Chapter Twenty: The Fox and the Snake (Part 2)

"You certainly are pensive tonight," Consuela noted, seeing how Lolita continued to stare out her window that evening. She had remained there for quite some time, presumably enjoying the scenery, but Consuela sensed there was something more running through the girl's mind. "Did you get a chance to speak with Carlotta?"

"Hmm…? Oh, yes," Lolita nodded, turning once more to face the servant, shutting the windows once she was inside again. "We've already apologized to one another." Seeing Consuela nod and continue her work, her mind began to face once more with the similarities between the two men she adored. The more she dwelled on it, the less it sounded crazy. Each time Zorro was present, Diego was gone, and vice versa; both of them had the same way of saluting their dear old friend, Sergeant Garcia; the two men shared the same smile and moustache, and when she closed her eyes and fought hard to remember, their voices were practically identical. Zorro always seemed to know what was going on and when… how else would he figure things out unless he was present during conversations or had a spy working for him…like innocent Bernardo perhaps. The biggest factor for Lolita, however, was that these two men were caballeros, who treated her with respect and gazed at her with longing in their brown eyes.

"Hermana," Lolita said at last, tapping her cheek with her forefinger as she looked to her friend. "Do you think it's possible for a person to hide another side of them from society?" She found it very interesting when she noticed how the woman's eyes widened at this only to have her quickly reserve her surprise.

"Why do you say that?" Consuela asked innocently.

Pursing her lips in suspicion, the girl shrugged as she walked to her bed. "Call it intuition…I think there's more to Diego than meets the eye."

"Surely you don't doubt his love for you?" she asked, her brows furrowing in concern.

"Of course I don't," she frowned, grasping her locket. "…just his honesty, perhaps."

"His what?!"

"Never mind," Lolita waved it off. "I just need some rest. It's been very exciting here with the wedding preparations and what happened at the pueblo…I'm sure some rest will do me some good." Slipping into her bed, she made no move to reveal her emotions or thoughts as Consuela stared at her in contemplation before excusing herself and leaving. In the darkness of her room, Lolita imagined tugging the mask off of her hero to reveal her sweetheart. "It makes sense…it has to be him…it has to…"

~Z~

Riviera slunk towards the building, his face concealed with a black cloth mask that only revealed his eyes, mouth and chin. He was becoming desperate now – he had little to no resources, no man wanted to be hired by him for lack of money and the high risk of meeting Zorro, and Capitan Fernandez was steadily gaining the people's admiration and respect. "If the people love him so much, let's see how they'll react when their money goes missing!"

Stalking around the building, he leapt into the shadows as Sergeant Garcia and Corporal Reyes trudged back to the cuartel after enjoying their fill at the tavern. Satisfied, he watched as they moved on, soon followed by Señor Lopez, the tall, thin middle-aged man who ran the bank. He paused to speak with them, seemingly scolding Garcia about something, to which the chubby man sheepishly smiled as he twiddled his thumbs. "He must have closed for the night…"

"You know, señor, you really shouldn't go wandering around the pueblo so late with a mask on. People might think you are a thief."

Spinning around, Riviera felt his blood boil as he saw Zorro leaning against the dark wall, bowing mockingly at him. "You-!"

"I believe the bank is closed, but if you would like to make a withdrawal, I'm certain Señor Lopez will be more than happy to help you…Commandante." A wily grin stretched onto Zorro's face as he saw Riviera's green eyes widen and stare at him in shock. "So, Riviera, will you return to your duties, or must I teach you another lesson in respecting and honoring the people you must serve?"

"I'll teach you a lesson, bandito!" Riviera hissed, drawing his sword and lunging at the masked man.

Following his lead, Zorro laughed as he dodged the enemy's blade. Twirling his cape over his arm, he brandished his weapon and fought back valiantly, smiling all the while as he made Riviera slide away from him. "He is rather like a rattlesnake," he noted, watching as his eyes glittered maliciously at him, body hunched and always darting off to one side when he approached him too closely. He had a tendency to make a sound of anger or frustration when he was thwarted, and it was usually a hiss.

