Victoria was in her kitchen and added seasoning to her chili. After all, she had a few hungry mouths to feed.

And cooking was a good possibility not to think too much.

She wouldn't admit it to her friends, but she missed him. Diego.

Why didn't he come to have his lunch, yesterday? She even opened the tavern an hour longer than usual, but he didn't come. No Diego. And no Alejandro and Felipe.

Sometimes it happened that he didn't visit at midday – but he used to visit her later then. Yes, Diego was very calculable – or even boring in his reliability. Zorro was rather the opposite – his visits were always a happy surprise and he preferred the late evenings. Often, she waited for him in vain. But she didn't blame him for that – his mission was dangerous, and she knew, he was often riding for hours during the night.

She wished she could fall into her daydream, imaging his embraces and kisses.

But she recognized, too, reliability was a point she didn't value highly enough till now.

She missed Diego and she didn't know why she was feeling so badly. And she had a bad conscience because she has no right to blame him for that. But she had assumed talking to him about continuing their "acting" yesterday.

Angrily, she stirred her stew. Why she didn't go to the Vegas yesterday? So, she would have been able to talk about all.

At this moment, Pilar came in the kitchen. She looked terrible – she was pale, almost white and seemed to be distressed.

"Pilar, what's the matter?"

"They just talk about that. There were a bandits attacking the de la Vegas."

"For heaven's sake! Madre de dios! Was someone hurt? What about Diego?" Victoria shouted panic-fueled.

"Don't worry, he is fine. But his father was shot." Pilar saw her white face and tried to calm her down. "Never fear, Alejandro had been operated by the doctor and he will be fine. At the moment he must stay in bed."

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. Anyway, she had preferred to ride to the Vegas immediately. But she couldn't run out on her helpers and leave them alone at the tavern. Her helpers couldn't manage it alone, too much work.

Pilar recognized what was bothering her. "Please, calm down. To ride to them head over heels doesn't make sense. Maybe Alejandro needs to relax and is just sleeping now. Wait till some customers are gone and you can leave and visit them."

The tavern owner sighed. Her helper was right, but she didn't like that situation. She nodded shortly as the woman went back to the dining room.

Victoria was still working in her kitchen, as the level of sound outside increased.

That was unusual – the guests should leave the tavern at this time more and more. She was about checking up, as someone pushed the curtain.

Happily, and surprised, she looked at the unexpected guest. "Diego?!"

The newcomer smiled gently. "Hello, Victoria". Before he could continue, the woman just turned to him and embraced him friendly. "Oh, Diego, I just heard what happened. The attack at your father. I'm so worried about him. Your father, how is he?"

Diego sighed clearly and freed himself carefully. "All is all right, Victoria, don't worry. He is doing well. Sorry, I'm tired and battered after that bad luck."

She was confused. What was wrong with her because he didn't want to touch her? She felt rejected and was surprised about her feelings. Diego was like a brother. Why did she feel bad and refused?

She tried to forget that strange emotion. She could think about it later. She only loved Zorro, and she didn't understand her reactions.

So, she looked at Diego and forced herself to smile. It wasn't right to be hypersensitive, she should support Diego; the whole case was bad enough. She answered: "I understand. Can I help you?"

"I can see, there is still some of your chili left. I and Felipe, who is waiting at the room outside, would love to eat it. You know, I have always been a deep admirer of your magic skills in cooking, Q…. Victoria."

Now, she was stunned. Maybe she was imaging things, but it sounded like Diego was flirting with her?

He saw her amazement and continued seriously: "The last hours I only could eat some mouthful of foot because of the worry for my father. Now, he is doing better, and I feel my empty stomach. I had a good talk with him while he is waiting impatiently to get up again and walk around. Of course, I make sure he won't, as he is still too weak. Dr. Hernandez says he will recover completely.

"I'm glad to her that" she said, relieved.

"I want to talk about all with you quietly. What do you think, can you close your tavern earlier this evening and visit our hacienda? I would pick you up. And father would also be happy to see you. While we are at it, we can practice our "acting, Querida".

Victoria looked at him, confused and angry together. But she was also shocked about the latest events, so Diego was a happy man. Because so he escaped from the famous "Victoria- temper". No tantrum, just her raised eyebrows as she mumbled with displeased "That is not funny, Diego, calling me "Querida".

"Why not? I'm very sorry. I just thought it would help you prepare yourself for our coming lessons of playing acting," he answered with a big grin.

"All right, Diego, you seem to be confused," she answered in an unusual forgiving voice. "But I only want you to use it while we are practicing it."

"What a pity, but I think you are right." He looked sad, maybe because of the bandits' attack. "But on the other side - we could use it as our keyword when we are alone to begin a short lesson for the playing acting, couldn't we?"

She shook her head. "No, that isn't a good idea. Not at all."

He nodded. "If you should change your mind, we can introduce it each time".

"Yes, I agree," she agreed without conviction.

