Disclaimer: No copyright infringement meant with story. Characters owned by ZPI, not by me. Even though I wish they did.

AN: I knew I forgot something. This takes place somewhere late season 2, because I love using Alcalde Ramone since he is so deliciously evil. And slimy. I apologize for the long wait. Hope you enjoy this next chapter, with all the twists and turns (at least I try, being the beginning writer that I am). Thank you for the warm reception for this story, with all the reviews, favs and follows, and hope you enjoy this next chapter.

Previously:

The crowd watched as they rode out of town. Alejandro rushed into the tavern, followed by Felipe, and went over to Victoria, who was still tied to the bar.

"Oh, Don Alejandro, I didn't know what to do. Diego came in here and tried to help me, and they knocked him out…." She told him as he was untying her.

"Diego came rushing in here to help you against armed robbers? My Diego?" Don Alejandro was shocked at his son's uncharacteristic behavior. He wouldn't have thought his mild-mannered son had such courage in him.

Victoria was at a loss for words. Suddenly she realized how difficult Diego's life had been over the past four years. All of the deceptions Diego had to carry out. How did he ever keep it all straight?

"Um, I guess he was so worried about me that he…." Suddenly, it was all too much. Victoria burst into tears. Only part of it was an act to distract Don Alejandro.

Don Alejandro was taken aback by the uncharacteristic display of emotions. Victoria was normally the strongest woman he knew, not falling into "women vapors".

"Come Victoria, let's sit down before you fall over." Don Alejandro led her to a table and pulled out a chair for her. He then looked up at Felipe and motioned him to sit down beside them.

"Don't worry, Victoria, we will figure this out."

The Alcalde rushed into the tavern, followed by Mendoza. He had missed the scene outside due to returning late to his office from siesta. Mendoza had hurriedly updated him upon 'the situation'. I better hurry and talk with Don Alejandro. Maybe if I approach him first, he won't be so belligerent with me and actually cooperate with me about this. Ramone bitterly thought about the inconvenience Diego de la Vega was causing him yet again.

Ramone walked towards Don Alejandro and Victoria. "I do apologize, Don Alejandro. I was unfortunately detained and missed the kidnapping. Can you please tell me what happened?"

"I'm just fine, Alcalde. Thank you for asking," Victoria stated sarcastically.

The Alcalde looked at Victoria with a blank look. He cast a glare at Mendoza. "I'm sorry, Alcalde. I wasn't able to tell you all that happened."

Ramone shook his head with disgust at Mendoza and turned his attention to Victoria. Of course the troublesome senorita is also involved. "What happened, Senorita?"

"These bandits entered my tavern and tried to steal my money. Don Diego came in and attempted to stop them…."

"Don Diego did? Why would he do that?"

Victoria, to her dismay, felt a slight blush color her cheeks as she attempted to come up with a quick lie. Again, how has Diego managed to do this for so long? "I don't know. It must be because we're such good friends. One of the bandits had just hit me and I screamed when Diego rushed in." She attempted to act naturally. "Unfortunately, one of the other bandits knocked him out and then tied him up. They were then going to leave with my money but by that time a crowd had gathered around the tavern. Diego woke up and…." Tears sprang to her eyes.

Alejandro patted her hand gently. "It's all right, Victoria. Diego will be all right. Please go on."

"They were going to take me with them when Diego suggested he be taken instead."

The Alcalde looked at Victoria with a skeptical look. "Really? Don Diego acted the hero twice in one day?"

Alejandro said in a gruff voice, "Like Victoria said, because he cares for her like a sister, he reacted outside his normal behavior."

Victoria acted nonchalantly and shrugged her shoulders. "Must have been the stress of the moment." Her eyes caught Felipe giving her a strange look. Oh, Diego mustn't have been able to tell him I know. "Um, they then took Diego and they left."

"Do we know where they were heading?"

"To my hacienda to get the gold from my safe," Don Alejandro said.

"We better go after them then."

"No, Alcalde, that's why they took Diego with them. They threatened to kill him if they were followed," Victoria rushed to tell him.

"Well, Senorita, are you saying you are all right with us not doing anything, for a change?"

