Diego and Victoria spent a few days relaxing into each other's company, and their laughter brought smiles to everyone around them. Alejandro watched them carefully, and they had to behave appropriately.

Ramon caught Diego's arm after dinner, and pulled him into the study.

"Do I have to duel with you?"

"Are you serious, Ramon?"

"Do I have to be?"

"Well, shall I look for some wooden swords? I am not coming after you with a blade. One of us might get hurt, Ramon."

"Francisco wrote to me, telling me how he faced Zorro."

"Yes, I know. I was in the pueblo at the time. He acquitted himself well."

"Zorro spared him," Ramon said thoughtfully. "Why did he do that?"

Diego stared at him, and chuckled softly. "Zorro never kills anyone…not on purpose, anyway. He spares everyone, Ramon."

"Not much of an outlaw then," Ramon said.

"No…not much of an outlaw at all. If only we had a good man as alcalde, maybe Zorro wouldn't feel the need to defend the pueblo from injustice and bandits. The alcalde's men are no better than children – some of the children are better fighters actually."

"You like Zorro?"

"He's a good man, Ramon. He tries to help the people."

"Do you fear his reaction? Is that why you were reluctant to treat Victoria properly?"

Diego was quiet.

"Anyone would be concerned, Diego, I'm not calling you a coward."

"Ramon…"

Victoria opened the door, and peeked inside.

"There you are, Diego. I wanted to know if you'd like to play a game of chess."

Diego stood and smiled at her. "I'd love to play a game of chess, querida," he said to her. He turned to Ramon again. "Another time, Ramon. I do need to talk to you."

Ramon nodded, and watched Diego leave the room. He sighed, and steepled his fingers, resting his elbows on the desk.

Zzz

Diego admired Victoria's evening gown that she had borrowed from her sister in law. It was white, with two rows of large ruffles at the neck. It reminded him of her busy in the pueblo, tending to customers in the tavern. What would they do about the tavern? He had no idea. It was obviously something they needed to talk about.

"Diego….Diego, are you listening to me?"

"Huh?"

"Caught you day dreaming," she said with a laugh. "It's your turn, and you have been staring into space for almost five minutes. Focus on the game."

He smiled. "Checkmate, my love," he murmured, moving the appropriate piece slowly.

Victoria frowned, and stared at the board. "What? How? That's not fair!"

Alejandro glanced across and chuckled softly. "He probably saw it five minutes ago."

"I'm winning the next one."

"I think I need some air," Diego murmured. Victoria glanced at him worriedly.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, I just need to think. It's too stuffy in here," he said, getting to his feet. "Excuse me, ladies…"

He walked across to the balcony doors, and stepped onto the balcony. Victoria left her chair, and went outside with him.

"What is it, Diego? Talk to me," she whispered, running her hands around his waist gently. He turned, and embraced her lightly.

"You look so worried," she added.

He took her hands and kissed one and then the other, aware that his father was watching them closely.

"What is going to happen when we go back to Los Angeles?" Diego said softly.

"Whatever it is we will face it together, my love. Whatever comes," she murmured.

"What of Zorro? What of the alcalde?"

"You worry far too much, Diego."

He bent and kissed her, holding her close to him. It always felt so right to be in each other's arms, it felt safe, even when it wasn't safe.

"Four weeks?" Diego murmured.

"Four weeks, my love." She smiled at him.

Zzz

Destara marched across the pueblo, and banged on the alcalde's door.

"De Soto!"

"What is it, Destara? I'm busy," Ignacio said angrily. "Enter if you must!"

"I have a letter here, demanding your resignation active immediately."

"What? Resignation? Ridiculous!"

"From the governor himself."

"They can't replace me easily. No many Spaniards want this pueblo."

"They have a replacement lined up."

"Who?" Ignacio stared at the Capitan for a moment. "Not you?" He paused for a moment.

"I have the qualifications, and as I am marrying and settling in the area, I thought it would be an appropriate position."

