Fall from Grace
"You remember when Gilberto was going to kill you," Alejandro began as he and his son walked slowly towards the tavern," He said when he killed you he would also kill.....? Do you know what he could have meant?" His father's voice was deep, concerned and still wonderfully amazed at what had transpired within the hour. He now looked on his son in a completely different light and listened intently to what his son was going to say. The thought had crossed his mind but....he dared not even think it....
Diego turned the consequences and the choices over in his mind before answering. He wanted so desperately to tell his father the secret he had been keeping for years. It weighed heavily on his heart to keep something like this from his father, not to mention the others he loved. He shot a quick glance back toward Victoria and chuckled to himself.
Alejandro noticed the strain in his son's features and his decision to tell him what was on his mind. What was weighing him down so tremendously? He had never seen his son wrestle so with a decision before and he placed a comforting hand on his son's arm. "Diego, we are family. Nothing can ever divide us," he squeezed his son's arm gently, "we proved that during this crisis."
"I think, father," Diego stopped, turned to his father and smiled," That what he was going to say, that when he killed me, he would also be killing Z....."
"Have you heard," Victoria rushed up to Diego and Alejandro, interrupting the conversation.
Alejandro released the breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and turned towards the senorita. Diego turned slowly, sighing. Another attempt to tell his family his burning secret had been interrupted yet again.
Diego wondered if he was ever going to be able to reveal his identity and move on with the rest of his life. A life that had almost come to an end today at his unknown brother's hands. He forced a smile to his lips and gazed at the lovely senorita to whom he longed to reveal his secret life. Her eyes were lit with the fire and excitement he loved about her. He listened closely to what she was saying.
"Heard what?" Alejandro asked.
"The coachmen bring news that Spain no longer rules this territory," Her eyes danced. "That we have become a part of Mexico and have been for several months."
The de la Vega's eyes widened in surprise and Alejandro muttered, "I wonder why we have not heard anything about this."
"Father," Diego began," we are a self sufficient town with really no need for Spanish interference. We have our own system set up here in the territories that are vastly different from Spain. I've seen this coming for some time now."
"What do you mean?" Victoria stifled a smile. She didn't think him interested in politics or the goings on's of anything in the territory other then his personal little world. Although, she noted, Diego had become very daring and quite charming over the last few years. She grinned inwardly, but no one could take the place of Zorro in her heart." I didn't think governmental politics interested you."
"Oh indeed it does, Victoria," Mexico has been fighting for years now to gain control over California. I just didn't think Spain would give it up so willingly."
"Indeed, Diego," Alejandro nodded. "Even while Mexico wages war with los estados unidos, they still find time to remove Spain as our government."
"Whatever the reason," Victoria interjected. "we are now a Mexican territory."
"Hmmm," Diego rubbed his chin with his uninjured arm, "I wonder what happened to governor Sola? The Spanish governor in Monterey." He sighed, "Well it appears that Las Californias now belong to Mexico."
"When the rest of the territory hears of this there will certainly be uprisings. "Diego continued, "There are many here who do not wish to be under the rule of Mexico or any foreign government."
Victoria huffed. She certainly didn't want to be ruled by Spain. They had done nothing for this land other then oppress it's inhabitants.
She looked at Diego who was flexing his hurt arm unconsciously. "Oh where are my manners," Victoria took Diego's good arm and led him toward the tavern," let me have a look at your arm. I will bandage it for you."
"Ah uh," Diego stammered," Felipe did well enough, thank you senorita." he moved away from the young woman. Diego sighed and followed her, shooting a look of `what can I do?' at his father who just chuckled. "I'm going to see what is going on with this Mexican colony business," Alejandro called ," I'll be outside."
"Ok father," Diego shouted as he disappeared behind the curtain.
"Sit, Diego."
Diego turned his gaze to the young woman as she readied her cleansing solution, rags and a basin of water, noting the strange tone in her voice.
He leaned against the counter and stared at her, masking nothing of his real emotions as he watched her work. She turned her head slightly , smiled at him and then resumed her task. `She doesn't even notice me,' Diego thought disappointingly,' how would she ever come to love the man behind Zorro's mask.' He sighed and lowered his gaze as she turned around, mixture in hand.
"Diego!" her tone shocked him out of his reverie.
"Yes?"
"I said sit."
He complied with a nod and she set the basin and towels on a small table and began to roll up his sleeve.
As the material slid up the deeply tanned skin, Victoria noticed that he had very strong arms, clearly defined muscle lines that could not be gained from mere reading and piano playing. Her eyes became slits and she noticed another thing about his arm. The wound that had just recently been inflicted on him was not a sabre wound like everyone assumed it had been, but what looked like a bullet wound.
Victoria's intake of breath confirmed for Diego that Victoria knew that she was looking at a bullet wound and not a sabre wound.
"Diego...?" She started.
"Please keep this..." Diego started but she placed a finger to his lips and nodded.
"He shot you," she whispered as she dabbed at the wound. Diego flinched and she wiped at the seeping, bloody wound with a little more care, wiping it with water time and again to take away the sting of the cleaning solution.
Diego nodded and flinched again as the cleaning solution found another sensitive spot.
Victoria again noticed the muscles in his arm constrict and release when her cleaning stung. She thought of a good way to bring up the question and had it phrased in her mind when he spoke and distracted her.
"Victoria," He turned to look into her dark eyes," There is something I need to tell you. Something I have been meaning to..."
She averted his gaze and continued dabbing at the wound.
Finally satisfied she began to tear some old rags to use as clean bandages, waiting for him to continue.
"I have been wanting to tell you for so long..." His voice had become deeper even though he was stumbling over the words.
She began to wrap his arm and tied the loose ends together when she was finished. She didn't look at him, she was afraid of what he was going to say.
She had never seen Diego so serious before, so..... unsure, so ....terrified. She took pity on the man and smiled at him. What could he tell her that would frighten him so?
Her eyes locked with his for an instant and she was suddenly whisked away on the waves of memories his bright blue eyes brought crashing into her consciousness.
Memories of fleeting moments, too short for words, professions of love, danger, excitement, the unknown, a ring given as a promise, a promise that bound two hearts together as one. She gasped as her eyes searched his.
Then his lips descended upon hers and she made no movement. Her mouth parted in disbelief as his lips touched hers and sent her spiraling into the well known valley of desire that this man piqued in her whenever he was near. His lips caressed hers gently and she found it unbelievable that this man could cause such desire to swell in her heart with just the touch of a hand, much less that of soft, probing lips.
A soft moan escaped her lips as her hands slid involuntarily around his neck to caress the black hair falling just over his collar.
The kiss deepened and his arms held her tightly around the waist. Not wanting the moment to end, not wanting to have to explain everything, he held the kiss until her lips moved from his to brush his cheek.
"Te amo, mi presciosa," he whispered against her cheek as she held him close.
She sighed and relished the feel of his strong arms as he held her tightly against him. Gunshots startled them out of their embrace and Victoria stared wide-eyed at the man before her. He stood quickly and took her hand in his. Bowing ever so gently, he brought her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
Like he had done so many times before....with the mask.
Her breath caught in her throat as she watched, for the first time, the actions of the man and not the legend.
"Con permiso." He smiled at her and brought her towards him in one swift motion. His lips met hers for one brief, fiery kiss and then he raced out the doors to find out what had caused the shots.
