A Leap of Faith

Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.

Chapter 1

"Do you want to get married, Victoria?" Zorro asked her, confidently leaning against the kitchen table in the tavern with his arms on his belt.

"Zorro, you startled me!" Victoria stared at him, "I didn't hear you coming." Then she realized what he had asked. "You're asking me if I want to get married?"

Zorro grinned. "Yes."

"Has something happened that Zorro is no longer needed? Or did you get a pardon that I haven't heard of?"

"No, unfortunately not," Zorro sighed. "Nothing has changed."

"Then what is it?" she asked him expectantly. "Will you remove your mask and show me your face?"

"You know why I can't do it!" Zorro sounded miserable again.

"Why do you ask me if I want to get married if nothing has changed?" Victoria was disappointed and annoyed.

"I have an idea that could get us married, but I don't know if we should do it."

"What keeps you, Zorro? You know I'd do anything for us to get married!"

"Do you really want to marry me, Victoria? Who are you in love with? The mask or the man behind it?"

"Zorro, I told you before that I love the man and not the mask! Why don't you believe me?" she stepped close enough to put her hands on his arms, trying to read his face.

"I don't want you to be disappointed by the one you find behind the mask." Zorro stared at her, showing his doubts, while he embraced her. "We could be married in four weeks or five, but it involves a scandal and there will be no turning back."

"We could be married in four weeks? That would be wonderful," she beamed at him. "I don't care for any scandal as long as it gets us married. Why didn't you say something before?"

"Because I got the idea only today when I remembered something. It's a simple solution, and I should have thought about it before. Ruining your reputation isn't something that should be done without considering the consequences."

"I don't understand how ruining my reputation could get us married, but I don't care, Zorro. You must believe me that I love you! What can I do to convince you?" She rose on her tiptoes to kiss him, wrapping her arms around his neck. Zorro returned her kiss passionately, enclosing her tightly in his arms. When they started to heat up, Zorro drew apart. "This is not the way I intended us to get married!"

Victoria looked at him confused. "I thought you wanted us to ruin our reputation?"

"I love you too much, Victoria, for taking your honor. We have to wait until we are married."

"But how will you get us married? What do you want me to do?"

Zorro grinned. "You only need to trust me, Victoria. There is a way, and you don't have to do anything."

"I will trust you with everything if it gets us married, Zorro," she assured him.

"Once we trigger that bomb, there will be no choice for any of us, Victoria. Do you really want that? What if you can't love the man behind the mask?"

"I told you before that I love the man and not the mask. If you doubt my love then you should unmask and give me a choice!"

"Victoria, I will need a few days to prepare something. In the meantime you can think about everything, and we can discuss it again."

"I believe you should think about it too, Zorro. Are you really ready to marry me? Are you doubting my love? Or do you believe in us? I know what I want – I want to marry you!"

"I will come back when I am ready to start, and I will accept your answer. Whatever it is!"

"I can give you my answer today, Zorro, and I look forward to marrying you," she smiled. "I will start dreaming about our future right now," she beamed. "Are you sure your plan will work?"

"Yes. We will be expected to get married at once, and there will be no suspicions you're going to marry Zorro," Zorro assured her, kissing her again. The way he held her and let his hands run across her body, showed his impatience to get married when they no longer needed to hold back.

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