The Festival, the Saint, & the Gift

DeSoto leaned back in his chair, pulling at his goatee. His eyes scanned the paper that he had just received from his homeland. A complacent smile crossed his lips as he remembered the old days. Days when he was free to do as he chose, to be as wild as he chose, to be as disobedient as he chose.

The great festival of Cádiz was approaching and he was still stuck in this backwater of a town, with nothing better to do than to constantly fight with the people over ever decision he made. He longed to be back in Cádiz, with the historical traditions, the beautiful landscape, and the even more beautiful women catering to his every whim.

DeSoto stood and peered out his office window. The little peasants were trading their wares in the plaza. There wasn't the air of nobility and wealth in this pueblo like he was used to in Cádiz and that made him even more anxious to finish his task here and leave.

But his plans were diverted at every turn by that damnable bandit Zorro. He chose, instead, to persecute the people even more to punish them for, what he called, their disloyalty to the Spanish Crown. When it was really their disloyalty and unwillingness to conform to DeSoto's government that was the cause of the laws and taxation.

DeSoto grinned to himself. He had to admit, Los Angeles produced more revenue than any of the Spanish colonies and for that, DeSoto was proud of his accomplishments.

He looked down at the paper in his hand and then out at the peasants once more. Maybe since he couldn't be home for the festival, he would bring the festival of Cádiz to this provincial backwater of the Spanish colonies.

He resumed his seat with a huff. The poor peons probably didn't even know where Cádiz was much less what the Festival was meant to celebrate. He would have to organize a committee to plan for this festival. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. And he would oversee all preparations made to make sure this was a festival this little pueblo never forgot.

He rubbed his chin, he would have to find a way to inform the little peons what this celebration was about and what would be required of them for the festival.

A knock on his office door startled him out of his reverie and he frowned. He strode to the door and swung it open, his eyes narrowing as he saw the tall form of Diego de la Vega standing before him, his mouth open as if to ask a question.

"What is it?" DeSoto grumbled.

"Sorry, am I interrupting something?" Diego asked.

DeSoto mumbled, leaned against the door and stared at the young caballero.

Diego narrowed his eyes at this strange once-over DeSoto was giving him. "I can come back if you are...."

"No!" DeSoto patted Diego on the back and led him into the office. "I actually wanted to speak with you."

"Oh?" This sudden development piqued Diego's curiosity. DeSoto didn't ever want to speak with Diego unless he wanted something. And Diego was in no mood to help the alcalde with anything today. "And what might that be, alcalde?"

"Are you familiar with the Festival of Cádiz?" DeSoto leaned into his seat and watched the myriad of emotions play across Diego’s face as he thought about the question.

"Why yes. Isn't that the festival celebrating the tradition and folklore of Andalusian customs? If I remember correctly, Cádiz celebrates the openness and friendliness of the Andalusian people to demonstrate to any outsiders the customs of one of the oldest cities in the Spanish Empire."

"Yes, indeed. I’m pleased to know that you have heard of the festival." DeSoto smiled.

"One year at the University, a few schoolmates and I took a trip to Cádiz for the festival. " Diego took a deep breath, fondly remembering the activities of those few fiesta filled days.

"It was...." Diego shook his head, deciding not to go into detail of his experiences in Cádiz. " It was something that I will certainly never forget."

DeSoto chuckled. He could only imagine what the always proper de la Vega was referring to. "Ah, I myself took leave each year from the University to attend the festival."

Diego blinked away the memories and cocked his head. " Why bring up....?"

"I want to recreate the festival here, in Los Angeles." DeSoto stood, smiling widely. "Since I can't go home for the festival, I am going to bring the festival to me."

Diego's eyes narrowed. He remembered what went on during the fiesta week and wasn't sure if the little pueblo could take such a party.

Diego cleared his throat. " Uh, alcalde. Don't you think a festival recreating the one held in Cádiz might be a bit much for this pueblo?"

DeSoto laughed. Just what he expected the lazy caballero to think.

"And how do you expect the pueblo to pay for this fiesta?" Diego asked. "They have already been..."

DeSoto held up his hand to silence the chatty caballero. " Why, the government will pay for it, of course."

Diego's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Of course. And how can I be of help to you?"

"I want you to print an article in the Guardian about the festival to generate interest." DeSoto smiled and leaned back in his chair. " I will appoint a committee to prepare the festivities and I will oversee their activities."

"Ah." Diego nodded. " And I assume you will want to see this article before it goes to print?"

DeSoto narrowed his eyes at the young don. "Of course. I wouldn't want you to add your own biased opinion to the text that would make the people less enthusiastic about the celebration."

Diego resisted the urge to chuckle and smiled instead. "Oh, I assure you, alcalde. The people will be free to make their own decisions about this fiesta. Nothing I write will influence them."

"Wonderful." DeSoto stood and pulled Diego to his feet. "Get to work on it right away. I want it in the next issue of the Guardian." He led Diego to the door and all but pushed the young don onto the steps.

When Diego turned around to begin the topic that he had originally came to the alcalde's office to discuss, DeSoto had closed the door.

Diego sighed and walked back to the Guardian's office, the beginnings of the Festival story already forming into lines of text in his literary mind.

Victoria hurried across the dust filled plaza, holding her small basket tightly so that the wind did not blow sand all over the freshly cooked meal.

She held the rail tightly as she ascended the steps to the Guardian's office. The wind was starting to pick up and she rushed inside and closed the door tightly.

Diego was so concerned with what he was doing that he wouldn't have looked up from his type if it were not for the wind blowing papers all over his desk when the door opened.

"Victoria!" Diego smiled when his eye caught the beauty of the woman who had brought him his mid-day meal. "What a pleasant surprise."

Diego didn't even bother to arrange the papers that were now scattered over his desk and the floor. He stood and politely took the basket from the lovely señorita, so that she could smooth her wind blown dress and hair.

"Thank you, Diego." Victoria smiled. She was slightly out of breath from hurrying across the plaza. "The wind is getting stronger out there. I am afraid that anything not nailed down will blow away. Myself included." She giggled and he blinked.

He had been staring as she brushed out her clothing and cursed himself for being so careless.

If she noticed that he had been staring, she said nothing. Only took the basket from his hands and began to spread the scrumptious looking meal out on the table.

"It looks marvelous." Diego smiled.

"Thank you."

"Why don't you join me." Diego smiled warmly. Any time he could spend with her was precious, even if he couldn't tell her of the burning desire he felt in his heart every time he looked at her. "It looks like you've made more than enough."

"Oh, I'd love to Diego but I need to get back to the tavern." Victoria smiled sweetly. "It's very busy today with the winds driving everyone indoors and I can't leave Maria down there all by herself."

Diego nodded and decided not to press any further.

As she turned to leave, he took several coins from his pocket and reached for her hand. She turned around, startled, as his hand encircled her wrist gently. She blinked back the strange feeling his touch gave her and stared questioningly at the young don.

They stood motionless for a few seconds until Diego broke the gaze and looked away uncomfortably. He turned over her hand and quickly placed the coins into the soft palm. "For the trouble. Thank you."

Victoria's eyes widened. The de la Vegas were commonly known to overpay when a courtesy was given over and above that which was necessary. Victoria just had not gotten used to this fact. When she opened her mouth to object, she found a long, slim finger preventing her from doing so.

For a fleeting moment the motion reminded her of a similar gesture but only until he turned around and resumed his work.

Victoria chuckled to herself. Diego was so shy around her. It was a little endearing to know that she had that affect on the handsome caballero.

She found herself thinking about him as she braved the strong winds back to the tavern.

Diego watched her departure, through the office window, with more than just a passing interest. Her long, dark hair blowing across her face, her skirts being lifted not so elegantly off her legs. He was amazed at how quickly he was able to become overwhelmed with desire for the young woman. He shook un-proper thoughts out of his mind and bent to take a bite of the fresh, sweet flan.

Diego slumped in his chair, his head nearly falling into the book he had been so diligently reading for most of the evening. He had spent an exhausting day writing and setting the type for the Festival announcement. A fiesta was long overdue in the sleepy little pueblo, but there had to be some underlying reason that the alcalde would go to all the expense of a fiesta as large as the one in Cádiz. ‘'Spare no expense.' The alcalde had said. Just where would he be getting all of this extra revenue? Extorting it from the poor farmers with more taxes, no doubt.

He yawned, stretched, rubbed his eyes and turned the page. The history he had been reading of Ancient Rome had been most exhilarating, yet at the same time revolting.