Her emotions were reeling. Diego?! How could she not have known. She saw him every day and yet...... She stood firmly rooted in place for several moments before she had the energy to move. Her legs felt like sponges. She had not expected this, had not expected to find out in this way who the dashing hero behind the mask was. She slowly made her way outside using the frame of the door for support. Her eyes searched the crowd before they came to settle on the well dressed de la Vegas. They were speaking with Sergeant Mendoza.
Lancers raced around the plaza, stationing themselves around the town . The people were standing about looking confused and Victoria walked with determination up to Mendoza and the de la Vega's.
"What is going on Mendoza?" Victoria came up beside Diego and as her body brushed past his, their eyes met. She averted them quickly and focused on Mendoza.
"Riots Senorita," Mendoza stuttered," The people will no longer listen to reason. They all know now that the Royal lancers have no...."
"No longer have jurisdiction over the people of this pueblo," Diego finished for the visibly shaken Sergeant, "now that we are a Mexican territory."
Alejandro turned to Diego as his eyes reverted to rest on Victoria. Alejandro leaned toward his son and whispered, "Get her out of here, my son. Before the riots become violent."
They dodged wild attacks with fruit and small items thrown at the lancers. It wouldonly be a matter of time before more dangerous objects were thrown their way.
Diego's gaze snapped back on his father and the younger de la Vega nodded in agreement. "Victoria," Diego gently grasped her arm," gather everything you can and come with me."
She was shaking her head. "I will not leave this town that has been my home for over..."
"Victoria!" His voice was more harsh then he had intended and she snapped her gaze back to the man who had seemingly changed before her eyes," please."
Diego caught Felipe's eyes and nodded," bring my stallion Felipe, senorita Escalante is going to the hacienda."
"And you are going with her, my son," Alejandro set a child into the wagon nearby and turned to Diego.
"Father...." He shook his head.
"No," Alejandro held up a silencing hand," You are going and that is final." He leaned closer to Victoria and Diego, smiled sweetly at the senorita and whispered," The family will be much better protected if you were there with them."
Diego sighed and nodded, knowing his father was right. "I want to be with you."
"The fighting will be over soon enough," Alejandro smiled," The lancers cannot hold off the will of the people for long."
"Father, I will not let you..."
"Listen Diego," Alejandro embraced his son gently, careful of the wound, "now that I know......"
Felipe interrupted them with wild hand gestures.
"What is it Felipe?" Diego asked.
"Look at the dust being kicked up." Diego pointed towards the south end of the pueblo," My guess is that this news has spread like wildfire among the people and every oppressed person in the territory will be here to oust the Spanish government."
Felipe brought Diego's stallion and he attached the few bags that Victoria was able to pack to the back of Felipe's pony. He smiled at Victoria, lifted her and in one smooth motion was in the saddle and riding off towards the hacienda, Felipe and the pony not far behind.
Victoria hung on tightly to the man who carried her. She felt strangely safe in Diego de la Vega's strong arms. Well as safe as anyone who can be riding in the arms of Zorro himself. It was mid-day and the stinging rays of the sun were beating down hard on them. Once arriving at the hacienda, Diego slid out of the saddle and lifted Victoria down to meet him. As she slid down his arms their eyes locked again and she whispered," So now I know the man behind the mask."
He smiled and bent to brush her lips gently with his. "are you disappointed?" He whispered against her lips.
"Surprised."
He moved to pull away, conscious of Felipe standing behind them, but she wrapped her arms around his neck and held him in the awkward bent position and deepened the kiss.
Muffled sounds shook the two apart and Diego turned to see three men racing towards them, saber's drawn.
"Felipe! my sword!" Diego yelled as Felipe raced into the hacienda. He pushed Victoria behind him and backed towards the hacienda doors as the men approached.
"Spanish blood is no longer welcome here, de la Vega," one of the men hissed, "Leave the territory or we will drain it from your body a little at a time."
"Is this not a country rich of many cultures, many peoples?" Diego asked them, "Why then, is one group cast out of favor and friendship with such a quick decision? The Spaniards living in the territory have just as much right as you do to live here. This territory was build with the blood, sweat and tears of all of our ancestors."
Felipe ran through the doors with Zorro's prized sabre. Diego patted his kind servant on the shoulder and unsheathed the weapon slowly so that the attackers could see that the blade would be deadly if they crossed it, "I will defend my home and family if you force me to," Diego warned, his eyes like blue fire," but I have no love for killing."
"Then you will have to kill all three of us, bookworm," one man cried and lunged toward Diego, who easily dodged the clumsy attack.
Diego smiled and held his blade tip to the ground. The man advanced slowly, the other two watching carefully to see what would happen. Diego retreated and held his blade out from eye level towards his opponent.
Victoria watched on with fascination, a small part of her worried for Diego's safety and then she remembered his revelation to her in the tavern. He could take care of himself. She had never seen Diego competently use a blade before. The times she had seen him use a sabre were times well worth forgetting. She could see in his graceful movements how he avoided the trespasser, his blade, even avoided swinging at the man.
The man lunged again. quickly, his steps unsteady and off balance. Diego parried the blade easily and retreated once again. This time, he brought his blade to his face in a salute and advanced quickly, catching his opponent off guard. He parried, thrust, attacked and with one final riposte, disarmed his opponent and knocked him to the ground. The man stared wide-eyed at Diego and them smiled as his two friends advanced.
"Ok, de la Vega," the man stood, brushed the dust off his clothes and retrieved his blade," surprise was on your side before, now we have the numbers."
Felipe loaded a pistol just in case one of the men made a move toward them and held it at the ready.
Victoria looked on in wonder at how wonderful Diego looked wielding the blade with such ease. She held her pistol tight, ready to put a bullet into the back of any man who might get an edge over him.
The two men lunged and Diego dodged out of the way of the first and parried the blade of the second. This went back and forth for a few minutes until Diego tired of the charade.
"Enough!" his blade moved faster then the eye could see and disarmed one of the men, sending him flying head first into a stone wall. The other retreated with the remaining man and Diego did not give chase.
Instead he turned toward where Victoria and Felipe stood , pistols ready, and smiled. "How nice to know that my back was covered," he smiled as he walked towards him.
Just then, the two remaining men, charged toward Diego, pistols drawn and aimed towards his back.
Victoria drew a deep breath and Diego turned around, lifted his blade, as the pistol discharged..........
Diego turned just in time to see the smoke from the discharged pistols. He lunged quickly in front of Victoria as Felipe aimed his own pistol and fired it. One ball slammed dangerously close to Felipe's head, taking a small chunk of adobe out of the wall beside him. While his well aimed shot struck one of the men in the arm, causing him to drop his pistol. The other man, however, had aimed a little better and his pistol ball struck Diego in the leg, causing the tall caballero to yelp in pain and stumble to the ground.
"Diego!" Victoria cried. She saw him go down and wasn't sure where he had been hit. She quickly leveled her pistol and fired, her hands steady even as her body was shaking with rage and anger. Her shot was well aimed and struck the man in the shoulder, knocking him flat to the ground with a hard thud.
Felipe and Victoria ran toward Diego and he waved them back. "Get some rope to tie these three," Diego tried to stand on his own but stumbled and sank back to the ground, favoring his injured leg.
Felipe nodded and raced back to the hacienda to get some rope.
Victoria hugged Diego tightly and whispered into his chest, "I would have killed that man."
