Title: By the Sword
Rated : PG
Synopsis: An old enemy returns to learn Zorro's true identity at whatever the cost.
Written: 11/05
Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.
By the Sword
Victoria looked especially weary as she walked around the tavern, collecting plates and pesos in preparation for closing. It was near siesta and it was clear to Diego that she truly needed to rest.
Diego hid a smile behind his glass, fondly remembering just why she was so weary. He was tired as well, but he had been able to sleep much later this morning and he hadn't had to contend with lancers tramping around the tavern all night.
"Siesta won't come too soon today, hmm?" Diego gave the woman he loved a kind smile as she stopped beside his table.
"Oh, Diego. Yes. I'm so tired."
Diego's smile reached his eyes. "I won't ask - why."
Victoria gasped at him, but her eyes held a twinkle that was not lost on her friend.
Diego leaned forward and winked conspiratorially. "Zorro is a lucky man."
A flush crept up her neck but Victoria was determined not to let Diego think he'd embarrassed her. And she didn't want him thinking that she and her masked man had done anything improper. For some unexplainable reason, it was important that Diego didn't think badly of her.
Victoria leaned down to look Diego in the eyes, determined to meet his surprising comment about Zorro with one of her own. "I hope he feels that way - when we are married, that is!"
Victoria turned away as Diego thought back to the evening that had caused her weariness.
"Zorro!" Victoria's eyes brightened, as they always did when they fell on her masked love.
When she launched herself into his arms, he felt the all too familiar tug of his heart, as well as his body. He longed to make her his, in every way, but until his fight for justice had ended, there simply was no way. And - he reflected briefly - his fear of her rejection when she found out the true identity of her masked hero, kept his tongue effectively tied.
"Ah, Querida," Zorro murmured into her hair as he held her close. He had begun to risk his life more often in attempts to see the woman he loved. As Diego, he was not permitted this type of contact, and he so craved it - more and more as of late.
When Victoria tilted her head up to him, it was an invitation Zorro would have been a fool to refuse. Gloved hands pulled her tightly against him and his mouth covered hers in a gentle but passionate kiss.
Victoria stood on tiptoe to reach around his neck, her head swimming with the feel of his lean, firm body pressed against her. Her fingers toyed with the dark strands barely visible at the edge of his mask and a heavy sigh escaped her as she longed to plunge her hands into his hair.
Her desire threatened to burst through his carefully erected barriers and he knew he needed to pull away, now, before he allowed himself to give in to her sweet caress.
But his desire to hold her, to kiss her, overrode his common sense and he quickly pulled off his gloves and laced his fingers through her dark curls. Gently he bought her closer, deepening the kiss until they were forced to part from lack of air.
Victoria leaned against him, breathing heavily, her eyes glazed with the passion he knew had to be reflected in his own gaze.
"How much I love you," he whispered, dropping his head to inhale the sweet fragrance of her hair.
"Oh, Zorro," Victoria stared up at him, hope and longing in her eyes, "Why can't we be together? I love you so much. I want to be with you."
"There is nothing I want more than to make you my wife." He twirled a lock of dark hair around his finger. "You have my promise to do just that hidden upstairs."
"But when?" Victoria's eyes were moist and he knew if he said the wrong thing it would cause those as yet unshed tears to fall down her smooth, rosy cheeks. "It's been so long."
"I want it to be soon," Zorro assured, tilting her head so that he could press a gentle kiss to the corner of her eye. "Waiting is no more easier for me, I assure you."
Victoria's gaze dropped and Zorro knew that she was thinking about all of the other times he had said something similar, wondering when it would be their time to live their lives like normal people.
"Soon, Querida, I promise."
"Why can't it be now?" When Victoria lifted her head, Zorro's heart plummeted into his boots. A lone tear had escaped and was making its way down her cheek.
Like any other civilized man, he could not bear to see a woman cry, especially if that woman was the one whom he loved more than life. He lifted a finger to wipe away the tear and was surprised when her hand came over his and squeezed it tightly.
"Why won't you trust me?"
Zorro inhaled deeply. What had turned out to be a simple quick visit was going to end up being far more. Victoria deserved more than stolen kisses in the back room of a kitchen, meaningful looks on a field of battle. She deserved every happiness a man could provide. And right now, she was hurting. He could not make her happy right now. He could not make himself happy.
"It is not a matter of trust, Querida," Zorro began, lowering their hands. He brushed his fingers across her palm, the light caress as much of a distraction for him as it was for her.
Victoria shook her head but he raised his other hand and pressed long fingers against her lips when he knew she was about to protest. "If you knew my identity, would you look at me the same way when I rode into town? Would your concern transfer to my unmasked self if I were somehow injured? You know that the alcalde watches you like a hawk for clues. I've seen him."
Victoria's eyes widened, "You've - seen him watch me?"
Zorro smiled at this. "I watch you every day, my love. I cannot stay away."
"Do you come into the tavern to watch me?" Victoria asked.
Zorro knew she was fishing for clues and he bent to press his lips to hers, in an effort to silence her questions as much as to prevent his having to answer.
When they parted, Victoria gazed brightly up at him. "You do!"
"Victoria," Zorro began with a sigh," Do not think too closely. You may not like what you find."
