I am not running away, I am walking

Disclaimers: The characters from the Queen of Swords are copyright to Fireworks Productions and Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended or revenue expected from their use. The story plot and other characters are copyright to the author, James Guy.

My thanks to Shirley for correcting missing words and scenes. This was to be a VS episode, but that seems to be going nowhere.

Summary: Helm leaves and Tessa follows.

Tessa watched herself in the full length mirror as she sat in the rocking chair hold little Antonio Nicholi Petroff, Marta's two-week old son. She glanced over to see Marta slumbering through the afternoon. Tessa thought back to the day the little one was born and how angry she was with doctor Helm. She looked down at Antonio. "I was so wrong about him. I tell him I don't want to see him again and then I chase him down to stop him from leaving. Then when he is told that he is not welcome around your mother, he helps anyway. What do I do? I get mad because I thought he hadn't helped." She glanced back over at Marta. "What?"

The older woman smiled. "I was just thinking about how you will look when you hold your own Niño."

Tessa laughed. "That won't be happening anytime soon. My choices of a husband are nada. There aren't any eligible young men in Santa Elena."

Marta nodded as she sat up. "You do seem to have a way with men. They are either perros, end up dead or you chase them away."

"I know. Antonio died and now I have told Roberto to leave. What is wrong with me?"

"Nothing Tessita. Antonio died by another's hand while he was protecting your secret. You are angry with Doctor Helm because he protected you. He would rather kill Grisham than have the blood of your father's killer on your hands. Maybe you were too hard on him, not that you didn't have a reason."

"Marta, I hate him so much, so why do I keep stopping him from leaving? I am the one who told him to leave in the first place."

"Then why do you?"

Tessa shook her head. "He asked me that himself." She shifted in the chair, trying not to disturb Antonio. "Maybe he is right. I don't want him but I don't want him to have anyone else either. It doesn't make any sense."

"Yes it does. You are still in love with him and I think he still loves you."

"Then why do we keep hurting each other?"

Marta shrugged her shoulders. "I am Gypsy, not a mind reader. Until you two work it out you will both be miserable." She pushed up the pillows behind her. "Now give me my son, it is lunch time." She adjusted her nightgown as Tessa settled the youngster in Marta's arms.

"You are right, Marta. I will go see him."

Two hours later, Tessa surveyed El Pueblocito del Curador from Lindo's back. She listened for any sound but there was none nor was there any sign of life. She dismounted and walked into the Ap that was Helm's quarters, looking for any sign that the Englishman still lived there but found none. She caught a glimpse of a shadow in her peripheral vision and turned, ready to fight. She relaxed. "Churi quit doing that. You scared the hell out of me."

Her blood brother smiled. "Our brother is not here, little sister. He left three days ago."

"He ran away again?"

Churi placed his hand on her shoulder. "He did what you asked him to do. He left."

"He left because I told him to? Where did he go?"

Churi shook his head. "He did not tell me, but there are tracks leading North."

"Why North? How can I track him? There must be thousands of horses going north."

"I guess he thought it would be safer than going through Apache territory to Texas. When you find a print with a V notch, you will know it is him."

Tessa walked over to Lindo. "Where would he go?"

Churi shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe he went to the white man's village to catch a ship to England."

Tessa ran back and hugged Churi. "Thank you my brother."

"Be careful little sister. A woman riding alone is not safe, even for a warrior such as yourself."

"I will. Thank you my brother."

“Colonel, you asked me to report on any unusual things in Santa Elena.”

The Colonel, in military uniform watched the man. “Sergeant Perrez, I believe I ordered you to report. It was not a request.”

The short fair-haired Sergeant snapped to attention.

The colonel smiled. “All right Perrez, what do you have?”

“The English doctor has left Santa Elena and two days later Señorita Alvarado disappeared.”

“So? Helm is headed to Monterey, in fact he may be here already.” The Colonel thought a moment. “Yes that might work. Have Lieutenant Sandoval visit the harbormaster. Sandoval is fairly unknown in Alta California.”

Perrez nodded. “Yes Sir, he told me he has only seen Señorita Alvarado at a distance and has never seen Helm.”

“Good. That will work. Dismissed.” The Colonel smiled as the Sergeant left. “Yes this will work perfectly."

Tessa watched the faint sails of a fleeting ship as she stood on the dock in Monterey four days later. She turned and found the harbormaster's office. As she entered, the harbormaster looked up to see a young man with a beard, wide brimmed hat and sword at his hip.

"May I help you Señor?"

Tessa looked at the tall thin man. ‘He is unusual for a civil servant. The moustache is normal but the scar on his face, the rolled up sleeves and what looks to be a sword slash don’t seem to fit a harbormaster.’

"Sí, the ship that sailed. Where is it going?"

"Eventually Spain, but first it is going to the Presidio de San Francisco. It should be there in about four days. A fast horse could get you there in about three days if you stay on El Camino de Real."

"Gracias." Tessa turned towards the door. "Was there perhaps an Englishman on that ship?"

"An Englishman inquired about the ship just after it sailed early this morning. Was he a friend of yours?"

"Sí, a business associate. I was supposed to meet him yesterday but was delayed. Do you know where he might be now?"

