Deceptive Hearts

"So she said yes?" Ramon repeated, his eyes wide.

"Indeed she did." Diego was ladling some soup into his bowl for his pregnant 'fiance', taking Ramon's joyfulness in stride.

He knew the entire family was happy for the couple. Now, Victoria would not be looked on in shame for having a child out of wedlock, but with honor ,as she would have a husband who would raise and love the child as his own.

A burning question nagged in the back of Ramon's mind and he struggled with a way to frame the words so that his soon to be brother-in-law would not be offended.

"When is the ceremony?" He blurted out, finding no better way to ask the question.

Diego smiled. He knew that would be a topic for discussion. "We have discussed it and since we will eventually want to return to Los Angeles, it would be better for the child if we were married as soon as possible."

Ramon's eyes widened. "Will you – claim the baby as your own?"

Diego smiled widely and said simply, "Yes."

Ramon let out a breath he hadn't realized that he had been holding. "How can I ever thank you for doing this for Victoria?"

Diego turned away, saddened by the knowledge that it was partially his fault that people looked on his wife this way. Simply because they didn't think it right that the entire family knew that the masked bandit of Los Angeles was none other than the Escalante's childhood friend.

Tales of Zorro's accomplishments had reached even to Mexico City. Tales of the hardships in Los Angeles were growing and Diego was disheartened.

He had been able to make a difference as Zorro in the small outpost but here in such a large city, there was far less crime and certainly no corrupt alcalde demanding still more and more money from the poor.

He had received letters from his father detailing the plan the leader De La Vega had for ousting their current alcalde from his position in Los Angeles. He thought it was risky, but Diego had done everything in his power to keep DeSoto in Mexico City and from returning to Los Angeles. So far, he had succeeded. It had been over three months since either Diego or DeSoto had set foot in the small, dusty pueblo.

And Diego had managed to keep Victoria out of the man's sight as well. And that had been no easy task.

Wherever they went, DeSoto seemed to be there. Diego knew he was watching the hacienda, but he and Victoria had managed to sneak away when they had the chance.

Victoria was cooped up in the hacienda all the time and it was good for her to get out and get some air.

The entire family was in on the ruse to keep DeSoto from seeing the very pregnant señorita. Even Rosita's father reluctantly helped upon threats of death from every member of his family.

Ramon's hand on his shoulder brought Diego up out of his thoughts. "Oh. I'm sorry. There is no need to thank me, Ramon. I would not be doing this if I did not love Victoria with all my heart."

Diego took a deep breath. "If my father's plan works, then we won't have to worry for much longer about DeSoto and Victoria and I can return to Los Angeles."

Ramon nodded. "That was going to be my next question."

"I'd love to buy Victoria a home here, but I think she misses Los Angeles." Diego lookout into the small garden where Victoria was reading a story to Malindsa. "I would like to see our children grow up there, while it is still small. Soon, I can see it as a large, bustling city, the center of trade and economy for the West."

Ramon nodded. "I hope it doesn't explode all at once like Mexico City did."

"I think that will all depend on what happens with the Revolution movement."

Ramon blinked and Diego chuckled. "I am not completely ignorant of military activity in this city. I can see what is going on. I can also see where it could lead."

Diego stared at Ramon. "You aren't involved, are you?"

"No." He sounded disappointed. " No one is talking about it. But I think some of my commanders are involved."

"Would you be involved if you could find out more information?" He needed to know where Ramon stood on such an important issue.

"I could ask you the same question, Diego."

"I have given it no thought. I won't endanger my family and I will not fight against my homeland. But I also will not pretend to be oblivious about the circumstances surrounding a possible revolution. Spain is loosing California."

Ramon nodded and the two men became silent as Victoria and Malindsa returned to the coolness of the hacienda.

"What are you two discussing that necessitated the silence all of a sudden?" She slipped her arm around Diego's waist and he smiled.

They had begun to be more open around others, showing their affection in public. She even wore the wedding ring he had given her in the cave what seemed like years ago. She first wore it as a promise ring, then a wedding ring when Diego and Victoria had married in secret in San Francisco, and now she wore it as an engagement ring. She didn't think another ring would fit on her finger – a true wedding ring. She didn't really want another one. The ring she wore on her finger symbolized the struggle they had gone through just to be together and it was a family heirloom passed from father to son. She didn't want anything else.

Diego pressed a kiss into the side of her head and grinned. "Nothing, my dear, that would concern you." To change the subject from her inquisitive mind, he suggested they go into the City proper and go shopping. Now that was something that Victoria loved to do and she now had a husband wealthy enough to support that seemingly gender specific habit.

Diego's heart soared when he saw Victoria's eyes light up at his suggestion. She rarely bought anything, saying that she didn't feel right about taking his money. But she certainly enjoyed looking at every little vendor scattered across the large plaza.

Soon, she would have to get used to a little lavish spending. He had given her small gifts, that he had noticed her admiring at the merchants tables but she always refused to buy, each time they went out.

The plaza was bursting at the seams once again, and Diego made sure to stand close to Victoria so that she wouldn't get lost in the crowd.

Now that she wore a ring on her finger, she was less likely to draw the attention of less honorable men who had nothing better to do than to harass helpless women.

Ramon had gone with Malindsa and Rosita, the younger Escalante keeping an eye on his wife and her sister.

Malindsa grasped Ramon's pant leg, tugging hard to get his attention. "Ramon? Ramon?" She wailed pointing toward Victoria and Diego.

"Yes, what is it?" Ramon and Rosita followed the grinning child as she pointed to her sister

Ramon shook his head and chuckled. The ever observant child had picked that very moment to catch her sister-in-law and her fiance in a most passionate kiss.

"By watching them, you'd think they'd been doing that for much longer." Rosita blushed. Ramon never kissed her that way in public.

"They do seem to melt into each other, don't they?" Ramon observed. Filing the strange feeling to the back of his mind for examination later, he pulled Malindsa's attention back to what they had been admiring on a nearby table.

All of a sudden gunshots rang out around the plaza, frightening and causing the people to scatter in all different directions. Those who could not run fast enough were trampled by the frightened people trying to get out of the plaza.

Ramon grasped Malindsa in his arms and frantically searched in the general direction he had last seen Diego and Victoria.

There was no sight of them and even Ramon found himself being pulled away from Rosita as the crowd rushed past him. Rosita's fingers dug into his arms as she struggled to keep hold of her husband.

The gunshots became more frequent and Ramon looked to the buildings towering above them. With sudden realization, he realized who the shots were aimed for – the Government army!

"The revolution! We have to get out of the plaza to safety!" Ramon howled over the roar of the crowd.

Cannon blasts were shattering the adobe walls of the government compounds, crumbling walls and windows falling onto the unsuspecting public. Ramon shoved Rosita and Malindsa under a very sturdy looking wall as far away from the government buildings as he could.

"Stay here, I need to find Diego and Victoria!" He took his pistol and shoved it into Rosita's hand. "Don't let anyone touch you!"

Drawing his sword, the young uniformed officer raced across the plaza in search of his sister.

Before he made it halfway across the plaza, a rifle ball struck him in the chest and he slammed face first into the sandy ground.

Rosita watched, in slow motion, her husband's face as he struck the ground. She tried to stand and run towards him but troops were filing into the plaza, calling for freedom. A hand on her shoulder prevented her from moving and she turned around to see Diego and a very frightened and out of breath Victoria.

"Stay here. Let me get him." Diego yelled over the noise-filled plaza.

Diego turned to Victoria and kissed her deeply. "I need to get him before he is injured even further by the scattering people."

Victoria was torn by indecision. That was her brother lying on the ground out there, possibly dying. She loved him and wanted to make sure he was safe. But was she willing to risk the man she loved going out after her brother and getting shot. No. She didn't think she was willing to do that.

She gripped Diego's hand and squeezed, mouthing the word, 'No.'

"Trust me." Diego smiled, shoved her hand into Rosita's and took off across the plaza toward his fallen brother-in-law.

Ramon was conscious but in pain when Diego slid beside him. Easily lifting the smaller man, Diego turned in the direction he had left the women. His eyes caught the horror in Victoria's eyes before he noticed the two soldiers racing toward him mouthing something indistinguishable in the cannon blasts.

Ramon grunted in pain but pushed Diego away when he noticed the two men racing towards them. Diego's grip was weak as it was and a bullet striking him in the arm caused him to loose his grip on his brother-in-law.

Diego grasped his arm in pain but was more concerned when he saw Victoria stand and move towards him.

He screamed for her to stay back as a plume of smoke clouded his vision. One of the walls next to him had been blown away by a cannon blast blocking his view of Victoria's advance.

He covered his head as adobe and wood chips came crashing down toward his body.

As the smoke began to clear, the plaza became quiet. Soldiers and peons alike watched as the Spanish flag was cut from its post and burned.

Diego tried to sit as Victoria dodged the fallen bodies and crumpled buildings to reach her husband and brother.

No one tried to stop her progress as she reached her husband, embracing him tightly.

Diego tore his shirt and wrapped a bandage around his arm to stop the bleeding. Ramon's wound was more severe and Diego took his brother's saber and stick it in a flame to heat it.

The bullet had gone through Ramon's shoulder but Diego needed to stop the bleeding. Heating the blade would not only sterilize it, but once pressed against the skin, would seal the hole as well.

By the time Diego had completed his task, Rosita and Malindsa had joined the family.

"Well," A familiar voice caused Diego and Victoria to look up from their work. "Now I see why Victoria has been staying out of site."

DeSoto stood over the family, grinning wickedly. He was not dressed in his uniform today but in the pristine clothing of a caballero.

His sword was drawn and he pointed its tip toward Victoria's stomach, prompting a small advance from Diego.

"You're doing, I would suspect, De La Vega?" DeSoto asked, narrowing his eyes at the young don.

"That would be none of your business, alcalde." Diego answered.

"Or does it belong to that outlaw?"

Victoria stared into the alcalde's eyes, giving nothing away, and he chuckled.

"Well she has a band around her finger, that is a good thing." DeSoto commented.

"But," He pulled at his goatee. "Who put the baby there?"

"I do believe that is none of your business." Ramon grunted, sitting back on his haunches with his wife's help.

"If you are carrying an illegitimate child, it is indeed my concern, Escalante. Because it would be the downfall of that masked terror."

"You are not going to use my baby against Zorro!" Victoria screeched, clawing into Diego's arms to keep herself from launching herself at the insane man.

"He won't need to." Diego stated calmly. "The baby is mine, DeSoto."

DeSoto laughed. "If you think I believe that, than you are a bigger fool than I thought."

"I'm not the fool, alcalde. It is you that has made a very big mistake." Diego stood slowly, challenging the alcalde with his slow, deliberate movement. The saber he had used to cauterize Ramon's wound, still in his hand.

"A respected caballero would not impregnate a woman, no matter how beautiful, without the sanction of marriage." DeSoto seemed pleased with his assessment of Diego's character. "What a disgrace you would be to your father."

"And you would be correct." Diego stated matter-of-factly.

"And this means you were married before she attained this condition?" DeSoto was trying to draw the man out and Diego was not biting.

He looked around at Victoria, Ramon, the soldiers and the people beginning to pick up the pieces of the quick battle. By the looks of things, the city was now in the hands of the free Mexican army and there would be nothing to fear by telling DeSoto the truth about his marriage.

Instead, Diego changed the subject. "You may want to get out of the city, alcalde. I'm sure the new government would not take kindly to a fiercely loyal Spanish alcalde in their midst."

DeSoto laughed. "I am afraid you are….."

As if on queue, a large roar went up as the Mexican flag was raised over the city. A high ranking military officer stood on the roof of a second story building and announced to the populace that they were now living in Free Mexico.

"What?!" DeSoto glanced around at the traitorous actions of those around him. He could barely contain his rage and for a moment Diego thought he was going to say something that would severely endanger his life.

"I see that you are wise to remain silent, alcalde." Diego said silently, bending over to help his wife stand.

"I am well within my power to arrest the both of you." DeSoto seethed and a bubble of laughter, something DeSoto had never before seen, rippled from Diego's lips.

"How do you see that possibility, Ignacio?"

DeSoto was stunned. It had been years since Diego had called him by his first name. And it has passed through Diego's lips like a curse. The tone vaguely reminded him of another but he let it go in favor of a more direct approach.

"You have dishonored this young woman using your money and position to lead her into a situation that would ruin her reputation." DeSoto was grasping at straws and Diego knew it.

Victoria laughed. "You don't care about my reputation, DeSoto!" Victoria hissed. "All you care about is capturing the man that you always said had ruined my reputation. Now you are accusing Diego of the same thing. I think your judgement is a bit cloudy. Or are you mixing the two men?"

DeSoto shook his head. Things were not making sense to him and he considered himself to be a very smart man.

"Are you telling me that you are married?"

"Yes." Diego admitted.

"Ha! I don't believe you." DeSoto bellowed.

"If you need proof, I can provide you with a copy of our marriage certificate which was drawn up over six months ago."

Ramon's eyes widened as he exchanged looks with Rosita, Victoria and Diego. Did this mean the baby really was Diego's? But why would Victoria run from him? Why would Victoria lead him to believe that the baby was Zorro's? Why not just tell him the truth? What was going on!?

Ramon didn't quite understand but he was sure going to find out as soon as they rid themselves of the infuriating alcalde.

"No." DeSoto shook his head. "I don't believe it." Realization of what Diego was saying seeped into his brain a little at a time and he couldn't assimilate the information fast enough. It was too difficult to believe.

"Are you saying – that – you are –?" DeSoto laughed. "I don't believe it."

"What is there to believe. All you need concern yourself with is that Victoria and I have been legally married for over six months and that this baby she is carrying is, indeed, mine." Diego explained as simply as he could. He didn't need DeSoto to guess that he was Zorro. While he didn't think that would matter any longer, he didn't want to take the chance.

"Zorro is no longer in the picture." Diego added as an afterthought, seeing that DeSoto's mind was racing with scenarios.

Shots rang out again and Diego turned quickly and pulled Victoria to the ground. Ramon followed with the girls and DeSoto, like the coward he was, cowered against an overturned merchant cart.

Several peasants, who had just picked themselves up from the plaza ground after being pummeled by debris, fell clutching at their chests.

"Get the women out of here!" Diego cried over the gunfire. "Ramon you are hurt, get to safety!"

The family rushed across the plaza, taking cover where they could. Diego shoved Victoria into an overturned wagon, Rosita, Ramon and Malindsa following.

Victoria reached for her husbands hand as he turned to go back and pull a few more peasants out of the line of fire.

"Diego, no!" Victoria called but his hand slipped from hers and she could only watch in horror as he maneuvered his way through the crowd and grasped a small child into his arms. The child wailed for her mother in a language Diego could only barely understand and he shoved the child into her mother's arms, pushing them both toward a wall that would provide some shelter from the flying bullets.

Victoria watched as time after time, her husband pulled children out of the way of advancing troops. One Spanish officer, realizing that he was going to be stopped at any moment, didn't care who he killed and went so far as to thrust his saber at Diego's back.

The caballero dodged the thrust and was quickly able to disarm the man with a chunk of adobe and a strong throwing arm.

Several Mexican troops noticed this exchanged and moved to assist the young caballero who they thought was fighting on their side.

DeSoto cowered behind an overturned merchant cart, watching the seemingly weak caballero risk his life time and time again for the innocent people caught in the crossfire of this terrible battle.

The young don's face was covered in soot and ash, dirtied from running in between cannon blasts and the explosion of gunpowder magazines.

The determination etched into his features and quickness in which he dodged the battling armies, permeated DeSoto's brain and realization exploded in front of his eyelids even as a bullet shattered a pot at his feet.

"Madre de dios!" DeSoto wailed. He shook his head, unable to believe the events transpiring before his eyes. It couldn't be. There is simply no way Diego could have pulled off this charade in front of his eyes.

At that moment, Diego turned, and his eyes locked with the stunned alcalde's. He watched the young caballero rush toward him, yelling something over the gunfire and explosions that he couldn't hear.

DeSoto drew his blade as Diego neared and the tall caballero skidded to a halt before he impaled himself on the alcalde's saber.

"Alcalde what..?"

"I can't believe you were right in front of me all along and I didn't see it." The man swung at Diego, who dodged the flying steel with ease.

"Sometimes you are blind to what is right in front of you." Diego grinned slightly as the alcalde swung wildly, again missing the caballero by inches. He still stood calmly in front of the alcalde, not moving unless he was forced.

"Defend yourself, De La Vega," DeSoto swung yet again and Diego was forced to retrieve a blade from a fallen soldier to defend himself. "Or you will not stand a chance."

"And that has stopped you with the oppression of the people of Los Angeles?" Diego parried DeSoto's blade easily but the real trick was not tripping over the bodies that littered the street. And trying to dodge bullets as they whizzed past their heads was no easy task either.

Diego quickly found a weakness in the alcalde's defense, one of many but the young caballero didn't have the time or energy to exploit them all, and bound his blade. One tug was all it took to wrench the blade from the alcalde's grasp.

A cannon blast rumbled beneath their feet and Diego threw himself to the ground as the debris scattered above his head. When he looked up, DeSoto was gone.

Diego picked himself up off the ground as his family rushed toward him.

The shooting seemed to have stopped as suddenly as it had started.

Victoria rushed into his arms and he was immediately inundated with the fresh scent of her hair and body.

Ramon walked, with Rosita's help, toward his sister and Diego. His injury was a serious one but he had to make sure that Diego was all right.

When he stumbled, Diego caught his arm and helped him to regain his balance.

Soldiers marched up to Ramon, looked over his uniform and leveled their rifles at the man who was dressed in the uniform of the Spanish Colonial Army.

"You are now a prisoner of the free Mexican army, Señor." A young officer saluted Ramon and indicated that the guards place him under arrest.

"Wait!" Diego intervened.

"Diego De La Vega." He introduced himself. "And you are?"

The man blinked. Such proper behavior should be honored. "Sergeant Pablo Garcia, sir."

"This is my brother-in-law, what has he done to cause you to place him under arrest?" Diego continued after shaking hands with the man. Being impolite would not help his cause. " He has not opposed your fight. Nor has he assisted in the defense of this city."

"We are under orders, Sir, to hold all Spanish military officers for questioning." Garcia repeated formally.

Diego turned, and noticed DeSoto shrinking behind a gathering crowd, trying, unsuccessfully, not to be noticed. DeSoto had wisely sheathed his weapon and was trying to get away from this new military presence. The young don grinned and pointed to the cowering alcalde.

"Then you will want to hold that man as well." The soldier's diverted their attention from Ramon to the finely dressed form of the alcalde. "He is Ignacio DeSoto, alcalde of Los Angeles."

"Los Angeles?" Garcia mumbled. "The one that we have heard about? The one that harshly taxes his people and uses their money for his own personal gain?"

DeSoto straightened and pulled himself up to his full height. Flashing a glare at Diego, he seethed. " I will get you for this De La Vega."

"No threats, Señor." Garcia warned. "You will only bring more charges upon yourself."

"Threats!" DeSoto admonished. "Ever heard of Zorro, Sergeant? Well he," He pointed directly at Diego, "Is that man and I want him arrested."

Diego frowned when Garcia and the other officers gaped at him. "I don't know what the man is talking about. Obviously he is trying to find a reason for you to arrest me as well."

"We have, indeed, heard of Zorro, alcalde." Garcia began, taking a step toward DeSoto and placing chains around his wrists. "But his deeds are legendary among the people. It seems that you are the only one who believes he has committed any crimes."

"You can't do this." DeSoto struggled as two men grasped his arms and pulled him towards the building temporarily set up as a headquarters.

"I will get you for this, De La Vega!" DeSoto called behind him as the soldiers dragged him away.

Diego smiled slightly. "I'm sure you will try, Ignacio. But I will not be anywhere near the prison you will be sent to if you resist their questioning."

Ramon exchanged a questioning look with his wife. Events and circumstances were beginning to fall into place and he looked to Diego for confirmation.

Garcia cocked his head to stare at the tall caballero as well. "Are you really the legendary Zorro?"

