Disclaimer: Zorro Productions owns the Zorro character and Paramount owns Voyager and the crew. This story isn't based on the Zorro movie but does use a few aspects of it here and there. It's my longest story yet ~ so sit back, get comfy and read on. Comments and feedback are welcome.

Rating: PG - for violence, mild sexual tension

The stage coach rattled into the little dusty town around noon, and the passengers within it were happy to finally reach their destination of Alto California. The trip had been plagued by various problems and reaching the small town was a blessing.

When the coach driver jumped out and opened the door to let his passengers exit they were happy to stretch their legs after many hours of travel.

The only female to exit the coach was the scholarly future schoolteacher Miss Kathryn Janes, who came with great expectations of finally being free of her old dilemmas. She had lost her fiancé to another woman five months ago and though it still hurt her emotionally, she had needed to get back to work to forget her sorrows. So after collected the money in her bank and with the help of her dearest friend she traveled back to the town she'd left so many years before.

Kathryn's father still lived on the out skirts of town and though she loved him dearly, she'd decided to stay a few nights in the local hotel before seeing him once more. It had been a handful of years since they seen each other and in the past they had clashed on many personal issues.

Her long red hair was not held in the typical fashion of pins and curls atop her head. Instead, this liberal lady preferred a single braid that would swish against her waist with each step she took. Her dresses were never the height of fashion either, but rather soft pastel shades that made her azure eyes shine even more.

She picked up her two packages and made her way to the Lone Heart hotel, the only one in the area was a neat place run by her old friend Belle Paris, who was happy to be reunited with her after nearly ten years of being away.

Belle was so happy to see her that she ran up to Kathryn and gave her a huge rib-cracking hug. "Welcome home, Kathryn. It is so nice to see you once more. I could barely believe the letter you sent it to me but I am ever so happy to have you back. I've given you our best room and you'll find a basin with some clean water. Whenever you're ready for a bath I'll be more than happy to bring up the tub and have the service boil the water for you."

Kathryn smiled and said, "Thank you, Belle. I have missed you too. Goodness but you look so happy. I am hoping to be able to get to work soon. Tomorrow I'm meeting with the nuns which are in charge of the school who will be helping me settle in."

The two women spoke for a bit longer as they walked up the flight of stairs to the rooms. Belle gave her the key and promised to chat some more once she had settled in before leaving Kathryn alone to get her belongings in order.

Looking around the neat little room she spotted a local newspaper in the corner of the bed table and began to read the headline:

"On June 10, 1842, the town has once again felt the touch of the masked marauder, Zorro. A large shipment of silver, which was being taken from the town bank owned by the honorable Don Alberto Sanchez, had mysteriously disappeared. Authorities later discovered that it had been transported, in it's entirety, to the state bank which is located 70 miles out of town. The only single piece of evidence on the scene was what witnesses describe as "the mark of Zorro" on one of the crates."

She put it back down on the table and began to remove her dress and petticoat to refresh herself before heading out to have her supper. A large basin with some cool water awaited her over by the bureau. Kathryn dipped her hands into the water and quickly cleaned away the dirt and grim from the trip.

It was later in the afternoon when she was finally ready to step out and her stomach was growling madly as she walked into the dining area of the hotel wearing a pale blue dress with her hair now neatly re-braided.

The room was full, with various families enjoying delicious meals and some lone men who stopped there for dinner. Several of those men eyed Kathryn as she made her way to a cushioned seat at an empty table but, all in all, the atmosphere was very jovial.

Belle came over immediately and offered her the day's special: a bowl of a homemade soup and freshly made bread.

"Thank you, Belle. I would truly enjoy that. And if you are not too busy I'd also enjoy talking to you later. I haven't had much company in these past few days."

Belle replied, "Oh, I'd enjoy that. I love my husband but sometimes a lady requires other female ears to hear her woes." She skirted away to prepare the supper for Kathryn and walked by the man who she'd noticed had been watching the red head since she had walked out of the coach. Belle sent him a small smile and within the folds of her skirt she crossed her fingers and sent a small prayer out.

Don Enrique Chakotay had been in town to receive his latest shipment of grains and supplies when, by sheer coincidence, he turned to see the passengers stepping out from the stagecoach. Perhaps it had been the glimmer of the sun as it struck the strands of that long hair that made her seem to have a halo. Or had it been the wonderful smile she had given when her dainty feet had touched the dusty road?

Chakotay didn't know, nor did he care. This woman was interesting and from what Belle had been quick to point out, she was not married nor betrothed. His eyes went to her again and watched the way she gave a smile to Belle as her dinner was placed before her.

Those hands were like pale porcelain when they grasped the spoon and brought it to her mouth. Those lips made a delicate "O" as she blew some cooling air onto the steaming spoonful and then opened slightly to drink it in. It amazed him the way he could not wrench his gaze away as the spoon pulled out from between her lips.

Oh, to be that spoon!

Kathryn ate slowly. She could feel someone looking at her, the tiny hairs on the back of her neck were standing on end and she fought down the urge to find out who it was. Being a good looking woman made it second nature to have men watching her, but this sense was different. The feeling made her skin tingle.

She swallowed down and with the subtle move of reaching for a slice of bread she brought her view up and gave the room a quick look around. The normal hustle and bustle of people eating and shuffling around met her eyes until she peered into the left corner of the room, the one near the kitchen doors.

He sat there half in shadow thanks to a huge potted plant that took most of the light, but the little she could view in that quick few moments was impressive. Stock-still and with one hand on his leg and the other on the table, he looked like no man she had ever laid eyes on. His hair was a bit short but nicely kept, his clothes were about as clean as any man could keep them in this dusty land, but it was his face that became engraved on her mind.

Those onyx eyes seemed to hypnotize while his mouth wore a half smile and even from across the room she saw the glimmer of a dimple on one cheek. This man was not your typical cowboy, his skintone was a creamy cocoa color, his height was impressive. Even sitting she could tell that he was quite tall by the way his legs folded before him. His stance was different, holding a certain amount of animal magnetism although he was sitting completely still.

Kathryn was still trying to figure him out when a shadow fell over her, nearly causing her to choke on the half chewed piece of bread in her mouth. As she dove for the cup of water, she saw it was only Belle taking a seat besides her.

"Hello. I'm sorry, did I startle you?" Belle asked as she watched Kathryn gulp down the cool water.

"No. Do not worry. I should've been more aware of my surroundings." Kathryn gave her a quick smile that helped calm herself down.

Belle said, "Oh. All right. The kitchen is finally quiet. I think these are all the clients for tonight. How is the soup?"

"It's wonderful! I must congratulate the chef."

"Thank you. Took me years but I have been able to find some of the best people to work in that kitchen. You left long before I purchased this place. How I waited for you to return some day." Belle quieted down and looked at her. "Does your father know you're here?"

Kathryn looked at her plate. "No", she answered, "I know he received word about Justin. However, there was not the slightest sense of sadness on his part, not even a letter saying he felt sorry for the way it all turned out. That hurt."

Belle reached over and took her friend's hand in hers. "I'm so sorry. Nevertheless, do not give up hope, Kathryn. He does love you. It's just not easy for some men to display this."

Kathryn squeezed her hand back and looked past Belle's shoulder to see the man getting up from his seat. His lean stride was fast bringing him to her table. For a quick moment, she hoped there wasn't any food stuck between her teeth nor any stray crumbs on her lips.

Belle felt her grow tense a few seconds before the big shadow covered her. She knew who it was instantly. Without releasing Kathryn's hand she peered behind her and smiled up at Chakotay.

"Well! It is about time you came by to talk to us. Don Enrique Chakotay, I'd like you to meet my wonderful friend Kathryn Janes." With a quick move, she placed Kathryn's hand into his now extended one.

With a happy sound Belle stood up and hugged the man. "Kathryn," she said, "I'm very proud to introduce Don Enrique Chakotay."

Chakotay tipped the brim of his hat to her and gave her a small smile. Belle was happy to see the way his gaze seemed to caress her entire face and yet did it in a casual way so as to not be rude. She could almost hear the wheels turning within his mind and it made her so happy to see him attracted to her friend. What a pair these two would make!

"Good evening Miss Janes. I'm sorry to make this visit a short one but I do need to get going." He turned to look at Belle and witnessed her smile. He knew Belle too well and he knew that she'd probably read him as easily as a book. For once, he wouldn't mind.

With another quick smile in both their directions Chakotay said his goodnights and left them alone again.

Kathryn fought the urge to follow his leisurely pace to the doors for she knew her friend would be watching her. She knew her cheeks were pinked slightly so she brought her glass up to try and buy some more time for herself.

Kathryn smiled and tried to make her voice casual. "You two know each other? Tell me more about him please."

Belle watched her face as she answered. "Don Chakotay has been living in this part of Alto California for around ten years now, moved here not long after you left. I've vaguely mentioned him a few times in my letters to you but obviously you don't recall that." She paused for dramatic effect, "He's my cousin."

"That's the cousin you'd mention in those letters?" Kathryn exclaimed. It took extreme effort to not let her jaw drop open. Kathryn now knew why the name had seemed familiar!

Belle laughed as she nodded and continued to speak, "He's the owner of various horse farms, most of the animals are Appaloosa mares, which he acquired from his father. His father was half Sawol and was gifted in the raising of wild horses. Sadly he died suddenly around five years ago."

Belle saw the way her friend's eyes as she mentioned the word father and she knew where her thoughts had gone. She did not like to think about how badly Jonathan Janes acted towards his daughter, he had made no qualms about wishing for sons rather than his daughter. She saw the way Kathryn straightened her shoulders, they had been friends too long to not understand the motion.

Belle, thank goodness, decided to not pursue the issue and easily picked up their old conversation. The old friends talked for another half-hour during which Thomas, Belle's husband came over and was introduced to Kathryn also.

