"Diego?"

"What?"

Alejandro walked into the mostly dark library. Where was Felipe? "Where's Felipe?"

Diego turned back to stare at the fire, wondering if he'd feel it if he touched it right now. His entire body was numb, except for the throbbing pain he felt in the center of his chest. But at least she'd be safe now. "I don't know."

"You don't know? You were in here alone with Victoria?"

Diego ran his hand through his hair as Alejandro lit a few lamps. "Don't worry, her virtue is intact. We just talked."

"Talked?" Alejandro blew out the long match and tossed it into the fire. "Must have been some talk since she just ran out of here sobbing like a child. Victoria isn't prone to tears."

Diego shrugged uncomfortably and Alejandro advanced on him. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." When Alejandro didn't buy that answer, Diego rested his head against the back of the couch, completely defeated. "I told her she needed to stay out of trouble. She was fighting with the alcalde's guards. I told her she made Zorro's job harder when she kept interfering."

"Diego! Why would you say that?"

"It's true," Diego answered as he stared back at his hands folded across his middle.

"No wonder she was crying. She does everything she can to help the people of this pueblo, unlike you. I think she might even fancy herself in love with Zorro. You shouldn't speak for him."

Diego didn't look up, and Alejandro clenched his fist, not believing his son could be this callous to her feelings. "And you're her best friend. You know that. Your opinion means more to her than mine probably. More than anyone else she knows. Why would you be so cruel?"

"At least she'll be safe now."

"Oh, really? Why would you think that? She's always fought for justice. At least with you as her friend she had some support. The support of the De la Vega name. Now she'll be all alone, and probably won't accept help ever again. Not to mention she just took off back to the pueblo in the dark all alone. I was going to send someone with her but she left too fast."

Alejandro paused, hoping his son would interfere. "Anything can happen, because I can assure you she won't be watching where she's going. I'm going after her. I hope you realize what you've done, and tomorrow go on your knees apologizing."

"Father," Alejandro stopped, nearly out of the library when Diego finally called him back.

Alejandro stiffened and turned back. "What?"

"You mean that? Don't you think she's gotten in more trouble since Zorro came into her life? Wouldn't it be better if she stopped associating with him?"

"Associating?" Alejandro took a step back into the library, but now in the light he could see the worry drawn on his son's face. Maybe it wasn't all because of his friend's death. "Diego, I've never seen Victoria cry. If anything happens to her tonight, or if you don't fix it tomorrow, I'm not sure what will come of her."

Alejandro paused, but Diego didn't move. He sighed in frustration and turned to leave, but once again Diego stopped him at the last minute.

"Father, wait, I'll go after her."

"Diego, maybe that's not such a good idea right now." Even as he said it, he turned to the side so his son, for once, could rush out and be the hero for their mutual friend. He growled when Diego just stood there looking indecisive.

Then the floor dropped out from under Alejandro's feet as Diego turned to the fireplace, touched the mantle, and nearly walked through the fire to get to a secret door. He only froze for a second though before he followed. In his haste, his pants leg caught fire and he stumbled down the stairs.

"Just as foolish as Victoria," Diego admonished as he dumped a pitcher of water on his father's leg and knelt to inspect the damage.

"Diego…"

"You'll be fine. Here, put some of this on it. I'll be back."

"Diego, wait!" Alejandro fumbled the canister of salve his son had tossed at him as he stood and tried to get his bearings.

"Don't touch anything."

Alejandro couldn't say anything else because his son didn't give him time. He saw the black clothes on a coat rack, saw weapons…saw one weapon in particular. He limped further into the cave to see his son swinging up onto a very familiar black stallion—without the aid of a saddle.

Words of warning and caution died on his lips as he saw Diego back the stallion out of his stall with precise movements and complete control, and then Diego was gone.

Zzz

Author's note: if you enjoyed, please review.