A/N: Many thanks to JuliaBC for reading and reviewing! Hope you all enjoy this next one :) Don't forget to review and let me know what you think! Until next time!

Chapter Eight: The Prankster Returns (Part 2)

"Don Diego, a Señor Ricardo del Amo wishes to see you," one of the Indian servants announced as Diego, Alejandro, and Bernardo relaxed in the library, taking a moment to themselves and discussing matters involving the Pulidos before getting ready for the costume ball.

Diego glanced at his father and friend before shrugging and excusing himself, leaving the library to meet with Ricardo in the courtyard. He could not stop the grin from appearing on his face when he saw the man with a satchel slung across his chest. "Well now, Ricardo. Have you given up the good life to become a peddler?"

Ricardo chuckled and shook his head. "No, not exactly. Diego, I truly am sorry about what happened in the pueblo today. I never meant for that prank to go to the poor señorita."

"I've forgiven you already, old friend," he answered truthfully, clapping his hand upon Ricardo's back. Holding up one finger, he cautioned, "However, I don't recommend you go anywhere near Lolita for quite some time. She's…how shall I put it…irritated with you."

Ricardo winced at this, shaking his head. "I can imagine…but don't worry, Diego, I won't be bothering you for quite a while…that is, when she's not around."

"I thought you might say that," Diego sighed. "Now then, what else brings you here? I assume you didn't just come to patch up our relationship."

"No, you're right…" Heaving a sigh, he turned and faced his childhood friend. "Diego…I'm in love."

Diego placed his hand over his heart, feigning shock. "No! You? Well," he threw his hands into the air. "I imagine it was bound to happen. After all, Carlotta is a very elusive woman-"

"Ah, I believe you are confused, amigo," Ricardo laughed, shaking his forefinger at him in disapproval. "No, Señorita Carlotta is a very beautiful and charming woman, but my sights are set on someone a bit more…outspoken."

The mention of the adjective made Diego's smile fall from his face. "…you're joking."

Ricardo shook his head, pacing around the tree at the center of the de la Vega courtyard. "No, I'm very serious. Lolita has a fierce spirit and a compassionate heart judging on how she ran to your aide. You don't know how much I envy you, Diego. She's rather protective of you."

"And I of her," Diego answered sternly. "Ricardo, just what are you planning at?"

"Look here, Diego. I don't have any quarrel with you," Ricardo stated firmly. "You and I can fight for the lady's heart like civilized men…however, we both share a common enemy that has Lolita's interest."

The gears in Diego's brain were already cranking. Pressing his lips together, he pretended to be clueless. "And…that enemy would be…?"

"Zorro. Who else?"

"Zorro?!" Diego raised his eyebrows at him. "Just what does Zorro have to do with anything?"

"Everything, Diego, everything!" Ricardo exclaimed, his eyes glittering as he prepared to share his plan. "Zorro won Ana Maria from both of us-"

"Only to lose her," Diego pointed out.

"Yes, but now that we've got a fresh start with Lolita, we can't have Zorro come out and ruin our chances with her!"

"Your chances, maybe," Diego muttered under his breath, shaking his head. He had a bad feeling about this plot.

"Here's my plan," Ricardo said, coming up to Diego's side as he unlatched the satchel and dug his hand inside. "Tonight at the ball, Zorro will appear and begin to flirt with Señorita Carlotta, and afterwards, he'll mark his precious 'Z' on the walls of the Pulido home. Lolita will become furious, of course, having her masked hero chose her sister and vandalize her home, so Zorro will be eliminated from the competition!"

Diego tapped his finger upon his cheek, pursing his lips in disagreement. "And, ah, how do you know Commandante Riviera won't arrest 'Zorro' on the spot?"

"Because I heard in the posada that the Commandante has a splitting headache and is in no mood to attend any festivities," Ricardo grinned, pulling something out of his bag.

"Tell me, how do you plan on having Zorro appear tonight?" Diego questioned, only to have his friend show him the black mask he had withdrawn from the bag, a gigantic grin appearing on Ricardo's face. "…as I recall, Ricardo, you played a very similar prank back in Monterey, and it nearly cost you your neck."

"Nonsense, Diego," Ricardo scoffed. "Besides, the real Zorro couldn't possibly show up at the exact same time."

"Be careful, amigo," Diego warned him. "You wouldn't want to jinx yourself. Remember, Zorro is almost like a…like a…phantom! Like a phantom, who appears and disappears and seems to know everything!"