Kathryn watched with a happy heart at the mischievous way Thomas and Belle verbally sparred with each other since she'd known what a hellion Belle had been growing up.

Soon after Kathryn said her goodnights and walked up to the room to prepare for the next day.

Later that night as Belle lay within her husband's arms she was mentally putting into motion the romancing plan for her friend and her favorite cousin.

She fell asleep with a smile on her lips.

Morning was pleasant enough though the heat seemed to crack like a whip overhead. Kathryn woke from a dreamless night to prepare to meet all of the nuns. Arriving at the church, Kathryn was surprised to see how well maintained it was. When she had lived in the area it had a been a tiny place that just seemed to barely make ends meet but now there were new doors at the entrance, new pews and the neat, larger interior met her as Sister Ana Maria welcomed her inside.

"Bienvenida Miss Janes. I hope this is what you were expecting."

"Actually, I'm amazed. It seems you have some incredible help from your parish if they help to maintain this church so well kept. It wasn't like this the last time I was here."

The little nun smiled at her and answered, "Actually we receive most of our donations from unknown means. Many times, we will open the church and the donation boxes will be filled already. It seems we have a midnight messenger of God. Several of the sisters have mentioned that it might be the work of Zorro. Gracias a Dios." She made a quick sign of the cross and continued to walk further in.

At the mention of that masked man Kathryn looked at the little woman and held her tongue. She had read many of Belle's letters about this man and it had made her interest peak. She could vaguely recall stories of such a man from when she was a young child but as she grew the tales had been displaced as fairytales. But it seemed that they had a modern day Robin Hood here in Mexico!

Amazing.

The nun took Kathryn to the back part of the church, which served as the school. It was a well-sized room and also in the best of conditions with neat little desks that each had a small bible and a chalkboard atop it. Kathryn was eager to get to teaching again, while she had been in Indiana she had kept busy with horseback riding and had taken some classes in fencing, ballet and giving Spanish lessons to her friends and her Mother.

Sister Ana Maria showed Kathryn the place she would be living in on the second floor of the church, which served as a small apartment for the teacher, free of charge. A small bedroom, wash area and sitting desk next to the window fit her perfectly. Through the parted curtains came lovely streams of sunshine that bathed each nook and cranny with its golden charm. It was one of the two bedrooms on that second floor that was maintained by the church for visitors.

"It's perfect." Kathryn exclaimed with a smile that reached ear to ear.

Once the nun had gone and left Kathryn to settle in was she finally able to feel a sliver of happiness at what she would soon be doing.

Leaving her new room, she came back downstairs and was walking through the church when she heard voices.

"Hermanita, por favor. Sit down. You don't need to over exert yourself in cleaning the church." The man's voice sounded so masculine that her curiosity was aroused.

Kathryn peeked out from behind the door to see the same gentleman from last night. He was dressed in a dark tan colored shirt and pants and was sitting on a pew next to another little nun. He held her hand in his and gave her a smile that made Kathryn's knees wobble.

Don Chakotay stood up and picked up the broom that had been leaning against the wall. "Allow me," he said as he began to clean the floor while the nun thanked him and left the room.

This man has his own business and yet he is here helping a nun, she thought. Kathryn made her presence known by walking into the room. "Hello."

He looked up and saw her, standing there wearing another simple cut dress with her braid falling over one shoulder. Madre mia, he thought.

"Hello Miss Janes."

Kathryn continued to walk closer to him until there were only five feet between them. "Please, call me Kathryn."

She saw those dimples resurface once more. "Then I must insist you call me Chakotay."

"Now I hope I don't offend you with this question." she said, "You're a well established gentleman from what Belle told me. Why are you here cleaning floors?"

For a moment, he stopped sweeping to fix his eyes on the large wooden cross that was in the farthest wall. "My mother taught me to always respect my elders and my religion. Hermanita Rebecca needed to rest, she has other things that won't exert her as much. Besides I don't mind helping whenever I can."

"That's sweet." replied Kathryn as she stepped out of his way. He was quickly cleaning up the area without breaking a sweat. Her gaze was intent upon his strong hands holding the broom. Even from the small distance between them she could see that they were strong hands of a man who toiled in the earth and worked the good life.

His words when they came instantly broke her reprieve. "Could I interest you in dinner, Kathryn?"

She brought her startled gaze to his and answered him in a low voice, "I barely know you."

A ghost of a smile played on his well formed lips. "I see."

She stood there, not more than six feet away from him barely knew him and yet something inside her was not afraid of him. She was amazed when she spoke again. "Please. It's not that I would not wish to. It is merely too soon." Her eyes begged him to understand.

He nodded and offered her a half smile, "No hay prisa. There's no hurry. Whenever you wish, just leave word with Belle and she'll let me know. She did tell you we're related, no?"

"Yes. She's as sassy as ever. And that's why I love her like a sister." she answered. "She'd told me about you in letters but I couldn't recall the name."

Chakotay laughed and finished cleaning up the room. He placed the broom against the wall and began to walk over to where Kathryn stood. "I missed this town. Lived here for only a short while when I was growing up but since I've left it was as if a part of my heart always remained here."

They began walking back to the schoolroom when Kathryn suddenly turned and said, "I would ask you an enormous favor, please."

Chakotay placed his hands within his pockets as he listened.

"If you would be so kind as to lend me your horse for a short while. I would like to visit my father. He lives right on the edge of town and it has been too many years since I've seen him. I'm an excellent horse rider and wouldn't be gone for long."

He nodded and they walked out of the church. Chakotay came to stand before his midnight black horse and began to pat its side. "This is Venganza. He looks like the devil but really is a gentle horse if treated nice. Venganza, be nice to this lady. She'll bring you back soon." Chakotay's big hands smoothed over the soft hairs on its mane and the animal flicked its ears as if it seemed to almost understand his words.

Kathryn stood there wondering what sort of man named his horse Revenge. *Oh well, he's just being inventive with names I guess. *

She took the reins and thanked Chakotay once more. Her hands gripped the saddle horn and she easily lifted herself to sit sidesaddle onto the back of the horse. The huge animal just looked over its shoulder to see what it was that was making this slight weight on him. It tossed its head once and neighed loudly but did not bolt when it sensed that this person was not its usual owner.

Kathryn rode slowly, taking in the differences in the scenery since she had returned. It was still a beautiful land with few wild flowers all around the area and the dusty landscape everywhere the eye would fall.

Slowly she rode to where her father's hacienda was, looking the same as it had a decade ago, though there seemed to be more cactuses and tall grass sitting in the front of the house now and more dust covering certain areas too. She stopped the horse near the side of the main entrance, jumped down and tied the reins to the standing post before walking over to where she guessed her father was.

The barn was the same as well, the odd scents permeated from it as she walked closer. Sounds of horses came from within and she peered into the building and saw his legs from behind one of the mares, the sound of the brush caressing the animal as he spoke softly to the horse before him.

"Easy girl." The voice said.

Kathryn stopped in the entrance, cleared her throat and spoke, "Hello Father."

He stopped his work and peeked over the back of the animal. For a second his gaze was lost, trying to figure out who exactly was standing there in the half shadows of the barn. Then recognition sprang to life and his blue eyes grew large.

Jonathan gasped as he walked around the beast and came towards her. His face was weathered and the wrinkles had multiplied around the eyes and mouth, his hair was completely white now. Jonathan Janes stood a good foot higher and a half taller than his daughter but he now looked his age, unlike when she had left when he seemed to be an oak tree rather than a man.

She stood her ground, unwavering in his inspection of her. This was no longer that young lady who he had forgotten about so many years ago. She was stronger and though some part of her secretly craved her father's affection, she no longer was willing to accept his bitter treatment of her.

"Hello Father." she repeated in a softer tone.

He cleared his throat, came to a halt a few feet before her, and said, "Hello."

Her hands grew into fists at her side. Long moments of complete silence dragged on by. She finally spoke before giving a second thought. "You haven't seen me in ten years and now I stand before you and all you can say is 'hello'? No hug? No 'I've missed you?' Not even a letter in all the years I've been away? You would sometimes send a missive to Mother but you never asked for me. Never wrote a letter to me. Why?"

She swallowed painfully, trying to not let the tears she felt from showing in her eyes. Hated feeling like an eight year old again, looking for the love her Father didn't easily give.

Her father just kept looking at her with the same color eyes as hers, his face empty of all expression. "Welcome back."

So bland. So unfeeling. So, like her Father. He hasn't changed, she thought. Her shoulders fell and she looked away from him. Suddenly tired of hoping for something more from him, she turned and said, "Thank you. I'll leave you to finish your work, Sir."

She heard him walk back into the barn and continue to murmur kindly to the horse. From deep inside something angry beat to life once more, it had been hidden away from the years of being emotionally distanced by this man. She spoke up once more and her voice carried throughout the barn. "Funny how you can show your caring to an animal but your own flesh and blood stands before you after years of being away and it's as if I don't exist for you."

The sound of his quick intake of breath shattered the quiet of the barn but she didn't stand around. Briskly walking over to the standing post she untied Venganza, hoisted herself into the saddle and turned him towards town once more.

The lovely church loomed before her much too soon and she could see Chakotay sitting on a wooden bench outside the building, patiently waiting for her.

He could see she was having a difficult time. Something in her stance seemed off, almost on the verge of being broken. The way she gripped the saddle horn made her knuckles white and her bottom lip was clasped between her teeth. Chakotay could tell that she was doing her best to not cry.

Damn that bastard Janes, he thought. What have you done to make your daughter look so shattered? It amazed him how much he wanted to protect her from the pains of the world.

He stepped up next to the animal when she was in reach and helped her get down from the saddle, lifting Kathryn as if she were no more than a child in his arms. When both her feet were on the dirt Chakotay didn't release her completely, instead with one palm he lifted that stubborn chin until her gaze met his.

