There´s not much to say about this story, since the tittle had give most of the spoilers.

The only thing i will say is that this story is an AU ending of the episode Zorro Fights His Father, from Disney´s Zorro, season 1.

Hope you like

Have a nice readiing.

THE DEAL

The plan was going quite well as El Magistrado, with the help of Don Aleandro and the soldiers lead by Sargent Garcia, had sat a trap to capture Zorro. As planned, they arranged for the prisoner's execution to take place at exactly midnight, hoping the masked hero would appear to save him.

And he did, at the last moment, Zorro, the fox so cunning and free show up and with one stroke of his sword, he freed the innocent man, who run away as soon as possible, after his freedom.

A commotion started in the barracks, with the arrival of Zorro, the clumsy sergeant and his soldiers ran everywhere, trying to capture the fox who laughed in everyone's face. Still, when Zorro was about to flee, a loud BANG was heard, making the world stand still.

Zorro stopped on his tracks, pain bust from his abdomen, surrounding all his body., from what seemed like an eternity, he locked eyes with his father, before fall from the roof he was standing, inside the barracks.

''You shoot him?'' Don Aleandro exclaimed to the Magistrado, who was still aiming his gun. A mixture of surprise and a wave of fear washed over him.

''Its that an issue, Don Aleandro?'' the other man barked. ''Guards, get Zorro away from here!''

''Wait… you don´t want to find out who is behind the mask first?'' the older man asked, as a paternal worry and sudden urge of approach the wounded man took hold.

''If you have the need to kill your curiosity, go ahead,'' the villain said annoyed. ''Guards, let Don Aleandro approach.'' He yelled and the guards step away.

With shaky steps, the old farmer approached Zorro, his heart filled with sudden fear and a lump tightened in his throat. As he approached however he heard some whisper coming from the wounded man.

''Papa… Papa…'' Zorro was gasping from air.

''No… it can´t be…'' he bent down and quickly, ignoring his shaken hands, Don Aleandro, pulled off the mask and all the color left his face. ''Diego… my son…''

''This is impossible!'' Sr. Magistrado was perplexed and furious at the same time, as he watch the other man cradle the outlaw on his arms.

''But its Don Diego…'' Sgt. Garcia gasped confused.

''Don't keep staring, you fool! Go get a doctor!'' Don Aleandro yelled to the guards.

''You heard Don Aleandro, go get the doctor.'' El Magistrado replied, looking furious at the scene in front of him.

_/_

The doctor arrived a few minutes later and Diego, still dressed as Zorro, was taken to the medical quarters installed at the barracks, so the doctor could take care of him.

Once the doctor and a nurse entered the room and closed the door, everyone stood in silence and Don Aleandro started a silent pray for his son´s health. Suddenly, Sgt. Garcia broke the silence, still confused.

''But.. how Don Diego could be Zorro?'' he asked.

''That's its something I sadly have to agree with you, Garcia, this must have been a plot, engineered between Zorro and his father, am I not right, Don Aleandro?'' asked the Magistrate.

''I beg your pardon?'' the old De La Vega growled.

''You knew your son was the outlaw, you were trying to protect him, that's why you were so anxious about this trap you yourself planned.''

''Your excellency, I don´t believe Don Aleandro knew about Don Diego´s…'' Sgt. Garcia tried to reason but once again, the authority made him shut up.

''Garcia is right, I'm shocked as you are, your excellency, Diego own me a very good explanation if… when he woke up!'' Aleandro exclaimed.

''When he woke up, he will be throwed in jail and hang for his crimes!''

''You can´t do that, he´s my son, I know whatever he did…'' a wave of despair crashed over the father.

''Don´t you dare give me orders, your son is a criminal, Don Aleandro, he need to pay for his crimes.'' The Magistrate exclaimed.

''Than I propose I deal with you,'' the old father snapped. ''With Diego waking up, we forgot we saw this night and I will assure you, I will make sure Zorro will never set foot in Los Angeles ever again!'' he exclaimed, but before the other man could reply, the door opened and the doctor came. ''Dr. Fuentes, how´s my son?''

''Don Aleandro, Don Diego will going to be fine, I was able to retrieve the bullet and he´s going to be fine ina week or two…'' he stopped, seeing the smile of relief on his friend´s eyes. ''I just advice, that since young Diego lost a lot of blood, he must not be moving for a couple of days.''

''Thanks God! Can I see him?''

''Of course, Don Aleandro, go on.'' Dr. Fuentes smiled and he proceed to enter the room, when El Magistrado called him back.

''Don Aleandro, to show you how merciful I am, I will accept your deal,'' he started. ''But i´m warning you, if I see any sign of Zorro ever again, both you and your son, will be sentenced to death.'' El Magistrado growled and left without saying another word.

_/_

For more than a week, Diego lied unconscious, not responding for any stimuli. The only goods thing was that since he regain a bit of his color, Dr. Fuentes agreed he could go home and the guards at the barricade arrange to both father and son go back to their farm.

During the way home, Don Aleandro noticed all the wanted posts about Zorro had been removed, making him remember his part of the deal. And two days after return home, Diego woke up.

''Papa?'' he asked weakly upon seeing his father sitting next to his bed. And in response, the father smiled to him and caressed his head.

''Dieguito, my little boy, I'm so happy to see you awake,'' The old man smiled and getting up, he leaned to give his son a kiss on his forehead. ''You got me so worried.''

''Father, I'm sorry,'' Diego became serious all at once. ''I should have told you about Zorro.''

''I forgive you, my child, but I wonder why you didn´t told me in the first place, I could have helped you, you don´t trust your father?''

''I did become Zorro to protect you, to keep you safe and became an outlaw.'' Diego replied.

''I don´t see Zorro as an outlaw, he protected California, that makes him a hero,'' the old man said making his son smiled.

''So, you aren´t disappointed?''

''No, on the contrary my son, I love you and I'm proud of you… been you Diego, or Zorro.''

''Thank you, father, I promise…argh!'' Diego cried in pain.

''Relax son, relax, you need to recover, I will be here when you woke up and we can discuss more later.'' Don Aleandro smiled, and Diego feel back into sleep.

It was just aa day later, when Diego woke up again, feeling a lot better that his father had the courage to tell him about the deal, thinking that somehow his son would be furious about it, however, to his surprise, Diego only smiled and joke about it.

''Well Papa, if the fox can do its job anymore, maybe the Coyote does.'' he laugh and Don Aleandro promised to help his son fight against the injustice to bring peace to their home once again.

END.