Disclaimer: No copyright infringement meant with story. Characters owned by ZPI, not by me. I just want to borrow them for a while and make up new stories. Since I miss them dreadfully and wish they could be back on TV!
AN: Thanks for the favs, follows and reviews! Thank you also to the guest reviewers, including Dapet! I appreciate it.
The soldiers managed to cover a lot of ground in looking for Diego, but they lost the trail several times. Alejandro wished they had Zorro to assist them, for he was the best tracker in the territory. He himself took pride in being somewhat talented as well, however. But even though his ability was good, Alejandro wasn't able to be certain they were indeed following the bandits' trail.
After not finding any other confirmation, the Alcalde pulled his horse up short. Looking up at the darkening sky, he said, "I'm sorry, Don Alejandro, but without the proper equipment we can't carry on the search after sunset. We'll return to the pueblo and resume searching at first light."
Don Alejandro noisily exhaled. Being truthful to himself, he admitted the soldiers had attempted all they could do at this time and there really wasn't anything more they could do. As he led his horse to follow the soldiers as they headed back, Alejandro could only hope his son was still alive.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
When they arrived at the hacienda, Felipe led the horses to the front door. Victoria dismounted, and upon encouragement from Felipe, entered the hacienda. Felipe led the horses to the stable and gave them to the stable boy. As he returned to the hacienda, he looked up at the star-filled sky and took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. He wondered if his idea to provide Diego with an alibi would be successful. They had indeed been lucky, over the years, that the Alcalde was more egotistical than smart. Otherwise, Felipe knew some of their escapades would surely have led to their downfall, if not all of them. Hopefully, their luck would hold out this time as well.
Upon entering the hacienda, Felipe caught the attention of Maria, the head housekeeper, and requested she get a guest bedroom ready for Victoria. He then entered the library, where he found Victoria looking at the books on the shelves. He wondered how she had known to come to this room, but then realized she had been drawn to Diego's favorite room.
Looking around, Felipe was assured no one else was nearby. He walked over to the fireplace and pulled the lever hidden behind the panel. He couldn't help but smile at Victoria's shock as she watched the fireplace move, revealing the hidden hallway. Felipe watched as realization also crossed her face.
"It was here all along?" She whispered. Felipe smiled and, taking Victoria's hand, led her into the cave.
Victoria walked behind the fireplace into a small alcove. Felipe continued to lead her down a small passageway to a set of steps. She stopped at the top of the steps to take in the view. There was a long table of various jars, bottles and tools. One small jar was bubbling over a small flame. Felipe leaped over to it and shut it off. Victoria's eyes took in a desk littered with piles of books and papers with a bookcase next to it overflowing with books of varying sizes and shapes. Off in a corner was a coat rack, and hanging from it was an unmistakable black silk cape. On top, hanging precariously from the hook, was Zorro's mask, the eye slits visible from where Victoria stood.
A neigh broke through the silence, and Victoria's eyes were drawn to the back of the cave. If she had required any further proof assuring her she was indeed in Zorro's cave, seeing Toronado would have cinched it. The magnificent horse stood looking at her as he munched on some straw. She wondered if he felt she was intruding in his space. Victoria shook herself at the fanciful idea as Felipe approached the horse to check on his feed. Smiling, Felipe gave Victoria a look as he fed Toronado a carrot he had taken from the table.
Eyes wide, Victoria shook her head, barely comprehending all she was seeing. "So this is Zorro's cave. Where he comes up with all his great inventions?"
Felipe's smile widened and he nodded vigorously. He walked towards Victoria and offered her Diego's desk chair.
Victoria sat down and continued to look around, attempting to take in every little detail, searching for clues to the mysterious personality of the man she loved. In so many ways, the cave reflected the Diego she knew, but at the same time, there were different aspects of the man of which she hadn't been aware.
Felipe explained his idea to Victoria. "Even though Diego isn't in town at the moment, and the Alcalde doesn't know yet the bandits' accusations, I'm going to ride Toronado tonight in an area where some of the soldiers are patrolling."
Victoria cried out in alarm. "No. Felipe, it's too dangerous!"
Felipe placed a hand on Victoria's forearm to calm her. "It'll work, Victoria. I've done it a few times before, while Diego has been away."
