Summary: An AU of New World Zorro episod "Kidnapped". I can only hope this is almost as entertaining as the other stories regarding this episode are. A group of pirates arrive at the pueblo and kidnap some of the townspeople, including Felipe and Victoria. This explores what might happen if things turned out differently.
Disclaimer: No copyright infringement meant with story. Characters owned by ZPI, not by me. I only wish to borrow them for a little while.
AN: Thank you for checking out my story. This is a slight AU of the "Kidnapped" episode. Much is the same, but some significant changes also occur. I hope you enjoy! Always so much fun taking these characters out for a spin. I think it is going to be a smaller story, but at least it will be two chapters long.
After sending his father on his way home with the bull, Diego set out to catch up to the wagon. He was very thankful that Felipe had been quick enough to realize the need to not show recognition of him and his father, and to prevent Victoria from doing such as well. Indeed, as he had told his father, if the pirates knew Diego and his father knew their captives, the pirates would have surely killed them. Diego was making excellent time in catching the wagon, even with stopping at intervals and leaving buttons from his vest as a guide for his father and the soldiers. However, he kept his eyes open in case the wagon made an unexpected stop.
Which it did. Diego made a large circle around the group, leading his horse off the road. He tied the horse up, walked quietly to the area where the pirates and their captives were resting. Luckily, Diego was able to glimpse Felipe right away, and thanked God that Felipe was on the outskirts of the group. He snuck up and got Felipe's attention with several well-aimed rocks hitting the ground near Felipe. He silently led Felipe to untie himself from his bonds, but was unaware of the pirate sneaking up on him from behind. The only warning Diego had was when Felipe looked back at him and his eyes widened.
With his well-honed instinct, Diego moved with lightning speed, grabbed the pirate as he was about to place his sword at Diego's neck, and threw the pirate over his head.
"Run, Felipe!" Diego commanded the young man, who quickly did that with a final glance, showing his reluctance in leaving Diego behind. However, he trusted Diego's instincts. If able, he would escape to the hacienda and return with Zorro's clothes and horse.
Meanwhile, another pirate had been alerted by the scuffle and began to fight Diego as well. Instinct took over in Diego, due to concern for Victoria's safety, and he displayed talents that Diego would normally not have. After the second pirate was knocked unconscious, Diego turned. Only to find Victoria being held by the pirate boss, Henry Stark, with a sword at her throat.
"Stop, Senor. I do not know who you are, but I believe you wouldn't want the pretty senorita to be killed now, would you?"
Diego lowered his arms in defeat and allowed them to be tied behind him by a third pirate. The pirate who had initially fought Diego approached him and, before his colleagues could stop him, delivered a skull-cracking hit to the back of Diego's head. As he lost consciousness, Diego heard the pirate king say angrily, "Why'd you do that? We could benefit from the strength in those broad shoulders to help carry the treasure from the ship."
Consciousness returned to Diego accompanied with nausea brought on by being jostled. I must be in a wagon. Diego slowly opened his eyes only to find the beautiful, but worried, eyes of his beloved looking down on him.
"Oh Diego, I've been so worried. You received such a nasty knock on the head from that pirate."
For a moment, Diego enjoyed the feeling of his head resting comfortably in Victoria's lap, as she slowly ran her fingers through his hair. However, they weren't safe as long as he was unaware. "I am sorry, Victoria, for worrying you."
"Yes, you have worried me. What possessed you to do try something foolish by attacking the pirates that way? It isn't like you at all."
Diego knew their safety depended upon her not questioning the uncharacteristic behavior. He quickly said, "I was so worried about your safety, I didn't think. I just acted."
Before they could continue their conversation, one of the pirates brandished a sword at Victoria and said, "Stop talking, you two."
Diego gave Victoria a wink and settled again in her lap to enjoy a few more moments of contentment before he was made to move.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
It had taken them half a day to get to where they were going. But it appeared not to be the final destination.
"We will camp here for the night. You volunteers, you scatter on the ground. No talking. Get to sleep, you will have a lot of work tomorrow helping us get the gold to the wagon."
Despite his attempt, Diego was made to be further away from Victoria than he wanted to. He also didn't like the looks one of the pirates kept shooting at her, which clearly scared Victoria but she attempted to pretend to not notice them. Giving Diego one last glance, as if to reassure him not to worry, Victoria walked a few feet further away from him and laid down.
