Diego's Dilemma

Nancy J. Smith

Part 1

Disclaimer: All the characters in this story, except for Valentino Vargas and Pedro Pico, belong to the New World Zorro Productions. Valentino Vargas and Pedro Pico, are characters from a Johnston McCulley story, from the latest book, [Blatant Plug] "Johnston McCulley's Zorro The Master's Edition, Volume One." The characterizations of Pico and Vargas, are from my imagination however, but the names of the characters, belong to McCulley.

Author's Note: Here is another one of my Zorro stories I wrote several years ago. I decided to get my Zorro stories out of "storage" and revise them a bit. Many years ago, I used to have them posted on a website that I had made with the long-time deceased Geocities. When they closed their site, I immediately downloaded my stories and saved them on one of my storage drives. Thank goodness I did. Our old computer finally died, and we had to buy a new one. So I was glad that I had saved them to my Seagate storage drives along with my documents, videos, etc. that were saved on my old hard drive. Thankfully I had transferred all that to my storage drives, and they were all saved. :-) Anyway, about this story. I was inspired to write this story after watching one of my Zorro episodes called "Silk Purses, and Sow's Ears" and after reading a fanfiction story called, "Little Cupid" written by a NW Zorro fanfiction writer. Not sure if this person has any stories on Fan , but if you find this story, let me know. My story takes a different twist than this episode and Little Cupid. But I am grateful to that author and that Zorro episode, for giving me the inspiration to write my story. The episode, "Silk Purses.." is also where I got the idea for Diego riding that black mare to town. Anyway, I hope you enjoy reading this story.

Diego tossed and turned all night. It was another one of those restless nights he had been having. All week long, he had been wrestling with the decision to tell Victoria, that he was Zorro. How could he tell her that he was the one whom she really loved, instead of this masked hero who had suddenly come into her life, and stolen her heart. A masked hero whom he had created.

For that matter, who was he anyway? Was he Don Diego de la Vega, the son of Don Alejandro de la Vega, the wealthy and respected caballero, or was he the infamous Zorro, righting wrongs, and fighting oppression and tyranny, who stole intimate fleeting moments, with the woman he loved. Sometimes he often wondered about the answer to that question. It was a question that seemed to plague him, and rob him of a restful sleep. Tonight was one of those nights.

It was the same dream that he had been having for several nights now. He had just rescued Victoria from some bandits who were chasing her in her wagon, as she was taking her money for the tavern to the bank. The wagon had overturned, and he had carried her to the cave for safety. But this dream was different. He could see himself kneeling before her and listening to her telling him to let her see the real man behind the mask. As he lifted his hands to remove the mask, to his horror, the mask would not come off. It was as if it had become a part of his face.

Diego suddenly sat up in bed, his heart pounding, his breathing heavy, and beads of sweat forming on his face. Even his nightshirt clung to his skin, as he felt the sweat run down his back. He reached up and wiped the sweat from his face. He flung the covers aside, and sat on the side of his bed. Shaking his head, he ran his fingers through his coal black hair, and heaved a weary sigh. 'Have I been Zorro so long, that Diego de la Vega, no longer exists?' he whispered out loud to himself. "I may be Zorro, but I'm also Diego de la Vega!" he said striking his fist on his knee, as he gritted his teeth. "I'm going to show Victoria that I'm the one she really loves! I'll show her that Diego de la Vega, is really Zorro, and maybe father too!"

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The next morning as Diego walked into the dinning room, Alejandro sat his china coffee cup down on the saucer, and looked at Diego with concern. The look on his son's face gave him good reason. He had dark circles under his eyes, and he looked as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders which at the moment, could have been true considering his present condition. Diego slowly walked over to the table, and sat down. He leaned back in his chair, and managed a half smile.

"Good morning, father," he said, trying to sound cheerful. "How are you, this morning?"

"Good morning, Diego. I'm fine. However, I'm not so sure about you," his father replied with a discerning look.

Diego leaned forward, picked up the china coffee pot, and poured himself a cup of coffee. He took a small heap of sugar, and sprinkled half of it into his coffee, then slowly stirred it with his coffee spoon. He looked at his father curious. "What do you mean?" he asked.

"You don't look well, Diego," remarked Alejandro worried.

Diego took a drink of his coffee, and sat his cup down on the saucer. He quietly sighed, then looked at his father. "I didn't get much sleep last night," he replied in a weary tone.

"What troubles you son? Is there something that you would like to talk about?" his father asked, concerned.

Diego shook his head. "I'm all right, father. I've just had a lot on my mind lately," he replied, as he managed a brief smile.

At that moment, Maria walked in the room with their breakfast on a sliver serving tray. She placed before Diego, a warm bowl of oatmeal, a small pitcher of cream, and some sugar and cinnamon on the side. She also placed on the table, a small plate of toast, and some butter and honey on the side. For Alejandro, she gave him his usual chicken tortilla, and a bowl of fruit. She sat a large pitcher of juice and some glasses on the table for both of them. When she had finished serving them, she looked at them and smiled.