"This time he won't," smirked Ricardo. "I'll see you later. Remember, don't tell anyone or act suspicious!"

"Oh, I won't," Diego vowed solemnly, waving as Ricardo ran out to his horse. Placing his hands into his vest pockets, he sauntered back into the hacienda and shut the door, facing the sala to see both his father and Bernardo sitting in armchairs, looking at him expectantly. "I don't suppose you heard any of that conversation?"

Bernardo pressed his palms together and looked skyward, imitating the pose of an angel. Alejandro chuckled at this and innocently replied, "Oh, no, son. We've been busy listening to the two crickets chirping away outside about a particular butterfly in question."

"Yes, well, it appears that one of these crickets wants to put on the skin of a fox…and you know what this means." Diego grinned as Bernardo made a 'Z' in the air, beaming excitedly at his young master. "That's right, Bernardo. Come! We haven't much time." With that, the three men checked their surroundings before opening the secret passage in the great shelf case of the sala, entering the secret passage and vanishing from sight.

~Z~

The candelabra casted a dim glow throughout the grand sala of the Pulido residence as the guests continued to pour in. Dons and peons alike attended the party, everyone wearing some sort of disguise for the evening. Bernardo peered over the heads of the guests, frowning when he did not see who he was looking for.

"Don't worry, Bernardo, I'm sure Consuela is here somewhere," Diego reassured him, patting his shoulder comfortingly.

"Don Carlos!" Alejandro beamed, shaking hands with his newfound friend. "Good to see you again, Your Highness!"

Carlos laughed as Alejandro acknowledge his kingly costume. "Likewise, good conquistador! I'm delighted you and your son could attend. You are our dearest guests." He glanced over and laughed once more at seeing Bernardo dressed in colorful rags, wearing a jester's belled cap, while Diego wore a fine red suit with an embroidered cape, a thin white mask covering his eyes. "I see you've brought along the young prince and his jester to the ball!"

"Indeed…and I see your lovely wife is the queen of the ball," Alejandro winked as Catalina approached, dressed regally in a flowing gown with a tiara upon her head. "Doña Catalina, it is an honor to attend your fiesta."

"Gracias, Don Alejandro," Catalina smiled graciously. "We are so delighted to have you…" Her eyes trailed to Diego, who fought his way through the throng of people, in search of a particular princess. "…I do hope he finds our little princess and can tame her spirit," she said to the men with a knowing look in her eyes that the men immediately understood.

"I have a feeling it is she who will do the taming," Alejandro thought, his heart swelling with joy as he remembered the happiness in his son's eyes at home.

Across from the two dons and doña, Diego persisted looking through the large room with Bernardo at his side. He squinted as he focused on a young woman, a grin growing on his face as he recognized the figure. "Look, Bernardo," he said, tapping his servant's shoulder. "That must be Yolanda, the one with the brilliant slippers…and I can only assume that is Capitan Fernandez with her now." Bernardo nodded his agreement as he saw the two standing before one another, the girl ducking her head bashfully as he offered her his hand in a dance. Tearing his attention from the scene, Diego pressed on, pausing just for a moment as he saw the familiar form of Sergeant Garcia at the refreshments' table, sipping his wine away in bliss. "Ahoy, Capitan!" Diego jested, saluting Garcia.

"Oh, Don Diego!" Garcia smiled, saluting the young don. "That is a very nice costume!"

"Yours is just as impressive, Sergeant, and ironic. I thought that you didn't like the sensation of being aboard a ship?"

"I don't, Don Diego…but I did not have time for a costume, and Corporal Reyes was kind enough to make me this paper hat…so it will have to do." He laughed with Diego and shook his head, heaving a sigh. "Ay, Don Diego, I believe this party would be much better off without a certain señorita here."

"Really? What señorita is that?" Diego asked, soon distracted by an obnoxiously loud laugh.

"That one," Sergeant Garcia sighed, jutting his chin out towards a woman in a corner of the room, surrounded by some of Los Angeles's younger caballeros. Carlotta wore an extravagant dress, and an even more extravagant wig woven of golden hair, filled with tiny flowers and delicate gems. She held a violet hued fan in her hand and waved it non-stop, her eyelids batting almost as much as her fan. "She has not stopped laughing and calling out all evening," Sergeant Garcia shook his head. "And then there is Corporal Reyes."