"If you ever wish to talk to me, I'll be here." he said, as the pad of his thumb caressed the spot on her temple watching as a tear floated in the corners of her eye but she refused to let it fall.

"Thank you." she whispered and then she stepped back and walked into the church. It would be some time before he saw her again.

Two weeks had gone and by now Kathryn was beginning to fall into rhythm in her classroom. The students were each charming and quite sweet to her so it was easy to like them all. Many of them were dressed in second hand clothes but each little face started off the day clean and cheery.

She was midway into their math class when a knock on the door of the classroom made all the eyes turn that way. A tide of small giggles burst from the room when they spotted Don Chakotay standing there looking in on their teacher.

Kathryn blushed as she walked over to where he was and closed the door so that the adults could talk in private. "Hello."

Chakotay stood no more than four feet from her but he radiated warmth that poured over her as if it were a living thing. "Saludos Kathryn." His smile reached his eyes, as he looked her over. He continued, "Belle told me that you've accepted my dinner invitation."

Her blush grew redder. "Yes. I told her last night. Word gets around to you quite quickly, I see."

His gave a quick laugh before answering, "When it concerns enjoying the company of a beautiful lady, it had better. If it would make you feel any better we can eat over at Belle's. How does that sound?"

"That sounds quite nice, thank you. What time shall I be ready?"

"I'll be coming back around six since I have some unfinished business with one of the local ranchers and then I'll be free."

Kathryn's eyes watched him walk out, her gaze unblinking as his strong steps took him over the entrance and into the afternoon sunlight. She finally blinked when he was no longer in her line of vision and for a moment, she wondered about the feelings circling within her.

She let out a happy sigh and, floating on a cloud of happiness, re-entered her classroom.

Later that day she looked at herself in the small mirror hanging on the wall. Her hair, as it normally was, in its softly braided form but with the sun was still looming overhead and giving it a soft radiance which made her strands come to fiery life. She pinched her cheeks hard so that the rosy look would show and then smiled once more into the reflection.

Satisfied with what was shown back Kathryn walked out of the room and closed the door. Her soft footsteps sounded through out the empty, hurricane lamped lit halls until she walked into the main room of the church.

There she saw that each nun sat within a pew, smiling and looking at her as she walked by them. Kathryn greeted each by name and finally stood before the opened main doors. All of them knew of her upcoming date and were happy to finally see their newest boarder having a nice time with their favorite young man.

Standing right on the outer entrance was Don Chakotay, dressed in a fine dark brown pair of pants and matching shirt with a dark evening jacket covering his brawny body. His eyes practically gleamed when they spotted her, taking in the simple cut of her soft blue skirt.

"That dress brings out the sheer loveliness of your eyes, Miss Kathryn." Chakotay said before bowing grandly before her. He looked up to see a smile crinkling the curve of her mouth.

His elbow came out and she linked their arms before walking towards the Hotel where Belle had prepared them a special surprise. The pace was slow and calm as they passed by several townspeople who nodded back and smiled at the handsome couple. Kathryn knew she radiated from sheer happiness whenever someone mentioned that his or her child was so happy to sitting in her classroom.

All too soon the Hotel loomed before them but just when they were stepping onto the front steps Chakotay shifted to the left and began walking towards the side of the building where the gardens were.

"But -" She began and then saw a gazebo which was strategically hidden from the view of the Hotel and whoever passed by. The most beautiful flowers Kathryn had ever seen surrounded the wooden structure, it was easy to see that they blossomed beneath a careful hand of a loving gardener. Inside was a small table and two seats which were nearly side by side making for some intimate, quiet time. Chakotay could only smile as he imagined his cousin doing her best to match make. "This is beautiful!" she exclaimed as Chakotay lead her into the gazebo and eased her into the seat. Soft streams of fading sunlight crept through and glimmered within the strands of her hair. There were two candles in the middle of the table, which made her cheeks glow in their golden light.

"As beautiful as you are." He responded and both looked up when they heard the door leading to the back entrance of the Hotel open up.

Two of Belle's assistants came out carrying two large serving plates filled with seasoned chicken, fresh bread and a heaping amount of mashed potato and gravy. The scents alone made both their mouths water as they waited for everything to be placed before them. One of the servers ran back in, brought out a pitcher of cool water with their glasses, and then left them alone once more.

As the dinner progressed, Kathryn was slowly becoming charmed with the wondrous tales that Chakotay told her.

"My Grandmother always loved to tell everyone about the time I went bareback riding on my Father's prized Appaloosa. I wasn't more than a boy and already more stubborn than any mule you'll find in all of California. The horse was named 'el Diablo Negro' and he'd earned it by throwing everyone off his back in mere seconds. He had a temper that was legendary around my farm even went so far as to break two ribs within the stable hand's body one summer. I knew I could tame him given half a chance."

"You risked your life?" her outraged gasp brought a smile to his face.

"Of course. I was all of five when I was deemed as the best horse rider in our county. Did you really think I wouldn't give it a try on that horse?"

She shook her head, leaned over and picked up her glass. It seemed as if the food had suddenly lodged in her throat.

"Well," Chakotay continued, "I started off slowly. Every day I would take a small carrot or cubes of sugar to the stallion and talk for hours about anything and everything so he would recognize me. He didn't wish to trust me and I could see it in the eyes but being determined as always I was able to finally coax a small level of trust after about a month. Then little by little I let the horse come to me as I stood within its corral, that way he saw that I wasn't threatening his inner circle. Sometimes I was standing there for as long as an hour before he even looked in my direction. The day finally came that this hulking, fire breathing creature came to me for a soft pat on the shoulder or neck."

Kathryn laughed when she heard the way he'd described an animal he had obviously grown to love. She could hear it in his voice and felt a sliver of envy for the four-legged animal.

"So finally came the day that I would ride him. Knowing he was still hardly broken in I did it bare back and in the mid-afternoon since he never really liked being touched until after lunch. One of the stable boys saw me and ran back to the house to my Father. No one could believe that this was the same creature that had nearly stomped everyone down beforehand. My legend as a horse rider grew and even though El Diablo Negro was ridden he was never conquered by any other rider."

Kathryn asked, "So you were the only one to ever ride him?" He nodded and then she inquired, "Whatever happened to him?"

Chakotay leaned back in his seat and stared into the candle nearest him. "He died a good handful of years ago but before that Diablo left his legacy with his children. In fact, Venganza is one of his many colts born."

Kathryn smiled at the level of pride his voice reflected. "I'm glad to hear that. You didn't live around here when I was still in town. Where were you living then?"

His dark eyes seemed to drink in her face before answering. "I lived in Spain for a handful of years and then traveled over various countries. Earned quite an education in languages and cultures from as far as India and England."

Only moments later the assistants once more came out and cleared the table. Kathryn thought it had only been moments since they had sat down for dinner when in fact about an hour had flown by.

The younger of the two assistants asked them, "Would you be wishing dessert?"

Although she was full to near bursting, she could never resist dessert. Kathryn asked, "What is being served tonight?"

"Freshly made apple pie with a tall glass of milk."

Her mouth watered, nonetheless, and she ordered one for herself, Chakotay declined the offering and watched the happiness that washed over Kathryn's face when the delicious dessert was placed before her.

He gulped loudly as Kathryn brought a spoonful to her lips, closed her eyes and savored the treat. Her purred "Hmm" resounded throughout his entire body until even his toes curled. It suddenly became uncomfortable to be sitting across from her, but it was the sort of torment he would happily relive over and over again.

Chakotay knew she had no idea just how enticing she looked at that very moment and he silently prayed that no one and nothing would make him have to stand up for the next few minutes.

As she slipped the third spoonful into her mouth Kathryn finally looked towards the man across from her. Even in the candlelight, he seemed dangerous and yet gentle. What a contradiction, she pondered.

Out of sheer politeness she scooped up a bit of pie, stretched out her arm and offered it to him. "Would you like a bit?"

She watched in fascination as he leaned over, captured her hand and brought the treat over to his mouth. The look of those manly lush lips opening and then closing over the spoon made something peculiar tingle deep inside of her stomach.

Only when he stopped chewing did he release her hand and Kathryn was amazed at how lonely her fingers suddenly felt. Her skin felt as if it was branded, inside and out.

No other man, even her ex-fiance, had made her burn such as this. She wondered what kissing him would be like and blushed terribly at the unladylike thought.

Chakotay watched her, surprised that he seemed to be almost reading her mind. The throbbing weight inside of his breeches grew harder to ignore and he cleared his throat loudly. What he had done was not something that society nodded to, this woman was obviously a lady in her ranks and here he was behaving like a common knave.

But it had felt so good to make her blush that he'd thrown logic and manners to the wind and played this ace.

They sat now in relative silence as Kathryn finally finished off her dessert and placed the spoon across the plate.

"I'm sorry Kathryn. That was wrong of me to do." He said, secretly humbled to see that her lashes hid those charming eyes.

"No, there's nothing to be apologizing about." The blush once more crept up from her neck and quickly flowered on her cheeks. "You haven't insulted me. Not in the least."

Chakotay smiled as her gaze slowly came up to meet his. This woman was timid and yet there was more to her than she showed the world. It pleased him to see that she wasn't like so many other society females that hid behind their fans and played with their men's minds.

"If you're ready I need to get back to my room and finish with the homework I'm preparing for tomorrow plus I need to grade some work."

"Of course Kathryn." He stood and walked over to her side, pulled back the seat and quickly offered his arm. "As much as I've come to enjoy this evening it is time for me to head back to my ranch as well."

Together they slowly began the walk back to the church all the while conversing in low voices about the beautiful night. It had grown a bit chillier and Kathryn knew that goose bumps covered her arms.

Chakotay stopped in front of Miller's bar and took off his evening jacket. "May I?" he asked. With her nod he placed it over her slim shoulders and once more offered his arm.

"Thank you," she said. "I had a wonderful time tonight."