"Well, that was about four this morning and it is what, three in the afternoon? He could be anywhere. Oh wait, he did mention of a place he was trying to get to. The Vallejo rancho, but I am sorry, I do not know where it is."

"Gracias, Señor." Tessa walked out of the harbormaster's office and untied Chico's reins from the hitching rail. "We are going to need some supplies, Chico." She looked up as the harbormaster walked out. "Señor, can you tell me where I can get some traveling supplies?"

He pointed North. "Take the third right and go down to the base of the Presidio wall. Go left and you will run right into it."

"Gracias, again."

"De nada, Señor. Vaya con Dios."

Tessa nodded as she mounted and turned Chico down the street. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the shadow of a very large dog.

Tessa walked Chico into the grounds of Mission San Jose. It had been a hard two-day ride and she was exhausted. She saw a Franciscan monk walk by. "Perdona me, Padre."

"I am a brother not a priest. How may I help you Señor, I am Brother Roberto."

"I have been riding for two days and my horse needs rest. Is there food and water that I may give him?"

"Sí. You will find water and oats in the corral on the far side of the mission grounds. The noon meal will be served in an hour and you are welcome. We have a guest house where you can sleep tonight."

"Gracias, Brother, food and rest will be welcomed, but I must be leaving before night fall."

He laughed. "Then you must be happy that it is only Eleven o'clock. All of our guests have left already so you will have the guest room to yourself."

Tessa nodded and led Chico to the corral. After brushing the horse she walked to the guest quarters, found a bed, lay down and closed her eyes.

Tessa watched as the Queen of Swords climbed the canyon wall to escape El Serpiente. Out of breath the Queen pulled herself up and sat down. A moment later she looked up to see the snarling jaws of a wolf. The wolf morphed into Doctor Helm.

The scene faded into a sword fight between the Queen and El Serpiente. During the fight, the Queen lost her main gauche and tripped over a barrel. The bandito raised his sword to strike when he turned. He fell back with a dagger in his chest.

The Queen looked to her savior to find a wolf. As before the animal morphed into Doctor Helm.

Tessa woke with a start as a hand shook her. She opened her eyes to see Brother Robert. "Señor, it is three o'clock. You have been asleep for three hours. You did mention you wanted to leave around this time."

"Gracias, Brother. I guess I was more tired than I thought. I just lay down for a minute." She laughed deeply. "I didn't even take off my boots." She rose and gathered her gear as she left the visitor’s quarters. A few minutes later she led Chico out of the corral and mounted. She met Brother Robert by the gate.

"Señor, please take this with you. It is not much, just a few tortillas and cheese for your journey."

Tessa took the bundle and tied it to the saddle. "Gracias Brother." She dug into the pocket of the vest she wore and took out two Reales. "May I make a donation?"

Brother Robert's eyes widened. "Gracias Señor. May I ask your name?"

"Miguel Sanchez."

"Go with God, Miguel Sanchez."

The long summer sky stayed bright throughout the day. Tessa checked the position of the sun. "Well Chico, it's around six o'clock. Better find a place to sleep before it gets dark." Searching the terrain she spied a stand of trees about two hundred yards from the trail. Riding into the trees, she almost missed an alcove hidden by bushes. "This looks good Chico. It will keep us hidden. Afraid it will be a cold camp for us. No reason to advertise our location."

Tessa stripped off the tack from Chico and brushed him before settling down with a tortilla and cheese while her horse munched on oats. As the sun dropped in the western sky, she rested her head on the saddle and fell asleep. A soft neigh brought her wide-awake as her hand grabbed the pistol in her belt. The false dawn cast enough light for her to see her surroundings. She quickly saddled Chico and walked her way out of the trees. She smelled the remnants of a campfire and stopped. Backing into the trees, she heard the low rumble of men's voices as they broke camp. Across the trail in the bushes sat a wolf on its haunches. As Tessa watched the wolf vanished.

Tessa watched as the men passed two hundred feet from her on their way south. An hour later, Tessa mounted and headed north. At midmorning she took pulled out a map that Brother Roberto had given her. The map showed that the trail wound up the eastern shore of the bay, but being wary, she rode parallel to the trail just within visual range.

By mid-afternoon she cut the trail of a single horseman. One shoe had left the imprint of a V notch. A breath caught in her throat. 'I found him. The tracks are less than a day old. Robert Helm, you can't get away from me.' Checking her map again, she determined that she was about a day from the river than ran into the interior. On the other side would be the Vallejo Rancho and the home of her good friend Elena.

As she rode, she remembered the first time she that had seen the young woman who reminded her of herself. In fact, the resemblance almost got her killed when Elena's former employer saw Tessa and went after her with a whip. The Queen of Swords had been sitting on a rock watching the sea when she spied the young woman swimming towards shore. One look at Elena and the Queen knew she was a dead ringer for Maria Teresa Alvarado. Elena had even tried to impersonate the Queen of Swords.

Tessa had sent the girl to her uncle in Spain to learn to be a lady and was shocked when the young woman had returned with a fiancé but also had learned the use of the sword from Señor Torres in much the same manner as Tessa had. Elena had married Juan Pablo Vallejo shortly afterwards at the Alvarado hacienda and had moved north.

