I did a marathon chapter again, and decided since it was done, I might as well go ahead and post it now (this time it was thirteen pages – good grief! :) ). Here's the second half, which was the more difficult half for me to write. I'd love to hear your reviews as always, and hope you all enjoy it!

The evening air was warm and inviting, but Diego remained quiet and pensive. Though his father and Edmond had seemed to relax considerably, he couldn't seem to shake the uneasy feeling in his stomach. "Invitation or not, I still don't trust the alcalde."

Alejandro waved a dismissive hand. "Just relax, Diego, please. You know the alcalde's want to make a favorable impression on anyone of stature that comes to Los Angeles. It could be he's just anxious to meet a member of British lineage."

Edmond laughed lightly, adjusting the glistening hilt of the saber at his side. "Knighthood does have its purposes."

The movement had Diego's eyes on his master's sword, and his thoughts on his own blade stowed beneath his seat. A part of him wanted to relax as Edmond and his father seemed to have, but his heightened senses were not about to let him. His mouth quirked warily. He would wait to share their confidence once they were inside the tavern and convinced they were all safe for the night.

Edmond's eyes followed Diego's gaze to his saber and laid a hand over it, bringing his student's eyes back to his. Edmond smiled reassuringly. "Dear Diego, stop worrying. I should be quite safe in the tavern surrounded by your friends."

Alejandro nodded readily. "Absolutely. Besides, if we don't go, that will only make the alcalde more suspicious."

Diego attempted a smile, then looked up to Felipe in the driver's seat. The young man briefly met Diego's eyes, jerking his head lightly to where he'd stowed Zorro's costume before turning his attention back to the road. Diego expelled a low sigh and leaned back in his seat, trying to relax. Zorro's things were at the ready, and Felipe was prepared to get Toronado at the first sign of trouble. No matter what happened tonight, they were as prepared as they could ever be... or so he hoped.

They came through the pueblo's entrance, Diego's eyes darting about as Felipe slowed the coach to a stop in front of the tavern. He saw no one, familiar or stranger, moving about in the plaza. Without the tavern bustling with its usual array of customers and laughter, the town seemed nearly desolate, the silence in its place bordering on eerie. His eyes shifted to the tavern's shuttered doors, a warm light glowing just beyond them. His brow furrowed lightly as he rose from his seat, Sir Edmond rising to follow behind him. It was unusual for Victoria to have her doors closed on such a pleasant night. She usually left them sitting open to let the air cool the dining hall and her kitchen, especially when...

A sudden shot rang out, shattering the silence of the plaza. A sharp cry sounded behind him, flinging Diego's attention back to the carriage, and he watched in horror as Sir Edmond grasped his chest before crumpling into his father's arms. Diego's senses swam, feeling as if he were fighting against a sudden tidal wave as he grasped at the sides of the carriage, shock momentarily immobilizing him as a vivid, unmistakable flow of red quickly spread over the pristine white of Edmond's shirt. Dear God, his brain pleaded. Please, no...

"What was that?"

Diego's head whipped around at the alcalde's voice, he and his lancers emerging from the tavern. Figueroa moved out from the shadows and to Ramone's side, both men halting as the soldiers filed in around them. However, before they could move to overtake them, another scramble of footsteps sounded from the tavern doorway, and Diego felt his chest go tight in renewed alert as Victoria appeared behind the alcalde. Her dark eyes searched for and locked on his, wide in fear and desperation, her words confirming his worst fears. "Don Diego, it's a trap!"

Diego's shock quickly morphed into rage as the alcalde spun back, he and the lancers grabbing her arms and wrenching her hands from the door frame to push her back inside. Victoria wrestled against them, never looking away from Diego. The warning in her fear filled eyes was as unmistakable as if she'd spoken it out loud. Run.

He turned back, his gaze darting from a stunned Felipe to across the plaza, suddenly halting on the faint light coming from sanctuary of the shuttered mission's doors. His eyes blazed to life as his mind stopped on a single word. Sanctuary. He looked to Felipe, who nodded sharply and spurred the horse again, the animal emitting a startled cry at Diego's piercing command. "To the church!"

The carriage circled sharply towards the mission, Diego's steeled gaze narrowing on the alcalde and Figueroa as they scrambled across the plaza after them. One man to lure them in, he thought, another to take the shot. He looked to his father, seeing the readied fight of a soldier lighting his eyes, and Diego's jaw tightened, the rage in him sharpening into a fierce determination. They might have taken the lure, but they certainly weren't going to surrender themselves or Edmond without a fight.

