Watching Diego talk with Isabella at his usual table, Victoria realised that Diego seemed to have taken her advice and was courting the lady. She sighed. Diego deserved to be happy and settled with a woman that adored him. Isabella thought he was absolutely perfect.

Victoria missed the times when he would sit at the bar and drink lemonade until she thought he would burst from it. Then he would talk to her about life and love, and she would argue lightly with him. He would sigh, and smile, and surrender to her – as a real gentleman must, she realised.

Zzz

Victoria waited until Diego was alone at the table, and went over to him.

"Have you told your secret love your feelings?"

Diego glanced up at her with surprise. He shook his head, a little speechless with her abruptness. She was surprisingly agitated today, he realised.

"I really wish you would treat Isabella with more respect…She obviously adores you," Victoria said more softly. "How can you be so heartless?"

"Heartless?" Diego said with surprise. "Victoria…"

"Yes, it is heartless to flirt with the lady, and offer no promises, no hope for a secure future together. You have a future, all she has is a past…"

"She has plenty of money. She doesn't need a husband. She has an heir for Francisco's estates," Diego said, genuinely confused.

"Have you been leading her on? Have you already promised things that will not be delivered?"

Diego frowned. Maybe this was not meant for Diego, but for Zorro? He rose and glanced away.

"I don't think you really know me, if you honestly believe that," he said slowly and carefully. "Why would you think that of me?"

Victoria was forced to think about what she was saying and she paused.

"Why would you think I would treat the lady with so much disrespect?" Diego said softly. He was aware that several people were glancing over at them, and he really wished he wasn't the centre of attention.

"You are like my brother, Diego. If my true brothers seemed to be treating a lady in such a way, I would have words with them," Victoria said, trying to reason out her concerns logically. "If you aren't interested, tell the lady you are interested in, and stop this friendship with Isabella. She will only get hurt. She is developing feelings for you."

"She's developing feelings for me? We are friends, and nothing more," Diego said with surprise.

"I see it in her eyes…when she looks at you," Victoria said. She felt a rush of blood go to her head, and her cheeks flushed, to Diego's wonder. He stared at her for a few moments, and their eyes met.

Diego wondered if she was jealous of their friendship. Something in her knew her masked man, although she was not aware of it. She was uncomfortable in his gaze, and he dropped his eyes first. Maybe he could tell her….but not yet. She was much too angry to be a safe confidante.

Victoria sighed, and stopped examining Diego's face with her eyes. She had seen something in the blue depths of those eyes. Something confronting. She shook her head vigorously. It wasn't really her business how he treated anyone, was it?

She smiled reluctantly. The man was as dull as a brick when it came to emotions. He truly had underestimated the woman's desperation for an emotional rock. Perhaps, Victoria thought, she had overestimated the woman, as well. Maybe she was happy to remain friends – what was the harm in friendship? She had been friends with Diego most of her life. She really needed to learn to share the man.

She glanced at him again, and he was smiling.

"I'm sorry I was angry," he said softly. She blinked at him in surprise. She had not noticed anger in the man. It must be so subtle, so hidden. "I'll try to take your words to heart. I was not aware of certain things."

"Diego," she said, reaching out to touch his arm lightly. He slightly flinched at her touch, but then relaxed. Had he thought she would strike at him? "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."

Diego watched as she turned and went back to focus on her other customers. He was still on his feet, and he glanced around at the tavern. Several people moved to refocus on their own business, and he grimaced a little. He didn't like scenes in front of the whole pueblo. They would be gossiped about, undoubtedly, but as usual, no one could even imagine what was truly going through his head. He supposed Victoria had no idea what her concerns truly were.

He turned and strode out into the sunshine. He stretched the tension out of his body, as he paused to savour the warmth.

"Good morning, Don Diego," Destara said softly.

"Capitan," Diego greeted him in response.

"We really need to have lunch in the tavern some time," Destara said.

"Yes," Diego said. A gentleman was always polite.

"I believe an announcement will shortly be made," Destara murmured, to make conversation.

"An announcement?"

"You're shortly to announce your engagement to Isabella Azarola?"

"I don't know where you got that information, Destara, but I am not interested in marriage."

"Oh," Destara said softly.

"How are you finding the pueblo?"

"Quiet enough," Destara said. "I am yet to make acquaintance with the legendary outlaw. I am beginning to think he is a figment of people's imagination."

"I believe that Zorro is patrolling the hills, he seems a little concerned with protecting the pueblo from a distance."

"Protecting the pueblo? The man is an outlaw, Diego."

"He's a unique outlaw. He seems to be a self-styled guardian of the town. The alcalde is often corrupt. My father and I have often written to the governor about the man, and his predecessor. Nothing is ever done. Perhaps Zorro is just tired of injustice."

"A stupid teenager out for glory, in my opinion," Destara said with a smirk.

Diego nodded. "Well teenagers are yet to learn of the real world, Destara. We ourselves were foolhardy youngsters. We've matured since then."

"Yes," Destara said, staring at Diego thoughtfully. "Some more than others."

"I have a lot of responsibilities to keep me busy and out of trouble," Diego said with a slow smile. "The newspaper is very time consuming, and then I have my share of the ranch duties. My love of learning hasn't changed."

"That was always a thing with you. Invented any flying machines yet?"

Diego laughed a little, to cover his discomfort. "Capitan Destara, I am very busy today especially. Perhaps we will have lunch one day and talk about old times. If you'll excuse me, I must be going. The newspaper needs to go out in a few days and I am rather behind."

Destara smiled and nodded, and watched as Diego crossed the plaza, walking in the direction of the newspaper office.

Zzz

Diego closed the door of the newspaper office and locked it, leaning against the door to catch his breath. He felt like he had run all the way to the newspaper, and it had taken all of his self-control not to break into a sprint.

Destara was dangerous, more than anyone else he had ever came across. He knew the real Diego, before the pretence. He truly knew what he was capable of, he had seen the seeds of Zorro at the University. Destara knew certain things about him.

Destara had been the only one to face a determined Diego in a fencing match. Diego had been sure at the time that he wanted to win, even if it meant Destara being severely injured. They had met in a pistol duel as well, but that hardly counted because no one was actually hit. They both fired away from each other at the last minute, as students often did.

They'd had an uneasy friendship, an on again, off again relationship, filled with violence and short tempers, as well as philosophical arguments about the world. They had experimented with taverns together, where Diego had learned the dangers of alcohol on a personal level. Francisco had always been the negotiator, the calm friend that soothed rattled nerves and made them see sense before blood was spilt. Francisco was no longer there.

Diego sighed, and forced himself to relax. He turned and unlocked the door, and then made his way to his desk.