The sound of gunfire and the ring of metal on metal brought Tessa out of her reverie. She guided Chico to the sounds and found five unsavory looking characters surrounding a lone rider. She nudged Chico into a gallop as she drew her sword and main gauche. "No one is going to harm a hair on Roberto's head as long as I am around." With a wild yell, she drove into the men, felling one with her sword and injuring another with her knife. The attackers were startled long enough for Helm to drive his sword into one opponent as the others fled with their wounded companion. Tessa rode up to Helm and dismounted as Helm grabbed his rifle. "Duck!" Tessa dropped to the ground as the muzzle flash carried over her. A quick glimpse showed a rifleman drop as the banditos fled.

Helm reloaded before walking over to his rescuer. "Are you hurt, Señor?" He watched as the young man waved him off. Helm studied the young man. "Now who would wear a fake beard? A bandito, a young boy?" He grabbed the beard and ripped it away. "Or a young woman? Tessa what the hell are you doing here?"

Tessa rubbed her face with her hand. "You're welcome." Anger flashed in he eyes. "I just saved your life and you thank me by yelling at me?"

Helm glared at her. "I have been in worse situations."

Tessa held up her hand. "I know, I know, in the war. That was over ten years ago."

"Actually I was thinking about three weeks ago with Roman and Marta. Wait, is something wrong with Marta or the baby?"

"Marta and el niño are fine. I came to find you."

Helm took off his hat and slapped it against his leg. "Damn it Tessa, You made it perfectly clear how you felt about me and you never wanted to see me again. "He put his hat back on. "Every time I leave, you chase me down. It's like I am in Dante's Inferno."

"Robert, I . . ."

"Save it Tessa. You wanted me gone and I am gone. Leave me the hell alone.” He turned to his horse, slammed the rifle into the scabbard and started to mount.

"I love you Doctor Robert Helm." She gasped as the words came out.

Helm paused in mid mount and stepped back down. "You have a strange way of showing it." He picked up the fake beard and tossed it to Tessa. "Better put that back on. We have to leave or those guys will be back." He mounted his horse and started to ride away.

Tessa watched him leave as she replaced the beard, mounted Chico and followed him. She caught up to him and rode side by side. "How far is it to the river?"

"A day of hard riding, maybe less. Then we have to persuade the ferryman to take us across. Once on the other side it is at least a days ride to the hacienda."

"How do you know it is a days ride?"

Helm shrugged. "Well the last time I was here, we were punching a herd of cattle. It was a little slower."

"You said a days ride to the hacienda."

"Oh that. The rancho is sixty thousand acres and the hacienda is near the center."

Tessa pulled up. "Sixty thousand acres? That is larger than any rancho in Santa Elena. Montoya would have a heart attack."

Helm snorted and nudged his horse with his heels. "Why don't you go back and tell him?"

Tessa lowered her head but glanced up at him. "Why don't you come with me?"

Helm ignored her as he rode ahead. After an hour of silence, Tessa pulled up beside him. “Why did you decide to go north?”

Helm laughed. “It seems that Marta wrote to Elena about my situation. Juan wrote me and asked me to think about being their doctor. How could I refuse a visit, especially since I have not seen their son, Mariano.”

“Yes, seeing Elena, Juan and Mariano will be nice. Tell me is this General Vallejo like Montoya?"

Helm smiled. "General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo was born in California and is a friend to all. He lives north of the hacienda in a place called Lachrymal Montis."

"The tears of the mountains. Sounds appropriate."

Helm looked at Tessa. "He is a great man. He retired from the military and is now a civil servant, sort of a governor in this area. He founded the village of Sonoma and made his money the old fashioned way."

"He over taxed the people?"

Helm frowned. "He worked for it. Cattle and vineyards. You will like him if you meet him. He is an honest man."

"That in itself is unusual, a man who is honest. I wonder if he too lies to the one he loves?"

Helm glared at her. "Is a lie or hiding the truth to protect your loved ones, wrong? How many people have you lied to, Tessa?"

"I don't lie." She nudged Chico.

Helm stared after her. "Oh, right, mi Reina des Espades. I suppose the mask is just a little flair to go with the corset and sash. Isn't the mask a lie? Isn't telling me you hate me and for me to leave a lie, since you always chase me down? I hid the truth from you to protect you so that you would not have the blood of your father's killer on your hands." He raced his horse past her. "My first impression was right. You are a spoiled brat."

Tessa stared at his back. "And you Doctor Helm are a pompous, arrogant bastard." She pulled up on the reins. "Chico that man really gets under my skin." Chico nodded his head. "I love him, Chico."

Helm glanced back at her. "Don't stop, there are riders following us."

Tessa looked over her shoulder and then back at Helm. "Who are they?"

"Probably friends of those men we killed. They are about two hours behind us." He put his horse into a gallop as Tessa followed suit.

Tessa caught up to Helm she looked over at him. “Once we get to the river we will have it at our back and no place to go."

"Just pray that the ferryman is on this side of the river." He urged his horse faster.

Helm slowed his horse down after twenty minutes. The animal was blowing hard as they crested the sand dune and stared down at the river. Tessa pointed. "Is that the ferry?"