He had been studying the history of young Roman men and their right of passage into manhood. According to this tradition, the names of teenage women were placed in a box and drawn at random by adolescent men. These women would then become the 'property' of these young men, for the duration of a year, after which another lottery was staged.

Traditionally mid-February was the time to meet and court prospective mates.

What disgusted Diego about this event was that each man was assigned a woman companion, for their mutual entertainment and pleasure, which was often sexual in nature. Diego considered this practice akin to owning a personal slave.

Determined to put an end to this eight-hundred year-old practice, the early church fathers sought a "lovers'" saint to replace the deity Lupercus, to whom this practice was dedicated.. They found a likely candidate in Valentine, a bishop who had been martyred some two hundred years earlier.

History had always fascinated Diego and he found the substitution and subsequent replacement of Lupercus by a 'lovers' saint to be just reward. As Diego read the tumultuous history of St. Valentine, he became lost in thoughts about Victoria. How they must have a lovers saint watching out for them because he knew no other woman who would have waited this long for a life with a man she did not even know.

He rubbed his eyes as he read another paragraph of this St. Valentine's history.

"What an intriguing idea." Diego muttered to himself. "Glad this practice was not adopted in Spain or life would be very different than it is today." Diego turned as Felipe walked into the cave. "Look at this, Felipe."

The boy walked over and began to read over Diego’s shoulder. When his eyes widened, Diego chuckled. "I guess that means that you would not appreciate being told that you could not marry the woman you loved, either, hmm?"

Felipe shook his head and Diego returned his eyes to the text. He would definitely not appreciate anyone telling him could not marry Victoria Escalante

"Hmm, sounds very similar to what Spain is trying to do to the Indians." Diego commented absently and Felipe signed his agreement and then a question.

"No, Felipe." Diego smiled. "I would like to see the Indian's know and worship God. But I don't want to see them forced to do so. They have their own beliefs and I don't think it is right to force them by prosecution into our own."

Felipe nodded his agreement as they continued reading.

Felipe shivered and Diego narrowed his eyes, frowning. "What a terrible way to die. You would think that such God fearing men, as these people obviously were, would not prolong another's death."

A warm feeling filled Diego's heart and soul. He had loved her until the end. Had loved her from his jail cell. That was how he felt about Victoria. If Zorro was ever caught, he could only hope that Victoria would hold the same love and dedication for him.

Diego chuckled. The chance that he would be caught every time he entered the pueblo was exhilarating. Each time he met with Victoria, there was another chance that he would be discovered and caught. It was only a matter of time. But that exhilarating rush is what kept him coming back for more. That and the promise of Victoria's sweet kiss.

Diego laughed. What a day that must have been. What he would give to have been a bug on the wall when the young men read the names of their 'lovers' for the year.

"How romantic." Diego thought as he looked at his desk to see what the date was. Dos de Inero. January 2nd. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and then looked up as Felipe noticed his change in demeanor.

"Oh I was just thinking, Felipe, that it is about time for Zorro to do something romantic for Victori ."

Felipe grinned widely, pointed to his lips and then to Diego. He began to hug himself and purse his lips.

Diego couldn't resist the urge to laugh and he reached for Felipe but was too slow as the boy dodged his hand. "I want to do something nice for her. Give her something besides my mothers ring, which she can't even wear in public."

Felipe nodded.

"I know!" Diego grasped a quill, some paper and began scrawling out a letter. Felipe watched and as soon as Diego was finished writing, he sketched a small drawing.

When Diego looked up, he smiled. Felipe had been watching with keen interest and he figured he'd better explain what he was doing.

"I am going to have a jeweler in Spain make this necklace and locket for Victoria." Diego explained." My family has used him for a long time. All of my mother's jewelry was made by this man. He does excellent work. I think he should be able to finish this and get it sent to me in time for the festival."

"Now, listen up." DeSoto growled and his men snapped to attention." In two days, at the start of the festival, you will be positioned at the plaza gates checking for weaponry and anything that might be dangerous to the citizens. The announcements about the festival have been sent out all over the territory and we are expecting a large influx of people this week. Wagons are not allowed inside the pueblo and will need to be left outside the plaza gates."

DeSoto stopped for a minute as a lancer rushed up to him and delivered a written message.

"You will, of course, collect not only the traveler's tax, but a five peso fiesta tax as well. This will help offset the costs of throwing this large fiesta. Anyone." DeSoto's gaze hardened. "Anyone that refuses to pay this tax will be immediately thrown in jail until the end of the fiesta."

He read the note, nodded and then placed it inside his jacket.

"Alcalde, will this fiesta tax be for everyone?" Mendoza asked.

"Yes, anyone entering the pueblo will be required to pay this tax or they will have to wait until the fiesta is over." DeSoto smiled. He would make a small fortune off of this little fiesta.

"You must all remain alert for any lawbreakers. I will not have this pueblo turned into a pigsty. Is that understood?"

"Sí alcalde." They coursed.

"The peons are taking care of the decorations, the tavern is baking all of the food, for which we will need to pay the señorita, and I am supplying the wine, for only the wealthiest of the guests, of course."

"Well things certainly look like they are coming together, eh Diego?" Alejandro stepped into the tavern amidst a few peasants rushing outside to continue the decorating of the plaza.

"Indeed they do." Diego nodded as he watched the attitude of the pueblo turn, almost overnight, into a pueblo alive with vibrant energy.

"I hate to admit it, but the alcalde may have actually done something good for the pueblo for a change." Alejandro sipped his glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and took a seat next to his son.

"I doubt it." Diego mumbled around his own mouthful of the refreshing liquid.

"Ah Diego. Give him the benefit of the doubt." Alejandro laughed at his son’s solemn mood. "What's wrong, Diego?"

Diego blinked. He really hadn't been paying much attention and inwardly cursed himself.

"Oh nothing. Just thinking."

Alejandro nodded, narrowing his eyes momentarily. "So is everything ready for the fiesta?"

Diego smiled. " Yes. The dancers have been practicing at the hacienda all day. I think they should make Ignacio feel right at home."

"Good." Almost as an afterthought, Alejandro continued. " We should ask them to teach the dance to those who want to learn.

"That's a good idea, father." Diego smiled. "The flamenco is very hard to learn and to do it in tempo to the music, when most of it is in your head, is very difficult."

"It was just becoming popular when I was a boy. Did you learn it at all at the University?"

Diego smiled. He had loved to dance at the University and his fencing lessons had helped him immensely with the balance and the timing needed for dance. "Yes, I took some lessons. Now the guitar has been added to the tempo of the dance and that makes it a little easier to correctly match your steps."

Alejandro nodded. " That's right. When I was a boy. It was purely vocal, accompanied only by clapping of the hands and stomping of the feet."

"I still prefer that style although the guitar does add a little romantic rhythm to the dance."

"Do you remember any of the steps?"

"Oh." Diego smiled slightly. " A few."

Diego was happy to see a caballero, that his father knew, come to engage the older de la Vega in conversation. It took away the need for his father to question him about just how much he knew about Flamenco. Diego leaned back and thought about his dance lessons at the University. They had not been as extensive as he would have liked. But he did get the chance to learn many dance steps that the people in California would be bewildered by the intricacies of.

Diego shot a look at Victoria as she rushed back into the kitchen with a basket full of raw cooking materials. He had not seen much of the young woman lately and was rather worried that she had been working much too hard on baking the food for the festival.

'Tonight Zorro would pay her a visit and help her relax a bit.' Diego thought with a small smile that turned the corner of his lips just ever so slightly.

Victoria was still busy slaving over the hot fire pit when he arrived a little after eleven. The newest issue of the Guardian was sitting on the table as if the few breaks she had taken were to read what was printed in the popular paper.

Zorro glanced at the very familiar pages and noticed that it was turned to the little story Don Diego had written about the Roman’s and their martyr, St. Valentine. Zorro chuckled to himself. His lady love certainly was a romantic and he wouldn’t have her any other way.

"You work much too hard, Mí preciosa." Zorro commented, stepping out of the shadows so that she would not be startled by the voice.

"Zorro!" Victoria smiled and was about to launch herself into his arms but noticed that she was filthy from her day in the kitchen and decided against it. She didn't want to dirty his clothing.

He smiled at her thoughtfulness, reached long arms around her waist to untie her apron, laid it over the table and embraced her tightly.

"Oh, I miss this." He whispered into her hair. "I miss you. Sometimes all I want to do is hold you."

