NO-ONE KNOWS WHAT THE FUTURE WILL BRING
Disclaimer – I don't own the rights, Zorro Productions Inc does - I just like to play with the characters.
Plot – Victoria discovers the long held secret while attending her brother's wedding but will the dangerous times of the Mexican Independence bring them closer together or will it drive them apart?
I've rated this as a "hard T". It contains some violence, although it's more to do with the aftermath than the violence itself but I'll post warnings where necessary. It's a long story and it's a little darker in some places.
I'll categorise this as drama / hurt / comfort / anguish / friendship / love.
Chapter 1
Victoria was slowly riding her mare back towards the pueblo, enjoying the unusually warm autumn afternoon. She had taken a rare break, from her busy tavern, to pay a visit to an old school friend, who had recently given birth to her third child, and she wanted to see the new babe. While she chatted and played with the young children, she had felt that strong yearning to have her own; a yearning that came to her more and more, especially now as she approached her twenty-fifth birthday, and she began to see the possibility of never having that desire fulfilled.
It had been five years now since Zorro first appeared; five long years with no end in sight. She just wished that there was some way for him to get passed his fears of unmasking, so they could marry and start their own family. She shook her head and let out a long sigh, she didn't know how to help him, of how to re-assure him that she loved the man and not the legend. She had tried many times but he always managed to leave, rather conveniently she always thought, before he had a chance to reply. She prayed that someday he would find the answers that he was looking for.
The object of her thoughts was grinning wickedly, as he fled the lancers that were chasing him. They had come upon the masked bandit quite by accident; they had been out on a routine patrol and had come across Zorro, who was returning to the cave after giving the Alcalde another lesson in manners. His mind wasn't on his surroundings and therefore the lancers had taken him by surprise. He was startled by how close they were to him.
His thoughts were on a certain raven-haired beauty, wondering if the time would ever come to unmask for her, so they could have a normal life together. There simply had to be a way for them to be together. As long as she doesn't reject me, he thought wryly. He shook his head and decided that he would pay her a visit that night. It had been over two weeks since he last held her in his arms. Perhaps in the meantime he could summon up the courage and finally tell her the truth.
Zorro was so deep in thought that he did not hear the lancers approaching until he heard Mendoza's voice call out, "It's Zorro! Men, after him!" Mendoza had no real desire to capture the bandit he secretly admired but he had his duty to perform.
Zorro silently cursed himself for his carelessness, urged Toronado into a gallop, and fled from the advancing lancers.
The chase took a dangerous turn, when two of the lancers raised their muskets and fired at the same moment, that Zorro veered Toronado off to the right, and for the first time the soldiers actually hit their target, although it was just a glancing blow. The great stallion squealed in pain, as a musket ball struck in his right flank, reared up on his hind legs and for only the second time, he threw his master off his back before he bolted.
Zorro couldn't stop the groan from escaping his lips, as white-hot pain ripped through his lower right leg and the next instant he was on the ground, with the wind knocked out of him. He knew he had to hide or he would be captured; something he had no desire to happen. So, despite the pain in his leg and lack of air in his lungs, he rolled himself down a small embankment and hid under an overhang of a large boulder.
Victoria was still daydreaming when she heard the musket shots in the distance, which caused her mare to become a little skittish. As she calmed her horse down, Victoria felt uneasy, she was alone in an isolated place along the road and there was no one around to help if she got into trouble. She prayed it wasn't bandits, as urged her mare into a gentle canter. The sooner she got back to the safety of the pueblo, the better.
Zorro winced in pain, as he heard the lancers talking above him.
"Did you see that?" a lancer said, in a somewhat awed voice, "I never thought I would ever see Toronado throw Zorro."
"Si, I know what you mean but we must keep an eye out for Toronado too. You don't know what a hurt animal will do." Mendoza advised.
Zorro grimaced, as he put pressure on his lower leg, in an effort to stop the bleeding. He believed that the bullet only grazed him but he could not take the risk of checking the wound, while the lancers were close by.