The carriage jolted to a stop, and Alejandro and Diego hefted Edmond to his feet. The man winced in pain as they pulled him to the ground, then grunted with the effort to get his legs under him. Diego gave a quick glance over his shoulder as they moved towards the church doors. The alcalde and Figueroa weren't far behind them, the lancers and Mendoza at their heels.

"We have him at last!" Diego heard Figueroa shout, and he tightened his grip on Sir Edmond's arm, nearly dragging the man towards the sanctuary doors. They needed to get inside - and fast. He pushed his shoulder against the worn wood, breathing a small prayer of thanks as it easily gave way. His eyes shifted to his father in surprise when Alejandro shifted Edmond's weight towards Diego.

"Get him inside," the old don insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument. He jerked his head to the men rushing them. "I'll do what I can to hold them off."

Diego hesitated for only a second before giving his father a sharp nod and hauling Edmond inside, and glanced back just in time to see his father yank the doors closed behind them. Diego moved to one of the back pews and lowered Edmond into it before returning to the doors. He braced his weight against them, and he held his breath, listening intently as the alcalde's voice rose above the clatter of soldiers. "And he's inside a church in my jurisdiction, so the bounty is mine! Lancers!"

Diego looked about him, his breath now coming in shallow bursts as prepared to bar the doors, but stopped short at his father's assured reply. "Not so fast, Alcalde. Sir Edmond Kendall claims sanctuary. Right of the church, sir."

Diego leaned closer to listen, his shoulders tensing expectantly for the alcalde's answer. "Nonsense," he replied. "The man is a wanted criminal!"

Diego rested a fist against the door, his knuckles turning white. Didn't the alcalde know any of the laws he was supposed to enforce?

Mendoza's voice held the unexpected words of reason. "But, Alcalde, to go inside a church - that would be an illegal arrest."

Figueroa's reluctant response followed soon after the sergeant's. "And no bounty would be paid."

Diego's mouth curved in a brief smile at Ramone's silence. "That's right, Alcalde," he whispered gruffly, turning his shoulder against the well worn wood. "Even your authority cannot extend past this church's doors."

A low groan emanated from the pew behind him, and Diego's victory over the alcalde was quickly forgotten as he spun back to the side of his injured friend. Edmond had slumped further over into the pew, his breathing ragged and uneven, his teeth gritting tight against the pain. Diego braced his hands on Sir Edmond's shoulders, righting him carefully before pulling back his jacket to examine the wound - then cringed at the sight. The blood had seeped through even more, now soaking much of the right side of his chest. Diego inhaled sharply. He had to do something to stop the bleeding, but he knew it would do little to help with such a severe wound. His friend needed a doctor, and quickly. He glanced back at the door. But how could he get outside the mission without alerting Figueroa and the alcalde?

Edmond gasped in a shallow breath, his shoulders slumping weakly. "It was an excellent shot, Diego."

Diego straightened determinedly. The alcalde was many things, but he'd never known him to be a murderer. He knew the chance he'd allow Dr. Hernandez in was slim, but he had to try. He squeezed Edmond's shoulder. "Not nearly good enough. Hold on!"

He moved quietly back to the door, pressing close again to listen - then stiffened at the alcalde's sharp command for his father. "Put him under house arrest."

There was an uncertain pause before he heard Mendoza respond. "But, Alcalde..."

Ramone cut him off, his voice growing louder with each word. "He is harboring a known criminal. Put him in the tavern until I have Kendall! That's an order!"

Diego felt his anger grow. Now he was arresting his father to get his prize? He glanced back to Edmond, who was visibly struggling to breathe, and felt his stomach clench in desperation. This was insane. He'd always known the alcalde's greed was boundless, but he'd never thought he would so low as this for money. This had to stop, and with his father now under arrest, it was left up to him.

Diego stood back and threw open the door. He breathed a small sigh of relief when he spotted Victoria standing a few feet behind the alcalde and Figueroa, unharmed but still surrounded by soldiers. All eyes jerked to him in surprise, but he barely noticed as his own gaze leveled on Ramone. "Alcalde, the man has been shot. He needs a doctor."

The alcalde, however, seemed unmoved by Diego's request, his expression unchanged. "I will send for Dr. Hernandez as soon as Kendall surrenders." His voice suddenly rose, his arm jerking back to his lancers. "Until then, arrest this man!"

