Naughty Language Disclaimer: Nope, not too bad in here. Maybe a word or two.

Other Language Disclaimer: One of the main characters in here speaks Apache, and while it has taken me a long time to find the materials I needed to get this as accurate as possible, there is a very real chance that I messed up somewhere. This is my first attempt at doing a historical piece of Uber fan fiction, so if you notice anything, please let me know. If I have offended anyone with a mistake, I apologize now.

I used the "Western Apache-English Dictionary" edited by Dorothy Bray to find the Apache words. Also, the poem mentioned in here is "Tomorrow" by Peter Blue Cloud. Not mine, unfortunately.

Sex Disclaimer: Well, this is an alternative story, so the two main characters do happen to love each other… and they're both women. (gasp!) If that isn't your cup of tea, you may not wish to read this, or you can give it a try - won't hurt, I promise. Nothing is real graphic in here, anyhow.

Violence Disclaimer: Yeah, there's quite a bit of that in here. Mention of rape and its aftermath, as well as some physical abuse in general. If that kind of stuff bothers you, just close your eyes over those parts.

Author's Note: A big thank you to my friends Charlene, Tina, AJ, and Amanda for being there for me, and to everyone else that I can't begin to name for supporting this little bard. The feedback I get from you readers means more than you can imagine. And, of course, more thanks and love than I can say in words goes out to my beta and best friend, Amber. Always.

If we were to take the time to look into the secret history of our enemies, we would find there a longing and a sorrow enough to disarm all hostility.

- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

And now, the story:

Y02Mustang@AOL.com

Part 2

"Alicia, when is your birthday?" asked the Indian, as they approached the ranch.

The blonde seemed startled by the sudden question, and it took her a moment to respond. "Next week, actually," she grinned. "But don't even ask me how old I'll be," she warned, and the Indian smiled. "When's yours?"

"Fall," she responded. "October, I think it is called."

The blonde nodded. "That's right," she said. "What day?"

"The seventh. Alicia, may I ask something?" questioned the Indian, after a moment of silence.

"Sure," urged the woman.

"Why did you stop Daniel? He was right in his anger," the Indian said.

Alicia sighed. Of all the questions to ask, this one had caught her off guard. "For a number of reasons. First of all, a store is not the place to have a fight," she stated. "Second, he was only upset because you're Apache, he didn't know you didn't kill his father. And third, I don't like anyone hurting my friends, for any reason," she finished, and was a little unnerved by the quiet that followed. Perhaps she'd been too presumptuous.

"I am your friend?" was the soft inquiry.

"I'd like to think so," said Alicia. "But, only if you want it."

Smooth, Alicia, she kicked herself. Why not just come right out and ask her if she wants to be friends? Back her into a corner, why don't you?

"Is good," agreed the tall woman. "Have not had… white friend before."

"Well, I've never had an Apache friend before, so I guess it's a first for both of us, huh?" she asked, and Blue Fire smiled, nodding. Nothing more was said until Alicia pulled Thunder to a halt in front of the house, but both women were content with the friendly silence.

"Unload into barn?" asked Robyn, and the blonde nodded, helping carry the supplies into the stable. When all was secure, Alicia announced she was going to fix lunch, and then check the roof of the barn, to make sure it wouldn't leak, since she expected it to rain within the next week.

"Robyn, do you mind talking about the tribe?" asked the woman, softly, as she set the bowls of soup on the table.

The Indian shook her head. "No," she said. If Alicia was curious, she wouldn't deny her what she wanted to know, although she felt a little trepidation as to what the woman was going to ask.

"What happened?" she asked. "I mean, if you don't want to talk about it, I understand, but why did they kick you out?"

The tall woman sighed, and took a moment to collect her thoughts. "I will tell you," she said, and began her tale.

Blue Fire smiled as she greeted the dawn, the light shining down on her face through the hole in the top of her kowa, to allow smoke out and the spirits in. It was going to be a good day for hunting; she could feel it. And, she had had a dream just a few hours before of a large feast, enjoyed by the entire village.

Stretching her tall frame, she dressed in her deerskin clothes, and was searching for one of her favored necklaces, when she heard someone enter her tent. Turning around, she raised an eyebrow at the young girl, who smiled up at her.

"Small Fox," she greeted, turning back around to search her things. The girl didn't say a word, she just pushed the tall woman to the ground, and straddled her hips. "What do you think you're doing?" questioned Blue Fire, certain she could send the girl flying across the room in an instant, and was already close to that point.

"I want you to kiss me," ordered the girl, barely sixteen, and the tall Indian laughed at the command.

"Sorry," she said, and attempted to get to her feet without hurting the youngster, but was held fast.

"I am the daughter of Ndoitcho, and if I say kiss me, you will kiss me!" The girl leaned down, and suddenly found herself on her back, as Blue Fire tossed her aside, and stood.

"And I said no," growled the tall woman, gripping the small wrist tightly, and hauling the young girl to her feet. "Small Fox, not only are you too young, but I do not feel for you as anything more than a sister. Go," she said, but did not turn back to her search for the necklace, keeping a close eye on the young girl.

"Come on, Blue Fire," she begged, clutching at the strong arm in hope, switching tactics, from ordering to pleading. "I've never been kissed yet, and I want to know what it's like!"

"Then go find some nice young boy," suggested Blue Fire. She knew the fact that she felt attraction for women instead of men was no secret, since she was one of the only women over the age of seventeen who was not wed, but doubted the young girl was sure of her own feelings yet.

"Wait until you're ready, Small Fox. What you desire will find you."

"I don't want to wait that long!" complained the girl. "I'll tell my father you disobeyed me," she threatened, and Blue Fire shrugged.

"Tell your father what you will, child," said the tall Indian. "It is not my concern. But push me down again, and you will not like the result." With a huff, the girl stormed out of the hut, and Blue Fire continued looking for her necklace.

Minutes later, she grinned, and took the beads in her hand. In the midst of lifting them over her head, she heard her name called from outside.

"Blue Fire," came a deep voice, and the Indian sighed, setting the necklace down on her sleeping furs.

Stepping out of her kowa, she faced the Chief of the tribe. He wore a feathered headdress, his hair hanging past his shoulders in a sea of black silk, and a numerous amount of necklaces adorned his neck, with beads, teeth, and claws. His leathers were highly decorated, and when the rains came, he would wear a large buffalo hide to keep him warm.

"Yes, Proud Lion," she said, nodding respectfully, her blue eyes meeting his own dark brown, which were hard and angry.

Small Fox stood by his side, as did his wife, Silver Moon Cloud. "Small Fox tells me you forced yourself upon her, in her pure state, and tried to bond with her." Blue Fire was shocked - the child was lying! To lie was a great sin, but the girl did it without a second thought.

"She escaped in time," continued Proud Lion, "and came to me, tears on her face. Her mother examined her, and she found bruises on her wrists, and her shirt was torn from the attack.

"The punishment, for disgracing an innocent child, is exile," he sentenced, and Blue Fire's jaw dropped.

"Why would she lie?" asked Alicia, interrupting the woman's story.

Blue Fire sighed. "Small Fox is the Chief's daughter, and is used to getting her way. When she does not, she will get angry, and does not care who she hurts," she explained. "Since I wouldn't kiss her, she decided to tell her father the opposite, to get me in trouble."

"Oh," nodded the blonde. "Go on."

"Ndoitcho, listen to me," the tall woman pleaded, but he held up his hand. The tall Indian didn't want to leave her tribe; this was her home, and her family! And she couldn't even defend herself.

Being alone was one of the Indians' worst fears - bad things happened if you were out at night alone. That's why everything was done in parties - hunting, traveling, everything. And now she was being kicked out, never to be a part of the group again.

"You will leave now," the man said, "or I will drive you out. Dotth'izh ko', you are never to return to this place, and if I see you near my daughter, you will be killed. Go, now."

"Proud Lion, you don't understand," she tried again, but was cut off when someone hit her hard across the jaw.

"Go! Leave here!" was shouted through the crowd, which was nearly the whole tribe, come to watch her banishment.

"Take her," said the Chief, leading his daughter away, who gave Blue Fire an obnoxious smile over her shoulder, as eight Indians stepped forward. Three had bows and arrows, two had knives, and the rest had their bare hands, ready to fight her.

"I must get my things," she said, but was refused entrance into her own hut.

"Ndoitcho has spoken," said one. "You will leave, now. Take nothing with you," he commanded, and spat at her feet.

Blue Fire paused - she was barefoot, and had nothing but the clothes on her back. No weapons, save her hunting knife, and no sleeping furs. Surely they wouldn't turn her out without water or shoes!

But, they did, and even let an arrow fly at her in their anger. It struck her in the shoulder, and she stumbled, clutching at the arrow in pain. Realizing no matter what she did or said, it would do no good, she rushed off as fast as she could, trying to escape the rain of arrows.

"Oh, Robyn," sighed Alicia, sadly, her soup long since gone cold since the Indian's tale. "I'm so sorry."

The woman just nodded, saying nothing more, but thinking about the rest of her day, which had not turned out to be good at all.

Whistling for her horse when she had evaded her attackers, she smiled when her faithful steed came to her at a trot. Patting his neck, the Indian mounted Moonbeam, and took off down the road, away from the tribe - no longer her home.

Miles later, tired, blood still flowing from her shoulder, although the shaft seemed to be slowing some of the flood itself, Blue Fire glanced up when she heard voices. She looked around, cautiously, after realizing she was near a white man's camp, and there were at least five staying there. Moonbeam had long since taken his own lead, when his mistress became nearly too exhausted to tell him where to go, and he had gone towards the smell of food and water.

"Hey, Gil!" called a voice, and a burly man stepped out of his tent, made of canopy. "We got ourselves a real live Indian! With a right pretty horse, too!"

The man called Gil, a large man with a bushy red beard and red hair, green eyes cold enough to turn rain to hail, licked his lips with anticipation. Pudgy hands slicked back his short, oily hair, and he grinned a yellowed smile.

"This one's mine, boys," he said, to the other much thinner men beside him. "Get her in my tent, but leave the arrow in. If she tries anything, it'll be easy to punish her," Gil explained, and the others nodded. "I'll have my way with her before we turn her in for the money."

Circling around the now hostile Indian, Gil watched his friends surround the mounted Indian, as her golden stallion pranced nervously beneath her.

"Don't touch me," she growled, in Apache, not wanting the men to know she understood English. As they closed in around her, she knew resistance was useless, with one good arm and a spooked horse, and stopped moving. Sliding from the tall horse's back, pulling herself up to her full height, she looked down, and allowed two of them to shove her roughly into a canopy tent. The last she saw of Moonbeam was when a man tied him with their own steeds.

Inside was only the barest of embellishments - a chair, table, and blankets on the floor for a bed. The men tied her hands behind her, pulling her injured shoulder until she cried out in pain, unable to help herself.

Laughing, one stooped down to her level, after dropping her to her knees, and gripped her chin. With hungry gray eyes, and dirty blonde hair, he leaned forward, as if to kiss her.

Snarling, Blue Fire threw her head back, bringing it forward with enough force to make the white man see stars for a moment. "Hela' ndagodinoh'aah niganihi bika'yu shii," she repeated, as the men stormed out of the tent.

It wasn't long before the one called Gil came back, plate of food in hand. Fruits, vegetables, and breads decorated the dish, and he set it down on the table next to the bound woman.

"Hungry?" he asked, offering her a grape. Although she was indeed hungry, the tall Indian refused. "Eat," he grinned, nearly shoving it down her throat, "you'll need your strength for later."

The fruit in her mouth, having been forced, she narrowed her blue eyes, and spat it out at him, missing his face by a mere inch.

"Bitch!" he hissed, slapping her hard across the face, sending her sprawling to the ground. "I'll break you yet, savage! Now, eat!" Unable to get the woman to swallow, he started throwing the goods at her, hitting her face, and oft times her wounded shoulder.

Moving subtly, the Indian withdrew her knife, which had not been discovered in the man's haste to get her into Gil's tent, and began cutting the rope that held her wrists. By the time the entire food plate had been used as ammunition, her hands were free, and she surprised the man by catching the last apple he threw at her.

"What!" he exclaimed, startled. "How'd you get out?" Seeing the knife, he drew his pistol, and ordered her to drop her weapon. When she held it tightly, he grabbed the arrow shaft, and pushed it all the way through to the other side, where the arrowhead could be seen, protruding from her skin. Blue Fire gasped, dropped the knife, and fell to the ground. Placing her forehead on the floor, she clutched at her shoulder, colors swimming before her eyes in her pain.

"Now," he smirked, taking a handful of her hair, and pulling her head up. "Do as I say, or I'll put a bullet in your brain. I know you understand me! Pleasure me," he commanded, releasing her to reach for his belt. Drawing her leg back for a strong side kick, the Indian connected hard with the man's groin, and he doubled over in agony.

Struggling to her feet, she reached for her knife, and glared down at the white man, angry. Startled when the entrance door was flung open, she readied herself for a fight when the other men stormed in, concerned about the commotion.

"Get her!" ordered Gil, still on the ground, and the men slowly surrounded her, drawing their guns. The tall Indian didn't notice the man behind her, and soon everything went black.

When she awoke, it was dusk, and she found herself tied up once again, this time with more rope. The knots were weak, but the cord had been reinforced, so as to discourage her from cutting loose. She knew if she had enough time, she'd be able to slip free of the knots, and then release her feet, which were bound at the ankles.