"Look at him – he actually thinks he's a fox!" Riviera felt his hand shake uncontrollably as he watched how effortlessly Zorro fought back. The man grinned and laughed as he fought, as though it were some silly game. His eyes shone in the moonlight, always with a look that he knew something the other didn't. His movements were lithe and light, and with his dark clothes, he could often appear invisible in the darkness. The Commandante's patience was wearing thin, resulting in a frustrated roar as he slashed at Zorro before making a break for the door. No sooner had he turned the corner, a bullet whizzed past him, narrowly missing his ear.

"Don't move!" Jorge Fernandez demanded, while Garcia, Reyes, Lopez, and a line of soldiers surrounded the back of the bank. The lancers had their aim directed at his head and chest, and he knew if he even thought of making a move, he would not survive.

"Señor Zorro was right, mi Capitan!" Garcia exclaimed, his eyes narrowed as he frowned at the masked theif. "This man left the cuartel at eight o'clock, just as you said!"

"But who is he?" Reyes asked, his brows furrowed as he glanced at his friend.

Zorro approached the men, unafraid of their weapons. He strolled up behind the cornered bandit and yanked the mask from his face, revealing their cruel leader. "Here is your man, Corporal!"

"Lancers, arrest him," Fernandez ordered, slipping his sword back in its sheath as he watched the men take the sword from the corrupt Commandante and tie his hands.

Stepping forth fearlessly, Sergeant Garcia raised his head and stated coldly, "General Julio Riviera, former Commandante of the pueblo de Los Angeles, you are hereby under arrest for the murders and disappearances of your hired hands, attempts at kidnapping, blackmail, and theft, and mistreating the good people of this town."

"You dare to say such things?! Get your hands off of me!" Riviera snapped, struggling against his men's force. "The governor will hear of your insubordination-!"

"I've already written to him," Fernandez informed him, striding confidently towards his former commanding officer. "I am expecting him to visiting Los Angeles within a matter of days." Since the day of Alicia de la Cruz's fiesta, Fernandez had gathered testimonies from all the people Riviera had harmed and sent his down letter with these accounts. He had received a letter from the Governor in response, who requested that he come to Monterey to further discuss the matter, but not to raise suspicion amongst the people. This matter would be kept a secret, and Riviera would be watched night and day until the Governor came to Los Angeles. This was why his wedding was a rather rushed affair, but dear Yolanda who was so understanding accepted the challenge so long as she could be with him.

"You could arrest your own commandante and depend on this mangy outlaw-?!" Riviera fumed.

"This outlaw has been doing more good than you could ever hope to accomplish in a life time!" Fernandez bellowed. "He is under my protection specifically for this mission tonight! We have finally caught you red-handed doing what you have hired others to do. Now you will face the law. Gag him and take him away."

Watching the soldiers carry the criminal off, the captain, sergeant, and corporal stayed behind with the outlaw, silent until Riviera was well out of range. "Señor Zorro, I do not understand," Sergeant Garcia said, scratching his head once he had removed his hat. "How could you have known that the Commandante was going to be coming here at this time?"

"I have my ways, Sergeant," Zorro winked. He was most grateful to Bernardo, who had been listening in as Riviera had tried to bribe a poor farmer into stealing gold from the bank this very evening. Lucky, the farmer refused, for he was a man of morals. Diego de la Vega met with the farmer minutes later and made an agreement with the man, allowing the man to continue his work and feed his family without having to sink to Riviera's level.

"You must have magical powers, Señor Zorro," Corporal Reyes commented, eyeing the man curiously.

"Let's just say I have friends in many places," Zorro chuckled, shaking Fernandez's hand heartily. "Gracias, amigo. You could have arrested me instead for the reward, but you trusted me."

"I have always trusted your word against that snake's. Besides, money is not everything…" Fernandez sent Garcia a look, a wry smile on his face. "Right, Sergeant?"

"…Sí, Capitan," Garcia surrendered, bowing his head as he realized that he would never get the reward for Zorro now.

Laughing as he understood the sergeant's dismay, Zorro tugged out a small purse from his belt and tossed it to the dismal man. "Here, Sergeant – a small token of my thanks for being such a good friend. Please, buy yourself and the Corporal a drink on me!"

"Oooh, gracias!" Garcia beamed, his disappoint gone now that he had received such a generous gift. "Gracias, Zorro!"

"Muchachos, I must be going! Adios!" Tipping his hat to them, Zorro whistled for his faithful steed. Tornado ran to him at once, pausing only for a moment so that his master could hop onto his back. The magnificent animal reared and whinnied, pawing the air. Saluting the men, Zorro took off into the night, the moon shining down on him as though it were proud of his secret deeds.

