Diego sighed, as he groomed his horse in the stables. The horse had never been a favourite, but the gelding was doing well, and deserved to be treated properly. His brown coat gleamed in the candlelight, and Diego paused to admire his work. He missed Toronado's gentle snicker when the brush got a little too much. The stallion made the point of warning him before he lost his temper, which was handy. The big black stallion was strong and bad tempered when boundaries were crossed. He wasn't even sure of the name of this one, he was ashamed to say. He had picked one of the less important horses at random.

He threw down the blanket the coach driver had handed him and spread in out on the hay, and then lay down on it.

"You'll get cold, lad." Diego turned and glanced at the coach driver. "Here, have another one."

Diego shook his head slowly, and refused.

"I need to cool down, it was hot on the road," he murmured. He felt a little overly warm, and he thought he knew why.

"No matter, just you look after yourself, boy. You remind me of my younger brother, and I'll watch out for you."

Diego nodded with a smile.

"That false beard and grey in your hair, doesn't fool me, lad. Just so's you know," the older man murmured. "My brother was on the stage – I know a few things…"

Diego flushed a little, and stared at the man.

"She's pretty, but she's got a temper, that one."

Diego continued to stare at him, and wondered if he was completely obvious to everyone, and Victoria was just playing games with him.

The older man chuckled softly, and turned over on his side. "For a caballero, you really are a hard worker. Turn in, lad."

"Caballero? I'm not a…caballero," Diego murmured in his defence. The older man huffed a little in amusement.

Diego lay back and stared at the roof. Some of the slats were broken and the wind whistled a little around the stables. It wasn't cold. He certainly didn't feel the cold. His thoughts had turned to Victoria. The way she moved, her hips swaying a little….the way she kissed him….the way she breathed in his arms after a frightening ordeal. She was so close, he could feel his heart race. He could just go to her, and plead his cause. Maybe she would be understanding, maybe she would forgive him.

The glue holding the beard was getting itchy, and he was tiring of it. Perhaps he would keep up the masquerade for a few more days, and then return to his normal life as Don Diego. He had money in the suitcase, enough to splash around and make people bow and scrape. The first thing he'd do was have a bath, and get the grime off. That was the worst thing about the vaquero experience.

Zzz

Victoria woke in an unfamiliar bed with a gasp. It took a few moments for the disorientation to pass, and as the environment around her slowly made sense, she sighed. That was right. She had sold the tavern. Her whole reason for being…how could she have been so stupid?

She tried to relax. She had sold it in a hurry, and Alejandro de la Vega had graciously responded. Perhaps if she paid him back, she could go back to her old life? She shook her head. What was wrong with her? She had made a choice and she needed to stick with it.

The money had definitely allowed her to travel in great style. Due to the lack of demand, she had the coach to herself, and she felt a little like a princess. She had travelled squashed and crumpled too many times to count, and it was a relief to have space around her.

The strangely familiar vaquero was interesting. If it wasn't for the greying hair and beard, she would have sworn it was Diego, playing at being Jack again. She shook her head slowly. She saw that man everywhere now.

She was regretting her impulse to stay with Ramon in Mexico, but her pride wouldn't let her back down. She wanted Diego to come and insist she return home with him. She missed his warm strong arms and fiery kisses. She'd forgive his stubbornness if he could forgive her pride and impatience. They belonged together like the two sides of the same coin.

She made her way downstairs, and thought of the handsome but aging vaquero. Perhaps he was Alejandro's age, she wondered. He would have slept in the stables, to be close enough to tend to the horses.

She paused in the doorway, soaking up the warmth of the sun, Glancing towards the stables, she had an urge to meet the cowboy again. She began walking over, wondering what she was going to say to the man. He seemed shy and unapproachable on the road. She had tried talking with him a few times, but the yes and no answers were frustrating.

Zzz

Diego had taken his shirt off to at least have a go at cleaning the grime from his body. The cold water was a little shocking, but it felt good to get the sweat and dirt off him. The sweat and dirt would return during the day, but it was invigorating and he was grateful for the coach driver for thinking of it.

"What are you going by?"

"What do you mean?" He said in his French accent.

"I mean, you're obviously playing at something…What do I call you?"

"Henri Noires," Diego said after a moment's thought. The coach driver stared at him for a moment and then chuckled again.

