A Lesson In Family

by dcat

Disclaimer: The characters and situations of the TV program "Big Valley" are the creations of Four Star/Republic Pictures and have been used without permission. No copyright infringement is intended by the author. The ideas expressed in this story are copyrighted to the author.

(This is just an idea I had of what happened after Heath got punched out and nearly branded by the family of Korby Kiles. It takes place right after the fight and right before the scene we see where Victoria and Audra are tending to his wounds)

Just how long he’d been propped up there against the wall in the barn, he didn’t know. Heath had passed out shortly after the beating and had lost all concept of time. The last thing he remembered was the two Kiles brothers releasing their filthy grasp on him, him slumping to the ground as one of them stepped on his wrist as they exited out of the barn, following their daddy.

He swallowed and tasted the bloody iron taste in his mouth as he struggled to open his eyes. Even that minute movement hurt as his eyelids fluttered open to view his surroundings. He hadn’t even attempted to move a muscle in his body as the ache coursed through him. Heath could feel his eye already swelling up as his blue eyes darted around the barn for any sign that the Kiles were still around. He heard one of the horses whinny and saw the fire glowing from the horse shod. The stench of burning wood still hung in the air and wafted to his nostrils. He remembered the near branding and the threat to the rest of the family. The insinuation that the ‘B’ brand did not stand for Barkley when it came to him left him with a worst taste than blood in his mouth. He knew he’d carried the bastard brand from birth, no matter how much this family appeared to have accepted him. The pain from the unbranded mark burned worst than any iron ever would. No one would ever understand that like he did. Doubts still rose from their eyes, as it had only been a short time since his arrival. Heath noticed everything, every word, every look and every gesture that each one of them made. He wasn’t so paranoid that he didn’t reckon they did the same thing when it came to him. He wondered just how long this ‘feeling out’ process would take or would it be a life long struggle, something he’d have to endure if he was to remain here on this ranch. Did they know what he’d do for them, when the Kiles threatened the rest of the family, Heath had raged against them and taken a beating for them. He had learned over the years to deal with the insults, but something now drove him deep inside to fight for this newfound family. For that, he had been beaten close to death. He closed his eyes and drifted into unconsciousness again.

A jolt of pain through his right wrist bolted him to consciousness once more. He head snapped up and thudded against the barn wall. More pain followed. Heath knew he’d have to mend a few days after this attack. He couldn’t think about that now, he needed to get to the house and make sure everyone was all right. He didn’t think the Kiles would go after the rest of the family yet, but he needed to be sure. He sat up straight and let the pain subside and tried to take in a deep breath. Another jolt of pain racked him. He’d had broken ribs before and if felt like he now had them again. It had been a long time since he’d been outnumbered in a fight. He tried to avoid those situations. One to one he knew he could stand toe to toe with just about any man, but three to one was a tough hill for anyone to withstand, and he couldn’t do it. During the fight, he thought about calling out, but things all happened too fast and he soon found himself concentrating on trying not to get killed. He didn’t think the men in the bunkhouse or Nick up in the main house would hear him anyway or maybe he just figured that his desperate call would fall upon deaf ears.

A shy smile fell across his face. He thought of his brother Nick. One hundred and ten percent real American cowboy. Audra was so accurate when she told him that Nick ‘took nothin’ from nobody.’ It was a clear, concise way to describe Nick Barkley to anyone. The fact that Nick was a 180-degree contrast to Heath just left the younger brother in a state of ‘minor hero’ worship. He doubted that Nick even realized it. Heath didn’t ever want to let Nick down in any way. And he wasn’t the easiest person to please. That made their relationship all the more difficult, Nick was the last one to even want to accept that Heath was his brother and Heath so wanted him to be his brother. The two of them had a long way to go. Everyday Heath tried to prove himself to his older brother.

