Disclaimer: I do not own Zorro, nor do I make any money from writing this story. Dialogue and situations used from the episode are property of ZPI; the rest of the story is my property and cannot be printed or used without my permission. Thank you.

Author's Note: So here's my contribution to Knotheadsrus's challenge. The requirements were someone had to drink too much wine, someone had a new sword, there must be a fight, and someone must kiss a stranger. Thank you Knotheadsrus for hosting the challenge and providing so much entertainment over the last few months.

Though you all know this was torture for me to keep this under wraps without reviews.

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Diego straightened his jacket as he walked into the tavern out of the hot sun. He smiled at Victoria behind the bar before taking his usual seat in the corner.

He'd been surprised when she'd kissed Zorro the first time, but he was perfectly happy with that development. Last night Zorro had visited her, and he'd kissed her again. He'd apologized for putting her in danger, but Victoria loved him—well, loved Zorro. She didn't know she'd spent the last several weeks in Zorro's home, but she and Diego had grown closer while she recovered.

He'd come to the tavern early today hoping to spend a little time with her. He and his father were meeting a neighbor who wanted stud rights, and Diego planned to work some puppies into the deal. The De la Vegas had dogs…working dogs. But Señor Topaz had a bitch which had the most adorable fluffy puppies last week. Diego wanted one for himself. Maybe Victoria would want a puppy, too.

Loneliness had settled over him the last month or two. Having Victoria in the house was perfect…having her lying in bed unconscious had been a torment. Diego had been terrified he'd lose her. The house seemed so quiet, so empty now that she was gone.

He was always busy being Zorro, he didn't have many close friends. He couldn't allow people to get close, because being friends with Zorro could be dangerous. How could he sustain true friendships anyway, since he was never allowed to be himself? Felipe was a good friend and confidant, but the boy was getting older, and deserved to have time to himself. Maybe a dog would listen to him talk about his experiments.

Victoria swept out from the kitchen, and his day brightened. If he had a companion dog, maybe he'd stop thinking about cuddling with Victoria all the time. He took a seat in the corner, hoping she'd sit and talk with him for a while. They couldn't be together as long as Zorro was still around. They'd become close friends as he nursed her back to health, and he hoped that would continue now that she was back at the tavern. He missed her terribly, which is why he was definitely going to pick up one of those adorable puppies today. Maybe Victoria would go with him. The tavern could use a friendly dog.

Diego sighed and sat back as more people entered the tavern. He'd hoped the tavern would be nearly empty, but apparently the stage had just arrived with new visitors. He ignored them all. He only wanted to speak with Victoria.

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Twenty minutes later, Diego frowned as he watched the stranger touch Victoria's hand again. Was she flirting with him? What about Zorro? What about Diego? Didn't he spend the last three weeks at her bedside nursing her back to health? She never touched his hand like that. Now that he'd helped her heal, she was back at the tavern smiling and flirting with some stranger just off the stage? She never seemed that impressed when he was talking about music.

Oh finally, she remembers me, Diego thought as she headed towards his table. She should be sitting here talking to him. Not standing at the bar talking to some stranger who might get the wrong idea. He had half a mind to show the boy to the door, but finally Victoria was approaching. He smiled up at her. "Making new friends?"

Victoria raised an eyebrow at Diego's tone, but she smiled back at Henry who was still watching her. "Oh, he's sweet. You should talk to him. His name is Henry Cortez. He's just come over from Madrid. He plays the piano like you."

Diego sat back and crossed his arms. "I also play the violin. You never seemed impressed with musical talent before."

Victoria paused as she picked up his glass to pour him some more lemonade. She loved listening to him play. Didn't he know that? "Is everything alright, Don Diego?"

"I've been sitting here for over twenty minutes, and this is the first time you've talked to me. Aren't you concerned your customers might become upset about waiting because you're spending so much time flirting with some child?"

Diego winced as he realized how callow he sounded, but couldn't seem to help himself. Maybe he was getting more desperate than he thought. Sitting here so close to her, but time and a reward kept them so far apart. He just wanted her back home with him. Where she wouldn't be around other men… He was already jealous of Zorro – jealous of himself! – now he had to worry about customers, too?

Victoria set his glass back on the table, then set her pitcher down to cross her arms as she glanced around the nearly empty tavern. "He's hardly a child. He's twenty years old. What's wrong with you?"

