Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Author's Note: Another story I haven't updated in a while that I wanted to. For those still reading sorry for the forever wait.

It was a week since they last saw Duncan. He either was either taking Alejandro's request to leave him alone seriously or was just biding his time for another opportunity. Heather staked on the latter since Duncan didn't seem like the person to give up so easily and he hated her. Not to mention, he was almost certainly crazy. Alejandro didn't seem to miss him too much at least, not after the day he attacked her, so that was good. Heather went over to his place every day and was becoming a familiar sight there. Susannah and Jose liked Heather and she didn't see much of Jose. He was always busy doing something and the few times he was there, he seemed to see right through her. She had no idea if he liked her or not since he never really said much. However it was clear that Mrs. Burromuerto didn't like her. She didn't try to drive Heather out but she always sent nasty glares at her whenever her son wasn't looking or saying mean comments she knew were directed at her. She also glared at her when she learned that Alejandro and Duncan had a fight over her, although the fact that Duncan had tried to kill her hadn't come up. Alejandro seemed to be in denial about that and she learned very quickly not to bring the Duncan subject up because he became angry. He still wanted to believe Duncan wasn't serious and it was all just a misunderstanding. Heather had to wonder if it would have made a difference if Alejandro's mom knew that Duncan had tried to kill her or if she'd actually try to finish where he left off. She had hinted quite a few times for Duncan to come over and forgive whatever their argument had been about, they were such good friends, yada yada. She could have at least done it when Heather wasn't in the room although maybe that was the point. To tell her 'I don't like you and I never will.' At least it wasn't up for her to decide and as much as Alejandro seemed to worship his mom, he ignored the request to stop bringing Heather over. Honestly, it had shocked even Heather when he threw a tantrum over that and overturned a desk table, smashed some lights, and locked himself in his room. Uh…how old was he again? It did however shock his mom and after a few hours of begging and promising that Heather could stay, he finally unlocked his door and all was good again. He was happy and smiling again, a big grin on his face. It was a good thing Heather liked kids.

Duncan watched with narrowed eyes through his binoculars as he watched Alejandro spin Heather around. They were dancing to some dancing game. Alejandro was really good at it although Heather could use some work. She almost slipped and Duncan's jaw clenched even tighter when he caught her and held her for far longer than was necessary. When she was put upright, they were both laughing and she flipped her hair which Alejandro seemed to follow. She had been there the day before and the day before that. He had given him time to cool off, five days to be precise, and those five days had been hell not seeing Alejandro. It was weird not seeing him every day and he hadn't liked it but he managed to push himself to give Alejandro space like he wanted. He broke on the fifth day and was certain Alejandro must have as well. Alejandro never could hold a grudge or remain mad for long. They did have their fights but it was all forgiven within a few hours or a day so five days was an eternity. Actually, he had been proud to restrain himself for five days. He wanted to go to him from day one and day three he had been twitching and bored out of his mind from loneliness. But as soon as he came back, he saw Alejandro with that wretched girl and he had to stay away. And then she came the next day and was here yet again. The temptation to wrap his hands around her neck was strong and growing stronger every time he had to see her stupid face. She was trying to steal Alejandro from him and he didn't realize what danger he was in. But he would save him. Duncan would always save him. No way was the witch getting her paws for long on his Alejandro.

He was putting the binoculars away when he heard footsteps and Duncan turned around. Behind him was Jose who had a curious expression.

"What are you doing here?" he asked and Duncan shrugged.

"I want to see Alejandro, I've missed him."

"He isn't very happy with you," Jose said with a blank expression. Duncan smirked relieved. He knew Jose wasn't mad. If he had been, Jose would have tried to kick Duncan out already. And despite the neutral expressions Jose always seemed to exhibit, he knew Jose still liked him. When he had first come to the Burromuerto's, Jose had always freaked him out because unless he was with Susannah or eating, he always spoke monotone. Eventually however, Duncan managed to pick up differences in his face and pitch and it was clear there were differences between when he liked or disliked something. The differences were much more subtle than for the average person but it actually was possible to tell, especially when he disliked something. And then there was Susannah with whom Jose was more expressive with. He really liked her. Duncan had liked her too because Jose liked her until he realized she didn't really like him for some reason. She never said as much but he could tell. He had a long experience of being able to tell when a person liked or disliked him. Not to mention she was definitely favoring Heather nowadays. She was the only one who hadn't liked him but she wasn't a real Burromuerto, not yet. Duncan wanted to tell Jose not to marry her but he loved her and as much as it was sickening, Susannah loved him as well. He wasn't going to ruin that. Not like how Heather was stealing Alejandro away from him.

"I know," Duncan said as he got up. "I just miss him." Jose hefted the big bag on his shoulder and Duncan looked at him. "Feeding the horses?" he asked.

"Yep," Jose said as he started off.