Helm nodded. "It is, but something is not right. Stay behind me but be alert."

Tessa watched as he pulled the carbine out of the scabbard. He dismounted and handed Tessa the reins. She watched in amazement as Helm headed for the ferry. He reminded her of some soldiers she saw in Spain. He came to a small building and ran up to the blind side. Cocking the weapon, he leaned around the corner and disappeared. A moment later he waved for her to come ahead. Tessa rode up and saw the ferryman, face down on the craft in a circle of dried blood.

Helm pointed. "Get the horses on board while I untie the ropes. Grab a pole and start polling." Helm slung his carbine over his shoulder and cut the tie ropes with his sword. Tessa tossed him a pole as he jumped aboard. They polled in unison as the craft was pulled into the river by the current. A puff of white in the distance and a splash indicated incoming rifle fire. Helm polled faster. "Harder. We need to get out of range."

They pushed with all of their might and gained over half way to the opposite shore. Tessa wiped her forehead with her sleeve. "Won't they try and swim across?"

"No this river is deep, wide and swift. There isn't a horse born that could swim it. The problem is that this is not the only ferry. There is another one about ten miles down river. Our best chance is to get some distance between the river and us. Now look sharp, we are about ready to land. Use the poles to slow us down." As the ferry ground into the shore, Helm jumped off and tied the ferry rope to a tree. Tessa led the horses off and mounted. She handed Helm the reins to his horse. "How far to the Vallejo Rancho?"

"You're on it. The hacienda is still a long way off." He mounted and led the way at a gallop. Tessa set Chico after him and they rode side by side for an hour. Helm halted his horse and dismounted. "Rest and water your horse. We will stop every hour. Gallop for thirty minutes then walk. Water and rest every hour."

Tessa poured some water in her hat and let Chico lap it up. "So how many miles?"

"Probably ten miles to the fence line and then another ten to the hacienda."

"Fence line?"

"Yes. The fence keeps the cattle out of the crops and vineyards. Out here you have to grow everything. The nearest market is many days away and Juan and Elena take care of three hundred workers including the women and children."

They rested for fifteen minutes and mounted and rode toward their goal. Daylight was still two hours away when Tessa pointed to the west.

Helm looked and spied the dust cloud that Tessa had spotted. He looked south and saw a smaller one. "The one from the west is probably vaqueros but the ones behind us are not the friendly types. Keep moving."

A short while later they forded a stream. As they reached the opposite back a rifle shot rang out. Helm turned and saw Tessa slump across the neck of her horse. He grabbed Chico's reins and led him around a large boulder as another shot glanced off the rock. Easing Tessa to the ground, he tore off his shirt and pressed it against the shoulder wound. "Tessa, stay with me. Lean up against the rock. Your back will keep the pressure on the bandage." He pulled the beard away and kissed her. He then ran to his horse and pulled out his carbine. Finding a notch in the rocks, he carefully aimed and fired. An attacker dropped from his horse as more bullets ricocheted, sending Helm to the ground wiping his eyes.

He crawled over to Tessa. "You alright?"

Tessa nodded. "Look out!"

Helm turned to see a rifleman coming around the boulder, rifle raised. Helm fired and missed as the attacker fired. Helm turned and covered Tessa with his body as the bullet took him down. A fusillade of bullets cut the attacker down as the vaqueros rode up. Three Vaqueros ran to the boulders and fired. Five other Vaqueros raced after the attackers.

Helm felt a hand on his shoulder. "Señor, I am Diego Villa Cruz, El Jefe for Juan Pablo Vallejo." Helm rolled over and off Tessa. "Mi Dios, it is Señora Vallejo."

The vaqueros raced over as one man arrived and dismounted. Diego stopped him. "Compadre, it is Elena." The man pushed past him and knelt down beside Tessa. "Diego. This is Señorita Alvarado and you remember Doctor Helm. Sancho, get a wagon, quickly."

Helm looked up at Juan. "My bag. Get my bag. There are bandages in it. We need to stop Tessa's bleeding."

"Don't worry amigo. We know how to treat bullet wounds. We will take care of her and you."

"Me?"

"Crazy Doctor. You have a hole in you also. From the looks of it, it went all the way through the shoulder."

"Take care of Tess……."

Juan caught him before he hit the ground.

In the valley where Spaniards did not go, Jeff Swain rode up to the camp where his father Rob Swain and the family waited. He dismounted and led his horse to Los Tulares, the large lake north of the Tehachapi Mountains. Leaving his horse to drink and graze on the wild grasses, Jeff walked into the main tent. "Dad."

"Corporal, we may no longer be on active duty, but once a Marine, always a Marine."

Rob watched as Jeff snapped to attention." "Yes Sergeant." Rob smiled as he picked up his Marine uniform and a clothes brush. "At ease Corporal. What brings you home in such a hurry?"

"I was in Monterey and picked up some information about your friends, Señorita Alvarado and Doctor Helm. Someone has sent an execution squad after them."

"In Santa Elena?"

"No. They apparently rode north. There is word that Helm kidnapped and murdered Tessa, which I don't believe. Colonel Montoya is planning on seizing Tessa's land. Why would they go north?"