"What about him?" Diego followed the sergeant's gaze and chuckled as he saw the corporal gliding away on the main floor with Beatriz who was dressed in a flowing Grecian gown, probably a gift from Lolita. "He seems to be enjoying himself! No costume for him either, I see."

"No, but he never was one for dressing up," Garcia shrugged. His face brightened as he added, "At least they have excellent wine…almost as good as yours! But please do not tell them I said that," he whispered, his eyes darting to and fro.

"I swear it, Sergeant," Diego promised. "Since you seem to know where everyone is, could you point out where I might find Señorita Lolita?"

A light tap on the shoulder made his brows furrow. Diego turned around, his eyes widening as he drank in the sight of a delicate figure clothed in white. The young woman appeared to be a princess coated in a flowing gown the color of snow, with glittering silver snowflakes sewn onto the long skirt of her dress. She wore white lace gloves that went past her elbows, and a familiar silver locket that rested on her exposed collarbone. Her eyes shone gleefully under a shimmering white mask. "Buenas noches, good prince," she greeted him, curtsying low.

"Buenas noches, princesa…Snow White, is it?" he asked as he bowed in return, winking at the maiden. Taking her hands into his, he kissed her knuckles and smiled. "Lolita, you look stunning. The dress suits you. Care to join me for a snack?"

"As long as it's not an apple," she jested, causing both Diego and Sergeant Garcia to laugh. Looking past them, she saw Bernardo dressed in his own outfit, his brows knitting together as he stared over the crowd. Reaching out, she patted his arm and waved. "Hola, Bernardo!" He immediately looked at her and smiled, though he seemed distracted and kept looking out. "Diego, would you tell Bernardo to go to the kitchen? That's where he'll find Consuela," she told him, assuming what was on the mute's mind.

Diego stepped up to sign to his servant when he noticed how Bernardo continued to use his eyes to point to the large window at the front of the house. A dark shadow forced the window open and peered in, grinning wickedly. "Ricardo!" "Ah, it seems Bernardo isn't feeling well," Diego lied. "His eyes are bothering him."

"They are?" Lolita asked, raising an eyebrow at his comment. At once, Bernardo rubbed his eyes, blinking them rapidly as though something had fallen in and would not allow him to open them fully. "Goodness, I hope he's all right!"

"Oh, he'll be fine," Diego promised her. "Do you mind if I stay with him a while? Could I take him to another room until he's settled down and better?"

"Of course. Why don't you go there?" she pointed to a nearby door left ajar. "It's the library. It's quiet and dark, and no one will go in to bother you."

"Gracias, Lolita. We'll be out in a moment," Diego promised, grabbing Bernardo by the arm before saluting to the sergeant and taking off. Yanking his friend away, he shut the door after him and looked to Bernardo. "Did you bring it?" Bernardo held out one hand before scurrying off to the library window, motioning that he had to go out to the horses to get his master's suit and sword. "All right, but hurry! Ricardo is going to get started, and I want to catch him in the act." Bernardo left without another word, hopping out through the window and off to the stables. Diego took this moment to peek through the door, his fingers working to take off his mask and cloak. He could see Ricardo dressed in black, shoving through the crowd as his eyes set on Carlotta, who gaped in awe as he approached her. Sergeant Garcia had leapt to his feet and ran to find Corporal Reyes. All the while, Lolita watched on, though she did not appear jealous or angry…she pensively tapped her cheek, turning to whisper to Yolanda and Capitan Fernandez, who came to her side as she continued to watch the impersonator and her stepsister.

Seeing Lolita remain calm gave Diego relief, enabling him to tear himself away from the door and continue to undress. Bernardo hopped back in seconds later, bearing a satchel and sword in his hands. "Quick, Bernardo! Ricardo has already begun. He's gone to Carlotta. We need to hurry before he says anything to Lo-!"

Any words he had left evaporated as he heard the door open, a woman's gasp reaching his ears. Bernardo bit his bottom lip as his eyes bulged in panic, prompting Diego to turn and face the intruder, despite himself. There in the doorway, catching him as Bernardo handed over the rapier and mask, was Consuela, her face dusted with flour from working in the kitchen, her eyes large as she stared in awe. Diego felt his stomach drop as his eyes met hers – it would not be easy trying to explain this one. On the one hand, he could make up some crazy story about trying to surprise Lolita for the party…but it would not look good if he were to fight as good as the real Zorro, especially against Ricardo. Everyone in Los Angeles knew that Diego was the worst swordsman in all of California, and for him to suddenly fight and dart with ease would ruin his secret. The second option…the only real option he had…was to tell the truth.

