A/N: Ummm.....some angst in this chapter. Don't worry it's temporary; I
have to do this because their relationship is not black & white. It's murky
gray and tough on both sides, but this is the kind of stuff true romance is
made of! (IMHO.) Anyways, I also have to establish Grisham's sense of
morals somewhat because the show made him such a meanie sometimes. The
ultimate thing a person can make? Sacrifice. (Read on and find out.)
"Healing"
Two months had gone by without more trouble from any bandidos or evil mass murderers. A somewhat uneasy peace had settled upon the town. There was a future that everyone had to look forward to and dwelling in the past was too painful to bear.
Even Mother Nature knew the town needed a miracle, because it rained periodically for three straight weeks. The dusty fields were drenched in cold water from the sky above. The sticky mud that the heavenly liquid replenished replaced the usual clouds of dust. Everything was awash in a clear glow as the sun reappeared to shine majestically in its domain again.
Farmers were happy that their crops were growing again. Vegetables and fruits were plump and heavy in their own juices. Tessa's own fields were filled with her favorite produce that Marta had carefully attended to as well as Tessa's own farm hands.
Even Santa Helena was getting a makeover, thanks to the laborious work done by the people. Several buildings were reconstructed after some fires nearly destroyed them. The chapel was definitely one of the targets the bandidos had been aiming for. It was full of religious objects that could sell for plenty on the black market. Several stores had been ruined, but the town had assembled together in several meetings and determined how things should be planned out accordingly.
The surprising leader to emerged amidst the farmers was Jose. Tessa had always known he contained a quality of leadership within him. It had to be the right time and situation for him to come out of his shell and take charge. Juanita was his ever-present little assistant. Since that fateful day, she had become more quiet and introverted, but everything that went on around her never escaped her sparkling large eyes.
Tessa visited the pueblo often and always brought with her a sense of magical tranquility that she carried around town. Although she wished she wasn't in this invisible limelight so much, the townspeople couldn't get enough of her.
Marta would look up sometimes from her work to see Tessa playing with the neighborhood children to distract them from bothering the grownups. Tessa hadn't been truly happy for a long time. It was one of those rare moments that Marta wished she could capture in her heart forever. Marta was content as long as her charge was happy and she would do anything to keep Tessa that way. Nonetheless, she couldn't keep many things away from Tessa.
Tessa's destiny, for one thing. Tessa would at times come home exhausted, injured, or troubled and sometimes even all of the above. Her charge had to carry a huge responsibility at such a tender age when every respectable lady only cared about going to parties, appearances, and finding a husband to settle down. Somehow, Tessa had bypassed all that to become the Queen of Swords.
Tessa never complained. Oh no, that was never her manner of looking at her life. It was her destiny to become the Queen of Swords. There was doubt in the beginning, but she did what had to be done.
She would never complain. Marta had lost count of how times she heard Tessa crying in her sleep, dreaming of her "Papa" or nightmares of her enemies. But Tessa would wake up the next day, cool and composed, without a trace of the night's activity. Sometimes Marta would wonder exactly what was going on inside Tessa's head.
In this way, she was unique and shouldn't be treated like all the others. Then again, a moment of normalcy was what Marta could ask the powers that be to let Tessa be herself. This was one of those moments that Marta hoped would last without end.
"Come on, Marta! The children are asking for you to tell them a story," Tessa whispered conspiratorially to her mentor, "I need to check on Grisham, anyway, and I don't want the children to be left out."
"Tessa, are you sure it's smart to visit Grisham every time you're in town? You know his wounds have already healed and I don't think there's anymore reasons you can come up with to see him." Marta's reply was filled with concern, and a bit of teasing that there was more to the recent meetings between Tessa and the Captain than the young woman had let on.
"Marta! I only want to see him if he's healing properly, not to disturb him. He's the Captain of the Guard, Montoya's lap dog, for God's sake!" Anyone within hearing distance could hear the lack of conviction in Tessa's voice, let alone her mentor.
Marta raised an eyebrow.
"Well, it's the truth!" Tessa's insistent pleas were starting to chip away at Marta's attitude. "Besides, it's not like I am falling for him if that's what you think."
