Stormy Kisses
Rating: PG13 for one bad word
Disclaimer: I don't own these characters. In fact, I'm not sure who all owns these characters, but I just borrowed them and returned them in the same condition I found them.
He found her next to a small stream where they had once shared a picnic. He had enjoyed himself so much that day. The sun had been brilliant, but not nearly as brilliant as Victoria. She had simply sparkled that day, just loving being with him. Now, it was a dark night whose violent wind promised to bring a storm at any moment. What alarmed him more was Victoria's demeanor. Tonight, she looked like a lost waif. The wind was blowing through her hair, and what little moonlight there was reflected on her tears. He knew that she was miserable, and he was responsible.
"Bella, you should not be out here on such a miserable night," he spoke to her softly. He saw her stiffen. She had apparently not heard him approaching and he somehow knew that for the first time ever she did not welcome his presence. "The wind promises to bring a fierce storm with it," he continued as if he were unaware of her attitude.
"There is already a fierce storm," Victoria answered. She spoke so softly it seemed as if she were only talking to herself. "I. . .I just needed to think for. . .I am so confused."
Zorro breathed deeply. He had to handle this situation delicately, but for once, his quick mind seemed to have turned to mush. He was unable to think of what he should say to her. He tried humor. "You sound like you are in confession, Victoria." He winced. His mind was definitely mush. Of course she sounded like she was in confession! She felt guilty for what happened tonight, even though she was in no way responsible.
Damn Diego anyway! It was all his fault! he thought. He then silently laughed at himself. Since when did he really start seeing himself as two different people? The game had started to become so confusing to him. He wasn't even sure if he knew who he was anymore. One thing he did know was that he had probably destroyed one of the most important relationships in his life.
Diego's friendship with Victoria was vitally important to him. True, as Zorro, he had her love, but as Diego he was allowed the chance to really know her, her hopes, her dreams, and her fears in a way that Zorro didn't have the time to discover.
"Diego, your mother and I were friends long before I fell in love with her. Please, Diego, when you find the lady you wish to marry, make sure that you are friends with her. Friendship is as important an ingredient to marriage as romance," his father used to tell him. His mother always agreed. She told him that she was one of the luckiest women in the world. Some married friends, and some married lovers, but few got both like she did.
Now, within the span of a few minutes, he had destroyed that friendship. Would he be able to build it back after Zorro was able to take off his mask? Would Victoria allow him the chance after she knew the truth? Would she. . . His mind ached with all the questions. He had asked himself the same questions for four days without figuring out an answer. When he had finally forced himself to go to town to face Victoria, he had been relieved at her attitude of denial. It would make life easier for them both, but somehow he had managed to make the same mistake tonight. He knew Victoria would not forgive him after tonight. He certainly would not forgive himself.
Victoria was staring at him. "Confession. . . I sound like I'm at confession. I guess I do. I guess I am," she told him in a halting voice.
Zorro felt his breath catch. He was going to have to endure the punishment. He would let her confess, assure her that she was innocent of any wrong doing, and hold her. His punishment would be hearing her condemn him, even if she was unaware of what she was doing. He deserved any abuse she threw his way. He had betrayed her trust.
He watched as she strolled over to Tornado and got a blanket. She laid the blanket on the ground and motioned for him to sit. "I'd love to spend more time with you here again, but I really think we should find some shelter from this storm." She shook her head and again indicated that he should sit down. He sat.
She took a deep breath and stared out at the small, raging stream. Her eyes had not met his at all tonight. "I have something to tell you. I . . . I don't want to tell you, but I know that I have to tell you or I won't be able to live with myself. I'm not even sure. . ." she stopped to take another deep breath. "Four days ago, I went with Diego de la Vega to Santa Paula. I don't know if you heard, but Don Alejandro fell from his horse the other day. He hurt his ribs and was unable to personally go see the Royal Spanish Emissary about some of the alcalde's tax initiatives, so he sent Diego to Santa Paula instead."
"He trusted Don Diego to speak for the entire pueblo?" he asked, imitating her question to him that day.
