I do not own the rights to Zorro or any of the characters. All rights to the characters are owned by the creators of Zorro. This story is for entertainment purposes only.

Surprising Secrets

Chapter 1

The tavern was busy and Victoria was ready for a break. As she came through the curtains that separated the dining room from the hot kitchen, she noticed a red rose and a note on the countertop. She crossed over to the countertop and read the note while smelling the fragrant rose.

Mi Amor,

Please meet me after you close for the evening. I have a surprise for you. Go to the Church garden, and I will be waiting there. Please dress warmly.

All my love,

Zorro

About two hours later, Victoria was sliding the lock closed on the tavern door. She really was curious about this surprise Zorro had waiting for her. She went up to her room and put her warmer clothes on, and made her way out the back door a few minutes later.

"I wonder why he wants to meet me so late. I hope everything is alright. Maybe he just misses me. It has been two weeks since he last came to the pueblo." A smile spread across her face as she headed toward the church garden thinking to herself quietly.

She entered the garden and looked around for her masked love. "Victoria," Zorro called her name from a dark shadow in the corner of the wall. She turned around quickly and noticed him watching her. "Zorro, you startled me," a look of surprise crossed her face, "you left this for me and a note wanting to meet me here." She held up the rose and looked at him with curious eyes.

"I missed you, and I have something special to show you." Zorro gave her a soft and loving smile as he came out of the shadowed corner to give her a kiss and hold her close.

"Oh, you do? And what would that surprise be?" She questioned him as he held her gaze.

"You will just have to wait and see," he gave her a wicked grin as he led her over to Toronado.

Zorro lifted her up onto Toronado's back, and climbed up to sit behind her. They rode out of the garden, and left the pueblo quietly. Victoria leaned against his chest and began to doze off. She had a long day, and did not get a break. Zorro looked down at her still and relaxed body against his chest, and thought how wonderful it would be to hold her this close without having to put a mask on. The sun had set by now and the stars were shining brightly in the cloudless sky.

"Victoria," Zorro whispered her name softly to wake her up, "wake up my love."

Victoria woke up and slowly looked around her, "I am sorry I fell asleep, it has been a long day, and I did not sleep well last night." She looked tired, and was trying to keep her eyes open.

"I am sorry to have woken you up, but we need to walk for a little bit. The hill is too steep to travel on horse back. Can you stand up, and walk steady enough?" He gave her a soft kiss and dismounted. He reached up and lifted her out of the saddle and put her down on her feet.

"I should be awake enough to walk by myself," she looked up at him as he put his left arm around her waist to make sure she was steady enough before they started up the hill. When they reached the top of the hill, Victoria looked all around with an amazed expression as she saw the beautiful landscape and stars. "It is so beautiful up here, so peaceful and relaxing." She turned to Zorro who was watching her take in the scenery around her.

"Yes, it certainly is, and that is why I brought you here tonight. You need to relax, and get away from your stressful life every now and then." He pulled her close to him and kissed her lips softly. "The scenery is not as beautiful as you are right now." He added with a loving and playful gaze into her brown eyes.

He led her to a smooth place on the ground and helped her sit down. He sat down next to her and pulled her close to his side so she could lean against chest and relax. He rubbed her neck, back, and shoulders to help release some of the tension she had been holding onto.

"That feels so nice. I did not realize how tight my muscles were until I sat down." She settled in closer to him.

"Just relax and enjoy the stars and cool breeze." Zorro whispered into her ear.

"I almost forgot to give you the second surprise I have for you." He told her quietly as he reached around and handed her a small box.

"You did not need to get me anything. Just being here with you is enough." She turned around to look up at him, and saw a deep love dancing around in his eyes.