Becoming Friends
Rating:G/PG
Disclaimer: I don't own them, and I promise to return them to the proper owners when I'm finished.
Tonight, the nightmare was different. It had started as a pleasant dream; He was walking the roads surrounding the pueblo taking the time to notice the beauty of the terrain. A feeling of a peace he had never known surrounded him.
Then, suddenly, like a gunshot, the peace deserted him and it was replaced by a feeling of overwhelming dread. He had to escape. From whom or what, he did not know. He just had to escape. He started to run, looking for safety, but where could *he* find safety?
He began to run towards the de la Vega hacienda. He did not know why, but he knew that safety was there. He just had to get to the hacienda.
Suddenly, as it was in dreams, he was there. A part of his mind realized that the nightmare had been a reality at one time. It was simply a memory that he refused to let go of for some strange reason. He had tried very hard this past month to forget, but he hadn't been able to force these memories out of his mind like he had so many others.
He watched as Gilberto Resendo raised his pistol at Diego de la Vega and he could hear the glee in Resendo's voice. He reached down for his pistol as he had in reality only to find it was not there and he knew he could not help this time.
"When I kill Diego de la Vega," Resendo chuckled. "I also kill . . ."
"Zorro!" The man sat up his bed, his own voice echoing back at him. He shook his head in disbelief. "Diego de la Vega is Zorro?" gasped Ignacio De Soto.
*******
Life was slowly returning to normal for the de la Vegas. Alejandro would occasionally smile now, and he seemed to be recovering from the horrible emotional wounds that the previous month had brought to him. To lose a son would be a horrible experience for any man, but Alejandro had lost a son he never knew--a son that had been raised to hate him and the name he should have been given at birth.
The de la Vegas were at the tavern, enjoying lunch. Diego looked at the entrance to the tavern and was not surprised to find the Alcade there. Since the events of the previous month, Ignacio De Soto had seemed to take an interest in the people that he had been given the privilege to govern. He was often in the tavern talking to caballero and peon alike. He not only asked questions about what they felt or believed that the government needed to do, he asked them about their hopes and dreams.
At first, the people had seemed weary. Most still were, but De Soto was a brilliant interrogator and most people found themselves confining in him, even when they had not planned to do so. Diego had sat back and watched, waiting for the Alcade to make a slip. So far, the Alcade had managed to stay in his new character, and he had made no new taxes and hadn't collected on any of his previous tax orders. Diego was left with an unsettled feeling, and he didn't know why he was so disturbed by De Soto's new behavior.
The month of rest had allowed his arm to completely heal. He was now back in top physical form, but he had no reason to come to the pueblo as Zorro--the lancers seemed to be handling what bandits attacked in the area. He had finally came to town after two weeks to visit Victoria. He had not been bothered on that visit or any other one he had made. This had allowed him and Victoria to spend more time together in the last two weeks then they had the previous six years--at least as Zorro and Victoria.
Diego noticed that De Soto's eyes had settled on his father and him. De Soto stood for a moment by the door as if debating with himself. Finally, he seemed to make a decision and walked confidently over the de la Vega table. "Don Alejandro, Don Diego," he said with a proper bow. "May I join you for a moment?"
Alejandro smiled at the Alcade. Since De Soto's bullet saved Diego's life, Alejandro had seemed to consider the Alcade a friend; he had not questioned--at least publicly--the Alcade's personality change like most others.
It was when De Soto sat down that Diego noticed that De Soto was carrying a sword wrapped in a sheath. It wasn't De Soto's sword. His was safely by his side as usual.
Victoria walked over and asked the Alcade if he needed anything; She didn't believe that the "new" De Soto was real and had expressed her opinion on the subject to many people. "Yes," De Soto nodded. "I would love a glass of your wonderful orange juice, please." The improvement in De Soto's manners was a noticed change also.
Victoria raised her eyebrow and sauntered off to fill his order. De Soto looked at Alejandro and started to make small talk. Diego noticed that he seemed uncomfortable for some reason, but he was unable to determine what was making De Soto uncomfortable. He also noticed that De Soto seemed to find him particularly interesting this morning. De Soto's eyes kept straying over to Diego. The look in his eyes was the look of a man seeing someone for the first time or perhaps it was closer to the look of man seeing a ghost. What was the Alcade up to this morning?
Victoria walked back over and placed De Soto's orange juice in front of him. "Anything else, Alcade?" she asked politely. He looked up at her and smiled. He must know what she felt towards him, but he gave no sign that it bothered him.
"No, thank you. I'm fine." He watched her as she walked away from the table. He then turned and looked at Diego. "She's a beautiful lady, isn't she?" he asked with a note of appreciation in his voice.
Diego couldn't hide his reaction totally; He stiffened slightly. He noticed that his father seemed confused with the change in subject from cattle prices to the beautiful senorita who owned the town's tavern. "Yes, she is. She was a beautiful as a child," Diego heard his father answer. All of Diego's concentration was on the Alcade who seemed to be interested in only his reaction and answer. De Soto raised an inquiring eyebrow at Diego.
"Yes, she is a beautiful woman--inside and out," Diego said with a tight smile. "I'd say every man in the pueblo has noticed that fact by now." De Soto stared at him for a moment longer as if making a decision. He then smiled and returned his attention to Don Alejandro.