"Can I help?" Duncan asked, calling after him. Jose shrugged and Duncan followed after him. When they got to the stable, they replaced the hay with fresh straw and rubbed the horses down while Duncan fed them little cubes of sugar. He always did like doing that. The horses shied away from him at first for some reason today but eventually he calmed them down enough that they approached without trying to bite or kick him.

"Wonder what's gotten into them?" Jose said, frowning the slightest bit. "They usually like you." Duncan shrugged although he wondered himself.

"I don't know," he said. "Hey, do you think I could talk to Alejandro?" Jose shut down a little and shook his head. Duncan wasn't surprised by the reaction although he was a bit disappointed. "How much longer do you think then?" Jose shook his head again. "I see…Alejandro is still mad?" Jose shrugged helplessly and Duncan started pacing. "I see. Is Carlos around?" Jose nodded and Duncan smiled a little. "Bring him here please, we have some things to discuss."

Alejandro smiled at her, his heart racing like he had just gone on a long horse ride or just spent hours working out even though he hadn't. It was a good feeling. In fact, it was even better than that. Whenever he looked at her, his heart raced and he wanted her to stay. She was very pretty in his opinion and she had nice eyes. Plus her hair was fun to touch. It wasn't often he got to touch it but he just wanted to brush it like his mom did. Brushing felt nice and he wanted Heather to feel good also. The only thing he didn't like was Duncan wasn't there. He missed him, even if he had been a big meanie to Heather. Why couldn't they get along? But Duncan tried to make Heather go away and he was forced to give him a timeout. Naughty boys need to be given timeouts and Duncan had been very bad indeed. Until they learned to get along, he couldn't have Duncan here while she was. Plus, she didn't like him very much and vice versa. It was very complicated. He wondered what mommy and daddy would do in such a situation. Or would they do what he was doing? He couldn't say for sure. On the other hand, he got the feeling mommy didn't like Heather. Or he was just being paranoid. Mommy wouldn't not like Heather, Heather was nice. Mommy always said to be nice to nice people.

"Let's do something else, I'm getting tired of dancing," she said smiling at him and Alejandro grinned.

"Okay, let's go hide and seek. You're it," he said laughing as he tagged her and ran off. She was stunned with surprise for a moment before she rolled her eyes.

"Not what I meant!" she called and he turned around and grinned.

"Well, you got to come find me! Close your eyes and start counting!"

"Then can we do something else?" she asked. He nodded.

"Sure, you get to choose next game. But first you got to find me. Start counting and no peeking!" Muttering under her breath, she covered her eyes and started counting and Alejandro ran off to hide.

"97, 98, 99, 100…ready or not here I come!" Heather called as she uncovered her eyes. As she started walking, she shook her head. She couldn't believe she was doing this. She hadn't played this game in years. Not since she was very little and Duncan started to torment her. Speaking of which, she couldn't believe he was still around. What had he been doing with Alejandro? She wasn't surprised why Duncan was interested in Alejandro, even before she knew who he was it had been obvious that he wanted him. What she wondered was how he became almost a part of the family and how he came into the picture. And for personal reasons, she wondered what the heck Alejandro saw in that douche turned insane crazy jealous wacko. Because really, friends? What the hell? That was just messed up. Her curse of bad luck strikes again. She should really consult a witch, see if there was any way to remove it because it keeps popping up and ruining everything. That is if she had a curse and not just a lot of bad luck. Still, there is no way someone should have such a roll of bad luck. It had to be a curse. But for now her curse was named Duncan. Who apparently believed she was a witch or something. Go figure.

"Duncan, hi!" Carlos said. "What are you doing here?" Duncan looked up from where he was patting a horse.

"Just visiting. How is he?" They both knew which he Duncan was referring to and Carlos fidgeted.

"Well, it's uh…well he misses you." Duncan smiled as he relaxed.

"Good. Then I will come see him-"

"He just doesn't want you to come back. Not until you make up with Heather." Duncan's smile froze for a moment.

"What?" he asks between his teeth.

"He wants you and her to make nice and-"

"I see. You mean I have to see her?"

"I think so, he is always around her now…" Carlos started and was surprised when Duncan's eyes flashed and found himself pinned to the wall. Duncan had one arm wrapped around his throat and was starting to squeeze. Wheezing, Carlos struggled.

"Wha-what are you doing." Duncan looked at him for a second and there was a change in him. Letting go, he stepped back and Carlos slumped to the ground, massaging his swollen neck.

"What was that for?" he asked and Duncan looked shocked.

"I…I don't know. I'm sorry. Please forgive me." Carlos looked up to see Duncan there swaying, looking ill himself and rather contrite. "I don't know what came over me," he was saying before Carlos interrupted.

"It's fine, just…just don't do it again." Duncan nodded relieved.

