Alejandro cast his son a glance, across the dinner table. It was unusual for Diego to be silent all the way through a meal. He had expected a discussion about the riding at least, and had mentioned it a few times, but Diego was not in a talkative mood.

"Are you feeling well, Diego?" He asked softly. Diego met his worried eyes and smiled slightly.

"Completely well, Father. Nursing a few bruises, that's all."

Alejandro nodded thoughtfully. "Are you still angry with me for my plans to join Zorro in his campaign for justice?"

Diego's smile turned to a concerned frown immediately.

"Not exactly angry, no, not angry at all. You are not a young man anymore. You can't expect to take on what Zorro does."

"I'm not an old man either, Diego," Alejandro retorted. He took a deep breath. "I would not put myself in the man's way, just offer my assistance. A few of the vaqueros were talking about becoming more of a fighting group."

"All those lives are at risk," Diego said, shaking his head.

"I am not going to put Zorro's life in danger. I won't betray him. I have led campaigns, I was a commander. I doubt with all his skills that Zorro has led men. We could overthrow the alcalde with enough force. Or at least make him see reason."

"I am still not happy with this idea. I know I can't stop you," Diego said, glancing at Felipe who had stopped eating and was watching them both with concerned eyes. He gestured to his young friend's plate.

"That doesn't mean you support me," Alejandro said, despite himself.

"You have to find the man first," Diego said with relish. "I doubt you can be successful when so many have failed before you."

Alejandro glared at his son. "I take it you will not be helping me in that endeavour?"

"In everything else, yes. But not that. I can't stop you, but I won't help you put your life in danger. What if Zorro dislikes the idea so much he draws a sword on you?"

"Zorro has saved my life so many times I doubt that."

Diego was silent.

"I am surprised at you, Diego. I thought you would support this cause. Justice is one of your passions, after all."

Zzz

Diego resisted the impulse to storm off in the middle of breakfast, with much difficulty. His temper didn't often clash with his father's but lately it was becoming more frequent.

Felipe followed him when he finally left the table, gesturing frantically.

When they were out of earshot, Diego sighed and sat down. They were in the library, a soothing place and the comforting feeling that the secret cave was just behind the fireplace settled his ruffled feelings slightly.

"My father wants to form a fighting legion of some kind, with Zorro as the leader," Diego explained. "I want to keep him safe. I don't know how long I can do that."

Felipe gestured a little more.

"It is not a good idea. The more people involved the less safe everyone becomes. Zorro is used to acting alone. Not as a commander of a legion."

Felipe gestured again.

"You talk like my father, Felipe. I don't want to talk about this again today. Give me space to think," Diego said, almost snapping at the teenager.

He breathed deeply. "Forgive me, I am on edge lately."

Felipe began to gesture, and Diego placed a hand on his moving fingers, shaking his head.

"I meant it, Felipe. Are you coming with me to the pueblo? How are your studies coming along?"

Felipe shrugged, and glanced at the floor. Diego smiled slightly.

"Distractions are causing procrastination? Well, you know what that means. Go to your books, and I will check later today. It's important, Felipe. Just as much as Zorro's swordplay."

Felipe sighed, and nodded. Diego watched the boy he thought of as a son trudge down to his own room where his books were stacked on his small desk.

Zzz

Diego felt drained even before he reached the outskirts of Los Angeles. His father with his temper and Diego's own were powerful emotions, and battling with his father was always tiring. Even when Diego reined in his own temper, it was exasperating.

He was riding absentmindedly, and Esperanza decided her own gait, which was a sedate trot. He didn't see MacKay before he was almost on top of him.

"Newspaper man!" The big man said with excitement.

Esperanza skittered and fussed, and Diego comforted her, waking from his thoughts a little startled himself. He was normally observant while riding, knowing the warming weather could bring waking snakes from hibernation.

"MacKay," Diego said, after biting his lip to stop a yelled complaint. "Nice to see you."

"I will buy you a drink at the tavern. Busy day at the office, eh?"

"Always is," Diego said. He relaxed on Esperanza, aware that he was too tense after his surprise. She was too good a mount to treat roughly or tightly.

"Fine mare," MacKay said, running his eyes over the mare appreciatively.

"All the de la Vega horses are. If you need a horse, we have a few fillies and colts for sale."

"I'll definitely consider it." MacKay tugged at the reins of his current mount. "This one's a little stubborn and prone to bolt."

Diego remained silent, although a few thoughts about horsemanship came to his lips.

He still was unsure about this man, big and loud and in command of several men similar. The comments about the ladies of the tavern had rankled, but they were sadly common in travellers and newcomers. The feelings Diego was becoming aware of suggested danger, but the evidence was scant. Maybe he was prejudiced against large, loud men with coarse manners, or maybe there was something to investigate.

The men rode together and tethered their horses at the tavern.

Diego found his favourite table, and sat down, his back to the far wall so he could scan the room without being obvious about it. MacKay promptly sat facing him, blocking his view.