Diego's eyes lit with compassion and love for the woman who opposed violence almost as much as he did, and he reached an arm around her , squeezing gently as she helped him to his feet.
He limped, with Felipe and Victoria's help, into the hacienda where he sat and lifted his leg to rest on a stool in front of the chair. Victoria took a knife and cut away his pant legs until she reached the bullet wound. It had struck him in the fleshy part of his calf and he grimaced in pain as she took his kerchief and began to clean the still bleeding wound.
Felipe arrived with a basin of water and Victoria dipped the blood covered rag into the water and began to clean the wound more carefully.
"I don't see an exit wound," Victoria shuddered as she noticed him trying to carefully control his trembling body.
"That means you will have to take the ball out," Diego said, shifting his gaze to Felipe.
"Diego, I...."
"Victoria," Diego's eyes became soft and compassionate. "Felipe knows how to take care of wounds like this. He's done it before."
She ignored his last statement, although understanding the full meaning.
All of the times Zorro had been hurt, shot, or injured, she realized with a start that Felipe would have been the only one that could have helped him. He could have, and would have, turned to no one else.
"I'm here for you now," Victoria moved out of Felipe's way and knelt beside Diego taking his hand with hers, "and I will never be anywhere else again."
As Felipe began his work, Diego carefully tried to mask the pain from the woman he loved. It hurt more then most of the wounds that had been inflicted upon him and he struggled to control his body's natural reaction when faced with the pain.
"I don't want fever to set in," Victoria wet a towel and began to wipe Diego's face and exposed neck.
"You're touch is so gentle, mi querrida, "Diego rested a trembling hand under her chin and she stood. Her lips mere inches from his," Te am....."
Whatever he was going to say was lost in her lips as she bent to kiss him tenderly. The hand that had been under her chin circled her neck as he deepened the kiss, wanting, longing to hold her forever in his arms and not let anything keep them apart again.
The door slammed shut and the all looked up to see the very tired elder de la vega.
"Father?" Diego tried to stand but the pain in his ankle was too great and he sank back into the soft cushions of the couch, Victoria sinking into the cushions beside him.
"Diego?" Alejandro asked, his eyes coming to rest of his son's bandaged leg.
"Just a minor wound," Diego muttered," what is going on with the pueblo?"
Alejandro sunk into a chair and began to relax," The people are trying to oust De Soto out of the territory."
Diego nodded," Well since he no longer has any legal jurisdiction in los angeles any longer, I think the people may stand a chance."
Felipe began to signal with his hands.
Diego sighed," Yes, Felipe, and the alcalde will do all in his power to stay here as well."
"Well," Alejandro leaned back in the chair, I don't know how well Governor Luis Arguello is going to like that."
"And he is?"
"He is the new Alta California governor appointed from Mexico," Alejandro said, "Now that we are a Mexican province, there will be new military officials posted."
"Oh, I'll bet the alcalde doesn't like that idea much," Victoria smiled and leaned into Diego's embrace. She relished the feel of the man's strong arms around her. Holding her, protecting her.
She felt that el diablo himself could barge through the hacienda doors and her love could take him with a few quick flicks of his blade.
"As long as they are better then our current officials."
Alejandro smiled at the sight before him. Victoria so casually ensconced in his son's arms, looking like she belonged there, and his son with his arm wrapped protectively around the beautiful, spirited senorita.
"The Mexican government is sending troops through the pueblos along the coast to make sure all Spanish military influence has left the territory," Alejandro stretched.
"I can imagine DeSoto...."
"DeSoto has no choice but to leave, or be shipped back to Spain in a coffin, or worse," Diego offered, "be sent to a Mexican prison for crimes against the new territorial government."
"I fear we may have a problem with him." Alejandro frowned.
"Indeed, we may not get rid of DeSoto that easily." Diego agreed," All we have to do is wait out the troops and ....."
A slow rumbling began to shake the hacienda and Alejandro rushed to his feet. What sounded like thunder, echoed along the framework of the hacienda, and continued into the hard stone and sand beneath their feet. A slow rolling sensation caused the chairs to shake uncontrollably and Diego launched from his seat, dragging Victoria with him.
"Get to the doorframes!" Diego cried , the pain in his leg was momentarily forgotten as he dragged Victoria to safety. Once there he enveloped her with one arm, while steadying himself in the doorway with the other. She buried her face in his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist to steady herself, tears forming in her eyes.
Felipe made it to the dining area and launched himself under the table, his eyes wide with fear.
Alejandro stood in the doorway leading to the back entrance to the hacienda, his knuckled turning white from the strong hold he had on the doorframe.
A window shattered and Victoria screamed, burying her face closer into Diego's chest. The glass was scattered throughout the hacienda and then, just as quick as the rumbling began, it stopped......and all was quiet.
Moments of silence passed until Diego reached down to cup Victoria's tear stained face. He bent to touch his lips to hers in comfort and was taken aback when she responded with more desire then he expected. Her lips probed his as her arms tightened around him. He finally broke the kiss when he noticed the rest of his family moving from where they had taken shelter.
"That was a bad one," Alejandro gasped.
Felipe nodded mutely and Diego continued to hold and steady a shaky Victoria.
"The winds of change are upon us," Diego muttered, "In more ways then one." He turned to his father, "I have never felt anything so bad."
"We always have small tremors but this was much more," Victoria found her voice and added.
"Let's check the damage and then get back to the pueblo to check the tavern," Diego suggested and they nodded.
Luckily there was not much damage to the de la Vega hacienda. The most that had been broken were a few dishes and glassware. The one window had shattered because of a loose lock that had not been securely fastened and was shaken much to roughly during the earth shake.
Upon arriving at the pueblo, the de la Vegas noticed a few smaller things had been knocked off the buildings , chairs tipped over, glasses broken, but nothing major. No homes had collapsed. A few of the buildings would need to have some adobe repaired but nothing major had befallen the sleepy town and for that the people praised god.
After a few hours of assisting in the cleanup of the tavern, Diego and Alejandro sat down for a nice cool glass of lemonade.
Victoria set the glasses in front of them and noticed as Diego winced. She had forgotten, in all the commotion, about his injured leg.
"Oh Diego!" Victoria rushed to his side, taking his leg and stretching it out long some benches," You're leg."
"I just remembered, " Diego said with a grin," I had other pressing concerns on my mind."
Victoria shook her head and moved to re-wrap the bloody wound. She was still worried about infection and worked carefully to clean and bandage the wound properly.
A few hours later, the population attended a mass at the mission, in praise to god for not causing any more damage then had already been caused.
Attendance at the service was extraordinarily high, and Padre Benitez attributed the earth shake to be the cause. Those who were not normally god fearing people, had been shaken (literally) into attending the mass.
When the service was over, the sunlight was fading into the starry night and Diego escorted Victoria to the tavern door. "I would much rather you stay with us for the night." His eyes were filled with compassion and love and she found it hard to resist the deep blue orbs.
"Diego," Victoria brushed her hand against cheek and turned to open the door. She invited him in and carefully secured the lock. She set her shawl on the counter and turned to him. "I can take care of myself."
"I know that," Diego took her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the soft skin, "I just don't want ..."
She inched closer, her lips mere centimeters from his, the heat from her body leaping into his like a flaming inferno," want ....to...be ..."
