Diego hesitated as relief flooded through his mind. He slowly let out the breath he had been holding and loosened his grip on his rapier. He nodded his head in reply to his father's remark, dark bangs falling over hazel eyes. His body shook slightly from the rush of adrenaline and the fatigue that now settled into his taunt body. He had feared the men would see the mask he still wore as Diego, would figure out he was indeed the cunning fox. While Diego was grateful his secret was still safe, he felt a small pang of remorse that they could not see him for what he truly was. A small part of Diego wanted the respect that would come from being Zorro. He wanted to be seen as he truly was, not two characters he had created. Diego quieted the thought however, knowing that it would mean danger for the men before him, and for Diego himself. Still, Diego couldn't help but feel it would ease the burden somewhat.

Diego felt a hand on his shoulder and looked into the face of Don Carlos. "You are truly gifted Diego. It is a shame no one else has seen your skill. I can see why so many would want to duel with you—you are magnificent." It is a shame no one has seen the real you Diego. You have hidden behind a mask far too long, Carlos thought to himself.

"Gracias, Don Carlos. But I am not as talented as some."

"Perhaps not, but I would not challenge you. Even Zorro would have a hard time defeating you." Don Carlos smiled at his own joke. Of course, no one else knew he had made one.
Diego smiled slightly and nodded his head as he spoke, "Oh…I have a feeling I would be no match for Zorro. He fights almost everyday against armed soldiers. I have barely touched a sword since I returned. No…Zorro would make fairly quick work of me." Diego smirked, a look the men had not seen before on the tall caballero. "Although, not nearly as quick as he finishes Monastario. Or Garcia."

The men looked at Diego for a moment in silence, not used to Diego's witty insight. It was Alejandro who broke the quiet. His smile radiated to his eyes and he laughed. "You are right Diego. You are right."

Don Armando slapped Diego on the shoulder good naturedly, silently congratulating him on his fencing. Don Rafael shook his head in disbelief before adding, "You are something else Diego--a scholar, a swordsman, a true Caballero. If only you would let others see you for who you truly are. You must not fear your gifts. Few are as talented as you Diego. Please, do not waste your skill."

Diego smiled, his lips pressed tightly together. Diego had hid his true self for so long now he was not sure who he truly was--a fighter, a poet, a scholar, or something in between. "I will think about what you said, Don Rafael."

"That is all I ask. You should not hide Diego." Don Rafael clasped Diego's upper arm and squeezed it gently before turning to Don Alejandro and the quiet conversation the other Dons were having.

Diego stood away from the men as they talked. He nerves were still on fire from the excursion and his heart beat rapidly in his chest. Don Rafael's words replayed themselves in Diego's mind: you should not hide Diego. Was he hiding? Well, yes…he was. Diego could not let the pueblo see the fire and passion he had. They could not see the powerful drive for justice that drove him to the masked deception he created. They could not see who he truly was or they would soon discover the identity of Zorro. Diego had to admit that he was hiding, but that it was for the good of the pueblo. Ruefully, Diego had to confess that perhaps it was not best for him or his father.

Diego sighed at the thought of his father. Alejandro only wanted a son he could be proud of, someone who took after his own heart and had as much passion and zeal for life as he did. Diego knew he could be that son, had been that son before he left to Spain, and if it wasn't for Zorro and the corrupt government that ruled Los Angeles he would be now. Diego took comfort in the fact that Alejandro knew his son could indeed fight, and that he was not nearly as inept as he portrayed himself to be. Still, Diego regretted not being the son his father wanted. Diego promised himself that he would tell his father soon. He deserved to know the truth, even if it put him in danger. Diego would not let Ignacio reveal his secret to his father.

Laughter broke Diego's reverie and he looked up to see the Dons seated at the benches that lay nestled in a corner of the plaza, beneath the shade of several trees. Diego could not remember hearing his father laugh so much since his return from Spain. The man wore a large, proud smile, and his dark eyes shined in the warm glow of the sun.

Diego turned from the scene, his sword felt heavy in his clenched fist and his legs ached. He moved quietly to where Bernardo stood and handed his friend his weapon. "Thank you Bernardo. Please, go check on Tornado and tell him I will see him tonight. Give him an apple for me too."

Bernardo smiled sadly. He could hear the tiredness in Diego's voice and he wished he could do more to help his friend. Bernardo knew how heavy the burden was that Diego carried, and for the hundredth time since Diego became Zorro, Bernardo wished he could help carry part of the weight.

Diego saw the sullen expression on Bernardo's face and knew what his friend was thinking. "You help more than you know, Bernardo. I could not continue as Zorro without your help. Never forget that my friend. Now go and take care of that feisty horse. He is probably pouting like you."
Bernardo smiled at Diego, a gesture to know he was okay, and turned to enter the house. Bernardo quickly put the sword away and headed to the library. A quick glance around the room told him it was safe. Bernardo pulled the lever and opened the secret passage, slipping into the cool darkness of the cave. He moved quickly in the near darkness and emerged into a large cavern. Tornado was munching lazily on some hay and he looked up as Bernardo entered. He whinnied a greeting before resuming his munching.

Bernardo waved a reply before moving to a woven basket that sat on a tall shelf. He pulled down the basket and grabbed a red apple from within. Bernardo learned quickly that you had to keep apples above Tornado's head or he would hoard the entire thing. Bernardo laughed silently at the beautiful creature, knowing it was the horse's cunning that had helped save Zorro's life on several occasions. Bernardo offered Tornado the apple. The horse munched on it happily and nudged Bernardo, sniffing loudly. Bernardo held his hands palm up in front of the horse to show him he had no more apples. Disappointed, Tornado huffed and turned back to his hay.