Diego laughed, pulling Victoria into his arms and resting his hands on her swollen abdomen.

"Now, Señor Garcia. If I was, would I be standing before you now risking arrest?" Diego kissed his wife gently on the cheek. "No, Señor. I believe the legend of Zorro will fade into the memories of those that knew him. Stories of his achievements passed from generation to generation. A new day has dawned; One that will bring about a greatly needed change in the New World."

Ramon was moved by Diego's comments and realized that there was much he did not know about his childhood friend. He was certainly gifted with the power of speech making.

As Ramon looked at all of the soot-covered, dirty faces of the men, women, children and soldiers caught in today's struggle to restore freedom to the Mexican people, he felt humbled. Something had been accomplished today that would go down into the history books; an event greater than any one man, or even a group of men.

Many had fought and died today struggling for what they believed. There was no right or wrong in this situation.

Ramon sighed and stepped forward. "I would like to resign my commission in the Royal Spanish army and be permitted to join the ranks of the free Mexico army."

Diego and Victoria exchanged knowing looks and smiled. The Escalante family history was rooted deeply in the freedom movement and they were proud that Ramon wanted to continue something his parents had died for.

Garcia smiled. It was clear that the Sergeant had expected Ramon to offer his services. "We will be taking applications for ranking officers later in the day. Please follow me, Sir."

Garcia, for the first time, noticed how Ramon's posture was bent. There was blood wetting the front of his jacket and he immediately called for a medical officer to tend to the young man's wounds.

He was moved to sit on the sand covered ground while his wound was looked after.

"Will he be alright?" Diego asked, ignoring the pain in his own arm.

"Sí, whoever wrapped this shoulder did a good job and stopped the bleeding." The medical officer commented.

"Again you've saved my life, brother." Ramon smiled up at the caballero, his eyes passing over a red stain on his white shirt. "Diego! You've been shot as well."

Victoria pulled away from her husband and began to roll his shirt up his arm to take a look at the wound.

"It's just a scratch. It barely hit me."

"Those can be the most dangerous, Señor." The officer finished with Ramon and stood to take a look at Diego.

"Well it looks as if the Señora is taking good care of you," The man smiled widely when he realized Victoria was not going to move and let him examine her husband. " Let me just give you some medicated salve to put on it to help prevent infection and I will leave you in her capable hands."

"When is Don Diego coming home?" Mendoza mumbled around his tamale. No one had expected the young don to be gone for so long.

Alejandro smiled widely, setting the letter, that had just arrived from Mexico City, down in front of him. He stood and ordered drinks for Mendoza and the rest of his lancers.

"Well, I'm not sure, Sergeant. But Felipe and I will be traveling to Mexico City for his wedding. We leave tomorrow!"

"Wedding?" Mendoza almost choked on the remainder of his tamale. "Don Diego is getting married?"

Alejandro was beaming. "Yes, Sergeant." It was about time his son took that woman to wife, publicly. He wasn't sure how Diego had managed it but he couldn't wait to find out.

Alejandro was glad the alcalde was not here, because the don didn't know how he would explain this one. Something must have happened in Mexico City and the curious man couldn't wait to find out what that was.

He set off toward her hacienda, happier than he had been in a very long time.

The ruins were cleared away immediately; The soldiers and the peasants alike setting the stones for an even greater city. Out of the ashes of this destruction would arise a great city free of the uninterested and unworthy country in whose hands it had belonged.

In only a few weeks, the bells of the churches tolled again and life began anew as if things had never changed.

But things had changed. In a single day, the ruling government of an entire country and been overthrown to be replaced by another.

Life would change for everyone from Mexico to Texas. It was yet to be seen if these changes would be for the better.

Life was beginning again for one couple as the padre stepped out onto the chapel dias and awaited the procession to begin. Diego stood next to the padre, his head turned expectantly toward the long aisle at the back of the church.

Family and friends had come from California to Mexico City for Diego and Victoria's 'official' wedding. While Alejandro was not thrilled with traveling so far to see his son finally marry the woman, he was ecstatic that they had followed his advice and decided to have the ceremony performed before their baby was born.

Yes, Alejandro was of the old school. Many, even if informed to the contrary, would see this baby as illegitimate if they waited until after he was born. He was pleased that his son recognized this fact. Although, Alejandro suspected that things would not always be this way. His son and new bride were of a new generation of rebellious and strong-willed adults who thought to do things their way rather than the old way.

Maybe something of the traditions would remain in his family after he was gone, but as his son and wife were about to prove, today could be a change for his family lineage as well.

Malindsa suddenly appeared as a slow, soft tune was played on the grand piano. She took handfuls of rose petals and scattered them along the floor as she moved toward the dias.

Elindsa and Rosita appeared next, carrying lovely bouquets of roses ordered for this special occasion. Felipe escorted Elindsa and Ramon, his wife. Once they reached the top of the aisle, they parted, the men standing with Diego, the women on the opposite side.

Soon, a more traditional theme echoed along the church walls and Alejandro appeared, a lovely, and very pregnant, Victoria on his arm.

The dress Victoria wore was simple, but accentuated every line of her curved body as if she was a modal. The skirt swished along the floor, the only sound in the room as those gathered gasped the shimmering form of the material as it clung to her body.

Despite her pregnancy, she was as lovely as ever. In fact, her whole body glowed, the coming baby had seemed to change Victoria's personality as well as her body.

She had chosen to have the dress made for her, rather than work on it herself, as she would have done had circumstances not conspired against her. Time was of the essence and, if she and Diego wanted to make his father happy, they would need to be publicly wed before their baby was born.

She smiled widely, her eyes searching the crowd for a moment before coming to rest on the man to whom she had once said these vows, and to whom she would repeat them again with more love and reverence than before.

Their eyes locked and Alejandro could see the smouldering love burning in their eyes. He could not be more proud of his son and daughter and he remembered when he had stood in Diego's place as the nervous groom. He thought he would never live to see his son marry, much less have children!

Diego's heart somersaulted. He had never seen her look as beautiful as she did walking down the aisle to publicly acknowledge him as her husband. As she neared, he executed such an elaborate bow, they the crowd gasped in astonishment. He took her hand and pressed a kiss to the soft skin, mouthing a silent , 'I love you,' for her eyes only.

He took her hand and laced it through his arm as they turned to face the padre.

"This ceremony is a rather unusual one. " The padre began. "I have never quite performed a marriage like the one I will perform for Diego and Victoria today."

"Diego and Victoria are legally married already but they wish to acknowledge their love and commitment to each other in front of the witnesses they didn't have for their initial ceremony."

"So this will be a ceremony of promises, of gifts and of celebration."

"A ceremony to tell God and the world that I love this woman more than life itself." Diego finished for the padre.

He took her hands and squeezed them, pressing each to his lips to kiss them softly. "I wish we'd had the opportunity before this to say these vows but circumstances conspired against us."

"You have the ring that I promised to you, and placed on your finger when you accepted my proposal of marriage and then again when you became my wife for the first time. "He grinned. He spoke directly to her as if no one else in the room existed. " But I wish to add something that you can wear close to your heart always."

He pulled a gold chain from his jacket pocket and held it up to her. "A circle of gold in a chain and a ring of ruby and gold to match the ring. It will be near your heart when I cannot."

He reached around her neck to fasten the clasp, his hands brushing her upswept hair, the ringlets bobbing against his hand.

"Do you, Diego, take Victoria to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for as long as you both shall live?" The padre quoted the age old verse from memory.

"I do." His voice was soft, but firm.

"Victoria. Do you take Diego to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for as long as you both shall live?"

"I do." She smiled widely, as if she had waited all her life to say these words.

"The vows you have previously taken and the vows you take here, before this gathered congregation, will bind you in life and in death. Diego, do you have a ring?"

"I do." Diego smiled and turned to Felipe, who produced a thin band of gold from his pocket and gave it to Diego.

"With this ring comes my promise to be faithful to you in all things, to love and protect you in good times and in bad."

Diego kissed the ring and slid it onto her finger holding the more ornate ruby band in place.

"I – want to do something out of tradition." Victoria began and then chuckled. "Well this wedding is certainly that so I might as well make it even more so."

Rings were not commonly given to men on their wedding day and many in the crowd realized this and a soft murmuring could be heard from the dais.

She turned to Rosita, who produced a thin band of gold, made from the same jeweler as the ring Diego had just placed on her finger, and gave it to Victoria.

She took Diego's hand, slid the ring onto his left index finger and repeated. "With this ring I promise to love, honor and obey you. And to love you in good times and in bad."

The padre smiled and gazed over the congregation. They were a little surprised at this little revelation but were nonetheless pleased with the vows.

"Diego, Victoria. Before god and these witnesses, I declare you husband and wife." The padre proclaimed. "May the determination and the fire which brought you together, never diminish."

Almost as an afterthought, as Diego and Victoria looked expectantly at the padre, he repeated. "Diego, you may kiss your bride."

Diego bent to take her lips in a gentle kiss, holding her firmly in his strong grasp but not squeezing her and the child too tightly. Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him into her mouth, and the congregation became first hand witnesses of just how deeply the fire of their love burned.

"I'd like to come back here one day." Victoria looked around the Teotihuacan ruins as the carriage came to a stop. "It's breathtaking."

"Yes it is." Diego tied the reins and set the break , turning to cast an appreciative look at his wife. "But so are you.."

A bubble of laughter sprang from Victoria's lips and she leaned into him for a deep, probing kiss. "You say the sweetest things to me. But then, you should," She grinned playfully. "It's your fault that I look like a balloon."

He laughed. They had been round and round this discussion and one of them always relented, giving up in favor more interesting pursuits.

Diego's hand slid to her waist and pulled her toward him.

She slapped playfully at his hand. "Diego! You know what the doctor said. No more relations until the baby is born."

"I don't know if I can wait that long." Diego whispered as he pressed soft kisses into her neck.

"Well I'm hungry so you are going to have to wait!" She pushed him away, purposely missing the longing look in his eyes. It was hard enough sleeping next to the man, his arms wrapped tightly around her, yet not being able to go farther. She carefully climbed down from the carriage as he jumped off the other side to help her.

"Let me help."

"You want to make love to me in the middle of the open desert when I am almost eight months pregnant yet you want to help me get out of a carriage seat?" She slapped at his arm and then stood on tiptoes to kiss his chin when she noticed the hurt look in his eyes. "Let's eat!"

She allowed him to lift her into the back of the carriage where he began to dispense the food, from the large basket that had been packed for them. A large blanket had been spread out in the back of the carriage.

He took a bite of the tender tamale and reached out to feed it to his wife. She wrapped her lips around the tamale with such pleasure that he had to look away, lest un-proper thoughts flicker from his eyes to her mind.

She made a face at him when he pulled it from her mouth, half eaten, and shoved the rest into his own mouth and chewed slowly, savoring every bite.

"Why you…." She slapped playfully at him.

He poured some cool lemonade and took a sip. He held it out for his wife but when she reached for it he pulled it away. She grumbled and launched, as well as a woman with a very large belly could , herself across the food at him.

He smiled and set the mug of lemonade on the carriage seat in front of them. Turning and grasping his wife, he released some of the liquid he held in his mouth into her own when her lips parted to receive his kiss.

This new sensation Victoria found strange, but as the kiss deepened, she felt waves of desire wash over her and she wished she wasn't almost ready to deliver the child.

She licked the remaining sugary taste from his lips before pulling away to take the last tamale and shove it into her mouth.

He snickered and pulled her down into his arms after they had finished the food.

The carriage was large enough so that they could lie down and take a siesta after they had filled their bellies with the mouth-watering food.

Victoria fell asleep in the crook of Diego's arm as he quoted some of the sweetest poetry she had ever heard.

When she awoke a few hours later, she stared into the peaceful face of her husband. She leaned forward to kiss him when his eyes fluttered open, startling her. He smiled and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, as she leaned into his lips and kissed him deeply.

"I want to try." Her voice was strangled whisper as she fought to catch her breath.

He shook his head. "Are you sure? We'll be going against the doctor's wishes."

"Well the doctor is not here and I what I feel right now is not going to wait for another two months until after I have this baby." She stated sharply, pulling away, her fingers immediately moving to the buttons on his white linen shirt.

"An experiment then." He chuckled, grinning innocently.

"I will not be used as an experiment!" She feigned horror. "Nor will my baby!"

"It's the scientist in me. " He shrugged and then chuckled. "And it's my baby too."

Instead of the sharp retort he expected to fly at him like a fist full of knives, she simply licked her lips.

He inhaled deeply when her fingers slid away his shirt and roamed over his firm chest. He closed his eyes, letting the feel of her hands warm his skin unlike the sun ever could.

His hands roamed down her arms, taking the rims of the blouse over her shoulders as they did so.

She was sitting cross-legged, her hands on his chest, when he sat up and pressed a soft kiss to her neck. He trailed wet kisses along her throat before settling along a vein and sucking gently. He could feel her heartbeat quicken and it heightened his desire.

Her body excited him. The changes in the last few months had been substantial and, while her condition would have repulsed many men, her sensitivity to his touch excited him beyond all reason.

Wherever his hands stroked, he was rewarded with an involuntary shiver.

"I don't care, Diego De La Vega!" Victoria stormed out of the hacienda to where Diego was packing trunks into a recently purchased carriage. Victoria was due any day now, and not a moment too soon! Yet her condition certainly didn't prohibit her from voicing her opinions to anyone who would listen.

"I am not going to wear some dress that makes me look like a cow with two legs no matter how comfortable you think it will make me!"

Alejandro chuckled and Diego shot his father an exasperated look.

Alejandro shared his son's pain. He could remember his wife's stinging words when she was pregnant. And that was over 30 years ago. He was sure the behavior hadn't changed a bit.

"Then wear what you like, Querida." Diego continued loading the carriage. As much as he loved Mexico City, it would be nice to be home.

"I plan to!" She turned on her heal and stormed into the house.

Alejandro bent over in laughter and Diego frowned. "Was mother ever like this?"

"I don't know. I missed your birth." Alejandro stated. "I was on the battlefield when you were born."

Diego nodded. "That's right." He thought a moment. "Well then consider this a missed opportunity. It's about time she started yelling at someone besides me for a change!"

Alejandro stepped forward and placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "But son, it's not my fault she is in this condition."

Diego sighed. "It takes two. I am not the only one to blame here."

"But she sees it that way and you will do best to just accept that, because as soon as she goes into labor, you'll think her temper and insults were that of a baby kitten learning to meow."

Diego shook his head. "Father I did not need to hear that!"

"Yes, well I thought it best to warn you before hand."

Diego slumped against the side of the carriage. "Ah, no matter what I do it's wrong."

Alejandro rubbed his son's shoulder. "Well creating that babe inside of that young woman was not wrong and I can't wait to hear the ear piercing screams."

Diego narrowed his eyes. "Father you are just not making this easy."

"Fatherhood is not easy, Diego. You were a firebrand the minute you were born." Alejandro smiled affectionately at his son. "And you still manage to try my patience."

"I think that is a son's prerogative," Diego laughed.

"Well you just make sure……"

Alejandro was stopped short when they heard a scream echo inside the house. Diego dropped the trunk he was holding and rushed inside, Alejandro a few steps behind.

Elindsa and Rosita were supporting Victoria as she slumped in pain, her hands holding her swollen belly.

"What happened?" Diego lifted his wife and carried her into the bedroom they had shared for the last few months.

"Her water broke." Elindsa answered. She had grasped rags on her way into the bedroom and began tearing at them. "Diego I need you to go help Rosita. She will give you a list of things to do. Alejandro, please ride into the city and get Dr. Gonzalez."

"Die-go-o!" The cries pierced his heart and Alejandro had to physically restrain his son from barging through the door.

"This is how it has always been done, Diego." Alejandro's steady voice soothed Diego's fears.

But he knew, just as his father did, that childbirth was a dangerous thing. Many women did not survive it and those that did could be permanently damaged because of it. Like his mother. Diego slumped into the chair, his head in his hands. His birth had been so difficult for his mother that she was unable to have any other children.

He wasn't sure how this had affected his father. The elder De La Vega rarely spoke of it. As long as Victoria survived, he would be content. He would need to trust that God had not brought them together though all their adversities to halt their happiness in the birthing room.

Victoria's screams penetrated his thoughts and he stood once more. "I don't care how things have always been done. I am going to hold her!"

Alejandro did not try to stop his son as he stormed through the door and shut it behind him.

Estaban, Malindsa and Ramon just stared at Alejandro who just shrugged, "He has a mind of his own. I wasn't about to try and stop him."

"I can't believe I allowed you to do this to me!" Victoria wailed.

Elindsa was about to protest Diego's arrival when another mind-numbing contraction wracked her small body. Diego pushed his way beside Victoria and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

"Well lift her if you are going to be in here." Elindsa muttered. When Diego didn't know what she meant, she demonstrated. "She needs to be sitting up. It will help with the birthing process."

Diego lifted his wife and sat behind her on the bed, allowing her to lean heavily against his chest when she needed a break.

"I'm sorry." Diego whispered into her ear before she groaned in pain once again.

"How long is this going to last!" She wailed, clutching at Diego's hand so tightly that he thought she would break a bone.

"It's been a long time." Diego looked toward the doctor for an answer.

"This is normal for first time mothers. Labor is a difficult thing. And Victoria is tiny, she may have a difficult time pushing the baby out." Dr. Gonzalez admitted honestly. "She is going to need your help, Diego. She is almost ready to deliver."

Diego nodded and readied himself for Victoria's cries.

"Now push!" The doctor commanded and Victoria took a deep breath and pushed with all the might in her weakened body.

"You are so lucky all of this pain produced this beautiful little bundle," Victoria cooed at the little babe she held in her arms, but her comment had sent cold chills down the spines of everyone but Diego.

"Congratulations," Gonzalez smiled. "Mother and son appear to be doing fine."

"Thank you, Doctor." Diego muttered, his eyes never leaving the little miracle Victoria held.

"He has your eyes," Victoria smiled up at her husband and he brushed a strand of damp hair from her cheek.

"So does that mean you take back all of the names that you called me?" Diego asked, careful to sit in a position that would enable him to launch himself off the bed if his comment produced less a than desirable reaction from his wife.

"Are you kidding?" She chuckled. "I will never forget the pain you made me go through for this."

Diego nodded. "I expected as much." He leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "But at least you enjoyed the action that put him there."

This time she did swat at him and Elindsa didn't even want to try and guess what he had said to her.

Winter again was slowly creeping over the jutting mountain side, gripping the residents of Mexico City in a chilling cold. Rarely did temperatures drop this low and many had died because they had been ill prepared for such weather.

The De La Vega's had been gone for less than a week when Ramon stepped onto the landing of his new home and stretched. He immediately wrapped his arms around himself and shivered.

Rosita appeared with a blanket and wrapped it around his shoulders tenderly. "Come back to bed."

Ramon smiled at his bride. "I was just thinking of Sis and the De La Vega's. They would have gotten caught in this terrible weather. I just hope they are okay."

"Don Alejandro and his family are wealthier than anyone I have ever met. I'm sure they have been able to find adequate shelter." She rubbed his arms suggestively.

"But the babe is not that old and …."

"Ramon," Rosita began. She didn't want to hear him speak this way. Their new family would be fine. She was certain. "Victoria and Diego are devoted to Ali and they will not let anything happen to him."

"You're right. I'm just paranoid." Ramon admitted and turned toward his lovely bride.

"Yes you are." She smiled and pulled him back into the warm confines of the home.

But Ramon's fears were rapidly becoming reality for the young couple as they traveled north toward home. The weather had been miserable for days. Rain and cold had seeped into the warmth of the carriage, the horses and the even the blankets.

The winter chill froze the weary travelers to the bone and Diego had made the quick decision to stop over in a small town, several days ride from San Diego, when the rain became so bad that there was just no way to keep dry.

He was worried for Victoria and the little babe she constantly held, wrapped in as many covers as possible without suffocating the newborn.

The doctor had given permission to travel back to Los Angeles with the babe and the new parents gladly jumped at the chance to return home. Diego had been hesitant but he trusted in the Mexico City doctor. The family had missed their tiny pueblo. The bustling, never-ending movement of Mexico City became tiring after a while and the family longed for the quiet and peaceful, in comparison, Pueblo de Los Angeles.

