AN: I have been working on this story for a while now and I am just posting the first chapter to see your reaction. Let me know if you want more (it's already partly written).

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of the NWZ pantheon. I do own the OCs in this story and the ideas for the plot. I do not make any money from it, write and publish just for fun, but I do not authorize the partial or complete reproduction of the story without my express consent. The use of the OCs can be granted after slight negotiation.

ZZZ

"What do you suppose he was going to say, Diego?" Don Alejandro asked as he stood face-to-face with his son, in the middle of the plaza, expecting an answer, whatever that might be. Truth be told, he already suspected, but his suspicion was too incredible to be true. Yet, he had seen Diego fight. His son's skill with the sword could only be comparable with that of one man in the territory, the same man who mysteriously appeared a few days after Diego's return from Spain.

Diego looked at him, trying to find his words when, at the corner of his eye, he noticed six of Risendo's Royal Guardsmen heading towards them, muskets in hand. His first instinct was to look to his right, to see if there was a threat there. There was none, so he glanced back at them, forgetting for a moment the conversation he was meant to have with his father.

The soldiers surrounded them, muskets pointed at him.

"What's going on?" Don Alejandro asked the armed men as Victoria and Felipe were watching the scene, all previous joy forgotten.

"We hereby arrest you for being the masked outlaw Zorro!" One of the men answered addressing Diego and Victoria's heart skipped a beat at hearing the statement. "Should you attempt to escape, you will be shot on the spot."

People started gathering in the plaza, looking inquisitively at Diego and Don Alejandro.

"Have you lost your mind, Sergeant?" Don Alejandro instinctively asked the guardsman in charge. "This is my son. We have both been through enough today without your absurd accusations."

Diego turned his eyes towards Felipe and the young man knew he needed to pay attention.

"I shot Zorro, yesterday, in the right arm. This man has a wound in the same place, thus he must be Zorro!" The Guardsman answered.

"I was injured earlier today, Sergeant. It was the work of my twin brother, Gilberto Risendo." Diego told him calmly.

"That would be too much of a coincidence, senor!" The guardsman answered and signaled his men to escort Diego towards the jail.

"It is alright, Father." He said, just before turning around to follow them. "It is just a misunderstanding. I am sure it will be clarified soon enough."

As he was escorted towards the prison, he passed by Victoria and Felipe to whom he made some signs with his hand, while pretending to bush his hair from his face. The young man signaled that he had understood with a slight nod of his head.

Don Alejandro followed his son for a few steps with a profound sense of dread, unable to shake the feeling that they had arrested exactly who they though they did. He stopped by Victoria, who was too surprised by the accusation to gather the force to protest.

"How…How could they think Diego is Zorro?" She asked Don Alejandro when she saw him standing next to her. "That is ridiculous!"

It seemed to her like she was trying to convince herself because, right then and there, she could no longer dismiss the idea as easily she had done all the other times she had suspected him. She had noticed the way he was holding his right hand the evening before, at the party the Alcalde threw, but hadn't given it a second thought at the moment. Now that she found out that Zorro had been wounded in the same arm a day earlier she begun fearing for Diego's life. She was waiting for Don Alejandro to confirm her words. His father would have known.

Don Alejandro, however, was too shaken himself. Shaken by that awful day, shaken by the possibility that took root in his mind. He, therefor, said nothing, just remained staring at the green door through which the only son he had left, the only one he ever known, was escorted to jail under an accusation that carried a death sentence.

Realizing she was not getting the assurance she so desperately needed from Don Alejandro, Victoria tried to remain calm and turned to search for Felipe. The young man had vanished.

"Don Alejandro, let's go to the tavern for a drink. I will also fix you some lunch. You have been through a lot today and there is nothing you'll be able to do for Diego in this state." She suggested. "Don't worry, everyone knows this allegation is absurd. He will be out as soon as the Alcalde returns from his talk with the padre." She added in a loud tone, accomplishing her intention of dispersing the curious people gathered around them.

Don Alejandro looked at her and agreed silently, his mind considering options and scenarios which could ensure that Diego would survive the day. He followed her in, just as Pilar was closing the tavern for the siesta. Fortunately, there were no overnight guests, so it was just the two of them after Pilar went home. Victoria made sure to lock all doors and grabbed a bottle of wine from the kitchen, together with a jar filled with orange juice and two glasses, then sat down at Don Alejandro's table. She poured the wine, and then slowly raised her eyes toward him. Silence fell as neither of them dared to utter a word. They feared a confirmation of their fears.

"It is absurd for anyone to believe Diego is Zorro, isn't it?" She stated. "He'll be out in no time. Everyone knows he can barely handle a sword." She tried to reassure him with a smile which was less genuine than she thought, as he was staring at his glass.

"He defeated Gilberto." He eventually answered. "He was fighting with his left hand and defeated his brother who was a high-ranking trained soldier. I have never seen such a skilled swordsman in my life. Except for one. What if they are right, Victoria? What if Diego truly is who they believe him to be?" The man's hand was shaking a little as he swallowed the entire glass of wine. "I cannot lose him. I would do anything for that boy." He continued, reaching for the wine bottle to pour another glass.

"I don't think that is a good idea, Don Alejandro." She stated and filled his glass with juice instead, removing the bottle from the table and leaving him alone for a few minutes, while she headed for her room. When she returned one of her hands was clutched into a fist. "I know how we can be certain." She said as soon as she rejoined him at the table. "Zorro asked me to marry him a few months ago. He gave me a ring, one that had been his mother's." She paused as the old don watched her in surprise, then unclutched her hand.

"Dios!" He uttered at seeing the fine piece of jewelry. "It was my wife's."

No more doubts. Diego was Zorro.