Victoria laughed shortly. "I asked the same question! I couldn't believe that Don Alejandro would elect Diego to such an important task. Shy, unassuming Diego couldn't begin to speak for the entire pueblo! I would have to go with him to make sure he did it right!" She stopped and he could see the small smile that touched her face. When she started to speak again, her voice was softer, more reflective. "I was wrong. Diego spoke with a such passion, such a fire, that I realized that I had just slowed him down. He was. . . wonderful. His mere presence demanded attention. His whole bearing was different. It was like. . .it was like, I was watching a stranger. I felt like I didn't really know him."
Zorro laid back on the blanket and watched the dark, menacing clouds that floated in the night sky. "I've always believed people are able to achieve great feats. With a mustard seed faith, they could move mountains. I think friends and family are often unaware of what someone could achieve if they tried. Sadly, the people themselves are unaware of what they could do. Diego probably just showed you one of those mountains that he could move."
Victoria's smile this time was free and unrestrained. She even looked at him. "Now you are starting to sound like him."
He looked at her. "What do you mean?"
"I was fifteen years old--had just turned fifteen--when my father and brothers left the pueblo. They left me alone. They left me alone, and they left me with the responsibility of the tavern. I was frightened. I was a young girl. What did I know of running a tavern? I just knew I was going to fail. The bank was going to take the tavern and I was going to lose the family business," Victoria said. She was grinning the whole time she told the story. Maybe tonight wouldn't be as bad as feared. She already seemed to be in a better mood.
"But you managed to make it until a successful business. It has been far more profitable under your guiding hands than it was under your parents," he reminded her.
Victoria nodded. "I have Don Diego to thank for that fact, too."
"Diego? He knows nothing about business!" He was truly amazed that she believed he was in any way responsible for her success. Books and fighting he knew, but business was an area of weakness for him. He could manage, and would do a good job of it after his father was gone, but he knew he would never have his father's brilliance with business matters. Victoria was the only person in Los Angeles that matched Alejandro in business sense.
"No, but he gave me the strength to do what I needed to do. He came into the tavern to tell me goodbye before he left for Madrid. He even ordered a bowl of soup." Victoria giggled. "It was truly terrible and he ate every bite! He then complimented me on how clean the tavern was. I had spent hours cleaning it in my anxiety. It was the one thing I knew how to do well! I don't know why--it wasn't like me even then--but I broke down crying. I'm glad he was the only customer I had! I was bawling like a baby, and he looked so. . .so stunned. He hadn't even told me goodbye, yet. He just walked around the counter and held me. His strength helped me to get a hold of myself."
Zorro remembered that day like it was yesterday. It was the day that he realized how much he cared for his childhood companion. True, they hadn't spent many hours together. He was often at the de la Vega hacienda, and seldom came to town. Sometimes, he was allowed to go with his father into town and sometimes Victoria visited the hacienda with her mother, but usually he wanted to play with her brothers. Still, even as a small boy, he had admired her courage, and thought that she was okay--for a girl. When she started crying, he had wanted to take care of her. As he watched her regain her spirit and courage, he was reminded of his mother and knew that she would make someone a wonderful wife.
"He sat me down at a table, and served me some of my own lemonade. . .which, actually wasn't bad,"Victoria continued. "He gave me a chance to catch my breath by telling me why he came. I think he knew whatever I was feeling at the moment would help dull the pain at the thought of his leaving. I don't know. Maybe, he didn't even know how much I cared. We so seldom saw each other." Zorro was touched. He had honestly expected that his departure would be something of little importance to her.
"Anyway, I confessed all my fears to him. I told him that I would probably be a servant at his hacienda when he returned. He got so mad at me! He told me that if I was, it was because that I had decided to be there. He told me I had enough education to learn how to run the tavern. He told me I had the ability. I just had to make the decision to use it. He said the only thing I lacked was the knowledge, and I had friends who would help me there. He said his father would help me to deal with the tradesmen until I knew all I needed to know. He told me Maria and some other ladies of the pueblo would just love to be able to share their secrets with me. They took great pride in their cooking and would love to know that so many people would get a chance to enjoy their recipes in the tavern. So often, only their families would get to taste their wonderful creations. He was right, and I knew it. I made the decision that I was going to run the best tavern in the territory. I told him that almost expecting him to laugh still. He smiled and told me that when he returned from Spain he would look forward to a meal at the best tavern in the territory."
