Author's Notes: Here is the last chapter! Thanks again for all the lovely reviews! Enjoy!

Chapter 5: Climactic Ending

Diego's eyes blinked open at the sound of a knock at the door. He looked around and found himself in his room. He was completely confused. The last thing he remembered was fighting Tolenda. There was another knock on the door. "Come in?" His voice was hoarse.

The door opened and the round face of Sergeant Garcia poked his head in, "Don Diego!" A big smile beamed on his face as he entered into his friend's room. "I'm so glad you are feeling better. You weren't allowed visitors for two days. But your father told me that your fever has gone." Garcia's belly shook with laughter.

Diego blinked, "Well thank you Sergeant for stopping by." Diego cleared his throat.

Garcia's eyes widened when he heard his friend in pain and quickly went to the bedside table and poured a glass of water. He handed it to Diego who drank it heartily. "Gracias," Diego felt better.

"While you were sick, so much activity has happened in the pueblo! The famous gang, The Coyotes, robbed the mission and kidnapped Senorita Moneta Esperon!"

"Really?" Diego acted surprised as he slowly sat up in bed.

"Si. The soldiers and myself went after them but alas we lost their trail."

"That's too bad, Sergeant."

"According to the Senorita, Zorro helped her escape and killed several of the men." A big smile appeared on Garcia's face, "And last night we caught the rest of the men two miles outside of the city! Ah, but not their leader, Tolenda. The members of the gang are now resting comfortably in our jail cells awaiting trial. And the best part is we got all the money that was stolen!" He giggled proudly, "Oh! And the Senorita has returned safely. It will only be a matter of time before we catch Tolenda, the gang's leader."

"Congratulations, Sergeant!" Diego was genuinely pleased. If only Tolenda was one of the bandits captured.

"And I am personally handling the situation and I have promised that Tolenda will be captured before the day is out." A deep rolling laugh boomed in the sergeant's belly.

"That is quite a promise, Sergeant. I have complete faith in you."

"Well, I better return to the cuartel to start the search. I am glad you are feeling better, Don Diego."

"Gracias, my friend." Diego grinned as Garcia waved and exited the room. Diego laid back down and felt a twinge of pain in his chest. He inspected the source of the pain and found his chest bound by bandages. He covered back up when a dainty knock sounded at his door. "Come in?"

Moneta entered the room. She was cleaned up with her hair pinned back so beautifully and a dark purple dress outlined her figure. She looked as if nothing had happened to her. He was so glad she was safe. He was upset with himself that she had been put in danger but was glad he was able to fulfill the don's oath.

She glided over to the bed and sat gently next to him. "How are you feeling?"

"Better."

"The Sergeant has been worried about you. He rode out every day wanting an update and hoped to see you." Moneta could not help but smile at the good sergeants concern for Diego. "When I told him that you could have visitors it was all he could do to not bound up the steps."

Diego chuckled at the thought of seeing the round Garcia rushing up the steps. He then scrunched his face, "Moneta, what happened?"

She became sober, "The poison was spreading. For a while I did not think you were going to live. The medicine woman healed you and we waited. You woke up enough to get on your horse. On the way back to the hacienda we ran into your father and Bernardo with a wagon. Tornado had indeed returned home and they had been searching for you. They put you on the wagon and took you back here. You have slept for two days."

"I do not remember any of that." Diego shook his head.

"I was so worried. But I am relieved that you are all right. That night was the longest night I have ever experienced." She leaned forward and started toying with his cheek. Her finger traced his jaw, his chin, then lingered on his lips. A sly smile radiated her face.

Diego flashed a grin and brought his hand up to her chin, "So according to Garcia, I had a fever?"

"Oh yes. Terrible."

Diego pursed his lips, "Mhm. And how am I now?"

"I expect an excellent recovery."

Diego grinned again then slowly brought her down to meet his lips. He kissed her gently.

Moneta smoothed his mustache, "This is nice. I enjoy the mornings more than the nights, so it would work perfectly if you were to venture out after dark to fight injustice."

Diego was taken back. "Senorita. Are you proposing?"

Moneta smiled slyly again then kissed him.

The door opened quickly and Don Alejandro rushed into the room. "Oh, excuse me."

