ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL

Disclaimer: I own no characters, no rights, no nothing. Well, I own the right to have 'fun' with someone else's characters – just for fun.

THE DISCOVERY

After the horrific events at the hacienda, Diego, Alejandro, and Felipe came into the pueblo. Victoria joined them in the plaza. Gilberto's body, covered in the back of the wagon, was taken away by the soldiers. Ynez Risendo was left alone. Alcalde De Soto expressed his condolences to the de la Vegas, and went to visit Padre Benites. Victoria expressed her sympathies as well.

Diego, still in shock from the day's events, nevertheless gathered his courage up to make an announcement. He is clearly nervous.

He said, "There is something I've been meaning to tell you all, for quite some time. Now would seem an appropriate moment. Felipe, with your permission."

Felipe's face is one of half-panic, half-joy. Victoria & Alejandro wait with anticipation – both think they know what Diego is going to say, but are surprised by what he does say.

Haltingly, Diego stated, "I…I am…. …Going to adopt Felipe. He's to be a member of our family."

Felipe, smiled and breathed a sigh of relief. Diego grinned and also breathed a short sigh of relief. Victoria clasped her hands together. Alejandro exclaimed, "This IS wonderful news! This is wonderful news! I now have two sons! The de la Vegas will never be divided! Never!"

It is a precious moment of family unity. Even though Victoria isn't an "official" member of the family, she is a close family friend. Don Alejandro looks upon her as a daughter he never had. Secretly, he hopes she and Diego will somehow get together.

He turned to Diego. "Diego, there's something that's been gnawing inside of me."

Diego looked at his father. "Father, there's something I'm been meaning to tell you for quite some time. Felipe, Victoria, would you excuse us a moment?" He knows his father needs an explanation for what he saw at the hacienda. He knows he has to – but he's not quite sure how, or what – he's going to say.

Felipe nodded. Victoria looked a bit annoyed and puzzled. She looked at Felipe, who put his hands up as if to say, "I have no idea what's going on." Diego & Alejandro walked away, with Diego's left arm around Alejandro. Felipe thought will he really tell him? Will he really share the secret?

Felipe's adoption announcement went over really well, Diego thought. That gave him courage. After the last week or so, with their hacienda and bank accounts seized, Diego temporarily under arrest, and now – today – being buried under a pile of rocks and a stunning revelations of a brother…Diego knew it would be wrong to continue to keep his biggest secret from his father. Life was proving to be too short. Either one or both could have been killed today. As they walked, Diego only half-listened. He thought about the time several years ago when Alejandro was shot, and he 'told' his father the secret then, although it was more of a dream to Alejandro than reality. And nearly a year ago when his father had called him a coward – and in front of Sergeant Mendoza and Corporal Sepulveda…yes, he was going to have to tell him now.

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

Alejandro & Diego stand facing each other in the middle of the plaza. Diego nods to his father.

"Z"

Diego & Alejandro stood together in the middle of the Plaza. Their tone is soft, one of confidentiality. Their voices are kept low. Victoria and Felipe looked on from a distance, but are not part of the conversation. Victoria shook her head and thought what is the big secret?

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

"Father, I know what he was going to say."

"Well…?" Alejandro has a look of anticipation on his face. He cocks one side of his face towards Diego, and leans his face forward, listening.

Diego's jaw muscles tighten and he runs his left hand through his hair a moment. He knew he must first prepare his father for what he's about to say. "Father, before I tell you, I have to ask you something."

"What is it, my son?"

Diego took a breath. "I have to ask you to please not say a word of what I'm about to tell you to any living soul, not yet anyway. It is very, very important." Diego is very serious and his expression is intense. His voice is very low and very soft.

"I don't understand Diego. Why is this so important?" Alejandro thought a moment. He looks at Diego with a critical eye and said, "Does this have something to do with what I saw today? I wonder…"

Diego is intense, "It has everything to do with it. Promise me, Father."

"Son, you look so serious. All right. I promise. What is it?"

