Victoria joined Luke on the street within moments.

"I am sure due to his memory loss he won't be too far. We went to the newspaper office and then to the alcalde's quarters. That and the tavern. I don't know how well he knows the pueblo," Luke said, thoughtfully. "I will look there, and bring him back. Perhaps he just absentmindedly wandered off."

Victoria frowned as she scanned the street. "I doubt that. I have learnt more about Diego in these last few weeks, and there is more Zorro in Diego than we realise. He is pushing himself too much, and doing too much on his own. We need to find a way to tell him things without telling him too much."

"We certainly don't want to encourage him to take on too much," Luke agreed. "Imagine if he went into action as Zorro, and he had a relapse in the middle of it."

Victoria anxiously watched the street, but there was no one out. Siesta was getting closer, and she was getting increasingly concerned. Her anger was ebbing despite herself.

"You look in those places, I will look in others," Victoria said thoughtfully. She had found him in the hacienda, she would find him anywhere. It just took a bit of thinking. She saw Luke nod and she stood for a moment, trying to clear her mind of anxious thoughts.

What did Diego want? She wasn't completely sure, but it was definitely to regain memories. He had asked about Zorro the other day, but today he seemed obsessed with the revelation of the newspaper office. Somehow she knew he wasn't there. He wouldn't want to be found quickly. He wanted time on his own, because he had complained about Luke's company. There, that was right. He wanted to be on his own to find more of his memories. Maybe about Zorro?

She was the authority on Zorro. Everyone in the pueblo knew that. Some suspected that she knew far more than she would admit. Why hadn't he pressed her on the subject? She sighed, remembering the scene she had made on hearing the question. He was out there trying to find out about Zorro, perhaps using the newspaper skills that must bubble under the surface.

If it had been her, where would she be? If she really wanted to know about Zorro, where would she go first? She wasn't sure. She didn't know Diego as well as she had thought. Who would he naturally turn to, apart from her. The padre?

It was as good a place as any to start, and maybe Padre Benitez would help her think. Diego was very fond of him, and had written to him years before the man had arrived in the pueblo. She wondered if he remembered his old friend, as she hurried over to the church complex where she knew the Padre would be at this time of day.

Zzz

The apothecary had another story told of heroism and generosity, and Diego had nodded along. He made his excuses to the older man behind the counter.

"When you have time, I'd love to talk to you about the potions I keep hearing about from the doctor. I would like to be able to use them in the shop."

"Of course," Diego said, a little surprised. He couldn't remember about the potions, but he would in time. He was pleasantly encouraged that the tradespeople admired him alongside Zorro.

"Take care of yourself, Don Diego. You are an essential part of this community, don't you forget that," the apothecary owner said, as they clasped hands in farewell.

Diego glanced around the street. It was empty more or less. The saddler was next door, but the shop was closed for siesta, and Diego sighed. He was tired, even though he hadn't really done much. The church looked inviting, with its comfortingly solid buildings, and the promise of shade in the garden surrounding it.

Zzz

Padre Benitez was heading inside from the garden, when he noticed Diego approaching him.

"Diego," he said, taking the offered hand. "What are you doing out here in the heat? Especially after such a bad accident. Come in, come in. I will get you a lemonade."

Diego smiled a little. He had vague memories of this man, of his loyalty and friendliness. They hadn't formed a satisfying memory as yet, but he was completely at ease. He knew he could trust this man implicitly, with his life if necessary.

Diego soon found himself in a shaded patio, with a glass of lemonade in his hand. He was guided to a wicker chair and sat down with a hint of relief.

"From what I hear, you are lucky to still be with us, Diego."

"It wasn't that bad," Diego said with a shrug. He couldn't remember anything about it, but he was on his feet, wasn't he? All of the people he had talked to during the day had mentioned his general lack of strength, so that must mean something.

"Your father had me visit that night," Benitez said grimly. "I was prepared."

Diego's eyebrows went up. Really? That bad? He was surely hinting at the last rites. Benitez was watching him like a hawk, and Diego realised this was his last visit before heading home.

"To be completely honest," Diego began. "To be honest, I have no memory of that day or several days after that."

"Makes sense, your head injuries were severe."

"Can I trust you?" Diego said and then looked at the stone floor. Of course he could.

"You know you can, Diego."

There was a heavy silence between them and the longer it lasted the harder it was to speak.