Diego laid quietly, quickly reviewing his plan. Felipe should be returning anytime with Toronado and Zorro's equipment. Despite his reluctance in using the technique, he knew, to protect Zorro's secret, he needed to use the nerve block he had learned had to put the other hostages to sleep while he subdued the pirates. It often left the recipient with a headache, but it was a small price to pay for protecting Zorro's secret.
At long last, he felt several pebbles thrown at him. He rose slowly, looking around for any observers. Luckily, the pirate responsible for keeping an eye on him had fallen asleep. Scanning the trees, he observed Felipe waving to him and hurried over to the young boy. Diego quickly changed into his outfit, nodded his thanks to Felipe, and hurried to restrain the pirates. Felipe had wanted to assist him, but Diego didn't want to take the chance of him being captured so he stayed hidden, acting as a look-out.
When he approached Victoria, Diego was unaware of her being awake. Before he could apply the nerve block, she sat upright, gave him one of her most beautiful smiles, and whispered, "Oh, Zorro. How glad I am to see you!"
Diego quickly scanned the environment to see whether she had been heard. All remained quiet, so he said to her, "Victoria, please do me a favor and lie back down, Don't look in Diego's direction, because the pirates have been keeping an eye on him. Don't be afraid; you'll be getting home soon."
Victoria nodded and felt Zorro walk past her on his way to the other captives.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
Victoria attempted to lie still and pretend to be asleep. She wondered what Zorro's plans were. She had been so scared, until Diego had arrived. She worried for his safety, but having him near her brought her such a sense of security despite the danger. How strange it was that she would think that. Diego being such a bookworm and always seemingly avoiding violence of any type. However, he was indeed a comforting presence whenever there was trouble. Somehow he always made her feel as though he'd do anything to keep her safe.
Except for this afternoon. He had never done that before, get involved with any sort of altercation. And to such a level of danger! It was indeed quite a surprise to see in such a mild-mannered man.
Suddenly Victoria almost breathed a loud gasp, but she caught herself, as a thought crashed through her mind. Something she hadn't thought of in years. The difference in Diego since his return from Spain. Growing up, the young Diego de la Vega had been such a daredevil, always getting into trouble for taking such dangerous risks, as almost any young boy was prone to do. He had been so active, and quite the rider as well. Such a different individual from the one who had returned from Spain.
With all the trouble the Alcalde had given them the passing years, and the distraction of Zorro, Victoria hadn't given such a discrepancy any thought. Instead, she simply dismissed it as a change in Diego's personality. Something had changed him in Spain, and if he never wished to tell what it was, it wasn't her place to ask. So she simply pushed any doubts away.
However, the thought now would not leave her. Today, Diego displayed actions the teenage Diego would have as well. He had jumped into danger without thinking and attempted to rescue her. What could it all mean?
Diego had much in common with Zorro, if someone would think about it. They both had blue eyes, even though Victoria realized how rare it was for Diego to look her in the eye. Another curious fact. He would meet everyone's gaze head-on, but somehow, would always manage to avoid hers. She had attributed it to a weird kind of shyness, even though they were like brother and sister. At least she had thought so.
Other similarities rolled through her mind. They were both two of the tallest men in the area, even though Diego often seemed to slouch. They had both arrived in the pueblo about the same time. And, if she were truthful, she couldn't recall a single time when they appeared in the same vicinity. At least, Zorro being close enough to talk to. Or, the two men engaging in any sort of conversation or interaction.
Drawing herself back to the situation at hand, Victoria strained to hear any sounds to inform her of what was happening. She heard several loud "oomph's" and noises sounding like a scuffle. In spite of herself, Victoria still worried about Zorro, and hoped the fighting was going his way.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
Diego easily handled the pirates after making sure the other hostages continued to sleep with applying nerve blocks. He was able to sneak up on all of them apply the nerve blocks, and tie them up with the ropes Felipe had brought back with him.
Diego then rushed to Felipe and quickly changed back into his 'Diego' clothing. "I almost would like to leave here with the pirates and bring them to the Alcalde myself, but Victoria would wonder where Diego was."
Felipe signed he had observed the Alcalde and soldiers a few miles back, where they had also camped for the night. As the sun was beginning to streak its light across the sky, Diego realized they may indeed appear at any moment. "Then, I better lie back down and prepare for their arrival. And you need to leave and not be seen."
Felipe nodded, giving the older man a smile, and mounted Toronado quickly and rode away without making a sound. Diego carefully left the bunch of trees and returned to his spot on the ground. His eyes were trained on Victoria's form, her back still facing him. He could only pray she hadn't noticed Diego being gone. Or figured anything else out.
