyup" to Goldie and drove the carriage with one hand while trying to put pressure onto Tom's wound with the other. This proved to be a very difficult task, but if it meant the possibility of saving his father, it was well worth it to Nick. Anything was worth it when it came to the Barkley family whether it be enduring pain, doing very difficult tasks such as this one, etc. Family was family and in this family, loyalty was everything. So was the family closeness and love. Nothing could ever ever tear this family apart. Sure, there were ups and downs, but every family had one of those. Miscommunications and misunderstandings, too.

*A few moments later*

Nick had been driving the carriage erratically. Normally, Nick would never drive it in such a manner unless it was an emergency and this time, it was an emergency. A big one at that. Tom's life was hanging on by a thread and Nick was doing his darndest to get Tom into Stockton & straight to Dr. Merar in the hopes the doctor could dig the bullet out of Tom and save him. Despite the odds, they were almost in Stockton.

"Don't worry, father. We're almost there." Nick tried to sound reassuring.

"Nick...pull the carriage over...would you please?" Tom was growing weaker by the second due to the blood loss he was suffering.

"No, father. I won't, because we're almost in Stockton and before you know it, we'll be at Dr. Merar's office where he'll take that bullet out of you, so please hang tight." Nick told him.

"Nick...I'm...not...I'm not...gonna...I'm not gonna...make...it." Tom took a weak deep breath.

"Father, don't say that! Please, don't say that! You are gonna make it!" Nick's voice started to break as his fears were setting in, despite his efforts to be optimistic and hopeful plus reassuring to his father.

Tom moaned once more and started to get very pale due to the blood loss.

It would be a few more miles before the Barkley father & son would finally reach Stockton. Thanks be to God.

"Welcome to Stockton. Thank you God!" Nick saw the welcome sign for Stockton after riding a few more miles, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to his father, "Father, we're in Stockton! We made it! Now to Dr. Merar!".

Tom was having a hard time keeping his eyes open and staying with it, but nevertheless, he was trying as hard as he could.

*15 minutes later*

15 minutes had just passed and Nick was approaching Dr. Merar's office when he spotted who appeared to be Eugene. After getting Goldie to stop, he called out to the person.

"Gene! Gene, is that you?" Nick called out.

"Nick, where on Earth have you been?" Eugene walked up to the carriage and saw Tom, "Father! Oh my Lord! What happened, Nick?"

"Gene, he was shot at Barkley Mine. Look, I haven't any time to explain, I gotta get Dr. Merar immediately!" Nick stepped out of the carriage, "You get in here and put pressure on that wound of his."

Eugene did as he was told while Nick ran into Dr. Merar's office.

"Dr. Merar! Dr. Merar! Dr. Merar!" Nick yelled.

"Nick, this is a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?" Dr. Merar walked up to him.

Before Nick could answer, Eugene could be heard shouting from outside. This caused Nick and Dr. Merar to dart out of the building as fast as they could.

"Father! Father, what's wrong? Are you okay? Father?" Eugene was desperately trying to shake the unconscious Tom awake.

"Hey! Father!" Nick climbed into the carriage as fast as he could and took his father into his arms, "Father! Father, what's the matter? What's wrong?".

Dr. Merar walked over to the carriage and had what appeared to be an ominous and solemn look on his face.

"Eugene, what happened? He was talking and conscious a moment ago!" Nick had tears in his eyes.

"Nick, he's losing blood at a rapid pace." Eugene told him.

"No. No, father, don't do this! Father, don't do this, please!" Nick tried to shake his father awake.

"Nick..." Tom barely managed to open his eyes and look up at Nick before going unconscious, again.

"Father! Hey! Father! Father, c'mon, please! Father...Father, don't do this!" Nick had tears pouring down his face and was starting to sniffle, "Father, don't do this! Father...don't...do this to us!"

Eugene also had tears starting to stream down his face.

"Father, don't do this to mother! Don't do this to Audra! Don't do this to Eugene! Don't do this to Jarrod! Don't do this...to...me!" Nick pleaded, as he continued to try to get his father to come to.

Tom still remained unconscious and continued to bleed out.

"Father, don't do this to me! Please! Don't do this! Father, we love you! I...love...you! Come on, father, we all love you very much!" Nick's breath was starting to hitch, "Father, we need you! I...NEED you! Father!"

"Nick..." Eugene started to speak up, but was cut off.

"Don't you dare say it, Eugene!" Nick growled, before turning back to Tom, "Father...I'm so...I'm sorry for...for all the rotten things I...for all the rotten things I..."

"Nick...I'm...sorry. I'm...sorry for...for being...a...lousy...a lousy...father for-" Tom managed to regain consciousness somewhat, but was cut off .

"No! No, father! Don't you dare say that! Don't you dare say that! You're a good father! You're a good father!" Nick's voice sounded very raspy.