And that’s what made this beating all the worse. Nick would see weakness in his brother, something Heath desperately sought to hide from Nick’s view. After that first night at the ranch, when Nick all but ripped Heath apart limb from limb, Heath knew that this older brother of his could take anyone, anytime. You wanted a guy like Nick on your side, because being against him could make you wind up dead. That night, Heath had something to prove, something worth fighting for in his heritage, his claim to a name, and that drove him farther than he’d ever before gone in a fistfight. But Nick, well Nick, took the best that Heath had to offer and still came after him. Nick fought for his family and was ready to die trying. Heath only stopped him with his revelation of being Tom Barkley’s son and if it hadn’t been for Jarrod and Eugene inside, Nick would have probably killed him there or came close to killing him. Heath wanted to know where that came from, that anger and fierce determination and strength that drove his brother was somewhere deep inside. When Kiles threatened the family tonight, Heath knew he found that same anger, he wouldn’t let anyone hurt them, or at least he’d die in defense of them. It was family that drove them both.

Heath saw first hand how much the working hands respected Nick, how they followed him and how they’d do anything for him and in return he saw the working conditions that these men had. He knew he’d found his dream in the valley. He had worked ranches of all sizes and shapes and this place was different, this owner lived the golden rule. He knew if he could break through to Nick, that Nick would never let him down. His brother was a good man. He was strong and honest and smart. But he could rare up at the drop of a hat. Heath knew that Nick was the toughest man he’d ever me. This ranch carried his mark from every corner of the land. In the time he’d been there, Heath figured maybe the way to get through to Nick would be to show him how hard he could work, how tough he could be, how much he could do and how much this ranch, this land, this name meant to him as well. He knew Nick respected hard work and dedication to family and Heath aimed to start there. If the hands and Nick worked from 7-6, Heath would work from 6-7. If Nick dug out a half-mile worth of postholes before lunch, Heath wanted to dig out a mile. Heath would do anything to find a way to his brother’s heart and maybe into his father’s memory too.

But Heath knew that his brother would now see a sign of weakness. Nick had no respect for the Kiles and the two of them had talked about it over the past weeks, since Colonel Ashby had been murdered. Nick had even mentioned that he would like to ‘take care of the whole, blasted family himself.’ Heath knew what that meant and he knew Nick could do it single handily. And Heath hadn’t or couldn’t, he’d gotten beat down by them instead. He feared all that he had worked for over these few months would be lost forever in the eyes of Nick once he found out what happened.

He sat there trying to think. His head pounding, him ribs aching, his wrist throbbing. He knew if he could make it inside the house, make sure everyone was safe and up to his room and maybe just sleep some of the pain away, maybe by morning, he’d feel better and Nick might believe that the black eye he’d have as an outward reminder would be part of a story Heath would tell of him driving off the Kiles once and for all, defending his family. He’d think about inventing that story up later, for now, he wondered how could he get to his bedroom, without passing out along the way.

The good thing was that Nick had said he was going to bed. His room was clear on the other side of the house. Hopefully Audra and Mrs. Barkley would be asleep by now too. If he could sneak in the back door, through the kitchen and up the back way, he could make this work. He looked over to the empty stall, Jarrod still was out. But he’d said that morning that he might even stay in town if his work kept him in town too late. If Heath were going to make this work, he’d have to get moving soon. He began to pull himself up, ignoring the pain, just taking it one step at a time. He had to make it to the house.

Inside, Victoria and Audra were working feverishly on a dress that Audra needed for a party. When Nick had come in, they called him into the sitting room and began to engage him in conversation. No one in the house was going to bed anytime soon.

The first words out of Victoria’s mouth were, “Where’s Heath?”

“He’s still out in the barn finishing working on that new branding iron he made,” Nick replied as he poured himself a quick drink. He had every intention of draining the glass quickly and heading up to bed.

“Honestly Nicholas,” Victoria began, “When are you going to realize what Heath is trying to do?”

Nick swallowed the whiskey and turned to face her. “Whatta mean?” he scowled up his face.

“She means he’s trying to outwork you,” Audra said with a giggle. “Everyone else sees it.”

