A/N After much advertisement, and MSN conversations, Lady of the Night is ready. We hope you all enjoy our Tagteam fanfic, I'm gonna be sacrificing a lot of my lunchtimes outside for this story, so you'd better review. Ain't that right, Meg?

You bet. I'm experienced in kickboxing, and I'll hunt you all down and kick your -

Megan... Just make sure you review!

Chapter One

The sun beat down hard,its harsh hot rays blistering my already sore hands and skin. I coughed a dry cloud of dust, and stopped working momentarily. I spied a glance at my father, who was working with apparent ease. I threw down my tools in disgust.

"Padre," I breathed, my throat sore and rusty.

"Hector," my father interrupted my discomfort sternly. "If you think you can negotiate with me, you are wrong."

"Of course," I replied, picking up my tools again. "Maria is a pretty girl, after all."

"You bet. And rich too," said my father with greedy enthusiasm. "You will make a fair rancher, Hector, you wait."

"Of course," I said again.

"Don't you want to buy your sisters pretty clothes and jewels? You will have no money to do so, if this union does not follow through."

"Marta will be married before I," I protested. "She will have the clergyman's son to but her such delights."

"But Josefina longs for silk," continued my father, digging viciously at the earth. "And Mercedes, too."

"Mercedes is but eleven," I snapped, with perhaps more panache than was necessary. "She should not fantasize so."

"Of course, it is your mother's influence. But such a woman as your madre should deserve a treat?"

"Padre, I have already agreed to marry Maria," I said, impatiently, collecting crops that lay on the ground at my feet. "Do not keep on, or else I may find the need to break off the engagement."

"Do not be so ridiculous, Hector," he scolded sharply. "I know you would not bring such embarrassment upon our family. Besides, you haven't got the heart to upset Maria so. She is so beautiful."

"You forget I am not Maria's only suitor," I said carefully. "A woman as beautiful as Maria would of course have a selection of eligible fiances."

My father grinned. "You are the only one my brother will allow," he said. "As if Jorge would let any old vaquero marry his only daughter!"

I smiled weakly, but could move the heavy weight inside of me. I was of course proud to have the honour of marrying Maria. I was doing my duty to my family, and proving myself to my father. My cousin was the fairest woman for miles around, and I was sure to be the envy of all the men in Carmel.

But I dream of love. Undying love, that brews from the first moment of accquaintance, full of affection and passion. A bond so strong, it could never be broken by anything or anyone. Love commonly read about in my sisters Conchita and Abegail's fairytale stories. I had never mentioned this to my father. I knew he would just dismiss my behaviour as foolishness. I was nearly 17 now. I had to be a man.

But I have this dream most nights.

There's a girl - not too tall, nor small - and she is walking towards me. A wave of brown curls sway behind her and then reach halfway down her back. She makes no noise, but puts a finger to her pink lips and closes her emerald eyes. She reaches fowards to kiss me, and I close my eyes.

And then she's gone.

But would you like to know the silly thing?

I think I'm in love with her.

I wiped a sheen of sweat from my brow with the front of my callused hand. I guessed by the position of the sun that it would be a little under an hour before my madre called us in for lunch.

"Stop that daydreaming, Hector," snapped my father suddenly. "Plant your feet back on the earth."

"But-"

"No. No more talking now, Hector. We have until the end of the month to finish harvesting, and we have another field after this one, you know that. Get to work now, or there'll be a beating."

Well, I thought furiously. I would like to see him try.

-

"May I present to you, Miss Maria De Silva."

I looked into the almond-shaped eyes identical to my own, and bowed.

"How do you do, Miss Maria?" I asked conservatively. "Its been almost half a year since I saw you last."

Maria laughed prettily. "Oh, Hector," she said falsely. "We are engaged now. Sure we can now refer to one another casually?"

"Of course," I replied lightly. "...Maria."

"I propose a long enagagement!" cried my uncle Jorge merrily, and he strode up to us with a glass of strong brandy in hand. He patted my shoulder roughly and kissed Maria's cheek with a smacking noise. He was quite obviously a little drunk. But I didn't mind, particularly. I just wanted to sneak a little brandy myself, to make the evening go a little smoother.

My uncle was hosting a celebration in honour of our recently announced engagement. It was pleasing to see my aunt and mother so delighted, though I did not fancy the protective expressions on her brothers' faces. I placed an arm around Maria and steered us towards the refreshment table, away from the threatening glances.

"Lemonade?" I asked, gesturing towards the clear sweet liquid.

"Please," she replied, with another pretend smile. I had decided it would take a lot of work for her to show any real emotion. But I poured her a glass anyway.

She sipped daintily whilst I examined the guests. Mr and Mrs O'Neil, who had recently moved to the area - they were hoping to open a boarding house - were talking to my own mother, the farm boy who had an apprenticeship at the farm down the road was talking to a blushing Josefina. I smiled, then turned back to engage in conversation with my own fiancee.

"So, Maria-"

My youngest sister appeared at my waist and tugged at my trouser leg.

"Jesse," she said sweetly. "There's a man over there who wants to talk to you."

I raised an eyebrow at Abegail, but bowed to Maria.

"Excuse me," I said, and led Abegail to the guardianship of a bored Mercedes, before walking to the spot she had pointed to.

A man no more than two years older than myself was leant against the wall nonchalantly, grooming his immature moustache vainly.

"Hector," he said smoothly. "Congratulations."

"Oh, come on Felix," I said, the coolness in my voice matching his own. "I doubt that is how you really feel."

"Now, Hector," he said. "Hasn't your madre ever taught you how to play nicely with the other children?"

"Out with it," I snapped. "Before you ruin my evening."

"I'll be quick then," he replied. He held the door open for me. "I think it best if we do this outside. After you, De Silva."

The cool air licked my face, but I barely had time to appreciate it,
before Diego had me pinned against the wall and a knife held to my throat.

"Break it off," he hissed dangerously, gesturing threateningly with the blade. "Break it off with Maria, and I won't thrust this through your ribcage."

With startling strength, I pushed him off and glared daggers at him. "Don't ever touch me again, and I won't have you sent to the sheriff and horsewhipped."

"Hardly a matching threat," he sneered, but put his knife away. "Just be sure to break. It. Off."

I scowled at him, as he slunk back into the house. I rubbed my shoulders free of his slime before following him. If he thought a threat like that could stop me going through with my father's wishes, he was wrong.

But it was so tempting. To give into his threat. I didn't trust Maria an inch, and I had no doubt that Felix would attempt to harm me if I continued our engagement.

As I walked back into the crowded living room a little while later, I saw the faces that met me. I saw the face of the girl lingering inside my mind. I took a deep breath, and made my decision.