"Don Alejandro, I came looking for you today because I have a favor to ask of you. I know that you are a close friend and supporter of Zorro, and I need you to return something to him."
Alejandro started to protest that he would be unable to return anything to the outlaw, but De Soto kept talking. "Last month, when he fought. . .When he was fighting on the rooftops, he dropped his sword, and I was hoping that you could return it to him. It is a beautiful piece and I believe it probably means a lot to him." De Soto offered the sword towards Don Alejandro.
Diego could finally see the handle of the blade and knew it was his. The night after the funeral for his brother, he had returned to look for it, but he had been unable to find it. He had feared that it was lost forever. Now, the Alcade was giving it to his father? What was De Soto up to this time?
De Soto drained his glass and stood. "I know you probably have no way of contacting him, but I have let the soldiers--including Mendoza--know that I was giving it to you. I believe the whole pueblo should know soon and hopefully word will get to Zorro. He should be at your hacienda to claim it in a few days."
Alejandro raised his eyebrow. "Should I expect your soldiers to be surrounding my hacienda for the next few nights?"
De Soto laughed. "Oh, no. If I wanted to use it to capture Zorro, it would make more sense to leave it in my office. True, he would be more prepared for battle at my office, but I would be able to have more available soldiers. No, I simply want him to have his sword again. Good day, gentlemen."
Alejandro watched the alcalde leave with suspicion in his eyes. Diego noticed the look. "What is it, Father?"
Alejandro sighed and looked into the eyes of his son. "I am very thankful for him saving you, and I have tried to keep an open mind about his new behavior. However, I do have my doubts. I know how hard it is for a leopard to change his spots, but I also know a man isn't an animal." Alejandro looked down at the sword in his hands and sighed again. "What is the alcalde up to this time?"
Diego was unable to answer. He was too busy asking himself the same question.
*******
Later that same week, after Zorro was able to retrieve his teacher's sword with no alarm being raised and no questions being asked by the alcalde, De Soto called a town meeting. He invited the leading caballeros as expected. However, he also invited the leading and best educated peons in the area. Even more surprising to Diego was the fact that De Soto was paying Victoria for the use of her tavern.
"I understand that times are tough, Don Alejandro. I also know that the people have been overtaxed. However, I also know that the road between here and Santa Paula desperately needs improvement. I'm wanting to know how we can do it. Any suggestions?" De Soto genuinely seemed interested in hearing what the town had to say about his new tax plan. Diego sat behind De Soto at the bar noticing the people's reactions to the new plan. They were upset, but since De Soto was almost asking permission, they seemed open to the idea.
Suddenly, De Soto turned and looked at Diego. "Don Diego, you have not said anything this evening and I'm particularly interested in what you have to say." Diego was stunned by this new development. De Soto wanted to know *his* opinion?
An old friend of his father, Don Carlos, laughed. "Diego doesn't have many opinions about the government, alcalde. He doesn't have many opinions outside of his books and paintings. You know that!"
The alcalde glanced at Don Carlos and smiled. "Oh, no. I think Diego has many opinions. I just think he has never chosen to share them with us. With such an outspoken father, it is very easy to be hidden and ignored. So, Diego, what is your opinion?"
Diego felt little warning bells going off in his mind, but he ignored them. Just once, he wanted to show the people of this pueblo that Diego de la Vega wasn't useless. He wanted a chance to impress his father and his father's friends. "I think the road to Santa Paula needs to be redone. It is too important of a road to ignore--our mail and most of our supplies come from Santa Paula. The holes in the road have almost made the current road unmanageable in some areas. However, I don't believe that the people of this pueblo should be burdened with the costs of building a better road."
The alcalde looked at him and nodded. He could feel the stares of the people in the tavern who were unused to the young de la Vega speaking his opinion or even having one to speak. "The current road is used equally between the people of Santa Paula and Los Angeles. I believe that the people of Santa Paula should bear half of the burden for the new road."
De Soto smiled at him. "I actually thought of that fact myself, Diego. I do believe that the alcalde of Santa Paula is willing to accept my proposal. However, they are also over-burdened in that pueblo and hope to have a plan on raising the funds themselves soon. However, we are still left with 1/2 the cost of the road and no money to pay it."
Diego nodded at him, impressed despite himself with De Soto's thinking. "The military is a great benefactor of a better road between here and Santa Paula. Most of the military supplies come through that town. I believe that the military should pay a fair portion of the amount needed."
De Soto kept the grin on his face. He seemed to be enjoying the intellectual challenge he was engaged in with Diego. "True. I have also thought of that fact. I admit, I can raise 1/3 of the money needed from next year's military budget. However, that does place the military in a very tight position. Nothing can go wrong for the year, and I don't believe that would happen. I would prefer to only use the military budget to pay for 1/4 road. That still leaves us with 3/4 of our half to pay."
Diego couldn't stop the grin from forming on his face. He didn't know why, but he was enjoying this exchange with De Soto. De Soto of late often reminded him of the older student that he had admired at university. He really did seem to be trying to be a good leader for once, and he was thinking through problems and open to ways of fixing the problems.
