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 they weren't able to stay with us as long as we would've liked them to when they were on television.
AN: Thank you to all the reviewers, those who sign in and the guest reviewers, including Dapet. I sure do appreciate all the wonderful critiques. Here is the next chapter, hope you enjoy!
Don Alejandro had spent a restless night worrying about his son. He couldn't believe Diego had gotten himself into such a predicament. He also wondered why the bandits hadn't released him last night, as they had given the impression that they would. Why they wouldn't have just taken the money and left the pueblo, leaving Diego safely behind had him confused and worried.
Upon his return to the hacienda, Don Alejandro had been informed by Felipe that Victoria was spending the night in one of their guest rooms. Felipe explained she was too distraught to be left alone, and had asked to stay where she would be able to hear news of Diego. Alejandro smiled to himself, considering this as further evidence of her attraction to Diego. He retired to his room, determined to only think good thoughts about the well-being of his only son and get some well-deserved rest.
He rose before dawn, which was an hour earlier than was his habit. He made his way to the dining room, about to enter the kitchen to grab something to eat, when he met Victoria sitting at the table, staring blankly down at a plate with a half-eaten tortilla with cheese on it.
"Oh, Victoria, you are awake already?"
"I suppose you slept as well as I did, Don Alejandro. Not well. I'm so worried about Diego."
"I'm sure he's alright, Victoria. The bandits are being difficult for some reason."
Biting her tongue, Victoria reminded herself Alejandro didn't know the true reason the bandits were being "difficult". Or how much danger Diego was actually in.
"I suppose I better get going. I'm going into the pueblo and ride with the Alcalde again. I'm certain we'll find Diego today, Victoria, and he'll be fine."
Victoria forced a smile on her face. "Yes, I'm sure you're correct, Don Alejandro. I think I….if you don't mind, may I stay here today? I…I just feel better at staying close until we find Diego."
"Of course. Victoria. I will send news as soon as I can. Oh, and I will let Alicia know you wouldn't be in today."
"Oh, thank you, Don Alejandro." She berated herself for forgetting her duties to her business and employees. It's only because I'm so worried about Diego.
Victoria watched the older man leave. The thought crossed her mind Diego was due to have several long conversations upon his safe return. Not only to address all of her unanswered questions and feelings about the deception of Zorro but also telling his father and everything involved with it. The Escalante temper was legendary, but the de la Vega temper, especially Don Alejandro's, was truly something to be feared. Victoria smiled when a thought burst through all the serious ponderings. Probably the only thing saving Diego would be Don Alejandro realizing he would now be getting those grandbabies he's forever been bugging Diego about. As the true implications of what she had just thought of occurred to her, a deep blush rose along Victoria's cheeks. Oh my. Finally making the man of her dreams truly hers, and being free to engage in the activities which would result in said grandchildren, caused such wonderful yet embarrassing and distracting thoughts!
Reluctantly Victoria shook herself out of that most pleasant daydream. Recalling Felipe's plan, she wondered how it went for him last night. She couldn't believe she'd allowed herself to forget, even for a moment, that she didn't know the results from last night. Despite Felipe's reassurances all would be well, she still worried about the young man.
Just as she was about to go searching for a servant to find out the location of his room, the young man in question appeared. Knowing he'd only had a few hours of sleep, Victoria felt a pang of regret at her selfishness but quickly brushed it aside with the relief of knowing Felipe had indeed returned safely.
Felipe slid into the chair next to Victoria and without realizing it covered her hand with his and gave it a squeeze. Even though he was tired Felipe knew Victoria would be concerned, worrying about him.
Giving her a smile, Felipe then released her hand and began to sign. "Everything went fine last night and according to plan. I was able to find some soldiers on patrol, who saw 'Zorro' and gave chase. I was far enough away so they never had a chance to catch up with Toronado and me. See, no worries."
"Will it be enough though?"
"Since this occurred before we'd supposedly would know about it, the Alcalde can't say it was one of us. And Diego is still with the bandits, so the Alcalde will have to admit Diego couldn't be Zorro."
Victoria was relieved to hear Felipe's reasoning. She was also very impressed with Felipe for coming up with such a good idea. She herself probably wouldn't have realized the added benefits of having Felipe appear as Zorro last night versus waiting until he was in the Alcalde's custody. Absolutely brilliant. Now all they had to do was wait. Victoria made a grimace at the thought. All they had to do? The most difficult part indeed.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
As the Alcalde, Mendoza and several other soldiers prepared to ride out to the de la Vega hacienda, two of the soldiers who had been on night patrol rushed up to the group.
Lopez, the senior member, cried out. "Alcalde, Alcalde, please wait!"
The group as a whole turned to face the newcomer. The Alcalde didn't bother to hide his impatience.
"Well, Lopez, hurry up. What is it?"
"I wish to report Zorro was sighted last night by the Alvarez farm last night. We gave chase, but we couldn't catch him."
"If you didn't catch him why are you telling me this now?"
"Because Antonio said you think Don Diego is Zorro."
Mendoza spoke up. "If Diego was with the bandits last night, and you think he's Zorro, then how could Zorro be seen last night, Alcalde? This means Diego isn't Zorro. "
Ramon took a step back in order to clear his head. How indeed? Unless...
"Someone must have masqueraded as Zorro for him. Must have been Don Alejandro."
"Don Alejandro was with us last night, remember, Alcalde?"
Ramon had wondered if the case against Diego was flimsy, but this was ridiculous. Suddenly it seemed as if it crumbled as easily as an old adobe house in Mexico under a good wind storm.