"Tessa has a dear friend who is married to the son of our old friend Mariano Vallejo."

"The Generalissimo?"

"Yes. Now how did you hear of this?"

Jeff smiled. "Mary Rose."

Rob laughed. "How is our lovely female pirate?"

"She is well. She took the Falcon north."

"Good. We will go to Santa Elena. Tell the women folk to get ready. We will break camp early in the morning."

"I met an Irishman while I was in Monterey. He is another friend of our lovely Señorita."

Rob furled his brow. "Oh?"

"Yes, a guy by the name of Shamus Lennane. He was with the 95^th Rifles."

"Tessa gets around. She has friends who are Marines and Riflemen and pirates."

"That she does. She has a lot of friends."

"Hit the rack early, we have a long way to go. Merrill is out hunting and should be back shortly. Tell him we are pulling out."

"Yes Sergeant." Jeff smiled as he did an about face and walked out of the tent.

Robert opened his eyes and tried to sit up. Gentle but firm hands pushed him back and a lovely face hovered over him.

"Easy Robert, it's me Elena."

"Tessa?"

Elena stepped back and motioned to her left. "She is fine. She is sleeping now but her wound is healing nicely. So is yours."

"How long?"

"Three days."

"I have been unconscious for three days? For a shoulder wound?"

Elena laughed. "The shoulder wound was the worst. Did you know that you had a wound in your back and one on your head?"

"What? I never felt a thing."

"You were probably hit at the same time Tessa was. You concentrated on her so much that it didn't even register. Fortunately we have learned to take care of our own and bullet wounds are not unheard of out here. I am also a good seamstress. I sewed both of you up." She laughed. "I hope you don't mind my initials on your back."

"You didn't."

"You will just have to find out for yourself."

"You are a good doctor, why do you need me?"

"Marta wrote me and told me what has been going on, so I was surprised that Tessa was with you."

"Not as surprised as I was when she showed up."

Elena glared at him. "Do you love her?"

"That's not the point, Elena. She was the one who spurned me. She told me to leave and then stopped me. She turned the whole pueblo against me. I have been living in an old Chumash village by myself for some time."

"I remember that you are Tessa are both blood relatives of the Chumash."

"Yes and if it hadn't been for them, I don't know what I would have done. I thought that if I came here I would be far enough away. Apparently I didn't leave soon enough. A couple of days earlier and she never would have caught me."

Elena put her hands on her hips and Helm recognized the stance. "You didn't answer me Robert. Do you love her?"

Helm hung his head. "Yes."

"Then tell her so."

"What good would that do? She hates me."

Elena shook her head. "You two are the most stubborn people that I have ever known."

Helm snorted. "Ever look in a mirror?"

Elena laughed. "Alright, besides me."

Helm looked at Tessa, asleep a few feet away. 'Damn it Tessa, why do you complicate my life so much?'

Tessa turned her head and looked at Helm. "Do you really love me?"

"Yes."

"Oh Robert, I have been such a fool."

"You won't get any argument from me on that point."

Tessa rolled to her side. "Elena told me that you were wounded yet you protected me."

"I guess it seemed like the right thing to do, but I honestly don't remember doing it let alone getting shot." He looked up as two vaqueros walked in. Robert recognized Diego and Sancho. His curiosity was peaked when they picked up the ends of Tessa's bed and moved it next to his. Diego winked. "Buenos noches, Señorita, Doctor."

Neither spoke for several minutes. Helm watched Tessa's hand reach out and take his. He squeezed hers as they both closed their eyes. "Robert I am sorry for the way that I have treated you. It took me awhile, but I have finally realized that you were protecting me as you always have. I wonder how many times you have saved my life when it was my job to save yours?"

"No one asked you to Tessa. Saving lives is why I became a doctor. Since knowing you, I have killed or caused you to kill several men. I don't even know how many in the last few days."

Tessa nodded. "Killing never seems to go away. I never purposely kill."

Helm laughed. "No you just beat them to a pulp. I guess a broken arm is better than a broken head."

"Roberto, does this mean we can be together again?"

Helm looked at her. "Tessa, I do love you, but I don't know if being together is a good idea. I have to sort everything out in my mind."

"Maybe we should go back to the sweat lodge and meditate."

"I suppose you want to burn three bundles of that loco weed."

Tessa laughed. "Well we did have some interesting dreams."

Helm shook his head. "At least I don't have my horse talking to me."

"Only twice."

"I don't know Tessa. You have destroyed my life and my reputation, even my job, all gone."

Tessa looked at him with tears in her eyes. "What can I do to repair what I have done?"

"I just don't know." He rolled over on his side.

Tessa stared at his back. "I do love you."

"I know."

Tessa rolled away from him and softly cried herself to sleep.

Juan Pablo and Elena sat on the porch of the hacienda and watched as Robert and Tessa rode towards them. Elena took Juan's hand. "Do you think they will ever get married? It has been three weeks since they arrived."

Juan laughed. "If I knew that, I would be able to see the future. They still haven't even held hands."

He stood up. "We have riders coming. Diego, Sancho, riders."

Diego and Sancho grabbed their rifles and ran to the upstairs balcony where they could cover the newcomers. Diego leaned over the banister. "Four riders, one is a woman."

