AN: I know it took some time, but, in my defense, coming up with new ideas for independent-yet-related stories is not easy :P especially since I also need to integrate them with the already-existing stories.
This and the following two chapters constitute one story, so do pay attention even to the small details. They are there for a reason. :D
Again, my thanks to La Cuidadora for her corrections.
Enjoy!
PS: The rating for these chapters is somewhere between K+ and T.
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In the week which followed De Soto's 'resurrection' things mostly returned to normal in Los Angeles.
The Alcalde resumed his usual routines, as determined as ever to set the perfect trap for his nemesis. The black-clad man had just saved him for what was, most probably, a fate worse than death; they had been allies for one night, but, as morning came and their ways parted, once more, Ignacio reverted to his old obsession of bringing Zorro to justice, so that he'd finally be able to return to Madrid.
Diego, despite temporary escaping most of his ranch-related duties as his father returned to take over, he was still almost as busy as he'd been since Doctor Hernandez had left, tending to the ill and injured, capturing petty bandits as Zorro, and dedicating as much free time as he had to his experiments on blood transfusions. The one small difference was that, with no gang to terrorize poor farmers and attack the Mission, he could, finally, get more rest.
As for the others, Don Alejandro gladly returned to manage the ranch, although part of him missed being alcalde since he was certain that he could do much good from that position for the entire community; Felipe had more time to court a certain young Indian woman he was convinced he was in love with, and was doing his best not to waste it; Victoria was glad that she no longer needed to take refuge anywhere in order to escape unwanted attentions, yet somewhat upset with being rather neglected by Zorro, who hadn't visited her in weeks; and Mendoza, despite regretting the fact that Don Alejandro was no longer his commander, had decided to be glad about De Soto being alive, even if he sent him on patrols every other day.
ZZZ
"Señorita!" Diego greeted Victoria, one afternoon as he was coming from the medical office, having arranged with his father to have an early dinner at the tavern together.
It was just after siesta and the establishment was still almost empty, just like the terrace. The young woman was leaning against a wall, pensively watching a couple across the plaza.
"Don Diego!" She smiled as she awoke from her reverie at hearing his voice.
"What has captivated your imagination like that, if I may ask?" He wondered.
Victoria glanced at the pair, and Diego followed her glance.
"Is that Tonino?" He wondered.
"Si. Toño Estradas and Señorita Marcela Pecora." She replied.
"The late Don Antonio's granddaughter?" Diego wondered.
"And heiress…" Victoria added, then returned her gaze back to the pair. "The way he looks at her… It reminds me of how Zorro looks at me sometimes." She uttered.
Diego tried to hide his smile, but didn't completely succeed. "They do seem… in love." He agreed.
"And they can be together, too, even if he's only a servant... They just announced their engagement earlier today. I guess I envy them for that. Being able to just spend time with the person they love..." Victoria said with a sigh. "But, I'm sure you're not here to hear me complain…What may I get for you, Don Diego?"
"Just some orange juice for now… and some company, if you're not too busy. My father and Felipe should meet me for dinner." Before continuing, he checked his pocket watch. "But I seem to be early. They're only supposed to be here in half an hour." He replied and sat down at one of the tables on the terrace.
Victoria nodded with a smile and hurried towards the kitchen. About five minutes later she returned with a pitcher and four glasses. Diego poured her and himself some juice as the taverness took a seat in front of him, once more looking at the pair.
"I wonder if she loves him!" Victoria suddenly remarked, looking questioningly at the two.
"She does seem to, if she agreed to his proposal." Diego said just as a rider entered the pueblo.
It was a man of about 35, tall and well-built, roguishly handsome and dressed as a vaquero. After glancing around the pueblo, he headed towards the tavern. Dismounting, he tied his horse to the post in front of the establishment, then passed by Victoria and Diego, entering the taproom.
"Excuse me, Diego!" Victoria muttered as she stood up and followed him inside. "May I help you, Señor?" She asked the new arrival.
He sized her up with the most charming smile he could muster, which couldn't compare to Zorro's. "You work in this tavern, Señorita?"
"I do. I also happen to own it, Señor." She proudly replied.
"In that case, I would appreciate a room and a hot meal, as well as a stall in your stable for my horse." He replied.
"I can offer you the room and a good meal, but your horse will have to stay in the municipal stables. There is no room in mine, I'm afraid."
