"Buenas tardes, Senor de Molinas!" Diego greeted. The older man was reading a book at the time but was glad to see his benefactor. "Felipe, thank you for keeping watch on him. I can take over now. Go have some lunch and enjoy yourself at the fiesta!" He proceeded in telling his son.

Felipe was a little surprised to see De Soto entering the room behind his adoptive father, but nodded at Diego's words, signed something, and left.

"Buenas tardes, Don Diego!" De Molinas answered.

"How are you today, my friend?"

"Much better, thank you! I can read now and I've even been able to stand for over five minutes."

"Any nausea?"

"No. It's my memory that still concerns me."

"No progress in remembering your life?"

"Not so far…I do remember some more of my childhood, though…I still don't recognize my name…It is the strangest thing! It just sounds foreign to me."

"Doctor Hernandez should be here for his visit tomorrow morning. Perhaps he might have thought about something else we can try. Meanwhile, Senor de Molinas, allow me to introduce Alcalde Ignacio de Soto. He is here to ask you a few questions about the abduction, if you feel up to it."

"That is the only part of my past I still remember very well…though the doctor thinks it's unusual…Senor Alcalde, just let me know how can I help."

"Diego, if you don't mind, I would appreciate if you could leave us alone for our discussion." De Soto asked.

"Of course, Ignacio. I will be back in half an hour…or do you think you need more time than that?"

"It should be fine, De la Vega."

Diego saluted his friend with a smile and left the room, heading back outside.

"Ah! Don Diego!" The Governor noticed him return. "We were just debating an interesting subject. It appears that your friends and family are all supporters of the outlaw Zorro. I am wondering what is your opinion of the man."

"You want my opinion about Zorro?"

"Yes…You see, I seem to be in minority, still believing that, had he not found a fitting end already, he should meet one at the end of a rope. I could use some support here and I find myself on my own."

Diego took a glass of juice and drained it before speaking, as his eyes subtly surveyed the faces of those around him. "Well, Your Excellency, before answering, may I ask how you to reached that conclusion?"

"The man has spent years attacking soldiers and officials, getting convicted criminals out of prison, endangering the lives of the people in this pueblo…"

"Has he? If that was true, Your Excellency, I would certainly side with you."

Victoria, Francisco and Don Alejandro were all inquisitively looking towards him.

"The way you framed that makes me think you harbor some doubts." The Governor noticed.

"Let's just say I doubt the sources of your information. After all, the reports you receive only reflect the Alcaldes' perspectives. Consider, for a moment, that an Alcalde is corrupt, or incompetent, or simply evil. Consider an Alcalde can be all of that and someone decided to oppose his tyranny. What would such a man do when confronted with resistance? Surrender and admit his faults?"

"No…I suppose not…But surely Alcalde De Soto is not such a man!"

"Indeed…He is an improvement to the former Alcalde, Luis Ramone, a man who once tried to execute all those who were too poor to pay their taxes, who made deals with criminals, had the citizens of the pueblo pay him for access to water…and the list goes on. As for Ignacio, from what I've seen, he seems to have much changed after the incident with the Emissary, a few months back. I believe he has the making of a good leader, should he chose to follow his better impulses."

"That's strange."

"What is strange, Your Excellency?"

"He just said something similar about you a few hours ago, when I was inspecting the cuartel. Is it true you've used the bounty money for the bandits captured this last month to improve the living conditions for the men? De Soto said he was quite surprised with all you have achieved."

Diego looked with an inquiring smile at the Governor and was about to give his reply when Don Alejandro, unable to stop himself, spoke first.

"He actually recognized Diego's achievements? He did not try to assume them for himself? The man has changed!" He stated, in a tone that spoke of both mockery and disbelief.

The Governor was the one looking inquisitively now. "Surely, that's not unexpected from a man like De Soto?"

"The Alcalde has been known to manipulate the truth from time to time." Victoria stated.

"From time to time? Ha! That's putting it mildly!" Don Alejandro exclaimed. "He has…"

"Oh, Felipe!" Diego exclaimed at seeing his son. "Your Excellency, may I introduce my son, Felipe de la Vega?"

