Author's Note: I love you all. Thank you for the reviews. I know it's short, but…that's just the way the cookie crumbles. It's a tiny scene and I didn't want to attach it to the end or beginning of another chapter. I hope everyone is still enjoying the story.
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Diego entered the cave and heard his father call after him, apparently over his shock. Victoria hadn't mentioned Zorro. He wondered if his father was smarter than Victoria and could put things together. Lord, but he'd been stupid. Diego heard Alejandro banging against the door, then quieter thumps as his father started feeling around for the catch Diego had been sure not to reveal. His father was smart. He'd find it eventually. Diego dragged his heavy desk chair up the stairs and placed it in front of the door. That should keep the cave sealed while he was gone. He'd secure the back entrance as well.
Felipe was sitting on his chair with his head bowed. Diego walked over and put a hand on his shoulder, kneeling down in front of the boy he thought of as his son. "It'll be alright. We'll write to my father, and he'll understand." He ruffled the boy's hair and forced a smile as he tried to convince himself. "And we'll both miss Victoria, but maybe we'll run the tavern for a while. Would you like that?"
Felipe finally looked up and shook his head, still miserable. Diego agreed. He'd probably never set foot in the tavern again.
"Remember when you were a child, and I found you crying by that tree?" Felipe nodded. "I'm sure you thought the world was ending. That's how I feel now." Felipe nodded and wiped stubbornly at his tearing eyes. "But we found each other. You found a home. I found a son. Life got better again." Felipe just stared intently at Diego.
"We've talked about adoption before. While we're in San Diego, we can make it official." They both smiled weakly at each other. "Tonight I'm going to make sure DeSoto knows I'm tired of cleaning up his messes. I'm not going to be distracted by the pueblo or trying to catch some time with Victoria. I thought we'd step up your schooling. As my son you'll be able to do whatever you want. Go to college. We'll forget about Victoria. Life will get better again, alright?"
He stood and brought Felipe with him and they both glanced around the cave. Diego walked by his desk, closed the latest journal he was writing in. He moved it to a shelf, where other journals waited. He thought they were waiting to be shared with his father, who would enjoy reading about Zorro's adventures when it was safe. The journals would be waiting a lot longer than he'd anticipated. He felt a pang of regret as he heard Alejandro stop calling for him through the stone. His father wouldn't be interested in the stories of an outlaw. A cad…had he really said that?
He glanced back at Felipe, who stood awkwardly in the middle of the cave. "You know I'm proud of you, right?"
Felipe glanced up in surprise at the odd comment, but didn't hesitate too long before he smiled. Diego put an arm around Felipe as they walked toward Toronado. "Things will be better. Go out of the cave and pick a stallion. I know you like the ponies but we will be riding hard and you're not pretending anymore. You're a good rider and deserve a good horse. Pick one which will keep up with Toronado."
"Yes, I'm taking Toronado. I'm not sure Zorro will ride after tonight." Diego handed Felipe a sword as he gathered Zorro's things. Felipe hesitated before he took the sword he only used in his lessons, realizing things were changing.
Felipe looked up at his mentor for a long time, glanced around the cave and snuck out the back door. Diego stripped and put his clothes in Toronado's saddlebags to change later. He eyed the black clothes waiting for him with distaste. "I'm not even sure if we'll come back."
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Author's Note: I forgot. Think I did alright on today's exam, thanks for the good wishes.
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