"Thank you, I am sorry for that. So Alejandro doesn't want to see me?" Duncan sounded heartbroken and Carlos felt bad for him. Although Duncan didn't look like it, not even in the slightest in fact and the type who would probably hurt someone for even suggesting it, behind that huge muscled exterior was a lost and broken soul who only wanted someone to care. Carlos knew where Duncan came from and that he had been troubled and endured a stint in prison before his mom and uncle plucked him out, but all he felt was sorry for him. Not to mention he was good for his brother. He loved Alejandro but he couldn't always deal with him. Duncan was always happy to spend time with him and it was a surprise when of all people that Duncan chose Alejandro and became such a good companion to him. When he had been brought over for his good community service as part of his work-release program, he had been rather quiet. He hadn't said a word for three days until Alejandro finally convinced their mom to let him go and say hi. Shocked them when he said it might be good for his therapy. Since there was no reason to keep him away, Alejandro started talking to him and although Duncan gave him the cold shoulder at first just the same as all of them, by the end of the day he was laughing. After that Alejandro spent all his time with Duncan, very good friends, and his only one. And it was the same with Duncan so it was not really a surprise they had grown close. Perhaps too close thinking about it but they had all just been happy that Alejandro wasn't alone anymore.

"Do you like her?" Duncan's voice interrupted his musings and Carlos looked up again.

"Huh?" he asked, confused to who Duncan was referring to. "Do I like who?"

"Heather. I know you like her," Duncan said as sat down on the ground as well.

"I don't know what you mean." Carlos said hastily and Duncan gave a small smile.

"I know you want her and it kills you to see her with him, just like it kills me to see him with her. Not to mention it's her fault that I can't see him anymore. If she just minded her own business I wouldn't have had to have that fight. They are always together now aren't they?"

"Yes," Carlos said. "Please don't tell my brother. I don't want to hurt him."

"I don't want that either, I just want to be with him again. But I know a way to solve both our problems."

"But why? You obviously don't like her so why would you care?"

"I don't. But Alejandro does so maybe there is a way for both of us to get what we want. If you could get Heather to like you instead of your brother, it would be great. You'd get who you want, Alejandro would keep Heather as a friend like he wants, and he'd be free to be with who he truly belongs."

"That's a bit presumptuous don't you think? 'With who he truly belongs?' I like you like you are a brother but that's a bit pushing it. I mean, its Alejandro's choice on who he wants to be with and although I do think you guys are awesome together, I don't like you talking like you own him."

"Of course. I apologize. With who he chooses to be with which I certainly hope is me. That is what I hope for."

"You guys are good together and I don't like you fighting…" Carlos said.

"Me neither. I absolutely hate it and over such a little thing. It really would be for the best. I don't like Heather, I admit that. How could I when she's trying to win over Alejandro? But she very well could be a nice girl and one that would look good hanging off your arm. I could even learn to tolerate her if she was with you. You'd be a good influence on her, just like your family was for me. Plus you'd free her from a terrible in the long run relationship. She might like your brother now but for how long? How long could she enjoy playing games like Go Fish, Battle Ship, Hide-And-Seek, etc? She doesn't seem like the person who wants to be both mother and lover of a pure spirit like Alejandro. She also could not be a part of things in the other side of his life. Playing video games, horses, working out….he could crush her by accident. She's so tiny and he's so big, can you imagine what would happen if they…"

"Ew, don't continue, I get the picture," Carlos said bitterly. "The size difference is a bit of an issue. He could accidentally hurt her."

"Exactly!" Duncan said excitedly. "You must help her see the problem!"

"What if she doesn't want to be with me?" Carlos asked. "She seems to really like my brother…"

"Why wouldn't she? You're smart, intelligent, rather good looking, good at soccer, more fitting for her needs, not to mention wouldn't crush her by accident. You'd be able to take care of her and treat her right and she wouldn't have to play silly childish games all the time. Besides, to Alejandro, she's just another playmate. To you she'd be a lover."

"Yeah, I guess so. She'll like me, she'll have to. Once I show her how charming I am…and it's not like I'm stealing my brother's girlfriend. She'd still be around to play and he'll be happy and I'd save her. I could even get mom to like her once she's no longer a threat to her darling. You'd be able to come around again and everything will be all good." Carlos stood up excited. "Yeah I'm doing this. Heather will fall for me soon enough, just wait and see." Duncan stood up as well, dusting off his jeans.

"Oh I can't wait. I can't wait at all." He watched as Carlos strode determinedly out of the barn to find Heather before smiling. He could rely on Carlos to fix things. But if it doesn't work out, he did have another plan. This was just a nicer one that would at least benefit Heather. He hoped she'd take the opportunity though. If she doesn't, he'll have to revert back to taking her out of the picture, one way or the other. But in the end, it was going to be him and Alejandro just as it should be.