Author's Notes: This is my first fanfiction story. It takes part on the "Too Much Wine" challenge, which should include: someone drinking too much wine; a new sword; a kiss from a stranger; an argument; at least one sword fight.

It is my first story ever written in English, which is not my first language, so bear with me!

It starts slowly describing season 3 episode "A New Lease on Love", and then spins off into a completely new story when Victoria says "Yes" to Juan Ortiz.

Warning: some people have pointed out the medical scenes treating wounds are too descriptive, so skip these if you are too apprehensive. I like getting Zorro/Diego in trouble and then nurse him back to health in glorious detail, as accurately as possible with treatments used in the 1800's. Personally, I don't think these scenes are gruesome but informative, but… you have been warned!

Enjoy and please, review. Even if you read this story years after it was published. I appreciate reviews and feedback at any time, and they are great motivators to keep me writing. Thanks.

A New Swordsman in Los Angeles – Part 1

DISCLAIMER: this story is based on the NWZ series. It is a non-profit project intended for entertainment purposes only. All copyrights on the characters belong to Zorro Productions inc. except the original characters created by me (i.e the Blasco family and Manolo Ruiz.)

Chapter 1 – Victoria needs a husband. Pronto!

It was a day of celebrations in Los Angeles. A large crowd gathered at the pueblo's mission where a very popular couple were getting married by Padre Benítez. The church was full of friends and family who were kindly smiling at the happy couple while they took their vows. Victoria was attending the wedding with the De la Vegas, sitting in a pew between Don Alejandro and Don Diego. Although she was delighted for her friend, she frowned while thinking about her own wedding with Zorro, troubled that it would never become a reality. Diego, who was sitting close to her on the bench, was having similar thoughts, glancing worryingly at Victoria's absent expression. An old lady suddenly leaned forward from the bench behind them, approaching Victoria over her right shoulder, startling her.

"It is time you got married," said the pueblo's most notorious gossip busybody. She noticed Diego looking sideways at them. "Oh, not to each other, of course, that would be ridiculous," she added.

Diego could not help wondering why that idea would be so ludicrous. After all, he was an eligible bachelor, and for a while that same old crock had been trying to match him with some odd, unsuitable ladies.

"You, Diego, are a lost cause. You haven't got a romantic bone in your body," she lashed out, obviously resentful about his lack of interest in the ladies she chose for him. "But you, Victoria, you should find a good husband and have little ones," she finished, retreating back to her seat.

Victoria quickly glanced sideways at Diego, uncomfortable with the situation. No, she didn't need to marry any other man, she wanted to marry Zorro.

The wedding ceremony came to an end shortly after, and the De la Vegas stood up to leave the church. Victoria, absent minded, remained seated without realizing it was time to leave. The old lady saw this as an opportunity to carry on with her task: to convince Victoria to look for a husband. Diego hesitated in the aisle when he saw that señora Rodríguez was approaching Victoria again, but he was gently pushed towards the church's entrance by his father, dragged away with the rest of the crowd.

"Let's face it, Victoria, Zorro is not the marrying kind," the old gossip attacked again. She went on and on about how difficult Victoria's marriage to Zorro would be, and what an excellent catch Victoria was. "Let me find you a husband, before it's too late," she offered in the end.

"Thank you señora, I will think about it," Victoria snapped, wishing for the lady to get lost.

Señora Rodríguez left the church, satisfied, leaving Victoria on her own. Padre Benítez, noticing something was troubling Victoria, stopped to ask if he could be of assistance. She talked to the priest, seeking counsel for her dilemma, and he confirmed her suspicions that Zorro would never have time to be a good husband or to start a family.

"Victoria, child, your heart is so full of love. You must find someone to share it with," he advised.

"Yes, I must," she mused. But who would that be if not Zorro?