By the time they were able to make it to a semi-comfortable tavern, the babe and even Victoria were already coming down with some kind of a cold.

Victoria shivered constantly, making Diego nervous that she would drop the tiny babe. Diego took the babe from her and held the tiny bundle close, trying to warm the little one with his own body heat. Diego soon realized that it wasn't heat that the babe needed. His skin was already burning with fever.

Once he tucked Victoria beneath soft, dry covers, he leaned back against a chair beside the bed, cradling the babe to his chest. While he whispered soothing words in his son's ear, Victoria murmured in her sleep.

After staying the night in the little pueblo, Diego began pacing the room like a caged lion. He was not the kind of man to sit and wait for things to happen. If he wanted results, he was used to having to go out and make them happen.

Victoria's fever had not been nearly as high as her sons and it broke relatively quickly with no need for any treatment. Bed rest was all that she needed, and sleep.

The baby's health, however, had been steadily declining.

"I need to do something." Diego sighed, pacing the small room.

"Diego, you need to sit down and rest." Alejandro placed a comforting hand on his son's arm. "It will do him no good if you get sick as well."

"I would gladly take the sickness for him if I could." Diego's eyes were stern but Alejandro could see the dark circles beneath them.

"Let me hold my baby," Victoria's eyes fluttered open and she held out her starving arms.

Diego nodded and after placing the gurgling babe in her arms, reached out a cool hand to feel her forehead.

"You seem to be doing better." He smiled slightly, sliding his hand down her smooth cheek to her neck, rubbing softly.

"I feel much better," she confirmed and Diego held out the small blanket in which she covered herself and the babe when she fed him.

"I am going to see about getting some warm broth for Victoria to drink," Alejandro stood quickly and left the room. He realized that covering the child's head might not be good and decided to give Victoria the privacy she would need to feed her son.

After several attempts to push the child to suck, Victoria sobbed. "I can't get him to eat anything, Diego!"

She was starting to become hysterical and Diego leaned forward to take her into a strong, comforting embrace.

He slid his fingers beneath the babe's blankets and could feel the shallow breathing.

Diego took a deep breath. His baby was sick and he needed to be out looking for something that would help reduce the fever.

"I'm going to go out for a while. I'll be back." He leaned into her to press a kiss to her forehead.

When she turned expectant eyes on his solemn features, she sobbed. "Please find something to help him. He's going to die if his fever doesn't break soon."

Diego took a deep breath. "I know. Don't worry. I won't let him die."

Victoria nodded slowly and he could tell she was skeptical of his ability to find something to cure their son.

She cuddled him to her chest, frantically trying to get him to suckle.

On his way out the door, Diego collided with his father. Unspoken words hung in the air and Alejandro told his son to wait for him outside while he took the bowl of soup in to his daughter.

"What is it?" Alejandro asked, closing the door gently behind him. "I know it doesn't look good but…"

"No it doesn't," Diego breathed and leaned heavily against the wall. "I don't know what to do. The weather is terrible. I need to find some root to make a special tea for the baby to drink. If I can get some of it into him, then it will help break the fever. There is no doctor around here and I am so scared that I won't be able to find these ingredients in time."

"Then go, son." Alejandro knew his son's need to be out doing something. Feeling like he was being useful.

"They will be here when you return." Alejandro embraced his son tightly and pushed him toward the door.

Diego was soaked to the bone when he finally found what he was looking for. Water dripped off his hair and into his eyes as he leapt off the stallion and slid the knife out of his boot. The bark of a willow tree; an old indian remedy, was supposed to bring down a fever. Diego didn't know if it would work on a babe as young as his son, but he had to do something to try.

He had ridden for hours trying to find a single willow tree. They grew plentiful throughout California but they were apparently a little more rare in Mexico. Either that or they were just unlucky enough to have stopped for shelter in the one pueblo in which there were no willow trees around for miles.

He took his knife and scraped at the bark. He wanted to make sure that he would have enough to make the tea.

When had several handfuls stuffed into his saddlebag, he turned his faithful steed and raced back to the pueblo.

Hours later, Diego walked back into the room, holding a cup of steaming hot willow bark tea. He implored Victoria to drink some, explaining to her that it would help with her slight fever.

They let the tea cool a bit before trying to force feed it down the baby's throat.

The little one barely made a sound, no cry, no gurgle, no nothing and Victoria fought back the tears that threatened to spill from red and splotchy eyelids.

Diego and Victoria were now beside themselves with worry. The product of all their love and devotion was going to die and there was not a single thing they could do to stop it from happening. They had risked their lives for this child, to have him and love him, and there was nothing more they could do. It was now a waiting game.

Diego managed to soak the tea into something that, to the baby, would resemble a normal sensation of being breastfed and they were encouraged when the little mouth began to take in the medicine.

Several days went by and the baby didn't seem to get any better. But he had not gotten any worse, either.

Alejandro struggled to be strong for his young family. They had been through so much in their lives, admittedly much of their own doing, and one more complication of this magnitude was not something they needed. They were on the threshold of happiness and it was completely unfair that this had happened.

Several more days passed and his breathing became deeper and his fever finally broke. Diego continued to make the willow bark tea for the babe to drink and soon he would no longer take anything but his mother's breast.

"Just like a man!" Victoria grinned happily when her son greedily mouthed her breast for the first time since becoming sick.

Diego rolled his eyes and Alejandro laughed heartily.

"She's got it pegged there, Diego." Alejandro smiled and watched the young woman cradle the child to her bosom.

Diego's eyebrows lifted as he watched the contented smile cross Victoria's face. She leaned back into the pillows and closed her eyes, enjoying the rhythmic tugging of her son's little mouth.

Alejandro smiled and stepped out of the room. Before he closed the door, he watched his son kneel beside his wife and lean his head against hers. He could see the deep sigh of relief flow from his shoulders.

"How did you know what to do for him?" Victoria's soft voice penetrated his sleepy mind and his eyes fluttered open.

The babe was sleeping in one arm and she lifted her hand to brush away stray lock of hair that had fallen into his eyes as he dozed.

"Hmm?" He mumbled and tightened his arm where it was resting lightly on her lap.

She wrapped her fingers around his arm and pulled. "There is room in this bed for two. Come up here."

He needed no further invitation and lifted himself from the chair and lay down beside her.

He lay on his side, one arm around her back, the other draped over her waist, holding his family tightly.

Victoria pressed a kiss to his forehead and rested her free arm on his shoulder, delighting in the feel of her husband's comforting presence.

Days later they were on their way again. The baby's fever was gone but he had developed a lingering cough and he was beginning to sneeze.

As long as he was eating, they thought they would be fine until they reached a pueblo with a doctor that could look at the boy.

His little body shivered with each sneeze and Diego pushed the carriage harder than he normally would have under normal circumstances.

When they reached San Diego, they quickly found a doctor to look at the boy.

"It looks as if he may be allergic to something," The doctor diagnosed. "I'm not sure what but if you have just brought him from Mexico City, there could have been a number of things that he could have caught."

The doctor laid the child on the bed and began to listen to his chest. "His breathing is shallow but that may just be because he is recovering from a cold."

The doctor listened to the child's heart again. "His heartbeat is irregular as well. I don't know why."

"What are you saying?" Diego asked, brushing his hand across the babe's fluffy head.

"He may be allergic to something in the air," The doctor answered carefully. "I want you to stay in San Diego for a few days so I can monitor him. I want to make sure his breathing has stabilized before you continue on to Los Angeles."

"I knew we shouldn't have left so soon after he was born," Victoria muttered sadly. There was anger mixed in with the sadness and Diego sighed. He had ultimately made the decision to leave for Los Angeles.

Diego stared at her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "The doctor said it was safe to travel with him."

She shrugged his hand off her shoulder and gathered her son into her arms. "I think he was wrong. Thank you, doctor. We will return tomorrow."

Her coldness struck a chord in Diego and he just stared at her as she walked out of the doctor's home.

"She's upset that her newborn is sick," The doctor patted Diego on the back. "Give her time. When the babe is healthy again, she'll feel better. She is just being a protective mother."

"And what is wrong with me being a protective father?" Diego shook his head. "Should we not have left Mexico City so soon?"

The doctor took a deep breath. "It may not have been the wisest decision."

Diego nodded slowly, his eyes blinking back tears that would have slipped down his cheeks if he had not been so angry. He laid a few pesos in the doctor's hand and followed his wife without another word.

The drive back to the tavern, where they had taken rooms for the night, was a quiet one. Alejandro noted the silence between the couple and decided to wait until Victoria and the babe were safely tucked into bed before discussing the doctor's diagnosis with Diego.

Even more surprised was Alejandro when Victoria jumped from the carriage without waiting for Diego's help and walked to her room and shut the door.

Diego stared after her and sighed.

"Is something wrong?" Alejandro asked as a stable boy came to take the carriage.

Diego shook his head. "I don't know. She's been cold since we left the doctor. I don't know why."

Alejandro fought to steady his voice as he asked a very pertinent question. "Did the doctor give a bad prognosis?"

"Not really. He said Ali was probably allergic to something. He wants us to stay for a few days to keep an eye on him."

"We will do what is necessary." Alejandro led his son to the tavern/bar and to a table. Two glasses of wine were set before them and Alejandro urged his son to drink.

"It may help me sleep but I think dealing with Victoria tonight, if she even lets me in the room, will require a clear head."

Alejandro had not seen his son in such a mood since he left for Mexico City all those months ago. There was something Diego was not telling him and he needed to know what it was to be able to render assistance.

"Diego…."

The young man took a sip of the wine. Guilt welled in his heart and he wondered if it had been a bad decision to leave for Los Angeles so soon after his son's birth. Maybe they would not be having these problems now if they had waited a few months.

"We shouldn't have left when we did," He whispered. "Ali wouldn't be sick right now if we had waited."

Alejandro put a comforting hand on his son's shoulder. "There was no way you could have done anything about the weather. This is what caused him to get sick. Listen Diego," Alejandro shook his son out of his self-imposed gloom, "It is done and over with. Right now your wife and son need you."

"What Victoria wants is to be left alone." Diego disagreed.

Alejandro grinned. His son still had so much to learn. "Women may say or imply that, but what they want is for their man to come and hold them, comfort them, show them that they are the most important thing in the world."

Diego chuckled. "Victoria is the most independent woman I know. When she wants to be left alone, she wants to be left alone."

"If I were a betting man, Diego, I would bet that you are wrong." Alejandro challenged.

Diego shook his head, a smile forming on his lips when he remembered the last bet his father had involved him in.

"But you aren't, Father," Diego stood, a warning look in his eyes. "And I would appreciate your not involving me in any further bets."

As he turned, Alejandro noticed the small smile.

"Make her see that you need comforting too." He called after the young man's retreating back.

When he stepped into the room, he noticed that the lamp had been turned down low. Victoria had correctly anticipated that he would slip in to say good night to his family.

Unfortunately, the bed was not big enough for two and if he wanted to get any sleep tonight, he would have to find his way to the room that had been signed in his name.

That had been the way for the entire trip. There were no taverns in existence that allowed for a man and wife in the same bed. The mattresses were simply not big enough.

Diego grinned wryly. If the babe had a crib to sleep in, rather than his mother's arms, he would make them both fit in the bed. It could be done with a little creative positioning.

He leaned over and pressed a kiss to his son's hair, feeling the soft fluffy strands tickle his cheek.

Diego didn't notice Victoria's eyes slowly open until he felt her hand slide to his arm and as far up his shoulder as she could reach.

Their eyes met and no words were necessary to explain their strained emotions. He leaned further over her and she wrapped her hand around his neck. Their lips met in a gentle kiss and he could feel her relax.

"Get a good night sleep," He murmured against her neck as he trailed light kisses to the hollow of her throat.

"Stay here," She whispered, leaning her head away from him. His caress was intoxicating and she wanted to feel his lips on her skin for the rest of the night.

"I don't know if we can manage that," He chuckled. "I don't want to wake…"

She sat up slowly and positioned herself on the very edge of the bed. She motioned for him to lay down and he followed her instructions. She laid the baby on his chest and wrapped her arm protectively around the child, her head pressed into the crook of his shoulder.

The couple fell into a restful slumber until the babe cooed and gurgled, a sure sign that he was waking and would soon want his food.

The news that the De La Vega's brought back from Mexico City was just unbelievable. The tavern was overflowing with people who were asking questions of all kinds.

Who would govern the pueblo now that the alcalde was gone? There had been no official word that Spain was no longer in control of the territories. Only the word of the De La Vega's about what they had witnessed in Mexico City.

For the time being, Mendoza had been bravely performing the tasks of alcalde but it was clear that he was not capable of such decisions.

So Alejandro made it a personal quest to help Mendoza in the enforcement of the law. The trouble the pueblo had been experiencing with banditos was quickly stopped once a heavier hand was at the head of the garrison.

Mendoza signed the papers into law but everyone knew there was a much more stern eye watching over that signature.

The news of freedom had spread like a wildfire but it was uncorroborated. The people were excited about the prospect of the ruling power of the territory changing, but until they had some visual proof, life went on as normal.

The one thing that was as visual change was Victoria and Diego. Returning home with a baby boy caused rumors to run rampant. Explanations were given but nothing complete and total. There were just some secrets that would need to be left within the family.

It took the pueblo time to adjust and Zorro had been mentioned. But Victoria had explained that the pull to have a family, similar to what she had felt when she accepted Juan Ortiz' proposal of marriage, was greater than the lifetime of waiting for a man she really didn't know.

Diego and Victoria explained that Zorro had understood her feelings and was not too disappointed by her decision. He loved her but would let her go.

And that was the story the people were given. Victoria had left brokenhearted over her decision to leave Zorro and when Diego had arrived in Mexico for her brother's wedding, an affection began to ripen between the two.

They kept quiet on the actual date of the baby's birth. That revelation would have many counting the months. Soon, the bizarre circumstances of their marriage would fade into distant memory with the legend of Zorro.

Zorro vowed that his crusade against the evil of the world, in and around the Los Angeles pueblo, would continue.

His legend became revered, much like that of a saint, and the people respected the man and his quest.

The De La Vega's retreated to their hacienda for a few days of rest and relaxation, and to make sure their stories were straight concerning the birth of their son.

Not more than a few days later, Victoria was refilling empty glasses in the tavern just like she had done before she had left for Mexico City.

"I can't believe Diego is allowing you to work in the tavern," Don Rafael leaned over the counter, extending his glass to be refilled.

Victoria narrowed her eyes at the don. "Diego doesn't have much choice in the matter. I am just helping Maria today."

She looked over the don's shoulder to her husband who was completely surrounded by women admiring his beautiful babe.

"Diego wanted to spend some time with Ali and didn't have any problem with me helping."

The don shook his head, casting a quick disapproving look at Diego. "It's just not right."

A mirthy chuckle escaped from her lips and she stared at the man. "Not right because I am married to a wealthy caballero and should not be working like a tavern maid? Or not right because my husband is sitting over there watching me work surrounded by women in a 'man's' tavern?"

She leaned forward to stare at the man, and he leaned away uncomfortably.

The don sighed. She was more than he wanted to handle today. "Thank you, Señora." He paid for his wine and strode over to where Diego was watching carefully over a pueblo woman who was holding his little babe.

"You've got quite a spirited wife there, Diego." The Don nodded toward Victoria.

Diego lifted his head to smile at his wife when he noticed her annoyed look. "If you'll excuse me, Don Rafael, I think I will go see what has my wife a little agitated."

The don nodded, gathered his wife from admiring the newest little De La Vega, and slipped through the doors before Victoria could make a remark.

Victoria huffed and took a handful of glasses through the curtain into the kitchen.

Diego shook his head and followed. He waited until she had set down the glasses before he pushed her hair off her neck and bent to kiss the soft skin.

He could feel her sharp intake of breath and smiled against her neck. "What's the matter, my love?" He murmured, trailing soft kisses up to her jaw and cheek.

She huffed and turned around sharply, startling him.

His lopsided grin faded when she shoved her hands into her hips and hissed. "Don Rafael. His opinions of a woman and a caballero's wife are in need of a change if he wishes to be served in this tavern again!"

Diego nodded, deciding that it was better not to say anything right now. His head would be the next one on Victoria's skewer.

"I pity his wife. Maybe if she had a little more determination, he wouldn't tell her what do so often."

Diego rested his hands on his wife's tense shoulders and pressed a kiss into her nose. "Not everyone is as independent as you are."

"Well maybe they should be!" She grumbled, pulled away and proceeded to return to the taproom.

Diego just chuckled but was caught when she whirled on him and began, "And where is our son? Did you leave him out there all by himself?!"

Diego shook his head. These temper tantrums were becoming too much and he was getting tired of it very quickly.

He crossed the distance in two steps and lifted her into his arms. Carrying her the back door, he set her down and pushed her body with his into the doorframe.

"Our son is surrounded by a dozen women. I don't think he is going anywhere."

She struggled against him but he was just too strong. "Diego let me go. I have work to do." Her eyes flashed red hot at him. "Or do you now have a problem with a caballero's wife working like a tavern maid?"

He laughed, inflaming her anger even more. How dare he laugh at her! After how she had just been treated!

"If I disapproved of what you were doing, I would take you over my shoulder and carry you back to the hacienda myself."

"Then let me get back to work. Because my baby is going to be hungry soon!" She tried to pull away but he wouldn't let her go.

He bent to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "I'm hungry now."

Her eyes widened and she shoved at his chest with her small hands. "Diego De La Vega, get out of my kitchen right now!"

He smirked and gripped her hands, wrapping them around his neck. When his head descended to her, he was delighted that her lips were ready to receive his scorching kiss.

Her arms tightened around his neck while his hands slid down her sides, brushing her breasts ever so lightly, exacting a soft shiver from her. He wrapped his arms around her thinning waist and pulled her body tightly to his.

When he pulled his lips from hers, he could see the smouldering desire that burned through every fiber of her body. He cast a sidelong glance at the kitchen table in the middle of the floor and grinned widely.

When she noticed what he was looking at, and the meaning behind it, she slapped playfully at his arms.

"Not here and not now." She whispered, standing on tiptoes to kiss his lips once more.

"Then when?" He asked. It was getting harder to sleep next to her warm, soft body and not be able to make love to her. The doctor had expressly forbidden any intimate relations for at least two months after the baby's birth. Diego didn't think he could hold out that long, and he was hoping that Victoria wouldn't be able to either.

She sighed and leaned into his chest. "I know how hard it is for you. It is for me as well. I feel healed but the doctor….."

They both turned at the sound of the baby cry and Diego pressed a quick kiss to her lips. "We'll talk about it later." He slipped out of her arms and was just a step ahead of her as they went to check on the wailing babe.

"I think he's hungry, Señor. " The young girl that was holding the babe muttered nervously as Diego took his son from her arms.

"Thank you. There isn't anything I can do about that one." He smiled as Victoria snatched the little one away and coddled him to her chest. "I think my wife will have to take it from here."

His eyes followed her well-curved form as she carefully moved up the steps to her former bedroom to nurse the month old child.

Diego shook his head. Waiting another month was going to be a test of will indeed.

"Diego? Diego?" Alejandro's hand on his son's shoulder pulled the young don from his lustful thoughts.

"What is it, father?" Diego blinked, smiling slightly.

'Where is Victoria?"

"She went upstairs to nurse Ali."

Alejandro shook his head, The nickname Diego and Victoria had decided upon for his grandson would take some getting used to. Ali, short for Alejandro, would make it much easier to distinguish the two in polite discussion, or in Victoria's case, vehement screaming.

"What is it?" Diego asked. Whatever his father had to tell his wife, he could tell his son as well.

"Juan Ortiz just returned to town." Alejandro smiled widely, remembering the day when he almost gave Victoria over to the young lieutenant to be his wife. He would have been a loyal and loving husband. But things had turned out for the best for all concerned. Victoria had made his son happy and had already added the first, he hoped, of many little ones to the De La Vega household.