"Now, this time, you'll hold still," said Gil, entering the tent, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked. "And if you don't…" he growled, grabbing a fistful of her hair, turning her head to the left, proceeded to rip her right ear-drop out of her ear. The woman clenched her teeth as she felt the blood trickle down her neck and shoulder, and glared at the man in front of her, but did not cry out.

"If you screw with me, bitch, your ear will be the last of your worries," he spat. Grabbing her knife, he cut the ropes at her feet, grabbing her ankles and spreading her legs. Slithering towards her, he breathed foul air into her face, and she cringed as he spoke.

"You make a move, and I'll slit your throat with your own knife," he threatened, holding the blade against her neck. Working her hands free, Blue Fire nodded, and attempted to look submissive.

Starting at her feet, Gil snaked a hand up her pants, knife still against the Indian's tender flesh. Just as she knew he'd have to, he removed the knife to work on taking off his own pants, and Blue Fire made her move. Capturing the man's head between her calves, she rolled onto her stomach, and snapped his neck in one swift move.

Recovering her knife, she got to her feet, and steadied herself when one of Gil's buddies came running in.

"Hey!" he cried, drawing his pistol, and cocking the hammer. With a growl, Blue Fire threw the knife, hitting the white man directly in the chest. His gun went off, burying a bullet in her thigh as he fell to the ground. It took all of the Indian's strength to get up off the floor where she'd fallen, retrieve her knife, and cut her way out of the back of the canvas tent.

Cutting the rope that tied her horse, she shimmied onto his back, and urged him away from the camp as fast as he could go. The white men were soon on her trail, firing shotguns as they rode, one eventually hitting Moonbeam, and felling the large animal in an instant.

With the strength she had left, Blue Fire wandered into the forest, stumbled down a hill, and lay in a ravine, certain her own death was just a matter of time.

"Are you okay?" asked Alicia, wondering about the Indian's faraway look. The woman nodded, and finished her soup in a hurry, reminding Alicia they needed to check the roof of the barn before it rained, praying the blonde didn't ask anything else.

The days passed, with Blue Fire checking Mystic's foal several times a day, making sure the young horse would not have a relapse of the cough. Each report of good health she made to Alicia made the blonde smile, which in turn made Blue Fire glad she'd been able to heal the young colt.

One night, after a long day spent grooming the horses and making sure their feed was fresh, and refilling their buckets with clean water, the two women sat at the kitchen table, eating a stew Blue Fire had prepared for dinner.

There was silence for a while, both enjoying the meal, before Alicia couldn't stand the quiet any longer. She was a talker, by nature.

"Blue Fire, can I ask you something?" The Indian nodded. "I know you've been teaching me Apache, like I've been teaching you to read, and I really appreciate that," she said, and smiled a little to herself. The one or two hours Alicia had set aside to teach and be taught were going well, and she enjoyed the time immensely.

"But, do you remember what the Indians called America? I mean, before the white men came?" clarified the curious blonde, but she was met with silence.

"Yes," said the Indian, at last, in a tone that Alicia couldn't identify. "Ours."

The blonde started - she hadn't been expecting that answer. Deciding not to press, she simply nodded, and hoped the tall Indian wasn't angry with her.

"Sorry," she said, quietly, and Blue Fire looked apologetic.

"No," said the woman, "it is okay. I did not mean to, as you say, snap at you. You may ask me whatever you want, Alicia. It is only right, since you are helping me so much with your language.

"Can we read later tonight?" she asked, hopefully, and Alicia smiled.

She was tired, but knew the woman enjoyed the book, "The Last of the Mohicans" by John Fenimore Cooper, so she nodded. "Sure," she agreed, taking their bowls to the sink. "Thank you, Robyn. The stew was delicious. Why don't you find the book, and I'll be out there in a little while," she offered, and Blue Fire nodded, leaving quickly to look for the novel.

The blonde sighed as she sat down at the now clear kitchen table, and placed a stack of papers in front of her chair. They were bills and debts she still hadn't paid. She had money from the yearlings she'd sold, and added it up in her head.

Four hundred dollars short, she realized, tears coming to her eyes. If I don't start doing something fast, I'm going to lose the Ranch! I promised Matt I'd keep it up, Alicia remembered, thinking of her late brother, but how can I, when the money's gone?

Blue Fire came in to see what was taking Alicia so long, and was startled to find tears falling from the woman's green eyes. Going to her side, she knelt down beside her chair, and put a hand on her shoulder.

"Alicia, what is wrong?" she asked, concerned. The blonde just shook her head, and pointed to the papers. Blue Fire frowned. "To Jake Salone, one hundred dollars," she read, carefully. "Who is Matthew Winters?"

"My brother," explained Alicia, drying her tears as best she could. "These are the loans he had to take out in order to get the ranch, and the first dozen horses. Since he didn't get them paid before he got sick, it's up to me, and I just can't do it!" she cried. "I don't have the money, and I don't have the colts!"

Robyn sighed as she gave the blonde a quick hug, and then allowed the woman to cry on her shoulder. "It's okay," she assured her. "I will think of something. Come, we will go to bed, now."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Robyn!" said Alicia, sniffling. "You wanted to read tonight!"

"It is all right," she smiled. "We will read tomorrow. Now we rest. Good night, Alicia," said Blue Fire, as the woman walked into her bedroom, and the Indian lay down on the couch.

I must think of a way for Alicia to get the money she needs, she thought. Praying for guidance, she soon fell asleep, and dreamt of horses.

Alicia was surprised to awake the next morning, and find herself the first one up. Hearing nothing from the living room, she dressed quickly, and wandered out to the sofa, where she found Blue Fire. The Indian was indeed awake, but was kneeling on the ground, her head bowed.

The blonde tried not to startle her. "What are you doing?" she asked, softly.

Blue eyes opened, and locked with her own. "Do you not pray?" questioned the tall woman, confused. She'd begun to practice the white man's way of praying, quietly and without a ceremony, not long after her Grandfather died, because he encouraged her to learn about their culture. He said it would be useful, since the pale-faces seemed to be spreading like wildfire in the land they once called their own…

"Well, yes, but not very often," admitted the rancher, bringing the Indian back to the present.

Robyn frowned. "You do not thank the Great Spirit for the gift of life, or the food we eat, or the sun that warms our day?" she asked. "You do not ask the Giver of Life for good health, and safe travel in the days to come?"

Alicia shrugged. "We call our Great Spirit 'God'," she explained. "And yes, I pray occasionally, but I don't mention all of those things. I guess I should."

"How is it that you have rain if you do not pray for it?"

The blonde decided she really did not want to get into a religious debate with her friend, so simply replied, "I think He just sees what we need from His place in Heaven, and helps us. Speaking of rain, it's starting to drizzle out there. How about a quick breakfast? Then I'll clean out the stalls," she said, and Blue Fire agreed, rising to her feet in one swift movement.

After a healthy portion of warm oatmeal for each woman, Blue Fire offered to do a check of the fences, and Alicia went to muck out the stalls.

"Blue Fire, maybe you should wear my brother's clothes today," the blonde suggested. "I wouldn't want you to get your own dirty, or muddy, if you have another choice."

With a sigh, Blue Fire agreed, and changed quickly, before going on to the day's work. The tall Indian was gone for a while, finding a patch of wire that needed repair, and watched as a herd of mustangs frolicked in the soft rain.

Mustangs, she thought, with a smile, as an idea came to her.

Meanwhile, the blonde was emptying damp hay and manure into the forest as fertilizer, taking it out by the bucketful. By the time she was only half done, the rain was threatening to let up, but she was already soaked. She knew, judging by the cold wind, that her wet clothes would only serve to catch her a cold, but she had to clean the stalls, or the horses would get sick.

Thrush was not an illness she wanted to deal with, since it was preventable. Keep a clean stall, and the horses' hooves won't get dirty, and their feet won't get infected. If they get infected, it could lead to thrush, which was known to cause lameness if not treated soon after.

All I need is a lame horse, she sighed, sneezing as she filled up the next load.

She was almost finished when Blue Fire came riding in, and came to screeching halt when she saw that Alicia was still out, working in the barn, dripping wet. The drizzle had stopped a few minutes ago, but the wind was still cold, and Robyn didn't like the way the woman was coughing and sneezing.

"Alicia!" she called, entering the barn. "Go into the house, and get into bed. I will finish here." The blonde looked like she was going to protest, so Blue Fire continued, in a softer tone. "You will get sick if you do not go inside, Alicia. Please, so you will be well. I will be in to make you tea," she added, and the blonde sighed, handing her the bucket as she walked into the house, shivering the entire way.

Ten minutes later, the tall Indian entered the house, running a hand through her hair, still damp from the rain earlier in the day. Checking up on Alicia, she found the woman huddled under her covers, wearing a dry nightgown.

"Alicia, I think I have an idea to help with money," she said, and green eyes brightened, urging her to continue. "The wild mustangs are on your property often. There are many of them, and I can train some for you, to breed and sell. More horses is what you need, yes?"

The blonde smiled. "That's terrific, Blue Fire!" she said. "You're sure it won't hurt the herd to lose a few?" Robyn nodded. "Okay, then. Thank you." When she began to cough, the Indian remembered why she had come into the room in the first place - to check on the rancher.

"I will fix your tea," she promised, making sure Alicia didn't need anything before then, and walked into the kitchen. As she filled the kettle with water, and began to build the fire, she reached for her knife when she heard someone else come in the house.

"Who are you?" she demanded, to the young blonde man who walked in, carrying a package under his arm.

"Brian," he said, tipping the brim of his hat to her, his brown eyes sparkling. "I came to see how Alicia was doing with all this rain. Who are you?" he asked.

"My name is Robyn," she said. "I work for Alicia." This must be Daniel's brother, she thought, eyeing him carefully.

"Where is she?"

Blue Fire raised an eyebrow at him, still cautious of the lad. "In her room," she said, and watched him go, taking off his hat as he walked down the hallway. Knocking on the door, he apparently got an answer, and entered the room.

Minutes later, as Robyn worked on starting the fire to heat the water, the young boy left the house, looking quite unhappy. Her suspicions piqued when the boy did not leave on his horse, nor in the direction of town, the Indian made sure the water for the tea would be all right if she left for a while, and headed outside.

Blue Fire frowned as she followed the man out of Alicia's house, and to a small place hidden in the forest. The brush had been cleared away, and even in the darkness, the Indian could see the shape of another person waiting in the shadows, but was unable to tell who it was.

As Brian hurried into the clearing, Robyn climbed into a nearby tree to remain hidden, and listened carefully.

"Well?" asked the man in the shadows; his voice was vaguely familiar, but the Indian was unable to place it.

The boy hung his head. "Things aren't going exactly as planned," he admitted, sadly. "I thought she'd have given up by now, but that damned woman put a glitch in things! If I could just get rid of her, it'd be so much easier," he complained.

"How is she a problem?" the man asked.

"Alicia says she's going to start bringing in more horses, which means more foals, and more money. At this rate, she might just pay off her debts!"

"We can't have that," mused the other. "The Boss wants this land, and since she won't sell it, the only way to do that is to make her lose it. Find a way to get rid of a few horses, the young ones, and make it look like an accident. I'll take care of the other problem," he said, and Brian nodded.

"Okay," he agreed. "I think I know how to do it. I found out from Lauren that she feeds the foals a different feed than the others. Horses don't take too well to poisoned oats," he grinned.

The man nodded. "Do it," he ordered, "but make sure it works. I don't want her bringing in any more money right now. The Boss is pissed enough as it is, not having his land already. Understand?"

"Sure," Brian said.

"Now, go." Both men left, and if it hadn't been so late, and Blue Fire hadn't been worried about Alicia, she would have followed the mysterious man to a lighted area. But, instead, she headed back to the Ranch to check up on the ill rancher, determined to find out the man's identity at another time, and to remember Brian's intent to harm the horses.

Robyn made sure she returned first, so Brian wouldn't know she'd been out, and pretended to be heating the tea for Alicia when the man walked in.

"You may go," she told him, stopping him in his tracks. "I will take care of Alicia on my own."

"Look, it's pretty obvious you don't like me, and I don't like you, but Alicia's my friend, and I want to help her. If you're going to take care of her, then at least let me take care of the horses, so you can concentrate on her," he offered.

He's good, thought the Indian. If I hadn't heard him, I'd almost be convinced he really wanted to help. I am going to have to be very careful with this one…

"No, thank you," she replied. "I can take care of it. I will tell Alicia you volunteered to help," she added, eyeing him carefully. "I must take her the tea, now. Rest is good for her, so I will have time to tend to the horses later, while she sleeps."

The man glared at her, but couldn't think up another excuse, so briskly walked out of the house. As Blue Fire strained to see through the dark, he entered the barn, and didn't leave for quite a while. Making a mental note to check the feed for any signs of being tainted, Robyn walked down the hallway, carrying the cup of warm tea into Alicia's bedroom, where the woman was wide awake.

"Thank you," said the blonde, and coughed into her hand, wincing at the pain it caused in her chest.

"You should sleep," said Blue Fire, giving the woman her sagebrush tea, which the Indian knew was good for healing colds; it caused the person to sweat out the illness. She'd added some sugar, so it wouldn't be as bitter for the blonde to swallow. "Drink, and sleep, and you will feel better in the morning."

