"This story is an amateur, not-for-profit publication produced solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe upon any rights by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.
Everything or nothing at all
Chapter 1
It had happened one day when Zorro was having another fight with the alcalde over one of his taxes. His hand began to shake and he nearly lost the grip on his sword. It was just a moment and he could recover soon. Zorro finished the fight quickly, no longer playing with the alcalde. After acknowledging Victoria as usual, he made home as fast as possible. Fortunately, nobody had noticed his slip.
At first Diego tried to ignore it, but after several similar spells in addition with dizziness, he could no longer do so. He consulted his books and went to a doctor in Santa Paula, where he would be less known and who would be more familiar with exotic illnesses, due to the sailors who came from the harbor. The doctor in Santa Paula was at loss with his symptoms, but promised to make some investigations with some colleagues. On one of his following visits some weeks later, the doctor could finally give him a diagnosis.
The night he returned from Santa Paula, he paid Victoria a visit.
Victoria was about closing the tavern when he slipped into the kitchen. He had been standing in the shadows for some moments, before she became aware of his presence.
"Zorro, you startled me," Victoria said. "How long have you been standing there?"
"I just arrived," he lied. His face was grave and the usual smile was missing. He wanted to take her in his arms, but he knew then he would never be able to do what he came for.
"Zorro, what is wrong?" Victoria said in alarm when he made no attempts to kiss her and kept his distance from her.
"Victoria, I have to talk to you."
His voice was sincere and his face became grim.
"I will leave the Los Angeles area and I don't know if I will come back. I have to tell you this because I don't want you to wait for me any longer."
Victoria looked at him in shock.
"You are taking back your proposal? Why? Don't you love anymore?"
"Victoria, please. I still love you. It is just as I said, I have to leave and I can't tell you if I will be back."
"Do you think you can leave me like this, Zorro? Don't you think you owe my an explanation, after all these years I have been waiting for you?"
Victoria was angry now. Her voice was hovering between anger and tears.
"Why can't I believe you when say you still love me?"