A/N: Thank you so much to JuliaBC and Sunrise19 for the wonderful reviews! I have two chapters lined up, I believe they're probably the shortest I've ever written and I'm not entirely sure if I like them, but it is essential to getting on with the story. I believe the next few arcs will be more interesting. Anyways, please read and review, and I'll see you next time!

Chapter Fifteen: Soldiers in Love (Part 1)

The sun shone down brilliantly upon the pueblo of Los Angeles, coaxing men, women, and children alike to step out and enjoy the warmth. Indians gathered at the well to collect water while peons sold their wares. Amongst these people were Don Diego, Don Ricardo, and the señoritas of the Pulido home. Bernardo and Consuela remained by the carriages, watching the young people saunter about the town.

"Tell me, does the pink suit me better, or the white?" Carlotta asked, holding up two pieces of silk beside either cheek.

"All of the colors of the rainbow look pale in comparison to you, Señorita," Ricardo flattered her, earning a loud giggle from the woman.

Lolita rolled her eyes at this as Diego fought to hide a grin behind his fist. Yolanda ignored the hassle made by her sister, admiring flowers in the next stand when a gloved hand offered a fragrant lily to her.

"Oh!" she gasped, blushing as she recognized the man as Capitan Jorge Fernandez, his hat in his free hand as he offered her the token. "Gracias," she spoke softly. "You are too kind, Capitan-"

"I think we've known each other long enough to stop with the formalities," the solider answered gently, taking her hand and kissing it. "You may call me by my name, if you wish."

Yolanda's blush only became darker as she stammered, "Th-Then you must call me by mine…Jorge."

"Very well…Yolanda," he whispered, taking a step towards her.

Diego and Lolita watched, the two of them sharing smiles of delight as they watched the romantic scene unfold. "If he's not careful, he may end up asking her a very important question without meaning to," Diego whispered in Lolita's ear, grinning as he noticed that he made her shiver in surprise.

"And that question will be…?" she asked, her eyes widening as Diego took her hands in his and lowered his face to hers.

"Will you marry me?" He meant those words with all his heart, but he gave her a wink and teasing smile to show that he was still talking about Fernandez and Yolanda, making Lolita laugh though he blush remained prominent on her face.

"Capitan!" Sergeant Garcia cried out, rushing over as quickly as his chubby legs could carry him. "Capitan Fernandez!"

The captain heaved a sigh as he back away from the blushing señorita. "What is it, Sergeant?"

"Pardon me," Garcia excused himself, gasping for air as he leaned against the stand, only to hop away when it creaked under his weight. "I, uh, I was just wondering if I could inspect the posada. Señor Gonzales has been complaining of noise and claims there are ghosts. I'm sure it's just rats, but-"

"You will do no such thing, Sergeant, because you and I will be escorting a new resident to Los Angeles to her new hacienda, once the coach from Mexico City arrives," Fernandez said sternly, fighting back an amused grin as Sergeant Garcia's face fell in disappointment.

"Sí, mi Capitan," he nodded sadly.

"Pardon me for asking, Capitan," Diego called to the man, earning his attention at once. "You say we'll be receiving a new neighbor, eh?"

"That's right, Don Diego. I believe she is a widow, and she plans to take up her residence in the newly built hacienda that's only about two miles from the city walls," Fernandez explained. Turning his head, he could hear the rumble of the stagecoach, a cloud of dust becoming larger as it approached the pueblo. "And I believe that is the Señora now."

Everyone in the pueblo paused to watch as the dusty coach pulled into town, the weary horses foaming at the mouth in exhaustion. The driver plopped off his bench and made off immediately for the posada, much to Sergeant Garcia's jealousy. Following his superior, Garcia helped open the carriage door, offering his hand to the passenger within. His eyes became huge as a slender, milky white hand slid into his and the woman exposed herself.

She was about thirty or so in years, her green eyes showed hope and sadness as her gaze met his. Her rich chestnut hair was pulled into an elegant bun and covered with a lace mantilla, her body covered in the finest fashions available in Mexico. Seeing the man staring at her with an innocent, dumbstruck impression, she felt herself smile unconsciously and laugh lightly, unknowingly causing the Sergeant's heart to skip a beat. "Gracias, soldier. I appreciate your assistance."

"Ah…the pleasure is yours- I mean, the pleasure is mine to help you!" he fumbled, absolutely tongue-twisted.