"Really? From Monterey?" Diego smiled. The young officer would be quite surprised to find that he no longer served the Spanish government.

"Yes. They have received no word of the freedom that Mexico attained two months ago. They still think that Spain governs California." Alejandro leaned into the chair.

"I'm sure the news will come as quite a shock."

"I think that we should tell him. He will certainly be wondering where the alcalde is."

"You haven't mentioned anything to him yet?" Diego asked. He thought his father would have wanted to be the first to tell the man.

"I wanted to wait until you were with me." Alejandro shrugged.

As if on queue, the captain stepped into the tavern, his eyes immediately searching behind the counter for Victoria.

Diego smiled and stood. Alejandro noticed the pleased smile that crossed his son's face.

'A little private competition there, my son? Don't look too satisfied,' Alejandro thought, following Diego to greet Juan.

"Diego! Alejandro!" They each shook hands in turn and the De La Vega men escorted Juan to a corner table to speak a little more privately.

"So where is Victoria?" Juan looked around, hoping to catch a look at her lovely features. "She is usually the life of the tavern."

"That she is." Diego smiled widely. "She is upstairs."

Alejandro was pleased that Diego did not add 'feeding our son'. That was something that Alejandro thought best come from the young woman who had almost married the handsome officer.

"You are looking well," Diego smiled at the trim uniform. "How has life been treating you?"

"Very well, thank you Diego." Juan smiled. "I was promoted to Captain shortly before I left here the last time. I must confess it is nice to no longer sail."

Diego chuckled. "Keeping two feet firmly planted on the ground is certainly a preferable thing."

Juan nodded and his eyes lit when they noticed Victoria stepping slowly down the stairs. He politely excused himself and rushed over to greet her, stopping cold in his tracks when he noticed she carried a sleeping babe.

Diego and Alejandro followed behind and smiled when Juan cast a questioning look at the both of them.

"Juan?" Victoria smiled. "Is it really you?"

"Sí," The young officer mumbled. He was sure the shocked look on his face had been noticed by all those around him. "I – I must confess that things have changed in the two short years that I have been gone."

"Yes," Victoria moved to lay the sleeping babe in Diego's arms. "They have."

Juan blinked and the De La Vega's could see the disbelief and the questions forming in his eyes.

"Why don't we let you and Juan talk for a while." Diego smiled down at his wife. "I'm sure you have a lot to catch up on."

"Indeed." Juan breathed.

Victoria smiled, laced her arm around the stunned officer's and led him back to the table that Diego and Alejandro had just vacated.

"I think he's a little surprised." Alejandro grinned.

"I would say that is a rather large understatement, father." Diego returned his amused look and turned to allow another hovering female a look at the sleeping babe.

Annaliza Turron smiled at Alejandro over the rim of her coffee cup. Sipping the hot liquid, she gracefully placed the fine china on the small ornate table in front of her.

"So how are Diego, Victoria and the babe doing?" She asked politely, sliding her fingers into Alejandro's and squeezing slightly

"Very good." Alejandro chuckled and brought those same fingers to his lips to kiss them gently. "I think the 'separation' is causing more problems than anything else."

They chuckled and Alejandro hadn't felt this happy since before Diego's mother had died.

"They were quite ill prepared for a child and what that child would do to their 'private life', hmm?" She laughed gaily.

Alejandro laughed heartily. She had hit the nail on the proverbial head with that statement. "That is so much more than an understatement."

"Ah," He leaned back. "But I understand Diego's frustration. I went through it. It can be quite maddening."

Annaliza smiled compassionately. Her affection for Alejandro had grown over the years they had known each other and only recently had she decided that she no longer wanted to spend the rest of her life alone.

Her late husband had left her with a substantial estate. One to which she would have no one to bequeath once she was gone. She had given birth to a daughter during her marriage, but that child had been stolen by an indian raiding party when she was just six years old.

She could feel Alejandro's reluctance to enter into another relationship. They had spoken often about his marriage to Elena and how devoted he had been to her. He had loved her deeply and passionately and she had been taken from him far too soon.

But she could also feel his willingness to investigate the possibilities of another relationship. He was very similar to Annaliza. He didn't want to be alone for the rest of his life. Although he had more than she, Annaliza knew that no man wanted to sleep between cold sheets, no matter how old. Every man wanted to sleep next to a warm, supple body.

Alejandro's life had changed considerably just as his son's had in the last year. But this was his son's new family and while Alejandro was a very large part of that family, he was secondary now to Diego's wife and son.

Annaliza wanted very much to make Alejandro a large part of her family as well. She had grown to love the kind, gentle caballero and she determined to tell him so this evening.

"Not just for the man." Annaliza grinned and Alejandro stared. "What? Do you think that a woman cannot enjoy relations as much as her husband?"

Alejandro marveled at the woman before him. She was so much like his Elena had been, yet he could see so much of Victoria in the lady as well.

She was not afraid to say what was on her mind, even if that meant insulting a wealthy caballero. But she was also a lady in every sense of the word. She was delicate, yet strong; refined yet persuasive, certainly the epitome of elegance and grace mixed with unwavering loyalty and business sense.

He had seen much of the lady in the last year. It seemed that wherever he went, she was there. Maybe it was fate. Fate had brought his son and the woman he loved together in the face of such insurmountable odds maybe a similar destiny awaited the elder De La Vega.

He was making great strides in courting the lady and all that was left was a confirmation of their mutual feelings.

"Quite the contrary, Annaliza," Alejandro gazed into the lovely brown eyes. "It is my wish that every woman enjoy relations as much as her husband."

She smiled. Had she been younger and unwed, perhaps this sort of conversation would have embarrassed her. But she was older and wiser and speaking with a man near to her own age. She no longer had anything to be embarrassed about.

"That is good to know."

"Annaliza," Alejandro began, struggling to control his suddenly shaking voice.

He was over 50 years old and stammering over his words like a man barely out of puberty! He silently cursed his awkwardness and pressed on.

"Yes?"

"Would you do me the great honor of accepting my hand in marriage?"

Annaliza smiled widely. She had been expecting this for some time. But she hadn't expected the question to come tonight. She had an early day tomorrow and would need to be going soon. She would not have the time to discuss plans at length.

"Why, Alejandro, you haven't so much as kissed me!" She exclaimed, bubbles of laughter spilling from her lips.

"I can remedy that now, with your permission."

She leaned into his open arms and pressed her lips to his in a kiss that held so many meanings. After a few minutes, she pulled away.

"I do believe that we have just sealed that agreement. Yes I would be honored to be your wife, Alejandro."

He enveloped her in a tight embrace and there they remained until a laughing and giggling Diego and Victoria stepped through the front door.

The two stood quickly, from where they had been resting comfortably in one another's arms, and stared at the young couple.

"Were we ever like that?" Annaliza whispered into Alejandro's ear.

Diego and Victoria had not noticed them, so concerned were they with exploring the inner recesses of one another's mouth.

"Oh yes." Alejandro confirmed and cleared his throat before his son and his wife's emotions ran away with them and they were discovered in a compromising position.

Diego and Victoria turned sharply and Diego was the first to recover. "Father."

Diego stepped away from his wife and honored Annaliza with a bow and kiss to the palm. "Annaliza."

"We're sorry to interrupt." Diego's eyes glowed and he turned to grasp his wife's hand.

"Where is Ali?" Annaliza asked, concerned for the newest addition to the household.

"Maria just settled him into bed." Victoria smiled and pulled away from Diego. "Which reminds me, I want to check on him before I turn in."

She hugged Annaliza and Alejandro and gave her husband a quick peck on the cheek. "Goodnight."

Alejandro watched his son's eyes follow his wife's retreating form and he chuckled. "Why make it so obvious, Diego."

"What?" Diego tore his eyes from the doorway and cocked his head.

"Go with her."

Diego sighed. He understood his father's tone quite clearly. "The doctor would skewer me for disobeying his direct orders, I assure you."

Annaliza nodded and turned to Alejandro. "I must go for the evening. I have an early day tomorrow."

"Oh. Well then we will break the news to Diego and his family in the morning then." Alejandro led his lady to the door. "I'll escort you."

"That is not necessary. One of your vaquero's is already standing by."

"What news, father?" Diego asked, following them to the front door.

"Go to bed, Diego. We'll discuss it in the morning." Alejandro grinned at Annaliza and leaned in to give her a gentle kiss.

Diego crossed his arms and stared until his father closed the front door and turned around.

"She accepted, didn't she?"

"Accepted?" Alejandro played dumb.

Diego shook his head and turned away, "Good night father. We'll be up first thing in the morning to hear this news."

In the morning, over breakfast, Alejandro and Annaliza announced their engagement. Proper congratulations were given and the young De La Vega's toasted the elders.

Conversation was happy and quiet until a discussion of the politics governing the pueblo came up.

It was clear that Victoria was disgusted with the way things had turned out and she had no reservations about making her opinions known.

"I can't believe Juan just dismissed Mendoza as alcalde. He had no right…."

"He had every right, my dear," Diego began. "He outranks Mendoza and was well within his rights to take over his position as alcalde."

"Outranks Mendoza in the Spanish military," She argued. "They no longer have any jurisdiction in New Spain."

"Juan does not believe this." Alejandro commented. "That is quite clear."

"By the way he is working and readying the lancers, he anticipates a battle to come this way." Diego muttered. "He is beginning to treat Los Angeles as a simple military outpost of the Spanish Empire. Without regard for the over eight hundred people that live, work and trade here."

"Do you know what he told Mendoza yesterday?" Alejandro was clearly upset by these turn of events as well. Diego seemed to be the only member of the family remaining calm over the whole situation.

"I can imagine." Diego answered.

"He intends to use Los Angeles to support any Spanish Military forces that need reinforcements on their way down the coast to re-take Mexico."

"It will never happen." Victoria muttered.

Annaliza agreed. "I have to agree with Victoria. I have lived in Los Angeles for most of my life and I don't think the people will stand for such a military presence in the pueblo."

"He will crush anyone who gets in his way, you do realize?" Diego set his fork calmly beside his plate. "He has been receiving support from many of his friends in Monterey. More and more soldiers arrive every day. It may be difficult to resist whatever plans he has for this pueblo."

"Those who have resisted have been arrested." Alejandro nodded.

"If a battle comes to Los Angeles, I will be surprised if there is a building left standing." Diego sighed.

"I can't believe I almost married that man." Victoria grumbled. "Why, if I had. I would be tearing his eyes out right now for such stupidity!"

Diego grinned. "Victoria never has had a problem with holding back how she feels."

"Time have changed, my dear. " Alejandro gazed compassionately at his daughter-in-law. "Don't judge him too harshly. He is doing what he was trained to do and what he believes is right."

"He threatened to arrest me the other day."

Three pairs of eyes glanced at Diego but Victoria was able to voice the question first. "And you didn't tell me? Why I would have….."

"He had no legal recourse and he knew it." Diego grinned. "He threatened because he knows that I do not support his actions regarding the military presence in the pueblo.

"We don't need to strengthen the military here," Annaliza began. "All we need is a compassionate alcalde who will support and listen to the needs of the people."

"He thinks your opinions are those of the entire household?" Alejandro asked his son.

"I believe so, father."

"Good. They certainly are." Alejandro was pleased. "Captain, alcalde Ortiz may find that coming back to Los Angeles was not a wise thing to do."

"I need to go see Doctor Hernandez today." Victoria leaned over her husband and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

Diego yawned and rolled over when she walked to the other side of the bed.

"Is he going to give you a clean bill of health?" He asked, eyes twinkling.

"I hope so." She began to brush a comb through her hair when she felt his hands slide around her waist.

He pulled her against his bare chest and she immediately tilted her head , revealing her soft, long neck to him in the early morning light.

She shivered when he pressed his lips lightly against a pulsating vein. "Take care of Ali until I get back."

"You know I will." He whispered, continuing his caress. "I think we'll read."

She turned within the circle of his arms and kissed him. "Don't overwhelm him."

"He'll be sound asleep when you return." Diego promised.

"Then he'll be woken up so that he can be properly fed." She smiled and pulled out of his arms.

"I'll be back when I can."

Diego nodded, watching her step out of the room and close the door behind her. He turned to the adjoining room and risked a peek at the sleeping babe.

Wrapping a robe around his lean body, he retrieved a book from the library and returned to sit in the rocking chair beside the ornate wooden crib.

Before opening the book, he leaned over the crib and stared at the little miracle breathing softly into the blankets.

He reached out and lightly touched the dark, fluffy head. His heart welled with love for the babe that he had helped create and he pressed a soft kiss to the little plump cheek.

The babe cooed, shivered and gripped the soft blanket that covered his tiny body. Diego checked the blanket and resumed his seat. He didn't have much left of the book and he wanted to finish it before Victoria returned.

When Victoria returned, she found Diego and her son lying on a sofa in the library. Diego's arms were wrapped protectively around the babe and Victoria smiled. She searched through the hacienda and finally found who she was looking for out in the garden.

"Annaliza?" Victoria called to the lady who was patiently pruning one of the many rose bushes in the De La Vega garden.

"Yes, Victoria?" Annaliza stood, brushing her dirt covered hands on an apron.

"Can I ask you a favor?" Victoria smiled at her feet and Annaliza grinned.

"Of course. "

"Could I ask you to watch Ali for a little while?"

Annaliza stifled a . "Just return from visiting Dr. Hernandez?"

Victoria blushed and Annaliza hurried to embrace the young woman. "I know how you feel. I did go through it at one time."

Victoria smiled nervously.

"I will watch the little dear for as long as you need."

"Thank you."

Annaliza put her arm around Victoria and led her toward the hacienda. "Diego and Ali are sleeping in the library."

Victoria smiled. "I know. I noticed them when I came in."

Victoria knelt beside her husband when his eyes fluttered open. She carefully lifted the babe out of his arms and disappeared into the bedroom to give her son a quick feeding.

A little while later Victoria returned, handed the sleeping babe over to Annaliza, who quickly disappeared with a knowing wink.

Victoria chuckled and turned back to kneel beside her still slumbering husband. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his parted lips.

When his arms snaked around her waist, she realized that he was not sleeping but in fact waiting for her to return without their son.

His lips moved to her cheek and she felt him whisper, "Did you see Dr. Hernandez?"

She chuckled. She knew he was desperate to hear her answer and decided that, while she craved his touch as much as he craved hers, she would delay the action for as long as she could.

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" Diego repeated. He quickly caught on to her little game and decided that if this was the way she wanted to play it then – well he didn't have the patience any longer to resist her delicious body.

He sat up quickly and lifted her into his arms. She gasped when he held her over his shoulders and carried her toward their room.

"Put me down this instant!" She ordered. "What will the servants say?"

"That their young master is finally taking control of his rebellious wife and is going to put her in her place." Diego chuckled and laughed even harder at her horrified gasp.

"Put me in my place!" She hissed when he reached their bedroom door. "How dare you!"

When he shut the door and strode to the bed, she thought he was going to toss her into the soft mattress. Instead, he released her a little at a time and she slid to the floor.

"It's about time you put me d…"

His kiss silenced her and she inhaled deeply, her hands threading through his hair.

"Oh." She moaned against his lips and leaned into his firm embrace.

He encountered no resistance, he really hadn't expected to, as he expertly slid her blouse from her shoulders

When Victoria arose the next morning, she was surprised to find her babe not sound asleep in his crib. She wrapped a thick robe around her thin frame and left to search the outer rooms. She didn't have far to look.

When she reached the library, she found Alejandro and Annaliza taking turns reading to the babe. She could hear his happy cooing and decided that while her arms ached for her son, they also ached for her husband. She turned and quietly stalked back to her room, intent on satisfying that ache.

"He is so beautiful." Annaliza observed as the babe sucked on a tiny finger.

Alejandro nodded. "Diego and Victoria did a good job with this one, that is for sure."

"Do you ever regret not having more children?" Annaliza asked quietly.

"Well," Alejandro began. "Diego was quite a handful as a child."

He laughed. "He still is!"

He thought for a moment. "I would have enjoyed having more children. But Diego's birth was so difficult that Elena was not able to have any more."

"Do you think that came from the birthing of twins?" Annaliza asked thoughtfully. She hoped the mention of his lost son would not cause him pain.

"Maybe. It is possible. I don't know as much about such things." Alejandro turned his attention to the cooing babe in Annaliza's arms. "I'm very happy that Victoria did not have such problems."

Annaliza smiled in agreement. " I would not wish such things on my worst enemy."

"I must confess to thinking that Diego would never give me any grandchildren." Alejandro admitted.

"It was quite surprising that he married Victoria the way he did."

Alejandro turned to gaze at the beautiful woman sitting next to him. He had forgotten that she had not been told of Diego's identity of Zorro. Alejandro did not feel it was his place to reveal such a secret but vowed to ask Diego about it as soon as his son managed to drag himself out of bed.

"Yes, well. That was a surprise to a great many people."

"They don't talk about it much." Annaliza observed. "Is it a painful subject?"

"No – No!" Alejandro admonished. "There were just a few circumstances that they don't discuss."

"Zorro?" Annaliza asked.

Alejandro smiled. "He let Victoria out of her vow to wait for him and she turned to Diego and I for comfort. Affection ripened quickly between the two and, before I knew it, they had come to me saying that they wanted to get married in San Francisco."

"Why the secrecy?" Annaliza asked. Alejandro's explanation was just not sitting well with her. "If Zorro…."

A solution smacked her across the face and she was almost afraid to ask. "The baby? He's not - Zorro's is he?"

"Yes." Diego answered and the two turned their heads sharply at the sound of his voice.

Annaliza nodded slowly. One question had been answered; why Diego and Victoria had married so quickly without word to anyone.

"But it is not what you think," Diego strode towards them and took his son out of Annaliza's arms. He turned to his father.

"Thank you for keeping the secret but Annaliza will be a member of this family soon, and I don't want secrecy to be a part of your marriage."

Diego turned back to Annaliza. "I am Zorro. No one else but the family knows."

Her sharp intake of breath revealed that she had not even considered the possibility.

Once she had recovered from the news, she nodded. "Everything is much more clear now. A marriage would have had to be in secret. If the alcalde had learned that Victoria had married Zorro, it would have only been a matter of time until he found out the real identity of the masked man."

Diego nodded. "So after we returned, I started to openly try to court Victoria. I tried to drive the romance between Victoria and Zorro out of people's minds. But the alcalde thought my father and I were condoning an un-proper relationship and allowing them to meet out here in secret."

"Victoria and I had a few problems and she went to Mexico City. I didn't know she was pregnant until I arrived there at an invitation from Ramon to attend his wedding."

Annaliza took a deep breath. "Will you ever again ride as Zorro?"

"If he is needed, yes." Victoria appeared from around the corner and slid an arm around his waist. "But he won't be nearly as reckless."

Diego smiled down at his wife. She looked so beautiful after they made love. She radiated a warmth and a love that he wished every man shared with their wives.

"It may be time again soon," Diego admitted. "I need to find out Juan's plans. And I don't want to place the family in danger by questioning the man as myself."

"He has a great many more lancers in the pueblo now," Alejandro sighed. "It would be too dangerous for you to enter the pueblo."

"That is why I am going to see to it that Juan takes a ride to investigate some revolutionary activity to the north of the pueblo."

Alejandro sighed. "Oh son, please be careful."

"Don't worry," Diego grinned. "A trip to the rocks north of the pueblo will humble the sailor a bit."

"The rocks around where the Tataviam Indians live?" Victoria asked.

The indians were known to be a bit more hostile than the Chumash and Victoria did not want her husband riding into an area with which he was not familiar.

"Zorro has met with these Indians before. He knows their chief. I don't think they will bother him." Diego explained, remembering the time when he had to rescue DeSoto from a rather painful execution. The man had nonchalantly ridden into their burial grounds and would not leave when warned. So Zorro had to perform three tasks, very painful tasks, to get the alcalde freed.

"And recognizing Zorro will be quite easy."

"Juan probably doesn't know much about these Indian. They don't take kindly to intruders on their land." Victoria began. She didn't like Juan at the moment but she didn't want him killed either.

