Disclaimer: No copyright infringement meant with story. Characters owned by ZPI, not by me. I only wish to borrow them for a little while.

AN:Again apologizing once again for not updating sooner. Hope you enjoy this new chapter. Thanks again for reading, and for the reviews, favs and follows.

Previously:

The Alcalde's lips began to curl a little before he was able to turn them up into a tight smile. "I am sure you will be restating that differently in your article."

Diego nodded non-committedly, smiled, and left. As he walked back to the newspaper office, he wondered whether Zorro should start searching now. No, he needed to keep low. Besides, he did just tell the Alcalde he was going to be in the office, so he better do that. And he did have the new issue to get out.

Diego first got to the necessary business of writing up his ordeal. He knew everyone would be interested in it, even though most of the details had already spread throughout the pueblo like a blaze. A thought came to him that made him pause. Since his "heroics" yesterday were known to almost everyone, he would indeed have to do some quick thinking to combat any new ideas anyone might be thinking about him. Ways to ensure "inept Diego" continued to exist in the minds of the pueblo. Also, to combat anyone actually believing Max's claims.

A happy thought then occurred to him. Perhaps they could explain his "heroics", his uncharacteristic displays of courage, by coming forward with his attraction to Victoria. That his love for her gave him the courage to fight his fear and rescue her. In the same way, they could also use this experience to explain Victoria's transference of her affections from Zorro to Diego. If they say that, upon seeing Diego risk himself for her, Victoria realized her true feelings for him. It might very well work, if we emphasize the right details.

After writing up the article, Diego then turned his thoughts to capturing the gang. But a sudden thought stopped him. If Max did leave the area, never to return, that would be one less person spreading the story about him and Zorro. The missing money would be a small price to pay for his freedom. Such thoughts begged the question of whether he should indeed try to capture them after all.

Just as he reached an impasse in his thinking, a pleasant interruption in the form of Victoria herself arrived, bringing with her a late lunch of chicken and rice.

"Buenas tardes, Diego. How is your work coming along?"

Diego laid down his pen and stood up. He graciously took the tray from her, then moved the extra chair in his office next to his desk for her to sit down. After taking her seat, Victoria smiled up at him.

"I'm so happy to see you, Victoria. I couldn't think of an excuse to come by earlier, and then I got caught up in my article and forgot about lunch."

Victoria leaned over and picked up one of his discarded pieces of paper. She gave it a quick look. Her forehead crunched up in the cute way of hers and she looked at him with a question in her eyes. Diego saw a little glitter of mischief shining in those eyes however, as well. "Doesn't seem like you were distracted at all?" She looked at him with a fake pout on her pretty face.

Diego debated whether to tell his sweetheart the truth, or be charming and lie to her. He reluctantly decided on the former. "I'd like to lie and say I've only been thinking of you, Querida, but I've been debating about going after the gang."

The gleam in her eyes disappeared and her lips tightened. "I thought you already decided against going after them, since you were smart and stayed home last night."

"I was simply too tired to go last night and thought I better get my rest. I am getting smarter, now that I have a new reason to be careful," Diego gave Victoria a most meaningful look, "I thought after I'd checked with the Alcalde, I would go out after them today. Then, the Alcalde looked at me as if he still debated whether I was indeed Zorro, so I decided I better stay here and work on my article for at least several hours to divert his suspicions." He added with a shrug, "In case he'd come here to check up on me."

"That brings up a good point, Diego. If you did bring Max back, won't he continue to claim you're Zorro? The more people hear about it, the more it will become obvious to someone." She rolled her eyes. "Since I know now, I can't understand why I didn't see it before."

"I've worked very hard in perfecting my 'Diego' disguise." Diego shrugged. "I'm conflicted about capturing Max and his gang for that very reason. However...I have decided, once I'm done here, I'm going to see whether I can find them." Diego's heart broke at the worried look on Victoria's face. She did make a good point. "Don't worry, Victoria. Max doesn't have any proof."

Victoria sighed, resigned to the reality of the man in front of her. "You wouldn't be you if you weren't always doing the right thing." She attempted a lightness she didn't feel. "Just be careful, all right?"

Standing, Diego leaned in and captured her willing lips in a sweet kiss. Pulling back, his eyes serious, he said, "I will." Straightening his jacket, he said, "Shall I accompany you back to the tavern, fair Señorita?"

Victoria smiled, loving the twinkle in Diego's eyes. "I'd love if you would, but you have hardly touched your lunch. And if you do want to catch them, you better get going after that gang."

Diego watched with a smile as Victoria left. For a moment he allowed himself to drift in happy thoughts regarding recent events, then shook himself out of it and began eating. Never one to ever turn down Victoria's cooking, and realizing he was starved, Diego dug into the meal with gusto.

~~Z~~Z~~Z~~

As it was getting late, Diego thought he'd have to proceed with his best guess as to which road they had taken. After reviewing all his previous knowledge, Diego decided on checking out the main road to Santa Barbara. Zorro made good time in locating the tracks of the bandits. Only a skilled tracker would have been able to do so, due to the number of travelers already on the road. Diego spent a moment in self-recrimination. I probably should've gone after them last night, but I was so tired and sore. And now that a future with Victoria looks secure I didn't want to chance it. His assumption ended up being correct; he found the trail of Max's horse without difficulty on the road to Santa Barbara.