"I dozed off a little," she admitted, "but not for very long." With the cup of tea in one hand, the rancher squirmed in bed, trying to get comfortable. Each coughing fit caused her muscles to tighten, and so now her back was sore.

Blue Fire was going to ask what was wrong, when she happened to notice a small package of food on the bedside table.

"What is that?" she asked, pointing.

Alicia followed her finger, and smiled a little. "Brian left me some cornbread. He said his mother baked it," she said. "It was warm when I ate the first little bit, but I'm afraid it's probably cold by now."

"How much did you eat?" asked the Indian, her senses alert.

"Not much," shrugged the blonde. "Maybe half. Why? Do you want some?"

The tall woman shook her head. "No, thank you," she said, motioning for Alicia to drink her tea. If her suspicions were correct, Alicia had just eaten half a loaf of tainted cornbread, and would be sick by morning. She doubted the man had put in enough to kill her, just to make her ill, but she wasn't sure.

All she knew was that she wasn't going to mention anything to Alicia until she was sure, because if she piqued the blonde's suspicions, it was possible she wouldn't be able to find out anything else about the man or the mysterious partner he was meeting with after dark. And in order to stop them, she had to find out exactly what they wanted, how they wanted to do it, and who all they were working with.

Just as she'd hoped, not long after Alicia finished her tea, she fell sound asleep. Taking the empty cup from her relaxed hands, Blue Fire walked into the kitchen, and decided it was time for her to go to bed as well. Stretching out on the couch, she kept an ear open, should Alicia call her for anything, and fell into a dreamless slumber.

Later that night, the Indian was startled awake. Listening hard, she frowned when everything was silent. She was about to shrug it off, and go back to sleep, when she heard Alicia call her name, frightened.

"Robyn!" cried the woman. "Blue Fire, no, don't!"

Leaping off the couch, Blue Fire ran into the woman's bedroom, ready for anything - except a nightmare. That was not what she'd been anticipating. The small blonde was tossing fitfully under her covers, a cold sweat covering her skin, her hands balled into fists, defending herself from the inner demons that plagued her. Robyn noted her rapid breathing, and knew she had to wake her with care.

"Alicia," she said, softly, approaching the woman's bedside. "Alicia, wake up." Placing a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder, she continued to talk quietly, until the blonde awoke with a start.

"Robyn?" asked Alicia, as her cloudy green eyes tried to focus. The Indian nodded, and started to move away in order to retrieve a cool cloth to help with the fever, but Alicia gripped her arm.

"Don't go," she pleaded. "Please, don't leave me." The small voice was hoarse, and scared.

"I won't," Blue Fire reassured her, sitting in the chair she had positioned next to her bed. "Can you tell me what you dreamt?" Robyn knew that in her own culture dreams were important, and assumed it was the same for the white man. Although she had never been very good at interpreting them for herself, if Alicia desired, she could find someone who could.

The woman nodded, and made sure the tall Indian's hand was clutched tightly in her own before she spoke.

"I was standing in a green field," she began, "and the sun was shining. There were trees, and grass, and horses, and everything was perfect. You walked up beside me, and we were just looking at the blue sky," she decided not to add the part where Blue Fire had wrapped her arms around her waist, "when all of a sudden, everything turned dark. The sky was gray, and the grass died, and the horses disappeared, and the trees were bare… it was as if everything just stopped.

"Some men came up beside us, four or five, I guess. They were white, except one, who was Apache. But they had guns, and they came to take you away," sniffled the woman. "You just turned and walked away, you didn't even put up a fight, and I was all alone."

Robyn said nothing; she still feared the day the white men, or her own people, would find her. She knew they would, at some point, and she'd have to leave. She had no doubt there was truth to Alicia's dream. The only question was: how long did she have?

"I will be right back," she said, standing. "I am only going to get a cool cloth to help you. You are sick, and have a fever." Reluctantly, the blonde nodded, and the tall Indian left the room for only a minute, before returning with two bowls. One was filled with fresh water and a rag, while the other was empty, sure to be used if Alicia was as sick as Blue Fire suspected her to be.

"Rest," said the Indian, placing the refreshing cloth on the ill woman's warm forehead. "I will fix more tea for you." The blonde just nodded, enjoying the nice feeling of being taken care of and didn't say a word when Blue Fire walked out of the room.

Returning with the cup of tea a while later, the Indian was deeply bothered to find the young rancher emptying the contents of her stomach into the basin provided. Each time she would stop to breathe, her stomach would rebel. This continued for a long while, long enough for Blue Fire to have to reheat the tea, before Alicia was too weak to even hold herself up, much less throw up.

With a small whimper of pain that comes with a sick stomach, the blonde leaned back into her pillow, not feeling any better.

"Tea?" offered the tall woman, but the blonde shook her head.

"I can't," she protested, weakly. Not only was her stomach objecting against it, she wasn't sure she had enough strength to sit up.

The tall woman sighed, but nodded, and rinsed the cloth on the flushed forehead, gently replacing it in an attempt to lower the woman's fever.

"You should rest," suggested Blue Fire.

"I don't even know if I can do that," sighed Alicia. "I don't have anything left in my stomach, but it still won't calm down. How can I rest when I'm freezing?"

"That is the fever," said the Indian. "Try to sleep. I will stay here," she assured the woman, remembering her dream. Green eyes closed, and within twenty minutes, the ill rancher was asleep, soft snores filling the air.

Brian would poison his friend for this Shadow Man, thought Robyn, angrily. And this Shadow Man would tell him to do it, for his "Boss". He would make her ill for whatever he receives in return. For as much as she ate, she may be sick for a long time, but if she ate it all, it may have bedded her for more than a week.

Or worse.

Blue Fire kept up her bedside vigil past dawn, gently cleansing the woman's flushed face with the cool cloth, making sure she was there whenever Alicia awoke, and continually trying to get her to drink some tea.

Each time the blonde woke up, she'd only end up getting sick again. Blue Fire urged her to drink the tea, because it was the only way she'd be able to ease her stomach, but the woman refused, claiming she wouldn't be able to keep it down.

"You must try," insisted the Indian, but the moment the brew was close enough for the rancher to smell, she was forced to lean over the side of the bed and retch.

When more than a day had gone by, and Alicia had still consumed nothing, Robyn knew she had to do something. Unless the blonde had substance, it would take her even longer to recuperate.

"Please, Alicia," pleaded Blue Fire. "You need to drink this to get better." The woman tried to sit up, but her head ached so bad, and she was so sore all over, she collapsed back onto the bed in a heap.

Wordlessly, the tall Indian climbed in beside her, lifted her up into a sitting position, and then sat behind her, settling the smaller woman between her legs. Letting the woman lean back against her, and trying not to think of the rather intimate circumstances, Robyn put the blonde head against her shoulder, and helped her sip slowly from the cup.

"Easy," she soothed, as Alicia took small swallows, and struggled to keep them down. "Drink as much as you can."

"Thank you," said Alicia, when she had taken in all she could, and had to admit she felt a little better. Trying to relax, she unconsciously snuggled closer into the tall Indian's side, and was soon asleep.

Blue Fire sat there for a moment, attempting to decide if she could get up without waking Alicia, or if she even wanted to try. Biting her lip, she slowly reached over, and grabbed the book that lay on the small bedside table, opening it to the first page. Her words uncertain, and halting, she slowly began reading the tale aloud.

"Strange," she muttered, when the words began to confuse her.

A soft voice drifted from beneath her, and Alicia said, still held securely in an embrace the Indian didn't remember forming, "Hamlet isn't the best thing to start with."

Blue Fire frowned. "Ham-let?" she repeated.

The blonde nodded. "By a man named William Shakespeare. He lived in England, and a long time ago, they spoke a little differently than we do now," she explained.

The Indian agreed. "Soft, marry… these words I know, but do not understand in this book," the tall woman said, frustrated.

Alicia sympathized. "I have trouble with it, too, sometimes," she admitted. When the blonde began to cough, she felt the arms around her tighten the barest amount, and when she was able, Blue Fire reached out and brought the cup of tea towards her again.

"Drink, and rest," she urged. To the Indian's delight, Alicia finished the rest of the tea, and fell asleep soon after, safe in the tall woman's arms.

I was reading - I do not remember holding her, the Indian thought, barely catching herself in time, before she began tracing idle patterns on the soft skin under her fingertips. What is happening to me? I feel strangely around her, but when I am not near, I feel empty. Seeing her sick makes me sad, and I would do anything if it would make her well again… why?

"I need to speak with Mother," she sighed, quietly. When Alicia recovered, she'd have to make a trip out to the Apache tribe, and sneak in to see her mother, who still accepted her presence.

A little tired herself, Blue Fire closed her eyes, and soon joined the rancher in slumber.

Two days later, Alicia was feeling much better. Blue Fire still insisted she stay in bed, and only left the woman's side to tend to the horses or to fix a meal, if it was absolutely necessary.

"Robyn, I'm feeling fine," persisted the blonde, and the Indian nodded.

"Good," she said. "You are still weak from the sickness, and tomorrow you may go outside, but today, you still must rest."

The blonde sighed, and almost looked as though she was going to pout. "At least it's dusk," she muttered, and Blue Fire smiled.

"You are almost as impatient as me," she grinned. "Wait here. I will feed horses, and then make dinner." The rancher agreed, and after checking on the horses, returned to the house to prepare a meal for both Alicia and herself.

Entering the bedroom with a bowl of soup in each hand, and bread balanced on top, she handed one to Alicia, and sat down on the chair with her own. The two ate in silence for a while, until the blonde had to say something.

"Robyn, I just wanted to thank you for everything."

The Indian looked up, and shrugged. "You are welcome," she said, and went back to her meal.

"No, I mean it," continued Alicia, and blue eyes met her own serious gaze. "You've spent almost five days in here, cooped up with me, taking care of me when I was sick. You made sure I got well, and more importantly, you stayed with me. That means a lot," she smiled. "Thank you."

Blue Fire nodded. "But I do not want to do it again anytime soon," she said. "I do not want to see you sick again. I don't like it," she uttered, and her blue eyes grew wide when she realized she'd said that out loud.

"Yeah, well, neither do I," grinned the blonde, finished her dinner. "That was good, Blue Fire. Now, if it's okay with you, I think I'll get some sleep, so that way the morning will come faster." The tall woman nodded, and took the dishes into the kitchen.

Softly, she knocked on the woman's door, just before she went to bed herself.

"Alicia?" she asked, quietly, hoping she didn't wake the woman.

"What is it?" replied the blonde, softly.

"I wanted to tell you I will not be here in the morning when you wake up," she said, and green eyes widened. "I will leave early, I need to speak with someone, but I should be back by nightfall."

The blonde willed her heart to slow down. "For a minute there, I thought you were leaving for good," she confessed, and the Indian looked surprised. "I'll see you tomorrow night, then. And, Blue Fire?" she called, before the woman could turn away.

"Yes?" prompted the tall woman.

"Be careful." With a small smile, the Indian nodded, and made her way down the hallway, collapsing on the couch. A little less worry on her mind, knowing Alicia was going to be okay, the tall woman was asleep quickly.

The next morning, just before dawn, Blue Fire arose, and gathered her things. Minutes later, she was ready to go, and placed a small package on the kitchen table before she walked out the door.

Slipping into the Apache camp, she moved swiftly, and soon found her mother's kowa. The thatches of grass that covered the poles had been covered themselves, with deerskin, to keep it watertight in the rain, and warm during the cool nights.

Glancing around, making sure no one was watching her, she entered the hut with haste. Once inside, she made sure her mother was alone, and dropped to her knees, bowing her head.

"Shi ma," she said, softly, and the woman turned around, almost dropping the bowl she held in her hands in surprise. The old woman wore a dress, more of a long shirt with intricate trimming, decorated with paint and beads of all colors. Her black hair was streaked with gray, and her kind blue eyes showed their age.

"Daughter!" smiled Feather in the Wind, lifting her only child's chin with her hands. "You have returned at last. I was worried! I have missed you so."

"And I have missed you," said Blue Fire, rising to her feet to give her mother a strong hug, having to lean down a bit, since she was a head taller than her mother. "But I cannot come home for long, you know that. I am not welcome, but I will come often to see you."

Cocking her head to the side, the elderly woman bade her daughter to sit beside her on the furs, and gently tucked Blue Fire's long dark tresses behind her ear. "What is it that troubles you, my child? You have come to talk, yes?"

The tall Indian nodded. "I have come to seek your counsel," she confirmed. "Mother, there is someone… when I see her I… when I am around her I feel… I don't know how I feel! She is kind, and smart, and has taught me to read. I owe her my life," she admitted. "She saved my life, and tended to my wounds, after I escaped the white man's tent.

"She says she is not a healer, but I hurt less when I am near her, no matter what has caused me pain. I want only to see her smile, and laugh, and I find I am willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen," she explained. "When I am near her, I feel strange, but when I am away from her, it is as though my heart and body wish to be close to her again.

"When she is sick or hurt, I feel it, too. And if she is in danger, or frightened, I feel as though I would give my life to make it better. I find myself holding her in my arms, and wanting to touch her skin. Why am I feeling like this?" she asked, utterly confused.

Feather in the Wind smiled, fondly. "My daughter, you are in love. This woman must be very special, to have taken your heart," she said, and Blue Fire nodded.