Realization dawned on Victoria, and she marveled once again as to the amount of secrets she really didn't know, yet. She again reminded herself to have patience to discuss all of this when Diego was safely home. "So…this has worked before? You riding Toronado to provide Diego an alibi?"
"Oh yes, quite well. As long as I stay far enough away, the soldiers aren't able to distinguish that someone shorter than Zorro is riding Toronado." He then added, "And so they don't catch me either."
"I'm still going to worry about you until you return. Please be safe. I'll stay awake until you get back."
"No, Victoria, please go to sleep. You need your rest. Tomorrow will be a long day, if only because we don't know what will happen." Victoria was about to protest, and Felipe stopped her with a hand on her forearm. "Please, Victoria," he pleaded.
"Okay, but you better be safe. And let me know as soon as possible you're all right."
Felipe nodded his agreement, got up and gestured for her to rise as well. "You should go to bed now, and I'll carry out my plan to help Diego. Maria has a guest room ready for you."
Victoria permitted the young man to lead her through the passageway, and watched as the fireplace door closed as he returned to the cave. She sighed as she headed for the guest bedroom. She was certain she wasn't going to get any sleep tonight, worrying about two of the most important men in her life, but she owed it to both of them to try.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
Diego spent the night attempting to get comfortable on the uneven ground. He had difficulty in finding a spot because the man on guard would startle every time Diego changed positions, waking Diego up. It seemed as though he finally had fallen asleep only to be shaken awake by Max. Opening his eyes, Diego looked into Max's smirking face.
"Wake up, Romeo. Time to rise and shine. Sorry if you didn't get enough rest, but I'm sure you will, in jail, before you're hung."
It again took two of the men to get Diego into the saddle, with his hands tied behind his back. Diego again bit his tongue when he wanted to suggest it would be much easier if they would just untie his hands so he could mount the horse himself. He knew what they would say. Max again kept his gun trained on him at all times, while holding the reins of his horse. Juan and Pedro rode ahead of them, effectively boxing Diego in.
It was decided Max would accompany the party to the outskirts of the pueblo, where he would then wait for his men. As they rode towards the pueblo, Diego wondered if this was the most advantageous thing to happen, or the most inane. If this went badly, to have his secret identity revealed all because he tried to save Victoria, it would be the most ironic thing. Something his literary side and his love of irony could appreciate, if only it weren't so deadly serious.
Outside the pueblo, Max handed the reins of Diego's horse to Juan and instructed them again on what to say to make their case against Diego. Diego rolled his eyes, and wondered again about the ridiculousness of the situation. If I didn't know better, this could feel like some cosmic practical joke.
The two bandits kept their eyes open for anyone observing them as they approached the pueblo. Diego considered calling out to someone, but decided against it. They rode up to the back of the Alcalde's office and the two bandits dismounted. While Pedro kept his gun trained on Diego, Juan assisted him in dismounting. Once Diego was firmly on the ground, Juan then quickly got out of hands' reach. Diego grimly shook his head in resignation, and started walking when they indicated.
The back door was unlocked, so they walked into the office through the jail.
The Alcalde was at his desk, filling out papers when he looked up to see three men walk from the back of the jail. He was about to ask who they were when he caught a glimpse of Diego.
"Diego! What's going on? How did you escape the kidnappers?"
Diego was about to say something, but Pedro rammed his rifle into Diego's abdomen. As Diego bent over in pain, Juan took the opportunity to begin. "Alcalde, this here man is the one known as Zorro."
"Zorro? Diego? Diego de la Vega is Zorro? I don't even know the two of you. Why would I believe such an incredible thing?"
"Because you're not as law-abiding as you'd like to claim to be. My….associates are the ones who robbed the tavern. They witnessed this man act in ways not consistent with the image of a lazy rich guy he pretends to be. Instead, he almost escaped, as well as coming to the rescue of the pretty Señorita earlier today."
Ramon again was struck by the incongruity of these reports with what he had always thought he knew about Diego de la Vega. He looked at the man who had somehow managed to forever be a troublesome concern during his time as Alcalde and for the first time actually considered whether this allegation could indeed be true.
Diego became more uncomfortable as the Alcalde's scrutiny continued, and the silence lasted while Ramon considered the so-called 'evidence'.
"I suppose the evidence wouldn't normally hold up in court, but unluckily for you, Diego, I don't have to uphold courtroom proceedings when it's concerning Zorro."
