Francisco visited with his brother a week later. Alejandro answered the door, and sighed.
"I don't know what's gotten into him. He is so unlike himself lately."
"He's probably in pain, Alejandro. A bit of leeway will go a long way," Francisco said softly.
Alejandro nodded reluctantly. The older man had thought with his son bedridden for a few days, they would be able to spend some time with each other, but Diego had been reluctant and out of sorts the whole time.
"Well, Stefano can meet Felipe and Felipe can show the boy around, while you and Diego talk about old times."
"Stefano, be good. You are a man now," Francisco said, as Stefano ran off with Felipe as soon as it was suggested.
"I've only had him for a week, but I forgot how impetuous teenagers were. He wants to be a man so much, but there are some things that are beyond him."
"We have been very lucky with Felipe. He is very obedient and follows Diego's lead in everything."
Francisco nodded, and made his way to Diego's room. Alejandro sighed, and turned towards his own private study. He was not in the mood to pander to an irritated son.
"Diego," Francisco said softly, in case his friend was asleep. Diego was sitting up with his legs over the side of the bed, trying to stand on his feet. He bit his lip and sank down on the bed, shaking his head.
"What are you trying to do?"
"I have too much to do…you know that," Diego breathed. He took a deep breath and repeated the attempt. Francisco sighed, and went to support him.
"If you insist on this, you're going to need a cane at least, or some crutches."
Diego cast him a grateful look. "At least you are not ordering me to lie still and be good. I am sick of being treated like an invalid."
"Diego, you are an invalid."
Diego laughed a little. "I was going to go to Monterey to help you open an account and everything," he said with a sigh. "I don't see it happening myself."
Francisco shook his head with a smile. "Me either, my friend. I am an adult, and quite wealthy. I am sure the bank staff will be tripping over themselves to serve me adequately. I'll take Stefano with me."
"Get me to the library, Francisco."
Francisco looked a little doubtful, and Diego attempted to insist by breaking free of the suddenly restrictive grip, and managed to stumble to his knees in pain.
"Diego, you are being ridiculous," Francisco said, helping him up again. "If I have to, I will. Though I have had better days with an ill three year old. You are being childish."
Diego grinned a little. "I like having you around. No more pretending," he said, catching his breath.
"I'll make you tell your father," Francisco said forcefully. "He needs to know, Diego. It's very unfair for him."
Diego and Francisco staggered slowly to the library, where Diego sank into a chair with relief. Francisco dropped into a chair nearby, and they were startled by the arrival of Alejandro, who was just as surprised to see them.
"What on earth…? How did you get here, Diego?"
"Unfortunately, he has roped me in to helping him. Do you have a cane or a crutch he could use? I do have a life of my own, Diego."
Diego laughed softly. Alejandro's frown softened. Francisco was a good influence on his son. It was good for his boy to associate with his peers in such a healthy way. Although the stubbornness was something new.
"There's one somewhere. I'll see what I can do," Alejandro said, and walked away to fetch someone who would know.
"I'll buy you one in Monterey. I owe you a present. Let me see. What would suit? A black ebony one with a silver hand rest and tip?"
"You joke too much, Francisco."
"It would match a certain outfit," Francisco said with a frown. "What is Zorro planning to do?"
"What he must, I suppose."
"Does he need such a present?"
"If you want to buy me a cane – make it oak with a hidden blade in the shaft. I really could use that," Diego said, trying to turn the conversation back to the humourous side of things.
"I think I would have to order that ahead of time," Francisco said with a twinkle in his eyes.
"Why are we in the library, Diego?" He added, suddenly remembering Diego's stubbornness in getting there.
"See the mantelpiece?"
"The fireplace is one of the most magnificent I have ever seen."
"My grandfather built the hacienda, and included several secret passages. The fireplace hides the main escape route from the hacienda, in case of attack."
"A route that Zorro has taken full advantage of?"
"I wanted to show you the cave, since you insist on being involved. It would be nice to have an unbiased ally."
"You sit still, I can visit the cave when I return, Diego."
"You can visit the cave now, even without me."
"No, such a treat needs you at my side to explain everything as we go. I expect it's an Aladdin's cave of wonder, what with your brain and your obsession with Leonardo de Vinci, and all those Greek mathematians."
"Well…"
"I expect Zorro's horse to be a wonder as well. You were always so good with the creatures," Francisco said. "Your acting…how have you managed to stay undiscovered all this time? Surely someone should have guessed by now?"
"I came into my skills at University along with the desire to use them. I was a child before I left…it's easy to present as someone different to yourself if no one knows the real you anyway."
"It must get tiresome, Diego, surely?"
Diego shrugged, and lifted his leg with two hands, to place it on a nearby chair to elevate it.
"What book are you reading?"
"Depends on who you are asking," Diego said with a smirk. "Diego is reading a treatise on agriculture, and Zorro is reading Shakespearan sonnets."
"No harm in Diego reading sonnets…"
"No? People will start asking who the lucky lady is," Diego said with a grimace. "All the gossips across California will be nattering away at each other. It's irritating and annoying. It's better if everyone thinks Diego is devoid of emotional connections, or romantic impulses."
"Diego, you are very angry with the world, aren't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"You hide it well, you certainly do," Francisco said softly. "Don't keep hiding it from yourself. It will end up consuming you eventually."
Diego shrugged, and glanced out the window. Francisco tossed him the bookmarked copy of the treatise, and grabbed another book from the shelf for himself. He read in silence for a while, and Diego continued to stare out the window, ignoring the book near his hand.