"She is," she muttered. "But, Mother, she is white!"

The older woman sighed. "My child, do you remember the story of the Great Spirit, and how He made one soul of the same for two animals?" Blue Fire nodded. "Well, He did something like that for His people, too.

"Somewhere, out there, for all of us, is the person who shares our soul. They do not have the same soul as us, but one that we need to complete our own. And if we find that person, our joy is limitless," she said. "Our soul mate can be anyone, but when we find them, we must never let them go, for the love we share can never be equaled."

"So, it is not wrong for me to love a white?" questioned Blue Fire, and her mother shook her head.

"No more than it is wrong for you to love a woman, my daughter," she assured her. "There are some who would say you are wrong, for both of those reasons, but they can never know the love you feel. It is sad, when one cannot love their own for who they are," she sighed.

"I left her a gift for her birthday," the younger Indian said. "That is right?"

Feather in the Wind bit back a smile - she had never seen her daughter so nervous, or so worried about what was right. "Do whatever your heart tells you, Blue Fire, and it will be right. But the heart speaks softly, so you must listen closely," she advised.

"I would like for you to meet her," said Blue Fire, and Feather in the Wind smiled.

"I would also like to meet the one who my daughter loves, and loves her in return." Seeing the sudden change in her daughter's face, she paused. "What is it?"

"I do not know that she loves me in return," she sighed. "How could she? She is soft, and gentle, and I am an Apache warrior who killed two of her own. She does not even know of that yet; I am afraid to tell her," she confessed. "Mother, I do not want to leave her."

"Tell her how you feel," suggested her mother.

Blue Fire shook her head, and tears began forming in her eyes. "I cannot, because I do not want her to leave me." Holding her daughter close, Feather in the Wind hummed softly to her, trying to comfort the one she loved.

"Oh, my daughter," she sighed. "You will do what is right when the time comes," she assured. "I believe in you, and you must believe in yourself. Trust in your Spirit Guide; the great wolf will help you."

"I cannot stay long," she sniffled, drying her tears as she sat a little straighter, keeping her mother's arm around her. "I told Alicia I would be back by dark, and I do not want to worry her."

"Alicia. That is her name?"

Blue Fire nodded. "Alicia Winters," the tall woman added. "She runs a horse ranch on her own. I am teaching her Apache, and she teaches me to read English. To hide me from the white men, she has given me a new name, so I will be safe. She calls me "Robyn". If you meet her, mother, you will like her, I know. She is very kind," smiled Blue Fire.

"I am sure she is," agreed her mother. "Come, eat with me, and rest before you go." Nodding, Robyn got to her feet, and helped her mother prepare the food they would share.

When it was time for her to go, Blue Fire gave her mother a strong hug, and promised to return again soon.

"I will try to see you before the earth is reddish brown," said Robyn. It was late spring, the time of many leaves, and she hoped to return before late fall.

"Perhaps I will see your Alicia before then," said Feather in the Wind. "I know the Ranch you speak of. Be safe, my child," she added.

"And you, mother," said Robyn, slipping out of the tent, and heading towards Escape Ranch. She was just a few minutes away from her destination, when her blue eyes caught a strange sight in the light of the setting sun. Approaching the form, her heart wrenched when she saw a wolf, her leg caught in a steel trap, no longer breathing.

White hunters, she thought, sadly.

Saying a prayer for the animal, she went to leave, when she thought she heard something. Was the wolf alive yet? No, she was sure of that - as were the flies and ants. As she watched, a small, pure white replica of the larger wolf wriggled out from under his mother's cold paw, and locked eyes with the Indian.

"Spirit Guide," she said, dropping to her knees, as the wolf ran to her. Picking him up into her arms, she continued on her way, knowing the young pup would need food and water, and care. She felt the connection with her Spirit Guide almost immediately, and knew she had been sent to find, and take care of, the young wolf.

Her only concern now was explaining it to Alicia.

The blonde was watching the sunset, keeping a close eye out for the tall woman she worried about, and a smile rose to the surface when she saw the unmistakable form of her Apache friend on the horizon. Alicia raised an eyebrow at the woman as she walked into the house, very clearly hiding something under her jacket.

"What is it?" she asked, and the tall Indian met her gaze.

"His mother was killed by traps," Robyn explained, not withdrawing the small bundle. She was going to make sure Alicia would keep him, at least for the night, before she let her know what it was. "Found him alone by her side. He is young, and would stay with her body until he starved to death."

The fair eyebrow did not lower. "What is it?" repeated Alicia.

The Indian sighed, and opened her jacket, revealing a small white ball of fur. Alicia guessed the young pup to be about three or four months old, his oversized paws an indication of how large he was going to grow up to be, his most defining feature being the almost clear blue eyes that stared at her.

His fur was dirty, but he didn't seem to be hurt, and he wriggled happily in the Indian's arms. Carefully reaching her arm out, Alicia petted the pup's head, and smiled when he licked her hand veraciously.

"Cute little dog," she said, and the Indian looked at her.

"Is not a dog," Robyn clarified. "Is all wolf. Brothers were taken, he is only one. Alicia," she continued, her voice heavy enough to cause green eyes to meet her own, "I do not mean to keep him if you will not have him, but I could not leave him."

"How is it that he just let you pick him up?" questioned the blonde, saying nothing of Robyn's subtle query at the moment. "Most wolfs don't like humans."

The Indian shrugged. "Wolf is my Spirit Guide," was all she said, and Alicia knew right then that she'd be adopting the young wolf, if it meant something to Blue Fire.

"What will he eat?"

"Scraps," replied Blue Fire, hoping Alicia's questions would mean she was going to let him stay. "Will be good for protection of horses."

And you, if I am away, added the Indian, silently.

Alicia sighed, and pretended to be deeply considering the idea, although she'd already fallen in love with the little wolf, and wouldn't turn him away if Blue Fire asked her to. Besides, she secretly thought the look of expectation that covered the Indian's face was just too cute to resist. She looked like a little child who'd just asked to have a cookie before supper, and was eagerly awaiting a response.

"I suppose," she said, at last, and a huge grin lit the bronzed face.

"Thank you," said Blue Fire, sincerely. "He will be no trouble, and I will take care of him. Hold him?" she offered, and the blonde readily agreed, taking the wolf into her arms, laughing heartily when she received a wet tongue across her face.

"Here," she smiled, handing the pup back to the Indian. "You take him, and I'll make dinner for us all." Robyn nodded, and hefted the wolf into her arms, sitting down on the couch with him. Removing a strap of spare leather from her bag, she and her new friend played tug-of-war with the toy, until Alicia called them to the table.

With two bowls on the table, and one on the floor, the three ate the thick stew with relish. Wolf, as Blue Fire had decided to call him, seemed to enjoy the meat and gravy the best, and she wondered how long it had been since he'd eaten.

As the tall woman was clearing the table, she was startled when Alicia came up next to her, and gave her a strong hug.

"Thank you," the blonde murmured, and Blue Fire returned the hug.

"For what?" she asked.

"For the earrings," answered Alicia. "They're beautiful. How did you know?"

"Saw you looking at them in the store," replied Robyn. "Traded for them. You like them?" the Indian asked, hopefully, and Alicia grinned.

"Very much," she agreed, happily. "It's a wonderful birthday gift, even if it is a little early."

"When is the day?"

"The day after tomorrow," smiled the blonde. "But, that's all right. Why don't we get some rest? I'm sure Wolf is tired, too," she said, and Robyn nodded, bidding Alicia good night as she left the kitchen.

Alicia made sure the white wolf had a bowl of water before she went to bed, and smiled when she saw Blue Fire brushing out his fur before she slept. Stretching out on the couch, she grinned when Wolf lay down on her chest, and soon both were sound asleep.

The next day, Blue Fire spent every free moment with Wolf, working with him. Alicia noticed with amusement that the pup followed her everywhere. If she was looking for the Indian, all she had to do was find Wolf.

"Robyn, what does it mean, that Wolf is your Spirit Guide?" she asked, as the animal in question sat on Blue Fire's lap, just after their daily reading time.

"Everyone has a Spirit Guide," she began. "Sometimes they are even named for them, if the animal appears at their birth. When I was only a girl, I became very sick with a fever. The medicine man did everything he could, and everyone prayed to the Great Giver of Life, but nothing worked. They believed I became ill when I stepped in the trail left by a snake, and even the sand picture did no good.

"Then, one day, as my mother sat with me, sure it would be my last day, a white wolf was spotted in the camp. It is said he went directly up to our kowa, and lay down in front of it, not leaving until the sun went to sleep.

"The next morning, I was much better, and told my mother how I had dreamt of a medicine man coming to me in the form of a wolf, and healing my sickness. Since then, the Great Wolf has been my Spirit Guide. To find a pure white wolf, as when I was a child… I am very grateful," she finished, softly.

Alicia smiled, and patted Wolf on the head, grinning when his pink tongue snaked between her fingers. "That means you're pretty special, huh, Wolf?" asked the blonde, and the pup yipped his agreement, as Blue Fire laughed.

"I will start with mustangs tomorrow," Robyn said, and Alicia agreed. "I wear my deerskin clothes, because it is more comfortable for me to move in." The woman didn't seem to mind, and Robyn felt relieved - she'd been afraid of angering the young blonde by saying she wasn't going to wear her brother's clothes.

"Do you mind if I watch you?" asked the blonde, timidly.

The tall woman shook her head. "I would like to teach you to train them as I do," she said. "It is not hard, and will bring you closer to them. That way, you will be able to keep getting the horses, and training them, if I leave."

Green eyes lowered. "You're leaving?" asked Alicia, before she could stop herself. She couldn't help it - she had to know! Perhaps the woman was tired of being cooped up with a white woman…

"No," said Blue Fire, a little too quickly, mentally kicking herself for slipping. "But, I am Indian," she pointed out. "Some day, I may have to leave here, if your people wish."

"Even if they tell you, you don't have to go!" protested the blonde.

Blue Fire smiled, sadly. "Alicia, you do not understand," she said. "I am an Indian. To the whites, I am a savage - I raid villages and kill. It is true. My people have done many things that are not right," she admitted.

"If your people tell me to leave, I must go," stated the Indian. If it is only to protect you, I must go. "It would be better for me to leave, than to make trouble by staying."

"It doesn't matter to me what they think!"

"And if it matters to me?" countered Blue Fire, softly. She sighed. "Alicia, you are my friend - I would not want to distance you from your people. Now, please, enough of this talk," she said, forcing a smile. "It is time to rest - we will greet the sun tomorrow."

Alicia nodded, and made her way to the bedroom, her heart heavy with the thought that the Indian might one day leave her.

I did not want to tell you that I might have to leave, thought Robyn. And not after your dream. So help me, Alicia, I swear, if there is any way, I will not leave you. If there is any way…

"So, now what do we do?" asked Alicia, as she sat astride Thunder. Blue Fire was next to her, riding Winter Escape, a wild mustang trailing behind them, with a rope around his neck. The large bay stallion was following the palomino well, and Robyn was pleased.

"We take him back to the ranch, and I will train him in the same pen I did Winter Escape," said Robyn, patting the said horse on the neck, who whinnied at her, softly. The mustang had been a chore to capture, but once Robyn had set her sights on him, Alicia realized the horse was as good as caught… even if it did take the better part of an hour to actually do it.

"And how are you going to train him?" questioned the intrigued blonde.

"I will speak to him in his own language, so he understands what I am doing," explained Robyn, patiently. "Everything has their own language - it is only a matter of learning to speak it."

Arriving at the ranch, Blue Fire loosed the new stallion into the pen, and asked Alicia to stand next to the barn.

"I will tell you what I am doing as I do it, but it would be best if you are not easily seen. Do not want to distract him," added the Indian, and Alicia readily complied. Green eyes watching her every move, Blue Fire entered the pen with a long, soft, cotton rope coiled in her hand.

The horse snorted at her, and attempted to charge her, but the tall Indian was ready. Squaring her shoulders, she looked the horse in the eye, and took a quick step towards him. The horse skirted away to the edge of the pen, and started cantering around the corral, as far away from the woman in the center as he could be.

"I am telling him I want him to go away," explained Blue Fire. She occasionally tossed the rope in his direction to keep him going, but was careful never to let the cotton line touch him. "A mare will do this when a colt has done something wrong; it is a form of casting him out, and also telling him I know his language."

Alicia watched, wide-eyed.

After the horse had made about six revolutions, the Indian called Alicia's attention to another point. "Horses know every move you make," she said. "Now, as he trots around, near a gallop, I am staring at his eyes, and keeping my shoulders right at him. That tells him I'm still angry.

"Watch; I'm looking at his shoulder." As she said this, Blue Fire shifted her gaze, and the horse slowed a little. "Now I watch his flank." The stallion slowed almost to a brisk jog. "Back to his eyes." Immediately, the horse broke into a gallop, flying around the pen again.

"When he is ready to listen, and finally wants to know what's going on, and how he can get back on my good side, he will turn his ear towards me," predicted Blue Fire, from years of experience. Sure enough, within two more times around the pen, the stallion's inside ear (the one closest to Blue Fire) turned towards her, and stayed locked on her position as he ran.

"Now, I will make sure he is ready," she said, releasing the line in front of him, turning him the other direction. His inside ear once again tuned into the Indian, while his outside ear kept flickering, to-and-fro, registering all else that was going on around him.