Elena stood up and went inside. She returned a moment later with a telescope and looked through it. "It's Mary Rose. Now why would she be here now? I didn't think we were shipping any cattle to her for a month."

Juan shook his head. "We aren't, something is not right."

Mary Rose and her vaqueros rode up. "Juan, Elena are Señorita Alvarado and Doctor Helm here?"

"Yes they are coming now." She pointed to the east.

A few minutes later Tessa and Robert arrived. Mary Rose waited on the stoop. "Tessa, Colonel Montoya has determined that you have abandoned your hacienda and ordered it to be seized if you are not in residence in a week."

Tessa jumped off Chico. "A week? It will take us that long to ride there."

Mary Rose walked over to Tessa. "No worry. I can get you home in three days. My ship is off shore. There is more, Tessa. Doctor Helm has been charged with kidnapping and possibly murder."

"Murder? Who did he supposedly murder?"

"You."

Tessa stood up and stomped around the veranda. "That bastard. He is trying to steal my property if I don't come back and now he claims that I was murdered. Ten to one there will be people around to insure that I don't come back."

Elena went inside and came back with several glasses and a bottle. "Mary Rose, please sit down. It has been a long trip for you and it is rather warm. We will drink some Vallejo wine and make our plans."

Mary Rose took the glass. "Well, I would prefer ale, but wine will do. What do you mean we?"

Juan took a glass from his wife. "We are going with you. It is a perfect excuse for us to see Marta's new baby."

Mary Rose put her hand on Elena's arm. What about Mariano? Is he going also?

"Why would the Generalissimo want to go to Santa Elena?"

Mary Rose laughed. "Not your father-in-law, your son."

Elena blushed. "Oh. Of course he is going. Consuelo will take care of him when we take care of business."

"Can you trust her?"

"I had better, she is Juan's younger sister."

Helm looked at Juan. "There is something you are not telling us."

Juan nodded as he took out a piece of paper. "We found this on one of the banditos who attacked you. One side is a map leading from Santa Elena to Monterey to here. One the other is a picture of you."

Elena nodded. "Tell them the rest, Juan."

Juan looked at Tessa and Robert. "We captured one of the attackers and he talked before he was hung. He claimed there were ten men that were transported to the south shore of the river. They split into two groups with one heading south while the other waited for Robert."

Helm scratched his head. "Why did they split up?"

"Apparently they spotted you and were not sure you were the target. They had been told there were two people. The group that went south was looking for Tessa."

"That must have been the group that passed me. I was hidden in the trees and they missed me."

Helm's eyes turned cold. "Did he tell you what their orders were and who sent them?"

"Robert was to be killed and Tessa, well she was to be killed afterwards. He only said that a military looking man hired them. One of them took the place of the harbormaster and was looking for an Englishman."

Mary Rose put down her glass. "The harbormaster was found in an alley with his throat slashed."

Tessa stood in front of Mary Rose. "Was the harbor master a tall thin man?"

"No he was short, fat and balding."

Juan put his hand on Tessa's arm. "The man you described was the one we hung."

Tessa whirled on him. "You hung a man because he attacked us?"

"No we hung him for the murder of the ferryman. He was Diego's father."

The Falcon set sail at high tide and sailed into the bay. A stiff wind blew, sending the ship through the gate that was known to be shrouded in fog during the winter. Tessa stood on the bow staring at the seals who raced the ship. She smiled at the playfulness of the sea creatures.

"You are going to freeze to death out here." Helm walked up and wrapped his duster around her shoulders.

She tossed off the duster and faced him. "I don't need your sympathy."

Helm looked at her, his eyes traveling down the front of her thin cotton, shoulder bare peasant blouse. She saw him staring and looked down to see her body betrayed her. She grabbed the duster and wrapped it around herself. "Gracias. Now it is your turn to get cold."

Helm laughed. "Woolen shirts and long johns tend to keep the cold out."

"You are a doctor. Surely you have seen ladies."

"Helm laughed and shook his head. "You Spanish ladies are more modest than your English counter parts. I can't even deliver a baby without asking permission to look and touch and even then a Spanish woman is fully clothed and has a chaperone."

"Did you have a problem with Marta?"

"No. I asked permission and Roman stood behind me most of the time."

"Most of the time?"

"Well, I did have to step over him after he passed out." He laughed as he remembered the mountain of a man turning pale before he went down. He looked at Tessa. 'I can't stand this, I want her so much.'

"You two are going to freeze to death." Tessa and Robert turned to see Juan and Elena walking toward them. Juan handed Tessa her duster as Elena brought a tray with four steaming mugs. Tessa took the duster and handed Helm his. Taking a mug, she took a sip and gagged.

"What is that?"

Helm grinned at Juan. "It's called hot buttered rum and a tradition of sailors. It will put hair on your chest."

"I am fine without the hair, thank you very much." A noise caused them to turn as Mary Rose came out of the Fo'c's'le.

"What's this? My passengers are drinking and I am the only one without a flagon?"

Juan grinned and turned towards the stern. "Diego, a flagon for the ship's mistress."

Diego came forward with larger mug and handed it to Mary Rose. She smiled and ran her hand alongside his face. "Gracias, Diego. Now this is what I call a flagon."