The church was much too soon coming into view.

"As did I. I am hoping we can do this once more." He replied.

"I'd truly enjoy that." She whispered back just as they came to a stop before the large wooden doors, which were still opened and showed a small group of sisters sitting in the pews, the entire room awash with candlelight. Kathryn knew that these chaperons of hers had waited for her and probably sent a handful of prayers that she would enjoy herself.

The beginning of the evening was a dark velvet cloak, which stood overhead as Kathryn wondered for a moment what she should do now.

"Thank you for a wonderful evening." Her eyes drank in his handsome features all the while. She removed his jacket and returned it to him. Then throwing caution to the wind she quickly leaned forward onto the tips of her toes and planted a small kiss on his cheek, and whispered a goodnight.

His eyes lingered on Kathryn's back until she walked into the back of the church. Chakotay still stood there as Sister Ana Maria whispered a good night to him before closing the church doors quietly.

He knew this amazing woman was already making him fall head over heels, with her daring to do things against the grain and also in the sweetness she reflected after the deed was done. It took great mental strength to not lean down and show her the kiss he had wanted from her but he knew it was still too soon. His cheek tingled from that brief contact and Chakotay knew his dreams tonight would be maddening from the sensations that had washed over him in those precious seconds.

Turning on his heel Chakotay walked over to where Venganza was awaiting him. After whispering some soft words to the horse, he effortlessly sat on the saddle. The night swallowed him up as man and steed walked off into the shadows.

The days passed quickly soon afterwards as they melded into weeks. Kathryn kept busy with her classes during the day and occasionally continued to have dinner with Chakotay, always at Belle's diner and each time within the gazebo. It had become their own private world where they spoke about everything and shared hours upon hours alone.

The nuns were always awaiting her when she returned and it came to be that Chakotay would most eagerly await her timid goodnight kiss, but his hunger for more was always held tightly in check.

He knew she didn't do it to tease him but instead as a way to communicate to him the wants society didn't allow her to mention aloud. At their last dinner together he had even dared to caress a lock of hair that had loosened from her braid and was caressing her cheek. It was like touching golden red silk, which he carefully tucked behind the shell of her ear.

He enchanted her while she mesmerized him.

And Chakotay could feel his heart beginning to tumble into the vastness of love while Kathryn finally released the pains of her past relationships and also began to understand that loving this man would not be impossible.

The dryness of the land felt good to Don Alberto Sanchez, it made him remember why he had once wished to leave this damned land. After being raised on the poorest farm in a nearby county he finally knew what it was to be rich, even if most of his money can from skimming off the funds the local banks entrusted to him. No one alive knew that the name he bore was actually of his now deceased cousin, he had been born Alfred Sanchez and had a striking resemblance to Alberto. Both had been thick bodied, solid, handsome men with dark hair but Alfred had cinnamon colored eyes that seemed to delve into one's soul where as Alberto had dark brown ones.

But that slight difference in appearance didn't worry him. He'd had to put a bullet into Alberto's head and thrown his remains down an abandoned mine before taking the name but it had been well worth it. That dead body was miles away and no one would ever miss the man Alfred had once been, a poor and miserable man living with that sad world he had had.

His cousin had lived a posh lively time in the other side of the world, spending the money that his part of the family had worked hard to acquire. After carefully tracking his cousin, killing him and impersonating him the new Alberto Sanchez had continued to live the high lifestyle, but with the money of unsuspecting victims.

Lucky for him his cousin had opened this bank out in Alto California via long distance so there wasn't another soul for miles and miles that could even come close to identifying him. He had fallen into his new life of spending easily.

The first thing to go were the servants, he couldn't take the chance of someone seeing the subtle differences and then the relocation of all existing funds to the bank he had created. After careful planning he had begun to exhort funds and rework the paperwork, making it look as if he was donating this good money over to different charities when instead he had only begun to grow his own private account.

He had almost been discovered a handful of years ago by some man who he'd personally taken care of but lately Alberto was beginning to worry since it seemed as if Zorro had caught on to his tricks. The latest fiasco had happened when he had requested several bars of silver to be sent over to his private estate under the guise of safekeeping them.

Zorro had intercepted that shipment and the silver had been delivered to the other bank, which wasn't owned by Alberto, with exclusive instructions for it to be deposited to the corresponding accts. Alberto was unable to skim off the amount he had wanted and it infuriated him enough to want to personally hunt down the masked man.

Somehow whoever this do-gooder was he knew that Alberto was doing his best to cheat the town out of money.

Alberto finally smiled, the masked man would, of course, have to die.

It was late evening, almost a year since Kathryn had arrived that her world nearly crumbled. She was upstairs in her bedroom correcting several works from her students when she heard what seemed to be the hushed whispers of several sisters as they paced frantically by her room and into the spare room down across the hall.

Intrigued by the sudden and unusual change of atmosphere she left the tranquility of her room and made her way into the other room where there were several nuns standing by the half-opened door, nearly all were silently praying or holding rosaries.

"What is going on Sister Ana Maria?" Kathryn asked as soon as she was close enough to the shorter woman.

The nun's eyes widened and her cheeks paled for a moment before opening the door further. The room was filled with three other nuns who were working over a prone man; the scent of blood and masculine sweat hung in the air.

Kathryn walked inside and came to a halt immediately when she looked upon the face of the man she had come to know so well.

He was dressed completely in black but there was a large gash on the cloth across his ribs. On the floor next to the bed was a mask that when worn would cover his upper features and a hat. She saw these items but her mind couldn't register it all until many hours later.

It was Chakotay and where his skin showed across the torn clothes that there was blood splattered and dripping from him. The main injury was a large oozing cut that cut down the path of his lower chest, obvious someone had attempted to cut him thru and only some miracle had allowed him to escape it.

Kathryn knew she must had made some noise for two of the nuns looked at her quickly and then went back to the task of trying to determine the extent of his injuries. They were effective ripping open his tattered shirt and carefully washing the areas that were slowly being exposed. The scent of blood clung to the air in a sickening way, causing her stomach to turn.

For a quick moment Kathryn was glad she wasn't the kind of woman to faint or have an attack of vapors at the sight of blood or a half-naked man, even though he was the first she'd ever witnessed. She gritted her teeth and walked over to where Chakotay lay, his face looking so young and unshielded now that he was completely unconscious. One of the nuns had begun to remove his boots and the other was working the pants off of him.

Kathryn averted her eyes until they had wrapped his whole lower region with a blanket. She might've secretly desired to see him in a state of undress but there was no way she'd take advantage when he was laying there unconscious.

There was a clean bowl with cool water on the bureau next to him so she rolled up her sleeves, picked up a small towel and after wetting it, began to carefully run it across his dusty face. Not once did those magnificent eyes open to look at her and she hoped it lasted for Sister Rebecca had begun to clean the wounds he bore.

She made herself not look over when Sister Margarita brought in the needle and thread to sew up one of the two deeper cuts he bore along his rib cage and then the other one on his lower chest. It looked as if a sword had just nipped him and taken a chunk of flesh rather than run into him. The only indication that Chakotay even felt the stings of the stitches was the slightest of motions of his eyebrows whenever the needle pierced his flesh.

Kathryn overheard a nun say that the small amount of laudanum would hold him over until they finished their healing task and then she knew what he was so knocked out.

It felt like hours later that the nuns finished their cleaning and stitching but they had to be sure that there would be no cause for infection. Out here in this environment it was too easy to lose a man more to infection than to loss of blood. The white gauze they placed over the injuries looked so at odds against his dark flesh, such a contrast in colors. Kathryn had long gotten a chair and was just sitting there staring at him, knowing that before the night ended he would probably be fighting a fever.

The hours dragged on by as Kathryn remained by his side, knowing she would have to go and wake the others if his body heated up. If that did happen it would require placing him within a tub of chilly water and that was not something she could well do alone.

It was in the late afternoon of the following day, just as the sun was halfway thru it's run across the skies, when Chakotay finally open his fever free eyes. Thanks to the nuns excellent task of cleaning the injuries he had not had to suffer in the evening though it seemed as if his body was throbbing from an incredible beating. Chakotay felt weak, not just from the physical injuries either. Last night he had nearly lost his life because of several careless moments and it had taken all his willpower to not give into the pain. Quickly his gaze roamed about the room he was in while his other senses took in the scents of rubbing alcohol, clean sheets and flowers.

Flowers?

His dark eyes found where that last scent was radiating off of: Kathryn was on the seat nearby besides his bed, her eyes closed but with the tiniest of darkened circles beneath them; her neck bent in what had to be an uncomfortable position.

He knew she'd been with him even while he had been all but dead to the world. His entire body ached but it was nothing compared to the feeling that was suddenly in his heart. It ached that she'd had to discover his secret in this manner, instead of him being able to inform her but he'd feared her worrying about him. Plus he hadn't allowed anyone to get close enough to know.

Now he wondered what the future held between them since they'd gotten to become so close before this.

Kathryn came awake in subtle levels with her head and neck aching terribly from sleeping in such an uncomfortable position, her eyes felt gritty from tears that had threatened to fall since she'd come to see what had happened just the night before.

She knew someone was staring at her and just before she checked it was clear that the look was coming from the man laying just across from her.

Wondering what a sight the two of them made almost brought a smile to her face but then the recollection of the secret fell into her thoughts and any amount of happiness at seeing Chakotay awake disappeared.

Her gaze met his and they just stayed that way for long moments.

Finally his croaked voice came out. "I'm sorry. Forgive me, please."

She closed her eyes against the stark pain in his voice, letting her lashes close out the world for a split second longer before gazing at him once more.

"It's your life." She replied, her voice a bare whisper.

"No. Not anymore."

Her blue eyes looked into his and she saw all the emotions he'd been holding back from her. There was no going back now that she read everything he felt about her.