At that, Tessa hurried away without letting Marta fully complete her thoughts.
"Oh child, I think it's already too late for that." Marta muttered as she resumed her sewing.
~/~
Glancing around his room, Tessa could tell he had been in it a short while ago. But no one was in it right now. As she turned to leave, Tessa caught sight of an open book on his desk. It was the size of a novel.
Anyone who didn't look at it closely would miss the fine drawings inside and the numerous scribblings in a mannish handwriting.
Taking a cautious look around her again, Tessa picked up the small hardback. What it revealed made her heart skip several beats.
The drawings were of her face in many expressions, in different angles and profiles. All of it was exquisitely done in charcoal and pencil.
The scribbling were poems and journal entries. Most of them were about her and, surprisingly, about the Queen of Swords.
Tessa squinted at the messy words to decipher a few lines, but the sound of the wooden door creaking announced the arrival of its owner. Tessa snapped the book shut and, without thinking, concealed it in the hidden pocket of her skirt. Adjusting his eyes from the sunlight outside, Grisham was startled to see Senorita Alvarado standing behind his desk looking back at him with wide innocent eyes.
Immediately he knew something was missing. Looking down on his desk, he realized the book was nowhere to be seen on the sparse desk.
Narrowing his darkening eyes, Grisham asked Tessa where the book was.
"I................I don't know what you're referring to, Captain."
Tessa's syrupy voice couldn't convince him otherwise of what he already knew. In a flash, he grasped her shoulder while the other hand reached to grabbed a handful of her skirt to find the hidden book. Too intent on finding his treasure, Grisham didn't respond to Tessa's cries of protest.
"How do you explain this?!" Grisham raised the purloined book from the folds of her dress. His whole expression was blown up to a large inferno that Tessa was too shocked to concentrate on her own thoughts nor did she see the glint of fear in Grisham's eyes.
"I didn't know what it was inside and I'm sorry. I should've just let it go. But you came in here without warning, I wasn't thinking, and I...........and I............sorry." Tessa's rambling apology ebbed into a low whisper.
Somewhat softened by Tessa's frightened apology, Grisham let out a big sigh. Staring into her hopeful eyes, he realized she must know what he felt for her. Trying to reverse the damage, Grisham unwittingly started to criticize his own work. Tessa was amazed at his jumpy demeanor, it was quite amusing to see Grisham insecurity rise to the surface, unlike the usual cocky self he always portrayed.
"They're just doodles and scribbles anyways. I mean, they don't mean anything. Any woman could have dark black hair, with lovely chocolate eyes......................." The blushing captain trailed off when Tessa's hand grabbed his wrist to stop his wild gesticulating as he went off track.
"I think they're beautiful." Tessa's voice grazed his neck as she leaned in to murmur her sentiment. And as soon as she said it, she left the room.
Torn between feelings of desire and dread, Grisham abruptly slumped down in his chair.
Rubbing his face wearily with his hands, Grisham knew he had to do something about his not-so-new feelings for Senorita Alvarado.
He had to push her away at all costs. He couldn't and wouldn't allow his heart to dictate his actions anymore. They usually led him to making the wrong decisions with the wrong women. Look at him now, with the wife of a Don! He was tired of being hurt and used. He even admitted that he used women to his advantage as well. But things had changed. They changed the moment he met her. He had decided before to avoid Tessa, but could never really carry out his plan.
It was so easy to indulge in his private fantasies in a book. Then Tessa had to find out about his journal. Now it was more important than ever that he avoid her.
Opening his eyes to look into his upturned palms, Grisham lamented.
A murderer................a monster in love with a Dona. Even if Tessa could ever return the same feelings, deep down Grisham realized that he wasn't worthy of her attention. A sweet and innocent woman like her would never understand, never embrace the type of person he was, what he had become in the manipulative hands of Montoya.
The past few days had taught him something about Tessa that he had never known. She had heart. She possessed all the superior qualities that even a man of religion would be jealous of. Grisham was undeserving of Tessa's radiating goodness. He felt blinded by her light. Around her, Grisham acutely felt all the hideous things he had done in the past.