"Pleased to meet you, young man!" The Governor stated, extending his right hand. "Quite a good grip!" He remarked as Felipe shook it.

"Why don't you take my seat, Felipe?" Diego suggested, seeing how the table was crowded and there was no room for another chair near them. "I need to return to Senor de Molinas, anyway. If you'll excuse me!" He uttered, getting ready to head back inside. "Oh, Father, would you mind accompanying me? There is something I was meaning to discuss with you…about the wedding."

"Of course, son!" The old don answered, standing up to follow Diego.

Heading towards the library, Diego first checked they were alone, then indicated to his father to sit down.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Father, I really think we should all give Ignacio a second chance. That will not happen if you convince the Governor he is not worthy of his office."

"But he isn't! He proved time and time again to be incompetent, ambitious, and unscrupulous."

"Fine, I'll give you that, but he has also changed. He could still become the man I thought he was when he first arrived in Los Angeles!"

"Diego! The man tried to have me hanged! He would have you hanged, and Victoria, and Mendoza, probably even Felipe, without a second thought! We both know that!"

"I wouldn't be so sure, Father! And let's not forget I also owe him my life!"

"I doubt you owe him anything! He saved himself by killing Gilberto! He saw an opportunity and he took it. No, Diego! As long as that man rules the pueblo, none of us is safe!"

"And who's to say his replacement might not be even worse? He might be just like De Soto was, when he arrived here. Or, what if he's like Ramone? Father, Ignacio is not the man he was four months ago. It may still take some time for him to truly change, but he has already started in the right direction. He risked his life to fight the bandits attacking the southern farmers, he tried to convince Don Alcide not to deviate the stream, he has not come up with any new tax in months, he hasn't made any unjust arrests. This is progress and we must acknowledge it as such."

"Acknowledge it? Diego, with the Governor here, we have the chance to get rid of him once and for all. I'm just sorry you destroyed that portrait he had in his office! It would have made for a good start in the right direction. I can't understand how you can be so clumsy at times…wait…I still forget…you are not clumsy…"

"No…not really…But it does make for a good excuse if you don't want to antagonize people. You should try it sometimes."

"Then…What happened with that portrait? I know I've seen it every time I went into his office."

"It's still destroyed. Except, not by accident."

"You did it on purpose, then? You are actually helping him?"

"Do you believe, perhaps, I didn't know about the incident in San Diego? Of course, I did it on purpose, and yes, I am trying to help him."

"After all he's done?"

"Father…I'd really wish you'd trust me to know what I'm doing."

"And if you are wrong? If he isn't capable of change? What happens then? Will Zorro resurrect to fight him? Diego, we need to take the chance we are given! If we can make the Governor see the truth and, with some luck, convince the Royal Emissary…"

"We will do no such thing, Father! We will give Ignacio a second chance and we will help him become a good leader!"

"Son…" Don Alejandro tried to protest but the stern look on the younger man's face stopped him. "Are you sure about this?"

Diego nodded.

"Alright! Have it your way. I will not lie for the man but I will not say anything against him, either. However, neither you nor I can control what other people might say about him! I hope you understand that!" Don Alejandro replied, as he headed out of the library and back into the courtyard, not noticing Ignacio de Soto had stopped behind a close-by wall and overheard the entire conversation.

"I know, Father." Diego uttered, mostly for himself, as the old caballero was already too far away to hear him. He remained, slowly pacing the library, his arms folded across his chest.

If he was wrong, his life and the lives of those he loved were on the line. But his gut was telling him he was right. That De Soto had changed and, even if he found out about him being Zorro, he might not be inclined to put any previous threats into practice. When…He corrected himself. With all the people who had found out his secret the last month, it was just a matter of time until Ignacio would find out, so it all depended on how much he could change before that happened.

In the meantime, De Soto was pondering over what he had just heard. He was not surprised at Don Alejandro's attitude. It was justifiable, he reasoned. However, Diego kept puzzling him more and more. The caballero's determination to help him, despite the fact that he had more than one good reason not to do so, completely baffled him.

"Diego!" Victoria called from the entrance, interrupting both men's trains of thought.

"I'm here." He replied, his voice guiding her to the library.