Diego paused. He looked down. His expression is one of humility and concern. He is almost afraid to say it. His vulnerability showed. Alejandro saw Diego's internal struggle. Gently, he asked, "What is it Diego? What was Gilberto going to say? You can tell me."

Diego looked his father square in the eye, took a deep breath and let it out slowly. It's now or never. "Father he was going to say, 'When I kill Diego, I also kill…" He leaned in and whispered the name in Alejandro's ear. Alejandro nodded with a knowing smile and shook his head. His eyes are opened. His most recent suspicion is correct. Amazement and pride show on his face.

"Yes, yes. I can see that what I saw today, I can believe it. But,I have so many questions. Why? How? When? And how did Gilberto learn of this?"

Diego looked at his father. He's not upset. He's not angry I haven't shared this before, Diego thinks.

"I have much to share, and to tell you, Father. First, Gilberto's suspicions were confirmed earlier today in a couple of ways I'll explain later. Do you know about the cave behind our fireplace? You were in it just a short time ago, you just didn't know it. It was the old escape route."

Alejandro looks puzzled. "A cave? Behind the fireplace? I was in it? When?"

Diego replied, "Remember when you 'dreamed' you were Zorro? You hit your head, triggered the hidden latch, and tumbled down the stairs into the cave. Felipe found you unconscious and came to get me. You regained consciousness, possibly not knowing for certain who you were. We figured you saw the Zorro costume and believed you were him. You'd been reading Don Quixote."

Alejandro stands thinking a moment. "So it wasn't a dream? Wait a minute! Wait a minute! Are you saying Felipe knows about this?"

"From the very beginning. He has a surprise for you as well, but I'll let him tell you."

Alejandro shook his head. His eyes opened wide in amazement and put a hand to his head. "Another surprise! I don't know if I can stand any more surprises. But I don't understand. Why didn't you tell me before?"

Diego chuckled a moment. "Don't worry about Felipe's surprise Father, it's a good one…" He continues, "Do you remember a few years ago, under our former alcade, Luis Ramone, when you were arrested, along with Victoria? It was shortly after I arrived home from Spain. When Zorro freed you, you asked him to remove the mask so that you could properly thank him. Do you remember that?"

Alejandro thought back, and shook his finger. Alejandro and Diego were in their own little world in the middle of the plaza. Any who saw them, realized this was a private moment between father and son, and they needed all the time they could get. "Ah yes. I do remember that."

"Do you remember what Zorro said?"

"I think he… I mean – you – said it was for our protection."

"Precisely. No one knew except Felipe. I couldn't take a chance of being found out…and being imprisoned or executed. Anyone knowing my secret would also be executed alongside of me. Like I said, there is much to share, Father."

"But why the ruse at all? Why make everyone, including me, think you were inept, cowardly, one who wouldn't fight?"

"What better way to hide my true identity than to be the opposite of Zorro in 'real' life?

Alejandro looked at his son with new eyes. Diego felt the scrutiny. He felt like a little boy again who faced strict discipline from his father. So when he heard what his father said, he was also amazed.

Alejandro shook his head again in amazement. "Diego, Diego. I have underestimated you. I took you at face value. And that was not who you really are. I am sorry, my son. I am truly sorry. Please forgive me."

"Father, there is nothing to forgive. Thank you for listening to me now. And forgive me for the deception. I have so much to share with you, but I think we should be getting back to Felipe & Victoria."

That statement jolted Alejandro out of their little world. "Son, there is nothing to forgive. Oh! Victoria! Your promise to her! What are you going to tell her? And when?"

Diego thought a moment. He drew his lips together in a taut line. "Nothing at present. We need to see whether or not De Soto will either change his ways or be transferred. At some time, when we are totally free, I will reveal myself to her. I have promised to do so."

Alejandro shook his head in continued amazement, put his hand on Diego's shoulder. "Oh, Diego, Diego. I am so proud of you, my son."

Diego put a hand on his father's arm. "Thank you Father. That means so much to me. We'd better get back."

They turn back to where Felipe and Victoria are standing. This time, Alejandro's arm is around Diego, who looks tired, but relieved, as though a great burden has been lifted from his shoulders.

