The Legend of Zorro (c)

[Leo]

"Uh, yes, it was in the paper," Leo replied with ease, speaking quieter now as class began. "Very strange events. Very political."

[Kathryn]

Kathryn nodded, taking out her notebook and a pen to write down her notes for the day. "I never realized how young and handsome Zorro is," she said softly, only glancing over at Leo. Maybe she was just imagining things, but Zorro kinda looked like Leo...

[Leo]

Leo glanced at Kathryn. Weird. He was jealous of Zorro. And she hadn't even mentioned their kiss yet. But it was probably best that she didn't.

Shrugging, Leo searched his pocket for a pen. "Yeah? I never met him. Kind of cool that you did- its unfortunate he only shows up when there's trouble though."

[Kathryn]

Kathryn took out another pen and slid it over to him. "Unfortunate for him, fortunate for us," she corrected him.

Another thought nagging at the back of her mind was something about a kiss. The events leading up to the gang barging into the house were quite fuzzy, but something told her there had been a kiss. She would have to bring that up privately...

[Leo]

Leo accepted her pen with an appreciative grin and waited until class finished up. Should he ask her out? The dilemma was killing him, and she also seemed sort of infatuated with Zorro, which, for some odd reason, wasn't particularly helping her case.

Once the lecture wrapped up, he couldn't help himself. He could die at any moment- in fact, with the number of swords, axes, knives and bullets he'd been dodging lately, it seemed like a fair assessment- why shouldn't he just enjoy himself? He looked over at Kathryn, who had been gathering her belongings.

"Ms Van Wyck, would you like to accompany me to dinner tonight?" Sure it was probably the wrong move, especially since their whole town was being threatened, but Leo didn't know when they'd strike again.

[Kathryn]

Kathryn paused, slowly looking up at him. Her lips were parted slightly as she looked up at him. "Y-yes...I would." Since when did she stammer?

[Leo]

"Lovely." Leo smiled at her, and took her hand, kissing it. "I'll make all the necessary arrangements. I'll have a carriage at your place at 7 o'clock."

[Kathryn]

"Okay," she replied, nodding slowly. She was kind of in a daze. But then she snapped out of it. "Leo? Can I ask you something?"

[Leo]

Leo smiled at her. "Of course. Anything."

[Kathryn]

She licked her lips, eyes darting around the room to make sure no one was listening. "On the balcony that night...did we...kiss?"

[Leo]

Leo blinked at her, the question catching him off guard. She didn't remember? His face fell, and he looked down at the ground, trying to figure out what he wanted to say.

That was when he heard it. The sheriff's bell, ringing. Something was wrong. He looked at her, an apologetic- yet, fairly saddened- look on is face.

"Yes." He was feeling a million things at once- anxiety, disappointment that she didn't remember their first kiss, and pressure to remain calm. And to get the eff out of there. He pretended to be more annoyed than he actually was (but, in reality, he was quite bothered) and shook his head, using it as an excuse to leave. "See you at 7." He headed towards the door.

[Kathryn]

"Leo-- wait--" But he was already gone. Oh great. She sighed and gathered her things before slowly making her way back home.

[Leo]

5 minutes later, Leo was galloping on Tornado in his Zorro gear, and reached the sheriff's office.

"The courthouse! It's on fire, and the mayor is trapped inside!" One of the deputies exclaimed, pointing Zorro in the direction of the fire. Leo headed there instantly, the size of the fire catching him off guard. He got off his horse, and surveyed the scene. It was madness all around with people trying to throw water on the flames and running around, gossiping on what on earth happened. Leo noticed right away a note that was nailed to a nearby tree:

Warning Numero Dos: the mayor steps down from office, or more people die .

Leo glanced around, and heard screams coming from inside the building. He handed the note to a nearby policeman and dove inside the building through a window. There was a man on the outside of a locked door, wearing the same bandana, and practically choking on the smoke. Leo fought with him, sword fighting until the man no longer could breathe from the smoke, and kicked down the door. He got the mayor, his secretary, and three attorneys out before the building completely collapsed.

Zorro couldn't breathe from all the smoke in his lungs either. He climbed onto his horse and passed out, his horse loyally getting him home safe. It was long past 6:30.

[Kathryn]

Come 7o'clock, Kathryn was pacing the foyer, wearing her favorite dark red dress. This hadn't been a good day. First, Leo had acted like he was annoyed that she hadn't remembered the kiss. Then, her father had almost died in a fire. Now, Kathryn had a sneaking suspicion that Leo wasn't going to show up. Though he did have a habit of being late...

[Leo]

At 7:30, Leo woke up in his bedroom, his head killing him and he reached for a glass of water than Alexander had placed at his bedside. He sat up slowly, and searched his body for any burns. He had a few, but nothing major. He blinked when he saw the clock.

Oh god. Shitttttt!

He jumped out of bed, reaching for his suit pants and jacket. He hadn't been able ot make reservations, what the heck was he going to do! He entered his kitchen, frantically. Alexander was cooking dinner, and Leo thought on his feet.

"Is there enough there for Kathryn?"

Alexander blinked at him, mixing the pasta sauce and then glaring. "Well, yes, but she can't possibly come here...."

Leo sighed, glancing around. "Take the carriage, and pick her up. I'll finish up, and set up dinner on the patio. She won't have to come inside." Most of the Zorro secrets were in their barn and hidden in the house, but it would be better safe than sorry.

Alexander groaned, shaking his head and left to go pick up Kathryn. Leo got to work finishing up dinner and preparing the patio with candles.