"Nick...I...love...you." Tom took his final breath, before closing his eyes and going limp.

"Father! FATHER! FATHER! FATHER!" Nick shouted.

"Nick, he's..." Eugene was cut off, again.

"Dr. Merar, do something! Help him!" Nick turned to Dr. Merar and tearfully pleaded.

"I'm sorry, Nick. It is out of my hands. He's beyond help." Dr. Merar put a comforting hand on Nick's arm.

"Dr. Merar, I'm begging you! Please, help-" Nick was cut off.

"Nick, I'm sorry. You and Eugene best take him home to get his body prepared." Dr. Merar firmly, but gently told him.

*Back to the present day*

"I had the most uncontrollable urge to take the doctor's scalpel, cut my father open, and dig the bullet out. I felt that if I did that, my father would come to, but something in me told me it would've been a foolish move on my part. Which I know now that it would've been, but at the time, I didn't want to grasp the fact that somebody had just murdered him. I still can't grasp it to this day. That and the fact that he was murdered out of a stupid grudge somebody held." Nick wiped away more tears, while shaking his head in disbelief and disgust. Likewise to his family, Nick still found it hard to believe that somebody would hold a grudge to the point of murder. Of course, there were people like that in this world, but the human mind just could not fathom that a person could have that much hatred in them.

"I don't blame you for the urge. Anybody would've wanted to do anything to save their loved one. However, it is disgusting how someone could've hated your father to that degree." Stefania also shook her head.

"Well, it didn't just start with this person hating my father. It didn't start that way at all." Nick folded his arms.

"Oh? How did it start?" Stefania asked.

"The person who killed my father wasn't just a plain criminal or even a stranger. He started out as a friend of his. A really good friend in fact." Nick stared off into the night sky.

"What happened between your father and this person?" Stefania asked.

"Well, the thing is, the feud didn't start between my father and that person. It started between that person and me." Nick sighed.

"You and that person? What could've possibly happened that led to that person hating your father so much to wanna kill him? Plus, who was this person?" Stefania was having a hard time wrapping her head around it.

"It was years ago. I was out in town picking up stuff for the ranch. It seemed like an ordinary day. However, that would all change in a matter of mere seconds, because out came a drunken John Hyatt, the son of Pat Hyatt. Pat Hyatt was the man who was once my father's good friend turned killer. Betrayal, much? Anyways, John was drunk as a skunk and trying to start a fight with anybody. He was the town drunk despite all of the whippings his father gave him for that kind of behavior. I saw that he was disorderly and knowing that he was the son of my father's friend, I wanted to see if I could help him, so I went over to him." Nick started to have that fateful day play out in his head.

*Flashback to that fateful day*

John Hyatt, the eldest son of Pat Hyatt, had just come out of a saloon, drunk as hell and trying to start a fight & cause chaos. Seeing that the man could hurt himself and others plus knowing he was one of the sons of his father's good friend, Nick stopped what he was doing and ran over to the man.

"John! John! Get control of yourself." Nick got a hold of his arm and tried to keep him steady on his feet.

"Put 'em up! Put 'em up!" John put his fists up and got into a fight stance, though not a very good one due to his intoxication.

"Now, John. John, you don't wanna fight me or anybody else. Look, let's walk around and get you sobered up before your father comes and really lays into you." Nick suggested.

"Yes, I do! I do want to fight you, Nick. Right here and right now. Soon, if you can...something or other." John hiccuped.

"No, John. You don't want to fight anybody. What you need is to sober up and then go straight to bed. Now, let's-" Nick was cut off.

"Come on, pretty boy. Let's...Let's...Let's...Let's...dance." John started to stumble.

"John, John, take it easy. Now, let's get you and your drunken behind home before ya hurt somebody or yourself!" Nick was starting to lose his patience with the drunk.

"I don't need you to tell me what to do! I can...I can...I can...I can...I can...I don't know what I can...but I can...you just mark...mark...mark my...whatever it is...you mark." John started to struggle against Nick's grip.

"Look, you stubborn drunk, I'm trying to help you. Now, are you going to cooperate or am I going to have to do something drastic?" Nick slightly raised his voice, while trying to tighten his grip.

"Go ahead. Do...Do...Do something. I dare ya! I-I-I-I-I-I dare ya!" John pushed Nick away and started to stumble.

"Now John, I don't wanna do anything drastic, but if I end up knocking you out and having to drag you home, then so be it." Nick managed to grab onto John's shirt.

"I'm not...a baby!" John stumbled some more, before falling down, taking Nick with him and hitting his head hard on the ground.

"Ah, dammit! Now, look at what you did. I hope you're satisfied with yourself, John Hyatt. Now, let's-" Nick paused when he saw blood starting to pool around John's head, "John? John?"