"We shall still ride out to the de la Vega hacienda. I refuse to make a decision until all possible explanations are investigated." Plus I want to see Don Alejandro's face when I tell him his precious son is in jail under suspicion of being the pueblo's masked hero.
The group met the man in question on the outskirts of his own property.
"Alcalde, I was on my way to meet you. Why are we heading east? We already examined this part last night."
The Alcalde barely could hold himself still as he squirmed in anticipation of the old man's reaction. "There have been some recent developments," he said with his customary smug smile.
Don Alejandro got a chill down his back. I don't think I'm going to like this. "What happened? You find Diego?"
"You could say that. He has been brought in under the suspicion of being Zorro."
Don Alejandro began to choke on his own saliva. He cleared his throat and asked, "What did you say, Alcalde? I could've sworn you said you think my Diego is Zorro? The Zorro who goes around catching criminals and engaging in sword play."
The Alcalde laughed. "Yes, Don Alejandro, that's exactly what I mean. The evidence against him is quite extensive."
It was Don Alejandro's turn to laugh. "Extensive? This I can't wait to hear, Alcalde. And if it is extensive, why are you on your way to my hacienda?"
"That is exactly my question, Alcalde. Why are we looking for more evidence if you believe you have enough already?" Mendoza asked.
Ramon glared at his subordinate. How dare the fool challenge me, especially in front of Don Alejandro? Turning back to Don Alejandro, Ramon said, "Because of your high position in society, I'm obligated to collect as much evidence as possible. This is why a trip to your hacienda is necessary, Don Alejandro, and an extensive search will take place." Holding up a hand to stop an interruption from Don Alejandro, Ramon said, "You could also view it as a means for me to collect evidence exonerating your son as well. If such evidence exists."
Don Alejandro threw his hands up, as if attempting to wipe the Alcalde from his existence. "Go ahead. You won't find anything. You've searched our hacienda enough times by now, you should have every corner memorized."
Don Alejandro sat back on his horse as he watched the Alcalde and his men continue their way to his hacienda. He brought his horse around to follow them. What a crazy couple of days these have been. First, Diego saves Victoria, and now the Alcalde actually thinks he's Zorro? I don't know what had possessed Diego to go to such lengths to save Victoria, and himself. Even if he loves her, I would've thought my ineffectual son incapable of such actions. I love Diego dearly, but a man of action he isn't.
Once they arrived at the hacienda, the Alcalde wasted no time in commanding his soldiers to the stables, the courtyard, and the hacienda itself. "Leave absolutely nothing unturned."
One of the younger soldiers made the mistake of asking the question, "What types of things are we looking for, Alcalde?"
"What are we looking for? Anything linking this family to criminal activity, much less linking Diego de la Vega to Zorro, you dimwit."
Alejandro looked in amazement as the soldiers scattered to the various rooms of his home. Felipe and Victoria hurried to his side upon hearing the commotion.
"What is happening, Don Alejandro?"
"Victoria, Felipe, you will not believe this, but Diego has been arrested under suspicion of being Zorro."
"But I thought…" Victoria was able to catch herself in time before she was going to finish the incriminating sentence. "I thought Diego was still being held by the bandits. What…what is this about him being Zorro?"
Don Alejandro looked from Victoria to Felipe, who was handling the news surprisingly well, Don Alejandro thought. He filed the information to consider later. "Let's go into the library."
Once the younger people were situated into chairs, Alejandro stated, "The bandits came up with the most ridiculous idea. They are saying Diego is Zorro because of his trying to come to your defense, Victoria, and for trying to escape them yesterday."
"That's….that's ridiculous, Don Alejandro."
"I know, Victoria, but the Alcalde, being who he is, claims he needs to investigate fully before Diego can be released."
Taking in the activity around them, Victoria asked, "So this is why they're here, searching your hacienda?"
Rolling his eyes, Don Alejandro nodded his head. "Yes, you know our Alcalde."
Mendoza approached the group. "Even though Don Diego can't be Zorro, and the Alcalde knows this."
"What?"
"On our way out here, Lopez and Alvarez rode up and told us they had seen Zorro last night while on patrol."
Don Alejandro's face broke with a huge grin. "That's wonderful. Diego was with the bandits last night, so it couldn't have been him."
"So…why are you all here? Why did the Alcalde come out here then?" Felipe signed.
"Yes, Mendoza, Diego should have been released from the jail at once. Why are the soldiers tearing up my hacienda yet again?"
Mendoza shrugged. "You know the Alcalde. He refuses…" Mendoza stopped as the Alcalde entered the room.
"Mendoza! What are you doing?"
"Al...Alcalde, I was about to start checking this room."
"And here I thought you were beginning to say something you shouldn't." Ramon shook his head in disgust. "Let's go, Mendoza. We shall see if they have uncovered anything in the stables. That damn horse has to be around here somewhere."
"But Alcalde, why do you still think Diego is Zorro? You know Alvarez and Lopez, as well as the other soldiers, saw Zorro ride last night."
As the color in the Alcalde's face changed to a dusky red, Mendoza took a step back. I might have made a mistake in saying that. The Alcalde doesn't look good; he looks like he's going to explode.
The Alcalde visibly swallowed, then said in a strangely controlled voice. "Mendoza, we will not discuss this any further. We will now go to the stables. Excuse us, Don Alejandro, Senorita Victoria."
AN: That's it for now, I guess. The Muse wants to end it there, but promises for more surprises the next chapter(s). Thanks again for all the reviews, follows and favs. Especially the New World Zorro Fanfiction Facebook Page. You guys rock!