Her lips closed the remaining distance and she was crushed in his arms as their lips met in a passionate kiss. His hands moved to her hair and caressed the softness before moving to her shoulders. His fingertips traced the line of her collarbone before his lips slid from her neck to continue the explorations his fingers had just finished.
Her fingers tangled in his dark hair, an involuntary gasp escaping from her lips as he continued his caress. She felt as if she was going to explode. All of her pent up emotion, all of her frightened passion was being stirred by this man, without the mask. She wanted him, moreso then she had wanted anything in her entire life. Her fingers pulled at his silk shirt and then slid between them to fumble for the buttons. She was rewarded with a shiver of desire as it coursed it's way through his body. She managed to unfasten a few buttons and slide her hands and fingers over the well muscled chest that she never even knew existed. Her hands slid across the enflamed skin and he gasped, pulling away slightly. His lips left hers reluctantly after a few more minuets of torture and he stared into her passion filled eyes.
"We ..can't....." Diego managed to breathe, trying desperately to control his ragged breathing. "Not here, not now."
Victoria sighed and began to protest.
Diego placed a silencing finger on her lips," Danger and the threat of it pushes people to do things they would not normally do."
"Not normally do?!" Victoria huffed, after regaining her breath. "I would have done this long ago had the opportunity been presented to me!"
Diego sighed. He knew the distance had been hard on them both. The careful rendezvous, the fleeting moments, the little time they were able to spend together. They had never spoken about their lives after the mask was removed. He wanted to give her everything that her heart desired and it pained him to think of causing her unhappiness. The one thing, he realized with a grin, she apparently wanted most in the world was to be a part of him, body and soul.
"Soon," Diego smiled, pressing s soft kiss to her lips," Very soon."
He reached for the door and she stopped him, her eyes burning like bronze fire.
"That has become the theme of our relationship, Diego de la Vega." She snapped.
He snapped his head around at her use of his given name, something she rarely used even before she knew of his identity, and stared at her. He sighed. "Do you understand how dangerous it is for you to know?" his eyes bore into hers, "How much danger you are in by simply knowing my identity."
She shook her head but he continued.
"I worried every day that you would find out and would reject the real man behind the mask." His hands held her shoulders gently but she could tell he was shaking. With anger or pain, she wasn't sure.
"And at the same time, I worried that if you found out before the need for Zorro died , that you would be harmed or even killed for the knowledge." He took a deep breath," Victoria," He led her to one of the benches and she sat, him close beside." I can not live without you. I can not bear to see you hurt, in pain. We are stuck with....." He swung his arm in the air startling her with his anger, "the mask, my sense of duty to the people, between us." A tear slipped down her cheek. She had never heard him speak with such passion. He was normally a quiet man who did nothing all day and even less at night. She was finding this new Diego hard to get used to but more like the man she fell in love with.
"You have such passion, Diego," She was trembling now as she reached a hand up to caress his cheek," Something I never noticed in you before but now that I see the true man is more like Zorro then Zorro is like him, I understand why."
"Do you understand that while there is danger in the territory, I , we, cannot be together for any longer then the fleeting moments we are used to," His eyes bored into hers and she stared as if hypnotized by the blue ocean depths.
"But, you forget, dearest Diego," She leaned against his chest and she shivered when his strong, well -muscled arms encircled her," that you and I spend quite a lot of time in one another's company."
He stepped back and forced her to look at him. "Again, something I couldn't bring myself to not do. As myself, I could come and go as I pleased. If I wanted to see you, I had but to walk into this tavern. But now, now that you know the truth, how can we mask the true feelings of our hearts and go ahead with our lives." He turned away from her sharply and her arms dropped to her sides. "So many things between us and there is no way I can turn to make it right! I love you,"she could see the wetness in his eyes as he spoke the words that she had longed for so long to hear, "And I couldn't bear to loose you or live without your presence in my life."
"I am right here, Diego," She reached up and held his head between her hands, "You can have what you want right now. All you have to do is willingly accept it."
He grinned."You know I would like nothing more then to take you in my arms and hold you for the rest of the night." She smiled broadly at his statement. "But you know that can't happen. There are too many consequences that we would have to face in the morning."
"Diego!" She yelled and his eyes focused on her," You need to *do* something this time. Don't just sit by and let it fall away. I am here for you now. I want to be here. We have never been so close as man and woman and ..."
"And is that all you want?" Diego stared, "To be with me for one night and face the consequences in the morning."
She lowered her eyes.
"Ah me bella senorita," He embraced her tightly," I love you with all my heart and I would do anything for you...but you know, as well as I, that this is not a good idea. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment."
"My emotions." She shook her head," I don't know whether to kick you out or kiss you for the noble act of not taking advantage of me."
"I would much prefer the kiss."
"I'm sure you would," she smiled and then her face turned serious," now get out."
His eyes widened and he saw the sparkle behind hers as she shoved him towards the door. "I really wish you would come back to the hacienda with me," Diego turned just as she was about to unlock the door.
"And whatever for Diego?" She batted her eyelashes at the man," You know what would happen if I went back there with you."
Diego grinned and sighed. "No it wouldn't."
She laughed, "You would not look at your bed the same way again."
With that she unlocked the door and pushed him out, shutting the door before he could turn around and see the disappointed look on her face.
A few hours later, Victoria was laying on her bed, unable to sleep. She wasn't sure if it had been the events of the day, the last few days or because she was coming down with a cold. Her body was clammy and she felt as though she would be sick. To make matters worse, all of the animals that were in town chose this night to howl, whinny, bark and meow all at the same time.
So she took the time to think back on all the moments she had ever spent with Zorro. All of the personal things, the promises, the stolen kisses. She shook her head, still unable to comprehend that her trusted friend, Diego de la Vega, had been masquerading as her masked love all these years. He certainly had her fooled.
As sleep finally claimed her, Victoria didn't hear or feel the rattling until it shook her out of her bed and things came flying off the walls at her.
She screamed in the darkness, trying to find the way out of her room. The room was suddenly illuminated by a large light outside of her window. One of the buildings next to the tavern was on fire and this gave Victoria the light that she needed to find the door. As she reached for the latch, however, she looked up just in time to see one of the large ceiling beams come crashing down towards her.
Her last thought before darkness clouded her vision was of Diego and how she should have returned home with him.......
Diego was shaken out of bed by the sound of pictures crashing to the ground, of servants screaming in fright and of the terror he felt when he realized that Victoria was not with him.
He tried to roll out of bed but had a difficult time as the ground beneath his feet continued to tremble. He was thrown to the floor as he tried to stand and crawled underneath the bed until the shaking stopped. What seemed like an eternity later, the ground became still as the stone on which the hacienda was built and the silence and blackness of the night just as eerie.
Diego heard his father calling and crawled out from under the bed. He cut his hand on some broken glass and grasped at the wound. His father stumbled into his room with a gas lantern as Diego made his way to the door.
"Are you all right?" Alejandro stared wide-eyed at his son.
"Yes," Diego nodded," I..."
Alejandro noticed the blood on his sons hand and beckoned him to leave the room. "Outside," Alejandro led his son out the hacienda doors, carefully evading all of the books, glasses and pictures that had been shaken down by the quake," It will be much safer should we have another."
Diego nodded and they ran into Felipe as they stepped outside. While Alejandro removed the glass from Diego's hand and bandaged the wound, Diego instructed Felipe to saddle the horses.