"What?"

"Nothing, lad. Nothing at all."

"Thanks for looking out for me," Diego said. "What do you go by?"

"My real name, lad. That's the best way. Tom Blaxwell."

"Mr Blaxwell, it's an honor to meet you," Diego said, offering the older man a hand. "Did my father pay you to look out for me, or is it strictly your own idea?"

Tom Blaxwell smiled. "I have a son your age. I don't talk to him, and he doesn't talk to me. I would want someone watching out for him if he tried something like this. Your father was concerned…"

"Yes. He would have been," Diego said thoughtfully.

"You look like you've seen your share of trouble, Henri." Tom gestured to his chest and back. Diego glanced down as if he had forgotten it was covered in new and old scars.

He shrugged.

"I do what needs to be done. I can hold my own in a fight."

"I bet you can. The muscles on those arms of yours would certainly help."

There was a noise in the yard. Diego turned his head a little, and become quickly aware that Victoria was moving towards the stables. He rose and reached for his shirt.

"Lad – hush now. Let the lady catch you unawares for a few moments. The ladies do like to see a man without a shirt from time to time…"

Diego flushed a little, and shook his head. He wasn't sure if Victoria had ever seen him without his shirt, but he was afraid she may have. He had been unconscious a few times while she was in the room.

Zzz

Victoria saw a glimpse of a well toned back, and a flurry of movement covered it. The vaquero was dressing. Perhaps he had realised he was being watched, and decided he was indecent without a shirt.

It reminded her of being held again by Zorro. He was a very nervous man, and for good reason. She sighed. Maybe she should just get on the next coach home, and try to persuade Alejandro to escort her to the wedding. She felt so lonely for a moment, before she shook herself and told herself to snap out of it.

"Are you alright, Mademoiselle?"

"What do you mean?"

"You look troubled," Diego said in his fFrench accent. "Perhaps I could help?"

She sighed, and sat down. Tom got up to groom and feed the horses. They would leave soon, and he prided himself on his travel times.

"Are there any other travellers today? Besides me?" Victoria asked, distracted by the older man.

"What?" Tom said surprised. "Oh, no, senorita. Surprising thing, actually, but no one else is travelling in this coach."

Victoria frowned a little, and Diego glanced at the coach driver with suspicion. He had an idea what was going on. His father may well have paid for the coach to be exclusively Victoria's. He had the money for it, and he wouldn't put it past him.

"Well, I've done something very foolish, and you will think I am a silly little girl," she murmured. "I am engaged to a wonderful man, but I am running away from him."

"Really? Why? Did he frighten you?"

"No, he wants to wait forever before he can get married. He wants to wait for the right time," Victoria said. "Perhaps he is right. Peace would ensure a happy life, and safety for our children…"

"Pardon me, Senorita, but I figure this… Peace is unlikely to come without troubles of its own. If you love the man, love him. If he loves you, let him love you." Diego glanced at Tom, happy for him to interrupt. He wasn't sure what to say.

"I can't wait any longer."

"The man's a fool, and no mistake," Tom said with irritation. "Fancy letting a pretty little thing wait like that. Someone else will snap you up sure as look at you." He glared at Diego, who shrugged at him helplessly.

"I don't want anyone else. I want Diego," Victoria said softly.

"What would you do if he bumped into you? Would you be angry? Would you like to see him or not?" Diego murmured, thoughtfully.

"He's gone ahead. That's unlikely to happen," she answered. "He rides so well, and his horses are all very fast. He's angry with me for leaving town."

"No doubt you both need to rein in those tempers. Your marriage will be interesting," Tom said.

"But how will you feel if you meet him again?" Diego insisted gently.

"I would be angry, of course. But I would also be relieved to see him again. Hopefully he doesn't hate me, hopefully he will forgive me."

"And will you forgive him? Obviously there are things he did that upset you," Diego said.

"I still want to marry him as soon as possible."

"Of course she does, pretty thing like that," Tom said.

"Maybe you could talk about it, and come to a compromise…" Diego said. It didn't seem as if it could come to a compromise, but hope was better than despair.

"Diego is very clever," Victoria said thoughtfully. "He'll think of something."

Diego sighed. He wasn't sure what would work.