I almost wanted to have a sword fight between Mara and Zorro in this chapter, but then I couldn't decide who would end up winning it... visit: ate her breakfast in silence, but Diego and Alejandro kept up their own conversation. She stared blankly at the flowers in the middle of the table. What she had heard had shaken her. Her mind was in circles so she finished her breakfast quickly and excused herself.

"Are you feeling alright, Señorita Mara?" She was touched by Alejandro's concern.

"Yes, I'm fine. I think I'll go to town for a while, if it is alright with you."

"Of course it is. You go have fun."

"Thank you. Adíos." She locked eyes with Felipe for a second, and then she turned and left the house. She walked to the front gate and clasped her hands on it. The wind whipped her hair around as she gazed over the land in front of her. She stood there for a few minutes, and then she turned to go to the stables. Felipe was in her way with her black horse, Ian, saddled and bridled at his side. He smiled and held out the reins for her to take. She reached out to take them and touched his fingers on accident. She flushed again and looked down.

"Th-thank you, Felipe." She walked around on the other side of the horse and mounted him. Felipe walked to the gate and opened it for her. Her face was still pink as he waved goodbye to her. She brought her feet in and her horse started to run.

-----

She didn't look back until she had gotten to town. She slid off at the tavern and tied up Ian.

Mendoza walked up to her. "Buenos días, Señorita Mara."

"And to you, Sergeant."

"It is a beautiful morning, wouldn't you say?"

Mara looked up at him from the horse post. "Sergeant, if your intentions are getting on my good side so that I will buy you breakfast, think again." Mendoza whimpered and followed her into the tavern. Victoria was cleaning her counter when she looked up and saw them.

"Buenos días, Señorita Mara. Sergeant." She nodded at them. "Is there anything that I can get you?" Mendoza walked over to a table and pouted. Mara put her hands on the counter.

"Actually, there is. I heard that you run the advice column in Diego's newspaper and I was wondering if you had the time to give me some advice."

Victoria smiled and set down a bottle on the counter. "Of course I do. What is the problem?"

"Well, what do you do when you think that the person that you love, loves someone else?" Victoria put some glasses next to the bottle and thought for a moment.

"Did he tell you this?"

Mara curled her lip a little. "Well, no."

"Then I suggest that you ask him yourself." Victoria disappeared into her kitchen and Mara banged her head against the counter.

-----

Felipe and Alejandro arrived in town at 11:30 and said that Diego wanted to stay home and "catch up on his reading". Mara smiled a little at Alejandro's frustration.

"Why can't he be more like Zorro? Courageous, and adventurous." Alejandro sighed and sipped his juice.

Mara smiled warmly at him. "Diego is a wonderful man and I know that you are proud of him, even if you don't admit it." Mendoza came running into the tavern.

"Señorita, Señorita! Zorro is in the plaza waiting for you!" Victoria beamed and raced out of the tavern. Mara and everyone else followed her as Ignacio and the lancers poured out of the armory.

"Zorro! The fool came! Lanc-" He stopped when he saw Mara. He cleared his throat. "Yes, well..."

Zorro dismounted his horse and walked over to Victoria. He planted a kiss on her hand and then walked over to Mara.

"Señorita Mara! Well, here I am, just as we agreed and ready to make terms with you."

Mara smiled at him. "Sergeant, please come here." Mendoza rushed over to her. "Would you please get me the Zorro reward money and the warrant papers for his arrest?" Mendoza dashed to the Alcalde's office, got them and gave them to Mara. She set the money down and opened the scroll. She read it for a second and then gave it to Mendoza. "Sergeant, please tell me which one of these crimes Zorro actually committed?"

Mendoza took the paper and read it. "Well, uh...I don't really know. Let's see. Loitering. Uhh… jay walking. ---Double parking. Lol--- Stealing the Alcalde's chicken. Ooh, I remember that!" He laughed.

"Mendoza."

He cleared his throat. "Sorry, Señorita." He looked at the list again. "Zorro did none of these things."

Mara smiled and took the paper back. "Zorro, how can I arrest you if you've done nothing wrong?"

Ignacio seized the moment and spoke up. "That's not true! He's committed dozens of crimes and I am a personal witness to them!"

Mara sighed. "Ignacio, the only crime that Zorro has committed is not shutting you up sooner." Ignacio stepped backward. "So, since Zorro has not committed any crimes, I hereby give him a full pardon." She tore up the warrant and picked up the reward money as the crowd cheered. "And this will be given back to the people, so they can pay their taxes." The crowd cheered again.

"Señorita, I am speechless," Zorro said.

"Now Zorro, what about your mask?"