Alejandro sat with Victoria as the doctor went to check on Diego. When Hernandez came out of the room, Alejandro joined him.

"Hernandez," Alejandro said softly.

"He could have killed himself," Hernandez said with a little shock in his voice. "That amount of alcohol in his system…he's still a little intoxicated…"

"Will he be alright?" Victoria asked a little nervously.

"He should be…Alejandro keep a close eye on him," Hernandez said softly. "Alejandro, a private word…"

Alejandro walked with the doctor as Victoria paused outside the door, and peeked in. His snore would have amused her under any other circumstance.

Zzz

Alejandro looked expectantly at the doctor.

"Where has he been lately?"

Alejandro shrugged.

"It's just that he has bruising consistent with regular fist fights…a few new scars….you were aware of the old ones?"

"Old ones?"

Hernandez grabbed his arm and glanced around them, especially over his shoulder. "Alejandro, I have had a theory for a few years now, that Diego may in fact be Zorro. Some of the old scars would be consistent with that theory."

"As you know Diego has been missing for three weeks, almost a month. I'm not sure where he's been."

"Completely out of character…even out of character for Zorro… The whole thing might be related to the concussion when he injured the ankle. I thought it might have been a little worse than we thought. He reacted to Francisco's death in an extreme way."

"A permanent brain injury?" Hernandez glanced at Alejandro with surprise. "I am a veteran soldier, Hernandez. Permanent brain injuries happen in battle."

"It's rare to survive to suffer from them."

"Yet it happens," Alejandro said softly. "Is it permanent?"

"It bears watching, Alejandro. Probably not, but whatever is going on with him, he needs to be watched."

"I was watching him…It didn't help at all. He's a young man. He might just be Zorro…How on earth can I stop Zorro from doing anything he wants to do? I can't…I don't even know my own son."

"I checked Destara last night, the alcalde was worried about him. He is not saying who fought with him last night," Hernandez whispered. "He's terrified."

"Of Diego?" Alejandro cast a glance towards his son's room.

"He's terrified of every shadow, and every noise. He's completely mentally unfit for duty. I wouldn't trust him out of bed right now."

"Shaky hands?"

"It suggests that Diego is a dangerous man under certain circumstances…be careful," Hernandez said softly.

"He wouldn't hurt me. I'm his father," Alejandro said with a scoffing laugh.

"Keep Victoria close by as well. She might help him calm down," Hernandez suggested.

"You just said Diego could be dangerous?"

"He is also very respectful of ladies, and in particular Victoria."

"If he imagines she is unfaithful?"

"He couldn't?"

"That's why Destara was attacked. He was making unwelcome advances to Victoria."

Hernandez grew thoughtful. Alejandro glanced towards Diego's room.

"We left her back there. She might be…" Alejandro moved before he finished speaking. Both men rushed back to the room.

Victoria was sitting on the bed, gazing at Diego with confusion.

The two older men opened the door, and both sighed with relief to see that Diego was still asleep, and that Victoria was completely safe.

Zzz

Alejandro attempted to sit down with Victoria, but apparently the tavern was much too busy for her to leave for even a few moments. He wondered how he would explain his thoughts about Diego being Zorro, and the apparent change in his son's personality.

He couldn't see any change that dramatic personally. Diego was just forgetting his manners, and lashing out at people – much like himself when his dear Elena died. Alejandro shook his head with a half smile. After all the years of believing Diego was nothing like him, to come to the realisation that he was his father's son in every sense was ironic. If only he had used his eyes, and watched a little more closely – he would have seen it.

Memories of Diego standing up and rescuing both himself and Mendoza and a little child from the initial attack by Zaragosa, amazed him on reflection. Diego participated in the defence of the pueblo without batting an eyelid. Victoria reacted more to the violence than his squeamish son did. And just where had he been when they faced down the bandits the next morning? Riding to the rescue of the pueblo dressed in black, obviously. Just how had he done that? He would have to ask him.

He even remembered times when he had held an impulsive son back to prevent a conflict. It had been a reflex act, not one he really had thought about much, but he'd had to do it several times in the past. Diego must have forgotten himself and his act along with his de la Vega temper for a moment. A father's instinct had saved his life once or twice, or at least prevented unnecessary questions.

"Victoria…" He tried to grasp her arm, as she darted past with her hands full.

"Please, Alejandro, I'm busy," Victoria said impatiently.

"I need to talk to you."

"Later. Leave me to do my work," she insisted.

Alejandro sighed. He believed that she had a right to know who her hero was. He needed to tell her as soon as possible. It was as if she was avoiding him, avoiding the truth that confronted them with his son's actions the previous night.

Zzz

Diego dressed himself in the brown suit that Felipe had brought. Felipe was frowning at him.

"I can't explain it." Diego was staring at the floor, and he shook his head. "There is no rational explanation for what I did. No excuse whatsoever…"

Felipe poked him in a shoulder to make him look up and concentrate on their strange conversation.

Like Mendoza? You hit your head? Like Mendoza? Felipe was signing. This drunkenness was your dark side?

"I don't think so. Everything is a little blurry still. Wine has a lot to answer for," Diego murmured. "I felt a little as if a dam burst, and I was consumed with anger and pain, and I just needed to run from it all."

Felipe was looking at him with concern.

You don't talk to me anymore. You used to talk all the time. Now you just run away when I want to talk to you. You need to talk to me. The teenager was adamant. His hand signs were sharp and fast, as if the boy wanted to yell at him.

Diego blinked at him a little. "I'm sorry," he murmured. "What have I been doing? I've been so distracted…"

Felipe prodded him a little, and then hugged him tightly. Diego slowly reached around his son gently.

I thought you were dead. Felipe's signs faltered, and Diego saw tears in his son's eyes.

"Oh, Felipe….I'm so sorry," Diego said, drawing him back into a hug. This time he held him for a while. "I'm so selfish….Please forgive me." Felipe shuddered and Diego could feel the boy sobbing silently against him. "Please, Felipe. Forgive me…" The boy nodded and Diego sighed.