"Diego," Alejandro was going to attempt to stop his son," With the possibility of more shakes, you are going to ride out into the blackest night and try to make it to Los Angeles. Diego," his father shook his silver colored head," I don't like it. You have too many injuries and I don't want you overextending yourself."
"My arm is healing and my leg will be fine. It doesn't hurt." Diego turned to his father and
Alejandro could see the determination in his son's eyes. The fire that he never thought he would ever see from his studious son burned brightly for the woman he loved. And that woman, he feared, was in danger from the quaking of the earth.
Diego looked at his appearance and shot a glance at his father and Felipe before disappearing into the hacienda .Felipe followed Diego without question, leaving has father behind to tend the horses.
"Father," Diego began, stepping out of the hacienda in different attire then when he went in, "Los Angeles is built on a combination of rock and sand. Those buildings that are built on the sand cannot withstand the shaking as well as those that are built on the rock and limestone of the pueblo."
His father shot him a bewildered look mixed with one of surprise. He had never in his wildest dreams ever expected to hear Zorro call him father. He looked at his son with pride and admiration.
"I have been doing some research since the last quake and comparing the damage to our hacienda with the neighboring ones and even the buildings in the pueblo." Zorro readied himself for the journey to the pueblo," Our hacienda is built on rock. Hard bedrock and limestone. The buildings that sustained the most damage were the ones that are built on the sand, with no rock for support. Those buildings are going to crumble faster when the earth shakes."
Felipe appeared from around the corner with a saddled and ready Tornado and Alejandro could only gape in shock.
He swung himself up into the saddle with a momentary grimace, "And the tavern is built on sand as are most of the buildings in Los Angeles."
"Diego!" Alejandro called as his son pulled his black steed away and began to gallop towards the pueblo," I'm coming with you."
Felipe handed the reigns of the other stallion, he had so wisely readied in anticipation of riding to the pueblo, to Alejandro and watched at the two men raced off towards Los Angeles.
Moments later he mounted his own horse and followed his patrons into the darkness.
The lancers struggled to free themselves from the prison that had been created when the walls collapsed around them.
Mendoza called for assistance from any of the frightened people standing in the plaza. He had been finishing his meal in front of the alcalde's office when the earth began to shake. He was not trapped but many of his men were.
He turned around to call again for help but gasped at the sight across the plaza from him. The Tavern had all but collapsed upon itself and now stood one story high instead of two.
"Madre de dios," Mendoza muttered as the alcalde approached him.
"The men need to be rescued, Mendoza," DeSoto rasped," C'mon, " he grabbed a large, long piece of wood, and attempted to break through the collapsed wall. "Put your back into it."
Screams and cries of pain could be heard as the galloping horses approached the pueblo. Alejandro and Zorro looked on in horror as a multitude of the townspeople were lying outside in the plaza, away from the crumbling buildings.
Zorro rode Tornado up to the crumbled tavern and stopped him suddenly, kicking sand against the crumbled walls.
"Victoria!" He called, silently hoping she would hear him. When no response came, he took a deep breath and steeled himself for the possibilities of what he might find. He turned to the few men that were helping him and urged them on. "Help me." A piece of rubble fell towards their feet and Zorro dodged it," They may not have much time...or air left."
They finally gained entrance to where the lower level bar of the tavern had been but it was unrecognizable now with the above floor having crumbled onto it. Zorro made his way through the debris to where he thought Victoria's room might have been. It was dark and the only light with which they had to work was the burning building next to the tavern which threatened to spill over into the debris, and the lanterns that had been lit so that some light could be had in the black night.
Thousands of thoughts raced through Zorro's mind at the thought of loosing Victoria in this way. He should have brought her home with him. Guilt filled his heart and he would not be able to forgive himself if he was to find her broken body among the debris.
"Victoria!" He called, a little less loudly. He didn't want the remaining structure to crumble on top of him because of the vibrations in his voice. "Querrida where are you?"
`D...go.."
He heard a broken voice which sounded like a females coming from the other side of a large frame that had crashed into the floor from the top level.
"Victoria, keep calling, I'll find you," Zorro turned to one of the men behind him who held out a lantern. Zorro took it and disappeared behind the large frame, the light casting an eerie glow on the crumbled walls.
He finally found her. Her body was pinned beneath the large beam and as he moved closer he could see that she had struck her head and her arm was bleeding.
He yanked off his cape, quickly and bundled her head in it's warmth and softness. Next he untied the sash about his waist and set her arm, stopping the bleeding momentarily. She was silent and he was frightened. He nudged her. "Stay awake querrida," He bent to place a soft kiss on her forehead.
"Can't," her voice was barely audible," So tired...."
"I will *not* loose you now, Victoria Escalante." Zorro's eyes were firm , the storm brewed in the sea blue eyes like the crashing waves on the open sea." Not after all we have gone through to be together."
She smiled and mouthed his name. Diego. His given name. Not the name he chose to hide his emotions, his true self, behind.
"Preciosa, please," he begged and he continued to slide her carefully from the beam that pinned her not so tightly to the floor, "stay awake for me."
As he pulled her from beneath the beam, the floor began to rattle again and he launched himself over her, covering and protecting her with his body until the earth became still again.
He took a deep breath and muttered," aftershock."
She ignored him and he picked her up quickly and moved towards the entrance. A cheer went up as he emerged with Victoria in his arms and was surrounded by a small crowd.
Alejandro pushed his way to the front and knelt beside his son, his heart sinking upon seeing Victoria.
"She's hurt badly," Zorro said, staring long and hard into his fathers eyes." I need....:"
"The doctor is coming," Alejandro forced a smile to come to his lips," Don't worry, she's a fighter."
Just then she coughed and both men turned to see her coughing up what appeared to be blood.
"Oh no," Zorro whispered as he heard a loud, annoying voice behind him.
"Stand and defend yourself Zorro!" DeSoto cried," you are under arrest."
Zorro shook his head and sighed," Not now alcalde." He turned his head to cast a sideways glance at the annoying man," Can't you see that I am busy."
"Assisting an injured sympathizer," DeSoto unsheathed his blade and lunged towards Zorro's half turned back," I should arrest her as well when she heals."
Zorro stood quickly, anger casting a sparkle in his eyes against the dark night, as he quickly unsheathed his blade and, with one final look at Victoria and his father, engaged the alcalde in probably the quickest battle of his life. One parry , riposte and rolling disengage were all Zorro needed to relieve the alcalde of his very underused weapon.
Zorro held the blade deathly close to the alcalde's throat, "I said I was busy. If you would like to engage in a mock duel later on, I will gladly accept the challenge. Right now, Senorita Escalante needs my assistance." Zorro turned as if to walk away but then thought better of it and swung his fist hard around for a powerful left hook which impacted with the alcalde and sent him sprawling to the ground unconscious.
No assistance came for the alcalde as Mendoza and the few Lancers that were not trapped in the collapsed quartel were working diligently to free their comrades.
Zorro turned to kneel beside his love, who had been fading in and out of consciousness. Blood trickled from her lips and he bent to wipe it away with his glove. He finally slid the gloves from his fingers, wanting to feel her skin next to his, and grasped a slim hand is his own, pressing it to his lips."Querrida, stay with us. We need you." A tear was threatening to escape the big blue eyes ," I need you."
Alejandro placed a comforting hand on his shoulder as a few of the people who had been watching on in silence turned to help the still injured behind them.