"I see." He agreed, somewhat offended by the young woman unexpectedly cold reaction at seeing his charming self. "In that case, please make sure to have my room and my meal ready for when I return, and point me in the right direction to stable my horse."
Victoria did as asked, and soon the man exited the tavern. On the terrace he passed the young pair the taverness was looking at a little while earlier. His eyes met the young woman's and Diego, who was watching the interaction, thought he saw a look of recognition mixed with fear as she glanced at the stranger, then hurried inside. He only saluted politely, then headed for his horse, but stopped as he was untying him to glance back towards the señorita, who had already entered the taproom.
A few minutes later, Diego heard Marcela Pecora mentioning that she was feeling rather dizzy and asking her fiancé to take her back to the hacienda. By the time the stranger returned, just as Don Alejandro and Felipe were entering the pueblo, the young couple was gone.
ZZZ
As Diego had instantly disliked Victoria's latest guest, Zorro decided to pay her a visit that evening, not only so that he'd be allowed to look at her without hiding his feelings and in the hope of stealing a few kisses from his beloved, but also because he wanted to make sure the new arrival posed no danger to her.
Arriving to the pueblo, he left Tornado behind the tavern and entered through the yet-unlocked kitchen door.
Victoria was still in the taproom, finishing cleaning it for the evening, but soon entered the kitchen.
"Buenas noches, Señorita!" He greeted her in a voice just above whisper as he came out of the shadows in which he was hiding.
"Zorro!" She responded with a smile, but soon changed her mind. "I see you do remember I
exist!"
"That is not something easy to forget, Victoria!" He answered with a grin.
"And yet you haven't visited in quite some time!" She replied.
"I have been rather busy lately." He tried to justify his absence.
"Busy? And what makes you think I am not too busy for you now?" Victoria questioned.
"If you are, perhaps I can help. Or I can leave, if that's what you prefer." He teased, turning towards the door.
"No!" She exclaimed rather loudly. "I mean… You don't need to leave. I… You can wash those dishes while I prepare the tortillas I'll need for tomorrow."
"As you wish, Señorita!" He replied, taking off his hat, gloves and cape, then rolling up his sleeves.
A couple of minutes later, he was washing dishes as Victoria was preparing the dough, glancing at him every few moments.
"I hear you have a new guest." He muttered as if only to make conversation. "Have you managed to find out anything about him?"
"Well, I know that his name is Señor Palomitas. He's just arrived from San Diego after having spent several years in Europe, and is heading for Santa Paula to work on a ranch. Oh... and he asked a few questions about Señorita Pecora. He said she looked familiar."
"I see." He answered pensively.
"Is that why you came? You wanted information about my new guest?" She reproached him.
"All I wanted," Zorro answered as he finished the last dish and took a cloth to wipe his hands, turning towards her, "was to make sure you were alright."
"Really?" She asked, suddenly realizing it was by no means the first time he had done that: just checking in on her at night when there was someone at the tavern he considered a potential threat. "You needn't worry about him, then. He seems quite harmless, even if he's a bit rude." Leaving the dough, she wiped the flour off of her hands and went to him, reaching to kiss him.
"I thought you were upset with me." He uttered as their lips parted, looking at her exactly as she had seen Toño Estradas looking at Marcela Pecora just a few hours earlier.
"I could never be upset with you. But I do miss you when I don't see you for weeks at a time." She confessed.
"I wish for nothing more than to tell you who I am. To finally marry you. Raise a family by your side..." He told her. "But I cannot do that yet, Victoria. And I can't come every time I want to see you because there's nothing more De Soto wants than the right opportunity to capture me; and most times, that ends up with you in jail."
"I never blamed you for that!" She told him.
"But I blame myself." Zorro replied.
After a long embrace and another kiss, Zorro eventually put his hat, cape and gloves back on, and left. Victoria closed the door after him, turning in for the night. As her head touched the pillow and she fell asleep, she dreamed of a big house and children, a black-haired husband without a face, and the promise of a love-filled home.
ZZZ
"Diego!" Don Alejandro's shouts resounded through the hacienda about two days later.
"Felipe," the tall caballero, who was working in the cave, called his adopted son at hearing him, "I have to go see what my father wants, but I need you to take over the study for me. Continue observing the process under the microscope and writing down what happens, just like I showed you yesterday!"
The younger man nodded and sat down in his place as his adoptive father put on his blue jacket, and exited the cave after having a look through the spy hole, making sure it was safe for him to leave.