"I also don't think it would be fair to burden the peons with the tax for this road. Very few of them ever leave their home. Most don't even use the mail system because most can not read or write. It would not be fair to burden them with any tax for this road." Diego could hear the murmurs of approval from the peon leaders and murmurs of disapproval from most of the caberrellos.
"This I had not thought of, de la Vega. However, the peons do benefit from the merchants being able to use the road to bring in goods and from the military that gets supplies," De Soto answered. "Shouldn't they receive at least part of the burden?"
"Normally, I would probably agree that a nominal tax would be fair. However, they are just now starting the road to recovery after years of being overtaxed unfairly by you and Ramone." Diego could hear the gasps of surprise that went through the room. Diego had went father in condemning the alcalde's past actions than anyone else in the room had dared. "I don't think taxing them now would help the pueblo or the people. Have you considered not taxing the people for this road?" Diego asked, suddenly struck by an idea. Ramone had used it for his advantage, why couldn't Los Angeles use it to benefit the pueblo as a whole?
"Not tax?" the alcalde asked with surprise. "How would we raise the money then?"
"How about investment?" Diego asked. "Ask the caballeros and merchants that want to invest in the road with a promised return on the bonds they buy."
"And we would pay interest on this investment how?" The alcalde was intrigued by this idea.
"Tolls," Diego answered. "We could offer this idea to Santa Paula also. The new road could have select booths sat up on them and travelers have to pay a tax for using the road. That way only the people who use the road will be burdened by its cost."
"A tax for using the road? I've never heard of such an idea. What would keep the people from using the old road instead of the new?" De Soto asked. The people in the tavern were also interested in Deigo's new idea. It could work. Maybe.
"Nothing. The people would be free to choice the free road if they wanted to use it. However, you told us tonight that the new road will shorten the distance between Santa Paula and Los Angeles. It should take an hour off of travel time, you said. With the current road falling apart, the time for travel is only increasing. The new route should also be safer with less places for bandits to hide. I believe most people would be glad to pay small tolls to be able to travel quicker, easier, and safer."
"You know, Diego, that might just work," said Don Carlos with a measure of respect for the young don showing in his voice. "I'm a constant traveler of the road and would be glad to have my travel time shortened. I would be very glad to pay small tolls to have a nice and faster road to travel on every week. I would also be interested in possibly investing in this road construction."
Suddenly, the room erupted with ideas of how much tolls should be charged and how much interest should be paid for investments. Also, the people were busy deciding who would be sent to Santa Paula to present the idea to the people there. De Soto looked at Diego and grinned. "I knew you had it in you, de la Vega. You really should speak out more." He turned and walked closer to the center of the discussion.
"He's right, you know." Victoria was looking at him with respect in her eyes. He had seen that look once before after he had argued with the royal emissaries. "You should speak out more and share your ideas. Your wonderful at it." She smiled and started to serve the men in her tavern fresh lemonade.
Diego leaned back, confused. He was surprised at himself for speaking out, even with the alcalde's urging. He knew that he needed to be unassuming in town to hide his secret, but he had been unable to resist the challenge and the lure of gaining respect as Diego for a brief moment. What was the alcalde up to?
*******
The following day, Zorro was needed again. Three bandits had attacked the carriage bringing a small fortune in jewels to Don Sabastian. They killed the carrier bringing the gems--a man that Zorro believed had been involved in the plot to rob the kind land owner. He had most likely informed them of the route and the best place to "rob" him, and they had betrayed him in the end.
It had been a relief to put on the black mask and cape; He had only worn it in the last month to visit Victoria. It had been an even greater relief to bring the bandits into the cuartel. Now, he would at last be able to see the real Ignacio De Soto and maybe put his unease to rest.
"These bandits already had rewards on their heads. I assume you wish me to put the reward in the church poor box?" De Soto asked, looking up at the he had tried for so long to capture.
Zorro shook his head. He felt as if he was in a fog and everything was distorted. He had expected the usual "Zorro! After him!" command. Instead, De Soto was asking him what to do with award money. "Excuse me?" he asked.
Zorro could tell that the soldiers and people in the plaza were also confused. Even Tornado was uneasy with the change of routine. He was ready to run.
The alcalde smiled. "I'm sorry. I'm making assumptions again. I assume that you haven't captured them for the reward since you haven't received any for the previous captures, and I thought you would not wish to receive this one either. I thought you might like it to be contributed to the church poor box. Would you rather collect or perhaps give it to something else?"
"Uh. The church poor box will be fine," Zorro said. His voice was unsure and weak, very unlike it usually was.
"Very well," Ignacio De Soto smiled up at the masked man. "The church poor box shall be richer in a short time. Now, if you will excuse me, I must return these gems to Don Sabastain with a warning to use more trustworthy men to escort such valuables in the future."
"The carrier was killed by the bandits," Zorro argued, even though he too believed in the man's guilt.
"True, and I hope that I am making a mistake in believing the worst in him. However, from what little you and the coachman and Don Sabastain has told me, I think the carrier was the only man who could have informed the bandits that such a treasure was on the coach. Few, if anyone else, knew that there would be such a treasure arriving at our pueblo today. Anyway, thank you for stopping them from being able to rob any other good citizen and for returning the gems. Good day." With that said, De Soto turned and walked towards his office. He left behind a confused outlaw, a more confused group of lancers, and a group of citizens who refused to believe what they saw.
