Isabella returned to Los Angeles after three weeks with her sister. She looked healthier with rosy cheeks, and definitely pregnant. She smiled more and Diego was happy for her.

Raquel ran to Diego's side almost immediately, and he scooped her up as she wanted him to, before she started to regale him with tales of adventures and quiet parties with other nice children, until she saw a friend and ran off after her. Miguel stayed near his mother, a little frightened by the plaza. Memories of his brush with death obviously still bothered him, Diego reasoned.

Stefano bowed over his sister in law's hand as he had been shown, and Diego was rather pleased with himself. As a tutor he hadn't been too bad. He wondered what Francisco would have thought of it all, and smiled slightly.

Stefano took Miguel away to show him things that he used to enjoy, and Isabella finally breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a long and tiring journey for her.

"You could have stayed at your sister's until the baby was born, Isabella. Your hacienda and estate are doing well without you. I have made sure of it."

"I just needed my own space for a while, Diego. Sisters can be cruel to each other sometimes, not that she was. Women can get territorial after a while. Besides I want my baby to be born where Francisco always planned for it to be born. We already organised furniture and space for the infant. As you know, we couldn't transport our old things all the way from Spain. There was simply too much."

"What do you hope for? Boy or girl?" Diego said softly.

"To be honest, Diego, I would dearly love a boy. I would call him Francisco."

Diego nodded slowly.

"Actually, a healthy baby would be a wonderful thing all round. Boy or girl. It's like Francisco has given me something from beyond the grave. Something precious."

"Yes, it is indeed something precious."

"I met so many nice people at my sister's. It was all quiet and subdued, no parties, but it was nice." Isabella sighed a little, and gazed out at the busy pueblo.

"Anyone I should know about? A potential suitor, perhaps?"

"Perhaps," she sighed with a smile. "I am not leaving Los Angeles, and he would have to accept that. I am pregnant with my dead husband's child, and he would have to accept that as well."

"Yes indeed. I will have to make sure the man is not a fortune hunter or a gold digger. Your fortune is enough for you and your family to live on for the rest of your lives in comfort and security. You don't need to marry at all, if you don't wish to. I will continue to manage your estate until Stefano turns 25 as the will stipulates, and then jointly with Stefano until Miguel comes of age. I will not interfere with your day to day life, unless you are in danger, and I will step in."

"Diego, that sounds very nice," Isabella said softly.

"But…?"

"I need to share my life with someone," she murmured. "I need a husband."

"I'll work on helping with that…"

Isabella nodded thoughtfully.

"Who is this 'potential' suitor?"

"I doubt he will visit me so far from his home, Diego. I consider him a holiday friendship…"

"You have definite feelings for him?"

"I'm not sure. He was very attentive and kind. He was gentle with the children. He smiled and talked to me of books and art," she murmured. "He reminded me of Francisco."

Diego stared at the busy pueblo for a moment.

"It may have been just my heart longing for him, and looking for him…I don't know…I can't explain it."

Diego nodded thoughtfully.

"If he doesn't come to call, then I will know that he was just a friend who meant nothing more than that."

"If he does, I will have to meet him, and my father as well. We'd want to make sure he was a good man."

Isabella smiled a little. "Just like a big brother, Diego. Francisco was right about you. You are far too good for your own good."

"What do you mean?"

"You are meant to be courting your own lady, and planning marriage and a family of your own – not playing big brother to us."

Diego smiled. "Your secret love, Diego? Just who is the lady? Do you need help to woo her?"

"So many questions, Isabella."

She smiled as well, and shook her head. "Just like a big brother…"

Diego laughed. "Stay away from the alcalde. He just may see your pesos and desire both you and the fortune that goes with the estate."

Isabella laughed a little. She glanced around the tavern, seeking a suitable male to point out to Diego. "Who is that?" She asked with surprise, pointing covertly at the uniformed soldier at the bar. Diego frowned, and as Isabella turned back to him, she sobered a little.

"Someone you need to stay away from."

"What is his name?"

"Maximillian Destara," Diego said sternly. "Stay away from him."

"Destara. Francisco mentioned he was a leech and a bully…" She said with a shiver. "He didn't like him either."

"He might have changed, but I don't think so."

Isabella nodded, and gazed into Diego's ice blue eyes. "You look so different when you are angry…almost like a different man entirely. It's almost frightening."

"I'm sorry, Isabella. I don't mean to frighten you," he said, startled. "He was a terror in University. I still get angry about the things he did. I should learn to forgive and forget, but such a grudge is hard to give up."

"Bitterness is not good for anyone, Diego. Destara is not responsible for Francisco's death, he is trying to bring those robbers to justice. That is one good thing about him."

"Yes," Diego said, reluctantly. "It is good, and he is trying to do his job properly."

"Then focus your attention on that. The man has done nothing wrong as yet, has he?"

"Not yet, no." Diego cast a glance towards the bar, where Destara seemed to be busy talking with Victoria. She seemed to be nodding and smiling, even laughing at some of the things he said. It was only a matter of time before Destara crossed a line, Diego was sure of it.

He was watching and he was waiting. Destara would get nowhere without repercussions hitting him hard. Zorro's lady was not a plaything to be trifled with, as the other ladies had been. She was not a toy.

Zzz

Diego noticed with satisfaction when Destara moved from the alcalde's office, and transferred his personal belongings into the tavern. The alcalde seemed relieved and a little pleased with himself to find himself back in his office where he belonged. Diego was in no hurry to enlighten anyone to why the switch had occurred.

Destara seemed not to be phased in any way with the switch, which made the victory a little disappointing. He shrugged and moved things around, as if he was content with whatever the circumstances were. He was happy to bully and bluster people like the alcalde to get what he wanted, but also happy to toe the line when required.

There was no satisfying flash of anger in the man's eyes or in his stance, and Diego was a little concerned. He was not used to such a calm adversary. Destara had matured in a strong way – stronger than either alcalde, and almost on par with Zorro himself.

Diego realised a challenge when he saw one, and he bristled despite himself. He felt the red hot surge of anger, and he grimaced. He was starting on the wrong foot, and he had been there since Destara had arrived. Anger clouded strategy and that was not wise.