That look and those words threatened to break through her flimsy defenses, they helped to chip away the walls she'd planned to erect against him. But there were so many question she had and the doubts were eating inside of her.

"No," he repeated, "Don't use this to hide from me. Once I'm well I promise to explain it all to you and we'll go from there. Please give me this chance, I don't want to lose you or this relationship. Please."

He held out his left hand, which Kathryn could see was drawing out whatever reserved energy he had. She quickly weighed the options and threw all caution to the world; he was injured and had held this secret from her but she knew there was a desperate reason for it. Though she yearned to hear each and every detail of it now she'd have to wait until his body had healed more.

Kathryn tentatively reached over and took his large hand into hers which he promptly brought to his warm, dry lips and placed a small kiss there. Then Chakotay gently tugged her towards him until she lay besides him on the small bed, being careful not to do anything to further injure himself. Kathryn tucked herself carefully next to him and lay her head atop his shoulder. She was asleep within seconds. Chakotay placed her fingers against his chest, near his heart, and let his lashes fall until he slowly fell into a peaceful nap.

When Chakotay awoke once more, in the early evening, his hand was still holding onto Kathryn's as she lay there. Pure happiness poured through out his veins as he looked over at her once more and saw that her eyes were closed but she seemed to just be resting them instead of actually sleeping.

Plus she wasn't doing that soft snoring sound she'd done beforehand. It was all he could do to not laugh out loud. His ladylove snored, in a very ladylike manner, of course.

She opened her eyes and saw him with the ghost of a smile while he looked at her. "Would you like some water?"

He nodded and released her hand with great reluctance.

Watching her as she got out of the bed, walked over to the bureau and carried a cool cup back to him, she helped prop up his head as the refreshing liquid entered his mouth. After taking several gulps Chakotay finally stopped and had his head slowly lowered onto the firm pillow.

Lady love. The word pulsated back and forth within his mind and Chakotay realized just how true the words were. He wasn't sure when it had happened, though he suspected it had been since their first encounter, but he had fallen head over heels for this woman.

Even with a good dozen stitches and body hurting from the ambush that had happened he felt light as a wind blown leaf while considering the feelings he'd been afraid to face before.

He would make her believe and understand how much she meant to him, come what may. They would make this work.

By the third day Chakotay was able to sit up with several pillows lying under his back. A different nun was always walking into the room several times during the day to make sure he was eating his soup or that his bandages were maintained clean. The nuns were always there to help him while he washed his face and would leave the room wherever he had to do his personal toiletries like brushing his teeth or using the urinal. Kathryn had not helped in either the changing of the gauze nor his washings, but he understood why. With her being an unmarried woman it would be scandalous for her to be touching his body in that matter, therefore it was the nuns who helped him.

Even though they had napped together for that time earlier in the week, neither one of them mentioned it.

It was a four days later that he was finally able to clumsily get up and out of bed to take a step or two without constantly grimacing but he didn't wish to overdo it. The nuns continued to clean his injuries and reapply new cloths and his body was healing rather quickly. Chakotay knew that his enemy would be eager to try and catch him while he was still weakened and there was no way he would allow Kathryn to have to go thru that.

It was already midday so he knew that it was close to the only visit that he truly enjoyed receiving: Kathryn. The nuns had been great in keeping him company, either reading him a book or sitting by his side as they prayed for his health. None of them asked questions about how and who'd injured him so he had not been obligated to lie. But he also knew them weren't dumb and had heard the rumors about Zorro and had probably long ago linked the two.

When he had been injured his last thought was of not involving the nuns or Kathryn into any of this but the rapid loss of blood had left little resources for him. He was still quite some distance from his own hacienda and most likely wouldn't have made it there without losing consciousness.

Chakotay heard the soft steps coming up towards the door, knowing instantly who it was. The door creaked open and the soft scent of her soap carried over to him before she stepped inside.

Kathryn wore a soft baby blue dress that made her look many years younger than what she was but it was her eyes that suddenly surprised him. She looked angry. After quietly nursing him for the past week she was finally showing more emotions and it made him almost smile when she placed the food tray at the other end of the bed and walked over to her usual seat onto his left side.

“I see that you're feeling better today. Since it seems you are more or less almost back on your feet then I think you can answer my questions now."

It nearly sounded like a growl to Chakotay's ears. He knew a hell of a fight was coming.

This was a side of Kathryn he had yet to see but so far it only made him love her more.

"I can explain," he began.

She immediately interrupted him, "No. You're going to shut up and listen to me!"

Kathryn turned away from him for a long moment and Chakotay could see the inner struggle upon her expressive face. The way her chin tightened and her jaws clenched plus the telltale sign of her eyebrows coming together. This was the calm before the storm.

Her gaze, when it returned to him was brittle with pain. "How dare make me care about you while you're out there playing Robin Hood? I’ve heard of your escapades, are they all real? Did you really think that you’d never get injured? If you hadn’t had the strength to make it here how would I have discovered the truth? After your carcass was found out in the middle of this God forsaken desert? What about your cousin? Did you for once think how heartbroken she would be to lose you?”

She stood abruptly and placed a hand upon each hipbone and continued her tirade, “Here I was believing that you cared about me all the while you were risking your life. Oh God, I wish I could hate you!” Her eyes were red and she seemed on the verge of breaking down into tears.

Chakotay had not said a single word until he was completely sure that she had taken all this off her chest. It worried him to see her so upset but she really needed to vent before they could talk. Her harsh breath filled the room, as she remained standing there looking at him with those pained eyes.

After several long moments Chakotay finally opened his mouth and answered her. “I never meant to scare, hurt or worry you Kathryn. But you have to understand; I had to do what I did. There are some details which I will fill in later that will make you see that I did this all for a reason. No one else was standing up and defending these villagers. If it weren’t for someone like Zorro then the wrong person would have wound up taking what never belonged to him. It was a promise I made to my Father and one that I could not evade.”

Kathryn sat back down into her seat and listened intently.

“Around five years ago my Father was noticing that someone was quietly and secretly skimming money from many of the funds in the local bank. He was very good with numbers and was doing some paperwork on the side for the bank when he saw a pattern in the paperwork of many accounts. They all seemed to point towards one individual who had appeared not too long ago in these parts. Soon after he entrusted me with all of the details my Father died. I’m convinced someone made it look like an accident since the bridle of his horse was cut. The fell and broke his neck.”

Chakotay saw the way Kathryn’s eyes widened. Murder? Someone had murdered his Father? Why hadn’t Belle told her that?

Kathryn didn’t realize she had spoken aloud until Chakotay answered her, “I kept that detail away from Belle since she was so brokenhearted about his death. I didn’t know how the news would trouble her. My Father, being the expert horseman that he was, would never had let that detail escape him." Chakotay breathed in deeply as the pain of that memory returned full force. "But I now am more certain that not that I have adequate information to put this villain behind bars for the rest of his life. With the evidence I’ve been able to gather plus the help of Marshall William Kirk who’s been working with me on this, we’ll be able to apprehend our thief soon.”

“Why have you been posing as Zorro?” Kathryn questioned.

“The legend of Zorro," he began, "has been around these parts since before the creation of this town. It's said that he was the helper of the common man, the saint against evil. It was also necessary since the death of my Father for me to find out why this had happened. I merely used the alias to conceal my identity. After doing some digging I’ve managed to get the necessary evidence to capture the man. But if the person responsible knew who I was then everyone I care about could fall prey to this man.”

His hand came up and gently caressed her cheek. “And if anything happened to you…” The words trailed off but that look in his eyes spoke volumes. Kathryn’s heart threatened to erupt from her ribcage, as the truth she’d refused to see looked her right back in the eyes.

She could see the caring, the emotions - the love he bore her. This was no passing fancy that held him and she finally opened her eyes and feelings to it, letting the idea ripple across her heart and the reaction was happiness. Kathryn knew now that this man had been placed in her path for a reason.

“And how do you think I felt when I saw you laying there?” She asked him in return.

Chakotay heard the roaring in his head as the pieces fell into place for him. “Kathryn,” was all he managed to whisper before he tangled their fingers together, all the while looking into each others eyes.

She ran her thumb across his hand for several moments before pulling away and with a shy smile, walked over to where his food tray awaited. Kathryn picked it up, turned and placed it in a comfortable spot for him to be able to feed himself.

“Tomorrow we’ll talk some more. But right now you need to work up your strength once more. I'll let Belle know that you are doing ok. She hasn't heard from you and has asked me so I told her you were here visiting the nuns and helping them with minor projects. We can work in the injuries that way.”

"Wait!" Chakotay exclaimed and captured her hand just before she was to turn away.

"What?"

Chakotay couldn't help but look worried as he spoke, "My friend the Marshall William Kirk will be in town very soon, if he hasn't already arrived. Whatever you do, don't mention any of this to him. As much as I trust both you and him, I can't allow you to be involved in this mess once it comes to light who it is we're after."

Kathryn's eyebrows pursed together as she fell deep into thought. "What are you worrying about? You haven't even told me the name of the man you're after."

Chakotay sighed before releasing her hand and falling back onto the pillows. "There's a reason for that as well."

"Oh?"

He was quiet for so long that she wondered if he would bother replying. Then finally his words came and they made her jaw fall to her knees. "I fear that the same man who killed my Father has already eliminated one of his own family members to get to where he is today. And if that's true... then he's even more ruthless than we had first imagined."

Meanwhile not too far from the town a lone man rode his large spotted Appalachian mare at a leisurely pace.

William Kirk was never a man to let a good mystery get the better of him. He had studied at some of the best schools growing up, had been always in the top league of his classmates and managed to make quite a name for himself once he had reached adulthood. He had met men of authority, power and even sharper intelligence than his own but never had he met someone he could honestly call friend.