Zorro turned Tornado towards the pueblo's entrance. He could see his own shock mirrored on the lancers' faces. His father and Victoria were standing next to the tavern with their mouths open. He felt an insane urge to laugh. Instead, he did something he had never been able to do before--he rode Tornado out of the pueblo at a leisurely trot. He wasn't followed by anyone.
Later, Diego de la Vega was standing outside with his father and Victoria when the alcalde walked over to the church. He smiled and chatted with the padre for a moment. He then handed him a small bag which obviously contained some coins. De Soto had apparently given the reward to the church instead of keeping it for himself this time. Victoria voiced the question that had been echoing in his mind. "What is he up to this time?"
*******
The tavern was busy for lunch on the following Saturday. Everyone in the tavern was discussing the alcalde and his recent actions. More and more people were defending him. After all, he had been a truly remarkable leader in the last few weeks. He had helped many peons straighten out past tax bills and he and his soldiers had helped many farmers harvest their crops. He was beginning to make many friends in the pueblo.
The tavern became silent as the man everyone was talking about entered. He simply smiled and pretended not to notice the sudden silence. He smiled at Victoria who found herself returning it. Even she had found herself softening some to this new De Soto. She told everyone that she didn't trust him, but that she still found him charming.
Don Padro DeSotto was standing at the counter. He greeted the alcalde and asked him if he had heard the news. Young Miquel had recently purchased some land adjacent to his with money he received from one of FireStar's offspring. He had also asked Marita to marry him.
"I think they make a wonderful couple," Victoria injected.
De Soto smiled at her. "I'll tell you who I always thought would make a wonderful couple--you and Diego." His voice carried over the room and again the room was completely silenced.
Alejandro who was sitting nearby with Diego laughed. "My son and Victoria? You must be joking!"
De Soto laughed with him. "No, actually I'm not. They have a lot in common. Both are eternal do-gooders who always care about those who are less fortunate. I can't tell you two more people who have done more charitable acts than they have. Even you don't come close to what your son or Victoria has done, Don Alejandro."
"Diego--well, he is my best friend. There is another one for me," Victoria protested.
De Soto smiled at her. To Diego, it almost seemed a little sad. "Yes, I know. The great romance of the plaza," De Soto said in a kind voice. "However, I would still recommend you marry Diego. Romance isn't all it's cracked up to be. My mother and father had a great romance, but no friendship. After the stars in their eyes faded, they found they didn't even like one another." DeSoto winked at Victoria. "Hey, for all you--and we--know Diego is the man under the mask."
The entire tavern erupted in laughter. Alejandro rolled his eyes and Victoria flashed a quick smile over at Diego, obviously pleased that the awkward scene was over. Only Diego was concerned by the alcalde's words, because he was the only one who knew they contained the truth.
*******
Zorro was finding it very hard to keep his sanity. He was in Victoria's arms enjoying her kisses with a joy that was intoxicating. He was losing himself in her embrace and that was dangerous--very dangerous to a man who wished to remain a gentleman and not a cad with the woman he loved.
"Victoria," he gasped between kisses. "Victoria," he moaned when her fingers unfastened one more button on his shirt. "I have to," more kisses stopped him for a moment. "I have to. . .leave. . . now."
With a resolve he had feared was lost, he managed to gently push himself away from the beautiful senorita. They both stared at one another gasping. Tonight had been wonderful. They had shared a picnic beside a beautiful stream in the moonlight and discussed their dreams in great detail, or at least in as great of detail that Zorro could share without revealing his identity. They had returned to the tavern without being bothered.
In the last three months, he had spent more time as Zorro courting Victoria than he had been fighting for justice. The alcalde was finally training his soldiers to be able to handle most of the crime that occurred in the area, and Zorro had managed to capture the small amount that the lancers were unable to handle. Each time that he had brought in a criminal, he had received a smile from the alcalde and a question as to what he wanted done with the reward money if the bandit had a price on his head. It was enough to drive a sane man mad.
Worst was the time that he spent with Victoria. Without the constant threat of the lancers, he found himself relaxing more in her presence, and he was close to losing his common sense. They were walking a dangerous tightrope, and he had to use all of his self-control to stop himself from becoming a man who would take advantage of a lady. Victoria was being uncooperative in that area. She was a passionate lady, and she was tired of waiting herself. De Soto had better show his true colors soon or Zorro would truly be as crazy as his namesake.
Suddenly, there was a knock on Victoria's bedroom door causing Victoria and Zorro both to tense. There was another knock accompanied by a soft "Victoria" said on the other side. The alcalde's voice was well known by the occupants of the room.
Victoria looked at Zorro expecting him to leave quickly. Instead, he shook his head, placing his fingers over his mouth to show his desire for her silence. He then walked over to a corner of the room and hid in the shadows while Victoria opened the door.
"What is it you want, alcalde?" Victoria's voice showed her displeasure at the alcalde's presence. Zorro forced himself not to smile; He did enjoy Victoria's forthright nature.
