A/N: Thanks to those that left feedback, and thank you to JuliaBC for informing me on the inn-keeper's name :) Hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. See you next time!

Chapter Five: The New Commandante (Part 2)

That evening in the hacienda of Don Carlos, Don Alejandro, Don Diego, and Bernardo arrived promptly at six o'clock for supper. Bernardo hopped out of the carriage and knocked on the door of the Pulido home before stepping back as Diego and Alejandro joined him. The door opened and there was Lolita, smiling brilliantly at them, looking stunning in a flowing, rose red gown. "Buenas noches," she greeted them cordially, curtsying to the two dons.

"Buenas noches," Diego answered at once, smiling as he returned the bow. He couldn't help being in awe as he drank in the sight of her beauty. Bernardo shook his head as he noticed how Diego was acting, rolling his eyes when he caught the outline of a figure hiding in the darkness near a tree. Squinting, he strove to see clearly until he saw the figure leave, the moonlight exposing him for the briefest instant. His eyes widened as he saw the man. Moving as quickly as he could, he trailed after Diego and Alejandro into the Pulido hacienda, tapping incessantly on Diego's shoulder.

"What?" Diego hissed, turning and whispering to Bernardo as his father distracted Carlos Pulido with chatter about cattle and herds. Bernardo began to gesture frantically, prompting Diego to hold out his hand. "Slow down, your words are mixing together," he said. He watched as Bernardo gestured that someone was watching outside of the house and had left. "Who was it?" Again, Bernardo used his hands and face to distinguish a man who drank, gambled, and glared. "…Juarez?" The manservant nodded his head quickly. Diego nodded his head once in understanding before patting Bernardo's should in gratitude. "We'll look into it later. Well done, my friend." Facing forward, Diego plastered on his charming grin and greeted the rest of the family before joining them at the dining table.

"Consuela, take Bernardo to the kitchen, won't you?" Lolita asked.

"Certainly." Without saying a word, the Indian woman placed her hand upon Bernardo's shoulder, causing his head to snap towards her. She wordlessly motioned for him to follow, which he did at once, shyly trailing behind.

Diego chuckled as he watched them leave. "I do believe Bernardo is developing feelings for your friend," he whispered to Lolita.

She giggled, nodding her head. "I think she's rather fond of him, too. He's a darling." Lolita gratefully accepted Diego's help as he pulled her chair for her before sitting to her right. Carlotta flew to the other side of the table, taking her seat directly across from the young don, sending him a coy smile. Lolita suppressed an agitated groan, fighting to ignore her stepsister's behavior.

"Let's eat, shall we?" Carlos beamed, gesturing towards their plates. "Please have as much as you like, my friends! Consider this is your home."

"You're too kind, Carlos," Alejandro grinned, happily accepting Lolita's invitation to sit to her left. "Diego, you told me that today you and Lolita met the new Commandante. What was he like?"

"Well…let's just say he doesn't think very highly of the church," Diego said lightly, making a face at the mention of the official.

"The church?" Catalina asked, her brows furrowed in concern.

"Commandante Riviera is a cold-hearted man who demands taxes from the priest, Padre Felipe," Lolita spoke up, her lips pressed into a thin line as she remembered the unfeeling man. "He claims he'll shut the church down if he doesn't have his way."

"Oh dear," Yolanda said, covering his mouth in shock. "He can't do that, can he, Papá?"

"I'm not sure…but I doubt His Majesty would be pleased to hear such a thing happening here," Carlos shook his head, pursing his lips in thought before sipping his wine.

"Surely he can be reasoned with, Father?" Carlotta suggested, genuinely concerned at the news.

"Well, I suppose I could write a letter to the governor if this behavior persists. Let's not worry so much, though. This is supposed to make up for last night's fiasco! Let's enjoy ourselves, please," Carlos insisted, knowing that continuing to talk of such a topic would only serve to make his wife even more anxious than she already was. "You girls haven't gone shopping since we arrived in Los Angeles, have you?"

"No, we haven't. But we must!" Carlotta implored, placing her hand over her heart dramatically. "Please, Papá! Now that we have such good friends…" She took a moment to cast Diego a rather lustful look, making him force an uncomfortable smile onto his face. "…we really must find some decent fabrics for new gowns, or possibly shawls!"

"It would be nice to see Beatriz again," Lolita spoke up, noticing how Diego cringed at her stepsister's words. It gave her some relief that he did not reciprocate the feelings that her sibling blatantly kept pouring onto him, and she felt sorry that he continued to endure it merely to be polite. As quickly and kindly as she could, she changed the subject. "Papá, Diego promised me he's take me to town tomorrow to look for some new books at one of the shoppes, and I'd like to talk with Beatriz on how to make those delicious cookies you enjoyed so much."

"Don Diego promised you that, eh?" Carlos grinned, raising an eyebrow at them.

"You speak out of turn, Lolita," Carlotta snapped, glaring at her little stepsister. "And mind your manners. You must call on Don Diego with respect-"

"It's quite all right, I assure you," Diego cut in, winking at Lolita. Returning his attention to the elders, he asked, "Don Carlos, Father, would it be all right if I took Lolita into town as I promised her? I couldn't bear to go back on my word now."