Diego smiled. Could his day get any more frustrating?

"Two tequilas, senorita," MacKay ordered from Pilar. She raised her eyebrows and glanced at Diego, who shrugged with his usual smile.

"A plate of tamales as well, Pilar, please," Diego said.

"A very pretty little thing," MacKay said thoughtfully as the men watched her leave.

"A girl of fourteen," Diego said firmly.

"Really? Well, that rules that out, doesn't it?" MacKay said mostly to himself.

Yes, it should, Diego thought to himself. He didn't particularly like tequila, and he didn't particularly like the man. He was not going to complain. He was going to find out what was on this man's mind, obviously, and a taste of tequila was obviously the price. Even at 10 in the morning.

Zzz

MacKay tossed down his tequila, and waited for Diego. Diego tossed his down, and gasped at the fire, which amused MacKay and several other men in the vicinity of their table. He gave in to a coughing fit, which inspired MacKay to pat him on the back.

"That was good, wasn't it, newspaper man? Nothing like tequila to pump blood faster in the morning."

"Y...yes, I suppose...so," Diego said, exaggerating the effects. He hated tequila, he remembered, but it made him look innocent of the ways of this rough man. Which was an advantage.

"Water or something for the man," MacKay called out. Victoria came over with Diego's usual lemonade, and a raised eyebrow.

"Really Diego," she said. "What has gotten into you?"

"The boy wants to grow up, senorita," MacKay said, as Diego gratefully took the cup. "About time too. How old are you?"

Diego took the opportunity to have another coughing fit, and then gulped at the lemonade. Victoria shook her head slowly, and made her way back to the kitchen.

The tamales arrived soon after, and Diego ate a few to refocus his thoughts. The effects of the tequila would blunt his awareness enough to be noticeable but he should otherwise be fine, thanks to a large breakfast.

"I think I have discovered a good story idea for that paper of yours, boy," MacKay said, leaning closer towards him.

"Really?"

"I am going to capture Zorro. I have a foolproof plan, and he won't stand a chance."

"Really?" Diego said again. "So many other people have tried before. What makes you think you would be successful when so many others have failed?"

"You don't use force with a fox, they are too skittish. You use your brains."

Brains? Diego glanced at him, taking the man in as much as he could. He didn't look that smart, he didn't act that smart. Looks and actions could deceive, Diego knew that better than anyone.

"What do you mean?"

"Every man has something to lose. Every man in a mask has more to lose than most."

"What do you think he has to lose?"

"He is protecting his identity. That is a weakness. You look for weaknesses, and that's how you beat opponents. He is fond of the ladies of this tavern, especially that one that is in charge. He is known to protect the helpless and the victimised."

"Every man wants to do that, surely?" Diego queried, slightly unnerved.

"Have you seen this pueblo? No one wants to risk their lives for anyone else, and for all the nice things they say about this tavern, no one would give a damn if something was to hurt these women here."

"Victoria Escalante is a personal friend of the de la Vegas," Diego said, a little forcefully. "I for one would try to stop harm coming to these ladies."

"But would you succeed?" MacKay said, a little unkindly. "Zorro would succeed where you would fail, and no one else would bother."

Diego held his breath strangely worried. That sentence was more revealing than he would like, but MacKay didn't see any cause for further consideration.

"Many people would bother," Diego retorted.

"Maybe but not as many as you would hope," MacKay said. "Don't worry, your friend is safe. For now."

"If you touch a hair on her hair you would have to answer to me," Diego said. He acted more affronted than he felt. What he was feeling was increasing concern, and possibly a growing anger.

"I'm not going to duel a writer," MacKay said, dismissively. "Keep to your newspaper, boy. Don't meddle with fighting men."

Diego ate a few more tamales silently. He felt like knocking out the man beside him, scanning the room for ways he could do it. There were several ways that sprung immediately to mind.

"What I am planning is ingenuous," MacKay said, glancing around the room cautiously. "It won't fail, because he won't see it coming."

Diego leaned forward to listen. What followed was quite a good plan for the capture of Zorro. It involved a tripwire for Toranardo and a trap door for Zorro, and other plans that Diego absorbed with intense interest, Diego nodding his encouragement from time to time.

"I would like to say I wish you luck, but the man is a hero around here. He saved my father a few times," Diego said when the man had finished.

His mind whirled with the threat but his calm demeanour betrayed none of it. He would stay clear of the area mentioned, and keep an eye out for further threats.

"Yes, but it would make a good front page story," MacKay said with more relish than Diego was comfortable with. "Right up your alley."

Diego grimaced as the man nudged him with enthusiasm. "I suppose it would sell a lot of newspapers," he said reluctantly.

"That's the spirit," MacKay said. "And the reward will sit well in my pocket. To think that I would be clever enough to bag the Fox himself, when so many others have failed in the past. That would be satisfaction beyond measure."