As Diego began to speak, Consuela checked over her shoulder and shut the door, locking it after her. Both Diego and Bernardo shared a perplexed look as she crossed her arms and tapped her foot on the carpet.

"Don Diego, are you loco?!" she hissed. Pointing at the door, she whispered, "If anybody else were to walk in here, they would see you pulling off your transformation!"

Diego gawked at her a moment before regaining composure. "Eh…Consuela, I-"

"Don Diego, you do not need to explain anything to me, I am merely a servant," she said practically. "Although I will admit, I had my suspicions…especially considering Bernardo would be the perfect spy for you, pretending to be deaf." At this Diego glanced at his manservant, who shrugged sheepishly in defeat. "That, and you share the same moustache as Zorro." She smirked as he reached up and touched his facial hair, hiding her laughter behind her hand.

"Consuela-" Diego started again, only to stop as she held up her hand.

"I swear on my blessed mother's grave and my love for Lolita as a sister…I will never tell anyone about this. Your secret is safe with me." She smiled sincerely at the two men, and in turn received grateful smiles from them both. "Now then, I believe there is an imposter out there and he has already started insulting my mistress."

"Insulting…? Oh." Diego frowned as he remembered that Ricardo said he would be flattering Carlotta. He must have seen that Lolita did not react, so he began using his words against her. "Consuela, I will be out there as soon as I can, just make sure this 'Zorro' does not leave. I want to speak to him personally."

~Z~

Ricardo admired Lolita, staring her down as she held her head high and looked him contemptuously in the eye – she had not become green with envy when he first entered and approached Carlotta, so he decided to make things more interesting by comparing the two sisters. "Señorita Carlotta, you are like a ray of sunshine in this room," Ricardo said loudly, keeping one eye on the sergeant and corporal in case they tried to actually capture him or shoot. "Unfortunately, there is a señorita here who makes my blood chill at the sight of her."

"Ooh, Señor Zorro," gushed Carlotta, accepting a kiss on her hand from the masked man. "You certainly have a way with words."

"I'm glad to see that you appreciate me, dear goddess," he continued on, much to Carlotta's unbridled delight.

"I thought you were interested in Lolita," she whispered as she leaned in towards his ear, her eyes moving to smugly smile at Lolita.

"Why, I could never fall for anyone else, my dear Carlotta. Only you exist. Lolita is a mere wallflower compared to your dulcet beauty, oh fair rose!" Ricardo really was enjoying all the ladies' eyes on him, and Carlotta was indeed beautiful, but there was something about Lolita's coolness that unnerved him. She smiled at the two ever-so sweetly, cocking her head at them.

"I've had enough of this," Fernandez snapped, pulling his sword from his scabbard until both Yolanda and Lolita placed their hands on his arms, urging him to stop.

"Please, Jorge, be careful," Yolanda pleaded, making his heart melt.

"Yolanda's right…after all, he's not worth it," Lolita whispered, earning a curious look from Fernandez.

"Why do you say that?"

"He's not Zorro…don't ask me how I know, it's just…there's something about his voice, his manners, the way he looks over to see if I'll react…it's not him," Lolita insisted.

"Lolita!"

The trio looked back to see Consuela tiptoeing over, her voice but a whisper as she watched 'Zorro' continue to publicly woo Carlotta. "What's going on? I came out to bring a new dish and see this masquerader shouting glories about your stepsister."

"He's an imposter playing like he's the real Zorro, trying to make me angry," Lolita told her. "The good Capitan Fernandez was ready to defend my honor, but Yolanda and I stopped him."

Fernandez watched the masked man continue to goad on, glancing back at Lolita after a moment. "You're right, señorita. I've meet Zorro, also. This man cannot be the outlaw-"

"You doubt that I am the real Zorro?!"

The four of them made faces as they looked back to see 'Zorro' standing beside Carlotta as he puffed out his chest indignantly at them. "How can you say such a thing-?"

"Because you dare to say such things about me," Lolita sniffed. "The real Zorro is a gentleman to all women and only taunts those that oppress the innocent." Turning her face away from him, she decided to stare off at the balcony of the second floor when a second figure dressed in black poked his head over the banister, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Her face lit up as he stood tall and hopped onto the banister and tipped his hat to her.