Tessa winked at Elena. "Roberto says this will put hair on your chest. Is that true?"

Mary Rose choked. "Only on the men. I certainly have never seen any evidence of it." She looked at Elena. "Consuelo and Mariano should stay on the Falcon."

"Absolutely. He is too young to go riding a horse. Consuelo is having a good time and the crew adores Mariano. I just worry that he might grow up to be a pirate like you."

Mary Rose looked shocked. "What's wrong with that? And I prefer the term privateer. I do hold papers from England and Spain." She grinned. "Don't worry, I gave up recruiting a long time ago."

Five nights later, seven people and seven horses landed on a deserted beach just north of Santa Elena. The mysterious travelers rode hard to the home of Señor and Señora Petroff.

Two pairs of eyes watched the mysterious rides ride towards them and the Alvarado hacienda. Without a word they aimed their weapons at the unsuspecting riders. So concentrated on their task, they were taken by surprise, as their heads were yanked back and their throats slashed. The two attackers silently nodded to each other as they wiped the knives on the dead men's clothes. A few minutes later the riders were challenged by a voice from the shadows.

"Hola amigos, alto por favor."

Tessa looked into the night. "I know that voice. Sergeant Swain is that you?"

Two men rode forward. "None other. Tessa there is trouble ahead. Do not go to your hacienda. We just took out two assassins but there may be more around."

Tessa nodded. "We will go to Marta's. Is your family with you?"

"Yes they are. They are waiting about three miles from here."

Tessa nodded. "Good I may have a need for your cousin Jo's special skills."

The next morning eight riders left the Petroff homestead for Santa Elena along for a meeting with Colonel Luis Montoya and the Council of Dons. Tessa noted that Montoya stood on his balcony as she split off from the group. Montoya grinned as the people gathered.

"Thank you all for coming. I have an announcement of a serious nature. Since a hacienda has been abandoned, I hereby declare that the Alvarado hacienda is now the property of the crown."

Don Hidalgo and his wife sat in a buggy in the square. "Colonel Montoya, on behalf of the Council of Dons, I must protest. What right do you have to order the seizure of a Don's property?"

Montoya frowned at Gaspar. "Señorita Alvarado has been absent a month and not even her vaqueros know where she went. She took neither clothes nor any personal property that we can determine. She has either abandoned her property or has met with an unfortunate accident, possibly even kidnapped or murdered."

"Can't a person even take a vacation without fear of their property being seized?"

Montoya's grin faded. "Who said that?"

In the crowd a young vaquero took off his hat and shook out her long black hair, while removing the bandana from her face. Montoya stared. "Señorita Alvarado. How nice of you to join us. Guards, arrest her."

Don Hidalgo pushed his way forward through the crowd. "On what charge, Colonel?"

"For being the Queen of Swords. You will notice that the Queen has been absent during the time that Señorita Alvarado has been gone. You will also note the sword on her hip."

As the soldiers came forward, they found themselves facing several rifles. A horseman pushed forward. "Colonel Montoya, you are very mistaken. The woman you are trying to arrest is my wife and has not been here for a year. Persist in this travesty and you will feel the wrath of my father, Generalissimo Vallejo."

The crowd gasped.

"He speaks the truth, Colonel. Elena is my guest." Señorita Alvarado walked around the corner dressed in a peasant dress.

Montoya grinned. "Ah, well now we have the real Queen of Swords."

Tessa smiled. "Then who is that on the roof?"

Montoya shaded his eyes with his hand. "No."

The Queen of Swords jumped off the roof and disappeared. Soldiers ran to the building and encountered Señora Petroff and a young vaquero wearing a duster, the legs of his black pants tucked into his boots and the tip of his sword sticking out under the coat, walking down the alley.

The soldiers stopped. "Señora have you see the Queen of Swords?"

Marta grinned. "Silly boy, the whole pueblo saw her on that roof." She pointed to the building they had left before the soldiers arrived.

"Gracias, Señora. Come on men" The Sergeant raced down the alley, his men following, and went into the building.

Marta walked up to Tessa. "Welcome home Tessita, just like old times. Do you remember Jo?" The young man took off his hat to let the long black hair cascade onto her shoulders.

Tessa smiled as she turned her attention to Montoya.

The enraged Colonel slammed his hand on the railing. "Sergeant Alvarez, did you get her? Do you have the Queen of Swords?"

Alvarez walked into the plaza. "No sir, she is gone."

Tessa walked to the front of the crowd. "Colonel, why did you presume that you had authorization to confiscate my property while I was visiting my friends?"

"I am sorry, Señorita, but no one knew where you were. It was assumed that you had been abducted or abandoned your property."

"Is this the same reason Doctor Helm has been accused of my abduction and murder? Why would you presume I was dead and that he was the murderer? Did you expect our bodies to be found?"

"Señorita, I don't know what you are talking about. Perhaps we should discuss this in private."

"Why, so you can hide behind closed doors? I don't think so, Colonel." She placed both hands on her hips. "You tried to steal my property, accused my friend and then me of being the Queen of Swords even though she was on a building across the way. I submit that it was you who hired ten men to kill Doctor Helm and myself."

