This is my first Mask of Zorro fic, up until now I've only been writing Hannibal stories but I loved the film and decided to do something new. This fic is based mainly on the film although I have changed some of the scenes so it will go off cannon.

I hope you enjoy and I would appreciate any reviews/suggestions that you have.

Disclaimer: I am using characters created from the film written by Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio and Randall Jahson. Directed by Martin Campbell. The first two chapters will be based on the film but after that the work will be my own.

I would like to thank my great beta JetNoir (another author on this site) for all his help with this fic especially as it is not using my usual characters and setings from Hannibal.

Katy

The Fire that Burns in the Night

Prologue I – Heartbreak

Candles burned throughout the hacienda flickering gently like the golden ripples of the lake at sunset.

Esperanza had sat watching the beautiful scene unfold, as she saw her husband ride back home on Tornado. Closing her eyes she thanked God once more that he had been returned safely to her. Sitting out there in the warm evening, Esperanza had been trying to pass the longest hours in her day. She felt this way whenever Diego went out to fight for what he believed was right.

Diego was reciting an abridged tale of his most recent exploits to his darling daughter, when he felt his wife's presence behind him.

Esperanza had been leaning on the doorframe listening to Diego's story. She loved the way he talked to Elena as if their daughter could understand every word.

Diego turned to regard Esperanza who had a look of admiration on her beautiful face. Her expression barely changed when he told her he would never do anything so dangerous again, although deep down Diego knew the agony he put his wife through.

"She loves to hear your stories."

"It's only the sound of my voice, one day she'll have no time for them."

"I never tire of them, so why should she?"

Diego's stories had happy endings: the villain vanquished, and the prince ending up with the beautiful princess. Esperanza knew that her life was not the perfect fairytale, but as Diego embraced her she also knew she had everything she wanted; a loving husband, family and beautiful home.

Determined to put the evening's previous activities behind them the couple moved out into the hallway, leaving their daughter sleeping peacefully.

The peace didn't last too long as Esperanza's playful grasp caused her husband to flinch and turn away.

The built up emotions then seemed to come pouring out and for the first time Esperanza almost begged Diego not to go and fight anymore.

"The Spaniards are going home. Today was Zorro's last ride."

Relief washed over Esperanza and she felt like part of her life had been given back to her. Finally they were free to settle down to a life with no more heartache.

This time when Diego embraced her Esperanza returned his kiss passionately, trying to show him just how deep her love ran.

The second she opened her eyes Esperanza pulled away suddenly, gasping in shock at the rows of guards standing casually on her stairs.

"Don Rafael," said Diego, "what an honour to have a governor in my home,"

Esperanza was overcome about how genuinely surprised Diego sounded, as he stood protectively in front of her. She stayed as close to him as she could, trying to show Rafael Montero how devoted she was to her husband.

Montero, meanwhile, had ascended the stairs slowly.

"I'm sorry I have to leave you without a husband," he said coldly.

Esperanza looked confused, but as soon as Rafael gave the order to arrest Diego she cried out in protest, and threw her arms around him.

Diego raised his hand to her and stood calmly as the guards took his arms.

Montero approached him, and grabbed his wounded arm causing Diego to flinch - although he desperately tried not to.

"Blood never lies, Zorro," said Montero.

The true triumph Montero felt was hidden by the conceited look on his face.

"Take him away," he added menacingly.

Esperanza pushed against the guards in vain, but Diego easily overpowered the two holding him and after grabbing one of their swords leapt down to face Montero.

A clash of blades indicated the start of a fight that would go on until one participant killed the other. The guards raised their guns, but with no clear shot they could only watch and wait.

Tensions rose amongst the spectators, as Montero appeared to have the upper hand one moment and Diego the next.

Both men had managed to strike the other once when Diego pushed Montero up against the wall, and a round was fired exploding into the wall next to Rafael's head.

The noise caused Elena to start crying, but everyone, including Esperanza, was still rooted to the spot watching the two swordsmen cross blades.

The fight had moved into one of the upper rooms and Diego was being backed into a corner by the advancing Montero, who's wild swings had sent candles flying into the furniture.

As flames began to circle the two Dons, one of the guards raised his gun.

"No!"

The guard fired, and then there was silence.

The scream had come from the two fighting men, and the woman who loved her husband so deeply that she would throw herself in front of him to take a bullet.

Diego immediately dropped his sword, and clutched his wife tightly to his chest.

Montero took his revenge and swiftly attacked the guard who had fired, his punishment being immediate death.

Diego had lowered Esperanza to the floor, and was crouching over her. He raised his head when Montero approached.

"I would never have let any harm come to her," Montero offered.

"She was never yours to protect," Diego replied.

The baby's cry broke the sombre atmosphere.

"Elena?" Diego stood but Montero knocked him out cold with his sword.

"I want you to live with the knowledge you have lost everything you hold dear. Suffering as I have suffered. Knowing your child should have been mine," Montero said bitterly.

There were hushed whispers from the corner.

"Sir, she is still breathing…"