The Best Intentions
Chapter 4
See Chapter 1 for disclaimer.

Note: This chapter has not been beta read, so any mistakes you see are my own. It is also, sorry to say, a tad short. I'm ODing on eps once again and brainstorming a bit to remap the story. Hopefully, I can keep going this time.


Diego felt the bright California sun bathing his skin and dark hair in a heavy warmth. Riding without a hat, he squinted at the horizon watching as, at some distance to his right, Don Luis stood near a broken fence, discussing the issue with one of his vaqueros. He gestured toward the pasture beyond while the vaquero nodded vigorously. To his left, Felipe worked the reins on his horse, maneuvering the creature through a series of stunts as they waited on the caballero; beside him, his father still sat atop yet another Andalusian descendant of the de la Vega stock, his back to the afternoon rays. The young don soon felt his father's gaze upon him.

"You seem a bit preoccupied this trip, my son," Alejandro commented.

Diego smiled ruefully. Thoughts on both Victoria's presence and the abrupt departure of Don Andres' family occupied him more than he was willing to admit. It appeared that, despite his best efforts, he had been unable to hide this introspective mood from the elder man. "Just admiring the scenery, Father."

"Oh, you're admiring the scenery, Diego, but I don't believe it has anything to do with terrain." Dark eyes twinkled with amusement as Alejandro exchanged a knowing glance with Felipe. "I was surprised when you thought to invite Victoria to Santa Barbara with us."

"Oh, really, Father…" Shaking his head, the younger de la Vega chuckled. "She simply needed a break. You and I discussed that particular topic earlier in the week."

"We did, we did, indeed…and you would know better than I," the old don continued, "but I did wonder if it was such a good idea. Even I note the difference in you between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Perhaps now would be a good time to… talk to her, let her know the real Diego."

Diego blinked. It had been months since his confrontation with his tainted brother, a man known as Gilberto Risendo, in the courtyard of the de la Vega hacienda. Turned against his own family by a generation of lies from a cruel, bitter woman, Risendo sought to regain his place among the de la Vegas at the point of a sword: first by maiming Alejandro, and then killing Diego, so that Gilberto himself would be the only heir. Diego had no choice but to confront the brigand – in broad daylight, without his mask. Attempting to preserve his alternate identity, he hurriedly sent his injured father into the house, to be looked after by Felipe. But as the fight against Risendo progressed, his father re-emerged. The elder de la Vega was stunned by the display of swordsmanship he saw from his usually foppish son.

Since that day, Diego had treaded carefully around the subject of his double life. No longer had he received chiding or derision for sleeping late, or for disappearing in the midst of trouble. In fact, he strongly suspected that his father, a rational man in his own right, had put the pieces together; that Diego was also Zorro had become something of an unspoken secret between father and son. Unspoken, at least, until that moment.

"I—I'm not sure what you mean, Father. My concern has been for the Cristoba children. Felipe and I saw their departure last night, and I have been contemplating what could prompt such an action."

Don Alejandro furrowed his brow, momentarily distracted. "You saw them leave?"

Diego nodded. "I did. It was late and Felipe, in the midst of a midnight snack, it appears" – he smirked at the younger man – "was interrupted by noises by the stable. He came to get me, and we watched the children as they were loaded into a carriage and taken away."

"And you said nothing? Diego, really!"

"Father, what would you have had me do? Sabrina and Gabriel are the children of Don Andres and Doña Beatriz. How they manage their family is surely none of my affair." He paused. "Make no mistake: I am concerned. But I thought it best to investigate the situation before leaping into action."

"But—" This came from Felipe, who stopped short and began signing instead. It was clear his thoughts were well ahead of his voice.

Watching his signing, Don Diego nodded. "You're right: the situation was only further amplified by Don Andres and Doña Beatriz's quick departure this morning. I believe Victoria was going to get what information she could from Doña Helena, so perhaps we can riddle this out."

"And keep it…to ourselves." Felipe grimaced. One hand still holding the reins lightly, his hands shifted through a flurry of signals. It was clear to him, he noted, that, whatever the concern, Don Andres and Doña Beatriz didn't want to involve Don Luis and Doña Helena.

Diego gave a brisk nod. "Agreed. I think, until we have a better idea of what is happening, we should respect their wishes. If we push too hard, it's very likely we'll alienate them –"

"And not be able to help them." Alejandro shared a slight smile with Diego. Inwardly, the younger man was reeling, now assured his father knew his secret. "If Victoria really is to help you in this, Diego," Don Alejandro continued, "you should either talk to her…or risk her finding out on her own. And Heaven help you if she finds out on her own!"