“It’s his way of proving that he’s just as tough as you are Nick. He’s trying to prove he’s as every bit a Barkley as you are,” Victoria explained. “Surely you must realize it?”

“Oh come on Mother, that’s ridiculous. He just said he wanted to finish the iron. That’s all there is to it.”

Victoria put down her sewing materials. “And yesterday it was the gate, and the day before that it was bringing that herd down all the way from the north pasture to graze.”

“And before that there was the new horse he broke,” Audra added.

“You two have been sewing too long, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to finish a job,” Nick still couldn’t accept this revelation. “Just look at yourselves, sewing the night away when you should both be in bed. I’d say it runs in the family.”

“I think you’re right about that Nick, but about Heath, you’re wrong,” Victoria stood up and gave him a kiss, “good night Nick, just think about what we’ve said and don’t let him work too long without telling him how much you appreciate him and care for him because he’s your brother, not because he’s a ranch hand. He deserves the same respect he gives you and to all of us in this family, and that’s just because he is family.”

Audra put down her sewing things and gave Nick a hug good night, “Say goodnight to Heath for me too.”

The two women headed upstairs to bed. Nick watched them go. He hastily poured himself another shot of whiskey. His mother always got him with words. It annoyed him, it made him have to think and often change his mind, something he hated to do. He thought that he and Heath were getting along just fine. This new brother was holding up his end of things when it came to workload. Nick sighed and hung his head low. Was he appreciative because his brother was just another body to work on the ranch? In his mind he didn’t believe that, but maybe that’s how he acted. And actions sometimes spoke louder than words. Heath was one of those people who needed both words and actions. Maybe it was time that he needed to remind his little brother that being brothers wasn’t just about workloads or names, it just was. That’s how it was when it came to family, Nick took that for granted, and Heath never truly had had that. Nick hadn’t told him yet how much he respected him at that breakfast when the Kiles came in and all but called him a bastard in front of the family. How Heath had restrained himself from striking out, he’d never understood, but a man that could hold his temper on that, in the presence of a new found family was surely something to be proud of. Nick respected that. It was only when Kiles called Heath a liar that got Heath even remotely riled. Heath saved his physical anger for things that truly mattered and things he believed in, Nick knew he could take some lessons from him in that department. It was just that they were so opposite in temperaments that maybe Heath thought he needed to prove his toughness. Even though Nick relished a good fight now and again, he respected a man who could walk away, because it just wasn’t worth getting in to. His father had been like that. And that’s how Nick knew that Heath was indeed his brother. He knew it that first night when Heath stood up to the Barkley brothers. That was just something Tom Barkley would have done. He never told anyone one that, but that’s when he believed. Nick set the glass down and resolved to talk to Heath about it tomorrow when they were out working. With that he began to head toward the stairs.

As he headed up the gold-carpeted staircase, he decided not to wait till tomorrow, he’d head back outside and bring that younger brother of his inside and he’d tell him how proud he was of him right there and then. Quick action Nick, that’s how he was. As he turned, he heard some rumblings coming from the kitchen. He walked back down the few steps and headed that way.

In the darkness, he could make out Heath. He was leaning heavily on the counter.

“Heath?” Nick said, his eyes adjusting to the darkness.

Heath tried to stand up straight, but was clearly struggling. “Yeah, Nick, it’s me,” he said, his voice racked with pain. He could already hear the questioning tone in his brother’s voice. “Is everything ok in here?” he asked Nick.

“Yeah, everything’s fine, what’s going on?” Nick rushed over to him and helped him toward the table and chairs. As much as Heath didn’t want to be living this moment with Nick, it was too late to change anything now. He let out a groan when Nick mistakenly grabbed his bad arm.

“I think my wrist is broke,” Heath gasped.

“Here, sit down,” Nick was saying as he helped him to a chair. Then he turned and quickly lit a lamp.

“Thanks Nick,” Heath said, watching his brother's every move, waiting to see the doubt, the disbelief.

Nick waited for Heath to explain, and when none came, Nick questioned him, “Well, what happened?”