"What do you mean, Alcalde?"
"As a representative of the King, I can proceed to judge any criminal I decide without a court trial. Anyone considered a threat to public safety. Which Zorro certainly is."
"Alcalde, you can't be serious. You honestly think I'm Zorro? You've known me for two years. You know I'm incapable of anything Zorro does."
"I also know you tried to rescue Victoria today. Normally, that would be an understandable action of most men. But you, Diego, aren't most men. You've never failed to show how inept you are when it comes to anything physical, and you've always avoided physical confrontations. So why would you act so differently today? And apparently with some success? Only if you were pretending not to be as skilled as you really are."
"But…but, Alcalde, this is the flimsiest evidence you've ever had. And you've had quite some flimsy evidence in the past."
The Alcalde gave Diego a glare but didn't reply. Instead, he went to the door and called for two of his soldiers to enter the office. "Take de la Vega to the jail. Make sure he's locked in securely." Looking at Diego, the Alcalde said, "If I were you, Diego, I would begin to make peace with my Maker."
"But, Alcalde, you know me. You know I…."
"No time for your silver tongue now, Diego. These men have presented quite a case against you, and I'm honor bound to investigate it." The look upon Ramon's face was sickeningly insincere. Diego held back a scoff.
Ramon sat down in his chair as he watched Diego being led to the jail. Turning to the bandits, he replied, "You understand, I cannot give you the full reward at this time. I need to do further investigation before I do that." Pulling out his wallet, Ramon handed the bandits 500 pesos. "Come back tomorrow and I will tell you my decision."
Juan and Pedro exchanged glances. Juan opened his mouth, but Pedro shook his head at him. Pedro said, "Thank you, Alcalde, we will return tomorrow."
As he watched the men leave, Ramon leaned back in his chair, tented his fingers together, and reflected on the recent events. Was Diego truly Zorro? If he were honest with himself, Ramon would admit there were a few times in the past two years when certain events made him question his sanity as the thought of de la Vega possibly being Zorro occurred to him. However, Ramon had quickly dismissed such absurd thoughts because Diego would then do or say something so completely ridiculous it would chase the idea of Diego being Zorro completely out of his mind.
Could it really be true? If so, how could he prove it? He would have to prove it without a doubt, otherwise there would be a revolt amongst the townspeople. Not to mention Don Alejandro's reaction. Ramon gave a short mirthless laugh. I am so going to enjoy Don Alejandro's reaction to this.
However, Ramon suddenly sobered. Did all this mean Alejandro knew his son was Zorro? Or was he as blind as everyone else? Thinking of Alejandro led Ramon to consider next the topic of the rebellious tavern owner. What of Victoria? Did she know as well?
Believing Diego to be as good an actor to carry off such a charade was one thing. Believing the hot-headed caballero and the whirlwind of a senorita were also able to act as though Diego wasn't their hero was a whole other issue entirely. Ramon couldn't believe he could be misled by all three of them so completely. His ego wouldn't allow him to believe it.
Shaking himself out of his reverie, Ramon decided he better start collecting the necessary items he would need to proceed with Diego's case. However, he suddenly, physically, became aware of the momentous event that had taken place. He had to focus on his breathing, to make sure he continued to do so. Could it really be true? He finally had Zorro in jail?
Realizing the first thing he needed to do, Ramon walked to the door and called out to Mendoza, who was returning from an errand and was watching the soldiers walk past with Diego. Mendoza hurried over to Ramon. "Alcalde, what's the meaning of this? Why is Don Diego in jail?"
"He's being held on the suspicion of being Zorro."
"Zorro? Don Diego? Alcalde, are you having heat stroke?" When the Alcalde gave him a particularly scorching look, Mendoza stammered, "Well, Alcalde, he's just as much Zorro as I am."
"We don't have the time to talk about that now. Get several soldiers. We need to ride out to the de la Vega hacienda."
"What for, Alcalde?"
"What else, you dimwit. We need to look for evidence proving Diego de la Vega is indeed Zorro."
AN: Thanks for reading. Interesting predicament for Diego. Will Felipe succeed? What will Don Alejandro's reaction be? Hopefully I won't keep you waiting too long. Please make a poor struggling writer happy and let me know what you think. I'd so appreciate it!