Alejandro oversaw the opening up of the cave. The men were told that Diego and Victoria had been trapped, and they worked hard to widen the opening. Within a few hours, bracing had been put in place, and the opening was wide enough for them to enter with a stretcher.

Diego was deeply unconscious and very pale, even as they moved him from the floor of the cave to the stretcher. Even as they placed him on the cart, and even as they travelled to the hacienda. Alejandro glanced at Pablo who shrugged, and Alejandro was full of concern.

Alejandro had thought that once Diego had been removed from the cave, his son would start to rouse a little. Out in the fresh air, Alejandro had hoped that he would even revive completely, but it seemed like that was a far off moment. Even the jolting of the journey didn't cause any discomfort, no awareness of pain, and Alejandro worried more.

Victoria never left his son's side. She held his hand, and murmured to him as the cart shuddered and jolted. Alejandro stared at Diego's hands, willing them to grasp the woman's hand back, to return her pressure, but the fingers were limp and relaxed.

"He's in a coma," Alejandro murmured to Pablo, as they rode side by side.

"I'd say so," Pablo said with a nod. "It might be for the best. This road is not smooth, and sleeping through the pain is better than him being in agony."

Alejandro wanted to protest, but he knew his friend was right. He wanted his son home in his own bed as soon as they could get him there. He'd be alright. He had to be alright.

Zzz

Diego was placed on his own bed, as his worried father watched on. Victoria declared she wouldn't leave him until she was sure he'd be alright, until he woke up. Alejandro sighed and didn't argue.

Victoria sat on the chair next to the bed, and watched Diego sleep. She was beginning to worry now. She had thought that the movement of the cart or the clumsiness of the movements of the men shifting him into bed would have woken him up. She had been prepared to soothe his attention away from the pain, but the lack of any pain was disturbing.

"Please Diego," she said, rubbing a finger over his hands gently. "You need to wake up now. You're safe now. Everything will be alright now."

He slept on, unaware of her voice, or her presence.

"Please Diego, squeeze my hand if you can hear me. I need you to hear me," she said firmly. "Squeeze my hand."

His fingers twitched a little, moving against hers, feeble but deliberate. She squeezed back, and his hand twitched again. He was trying, she realised. It was a good sign. She smiled, and went back to stroking his hand gently. Diego's first two fingers clung to the hand that still rested in his, and she was content to accept small blessings.

Zzz

Dr Hernandez visited and examined Diego thoroughly. He left the patient with Victoria and went out to talk to Alejandro.

"The head injury has undoubtably caused at least a concussion, and he is in a light coma. The next couple of days will reveal how much damage has been done. The broken collarbone is a simple fracture, so that should heal without issue."

"How bad could the head injury be?" Alejandro asked softly.

Hernandez sighed. "I have seen men with head injuries be just fine within a few days or even hours. I have seen men die with similar injuries, their deaths drawn out by weeks," he said. "Diego is quite strong despite his reputation, and that can be the main thing."

"There is no way to tell?"

"No. When he does wake, which I expect he will within the next few days, keep him quiet. Don't rush anything, no excitement."

"Victoria?"

The doctor smiled. "Keep Victoria close. He seems to respond to her from what she tells me. She might help keep him calm."

"Yes, quite probably."

"I will return tomorrow. Get Felipe to mix up some of that medicine Diego is so fond of handing out to others. It seems to speed up recovery," Hernandez said, heading towards the door.

"He will be alright? Do you think?" Alejandro asked.

"I believe he will recover, but head injuries can bring unexpected complications. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some issues," the doctor said calmly. "The wound bled heavily and now there is some swelling."

"I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," Alejandro said, tiredly.

"Get some rest, Alejandro," Hernandez said with a small smile. "It will work out in the end, I am sure."

Zzz

Diego woke in the middle of the night, and blinked at the ceiling a few times. Where was he? He thought for a moment. It seemed familiar and safe. His thoughts moved slowly. Bedroom. It was his bedroom. He was home. He was safe.

He turned his head, and saw Victoria dozing on the chair next to the bed. Her hand still lay on top of his hand. He wondered why she was here, in his bedroom. He wondered why he was in bed. What had happened to him? Why couldn't he remember? There seemed big gaps in his memory.

He remembered Victoria, how could he forget her? She looked uncomfortable, and he wondered how she could keep sleeping in that position. He tried to prop himself up on his elbows and soon discovered the pain in his left shoulder.

"Ahh," he breathed, biting on his lip quickly. He lay back down, and examined his left shoulder and along the collarbone with his right hand. Broken collarbone, done up in a sling. He felt along the break, wincing with the pain, wanting to know how bad the break was. Simple fracture. That wasn't too bad.

Victoria stirred, raising her head from where she had leant against the arm of the chair.

"Diego," she murmured. "Are you in pain?"

"A little," he admitted. There was no point arguing with her. "Shoulder."

"It's broken."

"Yes," he said, wondering what else he could say. He couldn't remember why she was there, in his room. She seemed nervous and on edge.

"In the cave," she began slowly. "I...I…"

"I can't remember what happened," he admitted. What happened? What cave? The hideout? She seemed a little surprised and a little disappointed.

"We were trapped in a cave, your father and your vaqueros got us out."

"Why can't I remember?" Diego said quietly. He tried to search the shreds of his memory, but the gaps were too wide.

"Don't worry Diego," she said gently. "It will come back."

He hoped so. So much was merky and blurry, and he knew he had forgotten things that were vitally important.

Zzz

Alejandro visited his son during the next day, but he was sleeping again. Victoria told him about what Diego had said during the night.

"What doesn't he remember?" He said softly. Victoria sighed, and shrugged.

"The cave, at least, but what else I don't know," Victoria said. "Is it bad? Surely he'll remember in time. If it's just the cave, no harm done."

The doctor arrived and they told him their concerns.

"Traumatic amnesia is very common," he said, after a few moments thought. "I wouldn't try to force his memory. Just keep him calm and quiet for a few days and we will see if he improves."

"If he improves?" Alejandro said with concern.

"This sort of amnesia is related to the injury itself, and it isn't surprising since he was unconscious for most of that time. There is not much really to remember," Hernandez said. "In time the memories would almost definitely return. It would be better sooner rather than later."

"What if it is more?"

"He recognised Victoria? That is surely a good sign," Hernandez said gently. "He did recognise you?"

"I think so," Victoria said with concern.

"There, you see," Hernandez said. "Alejandro, he is improving already. The coma is over, he has been awake and talking, recognising a friend. It may take small steps, and we must be patient. No prompting with the memories that he has forgotten, not yet. Let his mind heal and he'll recover them on his own."

Alejandro and Victoria both felt a mix of feelings, hope and some concern, but they were glad the doctor was mostly positive in his new assessment.