"I'm sorry, Senorita," De Soto bowed as he apologized. "I'm afraid I have a need of Zorro. I need to speak with him immediately."
"He is not here," Victoria lied to the man with no hesitation or doubt in her voice. If Zorro had not known he was in the room, he would have believed her.
"I'm sorry, Senorita, but I know that he is. I saw him enter almost an hour ago. He may have left, but the radiance of your eyes tells me he is still near. Honestly, Victoria, it is important that I speak to him."
Zorro found himself walking out of the shadows. He had spent many hours recently with this man as Diego and he believed the distress in his voice was real. "What do you need, alcalde?"
De Soto smiled, but it was a sad smile. "Perhaps, we could talk downstairs so that we would not disturb the senorita customers who have paid for a night of rest?"
*******
Zorro sat at the table across from his archenemy, or at least, the man who use to be his worst enemy. He was uncertain what De Soto was at the moment. However, Zorro could see the anger and pain in the alcalde's eyes. Something was truly bothering the alcalde tonight.
"I'm sorry. I didn't want to disturb you, but I know that you are the best tracker in the area, and we need your help to track down some. . ." De Soto stopped and sighed. "I'm sorry. I've lost men before, but I. . .And they died so horribly, too."
Zorro leaned forward, his body poised for action. "You've lost men?" He couldnt hide the horror from his voice. Death was a cruel constant in the territory, but Zorro had never become immune to it's horror. Perhaps his own mother's death at too young of an age had helped him to remember the pain death causes to love ones.
"Yes, they were out on patrol when the were apparently attacked. I don't know why."
Suddenly, De Soto stood and started to pace. His voice was controlled, but it raised a notch from anger as he continued to tell the story. "They had nothing on them but their swords. They had no money or anything of value. There horses were even left with the bodies, the saddle bags untouched! They were found just a little over an hour ago by a search party I had sent out to find them. I expected that they had gotten themselves lost. Martin was not the best when it came to direction."
"Martin," Zorro whispered. He closed his eyes as he thought of the young man who had only begun to shave. He was a joy for anyone to be around. All of the soldiers had accepted him easily into their brotherhood and had loved him as if he had been a part of their ranks for years. The people of Los Angeles had also enjoyed the presence of the young, fun man. He was too young to even consider marriage, and now he was dead. Sergeant Mendoza would be devastated by the boy's loss for he had treated him as a younger brother.
"Yes, he and four others were. . .Sergeant Mendoza found them. He would not have recognized them except for the fact they were in their uniforms. Their faces were beaten so badly that they were distorted. He said at first he thought they had been attacked by wild animals there was so much blood. Then he realized that wild animal would not have left them laid out in a perfect little row and that the cuts in their flesh were from sabers, not claws." De Soto gasped, obviously holding back tears. "They were all too young, and no one deserves to die like that!"
The room was quiet for several moments as both men digested what had happened tonight. Zorro then noticed Victoria leaning on the bar. He had forgotten she was in the room and he hated that she heard what had happened to the soldiers. He hated watching the tears stream down her face.
"Can we depend on your help to find these animals, Zorro?" De Soto asked after he had composed himself.
"Of course," Zorro said. He might not trust the alcalde, but he needed to put a stop to the murderers before anyone else was cruelly murdered. Zorro took a moment to kiss Victoria goodbye, and both men walked out of the tavern together.
*******
It was the next morning before the men returned to the pueblo, but they returned with the men responsible for killing the soldiers. De Soto announced that they would be hanged later in the day for their crimes and no one protested the quick execution. Martin and the other four boys had many friends in the pueblo, and the town had problems with these particular bandits before when the Lopez gang had robbed many people before the Alcade had managed to capture them the first time with his soldiers.
Victoria served both men breakfast in the Alcade's office. She looked at Zorro as if to make sure he was okay. He smiled and squeezed her hand to reassure her. He was fine. However, he was not as sure about De Soto.
De Soto had been one of the few men hurt in the early morning battle. His arm was now bandaged, but Zorro was unconcerned by the light physical wound. He was far more concerned by De Soto state of mind. De Soto had seemed especially upset to find the murderers were the Lopez gang, and he been quiet since then, speaking only when necessary.
"What is wrong, Ignacio?" Zorro asked and winced at his own slip. Since the Alcade had demanded Diego de la Vega's input on the road, he had spent many hours in the company of the young don demanding to know Diego's opinion on practically every decision he made. The Alcade had requested that he again be called by his given name by his old school acquaintance but the Alcade was so lost in thought he did not appear to notice that the man who had been his hated enemy for so long was calling him by his name.
"It's my fault. I'm the one who wanted the reward and credit for the Lopez gang, and now Martin, Cortez, Morales, Botto, and Hilaro are dead because of it. They are dead because I ordered them to make the arrest, and Lopez and his gang wanted revenge. They died because of my greed and desire for credit." De Soto closed his eyes and leaned on his hands.
"Ignacio," Zorro continued to call the man by his name, knowing that somehow it would comfort the man. He needed comfort at the moment. "They were criminals. They had killed before and they would kill again. It is the fault of the jailer in Santa Paula who was willing to accept a bribe to let them free that they were able to kill again. Your motives might not have pure, but the action was the right one to take. If another group of outlaws attack, will you not let the soldiers arrest them or even look for them since they might be killed in retaliation?"