"He is ready to talk, so I will stop using the rope," said the Indian, although she had steadily began cutting back on the number of times she tossed it towards the stallion. "And I will not go towards him; only a small step forward, and then I will move back.

"Plus, I will move my eyes away from his - I will watch his shoulders. It is my way of telling him I'm thinking about talking to him, but he has to prove to me he really wants to fix this," explained Robyn. "He will start chewing with his mouth, and may even stick his tongue out, and then will lower his head. When he does that, we can talk."

Just as she'd said, the stallion's head lowered to within six inches of the dirt, and his tongue could be seen as his jaw worked. He'd had enough of this running around the pen, and realized there was no way out, so now he began looking towards Blue Fire for help - that was just what she wanted.

"I will stop chasing him, and turn so I am not facing him square on," said the tall woman, and did just that. She moved so she was showing him, more or less, her right side and back. She looked down at the ground, in front of the horse, and stood completely still. The rope had been dropped, and her hands were rolled into loose fists.

The stallion took a step forward, away from the outer rim of the pen, and Blue Fire hunched over a little, showing the animal she was not a threat. With more confidence, the brown horse moved closer to her, not stopping until his nose was touching her shoulder. As Robyn walked in a small circle, the horse followed her, first one way, and then the other, never losing contact with her.

Reaching out, Blue Fire rubbed the stallion's nose, between his eyes, and grinned. "He is trusting me," she told Alicia, "by letting me touch where he cannot see. Now is the time when I will touch him all over, and get him used to me. I will lift his feet, another sign of trust, and touch under his belly.

"Alicia, will you get the halter, saddle, blanket, and bridle for me while I do this?" she requested, and the blonde was off in a flash. By the time she returned, the Indian was finishing up feeling the horse, and she was in time to watch her lift his right front hoof. The once wild horse now seemed to have no problem allowing Blue Fire to lift his foot, thus taking away his ability to run, should something happen.

"Amazing," she whispered, setting the tack down by the pen, as Robyn asked.

"Thanks," smiled the Indian, bringing the tack into the pen, and placing it in the center. The horse snorted, and eyed the new object with caution, backing up a ways. Blue Fire walked in between the saddle and the horse, until his attention was drawn back to her, and he chose to follow her, rather than stare at the frighteningly foreign thing in the middle.

First, the tall woman fastened the bridle, and made sure it was not too tight, but would not fall off, either. The horse took the new feeling without a movement, and stood strong when the Indian placed the blanket on his back.

The saddle was a heavy and unfamiliar weight, but other than shifting his feet to proportion the extra weight, the stallion didn't move. Robyn was careful not to swing the saddle up, and drop it onto his back, as that would hurt him, and he would associate the saddle with pain in the future.

Once the saddle was secure, and everything was adjusted correctly, Blue Fire once more squared her shoulders to the horse, sending him away. He bucked as the saddle moved with him, but eventually, he calmed down, and lowered his head again, ready to go back to the woman.

"He must understand that I will only talk to him again once he is used to the saddle, and takes it with ease," explained Blue Fire, as the horse approached her still form again, and touched her shoulder.

She slipped the bridle on with no problem, and the horse even allowed the strange feeling bit to be put into his mouth. Patting his neck, and rubbing his ears to make sure he wouldn't cause trouble with future bridling, Blue Fire placed her left foot in the left stirrup, but did not step up. She simply put a bit of her weight on the leather, asking the horse if he was able to support her.

When the stallion stood still, and strong, the woman lifted herself up, and simply laid across the saddle. She was allowing the horse to get used to her weight, before actually sitting in the seat. After a few minutes like that, she carefully moved her left foot back into the stirrup, took her right leg over, and settled herself in the saddle.

Normally, she would not have used a saddle, because she never rode with one, but if there was a chance Alicia would ride the horse, she didn't want him to spook the first time he was saddled and ridden.

"I will let him go where he wants for the first little while," said the woman. "Then, I will begin teaching him how to listen to what I tell him, and go where I want him to go. You know how to do that, yes?" she questioned, and Alicia nodded.

"Yeah," she confirmed. "That was terrific, Robyn," she complimented. The woman had taken a completely green horse, captured him, broken him, and put a rider and saddle on his back - all in less than three hours! The men she had seen attempt to break a wild horse had been busy for weeks, using much more brutal methods, no less.

"One more thing," added Robyn, as the horse wandered around, as if having a hunk of leather and Apache Indian on his back were the most natural thing in all the world, "I did not tell him to do anything - I asked. Never say to a horse, "You will do this". Say, "I would like for you to do this"."

The blonde smiled. "Okay," she agreed. "How long are you going to stay up there?" she asked.

The Indian shrugged. "Not long," she stated. "I will ride him for a little while every day, until he knows what to do when I ask, and then will take for a real ride. I usually spend much time with them when I first work with them," she added. "You understand now how to talk with the horse?"

Alicia grinned. "Yeah, I think I do," she said. "I just can't get over that - he walked right up to you and touched your shoulder! It was amazing!"

The tall woman smiled inwardly as the blonde chattered non-stop about how great Blue Fire had been, and how remarkable it had been for her to watch her work, and the Indian was sure their supper would be cold before the rancher was done talking.

"Alicia, your words are good for my heart, but my stomach is wanting food. We will talk while we eat, yes?" she offered, and the blonde blushed, but nodded.

"Sorry," she murmured, sipping the warm broth in silence.

Suddenly, as the blonde was about to speak, a low growl was heard. Glancing around, Alicia saw Wolf, standing next to the front door, his fur standing on end as he let out a snarl worthy of any dog.

"What's wrong?" asked Alicia, and Blue Fire shrugged, approaching the wolf. Listening carefully, she tried to figure out what the animal heard that had him so spooked, but didn't hear anything unusual. Opening the door to look outside, she watched with a frown as the pup raced out into the night.

"Wolf!" called Blue Fire, heading out after him. Without a second thought, the blonde followed the tall Indian into the darkness, as she called for the young wolf.

"I wonder what he was chasing," mused Alicia, as she stayed close to Robyn's side, searching for Wolf, and so far finding no sign.

"Could be anything," shrugged the Indian, not too worried about the wolf, but more concerned about where they were heading. She had been following the small trail she was able to find, and it was leading them closer and closer to the Apache land.

Blue Fire sighed, and became more agitated as they neared the Apache tribe. She knew the men often hunted in this part, and the women gathered berries, nuts, and wild fruits. It would be very bad if they were caught near the land.

"Alicia, go," she said, stopping in her tracks to face the woman. "I will find Wolf, you go home."

Alicia glared at her. "I'm not going anywhere," she stated. "I want to help you look for Wolf, too! Now, come on, he's got to be out here somewhere," she said, walking past the tall Indian to continue their search.

"Alicia, please," tried the tall woman. "It is late, and it can get cold at night. Return home, and I will come back later, with Wolf." The blonde shook her head. "You are not used to being out here when it is cold!" persisted the Indian.

Alicia put her hands on her hips, icily. "Robyn, I know exactly how cold it gets, and it's not a problem. What's this really about?" she asked, and the blue gaze faltered.

"We are nearing the Apache," she admitted.

"And you don't want me to see them?"

"I don't want them to see you," corrected Robyn. The smaller woman just shook her head, and kept walking, calling for Wolf, until she felt hands grab her shoulders. Blue eyes wide, the Indian spun Alicia around to face her, and pleaded with her to listen.

"Alicia, please! If they see you they will hurt you," she said. Please, Alicia, listen to me! If you stay with me, they will find you, and I don't want you to see me hurt my own people, but I will if it means protecting you.

"You said when I first met you I could tell you to do something if it was in your best interest. I do not like having to do this, but I will, because I know what will happen if you stay out here!" The tall woman was frantic, and the blonde was silent for a moment, thinking about the danger.

"What about you?" she asked, gently. "What will they do if they find you? You said you're not welcome anymore," Alicia pointed out, concerned.

"I can take care of myself," she assured the woman. And you, if I have to… "It is not that I do not want your help, but I will be able to search for Wolf better if I know you are safe. Please, go," she persisted. "I will return with Wolf when I find him."

Alicia couldn't help it. "Promise?"

"I promise," said the tall Indian, realizing the woman was afraid she wouldn't come back. "Go, and I will be back before long." Reluctantly, the blonde made her way back to the Ranch, leaving the tall Indian on her own.

Feeling a little better, Blue Fire called for Wolf, and her sensitive hearing picked up on his small bark. Following the soft sound, she was surprised by what the moon was showing her - the small white wolf was yipping at a coiled rattlesnake, dancing around as the serpent struck at him, but missed.

"Wolf!" called Robyn, but the pup was having too much fun. He'd gone out after he'd heard a wolf howl, and had found the little noisemaker curled up under a rock. He didn't know what it was, but it sure was fun to play with! The thing hadn't caught him yet, although he'd come awful close.

Trying to figure out how to draw the pup away from the poisonous snake, Blue Fire stepped back a few feet, and whistled, softly. Wolf's ears perked up, and he cocked his head at her, as the snake readied himself for the final strike. Sliding her foot out, the Indian nudged the rattler and grabbed Wolf by the scruff of the neck at the same time, barely escaping the sharp fangs herself.

"Are you okay?" she asked the young pup, once they were safely out of the range of the still very angry rattlesnake. Wolf barked, and licked her face, bathing her in a layer of slobber when she scratched his ears.

"You had me scared, Spirit Guide," she admitted. "You are the one I turn to, as I do now. What am I to do about Alicia? I am in love with her, as Mother said, but how can I expect her to love me in return? I am an Indian who killed two of her people - she will hate me!"

The tall woman sighed as they approached the ranch, and she saw the glow of the light from inside the house.

"She is so kind, waiting up to make sure I am safe," she said. "I am sure she has not eaten yet, although she is hungry often, because she waits for me. But, she is polite; that is the way she is. There is no reason for it to be anything more," the tall woman grieved.

Alicia was glad to see the two return, and while she tried to scold Wolf for running off, she ended up laughing, and hugging him tightly.

"We all need some rest," she said, after they'd finally eaten their dinner.

Blue Fire agreed. "Will wake early, to be with horse," Robyn said, as she cleared the table, and made sure Wolf had his meal ready and fresh water. "Good night, Alicia. I hope you enjoyed this birthday," she added, remembering that today was the actual date of the woman's birth.

"I did," she assured her, smiling. "The new mustang is going to be a great horse, thanks to you, and this day has been terrific. Thank you. Good night, Robyn," replied the blonde, walking into her room, as Blue Fire stretched out on the couch, sighing. It had been a good day with the mustang, but she was tired, and was soon asleep, her Spirit Guide by her side.

The next day, Robyn spent every waking moment with the newly broken mustang, and made sure Alicia did too, so the equine would get used to both women. By the time Wolf, Blue Fire, and Alicia returned to the house at nightfall, Swift River, as he was called, was eating calmly out of Alicia's hand, and even let her groom his coat.

"I will make supper," offered the Indian, and the blonde had no objections, as she stretched out on the couch, resting a moment. A soft knock on the door drew her out of her thoughts, and she opened the door, her green eyes widening at the sight before her.

"Robyn, can you come here, please?" she called, and the Indian walked up next to her, her own deep blue eyes registering disbelief.

"Shi ma? Mother?" exclaimed the tall woman, shocked. "Come, you have traveled far. Rest," she urged, and Alicia nodded her permission, as the older woman made her way into the house.

"Nzhoo o'i'aa," said the blonde, the Apache phrase she'd learned for "Good evening".

Feather in the Wind smiled, and returned the greeting. "You are right, my daughter," she told Blue Fire, when the small rancher entered the kitchen to finish the meal so Blue Fire could talk with her mother. "She is pretty, and speaks our tongue well."

"What brings you to this place, mother?" asked Robyn, sitting on the couch next to her mother. "Surely you did not travel on your own, and at night!"

The woman nodded. "Yes," she said, "I did. At first, I was frightened, but then I heard the brave mba', the coyote, call to me, and I knew I would be safe. You are looking well, Blue Fire," she added, and the Indian smiled.

"Thank you," she said. Mother and daughter talked for a few minutes more, until Alicia carried two bowls over to them, handing one to each woman, filled with a thick stew. That done, she retrieved one for herself, and ate silently in the chair she'd brought out from the kitchen.

"Ash… thank… you," said Feather in the Wind, slowly, and Alicia smiled.

"Ha'anakah," she said, easily. "You're welcome. Blue Fire, can you ask her if she will stay the night?" requested the rancher, and Robyn obeyed, telling her that her mother accepted the offer.

"She will sleep in my bed, then," decided the woman, "and I will take the floor."

The tall Indian shook her head. "You are kind, Alicia, but my mother will not drive you out of your bed," she said. "Is not right for her to inconvenience you, more so when you are not of the tribe. I will sleep on the floor, and allow her to rest on the couch," she explained, and the blonde sighed.

"As long as you're sure," said Alicia, finishing her stew and collecting the bowls, before bidding the two Indians goodnight, and heading off to bed.

"You have found your Spirit Guide," commented the older woman, patting Wolf's head when the animal came up to lick her hand.

"Yes," nodded Blue Fire. "He does well with Alicia, and I trust he will keep her safe when I am not here. Has Chief Ndoitcho said when he will come for me, for returning to the tribe in my banishment?" she asked, and her mother shook her head.

"I do not know," she admitted. "He has said nothing, as far as I know, but I know he is angry."