"I can't see him, Sergeant." said Corporal Sepulveda.
"Well, keep looking Corporal. The Alcalde will have us doing latrine duties for a week, if we don't find him." Mendoza predicted.
Victoria was more wary of her surroundings, still wondering where the gunshots had come from when suddenly, a riderless but familiar black horse galloped past her. She gasped, "Toronado…but…Madre de dios, Zorro!" No, he could not be hurt or… She couldn't finish her thought; she didn't want to think about what it meant. Her heart pounded and her hands were clammy, as she gripped the reins and rode off in the direction of the gunshots. She had to find him.
"We can't find him Sergeant." said Private Gomez.
Mendoza sighed, "It looks like that Zorro has escaped us once again. Come on, let's go." he added before he led his lancers slowly from the area.
Zorro shifted and hissed in pain, as he gently pulled up his blood soaked trouser leg. He saw that the bullet had indeed just grazed his calf muscle. He applied pressure to the wound once more, and hoped that Toronado was all right.
Victoria rode around the bend and stopped when she saw Mendoza and his lancers searching ahead. She watched for several moments before she let out a sigh of relief, as they slowly moved away. They had not captured Zorro, yet. She knew he must be hurt or at least hiding somewhere close by for there was no way that he would have fallen from Toronado, if he was not injured; he was too good a horseman for that.
She urged her mare closer to the area where the lancers had been, "Zorro." she called out softly.
Under the rock ledge, Zorro lifted his head, not sure if he had heard his love's voice.
"Zorro. Mendoza and his lancers are gone. It's safe now." She paused to listen then continued, "Zorro, please let me help you."
His heart twisted, at the plea in her worried voice, "Senorita, can you make it down here." he called out.
Victoria's heart pounded, he's still alive! "Si Zorro, I can find my way down." She confirmed, as she urged her horse carefully down the embankment.
"Zorro." she called out, as she reached the bottom.
"Here, mi preciosa." he replied, as he stepped away from the rocks.
She dismounted and threw herself into his arms.
He had to steady himself, from the force of her embrace, before he wrapped his arms around her.
"Dios, when I saw Toronado rush by without you, and those gunshots, I thought that you had…" she sobbed into his chest.
"Shhh, its all right, querida." he gently rocked her, soothing her.
She pulled back, "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," he planted a kiss to her head, "You saw Toronado?"
"Si, he raced passed me." she confirmed.
Zorro felt sweat break out under his mask, as much as he wanted to stay within the loving arms of his lady, his leg was painful and it was all that he could do, not to collapse against her.
"Zorro!" she exclaimed when he swayed slightly, "You are hurt, where?" she took a step back and looked him over.
He sighed, "It's my leg."
"Here, sit down on the rock and let me have a look at it." she ordered.
For once, he did not argue and carefully eased himself, down onto a flat rock.
As Victoria sat beside him and started to ease up his bloodied trouser leg, he shifted uncomfortably at the feel of her warm hand on his skin, which despite his pain, sent a hot shiver through his body and tried to stop her, "I can do that Victoria."
She pushed his hands away, "Really Zorro, there's no need to be embarrassed. I've seen a man's leg before, I grew up with two older brothers," she said, as though she read his mind, "Besides we are engaged to be married, remember."
He reached over, gently lifted her head and gazed into her soft brown eyes, "I could never forget that, querida." he leant down and brushed his lips against hers, in a gentle caress.
He pulled back and retrieved his knife from his boot, "Here, use the knife to cut the trousers."
She took the knife from him and gently cut the blood soaked fabric, away from his skin.
Zorro shook his head, as he watched her slice the last of his black trousers. He would have to order more before he could ride out again, he reflected.
"Dios." Victoria gasped, as she saw the gash, "It's a nasty wound, it may need stitches." she said worriedly.
Zorro nodded, "Perhaps but do what you can for the moment."
Victoria nodded, as she stood up and retrieved her water canteen from her saddlebag before returning. She sat back down, lifted her skirts a little and used his knife, to cut off strips from her petticoats to use as bandages. She smiled, as she saw Zorro turned his head away, always the gentleman, she mused, with a small smile on her lips, "I'll have to clean it first, there's some dirt in the wound. I just hope it doesn't get infected."