Diego quickly scrambled back inside the church, slamming the door closed just as the alcalde and his lancers reached the threshold. He heard Victoria's screams of protest as he braced himself against the doors as they jolted forward, then went still. He paused, his stomach clenching in worry at her continued angry screams, her voice becoming dimmer as the alcalde barked an order and soldiers hauled her away again. He fought back the urge to burst back through the doors and defend her as his gaze moved back to Sir Edmond. Such rash action would do nothing to help Victoria, his father, or Sir Edmond. Victoria and his father were imprisoned, but safe. Edmond was the one that needed him now, and if the alcalde would not bring the doctor to them, he would have to find some way to bring the doctor to them. He gave a quick glance back to the doors, whispering a quick prayer to keep all of them safe as he rushed back to his friend's side.

Diego quickly shucked off his jacket and rolled it behind Edmond's shoulders, looking about him desperately for something to stop the bleeding. The alcalde's harsh order sounded just outside the church's far window, jolting him back to alert. "I want this church sealed off! Nobody gets in, nobody gets out!"

His jaw clenched angrily as he tore at one of the ruffles on his shirt, uncaring as more of the thin fabric gave way, the delicate buttons popping loose at the hard jerk of his hand. Edmond winced and jolted slightly as Diego pressed the material against the wound, the pain seeming to re-sharpen his friend's dulled senses.

"I never liked the waiting game, Diego," he managed, struggling for air and fighting to hold his head up in his work to give his words conviction. "No - now is the time to fight!"

Diego inhaled sharply at the labored rise and fall of Edmond's chest under his fingers as he began to fade out again. He lightened the weight of his hand, but it did little to deepen the rapid pace of Edmond's lungs. Shallow breathing...not much time... He looked up at Edmond again as his head lolled to the side, his own muscles coiling tighter in frustration as his friend's grew slack. He had to do something - now.

A clear, familiar whinny caught Diego's attention, and his eyes snapped to the rear of the sanctuary. Toronado! He quickly followed the sound, cautiously unlocking and opening the side entrance door just as a shimmering pool of black material landed at his feet. He looked up, seeing Felipe release Toronado from the wagon, the stallion stealthily moving towards a small shadowed inlet behind the blacksmith's shop. Diego gathered up the bundle at his feet and quickly ducked back inside, locking the door again behind him.

His steps quickened as he reentered the sanctuary, his eyes darting to the back pew again. Sir Edmond seemed to have mercifully passed out for the moment. While he was relieved for his friend's brief respite from his pain, he also knew that, unless he moved quickly, eventually Edmond would pass out again - and never wake up. He hastily moved behind the curtains and changed into Zorro's costume, securing his mask with deft and sharp turn of his wrists before emerging again into the sanctuary's dim light. He grabbed his whip and belted on his saber, then paused again to look at the man who had bestowed the treasured weapon to him so long ago. His hand passed over the brim of his hat, urgency and readiness welling through him as he quickly tugged it into place. Sir Edmond was right. Now was the time to fight.

Zorro leaned low over Toronado's neck, fighting to not outpace Dr. Hernandez's carriage racing behind him. Thankfully, the doctor had been at home, and willingly collected his medical bag and hitched up his carriage as Zorro had told him of the situation in town. Dr. Hernandez was a good man, and unfortunately had grown accustomed to caring for those that the alcalde had put in peril.

Zorro led the way into the pueblo, the pounding of Toronado's hooves and the jostling wheels of the carriage capturing the alcalde's attention. "Zorro!"

He quickly dismounted and grabbed his whip, taking a defensive stance in front of the carriage as Dr. Hernandez stepped to the ground. "Dr. Hernandez came to help a man in need."

"No one goes inside that church!" The alcalde shouted.

Victoria appeared behind Mendoza, a small smile of confidence coming to her lips when she met his eyes. Apparently, the alcalde hadn't been able to confine both her and his father in the tavern with only a few lancers at the ready. Her appearance seemed to only spur him further, and Zorro stepped forward and unfurled his whip as the doctor disappeared inside the church, a sharp and challenging gleam in his eyes. "Who's going to stop him?"

The alcalde quickly grabbed the sergeant's arm, moving to shove him at Zorro. "Stop him!"

Mendoza pulled back against the alcalde's urging, looking at him in surprise. "But, Alcalde..."

Ramone rolled his eyes and cut the sergeant off, throwing him forward again. "Stop him!"