"Is that why you won't tell me?" Victoria asked, stepping out of his arms.
Zorro inwardly winced. Now he'd done it. That famous Escalante temper was about to be unleashed - on him, unfortunately. Admittedly, he deserved it.
Zorro lowered his head and when he raised it, he could see the fire vanish from her eyes.
"You're afraid I won't -" Victoria stopped and reached her hand up to flatten her hand against the side of his face. Her fingers rested on the black silk mask, while her wrist brushed across his bare cheek. "What do I have to do to convince you that I will love the man beneath this mask?"
Zorro couldn't find the right words.
"You must trust me. Isn't a relationship built on trust?"
"And friendship," Zorro answered automatically, remembering the many discussions he'd had with his father about love and marriage.
"Are we friends?" Victoria asked.
"I'd like to think so." Zorro stared at her, his eyes boring deeply into her soul. If he admitted that they were friends, it would severely limit the number of men who could be suspected of being her masked love. 'Look at me, Victoria. You will know when the time is right. I think part of you already does.'
Before either of them could say anything further, they heard a commotion outside.
"Look! Toronado!" A lancer called, alerting the rest of the garrison.
Zorro sighed and swiftly kissed his ladylove. "Our time is always too short." He pulled his gloves from his belt and shoved his hands into them as he launched himself through an overhead window.
"It doesn't have to be!" Victoria called and when he turned to blow her a kiss, his parting words floated around her like comforting blanket.
"My love for you burns like a passionate fire and nothing will ever extinguish it. Never forget that."
"Diego?"
The sound of her sweet voice calling his name drew Diego from his thoughts and the caballero shook his head. "What? Oh, I'm sorry, Victoria, what were you saying?"
"And here I thought daydreaming was for boys Felipe's age." Victoria shot Diego an amused grin.
As much as Diego tried, he could not force himself to lower his eyes and give her an embarrassed smile. Instead, he decided on a different approach. "Oh no, I assure you, daydreaming is not solely a pastime for the young."
It was Victoria who stared at him as her friend returned her steady gaze. Victoria gave him what he considered to be an embarrassed smile, before turning away to collect a few more plates on her tray. He knew she was thinking about what had happened last evening, just as he was..
"Have a meeting with that masked lover of yours today, Señorita?" de Soto leaned against the bar sipping his wine.
"What I do with my time is none of your business, Alcalde," Victoria shot back and then instantly had a smile for a departing customer.
"Anything involving that masked fiend is my business."
Diego leaned forward to listen as his father walked in and sat himself next to his son.
"Is that why you insisted on lancers standing guard inside my tavern last night?" Victoria whirled on the alcalde, her eyes blazing. "You should know that none of my overnight guests slept well. Your men were far from quiet. And they ate all of my leftovers!"
Alejandro shot his son an amused grin. "What's she laying into de Soto about this morning?"
"He's paranoid about Zorro, as usual," was Diego's only response as he watched the woman he loved stand up to the highest-ranking military official in the pueblo.
Alejandro laughed. "Ah, yes, of course. What else would it be?"
Victoria collected the remainder of the plates and stood at the door, holding it open so as to give de Soto a hint that he should be leaving.
"Oh no," de Soto glanced around the tavern and smiled. "We have a few things to discuss."
Victoria sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Alcalde. I'm tired. Your men kept me up all night. I would like to take a siesta."
"Ha! I'm sure it was not my men who kept you awake all night," De Soto nodded to Mendoza as he walked into the tavern.
Victoria scowled and narrowed her eyes at the alcalde. "Just what is that supposed to mean?"
"Oh, I'm sure you can fill in what I have left unsaid."
Diego slowly rose to his feet, intent on correcting the alcalde's implication. But he was interrupted by Victoria's exploding temper.
She released the door, and whirled on the alcalde. The very air sizzled around her body as she hissed, "Zorro has never been anything but a gentleman with me! And it would be none of your business what I do! You have no right to rule over my life like some - some overbearing dictator!"
Diego, distracted by the thought of keeping Victoria up all night with dreams of Zorro, completely missed the cloaked man who confidently strode into the tavern, shutting and bolting the door behind him.
"It is my duty to protect this pueblo from -"
"And a fine job you have done of it, Señor!"
Victoria's eyes shot darts at the cloaked man as Mendoza and de Soto turned to stare at the cloaked figure.
Diego pushed himself to his feet and made his way, unnoticed, to Victoria's side, as the man pushed the hood back from his face and raised his blade.
"You!" Mendoza gulped.
"Get out of my tavern!" Victoria began, taking a step forward. "You are not welcome here!"
Diego wrapped long fingers around her arm to keep her from progressing forward and she shot him an annoyed glance that would have withered most men.
"The señorita was just closing for siesta, Señor." de Soto said, reaching down to draw his own blade but the tip of the other man's dipped to slice through the alcalde's pristine gloves and into his skin, drawing blood.
"Clearly, you do not know who I am. Allow me to introduce myself." The man bowed elegantly and swept his blade through the alcalde's belt, dropping his sword to the floor with a loud clang. "I - am Sir Miles Thackery. And you, my dear people, will be my prisoners until such time as you provide me with the identity of that masked bandit known as Zorro."