Disclaimer: I do not own Once Upon a Time in Mexico.

Chapter26

"Where the hell are you taking her?" Sands demanded as he saw Mathews picking up an unwilling Cecilia as his men took Ajendrez away. His fists curled tightly at the initiative.

"To the hospital." Mathews responded shortly, but Sands grabbed his arm and halted his movements, his expression fierce.

"Leave her alone, will you? You're scaring her." He muttered as he slapped Mathews' hands away and clasped Cecilia in his arms before he set her on the couch again. She was shivering all over.

"She needs medical help! Look at her." Mathews said loudly and Cecilia flinched at his loud voice.

"Hey! This is my fucking home so lower your fucking voice down, pall!" Sands hissed as he pulled a blanket over Cecilia and glared at Mathews.

"She has to go to a hospital. She doesn't look-…"

"I know perfectly well how she looks, alright? So, shut the fuck up and leave. I'll handle this. Just take care of the bitch." Sands said in low voice as he approached Mathews.

"You'll handle this? She hasn't even said a single word." Mathews eyed Sands and then Cecilia with disbelief.

"And she won't if you keep cornering her. Just go. We'll be fine." Sands said as he turned away.

"Sure? Call if-…"

"Goodbye, Bruce." Sands muttered with narrowed eyes as he sat next to Cecilia and slid his fingers into her hair. Mathews sighed and exited the house, closing the door behind him.

Sands kneeled next to the couch and pushed Cecilia's hair away so he could look at her face.

"Doll? You want something to eat or drink or…?" He trailed off and the woman just shook her head, clutching the blanket tightly in her fist.

"No…How about a warm bath and clean clothes? Hmm?" He offered and she looked at him for the first time since she'd been there. She nodded and released the blanket from her grip as he helped her up from the couch.

"Wait, wait, doll." He stopped her as he leaned down to help her remove her dirty shoes. His eyes fell on her legs and he gritted his teeth as the cuts he saw.

Fuckers…

He cleared his throat and straightened.

"Come on." He said quietly as he led her to the bathroom. He opened the door and turned to her.

"Can you remove those, sugar? I need to fix the water." He said as he rolled up his sleeves and leaned over the bathtub to prepare the bath. When he turned again he found her still dressed, fumbling with the back of her skirt. His brow furrowed and he cursed inwardly before he reached for her.

"Let me help…" He mumbled as he reached for the zipper of her skirt only to have her tense and flinch.

"Cecilia, I only want to help you here. Stop it." He said firmly and she swallowed visibly before she stayed still. He removed her clothes and threw them to a laundry basket with a grimace before he motioned towards the bathtub.

His fingers reached for the back of her bra and it was then that he saw that it as torn in some places.

"Fuck." He hissed as he saw the serious bruises and red marks on her back. He used his finger to trace one particular mark and she moved away from his touch, whimpering like a hurt animal. He sighed and let go of the bra before he coughed uncomfortably.

"I'll bring you some towels. Get in." he said as he walked out of the room.

"Shit…I'm gonna kill her!" he hissed as he slammed the closet shut after he took a couple of towels with him. He returned to the bathroom and was relieved when he found her into the water.

"Better, isn't it?" he asked as he closed the door, watching as she followed the movement with her eyes. He ignored the fear in her eyes and walked over to her to help her wash.

"Ceci…will you tell me who did this to you?" he asked as he lathered a sponge and started washing her back and arms.

"I don't know." She whispered as she played with the water in front of her. Sands looked up at the sound of her voice, not really expecting her to speak.

"You don't know?" he asked as he paused and moved her wet hair back from her shoulder.

"I couldn't see them. It was too dark…" she murmured as she hugged her knees and laid her chin on them. Sands regarded her intently for a while before he resumed the washing. He did notice the marks on her legs and thighs, but chose not to comment on them. He washed and rinsed her hair before he pulled the tap from the tub to empty the water. He stood up and grabbed a towel.

"Come on." He said with a nod of his head. Cecilia looked between him and the towel with uncertainty and he smirked.

"Doll, it's just me."

She swallowed thickly and slowly stood up, letting him wrap the towel around her and pull her out of the tub. He rubbed her skin through the towel and pulled her in his arms.

"Cold?" he asked and she nodded. His eyes traced her face before he cupped her cheek in his hand. Her body fitted in his arms perfectly and it would be a lie if he denied that he had missed her. With that thought, he leaned down and brushed her lips against hers. Cecilia gasped and turned her head away as she once again started trembling.

"Okay, okay. I won't do that if you don't want to, cariño. See?" he said quickly as he moved his head back and smiled nervously at her.

"Let's get you to bed and then I'll give you something to eat and drink." He said, trying to cover his hurt and confusion. Why was she so afraid of him? He hadn't hurt her… So, why…?

When he had set her on his bed, he began rummaging through his kitchen cabinets for food. He opened the fridge and found eggs. He shrugged and took a couple.

Minutes later he had the eggs made and he poured juice and water into two glasses.

"I can't believe what I'm doing…" he muttered amused with himself as he picked up the tray of food and walked towards his bedroom. He opened the door with his foot and entered the room.

"Well, doll, I have-…" he was cut off when he saw her asleep under his covers. He paused and looked down at the food.

Wimp…

He rolled his eyes and placed it on the nightstand before he slid under the covers next to her. His arms wrapped around her and he watched her as she slept peacefully probably for the first time in weeks.

End of chapter 26

Author's note: Thank you for reading, darlings! Please review and tell me your thoughts! I'd love to hear from you. :)

Edited: 8/2013