"Is there anything else, Señores?" she asked.

Diego shook his head. "No, ¡gracias! Maria. It looks delicious," he remarked, and smiled.

"¡Gracias! Don Diego. Now I want you to eat all your breakfast, Señor. You haven't been eating well, lately. A young caballero like you, needs to eat a decent meal to keep up your strength," the older woman stated in a stern tone.

Diego chuckled, and shook his head. "I promise I'll eat everything, Maria. Don't worry," he replied, and smiled.

Maria looked at Alejandro, as she motioned to Diego. "You make sure he does Don Alejandro," she briefly admonished.

Alejandro nodded. "I will, Maria. ¡Gracias! That will be all," he replied and smiled.

Maria smiled, and slightly bowed. "De nada. Enjoy your breakfast." She turned, then walked back to the kitchen.

Diego sighed, and shook his head. "Sometimes she still treats me like I'm twelve years old," he remarked and smiled.

Alejandro nodded, and looked at Diego with compassion. "Be patient with her Diego. After all, she's been with us ever since you were just a little boy. She worries about you, and cares about you, just as much as I do," he replied.

Diego sighed, and looked at his father with affection. "I know. Thank you father. I appreciate your care, and concern, and Maria's as well," he replied in an amiable tone.

Alejandro smiled. "Diego, you're my son, and I love you. Why wouldn't I be concerned and care about you?" he asked in a fatherly tone.

Diego nodded. "I love you too, father," he replied sincere. He briefly glanced around the room, and noticed Felipe's absence. "Father, where's Felipe?" he asked curious.

"Oh, Maria needed some fresh eggs, and sent him to go collect some from the chicken house," replied Alejandro. He took a bite of his tortilla, then wiped his mouth.

Diego nodded. He prepared his oatmeal, and then began eating, his breakfast.

They quietly ate their breakfast, and when they had finished, Felipe walked into the dinning room, and smiled, as his two patrons, and benefactors rose from the table. Diego looked at him, and smiled.

"Buenos dias, Felipe. Did you get Maria, plenty of eggs?" he asked.

Felipe nodded, and smiled.

"Bueno!" replied Diego. "By the way Felipe, I'm going to town. If father doesn't have any plans for you, you can go with me," he remarked.

Alejandro put a kind hand on Felipe's shoulder. "Well actually Diego, Felipe is going with me," he informed his son.

Diego looked surprised. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"Don Esteban just bought a new herd of cattle, and wanted to show me. He even offered to let me buy one his bulls if I liked what I saw. I wanted Felipe to go with me, in case I decided to buy one. I thought he could help me bring it home," stated Alejandro.

Diego nodded.. "Bueno," he smiled, looking at Felipe. "You'll probably enjoy that more than going to town with me. Just make sure that Don Esteban gives father a decent price on his bull," he briefly chuckled.

Alejandro shook his head. "Don't worry, Diego. I think I can handle Don Esteban," he assured his son. "By the way Diego, maybe when we get back, you and I can have that talk," he added, putting his hand on Diego's arm.

Diego nodded. "Maybe," he replied. "Be careful you two," he added.

Alejandro nodded. "We will," he replied.

Diego grabbed his coat, and followed his father and Felipe out the door. They walked to the stables, and helped Miguel saddle the horses. Instead of saddling his palomino mare he normally rode, a bit of humor flowed through Diego, as he walked over to the black mare in the stall next to his horse. He looked over at Miguel, and smiled. "Miguel, I'm going to ride Angel to town instead," he informed, as he took the bridle, and halter off the rack.

"Sì, Señor," replied Miguel. Miguel finished helping Alejandro, saddle his mare Dulcinea, while Felipe saddled his pinto pony.

Diego adjusted all the straps on her bridle and halter, then led Angel out of the stable, and tied the reins to a hitching ring while he groomed her. He had chosen the right name for this horse, for she was as gentle as a kitten, and was as light on her feet, as if you were riding on the back of an angel. Riding Angel was like flying through the air. She was also as black as Toronado, and was just as independent. Just like another dark- haired female I know. He smiled at that thought. He had hoped that one day, he would breed Toronado with Angel, and maybe even raise another little Toronado. But that was in the future. For now, he just wanted to give Angel a little recognition. Aside from the obvious difference between Toronado and Angel, the mare had a white star on her forehead that was covered by her forelock.

After he finished grooming her, he carefully placed the saddle on her back, and made sure all the straps were fastened and the saddle was firmly in place. "All ready girl?" he asked, patting her neck.

Angel gave a small nicker.

Diego unhitched her, then threw the reins over her head. He quickly mounted, then trotted her out of the paddock. He said good-bye to Felipe, and his father, then rode to the pueblo.

End of part 1