Moneta stood and Diego sat up, seeing great concern on his father's face, "What is it, Father?"

"Juan Tolenda is in the pueblo. He is firing and shooting like a mad man. He wants a trade: his men for Zorro. He claims to have killed Zorro and will give the body up when his men are released and he has the reward money."

"He doesn't even have Zorro," Moneta stated.

"Has anyone been hurt?" Diego asked.

"No, thank the Saints. The dons are gathering to the pueblo to help contain them. But he has barricaded himself in a position that is impossible to get to without injury."

Diego swung his legs over the side of the bed.

"What are you doing?" Moneta asked.

"He thinks Zorro is dead. Let's give him a surprise, shall we?" He stood then paused as the room started swimming.

"Diego, you are still weak," Moneta protested. "Let the soldiers handle him."

Diego looked at his father, "What do you think I should do?"

Alejandro thought for a moment, "You are still weak – but he is a job that only Zorro can finish. I must admit, I would like to see Tolenda's face when Zorro rises from the grave," he chuckled.

Bernardo entered the room, then stopped. He was bringing the same news about Tolenda, but by the looks of Diego standing, Bernardo surmised that his master had already made a decision of what he was going to do. Bernardo and Diego had an exchange of knowing glances.

"Come Moneta. Zorro is needed in the pueblo." Don Alejandro guided the senorita out of the room, leaving Bernardo to help his master change.

"I told you! I want my men! I think it is a fair trade! After all, I killed Zorro!" Tolenda cackled with seven pistols resting in various places in his belt. He was secluded enough for cover but visible enough to make his presence known. "I deserve the reward money!"

Sergeant Garcia had returned not long ago to this mess in the pueblo. The lancers had already positioned themselves to defend the people and the cuartel. The Sergeant had quickly taken cover and was now peeking out from behind his position, "You are a bandido and we don't give reward money to bandidos. So give yourself up…please?"

Tolenda laughed again firing a shot in the air.

Several dons had taken cover and were ready to defend as well as the lancers.

"The posters never said that, Sergeant! Me and my men, we would like the money now and then we'll be on our way."

"How do we know you killed Zorro?" One of the younger dons shouted.

Tolenda grinned and pulled out a black cape, the mask and hat. "Where did I get these, Senors? I will give you the body once I have my men and the money" He cackled again. "Let's face it! Zorro is dead!"

"I beg to differ, Senor."

Everyone turned at the sound of a husky voice. The infamous black horse came walking into the plaza with the fully dressed masked man sitting tall in the saddle. Zorro pulled Tornado to a halt. Everyone waited with bated breath as to what Zorro would do next.

Zorro could not help but grin from the horrified expression Juan Tolenda gave him.

"You are dead! I killed you!"

"Then I am simply a ghost that has come back to haunt you." He suddenly spurred Tornado to life and charged for Tolenda.

The bandit leader, stepped out of his barricade, aimed a pistol at the rider and fired, but Zorro ducked.

Zorro swooped down from his horse and pulled out his sword. He threw his cape to the ground and charged for Tolenda with a fire in his eyes. And for the first time in his life, Juan Tolenda was terrified of this man.

He unsheathed his sword just in time to block a fierce attack from the black ghost.

The crowd watched the exciting battle as each blade furiously clashed against the other.

Don Alejandro and Bernardo had arrived to watch and were amazed themselves at the fierceness of Zorro's fighting. Bernardo gave a look to Don Alejandro and the elder understood the look all too well. Zorro was angry…really angry. It was an anger that was rarely shown even as the masked outlaw.

Bernardo knew when Zorro took off his cape, he was no longer toying with his opponent; it was not a game anymore, it was a fight. But this was more than a fight, it seemed an execution. Zorro was so fast and Tolenda sweated every block.

Bernardo had helped Diego change into a spare Zorro outfit at the hacienda. Bernardo understood Diego's fury all too well. Tolenda had stolen from the church, captured Diego, poisoned him, and most importantly, jeopardized the Senorita Esperon. Bernardo was glad he was not on the other end of the sword. Bernardo just hoped Diego did not rip open his wound.

The climactic battle of steel on steel came to a wild and exciting end when Zorro had caught Tolenda's sword and spun it out of his hand. Zorro growled venomously as he forced Tolenda back, causing him to trip and fall. Tolenda looked up into the fiery eyes of Zorro. "Don't kill me. Please. I give up. I give up."