De Soto looked at him. "No, I guess not. It's just that I'm having a hard time accepting their deaths without the new guilt. I know I'll have to try to deal with the grief and the guilt of failing them as a commander and the guilt that maybe my greed. . .Thank you for your kind words, Zorro, and thank you for helping us track down these animals. Will you be here for their executions?"
Zorro shook his head. Even though he knew their deaths would prevent other innocents from being murdered, he could find no satisfaction in Death winning. Death was cruel, even to the criminals and the animals that wore the skin of man. "No, Alcade. I'm going looking for the last member of the gang. I noticed that one horse with one rider had left their camp and not returned. Please tell your guards to be alert for any possible attack," he warned as he finished drinking his orange juice.
"I hadn't realized that one was still loose. Thank you, and please be careful. You helped us capture the group, even if you didn't do the actual arresting. I'm sure they would be happy at your death," De Soto cautioned as they approached Tornado.
"I will, Alcade." Zorro nodded at the Alcade and turned Tornado towards home. Just then a shot rang out through the plaza. Zorro had a moment to wonder who was being shot at before he felt the searing pain in his chest. He saw the shock on the Alcade's face as the man reached out to grasp Tornado's reins. The brilliant stallion, sensing something was wrong with the man in his saddle, and not trusting the man reaching for his reins, bolted.
Zorro didn't have the energy to let the stallion know that everything was okay. He knew that the stallion was heading home, and he hoped that Felipe would be waiting in the cave for his return. If not, Zorro would be in serious trouble. He would not able to go for help. Zorro grasped the reins and held on tight. He knew he would not be conscious for much longer.
********
Diego moaned as he opened his eyes. The light hurt his eyes, and the view of the room was very blurry. What had happened? Where was he?
Finally, his eyes cleared and he was able to look around the room--his room. Then his eyes fell on Ignacio De Soto who was sitting next to his bed. Memories flooded his mind. He remembered getting shot and ridding home to the hacienda before passing out from the blood loss. What had happened since then?
His hand started towards his head to check to see if the mask was still there before he stopped it. To check for the mask would be a conformation to the truth for De Soto. De Soto grinned at him.
"I'm sorry, Diego. The mask was removed almost a week ago. I'm sorry it's me your waking up to, but I finally managed to get your father, Victoria, and Felipe to get to some sleep. I'm glad you're awake. We came close to losing you a few times. Let me go wake up, Doctor Hernandez."
Diego laid in his bed, shaking. What had happened? De Soto obviously knew his secret, but he seemed unconcerned by that fact. Diego was amazed he was in his own bed instead of the jail's bed. Actually, he was even more amazed that he was still alive.
"We should wake them," he heard Dr. Hernandez say as two sets of footsteps approached his bedroom.
"No, I want you to make sure he's okay before we wake them. I also wanted a chance to talk to him before they all surrounded him," De Soto answered as they walked into Diego's room.
"It's good to see you up, young man. You gave us all quiet a scare! I am so thankful for that medicine you made up. I'm not sure I'd been able to help you without it. It took your fever down almost immediately!" Dr. Hernandez was exuberant. "Now, let me get a look at you to see how you are coming along."
"Medicine?" Diego asked, wondering.
"Yes, Felipe said you had been working on from some tree bark. What ever it is, it's amazing." Diego didn't bother to ask any more questions. His head was hurting enough. He knew what medicine the doctor was talking about, but he didn't understand how or why Felipe would give it to the doctor. How was his injuries explained to the doctor?
Hernandez answered that question himself when he was done checking out Diego. "Diego," Dr. Hernandez's tone was serious. "I want to thank you for all you have done for this pueblo. I give aid to the soldiers, too, and I know that your body is covered in more scares than any of them combined. I know. . .with your economic station in life, you could leave the life of leisure you've always pretended to live. I. . .I can't thank you enough for choosing to fight for justice instead."
Diego watched as the doctor left his bedroom, his mouth opened. De Soto laughed. "Yes, Diego, the secret is out--at least to a few people. Most everyone, including Mendoza thinks we've rode--that is Diego and I--have rode to see the governor over some bond issues. Few believe that Zorro was really hurt--after all Zorro is indestructible you know. I must warn you though that your father and Victoria might not be as thankful as Hernandez. They have both been angry, hurt, confused, and a few other emotions this week--that's how long you've been unconscious--six days. Victoria has threatened to kiss you until your toes curl or to kill you painfully when you awakened. I'm not sure what she will do. Your father will either hug you and cry or yell at you so loud they will hear it in the pueblo."
Diego sighed and closed his eyes. "And you know."
"Oh, but I've known for over three months, Diego. I've already worked my way through all of the emotions. I've been just praying that you would awake," De Soto said.
"Three months?" Diego was speechless. This man had tried many times to kill and capture him, but when he found out the identity of the man behind the mask, he hadn't done anything. It made no sense.
"That is a long time," said a voice at the door. Diego turned his head slowly to see Victoria, his father, and Felipe standing in the door. His father was talking to the Alcade. "Why didn't you do anything to him? You've played some game that none of us have figured out. What do you plan on doing to my son now, Alcade?" Alejandro's angry was focused on De Soto.
