A/N: Thank you to JuliaBC for taking the time to read and review and for her wonderful collection of moments for Diego and Alejandro in "Lost Chances" :) I hope you all like this next one, please let me know what you think! See you next time!

Chapter Ten: Zorro to the Rescue (Part 2)

"Remember, señorita, no tricks."

Lolita wanted to vomit – just sitting a few inches from him made her want to gag as she smelled the alcohol that encased his being. She bit her tongue, not daring to utter a sound so long as she was next to him. She could only pray that her stepmother was still all right once they arrived…after all, who knew what this man was capable of, once they got to his hiding place?

The bell tower of the church became closer as he drove calmly in the night as so not to arouse anyone's suspicions. Lolita was quite aware that Padre Felipe was out of town, however, Juarez was not. Perhaps she could convince him to go anyways to her stepmother and get him to agree to marry her later. Her thoughts were filled with concern for the poor woman, her family, and two men. She was quite certain that Consuela would go and get help from friends, one of these being Don Diego de la Vega. Her heart sunk as she realized that Diego was not a fighter, but perhaps he would help with searching for her. After all, he was quite serious when he said he would always be there for her, and she believed in his word. The second man she thought of made her wonder if he was a supernatural being. Zorro seemed to appear just at the right time, as though he could hear people's conversations though he was not physically present. Perhaps, just perhaps, now would be one of those times…

The rickety wagon came to a jarring halt, the horses nickering in agitation when Juarez yanked on the reins. Getting down from his post, Juarez hurried around to grab Lolita. He was pleased to see she was not putting up a fight or arguing with him, for she was notorious for speaking her mind and keeping her distance from those she thought of with disdain. Keeping one hand on her arm, he walked her into the holy building, making sure to take off his hat while Lolita kept her black mantilla on. The doors of the church were unlocked, as was custom, and there at the altar, mumbling prayers before the crucifix, was a hunched figure covered in a thick, tattered robe.

"Padre," Juarez called out once they had come up to the priestly figure. He moved his head to and fro, checking for Indians or spying eyes. "Padre Felipe-"

"Padre Felipe is not here," the figure answered wearily, not even bothering to turn around to face them. "I am Padre Ramon from San Francisco, visiting for the time being, my child."

Juarez grunted, his eyes narrowing at the doddering priest. "Listen here, Padre, at least turn around and face us!"

"Do forgive me, I would look upon you and welcome you properly…it's just that I cannot see. I'm blind, you know. Old age does that to a good man – robs a man of his strength, sight, hearing, reasons, good teeth-"

"Enough!" Juarez snapped, glaring as the old priest shuffled and turned about slowly to face them. He had a rather thick beard and moustache, and his eyes were covered with a black rag. The old man's face was shadowed under the thick, heavy hood of the habit, making it difficult to see any other distinguishable features. "We wish to be married, so get on with it!"

"Married, eh? Let's see…I can't seem to remember all the rites…" The old man scratched his head and shuffled away from them, reaching out blindly and grabbing hold of a candlestick on the altar. "First I must bless you with holy water… or is it incense…? Oh bother, what does it matter?" he began to swing the stick at them, nearly hitting Juarez in the face as Lolita ducked from his blow. "I shall need to bless the rings and… oh bother, do you happen to have a witness?"

Juarez growled in frustration, ready to shoot the man. He didn't have time for third blind fool's shenanigans! "Never mind, Padre." Gripping Lolita's arm, he hissed in her ear, "You may be lucky tonight, senorita, but that does not mean the deal is off. Besides, your father won't know that we aren't wed yet… not for a while." He stared off, dragging her with him when she began to fight back.

"Wait! You promised I could go to confession!" she insisted. "Are you such a liar that you will not at least allow me to do what I hoped for?"

"Confession, eh?" The priest reached out blindly, grasping the young woman's shoulder when he found it. "Come then, my child…the confessional should be here somewhere…"

Juarez glared at her, hissing in her ear, "Make it quick, and no tricks!"

Lolita sent him a scalding look of hatred before taking the priest by the arm and leading him to the end of the pew. She was rather surprised to feel some muscle beneath the robe, causing curiosity to flicker in the back of her mind. "…here Padre, sit down," she urged him, sitting beside him after checking to see if Juarez was still a good way off.