Galloping through the still countryside, Zorro's mind was filled with the thought of seeing Riviera placed behind bars for good, so that he might finally live his life as Diego de la Vega with the love of his life. He was wistful as he thought of that, for he knew deep down that there would always be a need for Zorro…still, perhaps once this mess was done, he could at last reveal himself to Lolita, and he was certain she would accept him no matter what.

"Lolita…" Her face filled his mind at once, his heart pumping faster than before. Urging his horse onward, he waited anxiously until he could see the outline of the Pulido hacienda. Pulling Tornado to a stop once they arrived, he pulled out his whip and latched it onto the balcony. Using his strength, he pulled himself up onto her balcony and removed the whip, tying it around his waist. "Wait, Tornado," he whispered, smirking as he saw the horse saunter off towards the stables, probably in search for Lolita's mare, Bonita. Testing the handle, he was not surprised to find it unlocked and entered the room. Lolita had kept the window that way since he had been injured, allowing him to come and go as he pleased.

Walking up to the bed, he saw that she was resting peacefully, her hair splayed around her on the pillows. Reaching out, he went to touch her cheek when her eyes fluttered open, a soft moan escaping her pink lips.

"…Zorro?" she murmured, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Sitting up in bed, she pulled the covers to maintain her modesty before brushing her hair away from her face. "What's the matter? Is something wrong?" she asked, motioning for him to sit down.

"No, everything's going to be all right, Lolita," he answered her, sitting on the bedside. "Things are finally falling into place."

"Are they?" she asked coolly, looking away.

His brows furrowed at this. He sensed that she wasn't happy with him…but why? "…have you made a decision yet?"

"I have. I love you, Zorro, I do…but I love Diego, too," she admitted, bowing her head as she closed her eyes. "I hope that someday he'll ask me to marry him."

"He would be a fool not to," Zorro nodded.

"You would know," she whispered.

"What do you mean by that?" Zorro watched as she lifted her head and stared into his eyes, making his heart race even faster.

"…it's funny. You and Diego never appear at the same time…have you met before?" she asked curiously, her tone serious and solemn.

"I…have spoken with him once or twice before," he shrugged, looking away.

"You two have the same brown eyes…and the same moustache," she noted, crossing her arms over her chest as he reached up and touched his upper lip.

"I…I hadn't noticed," he lied.

"It pains me that I have to choose, because I don't want to hurt anybody," Lolita said tartly, hugging her arms tightly. "Unless if the two men I love happen to be the same person, but that would be silly, wouldn't it?" She looked at him again, her eyes burning. "…all this time, I felt awful because I thought I was being unfaithful, that I was going to hurt somebody's feelings and break his heart, but the entire time, it was you!"

"Lolita-"

"Don't!" she cut him off, forgetting her intentions of modesty and slipping out of the bed to pace the floor. "Do you realize what you put me through, Diego?! I understand that you do this for keeping the people you love safe, I really do, but to see me making such a fuss when you could have ended my torture just by being honest?! Was this some game for you? Did you like seeing me cry and squirm and think about what I ought to do?!"

He had never seen her this angry towards him – the only time was when they had first met and her father left to fight the bandits that broke into the hacienda. She was filled with fury, and a part of him liked it…still, listening to her reasoning made him feel shame as he acknowledged the truth in her words. He could scarcely believe she had found out the truth all on her own…he was rather proud of her, but the worry of Riviera using her was lodged in the back of his mind. Hearing her say his name while he was in his disguise, however, made him want to rise and take her into his arms.

Lolita stopped moving, heaving a sigh as she pressed her hand to her forehead. "…whatever reason you choose to continue to conceal yourself, I accept it. I shouldn't have reacted this way, I'm just…I'm frustrated. I want to be reliable and trustworthy to you, just as you are for me." Shaking her head, she continued to apologize. "It was brash of me to scold you like this just now, I have no right-"

"You have every right," he said, rising from his seat and walking over to her. She froze as he approached her, stopping only when they were mere inches away from one another. Gazing into her bewildered eyes, he took her hands into his and raised them to his face.