Once in the library, Diego picked up the nearest book and headed towards the corridor.
"Oh! Here you are, Diego!" His father muttered at seeing him, wondering where he had come from. "Didn't you hear me calling? Never mind! Son, I need you to look after the hacienda for the next three weeks. My friend, Cecilio from Monterey wrote me that he is willing to sell me that black stallion of his, as well as two others. The foals of that horse and my Luna will rival even Tornado! I can't wait to go get him!"
They surely might, considering Luna is Tornado's foal. Diego thought. "Are you sure you are in a condition to make such a long journey so soon after having been injured?" He asked out loud. "Perhaps it would be best if I'd go."
"Nonsense, Son! You're the pueblo's doctor now, and, as such, you are needed here. Besides, I am perfectly fine! You did a great job patching me up. And, don't worry! I'll make sure to take two of my men with me for protection. And… I'll be back in time to welcome the new doctor!" Don Alejandro mentioned.
"Just make sure that horse has some white hair, as well, or everyone might think he's Tornado. Considering how obsessed Ignacio is with capturing Zorro, with a horse like that in our corral, he might decide to accuse me of being him." Diego warned.
"Don't be silly, Son! No one would ever take you for Zorro!" Don Alejandro dismissed his concern with a chuckle, and headed outside to leave instructions for his men.
Diego watched him leave with a sly smile, and took a seat in the library, certain his father would soon be back to tell him exactly what he wanted him to do in his absence.
ZZZ
As the month of May was nearing its third decade, the fields around Los Angeles were blooming with orange, purple, white and yellow flowers, the most beautiful of which Diego had taken the habit of gathering each day and offering to Victoria during his (recently) almost-nightly visits as Zorro.
On that particular sunny day, however, he had no time to admire the flowers as he was speeding towards a farmhouse situated some four miles south of Los Angeles. The temporary doctor had been called to help a young man who had been shot by an unknown assailant while hunting with his brother-in-law. The same brother-in-law was also the one whom the tall caballero and his adopted son were following at that very moment.
It took over half an hour of galloping to arrive at their destination. Dismounting, Diego hurried to the small house, while Felipe collected the medical supplies and instruments they had taken with them and followed him inside.
Their patient had been wounded in the shoulder. It was a clear shot, but there was a high risk of infection. The biggest risk, however, was for the man to die as Zorro had almost died just a few months earlier: from blood loss.
Seeing the state he was in, Diego took a syringe of blood from the injured man, and asked Felipe to test it against that of his immediate relatives.
He, then, sedated the young man using ether, and hurried as much as he could to suture the wound while his son was doing his best to find a compatible donor. About half an hour later Felipe finally returned at Diego's side with a big syringe filled with the blood of the man's mother.
ZZZ
"That was close!" The tall caballero uttered, relieved, as soon as his patient seemed to be out of danger. "I think he will be fine, but I will come by daily to change the bandage. If there's any sign of fever, please let me know as soon as possible and apply cold compresses in his forehead, chest and wrists to help get the temperature down! But, I am optimistic about his chances."
"Doctor Hernandez would be very proud of you, Don Diego! And of Don Felipe!" The man's grateful wife exclaimed, taking his hand to kiss.
The caballero was embarrassed by the gesture and retrieved his hand with a startle, instead assuring her he only did his best. Rather unaccustomed to dealing with such displays of gratitude, he hurriedly proceeded to instruct the family to give his patient several teas and concoctions, making sure he'd stay well hydrated and nourished, so that he might recover soon.
ZZZ
Diego was pensive on his way home, and Felipe was simply watching him inquisitively.
"You're wondering what I am thinking about?" His adoptive father asked as soon as he noticed his expression, and the mute young man nodded and made a few signs. "No, I'm not gloomy… Of course, I am glad we managed to save Ricardo's life. No, I wasn't thinking Zorro should ride out to find the man who had shot him."
Felipe continued signing so his father kept replying his questions.
"Because I already know who did. It was obvious, Felipe. His brother-in-law pulled the trigger. I doubt it was anything but an accident, and he had already confessed to the family by the looks they were giving him and his grim expression. I didn't say anything because I see no reason to. And I wasn't even thinking about that anymore. I was thinking… Since I took over the practice, I had to treat some seven people who almost bled to death. And I've only been doing this for two-and-a-half months. I was lucky my blood was compatible with my father's, but it took a while to find a match for Ricardo. Gabriel was a strange case, and it was probably only due to the help of his namesake saint that he pulled through the second time. My research held well with the others, though, and, despite his reaction, I still believe it's quite valid. So, I was thinking that we need a better system… We need a list." Felipe again looked at him with wide, inquiring eyes. "I want to test the people in Los Angeles, or as many as possible, and determine the blood compatibility among them. That way, whenever we'll need a donor, all we'll have to do is look at the list. And, with a larger number of samples, perhaps I can also figure out if there is something else in the blood which I've missed."