Victoria sighed. "I had almost forgotten that somehow. When he returned from Spain, he seemed so different. Well, not at first, but . . ."
Zorro smiled. "So, Don Diego has a pocket of passion that he doesn't let many people see."
Victoria looked thoughtful. "He has tremendous passion. I just don't think people care to see it. When your being oppressed, it is easy to overlook the quiet labor. Diego has a great passion for knowledge, but with the way things are, we admire people like you who have a great skill with the sword."
Zorro could only stare at her. Tonight was definitely not going as he expected. He had thought that she would rage at him and his stupidity. Instead, she was saying things about Diego that was amazing him. She seemed almost to appreciate him instead of hating him.
Victoria closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She looked back at the creek. "Anyway, we left Santa Paula right after the meeting was done. I thought we should take rooms there at Santa Paula, but Diego was determined to get back and let his father know how the meeting went. I was surprised at his determination. I'd assumed *I* was in charge of our little expedition. I guess since he had given so easy on my demand to go, I just assumed that he would give in to any demand I had."
Victoria laid back and watched the clouds, too. She laid as far away from him as she could and still be on the blanket. She had relaxed around him, but she was still uncomfortable. Zorro knew that she would have to finish her "confession" before she would allow him to touch her.
"However, I was right. We ran into a storm. Diego knew of an abandoned windmill and we sought shelter there. It was horribly cold. Much colder than tonight. Diego brought in some little sticks and started a fire. He was so proper. He laid two blankets on the floor and separated them by a bench."
"He was just concerned about your reputation as he should have been. He was trying to be a gentleman," Zorro said.
"I know. He even argued the point of the gossip before we left for Santa Paula. I laughed at the thought of people gossiping about Diego and myself," Victoria told him.
"Apparently, you were right. I haven't heard a word of gossip about your trip and everyone knew that you made it." Zorro looked over at her and smiled. Even though she was obviously still worried about something, she had a pleased look on her face at being right.
"Well, Corporal Garcia tried to start some rumors, but everyone laughed."
Zorro tensed. "Corporal Garcia has been reassigned to the garrison?" He had no fear that Garcia could hurt him, but he was afraid that the lancer might go after Diego with a vengeance.
"No, he was passing through on his way to Mexico City. Did you know that Diego stood up to him when he first came home? Garcia had grabbed me and Diego forced him to let me go. He told him he was home from Spain where, among other things, he 'learned how to treat a lady.' He was wonderful that day, too. He almost challenged the alcalde!" Victoria looked away thoughtfully. "I guess that was before he realized how useless it would be."
Zorro was startled. "You think challenging the alcalde is useless?"
"No. I wouldn't challenge him myself if I believed that was the case. I just mean. . . it would be useless for him to fight with the alcalde. He doesn't have your skill with the sword. He fights him in other ways. He uses the Guardian to say what needs to be said. He does it so cunningly that he is never arrested, but the Guardian always tells the truth. He helps by giving legal advice, and he helps by providing aid. You come in and do the fighting that is needed, and Diego stays to help the people to recover. He helps them grow stronger like he did with me."
Both were silent for several minutes. He was thrilled to hear what Victoria thought of Diego. It was a much better picture than he expected. She always seemed so frustrated with him. "Why don't you ever do anything?" she had asked him in the windmill. Perhaps, she was able to see the good in Diego's knowledge after all. He was also devastated because he knew that she would be unable to be friends with Diego anymore. She might forgive him, but they could never go back to the way it was before. He had shown her that tonight.
"We were in that windmill all night. I tried to talk to him, to find out more about him, but he seemed unwilling to let me in. He claimed he only wanted sleep, but I knew he wasn't that tired. I was hurt that he refused to reveal himself to me," Victoria said softly. "I kept pushing him, but . . . The wind's bad tonight, but it was much worst that night. It even blew the door open, letting in the cold night air. I was freezing again. Diego put his jacket around me and I. . . I looked. . ." Victoria several deep breaths. Zorro seemed unable to breath himself. He knew what was coming and he really didn't want to hear what she had to say.