Zorro snapped his whip at Mendoza's feet, making him jump back. He was quickly rushed by other lancers, and he swung the whip in a high arc over his head, the multiple sharp snaps driving them back further. The alcalde drew his sword, stepping back confidently before running in a clumsy lunge at him, and Zorro drew his own sword, knocking Ramone's blade from his hand and kicking his legs out from under him. The next soldier saw Zorro's saber and quickly drew his own, the first lancer's actions mimicked by the others behind him. Zorro smiled slightly at the familiar surge of adrenaline coursing over his muscles, shaking his head lightly and giving a quick salute as the first lunged at him. The alcalde's men were loyal, but definitely exceedingly slow to learn.

The lancers chased him about the plaza, but Zorro easily fought them back, disarming several with a sharp flick of his whip before knocking them to the ground. Another approached him, his expression hesitant as he held up an unsteady blade. He jumped down from his perch on the fountain, giving a quick glance to the mission's doors. Dr. Hernandez stood before them, Edmond leaning heavily against him. However, his professor remained still his eyes seeming fixed on the battle before him, particularly towards Diego, and... Diego's eyes narrowed slightly, a slow realization making his heart swell in his chest. And he was smiling.

Diego felt a renewed rush of energy and refocused on his opponent, swinging his Toledo blade in an elaborate flourish, circling the lancer's saber before disarming him and knocking him out. He defeated one, two, then three more before looking up again, his light smile dying on his lips. Dr. Hernandez and Edmond had disappeared from the mission's steps, and they weren't in the doctor's carriage. He punched out the last soldier before him, then stepped across the backs of the soldiers scattered over the ground before aiming his sword at the alcalde's throat.

His eyes flicked to the church's doors before returning to Ramone's. "I don't have time for your nonsense, Alcalde." He turned and shot the sergeant a warning look before running back into the sanctuary.

He shoved the doors closed and spun around - then went still, the fight suddenly draining from him. Edmond lay across a facing pew, his skin pale, his breathing shallow and slow. Diego felt his heart sink into his stomach, and he looked to Dr. Hernandez, whose eyes were full of silent regret.

"It's too late," he said gently. "There's nothing I can do now."

Diego inhaled deeply, then swallowed back against swell of pain of the doctor's words. Too late... He lifted his chin slightly. "Thank you, Doctor. You'd better go before the alcalde's men arrive." Dr. Hernandez nodded solemnly, and Diego waited until he heard the soft click of the back door closing behind him. Diego bowed his head and removed his hat, slowly kneeling by his master's side. He'd fought with all he had - but this time, he failed.

Edmond turned his head, taking in a rattling breath before slowly opening his eyes. The man in black kneeling before him didn't startle him. "Diego?" Zorro silently pulled back his mask, and Edmond smiled weakly, the air slowly escaping his lungs. "I thought so. No one else could show those combinations I just saw." A faint light of pride shown in his eyes. "I taught you well."

Diego smiled faintly. "Perhaps too well."

Edmond's mouth twitched again, but his smile quickly faded as his features twisted with a sharp stab of pain. His face relaxed again as the pain passed, and he opened his eyes again, dropping them to the saber belted at his pupil's side. "I'm glad you put my sword to good use."

"Yes," he replied. "I've found my calling."

He looked back to Diego's eyes, his own full of conviction. "You have unique gifts, Diego. Never hesitate to use them in the cause of justice."

His vision began to blur, his words low and roughened with emotion. "I owe so much to you..."

Edmond smiled gently and shook his head. "Nonsense," he replied gently. The old light of his master sparked back to life in his eyes... the same light from their many lessons, and from their last in the garden... He inhaled a full, deep breath, gathering the last of his strength. "Now, go out there, and fight the good fight!" The last of his strength left him, and the gleam slowly died from his eyes as they closed, his last breath flowing out of him with a surrendering sigh.

A single tear broke free down Diego's cheek, and he bowed his head over Edmond's body, letting the rest of the tears come. His master was gone.

Author's note: I struggled at first with whether to include this final scene, but realized the story wouldn't flow without it. It wasn't that I don't like the scene – on the contrary, in fact. The scene was so beautifully done and heart breaking, I feared I wouldn't be able to do it justice, and I don't know that I did or ever could. Duncan Regehr was able to portray more emotion with one eye and his voice in that scene than many actors can with their entire face. It was subtly and gorgeously acted, and I still choke up a bit every time I see it. Brilliant.