Until he had met Enrique Chakotay on a spiritual quest while in the company of the Sawol Tribe. They had been nothing more than young men then, taking in the world and learning everything about it by living off the land on hand and foot. They had been complete opposites in resemblance: were as Chakotay had been dark haired and skinned, William was many shades paler and bore incredible green eyes that pierced into a person.

But these two men were blood brothers and only death would keep the other from coming to his friend’s help.

They had hunted using nothing more than sharpened sticks and handmade bows, were taught how to read the wind for her clues, learned the tricks of coyotes, wolves and the elusive cougar and how those animals slowly but surely followed its prey until it was ready to pounce. Then after nearly two years of living with the Sawol Tribe they had parted company but continued to visit each other occasionally.

So when Enrique had requested help William had instantly given word to his superiors to let them know he was needed and promptly left for the dry lands of Alto California. Chakotay had given detailed info and presented him with as much paperwork to help him find out information.

William had dug for each lead on his side of the state all the while keeping up the information to Chakotay. They had uncovered some details about someone named Alberto Sanchez and how he, a man who normally was very social and well seen within the parts of Southern California had suddenly taken all his belongings, money and business up to Alto California and completely changed his mannerisms. This in itself would not have been considered suspicious if it were not for the facts that some had said that Alberto had also seemed to physically transform in some ways.

William knew that people could change many characteristics about themselves, he had seen it occur many times when he was chasing a convict but there were always things that no one could ever change. Especially their eye colors and the hands they wrote with.

According to accounts from old friends of Alberto Sanchez he had suddenly become a near miser who had closed all his accounts and moved to a very quiet and distant side of the state. This from someone who, normally was the sort of man who on a near weekly basis held private highbrow events within his large house. Someone who never let a weekend go by without a social event being attended. Someone who was witnessed as having changed his signature and suddenly begun to sign with his right hand when all his life he was a southpaw.

That had sparked the curiosity of several friends to call upon the Marshall to investigate. It just so happened that William had needed to visit the same town and also help his old friend Chakotay who was working on something by the same man.

William had already placed several pieces of the puzzle together: it seemed that about the same time Alberto’s transformation had occurred he had also gotten rid of all his servants, people who had been with him for years and suddenly he had hired new ones. Alberto had also removed all the money from his old accounts but oddly enough not been able to sign many of the vouchers due to an “physical injury upon his hands” from a recent riding accident and had instead had the funds wired up after being authorized by a third party. Somehow William had come to the conclusion that this man who was naming himself Alberto, in fact was someone else and had not wanted to risk having his signature be different.

Perhaps a family member who so resembled Alberto that it had not immediately raised suspicion but to be on the safe side he has left the life and people to be sure he wasn’t caught. Then there was the body that had been found by some miners. The body had been nearly completely unrecognizable except for one minor piece of evidence that occurred after the decomposition: gold filled in teeth. It was well known by some intimate friends of Alberto that he had had several back teeth filled in that manner soon after he turned 30.

Their was little doubt in William's mind that this dead man was none other than the real Alberto.

It was nearly afternoon when the Marshall rode right into the heart of town.

Everything was nice and quiet as he drank in the sights of this quaint place. The stores were neatly created and little children played outside: little girls in their bonnets and boys with their suspended pants to hold them in place. The scents of bread came from the hotel from across the way and Marshall William knew that dinner time was close by. From the looks of all the people inside it was obvious that the food was quite delicious.

William came to a stop in front of the hotel, got off his horse and tied its reins there.

He brought down his dusted saddlebag with his personal items inside, casually tucked the guns he wore into the long jacket so that no one would know how many he carried and went inside to get a room for the evening.

Once the room was acquired then William would get around to finding his friend and finally putting an end to these cases that he was working on.

William walked once more to registration entrance of the hotel and asked for Belle, it had been years since they had last seen each other. Had his life been different he knew Belle could have easily been the love of his life. She was head strong, intelligent and beautiful in the ways that few women were to him.

“William?” Even before turning he knew she was the one calling him.

Slowly he pivoted on his heels and came face to face with Belle; her eyes grew wide as she drank his image. Her left hand came up to cover her mouth and William saw the flash of gold on her ring finger. It amazed him how the pain of loss pierced him in that instant. He’d known she’d probably married but a secret part of him had hoped…

“Good afternoon Belle.” William removed his hat and unconsciously brushed back the rich strands of golden hairs off his forehead.

“Oh my.” Belle was astonished as to how handsome this man had ending up looking. She loved her husband but a part of her had always felt connected to this man standing a handful of feet from her. “Hello William.”

She walked over and gave him a quick and friendly hug, which was over almost before it had even begun before pulling away to stand a safe distance from him. But they both felt the reactions down to the cores: her heart quickened while his palms all but itched to haul her back to his side.

But what could have been held them back from what was now. Belle clasped her hands together and she felt the gold band nearly burn into her flesh. It seemed that with that very thought her husband came into the room.

“Good even Sir. Thomas Paris at your call.” Tom, as friends knew him, was by most standards a handsome man. Granted, he was slender formed but what he didn’t have in the physical area he more than made up for in charm and personality. He stood only an inch shorter than William, had hair a few shades darker and his eyes were not that piercing green but he held his own versus this Adonis. Thomas studied the man he knew had probably once been in love with his wife.

But he didn’t worry about her fidelity. Their marriage was strong, had come with the battle of two people who had worked hard to make it work and neither one would give up on it. But he knew what it was like to see your first love after many years apart.

Thomas offered his hand to this stranger and gave a heartfelt shake back as they stood there quietly measuring each other up. Then he released the other man’s hand and walked over to where his wife stood and placed his hands on each side.

A secret part of him felt like jumping for joy when he felt her soft hand tuck itself onto his and she stepped within his personal space. She was clearly stating which of the two she had chosen and Thomas saw the corners of William’s mouth show that he also understood.

“Thank you both for welcoming me into your hotel. It’s an honor to meet the man who won Belle’s heart. She's a true lady. Don’t ever let her go, good Sir.” William said, all the while looking at Tom but also speaking to Belle.

Tom’s fingers flexed slightly as he answered, “I promise to make her as happy as I can. Thank you.”

Belle cleared her throat and told William, “If you’re looking for my cousin I just got word today from Kathryn that he was helping the nuns with some major construction over at our church before he heads of out town for some business. You can see him there. Please have our specialty dinner later first.” She gave him a quick smile and then with silent communication the couple walked side by side with him into the dining area. The normal hustle of the room was a happy family atmosphere with family members enjoying the delicious food. Belle and Tom stayed with William, casually chatting about the town and people until his food arrived. Then they walked about into the kitchen to help out doing whatever else was needed.

After eating his dinner William walked back into the kitchen area, thanked them and left in search of the church. The distance from the hotel wasn’t that much and he decided to pay the stall boy to feed his horse and have it brushed down before he walked over to it. By this time it was getting dark outside.

A little nun opened the church doors and after a quick introduction he was lead to the pews while Don Chakotay was informed that a gentleman was asking for him. William then was lead up the back stairs until he stood right outside the door where he was. After a brief knock he walked into the room and saw Chakotay lying there with the thick padding covering most of his chest.

“William!” His blood brother seemed pale and the strain could be seen around his mouth but there was something in his eyes, which surprised William. It was clear that this man had someone important in his life. Just from the light shining from those eyes and it was so very apparent. He walked over to the seat besides the bed and looked all around the room before letting his gaze fall on his dearest friend.

“Chakotay, it’s a true pleasure to see you again. Though I’m worried to see you injured, old man.”

“Oh. Don’t call me that! Belle uses that term with me and I feel it today.” Chakotay saw the way William’s eyelashes shielded his eyes for the quickest of seconds. “She’s happy, old friend.”

William looked up immediately and smiled. “I know.”

For a long moment they sat in silence and then William said, “And so are you.. from the look of love glazing your eyes.”

Chakotay blushed slightly and he nodded. "How could you tell?"

With a soft nod to the items left on the bureau next to the bed he said, "Well... Aside from the obviously fresh flowers in the vase on the nightstand and the paper card sitting next to it that says 'Get well soon. Yours, Kathryn.' what other clues would I need?"

Chakotay laughed aloud, even though the pain in his ribs nearly made him wince soon afterwards. "I won't lie to you William. There is someone who's become very important to me. Her name is the one on the paper and don't be too surprised if she comes by to meet you." When his friend's eyebrow came up he explained, "I told her a bit about you."

"Oh really? Well. I know you wouldn't give away some of our best secrets!" They laughed and then began to talk about what had happened to Chakotay.

William was amazed to hear about how lucky Chakotay had been that evening, if he had been sitting just slightly more to one side the damage would have been fatal. He had known something was odd about the shipment, had felt it in his very bones but had been stubborn enough to go against his instincts. Chakotay knew that somehow Alberto Sanchez had been the one to ambush him.

Kathryn was, for once, eager to finish her classwork. She'd heard from the whispers of the nuns that Chakotay had a handsome visitor and had been avidly curious about William. She knew from years before that Belle and he had been very close but had never developed the relationship that they could have had. She never forgot the tearful letters from Belle letting her know that even though she loved Tom, a part of her heart was always William's.

Even though it was late in the eve, Kathryn took a few minutes from her reviewing the days work that she quickly made her way up the stairs. The murmur of voices came thru the nearly closed doors until she pushed it open. Both men immediately hushed but Kathryn's eyes were locked onto Chakotay's. The instant look of caution was quickly banished when he saw who it was, a smile that stretched from one corner of his mouth to the other was unmistakably enthusiastic.

William looked back the moment he had heard the door creak open and saw the look that passed between them. He quickly assessed every detail of Kathryn’s: from the way her gaze lingered over Chakotay to the soft scent of flowers that came across the room. She had classic features and a pair of the prettiest blue eyes he’d ever seen, though he was always more partial to brown eyes.

William knew the second she remembered that there was someone else in the room was Chakotay; Kathryn’s cheeks turned a delicate blush while she stepped into the area and her gaze finally swept over to him.