"The señorita is quite right, Señor Imposter!" he called out, laughing as Sergeant Garcia did a double take.

"Zorro?!" Garcia and Reyes gaped, their eyes huge as they watched the man in black slide down the stairs' railing and hop off, drawing his sword and pointing it at the offender.

"You dare to use my name and impersonate me to perform another cruel joke?" Zorro demanded, watching Ricardo's face pale under the mask. "Very well, I've taught you a lesson once before, and I shall do it again! En guarde, señor!"

Ricardo wasted no time drawing his rapier and lunging forth. He wasn't about to be bested and exposed here with all these people, especially not the Pulidos! He growled as he attacked, only to gasp and jump back as Zorro glared him down, smirking as he spun around and cut his 'Z' into Ricardo's shirt. With another quick flick of his wrist, he slashed the mask Ricardo wore, careful so that only the mask was cut. As the fabric fell to the floor, Ricardo felt his face go red with embarrassment. Anger took hold and he cried out as he lunged again, only to have his sword twisted out of his hand and watch it fall to the ground. Everyone gasped as Zorro used the tip of his blade to gently shove Ricardo's head from his head, fully revealing him to the horde of guests.

"Don Ricardo!" Carlotta gasped, her jaw dropping.

"You dare to insult my Lolita?!" Don Carlos fumed, a vein popping out of his forehead as he glared angrily at Ricardo.

"Please, dear, your blood pressure!" Catalina whispered, though she, too, sent a frown of disapproval at him.

"I warned you in Monterey, Señor del Amo, do not use my identity to carry out your jests," Zorro said aloud. "I expect to never see you trying such a stunt again. Remember, I saved you from the gallows even after you impersonated me, and afterwards you called me a coward and challenged me to a duel. I could have run you through several times tonight, but I choose not to, because I know that deep down, you are a good man."

Ricardo could scarcely believe what he was hearing. He wanted to strangle Zorro for exposing and humiliating him in front of everyone, and yet, the outlaw sounded so very sincere as he spoke about him being a decent man. "…I'll never try this again, Zorro. You have my word," he said at last, for lack of anything better to say.

"I believe the señorita deserves an apology also," Zorro stated sternly.

"…Lolita," Ricardo called out, his eyes locking with hers. "I'm sorry," he said earnestly, receiving only a silent nod from the young woman.

"Hmm…just to make sure you keep good on your promise…" Zorro kept his blade pressed to Ricardo's chest, and for a moment, all believed he would carve his usual signature into the offender's skin. Instead, Zorro called out, "Señorita Lolita, would you be so kind as to bring one of those delicious pies over?"

Lolita exchanged perplexed looks with Consuela, Yolanda, and Fernandez before completing the task she was asked to do. Bringing the rich, creamy treat to Zorro, she felt her eyes widen as he gave the next order.

"Perfect, señorita. Now, if you please, shove it into his face."

Her head snapped over to see if he was joking with her, a wicked smile growing on her face as she saw him grinning impishly.

"L-Lolita, please," Ricardo stammered, holding up his hands in defense as he watched her stalk towards him. He tried to move away but felt Zorro's blade prick into his chest. "I…I can explain-!" Before he could say another word, Lolita lunged at him, shoving the pie onto his face and backing off, dusting her hands clean as the people laughed in mirth at Ricardo's retribution.

"Gracias, Señor Zorro," Lolita said as she faced him, blushing madly as he took her hand and kissed it reverently.

"Please forgive me, Señorita," he said softly, giving her a wistful smile as he tipped his hat to her. "I must be going." Without wasting another moment, he took off from the fiesta, running up the stairs as made his escape.

Fernandez watched him leave, sending the man a smile of approval and earning a grin and salute from the outlaw before he called out, "Sergeant! Corporal! Come with me, we need to make sure he doesn't escape!" Knowing how Zorro always managed to slip into the night, he figured it would be safe to at least pretend to chase his secret ally as so not to raise suspicion.

"Sí, mi Capitan!" Sergeant Garcia cried out. "Quick, Corporal!"

"I shall return," Fernandez promised Yolanda, kissing her hand and bowing his head. "Will you save me a dance?"

"I shall save them all just to be with you," she confessed quietly, shyly looking away. She let him raise her face up to look into his deep blue eyes, seeing nothing but adoration for her in his gaze.