The younger man nodded pensively, approving his father's plan, offered to help, but expressed his uncertainty that people would agree to getting tested.
"I guess I'll just have to convince them!" Diego replied with a grin.
ZZZ
"Hola, Victoria!" Diego uttered, as he came accompanied by Felipe one morning.
"Buenos dias, Don Diego!" She, as usual, answered with a smile.
"Would you be so kind as to prepare us some breakfast and coffee? We have a busy morning ahead of us!" He told her.
"Of course! I will be right back!" The young woman answered, then disappeared into the kitchen as the caballero and his adopted son each took a seat at a table.
"I see Señor Palomitas is still here." The tall caballero remarked to Felipe as his eyes rested on the man in question for a few moments before he sat down.
The new arrival was taking his breakfast with a don, at the table next to the entrance to the taproom.
Felipe signed, asking if that worried his father.
"I just wonder what is he still doing here if he was only passing by, as Victoria said." He replied.
"Here you are, Señores!" The taverness said as, with her usual cheerfulness, she placed two coffee cups in front of them. "I'll be back with your breakfast in a few minutes."
"Gracias, Victoria." Diego replied grinning, watching her leave.
"You don't have bad taste, Señor!" He heard a voice from behind him. "She is a beautiful woman. Too bad she's already taken!" Señor Palomitas said as he neared the caballero.
"I don't believe I appreciate your insinuation, Señor. Especially since the Señorita is my friend." Diego uttered.
"My mistake in that case, Señor De la Vega."
"I'm afraid we haven't been officially introduced." He replied.
"No, but people mention you and I have a perfect memory with faces and names. You were on the terrace the evening I arrived in Los Angeles. But where are my manners? I am Imanol Palomitas."
"Señor! This is my son ̶ "
"Felipe." The man said. "Yes, I saw him around and heard others call him that. But I must admit, I didn't know he was the son of a caballero. Such a young one, as well."
"He is." Diego simply replied with a forced smile. "Is there something I may do for you, Señor Palomitas?" He asked as he saw the man was not leaving.
"In fact, there is. During the time I've been here, you see, I… fell in love with Los Angeles. And, since I hear your family has some of the best lands around, I was wondering if you might consider selling me a good plot. Perhaps northeast of the pueblo?"
Diego eyed him suspiciously.
"Unfortunately, such affairs are completely in my father's hands at the moment, Señor! You'll have to wait some ten more days or so, until he returns home, and ask him."
The man nodded with a look betraying both dismissal and disappointment. "I see! Have a good day, then, Don Diego! Don Felipe!"
"You don't like him." Victoria stated after witnessing the last part of the conversation as she brought them their breakfast. "I know very well that you can sell him that land if you want to."
"I prefer not taking such decisions without my father's approval." Diego uttered innocently as he took a sip of his coffee.
Victoria gave him a puzzled smile, then returned to the kitchen.
Diego and Felipe drank their coffee, ate their breakfast, then headed for The Guardian to print the newest edition of the paper.
ZZZ
"De la Vega? What's this?" De Soto asked a while later as he stormed into the tavern, holding the most recent issue of the newspaper in one hand. "You printed this absurd nonsense, but not even one of the five excellent, heart-warming poems I brought you?"
"I'm sorry, Ignacio, but there was simply no room for poetry in this edition. I will do my best to include a couple of them in the next ones." Diego assured him, as he continued eating his arroz con pollo without paying much attention to his former schoolmate.
Felipe smiled at him from across the table.
"You had no room for my brilliant poetry, but there was room for this absurd claim of yours about 'blood groups'? What, you think anyone here will buy that? Please!" De Soto mocked, still angry at the caballero.
"They are not absurd claims, Ignacio! Blood transfusions can save lives when done right. Knowing who can donate blood to what other person could prevent women from dying in childbirth and injured people from dying of blood loss. And who knows what other applications it might have? One day, people might even use it for ̶ "
"People will never use such pseudo knowledge for anything!" He replied.