"Are you alright, Diego? Your father seemed quite upset when he returned to the table."

"I am fine, Victoria."

"You don't seem fine. What is wrong?"

"Nothing, my love!"

"Diego…I…Why have you defended De Soto? Aren't you at all concerned about what he might do, now that he's back? The Alcalde is not a good man, you know? He's not worthy of your help or of your compassion! Not after all he's done!"

"The man saved my life! He might have saved himself, as well, by doing that, but it doesn't change the fact that, were it not for him, I would now be dead at the hand of my twin brother. So, considering he gave me a second chance, I'm going to make sure he gets one, as well. Maybe we also get lucky and he becomes a better leader."

"There's nothing I can say to change your mind, is there?"

"I think you will find that, once my mind is made up, it is very hard to change."

"Like when you decided to marry me?" She teased. "Or when you decided to behave like a proper caballero and wait until we are married?"

"Yes…on both accounts."

"You know…sometimes I really wished you would behave less like a caballero…"

"Sometimes I do…" He smiled wickedly at her and reached to give her a passionate kiss, while one of his hands traveled indecently south of her waist to caress her behind. She let out a short moan and pushed him towards the couch where she sat on his lap and continued kissing him, enjoying being able to reach his mouth without having to stand on her toes to do that.

De Soto peeked from behind the wall and saw the couple, in his mind congratulating Victoria for having been able to awaken such passion in a man like Diego. He knew first hand that she was a passionate woman, but he had no idea there was any hope for her fiancé.

"Ahem…" He tried to let the couple know he was there as he finally decided to leave his hiding spot.

Victoria startled and got up as soon as she saw him, but Diego remained there, sinking into the couch.

"Sorry to interrupt but I have finished my discussion with Senor de Molinas. I thought you might want to return to your vigil, Don Diego…but, perhaps I was wrong…" He said, eying them both with a smug look.

"On the contrary, Alcalde. Victoria, would you like to come along?"

"Si, Diego." She said, clinging to his hand, as memories of her nightmare returned to her. She so wished De Soto hadn't seen them kiss, since she was sure that he would now realize Diego was Zorro. For who else would kiss her like that?

"He knows!" She whispered to her beloved as they were about to reach the guest room.

"No, he doesn't!" He replied.

"He just saw us kiss! Of course, he must have realized…"

"From a kiss? Victoria, we are to be married. We are expected to love each other."

"But you are not expected to be that passionate about me!"

"And who says that? You are being irrational, my love!"

"You don't understand! What if he'll have you executed?"

"Because I kissed you? Hardly a deadly offense…"

"No…Of course not because you kissed me…although also because of that, yes…I mean…"

Diego kissed her again as they reached De Molinas' room, just before he gently knocked on the door and entered, seconds after his lips let go of Victoria's.

ZZZ

"We can't get him drunk if he doesn't drink, can we?" Ramon.

"No…What we can't do is let that stop us! He's marrying our sister so, by God, he shall spill all his secrets before this night is done!" Francisco retorted.

"And how do you suppose we can achieve that? Kidnap and force him to drink?"

"You wouldn't do that to Diego, would you?" Rafael, who had overheard them, decided to interfere.

"Of course, not!" Francisco answered, almost instinctively, eying the newcomer with suspicion.

Silence fell as none of them knew what to say next, neither the brothers nor the cousin being aware they were all in on Diego's secret.

"What are you three doing?" Don Alejandro asked. "Not plotting something against Diego, I hope. Remember, now that you all know about him being…" Don Alejandro made the sign of a Z with his index finger, making first sure he was not being observed "you must be careful not to give him away!"

They stared at each other, then at Don Alejandro.

"What?" The Don asked. "Diego told me you found out yesterday, Rafael, and Victoria mentioned she slipped last night, so you two also know…"

"Yes…" Ramon confirmed.

"I'll trust the three of you not to do something stupid!" Don Alejandro stated as he headed towards some of his friends.

"So…You know…" Francisco inquired, addressing Rafael.

"He's my cousin. I would never betray him, if that's what has you two concerned." He replied.

"Who else knows? Victoria mentioned some of the lancers are in on it, as well…" Ramon wondered.