The woman giggled and shook her head, exiting the carriage at last. "What is your name?"

"Who, me?" Garcia gulped, saluting at once. "Sergeant Demitrio Lopez Garcia, at your service, Señora!"

Curtsying graciously to him, the woman introduced herself, "I am Señora Alicia de la Cruz from Mexico City. I am delighted to meet you." Raising her head, she smiled at the young faces around her, nodding to them politely. "And who are your friends, Sergeant?"

"Eh? Oh! This is Capitan Fernandez, Don Ricardo del Amo, the señoritas Pulido – Carlotta, Lolita, and Yolanda – and Don Diego de la Vega! They are wonderful people," he beamed. "I know they will make you feel very welcomed here, Señora!"

"If there is anything we can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask," Diego spoke up, offering his hand to the woman. He kissed her hand and gave her his signature boyish grin, making the woman's eyes light up.

"Such a warm welcome! I can tell I'm going to like it here," she smiled. "I hope you girls don't mind if I ask you to visit me. I'd like to have my new home filled with people and music. Once I get settled, I plan on throwing a party! Please say you'll come!"

"Of course we will," Lolita replied, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We could come over and help set up for the fiesta, if you'd like."

"What a darling girl you are," Alicia cooed, opening her arms to the girl. "Might I embrace you?"

Lolita threw herself at the woman, hugging her fiercely. She sensed that the woman carried a heavy heart since Fernandez mentioned that she was a widow. Alicia did wear a wedding band on her left hand, and she wore black clothes despite the heat. There was something in her eyes and the way she pleaded for them to come and see her that confirmed to Lolita she was lonely. She couldn't help but remember when her mother died – her father was miserable, and he lit up when he met Catalina. Pulling back, Lolita smiled kindly at the woman. "Would you like to come to supper at my father's house?"

"I couldn't impose-"

"Please do! Mother and I would love to hear what Mexico City is like!" Carlotta pleaded, pouncing on the chance to have a fashionable woman's advice on clothes and manners.

"You could tell us what it's like in Mexico City. We've only arrived from Spain nearly two months ago," Yolanda added timidly.

The newcomer smiled as she heard them all insisting, her spirits lifting immediately. "Very well. At what time should I arrive?"

Whilst the group continued to converse and point out the local stops to their new neighbor, a man in a tattered coat strolled casually down the street, apologizing profusely as he continuously bumped into Indians, peons, a caballero, and even a soldier. Making his way to the cuartel, he noticed the woman in black from the Mexico City stagecoach and eyed her heavy bags. His lips curling into a mischievous smile, he whistled along his merry way, glancing over his shoulder when he heard a frantic cry from one of the peons that he had encountered. "My pesos! They're gone!" he heard the man exclaim, prompting him to move faster.

"Pardon, mi amigo," he said lightly to Corporal Reyes. "I'm here to see the Commandante. My name is Miguel Elvarez."

"The Commandante said to let you pass when you came," Corporal Reyes yawned, ready for an early lunch. Waving his hand at the unusual man, he pointed out the Commandante's office and returned his gaze back to the street, smiling as he saw Beatriz walking towards him with a basket.

Skipping merrily, Elvarez entered the cuartel, showing no fear as he strolled up to the door and knocked thrice upon it. Hearing Riviera's voice telling him to enter, he sauntered inside and shut the door after him. Shutting the door after him, he bowed with a flourish of his hands and grinned widely. "Good day, Commandante. You called for me?"

Rising from his chair, Riviera rolled his eyes and walked over to him, his green eyes glaring at the man. "Try any little mishaps on me and you will find yourself missing many things, Elvarez…like your nimble fingers that have just plucked my watch from my pocket."

The light in the visitor's eyes dimmed at once, his mouth twisted into a pout as he took the watch from his sleeve and surrendered it back to its owner. "…at least you know I can perform my duties as I claimed to."

"Hmm…has she arrived?"

"The widow? Sí, she's surrounded with a group of people, all of them chattering like monkeys," Elvarez shrugged. "Just what did you have planned?"

"This woman is extremely wealthy-"

"I noticed."