Her heart skipped a few beats. She always loved to hear how he felt about her. It had taken long enough to get it out of him. It was even a more rare occasion when they had the time she desired to exchange such lovely words.

She lifted her head to look into the tenderness of his deep blue eyes. "When you hold me, Zorro. I feel that nothing in the world could harm me." She leaned into his embrace once more. "I feel so safe with you."

He slid the gauntlets off his hands and dropped them onto the table with her apron. His hands smoothed her hair, gently pulling her head up from where it rested against his chest.

She wrapped her arms around his waist, the smooth silk from his cape brushing against slim fingers.

His head slowly descended toward hers and she closed her eyes. She opened her mouth and was slightly disappointed when his lips only brushed hers on the way to press a soft kiss to a tender portion of her neck. She shivered and he grinned when he achieved the intended reaction from her.

"You are so tantalizingly delicious." He murmured against her neck as she arched her head back to give him more access to her soft skin. "Skin like the softest serape, lips like blooming rose petals, and hair the scent of fresh wildflowers."

A small sound escaped the back of her throat and he trailed a line of light kisses to her lips and then pulled away.

The longing look she shot at him almost drove him over the edge and he bent down to take her lips in a kiss so passionate that they were both taken aback with it’s intensity.

The kiss lasted for several minutes as his hands roamed over her body, feeling the softness of the curves hidden beneath the fabric.

She let her fingers roam over the hard muscles of his chest, feeling his heart beat beneath the dark fabric. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pulled him closer to her. She couldn't get close enough to him. She wanted to be a part of him forever and she wasn’t sure how to accomplish this. There was something, besides the little problem of his being wanted by the government, that was lacking in their relationship. As her body pressed tightly against his, she felt the growing fervor of his desire for her. That was the one thing that had been missing from their relationship and she very much wanted it to become part of them.

She was afraid to broach the subject with him. She was a god fearing woman just as well as any citizen, but when it came to her love for this man, she wasn't sure how much longer she could lean into his arms without ripping the shirt from his body and begging him to make sweet love to her.

"You know how much I want this? How much I want you?" He groaned into her lips.

"You must know that I want the same." She breathed as he pulled away, slightly embarrassed that she had felt the physical desire that had manifested itself without his full cooperation.

"I brought you a gift." He breathed, struggling to calm his pounding heart.

Her eyes widened. "For me? What's the occasion?"

"Must there be an occasion to bring the woman I love a gift from the heart?" His voice was a mere whisper, as if he was worried someone would overhear them.

That was certainly a possibility as the tavern was packed full of boarders in town for the festival. She was relatively certain that they would not be disturbed.

He pulled a colorful box, decorated with red ribbon, from behind his back, where he had kept it while she was wrapped in his arms she didn't dare guess, and held it out to her.

"Oh Zorro." She breathed, still calming from the sensations his kiss created. "I don't know what to say."

"I hope you say that you like it." He smiled and she resisted the urge to wrap her lips around his once more.

She blushed and pulled the red ribbon from the box. It was a fairly good size box and she could only guess as to what was inside it. When she lifted the box, the sweet scent of freshly cut roses pervaded her senses. She smiled as she noticed the roses were laid in the box in the shape of a heart, with a smaller box in between.

A longer stemmed rose appeared, again from behind his back, trimmed so that no thorns would prick her, and he fastened it into her hair. He took the large box from her hands as she lifted the smaller one from it's home in the middle of the heart of roses.

She stood transfixed when she opened the little box. It held a chain of silver and a locket in the shape of a heart. Through the heart was a small metal key.

She turned the locket over and noticed that it was inscribed on the back. It read simply: 'In honor of St. Valentine.' She pressed back the strange feeling the mention of the Saint gave her and concentrated on her masked man .

"You can open it." Zorro smiled. He bent and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. He showed her how the locket opened and she smiled. "One day there will be little paintings of the both of us here. For now. " He pointed out the small inscription on the inside. "This is what will have to remain until those paintings can be completed."

"To my Victoria." She read aloud. "Forever will you hold the key to my heart."

He took the necklace from the box and moved behind her to fasten it.

She struggled to find the correct words to show her appreciation for his lovely gift but before she could say anything, his lips brushed her neck and an involuntary shiver shot down her spine.

"Think of it as a gift for this St. Valentines day." He whispered into her ear. His lips brushed her ear ever so slightly and his hot breath tickled her skin.

A strange sensation filled her stomach and she couldn't place it. Maybe it was his mention of St. Valentine that caused the strange feeling. Whatever it was, her strange stare must have worried him because he kissed her nose and then explained his comment.

"Everyone reads Don Diego's excellent newspaper." He cocked his head as if it was a passing comment and she nodded when she realized that was where she had read the history of St. Valentine. "It has some wonderful tidbits of history."

She leaned back into his chest and he slid his hands from her neck, down her arms and around her upper waist. She let out a heavy sigh and turned her head to press a soft kiss to his chin.

She could feel his heart beating rapidly against her back, could feel his breathing quicken. She didn't expect what he did next.

His hands slid from her waist up the front of her peasant blouse, gently caressing her. She pressed her head into his chest and enjoyed the sensations his touch was creating within her body.

His lips caressed her neck as his hands slid to the neckline of her blouse. She shivered slightly as he slid it over her shoulders and trailed his lips down her smooth skin.

She wanted him to hold her like this forever. She felt like she was going to explode with the pent up emotions he was releasing inside her body and soul. She wanted to show him how much she wanted him. If it was possible, she would lay down and allow him to have her right here on the tavern floor. She knew that was far from proper, but that was just how passionately mad this man made her.

Before his lips made it to her chest, they heard a sound come from the tavern dining room. His head snapped toward the source of the sound and he quickly slid the blouse to a more proper position.

He pulled her into the shadows and waited. She was pressed into his body so tightly that she could feel his heart beat in his chest. When he heard no further sounds, he bent down and pressed a kiss into her hair.

When she lifted her head for another, more intimate kiss, he pulled away. "I should go." He whispered.

"Wear the necklace and think of me."

"I will wear it for the festival, Zorro. I will never remove it." She reached her hand up to grasp the locket that hung from the chain.

He smiled and left her lips stinging with the aftermath of a kiss so passionate that she had to grip the wall to keep from fainting.

The Carnival of Cádiz was one of the most astonishing and ingenious festivities held in Andalusia.

And the pueblo of Los Angeles, did well to recreate the week long celebration

The Carnival was imported from Venice during the 16th century and it had managed to survive due to it's roots within the people. Although it lasted only a week, the preparations lasted over a month.

The people of Los Angeles had been preparing for longer than that. The little pueblo had never seen the likes of the celebrations that were being planned in honor of the Carnival of Cádiz.

The pueblo was positively busting at the seams with people from all over the territory. This could boost the economic stability of the pueblo if traveler's from all over California visited Los Angeles on a regular basis.

The peasants would sell more of their crops, the plaza vendors their wares, and even Señorita Escallante’s tavern would be kept busy.

More travelers, while bad for the security of the pueblo, since there were not nearly enough lancers to keep new troublemakers in line, would be good for the people.

As Diego and Alejandro made their way through the crowded tavern, Victoria smiled and greeted them with two glasses of chilled juice.

"You look exhausted." Diego commented, his concerned gaze startling Victoria for a moment.

"It has been so busy with everyone in town for the fiesta. I may just need to hire some temporary help to serve all of my customers." Victoria breathed as she turned to fill another glass.

"It's great that business is so good but make sure you don't wear yourself out serving your customers that you can’t have a good time tonight." Diego smiled widely, reminding her that she had seen that smile recently. She turned her head back to him but by that time, the wide smile was gone to be replaced by the normal happy look Diego seemed to have burned into his face.

"Oh I have every intention of being at the opening of the festival tonight." Victoria bounced happily from table to table and Alejandro turned to his son.

"She is in a pleasantly bubbly mood today." Alejandro's eyes followed her as she smiled, chatted and quickly filled any empty glasses she passed.

"Hmmm." Diego nodded and leaned against the counter to allow himself one longing glance in her direction. "Probably has something to do with Zorro."

Alejandro chuckled. "Yes. You're probably right."

Alejandro changed the subject when he noticed one of the local farmers arguing with a lancer. "I can't believe DeSoto would charge people to enter their own pueblo. I was tempted to put my sword to his throat myself!"