"I...." She shook her head. The thoughts would not come clearly and her vision was blurred. She reached her uninjured arm towards him and he caught it, pressing it to his lips." Te amo, Diego."
The tear slipped from his eyelid as she reached for his face.
He ignored the gasps that came from the few assembled around them, the doctor included. He leaned closer to her so that she could caress his cheek and move her fingers beneath the fabric of the mask he still wore. If she was going to die, then there would no longer be a need for Zorro, or his life for that matter. He would gladly follow her on her journey if only she would not be separated from him again.
She pulled at his mask and Alejandro turned to the assembled crowd," Please help with the injured. They need you." Lanterns turned toward the others that were injured and the light faded from where Victoria lay in Zorro's arms.
Flickers of light cast a strange glow upon those that witnessed what happened next. Diego lowered his head to her chest and allowed her to pull the mask from his face.
Alejandro and Doctor Hernandez were the only living souls who witnessed the unmasking of Zorro in the town plaza.
Diego lifted his head, his hair falling in his eyes, to stare at the beautiful sight lying so injured and in pain beneath him. He shook his head, the tears falling freely from his eyelids and onto her fair skin.
"I won't let you die," He whispered, his voice barely audible over the crowd behind him.
"So tired," She muttered, her hand sliding from his hair to his cheek and down his neck. Diego looked up sharply and stared into the doctors caring eyes. "Please, isn't there anything that can be done? If we can get her to the hacienda..."
"There isn't time to do that," Doctor Hernandez confessed," If she has internal bleeding then...." His eyes came to rest on Padre Benitez who had just knelt beside Zorro.
Diego lowered his eyes and then looked at the padre. Benitez smiled and patted Diego's shoulder," I will say..."
"No," He shook his head," She can't die. Not now."
A tear slipped from the corner of Alejandro's eye and he placed a comforting hand on his son's shoulder.
Diego bent and wrapped his arms around Victoria and brought her lips to his. He could hear her labored breathing and tenderly touched his lips to hers. He was rewarded when her lips pressed against his and her arm circled his neck to deepen it.
"I...won't.... leave you." She broke the embrace to lay limp in his arms once again.
"To the church," Benitez stood and pulled Diego into a standing position. He led the three men and injured women around the buildings so that no one would see the man behind Zorro's mask.
"You have relative sanctuary here and no one will be looking for you until this crisis is over," Benitez said as he led them up the stairs to a small room. A bed rested in the corner and Diego laid Victoria carefully upon it. Reluctant to release any part of her, he knelt there beside her bed, with his arms wrapped protectively around her.
Benitez pulled him gently away as the doctor began his work.
Felipe brought bandages and water as Benitez took Diego and his father down stairs to pray.
Diego, Alejandro, and joined minutes later by Felipe, knelt in front of the alter and began to recite prayers so common that they knew them by heart, while the good Padre went to the door to make sure it was securely locked.
Much later, Diego walked slowly up the stairs to where Victoria was sleeping in relative comfort. He held her hand tightly and laid his head next to hers on the pillow, sleep claiming his tried body instantly.
Padre Benitez and Alejandro followed Diego slowly, speaking in hushed voices as they ascended the stairs. Alejandro slowly opened the door to see the couple sleeping peacefully beside one another.
"I had no idea, Alejandro," Benitez confessed, staring at Diego's head slumped against the pillow beside Victoria.
"Nor did I, padre," Alejandro smiled a weak smile and stared at his son and the clothing that he was still dressed in," He apparently had us all fooled." He turned to the padre, his eyes serious. "My son is a good man, father. He..."
"What this man," Benitez nodded in Diego's direction," has done for this pueblo...He has been a god send to us."
Alejandro nodded," I could not be more proud him. Yes," Alejandro shook his head, "This life, this secret...has kept him from his hearts desire for too long. And now a natural disaster may keep him from lifelong happiness." Alejandro turned from the sight in front of him," He doesn't deserve this."
Victoria began to stir and Diego awoke instantly, holding her hand, caressing her cheek, whispering quietly to her. He kissed her hand. her cheek, her forehead, as she opened her eyes.
"Diego..."
"Ssshhh," He placed a finger on her lips and lifted her head with his other hand to bring a glass of water to her dry lips," Save your strength. We are going to take you to the hacienda so you can recover there."
She nodded and fell against the pillows into a deep slumber.
Felipe rushed up the stairs carrying extra clothes for Diego as well as the mask and hat that he had left in the plaza.
"What is it, Felipe?" Diego asked as three pairs of questioning eyes turned to him. The boy frantically signed so that the men could understand him.
"A little slower, Felipe."
Diego's eyes widened." The Alcalde and his men, coming here?" Diego reached for the mask and the hat, replacing them with quick, experienced accuracy and, placing one final kiss on Victoria's forehead, rushed down the steps, his voice trailing upward," Wait for me at the hacienda, I will lead them away."
"I knew you were in here!" DeSoto growled as he lunged toward Zorro," Don't think you can hide from me in a church!"
Zorro side stepped the enraged alcalde easily and brought his blade up to parry the man's wild lunge.
"And you will disrespect God by attacking a man in his sanctuary?" Zorro asked, his blade knocking his opponents off time and time again." I tire of this battle alcalde. I should just kill you and be done with it."
The alcalde gasped, feining disgust," In Gods house? Why Zorro, I am shocked that you would even consider such a thing."
Zorro shook his head and blocked another desperate lunge. This time, he threw the door open and as the alcalde missed, kicked him in the backside and chuckled as he stumbled out the door onto his face. This startled the people in the plaza and soon there was shouting and cheering for Zorro to take off the alcalde's head and ship him back to Spain in a casket.
"Mendoza!" The alcalde called. He knew he was no match for the masked man and turned to his incompetent Sergeant for help in eliminating his opponent.
"I have more important things to attend to then give you lessons in fencing tonight, alcalde," Zorro thrust his blade out, caught the alcalde's in a rolling parry and disarmed the man, his blade skidding across the sand covered plaza.
With a salute and a shrill whistle, Zorro mounted his black beauty and raced him through the town gates before the alcalde could retrieve his sword.
Over a week later, Victoria lay comfortably in a plush, soft bed in the de la Vega guest room. She yawned and stretched, momentarily cringing in pain as muscles she hadn't used in days, pulled in pain.
"Careful now," Diego smiled, walking through the door with a tray filled with mouth watering food.
"Mmm," Victoria licked her lips," I am so hungry I could eat a horse." She admitted.
Diego shot her a lopsided grin and chuckled," Don't let Tornado hear you say that. I think he might have an aversion to being someone's food."
He set the meal down across her legs and took a seat beside her. He lifted her hand from the mattress and pressed a kiss to the palm," even someone such as beautiful as yourself."
She giggled and stared as his eyes caught hers in a long, loving gaze.
"I was worried about you," Diego held her hand tightly while she used the other to spoon her soup, "I don't know what I would do without you."
"Well we won't ever have to find out," she lifted her hand from his and caressed his cheek, her fingers sliding to the corner of his mouth and then down his neck, "I plan to be around for years to come."
Alejandro stepped into the room grumbling and they turned a concerned gaze toward the older de la Vega. "What is it, father?"
"The alcalde has imposed a new series of land taxes, building taxes and construction taxes," Alejandro raised his arms in frustration," many of the people were lucky to survive the earthquake and now the alcalde is going to charge each and every one of them to re-build their homes."
"That is absurd," Diego breathed.