“Good evening, Sir.” She said while stepping closer to the bed and reaching out to hold onto the hand that Chakotay had stretched out towards her. She mentally took in all the details of him: from the well maintanted clothes all the way to his elegantly handsome features.

William tipped his head and replied, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss.”

He looked at their entwined fingers and could feel the happiness of knowing his friend had found a woman who would be there for him. It was well apparent that she knew his secret and still stood by him and that was something Chakotay had always needed.

Chakotay introduced them and then helped tuck Kathryn by his side while they both listened to William explain what he thought had happened. It was a good twenty minutes

“As I mentioned to Chakotay, Miss Kathryn, I believe that the desperado responsible is also the same man who has either disposed of or injured one of his own family members to work this ploy.”

Kathryn was brought up to date on their info all the while never being given the actual name of who they both suspected. Chakotay had warned him that should she know he feared her life would be risked.

It was nearly twenty minutes later that she finally managed to leave, and it was only to go and get some food together for the Chakotay to eat while they continued their plans.

The walk over to Belle’s restaurant was brisk as she ran all the information that she had learned today and allowed it to mix in with what she had previously known by Chakotay.

There was a murderous killer somewhere in this town. He had obviously had a lot of money since William had mentioned that the murdered man had lived a high life and it was partially due to some well earned money.

Kathryn finally made it to the Hotel and she spoke with Belle as his dinner was placed within the baskets. Kathryn could see the subtle sadness within her friend’s eyes after seeing her past love but at the same time she knew that Belle was happy with her husband and did not regret her life now.

Out of sheer curiosity she asked Belle about the locals that had moved to the town within the past five or six years, to see if she could place a name to the suspect.

“Well, Kathryn. There are the Roberts who about six years ago purchased the old Mills farm. They’re starting a family this year. Then there is Miss Charlotte Skims who’s all of sixty-five and has the little piano shop across the ways. About five years ago Alberto Sanchez, the bank owner moved to the out shirts of town and I can't recall what home he purchased. And then there's…”

“Wait!” Kathryn interrupted. “Tell me more about Mr. Sanchez, please.”

Belle reflected for a moment and then answered, “I haven’t seen him much in town but he does, on rare occasions, attend the Church. He’s not an unattractive man but there’s something about his eyes that I just don’t trust. ”

Instantly Kathryn registered the info and thanked her friend before leaving in a hurry. She mentally fought over the idea of telling Chakotay of her discovery since it was obvious that he was wanting to protect her.

Of course! How could she not had instantly established that it was the bank's very owner who was skimming the money! She felt ready to beat herself over the head for not taking in the info any sooner, but deep inside Kathryn knew that there had been so much lately that it had just skipped her mind.

She quickly made her way back to the Church without realizing that someone was standing across the town hall watching her every move with vivid interest.

Alberto saw the slender schoolteacher and inside he knew that she and Don Chakotay had been inseperable almost ever since she had arrived into town. According to the gossip around the large town everyone was happy to see them being so friendly together but it was also strange that for an entire week now Don Chakotay was not seen in any manner. Word had gone out that he was leaving for business out of town but today a stranger had driven into town and had gone directly to the Church. Alberto had a feeling he would find the injured man he seeked within those Holy walls and he sneered before walking back to his horse.

It had been an entire three weeks since Chakotay had been injured and though he was still in a subtle level of pain when he over exerted himself there was also the sense that something bad was brewing. The heavy bandages were finally off and the injuries were beginning to heal quite nicely. Most of the stitched areas were pinking over and they were now covered by a lighter more managable guaze.

William also felt a bad vibe all the way down to this bones and had agreed with him to set the plan in motion to reveal everything that was happening to the local authorities.

Each day William would usually come visit in the late evenings and stay well into the night, leaving quickly and quietly via an entrance way that lead through the schoolroom right beneath where Chakotay's room was. Though the front doors were locked the nuns often left the side door opened in case anyone was seeking some quiet time to pray, reflect or even seek some level of sanctuary in the middle of the night. That way they wouldn't have to be waking any of the sisters in the late evenings.

Chakotay had just sent William off for the night, having giving the ok to go tomorrow to the sheriff and tell him the entire deal. William had just finished off walking down the corridor and was about to head off into the night when he thought he heard something in the alleyway and stopped from completely walking outside. He stood there in the darkened doorway, listening intently to the sounds in the night.

Meanwhile, upstairs in his temporary room Chakotay walked around in the dark. He was getting restless and the uneasiness of something brewing was making his bones ache. He threw the blankets atop his pillows and made his way over to the door. Barefoot but fully dressed he made his way out of the room and with the quietness born of a hunter he made his way over to Kathryn's room. Something inside made him need to see her, just to be completely sure that she was safe and sound.

Walking smoothly upon the wooden floor he didn’t make a single sound as he made his way down the corridor to where she was. His knuckles rapped against the wood but it was so soft a sound that it barely registered down the hallway. He could hear the subtle movements from the other side and he saw her face, pale in the moonlight when the door pushed back. Kathryn was standing there wearing a long cotton pajama and her hair was loose and down her back.

Her mouth made a small "O" movement when she spotted who it was and she stepped back, allowing him entry. Chakotay walked inside, placing a quieting finger over her mouth. He let the door almost close, allowing only a sliver of view into the doorway which made it seem as if it were closed from the outside. Once in her room, Chakotay stood as close to her without allowing himself to truly touch her. But the waves of her body heat flowed over to him and made him all too aware of the intimacy of it all.

Her scent was delicate with the subtle sense of rose scented soap and woman. Chakotay's hands itched when he finally saw the cascade of her hair loose and in all its true glory. He only regretted that it was dark and the highlights of red were not viewable.

Kathryn walked into his arms and hugged him gently, savoring the feel of his powerful arms coming around to hold her. They stood in comfortable silence, she listened to his steady heartbeat as he could feel each breath she took in as if it were his own.

Downstairs, near the pews, William was silently making his way across Kathryn's classroom. He was tracking what seemed like a shadow in the night but he was too many steps behind it. He knew that whoever it was they were doing their wanderings around in pitch black. William's eyes had long become accustomed to the dark but he was still unable to see if it was only one person he was tracking. He dared not risk detection unless otherwise sure.

Chakotay lay his hand across Kathryn's face and brought her chin up until she was looking him in the eyes. Their gazes locked and she knew what he was asking. She brought her own hand up and motioned for him to kiss her. Chakotay tilted their heads and brushed his mouth against hers, allowing her to finally feel their contact.

Then suddenly she felt him stiffen. Each and every part of his body went tense with anticipation and she knew he had heard something for his head slanted over towards the barely opened door. In one fluid motion that belied his still pained body, he moved her behind him in a protective manner. Kathryn didn't know what had caused this but she trusted him and was suddenly worried.

Whatever had spooked Chakotay was obviously not one of the nuns. And then she heard it.

A heavy footstep misplaced but nonetheless someone big and making their way towards the other bedroom. It had probably been that semi-last step that constantly creaked.

And they were both within her room, completely defenseless and at whoever's mercy. Kathryn looked around and was unable to find a single thing that either one of them could use as protection. At that very moment she so wished she had owned a derringer but not many modern ladies did.

She strained her ears to follow the sound.

Whoever it was was almost upon Chakotay's room, the steps came to a stop as the door was heard opening.

Then came the sounds that froze the very blood inside of Kathryn: two shots rang out.

Just as the gun went off Chakotay quickly pressed Kathryn behind the doorway. He heard the sounds of someone else running quickly up the stairs and he mentally cursed not being able to do much until he knew who and how many he was up against. There was no way he would allow anyone to harm his lady even if it meant his very own life.

"Chakotay!" A cry came out from bottom of the stairs. He instantly knew William was still in the building and the relief of it made his knees go weak. If anything his friend would help him. Chakotay quickly opened the door of Kathryn's room and ran down the hall, knowing he only had seconds before whoever it was would realize that the form in the bed was not human. He saw a man's form in the dark turning, in what seemed to be slow motion, when he heard Chakotay's quick footsteps coming his way. Chakotay's side and stitches burned mercilessly as he physically launched himself onto the man.

They both crashed hard onto the doorway and Chakotay landed atop the other man. The cry of surprise and pain reverberated throughout the hallway. In the small amount of light that was coming thru the windows he was able to see Alberto's angry face. Chakotay could feel the strength draining from his body at an incredible speed as the man quickly put up a struggle. The sounds of William running up the steps were nearly blocked off by the roaring in his own ears.

Instantly William was there, helping hold the man down as they both struggled to get his arm down, the gun still had a number of bullets and neither wanted to be on the receiving end but Alberto's grip was powerful, even between the two of them since Chakotay was quickly losing strength.

Chakotay suddenly saw where the gun was pointed and for some reason his gaze followed it. The sound of the man's harsh laughter broke through his mind just as Chakotay saw Kathryn standing in the ethereal moonlight being highlighted out there with her pajamas. She was a beacon of light and she couldn't clearly see that a gun was completely fixed on her. All it would take was one good shot and Chakotay would lose her.

"NO!" Chakotay yelled just as a wave of adrenaline kicked into his entire body. No one was going to hurt his love. He would personally kill this man before he allowed her harm. Chakotay slammed his clenched fist right onto Alberto's face causing him to cry out. Again and again Chakotay's fist made bone crunching contact with the now bloodied nose and busted lip. The crunch of cartilage resounded loudly as he broke the man's nose.

The grip that Alberto had on the gun was lost as he tried to block out the constant punches being thrown his way. There was thick blood making its way down the back of his throat from the broken nose he now had. "No. No, please." He cried out as Chakotay continued his controlled attack.

Suddenly there was a flurry of sounds and light as the nuns walked into the scene with hurricane lamps lit with many of them still rubbing the sleep from their eyes and looking around in worried ways. They had heard the shots but not known what or where they had come from until William's yell and the struggles had pinpointed them.