Blue Fire nodded. "I did not expect him to be pleased," she agreed, wryly. "But I was exiled for something I did not do!"

"I know, daughter," said Feather in the Wind, softly, "I know. As you said, I have traveled long, and would like to sleep."

"Rest on the couch, mother," said Robyn. "I will bed on the floor, and see you in the morning. Then, I will walk with you as far as I can." Feather in the Wind agreed, found a comfortable position on the soft sofa, and was soon asleep.

Just as she'd said, at dawn the next morning, Blue Fire escorted her mother to the edge of the Apache camp. They talked idly along the way, Robyn telling her mother of all the things she had done and learned since meeting Alicia, and Feather in the Wind listening with a smile.

"I am glad you have found her, Blue Fire," said the woman, and Robyn agreed.

"As am I," she said. "It is hard for me, now, to think of what I will do when the time comes for me to leave her."

"And why must you leave her?"

"The white law knows I killed two men, and they will find me eventually," she sighed. "What is more, Ndoitcho will search for me. I do not know who will find me first, but both are angry, and will want my blood. I will not allow Alicia to see that," the tall woman decided.

Feather in the Wind was quiet for some time, contemplating what her daughter had said. "You love her very much, don't you, daughter?" she asked, at last.

"More than I thought one heart could," Blue Fire confirmed, with a nod.

"And you worry about your punishments at the hands of our own people, or hers?"

"Yes. I fear the anger of the white man, for I have learned that they will kill those who have committed a crime such as murder," she admitted.

The older woman stopped, as they were nearing the camp, and said, "My child, I know you love your Alicia, and you do not want to lose her, yet that is what may happen if you are captured by the law of the White Eyes. Remember this: Love is stronger than death," she said, quietly.

Robyn bit her lip, and looked down. "Shi ma, I did not tell you this, but Alicia had a dream that I was taken away by the white man and the Apache. It frightened her, but I did not know how to tell her…" her voice trailed off.

"That dreams are more powerful than facts," finished Feather in the Wind, and Blue Fire nodded, silently. "Dreams have their own power, it is true, but none has the strength of love. Be safe, my daughter," she finished, and Robyn gave her mother a strong hug, before watching her enter the camp once more.

With a sigh, Blue Fire began the trek back to the ranch, thinking about what her mother had told her.

When she returned, there was a note from Alicia, saying that she had gone to town to pick up some supplies, and she'd be back soon. Deciding it was almost too late to work with Swift River, the Indian took her bag into the barn, and sat down on a bale of hay. Pulling out a few materials, she got to work, talking to the horses as she explained to them what she was doing and why.

"I just hope she likes it," the woman sighed, as she cut the string with her teeth. Tying on a few feathers and beads, she smiled to herself, and placed the new dream catcher in her bag, planning on giving it to Alicia later.

Walking outside when she heard hoof beats, she smiled when she saw the blonde coming up the road, Thunder pulling the wagon. Her smiled faded, however, when she saw the young rancher was not alone. Brian rode beside her on his own horse, chatting with her.

The tall Indian felt a strange pang in her heart as the soft laughter of the woman she loved floated against her ears. Shaking it off, she ran into the house, and quickly changed from her leathers into the blue jeans and shirt that Alicia provided, knowing that the woman didn't want anyone finding out she was allowing an Indian to stay in her home.

As she stepped outside, fully clothed in the late Bill's outfit, Alicia and Brian were just pulling up. Brian dismounted, and went to help Alicia from the cart, before realizing with a snarl that Robyn had beaten him to it. The tall Indian concentrated on not letting her hands linger on the small waist longer than was appropriate, and stepped back a little once the blonde was safely on the ground, so as not to forget herself and do something she'd probably end up regretting later.

"I'll take this stuff into the barn," said Brian, hefting the bags on his shoulder, when Alicia nodded. When everything was unloaded, which wasn't much, Brian bid both women goodbye, telling Alicia he'd be back when he could to check on her.

"Brian helped me carry some of the bags out to the wagon," Alicia explained, as she and Blue Fire unhitched Thunder, and led him into the barn. "Hi, guys," the rancher greeted, patting each horse on the nose as she walked by. "I guess it's time to feed you, isn't it?"

They whinnied their response, and the woman was about to place the hay in their buckets, when Blue Fire cried out, and stopped her.

"What is it?" asked Alicia, startled.

"Hay is not good," she replied, smelling the faintest trace of… what, she wasn't sure, but she knew the horses wouldn't like it. The toxin had a bitter smell to it, and there was no doubt in her mind that Brian had put the poison in there.

Searching the bales, she found one near the bottom that did not have the same feel as the previous three, and fed the horses from that bundle, while she tossed the others out.

"Robyn, that's a lot of money you just threw out," said Alicia, her voice low. She knew the Indian was only helping, and if losing money meant saving her horses, she'd do it in an instant, but still… now she only had a few bales left. She'd have to go back into town again soon.

"Yes," acknowledged the tall woman, "I know. I will buy more."

"Oh, Blue Fire, that wasn't what I meant!" exclaimed the blonde, surprised. "No, I don't want you to pay for them!"

The Indian sighed. "If you will not allow me to pay, then I will at least pick them up for you," she compromised. "I will go in the morning, to let Thunder rest, and will return with the hay."

With a sigh, Alicia agreed, and suggested they head into the house for dinner, which Blue Fire made in a flash. After the dishes had been gathered, Alicia bid the tall woman good night, and entered her bedroom.

Moments later, she felt a presence, and glanced up to find Robyn standing awkwardly in the doorway.

"Robyn?" prompted the blonde, a little concerned by the Indian's strange behavior. It wasn't like the woman to just show up, and especially to look so nervous.

"I have… something for you," said the tall woman, quietly, and Alicia noticed for the first time that Blue Fire was holding something behind her back.

"What is it?"

The tall Indian showed the gift to the blonde, handing her the dream catcher, hoping the rancher would like it. "It is a dream catcher," she explained. "You can put it over your bed or above the door to your room, and it will let the good dreams slip through the holes, while the bad dreams get caught on the strings, and are taken away by the morning sun."

"Did you make this?" asked Alicia, an unreadable look on her face, which agitated the apprehensive woman standing beside her.

"Yes," acknowledged Blue Fire. "It is not very good, but…"

"It's wonderful," interrupted the small blonde, giving the surprised woman a strong hug, which was returned, just as tightly. "Thank you, Blue Fire. Will you help me hang it over my door?"

Pounding a small nail into the wood, Blue Fire did just that, and the small blue circle, with dark string, a leather edge, feathers, and beads, hung above the doorway to Alicia's bedroom, almost seeming to float in the air.

With a soft good night, Robyn exited to the living room, and Alicia fell into her own bed with a smile. It's the color of her eyes, she thought, happily, as she closed her eyes and saw the very same sapphire eyes before her once more in her dreams.

After the problem with the bad hay, Alicia and Robyn were both very cautious, and kept a close watch on the feed. Blue Fire knew she had nothing to worry about unless Brian had been around, but Alicia checked the hay and oats every morning and every night before she gave it to her horses.

And the amount of equines kept in the barn was getting larger and larger. Alicia had trained one mustang on her own, under the supervision and instruction of her Indian friend, and Icicle, as Alicia chose to call her, was a gorgeous sorrel colored mare. She wasn't very tall, and Blue Fire was glad the small horse had become very attached to the blonde rancher.

The horses in the barn were finishing their breakfast, as Robyn worked with yet another mustang. The horse had been captured not long before, and was steadily progressing; the tall Indian was pleased.

Blue Fire smiled to herself as the horse's head lowered, indicating the stallion was giving in. The chestnut stallion with black mane was gorgeous, and the third horse the Indian was taming for Alicia since she'd arrived at the woman's house almost three months before; the small blonde had done only Icicle on her own, and realized that while she loved the connection it gave her with the horse, she'd allow Blue Fire to do a few again.

The herd of wild horses was roaming across her land, and while Robyn was sure there was more than enough to keep the animals thriving, the young blonde insisted that five or six was her limit for a while, and Blue Fire obeyed.

The equine was just beginning to approach her, when a shot rang out, and the horse reared. Blue Fire crouched to the ground - both to escape the striking hooves and the chance of more gunfire - as she whirled around, spying a white man with a rifle aimed in her direction, shouting something about "Damn injun!"

Rolling under the wooden corral, the tall woman scrambled to her feet, taking her chance as the man readied his weapon once more. Skirting into the house, Blue Fire called for Alicia when she noticed the man was following her.

"What is it?" asked the blonde, hurrying towards the Indian.

"There is a man with a rifle," she said, standing in front of her. "Stay behind me." She was going to get her bow and arrow, when there was a pressure against her back, and Wolf growled as he got to his feet. He'd been staying in the house with Alicia, since Blue Fire told him to, but he didn't know this intruder and the way he was shouting had the wolf on edge.

"Don't move," said a voice. "Step away from her slowly, or I'll blow a hole through your chest."

In a flash, the tall woman spun around, grabbing the rifle from the man before he had a chance to pull the trigger, and brought it back around to hit him in the jaw. "Don't threaten me," she snarled, throwing the weapon to the ground.

Alicia's eyes widened as she peered around the woman, who was still standing protectively in front of her. "Brian?" she exclaimed.

"This savage was trying to steal your horses," he spat, and made a move to take Alicia's arm and pull her to safety. Blue Fire interrupted him, and twisted his arm, roughly bringing it behind his back.

"Do not touch her," she growled, and Wolf echoed the sentiment with a sharp bark at the man.

"Robyn, this is Brian. You remember him, don't you?"

The Indian nodded, but didn't release him. "He was shooting at the horses," she said. She chose to say nothing about the words he had shouted at her.

"This is Robyn?" questioned Brian, wrenching his arm free, sneering when he noticed that the tall Indian kept her place between him and Alicia, guarding the small blonde, it would seem. The damned wolf seemed to be doing the same thing "What are you thinking, Alicia, letting an Indian stay in your home?"

Alicia sighed; she knew there would come a time when she'd have to defend her decision of letting Robyn stay with her, but didn't think it would come so soon. She wasn't ready for the problems it was sure to cause.

"She's helping me with the horses," she said. "She wouldn't steal them, and she wouldn't hurt them."

"How do you know that?" he demanded. "What if she's allied with that damned Apache Cochise? How do you know she's not gonna poison your food, or scalp you while you're sleeping? Or sic her goddamned wolf on you?"

Alicia winced at the harsh words, Wolf growled at him, and Blue Fire stepped closer to the man. "Because if I felt like it, she'd be dead already," she stated.

And in a moment, so would you…the Indian mused.

"She's Apache, Alicia!" cried Brian.

"And?" demanded the blonde. She picked up the man's gun and shoved it into his arms. "I think you'd better leave, Brian."

"This is a mistake, Alicia," he said, as Blue Fire drug him out the door. "You wait and see - you'll regret the day you let her in!" The Indian slammed the door in his face, and watched him ride away, going in the direction of the town.

"Robyn?" asked Alicia, softly, concerned when the woman didn't turn around right away. "I'm sorry about those things he said."

The Indian sighed, and turned to face the blonde. "So am I," she said. "But he's right, Alicia. I am an Apache warrior, and killing is what I do best. But since I met you, I don't feel that way anymore.

"I no longer belong with my Apache brothers; I belong here. You have given me a home, and for that, I will always be in your debt," she finished.

"Blue Fire," frowned the rancher, "why are you telling me this?"

"I must go." Green eyes widened. "They will look for me, now. It will be safer for you if I do not stay."

"I told you when you first got here that I wouldn't let them take you, and I won't!" responded a fiery young blonde.

Blue Fire smiled. "I know that," she said. "I am not leaving because I am afraid for me. I am leaving because I do not want something to happen to you because of me. You have become... one of my closest friends."

You're leaving and you still can't tell her how you feel? Some warrior you are, her mind scoffed.

How do I tell her that I don't want to go, I don't want to leave her, but I could never forgive myself if she got hurt because of someone who was after me? Great Spirit, please, watch over my beloved while I am away...

"I will pack and leave at dusk," she concluded. "That way they should not see me leave. I do not expect them to come looking until morning," she added. "I will be gone by then."

"Will you be back?" asked Alicia, willing herself not to cry.

It won't do to tell her how you feel and just have her leave even quicker, the sad blonde thought.

"I don't know. I will try," said the Indian. "You know how to train the horses, and you will do fine without me." But will I be fine without you? "The ranch is yours, Alicia. I will leave Winter Escape and Wolf." She held up her hand, quelling the woman's protests. "I cannot take them anyway, they are too easy to track. Horses and wolves cannot climb trees," she grinned.

Dusk came much too quickly for both women. Blue Fire gave in and allowed Alicia to pack some food for her, chuckling when she reminded the woman that she had to pack light so she could travel quickly.

"Oh, right," muttered the woman, removing a few items, flustered.

The tall Indian put a hand on the smaller woman's shoulder. "I will be okay," she said, quietly. Alicia walked closer to the Indian, and wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug, which Robyn returned, just as tightly. Alicia attributed the soft kiss she felt on the top of her head to wishful thinking, while Blue Fire mentally kicked herself.

"Where will you go?" mumbled Alicia, still gripping the tall Indian.