He couldn't decide if he wanted to be with her constantly or to be repelled by her goodness. The bad boy didn't always get the good girl, no matter how many times he would convince himself otherwise. He knew that the bad boy always got caught and turned into a perfect image of the man the girl wanted him to be. But it was all illusions. Nothing ever worked out for him. He was doomed in impossible loves.
Grisham wasn't sure if he could take it. Being the black sheep of the town had its perks as well. Status quo was familiar and comfortable. The unfamiliar scared him, downright shook him to the core. He would sacrifice his feelings if Tessa could be kept safe from him. A burst of coarse laughter filled the tiny room with a hardening sound.
"Cruel jabs and leers. I will ignore her or scare her away. I will make her hate me until she can't stand being in the same room. I will make her cry and run away from my sight. It's for her own good; she should never see past the monster that I am. I won't allow it." The harsh words stabbed the air with conviction. But inside Grisham felt his resolve crumble to a million pieces.
~/~
"Attention, everyone!" Montoya shouted above the din.
The crowd quieted down quickly, for most had no idea was the reason for this sudden announcement of a town meeting. Unbelievably the rich nobles had praised Montoya for his superb leadership in handling the "El Cazador" for none had truly realized that it was he that brought this pestilence among them in the first place.
"As you all know, El Cazador had been successfully captured." Montoya barely finished his sentence before the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.
"But I am going to continue the routine patrols of my men, and the San Jose Cavalry will reinforce the borders, courtesy of Captain Michael Gaston." A little more applause from the women as the handsome young captain approached the front.
Tessa was bored.
Tessa was even jealous that Marta got to stay back in the hacienda to attend to some chores. Anymore of Montoya's so-called town meetings and she'd going stark raving mad. More ego-inflating speeches and this farce of caring for the good of the people drove her crazy with resentment.
She was surprised Captain Gaston didn't see past Montoya's forced politeness at his extended stay in Santa Helena. No one, let alone a green horn, dare take Montoya's position. And she had to play hostess when Gaston personally asked for her for a tour of the town. As if she didn't have enough things on her mind lately, she had to play on her charms to courteously refuse his advances.
Tessa was so tired of playing the nice girl. For once, she wished she could jump atop one of the tables and shout out her frustrations on the rich snobs and point to Montoya as their corrupted leader. A funny smile appeared out of nowhere as she carefully maneuvered herself out of the veranda. Tessa was glad she didn't have to hear Gaston's drawn out speech on the safety of the patrols.
Her laughter was uninhibited by the silence of the night. Exhaling a satisfied sigh, she looked around to see a lone man leaning against a wall few yards away from her. The bright moon had cast a creamy glow upon his light hair as his casual posture gave off a more sensuous appeal. Only one man could pull off that look and Tessa knew who he was.
"Captain Grisham?" She hadn't intended for her breath to come out husky, but she couldn't control the way he affected her.
Turning his head slowly to look at her, Grisham unconsciously held his breath. The sight of her glowing eyes under the moonlight reminded him too much of his recent dreams. Tessa started to fidget under his gaze again.
"What are you doing out here?" He drawled out his words as he turned away to look up at the stars, searching for the constellations. He tried to focus on the distant stars besides the beautiful shining one standing next to him. "Montoya bored me. So I decided to escape the boredom." Tessa cringed at how childish she sounded. A memory of little Juanita's expression whenever she didn't get her way popped into Tessa's mind, and she knew that her pout was identical to the little girl's.
Chuckling, Grisham watched Tessa cheeks blushed at her own words.
"You should be getting home now. You don't want the big bad wolf to get ya."
"Who's the big bad wolf? Why should I be afraid of him?" Two could play this game and Tessa was too intrigued to care that Grisham was staring at her with a shocked look on his face. He was totally under her spell the minute she allowed her voice to come out as a purr.
The predatory gleam in his eyes was reflected by the full moon.
"I am. And my little red riding hood should be getting home. Or else...................we can have a picnic."
Grisham pointedly glanced down and saw the plane between her neck and her shoulders had reddened in a matter seconds.
Tessa looked down self-consciously to see that her dress was indeed a deep crimson and her matching shawl had tightened considerably around her chest. In all her life, Tessa had never felt so cheap until Grisham dared to look down her top. As the Queen of Swords she could've handled any of his leers, but this was Senorita Alvarado. A woman of propriety shouldn't take this from any man.