"Gracias," he said sighing as he leaned back. "Now then, what is troubling you, my dear?"

Clasping her hands together on her lap, Lolita inhaled deeply and held her breath. Closing her eyes, she confessed, "Padre…I haven't been the best sister I could be. I let my stepsister's words get to me and I oftentimes snap back or make a comment…I can't help myself."

"That is quite common amongst siblings, however, it is good that you acknowledge it," he nodded, stroking his grey beard. "What else troubles you?"

Lolita's lips trembled as she thought of Juarez taking her away, never being able to see her family or friends again. "…I'm frightened, Padre."

"Frightened? Of what?"

"This man," she whispered, not daring to glance at Juarez as her voice dropped. "I'm forced to marry him, or my family will suffer…I know this is the right thing to do, I don't want anything to happen to them…but dear God, I'm terrified!" She bit her lip, squeezing her eyes shut as she remembered Juarez was watching. The last thing she needed was for him to run over and make things worse. Feeling the priest's hands resting upon her own, she looked up, gasping as his head neared hers.

"Fear not, señorita…God will send someone to protect you," he whispered, his voice suddenly smooth and deep, making her shiver. "You are as brave as you are beautiful, but you must have faith in those who love you. There is hope."

"How can you say I'm beautiful when you can't see?" she asked softly, her eyes widening as he brought her hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles.

"I know many things, Lolita…especially how radiant you are, inside and out…they don't call me 'el Zorro' for nothing."

She stared in awe at him, tears spilling down her cheeks as she felt herself smile in relief. "It's you…" she whispered, her heartbeat racing as he reached up and wiped her tears away. She could sense his gaze on her, despite the mask that kept his eyes concealed, and at once she was filled with a sense of strength. "I'll do my best," she promised quietly, seeing him smile at once.

"Trust in God, Lolita, and trust in me…I will get you and your mother home."

Rising to her feet, she gave his hands a gentle squeeze before turning and collecting her skirts, holding her breath as she approached the awaiting criminal. "Finished?" sneered Juarez. Lolita chose to nod, not trusting herself to open her mouth and speak. She was afraid something in her voice might give her away, or her rescuer. Biting her tongue, she let the repulsive man taken her away, forcing herself to stare ahead. "Have faith," she told herself over again once the rickety carriage took off. "Just have faith…"

~Z~

Sergeant Garcia sighed, his countenance melancholy as her stared out at the posada. He desperately wished Riviera had given him the night off to go to the tavern and have a drink…or two…possibly more. Alas, he was put on night watch duty with Corporal Reyes, who was currently leaning against his rifle, snoring away contentedly. "Baboso," Garcia mumbled sourly, nudging his friend with his elbow. "If I have to stay up all night, then so do you."

"Mmh-huh?" Corporal Reyes rubbed his eyes, yawning loudly. "Is it morning yet?"

"Unfortunately, no, Corporal. You only just fell asleep. Did you have a nice nap?" Sergeant Garcia smiled sweetly, his words dripping with sarcasm.

"I did, until you work me up," Reyes answered back sleepily. He blinked once, then twice…and then, he squinted. Pointing his gloved finger out into the night, he said, "Sergeant? Are we expecting company?"

"Of course we are not expecting company…" Sergeant Garcia rolled his eyes, shaking his head at his friend. His brows furrowed as Reyes's words sunk in. "…pardon me for asking, but why do you ask?"

"Well, there's a carriage coming this way, and fast," the corporal answered, his eyes widening as it seemed to head straight for them, the driver tugging hard on the reins at the last possible moment. "Ay Chihuahua!" Reyes cried, leaping from the gates.

"Look out!" Garcia exclaimed, falling back on his bottom and covering his head in protection.

The sound of the soldiers' shouts and the rumble of the carriage awoke many in the barracks. Several men were soon poking their heads out of their windows and doors, some even pulling their boots on in anticipation of a fight or orders. The first to burst from his bed and run out of his room was Capitan Jorge Fernandez, his pants and boots already on as he ran from his cabin and peered into the darkness. "Who goes there?!" he demanded, his pistol and sword at hand.