Diego pushed his glass away. "Bring me wine. I'm old enough to hold my liquor. You should be careful what you serve your new friend there."

"But…" Victoria shook her head as she watched Diego glare at Henry. She'd thought they'd be great friends. Both educated, lovers of music and the arts. "You don't drink."

"Well, I'm bored," Diego answered her as he continued to scowl at Henry. "Better watch out. Zorro might not like the way you're talking to that boy, either."

Victoria hesitated, not sure what to say. "Zorro can take care of himself." Diego huffed and she frowned deeper. "I don't think you need any wine today. What's wrong, Diego?"

Diego tore his eyes away from the pretty-boy and glowered at her. "I'll get it myself then. After all, I did re-stock it for you, or did you forget?" Diego stood and moved toward the bar, but Victoria moved in front of him and put a hand on his chest. "Are you going to bring me something to drink?" Diego growled as he towered over her.

"I will," she reassured him. She pushed at him a little. "Sit down, I'll bring you something."

Diego glanced at his small glass of lemonade. He liked the small glass because it meant she came to his table more often. Most of the time if it wasn't busy, like today, she would sit with him. He didn't like wine, but now she had ruined his good mood. Maybe he wouldn't get her a fluffy puppy after all.

Victoria patted his shoulder and helped him back to his seat, wondering if Diego was drunk already. She didn't want Diego causing a scene while she was still recovering. She'd been about to sit with him when the stage had arrived and brought her a few customers.

Victoria watched him to make sure he stayed seated as she returned to the bar and opened one of the good bottles of wine she'd gotten from Diego a few days ago. She detoured to the kitchen to get him some cookies, then returned nervously to her friend's table.

"I didn't ask for cookies," Diego groused as he took the empty glass and held it out for her to pour him some wine. He knew she didn't see him as a love interest, but he was not a child!

Victoria sat down across from him and leaned over the table. "Please, tell me what's wrong."

Diego took the bottle out of her hands and poured his own glass, drinking the whole thing before he changed his mind. "What's wrong is I want a drink since no one wants to talk to me today."

"I was going to come sit with you in a few moments." Victoria watched incredulously as he re-filled his glass. "I was just greeting my new guest. Why are you acting like this?"

"Oh so he's staying here tonight? Isn't that lovely." Diego forced more of the bitter liquid down his throat. This was their best wine? He'd have to talk to his father. Stuff was horrible. "Better hope Zorro doesn't find out," he muttered as he tried not to cough.

Victoria narrowed her eyes at her friend, and considered slapping him. She'd been so happy to see him earlier. After spending three weeks at the De la Vega hacienda, she considered Diego a close friend. She'd actually missed the fool. "Why are you being so rude?"

Diego finished his second glass and held out his cup for more. "I'm not being rude. People come to the tavern to drink, don't they? Can't a man drink in peace?"

Victoria set the bottle down hard on the table as Diego downed his third glass of wine. "Fine. Don't choke on it."

Victoria stood to leave. She'd leave him alone if that's what he wanted, and she wouldn't cry about it, either. She felt Diego's hand on her arm, but wiped at her eyes before she faced him again.

"Please, don't leave," Diego pleaded. "I'm sorry. Sit with me. Please, Victoria."

Diego once again moved close, only this time he wasn't towering over her. His hand went to her cheek as he apologized again, then smoothed down her neck before he took her hand. He gently pulled her back to the table, holding her chair for her to sit. When he sat back in his chair, he pulled it closer to her. She rubbed at the goose bumps appearing on her arms as he leaned over the table toward her, and she wondered at his behavior.

"I'm sorry. I was jealous. How are you? Is your wound hurting at all?"

Victoria blinked at him and his adorable grin. Not adorable. This was Diego de la Vega! Maybe he was drunk. Jealous? She put a hand to her side as she remembered the hours and days spent in his company. "It's almost healed completely, thank you."

She watched with wide eyes as he reached out both hands and took hers to hold it on the table. Heat ignited and raced up her arm, and she wasn't sure how she felt about this new Diego. "Jealous?" she asked.

Diego glowered at Henry still standing by the bar. "You let him touch your hand." Diego seemed fascinated with her hand now, running his thumbs over her skin and sending more tingles through her.

Victoria carefully tugged on her hand, slowly folding it against her chest when he finally released her. He frowned, as if she'd taken a favorite toy away from him. "I don't understand."