Victoria was dumbstruck. She didn't know what to do. Without either Diego or Zorro, she was unclear what their next move should be. She chanced a look at Felipe, wishing he could indicate what she should do. However, due to his status in society, she doubted he would be able to take a lead in this.

Don Alejandro protested, "No, Alcalde, you and your soldiers are trained, you should be able to sneak up on them and rescue my son!"

Victoria turned to Don Alejandro to protest, but her statement died on her lips when she saw the look of fear on Alejandro's face. Maybe he is right. We can't just not help Diego. Suddenly, she caught Felipe's eyes. Or can we?

The Alcalde said, "Since you feel that way… Mendoza!" Mendoza rushed up and the three men began to walk outside to discuss strategy. Victoria turned to Felipe.

Trying to be act natural, Victoria whispered, "Felipe, we need to talk. We'll go to my sitting room." Calling to Don Alejandro, she informed them they were going to the other room. The Alcalde gave her a dismissive look, while Don Alejandro smiled a reassuring smile and turned back to the soldiers and continued their conversation as they left the tavern.

Victoria led Felipe to the back room, which served as her private quarters. She indicated he should sit down. After he did, Victoria took a deep breath and said, "Yes, Felipe, I know. About Diego." She whispered, "And Zorro."

Felipe's eyes widened, and he swallowed. Then a huge smile broke over his face, which then quickly disappeared as he remembered the somber situation Diego in which he remained. He signed slowly, "How did you find out?"

"It's a long story, which I will tell you. But we need to rescue Diego first." Victoria leaned towards Felipe. "Should I be worried about Diego?"

Felipe considered her question and slowly nodded his head. He signed, "He may not be able to get out of the situation without revealing his true self."

Understanding appeared on Victoria's face and she nodded. "Do you think you and I can rescue him?"

Felipe jumped a little upon her question. Victoria knew he was taken aback by her including herself in the process. Before he could say something, she said quickly, "Felipe, don't you need my help with getting him out of there?"

Felipe considered her words. He knew Diego wouldn't like Victoria being involved, but he also knew Diego would understand. There often was no way to prevent Victoria from doing something she had her heart set upon. So Felipe reluctantly nodded, then signed, "Do you have any idea what we should do?"

Victoria considered her thoughts, then asked, "What do you think about this?"

~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~

Diego rode with the bandits, with Max holding his horse's reins. The leader kept the gun aimed at him at all times, preventing Diego from making a run for it. He debated the odds about suddenly urging his horse to a gallop and attempting to outrun them. With his arms tied behind his back, and the difficulty of balancing himself on the horse, he seriously had to admit it would be too dangerous to attempt.

They reached the hacienda without mishap. Several servants met them at the gate, but were told to stay away. The three men kept their guns trained on Diego. No servant was willing to risk getting their boss' son injured. Diego attempted to reassure them with his eyes, as he was half-led, half-dragged into the hacienda.

"Where is the safe?"

"Through there," Diego said, nodding towards the room to the left. "In the library."

They made their way to the library, where Diego was pushed into the middle of the room. "So where is the money?" Max asked him.

Diego sighed. As much as he hated giving in to robbers, he was anxious no one be hurt. He indicated to the wall to the right of the fireplace. "The safe is behind that picture."

The robber grasped the picture frame and swung it to the left, revealing a safe. "Come on, lover boy, now give me the combination."

For a moment, Diego debated about pretending not to know the combination, to give him some time to think of a distraction. However, he sensed the men were threatening to become trigger-happy. So he turned around to Max, and said, "Will you please untie me so I can open the safe."

"Oh, no, that won't do. You just give me the combination and I will open it."

Diego again was going to protest, but Max gave him a look stopping the words on his lips. He gave the combination, and Max opened the safe. He took out the gold, and smiled.

"Okay, now you have the money, you can leave now and no one gets hurt."

"Oh, no, Don de la Vega. We need reassurance we won't be facing an ambush."

"But no one followed us from the pueblo. As you leave…"

"You will be with us."

Diego didn't like the sound of that. He wasn't sure whether his safety was guaranteed now that they had the de la Vega money. He sighed and followed the bandits outside.