"Quiet!" he bellowed, making Elvarez jump. "Listen to me, you two-timing magician turned con-artist! I've suffered enough defeats, it's time for some victories. You will present yourself as a poor traveling man in search of decent work and a place to stay. Win her trust and steal what you can. I've heard this woman enjoys socials, fiestas, grand balls…she's bound to throw one in her home eventually. Find out when, tell me so I may go and serve as a distraction. You will loot the hacienda of what you can and return to the cuartel. Fail to do so and I promise you this…" Lowering his head so he was nose to nose with the wide-eyed thief, he hissed menacingly, "No amount of tricks will save you from your fate. I didn't bring you here from Monterey for nothing. Understood?"

"…perfectly," he gulped, forcing on a wary smile. "Not to worry, Commandante, I will do as you say." Backing away cautiously from the volatile man, the thief saluted him almost mockingly and made his way out, his eyes landing on the woman in black once more. Noticing how she was pointing at one of the nearby carriages, he walked over wearily, wiping his brow as though he had been walking for a long time. As he neared the woman and her posse, he toppled to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Oh my!" Alicia gasped, rushing over to him. "Please, can we get him some water?"

"Just a moment, Señora!" Sergeant Garcia exclaimed, waddling off as quickly as his legs would allow.

"I can't believe you're touching that filthy wretch," Carlotta grimaced, hiding her face behind her fan.

"He seems exhausted…oh, gracias!" she thanked Garcia, raising the man's head as the sergeant poured the water down Elvarez's throat. "Can you hear me? Are you all right?" she asked gently, her eyes trained on the stranger, much to Garcia's disappointment.

"Gr-Gracias," he coughed, sitting up at last. Bowing his head to the woman, he turned his body so that he was on his knees before her, looking at her gratefully. "Señora, I am in your debt…I did not realize how thirsty I was…or how long I had walked…"

"Capitan, Sergeant, won't you place him in my carriage? I'll have him come with me to the hacienda," she requested, gathering her skirts before moving away to walk to the carriage.

Lolita's brows furrowed as she watched them take him off, crossing his arms over his chest. There was something about this man…

"Is everything all right?" Diego asked, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Diego…didn't that man come into town just seconds ago?" she asked, cocking her head at him while she pursed her lips in contemplation. It was a rather tempting sight, so much so that his heartbeat went up a notch. "…I could have sworn I saw him walk in earlier, he was perfectly fine…I think he was headed for the cuartel, actually…" Shaking her head, she laughed it off. "Maybe I'm just being silly…"

"No, Lolita, I saw him, too," Diego insisted, placing his hand on her shoulder His eyes drifted off to see Alicia sitting in the carriage with the stranger in the odd coat, both Fernandez and Garcia taking them away to the hacienda just a few miles off. "I wonder…"

"Don Diego!" Beatriz exclaimed, running up to the pair. "Don Diego, have you seen a man in a tattered old coat?"

"Why, yes. As a matter of fact, he just left town-" Diego started, startled when Beatriz stomped her foot.

"That thief 'accidentally' bumped into several people as he made his way to the cuartel, and any valuables they had vanished!" she fumed. "I'm just glad I didn't bring anything out with me when I dropped off Guillermo's lunch. I've seen the likes of him in other places when my family moved to Los Angeles…be careful. He could be a con-artist and rob you blind before you know what's happening."

At this, both Diego and Lolita looked at one another and exchanged a look. "It looks like you were right, Lolita," he said, shaking his head as he watched the carriage leave. "Still…if he's working with Riviera, Señora Alicia might not believe us. She's so trusting and needy after she lost her husband…if we go in there and claim this man is stealing, he may try to pull and act and turn the tables, if he is a con."

"Hmm…" Lolita tapped her cheek, pensive, before smirking and looking to Diego.

"What? What's with that look?" Diego asked, placing his hands on his hips as he grinned back. She looked absolutely attractive and alluring in that manner, and he wasn't sure if he would be able to hold back from kissing her if she didn't change at once.

"Señora Alicia said that hopefully, within a week's time, she might host a party to get to know everyone. Wouldn't that be a brilliant time to steal some trinkets while she is occupied with guests?"

"Yes…ah," he said, stroking his chin. "I suppose you will need some assistance in catching this criminal in the act?"

"Why Diego de la Vega, did you just volunteer to help?" she asked coyly, laughing as he dusted off his shoulders and offered her his arm.

"I am at your service, Señorita Lolita," he bowed, smiling brightly as she accepted his arm and allowed him to escort her back to their carriage.