Diego rolled his eyes from Victoria’s lovely form and stared at his father. "I know. We should have figured that DeSoto would find a way to milk the people for more money. But at least, with all of the visitors, they will be able to sell more of their wares and make up some of the money it is costing them to come into the pueblo."

Alejandro stared long and hard at his son. Leave it to Diego to not be worried about the alcalde hurting the people. "It's just like you to find something good in everything evil the alcalde does."

As the evening rapidly approached, the vendors and the peasants wheeled their carts out into the plaza and set up their mobile shops. Everything from fresh fruit, to fiesta costumes, to little figurines and trinkets were displayed for the partiers to buy. The plaza was filled and overflowing with people from all over the territory. Some were already dressed in the ceremonial party attire that many who attended the Festival of Cádiz wore.

There was music playing in many corners of the plaza. Guitars, flutes and the sounds of various other instruments blended together to create an atmosphere of celebration. All forgotten were the alcalde's taxes, the constant oppression the people had been under for the last 5 years. It had all been replaced by the aura of celebration. A celebration arranged by the alcalde himself.

Diego , Felipe and Alejandro were watching the lovely flamenco dancers demonstrating the dance, when Victoria bounced up beside them.

Diego was admiring the dancers and just cast a momentary glance and smile in Victoria's direction. She smiled sweetly in return and didn't notice when Diego snapped his head back in her direction and quickly caught his jaw before it hit the ground.

She looked positively radiant. She was wearing a relatively plain outfit, although nicer than what she usually wore. It was extremely colorful, bright reds and yellows in honor of the festival. Diego noticed that she had the chain around her neck with the silver locket attached. He lowered his head and smiled. It looked beautiful on her. Just like he knew it would.

She swayed to the music and clapped happily along with the rest of the crowd before one of the male exhibitioners reached for her hand and pulled her onto the dance floor. She bubbled with laughter as she tried to emulate the dancers footsteps. The crowd cheered and laughed as those who were taken from the crowd failed miserably in their attempts to copy the dancers.

Soon the mission bell sounded and all music came to a halt. Amidst the cheers and jubilation of the crowd, Padre Benitez declared the inauguration of the Festival and the festivities began in earnest.

The music and satire took over the plaza as young and old alike pranced through the streets in their bright costumes.

As was tradition in the city of Cádiz, and as Diego had written clearly in an article of the Guardian , The people made a mockery of public personalities, those who abused their power, and ridiculed those who were more presumptuous than their means. The entire pueblo took on a disguise while imaginations rivaled for the most original. Jubilant parades began and would continue through the next week until the triumphant end of the festival.

Near the end of the week, Victoria was looking very tired and worn down. Business in the tavern had more than doubled and she was finding it hard keeping up with the demands of the patrons. Many were drunk and disorderly and she had more than enough sick men making a mess of her tavern.

Diego dodged a drunken partier as he stepped into the pueblo's most popular establishment.

For the first time, Victoria was elated to see someone she knew. Many of the pueblo's residents had not spent much time in the tavern this week as the travelers and the visitors from neighboring territories took most of the available space.

Diego caught Victoria as she slumped against him, clearly worn out from the days activities.

"You look like you need a break." Diego brushed away a strand of hair that had fallen into her face.

"Oh, Diego." Victoria breathed. " As much as I love the business, I just can't wait until the pueblo is back to normal. I have never been so tired in my life."

"You've been working too hard." Diego led her through the curtain leading to the kitchen, dodging patrons and waitresses alike.

"Sit." He pushed her to sit at a nearby table and she sighed. "You need to spend some time out for a little while."

Diego looked for a water picture and poured her a glass of her own orange juice.

Victoria grinned. "I wish I could but..."

"Go upstairs, get out of your work clothes and lets go spend the last night of the festival having fun." Diego's smile warmed her and for a minute she actually considered his offer.

"Oh Diego, I can't. There are just too many people and..."

"Go get changed and I will take care of that." Diego pushed her toward the curtain.

She narrowed her eyes at him.

"Trust me." He chuckled and slipped through the back door.

She shook her head "I'm afraid to know what that man is up to." She muttered to herself as she went to change her clothes.

When she returned, she was surprised to see two additional hands taking her place in the tavern. They were the de la Vega cooks!

It didn't take Victoria long to locate Diego. He was leaning against the bar in, what could only be described as, the most beautiful suit that she had ever seen the proper caballero in.

It was an off white color, with differing shades of black intertwined with dark blue for trim. He had a walking cloak that she had never seen him wear before and, she had to admit, looked quite good on him.

She was staring so intently at the handsome young don that she almost missed a step on her way down the stairs. Well would she have looked foolish to everyone in the tavern if that had happened. Fortunately she gripped the rail and prevented anything but a foot from sliding out from beneath her.

She weaved her way through the crowd and sidled up to her friend who gave her a once over and smiled.

"Approve?" Victoria laughed and she missed his long sigh as she turned to the front of the tavern where a dance performance was about to begin.

"I was wondering why this place was even more crowded than when I left."

"Yes, they are going to teach a little about Flamenco." Diego smiled and led her to a table he had Felipe hold up at the front.

"Oh." Victoria smiled and stared as he gripped her hand and led her to the table. As large of a man as Diego was, well to Victoria any man was large, she was surprised to find that he l had a grip as gentle as Z......She stared at his back and chuckled. Shaking her head with a small giggle, she thought. 'Not a chance.'

As the dance started, Victoria found it odd that she was being served in her own tavern. Not that it was an uneasy feeling, just one she was not used to.

The dancers, like they did in the plaza on the first day of the festival, weaved in and out of the crowd, pulling spectators onto the stage. One tried to grasp Diego's hand and he shook his head and pointed toward Victoria.

"Only if you come too." Victoria laughed as the young man tried to pull her onto the stage. She really wanted to try it again and she stood, but before the dancer could pull her completely onto the stage, she grasped Diego's hand and wouldn't let go until he followed her.

Alejandro, who had been sitting rather quietly until then, perked up when he saw his son and Victoria step onto the stage with three others from the crowd.

"Well this should be interesting." Alejandro muttered and Felipe, who had his back to the older de la Vega, could only grin.

From her lessons earlier in the week, and she had gone back several times after that first night, Victoria caught onto the steps rather quickly. She could still not do them with as much feeling or heart as the professional dancers but she was doing better than most. They created a mood, something which came from the heart, when they danced. She wasn't sure if she could ever recreate that.

"You must enjoy the dance." One of the young men informed the crowd. "You must feel the person you are dancing with. Feel their heart beat in their chest. Feel how their body moves against yours. You will find the rhythm."

He demonstrated with Victoria but the heart and rhythm were not there even if the steps were.

One of the young women pulled Diego, who Victoria had not been paying attention to since she was so intrigued with getting the dance steps correct, to the front of the stage and began to show him the correct moves.

Victoria's eyes widened as he, with little or no help at all, completed the steps and the clasps of his hands in time with his partner.

To the amazement of the crowd, Diego twirled and bent his partner over his arm until she swung away from him and began to dance with the partner she had begun with.

Diego released a little of his inhibitions with each step and soon he felt free enough, and brave enough, to take Victoria in his arms and spin her around with the rest of the dancers.

They laughed and giggled, holding each other tightly as a they duplicated the moves of their instructors. The music, the claps and the guitars finally ended and Diego helped a very tired Victoria off the stage.

"That...was...great." She breathed, slumping into the chair just as a cool drink was set in front of her. She gulped down the water quickly and fanned herself with her other hand.

"Indeed. It was." Diego sipped his water quickly as well. He had never felt so invigorated.

The crowd cheered and clapped, raising the noise level above what was tolerable to hold a conversation. Diego suggested they go outside to cool off and take a walk in the confetti filled plaza.

"Whew, it was so hot in there." Victoria breathed, leaning her head back to take in some of the cool night air.

"Yes, it was." Diego smiled and reached for her dark tresses. He lifted them off her neck so that the air could cool her skin.

"Thank you." She smiled and again missed the gentle look of a lover that flashed in his eyes.

Before Diego had a chance to respond, DeSoto stumbled up to the couple and greeted them with a sloppy Spanish bow.

Diego leaned into Victoria and whispered, trying to keep himself from laughing. "He's drunk."

Victoria nodded, covering her mouth with a slim hand before laughter bubbled from between her lips.

"What is this?" A gleam caught the alcalde's eye and he reached toward Victoria’s chest

Diego's protective nature kicked in and he pulled Victoria back against him.

