AN: Sorry for keeping you waiting for this chapter. I know you are used to me posting daily, but I do have other responsibilities, as well, :P… So please be patient if I miss a day or two.

Hope you'll enjoy this latest chapter and I'll do my best not to keep you waiting two more days for the next! (Of course, reviews always encourage me to write faster! Just saying…)

ZZZ

Given the day's events, which were survived by 28 of the attackers, the jail's two small cells were not enough for all the prisoners. In light of that aspect, those who were well enough to travel, were immediately sent, by prison wagons, to San Pedro and to Santa Paula, where they were to stand trial and receive their punishment.

Thus, with some of the lancers escorting the prisoners and most of them wounded, the pueblos' defense had been reduced to three soldiers, including Mendoza. Under these circumstances, before heading for the wedding party, the dons decided to organize their vaqueros and help the lancers until the rest of the men got better. Some of them had also sent servants to look after the wounded, so that those who were still standing might have the chance to do their job.

After spending almost five hours helping Doctor Hernandez with the injured, the exhausted younger De la Vegas exited to the plaza just as the day's fiesta was about to begin and the wagons with food from the hacienda were entering the pueblo. Being the main source of gossip at the moment, the bride and groom immediately found themselves at the center of attention and ended up spending one more hour accepting the good wishes of all those who were attending the event. Nobody dared say anything about Diego being Zorro, but the embraces and the "thank yous" they gave him were more than acknowledgment enough.

ZZZ

Diego, Victoria and Felipe, again properly dressed in their wedding attires, only arrived at their own wedding party around 6 pm, hours after it had started. Doctor Hernandez, on the other hand, with three patients in critical condition and four more also gravely injured, didn't make it there at all, but was more than happy to share a glass of champagne at the garrison with the newlyweds and those lancers whom he allowed to drink the bubbly alcohol, the rest of them having to content themselves with a glass of willow bark tea, instead.

Finding themselves once more at the center of the attention, as soon as all the other couples vacated the dancefloor, Diego took his bride into his arms and spun her around, as the wedding guests gathered to admire them. They had danced together many times before, but never had they gazed into each other's eyes with so much faith in their future. When the music finally stopped, the groom cupped his bride's right cheek, his left hand around her waist, and leaned to kiss her, with all his passion.

"I'll have to fine you for that, De la Vega!" Ignacio shouted at them when they wouldn't stop, and everybody started laughing. "But I'll give you a pass this time!" he decided, since his objective was achieved and the two finally stopped kissing so they could chuckle. Diego placed another kiss on his beloved's forehead and, as the music restarted, they were separated by his father, who requested the honor to dance with his new daughter-in-law.

A little while later, as the sun was setting, painting the sky with shades of pink and purple, Don Alejandro gave the signal for the speeches to commence.

"Son," he started "God only knows how long I've been waiting for this day!" Most people there chuckled at that remark, remembering how often had Don Alejandro complained about Diego's apparent lack of interest in getting married. "Victoria, my dear, I have, for a long time now, thought of you as a daughter so I am more than happy to officially welcome you to the family! I don't believe it comes at a surprise to anyone if I say there were times when I feared this moment might never come! Even earlier today, I…" The old don did not dare say what he had on his mind, but there was no need to, since everyone there had harbored a similar fear and a painful silence followed. "We've all been through many trials; perhaps the two of you more than the rest of us," he said instead "and the fact that we are here today, alive, healthy, safe, surrounded by family and friends, it's nothing short of a miracle. I know you love each other and will do everything in your power to make each other happy. And if you'll grant this old man a wish, while I already have the most incredible young man as a grandson" he said, looking at Felipe, who shyly lowered his head and smiled "it would make me truly happy if you'd decide to give me some more grandchildren…as soon as possible!" He added, and everyone chuckled again, then raised his glass. "To Diego and his Victoria!"

"To Diego and his Victoria!" The wedding guests cheered.

As the representative of the King, the Emissary was next and, after reading a relatively short speech, written by one of His Majesty's secretaries and received with the letter instructing him to attend the wedding, a speech which spoke very highly of the De la Vegas' loyalty to the Crown (thus fully deserving of a few restrained smiles from those members of the audience who knew the man who had worn the mask of Zorro was considered a traitor by the same institution praising him and his family), he added a few words of his own. He told the guests of the kindness and dedication the groom had shown him, without even knowing who he was, and of the risk the caballero had taken in order to set him free when he had been captured. Going over the events of that day in his head, the Emissary suddenly remembered that Diego had stated that he was not skilled with the sword, when he had brought the money his abductors had requested. He took a moment's break to ponder over that statement, then continued his speech, only to remember, a little while later, that many other people in town had seemed to be ignorant of Diego's fighting skills. The same people, he realized, had mentioned, some hours earlier, that everyone knew about them. Santiago del Castillo finished his speech warmly wishing a life full of happiness and a household full of children to the newlyweds, then retreated into a corner of the courtyard, folded his arms across his chest and spent the rest of the evening ignoring much of the conversations others tried to involve him in, his mind silently going over all the discussions he had had with the Los Angelinos since he had arrived in the pueblo.

