Ella brought Teresa and Rafael back to Maria's. The sky was just beginning to darken and she knew that at least when they returned Joey would be out drinking, leaving them in peace for a few hours. Maria was already preparing food for dinner when they entered the small adobe.

"Ah you are back" Maria said with a warm smile. "Did you have fun at Billy's?" she asked, hugging both of her children to her. Rafael nodded excitedly while Teresa smiled.

"Yes, Mama, he told us many stories."

"I bet he did" Maria laughed, kissing her daughter's cheek.

Ella couldn't help her eyes being drawn to the curtain, even though she knew Joey was most likely out it did not help in curbing her nervousness when she looked into that dark room.

"He is gone" Maria said with a knowing tone.

"He is?" Ella said, returning her gaze to the older woman.

"Yes, he was gone this morning."

Ella gave a nod, her heart feeling slightly gladdened by the news.

---

Maria and Ella sat and the table, the fire warming them. Teresa and Rafael were both in bed and sleeping soundly. Ella told her friend all about Dave's visit and they laughed together, teasingly calling him names and debasing him. But as was so often the case with Maria lately the conversation soon turned to Joey.

"I wish my boy would settle down, I don't know why he will never listen, he was such a good boy." Maria looked at her hands as if seeing something no one else could upon her palms.

Ella hesitated, "Billy told me what happened to him when he was a boy… maybe he never recovered, he seems real angry."

"Si, he is angry and hurt… I see it in his eyes, in my poor boy's eyes." Maria's voice cracked a little but she regained herself quickly. "He blames me, I know, for what happened…" She paused, "My second husband was cruel, he sold my Joey for drinking money, and I could not stop him, I could not get my son back."

Ella listened, her heart aching at the look upon her friend's face.

"When Joey came back, he was not my Joey… he had changed. He was cruel and would not talk much; I thought if I just pretended nothing had happened to him, that I forgave him all he had done for the Apache he would be happy again." Maria covered her eyes. "I think what I did only made things worse, and when I knew my mistake I tried to get him to talk and let all his hurt out, but he would tell me nothing, he had only hard words for me."

Ella took Maria's hand in her own, squeezing comfortingly.

"Even my third husband, he was so kind Ella, you would have liked him… but even he could not help my Joey, Joey hated all my men." She paused, smiling weakly at Ella's act of support. "He hates his little brother and sister with such passion, it frightens me… I worry for them."

"Ah Maria, Joey wouldn't hurt them, they are his kin, and blood is strong" Ella tried to reassure.

"Blood can easily be spilt" Maria said, rising from her seat. "Come it is late" she said, finishing the conversation.

---

Another two days passed, Ella became glaringly aware that it had been over two weeks since she had last seen Doc. Her heart gave a strange tug within her breast whenever she thought upon him and the more time that passed the more she felt the need to see his face once again. But not all her thoughts lingered upon bleak things, the cold was finally abating and spring was well underway, the days becoming longer, brighter and warmer.

Dave of course still kept trying to see her; it was his way, she knew him too well to feel mad by his actions. The more he knew he couldn't have something the more he wanted it and he knew he couldn't have her. He'd shown up at Maria's with flowers, pretty words, rants and rages. Each time it was different but Ella knew given enough time he would grow bored and go and find himself a new place with new women.

Ella stood outside weeding in the small corn plot at the side of the house. Rafael was inside the house with his goat and Teresa sat nearby by on the steps running up to the adobe, she was chatting happily about her newly hatched chicken. She patted it tenderly, enjoying the soft, fluffy feathers against her skin, a warm smile upon her face that made her look so happy that it touched Ella's heart.

"I think that's goin' t' be a rooster" Ella said with a small laugh.

"Do you think so Ella?" Teresa said in excitement. "I will look after him so he is the best rooster in the village!"

"I bet you will do just that. I'm nearly done with weedin', we can go on in soon and start supper, your Ma won't be long checkin' Miss Efenia and her baby."