"Well he just announced it and I thought the people were going to riot."
"Maybe they should." Diego whispered.
Victoria's eyes widened and Alejandro leaned toward his son, "What was that? You want them to riot?"
"Diego?" Alejandro shook his head.
"I know father," Diego sighed," our family has always been a law abiding family. We have never opposed a ruling government body but in this case....."
"Give it time, Diego."
"Time may be what the people no longer has much of."
Alejandro nodded and Victoria squeezed her troubled love's hand.
Alejandro caught Diego on his way toward the kitchen and smiled.
"How are things proceeding?" Diego asked.
"Wonderfully. It should just be another few weeks and everything will be just like new. Literally."
Diego smiled," that's wonderful."
"A wedding gift." Alejandro clasped his son gently on his shoulder. Diego smiled, "She hasn't agreed yet......."
"Have you even formally asked her?" Alejandro chuckled.
His son came as close to blushing as he had ever seen the young man and Alejandro smiled widely," Do it publicly." He clasped his son on the back and walked out of the kitchen calling behind him, "Let's go see how things are progressing."
A week later, Victoria was up exercising her injured leg when she noticed horseman wearing strange colored uniforms galloping closer. She limped to the front of the hacienda to greet them and the man who appeared to be the commander stopped and smiled.
"Buenos dias, Senora," the man smiled warmly," how far to Los Angeles?"
Victoria smiled at the man's assumption and smiled widely, "It's senorita, Senor, and it is about 2 miles south of here ."
"Ah, perdoname, senorita," The man smiled," y gracias."
He waved his men on and Victoria spoke, "Senor, I...do not recognize those uniforms. Where do you come from?"
The commander waved a young boy on horseback forward. The boy removed a parchment from his saddlebag and moved into the formation he had just came from.
"We are from the Republica de Mexico, here to see that the Spanish influence and government leaves this territory peacefully."
"Mexico!" She gasped." Then the rumors are true?"
"Si senorita," The man smiled, " Las Californias is now a colonia de Mexico and will be governed as such."
"Good riddance to the alcalde then," she muttered and the man smiled.
"I don't suppose you know of any inhabitants of this territory who would oppose a change in military government?"
"No Senor," Victoria stared at him, not sure of what he really meant. Not sure if she really wanted to know." But when you reach Los Angeles, seek out Alejandro or Diego de la vega. They will be happy to fill you in on the dictatorship that we live under here."
Felipe walked up behind Victoria and steadied her unsure footing.
"Ah, perdon, senorita," The commander dismounted and proceeded to help the injured woman, "I didn't realize you were injured."
She shied away from the man," It's all right, Senor, Felipe is here to help me. The earthquake damaged some buildings and the people did not escape uninjured."
He nodded and mounted his horse once again." Well gracias for the hospitality senorita. We must reach the pueblo by noon. Adios."
The troops galloped off toward the pueblo and she only wished she could be there when the alcalde saw them coming.
Felipe shot her a questioning look and she proceeded to tell him all about what she had just learned.
"I will return," DeSoto threatened," and you will regret ever treating me the way you have! I will return de la Vega and if you had a hand in this.....!"
The alcalde was muzzled and shoved aboard the cart for the long ride to Monterey where he would be shipped back to Spain in disgrace.
Diego, Alejandro and the rst of the people in the plaza looked on, smiles playing widely across each and every face.
It wasn't until much later in the day that Diego and Alejandro returned from the pueblo. Victoria greeted Alejandro with a smile and Diego with a long, passionate kiss to the lips which startled both men.
"What was that for?" Diego muttered breathlessly.
"I missed you."
Alejandro raised his eyebrows and Victoria chuckled," did you see the troops today?"
Curiosity got the better of her and she rushed to ask before waiting for them to mention it. Diego's eyes widened.
"Si Diego," Victoria limped to a nearby couch and motioned for them to join her," they rode by here today asking a few questions."
"Oh?" Diego shot a questioning look at his father, "What kind of questions?"
"Oh," She leaned back in his arms, relishing the quiet strength beneath his fluffy shirt," how far the pueblo was from here, if I thought there would be any that would oppose a new government." As an afterthought she batted her eyelashes up at Diego and remembered, "the commander was quite friendly too. Was quite concerned when he noticed he was keeping me on my feet when I was injured."
Diego's eyes widened and Alejandro doubled over in laughter.
She rubbed her ankle and shot Diego a coy look before continuing with her story. She could feel Diego tense and she slid a slim hand up his arm to calm him.
"Ah, not to worry, mi amor," She rubbed his cheek with her hand as Alejandro fought to keep from laughing," Zorro does not need to appear to defend my honor. I am quite content where I am."
"That's good to know," Diego said calmly, narrowing his eyes at his father. The man was struggling to keep a straight face at the appearance of his uncomfortable son.
"Are you feeling well?" Diego asked Victoria as she was sitting out in the garden smelling the blooming roses late in the evening.
"Si, Diego," she turned and smiled at the young man, extending her hand in a gesture of his she knew too well.
He smiled as her fingers slid between his and he brought the palm up to kiss it lightly.
"Father and I would like to escort you into town tonight, if you are feeling up to it," Diego smiled, bent to pluck on of the roses she had been admiring and held it up to her.
She smiled and sniffed the fresh blossom. She shivered; from the cold, the gesture, his light touch, she wasn't sure.
The ever observant man noticed this and moved closer, the heat from his body doing more then warming her flesh.
She blushed and he chuckled, noting her reaction to his close proximity. He opened his arms and she fell into them, as if he was a life raft keeping her from drowning, and she sighed deeply.
"I do so love holding you," he pressed a kiss to her hair and she shivered again, this time from the pent up emotions and desires she carried in her heart for this man with the duel personalities.
She murmured something inaudible and he pulled back slightly, lifting her head . Their eyes locked for moments before he bent over her and captured her lips in a gentle, probing kiss.
She responded enthusiastically and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
Alejandro strode through the hacienda looking for his son and/or Victoria. He sighed. They had picked the most inopportune time to disappear.
"Ah, young love," Alejandro muttered and decided to take a look outside before giving up and letting them find him on their own.
And that is how he found them, wrapped tightly in each others arms, their mouths drinking hungrily from each other as if they were starving.
Alejandro smiled and leaned against the doorframe, patiently waiting for the two to extract themselves from their embrace.
Diego sensed someone watching them from the shadows but decided that it was better to hold the woman he loved rather then break the moment simply because his father was watching them.
He released her lips and pressed a kiss to her cheek, eyelids and finally to her forehead. She shivered and he smiled. "Te amo, Victoria." he kissed her again, gently, his lips leaving hers too soon. She smiled and sobbed, a tear sliding down her cheek at such a heartfelt endearment.
"We will find a way, Victoria." Diego admonished,"with the alcalde gone, we have more of a chance then ever."
"I know, mi amor," Victoria placed a slim finger against his lips. "I don't know if I can bear...these weeks here have been wonderful and I just dread....." A sob broke her concentration and she slumped into his chest again. her home, her very livelyhood had been destroyed around her and she needed to make preperations to rebuild.
"Come," Diego lifted her away from him slightly, "Let's get to the pueblo before dark settles over the valley. I want to show you something......"
"Madre de dios!" Victoria shrieked as they rounded the church.