Diego narrowed his eyes at his cup. He was saying too much. Zorro would be jealous. Diego shouldn't be jealous at all. Maybe he wasn't able to hold his liquor. The wine was distasteful anyway. He shook his head, as if that would erase his comment.

"I'm meeting my father here later," Diego said as he tried to change the subject. Maybe he should ask her if she wanted to go with him to pick out a puppy? "Did you decide to do anything with the pomegranate today?"

Diego had brought her a basket of pomegranates and some honey yesterday. She had thought nothing of it. Was she so used to receiving gifts from the man? No…but over the last few weeks they'd grown closer. Did he have the wrong idea? Surely he wouldn't be interested in her? For more than friendship?

She was not interested in him, she reminded herself as she brushed her hands over the goose bumps on her arm. Don Alejandro would never approve of any sort of relationship between them.

"Don Diego, you know I love Zorro." Why did she say that?

She knew. Zorro was safe. Zorro couldn't hurt her. She couldn't let herself start thinking of anything more with Diego. That road would only lead to a broken heart.

Diego suddenly felt cold, and he frowned at the table. He couldn't ruin their friendship, it was all he had until Zorro was free. "Even after you were shot?"

"Diego, we've discussed this."

Diego set his head on his hand as his body grew warm and relaxed. "Yes, yes. You'd do it again." He didn't want to fight with her. He caught sight of Henry again. "And how is Zorro these days?"

His eyes glazed over when she blushed, because he remembered last night, too. She'd tasted sweeter than anything she could create with the pomegranates and honey he'd given her.

"He's good." Victoria folded her hands on the table again, her hand still tingling from when Diego had held it. "He wanted me to thank you for taking such good care of me."

Ah yes, he had told her to do that, hadn't he? Anything to make sure Victoria sought Diego out. If things were different, maybe she could show her gratitude in more pleasing ways…which would require less of an audience. He narrowed his eyes as Henry looked like he wanted to interrupt. No way. Victoria was his.

"Your friend seems lonely. Maybe he should stay at the hacienda instead of the tavern tonight."

Victoria frowned at him. "Why would he do that?"

Diego shrugged. "Wouldn't want Zorro to get jealous."

Victoria didn't understand a word Diego was saying. She slowly moved to stand, but once again Diego touched her arm. She pulled away, because his touch was doing strange things to her insides.

"Where are you going?"

What was going on with him? He seemed angry when she first came over…but why? "I have work to do."

Diego looked around the nearly empty tavern, and she didn't think she'd ever seen such sad eyes as he glanced back at her. As she watched him, he ducked his head back to the table and traced a finger over the wood. "Alright." Diego pulled his glass closer, but he no longer seemed interested in the wine.

"Diego?"

"Yes?"

Victoria watched him, but what could she say? Are you in love with me? She wasn't sure she wanted the answer. Diego was her friend. She wasn't sure what he expected from her… A caballero like him wouldn't be interested in marrying her. She reached out to take the bottle before turning away, but Diego grabbed it and held it on the table. "Leave it."

Victoria tugged for a second, but if he wanted the bottle of wine he could have it. His voice had turned sullen again.

"Are you sure?"

"My father will be along soon."

Victoria nodded, still a bit shaky. Alejandro drank. Diego didn't. "Why didn't you ride into town with your father?"

Because he'd been in a good mood. He wanted to see what she did with his pomegranates. He wanted to see her smile. He couldn't think about anything other than that kiss they'd shared last night. He wanted to spend a few moments alone with her as himself. Instead, she'd ignored him and let some stranger touch her hand. He shouldn't be mad at her…but he was.

Instead of answering, he carefully poured himself another glass of wine. Maybe he should ask for some sugar. Or honey. People really drank this stuff? But it dulled the ache in his chest, masked the bitter taste in his mouth. Did she flirt with other men? She worked in the tavern every day. He tried to see her every day, but it wasn't always possible. A few moments ago she said she loved Zorro, but she said it as if she'd love Zorro forever … and never love Diego.

Eventually, he felt her move away. He pulled out his watch and looked at the time. Hopefully his father would get here soon so he could go home. Maybe he and Felipe could ride up to the canyon. No…They'd go get a puppy. A puppy who would always have time for him, always let him pet her. Victoria hadn't let him hold her hand for very long at all.

He glanced up, and was sorry he did. Henry was being quite the little helper, getting a new lamp down from a high shelf for her. Diego had put them up there. She should have asked him for help. Diego held his breath and drank another glass of wine.

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