"Wait, what are you doing?" she asked, her heart beating madly in anxiety. "I thought that you didn't want me to know-"

"I never wanted you to be placed in danger if you knew who I am," he answered quietly, his hands curling around hers as he placed them upon the knot that rested on the back of his skull. "It's a responsibility and a risk to keep my identity a secret…but I trust you, Lolita, and I love you. I shall be there for you always…and I will let you be there for me as well." He removed his hands from hers, urging her with his eyes to remove the mask. "It's all right…go on."

She shook her head, frightened that this decision had been forced because of her angry words. "I can't do this to you-"

"I want you to, chiquita," he spoke softly, wrapping his arms around her waist. Her pulse quickened at this, her breath hitched as he whispered in her ear, "Take the mask off."

Holding her breath, with her fingers shaking, she hesitantly untied the knot of the black cloth. Slowly, she took hold of the fabric as it came loose into her hands, gripping it tightly as she slid the mask off of his face. Her heart burst as she saw Diego de la Vega in Zorro's hat and clothes, a gentle smile on his lips. "Are you disappointed?" he asked, cocking one eyebrow at her.

Tears slid down her face as she laughed. "You don't know how relieved I am." Grasping the mask in one hand, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head up to press a kiss to his cheek. "Will you forgive me?"

"Only if you forgive me," Diego said, wiping her tears away tenderly. "I am sorry, Lolita…I did want you to know, I just thought it would be best once matters have settled with Riviera."

"I don't know if we'll ever be rid of that man, Diego. He's horrid, and he always finds a way to slither out of situations," she shook her head.

"Don't be too sure of that," he winked, amused when she raised an eyebrow at his response. "I can't say anything for now, I'm sworn to secrecy…trust in me, all will be well now."

Placing her hands on his cheeks, her thumbs caressed his skin as she looked into his eyes and smiled. "If we have made it this far, it is because we have stuck together, Diego. I realize being Zorro is not easy, and I know that California may always be in need of Zorro…but perhaps Zorro can share his time equally with the people of this land, and someone special in the future."

"You think so?" he mused, ducking his head down towards her.

"I would face that awful man called Commandante if it meant I could see you again. I'm willing to accept whatever challenges come our way, Diego," she vowed, her voice but a whisper.

"…so am I. I love you," he murmured, holding her tightly before claiming her lips. He smiled as he felt her heartbeat against his chest, loving the soft sigh that floated from her throat. He felt goosebumps rise as she ran her fingers through his hair, knocking his hat from his head, when the two of them froze at the sound of a third voice.

"Lolita? Lolita, are you awake?"

"Carlotta," Lolita gasped, looking up at Diego. "Quick, go!" She squeaked in surprise as he stole one last kiss from her, winking as he took his hat and mask back and ran back to the balcony, climbing down to find his horse. Pursing her lips and giving him a scowling look, Lolita couldn't resist smiling before running to the door and letting her stepsister in. "Carlotta, are you all right?"

"Sí," she nodded, whispering in the hallway as she looked to make sure no one was awake. Accepting Lolita's invitation into the room, she stood by the door and exhaled a breath she had been holding. "…Lolita, I have to apologize-"

"You already did," she insisted. "It's all right-"

"No," the redhead shook her head, her ringlets swaying around her face. "I haven't been fair or considerate to you…those things I said were awful…I hurt you and you could have gotten sick or lost. Today you risked getting harmed and humiliated because of my careless choices. Please forgive me?" she pleaded, taking Lolita's hands into her own.

"Of course I forgive you," Lolita answered at once, embracing her at once. "We're sisters, after all."

"Gracias," Carlotta sniffled, wiping her eyes with her sleeve. Her eyes sparkled as she added, "I have good news."

"Oh?"

"Ricardo was there at the square when Riviera tried to hurt us…he tugged me away and scolded me, and we had a little argument, but…he kissed me!"

"He what?!" Lolita asked, her jaw dropping. "You're joking!"

"No!" Carlotta squealed, covering her mouth as she remembered she needed to be silent. "Well, anyways, he asked to see me at the wedding!"

"That's wonderful!" Lolita beamed, embracing her stepsister once more. Closing her eyes, she silently gave thanks to God and her mother who rested in peace. "Gracias…things are finally working out…"

A/N: Thank you to my constant reviewers! I hope you all enjoyed this and please let me know what you think! I'll see you next time! :)