"What happened?" a woman ran out of the saloon and over to Nick and John.

"Marsha, he fell and hit his head. I'm going to go get the doc-" Nick was cut off.

"John, my darling! Oh, John!" Marsha started sobbing, before seeing the blood and turning to Nick, "You killed him! YOU KILLED HIM! YOU BRUTE!"

"Marsha, it was an accident. I swear it." Nick was feeling remorseful and tried to place a comforting hand on Marsha's shoulder, only for her to smack it away.

Pretty soon, there were people piled out and looking around. Some started to stare at Nick.

"What are you people staring at? You all know me. Nick Barkley. I-I wouldn't murder anybody." Nick declared.

There were silent murmurs in the crowd, as people continued to stare at him.

"Ah hell!" Nick threw his hands up, before getting mounted and riding off to Barkley Ranch.

*A few moments later*

Nick had arrived to Barkley Ranch, got out of the carriage, and darted inside the house. He headed straight to the parlor room, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and sat down on a chair. He hadn't been home for too long when Tom walked in.

"Hello, Nick. I didn't expect you home this early." Tom greeted.

Nick didn't say a word and just looked up at his father, before quickly looking away.

"Nick, are you alright?" Tom asked, as he walked over to his son.

"Whatever gave you the impression that I wasn't?" Nick bitterly asked, before taking a sip of his whiskey.

"Young man, I know you a little too well. I know when you're okay and when you're not. Usually when you're okay, you're late coming home at times. Not always, but sometimes and you're in a lively mood. When you're not okay, you're either bruised up from a fight or you're glum like you are now." Tom knew Nick and all of his children all too well. Like Victoria, he also knew their moods for the day, whether they were okay or not, and just all of it. After all, it was parent's intuition.

"Alright, I'm glum and for good reason." Nick took another sip of his beverage.

"That's a start. Now, what may be the reason?" Tom sat in a nearby chair.

Nick stared at his father, clearly looking troubled and didn't answer.

*Back to the present day*

"How long was it until you told your papa?" Stefania shivered as she felt a cold breeze flow right past her and Nick.

"Oh, it was a good two hours. He kept on pressing me, but I just couldn't find the right words. I mean I knew everything I thought up in my head would come out very badly when said aloud. You know how you have those moments where you say something that sounded much better in your head?" Nick also started to shiver a wee bit.

"Oh yeah. Especially when I have to give my sisters advice. I always know what to say and how to say it plus when to say it, but when the moments come & I actually speak my mind, well it comes out harsh." Stefania nodded.

"We really do have a lot in common." Nick lightly chuckled before looking up at the sky and getting wide eyed when he sees the full moon, "Holy smoke! I didn't realize it was this late."

Stefania looked up at the sky, got bug eyed, and exclaimed in Italian, as her father's warnings about the dangers of the night started to set in until she remembered that she was with Nick which made her feel safe and protected.

"I reckon we better get back to our families before they send a posse out to find us." Nick stood up and helped Stefania to her feet.

"I suppose." Stefania sighed sadly.

"Oh now, don't be disappointed. We'll see each other tomorrow." Nick walked Stefania to the carriage and helped her in, before climbing in himself.

"I want to spend every hour every minute every single day and night with you, Nick." Stefania put her head on his shoulder.

"As do I and with our relationship growing, we will." Nick kissed her on the head.

"I hope your family won't be mad at you being late." Stefania looked up at him.

"Ah! I'm a big boy. They won't be too mad. Now, if Father was still alive, I'd probably be due for a strapping the moment I got in the door." Nick joked, before getting back into his serious mode, "However, with the time we have spent together, it'd be well worth it. Plus, like everyone else, father would understand."

Stefania smiled and gave him a peck on the lips.

"Giddyup, Coco! Mush!" Nick commanded to his horse, after returning Stefania's lip peck with a kiss.

Coco did as she was told and started pushing the carriage.

*Back at Barkley Ranch, a few moments later*

Jarrod was looking through more photos in the album when the sound of hoof beats could be heard. His attention turned to who could be approaching at this time, Jarrod set the photo album down and made his way to the front door. He wasn't just a few feet from the door when it flew open and in came Nick who was whistling.

Smirking, Jarrod walked up to his younger brother and slowly placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Ahhhhh!" Nick screamed, before getting ready to clock whoever it was in the jaw, only to realize it was Jarrod upon turning around and sporting an annoyed look, "Jarrod, you should know better than to sneak up on a guy. I coulda punched or shot you. Maybe even stabbed you. Anyways, what are you doing here?!"

"I live here." Jarrod had a smug grin on his face.

"I-That's not how I meant it!" Nick did a facepalm out of annoyance, before looking back at his older brother, "I meant what are you doing here meaning what are you doing home so early? You weren't supposed to get back until tomorrow."