"Well, it's certainly all right by me," Alejandro shrugged, turning to his new friend as he waited for a response.

Don Carlos shared a look with his wife, the two of them fighting to contain their elation. Could it be that headstrong, stubborn Lolita was getting the attention of such a refined caballero as Don Diego de la Vega? "I would be thrilled if you would escort her, Don Diego. I know she will be in good hands."

"Gracias, Don Carlos," Diego thanked him, sharing his boyish smile with Lolita, who winked back at him playfully.

Carlotta bit her tongue, fuming silently as she watched them tease and giggle before her, as though they were old childhood friends that had known each other for years. She would not be defeated so easily…she simply could not allow Lolita to win this battle, or this man.

~Z~

Diego whistled merrily as he drove his father's fine carriage down the road to the Pulido hacienda, grinning cheekily at Bernardo. "Oh, come now! Don't give me that look!" Diego jested, nudging his friend's arm with his elbow. "What's gotten you like that?" Bernardo wasted no time gesturing with his hands, pointing at Diego, then creating a heart in the air, then waving his hands to emulate a woman's curves in the air before imitating a girl curling her hair and smiling sweetly at Diego. "Oh, stop it! We're just friends is all," Diego insisted, pouting at the mute. "Besides, I thought you wanted to see Consuela." He laughed in mirth as Bernardo blushed, guiltily avoiding his master's gaze. "Well, straighten up. There they are."

Not ten feet away stood the hacienda of Don Carlos, four women awaited their arrival, standing by the elegantly polished wooden gate. Lolita waved upon seeing them, to which Diego waved back cheerfully. Pulling the horses to a halt, Diego leapt from the seat and greeted each lady with a kiss on their hands. "Buenos dias," he greeted them, his eyes glittering. "Are we ready to go?"

"Quite," Carlotta cooed, accepting his hand as he helped her up. She wore a rather smug grin on her face, remembered how she had fussed the night before to get permission to join Lolita on her trip to town. She insisted it wasn't proper that Lolita go alone, even with Consuela, since Bernardo would be attending the trip also, so it was that she convinced her father and Don Diego that she and Yolanda would also traverse with them. The one thing that irked her was that Lolita seemed not to care that she would be with them. Lolita was doing a rather unusually good job of ignoring her that morning, no matter what she said, and it made her anxious.

"All right, is everyone settled?" Diego called out once he was seated again and the girls had taken their pick at a spot in the carriage.

"Ready, Don Diego," Lolita answered, casting Consuela a defeated look as she moved her eyes to glance at Carlotta sitting behind Diego with Yolanda. Consuela merely patted the girl's knee in reassurance and gestured for her to say nothing.

"Here we go." The horses pulled with their might, walking steadily down the worn-out path while the people in the carriage took in the sights of the old, bended trees and wide pastures where cattle and steeds grazed. "What did you ladies have in mind for today?" Diego asked, turning to face them as he asked his question.

"Fine linens, silks, lace, perhaps some new fans…I'm hoping there's a shipment of items that arrive from Spain every so often," Carlotta spoke first, tossing her red curls over her shoulder.

"But of course! We only receive the best from Spain," Diego answered carelessly, handing the reins to Bernardo so that he might fully turn around to glance over Carlotta's head and into Lolita's eyes. "Shipments usually arrive the first of each month."

"Wonderful! Then I expect we will be traversing to town with you again soon, Señor," she flirted, holding her faithful black lace fan up to conceal all but her batting eyelids.

Diego chuckled at her behavior, remembering how it bothered Lolita. He found it amusing that Carlotta continued to flirt, even though he persisted not to pay her so much attention. "And you, Señorita Yolanda?"

"I'm going with Lolita to look for some new books, Señor," she answered politely, her eyes averted from his face.

"Books," Carlotta scoffed. "Honestly, I can't see what is so fascinating about them."

"That's probably because you've never bothered to pick one up in your whole life," Lolita said coolly, causing Carlotta's face and neck to go red as she glared at her.

Diego bit his bottom lip as so not to chuckle, clearing his throat before saying, "What I think Lolita means is that books are like treasure chests, full of knowledge and stories that can transport you anywhere. I don't know what I would do without my library."

"Ah, yes. Your father mentioned at dinner last night that you are something of a scholar and philosopher," Carlotta forced on a smile before sneering at Lolita. "I'm sure that recluse Lolita will be dying at get at a chance to see your library-"

"Oh, I've already invited her over for that!" Diego beamed, secretly enjoying the look of exasperation on Carlotta's face as Yolanda struggled to conceal her amusement. Consuela and Bernardo shared a knowing look, winking at one another, while Lolita could not hold back a smile of gratitude and mirth.

The rest of the ride to town was mostly in silence, considering that Carlotta was fuming after having failed to make Lolita seem the complete opposite of what Diego would be interested in. As Bernardo pulled the reins and the horses came to a halt, Carlotta hopped out of the carriage quickly, not even waiting for Diego to assist her out.