"I will make sure they do not harm him." Diego smiled and bent to press a kiss to the corner or her mouth. He laid his son into her arms and took off toward his room.

"It's time to put that plan into motion."

The wind whistled across the plain as a lone rider and stallion raced toward pueblo de Los Angeles. The caballero sat straight in the saddle, gripped the reins in one hand while the other rested on his sword guard to keep it from slapping into the stallion's side.

It had been over a year since he had last set foot in the pueblo and he wasn't sure if he would be happy to be back or not. Perhaps it was just curiosity that pushed him to return, perhaps it was the looks on the faces of those who had caused his imprisonment, perhaps he just wanted to see how the pueblo had reacted to the news of a new government taking over control of the territories.

He had spent a lot of time thinking during his prison sentence. He would no longer be welcomed in Spain. If he did return, it is possible that he would be arrested on the spot for treason, abandoning his post or some other lie that the pueblo leaders had come up with.

But he was all quite calm about what had happened to him in the last six months. Perhaps it was not a bad thing that Mexico had taken back California. Spain never really did hold that much of an interest in its distant colonies. The Spanish Empire's resources had been stretched thin enough without the colonies adding more of a burden.

The summer air caressed his face as he breathed in the deep freshness of the dry heat.

He missed Spain, for sure. But he could not return there without facing some kind of disciplinary hearing. And that was just something that he wanted to avoid.

'Who is in charge of the pueblo?' he thought, slapping the reins.

Perhaps the new Mexican government had sent representatives to govern the pueblos along the coast. But it may have been too soon for them to have organized so complete a force to leave one official in every little pueblo.

Perhaps, and this thought had not even occurred to him until now, Los Angeles had not even heard of the battle. News was slow to travel and if there was no one on the Royal payroll any longer there would be no one traveling to and from the towns to bring the news.

Ah, but the De La Vega's would have returned from Mexico with the news. And with…..

A wide grin spread his lips. He wondered how they would explain Victoria's obvious change in status. He would enjoy returning the pueblo just to hear what explanations had been given. If it had been the truth or another of Diego De La Vega's many lies.

He wanted a piece of that man. But he held his temper. Diego had been a smart student at the University, he couldn't understand how he had allowed the wool to be pulled so completely over his eyes for so many years! It was a testimony to the man's cleverness and for that, he respected Diego.

Unfortunately, it was no longer within his power to arrest the young don for traitorous activities. He would have to leave that up to the new law officer governing the pueblo. But he could certainly make sure that officer knew the identity behind the mask of Zorro.

Tomorrow was going to be an interesting day indeed.

A black silhouette crept along the rooftop. It was well after midnight and the pueblo's lancers would be sound asleep, including the ones at their posts.

There were a few new footmen that Zorro had never seen before but that could be attributed to Juan Ortiz' request for more men. There had been an additional ten men who had arrived already and there was a promise of many more.

Zorro didn't believe that Spain would try to re-take it's colonies, but he had been wrong before and such an error in judgement could mean the end of his life and that of his family.

He needed to somehow convince Juan that the military force that he was gathering in the pueblo would do nothing but harm the small farming community. The lancers were consuming more food and were not able to pay for such things. This would lead the farmers not being able to pay for their taxes. It would cause economic ruin and Zorro was not about to let that happen.

He didn't want to resort to threats, but he needed to make sure that Juan knew the dangers he was placing in the town and all it's people.

Juan had been a good man, according to Victoria. But something in Monterey changed the handsome officer. Something that had made him come back to Los Angeles an angry and bitter man. Maybe if Zorro could discover what that had been, perhaps he could gain an easy upper hand over the new captain of the garrison.

Zorro slowly opened the rooftop window and lowered himself onto the beams. Cautious eyes scanned the room for anyone who would notice the intruder, but there was no movement in the darkness. The black phantom lowered himself from the overhead beams and to the floor with little or no sound. A cautious glance inside the jail confirmed that the guard on duty was sleeping soundly.

Zorro made his way to the Juan's bedroom door and easily picked the lock. He slipped through the door unnoticed. As soon as he closed the door, he heard the outer door open. Juan was on his way back! Zorro's eyes searched for a place to conceal himself and the only thing readily available was a large walnut wardrobe.

Hopefully Juan would not think to open it before Zorro deemed it time to reveal his presence.

Zorro pressed himself against the back of the wood, the hanging clothes concealing most of his form.

Zorro could see the lamp light grow to illuminate a greater portion of the room. Zorro risked a peek out the small openings in the wardrobe. Juan was readying himself for bed. His military jacket was already off as was his sword belt.

A small flush crept along the caballeros neck. He had no desire to see another man strip down and leaned back into the wardrobe, the clothes falling into his face blocking the sight.

Just as the hanging clothes covered his form once more, the wardrobe door opened, bathing the inside with the lamplight.

He caught his breath and pressed himself into the back wall. As he saw a hand reach to shove a group of clothes aside, a knock could be heard from the front door.

Zorro could hear Ortiz grumble and exhaled a long, deep breath. He had come close to being discovered and he might as well show himself on his terms. Better to press the element of surprise rather than being discovered and not be prepared for the resulting reaction.

As Ortiz closed the door, a message in his hand, Zorro stepped out of the open wardrobe and struck a relaxed pose, as if he had been standing there all along.

Ortiz didn't notice him right away, so concerned was he in the reading of the official decree he held in his hand.

"Bad news?" Zorro grinned and Juan's head snapped toward the voice.

"What do you want?" Juan grumbled. His eyes searched for where he had laid his sword belt. Not finding it in front of him, he realized that he had set it on a chair next to the window.

This man had been a thorn in his side, maybe not directly, but indirectly for years. He would have been happily married to his childhood sweetheart if not for this bandit's interference.

Instead he had gone to Monterey alone, fell in love, married, and his wife had died in childbirth with his unborn son. A painful, damaged childbirth caused by his wife's travels to Los Angeles shortly before he had met her.

She had been chased out of the pueblo by the preconceived notions that a woman of her profession was inherently evil and would bring bad luck on the pueblo. They had even tried to execute her for witchcraft.

Zorro had freed her from the alcalde but the soldiers had chased them all the way up the coast. Zorro had been able to protect her but he had disappeared suddenly and did not prevent them from injuring her. She managed to scramble away but she fell down a large cliff, injuring herself badly.

Zorro had disappeared, leaving her for dead. And Juan blamed the masked man for not being able to protect Aria from the injuries that prevented her from bearing a healthy child.

He carried a lot of resentment towards this man in black who stood so calmly in front of him. And to make matters worse the masked man didn't even end up with the woman who had professed such strong love for him. Another childhood friend, whom Juan would never have thought could win the heart of the fiery Victoria Escalante, had been blessed with her acceptance of marriage.

"It is nothing that concerns you, Señor," Juan spat and whirled to un-sheath his weapon, throwing the scabbard harmlessly aside.

Zorro grinned and stepped back, retreat being the better part of valor, in this case. He didn't want to let Juan get the upper hand on him. While classically trained in military swordsmanship, Zorro knew that the young officer would have tried to hone his skills as much as possible. Every officer knew that he needed to be better than those under him, even DeSoto had tried to hone his skills during his years as alcalde.

Although nothing would have helped his men and their deplorable skills with any weapon placed in their hands.

"Oh, I believe it does concern me," Zorro grinned. "If that is a letter from the King informing all Spanish officers to return to the homeland, then there is your proof that building up this outpost for military reinforcement is for naught. Spain has abandoned its colonies, and if you are not careful, she will abandon you as well."

"That is a traitorous sentiment in this pueblo, Señor and you are under arrest." Juan extended his arm in a thrust position and glared at the masked man.

"A sentiment shared by a great many people in this pueblo." Zorro answered quickly. "I have no wish to fight you, Juan. But you have overrun this pueblo with more officers than it needs, you have made the people even more poor with your inability to feed these new men. How long do you think you can keep going like this until the people revolt?"

"They will do no such thing! They support the King and…."

"Look around you!" Zorro implored. "Times have changed and if you do not follow suit then you will be left behind, hopefully not as a dead man. The King no longer has any interest in his colonies. He has a war beckoning down his front door."

Juan blinked. This man was certainly educated as to what was going on in Spain. Perhaps he should give more thought as to the identity of this masked nuisance.

"Politics are of no concern to you, Zorro!" Juan pushed the masked man back with the tip of his blade. "Nor is the state of this pueblo."

"You are wrong there, amigo," Zorro drew his blade and held it at the ready. "The welfare of the people of this pueblo are my concern and I will do everything in my power to make sure they are not mistreated."

"Your day is coming to an end, Zorro!" Juan executed a perfect Passata-soto, which surprised the masked man. Recognizing the move for what it was, Zorro dodged out of the way and Juan's blade scraped the entire length of the wardrobe.

"Very good, Juan," Zorro smiled. He recognized talent and gave praise when it was due. "You've learned a very good move that would have worked on a less experienced swordsman."

Juan grumbled. He hadn't really expected the move to catch the masked man off guard but he had hoped that it would have unnerved his opponent just a little.

Juan attacked in prime and Zorro parried the blade easily with a downward sweep of his blade. The easy riposte was aimed at the half-dressed officers head and he parried it quickly, stepping back.

This put the combatants at a greater distance and gave Juan the excellent opportunity to perform a remise.

His blade slid beneath Zorro's as he held the quinte position and his wrist twisted toward the masked man's chest.

Zorro had to jump back quickly to avoid being cut by the tip of the blade.

"You have met your match, this time, Zorro!" Juan cried. He feinted to tierce with enough force to make the masked man believe that his attack was actually heading in that direction. At the last minute, his blade disengaged beneath the larger saber and Juan lunged, his blade aimed at Zorro's chest.

The resulting action caused Zorro to jump back quickly to avoid being hit. He wasn't quick enough, however, and the tip of Juan's blade struck him in the midsection, drawing blood. Luckily for Zorro, Juan's point control and thrust were not what they could have been, or the blade would have been embedded deeply in the masked man's chest.

Juan pulled the blade away and looked at the red stain at the tip of the steel. He slid his hand along the dull edge and caught a few drops before they struck the ground.

"This is just the beginning, Zorro!" Juan hissed and struck once more, this time, for Zorro's head.

Zorro blocked the blade easily and made a quick coule' by stepping aside and sliding his blade down Juan's. The result could have been a skewered Juan had he not retreated backwards. In his retreat, he stumbled on the belt he had so carelessly thrown aside when he had drawn his sword.

Juan was quick to recover but Zorro was quicker and Juan soon found himself nose to nose with sharp toledo steel.

"This will be my only warning, Señor," Zorro's blade wavered and for a split second, Juan thought the black knight was actually going to exact revenge for the cut he had received.

'Threaten all you want, Zorro," Juan challenged. Once that instant of fear was gone, he realized that Zorro had never killed anyone, and he doubted the masked man would start with the new alcalde. "You are not in control of the military presence in this pueblo. I am."

"Not for much longer," Zorro promised and exited the room through the front door.

Juan was fuming when he reached the door and wrenched it open, calling for his lancers.

By the time a properly dressed lancer had stumbled sleepily to Juan's door, Zorro had vanished like a ghost in the night.

A pair of curious blue eyes squinted in the darkness as the ominous black figure rode out of town.

He smiled and urged his stallion in the direction he knew the masked man would be travelling. Much to the stranger's surprise, the direct route back to his hacienda was not taken. Zorro apparently had an alternate path back to his home.

"So that is what has kept me from tracking him all these years." The blue eyes twinkled, reflecting the stars in the night sky. "I expected him to rush straight back to wherever his home may be."

The black stallion disappeared over a small ridge and the man pressed his knees into his stallion's sides.

When he reached the ridge there was no sign of the masked man and his stallion.

"They couldn't have disappeared into thin air," he grumbled, looking down into the small rock-covered hills.

In the distance he could see the De La Vega hacienda, a bright beacon in the darkness of the night.

"Well, looks like I will wait until morning and see if I can find any tracks," he dismounted, found a comfortable seat amongst the rocks, and fell into a restless sleep.

Not more than a few minutes had passed when he awoke again and decided to investigate the area a little more closely. He would not be able to sleep knowing that Zorro was so close.

His lair must be around this place somewhere. He wondered why he had not thought to investigate this area a little more closely. Probably because it was so close to the De La Vega hacienda. No one in their right minds would have thought that a member of that family would be the legendary masked man.

DeSoto left his stallion and crawled over the large rocks that covered the area. There had to be a clue somewhere, he would just have to search until he found it.

She stalked into the cave ready to tear him limb from limb. It was after 3am and he had promised that he would not be gone past midnight.

She approved of his still riding as Zorro but she wished it didn't have to be so late. She had become quite accustomed to feeling the warmth of his body next to her. It had instantly alerted her when that warmth was gone.

Although now that there were more lancers, he would have to be even more careful so that he didn't get caught. She was rapidly talking herself out of her argument with him when she stepped quietly through the fireplace door.

She had just fed the baby and had lain him in his crib to rest. She couldn't go back to sleep once the babe was finished, worry or anger preventing her from relaxing into a peaceful slumber. It just happened to be luck when she walked into the cave and saw him bending over his workbench.

How nice of him to at least make it home before morning!

Her eyes narrowed and her anger momentarily faded as she leaned against the stone wall and watched him work.

His hair curled around his collar and a stray lock fell over his eyes, which he tried unsuccessfully to brush away time and again. He was apparently mixing something in a clay dish. She could hear the crunching of some kind of bean or hard material being ground against the bowl.

She yawned and watched, concern marring her beautiful features, when he dipped a rag in some nearby water and looked down, as if to examine his shirt front.

She stood in silence for a minute until she could stand the suspense no longer. She had watched him apply whatever he had mixed in the bowl to the rag and then press it to his chest.

Had he been hurt tonight? She couldn't go back to bed until she knew. Her anger all but faded from the picture as concern for her husband's well being took over.

"Did he cut you?"

He whirled around at the sound of her voice, his hand still pressing the medicated rag into his midsection.

Her eyes searched his and traveled down his chest to where his hand was still pressing the rag against his stomach.

"I guess so."

She crossed the distance between them quickly, the material from her robe brushing across the stone floor with a whisper.

"I'll be fine," He shrugged off the concern he knew would follow and reached out his free hand to caress her cheek as soon as she was close enough.

"Be fine?" She questioned. "How deep is it?" She asked, her slim fingers prying his away from the wound so that she could take a better look at it.

The cut was no more than two inches in length and it was reddened from the shirt irritating it on the ride back. It had stopped bleeding and she realized that he had known just what to do to treat an injury of this kind.

"I was worried," She looked away. She knew that if he continued to ride as Zorro that one day he may not come back. Each time he went out she prayed for his safe return. She supported his decision to continue to fight the oppression in this pueblo, just as long as he did it less often and came home alive.

"I know," His voice was barely a whisper as his hand slid from her cheek to her neck, rubbing softly. "I'm back now and hopefully Juan took my warning more seriously than he appeared to."

She nodded and leaned into his embrace, breathing deeply. He lifted his arms over her shoulders and tightened them, his hands tangling in her loose hair.

"I was going to tear you apart for being gone so long," She murmured into his chest.

"Ah," he nodded a smile widening his lips. "I need another good fight tonight." He pulled away and held her at arms length. "Lets see if your words are as stinging as alcalde Oritz' sword."

She huffed. "You actually enjoy arguing with me, don't you?" She shrugged her shoulders out of his grasp and stared at the infuriating man.

"I must say, it does keep life interesting," He smiled and took a step toward her.

She stepped back and glared. "Well maybe you will enjoy sleeping on the sofa in the library tonight then!" When she turned to stalk out of the room, his hand encircled her wrist and pulled her back into his outstretched arms.

"You don't think I would deprive myself of the softness of your curves, do you?" He asked with a completely straight face.

"Is that what you think of me?!" She fumed. "As simply a nice body warming the sheets?!"

She struggled in his embrace but he was too strong and she finally just stood in place, her body tensed and ready to pounce. She knew he was taunting her but she needed an outlet for her anger and frustration

He bent and pressed a kiss toward her mouth but when she moved suddenly, the kiss slipped to her cheek.

"You know I see you as much more than a warm body," He whispered into her ear and then as an afterthought, just to get her going, added. "Sometimes."

"Sometimes!" She screeched. "After I went through all that pain to give you a son, you are going to tell me that you sometimes just think of me as a warm body?!"

He restrained a small chuckle. She was magnificent in a rage. Her eyes spoke volumes and no man in his right mind would challenge this ravenous feline when her claws were bared. No man, that is, except her husband.

He could parry every argument that she could come up with as fast as he could with a meter of sharp steel. Well, most of the time.

"You are beautiful when you are angry," He grinned and that shot her temper into the high heavens.

"Sleep out here for all I care tonight, but do not set foot in our bedroom!" She hissed and tried to turn around and slip out of his arms.

"I think I will be able to change your mind," He smiled and released his grip on her arms and slid his hands to her head, holding it in place as his lips descended onto hers.

She stood still as his lips probed hers, his tongue parted the softness and began to probe cautiously. He didn't, after all, want to loose the small appendage to a biting retort!

Soon her resolve faded and she melted into his arms, her tongue meeting his. They stood for several long moments, tasting the sweetness of one another.

He leaned against his workbench as she pressed her body against his. Her hands played with the hair falling just over his collar, then slid down and over his well-muscled chest.

He didn't flinch when her hand slid over the cut on his stomach.

When his hands moved to slide the robe off her shoulders, he was distracted by a light coming towards the fireplace entrance to the cave.

Felipe happily rounded the corner with a candle and skidded to an abrupt halt. His eyes widened when he noticed what he had walked in on. Any hope of a innocent exit was lost when Diego looked over Victoria's shoulder at the new light that had entered the room.

Diego held Victoria from turning around and slid his hands from the inside of her robe. He tied it quickly around her waist as Felipe began to grin widely.

"Uh, I think Felipe needs to complete some tasks in the cave," Diego stammered. "Let's leave him to his work."

Felipe frantically shook his head and backed up the stairs, making a quick exit before either of them could stop him.

Victoria broke into laughter and buried her face in his bare chest.

"How embarrassing," Diego muttered and began to untie the robe that he had just fastened seconds before.

She gasped when he slid his hands against her warm skin and threw caution to the wind, leaning into him once more.

"You know we should be doing this in our room," She whispered as he took her lips in a passionate, deep kiss.

"True," He murmured against her lips. "But it can get so old."

The alarm bell went off and Diego's wide eyes turned toward the cave opening.

Victoria's hands were shaking as he pushed her behind him.

Just as Diego's hand closed around the hilt of his blade, a form that he had never thought to ever see again, appeared from the darkness of the cave opening.

Diego heard Victoria's startled gasp and he frantically struggled to keep his heart from beating through his chest.

How had he found the cave? Had he followed Zorro from town? How could he have been so careless! Well, it didn't matter now. He was here and something would have to be done.

"Well, well, well," Curious blue eyes glanced around the cave, stopping momentarily to stare at the black stallion who munched on some hay dangerously close to where the man was standing.

Tornado's ears were slicked back, a sure sign that he did not appreciate his late night meal being interrupted, and the intruder backed away from the stallion carefully.

His eyes passed casually over Victoria's form, noting the disheveled look, and over the desk, lab table, sabers of all kinds hanging from the walls.

"And to think I would never have even guessed." He smiled at Diego. "When I should have seen the similarities all along."

Diego was shocked into silence and the intruder continued. "I curse my own stupidity for not being able to figure it out when it was in my power to do something. But then again," He turned and ran a finger along the edge of the lab table, "Maybe I still can."

The subtle threat shook Diego out of his silence and his grip tightened on his blade. "I doubt it, Ignacio."

"Ah, he has found his voice," DeSoto grinned and stared at the younger man, pretending to be horrified at Diego's half dressed appearance. "Oh, my. Have I interrupted something?"

Diego stood completely still, deciding what to do.

The former alcalde of Los Angeles made that decision easier as he walked towards the man in black, resting his hand casually on the hilt of his blade.

One sweeping motion was all it took for Diego's blade to be positioned in between the two men.

"Now, now," Ignacio taunted. "Why so defensive?"