"Then I shan't be out long." Excusing himself, he ran out after his men, eager to make the fruitless chase as quick as possible.

"I believe Yolanda has captured the Capitan's corazon," Consuela grinned, placing her arms around Lolita as she embraced her mistress. "And Zorro clearly cares enough about you, hermanita, if he allowed you the pleasure of punishing that man."

"Don't be ridiculous," Lolita scoffed, though she could not fight off the smile that grew on her lips. Facing Consuela, she gripped her hands as she tugged her away to the refreshments' table. "I knew it couldn't have been Zorro when he went after Carlotta-"

"Lolita, what happened?!"

Lolita spun around upon hearing Diego's voice, her smile becoming wider and brighter at the sight of his worried eyes. "Diego!" she exclaimed, running to his side at once. "Diego, is Bernardo all right?"

"He's perfect," Diego smiled, waving at Bernardo to come forth. "He just needed a little rest, and I didn't want to leave him alone. What happened out here…? Ricardo!" He feigned shock as he saw his childhood friend covered in cream. "It seems I missed something exciting." He waved to Ricardo, who shook his head in defeat and waved weakly at him, trudging out of the posada. Raising an eyebrow, Diego looked back to Lolita and asked, "Just what exactly happened here?"

Cocking an eyebrow at him, she shrugged innocently. "I might be able to remember and tell you…if you dance with me."

At once, Diego smiled at her request, offering his arm to her and leading her away. Bernardo and Consuela watched, the two of them content to see their respective masters happy in each other's company. Bernardo tapped on her shoulder after a time, timid as he pointed to himself, then to her, gesturing as though he were dancing with her. "Why, Bernardo, are you asking me for a dance?" Consuela asked, facing the mute. When he nodded the affirmative, she linked arms with him and beamed. "I thought you'd never ask," she grinned, giggling as he put on a confident air and led the way.

Across from them, Diego and Lolita laughed as they watched their beloved servant friends dance together. "They make a cute couple," Lolita noted.

"Yes, they do," Diego agreed. "…so, Ricardo pretended to be Zorro…why do you suppose?"

"He probably wanted me to hate him," Lolita shrugged. "I suppose he was jealous…"Her brows furrowed as her lips were pressed into a thin line. "…what I can't understand is why. Why would he be jealous of Zorro?" Her eyes moved to see Carlotta, glaring fiery daggers at Lolita, even though she still had a decent sized group of men around her. "…and why does Carlotta keep getting angry with me? I never did anything to her. Ever since our parents married, she always poked fun and me, and it's only gotten worse since we've arrived here."

"Well…if you ask me, it's very obvious," Diego shrugged.

Tilting her head, Lolita asked, "What is?"

"Well, from what I can gather, Carlotta's taunts and Ricardo's jokes are caused because of one thing – your beauty."

"My what?!" Lolita burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Diego, I've been called many things, but never-"

"You should be," Diego cut her off, his voice soft yet firm as he looked into her eyes. "Why wouldn't you call yourself beautiful?"

She was stunned by the raw emotion in just his gaze, her heart skipping several beats before she answered, "W-Well…I wouldn't call myself ugly, but I…Diego, I'm not like Carlotta-"

"No, you're not, thank Heaven," he muttered under his breath, winking at her as she giggled. "I'm serious, Lolita. Carlotta is jealous because she knows you're beautiful, and that's why she teases you. Ricardo is not blind – this is precisely why he got into so much trouble. You are beautiful, both inside and out."

"Oh, Diego," she shook her head, a wry smile on her lips. "You really think so?"

"Think so?" he echoed, looking dazed as he gazed at her. "…your eyes put the stars to shame…and your smile…it lights up a room much better than any ray of light ever could."

"Diego…" Lolita felt breathless. The only other man who had ever made her feel so special was Zorro. The way he looked at her and flattered her… "Don't be silly. Diego wouldn't dare to go near a sword, and besides, he was with Bernardo this whole time." Lolita silently chastised herself, though she could not hide the blush from her cheeks, even with a mask on. "Oh, Diego. You're too sweet." Resting her head upon his shoulder, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment as the music continued to play. "Gracias, Diego."

He said nothing, holding her close as he closed his eyes and slowly swayed with her in time to the sweet sound of the lonely violin. For once, it was Diego who had won the battle, not Zorro…he could get used to this.