"I looked him in the eyes as I thanked him and I saw something there I had never seen before . . .something that amazed me. He leaned towards me and somehow we kissed. I was shocked," Victoria said, her voice trembling.
Zorro took a deep breath and forced himself to speak. He wanted to reassure her. "I know that you didn't asked to be kissed, Bella. You didn't. . ."
"No!" Victoria stood. "You don't understand." Victoria started to pace, agitated. "I didn't asked to be kissed, and at first I did nothing. Then, *I* deepened the kiss. I tried to use the lie that I didn't want him to kiss me. I tried, but I couldn't lie to myself and I can't lie to you. I welcomed his kisses with as much passion as I welcome yours!"
Zorro sat up and watched her pace. He tried to speak, but his tongue suddenly felt as if weighed as much as a boulder. She welcomed Don Diego's kisses? His mind was unable to process that thought. Maybe she didn't want him to be angry at Diego? Maybe she was afraid that he would threaten her friend?
"I think that maybe. . .No, I know things would have progressed farther, but there was a large clap of thunder and it seemed to bring Diego back to his senses. He looked at me with such a pitiful look. His apology was so heartbreaking. You would have thought he had murdered my pet dog or something. I couldn't find the words to tell him that it was all right. I thought. . . I don't know maybe he was shocked by my responses. He is always so proper and my reactions to his kisses weren't proper. I thought maybe I had disgusted him."
She thought maybe she had disgusted him? Where on earth would she get such a horrible idea? Did he really come across as such a prude? "Victoria?"
"No! I'm going to finish what I have to say. I have so much to say. I don't know how. . . Anyway, the next morning we began home. The journey was miserable. Diego and I have always been able to talk to each other easily. He would always listen to me jabbering away, and I would listen about his newest discovery. That day, I was miserable. I couldn't find anything to say to him, and he seemed unwilling to even look at me. I realized something on that trip home that I had never realized before, never let myself realize. I realized that I . . .I'm in love with Diego de la Vega, too."
"What?" Zorro's voice was a squeak. He knew know that he was either dreaming or hallucinating. There was no way that passionate, vibrant Victoria Escalantee could love boring, passionless Diego de la Vega. She had made her lack of interest apparent many times to him.
Victoria turned and looked at him. Tears were again streaming down her face. "I know. I'm sorry. I don't know how. . . I love him, but I love you, too. I think I must be crazy. What kind of woman would fall in love with two such totally different men? After I rested that day, I tried to convince myself that I had just been tired, that fatigue had dulled my brain. I felt guilty for even thinking such a foolish thought. I hid in the tavern when you brought those thieves in and prayed for once that you wouldn't seek me out to talk to me. I felt relief when I heard Tornado riding away."
Zorro's mind was reeling. He too had been relieved when Victoria hadn't been in the plaza. His own guilt had prevented him from going to her. His heart was pounding in his chest. She loved him! She loved all of him. Even the man behind the mask.
"Diego didn't come to the tavern until today. I refused to admit how miserable that made me. I refused to talk to him about that night. I thought if we ignored it long enough, it would just go away. For some reason, he invited me to dinner at their hacienda, and for some crazy reason, I accepted. I thought we would get back to the same ground we were always on before. Dinner was wonderful. Don Alejandro had us laughing about some of the things he did in the army. It felt so right to be having dinner with them. . ." Victoria's voice trailed off and Zorro could tell that she was thinking about the wonderful atmosphere that had been at the table. It had seemed so right for her to finally sitting there like the family member she was going to be one day.
"We went out in the garden. The wind had just started to pick up, and the flowers were so beautiful in the breeze. Alejandro was called into the hacienda for some reason, and Diego and I were left alone. I chatted like I always did, refusing to admit that my heart was pounding. He was so stiff, so proper. I found myself growing frustrated with that--that mask! I wanted to again see the passionate Diego of Santa Paula. So like the fool, I rushed into danger. I pushed. I prodded. And I got what I wanted. Diego grabbed me and kissed me again. My blood sang. It felt so right. Then, Alejandro walked out and his gasp brought us both back to our senses. Diego stiffly apologized to me. I could see that look in his eyes, that look of disgust. I felt like my heart was breaking. Diego stalked away and I. . . Poor Don Alejandro, I think I said goodbye and asked to borrow a horse. I'm not even sure he answered. I just had to get away. I ran to his stables and borrowed the horse!"