Diego didn't have to wait too long. The sound of horses galloping made Victoria rise quickly and look towards Diego. "Oh, I hope those are the soldiers, Diego." She quickly scanned the environment. "I wonder if Zorro brought them?"
"Zorro? He was here?"
"Yes, while we were sleeping." She looked further down the ground and saw several of the pirates lying unconscious and bound. "Oh, Zorro was able to subdue the pirates. I wonder where he is now?"
"He must have heard the soldiers approach and decide to leave in a hurry." Diego prayed she would accept that reasoning and leave the topic alone. He decided it was safe for him to go over to Victoria, and he could begin to untie her. Struggling to his feet, he made his way to her and sat down.
"Let me try to untie you, Victoria."
"Oh Diego, are you able to?" came quickly out of her mouth. She gasped, suddenly realizing how that would sound. "I'm sorry, it's just that you haven't had any need to see if you can do that. Get out of being tied up, I mean."
"That's all right, Victoria." Swallowing his hurt, Diego shook it off. "Turn around and I will see what I can do."
Deciding not to pretend to be clumsy, Diego quickly untied her. "There, done." Victoria turned around to face Diego's back. She quickly rubbed the circulation back into her wrists and then said, "Thank you, Diego. Let me untie you now."
"Well, well, well. Two of the biggest complainers of the pueblo end up being kidnapped by pirates. Who would've guessed it?"
Diego turned to observe the Alcalde looking down at them from horseback with a sneer on his face. Mendoza and other soldiers rode out of the woods towards them as Victoria finished untying his wrists. His father was at the end of the group, smiling broadly as he caught sight of his beloved son and their friend. "Oh, Diego, Victoria! How relieved I am to find you both unharmed."
The Alcalde sniffed as he looked around, taking in the subdued pirates. "How did this happen? Looks like all the pirates are tied up."
Victoria stood up, her chin jutting out slightly, and said, "What usually happens, Alcalde. Zorro showed up and did your job. He just left, probably when he heard you approaching."
Before the Alcalde could make his usual request to go capture Zorro, Mendoza said, "Alcalde, we have quite a few pirates to take to the jail. Without knowing how long Zorro has been gone, I don't think we will be able to catch him."
The Alcalde clearly swallowed his frustration but refused to acknowledge the accuracy of such a statement. "All right Mendoza. Proceed to bring these ne'er-do-wells back to our jail."
Alejandro led his horse over to Diego and Victoria, unmounted, and took his son in his arms. "Are you all right, Diego? Were you harmed?" Pulling out of the embrace, he turned to Victoria. "How are you, my dear? Were you harmed in any way?"
"No, Don Alejandro, none of us were harmed. Zorro saved us."
"Yes, Father, I agree. A very good thing Zorro arrived to save us."
Don Alejandro rubbed his chin. "I wonder why he didn't stick around until we arrived?"
Victoria fixed a look upon Diego. "Yes, I wondered that as well."
Diego tried to return Victoria's searching look, but then looked away before she could see everything he was sure was showing in his eyes. His fear, his hope, his love. Wondering if his beloved finally put all the clues together and arrived at the only correct conclusion. He wasn't sure what ending he hoped for.
Diego cleared his throat and looked at his father. "Father, I think we should get Victoria home. I am certain she has things she needs to address."
"I most certainly do. I hope you will come by the tavern for supper this evening, Diego." Diego turned to look at her in surprise. "I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you. About this entire event."
Don Alejandro's glance alternated between the two young people. "Why don't you ride out to our hacienda this evening, Victoria? I think, understandably, you need an evening to rest, to recover from this entire ordeal. And a night off from cooking as well."
Victoria turned to Alejandro and bestowed a big smile upon him. "Gracias, Alejandro, for such a generous offer. I will certainly take you up on it. I am certain one of the girls will cover for me tonight at the tavern." Turning to Diego, she gave him a sideways look and said, "Until tonight, then, Diego."
Diego only nodded, not trusting his voice at the moment. He watched her as his father led her to his horse and assisted her up. The only thing Diego could do was shake his head as he walked towards the extra horse his father had brought and mounted it in one smooth action. I don't know what to think about this, that's for sure.
AN: So….what will Victoria do? Please tune in to the next chapter when posted to find out. And, if you be so kind, leave a review. Makes the writer happy! (It really, really does….) Thank you again so very much for reading and for loving these characters so!