De Soto held up a hand. "I've refused to answer any of your questions until Diego woke up. I was going to tell him the story first, but why don't you all come in and I'll just tell it once. I was going to let Diego tell what he wanted you to know."
"First, Don Alejandro, let me assure you that I haven't been playing any games, and if I wanted to do something to your son, I would have done it along time ago," De Soto began. "I know that Diego told you all a little of my background--the economic struggle of my parents, and the hard work I had to put in to succeed. I always wanted more as a child, and I didn't always play fair to get it-- I even stole my little sister's Christmas presents. I was always able to justify my actions to myself. I always had a distorted view of myself."
De Soto sighed and looked down at his feet. "With Resendo, I was able to get a picture of myself and I didn't like what I saw at all. Resendo made decisions with no reason--like my execution. It was all about power to him, and I was able to see that same hunger for power in myself. His decision were like those I had made in many ways. I had done the same thing many times though. I realized when I saw the Z carved in his check that I had no respect for him--yes, I feared him, but that didn't make me want to do his orders. I was thrilled at Zorro's behavior and cheered him on, hoping that he would drive Resendo out of our pueblo. It was the same thing I had accused the people of Los Angeles doing. I truly understood why the people loved Zorro. It was only under direct threat of death that I looked for him, and even then I . . .I just understood finally what the people felt."
Diego was amazed. He'd thought De Soto's new behavior had been an act, too, even though he had been unable to find even one slip in the character. De Soto had truly changed, and was becoming a leader to admire.
"After Resendo's death," De Soto said with a sad smile on his face. "I felt relief, and tried to justify my actions again. I wasn't a coward like Don Diego, I was just trying to look after the people."
De Soto snorted at his own comment. "I couldn't justify my actions. I couldnt forget what I had felt and learned. I tried. I really, really tried. I'm sorry, Don Alejandro, but I went to Resendo's funeral out of military duty and a sense of glee. I was amazed at the turnout for the funeral. When the Lieutenant had been buried, only those of us required to be there was there. When Resendo died, the entire pueblo turned out, and not out of a sense of duty or glee, but out of respect for you *and* for Diego. I was amazed. I knew how the people felt for this man, but I come to understand what they felt for you for the first time. I'd always told myself that your wealth had more to do with the respect the people showed you than anything else you did. I knew that the people weren't there for your wealth, but to comfort you in your grief. You had the respect I so craved, but you didn't do it out of fear. You did it out of respect for them and for their needs. You cared so they cared."
De Soto laughed again. "I tried to forget that lesson, too. Every night became torture. I had to force myself to crawl into bed. There was some nights that I fell asleep at my desk where I sat doing paperwork trying to avoid sleep. Every night, I dreamed of different ways to die. I dreamed that Mendoza followed orders--I couldn't figure out why he hadn't. I've treated him terribly. I dreamed of Resendo laughing and laughing and laughing as he killed me by some new, horrible method. I felt as if I was going mad. I tried to avoid the office, and started to talk to the people. I started to understand their needs more and more. I wanted to help them, and then I realized that I could. I was their leader. I was the one chosen to help."
De Soto turned and looked at Diego lying in the bed. "Then, one month to the day, the nightmare changed and I was standing out in your garden. Resendo was ready to kill again, but he wasn't aiming at me. He was aiming at you; I reached for my gun and found out it wasn't there. I was going to have to watch him kill you. He was talking just like he did that day, only this time, he got to finish. 'When I kill Diego de la Vega,' he said, 'I also kill. . .'"
"Zorro," Diego finished for him. He had many similar dreams since the death of his older brother. Dreams where those he loved found out and hated him for his secret. Dreams where his father was the one shot or Victoria or Felipe. The nightmares were endless.
De Soto nodded. "I woke up from that dream, and I couldn't sleep. I kept trying to prove my dream wrong. I thought though it logically for once. I centered on Victoria first--it was one thing we knew about Zorro."
"Zorro obviously loved her, and a man in love should be drawn to the woman like a moth is to a flame. I couldn't believe he was only around her when he wore the mask, so I tried to think of who was around her a lot. Outside of Sergeant Mendoza who, as beautiful as the senorita is, is far more attracted to her cooking, Diego de la Vega spent the most time with her. Oh, well, I thought one test proves nothing," De Soto said.
"Ahh, ah," De Soto said, slapping his fist into his palm. "I'd prove my new idea wrong by thinking about all the times I'd seen Diego and Zorro together. Easy enough. Only, I couldn't remember a single time. In fact, I could remember all the comments about Diego missing Zorro again. Diego hadn't even been there when Zorro rescued Alejandro from being executed for being Zorro."
"Executed for being Zorro? What?" Alejandro looked confused. Diego knew he looked guilty and his fellow conspirators looked guilt as well.
"I'll explain it to you later, Father," Diego said meekly.
Alejandro glared at his son. "You have so much to explain, you'll probably still be explaining when Felipe's grandchildren are running about!"
