Alejandro rode out alone to the Azarola estate. Warm spring sun glowed around him, flowers bloomed all around the place, and the world was at peace. He smiled, it was only a few hours after dawn so it was highly likely that something would erupt somewhere.

Diego had recovered fully from his injuries, much to his father's unspoken relief. It was harder than ever to get through to his son however. The secret, now uncovered, had yet to be discussed openly, and if they continued to avoid each other would never be discussed at all. Alejandro was well aware that they had barely skimmed the surface of the issue in the vague conversations they had already had.

Diego was actively courting Victoria at the moment, and didn't have the time he had before. Perhaps that was all it was. Perhaps Alejandro was reading too much into it. Diego was lucky that Capitan Destara decided to stay a little longer in the pueblo, almost as if he was covering for Zorro's conspicuous absence. A temporary transfer had been set up for the soldier. He seemed to be actively courting Patrice and her father, in a sincere and thoughtful manner.

Alejandro realised that Zorro was gaining his strength back, and would soon be on patrol again, even with the distraction of courtship to soothe rattled nerves. He wanted to talk to Diego before he started again.

He reined in outside the Azarolas yard, handing the reins to a stable man. He made his way to the door, straightening his clothes as he went. He tucked his hair neatly back, and knocked on the door.

A young woman opened the door. Dressed in a clean, pressed dress and starched apron, the girl was obviously a servant. She led Alejandro into the cooler main room, where Isabella was waiting for him.

She rose and went to his side, holding out her hands to be kissed, gently on the back of each hand.

"I do look forward to your visits, Alejandro," she murmured.

"But?"

"I miss Francisco…it's like a hole in my heart…"

"Believe me, I know the feeling, my dear. Elena was my life, and she left a hole as well. We know some of what the other are feeling. It gets easier, believe me…"

"It never goes away?"

"No, never. Children take some of the emphasis away – the need to protect and nurture them eases the reality of it. But when the children are grown…"

"You feel it worse than I, don't you?"

"I am lonelier, perhaps. Diego is distracted by life and living. He's doing what I have always asked him to do. I just didn't think I would feel so alone."

"Sit down, and Keira can get us some lemonade. She makes it herself, you know."

"I am an old man, Isabella. It is a little strange for you…this courtship of ours," Alejandro said nervously.

"Nonsense Alejandro. I was courted by a man twenty years older than you, before Francisco came into my life. My father was seriously considering him."

"You would have married the man?"

"He was wealthy and gentle. He would have treated me well. Perhaps he would have died a little sooner than most. I would have been left a very wealthy widow….It sounds so mercenary, oh dear."

"A lady must be secure, especially in these hard times, Isabella."

"I didn't expect to outlive Francisco. I made the mistake of loving him too much, of not considering the risks of the territory. I should have counted each day as a blessing. I should not have been so bad tempered and cruel. I should have treated him so much better, Alejandro."

"I have never seen any temper from you, Isabella. The man loved you sincerely and well, everyone could see that. He had no complaints, his eyes lit up when he saw you from across the room. You were extremely well matched, Senora."

"I never met Elena. She was beautiful, I know that much. She had delightful blue eyes in the portrait, and the most beautiful smile I have ever seen."

"Elena was a beautiful woman. Full of love, full of patience, but also full of fire. Her rage would flare up in a moment, and ebb just as quickly. She poured her whole heart into her friends and family. She doted on Diego, and she adored me. I always felt loved with her in the room."

"Will we ever stop loving them, Alejandro?"

He paused, hesitated. He stared out the windows at the clouds, turning his face towards the little hill where Elena was buried. He knew that a part of his heart would always hold Elena as a treasure, but that was alright. Something was growing in his heart, something that was warming to Isabella. She was sweet, gentle and calm. Something different from Elena, but beautiful just the same.

"I don't think we will ever stop, Isabella. But we can shelter in each other's understanding and grow to love each other."

She smiled a little. "Some people would never understand," she whispered. "But you understand. I know you do. I may not have Elena's confidence and courage, but I care about you. That is something important, I think."

"I care for you as well, Isabella. I may not be as calm as Francisco, I may rant and rave and complain, but I will always try to do so away from you. I love each of your children as my own, and they will be treated as my own. Perhaps one day we may have a child of our own together, but that is for the future."

"Yes. I love that about you, Alejandro. Strong determination to do the right thing, that's what Francisco had. My children deserve someone like you to protect and nurture them to be the people their father would have been proud of. I have agreed to marry you, and I still am sure it is the best thing for me and my family," she murmured. "Are you afraid that I have changed my mind?"

He smiled a little. "Perhaps. I feel very old sometimes, and you are so young."

"Nonsense. You are hardly in your dotage, Alejandro."

Zzz

Diego had taken Victoria on a picnic.

They were quite alone, and it was amazing just to stare into each other's eyes.

"I feel a little concerned, Diego," Victoria said, breaking eye contact for a moment. "The last picnic we went on was frankly a disaster."

"I will not allow any flower gathering, so you are quite safe with me," Diego murmured.

"Oh, but I would love some of these spring flowers," Victoria said with dismay.

"Well then I will accompany you," Diego assured her gently.

"Zorro would make short work of any bandits," she said, staring at the rapier he sometimes wore at his side - only it wasn't truly decorative as most of the swords in the caballero society. "How did I not see you as Zorro? It is so obvious."

"I was intent on hiding from everyone. I am a good actor, my love."

"Clearly."

"Did I tell you the first time I knew I would marry you?"

"I assume it was when you returned from Spain, and kissed my hand. I was breathless."

Diego smiled and shook his head slowly. "It was in that little school house when you were 8 and I was 12. Father was just about to pull me out to be tutored at home to further my education. You were being bullied, but you stood your ground and faced them. I helped a little of course. A handy foot out at the right time, several tripped… I was so amazed that someone so small and pretty could be so angry and so right. I would have beaten them away from you if you needed it, but you didn't. Sheer force of will won the day, and I was so proud of you. That's the day I stopped thinking of you as Ramon's and Francisco's little sister, and started thinking of you as a person of substance."

"Hardly romantic, but very interesting."

"My return from Spain…I never had seen someone so beautiful in my life, as when I met you again."

"You exaggerate, Senor."

"No, not one of those pretty senoritas in Spain came close to you. Some had oil painting looks, but no spirit. Some had spirit but no beauty."

"Zafina?"

Diego sighed. "Zafina?"

"Yes, you were set to marry her. You loved Zafina."

"I thought I loved Zafina. I didn't."

"You say that, but what if you think you love me, but you don't?"

"Victoria, I have divided myself in half to make sure you were safe. Surely that means something to you."

"Yes. I'm glad that your father talked some sense into me when I thought to run from this. I hardly think I can live without you."

Diego smiled a little and reached for her.

She backed away a little, and watched him frown for a moment and then relax.

"I loved you for a long time as well, Diego. I didn't realise it properly at the time, but I do now. All those times I tried to get in on all the games, I was trying to get your attention."

Diego laughed softly. "We were playing pirates and swinging on ropes…seriously, Victoria? I do remember, but we spent a lot of time trying to dissuade you. Hardly safe or appropriate for a little girl."

"I wasn't so little. You assume so, because we are four years apart. You did end up rescuing me sometimes."

"You got yourself stuck in trees, and someone had to."

He reached for her again, and she relaxed a little. She popped a strawberry into his mouth as he tried to kiss her, and he smiled. He responded with another strawberry as she reached for him.

He succeeded in gaining his kiss, and eased back with a smile. "We taste like strawberries. Let's do that more often…" He reached for her and they kissed passionately. He drew her firmly into his arms, and held her close.