AN: Hi everyone. This is my first multi-chapter fanfic, review and criticism welcome.

Disclaimer: I don't own Zorro or any of the characters that appear in the show, that includes the unnamed ones I have so graciously christened.

Chapter 1

The sun blazed hot over the California desert, forcing the few animals that dwelt there to seek out cooler places. A drought had plagued the area for close to two months, drying riverbeds, withering crops and even had some of the most hardy plants begging for a drink.

The two men who travels on horseback towards Pueblo de Los Angeles, however had no care for dry riverbeds or dying plants. They had much more pressing matters in mind.

The first man wore a fine caballero's suit in dark blue. He may have once been considered handsome, with jet black hair and dark eyes but years of hard lines aged his features making him look older than he was. A jagged scar across the bridge of his nose to his jawline only added to his grim appearance.

He would have seemed like any ordinary traveler it it weren't for his almost feral looking travel companion. He was an Indian, dressed in a typical deer skin shirt and trousers but instead of keeping his hair long he had it spiked into a long mohawk down the center of his skull. Tattoos adorned his face and arms, while a tomahawk hung from his belt.

They said nothing as the pueblo came into sight but the first man reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. Etched in black ink was the promise of a one thousand peso reward for the capture of the bandit Zorro.

Don Alejandro de la Vega stepped out of the tavern into the blistering sun and dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief. His son Diego followed shortly behind. Few people moved around the plaza, choosing instead to close up their stands and stay indoors away from the sun.

Not a single cloud hung in the sky to offer any shade or even better the promise of rain.

"Don't worry, father," Diego said, noticing Alejandro looking towards the sky. "I'm sure the weather won't keep this up for too much longer."

"I hope you're right, mi hijo." They placed their hats on top of their heads and started for their horses when out of the corner of his eye, Diego noticed Sergeant Garcia lumbering across the plaza with Corporal Reyes in tow.

"Buenos dias, Don Diego and to you too Don Alejandro," Sergeant Garcia said with a smile. "We're you perhaps about to go into the tavern?" The hopeful look in the sergeant's eyes about the possibility of free wine was almost enough to make Diego laugh out loud.

"We just left, I'm afraid." Sergeant Garcia's face fell. " But it's much too hot out here," continued Diego. "Why don't you get yourself a bottle of wine and put it on my tab."

"Gracias, Don Diego," beamed Sergeant Garcia.

"Si, gracias," chimed in Corporal Reyes. Garcia spun around to look at the sleepy little corporal.

"What are you doing here? You are supposed to be on guard duty." "I was thirsty too," Corporal Reyes shrugged. Diego his smile behind his hand.

Before they could continue with their bickering, two riders came riding in a break neck speeds, kicking up a cloud on dust in their wake. They dismounted their horses before leading the sweating beasts to be tied up outside the tavern.

Diego watched the pair with cautious curiosity. The Indian alone was enough to make the hair on the back of his neck stand on end but something about the caballero struck him as eerily familiar somehow. They made their way to the tavern before Sergeant Garcia called out,

"One moment, senores." They stopped, glaring at the sergeant in a way that almost made Diego cringe. He would certainly have to keep his eye on these two. "You are strangers to Los Angeles."

"Si," said the caballero. "But I don't see how our business is any of your business." Sergeant Garcia straightened his back and gave a salute.

"Sergeant Demetrio Lopez Garcia, acting commendante of the Pueblo de Los Angeles at your service, senores. It is my duty to ask these questions of any strangers." The caballero sighed.

"Very well. My name is Juan Carlos Esparza and this is my servant Machk." "And just what brings you to our pueblo, Senor Esparza?" "Unfinished business." He would not say more. Diego shared an uneasy glance with his father. He did not like the sound of that. Diego stepped forward, nodding his head in greeting.

"Senor Esparza, my name is Diego de la Vega, allow me to be the first person to welcome you to Los Angeles."

"A pleasure," Esparza said shortly. "Now if you will excuse me senores, it has been a long day and it is hot. Come along Machk." They disappeared into the tavern, leaving Sergeant Garcia hanging mid-sentence as he tried to ask his next question. He turned back to the group.

"Don Diego, I don't think he likes me." Diego could help but chuckle.

"Don't take it personally, sergeant. As Senor Esparza said it is hot and that is bound to make anyone a little cranky." Garica thought for a moment and then shrugged his shoulders. "And now if you gentlemen will excuse us we best be getting home." They said their goodbyes and Diego and Don Alejandro mounted their horses.

They kept to a slow pace as to not over tire their mounts, each man lost in his own thoughts before Don Alejandro broke the silence.

"What do you think about our new visitors, Diego." Diego shrugged.

"Why should I think anything about them." Alejandro shot his son a look that said he wasn't fooled and Diego caved.

"They concern me," he stated simply.

"How so?" "That bit he said about unfinished business. He hasn't been to Los Angeles before or Sergeant Garcia would have questioned him, so how could he have unfinished business here?"

"Maybe his unfinished business is with a person," Alejandro suggested.

"Maybe," Diego agreed. "But I'm sure I've seen him before." This peeked Alejandro's interest.

"From when you were in Spain?" "I'm not sure," said Diego. "I think I'll have Zorro keep an eye on him, at least until we know what he and his Indian friend are up to."

Inside a room at the tavern Esparza tossed his saddle bags down on the bed. Curse the fat Sergeant and all his questions, they made him reveal more that he wanted to. Zorro had eyes and ears everywhere and if he wanted even a chance at catching the fox he had to play his cards close to the chest.

Esparza could hear the fat sergeant singing in the tavern below, mixing with the sound of metal against stone as Machk sharpened his tomahawk in the corner of the room.

Esparza ran his thumb over the scar on the bridge of his nose as he studied his caballero suit in the mirror. It was a little tight in the shoulders but beggers can't be choosers. He knew he would get farther if these people believed he came from wealth instead of a filthy peon.

The man he took it from didn't even hear Machk behind him before he slit his throat. Esperza would relish the same happening to Senor Zorro, he might even do the deed himself.

With new found enthusiasm, Espernza straightened his suit. "Machk," he called. "Grab your things; we're going fox hunting."