"The people need to vote…I can't just resign…"

"If you resign, you will be promoted. If you are sacked you get nothing," Destara said softly. "I'd take the promotion if I were you. A position in Madrid, I believe."

"At court?"

"I have no idea, De Soto. Pack your things, and move to the tavern. Your transport will be arriving in the next few days."

"Transport?"

"Apparently, the governor thinks you deserve a private coach to the port."

Ignacio was confused, and his life was up in the air. He stood shakily. Madrid…was it true? He was going home, back to civilization? No more Zorro?

"What about Zorro?"

"I'm sure I can manage Zorro," Destara said with a smile. "All it takes is the appropriate leadership…"

"Zorro is not so easily subdued."

"It's as simple as giving the man what he wants. He wants justice for the people. I will give him justice for the people. He wants soldiers that can actively defend this pueblo, I will give him trained soldiers that can defend the pueblo. I won't have any trouble with the man, Ignacio."

Ignacio stared at the soldier in confusion. "You can't just back down…the man is an outlaw."

"Nevertheless, we both want the same things. This pueblo could rise up any day and revolt, like the people in Mexico. I believe they defended the pueblo almost without the soldiers' help when Zaragosa raided the area. They have the skills to boot you out on your ear. They may even have the skills to toss me out the same way."

"They never have…"

"They lack the appropriate leader. Zorro is an example, but he has not chosen to lead the people against you, as any sane rebel would do. You would have been easily ousted Ignacio. Your men are toys for Zorro. I've read that in your reports."

Zzz

When Diego, Alejandro and Victoria arrived back in Los Angeles, the pueblo looked slightly different. Diego stared at the surroundings with curiosity. He couldn't put his finger on it, but something was different.

"I am so glad to be back home, Diego. My tavern…I wonder how it's going."

"You mean, my tavern?" Alejandro said softly.

"Father…it's hardly fair to keep it from her," Diego said. "She can pay you back, and go back to how it always was."

"But in four weeks…three weeks now, she will marry you, Diego."

Victoria glanced at Diego sharply, and nodded. "That will make it difficult…"

Diego frowned a little. "I don't see how it will make things difficult, Victoria. If you want to run the tavern, why can't you?"

"She'll be a donna, Diego," Alejandro said slowly, as if explaining it to a young child. "Are you feeling alright?"

"Stop that, Father. I am as fit as I can be, without training. Why shouldn't she run it if she wants to?"

Alejandro sighed softly. "Babies, Diego."

"Women work on farms with babes in arms," Diego said stubbornly.

"Not Donnas, Diego. Be sensible. Victoria will be running the hacienda. That is a very involved occupation. When children arrive she will be directing them. There simply won't be time to attend to everything."

Victoria touched Diego's arm gently. "I like working in the tavern, Diego. I love being with you, and working by your side. I don't need the tavern. I need you."

Diego gazed silently into her eyes, and saw she was serious. He patted her hand gently. "I will never stand in your way in anything, Victoria. You are an amazing woman, capable of anything you want to do."

"Except run for alcalde," she murmured, crossly. Diego chuckled softly. She was still quite frustrated by the old law, and she probably would be for life.

"Yes, except for that."

Zzz

Pilar welcomed them into the tavern, shyly. Diego moved to his usual table, and Victoria followed him. Alejandro paused to talk softly with Pilar.

"It is strange to sit as a customer in my tavern."

"I always feel very comfortable," Diego said softly. Pilar soon placed a glass of lemonade in front of him with a smile, and Diego thanked her gently.

He sipped it thoughtfully. "Not bad," he said with a smile. "I'm afraid I will have to get used to it."

"What do you mean?"

"Not quite as good as it used to be," Diego said, putting the glass down.

She picked it up and tasted it, much to Diego's amusement. "Not enough sugar, that's all. I will set her right. Excuse me," she said rising from her seat.

Diego put a hand over hers, and she sighed. He raised it to his lips, and their eyes met.

"It will take a lot of time to get used to this," Victoria murmured, as she sat back down. "Can't I?"

"Of course you can. Later."