Her dignity couldn't take anymore of the way his eyes assaulted her body by merely peering at her.
"Good night, Captain Grisham." Tessa pivoted quickly to leave this now insolent man out of her sight.
"Well ol' boy you still got it." Yawning widely, Grisham managed to stroll off nonchalantly. His heart, on the other hand, was screaming at him for stooping as low as he had. But his conscience knew it was the right thing to do.
Rounding a corner, Grisham felt torn between the conflicting voices inside his head. He punched the stucco wall in front of him. He punched continuously until the wall started to crack in places. Grisham didn't stop then, but continued even when his knuckles were bleeding in broken rivulets. The numbing pain was little comfort.
Walking briskly toward her waiting carriage, Tessa called out for the driver to head home.
Tessa was angry and hurt that he had dared to look at her the way he had tonight. It was disgusting and completely rude. She was naive to think that they were just playing an innocent game. It had started off like all their previous banter.
What had changed? She missed how Grisham kept her spirits up when El Cazador captured them or the way he would sometimes glance at her when he thought she wasn't looking. They had worked astoundingly well as partners in their battle against a common enemy.
A single tear slowly marked its way down her pale face.
She was so sure that he had turned over a new leaf since he helped her rescue Juanita, saving her own life as well. Again.
Tessa remembered that frightening day when she had been injured by Grisham's men and discovered that he had her stowed away inside a cave instead to protect her vulnerable state.
Slowly taking out the white handkerchief that Vera had given her, Tessa looked sadly at the embroidery. All at once, she wanted to throw it out the window, but something stopped her. She couldn't part with this piece of him. It was proof of his hidden kindness. He could become her most hated enemy, but she would always have a reminder that Grisham wasn't always the man she had seen tonight.
Drying her eyes with the handkerchief, Tessa slept fitfully all the way home.
Oh, boy. I hope you guys like this chapter. I don't like flames, just to tell you that. I can handle it, but I just don't like 'em. Constructive criticisms are nice and questions are always welcome to clarify things. I made it that Grisham had to sacrifice his own future with Tessa because he thinks it would be the best for both of them to stay that way. We'll just have to see what Tessa thinks about that. Cheerio. ;-p
"Healing"
Two months had gone by without more trouble from any bandidos or evil mass murderers. A somewhat uneasy peace had settled upon the town. There was a future that everyone had to look forward to and dwelling in the past was too painful to bear.
Even Mother Nature knew the town needed a miracle, because it rained periodically for three straight weeks. The dusty fields were drenched in cold water from the sky above. The sticky mud that the heavenly liquid replenished replaced the usual clouds of dust. Everything was awash in a clear glow as the sun reappeared to shine majestically in its domain again.
Farmers were happy that their crops were growing again. Vegetables and fruits were plump and heavy in their own juices. Tessa's own fields were filled with her favorite produce that Marta had carefully attended to as well as Tessa's own farm hands.
Even Santa Helena was getting a makeover, thanks to the laborious work done by the people. Several buildings were reconstructed after some fires nearly destroyed them. The chapel was definitely one of the targets the bandidos had been aiming for. It was full of religious objects that could sell for plenty on the black market. Several stores had been ruined, but the town had assembled together in several meetings and determined how things should be planned out accordingly.
The surprising leader to emerged amidst the farmers was Jose. Tessa had always known he contained a quality of leadership within him. It had to be the right time and situation for him to come out of his shell and take charge. Juanita was his ever-present little assistant. Since that fateful day, she had become more quiet and introverted, but everything that went on around her never escaped her sparkling large eyes.
Tessa visited the pueblo often and always brought with her a sense of magical tranquility that she carried around town. Although she wished she wasn't in this invisible limelight so much, the townspeople couldn't get enough of her.
Marta would look up sometimes from her work to see Tessa playing with the neighborhood children to distract them from bothering the grownups. Tessa hadn't been truly happy for a long time. It was one of those rare moments that Marta wished she could capture in her heart forever. Marta was content as long as her charge was happy and she would do anything to keep Tessa that way. Nonetheless, she couldn't keep many things away from Tessa.