"I am not sure," sighed the woman. She knew she wouldn't stray too far from the ranch, because Blue Fire felt protective of Alicia, and would watch over her when she could. "But it is time for me to go. Alicia, turn around," requested the woman, softly.

The blonde did as she was told, trusting Blue Fire completely. The woman gasped when she felt the Indian tie something around her neck. She didn't even have to touch it to know what it was - the woman's warrior necklace.

"Robyn, I can't accept this," she said, turning back around to face the glowing Indian.

"Please, take it," insisted the tall Indian. "I want you to have it."

"But, your grandfather gave it to you."

The woman nodded. "Yes, when I became a warrior. Now, I give it to you, when you are an Indian," she explained. Or at least, when you manage to smile your way into an Indian's heart...

"Blue Fire, I'm not an Indian," smiled Alicia, gently.

"Indian is not a... nationality," the tall woman said, taking a moment to find the right word. "It is when you understand that we must not take what we have been given for granted, when you understand that it is possible to live in harmony with the earth. When you respect our Mother Earth, and the Giver of Life… and each other. It is a state of mind," she finished, a small smile portraying just how proud she was of the blonde in front of her, who had managed to learn numerous skills from the Indian during her stay, and put them to good use.

"Thank you," voiced the young rancher, softly.

"Shil nzhoo," said Blue Fire, more to herself, but loud enough for Alicia to hear.

"What does that mean?" the woman asked, picking up on the strange words. That was a phrase she hadn't heard Robyn use before…

Blue eyes widened, startled that the blonde had heard her, and the Indian cleared her throat. "I must go, now," said Robyn, avoiding the translation, taking her pack and her weapons. "Be safe, Alicia. Perhaps we will see one another again." With that, the Indian quietly left the house, traveling into the woods.

Her first stop was to the clearing. She waited patiently for the arrival of both men, failing to get a good look at the Shadow Man, but having no trouble seeing Brian, who came traipsing into the woods, rifle still in his hand.

"I think I got rid of the Indian," he said, proudly. "I shot at her, and the posse's on their way to search for her in the morning. If she's anywhere around here, inside or out of Alicia's house, they'll catch her. And then, we'll have ourselves a nice execution!" he exclaimed, gleefully.

"I doubt they'll find her that easily, but at least she's out of the picture as far as Alicia is concerned," said the man. "I told you we only needed an excuse to fire, but I take it you didn't hit her." The young man shook his head, looking away. "Figures; that damned Indian has more lives than a porcupine has quills.

"Now comes the second part of our plan…"

Blue Fire listened carefully for the next three-quarters of an hour, as the man explained the next phase of their scheme, and she doubted it would work. Alicia was on the lookout for poisoned horse feed, and Robyn doubted very much she'd ever allow anyone to talk her into selling the ranch, so that part was a bust.

The only thing that had her a little worried was their discussion of getting her to stop training the mustangs, and capturing them for breeding. Alicia wasn't sure about that from the beginning, and if she didn't have the impregnable mares available, she'd be in trouble, financial wise.

Hoping the blonde would know enough to keep up the breeding, Blue Fire watched the men depart, and began searching for a place to spend her first night in nearly a moon without Alicia nearby.

Green eyes fluttered open, and Alicia groaned as she stretched. She frowned for a moment when her arm hit the back of the couch, and the tears returned when she realized why she was sleeping on the sofa in the living room, instead of her own bed. It was the closest she could get to Blue Fire, now that the woman had gone.

Wolf sidled up beside her, and licked her cheek, whining slightly.

"Oh, Wolf," said the blonde, hugging him to her, burying her face in his soft white fur. "You miss her, too, don't you? I hope she's okay," she added, and her mind drifted back to the tall Indian warrior woman. The memory of the woman was never very far from the rancher's thoughts.

Shaking her head to clear her mind, Alicia knew she had to get up - she had things she needed to do. But nothing seemed the same without the presence of her Indian friend. Sighing, she resigned herself to a few more minutes of reminiscing, before forcing herself to her feet.

The tall Indian tried hard to focus on the task at hand - sewing a warm jacket, as it was - but it was hard to concentrate. She found herself drifting off, thinking of Alicia, and when she did that, her hands stilled. She'd get nothing done at this rate.

It had been a shock for the woman to wake up in strange surroundings. Robyn had found a sturdy tree to rest in, and fell asleep quite comfortably, but upon awakening, it was on the tip of her tongue to call for Alicia when she didn't see her anywhere nearby.

And then it came to her - Alicia was safe in her own house. It was she who had left. Though she wished she hadn't, she'd give anything to still be there with the blonde, Blue Fire knew it was better this way. She would find a way to keep an eye on the rancher, secretively, so she'd still be able to keep the young woman safe, if she needed to.

When her stomach growled, bringing her back from her thoughts, the tall woman leapt down from the tree, and secured everything in her bag. Breakfast was in order, and then perhaps a trip to see her mother, since she was so close. Cooking anything was out of the question, as Robyn could still hear the white man's posse searching for her, so smoke wouldn't help her any.

Looks like I'll be eating some of the food Alicia packed for me sooner than I thought, she realized, suddenly very glad the woman had been so persistent. Munching on dried meat strips and an apple, the Indian made her way through the woods to the Apache camp, intent on finding her mother.

"Maybe I could sleep there a few days," she wondered aloud, to herself. "Sleeping in a tree is different than sleeping on Alicia's couch." Stretching her back and massaging sore muscles, Robyn continued on her way.

Pleased with her progress, Blue Fire made good time to the Apache land, and soon slowed her step, making sure it was clear for her to enter. Glancing around cautiously, she crept over to her mother's kowa, and froze when she heard talking coming from within the hut.

The first voice, which she quickly recognized as her mother's, was angry but controlled. "You know what you did to my daughter was not right," Feather in the Wind told her visitor. "My only child is no longer with me because of you and your selfish ways. There is no reason for me to allow you to remain here with me."

"I just want to know if I can have her things!" cried the second person, and the Indian's eyes narrowed dangerously as she realized it was Small Fox. "I mean, she's not coming back, and she didn't take it last time she was here. Why won't you give it to me?"

Blue Fire knew her mother had probably taken her things into her own hut for safe keeping while she was gone. She had numerous furs, a few pieces of jewelry, and some more material for clothes and weapons that she had not carried with her before. Now, if she heard correctly, Small Fox was demanding her right to own the items, while her mother was not giving in.

"They are not yours to have, Small Fox! They belong to my daughter, and as long as she walks this land, they belong only to her. You have no claim to these things," replied the older woman, sternly. "Leave my hut. Now, child!"

Reluctantly getting to her feet, sparing the old woman a hard glare, the girl exited the wickiup with anger, letting the flap drop behind her.

Barely restraining herself from going after the teen, Robyn entered soon after Small Fox was out of sight.

"I thought I told you to leave!" came the angry retort, as Feather in the Wind heard the girl enter her room again, having her back turned as she adjusted her only child's various belongings.

"I will go if you wish, mother, but I hope you were speaking to Small Fox," said Blue Fire, gently, as she knelt in respect, and her mother spun around immediately.

Her eyes showed delighted surprise. "Oh, my daughter!" she smiled, embracing her little girl in a firm hug, practically dragging the woman to her feet. "You are correct, I was having a conversation with Small Fox just moments earlier. She wanted the furs you had left behind, but I would not give them to her."

"I thank you," said Robyn, sincerely. "I will take them with me when I go this time, so as not to leave you with the burden. Enough of this; have you been well, mother?"

The older woman smiled, her dark-skinned face wrinkling lightly as she did so. "I have," she said, "for the grace of this year's harvest. But you, my child, you seem sad. What troubles you? Did something happen to your Alicia?"

Blue Fire sighed, and sat down cross-legged, with her head in her hands. "Not in so many words, but yes, I suppose you could say that," she responded, and her mother took her place by her side, ready to listen.

"What has happened?"

Taking a deep breath, Robyn told her mother all about the things that had been going on, from Daniel to Brian to the poisoned feed, and everything in between.

"She did not want me to go, and I did not want to leave, but I had to, for her to be safe," explained the tall Indian. "Wolf is with her, so I know he will help protect her, but I still want to be with her. I love you, mother, but I do wish I was with Alicia instead of here. I miss her," she admitted.

Yes, and it's only been a day. What am I going to do a month from now? she wondered, and pushed the thought away before she could come up with an answer.

"I understand, Dotth'izh ko'," said her mother, knowingly. "When you leave here, perhaps you could stay in the forest, since you are well with the tress anyhow, and watch your Alicia from there. That would work?"

Blue Fire nodded. "It may," she agreed, quietly. "But it is still not the same." She bit her lip as she decided to continue. "I was leaving, and I still could not tell her that I love her. She does not know that I cannot think because she is not near me, she does not know that I wanted to call for her early this day when I did not sense her nearby, and she does not know how I want to her hold her and never leave again. She does not know any of these things, mother. All because I was too scared to tell her," uttered the Indian, a tear making its way down her cheek.

Feather in the Wind loving stroked her daughter's cheek, encouraging her to stretch out, cradling her child's head gently on her lap. "My child, it is not rare for you to feel lonely and hurt when you are without your love, but you will get through this," she assured her. "You will be with your Alicia again, I know it, and you will be happy once more. I understand that you are scared, but when you go back to her, you must trust in your heart and tell her how you feel."

The tall woman, her sobs ebbing, nodded without conviction as she closed her eyes. "I will try," she said, lowly. "Until then, I will stay here, if I may. Maybe only a few days, and then I will remain in the forest, so I won't cause any trouble for you."

Her mother smiled, glad to have her daughter back home, even if only for a little while. "You are always welcome in my home, Blue Fire, you know this. For as long as you'd like. Rest now, you have traveled long, and your heart is more tired than your body." Knowing that to be true, Blue Fire did as she was told, and was soon resting peacefully with her mother never more than a few feet away.

A week after Blue Fire had left, Alicia was still feeling as though she was missing something. Without the Indian nearby, the loneliness of her property became apparent, and the blonde wished for nothing more than to see the tall woman again. If she did, Alicia knew she'd probably rush into her arms, professing her love and begging Robyn not to leave ever again; her heart was too empty to do otherwise.

While part of her worried about Blue Fire's response, another part felt deep down that the Indian shared the same feelings. All she wanted was to be with the woman again, as she missed her terribly - more than she thought was possible.

The weather was beginning to cool down a bit, and the blonde rancher began placing the winter blankets over her horses in the evenings, to help keep them warm. Winter Escape was one of her best places to seek consolation, because the large horse seemed to miss Blue Fire as much as the small woman. The two spent a lot of time together, even if it was just a few minutes in the morning when Alicia groomed the Palomino.

A whinny shook her from her thoughts, and Alicia glanced up, finding herself face-to-face with an impatient stallion.

"Goodness, Thunder, you'd think you were hungry or something," she laughed, patting the horse's thick neck lovingly, before distributing the hay among the equines, just as the sun began its descent behind the hills. Feeling the chill, the rancher covered her horses with their blankets, and then made her way into the house, Wolf never more than a couple of steps behind, the faithful animal following her wherever she went. His mistress had given him a job to protect the small blonde, and he would obey it to the end.

"Come, Wolf," she urged, holding the door open for him. "Let's get some dinner in our bellies, and then call it a night. What do you say?" The wolf yipped his agreement, walked inside the warm house, and promptly laid down beside the couch. For the first couple of days after Robyn's departure, Alicia noticed the wolf refused to leave the foot of the sofa, and often whined as if waiting for the woman to return, giving him more than just a scent to live with.

Now, however, he kept guard only when both he and Alicia were in the house, and only until she went to bed - he had begun to sleep either on the floor right beside the blonde's bed, or right beside her in her very bed, depending on how low he sensed her heart was feeling.

Curling up on the floor until she called him for dinner, the growing wolf scampered into the kitchen, finishing his food well before Alicia, waiting patiently for the small blonde. Alicia was glad, in a way, that Blue Fire had left the animal in her care, but he only served to remind her more of the Indian she dearly missed.

"Why couldn't I tell her?" she asked herself, aloud, as Wolf cocked his head at her, curious. "She left, and I probably won't see her again for a long time, and she doesn't even know how I feel about her. I don't know when I fell in love with her, Wolf, but I did. I don't care what anyone would say about her being here; let them try to lay a hand on her.

"I just want her back," the rancher sighed, heavily, her heart going out to the tall woman she loved, praying she was safe. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she cleared the table that seemed all too empty set for only one, and snapped her fingers.

"Come on, Wolf. Bedtime," she hinted, and the white wolf followed her into her bedroom, climbing up by her side as she slid under the covers, laying his muzzle gently on her shoulder.

Taking her mother's advice, Blue Fire headed into the forest after a little more than a week under Feather in the Wind's care and guidance. The older woman had suggested a vision quest, and while Robyn figured it would help her clear her mind, she already knew what she needed to do - she needed to go back to Alicia, but couldn't.

If I didn't love her so much, I would be back there with her right now. The words she'd admitted to her mother just a few days before echoed in her ears. It was true, no matter how strange it sounded. If she loved Alicia any less, she'd be back at the ranch with her immediately.

But, she knew her presence put the blonde rancher in danger, and so forced herself to remain out of sight. To love someone enough to stay away… she didn't like it, but knew she didn't have much of a choice.

Sighing, the tall woman adjusted the leather pack on her back, having taken her things from her mother's hut as she had promised. She now had enough material for another jacket, which she planned on making for Alicia for when the cool nights came during the time of the ghost face, a tomahawk, and practically anything else she had a desire to fashion.

