Chapter One:
"Take the mask off when you speak to me," Victoria said, her eyes bright with emotion.
Zorro stood there and sighed. "Victoria, you know I must keep my identity a secret, for all our sakes."
"Take the mask off when you speak to me," she repeated, clutching the cloth she had been wiping down the counter with when he came in. "Diego de la Vega…"
Zorro flinched, but said nothing.
"Ask me how I know," Victoria murmured. "Ask me…"
"I am not going to talk to you in this state, querida," Zorro said softly. "We will both say things we may regret."
"Do you love me?"
"Victoria."
"Tell me you don't love me," she said, blinking rapidly. "Tell me this was all a stupid game. A way to tease and humiliate me."
Zorro couldn't help it, he stepped forward and embraced her. He felt her slump in his arms, as she relaxed.
"My poor Victoria," he murmured into her hair. It was soft and fragrant. "This was never a game. Humiliation was never my intent, and I hope it never comes to that."
"You haven't denied what I said," Victoria whispered. "Are you Diego?"
"Do you want me to be, Victoria?"
"That is not an answer," she sniffed. Ah, so the growing dampness on his shoulder were the result of silent tears. Zorro sighed again.
"If I was Diego, would anything change? Would you think less of me? Would you still love me?" Zorro murmured. "If Diego courted you, would you consider marriage with him?"
"I told you, I love the man you are under the mask."
"Would you hate me as Diego?"
"Are you Diego?"
The silence grew uncomfortable.
"Have you ever lied to me, Zorro?"
Zorro shook his head, after quickly thinking over the past. No, never actually lied. Perhaps manipulated everyone in the pueblo. But never straight out lied. Not to Victoria. Never to her.
"Are you Diego?" She asked, staring into his eyes so intently he had to turn aside. "Are you going to lie to save your skin?"
He was silent. "How did you find out?" He murmured, so quietly Victoria could hardly hear him.
Her eyes widened, and she gasped. She hadn't been sure. Not completely sure. He was avoiding the answer, not saying anything to answer her, and then? What was what it he said?
"What did you say?" She said.
"I think you heard me," Zorro said, a firmness coming to his mouth and an edge to his voice.