"You'd best leave her to cool off, Señorita Yolanda," Consuela advised. "She'll be fine once she gets her hands on that stand over there." The group turned to peer over their shoulders, seeing how Carlotta's attitude brightened at the sight of elegant lace handkerchiefs and embroidered shawls offered by a merchant passing through the pueblos. "May I steal Bernardo to help me purchase some ingredients for tonight's supper?" Consuela asked Diego, placing a hand on Bernardo's shoulder. He immediately perked at this, his eyes large as he stared at his master.

Diego laughed merrily. "I think he would like it if you stole him away forever," Diego joked, waving his hand at them. "Do with him as you wish, he is at your disposal, señorita!"

Bernardo gave him a large smile before offering his arm to Consuela, who shook her head and laughed as she accepted him and took off.

"Well now, shall we?" Diego asked, motioning for the two younger sisters to follow him across the square. The trio took their time in arriving, greeting those who passed by and taking in the sights of vendors and their wares. The sun was shining brilliantly down upon the pueblo, with not a cloud in the sky, making Lolita smile as she admired the color of the open space above. As Diego reached for the handle of the book shop, the opened from the other side, and there stood Capitan Fernandez, holding a thick volume in one of his gloved hands. "Pardon me, Capitan," Diego excused himself. "And buenos dias!"

"Buenos dias to you all," the captain answered, bowing to them as the girls curtsied back. "Please excuse me, I must get back to the cuartel…" His words dried in his mouth as he caught sight of Yolanda, who blushed as he stared at her. "Ah…hello, Señorita," he stammered, nodding his head to her.

"Buenos dias," Yolanda replied softly, her eyes meeting his.

"What's that in your hand, Capitan?" Lolita asked, sensing there was something going on as the two continued to stare at one another.

"Hm? Oh, this." The captain held the book up for all to see, the golden letters of the title glistening in the sunlight. "The Tempest, by William Shakespeare."

"You enjoy Shakespeare's works, Capitan?" Yolanda asked, her eyes wide with surprise and delight.

"Call it a guilty pleasure," he chuckled, shrugging as he saw her smile of approval. "Have you read this story yet, Señorita?"

"Only once, a long time ago," she admitted.

"Then take it," he said, offering her the book.

"Señor, I couldn't-!" she protested.

"Please, Señorita, I insist. That way, the next time we meet, we may discuss it…if you wish," he added, hoping he did not sound too presumptuous.

"…gracias," she said at last, admitting defeat and taking the book. Her hands passed over his, a spark shooting through the both of them as they gazed into each other's eyes again.

Diego and Lolita shared a knowing look at this. Winking at his female companion, Diego cleared his throat and began to speak when a cry from a store fronts away made all of them spin around. Squinting, Diego made out the figure of a woman – "Beatriz!" – tugging on the uniformed arm of a military official.

"Please, Commandante! You can't have me close the bakery! It is all I have! I can't ever provide you that amount of taxes – it's simply not reasonable!" Beatriz pleaded, crying out as Commandante Riviera shoved her aside.

"Why, that-!" Lolita started, her blood boiling as she watched on. She glared at the man and began to make her way over when Diego grasped her arm. "Diego-?!"

"Lolita, please," he pleaded, his eyes serious as he looked down. "What can you do? Riviera will probably throw you in a cell if you try to interfere."

"But Beatriz…" she protested, weakening as he shook his head. Deep down, she knew that nothing she could say to Riviera would make a difference – the man was cold in his ambition and greed, and her words might only make it worse for the poor victim. "I can't just stand here and do nothing…Diego, how can we help?"

"Excuse me," Capitan Fernandez growled, stepping past them. "I'd best have a word with him."

"Be careful," Yolanda pleaded, earning a small smile from the captain.

"I'll do what I can, señoritas, señor." Without a moment to lose, Fernandez dashed over to his superior, knowing full well what he faced. Lolita watched on, gripping her mother's locket. Her stomach twisted into a knot as she saw Riviera snap furiously at Fernandez, ordering him back to the cuartel. When the captain refused, he had the Commandante's face come up to his, a threat hissed at him though his superior held a careless exterior.

"It looks like even the capitan can't help her," Lolita frowned, her head bowed in defeat. Raising her head to face Diego, she was surprised to see him watching on with anger burning in his eyes. "Diego?"

His attention snapped back to her immediately, his anger dissipating at once. "What was that?"

"I said, even Capitan Fernandez can't help. Diego, if this keeps up, the peons will be penniless and people will go hungry!"

"I know…" Pursing his lips, he thought a moment before answering at last. "Perhaps I can travel to Monterey to visit the governor and discuss the new Commandante's actions."

"Discuss? Diego, with all due respect, by the time you get to Monterey and back, Los Angeles could be in even more trouble that it is now! And there's no guarantee the governor will listen," she shook her head. Her mind wandered to the time when a particular masked bandit came to save her family's home, as well as her life. Hope bubbled within her as she remembered Zorro's bravery and skill. "Perhaps Zorro can help…Corporal Reyes and Sergeant Garcia said he saves people all the time," she mentioned, the corners of her lips turning up into a smile.

"Perhaps," Diego shrugged, grinning as she looked away. "Perhaps he will…"