“Would you believe me if I told you the branding iron went crazy on me?” Heath tried to joke.

“Not hardly, so just tell me what really happened. Did one of the hands do this?” Nick stood over him with a sobering look on his face. Nick was trying to figure out what could possibly have taken place in the short time his brother was alone.

Heath dropped his head, Nick thought one man could take him. He thought it was merely a fight, when it was so much more. Everything he had been working toward was just about lost in one stupid evening. Heath struggled to find his voice.

“Well?” Nick persisted.

Heath swallowed and looked at him. “It was Kiles, they just showed up and surprised me. I tried to fight ‘em off Nick, but there was three of them,” he didn’t want to make excuses, “and they had the branding iron,” he added.

Nick didn’t even have to think, he knew what Heath meant. It was an instant connection between the brothers. He knew how the Kiles felt that Heath was nothing but a bastard and they’d stop at nothing to try to get Heath to change his testimony. Nick watched his brother closely and knew the pain he felt, the physical pain would heal, he wasn’t sure of the emotional pain. But he was bound and determined that this night, Heath would know that Nick felt he was every bit a Barkley as he was.

Heath continued, “I thought they were gonna do it,” he said and added, “Maybe a mark would just let everyone know how I always feel. Maybe then we could all move on.”

“There’s only one thing that ‘B’ stands for, and that’s Barkley, don’t you ever forget it, you hear me boy?” Nick quickly interrupted. “I aim to prove it to anyone.” Nick went over to the sink and got some water to start cleaning up the cut on Heath’s lip.

While his back was turned, Heath said, “They threatened the family and I didn’t care really care about the brand, it’s the truth anyway. I just didn’t want to see them hurt any of you. I can fight my own battles Nick, I’ve been doing it all my life. It was just that it was the three of them all at once like that, it just surprised me, that’s all.”

“No one calls my brother a bastard and gets away with it,” Nick said in anger. Nick turned around and walked over to where Heath sat. “I know you can take care of yourself, and I know you’ll do whatever it is you feel you have to do. You don’t have to prove anything to me anymore. I know you’re my brother, you carry yourself like our father did. You’re just as tough as I am, and twice as stubborn, with a heart bigger than this ranch.” He put the cool, damp cloth on his brother’s lip. “Do you understand?”

Heath didn’t respond.

“Look, I respect you because you can walk away. Our father was like that. He didn’t need to use his fists like I do all the time. That’s how I know. I’ve seen you take more than any man should ever have to. That takes more than just standing there throwing fists all the time. I respect you because you do the work of three men. I respect you because you love this ranch and everything and everyone on it and the fact that you’d let yourself take a beating like this for us, and most of all I respect you because you’re my brother and I love you. I know you’d lay down your life for me, or for any of us.”

“You have?” Heath looked directly at him.

“Yeah, I have, I just don’t understand how you don’t know that I have,” Nick said.

“Maybe because all this family stuff is new to me,” Heath said, trying to smile. “I’d do anything for any of you.”

“I know you would, that’s what makes you a Barkley, same as me and Jarrod and Eugene and Audra. Now lets get you bandaged up,” Nick said as he helped Heath get to his feet. “Then I’m gonna take a ride, no one does this to a brother of mine and gets away with it. I might just take that branding iron with me and leave the Barkley mark on all three of them.”

“Nick, don’t,” Heath said as they made their way to the sitting area.

When they got near the stairs, Nick bellowed out, “Mother, Audra, get down here now.”

Heath shook his head, “If my head didn’t already hurt so bad, it would now.”

Victoria came to the top of the stairs and saw Heath leaning heavily on Nick. “Nick, stop shouting,” and then, “Oh my God, what happened?” Audra quickly joined her and the two of them came sweeping down the stairs.

“It’s our brother, Mother, he just got a lesson in family and he got an ‘A,’ he’s all right,” Nick said as the four of them went into the sitting room.

(And you all know the rest of the scene!)

THE END