ZZZ

Señora Rodríguez wasted no time in presenting Victoria with a suitor, a pompous caballero who arrived at the tavern singing dull camp songs with a guitar. Don Diego, Don Alejandro and Sergeant Mendoza shared a table at the tavern, and were very amused at the man's meagre efforts to impress Victoria. She had graphic thoughts about where to shove that guitar, but rather than being so rude, she just threatened to break it into pieces and toss it into the fire if he didn't stop following her around.

"Well, well, a very interesting turn of events," Don Alejandro said, laughing.

"But I thought señorita Escalante was in love with Zorro," Sergeant Mendoza said.

"Didn't we all?" Diego said casually, although his heart was sinking.

Alcalde De Soto was at the tavern also, at a table at the back. He was twiddling his fingers, contemplating this interesting new gossip regarding Victoria's search for a husband. De Soto grinned as he began to formulate a plan to trap Zorro, who would undoubtedly confront Victoria – perhaps even disrupting the wedding ceremony itself.

De Soto called the sergeant to his table and, speaking quite close to his ear, ordered:

"Sergeant Mendoza, I want you to organize a rotation with the men to have Victoria constantly monitored, 24 hours a day, to alert the garrison when Zorro shows up." Mendoza looked at him, puzzled. "It is only a matter of time, and I bet it will be quite soon, that Zorro will come to punish her for this reckless behaviour. We need to protect her!" he said, stamping his fist on the table.

"Do we?" Mendoza said, doubtful. "But…, mi Alcalde, he loves señorita Escalante. I don't think… "

"Do as you are told!" De Soto snapped.

Mendoza was not very happy with this, but he saluted "Sí, mi Alcalde!" and set off to carry out De Soto's orders.

ZZZ

Diego was very concerned about Victoria, and how determined she looked in her quest to find a husband. He wasn't worried about the unsuitable candidates chosen by the old gossipy matchmaker, but Victoria was a very beautiful woman, and sure enough there would be many more worthy suitors to come forward if she should show any interest. Diego played with the idea of courting Victoria himself. After all, if she was so eager to marry a man offering a safe and happy family life, his chances were as good as anybody else's. He wished that she could love him as Diego before she would agree to marry him, before he could tell her his secret. Nevertheless, it was unlikely that she would really love any of the potential husbands to start with, because she was so much in love with Zorro. He didn't want to risk rejection from Victoria, but he didn't want to risk losing her to another man, either.

ZZZ

Diego finally made up his mind to talk to Victoria about his true feelings. As he walked through the door, he saw the old lady leaving the tavern with another one of her rejected suitors.

"The woman's impossible!" she complained bitterly as she passed Diego.

He laughed at her blustering demeanour before approaching an obviously busy Victoria, who was serving lunches.

"Victoria, there is something I must talk to you about…" he said, hesitantly.

"Now, Diego? It's almost noon and I have lunch to prepare," she said hastily, and she walked off.

Diego shrugged his shoulders awkwardly. There would be another chance to tell her.

ZZZ

After Diego left the tavern, Juan Ortiz, one of Victoria's childhood sweethearts, who had become a Navy officer, entered the kitchen. He told Victoria he was going to be promoted to Captain, and he was going to settle in Monterey, away from the sea. He suddenly confessed he was still in love with her after all that time, and asked Victoria to marry him.

"I will be by your side every day. My prospects are excellent. I will do everything in my power to make you happy," he said, eagerly.

She was quite surprised with the offer, but these were the words she wanted to hear most. An offer of… stability. No more hiding. No more loneliness. A real life.

"I will let you think about it. We can get married tomorrow, if you accept me," Juan said, full of hope. "I need to go back to Monterey in two days."

Victoria didn't know what to do. She always liked Juan, she still did, but she didn't love him anymore. But his offer was very tempting. He was a good man, handsome, and as he said, he could make her happy. She could have all the children she wanted. And moving away from Los Angeles to Monterey would help her to forget about Zorro.

"I will think about it tonight," she promised. "I will let you know my decision in the morning."

ZZZZZ