"A Lieutenant Mendoza, I believe. He's Diego's Best Man." Rafael stated.

"Mendoza?" Francisco wondered. "I'm not sure that would be a good idea!"

"Why not? He might help us with the kidnapping." Ramon replied.

"You're not serious about that!" Rafael protested.

"Of course we are! There was a tradition among the vaqueros on the last ranch I worked on, to kidnap the groom and get him drunk the night before he marries. In this case, though, I doubt it would be a good idea if we leave it for tomorrow. With the wedding scheduled for the morning after, if he should be hungover, our sister will have our heads. So tonight is our only chance! Will you help us or not?"

Rafael looked inquisitively towards them. He was too curious to let the opportunity slip away. "What do you have in mind?"

"Well…we can't take him to the pueblo, of course, because of the fiesta…and we can't stay here, because of the guests. So the only alternative is probably a cave or something…Must be isolated, so we are not overheard…" Francisco answered.

"There's a windmill some ten miles from here." Ramon suggested.

"Excellent idea!" Francisco agreed. "Go get Mendoza, Ramon! Don Rafael, how about you arrange for someone else to keep vigil tonight and we'll all meet back here in two hours, after the other guests will have left for town?"

"Alright…Let me just inform my wife…"

"Be careful what you tell her. We don't want anyone else to know!"

"Of course…"

Rafael headed towards Marguerita and told her most of the plan, having her swear to secrecy. She agreed only after it crossed his mind that the women could take the chance and do something similar with Victoria. At least, similar in the sense of organizing a get-together and spend the night giving her marriage advice. That was exactly what - he stated - they were going to do with Diego.

Two hours later, as it was almost six in the afternoon, Ramon returned with Mendoza and they started organizing the kidnapping.

"We need him unconscious." Rafael stated as they went over various options. "He will not come willingly, and we need to get some tequila in him before he wakes up."

"But…We can't hit him in the head, though!" Mendoza objected. "What if he ends up like Senor de Molinas and doesn't remember anything? Senorita Escalante would hate that!"

"Hate? She'd definitely kill us if we'd harm him!" Ramon agreed.

"So, what then?" Francisco asked.

"Why don't we ask Felipe to help?" Mendoza suggested.

"His son? How can he help?" Rafael questioned.

"He's also his accomplice. He must know all his tricks. Maybe there's something we can use…"

"His son? But he's a deaf-mute!" The same cousin wondered.

"Mute…perhaps…but I'm quite sure he is not deaf…" the Lieutenant told them.

"Really? Well…the web of secrets is endless with him! Now I am truly decided I need to know them all before he marries my sister!" Francisco stated.

"I'll talk to Felipe in that case…" Ramon suggested.

The younger man didn't like the idea of them kidnaping Diego, although he agreed his father might as well have a little fun before the wedding, and he never saw him drunk anyway…plus, if they were going to do what they were set on doing, it was better for him to be in on the plan, for defensive purposes. Thus, he eventually agreed, and suggested to use ether to knock him unconscious.

A couple more hours passed by the time everything was prepared.

Don Alejandro - who was under the impression that Diego was keeping vigil that night -, the Governor and most of the guests were already back in the pueblo, enjoying the fiesta while Victoria had been invited by Marguerita and Dona Carmen - who hadn't taken long to warm up to her - to a private party in her own, still closed, tavern. The other guests featured the twins, Pilar, and a few other senoras and senoritas who had also arrived that morning for the wedding.

Meanwhile, Diego was unconscious, being carried to a wagon by the four men, Felipe following them on horseback, dragging Tornado along. The young man also took the precaution to hide, in his saddlebags, a bottle of ether, some willow bark tea, and a tonic for his father, as well as some small weapons and medical equipment, since he preferred being prepared. The other men made sure to take blankets, some changes of clothes, and a lot of wine, rum, and tequila, together with some glasses and the leftover food from lunch.

"We need to start getting him drunk now, while he is still unconscious!" Ramon suggested.

"Here!" Francisco handed him a bottle of tequila and helped him get Diego to swallow a few mouthfuls.

Felipe was looking with some concern at them and, just like the other four, failed to hear that another man was approaching.