He smiled at her but a twinge of pain crossed his features, as he replied, "I trust your doctoring."
She blushed slightly at his compliment. As she started to clean the wound, she saw his calf muscle twitch and he hissed slightly but he made no other sound, as she tended to his leg.
"What happened?" she asked, in an effort to take his mind off his pain.
He shrugged, "A lancer got off a lucky shot but I think he must have hit Toronado as well."
She gently wiped away the drying blood, which made it bleed afresh, "Why do you say that?"
Zorro held back another hiss of pain before he responded, "He threw me."
She looked up startled, "He threw you!"
He chuckled softly, "Si, it's only the second time, in five years that has happened." he admitted.
"You weren't hurt from the fall, were you?" she asked worriedly.
He shook his head, "No, just winded."
She turned her attention back to his lower leg, "You were lucky, Zorro."
"I know." He winced in pain once more, as she placed a folded piece of cloth against the gash and with longer strips, bounded his leg tight.
"There, that should hold it for awhile," she sat back on the rock and smiled at him, "I believe I got all the dirt out but you really should see Dr Hernandez about getting some stitches." she reached out and held his hand.
"Gracias, mi preciosa," he said softly, as he squeezed her hand, "What would I do without you?" he lowered his head to kiss her once more but stopped when he saw her eyes widened in surprise.
"Zorro look, it's Toronado." she whispered.
He turned and saw the stallion nearby, who was pawing the ground and snorting in agitation. He also saw a gash on his right flank, "Victoria stay here, and don't make any sudden move or noise." he said softly.
She nodded, she too had seen the gash on Toronado's side and she knew a wounded animal was a dangerous one, "Be careful." she whispered, as Zorro eased himself off the rock.
"I will." he replied, as he limped slowly towards the agitated horse, "Easy boy." he said softly, calmly.
Toronado moved back, rearing slightly.
"Easy, easy, I know you're hurting." he whispered.
Toronado shook his head and pranced away again.
He kept taking small slow steps. "You know me, old boy, you can trust me." he said.
Victoria watched in awe, at the rapport between man and beast, as Zorro slowly calmed down the anxious horse, with his soft tone.
Zorro reached out and took hold of the reins, "Easy boy, it's all right." he spoke soothingly, as the great stallion shook his head before nudging his master.
He rubbed his nose gently, "I know you didn't mean to throw me," he whispered, as he moved his hand down his neck, "Easy Toronado, I just want to check this gash."
Toronado snorted but allowed his master's touch.
Zorro took a good look at the wound before he carefully removed his saddle from the stallion's back and patted his neck, "Is that better old boy?" he asked.
Toronado snickered softly and nodded his head, as if he understood his master's words.
Zorro returned to Victoria's side.
"How is he?" she asked softly.
"It's only a flesh wound, but I have unsaddled him to make it easier for him. May I?" he motioned to her canteen and a clean piece of cloth.
"Of course." she handed them over.
As Zorro limped slowly back to his horse, he poured some water, over the piece of Victoria's petticoat, "Easy boy, I just need to clean this wound, all right." he said gently, as he rubbed his stallion's neck before he moved his hand along his back.
Toronado pawed the ground and pranced slightly.
"Easy boy." Zorro whispered and gently cleaned the wound with the dampened cloth. He felt the stallion's powerful muscles twitch under his hand, as he spoke calmingly to his faithful steed.
After he had cleaned the wound as best he could, he stepped back and removed the bridal, "Go home Toronado." he ordered.
The black stallion nudged his master and then took off, as Zorro limped back to where Victoria was standing.
"Will he be all right?" she asked worriedly.
He nodded, "Si, he'll return to the cave, when he is ready."
"And how will you make it back to the cave?" she smiled innocently.
Zorro chuckled, "I'll be fine."