Victoria looked at him, a bewildered look in her eyes, but was distracted when DeSoto ripped the silver chain from her neck.

"That is not your property!" Victoria screeched and tried to reach for the alcalde’s hand. Diego stopped her and she noticed his glare at the alcalde.

"Alcalde. That is not yours. I suggest you give it back."

Victoria's head snapped in Diego’s direction and this time he noticed her bewildered look. That threatening tone, combined with the angered look on his face, startled her memories and she couldn't help but shiver in remembrance.

That was Zorro's voice.

Before she had a chance to react, DeSoto turned on his heal and strode toward his office.

"Stay here." Diego ordered and strode off toward the alcalde.

"I don't think so." She muttered and followed the two men.

Diego and Victoria reached DeSoto just as he was placing the locket under a candle and magnifying glass.

"Yes!" He looked up and grinned wickedly at Victoria. " A gift from that notorious outlaw, I presume?"

"That is none of your business!" She screeched. "It could be my mothers."

"I doubt it." He chuckled and examined the piece of jewelry a little closer. "I believe the mint says .095 grade and that can only be found in the Spanish silver mines of Taxco, I believe. Now." He turned the piece over in his hand. " Now, where was it made......"

Diego narrowed his eyes and backed toward the door to whisper into Victoria's ear.

"He appears to be much smarter when he is drunk. He is looking for the maker so he can trace the piece back to the silversmith."

Victoria's eyes widened. "Wouldn't that mean that he could find the ...."

Diego nodded. Picking up on her thoughts. "He could find the name of the man who had ordered the piece and where it was shipped to. If it was here in California or wherever. He could find the man behind Zorro's mask."

"Exactly!" DeSoto cooed, holding the edge of his desk to keep from tipping over. "Thank you…." He hiccuped, "Señorita, for the ammunition that will finally bring Zorro to his knees."

Diego shook his head. He had to think of a way out so that he could ride home and return as Zorro to take this 'ammunition' away from the alcalde. Fortunately, he had used an alias when ordering the necklace, but with a little investigating, the identity of the real customer could be uncovered.

"Now get out!" DeSoto waved absently and when he noticed they hadn’t budged, he called for his lancers.

"Lets go , Victoria." Diego took her arm and led her to the door.

"What about my necklace?" Victoria muttered.

"We'll get it back." Diego cast one last look at the alcalde before the door shut.

Diego led Victoria back to the tavern and into the kitchen.

"Don't worry about it." He soothed. "As soon as Zorro hears what happened, I'm sure you will have your gift back in no time."

Victoria stared up at her friend, his caring gaze, his sensitivity to her emotions, his behavior tonight all combined to confuse her and she broke down.

Diego wrapped strong arms around her and she leaned into his comforting embrace.

"Don't worry. Everything will be all right." Diego soothed. He brushed her long hair with his hand, reminding Victoria when another man had done the same thing. "Go upstairs and rest for a while. It's been a long day."

She couldn't think clearly and she sobbed into his chest. "I need him, Diego. I can't live without him. As long as he is wanted by the government, we will never have a prayer of a chance of a life together."

Maria stepped into the kitchen and Diego could see the shock evident in her gaze when she noticed that Victoria was enveloped in the young don's arms. Diego explained things as best he could to the young woman. She wrapped her arms around her friend and escorted her though the curtain and up the stairs to her room.

Diego's gaze hardened as he thought of DeSoto. He would have to teach that man a lesson. And tonight was as good a night as any to begin

As Esparanza galloped out of the pueblo, Diego didn't notice two lancers riding south at a pace faster than he would have believed they could ride.

DeSoto was too busy, wallowing in his good fortune, to notice a large black form creep past his lancers and into his office. When black gloved hands pulled him roughly to his feet by his collar, DeSoto could only chuckle.

"Where is it, alcalde?" Zorro asked, his voice laced with anger.

"Where is what?" DeSoto bubbled in his drunken stupor. Good thing Zorro was holding him up because he didn't think he could stand on his own.

"Don't play stupid with me!" Zorro shook the man and grinned when he began to look sick. "Where is the item you stole from Señorita Escalante?"

"Leave me alone and let me sleep." DeSoto muttered and turned his head to look at the chair behind his desk. That chair was looking more and more comfortable. If he could only get to it.

An unfortunate lancer choose this time to enter the office and Zorro released his grip on the alcalde's collar and the man fell quite unceremoniously to the floor.

The lancer didn't get all the way in the door before Zorro was pulling his collar and landing a hard right hook to his jaw, knocking him unconscious immediately.

Zorro took this moment to lock the office door so no one else could interrupt his interrogation session with the alcalde.

When Zorro turned his attention back to the alcalde, he discovered that the man was sound asleep right where Zorro had left him.

Zorro shook his head and began to search the room. The dim light of the one lantern was all he had to search by and his search rapidly turned into disappointing failure.

"Damn you, alcalde." Zorro grumbled. Zorro wrinkled his nose and glared in disgust one last time before taking his leave out the rooftop window. A few moments after hearing the window close, DeSoto sat up, his laugh echoing off the office walls. "Perhaps you are not as clever as we all think you are."

DeSoto stood and unlatched the door to his office. He had been quite intoxicated but not nearly as intoxicated as Zorro thought he was. Smiling, he entered the plaza amongst the partiers, drunkards and dancers. 'We'll just see what will happen when my lancers get back from Mexico City with the name of the man behind your mask.' DeSoto thought maliciously.

Victoria slid her sandals off her feet with a soft groan. She had been on her feet all day and then dancing all night. She wasn’t sure if she had ever felt so tired.

And now, the gift that Zorro had given her had been taken by that irritating alcalde. What was she going to tell Zorro when she saw him again? That she lost his precious gift to that, that evil, obsessed man. Just so that the only alcalde in the New World who cared could snatch it away and use it against the man she loved.

Victoria was so angry that tears began to form in her eyes. She bent over and rubbed her feet, trying to stop the throbbing.

"Let me do that for you." A soft voice whispered from the shadows.

Victoria’s head snapped in the direction of the sound and she gave him a wry smile.

"I'm sorry. I . . ."

Zorro crossed the distance between them in a heartbeat, pressing a gloved finger to her lips. "You have done nothing to be sorry for, mí amor. I will get the locket back."

He said nothing more as he pulled off his gloves and sat at her feet on the bed.

Victoria cocked her head as he lifted a bare foot and began to massage it. His fingers moved over the rough but sensitive skin and she resisted the impulse to pull the appendage away.

"Relax. Lay back." His calm voice soothed her and she slumped into the pillows.

His hands moved from the tips of her toes, up to her ankles and back again, rubbing all of the tension, aches, and pains of the day away.

"That feels so good." Victoria cooed and Zorro smiled.

As she lowered her head, she raised her eyes to clearly see his expressions in the dim light of the room. He clearly appeared to be enjoying himself and Victoria thought that he had to be in love! No man would rub her feet so thoroughly !

She sat up suddenly and reached down to pull his hands away. "Thank you."

She curled her legs beneath her, sitting indian style, and brought his hands to her mouth, pressing a kiss to each hand.

He smiled and leaned toward her, unable to resist the temptation of her inviting lips.

Zorro took a deep breath and wrapped long fingers around her cheeks and neck, pulling her deeper into the kiss. His lips caressed hers for several minutes. Neither saw the need to come up for oxygen. They appeared to be giving and taking it from one another.

A small sound escaped her lips and he began to pull away. It was about time. His body was becoming too inflamed with desire to remain for much longer in her presence.

She gripped his hand tightly as he stood and his heart ached when he heard her call his name softly. He couldn't resist turning to cast one last look at her beautiful, flushed face.

"Don't go." She whispered. Her eyes locked with his and for a moment he was tempted to stay and loose himself within the depths of her love.

"You know why I cannot." He enveloped her in a tight embrace once more and pressed a kiss so deep and so passionate to her lips that she was shaking from the contact.

"Señores, I don't know what to tell you. We have many customers that request custom made items." The silversmith, continued cleaning as the two lancers from Los Angeles looked on.

"What we want to know, Señor." Mendoza began. "Is if anyone has commissioned a pure silver and requested that it be sent to Spain to be made?"

"Much of my business is from caballeros and many of them purchase silver from me and then have me send it to a jeweler in Spain, usually one their family has used for generations."

"And how is this done?" Mendoza asked.

The silversmith sighed and leaned toward the two men. "A caballero comes in or writes to me with how much silver they would like to purchase and if they would like me to shape an object for them or if they would like the silver sent away to have it done by someone else."