He did not back down, however.

"What do you want, Ignacio?" Diego asked, and noticed Ignacio jerk at the demanding tone. The voice he had used for six years as Zorro.

That voice was unmistakable and Ignacio gave a short chuckle.

"Yes, the tables do indeed appear to have been turned," Ignacio stepped to the side and walked around the table, away from Diego and his disturbed bride.

"Don't revel in it, "Diego warned, turning to follow DeSoto's progress around the table.

"You must be joking?" DeSoto laughed. "This is the highlight of my military career. To see the mighty Zorro unguarded, unmasked and completely unaware of my presence."
"It's too bad your military career no longer exists here in California." Came the quick retort.

DeSoto nodded. "Perhaps. We'll see how the other officers in the surrounding pueblo's react to the news."

Rather than continue this battle of innuendoes, threats and wills, Diego took an alternate approach. He should respect that Ignacio had found him and give him the honor that came with such a discovery.

"How did you find the entrance?" Diego asked, lowering his blade to the floor and leaning against it. "Did you follow me from town?"

DeSoto nodded. "I had expected you to run right for your hacienda. I thought I had lost you when you disappeared over the ravine. So I decided to search a little more closely. When branches walked aside right in front of my face, I knew that I had found what I was looking for."

Diego grinned, "Indeed."

"Very nice little cave you have here, Diego," DeSoto walked around the desk, sliding his hand across the smooth surface.

DeSoto looked up quickly, realizing that the fiery señorita he was used to had been noticeably silent this evening. "Victoria, you are unusually quiet this evening."

"Perhaps because it is the middle of the night and I am standing here in my nightclothes with an intruder in my home!" Came the biting retort. Now that she had been directly addressed, it would be difficult to silence her.

"What do you want?" She asked, stepping from around Diego. "To see my husband hang? To leave my son without a father? I don't think even you are that cold."

She stepped toward DeSoto, Diego not even a step behind. If the former alcalde made a move toward his wife, Diego wanted to be close enough to pull her away from danger.

"So the question still remains," She stared at him, her eyes blazing. "Why did you return here? What do you hope to gain?"

"Gain the satisfaction of seeing you both squirm with the knowledge that I can reveal your secret at any time," DeSoto grinned, his eyes dancing.

Diego's body tensed. He would not live this way, with a threat hanging over his and the lives of his family. If Diego had ever felt like taking a life, it was now.

He had never been forced into this position before. As Zorro he had always been the one holding the upper hand. Diego realized that this must be how everyone else, who had met the tip of Zorro's blade, must have felt.

His sense of morality struggled with his need to keep his family safe.

DeSoto took a step toward Diego, his eyes narrowing at the young don. "Know this, De La Vega. Don't ever think that you will hold the upper hand on me ever again. Because I now have the means and the resources to knock your well-respected family off of the pedestal on which they have been placed. Give me a reason and I will do just that."

Diego could feel Victoria tense behind him.

"Don't threaten me, Ignacio," Diego bounced his blade on the thin air as a warning.

DeSoto took another step back. He knew he would not be able to defeat Diego in a battle of blades, he had lost a great many times before. But he did hold something over the masked man that no other did; his well guarded identity.

"No, Diego," He drew out the word as a warning. "It is a promise."

He turned to walk away, fighting his urge to play more word games with the educated caballero. But he decided that his words would be well remembered if he walked away now; leaving the man and his wife wondering what he would do next.

DeSoto was surprised that Diego had allowed him to exit the cave the way he had come in. He had fully expected the young don to prevent him from leaving. Either the man wasn't intimidated by his threats, or he was planning something to prevent DeSoto from revealing the secret.

DeSoto wasn't sure which scenario disturbed him the most.

Victoria turned Diego to face her as DeSoto disappeared from view.

"What are we going to do?" She was careful to keep the panic out of her voice but her husband knew her well and could see the tension.

He enveloped her in a tight embrace. "Don't worry about it. I don't think he has any plans to say anything to anyone."

"But before, if he had said something, it would have been his word against ours," Victoria tried to relax in his arms but she was just too tense. "But now that he knows where the cave entrance is, he could lead anyone here to prove any accusation he may make."

"I know." Diego pressed a kiss into her hair. "I'll think of something. Why don't you go back to bed and try to relax."

She gave a short chuckle. "You must be kidding. There is no way that I can go to sleep after this."

Diego took a deep breath and shot her a wry grin, thinking about how the night had started. "Well I'm sorry it wasn't memorable for you." He wrapped his arms around her waist and drew her to him for a soft kiss.

"Oh it was memorable, all right." She sighed into his lips, still struggling to relax.

Maybe he would have to work a little harder to make sure she was able to sleep tonight. After all, that very thing had been his original intent before they were so rudely interrupted.

He cast a warning look back at Tornado before bending to scoop his unsuspecting wife into his arms.

"To bed!" He lifted her effortlessly and carried her up the steps to the fireplace entrance.

Amidst her protests, he effectively silenced her with a kiss.

"He won't be back tonight. If he does, I'm sure Tornado will keep him at hoof's length." Diego grinned and pulled her through the opening.

"I am not going to sleep." Victoria protested as they stepped into the dark bedroom.

"Who said anything about sleeping?"

Juan sat behind his desk, reading the letter he had received last night for the millionth time. He would not be receiving any more troops from Spain to reinforce the territory. In fact, just the opposite was happening all over the region. Spanish troops were pulling out of the territory and those that had not left had defected to Mexico or would be leaving shortly.

The De La Vega's had been correct in their announcement that Mexico had taken back California. He had refused to believe it before but with the information sitting there in black and white, he had no choice.

He sighed and laid the paper down, pondering what to do next.

He had spent months readying his troops for a coming battle. Soldiers had come from all over the territory to reinforce Los Angeles against Mexican attack. Now what would he tell them? That they had to return to their homes, turn themselves over to the ruling government, or return to Spain? He didn't think many would choose any of those options.

He picked up the second letter he had received. It was from his former commander in Monterey.

He had also confirmed the news of the governmental change and had informed Juan to 'follow his heart' in this matter, but that he had turned his office over to the new ruling government.

"Which means he quietly switched sides," Juan grumbled. He wondered just how many of his friends had done just the same thing. He wouldn't, couldn't, betray Spain. He had worked, fought, lived in the Spanish military for so long, it had become a permanent part of his life. He couldn't live without it and it couldn't live without him.

He didn't want to drag down the entire pueblo but he would put up a last stand when troops rode into Los Angeles claiming it for Mexico.

He made his decision. He would recruit as many troops as possible and breathe not a word of these letters to them. The higher their morale, the harder they would fight when the time came.

He shoved the letters into a secret compartment in his desk and stood.

The door opened at that moment to reveal a smiling Ignacio DeSoto.

Juan's eyes widened and his mind reeled. How had this man come back to Los Angeles? Hadn't the De La Vega's said he had been arrested in Mexico City?

"Before you ask, I will tell you," DeSoto shut the door and locked it. No one else needed to hear the conversation that was going to be taking place between the two officers.

"I'm Sure the De La Vega's told you and everyone else what happened to me while I was in Mexico City."

Juan nodded and resumed his seat behind the desk. He noted that DeSoto neither stopped him nor made a comment. He also noticed the DeSoto was not in his familiar military attire but was rather dressed as a caballero.

"I was released several weeks ago. They couldn't find enough reason to hold me and they didn't have the resources to feed all of the men they had taken prisoner."

"They just released you? Without…"

"Oh I was forced to sign a non-hostility agreement that stated I would not bear arms against any Mexican troops or government officials," DeSoto explained, taking the seat across from Juan.

"I certainly didn't expect you to be running my garrison," DeSoto smiled, casting an appreciative glance around the office. "And you have managed to assemble a great many more lancers." He chuckled. "You must know that they are here for no reason other than to provide a good show of military support for the Spanish throne."

Juan said nothing. He needed to find out what DeSoto knew. He also needed to find out if the man was going to insist on his position being reinstated. That was probably not a possibility as he had signed that agreement. So Juan needed to make sure that DeSoto would not interfere with his plans.

"I don't think you have come back to resume your role as alcalde of this pueblo," Juan said matter-of-factly.

"Of course not. Spain is no longer the ruling government of this pueblo." DeSoto relaxed into the back of his chair. "Why you are so concerned and are still running this garrison like an active military troupe, is what concerns me."

"Why should it?"

"Are you planning on using the increased military strength for a strike against Mexican forces?"

DeSoto's question caught Juan off-guard.

"My plans for this garrison no longer concern you." He finally said,

"No, indeed they do not." DeSoto grinned. "But they may interest Zorro."

Juan huffed. "When I catch that masked terror, I will tear him limb from limb. He threatened me last night."

"Oh?" DeSoto's eyebrows raised in interest. "Then that was him I saw riding out of the pueblo late last night."

"You saw him?" Juan asked, leaning his elbows on his desk.

"It would appear so. I was wondering where someone would be riding so quickly so late at night."

DeSoto saw no need to tell the young Captain of his discovery just yet. He would wait until the best opportunity arose. Because, DeSoto realized, when he revealed his little secret, there would be a hell to pay. He wanted to make sure he had a front row seat, surrounded by lancers, who would be able to protect him from the wrath that followed.

"Well, won't he be surprised to discover that you have returned to the pueblo," Juan smiled.

"Oh, won't he indeed." DeSoto smiled.

Perhaps he would just play this secret out to its completion. There was no need for Ortiz to know anything more than he wanted to reveal. Maybe things would work out for the better.

"I shall need quarters, of course," DeSoto informed Juan.

"My quarters are full at the moment. Mendoza would be glad to relinquish his home for the duration of your stay."

When DeSoto opened his mouth to protest, Juan replied with a quick, "I'm sure you realize the importance of the leader of the pueblo residing in the correct quarters?"

DeSoto bit his tongue and consented to residing in Mendoza's quarters for the time being. Juan was still the self appointed alcalde of the pueblo, for now. DeSoto would just be patient and let Juan play out his little revolution and DeSoto would take to put the pieces of the pueblo back together after he failed.

He may even be able to convince the Mexican military that he was a necessary part of this pueblo. What a great day that would be. He could just see the horrified looks on the faces of the De La Vega's now. A plan began to form in his mind and he smiled. This would take a bit more thought.

"I am going to retire for siesta, Ortiz," DeSoto stood and strode out the back door towards Mendoza's quarters.

Juan laughed. "Mendoza is not going to be happy when he finds out about this. He'll just have to bunk with his men."

Mendoza rushed his short legs and big belly over to the tavern as quickly as he could after receiving the news. He had been readying himself for the day when the knock on his door came.

Alejandro was out for an early morning, leaving well before dawn to take care of some business with his vaqueros.

He had decided to have breakfast in the tavern rather than wait around for his son and his wife to extricate themselves from one another's arms and join him for breakfast.

Alejandro chuckled at the thought. He could remember being so happy and in love; could remember when his marriage was fresh and he had all the energy his son and wife seemed to have.

"Somehow I don't think they will loose that energy any time soon. It took too long for them to get together in the first place," Alejandro chuckled.

"Gracias Maria," He said aloud when the lovely señorita re-filled his glass.

Mendoza rushed into the tavern, nearly causing Alejandro to spill the orange juice down the front of him. He licked the splattered juice off his moustache and turned to the excited Sergeant.

"What is it, Mendoza?" He asked, a little more than annoyed that the clumsy Sergeant had almost cause him to spill juice down a favorite vest.

"Alcalde DeSoto!" Mendoza's breaths were coming in short gasps but Alejandro was immediately interested when the alcalde's name had been mentioned.

"What about DeSoto?" Alejandro asked, placing a calming hand on Mendoza's shoulder.

"He's here. Staying -in - my - quarters." Mendoza breathed.

"What?" Alejandro gasped. This could be bad, very bad for his family.

Diego had told his father about everything that had happened in Mexico City and if DeSoto planned to reveal - ?

Alejandro stood and strode to the door. "Well then, I must welcome him back."

Caballeros gathered around Mendoza to hear what the Sergeant had to say as Alejandro strode across the plaza to pay the former alcalde a visit.

Light filtered through the cloudy, sleep-filled haze that was their minds as consciousness returned to Diego and Victoria almost simultaneously.

She rolled over and pressed her head into his bare chest, breathing in the fiercely masculine scent of him. She smiled when his arms tightened around her shoulders and his hands caressed her hair.

She rubbed her cheek against his chest and sighed. Had last night been a dream? She looked up into his eyes for a confirmation.

"Yes, it really happened," Diego pulled her close and kissed her soft lips.

"Oh, Diego, what are we going to do?" She sighed, burying her face in his neck.

"Not worry about it right now," He smiled and bent to press a kiss to the hollow of her neck.

"Diego you said that last night," Victoria lifted her head to stare at him with a slightly annoyed gaze. "You may not be worried right now that DeSoto will hang you the first chance he gets, but I am scared to death that he will take you away from us."

Diego smiled and wrapped long fingers around her cheeks.

"No one is going to take me away from you and Ali, Victoria." He promised.

"If he so much as tries, I will carve out his heart and serve it to him in my carne asada!" She fumed.

Diego chuckled. "Ah the dinner you prepared for him when you two thought you were in love."

She shook her head. That night was not a memorable one and she did all she could to forget the evening. The fact that Diego brought it up occasionally meant that he was a little miffed that another man had been able to taste her lips, or it amused him to think that she could have been so duped by some colored water and the power of suggestion.

Victoria would be rather flattered if the former was true but she was spared the necessity of asking at the sound of a baby's whimper.

She could feel Diego sigh as she slid from his arms and wrapped her robe, which had been carelessly thrown aside in the middle of the night, tightly around her waist. She looked around the room with an air of amusement. Black clothes were strewn everywhere, as was the nightdress he had removed with practiced ease in the darkness.

She turned back and found him watching her every movement. "You really made a mess of this room last night, Señor De La Vega," She scolded, her lips forming a playful grin, "Why don't you clean it up while I feed our son."

She turned before he could comment and as an afterthought, called over her shoulder, "And make sure Tornado does not have any intruders pressed up against his stable wall."

Diego nodded. As much as he would have loved to stay and play with his wife this morning, there was the problem of DeSoto knowing where the entrance to the cave was hidden. He assumed that DeSoto had not informed the local government or he would have been pulled from his home before he even stepped into it last night.

DeSoto was going to wait for something. Wait until it was the perfect time for him to strike.

Diego needed to make sure he thought of every possibility before something unexpected were to happen.

An insistent knocking broke his carefully constructed thoughts and DeSoto snorted.

"If that is Mendoza I will rid the world of his presence and run him through with my blade right now!" DeSoto grumbled as he wrenched open the door.

Alejandro smiled at the agitated countenance of the former alcalde.

"I didn't interrupt anything, I hope," The elder De La Vega grinned.

"Alejandro De La Vega," DeSoto stepped back, allowing the don entrance into his small temporary living quarters. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Before the don could answer, DeSoto grinned, "No, let me guess. You've come to plead that I don't reveal your son's dirty little secret to the entire pueblo?"

Alejandro's eyes narrowed. "I'm sure I don't know what you mean."

Maybe DeSoto didn't really know what he was talking about.

"Come now, Alejandro," DeSoto chuckled. "Surely your son told you what happened in Mexico City."

"He did indeed." Alejandro confirmed but said nothing more.

"Then you know with one word to Juan Ortiz, I could have him arrested and hung." DeSoto stared at the older man, curious as to what reaction he would receive.

He was disappointed.

"I doubt that, DeSoto," Alejandro struggled to remain calm in the face of the threat. "After all, it would be your word against my son's."

"Ah," Ignacio laughed. Diego had not told his father about last night. "With proof, it would be impossible for the masked man to extract himself from such an accusation."

Alejandro laughed off the comment. Was there something that Diego had failed to mention to his father? He doubted it. Maybe he would have been wise to have waited for his son this morning. Something obviously happened last night and Alejandro was in the complete dark about whatever it had been.

"We are both men of honor. You would do better to challenge my son to a duel." Was Alejandro's quick comeback.

"And then everyone would know that he was Zorro. Diego De La Vega is supposed to be quite inept in the area of accurate swordsmanship" DeSoto grinned when Alejandro had no ready comeback for that statement.

"I do have a trump card, Ignacio," Alejandro glared. "Don't force me to play it."

DeSoto laughed as Alejandro turned on his heal and strode out of the room.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Alejandro." DeSoto grinned and resumed thoughts of his plan to rid the pueblo of Zorro and Juan Ortiz at the same time.

"Diego!" Alejandro called as the hacienda door slammed behind him.

"What is it, father?" Diego stepped from the hallway, Victoria following with the babe.

"DeSoto is …"

"We know," Diego nodded. "The cave had an unexpected visitor last night."

"What?"

They moved into the library to sit.

"So that is what he meant by having proof that he could make sure that you were hung," Alejandro muttered. "Ah, I should have waited for you to get up this morning. Then I would have been prepared for his smug comments."

"So he used that threat again," Victoria sighed, cuddling her babe to her chest.

"Again?"

"He used the same threat last night." Diego confirmed.

"Well he no longer has the ability to arrest you or anyone," Alejandro informed the couple. "If he thinks that he can run the garrison, he will have another thing coming."

"What do you mean?" Diego asked. "I would think that he would try to take the Juan's position away now that he is back."

"He was staying in Mendoza's quarters when I spoke with him earlier," Alejandro smiled.

"Which means he has alternate reasons for returning to Los Angeles." Diego nodded.

"To see you hang," Victoria offered unhappily, which compelled the two men to cast her a disturbed look.

"I have a letter signed by the governor that removes Ignacio DeSoto from any and all legal authoritative position in Los Angeles or any other territory," Alejandro smiled when his children stared. "There is no way he could legally arrest you."

"When did you do this?" Diego asked.

"While you were living it up in Mexico," Alejandro chided. "I couldn't sit by and do nothing. The pueblo needed a competent officer and DeSoto was off chasing some masked phantom in Mexico City. I spoke with the governor and with relatively little argument had a signed document removing DeSoto from his position as alcalde."

"Now I know why it was so easy," Alejandro grinned. "I bet the governor knew what was going to be happening in Mexico and decided that there was nothing he would loose by signing my request."

Diego nodded. "The fact still remains that he is here and we don't know what he wants. Father, you can play this card if he causes any problems for Juan and his office, but that may just push him over the edge and reveal more information about Zorro than we could refute."

"Then it's time to do a little investigating," Alejandro smiled at his son with a twinkle in his eyes.

Diego nodded and changed the subject. "We need a little happy news right now. What is happening with your wedding plans?"

Alejandro smiled contentedly. "Annaliza will be over later today to discuss the plans."

"Are you going to live in the hacienda?" Victoria asked.

"I'm not certain," Alejandro considered telling the happy couple his concerns and when he noticed Diego's inquisitive look, he decided he'd better not wait.

"I want to give you two the room for your family to grow."

"This hacienda is more than big enough, father," Diego grinned. "Try another excuse."

Victoria gaped at her husband.

"Diego…"

Diego smiled and wrapped his arms around his wife and son. "Are our emotions a little too much for you to handle?"

Victoria eyes widened and Alejandro laughed. "Well I must say I am not used to such intimacies in the hacienda. It's been a long time."

Diego smiled compassionately at his father, "I hope you will find what is lacking in your life with Annaliza."

Alejandro grinned. "Well the portion of my life that you two happen to be living is over with. Now I get to sit back and watch you struggle with the hardships of rearing children."

"What hardships?" Victoria glanced at the sleeping babe in her arms. "The only hardship we've had so far has been mine when I birthed him!"

Diego and Alejandro laughed and Diego received a loving slap on the arm. "And the pain I endure every day of listening to her say that!" Diego muttered.

"Was I that much of a burden?" Diego solemnly asked his father.

Alejandro smiled. "No, son. It was difficult after your mother died. I didn't know how to raise you, or if I was even doing it right."

"Well I think you did a fine job," Victoria rubbed Diego's arm where she had struck him moments ago.

Diego bent over his lab table, meticulously mixing some very potent chemicals.

Felipe bolted around the corner and down the steps, right into Diego's back, causing him to spill the liquid.