What's more, she had plenty to keep her busy, as she had no doubt if she let her mind wander, she'd end up thinking about Alicia, and just missing her all over again.

Taking a deep breath, she scaled a tree and got ready to make herself a tomahawk. She was far enough away from Alicia's so as not to be noticed by the blonde, and yet close enough to observe anyone coming or going. Also, within seconds, she could run even closer to the property, and get a better look, all without being discovered.

She was satisfied with her position, and set to work on a tomahawk, having finished the jacket for Alicia during her stay with her mother. To her delight, she had not been found in the camp, and had enjoyed a peaceful visit with her mother. The two talked often late into the evening, catching up on everything, and simply being around each other, for the time they were together was all too scarce for either woman.

Clearing her thoughts, Blue Fire began by smoothing out the wood that would be the handle of her weapon, knowing she didn't really need it, it was just a task to keep her mind occupied while her heart yearned for a certain blonde rancher.

Robyn passed many days in the same fashion, taking a break from her work only to hunt or stretch her legs, and soon held a beautifully crafted tomahawk in her hands. The stone blade was extremely sharp, and polished to a gentle shine, tied tightly onto the wood with a strip of strong leather.

The next task was sewing a small loop onto the side of her deerskin trousers, so she'd have a place to keep her newest form of defense. Remembering idly why she chose to be a warrior, as she sucked the blood from her fingertip for the fourth time, she lifted her head when the familiar sound of Alicia's laughter somehow drifted to her ears.

With a slight frown, she leapt down from the tree, and made her way closer to the ranch. It was already dusk; what was going on? As she got closer, the Indian was able to hear the woman talking.

"I'm sure you'll dance just fine, Jake," the blonde assured her friend, walking out the door with her hand on his arm. She wore a gorgeous full-length emerald dress with a low v-cut, complete with white gloves that went up to her elbows, and, of course, matching shoes.

"Only if you promise to dance with me," the man bargained, and when Alicia accepted, the tall Indian retreated back into the woods, unable to stand anymore.

Alicia sighed as she got ready for the annual Fall Dance that the town held every year. Normally, she didn't go, because she had too much to do, but this year, she decided she needed to get her mind off a certain dark-haired Apache warrior she was missing.

So, when Jake had offered an invitation, she accepted, to his pleasant surprise. Currently, the woman was ready to go, except for one thing, which she stood, staring at, in front of the mirror in her bedroom.

Jade earrings, to match the lovely green dress she was wearing.

The jade earrings that had been given to her as a birthday gift.

By Blue Fire.

Could she wear them? And survive the night? Without breaking down into tears? She wasn't sure; all she knew was she wasn't about to go without them. Gathering her courage, she reached out with her hand, and watched as she picked up them up, placing the jewelry softly in her palm. She looked at them, remembering the Indian with fond memories, before quickly slipping them in her ears.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Wolf greeted whoever it was with a low growl.

Hushing the animal, Alicia opened the door, and smiled warmly at her friend, who was dressed gallantly in a tuxedo.

"How nice," she commented, closing the door behind her.

"You won't be saying that when you find out I can't dance," the man warned her, to her amusement.

"I'm sure you dance just fine, Jake," she assured him, gently, taking his arm when it was offered. The two chatted amiably as Jake helped her into his wagon, and they were off to the dance, as, unbeknownst to Alicia, a tall Indian's heart was breaking.

Robyn sighed heavily as she leaned back against the branch of the tree, staring up at the sky. She thought back to a time, not so long ago, when she and Alicia had done a little stargazing of their own…

Alicia was sure the Indian had to be crazy - just why were they up on her roof again? Oh, yeah… the woman had this insane fear of the night. No, not the dark, just being out alone in the middle of the night.

"Why are your people afraid of being alone at night, Blue Fire?" asked Alicia, as she and the Indian sat surprisingly comfortably on the roof of her house, staring up at the dark night sky, trying to figure out a way to help her friend overcome her fear, which had made itself known when Robyn had refused to finish up the fence on her own if it meant working past the setting of the sun.

Blue Fire sighed. "Alicia, bad things happen when we are alone, and there is even more danger at night," she explained. "That is why the Apache usually do things in groups; hunting, sewing, cooking, and even tribal councils."

The blonde nodded. "So, it's basically because you feel alone, and kind of vulnerable?" The Indian confirmed this with a slight incline of her head. "Blue Fire, did you ever look up at the sky when you were in the Apache camp?"

"Yes," replied the woman, not sure where the sudden question came from.

"And did you see the stars there?"

"Yes."

"Do you see the stars now, above my house?"

Blue Fire frowned. "Yes," she said, tentatively.

Alicia continued. "The stars you see here are the same stars you see anywhere, Robyn - we are all under one sky. Everyone sees the same sky at night. So, in a way, we are never truly alone," she concluded, and the Indian paused for a moment to absorb the rancher's meaning.

"When I look at the stars, somewhere, you are also seeing them?"

The blonde smiled. "That's right," she confirmed.

"Thank you," the Indian said, at last. "I understand."

"The same sky," whispered Blue Fire, before closing her eyes, trying hard to block out the image of Alicia and Jake together as she slept.

When more than a month had passed, with Blue Fire keeping careful watch over Alicia as best she could as often as she could, the tall Indian decided it was time to move on for a while. Even if it was just a visit to her mother's again, she needed to get away - seeing Jake at the ranch almost twice a week was beginning to make her stomach churn. She didn't trust the man, anymore than she did Brian, and finding him constantly around Alicia and her property had her unnerved beyond belief.

She had to leave, before he ended up with a tomahawk in his chest, and each time he would touch Alicia, he came one step closer to death by the woman's hands.

Shaking off the anger, or attempting to, Robyn made her way through the forest once more, planning on staying with her mother until the time of the ghost face and the possible snow had passed.

The woman knew Feather in the Wind would be happy to have her stay, and she'd at least have a warm spot to sleep when the cold nights and often rainy days came through. Praying to her Spirit Guide to watch over Alicia while she was gone, Blue Fire headed off towards Apache land once more, having finished with all of her sewing and crafting needs for a while.

Blue Fire's plan worked, partially. She did indeed have a place to stay during the cold season, and it kept her from killing Jake, but it did nothing to heal the pain in her heart from longing to be with Alicia, which only grew with each passing day.

In fact, not being able to be with the blonde took its toll on the Indian's physical health, as well. It wasn't more than two weeks into her stay with her mother, that she became ill. Feather in the Wind tended to her for many days, nursing a high fever, bad dreams, and a harsh cough.

During Blue Fire's worst days, in which she would scarcely open her eyes, Alicia noticed that Wolf became very agitated. The normally calm and well-behaved animal started scratching at the door, whining as if to be let out, but refusing to go outside when Alicia opened the door for him.

He was torn between the pain he felt from his mistress, and his order to remain with the small blonde.

By the third day, the rancher was sure she knew what was wrong: Blue Fire's connection with her Spirit Guide allowed the animal to know when the woman was hurt. That realization didn't do anything to decrease her worry for the Indian.

"I wish I could be there with her, Wolf," she admitted, as the wolf curled up beside her, having forced himself to stay with Alicia, rather than run through the woods to find his mistress. "I miss her so much."

Eventually, after more than a week of being sick in bed, Blue Fire was healed. She still felt a little weak, but her mother seemed pleased with her recovery.

"My daughter, you cannot remain like this," Feather in the Wind told her one day, after their morning meal.

Blue Fire glanced up at the woman. "Mother?" she asked, confused.

"You miss your Alicia," the older woman stated. "Your body may be healed, but your heart is still sick. Go back into the forest, where you can watch over her again, my child. When you can, you must return to her, and let her heal your soul.

"For what your soul needs, no other can give you."

So, upon her mother's insistence, since Feather in the Wind was afraid her daughter had become too down for any one person to handle, Robyn gave her mother a strong and grateful hug, and started back through the forest, on her way to Escape Ranch.

Halfway there, something inside her heart told her to take a little side-trip. Not quite understanding where the sudden need came from, she was still arguing with herself whether or not to give in, when her feet began moving of their own accord, taking the Indian where she felt she was being pulled.

She walked just a quarter of a mile to the east, judging by the sun's position in the late morning sky, and looked around when she found nothing. Raising a dark eyebrow at her own actions, she was about to turn back, when, out of the corner of her eye, she noticed something lying on the ground.

The Indian frowned a little as she silently approached the form. There was something familiar about the shape…

"Wolf!" she cried, when the animal sprang to his feet, and gingerly licked her hand. "What are you doing out here?" She examined him for injuries, and was shocked to find blood, but not a single wound.

Now she searched more closely, trying to figure out if the wolf had killed an animal, or if there was some other reason his fur was sticky with blood. Wolf took a bit of her pant leg in his teeth, tugging her towards something. Willingly, the Indian followed the large wolf through the dense forest, going deeper into the woods until she wondered if even Wolf knew where he was going, when the urgent journey came to a stop. The tall woman's blue eyes widened at what the animal showed her - it was a body!

The person was lying on their back, arms and legs sprawled out, similar to what Blue Fire knew as "spread eagle". Dried blood covered the arms, thighs, and even the chest and shoulders. Whoever it was had been brutally attacked, the face beaten nearly beyond recognition.

But there was no mistaking the beaded warrior's necklace that was tauntingly reflected in the pale moonlight.

"Oh, Alicia," moaned the woman, sinking to her knees. With a trembling hand, she stroked the blood encrusted blonde hair, tears falling freely as she leaned down, praying to feel the woman's breath on her face.

Nothing.

Next, she placed her fingers against the side of the tortured rancher's neck, choking back a sob when she felt a faint pulse under her skin. The woman was alive, but for how much longer?

Gingerly, as carefully as she could, Blue Fire picked the woman up into her arms, and began walking towards the ranch. Taking it one step at a time, cradling Alicia in her strong embrace, the Indian made her way into the house, a mourning wolf on her heels.

Setting Alicia gently on her bed, Blue Fire went to work. First, she knew she had to wash all the dried blood away, to find out where the injuries were and what she could do about them. With a wet cloth, she removed the old blood from the woman's face, neck, arms, and legs.

The tall woman felt her heart constrict when she realized that while Alicia had lost a lot of blood, the substance was still flowing in a few places, such as her battered face and between her legs. Blue Fire knew what that meant, and her heart sank into the very pit of her stomach. The fact that the woman was already nude only enforced her deduction - the small blonde had been raped.

Her knuckles turned white with rage at the idea. The blood red mark across the necklace, crossing out the center stone and therefore Blue Fire herself, proved that it was the work of the Apache. Blue Fire had no doubt the Indians asked Alicia some questions, either in Apache or English, trying to figure out where the Indian was hiding, and knew the blonde wouldn't tell them. She'd protect her at all costs, even if it meant her own life.

My own people would rape an innocent white woman, knowing the consequences it could cause, because of me… They would rather disgrace her for not only her own people, but me as well. And all because she decided to show me kindness…

Shaking her head, the Indian turned back to the task at hand, trying to clear her mind of the anger, knowing a clouded mind would be no good to her sick love.

After washing away the blood, and stopping the continuing flow, she set to work on cleaning each wound, and sewing those that needed it. One gash on her cheek, a small cut on her temple, a nice-sized laceration on her upper arm, and a few on the woman's lower legs required stitches, much to Blue Fire's dismay.

Once that was done, the Indian bandaged the woman's injuries, that included setting a fractured forearm, and dumped the water in her small bowl again. She'd filled a bowl with water to keep her cloth clean, but was emptying the reddish water for the third time.

What worried the woman the most, was that, through it all, Alicia hadn't made a single sound. Not a word, not a groan, not a single movement at all. Even though Blue Fire didn't want to hurt her, she would have been happier if Alicia had cried out in pain - at least then she'd have known the blonde was okay.

But she only slept. The beaten woman's breathing was shallow at best, but it was there - although the Indian couldn't feel it, she saw the minute rise and fall of the blonde's torn chest.

"Please, Alicia," begged the Indian, sitting by the woman's side, taking the small, frail hand into her own. "I've done all I can for you right now, it's up to you to get better. Please, you must get better."

The Indian couldn't imagine what she'd do if Alicia didn't get well. Leaving the young woman had been the hardest thing she'd ever had to do, even though she knew it was for the blonde's own safety. And watching her from a distance did nothing for the emptiness her heart felt, did nothing about the strong urge she had to just sweep the woman into her arms and never let go.

But all that changed now. Before, there was just a matter of time, until the Apache and the white men stopped looking, and the Indian could return safely to the Ranch. Things would be back to normal.

Now, Blue Fire stood a chance of losing the woman she loved forever, and knew she'd never been so scared in all her life.

The Indian awoke with a jerk, and glanced around the room, trying to find out what was going on through the darkness. "It was a dream," she sighed, smiling a little. Feeling the cloth in her hand, she brought it closer to the small flame of the candle, and felt her breathing hitch.

The rag was covered in blood. That was no dream - a small, loving, dying rancher lay in the bed, just next to the chair Blue Fire was seated on. Everything was real. Her worst nightmare became a reality in a matter of moments.

Checking the blonde's bandages, she held the woman's hand, and spoke soothingly to her until she fell asleep herself, holding the delicate palm securely in her own.

Continued in Part 3.