Bernardo set about cleaning and straightening the cave. His mind was on Diego and what Ignacio's presence meant. Bernardo knew nothing good could come from Ignacio. He was a ruthless and cunning man who would do anything to even the score he felt was owed him. Bernardo shivered at the thought of what Ignacio could do, and like Diego, Bernardo truly feared for Zorro and his secret.

Bernardo did not know that Diego's thoughts ran parallel to his. Diego stood in the plaza staring at the slow moving limbs that were caught in the gentle breeze. Ignacio was dangerous and Diego could not predict the man's next move. Ignacio held all the cards. Diego was not certain he could counter Ignacio's next move, and that frightened him. Diego was not a man used to fear. As Zorro, he faced death several times, yet he had felt no real fear. Now, with the threat that everything he was and everything he had worked for could come to an end, Diego could not suppress the dread he felt.

Alejandro listened to his friends' chatter, laughing when the other men laughed, smiling when they smiled, but Alejandro was not really listening. He watched his son standing in the plaza where they had left him. Even from this distance, Alejandro knew that Diego was worried. Diego's body was tense, his left fist clenched tight against his thigh, his shoulders hunched slightly. He could see Zorro in him now, and he wondered how he had missed it for all those years.

Ashamed that he had so harshly misjudged his son he turned away from Diego, instead focusing on Don Carlos who was animatedly discussing Diego's swordmanship. Alejandro could not suppress the pride he now felt for Diego. He had always been proud of Diego; he was a skilled musician, artist, and scholar. He was handsome, his looks coming from his mother, and he had Elena's gentle soul. Alejandro only wished that he had known that his son was Zorro. He would have supported Diego, although he would have likely tried to talk him out of it.

Alejandro frowned slightly thinking of the burden that Diego must be carrying. It would be hard to be Zorro without someone knowing. Suddenly, he remembered hearing Diego talk to Bernardo shortly after he was injured. At the time, Alejandro was too worried about Diego to think about what that meant. Why would he talk to Bernardo? The Don knew that Bernardo was a part of the secret. He had to know, Alejandro decided. But still, why would Diego talk to Bernardo in private but not in public? Could Bernardo hear? His mind whirled at the discovery and he laughed at the idea. Yes! If Bernardo could hear without anyone knowing, just imagine the secrets he could discover. That is how Zorro always seems to know what is going on. Besides, Alejandro thought, Diego is a confidant to many. It is little wonder Zorro is always there when he is needed.

Alejandro felt a heavy weight lift from his shoulders as the pieces of the puzzle began to come together. He had tried to figure out his son for years now, but things just didn't add up. Now Alejandro was finally seeing the picture for what it was. He was still amazed that he could be so blind for so long. He had become used to Diego as a scholarly poet, with little interest in fighting, and he had never bothered to look further. He would never look at Diego in the same light again. Alejandro decided he would have to add skilled actor to his son's growing list of accomplishments. To live with ridicule and to be branded a weak coward for all these years without ever letting anyone know was one of the most self-sacrificing things Alejandro had ever known anyone to do.

Alejandro abruptly stood and excused himself. "I will only be a moment. Then we can go inside for some refreshments." Alejandro strode quickly to Diego's side intent on confronting his son with his new discovery.

Diego was still standing in the middle of the plaza, staring into the distance. Alejandro paused a moment, doubt snaking its way into his brain. Alejandro shook his head and resolved himself to tell Diego he knew the truth. A firm hand on his shoulder startled Alejandro and he jumped slightly. He turned to look into the chagrined face of his only son.

"Sorry, Father. I did not mean to startle you." Diego apologized, releasing the grip on Alejandro's arm.

"It is fine Diego. I was just thinking. You have been standing here for some time. Is something troubling you? Please, Diego let me in. I am your father. I can help you."

"I know Father. I am sorry. I…I must do this alone for now. Please, Ignacio will not hesitate to kill you if you interfere. He is a brutal man, Father. "

"That is what I fear Diego. You are amazing with a blade, but you will not kill him. Ignacio will try to kill you and that will be his advantage. You must be careful Diego."

"I will father. I will."

Alejandro did not know how to tell Diego that he had discovered who Zorro was. Diego did not need anything more to worry about, and Alejandro knew his son had not told him his secret for a reason. Alejandro suspected Diego feared for his safety. Or perhaps Zorro's safety. Alejandro would have to be careful not to give away Diego's identity. It would be hard for him now to watch Zorro jump into danger. For Diego's sake, however, he would have to act as though Zorro was no more important to him than he was to anyone else.

"Was there something else, Father?" Diego asked when Alejandro remained standing beside him.

"What. No…I was just thinking. Diego, I know I have not told you this enough over the years, but I am truly proud of you. I have never seen you for who you are and for that I am sorry. Just know that no matter who you have become, I have always been proud of you. I know your mother would be proud too."
Diego smiled wistfully at the thought of his mother. Elena had left him and Alejandro far too early, but Diego knew she was always with them. He had often wondered what his mother would think of his alter ego. Alejandro's words eased Diego's mind and he felt his body relax. Alejandro noted Diego's fist as it unclenched and hung limp beside his leg. Alejandro decided that now was not the time to tell Diego he had figured out his puzzle. Tomorrow, perhaps, Alejandro decided.

TBC