"Alejandro de la Vega!" the reply came, a lantern raised into the air to expose his face in the darkness.

"Don Alejandro!" Fernandez cried, putting away his weapons before sprinting out to greet the late night visitor. "What in Heaven's name is happening-?"

"Consuela, speak now. Lolita's honor and Catalina's life depends on this," the elder said, motioning for the Indian woman to stand speak. Bernardo sat beside the woman, giving her a comforting pat on the back.

"Capitan," Consuela spoke, clutching the blanket around her shoulders. "Señor Juarez came to the Pulido hacienda nearly an hour ago, demanding that Don Carlos give him his fortune if he wanted to see Doña Catalina alive and well again."

"Santa Maria!" Sergeant Garcia gasped as he listened in, gratefully accepting Corporal Reyes's help to stand once more.

"In order to do this, he demanded one of the Pulido daughters be married to him…Lolita offered herself up, to save Doña Catalina," Consuela continued, her body shaking as she worried for her hermanita. "I left before they did and came to the de la Vega hacienda for help."

"Where is Don Diego?" Corporal Reyes spoke up, finding it very odd that the young, love-struck don was not with his father. Then again, it was well-known that Diego de la Vega preferred to avoid conflict as opposed to face it.

"Diego has gone out and brashly decided he would go looking for Lolita on his own, I could not stop him," Alejandro answered, making a face of frustration. "He refused to bring a weapon, though! I doubt he'll find her alone, that's why I came here."

"I shall assemble a troop to search for them. I only hope we are not too late," Fernandez vowed sternly. Turning to the plump sergeant, he ordered, "Sergeant, gather some of your best men and have them mount their steeds – we leave-!"

"You're not going anywhere."

All turned to see Commandante Riviera exit his private quarters, tying his robe's sash around his waist as he approached the group. He looked them up and down in disdain, casting Consuela a dirty look. "I will not have men gallivanting the Los Angeles countryside because a servant – a woman, no less – claims there is trouble at home. Really, a kidnapping? Blackmail and extortion? I comment you, señorita. You ought to write a novel."

Consuela clenched her fists and clamped her jaw, her eyes on fire as she glared at the man. She could feel Bernardo fuming behind her, fighting to look confused as so not to blow his cover, no matter how angry he was. Don Alejandro could feel a vein popping out of his neck, outraged at the official's behavior and words. Had Diego not warned him about Riviera, he would have been mortified to know that a military official was more concerned about status as opposed to the people's safety.

"Do you mean to tell me that you will not go and save Señorita Lolita Pulido and Doña Catalina from this nightmare?" Alejandro said in a low growl, grinding his teeth together to control his rage.

"If I listen to every Indian's rants about trouble, the cuartel would be empty of soldiers," Riviera sniffed. "I will ride to Don Carlos and ask him to explain-"

"By the time you bother to ride out, it will be too late!" snapped Consuela, for once daring to speak out. She knew she was risking her skin, but Lolita was risking her life right now, and that meant more to her than anything else.

"Hold your tongue, wench!" Riviera bellowed. Bernardo began to rise from his seat, his body shaking in anger as he listened, but Consuela gripped his hand silently, stopping him from jumping out and attacking the man. "I am Commandante here and-"

"And since you will do nothing, I will," Fernandez declared loudly, stepping up and facing the man.

Riviera gawked at him, stunned for once. "You dare to defy me-?"

"I do," he snarled. "Ever since you arrived here, you have done nothing but torment others and find ways to benefit yourself…I may not be able to prove that you are up to something, but I will not stand for your cruelty and heartlessness any longer! Sergeant, Corporal! Get the men right away!"

"Sí, Capitan!" Sergeant Garcia cried fiercely, already prepared to leap through fire for the sweet señorita. She was a friend to them all, and he would not let her down now. With Corporal Reyes on his heels, Garcia relayed the message to the soldiers yet again, unwilling to listen to Riviera any longer.

Riviera took a menacing step towards Fernandez, his nostrils flared as he growled, "Do you realize this is insubordination-?"