The next to speak was the Governor and his speech followed some similar lines to the ones read by the Emissary, as received from the King. He also made sure to praise Diego for his leadership, his swordsmanship, valor, and his other multiple talents. The official also congratulated him for his choice of wife, having had the opportunity to see Victoria for the strong and dedicated woman she was. Wishing them good health and a long, happy marriage, he raised his cup in honor of the newlyweds.

Just as everyone believed the speeches to be finished, Felipe stepped forward. People were looking towards Diego to interpret the signs they expected him to make and he focused his entire attention on the younger man. His son still had a champagne glass in his hand and hesitated at first, before he asked for Mendoza to join him, handing him his written speech.

The Lieutenant, happy to be of help, took the sheet of paper and started reading.

"It's not a secret that I am happy about this wedding. I always knew the two of you belong with each other, because both of you always treated me like a son." The Lieutenant uttered as Diego and Victoria both felt their eyes filling with tears. "The day you found me, I had lost my parents, my name, my memories, my voice, and my hearing. I was alone and scared. I know many questioned your decision to take care of me, thinking I was broken, that I would never be like everyone else. You, grandfather, and Victoria were the only ones who never cared about my handicaps and others accepted me because you did. All I have, all I am, all I know is because of you. For now, I have a new family, a new name, new memories, my…" Mendoza hesitated to read the last words on the paper and inquisitively looked towards Felipe who nodded, encouraging him to continue "my hearing" he said and everyone there gasped.

"I also have a voice, again." Felipe continued as everyone's jaws dropped.

"You…" Diego found himself, for the third time that day, at a loss for words.

"I am neither deaf nor mute anymore…Father. I wanted this to be my wedding gift to you. You always said my condition was the result of my trauma, and you were right, as you mostly are." he told him as the older man was now straight out crying, taking the few steps separating him from his adopted son in order to embrace him.

"How long?" Diego asked.

"Not long…I still find it strange to use it." Felipe told him.

"It is the best gift we could have ever asked for!" Victoria stated as she, too, came to embrace him.

"To the De la Vegas!" The Governor again raised his glass and everyone did the same, just as Don Alejandro joined his son and daughter-in-law in embracing the young man, and many of those watching the scene, Lieutenant Mendoza included, were doing their best to hide their tears.

ZZZ

"I believe you still owe me a talk." De Soto stated a little later, when he finally caught Diego alone.

The caballero agreed with a nod and accompanied him to a corner of the courtyard which offered some privacy. As soon as they got there, certain they could no longer be observed, Ignacio clenched his right fist and directed it, with all his speed towards his former nemesis' left eye. Diego, however, saw it coming and instinctively stepped away from the blow, which ended up in the wall behind him. De Soto let out a short cry of pain as he felt the shock of the hit reverberating through his entire, still-injured arm.

"What on Earth are you doing?" Diego asked, half-annoyed, half-worried.

"You also owe me for some of the punches you gave me! Why did you step away?"

"Because I don't want a black eye. And all the punches I gave you were quite well deserved! Now, let me see the damage!" He asked, taking pity on De Soto, who was holding his right arm with his left, pain clear on his face.

Ignacio reluctantly allowed the forced consultation "Your wrist is broken!" Diego noted. "What were you thinking?"

"That you wouldn't move, obviously!" The older man resentfully uttered.

"You should have known better by now! Come inside! I'll take care of that. Doctor Hernandez already has enough to worry about!" Diego decided and De Soto followed him to the hacienda where he was asked to remain in the library until the caballero would grab what he needed from his quarters.

Entering his room, though, Diego had a little shock. All the furniture had been changed and the entire place was littered with flower petals and candles. He smiled, realizing it was his father's way of making sure his grandchildren would arrive soon, but was less glad to notice that his medical supplies had also vanished. After unsuccessfully trying to find out what had happened to them, he returned to De Soto with a blindfold, and guided him to the back entrance to the cave.

"Take a seat!" He asked him as soon as he took the blindfold off, indicating towards his desk.

De Soto glanced around the place and, eventually, sat down at the desk.

"This is the real cave." He stated, rather than asked. "This is Zorro's hideout."

Diego didn't bother to confirm as he was going around, gathering the necessary supplies to treat him.