Teresa gave a nod and turned her attention back to the chick, her smile not faltering. She got up and began to walk down the path stretching her legs, she knew the surroundings so well that Ella never fretted she would stumble despite the fact she could not see her surroundings. Ella smiled and moved further into the corn. It seemed as if these past days had been good, the time had passed pleasantly, Dave annoyed her but he couldn't touch her, not if he couldn't get her alone and Ella made sure she was never alone around him.

Her attention was suddenly caught by a figure walking towards them taking the path that led to Maria's house; she had been lost in her own thoughts and hadn't been paying much attention. Ella stopped, shading her eyes from the sun for a moment. With growing dread she realized exactly who it was but he was upon them before she could make a move.

Joey strode in certain steps towards Teresa, she had sensed someone was coming and had stopped, perhaps assuming it was Maria but it was only a split second before she knew exactly who it was that approached she tried to back up a few steps but it was too late, he was too fast. He wrenched the chick from her hands and without a hint of an expression crossing his face, squeezed. Ella was already trying to push through the corn but the stems made any fast movement near impossible as they caught and pulled at her skirts. Joey let the dead chicken fall to the ground, his only pleasure in killing the poor animal was to see his little sister cry, he pushed against her roughly, shoving her out of his way. Ella felt her anger bubbling, her face felt suddenly hot from it, she saw Joey continue walking, a small ghost of a smile passing over his lips. His eyes were cold and his stride did not break as he began to make his way to the adobe.

Ella felt her anger boil over as she watched little Teresa's tears fall, she had picked up the little chick and was holding it to her breast. It had only been a chicken, there would be many more, but still it had been a cruel thing to do and Ella couldn't stand to see anyone upset little Tessie.

"Hey!" she called, finally freeing her skirts clumsily and appearing from out of the hidden place fully. Joey did not turn at the sound of her voice. Ella pursed her lips in annoyance and set after him. "I said Hey!!" she shouted, her voice demanding he stop.

Slowly the man before her turned, his eyes casting a cool look over her but he did not speak.

"What do you think you're doin'?!" Ella said heatedly. "You can't just wander in here and disrupt people; you had no right to kill that chicken, it was cruel!" She narrowed her eyes at him as he continued to watch her coolly. "You need to learn some manners boy!"

Joey remained silent and still, his unexpected reaction caused Ella to suddenly feel nervous and her resolve faltered, she was used to getting just as much verbally as she gave out, but this man was different…

"I don't have time for this!" she blustered, trying to cover the fact that his disconcerting gaze had made her falter. "There's food to be cooked." She turned back towards Teresa. "Come on in Honey, we'll find you another Rooster." Teresa wiped at her cheeks but refused to let the dead bird go, she began to walk towards the house. Ella stood, almost as if on guard as Teresa passed her and made her way into the adobe, Ella kept her gaze upon Joey's shadow, making sure he didn't try to hurt Teresa again in any way, although if she was honest with herself she had no idea what she'd do if he did.

Without glancing at him she began to follow Tessie inside, as she walked she heard Joey's footsteps begin behind her, they sounded quick, far too quick to be a casual walk. Ella tried to resist the urge to look behind her but she could feel him gaining and her heart began to beat hard and scared within her chest. Finally she could take the sensation no longer and spun around on her heel, meaning to give him another piece of her mind once again.

But although she stopped Joey did not, his quick, certain steps continued, his eyes menacingly upon her, sending a cold shiver through her flesh. Ella could do nothing else but back up as he advanced, her mouth opened in surprise as she fought to find anything to say.

He herded her easily past the door and to the side of the house that was hidden from the village's view, Ella soon found she had nowhere left to go. She stared at the young man before her, for the first time actually fully seeing the features of his face. He was young, almost baby faced; his skin was sun kissed and a light tan colour, standing in startling contrast to his bright golden hair and deep blue eyes. He looked so young and handsome that Ella could easily see how in other circumstances any woman would want him as their own beau. But his eyes… his eyes were so cruel, so cold, that just looking into them made Ella feel uneasy, they held an agelessness quality to them and yet Ella could not say if she saw any wisdom within their depths.

He closed his eyes slowly as if he were tired with her very presence, was only tolerating her being near him. Ella's eyes were drawn a moment to the gun he wore at his hip, the sight disquieting her further.