De Soto laughed. "I hope you'll still let him help me out occasionally with the government. He has really helped guide me into being a better leader. Anyway, I thought about that time I unmasked your father. He was in Zorro's costume--I had never questioned where he could have possible gotten it. Would it have been possible to have gotten from this hacienda? If Diego was Zorro, it had to be here somewhere. No, I tried to tell myself. Diego is not Zorro--he's the *last* person anyone would believe was Zorro!
De Soto sighed. "That made me think about Diego. The quiet unassuming man could show a temper on occasion like he did with Thackery. His courage was shown by fighting a raging bull in the plaza. What if all the bookish, wimpish actions were just an act? If no one expected Diego to be at a protest or a town meeting, why would they surprised that he wasn't there? If he wasn't there, that would leave him free to act as Zorro, and his wimp attitude would keep anyone from wondering if they were the same person. It seemed like every test I could think of had Zorro and Diego de la Vega being the same person."
"It was in the tavern the next morning that I could the final piece," De Soto sighed. "I watched you carefully. I listened to the tone of voice. You were very angry at my comment about Victoria, but you tried to hide it in a casual tone of voice. Suddenly, I knew it was true. That's why I gave your sword back to your father. I knew that you were Zorro. You know the rest. I started to draw you into town politics. I started forcing you to shine for your father. I knew that Alejandro and Victoria didn't know, and I thought it was a shame. I wanted to help, but I knew that you had to make the final decision to share your secret with them."
"Unfortunately, you were shot before you could do that and they found out anyway. The man who shot you is dead--I know you well enough now to know that you gives you no comfort. I grabbed up Dr. Hernandez as quick and unnoticeable as I could and rode here. Your father and Victoria noticed me leaving with the doctor and raced after me, surprised to find me taking the doctor here. I raced in and found Felipe--I-d also figured out that he knew and wasn't deaf. . ."
"Felipe isn't deaf?" Alejandro and Victoria both said at the same time.
"As you said, Father," Diego said with a smile. "I'll be explaining until Felipe's grandchildren are running about the hacienda."
"I demanded to know where you were. I told him that I knew, and that you had been shot. At first, he refused, acting as if he didn't understand me. When your father and Victoria walked in and told him that it was true that Zorro had been shot, he finally gave in and led us into the cave where we found you being guarded by that *horse* of yours."
"I believe that Diego needs his rest. He is healing and that takes a lot of energy. I know that you all have a million questions, but I think there has been enough tonight," Dr. Hernandez said as he walked in the room. He had some medicine to give his patient, and he knew that Diego was exhausted whether anyone else had noticed or not.
Victoria looked at Diego. He knew that she saw the pain and tiredness in his eyes. She smiled and walked over to him, sitting next to him on the bed. "One moment, Doctor, I have promised all week to do something and I plan on doing it."
Diego was briefly worried she would keep with her threat to murder him before her lips landed on his, forcing his mouth open for a deep kiss. He felt his heart speed up, and joy flowed through him. She was kissing him and not the legend. Victoria's lips left his all too soon. She reached over and put something in his palm. It was his mother's ring.
Before he could even feel disappointment or fear, she told him what she expected. "In a month, I expect Diego de la Vega to make a public fool of himself professing our love to everyone. I then want him to propose, where I will amaze everyone by accepting--I'm tired of waiting for Zorro! After De Soto's words in the tavern about us, many people have been telling me you would be perfect for me so I think it would be believable. You will then place that ring back on my finger, but I want you to keep it close while you are healing. I want you to know I'm with you, even when I'm not here. When you feel better, maybe Zorro can attack you for daring to steal his woman," she said with a twinkle in her eye.
Diego smiled and drew her in for another kiss. Dr. Hernandez gently cleared his throat to remind the two lovers to come up for air. Diego looked at the room and looked slightly embarrassed. "You know, I think I will enjoy getting to know you Diego de la Vega. Your not Zorro and your not Don Diego--you are this wonderful cross in-between," Victoria said before she left.
"Get better, Diego. Everyone who knows your secret will keep it, and we have a lot of work to do," the Alcade said and left the room.
"Father," Diego started.
"No, no, my son. You do need your rest. I'll get my explanations tomorrow. You rest easy and know that I love you. I'm very proud of you, my son. Even more for being a man who could play the weakling, facing public ridicule, to help the truly weak. I just wish your mother could be here to see the kind of man to whom she gave birth," Alejandro said as he held his son. "Sleep. I'll see you in the morning."
Diego laid in his bed. He finally knew what the Alcade was up to, and it was great. The Alcade was up to changing who he was to become someone better. He was becoming a man that would take responsibility for his own actions, and understand the driving motivation of others.
Diego couldn't help but smile. Finally, Diego de la Vega would be able to live. His father and Victoria and even the Alcade knew his secret, a secret that was no longer needed. True, there may still be the occasional bandit that would require Zorro's help, but the Alcade knew where to find him.
Diego laughed slightly as he fell asleep. Who would ever believe that the Alcade and Zorro had become friends?
Author's Notes: Yeah, I know De Soto's the villain, but I like the idea of redemption and De Soto truly seemed shaken at the end of Conspiracy of Blood. There has to be something to De Soto that made a young Diego de la Vega admire him at University, so I think De Soto could change into a great Alcade. Ramone on the other hand. . .
Again, thanks for reading!
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