Diego thought quickly as he walked back to the picnic blanket. It couldn't have been very long ago at all. Whoever took the ladies had not had much time to actually do it. They hadn't even been out of his sight for five minutes, he reasoned. He hadn't thought anything could happen in the span of five minutes.

Stefano raised his eyebrows at Miguel's tear stained face, and Diego's stern frown. He knew enough about Diego to realise he was very clever, and that something dangerous might just lurk beneath the surface.

"What's wrong, Don Diego? Where's Isabella?" Stefano demanded.

Zzz

Diego sighed. Felipe looked at him with concern, as he gestured to him to come closer.

"I won't be kept out of this, Don Diego. I have more of a responsibility than you do."

Diego glared at him with such heat, that the teenager automatically backed away. Stefano was silent for a few moments.

"Felipe, take Miguel to my father. Alert the garrison," he murmured. "Tell my father I will deal with this personally."

Felipe nodded, obediently, and helped Miguel onto his horse., climbing up gracefully behind him. Diego watched the teenager turn the horse and gallop away. Stefano had caught the last comment, and was frowning.

"Diego, you aren't even armed…"

"There is a pistol under the seat, Stefano. Fetch it for me." Stefano moved.

He came back and tried to hand it to Diego. "It's for you, Stefano."

"Me? What about you?"

"I find that words work wonders at times," Diego said, glancing away.

"Diego, this is Isabella. This is Victoria. Damn it, my neice…"

"Language…" Diego cautioned. "A caballero doesn't talk like that."

"I've heard scores of caballeros talk like that, Diego."

Diego sighed, and grabbed the teenager's arm, guiding him back to the flowers. "Stay there and be quiet," Diego warned, as he began to seek out proper tracks. After a few moments, he glanced at Stefano, and pointed. "This way…"

"You need to show me how to do that," Stefano whispered. Diego frowned a little, and he was quiet.

Diego kept scanning the area, listening, and trying to be open to any strange sound. He had been a little concerned that Victoria hadn't screamed and raged at their abductors, but maybe she was worried about them hurting Isabella. Hopefully they hadn't knocked either of them out. His frown deepened dramatically, and Stefano drew in his breath when he saw his face.

"Diego," he whispered. "I'm sure they're alright…"

Diego nodded, and put a finger to his lips. Stefano sighed, and tried to listen to the environment around him, and concentrate as well.

"Zorro will help us. You'll be sorry for this!" Diego grinned at the shrill yell of Victoria, but frowned, drawing in his breath, as a ringing slap followed it.

"Keep that creature quiet, Tom. She'll bring the whole garrison."

"What about Zorro?"

"What about him? We have pistols, and rifles. He just has a sword and a whip," someone else said. Someone with authority in his voice.

Diego glanced at Stefano and gestured a 'get down' movement. There wasn't much cover as usual, but the rocks could hide them for a few moments. He signed a sweeping movement with an arm, and walking fingers.

Diego gestured to the gun, and its ammunition. Stefano frowned, but was alert enough to get his meaning. Diego was going to try to get around the men, and somehow sneak up on them. Stefano was to stay behind with the pistol at the ready.

Stefano nodded, but grabbed Diego's arm with slight terror. Diego smiled.

"I'll be fine," Diego whispered as softly as he could. "Really."

Zzz

Diego darted to the next rock, and peered around it. The kidnappers were not yet in sight, but he might be. He knew where they probably were, they were on de la Vega property, and it had been his childhood environment. There was a large cave system close by, and although Diego had not explored every inch of it, he had the feeling that it opened out to the beach or even the sea at high tide. The men might be smugglers or pirates. He hoped that they were run of the mill bandits, but he probably wasn't that lucky.

Pirates might offer the ladies harm. Bandits would be more worried about Zorro.

He hadn't been patrolling the area as he should have. This was mainly his fault. He had been stupid and irresponsible for months. Dwelling on grief instead of getting on with life. He sneaked around the next rock.

There was a side entrance that most people didn't know about. He knew about it, because he had explored the area as extensively as he had dared. His father had warned him about the cave. It was a little unstable, like most of the caves and mines of the area. Diego had been forbidden to set foot in the cave, once Alejandro had realised what he had been doing. It hadn't stopped him for long. Diego's natural curiosity had almost killed him over the years, but he knew a lot now because of it.

He needed to get the bandits voices to his left, he realised. Talk again, he willed them. One of them moved, and a twig snapped underfoot. Diego smiled a little, and moved accordingly. He kept low and moved silently, as if he was dressed as Zorro. He wondered if Stefano had lost sight of him, and grinned. The boy wasn't stupid, and before the day was over, he might have another teenager in training – if he observant enough.

He saw the opening, and realised that it was clear immediately. They had no knowledge of the environment. They mustn't have been there long, because a group of bandits would scout out the hideout thoroughly. There was not a guard in sight, and he breathed a sigh of relief. It might just be a little easier than he thought.

He wondered if they had hurt anyone. They would pay dearly if they had. He was worried about Raquel, she was so spirited, but so little.

Creeping into the cave, he was startled to hear laughter, deep and echoing. He sunk down behind a rock, and breathed deeply. He needed to get his thoughts in order. No room for anger. No room for fear. Just skill, just determination.

"Little girl, I am Pablo Paonessa, the greatest bank robber of the territories. I have no fear of foxes."

"You, senor, are a very bad man," Raquel's little voice rang out. Pablo Paonessa laughed again.

"She's hilarious," he murmured after a moment. "I think I'll keep her. She'll make a fine little robber."

Diego flinched a little. Raquel was going to be a hard one to rescue. Isabella and Victoria may not be, but little Raquel yes.

"Tie the little one up, Tom. Put her with her mother. Tell the senora to stop her snivelling, would you?"

Diego frowned, and watched the men from his hiding place. They went over to a side alcove where the women were sitting. A narrow passage led from where he was sitting to that alcove. He wondered if he was still the right size to fit. It would be embarrassing to get stuck half way, he thought. Victoria already thought him a cowardly fool. He didn't want her to think him stupid as well.