"So," Ella said finally, her voice sounded slightly higher than normal to her ears. "You are Joey; I don't think we've been properly introduced." Ella's tone had no sweetness to it.

Joey did not seem bothered by her tone, his face remained calm and smooth as if nothing could affect him. For a moment those indifferent eyes studied her, regarding not only her face but her body. Ella felt the sudden urge to cover herself even though she was fully clothed.

Finally he gave a casual glance to the side, his movements slow and easy. "Lie down." His voice was smooth. "Lift up your skirts" he ordered in such a nonchalant manner that Ella felt her jaw drop in surprise, it was as if he were asking her for a drink, his tone so calm and yet at the same time he was somehow menacing.

Ella stared at him, her mind trying to tell her she had heard him wrong. "What?!" she questioned.

Joey returned his gaze slowly to her, his blue eyes finding her own, his expression telling her she should not make him repeat himself.

Ella gave a stunned and embarrassed laugh. "No!" she finally said, not quite believing the situation about her was happening. Without a word and with a speed she was unsure anyone could possess Joey moved and was mere inches away from her, his gloved hand clasped tightly around her jaw.

Ella suddenly felt a wave of anger run through her body, the adrenaline of the moment causing her to gain some of her courage back; she knew he was just trying to scare her.

"Get your hands off me!" she said, pushing against his chest. "You can't just walk up to any woman and tell her to get on her back!"

Joey seemed to consider her words a moment, his attitude unruffled. "Then you will not lie back?" he asked, his voice was mocking and cruel.

"No!" Ella said, trying to fight the urge to slap him. She managed to curb the desire by telling herself this boy was dangerous. "I'm married!" she sniffed, trying to avoid his gaze. "You should learn some respect as well as manners!"

Before Ella could do anything more Joey again advanced upon her, his hand wrapping tightly about her throat, he leaned in close and Ella froze, her body becoming rigid with fear and surprise. His smooth cheek brushed against her own as he began to whisper into her ear.

"You should not speak to me of respect!" he hissed lowly, his words almost forced from him. "You are a gringo whore, I saw you with the light haired man." He pulled back, the whisper of a smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.

Ella's eyes widened, he'd been the man watching her and Doc, she felt a fool for not putting two and two together.

"So," Joey continued, his voice again becoming calm and almost disinterested, "Lie back, be the whore you are." He again moved his head in a slow sideways movement.

Ella pushed once more against him. "You little… you…" she paused, trying to control her anger. "Don't you do nothin' but spy, I didn't bed with Doc! I'm married and I'll stay married til' I ain't!" She rushed out her words knowing she was babbling but feeling she had to almost justify herself to him.

Joey looked as if he was thinking, Ella felt her breath catch in her throat, surely he wouldn't rape her right here where she stood just for giving him a tongue lashing about being cruel to his little sister...

Suddenly he jerked his head towards the pathway and to Ella's great relief she saw Maria was headed back home. Ella returned to look at Joey, for a moment wondering just how good his hearing was.

Joey finally turned slowly back to her. "Fine, you are married gringo, would you lie back if you weren't married?" He again moved forward and despite the fact that rescue was on its way Ella felt trapped and afraid.

"With you?" she gave him a snarl before pulling her anger back once more. "That ain't a question you should be askin'!" She paused, "It doesn't matter anyhow cause I am married, now let me pass!" Ella pushed hard against him one last time and Joey relented.

"You didn't say no" he said, his voice once again soft and mocking.

Ella glanced over her shoulder at him, she knew fully now he hadn't intended to force her to do anything, he was frightening her because she had stood up to him, he wanted her to fear him and despite the fact she knew he had no intention of raping her, somehow and for a reason she couldn't explain she was afraid. She quickly retreated into the house just as Maria came level to the corn patch. Maria furrowed her brow as she watched Ella rush inside, her look pale and alarmed. As she continued to walk she soon saw Joey come from the same direction as her young friend. He kicked up dust with the toes of his boots as if he had all the time in the world. He glanced up at his mother, his face unreadable but Maria knew his mind too well, she knew her son was up to no good.