"Señorita, I have not been out of this pueblo in two months and there have been no strangers. Only Lieutenant Sandoval has been away in Monterey. He hasn't returned yet."

Tessa shook her head. "Colonel, I have never met Lieutenant Sandoval. What does he look like?"

Montoya shrugged his shoulders. "Tall, thin man, moustache, scar along his left eye. Oh and he has a saber scar on his right arm. Why?"

Juan dismounted. "Colonel, that is the man who we captured as the only survivor of ten men who attacked Doctor Helm and Señorita Alvarado."

Montoya fumed. "Where is he, I will hang him."

"Already done, Colonel. He murdered the father of my jefe. The only question is who sent him, any ideas?"

Montoya shook his head. "Not a clue. Señorita I apologize for my actions and obviously Doctor Helm did not kidnap and murder you."

Two men sat on the veranda of the cantina watching the proceedings. Their large brimmed hats hid their faces. "Interesting happenings wouldn't you say Robert?" Swain poured wine from a bottle into two glasses.

Helm smiled. "No truer words were ever said, Rob. Hiding here at the cantina in plain sight was a stroke of genius. Who would think of looking for a man in plain sight?"

Rob smiled. "Sometimes you can't see the forest through the trees."

Helm took a sip of wine. "I had wanted to be with Tessa through all of this."

Rob shook his head. "That would have gotten you shot on sight. No this was better. We have wine, some cheese and shade. It's damn hot in the sun."

"This from the man that spent his life in a wool uniform with a leather collar."

Rob laughed. "I never said the uniform was comfortable. You should have worn one."

Helm looked at Rob. "I did, just not one of those. The sight of my uniform brings back bad memories."

Rob nodded. "Not all memories of war are bad. I remember a girl . . ."

Helm held up his hand and laughed. "I know. There was a young lady from Kent." He stopped when he noticed a yellow skirt in front of them.

"Really Robert. I didn't know you two had so much in common."

Rob laughed. "Different uniforms, same job."

Tessa frowned. "And obviously the same type of woman."

Rob stood up. "I married mine, Jeff and Merrill's mother."

Tessa blushed. "I am so sorry, well if you two are through, our crisis is over. I think it's time to go home. Rob, you and your family are welcome to use my hacienda. Jeff and Merrill are taking the rest of the family there now. It is the least I can do since Jo makes a great Queen of Swords."

Rob looked perplexed. "You won't be there?"

"No, I wish to escort Roberto home. We have some things to burn."

Helm rolled his eyes. "Two or three stalks this time?"

"I think one at a time would do nicely."

"Then Señorita, it is time to leave. See you around Rob."

"Take care brother." Rob watched as the two walked away.

In a shack outside of Monterey a man watched as a man with a shoulder wound walked in. "You failed."

The man looked at the speaker. "It wasn't my fault they failed. I was wounded and was left behind when Sandoval went after them."

"It doesn't matter, you were the one who brought Sandoval to me. Montoya still is in charge and Sandoval talked."

"Why are you so angry with Montoya?"

"The ambassador that was shot by Montoya as an accident was my brother. Someone must pay." He picked up a pistol and fired at the wounded man. "You Corporal Perrez are the one to pay." He stepped over the body and walked out of the shack.

As Helm led Tessa to the sweat lodge, she felt like someone was watching them. She turned to see two wolves sitting a hundred yards away. "Robert I keep seeing wolves. What is it with them? I even had a dream where a wolf turned into you."

Helm looked at the two wolves and smiled. “I wish Churi were here. He could explain it better than I. There are some things that we need to discuss and the wolves seem to be a part of it. You see, the larger of the two is my spirit guide."

Tessa nodded. "Your Spirit Guide. I think maybe you have spent to much time in the sweat lodge."

"It's true Tessa. Churi guided me on a vision quest, which the young men of the Chumash go through to find the guide that will be with them for the rest of their lives. Mine happens to be a wolf. That wolf."

"So how do you explain the other one. I have not been on any vision quest."

"Maybe you have. Have you forgotten our dream?"

"How could I. Lindo spoke to me afterwards."

Helm laughed. "Do you notice anything exceptional about the smaller one?"

Tessa squinted as she walked slowly to the two animals. "It has markings that almost look like a mask."

"She. The wolf is a female and I would guess that she is your Spirit guide. Stay where you are and don't move."

The wolves stood and charged Tessa. She braced for the impact as the wolves leapt towards her and vanished into the air. "Ok that was different. Where did they go?"

Helm shook his head. "I don't know. They are Spirit guides after all."

As they entered the Ap, Helm lit the fire to heat the rocks. When the rocks were red hot, he sprinkled water on the stones and placed three leaves on the rocks. Helm took Tessa's hand and led her to the pit, sat down and removed their boots. As the smoke and steam rose the humans were startled by the sight of two wolves on the other side of the pit, sitting and staring at them. Robert and Tessa watched as the male leaned over to the female and licked her ear. Helm looked at Tessa. "Think they are telling us something?"

Tessa looked up into Robert's eyes as she placed a hand over his heart. "Why don't we listen to them?"

The smoke and steam grew thick as the humans removed their shirts until they could not see each other.

Fin