Tessa's destiny, for one thing. Tessa would at times come home exhausted, injured, or troubled and sometimes even all of the above. Her charge had to carry a huge responsibility at such a tender age when every respectable lady only cared about going to parties, appearances, and finding a husband to settle down. Somehow, Tessa had bypassed all that to become the Queen of Swords.
Tessa never complained. Oh no, that was never her manner of looking at her life. It was her destiny to become the Queen of Swords. There was doubt in the beginning, but she did what had to be done.
She would never complain. Marta had lost count of how times she heard Tessa crying in her sleep, dreaming of her "Papa" or nightmares of her enemies. But Tessa would wake up the next day, cool and composed, without a trace of the night's activity. Sometimes Marta would wonder exactly what was going on inside Tessa's head.
In this way, she was unique and shouldn't be treated like all the others. Then again, a moment of normalcy was what Marta could ask the powers that be to let Tessa be herself. This was one of those moments that Marta hoped would last without end.
"Come on, Marta! The children are asking for you to tell them a story," Tessa whispered conspiratorially to her mentor, "I need to check on Grisham, anyway, and I don't want the children to be left out."
"Tessa, are you sure it's smart to visit Grisham every time you're in town? You know his wounds have already healed and I don't think there's anymore reasons you can come up with to see him." Marta's reply was filled with concern, and a bit of teasing that there was more to the recent meetings between Tessa and the Captain than the young woman had let on.
"Marta! I only want to see him if he's healing properly, not to disturb him. He's the Captain of the Guard, Montoya's lap dog, for God's sake!" Anyone within hearing distance could hear the lack of conviction in Tessa's voice, let alone her mentor.
Marta raised an eyebrow.
"Well, it's the truth!" Tessa's insistent pleas were starting to chip away at Marta's attitude. "Besides, it's not like I am falling for him if that's what you think."
At that, Tessa hurried away without letting Marta fully complete her thoughts.
"Oh child, I think it's already too late for that." Marta muttered as she resumed her sewing.
~/~
Glancing around his room, Tessa could tell he had been in it a short while ago. But no one was in it right now. As she turned to leave, Tessa caught sight of an open book on his desk. It was the size of a novel.
Anyone who didn't look at it closely would miss the fine drawings inside and the numerous scribblings in a mannish handwriting.
Taking a cautious look around her again, Tessa picked up the small hardback. What it revealed made her heart skip several beats.
The drawings were of her face in many expressions, in different angles and profiles. All of it was exquisitely done in charcoal and pencil.
The scribbling were poems and journal entries. Most of them were about her and, surprisingly, about the Queen of Swords.
Tessa squinted at the messy words to decipher a few lines, but the sound of the wooden door creaking announced the arrival of its owner. Tessa snapped the book shut and, without thinking, concealed it in the hidden pocket of her skirt. Adjusting his eyes from the sunlight outside, Grisham was startled to see Senorita Alvarado standing behind his desk looking back at him with wide innocent eyes.
Immediately he knew something was missing. Looking down on his desk, he realized the book was nowhere to be seen on the sparse desk.
Narrowing his darkening eyes, Grisham asked Tessa where the book was.
"I................I don't know what you're referring to, Captain."
Tessa's syrupy voice couldn't convince him otherwise of what he already knew. In a flash, he grasped her shoulder while the other hand reached to grabbed a handful of her skirt to find the hidden book. Too intent on finding his treasure, Grisham didn't respond to Tessa's cries of protest.
"How do you explain this?!" Grisham raised the purloined book from the folds of her dress. His whole expression was blown up to a large inferno that Tessa was too shocked to concentrate on her own thoughts nor did she see the glint of fear in Grisham's eyes.
"I didn't know what it was inside and I'm sorry. I should've just let it go. But you came in here without warning, I wasn't thinking, and I...........and I............sorry." Tessa's rambling apology ebbed into a low whisper.
Somewhat softened by Tessa's frightened apology, Grisham let out a big sigh. Staring into her hopeful eyes, he realized she must know what he felt for her. Trying to reverse the damage, Grisham unwittingly started to criticize his own work. Tessa was amazed at his jumpy demeanor, it was quite amusing to see Grisham insecurity rise to the surface, unlike the usual cocky self he always portrayed.
