Zorro was silently doing his rounds of the plaza as he caught sight of the stranger exiting the alcalde's office. He crept along the roof of the office, and swung down into the front room to investigate.

Nothing out of place. The alcalde was snoring as usual, his head resting on folded arms. Zorro shook his head at his lack of concern, and noticed that the fire was billowing smoke. He grabbed the alcalde's jug of water and flung it at the hearth, quenching the fire instantly.

Someone had placed whole sheets of parchment over the flames. They were the remains of posters, barely readable now. Burnt and covered in smudges of ash it would take a lot of patience to repair them for reading. He grinned, folding what was left of them gingerly, and tucking them into his belt. He was profoundly curious now. He silently saluted the sleeping alcalde, and hefted himself up and out the way he came.

Zzz

The alcalde marched into the tavern, waving a letter around high-handedly. Victoria noticed him at once, and placed her hands on her hips.

"Alcalde, would you please stop harassing my customers? I have honest farmers and business people in my tavern."

"So you think, Senorita, so you think…"

The alcalde glared at a newcomer to the pueblo, and grasped him by his shirt front. "And here, ladies and gentlemen, is the foul murderer and cut throat Ricardo Portensio, lately from San Francisco where he escaped the King's Justice."

"No, no, Senor…please…" The little man trembled and stammered under the alcalde's heated stare. "I am a travelling salesman, nothing more."

"So you say, Senor." The alcalde stopped and thought for a moment. "But you are lately from San Francisco?"

The salesman stared at him open mouthed. "Seize him," the alcalde said, dismissively.

"Alcalde, must we do this every few days? It's becoming a chore," a deep voice said from above. With a graceful move, Zorro leapt from the balcony of the upper floor, swinging from the large chandelier.

"This man is a wanted revolutionary. Even you would want to ensure these people are not at large…think of the men, women, and children of Los Angeles who may fall prey to the cold blooded tactics of the men who seek Spanish blood."

"I would heartily agree – if that was the case," Zorro said, calmly. "This man comes here every year, as regular as clockwork. His name is Cornelius Tomas, he's American."

The alcalde made a scoffing sound, and turned to the lancers.

"What are you waiting for? Seize Zorro, and his 'friend'," the alcalde said.

Zorro sighed, and put the sabre away. Picking up a bench, he used it to shield Cornelius Tomas from the lancers swords, and with a shove threw the seat towards the soldiers. They fell with a groan of surprise, and a tangle of swords.

"Good day, alcalde. Do you plan to do this every afternoon? Should I schedule you in?" Zorro asked with a chuckle. He was tempted to etch a Z into the new jacket, but there just was no time for it.

"After you, Senor," Zorro urged, whistling Toronado, who responded instantly. "On the horse, and I will get you somewhere safer." The man did as he was told, and Zorro mounted after him.

"Adios amigos!" Urging Toronado into a rear, he met Victoria's laughing eyes with his warm ones, as he waved.

Toronado broke into a gallop. Zorro steadied the trembling salesman who acted like he'd never been on a galloping horse before in his life. The lancers regrouped and let off a volley of shots, so far out of range that Zorro was in no danger at all.

The alcalde let out a curse, muffling it as he became aware of a beautiful young woman standing nearby.

"My apologies, Senorita. My language isn't fit for a lovely lady's ears, please forgive me," Ignacio De Soto said. "My poor excuse for a garrison has failed me again."

"Do you truly believe that the man is the notorious revolutionary Portensio? I feel quite faint at the thought, Senor," the lady said in a tremulous voice.

"Please, sit. Senorita Escalante, a glass of water for the senorita, if you please," Ignacio said.

"My brother and I were raised in Mexico. Such goings on…you would not believe. We were staying with relatives in San Francisco, and it was if the animals of the uprising had followed us there. My heart is fluttering so strangely…"

"Take a sip, Senorita. There, you will feel better in no time at all."

"Who are you sir? Why are you…?" A young man approached the alcalde, glaring his displeasure.

"Your husband, I presume?" The alcalde said with a frown.

"My brother," the lady said. "Francis, perhaps you could do the introductions…"

"My name is Francis Blanco, and this is my sister, Gabriella. Who have we the honour of addressing?" The man said with difficulty.

"I am the alcalde of this pueblo, Ignacio de Soto. It is such a pleasure to meet you both, and welcome you to our little pueblo." The alcalde bowed, but his eyes never left the senorita's face.

"My sister is feeling a little unwell, alcalde. If you will excuse us…" Francis Blanco helped his sister to her feet, and assisted her to the stairs.

Zzz

Diego was sitting at the bar, sipping his usual orange juice. Victoria wiped down the benches and started setting up for the day.

"I am sure you come in here, earlier and earlier. Your eyes are so busy today, Diego."

"Oh, are they?" Diego said thoughtfully.

"Is she here?" Victoria watched the deep blush cover her friend's face, neck and what she could see of his chest. He avoided her eyes.

"Is who here?"

"Don't pretend you don't know who I am talking about." Victoria laughed. "You normally sleep in all day, but lately you come in earlier and earlier. Point her out to me. The woman you love."

"My secret," he mumbled into his glass.

"Is it her?" Victoria said, pointing to someone new. "She arrived just before siesta yesterday. Her brother won't let anyone near her, poor thing. I don't think you have much of a chance."

"Huh?" Diego said, glancing over at the lovely woman. "Oh…"

"I'm right, aren't I?"

"I have never seen her in my life," Diego said. Victoria frowned as her friend's eyes filled with growing interest.

The beautiful woman had noticed his eyes on her, and was now coming over to the bar. He shifted slightly, and stood.

"I am Gabriella Blanco," the lady said, introducing herself brazenly. "The scowling man over there is my brother, Francis."

Diego bowed, lifting her hand towards his lips but not kissing it. "It is a pleasure to meet such a lovely woman as yourself, Senorita Blanco."

"And here I thought there were no gentlemen in this pueblo," she said with a laugh. "Francis, come and meet Senor…what was your name?" She had turned to glance towards the finely dressed young man glowering at them from the opposite side of the room. He was clearly unimpressed with his sister.

"Diego de la Vega," Diego said with a slight smile. "Is your brother always so tyrannical?"

"Always, Senor. It is so disappointing."

"I am sure he means well, Senorita. I'm sure he loves you."

"De la Vega, if you would kindly unhand my…sister," Francis said, marching over to the pair.

"I meant no disrespect," Diego said carefully. Realising he had, in fact, kept holding the lady's hand far longer than was polite, he apologised to both of them and headed for the tavern doors.

Victoria put her cloth down and raced after him.

"Are you alright, Diego?" She asked, catching him by his arm. His eyes looked thoughtful. "I'm sorry if I made you angry."

Diego smiled. "I'm not angry. I have things to do, errands to run." He hesitated. "If I thought I would have a chance with the woman I love, I would tell her. But not today…And no, it isn't Gabriella Blanco."