Carlos was looking at the ceiling.

It was awful. He was sure that by now he had counted every single one of the white tiles in this godforsaken room.

He would have left already but every muscle in his body was arching too much so he really didn't feel like it.

If he wasn't allowed to get to a normal soon though he would consider sneaking out actually.

He was thinner now; he'd probably fit in the vents.

His thoughts were interrupted when the door flew open, he immediately looked over and grinned slightly when he see who came in. "Val!"

She immediately sat down on the bed, next to him, scanning him for a few second before carefully pulling him in for a hug, pressing a soft kiss on his forehead.

"Nunca me vuelvas a hacer esto, hermanito", she whispered, holding him close for a few more seconds before slowly letting go of him. (Don't ever do this to me again, little brother.)

"You took your time coming here."

"I'm sorry...", she looked at him for a few seconds. "Isa called me. Told me about the situation. And...as happy as I am about the fact that your body slammed Alejandro, this isn't you."

Carlos started frowning. "What do you want to tell me with that?"

"I...wanna say that Alejandro wouldn't do something like that."

"No no, I saw—"

"Carlos. Why would I lie for Alejandro out of all people? Si hubieras dejado a ese hombre de otra manera, habría hecho una fiesta." (If you had left that man in another way, I would have thrown a party)

Well...she was right about that.

Valeria would never protect Alejandro like that.

But...he remembered.

"Valeria...I...believe that you think that. But I know what I saw."

"How much do you know though?"

"What?"

"How sure are you?"

"Completely"

"Carlos. They drugged you. I'm an expert on drugs. And drug-based torture. What you saw wasn't real."

"I was! I'm not crazy, Valeria! I know what I saw!"

He looked over when the door opened again. Alejandro.

He looked at him for a few seconds, eyes wide but then just backed up against the head of the bed, as far as he could.

"Valeria. Va a hacerme daño" (Valeria. He's going to hurt me)

"Está bien, Carlos. Estás a salvo.", she whispered into his ear. (It's okay, Carlos. You're safe)

Carlos just shook his head. "No no no. I...I can't."

Alejandro didn't move further towards him, seemingly recognizing his panic. There was something sad in his eyes.

"Carlos...I would never hurt you. Please just believe me. I could never hurt you, Cariño"

Just some months ago those words would have made his heart quicken up, but now Carlos was only feeling sick.

"Shut up."

"Carlos please...please just listen to me..."

"I said shut up! Leave!"

"You heard him. Leave.", Valeria's voice sounded cold.

"Valeria...this isn't going to help him."

"Well you scaring him isn't helping either!", she just got up, walking over to him.

"I'm not trying to scare him!"

"Well you are!"

"Look, Valeria—", Alejandro couldn't finish his sentence when a fist collided with his face.

"I said. Leave.", she stepped closer, whispering quiet enough so Carlos wouldn't hear them. "I know what you want to do. I almost admire it. But you're not helping my brother with this."

Alejandro looked at her for a few seconds, before looking at Carlos. "I'm sorry...", he mumbled before slowly leaving the room again.

Valeria went back to the bed. "Don't worry. Don't try to kill him again and you can continue your work as soon as you're fit again."

Carlos took in a shaky breath.

He wasn't sure if he would survive that. Working with Alejandro after all of this happened. But he loved los vaqueros. He loved his job.

Well... he had some more time to decide.

He had time.