"They're just doodles and scribbles anyways. I mean, they don't mean anything. Any woman could have dark black hair, with lovely chocolate eyes......................." The blushing captain trailed off when Tessa's hand grabbed his wrist to stop his wild gesticulating as he went off track.
"I think they're beautiful." Tessa's voice grazed his neck as she leaned in to murmur her sentiment. And as soon as she said it, she left the room.
Torn between feelings of desire and dread, Grisham abruptly slumped down in his chair.
Rubbing his face wearily with his hands, Grisham knew he had to do something about his not-so-new feelings for Senorita Alvarado.
He had to push her away at all costs. He couldn't and wouldn't allow his heart to dictate his actions anymore. They usually led him to making the wrong decisions with the wrong women. Look at him now, with the wife of a Don! He was tired of being hurt and used. He even admitted that he used women to his advantage as well. But things had changed. They changed the moment he met her. He had decided before to avoid Tessa, but could never really carry out his plan.
It was so easy to indulge in his private fantasies in a book. Then Tessa had to find out about his journal. Now it was more important than ever that he avoid her.
Opening his eyes to look into his upturned palms, Grisham lamented.
A murderer................a monster in love with a Dona. Even if Tessa could ever return the same feelings, deep down Grisham realized that he wasn't worthy of her attention. A sweet and innocent woman like her would never understand, never embrace the type of person he was, what he had become in the manipulative hands of Montoya.
The past few days had taught him something about Tessa that he had never known. She had heart. She possessed all the superior qualities that even a man of religion would be jealous of. Grisham was undeserving of Tessa's radiating goodness. He felt blinded by her light. Around her, Grisham acutely felt all the hideous things he had done in the past.
He couldn't decide if he wanted to be with her constantly or to be repelled by her goodness. The bad boy didn't always get the good girl, no matter how many times he would convince himself otherwise. He knew that the bad boy always got caught and turned into a perfect image of the man the girl wanted him to be. But it was all illusions. Nothing ever worked out for him. He was doomed in impossible loves.
Grisham wasn't sure if he could take it. Being the black sheep of the town had its perks as well. Status quo was familiar and comfortable. The unfamiliar scared him, downright shook him to the core. He would sacrifice his feelings if Tessa could be kept safe from him. A burst of coarse laughter filled the tiny room with a hardening sound.
"Cruel jabs and leers. I will ignore her or scare her away. I will make her hate me until she can't stand being in the same room. I will make her cry and run away from my sight. It's for her own good; she should never see past the monster that I am. I won't allow it." The harsh words stabbed the air with conviction. But inside Grisham felt his resolve crumble to a million pieces.
~/~
"Attention, everyone!" Montoya shouted above the din.
The crowd quieted down quickly, for most had no idea was the reason for this sudden announcement of a town meeting. Unbelievably the rich nobles had praised Montoya for his superb leadership in handling the "El Cazador" for none had truly realized that it was he that brought this pestilence among them in the first place.
"As you all know, El Cazador had been successfully captured." Montoya barely finished his sentence before the audience erupted into enthusiastic applause.
"But I am going to continue the routine patrols of my men, and the San Jose Cavalry will reinforce the borders, courtesy of Captain Michael Gaston." A little more applause from the women as the handsome young captain approached the front.
Tessa was bored.
Tessa was even jealous that Marta got to stay back in the hacienda to attend to some chores. Anymore of Montoya's so-called town meetings and she'd going stark raving mad. More ego-inflating speeches and this farce of caring for the good of the people drove her crazy with resentment.
She was surprised Captain Gaston didn't see past Montoya's forced politeness at his extended stay in Santa Helena. No one, let alone a green horn, dare take Montoya's position. And she had to play hostess when Gaston personally asked for her for a tour of the town. As if she didn't have enough things on her mind lately, she had to play on her charms to courteously refuse his advances.
Tessa was so tired of playing the nice girl. For once, she wished she could jump atop one of the tables and shout out her frustrations on the rich snobs and point to Montoya as their corrupted leader. A funny smile appeared out of nowhere as she carefully maneuvered herself out of the veranda. Tessa was glad she didn't have to hear Gaston's drawn out speech on the safety of the patrols.