Diego had been attempting to loosen his bonds throughout their ride and the opening of the safe. He gave one final tug and felt the bonds break. Quickly, he turned and knocked out the man behind him, as he dodged the bullet fired by the other man. He knocked the gun out of the bandit's hand, and punched the guy. Diego then turned towards Max, hoping the element of surprise would still hold true for him as well.

But he was met with a gun alongside his head. Diego saw stars as he slid slowly to the ground. The next thing he was aware of, he felt the rhythmic motion of a horse under his abdomen. Waking up, he realized he was tied to the back of the horse, his hands again tied behind his back. Diego had to give Max credit, for having the foresight in tying him to the horse so he wouldn't fall off upon waking up.

His head aching, Diego couldn't resist the pull of Morpheus into another dreamless sleep. The next thing he became aware of, he was being pulled off the horse. Suddenly he hit the ground, which managed to jar again his hurting head. He also realized his abdomen hurt as well. I think I was used as a kicking ball while I was out.

"Oh, sorry, Romeo. I guess I lost my grip," Diego heard Max say from somewhere above him.

Diego attempted to focus his eyes to see where his enemy was at the moment, to protect himself if necessary from possible injury. However, the setting sun hit him in the eye, blinding him. He shook his head, trying to clear it.

"Let's get you inside." Diego felt arms pulling on both his arms as he was lifted to his feet. He looked up and saw a cave entrance. They entered and he was brought to the far end of the cave. Because he was expecting it, the jarring to his body resulting from being thrown to the ground hurt slightly less than it would have otherwise. Diego struggled into a sitting position, taking into account his arms continued to be tied behind his back. There was now additional rope tied around his upper arms, securing them to his torso.

"Well, Don de la Vega, I do apologize for the accommodations, but unfortunately there wasn't any criminal hideouts along our way."

Diego tried to glare at Max, but it was met with a laugh. "That look may intimidate your servants but it has no effect on me."

Swallowing his pride resulting from having to sound weak, Diego asked, "If I may ask, what are your plans for tomorrow? I would think you can safely leave me here and go on from here alone. We haven't been followed, so you are no longer in danger of being apprehended."

Max appeared to consider Diego's words, but Diego wasn't fooled. "I don't know, Don de la Vega. It sounds logical, but…I have been enjoying your company way too much."

The way Max looked at him suddenly produced a chill down Diego's spine. It's as if he knows something else about me. Diego wondered for the first time if Max knew more than he had first indicated. He looked at the other three bandits, lounging against the other cave wall, without getting any other insight.

"So Max, what are we going to do? I think the guy is right. Now that it is sunset, why don't we shake the dust from this pueblo and head for the hills, like we planned? We can leave him here."

"Because I got one more idea that'll give us even more money."

Diego quickly combed through his mind, trying to figure out what Max could mean. Unfortunately the only thing he could come up with was Zorro's bounty. Diego rapidly dismissed that possibility, because really, why would that be an issue?

"Guys, I've been thinking. Everything I had heard about our guest here, leads me to believe he's only a yellow-bellied coward, who would rather read and draw than fight. So why did he rush to the aid of the beautiful senorita today?"

His mouth suddenly dry, Diego didn't like where this conversation was headed. Especially when Max turned his gaze upon him and continued. "And then, you, Don de la Vega, attempted to escape. If that wasn't telling enough, you almost succeeded. You took out two of my men. From what I know of you, that's not thought to be in line with your usual behavior."

Adapting his bland Don Diego expression, Diego shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I don't know what you're implying. I heard my good friend, a woman, being abused and I rushed to her rescue. And I'm just a coward. I'm afraid for my life. When you didn't release me when you got your gold, I got scared and wanted to leave. Fear gave me courage to fight."

Max laughed. "What an excellent effort, de la Vega. Much like I would expect from….Zorro."

Diego managed to keep his expression unchanged, but his mouth suddenly went dry. He was about to say something when one of the other bandits interrupted.

"Max, what nonsense are you going on about now?"

"Pedro, ye of little faith. What we have here, men, is the one, the only, hero Zorro in our midst."

AN: Well, that was certainly unexpected. How is Diego going to get out of this now? Stay tuned for next time, same Zorro time, same Zorro channel. (Couldn't resist) Please, if you may, let me know what you think with a review. Thanks ever so much for reading!