AN: Many thanks to my beta, Raven, who helped me keep Siroc in character. This is being posted a little earlier, so I expect LOTS of feedback. Meg

"Jacqueline!" A voice broke into her confused thoughts. She turned to see her companion riding to her side, concern on his face. Her horse snorted and bobbed his head in irritation at being idle.

"I have been calling you for the past five minutes, are you alright?" She looked into his eyes and groaned.

"Sorry Siroc, I guess I have a lot of my mind right now." He studied her, his brow knitted together in concern.

"Well, you are a woman, disguised as a man, hiding from the cardinal and accused of a crime that was not a crime." He stopped and frowned. "I'm sure all this must get tiring, the fake voice, and" he looked down briefly accessing her uniform and blushed. "The bindings must be extremely uncomfortable for you…" He trailed off lost in thought and unsure what else to say.

"I love being a musketeer, but sometimes, well…" Siroc jerked his head up, his attention returning to Jacqueline.

"You just want to be Jacqueline and not Jacques." He finished for her. Distractedly he continued, as his horse walked on, "Your day off tomorrow with D'Artagnan will help. The fresh air will do you good, you've hardly been outside in weeks, and losing your disguise for a few hours and…" He stopped as she pulled on his reins demanding his attention.

"What! What has he told you?" She eyed him suspiciously. He gulped and shook his head.

"Siroc!" There was a warning in her voice. "So, tomorrow is nothing more than one of his 'romantic gestures'?" She spat out the last words and he could tell she was getting angry

"Jacqueline, honestly he…"

"I knew it! I'm just another 'conquest', well he can forget it, because I have no…"

Siroc wheeled his horse in front of hers and she stopped and looked up at him, he appeared to be a bit upset with her outburst.

"No! He cares about you and wants to make things easier for you anyway he can." He actually glared at her attempt to protest. "He put his life at risk for months to keep your secret; he never broke his word, not even for Ramon and I, his two closest friends." He gave her another look at that. "He did not leave your side for two days, when we were not sure if you would live. He did not eat, or drink, and lately, he has gone to visit you everyday; regardless of duties and your suspicious attitude for what he has done for you." She looked guilty now and he took that as a good sign.

"Jacqueline, just give him a chance." His voice was softer and lower now, conveying his plea on his friend's behalf. She could not speak; only nod her agreement to his request.

"Come on, patrol is over and I'm hungry. Let's see if Ramon is at the café." He kicked his horse into a trot. She stared at his back for several seconds taking in all his words.

"I'm scared he'll break my heart." She whispered to his retreating back, before silently following him. She had made her decision; she would keep her heart open, but be wary.

Captain Edward Devonshire entered the café, pausing to survey the scene around him. The place was busy and noisy, as usual. A group of his men sat to the right, drinking and laughing the loudest. He sighed and shook his head, debating if he would need to reprimand them. They saw him and froze, mugs in midair. Their faces turned pale and they muttered a greeting, as they hastily left the café. He turned to the left, saw the group of three musketeers, and headed in their direction.

"Where's D'Artagnan? He should be here." Jacqueline asked Ramon, looking around.

"He's still out, said he would be back late." Ramon shrugged and bit into a wedge of cheese that had been on his plate. Jacqueline started to respond, when a deep, sensual voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Milady, would you be so kind as to get me a plate of food and wine. I would be most appreciative." Jacqueline shivered as she and her two companions turned around to see Captain Devonshire kissing the hand of a blushing barmaid. Her jaw about hit the floor as she stared at the scene before her. Edward turned and nodded politely to them and then addressed her.

"Is this seat taken?" He gestured to the empty chair D'Artagnan usually occupied. She swallowed and tried to get her voice 'normal.'

"No, go ahead." She told him and turned to her companions with her brows raised in question. Devonshire thanked the barmaid as she placed his food before him, winking brazenly at him.

"Leponte, correct?" He inquired of her.

"Please, call me Jacques." She said waving her hand dismissively. He gave her the most alluring smile she had ever seen and turned to the other two.

"Siroc and …" He tried to remember the dark one's name.

"Ramon, Captain, and por favor, enjoy your dinner with us." Edward ignored Ramon's sarcastic reply, as he dug into his meal.

"Anything new to report?" He asked them casually. He noticed the glance between Jacques and Siroc before Jacques replied in the negative.

"It has been quiet lately, but His Eminence is sure it will not last much longer." He saw Jacques flinch at the mention of the Cardinal, but gave no other sign that he had heard the comment. He turned to Ramon again. "Ramon, el pollo es bueno, no?" He inquired as he looked at Ramon's nearly empty plate of food. Ramon's face instantly lit up.

"Si, es muy bueno, mi Capitan, usted habla espanol?" Edward knew he had Ramon now. "Si, mi amigo," he answered and they continued to converse in Spanish.

Jacqueline nodded to Siroc and they left to return to the garrison, as the two were so engrossed with talking. Jacqueline walked down the hall, in the garrison, still pondering the new Captain and his mysterious behavior.

"Leponte!" Duval shouted, causing her to trip slightly as she turned around to face her captain.

"Son, are you alright?" She started to answer him, but he held up his hand ordering her into silence.

"I know the death of your cousin was hard, but private, I'm hearing some disturbing rumors." He let that sink in before continuing. "It is being said, that this morning, D'Artagnan beat Leponte, you, at practice. The whole garrison is talking about it." His eyes narrowed at her. "D'Artagnan beat my best swordsman?" She gulped and lowered her head. "Captain, I can…"

"He just needs some private, one on one training, without the prying eyes and ears, Captain." D'Artagnan interrupted her and glanced at her briefly, before he continued. "That is where we are off to tomorrow." Duval looked between the two for a minute before responding. "Very well, but do NOT," he eyed D'Artagnan giving him a stern look, "get into trouble." He looked at Leponte. "That goes for both of you." He then limped off in the direction of his office. Jacqueline turned to D'Artagnan, jumping instantly into attack mode.

"Where have you been? Where are we going tomorrow?" He threw her an amused look and laughed.

"Relax; I will reveal everything tomorrow, at the stables, at noon." He leaned in and she could feel his breath on her face, causing her to shiver. "Sweet dream, Jacqueline," with that he turned and walked into his quarters. She stared at his closed door before shaking herself out of her revelry and heading to her quarters, all the while, wondering if she would sleep at all.