Diego held her horse as she dismounted and limped, as quickly as her little body would take her, to the doors of the tavern. The last time she had seen the building it lay in rubble around her body. Now, it was a newly re-built structure, similar in design to the first tavern. Now it was bigger, still two stories, and it looked like a prospering establishment. She whirled on Diego, who had just dismounted his steed, and embraced him tightly.
"What have you done?" her eyes searched his for answers.
It had been a little over two weeks since her injury and ...how did they do this so quickly? Alejandro stood beside the couple and whispered to Victoria, "in lieu of a dowry for you, daughter."
She gasped and embraced Alejandro tightly, then took their hands and led them into her newly built establishment.
"It simply awaits your re-decoration and then it will be open for business," Diego smiled, once the doors had been securely shut against all those who may see what went on behind them.
She shot another quick look to make sure they were securely shut and all but leapt into Diego's arms, whimpering, shaking, muttering his name over and over.
Diego smiled over her head at his father and the older de la Vega decided that he would take a look around the building and give the young couple a little privacy.
Victoria's lips molded to his, and he was taken aback by the intensity of the kiss. His heart felt lighter then it had since he had returned from Spain. They would finally have the happiness they deserved. It would just take a little time and some careful planning. They would rid themselves of the alcalde once and for all......or rather, the visiting Mexican troops would be taking care of that for Zorro.
He took her slim hand in his and gave her a tour of her new establishment.
The door swung open slowly and she gasped. The room was at least twice a big as the one she was used to. A large bed, wide window and ornate dresser adorned the room. A door slid away to reveal a hidden closet and inside were a few articles of clothing that Victoria did not recognize.
She turned a questioning gaze to Diego who only smiled and ushered her toward where the clothing hung. Her fingers slid her fingers of the soft material.
"Oh Diego..." she shook her head.
"Get used to it," He smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek.
She wandered around the room in a daze, finally coming to sit on the soft, oversize since she would be the only one sleeping in it, bed.
"It will be some time before we can be together publicly," Diego sat next to her and took her hands in his, pressing them to his lips one finger at a time, "and I wanted you become accustomed to the luxury you would be moving into when I am finally able to put the band around your finger and make you mine forever."
"Oh Diego," she gazed around the room unbelievingly," I can't even..."
"Don't think about it," he leaned forward and kissed her lightly, "The troops are here to send DeSoto back to Spain and the new governor will be here before the year is out to christen this new territory a Mexican province."
She nodded and gazed at the handsome caballero. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him against her, her lips fitting to his like a well matched glove. His mind froze for a split second as she pulled him against her, leaning back against the headboard, but his desire and need to kiss her, and hold her overcame his objections and he leaned into her loving embrace.
His body half covering hers, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her leg encircling his where it rested against hers.
"Te amo, Diego," she breathed as his hands slid from her waist, to her neck and down again.
"Si, te amo mi presciosa, "his lips left hers to trail a line of fire down her neck to the material covering her breasts.
His hands slid the peasant shirt down her shoulders and his lips caressed the line his hands trailed down her body.
His gentle hands roamed over her body, exacting soft sighs from her parted lips. Her breathing quickened and she gasped as his hand gently brushed over a partially covered nipple.
Her hands tangled in his soft dark hair as his gentle but insistant touch caused her to shiver with desire.
Her fingers slowly unfastened his shirt and she reached between the shirt and jacket to slid the heavy material off his arms and to the floor.
Her fingers moved between the fabric and his skin and he shivered. His skin tingled as her fingers slid over his well muscled shoulders and down his chest to his stomach and back again. The white material dropped to the floor unnoticed as she explored with her hands the same as he had done with her.
Neither of them noticed the door slide closed as they kissed the night away .............
One year later, preparations were in full swing for a spectacular gala to officially welcome the new government and it's seemingly fair representatives.
The plaza was decorated in the colors of their new government and dignitaries from all over the territory arrived to take part in the celebrations.
This was a duel ceremony, however, as the de la Vega's were preparing for a celebration of their own. The hacienda was decorated in flowers, banners and ribbon, preparing for the coming, and long-awaited, wedding of the younger de la Vega.
The people were not at all surprised when Diego and Victoria announced their engagement over 6 months prior. They had been seeing a lot of each other since Zorro had departed to fight injustice in other territories that he said needed him. This had broken Victoria's heart but she remained strong and soon after realized that she had been fighting her feelings for her childhood friend in hopes of a future with Zorro.
When she realized that this would never happen, the people noticed a gradual change in the relationship between Diego and Victoria.
Some said it was a long time in coming, some chastised Diego for choosing a woman much lower in status then him.
Whatever the case, the story made up by the de la Vega family had worked like a charm and no one would ever suspect that their former masked hero was in reality the very man Victoria was about to wed.
After the military ceremony, those guests that had been invited to the wedding left the plaza to change and leave for the de la Vega hacienda.
Benches and chairs had been set outside in the garden as the spectators arrived and were escorted through the large assembly of flowers that adorned the hacienda walls.
Felipe, dressed as a caballero for the first time, had the honor of escorting the guests to their seats.
The guests mingled and spoke in hushed tones until the piano began and the groom stepped out into the front of the assembled crowd.
He wore a suit of deep blue, complimenting his eyes, with gold braid, striking in the late afternoon sun.
He turned and smiled as a little pueblo girl and boy preceded the bride, dropping rose petals for her to walk across.
His heart was beating so rapidly that he thought he would faint when he finally caught a glimpse of her.
Escorted by his father, Victoria wore a simple white dress, lace covered, with a gold braid stretching around her arms and across her bodice in an intricate pattern of flowers and vines which reflected the light beautifully.
She carried a simple bouquet of multi-colored roses, their stems intertwined within little bundles. As she walked toward Diego and the Padre, she slid one red rose from it's home and into each of her brother's hands. She kissed their cheeks softly before moving on.
As she reached the Padre and her husband-to-be, she turned to the two young children who had been a part of her ceremony. She took the two yellow roses from the center of the bouquet and offered them the sweet smelling buds.
She turned to Diego and smiled and then turned silently to Alejandro. The only sound, her dress ruffling in the autumn breeze. She took an intertwined bundle of red and yellow roses and extended them to him in friendship and love. She kissed him gently before turning back to Diego and the Padre.
She took a white rose and extended it towards the Padre, where she bowed as he took the beautiful flower from her hand and placed it in a vase beside the alter he stood behind. All that was left in her little bouquet was a purple rose, 4 red, a yellow and 2 white. Upon closer inspection, three red and one white rose were bundled together and she extended them towards Diego, where his hand covered hers and she recited," for those that cannot be with us on this special day; Elena...."
He finished for her," Sebastian and Maria. May they have life in the heavens that they now inhabit."
She set the bundle in a special vase in the center of the small table beside the Padre. Finally, Victoria held the remaining bundle toward Diego as he wrapped his fingers over hers and around the stems.
"To our friendship and love," Diego began and she smiled.
"To the purity and beauty of this union." She recited.
"God has blessed us with what we have had apart, bless us now with that which we have together."
"Diego Sebastian de la Vega...." the Padre began." and Victoria Maria Escalante......"
Diego smiled and knelt before his bride as his father sat before the piano and Felipe sat behind the guitar, pulling lightly at its strings.
As the music began to play, Diego's soft voice floated to Victoria on the wind...........
From this moment as long as I live
I promise you this there is nothing I would not give
from this moment I will love you as long as I live
From this moment, all my life.....
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