"And if they want it done by someone else. Do they give you their name and where they live?" Mendoza was not the most eloquent of interrogators but their uniforms were electing more information out of the silversmith than he would normally offer.

"Letters of instruction are usually enclosed for me to send to the jeweler."

"So you are paid when you receive the letter?" Sepulveda asked.

"Yes, a bank draft or peso's usually accompany the request. I am an honest man and realize that these caballeros keep me in business. No way would I steal from them."

The man thought that the lancers may be here looking into his business practices and decided to be as honest with them as he could. He couldn't afford to be shut down. He had a family to feed.

"Have you received any requests within, say, the last month, requesting for you to send your purest silver to a jeweler in Spain?" Mendoza asked, leaning over the counter and looking into the back room as an attendant walked out.

The silversmith rubbed his chin. Many, as a matter of fact. With the festivals in Spain and Mexico this month, I have received more requests than normal from Spain that I send silver to one of their jewelers."

Mendoza frowned and Sepulveda shook his head,

"Yes but this request would come from someone in California not from Spain."

"Ah, so you are looking for someone? Do you have his name?" The silversmith asked, relieved that it didn't appear that these Royal Lancers were investigating him.

"That is what were are trying to get from you, Señor." Mendoza grumbled.

"Let me look." He pulled out his notes and recorded the information that he had of orders coming from people in California and requesting to have the metal shipped to Spain."

He handed the papers to Mendoza and smiled. " That's all I have."

"Gracias." Mendoza smiled.

They continued visiting small silver shops in Taxco until they had almost 40 names on their list.

"This is going to take a lot more time than the alcalde thought, I think." Mendoza mumbled around a tamale. "I so want to get back to Los Angeles. Nothing comes close to Señorita Escalante's tamales."

"Oh, alcalde. This is taking too long. . . ." Mendoza whined.

"Enough babbling Mendoza!" DeSoto grumbled. "You sound like you don't want to find out Zorro's identity."

"Oh, no, alcalde, it's not that." Mendoza could see that he was in trouble now. Instead of stopping there, he proceeded to place his right foot in his mouth with his left. "It's just that it may be a waste . . ."

"Sepulveda!" DeSoto called and the lancers came racing into the office.

"Sí alcalde?" The man saluted and stood as straight as a nail, afraid he had done something wrong.

"I will be taking a short trip to Spain in a few days to investigate the information you and Mendoza brought back from Mexico." DeSoto pulled on his gloves and smiled. "Mendoza will be acting alcalde while I am gone and you will be his acting right hand."

"Sí alcalde."

"If anyone asks where I have went and why. You are to tell them that I went to Mexico City for a conference on political corruption. " DeSoto smiled, trying to contain his glee with the situation. "I am expected to be gone for several months and," DeSoto stressed the next few words, "and, when I return I had better find all taxes have been paid and no leniency has been granted."

"Do you both understand me?"

"Sí alcalde!" Both men chorused.

"Señor, we are manufacture custom made pieces for people all over Spain. Finding one specific . . ."

"Señor, I am not looking for one specific person, I am looking for someone who would have had requested your services over two months ago. From California. " DeSoto was getting irritated. Every jeweler in Spain was reluctant to give out names of their customers. The few he had gotten were because he pulled out his papers and insisted this was official governmental business.

The jeweler sighed. He didn't like to give out the personal information of his customers. It was beneath him. But if this man really was the alcalde of Los Angeles, as he had heard, then it was his duty to help the government capture an enemy of the state.

"I've had a few customers from California order custom pieces for the holidays."

DeSoto pulled out the names from his list and handed it to the jeweler. "This is a list of names that I have. If you have these names and their corresponding addresses, I would like any and all that are from California."

"Also." DeSoto smiled as he pulled the chain and locket from his pocket. "Perhaps seeing your handiwork would be able to jog your memory."

The jeweler gasped and took hold of the locket. He remembered this piece quite well. The directions and measurements he had received had been explicit.

"It will take me a few minutes to look into this, Señor DeSoto." The jeweler smiled as a Royal courier walked up to the counter.

DeSoto nodded as the jeweler turned to assist the courier. He turned to look out the door, but bent his ear so that he could hear the conversation.

'Take a look at these that I have prepared. If it is not good enough or are not to the Kings specifications, I will re-cast them.'

DeSoto smiled. So this jeweler was used by the Royal Family. Hmm, strange that a jeweler in Sevilla, quite a distance from Madrid, would be commissioned to create items for the Royal Family. Probably the difference in styles that attracted the Royal Family. The King certainly had the funds to send his couriers all over Spain to find the finest jewelers.

The jeweler disappeared into the back rooms and searched the names the alcalde had given him and cross checked them with his records. He couldn't remember the name that had corresponded with the locket but he knew it was one that he would recognize.

Few settlers in the New World had the funds to have a piece of jewelry custom made by his prestigious shop.

As his eyes scanned the papers, they came upon the name that he had commissioned him to create the beautiful piece. The man did indeed live in California, but was not anywhere near Los Angeles. Well, unless this masked man that the alcalde was looking for rode all the way from Monterey to battle his lancers, then DeSoto was looking for the wrong man.

The jeweler grinned. The man who he mailed the locket to was a well known lawyer in the New World. Probably one with whom the real recipient of the piece was a friend. As the jeweler thought about the implications of providing this information to the alcalde, one piece of information dawned on him. This lawyer in Monterey was one who represented only the wealthiest of those landowners in California.

"Hm. This Zorro must not be some common bandit. If he is a wealthy landowner, that could come as quite the surprise for those wishing to discover his identity." The jeweler took the paperwork and exited the room in which he kept his records.

The King's courier had chosen two of the finest pieces in the shop when he returned and the jeweler set the papers on the counter.

"Fine selection, Señor." The Jeweler smiled. "Would you like these wrapped specifically for someone?"

"Sí. I have been authorized by the King to have these pieces shipped to Señor Alejandro de la Vega in California." The courier smiled, handing the jeweler the necessary information.

"Ah. The de la Vega's and Montesero's are well known to the Royal Family." The jeweler smiled. He had created lovely pieces of jewelry for the family over the years.

The Jewelers eyes looked over the authorization and one interesting tidbit caught his eye. The same lawyer in Monterey that had received this unique locket, would also be the one a distant relative of the King would use for all of his important business dealings.

DeSoto was intrigued by the talk of the de la Vega's. He decided that he would exaggerate his friendship with them and offer to take the jewelry back to his close personal 'friends'.

"Sorry Señor," The jeweler smiled . "I must send the gifts via the method the King requests."

"Ah." DeSoto smiled. "Just thought I might be able to assist the King with this task."

"Thank you, Señor." The courier smiled, paid the jeweler and took his leave.

Not more than a few moments went by before DeSoto asked about what the jeweler had found in his search for the man who had purchased the silver locket.

The jeweler had not completely decided whether or not to provide the information he had on the owner of the locket. But he decided that it could harm his business if he was found to not have complied with the investigation of a government official.

"Thank you for the information, Señor. I'm just one step behind him now." The alcalde was shivering in delight.

"Señor DeSoto." The lawyer began. " I am bound by confidentiality and I will not release any of my clients names."

"Then I will have you thrown in jail so fast that you will loose your business and ruin your reputation." DeSoto fumed. He was so close and now this infuriating lawyer was not going to stop him now.

The lawyer chuckled. He looked over the paperwork this alcalde from Los Angeles had provided and smiled slightly. He distinctly remembered the man who ordered the beautiful, custom made locket from Spain. Good friends of his were the de la Vegas. Why his son had even attended the University with Diego. The lawyer cast one last look at the infuriating man before him. If the reports of this man’s unjust corruption and rule of Los Angeles were true, as many had heard, then he would not blame this Zorro for opposing such a man.

"I doubt that, Señor." The man folded the papers and gave them back to DeSoto. "I am a friend of the King and one of many in his favor. Can you say the same?"

"Simply because you represent many of the distant relatives of the Crown in the New World does not mean that you are above the law here." DeSoto spat. "I will have the information I have come for."

The lawyer sat calmly back in his seat and pulled out a few documents from his desk drawer. He had been meaning to go over the papers before the alcalde so rudely interrupted his plans. It was time he get back to them.

"I'm sure you know the way out, alcalde." The lawyer said clearly, not removing his eyes from the paperwork in front of him.

