Disclaimer:

The story was written solely fort the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and it is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Godman/Rosen Productions, New Word Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.

My native language is tot English but German – I write my stories in German and then I translate. So, it can take a while till you can read it here. It's my first try.

I'm sorry if my English isn't so good sometimes. I'll be glad if you inform me about errors you find. Thank you.

The two men went to the tavern.

"Do you remember when Gilberto was just about to shoot you, he said he was not only going to kill you, he was going to kill… then he never finished. What do you suppose he was going to say?"

Diego looked at his father and shook his head. "No, Father. I have no idea what he was thinking of."

"And why are you so good at fencing?" Don Alejandro looked thoughtfully his son while his was scrutinizing him.

Diego hesitated and looked uneasy. "I had some fencing lessons, but I don't want to talk about. I don't like to fence, and I don't want you to nag about it. The fight with my brother was an exception and I will not take a rapier in my hands for the future."

Don Alejandro stared at him and shook his head, completely stunned. "Well, we should talk later. We should be glad that there was a happy ending for this."

To Diego's relief his father did not talk about this subject after that. Diego just behaved as he always did, and it seemed that he had convinced his father enough to be a coward. The unique show of courage did not chance the image his father had of him.

Therefore, Don Alejandro turned the conversation to another subject a few days after.

You should marry, Diego. It is time to think about it."

"There is no woman who is interested in me or which I am interested in."

"And what about Victoria?"

"What do you mean? We are just friends, that's all."

"Love and friendship belong together. You both know each other for a long time and Victoria is like a daughter for me. I would be happy if she became my daughter-in-law."

"But Father, she only loves Zorro."

"Zorro, Zorro" shouted the old de la Vega with an angry voice. "How long does she have to wait? Until she is old and gray and can't have children anymore?"

"Father…"

"I wished Zorro would give her up. For him and her there is no future." He sighed. "And I wished also you would court her, my son, at last."

Diego swallowed as he saw his father look so sad.

Don Alejandro left and there was a young and pensive man at the fireplace.

Diego was helpless. Was his father, right? Shall or must Victoria leave Zorro? And what about him? If he decided to give up Zorro, he would also kill a part of himself. He was Diego and Zorro. The last part he had to hide in public, but it was the truth. He was both, scientist and swordsman, a peaceful and warring man. Zorro mad no sense if he couldn't get together with the woman he lived for. But was is right to get rid of Zorro for Diego to marry Victoria?

For a chaste marriage? Because neither Zorro no Diego would force Victoria to do something she would not want.

He kept thinking about this for more than a week. Than he made up his mind.