Z

A short time later, the de la Vega men came home. Alejandro asks Maria the cook to heat up something simple for supper. They sat in the dining room discussing the day's events and their feelings. Diego is very tired. The whole day's events are weighing heavy on him. His arm throbbed from being re-opened, but he patiently answered Alejandro's questions.

Alejandro asked, "Now that we're home, Diego, will you please explain a couple of things to me that you couldn't say in the Plaza?"

Diego made a suggestion. "Father, can we go to the Library? I'd like to sit more comfortably."

"Certainly, son."

They went into the library, where Diego stretched out in a sitting position on the couch. Felipe tries to put a pillow under Diego's arm. Diego politely refuses, but keeps the arm bent close to his torso. Felipe sat in the chair across the room. Alejandro sat in the chair nearest the couch.

Diego said, "No – thank you, Felipe. I think it is better this way. Now, Father, what do you want to know? I don't want to have any more secrets from you. Life, as I have seen today, is too short."

"I agree son. You said there were a couple of ways Gilberto knew about you. What were they?"

"Well, how about I begin at the beginning, Father?"

While Diego spoke, Alejandro took it all in. Alejandro's chest swelled with his pride in his son. But, he also shed tears, and visibly showed his alarm at some of the things said. They trip the switch and all go into the cave. Alejandro is visibly moved as he takes in all of Zorro.

Diego explains, "Father, first of all, I hid my master-level swordsmanship from you because…when I saw the state of the pueblo after I returned from Spain, I knew I could make a difference, but I also knew I had to break the law to do it…and knowing how much you respect the law and obedience to it…I created Zorro – who could get things done.

"The 'truce' at Diablo Canyon was a trap for Zorro, as you suspected. And I told you 'if I were Zorro I'd go.' I always had to take the chance someone was being truthful. It was indeed a trap, and I was buried under a pile of rocks from an explosion… If it hadn't been for Toronado…"

Alejandro interjected with great alarm, his voice wavering. "Son, are you telling me you almost died twice today?" Diego didn't answer, he went on with his story.

"When I 'ordered' you inside, it was to hide my swordsmanship from you. There were three things that gave me away to Gilberto: 1) that I wanted to hide my skill from you; 2) that I was shot on the roof rescuing Toronado, and Gilberto, who was on the roof with me, saw that; and 3) that I evidently smelled of the explosive material cordite he used when I returned from Diablo Canyon, even though I had changed clothes…"

"Wait a minute! You were shot rescuing Toronado? I thought Gilberto wounded you today." Alejandro put a hand to his head. "Continue son, I'm sorry. It's all such a shock." His face said it all.

They talk and Diego shared, late into the night. They triggered the switch and showed Alejandro the cave. Finally, after hours of talking and sharing… all are exhausted, physically and mentally. They also talked some of their feelings regarding the son and brother they never got to know. But their shared grief was turned inward. There were many things to take care of now. They were going to need their rest.

Alejandro yawned, and said, "Well, I believe I'm going to bed. I don't know how much I'll sleep, but I'm going to bed. The day's events have exhausted me, but my mind is going in circles."

"Si, I understand. Buenos noches, Father. Thank you for…for…listening. Thank you for your understanding and forgiveness for not telling you all this sooner."

Alejandro looked at his son again, beaming with pride. Then, he lowered his eyes, as he put his hand again on Diego's shoulder. "Thank you, my son…for showing the character to put up with my insults, my degrading of you. I am truly sorry for all those harsh words."

Diego gently patted his father's arm. "As the days go by, I'll be sharing as much as I can with you, Father."

Alejandro spoke with great emotion, even though he was exhausted. "Good night, Diego, my son, who is Zorro. Good night, Felipe, my new son."

Felipe smiled, and signed "Good night." After Felipe and Alejandro left the library, Diego sat a moment, rubbed his temples, grimaced as he moves his hands and hits a bump, then got up slowly and moved a bit unsteadily to his room. Now that the day is finally over, the toll of his arm wound ripping open again, and his head bumps and bruises are just now beginning to take over.

Z

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