"Do you realize your loyal puppet, Martinez, is nowhere to be seen?" Fernandez answered back coldly, taking his own steps until he came up to Riviera. The Commandante actually took a step back as the captain continued to step towards him, causing him to nearly trip over a stone. "I know you had a hand in this, Riviera…one way or another, this pueblo will be rid of you…this I swear." With a furious gleam in his dark blue eyes, Fernandez stalked off, ordering the soldiers to hurry. "Do you know where they might have stopped, Consuela?"

"The church…he said something about stopping at the San Gabriel mission," Consuela told him.

"Then that is where we will stop," he nodded. Nodding to Corporal Reyes in gratitude as his horse was brought up, along with his jacket, he slipped his arms through the coat and jumped onto the horse's back. "I'll led the way – we have no time to lose!"

~Z~

Off in the desert, just before the mountains, stood a lonely little cabin, worn and run down after so many years of neglect and facing the elements. The moon peered through the clouds, shining down on the thatched roof, leaking into the building and lighting up the small area within. There remained four figures, three men, one woman.

"How much longer?" grumbled one of the men, crossing his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the wall. "We've been here nearly all day!"

"Hold your tongue," snarled their leader, a man wearing a mask that revealed only his dark eyes. "Juarez will be here soon…and if he's not…" He looked down at the weary woman, Doña Catalina Sanchez del Castillo. "…well, I don't think it's appropriate to say such things in front of the lady."

Catalina wept quietly, having realized begging for mercy was futile and weak since she was kidnapped late that afternoon when she left town to go home. She was scared, hungry, and wanted to go home, but these men were ruffians who threatened her with death. At the very least, the masked leader did not let his henchmen touch her…for that she was grateful to God above.

The sound of a wagon approaching made everyone stiffen. The masked leader peeked through the broken window and nodded in satisfaction. "Unlock the door. It's Juarez, and he's brought company."

Catalina felt her stomach twist in a knot at the mention of company. She had been explained to about their plot by the sadistic leader, who delighted in seeing her suffer. She could not bear to think that one of her daughters had to be wed to that drunkard who called himself a caballero and still managed to hold the titles to his lands. Holding her breath, her heart tore in two upon seeing Juarez yank in a dark haired beauty, her eyes filled with fire. "Lolita…Lolita!" Catalina wept, raising her arms to the girl.

Lolita ran to her and fell to her knees, embracing her stepmother and caressing her hair comfortingly. "There, there, Mother…it's all right…you're all right…"

"Lolita…you shouldn't have agreed," she blubbered, shaking her head and covering her face. Catalina was unsure whether to be relieved that her biological daughters had not been taken, or horrified that her stepdaughter had accepted such a cruel fate. "Oh, Lolita…!"

Lolita said nothing, her eyes moving to follow the masked fiend who seemed to be leading the small group. Motioning to Catalina to be still, she arose to her feet and gathered her skirts, tiptoeing slowly behind the man while he spoke to Juarez. She held her breath as she saw the other two men exit the house, going to guard the location from the outside.

"What do you mean you didn't get the priest to wed you?!" the masked man hissed at Juarez.

"Padre Felipe was out, and this old fool was blind as a bat! He was wasting our time," Juarez insisted, seeming to wince as the masked man came closer. "Besides, Don Carlos won't know we haven't wed yet-"

Lolita lunged from behind, grabbing the mask tightly in her hand and giving a mighty tug, hearing the man scream profanities as she pulled the cloth cover off. Spinning around, his fist took hold of her wrist, his eyes narrowed as he glared maliciously at her. Her own brown eyes narrowed in return. "Capitan Martinez…why am I not surprised? After all, you are Commandante Riviera's dog." His free hand slapped her across the face, sending her flying onto her back. She felt the fresh sting of his attack on her face, her eyes watering despite her best efforts to stop. Catalina was wailing over her, cradling her in her arms.

"Diablo!" Catalina hissed. "How dare you-!"

"You both have seen and heard too much, I'm afraid," Martinez said coolly, drawing his sword and pointing at the two women. "It looks like it is time to say adios."

"Wait!" Juarez gasped, daring to lay his hands on Martinez. "You can't do that! What about the plan?! Riviera will kill me-!"

"I will save him the trouble," snapped Martinez. "We needed to have you wed by now, you insufferable wretch!" Looking down on the two women, he continued, "No, Juarez…there has been a change of plans…and it starts with these two."