She took a step closer to him, "I could take you there on my horse." she said
He shook his head, as he closed the gap between them, "There's no need, querida." he reached out his hand and gently caressed her face.
She sighed in pleasure, as she leant into his touch, "So, it's close by then?" She was finding it hard not to get distracted, by his tenderness.
He chuckled, "And what if it was?"
Victoria's eyes lighted up, as she rested her hands on his broad chest and felt his heart beat under her hand.
"Can I see it again?" she smiled sweetly, "Please."
He placed his hands on her waist and shook his head, "That would not be a good idea."
"You know that I would never tell anyone Zorro." she promised.
He gazed down into her soft brown eyes and almost relented, the cave was indeed close by but he could not take the chance of anyone finding out, "I'm sorry querida, the lancers are still in the area and anyone could have heard the gunfire."
She sighed and leant against his chest, as she realised that he would not change his mind, "I just want us to be together." she said softly.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, "I know querida, I want us to be together as well."
"But when Zorro, it's been years now." she complained softly.
He gently kissed her head, as he shifted his weight off his injured leg.
She pulled back slightly, as she felt his movement, "I'm sorry Zorro. Your leg must hurt."
He smiled softly, "Its worth any pain just to hold you, to kiss you," he whispered, as he lowered his head and gently kissed her soft lips.
"We need to find a way to be together," he whispered, as he left a trail of hot kisses from her cheek to her ear.
She shivered, as he nibbled on her earlobe, "But…but how…" She breathed, as she wrapped her arms around him and arched her neck invitingly.
He needed no second invitation and slid his warm lips down her neck.
She moaned softly, as she felt his moist tongue flicker over her throbbing pulse.
"Somehow, we must find a way." he murmured hoarsely. Her wonderful soft skin drove him to distraction as he gently nipped her throat before smoothing it, with a quick flick of his warm tongue. Her shivers and moans drove him over the edge; he needed her, all of her and reclaimed her lips, in a deep and passionate kiss.
Victoria was overwhelmed by his kiss, she felt his love, his passion and it inflamed her own.
They clung to each other tightly, as their lips sensuously glided together before he gently coaxed her lips apart and lovingly circled her warm tongue with his own.
Zorro moaned deep, as he felt the first hot stirrings of his lower body begin react to her softness and pulled away before she could feel his growing desire for her.
They panted softly, as they gazed at each other with longing. He gently kissed her swollen lips, "You must go querida." his voice husky with his emotions.
"But I don't -" she started to say.
He lightly pressed his fingers against her lips, "Shhh. You should go, before someone comes looking for you. Come." he took her hand and led her to her horse.
Victoria sighed, as she mounted her mare, "Are you sure I can't take you to your cave Zorro?" she tried once more to convince him.
He placed his hand on her leg and smiled softly, "I'll be fine querida. But perhaps on your way home, you could think of some way that we can be together."
She looked down into his vivid blue eyes, the heat of his hand sent another surge of longing through her but she just nodded, "Si, I will think of something." she replied, as she leant down and kissed him lovingly, "I love you, Zorro."
"I love you too, Victoria." he replied, as he hit her horse on the rump and sent it into a canter. He watched his love ride off and sighed, wishing that he could break down the wall that he had created between them. He shook his head as he bent down, picked up Toronado's tack and slowly made his way towards his cave.
In no time at all, he reached the cave and as he changed out of his black trousers, he undid Victoria's neat bandage. He limped over to the shelf, where he kept the medical supplies, and cleaned the wound once more. He noticed that there was no infection yet and the gash was not as deep as he first thought and he didn't think he would need stitches. He carefully wrapped his leg with fresh bandages and then changed into his favourite blue suit, making sure that the bandage wasn't too obvious under his tight pants.
He checked through the spy hole, pleased that there was no-one in the library before he pulled the release handle and stepped through the hidden panel in the fireplace in time to hear his father's voice call out, "Diego, Diego!"
He quickly grabbed a book off the shelf and sat down on the lounge, "In here, father." he called out as he realised that the book was upside down. He quickly flipped it the right way up just as Don Alejandro came limping around the corner. He immediately rose to his feet, ignoring the shooting pain of his leg, "Father, what happened?" his voice full of concern.