"Well, I got home earlier, because I got done with the case earlier and I wouldn't be late & miss father's birthday for anything in this world." Jarrod replied, before folding his arms and getting his "Pappy" tone of voice, "However, you're home awfully late."

"And? Your point being? Since when do you care if I'm late or not? Plus, why do you care? I can see mother or father caring, but not you. I mean I do have a life outside of this ranch and house ya know." Nick got a little snippy and put his hands on his hips.

"Well, when I got home, mother was awfully worried and seeing as it is the anniversary of father's birthday & knowing what happened to father plus seeing as the sunset had the same look it did the night father was killed, I can see why she was worried. I convinced her to take it easy and relax while I took over the role of worrier and get into my "Pappy" role." Jarrod explained in a calm, but firm manner.

"I suppose that makes a whole lot of sense. Heck, I'd worry my head off if it were Heath, Audra, or Eugene, if he was home." Nick understood where Jarrod was coming from.

"Like the time you worried about that litter of puppies somebody left near the barn in that bag?" Jarrod still had that smug grin on his face.

"Oh, have a little decency, Jarrod!" Nick gave him another look.

"Nick, you were like a mother hen to those puppies, even after you found out they were wolf puppies." Jarrod pointed out.

"If I hear that one more time-" Nick was cut off.

"Anyways, setting that aside, I have it on good authority that you met a girl and you're in love." Jarrod led Nick to the parlor room and sat down on the same chair he was sitting in just moments earlier.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said anything about me being "in love" with anybody? You know that is O.U.T. out for me." Nick sounded a bit defensive.

"I know that which is why I was surprised to hear that you allegedly fell in love. However, you did meet a girl, right?" Jarrod asked.

"Yes, I did meet a girl. Her name is Stefania and she's really nice, but we're just friends." Nick told him, before sitting down in the chair next to Jarrod's.

"Just friends? You're not having a little crush on her, are you?" Jarrod nodded.

"Yes, we're just friends and regarding a crush, I think that's my business, Jarrod." Nick looked down at the floor for a moment.

"Then, you do have a little crush on her." Jarrod still had that smirk on his face.

"Now, who said anything about that?" Nick looked up and slightly raised his voice.

"Nick, you just said that regarding a crush it was your business. That means you have a crush on that Stefania girl you met." Jarrod replied.

"Jarrod, I didn't mean it that way. I meant it's my business whether or not I have a crush on Stefania and I would prefer you refer to her as "Stefania". Not "that girl" or "that Stefania girl" like you just did." Nick started to blush a little, despite his efforts to prevent it.

"Nick, you're...blushing." Jarrod chuckled.

"No, I'm not! I'm...just exhausted from...being out all day." Nick quickly stood up.

"Nick, you can deny it all you want, but you are blushing, especially after mentioning Stefania." Jarrod shook his head at his younger brother's obvious denial.

"Alright, don't believe me. That's fine, because I need to go to bed anyways. After I get myself cleaned up first. Don't wanna go to bed smelling like a horse or anything." Nick walked out of the parlor room and started up the stairs.

"And you're concerned about being rank and all dirty now? You who loved to play in the dirt when you were a kid." Jarrod followed him out of the parlor room.

"Oh, be mature! Will you?" Nick brushed him off with a hand gesture before retiring upstairs.

Jarrod quietly laughed and shook his head, before walking back into the parlor room.

*The next morning*

The day had finally arrived. The late Tom Barkley's birthday that was. This day was going to be very long and difficult for the surviving Barkleys as it always was, but as a promise to Tom, they were all going to keep the mood light by remembering the good times they each shared with the late patriarch. Victoria, who was always the first one awake in the house, made her way to the table and set each place. Once finished with her own place, she grabbed the framed picture of Tom she had been holding onto all day yesterday and set it at what would be his place at the table, before sitting down at her place and looking directly at the picture. It was almost as if in a way that despite the void she could feel his presence. Like it was almost as if he never left which gave her comfort, only for reality to kick in and bring tears to her eyes.

"Why? Why did you have to go that night, Tom? Why couldn't you have waited? It wasn't that important." Victoria quietly spoke to the portrait as the tears were threatening to spill down her face and her mind was starting to go back to a past memory.

However, before she could possibly drift into that memory, there was a knock at the door. Snapping out of her thoughts and drying her eyes, Victoria stood up, made her way to the door, and opened it.

To Be Continued...

Author's note 2.0: Okay, so the character returning spoiler and short dream sequence didn't happen yet, but they will in the next chapter! Anyways, stay tuned!

Happy early Leap Year!

Nick: Who's there?

Audra: Maybe it is-

Heath: Audra, wait for the next chapter!

Nick: R&R, people. R&R!