"I do believe you are wrong, Alcalde!" Diego contradicted him as he started explaining his discovery.
De Soto listened for a couple of minutes, after which he lost his patience. "Look, De la Vega, I am a busy man. I don't have time to listen to your… trivialities!" He uttered as he left, just hoping to get away and not even remembering for the moment why he had gone there in the first place.
Diego smiled, but soon had to return to his explanations since several dons started requesting more details. Twenty minutes later, the entire tavern seemed fascinated with their discussion. Despite that, however, most people were still reluctant to get tested so that a list of compatible donors might be created, as the caballero suggested in his article.
They were just discussing that point when Victoria started asking about the quantity of blood needed and how much blood was in the human body. Diego patiently informed her that the quantity of blood needed was about as much as the juice he still had in his glass, and that there were about 10 pints in a human body, thus far more than enough would be left.
"And how much blood can a person lose before dying of blood loss?" Victoria then inquired.
"About half." Diego answered.
"That's impossible!" She uttered in disbelief. "If that was true, Zorro would have died a few months ago, when he was injured!"
"His wound was probably less severe" The caballero assured her. "If he would have lost over 3 pints of blood he would have, at least, passed out and anyone would have been able to capture him."
"But… there was a lot of blood, Diego! He must have come close that time…" She uttered pensively, her face darkening with worry. "If he gets injured again and we do this, if we get tested, we'll be able to help Zorro, won't we?" Victoria asked.
Diego smiled at her, considering his reply. "The answer to that question is not as easy as a simple 'yes' or 'no', Victoria. Since no one knows who Zorro is, he'd have to get tested as his real self… and we wouldn't even know if he did or not, or who's a possible donor."
"But, he'd be on the list, even if we won't know who on the list he is. And so will those who can give him blood. You could leave a copy of the list somewhere for him, could you not? So he might know who to ask if he'll need our help…"
"I suppose… If he gets tested…" Diego replied as he saw the people around agreeing and becoming quite interested in his little project. He looked puzzled at Felipe who just shrugged.
About an hour later, after several people discussed the issue with Padre Benitez, a line had formed in front of the medical office just before siesta began.
ZZZ
It didn't take long for the Alcalde to decide on a new plan that would lead to the capture of his archenemy.
So, while he had dismissed Diego's initiative as absurd, despite allowing for his subordinates to do as they pleased and decide for themselves whether to have their blood tested or not, De Soto had his men stationed around the medical office for several days and nights in the hope of capturing the elusive outlaw as he came for the list.
Eventually, the temporary doctor decided he rather disliked the surveillance. So he published the list in a special edition of The Guardian. By then, after more experiments with a larger quantity of samples, he had concluded that four, not three types of blood existed, as he initially thought, even if he never realized that one of them could donate to all others.
Fuming at realizing the caballero had just destroyed his carefully-thought-out plan, De Soto threw him in jail, alleging he had provided help to a criminal, then took the newspaper in order to study the famous list, hoping it might provide a clue as to the identity of his nemesis.
"Three hundred names?" He shouted at Mendoza who made the mistake of being in his office. "And we're not even sure he's on it? I want that brigand in my jail!"
"I know, Alcalde, but Don Diego just published the list so that people could keep it in their house for when it might be needed… He just tried to help them…"
"I don't care he only tried to help the people! He ended up helping Zorro! A few days in my jail will teach him to consider his actions more carefully in the future."
De Soto had to free Diego an hour later when half the population of Los Angeles protested the arrest, and one of his men was injured and needed the doctor's help.
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AN: The first successful human-to-human transfusion was achieved by British obstetrician James Blundell in 1818. However, the existence of the 4 blood groups (the ABO system) was only discovered in 1900 (and 1901) by Austrian doctor Karl Landsteiner. He did so by mixing the blood and serum from his stuff and himself, and noticing the reactions. Further research has eventually led to the discovery of the Rh system and 36 more. As of 2019 38 human blood group systems are recognized by the ISBT.
As for this story, though (and not only), I figured that, if Landsteiner managed to identify the blood groups by mixing blood and further observing the reactions under a microscope (which had recently been invented at the time this story takes place) a person with a mind for science and a passion for chemistry, as Diego was portrayed in the NWZ series, might have done so, as well.
So allow me to postulate that Landsteiner was really first only because Diego de la Vega (and Zorro for that matter) didn't really exist. :P. If he had, history might have been different :D