Zorro's sword dug into Tolenda's chest. Sergeant Garcia trotted up to Zorro and looked down at Tolenda, "You are under arrest, Tolenda." Garcia looked at Zorro and gulped, "He is under arrest, Senor Zorro."

Zorro stared at Tolenda and spat between his teeth, "If I ever see you again, I will do more than just kill you, Senor."

Garcia gulped at the threat Zorro made to Tolenda. What must have happened between the two? Garcia took out his sword and pointed it at Tolenda, "Come with me, Senor Outlaw. No quick movements now."

Zorro watched every move that Tolenda made as he stood with his hands in the air. The cuartel gates opened and before entering, Tolenda dared a look back at Zorro who was mounting his black horse. Zorro looked at him and Tolenda shied away and went willingly into the cuartel.

"Sergeant Garcia!" Corporal Reyes exclaimed, "Are you not going to arrest Zorro?!"

Garcia looked back at Zorro. He grinned slightly, "All right, Corporal. Mount up! Capture him!"

Zorro grinned at the sergeant then reared his horse. He waved his signature good bye then rushed out of the pueblo.

"If you can," Sergeant Garcia chuckled under his breath. He felt it would be okay this time if his lancers did not catch him. After all, Zorro helped capture the Coyote Gang.

Bernardo and Don Alejandro exchanged proud looks then headed back to the hacienda where they would find Diego.

Alejandro and Bernardo entered the sala and found Moneta reading a book by the fireplace.

She stood when she heard the door open, "Don Alejandro."

Alejandro's brow scrunched as he looked about the room, "Where is Diego?"

She shrugged. "I thought he went to town. Did he fight Tolenda?"

Alejandro smiled so big Moneta thought he would bust, "Oh, he fought him. For a moment, we thought he was going to – kill him. But, Tolenda is now safely behind bars with what's left of the gang. They will be taken to Monterey for trial. The sooner they leave town, the sooner my son's identity will no longer be in jeopardy."

Bernardo nodded.

"I will advise Diego though to lay low for a while, until this whole business blows over. We can keep the pretense of recovering from a fever for at least a week." Alejandro looked around, a little concern in his voice, "Are you sure Diego is not here?"

Just then the door opened and Alejandro's concern was put aside, as Diego walked into the sala. He was all dressed with his fancy embroidered slacks and a ruffled top. All that was missing from the famous Diego fashion style was the jacket and the lavish cravat that was usually tied around his collar. Instead he left the top button of his ruffled shirt unbuttoned. Moneta sighed, he was so handsome.

Diego walked a little slower than usual toward them.

"My Son. I am so proud of you." Alejandro was about to hug Diego when Diego shrunk back.

"I appreciate your sentiment, I really do, but I would ask that you not hug me for a while. I am still in recovery," Diego explained lightly.

Alejandro nodded, "Speaking of which, I suggest you continue to mend here for a while and make yourself scarce in the pueblo. Those bandits will soon be a memory."

Diego did not protest, "I will gladly obey your wishes, Father." Diego caught Bernardo nodding, "And yours Bernardo." Diego glanced at Moneta and took her in for a moment. "I thought you had returned home."

"And not hear the news firsthand? Don't be silly. I wouldn't miss the cutting edge details for anything. I want you to tell me all about it, word for word!" She was so excited as she started to direct Diego toward the fireplace to sit down.

"While you relay the climactic tale, Bernardo and I will find us all an afternoon snack. Then we will celebrate another heroic accomplishment from El Zorro." Alejandro nudged Bernardo then left Diego and Moneta alone.

They were quiet for a moment.

Diego turned to her, "You know, Moneta, we have some unfinished business to discuss."

"Oh?"

Diego took a step closer to her a smirk on his face, "Earlier today, we were interrupted before we could finish a most important topic."

Moneta thought for a moment. Then a smile played upon her face, "Oh."

He cupped her cheeks and tilted her head up. Her heart skipped a beat at his dashing grin.

He leaned in; inches from her face then whispered playfully, "You know what?"

"What?" She mimicked.

"I like mornings too." Diego grinned then pulled her in for a memorable kiss.

The End