Diego yelped and jumped back, dropping the vials onto the table. They shattered, imploding from the inside, spraying the table with glass. Diego turned his back to the table and pushed Felipe away as the liquid in the two vials mixed and caused a volatile reaction.

"Ah!" Diego grumbled, grasping his hand in momentary pain. A little of the liquid had spilled onto his hand and he could feel the heat from the burn spread. He frantically wiped it away and rushed over to Tornado's stall, grasping a handful of dirt and spreading it over the burn.

He took a deep breath and turned back as Felipe looked on in horror. The table was covered with the watery substances and the acrid smell emanating from the lab area was becoming nauseating.

Diego ignored his burning skin and grasped handfuls of clay he had mixed earlier in the day for other experiments, imploring Felipe to do the same.

He spread it across the table, praying that the liquid would saturate the clay and lump it together.

Once the table was covered, Diego pushed Felipe toward the back cave entrance. He coughed, covering his mouth and nose so that the fumes would not make him any sicker than he already felt.

Grasping Tornado, he vaulted onto the stallion's back and urged him toward the entrance. Felipe followed on foot as the secret door opened to admit a nice cool breeze into the secluded cave.

Diego slid off Tornado's back and rubbed his mane before bending over to fight the nausea that was creeping up his neck. He took several deep breaths and sat cautiously onto a nearby rock.

Felipe knelt beside his friend, resting a hand on Diego's leg. His main reason for rushing into the cave forgotten to be replaced by concern for his friend.

"I'll be fine," Diego murmured. "I must have breathed in too much of the chemicals when they spilled."

When Felipe pointed to Diego's hand, he turned it over to examine the throbbing flesh.

The top of his hand was pink where the liquid had seeped into his skin. There was no definite burn, just an irritated redness.

Felipe was concerned. He could tell his friend was in pain and he knew he had caused it. He signed a question.

"It doesn't hurt that much. It's a chemical burn. It will throb and become numb in no time. Then I'll just have to wait until it heals," There was a disgusted air in Diego's voice but he didn't turn that harsh tone on the young man who had caused the accident. Instead he turned a curious eye on the young man while taking part of his shirt and pressing it against the back of his hand.

"What was so important that you needed to vault into the cave like you had wings?"

Felipe inhaled quickly, his eyes widening. He just remembered his original reason for bolting into the cave. He began to sign quickly.

Diego's eyes darted to and from Felipe's hands and face, struggling to read the frenzied signs. He repeated what he thought Felipe was saying.

"Who is attacking the pueblo?" Diego's eyes narrowed.

"Men in strange colored uniforms?" Diego stood, fighting a wave of nausea. At least it was getting better. He could breathe without coughing.

"The Mexican army must have made it's way up the coast," Diego started toward the cave, hoping that it would be aired out enough for him to at least get his black clothes and Tornado's saddle and bridle.

"Get Tornado's things," He called over his shoulder to Felipe as he made for the rack on which his clothing was hung.

The cave had aired out well but the smell was still present. No one would be able to go in there for the next few hours.

As Diego placed the mask over his face and mounted Tornado with a smooth leap, he turned back to Felipe.

"Keep an eye on the cave. Don't let anyone in and make sure it gets aired out enough before you go back," Zorro instructed. "Victoria is in town with the baby, I hope my father is with her."

Felipe nodded as Tornado galloped over and around the rocks out of the small ravine.

Victoria was in the kitchen pouring some juice into a few glasses when the first shots echoed around the pueblo.

She rushed out the curtains, her first thought being her infant son that she had left with a pueblo woman.

Her eyes scanned the tavern but the woman to whom she had given her babe was no where to be seen.

The patrons in the tavern had all rushed out the doors to see what the shots were all about and Victoria pushed her way through them, her mind thinking only for the safety of her son.

Soldiers, in uniforms that she recognized as those who had attacked Mexico City, arrived and she breathed a sigh of relief. Her husband has said that they would eventually make their way up to Los Angeles and they had been waiting for such an event.

Victoria just hoped the Royal lancers did not resist the new government's claims.

She searched the curious faces that had poured out into the plaza at the arrival of the strangely dressed men. The woman and her son were nowhere to be found and the young mother was starting to panic.

Victoria stepped off the tavern porch but was restrained by large, strong hands. She turned sharply toward the man who restrained her.

Alejandro nodded and pulled her towards the back of the porch.

"Father!" Victoria began," Josina has disappeared with Ali, I need to find…."

"Shhh," Alejandro placed a finger on her lips. "I noticed them in the church garden a few minutes ago."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief and Alejandro could feel the tension abandon her shoulders.

"I want to get him." Victoria said and she stepped off the side of the porch to circle around the buildings to the back of the church.

Alejandro nodded and followed his daughter-in-law. He didn't want Victoria going anywhere near the soldiers alone.

Zorro watched the procession of troops from the tavern rooftop. The Mexican troops fanned out all over the plaza, searching for resistance.

There was not a lancer to be seen, however, and this worried the masked man. Juan had been planning something and Zorro needed to find out what that was before someone got killed.

As Zorro moved to climb down the side of the church, he noticed royal lancers appear from the cuartel, on the roof of the alcalde's office, and noticed rifle barrels appear from several windows.

Zorro's heart somersaulted as he realized that Juan would not give this pueblo up without a fight. A fight that could kill every innocent bystander in the plaza, including his wife and son!

He heard the self-proclaimed alcalde's voice over the murmur of the crowd.

"As an administrator of war, I implore you to lay down your arms and surrender. You will not be harmed."

The commander of the Mexican army laughed, "You, Señor are no longer an administrator of anything in this territory. This pueblo, as well as the rest of Alta California, now belong to Mexico."

The man nodded to his men to fan out even more, making themselves much harder targets.

"It is I who will accept your surrender. You will be given the choice to return to Spain or stay here in the territory. Either way, you will be required to sign an agreement that you will no longer bear arms against Mexico."

Many of the royal lancers exchanged confused looks. They were greatly outnumbered. They didn't want to die but many of them didn't want to be sent to Spain either. Many had never even set foot outside of California.

The commander of the Mexican army called out the lancers, "Those of you who want to relinquish your weapons, do so now. We will not harm you."

"Do so and you will be shot!" Juan warned.

Zorro glanced down at the cannon being primed and aimed at the cuartel doors. The explosion could harm anyone in the area and he immediately stood atop the roof to call out a warning.

"People! Listen!" Zorro's deep voice carried across the plaza and the people and soldiers glanced up in surprise. "If there is a battle, you mustn't be in the plaza, you will be harmed!"

Juan grinned. Now was his chance to rid himself of that masked terror.

"Get them Zorro, go for their commander first and they will fall like flies!" Juan called,

Juan's warning resulted in the desired effect and several of the Mexican troops turned to train primed rifles on the masked man.

"Señor, " The commander stepped forward. "Come down and you will not be harmed. Stay and you will be shot where you stand."

Victoria stopped her quest to locate her son when she heard her husband's voice. She turned just in time to see Mexican troops level their rifles at the man.

Her eyes widened and she started across the plaza. Alejandro caught her arm and pulled her back.

"Don't give it away. He can take care of himself." Alejandro whispered and pulled her toward the garden to find his grandson.

"I am not here to resist you, Señor," Zorro answered, extending his hands out to his sides as a show of good faith. "I care about the safety of the people. As long as you do not hurt them, you will get no resistance from me."

The commander nodded. "Come down, Señor or we will be forced to shoot you down."

Zorro nodded and when he turned to scale the wall, a lone shot rang out and struck the masked man.

The people gasped in surprise and a cry escaped from Victoria's lips. Alejandro couldn't reach for her in time before she took off across the plaza.

The shot startled troops on both sides and a few more shots were fired. Soon, the plaza was full of smoke from the discharged rifles.

Zorro gripped his arm as he slid down the side of the tavern wall. Before he knew it, Victoria was at his side, embracing him like a concerned lover.

Those peasants that could see, around the overturned tables they were hiding behind, witnessed the event that would certainly anger Victoria's wealthy husband should he ever hear of it.

"I'm fine," Zorro pushed her away. "It's only a flesh wound. Get to safety!"

He pushed her against the wall as bullets whirled past their heads, aimed for the masked man's back.

Zorro shielded Victoria with his body as mortar and debris shattered all around them by stray bullets.

The people gasped and covered their ears when a cannon blast roared through the cuartel walls.

Splinters of wood were tossed about the plaza, striking some of the people who had not hidden well enough.

As Zorro pushed Victoria to relative safety, he heard small explosions echo around the plaza. He turned back to see the lancers in the cuartel throwing small barrels of gunpowder, lit with very short fuses, toward the Mexican troops.

Some hit the ground without exploding, but many of them exploded on or near their targets, causing the troops to cover their heads and faces in pain.

"Ali!" Victoria cried and tried to rush into the plaza.

"No!" Zorro grasped her and pushed her back, his eyes searching hers.

"Where is he?" Zorro demanded. He could see the fright in his wife's eyes as she pointed toward the church.

"Get him! Please!" Victoria cried. Her arms ached for her son and Zorro's heart broke.

He couldn't let his son become a casualty of this meaningless battle. He would never forgive himself.

Ignoring his throbbing arm, he pressed a quick kiss to her lips, not caring who noticed. He took off across the plaza toward the church garden. Bullets pierced the cape that flowed behind him, but none struck the black-clad man until he reached the church's outer wall.

Several bullets whirled past his head and he ducked – right into another bullet aimed for his heart.

He gasped as the bulled pierced his skin, and slumped against the wall, clutching at his chest.

Through the smoke and explosions in the plaza, Alejandro could see the bullet strike his son. From his vantage point, and the jerking motion, Alejandro could see that it had hit the masked man in the chest.

Alejandro lost his carefully composed control and screamed, "No!"

His voice was drowned out by the gunfire but several bystanders followed Alejandro's gaze and gasped as the masked man slid to the ground.

Alejandro and two other caballeros carefully avoided the bullets and knelt beside the man in black.

Alejandro slid his shoulder underneath the man's arm and another caballero did the same with his other. Zorro grunted as Alejandro gripped him tightly.

Zorro's head slumped as he gathered the strength to move again.

Alejandro pressed a bare hand to the man's chest and found his heart to be beating strongly. It was only then that he realized that Zorro had not been hit in the chest, but in the shoulder.

Victoria blinked back the tears as she watched the caballeros pull Zorro to safety. She ran toward him just as the side of the church wall exploded into tiny bits of rock and adobe.

Dr. Hernandez followed Alejandro and the caballeros. He had been watching from the safety of the tavern, waiting for the injured to be brought to his care.

Juan Ortiz had asked him to remain in town for the day, and now he understood why.

Hernandez quickly tended to Zorro's wound. He pulled the shirt down over his arm and wiped away the blood. Fortunately the bullet had gone straight through.

He bandaged it tightly as Victoria reached them and embraced the masked man, with whom everyone thought she was no longer in love.

Looks were exchanged between the gathered caballeros. Alejandro knew what they were thinking. How he was going to get his family out of this scandal and protect Diego's secret, would be a great task indeed. Provided they all lived through this battle.

Zorro lifted his eyes to Victoria, and past, to where the church wall lay broken across the plaza. His son had been back there with several women from the plaza.

"Ali," He whispered, and tried to stand.

Hernandez pushed him to remain seated, "You cannot move. You've lost too much blood. If you loose any more, you could faint, or worse, die."

Victoria's eyes widened as she followed his concerned gaze, "No! Ali!"

"You – don't under-stand," Zorro tried to stand once more but the doctors firm grip on his injured shoulder kept him gasping in painful breaths.

"What I understand is that you need to rest, moving now will not help you."

"But it may kill my son!" Zorro stood, pushing the doctor back with more strength than the older man thought Zorro had in him.

The caballeros eyes widened at this little revelation. The doctor nodded.

"Your…..?"

Zorro took off across the plaza toward the remains of the church before another word could be uttered. Victoria proceeded to take off after him but was restrained by a very adamant Alejandro.

"No, stay here. You will do him no good if he has to split his concentration between you and Ali," Alejandro held her tightly to impede her struggling.

Victoria didn't listen. She continued to struggle until Alejandro visibly shook her and she turned blurry eyes on his stern face. "He is injured! He can't concentrate on three different things!"

"Victoria," Hernandez began, resting a comforting arm on her shoulder. "He'll be all right. He's certainly a fighter."

She slumped into Alejandro's arms, the possibility of loosing her husband and her son in the same day, almost too much for her to bear.

Hernandez stared at Alejandro and then searched for the man in black as he made his way around the debris to the church.

Small unexplained clues began to click in his mind and Hernandez grinned. "Diós, you had us all fooled."

Suddenly, the cuartel doors were blown apart by a cannon blast and they ducked to avoid the debris.

Mexican soldiers rushed into the cuartel, shooting at anything the resembled resistance to their plans.

As the soldiers rushed the cuartel, the battle became confined to that area. People left their hiding places and went in search of injured loved ones. Victoria, Alejandro, the doctor and a few caballeros went in search of Zorro and Victoria's infant son.

The padre's garden was covered in with large broken pieces of adobe. The side of the church wall had been blown apart, covering injured and unconscious people with its debris.

Victoria and Zorro noticed the unconscious woman, Victoria had entrusted her son to, at the same time and rushed to her side.

"Ali?!" Victoria cried as Zorro rolled the unconscious woman away from the bundle still cradled in her arms.

Zorro cleared the small brightly colored blanket away from the unconscious baby's face and his heart trembled. The babe was covered in dust and he was not crying. He wasn't making a sound.

Zorro ripped the gloves from his hands, ignoring the searing pain in his injured shoulder, and pressed two fingers to the baby's chest. There was no motion, no breathing and he forced back painful thoughts.

He removed the blanket, freeing the child from the material that was wrapped too tightly around his small body.

He opened the small mouth and began to force air into the barely developed lungs.

"Ali, no!" Victoria dropped to her knees beside Zorro as Alejandro and the doctor skidded to a halt, frozen in place.

Zorro's sombrero was hanging down his back and he carefully tried to push air into the little babe.

Blood from his wounds soaked his shirt but he paid them no mind.

Hernandez pushed his way to Zorro's side and reached for the babe, "Let me…"

"No," Zorro's breaths came in small gasps as he fought the dizziness that came and went with the loss of blood. "I will get him to breathe."

"Diego," Hernandez' whisper of his name and the soft hand on his arm, caused Zorro to look up at the older man. "Let me have him."

Zorro sat back on his haunches as Dr. Hernandez leaned over the babe.

Several moments later a small cry bubbled from between dust covered lips and those gathered around the baby sighed with relief.

Victoria fell into Zorro's embrace as her son's lungs cried out to clear themselves of the dust.

The gunfire had died down and the Mexican troops led those left alive out of the cuartel and lined them up in front of the alcalde's office.

The small family in front of the church paid no attention as the remaining men were given their marching orders.

Those who chose would remain in the pueblo, and those who wanted to leave, would be free to leave."

Juan Ortiz stood straight, his head held high, as he ignored the Mexican Commander and watched what was happening in the church garden.

He could see that Victoria was upset and that the doctor was holding her baby.

"Please don't let him have been killed," Ortiz prayed silently, "Another innocent does not need to die for this battle."

Hie heart twisted as he noticed Zorro holding the distraught woman. Diego would not be a very happy man when he learned that his wife was taking comfort in the arms of a former lover.

He looked around the plaza. Where was De La Vega anyway?

In his search for Diego, Juan had ignored the Mexican Commander's question.

It was repeated with a slap to the face and Juan turned cold eyes to the man. "I will do no such thing."

"Then you will be sent back to your homeland on the next ship bound for Spain."

Juan missed the answers the rest of his men gave and soon found himself being escorted back toward the cuartel. He turned back toward the church and quietly requested permission to see to his friend.

Two Mexican soldiers escorted the self-proclaimed alcalde over to the young family and Juan heard the doctor say, " I think he is hungry."

Victoria pulled herself from Zorro's arms and clutched her baby to her bosom. Taking the blanket, she draped it over her shoulder and pulled down the top of her blouse.

The wailing soon stopped as the baby found sustenance in his mother's breast.

Victoria relaxed into Zorro's arms as she, too, found comfort in the rhythmic motion of the baby's mouth.

Juan stared at the two, as Zorro casually, almost lovingly, draped his arm around the woman and her son.

He had known the troops would be arriving and made certain that he would not be anywhere near the pueblo during the battle. Instead, he decided this would be the perfect time to visit Zorro's secret lair once more.

He searched for a few minutes before he found the hidden entrance. Even though he had been there once, it had been dark and he wasn't quite sure where the mechanism to open the door had been.

Against he stumbled across it accidentally. His boot barely depressed the lever and the door again swung open in front of his eyes.

He knew Zorro would not be in there and he had his doubts that anyone else would be in the cave as well.

He smiled wickedly and found the lever to once again close the hidden entrance. He coughed as a protruding smell emanated from the cave.

He noticed the mess on the laboratory table and wondered if Zorro had been informed at the last minute of the battle in the pueblo and had left some experiments boiling on the table.

Deciding that Zorro would not be so careless, he dismissed the cluttered table and looked around the room.

The former alcalde, Luis Ramon had written in his journal that the deed to the De La Vega hacienda was contained in the Devil's Fortress. Ramon himself had died there. Zorro had returned. Which meant Zorro, Diego, must have retrieved that document.

He would not have told his father about this, or would he? So, DeSoto surmised that Diego would have hidden the document within the cave. What better place to hide a secret document than in a secret cave!

He searched through drawers, behind paintings, inside of books. There was nothing, no clue as to where this document might be.

He had to find it. It would mean an enormous amount of wealth for the man who had to work for everything he had achieved in his life.

Diego had everything handed to him on a silver platter, was handsome, rich and did well in school. DeSoto envied the man more than he cared to admit. He was the top of his class. Fortunately DeSoto had graduated ahead of the younger don.

And now he would take what had been bestowed upon the De La Vega family, before Diego had ever been born, for posterity by King Carlos of Spain. An estate consisting of thousands of acres of rich cattle land; a landowners dream.

Ignacio DeSoto would indeed become a man of property and wealth. If only he could find that document!

He dropped the books in piles as he looked through them. There was nothing here. Where could Diego have put the document?

The smell in the cave was starting to nauseate the former alcalde and he turned toward the cave entrance when he noticed the stairs.

Wait, what did those stairs lead to? He started to move toward them when Felipe emerged from around the corner with a bucket of water and a rag. Obviously to clean up the mess on the laboratory table.

Felipe's eyes widened in shock and DeSoto grinned.

"Well, the De La Vega's deception is complete now. Even their def-mute servant knows the secret!"

Felipe began to back out the way he had just come but decided that it was best that the alcalde didn't know the route through the fireplace into the hacienda.

DeSoto drew his sword and motioned for the boy to come down off the stairs.

"Do I need to press the issue?" DeSoto extended the blade toward Felipe's neck .

Felipe stepped off the stairs and backed up toward where there were rapiers hanging from the walls. They were ceremonial, ones that Diego had brought back from Spain. The blades had never tasted combat and Felipe decided that if he wanted to get out of the cave and warn Diego, then he would have to defend himself. He just hoped that he would be able to hold his own against the much larger and talented opponent.

Felipe grasped the hilt and pulled it from its display rack.

DeSoto was surprised but laughed it off. "So has the little servant boy been taking lessons from the great master Zorro?"

Felipe backed away, keeping his blade en guarde. He needed to be careful. He couldn't let the alcalde's taunting remarks cause him to loose his concentration.

"Lets see how much the great Zorro has taught his little helper!" DeSoto hissed and advanced, attacking in quinte – toward Felipe's head.

Felipe backed away and parried the blade easily. He was shaking nervously. He had never been in a sabre fight for his life. Diego had taught him the basics but had not taught him real combat tactics.

DeSoto twisted his wrist and slid the tip of his blade towards Felipe's chest.

This move surprised the young boy and he jumped back, swinging his blade down to catch DeSoto's before it made contact with his skin.

"Very good," DeSoto taunted. "He has taught you well."

