Spencer groaned as her ass hit the saddle again, a three day ride even with a few hours of sleep in between, was not so great on one's back side. Soon she'd be at the mansion and getting a nice nap and some warm food and possibly a cuddle with Ashley, she knew it was a wild dream in her mind but it didn't stop the spread of a smile on her dirty face.

"Hault!" a soldier cried out jumping in front of her horse, gun raised ready to fire along with his three companions.

She pulled on the reigns abruptly stopping her horse, the cap on her head falling forward slightly hiding her eyes.

"What's your business here?" one of the three barked his voice saying he'd kill her for any movement he didn't like, she couldn't blame him she was wearing the enemies uniform.

Tipping her hat back, thanking God it didn't fall off or show her long hair, she was seriously thinking of cutting it off so there wasn't a chance it could reveal her true identity, blue eyes regarded the soldiers, "Guess I just missed you guys!"

They lowered their weapons, "Spencer!"

She was pulled off her horse and patted on the back. Two of the soldiers cheered and ushered her into camp while the third escorted the horse over to the rest to get some much needed down time and food.

* * * *

Ashley sat patiently on the front of the porch, where she sat every day for hours since learning that Spencer would be riding in any day now. Yelling and hollering echoed through the camp seconds later bringing her brown eyes down from the sky, cloud watching wasn't as fun as it was with Spencer.

Spencer.

She missed her far more than she'd let on to even herself. Laying in bed trying to rid herself of the male version of Spencer, it wasn't hard but not easy as well. The girl had such strong feminine features but the way she held her self at times, if not blushing and stuttering, that she could easily pass as a man, boy, she shook her head letting her glazed over eyes settle on all the commotion.

A group of soldiers crowded around yet managed to keep walking toward the mansion, all seemingly in good spirit.

"I'm surprised you haven't lept off this porch," Victoria smirked coming to stand next to Ashley who blinked a few times at her friend.

"Why?"

"Considering Spencer is..."

Ashley didn't wait for another syllable to be uttered, her feet rushed forward before her mind even realized what Victoria had said but her mind did catch up with her legs and dust flew from beneath her shoes. Her dress, simple yet elegant, fluttered against her skin as the wind traveled up the opening.

The men saw her coming and slowly but just quick enough created a hole, the moment her eyes locked with heavenly blue she flung her self forward offically knocking Spencer over on to the ground covering her already dirty uniform with dust.

"Nice to see you too," Spencer smiled shyly up not sure if this was a good thing or bad thing, was this a I'm happy to see you knock out or a I want to kill you for everything you've hid from me knock out.

Ashley just widened her grin at hearing the girl's voice. Quickly she was on her feet dragging Spencer up as well yanking her toward the forest, toward their spot. The other guys hollering and cat calling about the blonde getting some action.

She felt Spencer tug her hand free causing her to turn around to notice that Glen, Clay and David standing to the side. Spencer took two steps forward in an attempt to say on hi to her brothers who she missed very much but David motioned her to stop and go with Ashley, he knew the importance of them needing to talk. Getting the okay from Glen and Clay as well Spencer linked her fingers with Ashley's and the two began walking off.

* * * *

"I should flog that boy," James hissed shaking his head in anger, he'd saw Spencer Carlin walking into camp. The kid should have come to the front and presented him with in any news, information or papers he'd aquired but instead he rushed off into the forest with a girl and not any girl but his daughter.

Christine sighed as she flipped the page in her book, just because she didn't actually go to any book club didn't mean she didn't love a good story, "James please you know they had a falling out. Give them some time to talk than go waging a war on your own men. I'm sure the boy is tired."

"We're in a war darling," he stressed the word sitting down in his favorite arm chair looking her over as she continued to look down and read, "A conversation whether for forgiving or not is not relevant. What if while he's down there doing God knows what....my little girl!" he whispered violently.

Jumping up pulling out his sword, positioned on his side day and night since the beginning of the war. Christine tossed her book on the table rushing to get in front of her husband, laying her small hands on his chest, "Please James just let it be."

"He has my daughter...I don't even want to think..." he shook his head in utter disgust while trying to push forward but being careful not to hurt his wife who he loved so very much.