He looked at her. "We must talk about tomorrow. I…"

He hesitated. A memory came back in his mind. "Can you tell me who is that new guest, spending the nights in your tavern?"

"Ah, I think you are speaking about Carlos Vicente. Well, I don't know, I can't tell you something about him. But he is very polite and handsome, don't worry about him". Victoria saw his suspicion and concern and was confused about his feelings. Only for a second, then the expression disappeared from his face. Perhaps she had just imagined things?

"Do you know why he is here in Los Angeles?" he asked her in a passing note.

Victoria didn't know what to think about it. Suddenly, she had a clue he was lying and hiding from her. And didn't he mention of being good in playing acting? So, he was good in fooling others, generally? Otherwise, he was her friend, the closest friend she had. No, he wouldn't lie to her, would he?

"No, Diego," she answered truthfully. "He didn't let me know and it is rude to quiz my guests, Diego".

"Well, you are right. Please forgive me, Victoria, I'm just overstrung after the attack. I see dangers in everything and everybody now although all is safe."

'You see dangers? And why have you just asked with an apathetically voice? What's wrong with you, Diego?' she asked for herself. Loudly, she responded "Why you are concerned about him? He has just arrived, and you weren't here yesterday?"

"A little while ago, he addressed me. He knew about my family and our friendship, Victoria."

She nodded. "I talked with him about that".

"What else you have told him?"

"Not that much. Vicente already knew I am a friend of you and Alejandro. He asked to introduce him to you, I remember," she replied, surprised. Yes, Diego really seemed to be afraid. She couldn't understand him.

The young Vega didn't answer, just nodded. He was stressed and made her a gesture keeping silent. He crept to the curtain of the kitchen. Suddenly, he put it on one side and looked skeptical to the room beside.

After a moment, he replaced the curtain back. He was still discontent and didn't hide his feelings anymore. "We will talk about it this evening, when you will visit us. And now, no word to someone. You got it, Victoria?" he asked in depth. He was now standing in front of her in a short distance. He continued gently, it was almost a whisper "Especially, no word to that Vicente. I will pick you up at 10 o' clock!".

What was cooking Diego? These weren't only questions, he gave instructions. The proceedings of Alejandro and Carlos, strained him badly if he acted so strange.

Suddenly, he stared at her frightened. He just noticed what he had done. His usual, friendly face came back. He added gently: "Sorry, Victoria, I shouldn't be so gruff. I'm out of my mind. Anyway, it would calm me if we can handle it as I suggested. All right?"

"Yes." Her friend might be a weak man, but there was still a rest of the old, strong Diego. Something happened in her heart. Maybe it was possible to break down his wall, to tease out the old Diego? That Diego, she had been in love with.

"I don't want to keep you any longer. You have still a lot of work in your kitchen. See you at the evening, Victoria," he whispered and interrupted their conservation immediately. Before she could react, he had disappeared behind the curtain.

-ZZZZZZZZZ-

Diego was angry – about himself.

It had been a lot – the fear for his father, then the happiness he would get healthy again – the relief, his father knew the truth and he could end fooling him – the distrust against that stranger Carlos Vicente. All was an up and down for him. And he was just tired of his masquerade. And so, he had been careless for a moment. He was just lucky Victoria had a blind spot to him, otherwise she had guessed his secret today. Anyway, he had to get out of the kitchen, not being able to ask to one more question.

As he came back to his table, Felipe's look was curious. "Later, at home," he just said and observed the surrounding people. Carlos was sitting at a table near the curtain of the kitchen. He seemed to be lost in thoughts and was staring in front of him.

Diego couldn't assess Vicente's character, although he tried hard. He felt, that man was more than he pretended to be – but was he on Zorro's side or on the alcalde's? It was difficult to find out. He had monitored the room before going to Victoria's kitchen and he couldn't see him at that moment. However, maybe Carlos had overheard him and the woman. Stupidly, they had talked about playing acting and foolishly, he had bait her with "Querida" – so their cleverly devised idea was failed perhaps. For the present, they could continue with the plan. The future would show it.

It had been a mistake to ride to the pueblo. He was still confused. But after all that had happened, he had yearned for her, wanted to see her. Unfortunately, he had to free himself of her embrace. Almost, he had lost his temper and had hugged her tightly or even more. He was lacking in concentration – a sign the time had come to stop the deception. After all these years, he was so tired playing a man he wasn't. He couldn't handle it for a long time anymore.

It was a risk to stare at Carlos for too long. He could become suspicious. Diego turned away and looked for Pilar. He waved her and ordered: "Pilar, could you please bring us two lemonades? And I think Victoria has some chili left for us."

The woman smiled. "I think so, too, please wait a moment." She went to the kitchen and came back after a short time. The two men were very hungry and enjoyed the stew and the lemonades.

Not until Diego had almost finished his meal, he noticed that Carlos had left the room.