Okay, this took a lot longer than I thought to get this up. Life has been so busy lately, church stuff, trips, my dad took me to a baseball game in camden yards. An on top of all that I was sick, hurt my knee at summer camp, and working on my other hobbies, making mini stuff for my cousins american girl dolls. Thanks for sticking with me and love all of you! I don't own Zorro or any of the characters you recognize, I only own my awesome girl Cal. I hope to finish this story before the end of the year but i ain't making any promises.
Cal roamed through the dark passages. Her father was supposed to arrive today. After he had heard about her kidnapping he had sent a message that he would arrive within the next few days. How could she convince her father that she was alright, that the only thing wrong with her was that she had fallen in love with Zorro, a man of mystery, a man who's face she had never seen?
Cal looked up and was surprised to notice that the passage she'd been following had widened and the walls were now rock. She heard strange noise in the tunnel ahead of her. She followed it until she came to a room at the end of the passage. A beautiful black Andalusian stood in a makeshift corral. Upon catching sight of Cal he began to shrilly nicker and paw the ground. She sat her lantern on the floor.
"Shhh. . ." Cal held out her hand. The horse began to calm down. She inched closer.
"Hello beautiful." She murmured. The black horse finally calmed down enough that Cal dared to get closer. She stroked the horses cheek.
"Who do you belong to?" She asked. "And why do you wear a saddle?" The horse nickered but did not provide an answer.
-Z-
Diego changed into Zorro's clothes quickly. He ran down the stairs and through the passage. Zorro halted when he saw a light flickering in the chamber where he and Bernardo kept Tornado. He crept closer, soon he heard a voice, soft and gentle, speaking quietly to the horse.
Diego wasn't used to panicking but he sure was now. Cal was a smart young woman, if she saw him, his horse, and put that together with the fact that the passage came from the De la Vega hacienda, well, his disguise would be as good as done for. But yet, he had to ride, it not innocent people could die! Diego stood in the shadows weighing the decisions. Just when he had made up his mind Tornado nickered. Cal whirled around, her eyes darting around the cave.
"Who's there?" She called out. Zorro took a deep breath and groaned silently. He stepped out into the light.
-Z-
"Zorro!" Cal gasped.
"I'm sorry to interrupt, senorita, but I rather need my horse." Zorro said, walking toward her. Cal turned to Tornado then turned quickly back to him.
"Your horse?" She asked. Zorro nodded.
"I needed somewhere to keep him overnight, it was a bit chilly last night." He said as he strode forward and took Tornado's reins. Cal watched him with wide eyes.
Zorro glanced over at the young woman. He was amazed at how calm she managed to stay, both now and when he had rescued her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked. Cal shrugged.
"Good." She said. "I never got the chance to thank you properly after what you did for me." She managed a small smile. Zorro grinned.
"No need." He said. "It is what I do." Cal shook her head and took a step toward him.
"Yes there is." She said. Cal looked down at the ground. "There is no telling what he might of done had you not arrived at that moment." Diego reached out his hand and tilted her face upward. The lantern light reflected off of a single tear. It reminded him of a pearl, the way it glistened.
"Very well." He relented. Cal smiled.
"Gracias, Senor Zorro." She said.
"De nada." He answered gently. Diego didn't know what made him do it, maybe it was something in her eyes, or maybe it was the way she looked at him with complete trust, he would never know. Diego leaned down and kissed her softly.
Cal caught her breath. Si, she had been kissed before but it had never made her feel quite like that! When Zorro stepped back he smiled. Cal bit her lower lip and smiled back. He bowed toward her and turned to his horse.
"Nos reuniremos de nuevo." He said once he was mounted. Cal nodded and watched him turn his horse.
"Si, nos encontraremos de nuevo." She repeated as he rode out of the cave.
-Z-
Chapter 2-
"He what!?" Buena stared at Cal. Cal smiled.
"I saw Zorro last night and he kissed me." Cal repeated, lightly touching her lips. Buena shook her head.
"Don't allow it to go to your head, Cal," She recommended. "There have been a great many girls Zorro has kissed." Cal grinned at Buena's attempt to bring her head down from the clouds.
"Maybe this time is different." She suggested hopefully. Buena shook her head.
-Z-
Diego watched Cal as she descended the stairs. Her eyes had a new sparkle in them and her step had a slight bounce. He smiled at the reminder of what happened in the passage, but still, he was solidly convinced that love and Zorro did not mix.
"Good morning!" She said as soon as she landed on the last step. Alejandro looked up from an intense game of chess with Bernardo.
"Good morning Cal," he said. "You seem very cheery this morning." Cal blushed gently. Diego found himself admiring the way the light pink flooded her cheeks.
"Did you sleep good?" Alejandro asked. Cal nodded enthusiastically.
"Oh yes!" She said. "What about yourself?" Alejandro smiled.
"As well as an old man can." He replied. Cal laughed.
"You aren't an old man." She said, standing behind him. She looked up at Diego and met his eyes.
"You promised to take me riding while I was here." She said matter-a-fact like. Diego grinned and nodded.
"So I did." He agreed. Cal just looked at him, waiting for him to get that she was hinting she would like to go for a ride that afternoon. He broke eye contact with her and turned to his father.
"I thought I would ride up to Sombra de la Montaña later this afternoon." He said. "Señora Díaz promised to have finished something that I asked her to make ready by today." Alejandro looked from his son to the girl that stood behind him.
"Why don't you take Cal and Bernardo with you, after all you did promise to take her for a ride." He suggested.
Diego looked from his father to the girl who was watching him intently.
-Z-
Thank you so much for reading the first chapter. I really hope to get another one up soon but I don't know. Once I get back home from the beach I have to unpack and catch up on some homework. Please don't forget to review because reviews=more chapters they just inspire mee for some reason. Love you guys! Talk to ya'll soon.