Her laughter was uninhibited by the silence of the night. Exhaling a satisfied sigh, she looked around to see a lone man leaning against a wall few yards away from her. The bright moon had cast a creamy glow upon his light hair as his casual posture gave off a more sensuous appeal. Only one man could pull off that look and Tessa knew who he was.
"Captain Grisham?" She hadn't intended for her breath to come out husky, but she couldn't control the way he affected her.
Turning his head slowly to look at her, Grisham unconsciously held his breath. The sight of her glowing eyes under the moonlight reminded him too much of his recent dreams. Tessa started to fidget under his gaze again.
"What are you doing out here?" He drawled out his words as he turned away to look up at the stars, searching for the constellations. He tried to focus on the distant stars besides the beautiful shining one standing next to him. "Montoya bored me. So I decided to escape the boredom." Tessa cringed at how childish she sounded. A memory of little Juanita's expression whenever she didn't get her way popped into Tessa's mind, and she knew that her pout was identical to the little girl's.
Chuckling, Grisham watched Tessa cheeks blushed at her own words.
"You should be getting home now. You don't want the big bad wolf to get ya."
"Who's the big bad wolf? Why should I be afraid of him?" Two could play this game and Tessa was too intrigued to care that Grisham was staring at her with a shocked look on his face. He was totally under her spell the minute she allowed her voice to come out as a purr.
The predatory gleam in his eyes was reflected by the full moon.
"I am. And my little red riding hood should be getting home. Or else...................we can have a picnic."
Grisham pointedly glanced down and saw the plane between her neck and her shoulders had reddened in a matter seconds.
Tessa looked down self-consciously to see that her dress was indeed a deep crimson and her matching shawl had tightened considerably around her chest. In all her life, Tessa had never felt so cheap until Grisham dared to look down her top. As the Queen of Swords she could've handled any of his leers, but this was Senorita Alvarado. A woman of propriety shouldn't take this from any man.
Her dignity couldn't take anymore of the way his eyes assaulted her body by merely peering at her.
"Good night, Captain Grisham." Tessa pivoted quickly to leave this now insolent man out of her sight.
"Well ol' boy you still got it." Yawning widely, Grisham managed to stroll off nonchalantly. His heart, on the other hand, was screaming at him for stooping as low as he had. But his conscience knew it was the right thing to do.
Rounding a corner, Grisham felt torn between the conflicting voices inside his head. He punched the stucco wall in front of him. He punched continuously until the wall started to crack in places. Grisham didn't stop then, but continued even when his knuckles were bleeding in broken rivulets. The numbing pain was little comfort.
Walking briskly toward her waiting carriage, Tessa called out for the driver to head home.
Tessa was angry and hurt that he had dared to look at her the way he had tonight. It was disgusting and completely rude. She was naive to think that they were just playing an innocent game. It had started off like all their previous banter.
What had changed? She missed how Grisham kept her spirits up when El Cazador captured them or the way he would sometimes glance at her when he thought she wasn't looking. They had worked astoundingly well as partners in their battle against a common enemy.
A single tear slowly marked its way down her pale face.
She was so sure that he had turned over a new leaf since he helped her rescue Juanita, saving her own life as well. Again.
Tessa remembered that frightening day when she had been injured by Grisham's men and discovered that he had her stowed away inside a cave instead to protect her vulnerable state.
Slowly taking out the white handkerchief that Vera had given her, Tessa looked sadly at the embroidery. All at once, she wanted to throw it out the window, but something stopped her. She couldn't part with this piece of him. It was proof of his hidden kindness. He could become her most hated enemy, but she would always have a reminder that Grisham wasn't always the man she had seen tonight.
Drying her eyes with the handkerchief, Tessa slept fitfully all the way home.
Oh, boy. I hope you guys like this chapter. I don't like flames, just to tell you that. I can handle it, but I just don't like 'em. Constructive criticisms are nice and questions are always welcome to clarify things. I made it that Grisham had to sacrifice his own future with Tessa because he thinks it would be the best for both of them to stay that way. We'll just have to see what Tessa thinks about that. Cheerio. ;-p