"Diego what is wrong with you?" Alejandro stood over his son, hands on hips. "You have been acting stranger than usual lately."

Diego realized that his mood had changed but that was because he was genuinely worried that the alcalde had stepped onto a clue that would lead to discovering Zorro’s identity. He had tried every thing he could to find out what the alcalde's plans were, even bought Mendoza numerous lunches at the tavern, but the gluttonous Sergeant provided no clues.

Diego hated to admit that he was restless. With the alcalde away indefinitely, the pueblo had been relatively quiet. He didn't have anything to do. He hadn't seen Victoria in weeks and that in itself was beginning to take a toll on him. He needed to see her, needed to feel her in his arms, and needed to feel the warmth of her kiss. It kept him sane and rooted to the ground. Without her love and his promise of a future together, he would have no reason for life. He would be utterly bored.

"I've had a lot on my mind." Diego said simply. He didn't want to go into anything with his father and he certainly couldn’t discuss his suspicions about the alcalde's behavior.

"Diego, we need to talk." Alejandro sighed and took a seat across from his reclining son.

Diego blinked and he turned to look at his father. The last time he had heard his father use this tone of voice was when he was sat down and not so matter-of-factly told about the differences between a man and a woman.

Diego couldn't help but curb a chuckle when he thought of that day. His father must have been more nervous than he was.

"What's so funny?" Alejandro questioned when he noticed the faraway look on his sons face.

Diego shook his head and smiled. "Oh nothing. What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"

"I know I promised not to bring this up again. I promised not to push you, but...." Alejandro didn't know how to broach the subject with his son. He wanted to see his son happy, and ever since the festival, he had seemed less so than normal.

Diego blinked. "Whatever do you mean?" He was quite aware of what his father was struggling to discuss with his son and Diego thanked god that the man was having difficulty doing so. He decided to put his father out of his misery and bring the subject up instead. Perhaps it would do him some good to talk about his wants and desires with his father. As long as no specific names were mentioned.

"I know you want grandchildren, father." Diego began a little halfheartedly, masking the longing in his eyes and the desire in his heart to produce those for his father. "But please give me more time. I want children. I want a wife. But ...."

"Wait a minute?" Alejandro interrupted the young man. He had never, ever heard his son utter a word about wanting to have a wife and children. "You want to have ...." His father was speechless, one of the very few times in his life.

Diego managed a small smile. "Yes. Please don't pressure me. I am trying but it is very difficult." The weight of his secret weighed heavily upon him and he wondered if now was not the right time to discuss this with his father.

"Something is troubling you." Alejandro's voice became soft again, lost the rough edge that he had entered the room with. "Diego tell me. What can I do to help?"

He never even considered the fact that his son may be uncomfortable around women. No, he had this discussion with Diego long ago and there was no reason his son should be shy around those of the fairer sex.

"There is nothing anyone can do. " Diego stood and stared out the window at the sinking sun. "I need to take care of this on my own."

Alejandro sighed. "You've been doing things on your own for a long time now. Don't you think it might be time to ask for some help?"

Diego chuckled and muttered. " I wish I could."

"Why can't you?" Alejandro's hearing was better than Diego anticipated and he found himself now having to scramble to come up with an appropriate answer.

A thought occurred to Diego and his head snapped toward his father, his eyes lit again with some desire that his father rarely saw in his son anymore. "I think I will do just that." He cast a sideways glance out the window and then looked at his father. " I'm going away for a few days. I'll be back by the end of next week."

"Where are you going." Alejandro called after his son’s retreating back.

"To Monterey."

"To Monterey?" Alejandro muttered. " What, or more importantly who, is in Monterey?"

"Well I can't say it's nice to have him back." Victoria snorted as she gathered a few dishes left on the outside tables.

Alejandro smiled at the strong willed woman. Most would not dare to so openly declare their dislike for the alcalde. Victoria was one special woman. So very like his Elena had been.

"Well I should go over and welcome him back." Alejandro stepped off the porch but not before bowing to Victoria.

"Ah, de la Vega." DeSoto smiled . "I ran into your son on the way back from Monterey. I didn't know you had any business dealings there."

Alejandro smiled. DeSoto was fishing for information and Alejandro decided that he would give the man some, however false it may be.

"Yes, we have several business interests in Monterey and I have entrusted my son to take care of them for me."

"Trust Diego?" DeSoto choked back an outright laugh. The alcalde shook his head and turned back to his desk with a curse. There were papers in no apparent order littering the oak wood desk. "I told that incompetent Sergeant to keep my desk clean while I was away. Where is that man?"

DeSoto grunted. "Probably in the tavern filling his considerable belly with more tamales than it can hold at one time."

"Diego, how nice to see you again." Ricardo Olvera, King appointed law officer to the territory of California grasped the hand of his old friend’s son and pumped hard.

"And you, Ricardo." Diego smiled.

"How's your father? Well I hope?" Olvera smiled and indicated Diego sit.

Diego nodded. "Everyone is well. Thank you. And you?"

"Very well. Fernando and his wife just had their third child. The house is full again and I am content." Olvera did indeed look content but he also eyed his old friend's son with suspicion. And he did not miss the look of disappointment that crossed his face on the mention of his son and his family. He knew Diego had not yet married and it was certainly past the time a young man with such good prospects as Diego had, to marry and settle down.

If the things he had heard about this Zorro were true. If his old friend's son was indeed this masked avenger of California, then he could better understand Diego's reaction to his family news. Zorro was in love with a tavern wench. Not suitable for marriage to a de la Vega, a masked outlaw or a member of the Spanish nobility.

"What brings you all the way from Los Angeles?" Olvera was a smart man. One did not become the best lawyer in the territory without some talent for hiding the truth and uncovering deception.

"Several things, really. " Diego smiled politely. He had to find out what Olvera had told the alcalde, but he had to do it in a way that would not arouse suspicion. "I have a ward in my custody who would like to study to become a lawyer. I was thinking of sending him for some schooling and was curious if you could suggest a good school."

Olvera grinned. His friend had come all this way to ask about a young man in his care who wanted to become a lawyer? He thought not. But he would play Diego's game for as long as he wished to prolong it.

"I could suggest several very good Universities. Many of them, however, are in Spain. Do you want to send him that far?"

"Not if I can help it."

"Hm." Olvera leaned back in his chair. "I could suggest some practical education with a law office but he would need some schooling as well."

Diego nodded and Olvera could tell that Diego had something on his mind.

"How long are you planning on staying?" Olvera asked politely.

"A few days , maybe less. I have some business here and I'm not sure how long it will take."

"Well let me offer my home for as long as you need it." Olvera smiled.

"Thank you." Diego grinned. " It would be good to see an old schoolmate again."

"I'm sure my son will be just as excited." Olvera decided not to pressure Diego now. He would wait until after dinner.

Diego stood and took his leave. "Until tonight."

"Indeed." Olvera smiled at the retreating back.

"You are hiding something young Diego." Olvera muttered to himself. "I'm not sure just what yet."

"This dinner was marvelous." Diego cleared his plate of the last bit of quail, licking his lips appreciatively. "Your cook rivals ours."

Olvera and his son laughed as the young Doña took her leave to care for the screaming little ones.

"So Diego." Ricardo's son, Carlos asked, sipping some of his wine. "How are things in Los Angeles?"

"Very good. Thank you."

They retired to the sala where they took seats around a warm fireplace.

Two young toddlers wobbled out into the sala and wrapped chubby arms around their father's legs.

Diego smiled but was unable to mask the desire and longing in his heart to have children of his own.

"Whoa, little one." Carlos chuckled as he set his wine glass on the table beside him. "I don't want to be introducing you to wine too soon in life."

Diego smiled as the little girl wobbled over to him and batted long, dark eyelashes at the handsome caballero.

He reached down and picked her up, gently pressing her into the crook of his arm. She made herself comfortable and sat quietly, playing with a little doll.

"I'm amazed at how well behaved and quiet they are." Diego smiled at Carlos.

Ricardo exchanged exasperated looks with the doña and his son and they all laughed. "Stay for several days, Diego. You will most assuredly change your mind."

After several hours of contentment on Diego's lap, the little girl's head began to sink into his arm.

Carlos' wife collected the little girl and carried her off to bed, Carlos following with his little bundle.

"You are quite wonderful with children." Olvera noticed and Diego pulled his eyes back from where he caught himself watching the departing couple.

"Ah, Thank you." Diego managed a small smile. "They are wonderful little miracles."