"I have a problem."

"What is it, Diego?" Benitez prompted. He was patient enough to wait for Diego to gather his thoughts.

"I have lost whole chunks of my life, my memories. I seem to hurt Victoria with the things I can't remember."

"Is it just Victoria that is upset?"

"Yes," Diego said, and then shook his head. "No. My father tries to hide it, but I know he is very worried. My friends are worried, my acquaintances are worried." He took a deep breath. "I am worried."

"The accident only occurred a week and a half ago. It does take time to recover, Diego. I saw the state of your injuries that night, and I was amazed that I wasn't needed in my official capacity, thank the Lord."

"Victoria loves Zorro, doesn't she? A man I can't remember anything about?" Diego said, with a strange feeling in his heart. "I need to know if he is worthy of her. If he's a good man."

"Oh, he is a good man, and definitely worthy of her. Two sides of the same coin. I certainly hope I get to officiate at their wedding."

Diego stared at the wall, nodding. "I don't want to lose her to just anyone. I...I...think I…," he started. "It doesn't matter anyway. Not now."

"You love her," Benitez said gently. "I've known that for a year or so."

Diego glanced at him with surprise and then laughed. It was a strange laugh, with a hint of sadness in it.

"You say it so easily. You know it so easily," Diego said, grimly. "If she didn't love him, I would have a reason to hope...but it doesn't matter."

"Your feelings matter, Diego," Benitez said gently, patting his hand. "It is best that you don't let them rule over you, though."

"I don't know how to make myself remember," Diego said, his hand clenching into a tight fist. "I need to remember."

"You do. But it is not for today, Diego," Benitez said softly. "It looks like you need to rest for a while. You are exhausted, and the heat didn't help. I can't think why your father allowed this excursion in the first place."

"I can," Diego said, with a tired sigh. "It was to show me I am not well enough to wander around the district in the heat. That my goals are too big for me."

"Perhaps they are right now," Benitez said, helping Diego to his feet. "There is a private room you can rest in for a while. We will get you home before long."

"Yes, it seems a little too much for me. I've taken on too much."

"It won't be long and you will find it easier as you give it more time. There is no hurry, Diego."

"Can you tell me what I need to know?"

"Not straight away. I think your memories are lost so your mind will protect you. I am not such a genius to know why. When you are ready it will come back."

Diego nodded slowly. It seemed to make sense. He didn't like it, but there were a lot of things he didn't like.

"Does the alcalde always look so imperious in that chair?" Diego asked. "Why is de Soto of all people so hardhearted?"

"Some people are," Benitez said with a smile.

"I don't like it," Diego said, rubbing his head. The headache was back, and he felt the exhaustion that Benitez had seen.

"The sooner you are asleep the better for you, Diego. I don't think you are at all well."

Zzz

By the time Victoria had arrived at the church, Benitez met her in the shady patio.

"I know this is an unusual question to ask," Victoria began.

"Diego is asleep in one of the rooms. He is completely safe, but exhausted."

She sighed, and sat down. She was more relieved than she thought she would be. "I was so worried."

Benitez patted her hand gently. "These are trying times, for all of us."

"I don't know what to do with him. As he gets stronger, he just gets more stubborn. I need to keep him safe, and how can I do that when he is looking for trouble."

"You know who he is."

"I should have known five years ago," Victoria said crossly. She squeezed her handkerchief in her hand, determined to stay strong. She was going to focus on the strength of anger rather than the growing desperation she was feeling.

"It is alright to be overwhelmed, Victoria. We all feel that way from time to time," Benitez said reassuringly. "He can be exasperating, I'm sure."

"Now he could have put back his recovery by weeks. I don't know why Alejandro allowed this outing. It definitely backfired."

"Now, now. I'm sure everyone has learnt things from this day," Benitez said gently. "Do you want to sit with him? I can get someone to accompany you so reputations are not tarnished."

"Diego is still so sensitive about reputations," she said with a small smile. "He is very considerate, even when it doesn't matter."

Benitez helped her out of the chair, and led her to the room where Diego slept. She sank into the chair next to the bed.

"Would you like a book of homilies to read while you wait for him to wake up?"

"Yes thank you. Can you send someone to tell Luke not to worry and that I found him?"

"Of course, Victoria," Benitez said gently. "Try not to worry about him so much. He'll be fine."