Now they looked on in amazement when William was pulling his friend off of the injured man. There was a gun on the floor near the crying man's side and William quickly kicked it out of the way.

"Sister Rebecca," Chakotay rasped, "Please send someone over to the Sheriff's office to take this man away."

Alberto lay on the floor in a fetal position at their feet, caught between sobbing and begging for mercy.

Above the nuns heads Chakotay could see Kathryn's worried eyes as she drank in the sight of him, once more battered but this time triumphant. With a quick look at William, who stood over their foe under the protection of his own gun, Chakotay made his way over to Kathryn. The remaining nuns moved away until he stood before her and once more he tilted her head upwards towards his. He could see the shimmering tears that barely held onto her lashes and something inside of him came alive.

His mouth caught hers and softly made an unspoken commitment to her. She whimpered softly in the back of her throat when his tongue pierced her lips and took complete possession of her mouth, body and soul within that moment. They greedily drank in from each other regardless of the people who stood around behind Chakotay's back. Several of the nuns smiled when they witnessed this encounter while others blushed.

Long moments later the voice of Sheriff Henry Toddson and his deputy could be heard from downstairs and the nuns dispersed until only the ones who were wide awake and completely aware of the entire situation stood around. Chakotay gently pushed Kathryn back into her room, he knew there would be plenty of time before the entire situation was explained and he didn't wish anyone else to witness her in her pajamas with her mouth looked as kissed as it was.

Once he was able to calm down Chakotay drew in a deep breath and was amazed at the moments they had just survived.

"William." He said all the while walking over to where his friend still stood, watching over the bloodied man. By now the Sheriff was finally coming into the scene and witnessing the events. Sheriff Toddson was an old friend of Chakotay's and he carefully documented all the information while his deputy incarcerated Alberto.

"You mean to tell me that Alberto is really not who we thought he was?" It had taken more than half an hour to fully explain in detail the evidence and case but finally it was all clicking into place.

"Yes Sheriff." William replied. "Please pardon us for not coming to you any sooner but we had to compare all our notes plus have solid proof before anything. But we never expected this attack tonight." He looked over at his friend and grimaced.

William knew Chakotay would be haunted by the sight of Kathryn being in the spotlight of a killer's gun and through no small miracle they all could tell about it. He looked at his friend's dark eyes and thanked each saint he could remember from his youth for not letting anyone else be hurt.

Around three in the morning the Sheriff finally left and everything was once more quiet. The two men sat in the kitchen and quietly spoke.

"William," Chakotay began, "I have to thank you for coming to the rescue."

William frowned at him and began to shake his head. "No. There's no need."

"Yes there is. If you hadn't been there to help me I wouldn't have been able to bring him down." He was silent for a long moment. "If anything had happened to her..."

They both sat in silent while the horrific implications ran in their minds. Luckily William had not seen where the gun had been pointed or he knew his eyes might be as haunted as Chakotay's were at that moment.

"Well old man, you have one special little lady upstairs waiting to see you again and I'm as beat as a stampeded rattlesnake. I shall see you later on today at the Sheriff's office. Good night old friend." William stood up and patted him on the shoulder.

"Good night my brother." Chakotay answered back and quietly locked the door behind him. When the sisters had heard about how 'Alberto' had managed to infiltrate the Church's back rooms they quickly began to lock the door which separated the two areas and said they would continue to do so as long as there was company living within the rooms.

Chakotay took a deep breath and slowly walked up the stairs. The subtle scent of gunpowder could still be detected in the air as he walked into his temporary bedroom. He sighed deeply as he lit up a candle and looked over at his mattress and pillows. After Alberto had been taken into custody they had come into the room to see what had prompted him to shoot into the empty room. Apparently when Chakotay had thrown his blankets onto the mattress some of the pillows had been positioned in such a manner that the moonlight had made it look as if there was a human body beneath it.

Again he shuddered when he wondered if Alberto had known which room to come to or if sheer luck had sent him in that direction. His eyes saw where the two bullets would have hit him: chest and head area. Chakotay heard Kathryn's door open and he once more spotted her standing there right on the edge of the doorway. Again she seemed to glow in an almost unreal manner and Chakotay walked over to her, hypnotized by her delicate beauty.

When they stood face to face she reached up and took his hand in hers and lead him into the room. She lead him towards the basin on her bureau and proceeded to wash his face and then, after carefully removing his shirt, did his chest and hands as carefully as she could. She knew his knuckles would be sore after the fight tonight. After that was done she dried him with her towel and without so much as a word she climbed into her bed, laying on her side facing away from him.

Chakotay took the silent invitation and spooned up behind her, bringing one of his arms under her head and the other tucked itself over her waist. His body instantly reacted to being so close to hers, the scent of her body filling his lungs with each breath, but the exhaustion had finally caught up with his battered body and sleep was quick to overtake him.

Hours later Chakotay finally opened his eyes. The night's events rushed over him as he shook the sleep from his mind, his hand was aching from the pummeling given Alberto but he didn't regret it. The side of the bed where Kathryn had slept on was empty but that didn't surprise him. His heart went into overdrive when he remembered the sweet way she had helped clean his face, her eyes had once more held the glimmer of unspoken tears but none had fallen to her cheeks. He knew he must have been dead to the world to have not felt her getting out of his grip.

He made a decision while letting the midday breeze, which was coming through the window, caress him: he was in love with her. And after last night Chakotay was determined to not allow any more time pass without her knowing exactly the extent of his emotions.

Getting out of the bed and walking over to wash up he finally walked back to his room, changed into a different shirt which William had given him and slowly made his way down the stairs. From the back of the building he heard what seemed like a good dozen people clamoring around and came into the scene to find William standing with Kathryn near the kitchen area while deputy Garrison and Sheriff Toddson sat near the table. There were others: Tibbus Earner, the bank manager in charge; Salus Wallace, the local lawyer and Angelo Pertersen, the mortician. Chakotay said his good mornings to all and came up behind and placed his hand on her lower back.

She looked over her shoulder and gave him a smile that rivaled an angels but her eyes were worried.

"Don Chakotay, I'm so glad to see you up. We have some bad news." Said Toddson.

Chakotay looked over at William and saw the grim line of his mouth. William answered his silent question, "Alberto - or should I say, Alfred - took his life last night in the cell. Using his own belt. The deputy saw him hanging this morning."

A heavy sigh escaped Chakotay's throat. "So he'll never stand trial for the deaths he was involved with."

Kathryn's small hand came up and she touched his arm. "Justice will be served even if it's out of our hands."

He was pleasantly surprised to see her trying to comfort him. He longed to tell her what he felt but Chakotay knew that this was hardly the time.

"Gentlemen, if you'll excuse me." Was all he said before taking Kathryn's hand and walking through the side door. He stepped out and into the sunlight and took a deep breath.

"It's nice to be outside, isn't it?" Kathryn asked him, again smiling up at him.

He watched her eyes as he replied, "It wasn't a bad thing as long as you were close by." He enjoyed watching her pupils dilate and seeing her mouth open slightly, looking as if she were just begging for a kiss. "I missed you this morning."

The blush started on her neck and flashed all the way up to her cheeks. "I did too but I couldn't be there any later than I was." She suddenly looked worried. "You risked your life last night. For me."

Chakotay cupped her face with his hands and whispered, "You know I would do that a million times over. And only for you." His dark eyes seemed to pierce her very soul before he spoke again, "Because I love you."

She hiccuped once just as she started to cry and threw her arms around his neck. And in between the tears she would plant kisses on his throat, chin and mouth all the while repeating "I love you so much."

It was nearly a half-hour later that they managed to return to the room where the men still sat. The Sheriff had acquired the paperwork needs to verify the bank documents and they were looking over the private books Alfred had maintained. The cheating and skimming was clear once both the actual books and the fake ones were side by side and it took them nearly six days to determine what accounts he had falsified.

During that time Chakotay and Kathryn had finally managed to settle things with Belle and her husband, and explained everything. At first his cousin had been furious to hear how the two dearest people she knew had almost lost their lives. But she didn't regret the fact that it had also helped bring them tighter together.

No one could ever explain what had caused Alfred to become so daring that he would walk into the house full of some many people and think he could get away with murdering someone in there.

Two months after the event, while still fresh in everyone's minds, finally had something that overwhelmed the townspeople: the wedding between Don Enrique Chakotay and Kathryn Janes.

It was a sunny day in July, with the birds singing and the flowers growing wild along the countryside when they had finally made it to the altar. Kathryn was eager to see her Mother once more and when she'd arrived they had planned a simple wedding within the Church and before the nuns. In the end though, it grew into a townwide occassion where everyone had joined in and it had to be held out in the fields which were especially designed like the gazebo area where they had first had dinner.

Kathryn's father had come for the wedding to give his daughter away. When word had first gotten to him that his daughter had almost been killed something inside of his once cold heart broke, he'd begun to visit on a daily basis and begged her forgiveness for the way he'd acted in the past. It had taken a lot of talking but both father and daughter were slowly but surely working towards making their familial ties better.

Chakotay stood besides William and though they both looked exquisite beneath the wooden frame of the flowered gazebo only Chakotay was standing there with a smile that peaked from dimple to dimple. He saw his lady love making her way to him at her father's side and the happiness of the moment nearly threatened to bring tears to his eyes. She wore a lovely white dress with the softest lace and satin triming the edge. No veil covered that lovely face for she had taken her future husband's request to leave her glorious hair to cascade down her back. The sun caught onto the fire on her natural red highlights and kissed pink each cheek as she slowly walked up to him.

Once they reached him her father exchanged places and left her side. Finally Kathryn stood besides the man who was the other part of her soul and she sent out a prayer of thanks and love for helping her find him.

"Dearly beloved..." The priest began to say while they both continued to gaze lovingly into each others eyes.

The end.