"Enough games, Diego." Olvera could stand it no longer. "Why have you really come to Monterey. I can't believe you are here on business and you certainly didn't come all the way here to discuss a ward's education."

Diego turned his head toward the door the couple had just vacated through. "Like I said. I have several things to take care of."

Olvera stood, pulled a paper from his desk drawer and indicated that Diego follow him outside to the garden.

Olvera turned around as soon as they stepped into the garden, and held out the paper to Diego. "Like this?"

Diego looked at it momentarily before taking it from the Olvera's grasp.

Diego nodded as he looked at a rather accurate and complete drawing of the locket that he had purchased from Spain.

"Just what kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into, Diego?"

Diego chuckled, wondering at just how he was going to explain his way out of this one. "The kind that I can't easily get out of."

Diego looked at his father's friend. "The alcalde came to see you, I presume?"

"Indeed he did. He didn't leave too happy since I would not give him the names of my clients."

Diego nodded. "He didn't seem happy when I saw him briefly on my way here."

"I have confidentiality agreements that are more important than the alcalde's quest for this masked outlaw."

Diego nodded. "Thank you."

"Would you like some advice?"

Diego sighed. "If you can tell me how I can get myself out of this beautiful illusion I have created without hurting the people I love, then please, I am all ears."

The men talked into the early morning and Diego felt a little better about his situation than when he had arrived.

There still was no resolution in his immediate future but there was hope.

"Where is it, alcalde?" The masked man held the tip of his blade at the alcalde's throat and glared at the man through slitted eyelids.

"Zorro!" DeSoto reached for his blade but was restricted by the cold, sharp steel centimeters from his Adams apple.

DeSoto sneered at the masked man. " Ah the little trinket you gave the Señorita."

"It does not belong to you and I want it back." Zorro's voice was firm and unwavering.

"Over my dead body." DeSoto glared.

"That can be arranged." Zorro lowered the blade so that it’s hard steel pointed directly at the alcalde's corrupt heart.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Do you wish to test that? You'll only get one chance." The masked man waved not a centimeter and DeSoto could feel the heat and energy bristling in the room. He could tell Zorro was serious, but he also knew that the man had never killed another and was fairly certain that he would not start now. But then there was always that chance.......however slight...that he may slip and injure the man.....

Zorro could see that the man was weighing his decisions and hoped that the alcalde made a sensible one. He didn't want to hurt the man, but he was furious that the alcalde would go to the means that he had to discover his identity.

"What will it be, alcalde?" One button at a time were flung off the alcalde's pristine coat and the man shivered.

It appeared Zorro meant to go through with his threat this time. He stumbled over his words.

"It's in my...over there." The alcalde pointed to his undergarment drawer and Zorro wrinkled his nose.

"Really alcalde." The blade pushed the alcalde back against the drawer and then removed it from it’s close proximity to the alcalde's person.

"Remove it, please."

The alcalde turned and opened the drawer. Fingering the locket he smiled slightly and wrapped his fingers around the small dagger that he kept hidden in the drawer.

He turned around sharply and swung for the masked man's chest.

Anticipating that the alcalde would have something up his sleeve, when he had turned around to open the drawer, Zorro had stepped back so that not even a sword blade could have reached him.

The distance between them prevented Zorro from reaching DeSoto before he was able to grasp his blade.

"So it begins again." Zorro shot the alcalde a lopsided grin and saluted quickly.

The alcalde brought his blade high and attempted to strike Zorro in the head. The masked man retreated and parried above his head, catching the alcalde's blade easily.

The alcalde pressed on until Zorro tired of the game and batted his blade away with a quick downward parry.

The alcalde backed against the wall, fully expecting to die, with his arms out to his sides.

Zorro backed towards the open drawer and snatched the locket.

"I suggest you leave alone property that is not yours." Zorro warned as he carved a neat little Z in the adobe wall. "Or this will be emblazoned on your anatomy for all to see."

The alcalde nodded slowly and Zorro took his leave, though the door this time.

As the alcalde opened his mouth to call for his lancers, Zorro turned and extended his blade toward the bearded chin. "I don't think that is wise."

The alcalde snapped his mouth closed.

Victoria was enjoying a rare evening off. Maria had helped her finish everything early so that she could have some time to herself for a change. Time to enjoy the beautiful spring evenings before they became unbearably hot.

The wind picked up stray curls and blew them around her face. The night was clear and the stars twinkled brightly in the heavens. She allowed herself to make a wish on this beautiful night. It had been weeks since she had seen her masked love and she hoped that loosing the precious gift he gave her did not upset him.

"You look troubled, Señorita."

She turned around at the sound of his voice and couldn't resist the urge to rush into his arms. Those strong arms encircled her and held her tightly and she sighed.

When she felt him pull away she looked sadly into his eyes.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I lost your...."

A bare finger pressed itself against her lips to silence her.

"Not to worry, Bella." His lips curled into a wide smile. "You have no control over the actions of another."

He pulled the locket from a hidden pocket and she gasped. "The chain is not as beautiful as the last, but I will purchase another one from Spain and bring it to you as soon as I receive it."

She shook her head. "No, it would make it easier to track you down. To......"

"I have friends in many places, my love." He pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth. "They will not betray my confidence so easily."

"You must demand great loyalty of your friends." She smiled.

"And I give it doubly back." He brushed windblown curls from her face.

"Hold me for a few minutes?"

She knew she was taking a chance by asking him. She knew he was in great danger by simply standing there with her. She opened her lips to take back what she had said but he covered them with his own, terminating the need for a response.

"I would like to hold you in my arms forever." He murmured against her cheek.

He pulled away much too soon for her comfort.

"But until then, know that I hold you in my heart."

She nodded. Such eloquent words and she had never given him anything but her love. She suddenly felt ashamed of the fact and before she left, voiced a question that had just then come to her mind.

"When is your birthday?"

He blinked. His mouth curved slightly and he caressed her cheek with long, slim fingers.

"Why do you ask?" His breath was a whisper on the wind.

"I want to get you something as precious as you have continued to give me over the years." She smiled. Her eyes bespoke a love and admiration for him that he never wanted to see directed at another.

"The only gift I need is the promise that you will wait for me." He took her into his arms again and held her tightly. "The promise of your love is all that I need."

She sighed and leaned into the comfort of his embrace. Another thought came to her and she rushed to speak it before he was gone again.

"Why can't Padre Benitez be our St. Valentine?"

His pulse quickened as he realized what she was asking. Months after the celebration of that day, she still carried with her the remembrance of what the Guardian had revealed about the martyred Roman Priest.

"You know why he cannot." He whispered.

The sound of a dog barking pulled them apart.

Victoria could tell he was skittish about being outside in the open with her. He was risking his very life by holding her, by loving her.

"I will give you this." He smiled and probed her lips with his own until the need for a breath overcame all other objections. " As myself, I love you more than life itself. I would give anything for you. I wish you would see that."

She took a deep breath. He had never before spoken the words. He had never told her he loved her. Yet what he had just done was tell her that without the mask he loved her. What about with the mask?

"And right now? Do you love me with the mask?"

"A love that is unrequited and unattainable to me, yes." He admitted.

She frowned and he continued.

"As a convicted outlaw, I am not free to love anyone. I am not free to marry you. I love you with and without this mask, yet removing it would place you in more danger than I am willing to allow." He held her cheeks with her hands, pressed light kisses all over her face, eyelids, lips.

"Can you understand ?"

She nodded. Not trusting her voice. She knew everything he said was the truth but she hated to admit it.

"I must go. I place you in more danger by simply being here."

"Wait." She whispered, her voice full of emotion.

He turned his head back to her and gazed into wet eyes.

"I don't mean to make you cry, Victoria." He brushed the tears away with a slender finger.

"I - I..... Want to tell you how I feel. I want to tell you that...."

Her response was cut short by a lancer’s surprised gasp as he patrolled along the outskirts of the pueblo.

He pressed a quick kiss to her lips and drew his blade in defense of the lancer's already armed position.

The lancers cry was already attracting the attention of the other lancers and Zorro decided to take his leave.

Landing a hard, solid punch to the lancer's face after one simple parry, dropped the unsuspecting man to the ground unconscious.

He turned quickly back to Victoria, who had stepped back into the shadows.

"Hurry inside." He saluted her and whistled for his faithful steed.

"I love you." She whispered as he mounted the powerful stallion.

"And that love is what will see us through the good times and the bad.......We have lived in the bad for years....the good must be right around the corner."