Don Alejandro gave a snort of disgust, "Dulcinea stumbled and I came off her."
Diego was stunned; his father was such a good rider that it was not often that he had a fall. However, he had to hide a smile that threatened to break out; to think that both of them had been thrown from their horses that day, it was a very odd coincidence, "Are you all right?" he asked concernedly.
He nodded, "It's just a bad sprain. But it means that I won't be able to attend the cattle sales, in Santa Barbara in a couple of days, so you must go in my place."
Diego couldn't go; he had planned to rest for the next couple of days, to allow his leg to heal, "But father…"
Don Alejandro sighed, "Diego, I've been too lenient with you, since you came home from university. Allowing you to take up your books and your silly experiments but I need you to take on more responsibility." he paused, as he saw that his son was about to give him some flimsy excuse and it made him angry. His son was not far off his thirtieth birthday and he was still daydreaming about his books. He wasn't pulling his weight around the ranch, he hadn't married and therefore had no children, to ensure the future generations of the family, nor was he likely to marry in the near future.
His frustrations grew about this idle son of his and along with the pain of his ankle, he exploded, "For once in your life Diego, behave like a de la Vega and do your duty. I don't ask for much but I do expect you to obey me in this." he all but shouted.
Diego felt terrible, he had hurt his father once again at his perceived inactions. "All right father, I will go." he confirmed contritely.
Don Alejandro felt somewhat better, "Today, Diego, you must leave today." he said firmly.
Diego nodded, "Of course, I'll go and pack my bags."
"And if you do see a worthy replacement for our top bull, make sure that you don't get overcharged." he said worriedly.
"Of course father, I'll try not to get swindled." he replied meekly.
"Mmm." Don Alejandro was not too sure if his son could see past a swindler and almost changed his mind, but no, Diego must learn the business, after all it would be his soon enough, he reflected, "Good, good. Stay a couple of days and enjoy Santa Barbara." he said more calmly. "Perhaps you could pay a visit to the de la Rosas, I hear that their daughter, Selena -"
"Father, please, Selena's husband is not yet cold in his grave." he was beginning to feel annoyed that his father was, again raising his unwed status.
"Nonsense, that was over a year ago and Selena will be out of mourning now and likely looking for another husband and a father for her little daughter. I remember the two of you got on well together."
"But father that was years ago, we were just children." Diego replied, trying hard to conceal his frustrations.
Don Alejandro shook his head, as he warmed up to the subject, "You were both fifteen, sixteen if I recall, hardly children."
Diego snorted, "We're scarcely children now."
"That's my point Diego, you are both adults, with no other commitments. I don't understand why you oppose marriage so much, son." he said somewhat confused. He himself had already been married by the time he had been Diego's age. And yet, there was no sign of Diego marrying in the near future.
Diego sighed, "I don't oppose marriage father, it's just…" he stopped, as he tried to think of a good reason to tell his father.
"Just what, Diego!" Don Alejandro wanted to know.
"It's just…I want to choose my own wife." he finished lamely.
"Of course son, I wouldn't force an arranged marriage on you, but there is no reason why you can't meet with Selena or anyone else for that matter. How else can you choose a wife, if you don't go out and meet Senoritas?"
Diego couldn't tell his father that he had made his choice long ago, without telling him everything. And that he wouldn't do, not without jeopardising his father's safety, "I know father. One day I will marry, I promise you."
Don Alejandro looked at his son and tried hard to understand this strange son of his but he couldn't. He nodded his head in resignation, "That's all I ask, son." he said, as he hobbled out of the room.
Diego sighed and wished that he did not have to hurt his father, with his apparent inaction, his unwillingness to marry to provide the next generation of de la Vegas. He hated deceiving his father but it was necessary for his safety. He limped slowly back towards his rooms and thought about his trip to Santa Barbara. He smiled to himself, at least I can get some more black trousers and perhaps order some new suits as well, he thought to himself.