"Did you find anything last night, Diego?" Alejandro asked as his son sat down at the table. "Si, I found the bandit's camp." Diego replied. "I didn't see Bernardo anywhere. But, I'm not going to give up yet. " Alejandro didn't say anything, and the silence lingered for a moment. "Emera knows." Diego said. "What?" Alejandro asked. "Emera knows about Zorro." Diego said again. "How?" Alejandro asked, clearly concerned. "She heard us talking last night and she found the passages. Emera saw me put the mask on and she figured it out." Diego explained. "Do you think she can keep it a secret?" Asked Alejandro. "Si, I trust her." Diego replied. "Thank you." Diego turned around and saw Emera standing in the doorway, smiling slightly. "Thank you for trusting me." She said again. Diego smiled at her. "Won't you join us?" Alejandro offered, standing up. Emera smiled and walked over. Diego helped Emera into her chair and then sat back down. "What did you learn last night?" Emera asked. "If you want to tell me now." Diego nodded. "I'll tell you. I didn't find any sign of Bernardo, but that man you killed yesterday was the leader's brother." He said. Emera's eyes widened. "Oh, this is good! You're telling me that I offed the brother of the leader of this band of..Of bandits? Great!"
"Emera, please calm down. We can't do anything of it right now. We'll just have to wait and see what develops." Diego said. Emera thought about what Diego said for a second. "You're right." She agreed, nodding. Just then, Crescensia walked in. "Would you mind bringing us our breakfast, Cresensia?" Alejandro asked. "Oh, Si, Don Alejandro. " She said, walking into the kitchen. Emera leaned back in her chair and morosely pondered the recent
~~ ~~
Emera spent most of that day in her room, thinking about everything that had happen. Bandits. Bernardo. Zorro. She felt quite confused. Her thoughts drifted to Diego. He had the same morals Emera did, it seemed. He risked his life to free his people, expecting nothing in return. Emera had long followed the saying "No one is free while others are oppressed." It was apparent Diego believed the same thing. Emera was surprised when the word 'love' made it into her thoughts. She toyed with that idea for a minute, before standing up. Walking outside, she looked around. She needed to talk with Diego.
(A/N: This isn't going to be a mushy story, I doubt I could even write mushy stories!)
~~ ~~
Emera found Zorro standing at the mouth of the cave, looking out into the box canyon. "Are you ok? She asked. Zorro just nodded. "Everything is going to work out, hopefully for the better. Truth takes time." Emera offered. "I'm afraid we don't have much time." Zorro replied. "If Bernardo is still alive he may be in grate danger." Emera studied her feet for a moment. Looking up, she said, "This may not be the best time to tell you this, but if you're going to confront the bandits, I think I should tell you."
"Tell me what?" Zorro asked. "I feel..no, um….It seems..no. Crud. Fine, I'll just say it: I think I'm in love with you." Emera replied. Zorro looked at her. "It can't be." He said, turning and heading up the stairs. "What?" Emera asked, following him. "Why not?" She demanded once she caught up with Zorro. "We live in two different times…" Emera interrupted him. "Who cares? I don't! It's from the heart, isn't that what matters?" Emera asked. Zorro looked at his sabre as he slid it on. "I'm sorry." He said before walking down the stairs. Emera started to say something, but stopped and looked at the stairs in front of her. "Oh!" She said, annoyed, before looking at the other sabre on the wall. Emera took the sabre down. "This might come in handy if I'm to help him." She said, "AND I AM COMING!" She added, talking towards the stairs. Gripping the sabre, she headed down the stairs. Zorro just left as Emera reached the cave. Wasting no time, Emera ran to the stables and got a horse. She knew she had to fly if she was going to catch up.