"So there you are, 'Zorro'" Max said with a sneer apparent on his face. "How courteous, like the Caballero you are, to come to us."

"I would have made your acquaintance sooner, but I was chasing some bandits out of town."

Max shook his head. "Nice try, Senor. I know where you were." A sneer appeared on his face. "And don't try to pretend we haven't met before."

"Don Diego told me how you mistakenly believed we were the same person. Here I would think you'd know better now."

Max pulled out a gun. "Enough of this. My men will now tie you up...Diego."

Zorro's whip sprang into action, catching Max unawares. Zorro caught the gun as it came towards him and used it to knock out Juan as he charged him. Pedro and Reese were about to charge Zorro, when Zorro caught Pedro with a roundhouse kick and knocked Reese out with several quick punches. Carlos and Jose also attempted to rush Zorro, and Zorro took care of both with punches and kicks as well.

While looking at his fallen men, a short laugh escaped Max's lips. "You think you're so clever." In one quick move, Max pulled a knife out of his sock and approached Zorro in a fighting stance. He kept Zorro busy evading the knife, preventing him from using his whip. Zorro waited for an opportunity, which presented itself, as Max was so lost in his anger to subdue his opponent he failed to see a tree root in his path. As Max stumbled, Zorro was able to kick the knife out of his hand. Max attempted to recover his balance, but Zorro knocked him unconscious with one of his specialized punches.

Zorro quickly got rope from Toronado's saddlebags, securely tied up all the bandits, after rearranging them into a group. He then brought two of the bandits' horses next to Toronado, tied their reins to his, and lifted Max and Pedro onto the horses. Mounting Toronado, Zorro then made his way back to the pueblo with some of his prisoners.

Luckily, Mendoza and some of the other soldiers were in the pueblo when Zorro arrived with his prisoners. Mendoza walked over as Zorro rode up with his prisoners.

"Thank you, Zorro. I presume these are the bandits who kidnapped Don Diego?"

"The leader and one of his men. The others are by the old Flores mine. I couldn't bring them all in by myself with only Toronado to help."

Zorro dismounted, walked to the other horses and with Sanchez' help got the bandits off the horse. Another soldier, Mendes, arrived in time and assisted Sanchez in bringing the two men to the jail.

Zorro turned back to Mendoza. Looking around, he asked quietly, "Where's the Alcalde?"

"Finishing a late supper in his quarters." Victoria said as she approached them. "How nice to see you Zorro, but perhaps it's best if you leave before he appears."

Zorro smiled. "Yes I suppose that would be for the best." Taking a bag out of his saddlebags, Zorro threw it to Victoria, which she easily caught.

"Your money, Señorita. Yours and the de la Vega's. Please give them theirs for me."

"I will, and on their behalf, we thank you for its return."

Zorro tipped his hat and rode off. Mendoza watched with a look of appreciation mixed with wonder. He then turned to Victoria. "He didn't give you his usual goodbye."

"Yes, he knows I've fallen in love with someone else." Victoria then turned smartly away and walked back to the tavern.

The remaining soldier, Sergeant Reyes, looked at Mendoza in amazement. "Señorita Victoria has broken up with Zorro? I can't believe it."

"No time for gossip, Reyes. We have to go gather the other bandits before they escape."

~~Z~~Z~~Z~~

After riding out of town, Diego made the decision to go see Victoria. He knew it was a risk, but it was as if he was being pulled to her by a magnetic force. Now that they were now in a relationship, Diego couldn't stand the thought of not seeing her as soon as possible. Victoria's stable was set back from the pueblo, so he could slip in and out without being noticed. He took out a change of clothing from Toronado's saddlebag and quickly changed, hiding Zorro's outfit in the bottom of the saddlebag.

Victoria was in the kitchen. Diego caught Alicia's eye as she was wiping tables off. He put his index finger to his lips indicating silence. Alicia was momentarily startled, but she then gave Diego a smile and nod. As Diego entered the kitchen, Alicia began whistling happily a romantic song.

Victoria had her back to the door, preoccupied with washing dishes. Diego snuck up behind her and put his arms around her waist. Victoria yelped, and grabbing a knife, she tried to turn towards her 'assailant'.

"Wait, Victoria, it's me!"

Victoria gave out a heavy sigh. "Whatever am I going to do with you, Diego? You nearly scared me to death."

"Not to mention almost carving me up."

"Which I'm not apologizing for."

"I'm just glad you are able to defend yourself."

Victoria sniffed. "Have you any doubt? I would think, of all people, you would know that." A devilish thought crossed her mind. "I believe I have even saved Zorro's life a time or two."

"Indeed."

After a moment, Victoria asked, "I suppose you should have a late supper before you head home." Lowering her voice, she added, "And make sure it's dark when you do?"

"What a great idea." Leaning in Diego snuck a quick kiss. "If it's not too much trouble?"

Looking at the dying fire Victoria sighed. "No, lucky for you I have a soft spot. And some food left over from the supper rush." Grabbing her novio's broad shoulders, she steered him towards the door. "Now you go sit down and behave, and I will bring your supper out to you."

"Yes, Querida," Diego said with a smirk, and left before Victoria could throw a towel at him.

AN: Whew! Finally. Hope you enjoyed this. That Diego, what can you do with him? (No dirty thoughts, now, ha!) Anyway, thanks again for reading and leaving a review!