"It's near the hacienda!" De Soto noticed as music from the courtyard reverberated through the walls.

"Give me your hand!" Diego asked and the older man again found himself reluctantly obeying. The caballero carefully inspected the injury, trying to assess the damage. "You seem to be in luck! The wrist seems fractured but the bones are still in place." He determined after a few muffled cries of pain his examination elicited from Ignacio.

"So…You're Zorro!" De Soto stated as Diego was preparing the splint and the bandages.

"I believe you already knew that."

"Never have I even suspected you. You played your role to perfection! But, then, I should have remembered you were rather good at acting."

"I'm glad you didn't."

"In retrospect, so am I! I guess neither one of us would be alive now if I had."

"Probably not!"

"Why did you become an outlaw?"

"Because somebody needed to stop your predecessor's abusive treatment of the people and, at the time, I saw no alternative."

"Was I any better than him?"

"Luis Ramone enjoyed hurting others. You were only misguided. Ambitious and irrational, also, but mainly misguided. At least you also tried to do your duty, despite your obsession with capturing me." Diego answered, as he was wrapping De Soto's hand and forearm.

"I would have hanged you."

"I know."

"Why did you risk your life to save me, then?"

"I also saved Luis Ramone a few times and he also made it his mission to capture and hang me."

"That's not really an answer."

"I did it because I value life, including the lives of those who want to end mine. Considering you, too, have just saved me, for the second time, no less, I'd say I had made the right choice."

"But you couldn't have known. Even today…I, myself, find it hard to understand why I did what I did."

"I can imagine, Ignacio! Finding out it was me you've been after all these years…it must have been rather shocking."

"That's an understatement, De la Vega!" De Soto stated. "Do you have something to drink in this place?"

"Just tequila. I sometimes use it as a disinfectant."

"Of course, you do! I'll take a glass or two, if you don't mind."

"I'd rather you take this instead!" Diego handed him a glass filled with cactus tea.

De Soto smelled it and pushed it away. "I'd rather have the tequila."

"Alcohol will not help you heal. But, if you insist…" Diego agreed and poured him a glass, as requested.

"I knew there was a laboratory! One that is not near the stable." Ignacio uttered, after gulping down the drink and indicating the wanted a re-fill. "What's that?" He asked, pointing towards the glider.

"That is a flying device. I used it during my first public appearance as Zorro, when the former Alcalde was about to have my father executed. It had quite the desired effect on the lancers."

"You can fly, too?"

"I only did it that one time."

"How did you survive your brother's trap? That much blood loss should have killed even a horse!"

"I was trapped under the boulders, but they only caused me minor injuries. Tornado managed to dig me out."

"That's quite a horse you have!"

"More like a partner, really. That stallion saved my life more times than I remember."

"And the blood?"

"Belonged to a calf. I needed you and your men to believe that Zorro was dead, at least until my armed healed."

"But you couldn't have had time to…you had an accomplice! Who? Your father?"

"No. I didn't want to put him in danger."

De Soto realized that the only other alternative was Felipe, but decided not to confirm his suspicions.

"Why did you let everyone believe Zorro was dead after your arm healed?"

"Because Zorro wasn't needed…at least you did nothing to elicit his public reappearance."

"Me and the lancers could have used your help! Wait…Mendoza…Was it you who helped him?"

"I believe you said that would have been ridiculous to assume." Diego replied with a wicked grin.

"Yes…Considering what I knew about you at that point, it was. I wish you would have also helped us capture those bandits who shot me!"

"I did…"

"You were there?"

Diego nodded. "I just didn't notice the bandit who shot you in time. I'm sorry about that, Ignacio."

De Soto shook his head. "So that's why you kept vigil on me? You were feeling guilty?"

"It wasn't I who shot you…But, I guess I did…If I hadn't been busy hiding, maybe I could have prevented it!"

Ignacio smiled and finished his second glass of tequila.

"I can't believe I tried to bribe you with your bounty money…or have you conscripted to find…yourself…"

"Yes…I surely appreciated the irony…"

"Does the Napoleonian Shrinking Disease really exist?"

"No. I just needed to teach you a lesson on treating people, so I was modifying your clothes and furniture to make you think you were shrinking."

"I should have known!" De Soto stated, chuckling.

"I think it's time we rejoined the party…" Diego suggested.

"Yes…your bride might begin to miss you! May I say…you and Victoria…I hope you'll be happy together, De la Vega!"

"I appreciate that, Ignacio. Perhaps there's someone for you, too, back in Madrid."

"Who knows?"

"Well…If you ever need a Best Man…I have always bested you…" Diego suggested with a sly smile.

"I'll keep that in mind." Ignacio feigned being offended, although, truth be told, he was rather amused by the suggestion.