Victoria put her hand on his face. "I'm sorry. I know I promised to wait. I still love you just as much, but I love him, too. I was so confused that I rode here to think. I had just decided that I had to tell you what was going on with me when you found me here. I don't know what to do. I don't know what you're thinking, or what Don Alejandro is thinking, or even what Diego is thinking! I'm not even sure what I'm thinking!"
Zorro drew her into his arms. She was stiff, but he kept holding her. He admired her courage, but he feared he lacked it. She always had been the only thing he feared. He was still scared that he might lose her tonight, but he couldn't let her stay confused. He couldn't court her as Diego without her knowing. It was time for him to confess.
"Alejandro is probably worried about what is going on between you and Diego. He is more concerned about you, I think, than Don Diego. After all, you are the daughter he never had, and men like to protect their daughters from lechers." He could feel her smile. "And Diego?" She stiffened at the mention of his name. "And Diego, if he were here, would tell you that he has loved you for *such* a long time. When he walked into the best tavern in the territory, he knew by just looking at you that the crazy idea he had about marrying you before he left wasn't crazy. You were going to make a wonderful wife."
Victoria tried to pull away from him but he wouldn't let her. He could feel her confusion, but he had to finish what he was going to say. "And I'm thinking how I've always feared that you wouldn't love the man behind the mask, and how it frightens me to let you know. . ."
Victoria pulled back and looked up into his eyes--Diego's eyes. "Diego?" she asked quietly as a loud clap of thunder sounded. "It is you, isn't it?" Zorro nodded. He was startled when Victoria started to laugh. "I'm not crazy after all. I don't love two different men! I love the same man! Just different parts of him!"
Zorro laughed with her and hugged her close. So many years he had worried. He was still worried about her safety, but he felt wonderful. She accepted the news with such a relaxed acceptance. She wasn't mad or disappointed that he was Diego. She just accepted it.
"I guess Don Alejandro wasn't all that shocked to see us kissing after all!" She smiled up at him, yelling above the now faster wind.
"Oh, he was shocked! He doesn't know, Victoria!" Zorro wanted to share everything with her. Know that she knew, there would be no more secrets.
Victoria's body stilled. He was surprised by her reaction. "Victoria?"
"He doesn't know? You've been all alone all this time?" Victoria sounded devastated by the knowledge.
"No, Felipe knew! He's known since the beginning. Oh, and he can hear, too," Zorro reassured her.
Victoria started laughing again. "That shouldn't surprise me, but it does. I guess that's one way Zorro was able to find out his information! You always seemed to know when there is a problem in the pueblo."
The rain started to pour, soaking the two. "Come on, we need to get back to the hacienda," he told her.
"And we need to tell your father," Victoria told him as she got on her borrowed horse.
"What? Why?" Zorro was surprised by her declaration.
"He's not getting any younger, and evil isn't relaxing any. You're going to be Zorro for a lot longer, and he has the right to know, D--Zorro. He has the right to have a chance to know his son. All of him, not just a part of him," Victoria said to him seriously. "Trust me. It'll put him in no more danger than he already is now, and it will give him the chance to help you. He'll be so proud of you. He already loves you so much, and he gets so angry at himself for being frustrated with you. He thinks in his head that he should accept you for who you are, but in his heart, he has a hard time accepting that who you have been is all that you can be. I guess something in him knew that you could do so much more. Let him know you," she pleaded.
Zorro smiled up at her. "Maybe you're right, but first let's get out of this storm. I'm sure father will have many, many questions as it is and maybe the truth is the best answer. I'm tired of seeing the look of disappointment in his eyes. Maybe it is time that everything comes out into the open for the de la Vega family." With his family's support, maybe the game would again be simple. Even the strongest of men needed support sometimes.
Tornado and her horse stood side by side. "But first, before we tell your father, I want another kiss." Zorro smiled at her and then showed her that he would gladly follow her orders in some areas.
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