When Felipe brought his blade en guarde again, DeSoto executed a perfect prise de fer and knocked the blade out of line. This caused Felipe's backward movement to be off balance and he stumbled- fortunately for him, away from DeSoto's lunging blade. A loud crack could be heard as Felipe struck his head and lay still.

DeSoto remained en guarde for a few seconds before he realized that the boy was unconscious.

He grunted and sheathed his blade, noticing the small bloodstain on Felipe's shirt where his blade had nicked his chest.

DeSoto rushed out without even investigating the path Felipe had taken into the cave.

By the time DeSoto returned to the pueblo, all was quiet. Darkness was settling into the horizon and the people that had scattered from the plaza during the short battle, had returned to help in the rebuilding of the damaged structures.

Mexican soldiers patrolled the perimeter and there was not a uniformed lancer in sight.

It was now time to put the next phase of his plan into action.

He made for the alcalde's office and it was no great surprise that he found the Mexican Commander sitting behind the desk.

"Señor," DeSoto addressed the man with a formal bow. "I am Ignacio DeSoto, former alcalde of this troublesome pueblo. I come to you…."

"What concern is that of mine?" The man stood slowly, cautiously.

"I have signed your non-aggression pact and believe that you will need a stern hand to guide this pueblo when your army leaves."

The commander grinned. "And you believe you are that man?"

"I know I am that man, Señor. I know how this pueblo works, I know its people. And, I know the identity of the arch criminal Zorro."

"I have heard of the troubles that this pueblo has caused the Spanish Crown, but it was not the people that caused the trouble. It was despotic alcalde's, such as yourself, which was the cause of the crown's dissatisfaction with Los Angeles.

He pulled himself up to his full height. "You see, I was a Spanish military governor stationed in Mexico City. I know what the Crown believes, I know how the government works. I don't know if you will be good for this command."

"A man who knows the pueblo and its people would not be good for this post?" DeSoto raised a curious eyebrow. "And what of the identity of…"

"Zorro did a lot of good today to help the people that were caught in the battle." The Commander revealed. "I have no proof of his alleged crimes against the crown of Spain and , so far, he has committed none against the Mexican government."

"Give him time. He will." DeSoto muttered.

His plan was not going well and he needed to play his trump card. But as he opened his mouth to speak the words he had longed to do ever since he discovered Zorro's identity, the Commander spoke over him. "I will think on it."

DeSoto took a deep breath. "Thank you, Sir."

He bowed and took his leave, heading straight for the tavern.

The tavern was crowded with those who had been wounded in the short battle. Tables had been turned into beds and the women were doing their best to tend the injuries of all who came through the doors.

DeSoto found Mendoza sitting in the corner with a bandage around his ankle. He had twisted it while trying to dodge a cannon ball.

He saw very few of the lancers that he had come to know as being part of his garrison. He was quick to learn that many of them had not survived the attack on the cuartel. Mendoza explained that those who had survived had signed a non-hostility agreement and that some of them would be leaving for Spain in the morning, and some would be remaining in the pueblo to begin a new life under a different flag. Mendoza had been one of the latter.

DeSoto grinned. "Indeed."

He looked around for some sign of the patroness and her family. They were no where to be seen and DeSoto turned questioning eyes on the man who, saw and repeated everything – Mendoza.

"Where is Victoria and her family?" DeSoto asked casually so that Mendoza would not suspect anything.

"Oh, they took the little baby upstairs to rest. He was hurt today." Mendoza was a veritable wealth of information.

"Oh?"

"Sí, Zorro was injured pretty badly too."

This was welcome news and DeSoto's eyes brightened. "Really? Is he upstairs as well?"

"I – I believe so," Mendoza stammered.

DeSoto could see Mendoza struggle with himself for revealing that bit of information. DeSoto was feeling generous and his soothing words calmed Mendoza's fears.

"Don't worry. I don't plan to do anything to him. I am no longer the law in this pueblo."

He stepped away from Mendoza and began to ascend the stairs.

He stopped at the outside of the room and grinned, contemplating if he should just walk in or knock first.

He chose the former. The De La Vega's might as well get used to their secret being held over their heads.

Victoria was leaning against Zorro's chest, his good arm wrapped securely around her, as DeSoto entered. Their eyes snapped up from where the babe was now sleeping soundly, to the uninvited guest.

Alejandro and Dr. Hernandez' eyes turned at the sound of the opening door as well.

Victoria's eyes began to glow with anger and Zorro held her back against his chest. His arm had been bandaged and was resting in a sling. His eyes were drooping and he was tired from the medication that had been administered to relieve some of the pain in his arm and shoulder.

"Have you ever heard of knocking?" Victoria growled, her eyes betraying her hatred for the man standing before her.

"Calm down, my dear," DeSoto closed the door behind him and took a step toward the couple.

Alejandro stood but DeSoto ignored the older man.

"I did not start this battle today. In fact, I knew nothing about it."

"I don't care." Victoria spat. "You disgust me."

DeSoto chuckled when Zorro attempted to calm his wife.

"Take of the mask, Diego," DeSoto grunted. "We all know your dirty little secret."

"And what if I hadn't?" Hernandez turned to DeSoto.

"Well I assumed since you were here, knowing full well that Victoria is married to Diego De La Vega and not Zorro, that you had been let in on their secret." DeSoto smiled and shrugged. "But if not, you know now."

Zorro glared at the former alcalde, his clear blue eyes deepening to a dark blue as his anger rose. He slowly removed the mask so that Ignacio could see the rage brewing in his eyes.

DeSoto grinned wickedly. "Go ahead, say it. You want to cut me into little pieces."

"You will get what is coming to you, DeSoto, " Diego said calmly, squeezing his wife. "I will need to do nothing."

"I'm shaking in my boots." DeSoto grinned.

The doctor did not like what was going on here. There was obviously something that he had not been told or had not figured out about this situation. How long had DeSoto known Zorro's identity?

"What do you want, DeSoto?" Alejandro broke his silence.

"To be paid for my silence, of course," He laughed. "Since I am no longer the alcalde of this pueblo. I need some income to support myself."

"Get a job." Victoria snapped. "Or better yet, leave the territory and go back to Spain."

DeSoto sighed. "Victoria, do I detect some animosity in your tone."

She took a deep breath, about to give the maddening man a piece of her mind, when her son cooed and she turned her attention to the sleeping babe.

"We will not pay you for your silence, Ignacio." Diego informed his old schoolmate. "God do with us what he may, we will not bend for your blackmail."

"Then you will live without a home," DeSoto blurted. He didn't have the deed to the hacienda yet, but he would soon, and then he would have all the wealth of the De La Vega family at his fingertips.

Alejandro chuckled. "What makes you think you can take my home away from me?"

He purposely didn't include Diego and his family because if DeSoto was planning on accusing his son of being Zorro, then they had planned to prove that Diego had renounced all claims to his father's property.

That title had just recently been signed over to the new De La Vega heir, little Alejandro. No one would be able to touch the hacienda, and Alejandro hoped that no one would be able to touch his son as well.

"Oh," DeSoto rubbed his goatee in thought. "A certain deed titling your hacienda and all lands surrounding it to the holder of the document."

The tension in the room increased a hundred-fold.

A small smile spread across Diego's face and DeSoto stared.

"You don't think you have access to the only copy of that document, do you?" Diego's eyes were twinkling. But inside his heart twisted. If DeSoto had managed to get his hands on the deed and title to the De La Vega lands, then there was no one who could dispute the ownership. Diego played DeSoto, hoping that if he did have the deed, that he could make the man believe that there was more than one copy.

DeSoto sneered. Did Diego really have more than one copy of that document? And was he convincing enough to make Diego believe that he had one copy? He didn't think so. DeSoto frantically thought up another scheme.

"A wager then, De La Vega," The man was smiled widely.

"I am not a betting man, Ignacio," Diego shot back.

"I think your ego will not let you out of this one." Ignacio's eyes traveled over Diego's injured arm. "A duel, as men of honor. If I loose, I give you the document, if I win, I keep the document and - well, and you die."

Victoria shook her head immediately and Alejandro stepped forward to escort the man out the door.

Diego's eyes narrowed. Would this be the only way to rid the pueblo of this man? A duel to the death? Ignacio was no match for Diego. But Diego was not whole, his sword arm was injured badly and there would be no way for him to hold a blade. Diego grinned. But this is what Ignacio had planned. He knew he couldn't beat Diego, so he made the wager knowing that the young don would likely not refuse, even if he was injured.

"Choose the time and place," Diego said quietly.

"No!" Victoria turned to him but he silenced her with a look.

Alejandro protested as well," Diego I could fight better than you with your arm in a sling! Please reconsider."

Even as the words passed through his lips, Alejandro knew that what his son was doing would be the only way to guarantee that the De La Vega lands would remain in the family. He only hoped that the duel could be postponed until Diego could again use his arm.

"The plaza, ten minutes," DeSoto chuckled at the horrified reactions. "Or I leave tomorrow for Monterey to claim the De La Vega lands as my own."

Diego took a deep breath. He could hold his own against DeSoto and he was sure he could do it with his left hand, but one hour? He would not be able to change.

Before Diego could comment, DeSoto strode confidently out the door.

"You can't!" Victoria turned pleading eyes on her husband.

"I don't have a choice, Victoria," Diego muttered, slid his arm from around her waist, and stood on wobbly legs.

Victoria looked to Alejandro for support. "Is all you care about your hacienda? Your lands? You could loose your son!"

" He won't loose me," Diego smiled and bent to kiss her upturned nose.

"You can't. You aren't strong enough. Your arm!" She was grasping for excuses but she could tell that he had already made up his mind.

"I can't stand idly by and watch my husband be cut down in some stupid 'affair of honor'. Victoria choked back a sob.

"I don't want you to watch," Diego whispered. "Because I am going to have to kill him."

Alejandro nodded. He realized that doing such a thing would be difficult for his son. Diego had never killed a man, deliberately, before. Alejandro prepared for the mental problems that might arise from this confrontation.

"I love you, Victoria," Diego turned somber eyes to his wife and son. "Please stay here."

Diego grasped his scabbard with his good arm and attached it to his hip. Without looking back toward his wife, he walked slowly out of the room, still clad in clothes of the legendary masked man.

As Diego walked down the tavern stairs, gasps greeted him. He did not look at any one person, he kept his eyes focused on the task ahead. If he lived through this, there would be time for explanations later.

Alejandro and Dr. Hernandez accompanied Diego silently, and those gathered in the tavern that could walk, followed the three men into the plaza.

Those working in the plaza stopped what they were doing and turned when the two men entered the plaza. Murmurs rippled among the crowd but Diego ignored them.

DeSoto whirled on Diego with a grin. The blade scraping the inside of the scabbard, as the sword was unsheathed, caused silence to fall over the crowd.

Alejandro crossed his chest and closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer for the preservation of his family.

Diego unsheathed his saber slowly, the undefeated Toledo blade sliding smoothly out of it's polished scabbard.

Diego saluted slowly and the crowd once again erupted into frenzied murmurs.

The two men circled one another like cats stalking their prey.

Diego refused to make the first move. If DeSoto wanted him, the former alcalde of Los Angeles was going to have to make more than a half-hearted effort.

DeSoto swung quick at Diego's chest and Diego brought his blade toward the ground and blocked the steel, pushing it away from his body.

He quickly twisted the blade clockwise around DeSoto's almost causing the man to loose his grip.

"Ah, so the legend is ambidextrous," DeSoto retreated. He was slightly disappointed that he would not have as easy a time defeating the caballero as he first thought.

"You may find that I am full of surprises," Diego grinned and parried DeSoto's thrust with a quick step back and a downward swoop of his blade.

The clash of steel brought the Mexican commander out of the office with a grunt. He watched the duel with a smile for a few minutes until he realized just who he was looking at. The man in black clothing was without his mask. He was looking straight at the legendary masked bandit of California!

He folded his arms across his chest and watched the younger man parry each thrust made by DeSoto. He was clearly not initiating any attacks and this, the commander found curious.

The people were murmuring Diego's name and the Commander listened to their comments. He had heard the name De La Vega before but couldn't place its importance. Another whispered comment about Alejandro set off a flash of recognition and he immediately searched the crowd for the older De La Vega, whose reputation for fair business dealings and accumulated wealth in the territory, preceded him.

Inquisitive eyes searched the crowd for a man who would look more worried than shocked by the missing mask. His eyes stopped on a young woman, carrying a baby, her wide eyes following every move the man in black made. She was standing next to an older man; a man who was old enough to be her father.

The commander weaved his way through the gathered, and growing by the second, crowd to stand beside Alejandro and the frightened young mother.

"Your son, I presume?" The man leaned toward Alejandro and asked. "Why does he not attack?"

Alejandro stared at the man and sighed," What need would he have to kill DeSoto? He has never taken a life and will only do so as a last resort."

"So the reports of this man are indeed true."

"It depends on what reports you have heard."

"If he heard them from the people, then they would be correct," Victoria interjected with a hint of venom in her tone. "If they are governmental reports, then they are probably false."

"And you are?" The Commander bowed to the lady and smile crossing his rough features.

"Victoria Escalante De La Vega," Victoria answered fluently, as if she had been saying that name for her entire life.

The commander looked from Victoria to Diego and back again.

"Yes," She confirmed before he opened his mouth to voice the question, "He is my husband."

The commander nodded and turned once more to watch the duel.

The crowd gasped as Diego stumbled and spun around, DeSoto's blade catching his shirt and tearing across the mid-section.

"A local folk hero?" The commander smiled. "DeSoto tried to convince me that he was a loyal subject of Mexico and would do a fine job as alcalde."

"What?!" Victoria and Alejandro echoed.

The commander chuckled, still watching the combatants with a keen eye. "I gather you do not agree?"

"If it was not for DeSoto there would be no need for Diego to continue with his crusade," Alejandro explained.

"And he could spend his time with his family rather than trying to right the wrongs committed by an unjust alcalde," Victoria continued. She could see that Diego was tiring and she turned pleading eyes on the commander.

"Please stop the battle. My husband is injured."

"What are they fighting over? Or need I ask?"

"DeSoto threatened Diego with a document, a deed titling our lands to the De La Vega's for all time. Written and signed by King Carlos of Spain." Alejandro explained. "DeSoto said he had such a document. I have never seen one other than the one signed by the king. All legal documents, I thought, were kept in a deed room in the governors mansion."

"DeSoto said he had a copy and could legally take the De la Vega lands away from Diego and Alejandro," Victoria clarified. "So he challenged Diego, knowing he was injured, to a duel for the document."

"And like the man of honor that he is, he accepted," The commander was beginning to see the situation a little more clearly.

The crowd gasped again as DeSoto pinned Diego against an overturned wagon, after having bound his blade and forced it to the outside line, away from DeSoto's body.

Diego stood with his sword hand out to his side, searching DeSoto's hardened gaze.

"Before you die, do you have anything you want to say?" DeSoto's smug gaze was disconcerting.

Diego took a deep breath. He would only have once chance at this move. A move that he had not been forced to take since his days at the University. No one had pinned him since then.

He watched DeSoto's body tense, ready for the action he knew would come. DeSoto thrust with all of his might at Diego's mid-section and Diego whirled to the side as quickly as his feet would turn his body.

As the commander was about to interfere, Diego made his move.

Diego attacked in Quartata, by turning to the side and exposing his back to DeSoto's blade. Diego's blade lifted as his body moved, protecting against a swing toward his back. As DeSoto's blade struck Diego's, the younger man slid the steel beneath the horizontal one, which had just been thrust toward him. Diego used all the muscles in his arm to force DeSoto's blade into another line and twirl the blade around his own, the action twisting the enraged former alcalde's wrists and causing him to drop his blade.

The commander smiled as Diego's blade rested dangerously close to DeSoto's neck.

"What were you saying, Ignacio?" Diego's eyes twinkled. His arm was throbbing and he didn't know how much longer he was going to be able to remain on his feet. He had lost a lot of blood and he could feel the sticky wetness trickling down his arm.

"I do believe this duel has been won," the commander intervened and turned to Diego. "His life is in your hands now, Señor."

"His life is not worth taking, Sir," Diego stared at the man.

"You have a code unlike anyone I have ever met, Señor," The commander complimented and turned to DeSoto.

"You will leave this territory, Señor. Return the document you have taken regarding the De La Vega property and leave the territory. I want you on the next ship bound for Spain." The commander took a slow, deliberate breath. "If you do not comply, I will shoot you myself."

DeSoto narrowed his eyes and turned wordlessly, his back to Diego and the Mexican commander.

Before Victoria, Alejandro or anyone else could voice a warning, DeSoto whirled around, brandishing two small pistols.

Diego's training and instincts kicked in and he leapt away from the barrel pointed at his chest. He impacted with the commander, knocking him to the ground as the shots rang out in the silence of the plaza.

"No!" Victoria cried, as Diego hit the ground harder than he would have if he had control over his descent.

Several shots rang out at this blatant threat towards the new Mexican governor, and DeSoto slumped to the ground.

Diego groaned when Alejandro rolled his son over and braced his head. Blood covered Alejandro's hand and the doctor rushed over to take a look at this new injury.

The commander stood quickly and looked over Alejandro's shoulder to watch the doctor's progress.

Diego's mind slipped into blackness and he slumped against his father's arm.

"He's lost a lot of blood. He needs to rest." Hernandez commented, bandaging Diego's head and quickly searching his torn shirt for additional wounds. He found none and set to work re-bandaging the now blood-soaked bandage he had put on not more than 30 minutes ago.

"He saved my life," The commander sighed as several pueblo men carried Diego into the tavern and placed him in Victoria's former room. "I owe him a great debt."

"As does Mexico." Alejandro agreed.

The commander smiled. If De La Vega wanted a written letter of amnesty, then he would get one.

"You and your family will be placed under the protection of the Mexican army until such time as I can complete letters and documents of amnesty for the man known as Zorro." The commander's voice carried across the plaza and everyone gathered became silent.

"No unjust bandit would have saved the life of a stranger. I believe that the rumors we have heard about this man are true." The commander now addressed all those present in the plaza.

"This man has fought long and hard for the people of this pueblo, and now his struggle has come to an end. I will appoint a man personally to this post that will not oppress the people as the alcalde's before have done."

A thunderous cheer rippled through the crowd. Ignacio DeSoto's death and the removal of the self-proclaimed alcalde, Juan Ortiz, had been forgotten in the euphoria of the moment.

"So have you made your decision?" Diego smiled at his father as he and his fiance walked into Diego's room.

"About?"

Diego sighed, shaking his head. This caused a wave of dizziness and he leaned back into the pillows, momentarily creating concerned looks from all present.

The bullet that grazed his head, when he had pushed the Commander away from DeSoto, had not caused any damage but a splitting headache.

Victoria sat on the bed, her small hand resting in her husband's large one.

"I think you know what our opinion is," Victoria smiled, squeezing Diego's hand.

Alejandro nodded. "And that has made our decision easier."

"Please stay." Diego smiled wickedly, casting a longing glance at his wife, "What would we do without someone to watch Ali when we need some quality time alone?"

Victoria's eyes lit with a familiar fire and Diego knew instantly that his comment had just landed him in the hot seat.

Annaliza grinned and Alejandro winked at his son.

"We have decided to remain in the hacienda. I would like to see my grandchildren grow up under my feet," Alejandro could see his son and his wife's visible relief and smiled.

Diego had his own family now, which would hopefully grow over the years, but there was still room in his life for the father who had loved him and supported all of the decision's his son had made. He may not have liked some of those decisions, but he had allowed his son to make his own mistakes and learn from them.

And there was an argument brewing if the challenging look in Victorias eyes was any indication. Annaliza noted this and made sure she was the first out of the room. "I am going to make sure Ali is sleeping peacefully."

She quickly stepped into the room adjoining that of the babe's parents and closed the door. She would leave through the door entering into the hallway.

Alejandro quickly found an excuse to leave as well. "Diego needs his rest so I will leave you two alone."

As Alejandro closed the door, he could hear Victoria's voice raised into a pitch he would become very used to.

"Now just what were you thinking with that comment?!"