Title: The Best Man

Author: MadaMag

Working Title: Box Story

Summary: Wishing for a family of her own, Victoria overlooks the one man who wants to fulfill her dreams.

A/N: This story was edited by Mary Beth. Thanks a lot!

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Since Victoria started dating Don Esteban, she felt Diego's gaze every time he was in the tavern. However, since the gossip started, she couldn't stand to look at him. His gaze unnerved her, and she had the feeling of hidden reproach, as if she had overlooked something very important…

She couldn't handle anymore. Seeing Diego so sad was breaking her heart. What worried her more was that every time she spoke with him he would pretend that everything was alright. Truly bothered by her thoughts, she went straight to Diego and asked aloud, "Alright Diego, what's the matter with you?" He looked innocently at her. "Don't give me that look. I know that something is very wrong, and I have the feeling that it's about me. Isn't it?" At this point she had the attention of everyone in the tavern.

Diego looked around, visibly uncomfortable. "Victoria, please…" He tried to calm her down. Victoria looked around, finally noticing the patrons' attention focused on them. Firmly, she sat down with Diego at his table. After a while, the customers went back to their own conversations.

"Diego, I'm sorry, but you are looking at me as if I'd killed your horse. Tell me, what is bothering you?"

Diego looked at her with sad eyes and seeing her firm look, he sighed, "I'm sincerely sorry Victoria. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"Then tell me what's going on. You know that I would do anything to help you." Victoria put her small hand on his shoulder. The intimate contact made him shiver and broke his calm resolve.

"Why Don Esteban?" he asked almost in a broken voice.

"I don't understand. Why not him?" she asked.

"Why did you choose him? I know he is not a bad person though…He doesn't love you. He is looking for a housewife, someone who would take care of his household, make dinner… He looks pretty good for his age, but you have so little in common…He is interested only in his hacienda, his own little world. He doesn't have the desire to help other people, to fight for them, like you do every day. Why have you chosen him?" Diego pleaded.

Victoria looked at him wordlessly. Not only did he sound as if she had already made the decision to marry Don Esteban, but also as if she would stop caring about others. As if she would not only betray Zorro, but the ideals he was fighting for.

"I don't think it's your business, Diego…" She started angrily, but seeing his withdrawn face, she abruptly stopped. After all, she had been asking his opinion about almost every aspect of her love life in the last few months. He had the right to ask her opinion.

"Diego, please understand. I want a family, a home, peace in my life. I don't want to marry someone that is only after my tavern. Besides, how many people do you know that are ready to marry Zorro's ex-girlfriend?"

"One. Me. Anytime, anywhere." Diego's voice was hardly audible, but Victoria heard it.

"What? What do you mean Diego?" she demanded an explanation.

"I would marry you anytime and anywhere." Diego recalled aloud, aware of the renewed attention of the customers.

"But Diego! You never…Why?" Victoria couldn't find the words.

Diego looked directly in her eyes, "Simple, because I love you with all of my heart." Seeing her distrust, he added, "I've been in love with you since the very beginning."

"I…I didn't know. Why have you never said a word?"

"You are, or were in love with Zorro. Father even thought he was the right man for you."

"And now?" she queried.

"I didn't want to loose your friendship. You simply couldn't or didn't want to look at me as more than a brother." Diego's look penetrated hers, demanding her to understand.

At once, all the last few months came into her mind- the frequent talks with Diego, and his hesitation to talk about other men. Diego encouraging her to go out and have fun thanks to his complements. Their walks during siesta…or walking under the moon, that so raised her mood even after a bad date. The flowers he had brought her…the nice dress he had given her so she could go out properly dressed on a date with one of the more wealthy caballeros. There was his help in cleaning the tavern…and the careful looks while he worked…Protecting her against more aggressive suitors, verbal words for her good reputation. He took care that she always came home safe from a date. There the looks of love, seen but not noticed. He would kiss her hand or forehead goodbye, something he hardly had ever done before. All these and more memories were coming to Victoria, bringing tears to her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Diego…" she choked. "I'm so used to you looking after me…"

Diego embraced and hugged her, calming her, saying "It's alright."

"Thank you, Diego" she said, neither Diego nor the patrons were sure for what-that he loved her or that he cared for her.

"But tell me, why does my dating Don Esteban upset you so much. You didn't seem to have a problem in the past." Victoria looked in his eyes again. His look full of love and concern calming her.

"I'm always upset to see you with another man," he admitted. "However, we have talked with many times and you have never before seemed so serious about getting married. And this time you never…Please, I don't want to loose you. Tell me that I have at least some chance against Don Esteban," he pleaded.

Victoria was suddenly aware that everyone in the tavern was watching them. She blushed and looked around. The people smiled at her, some with a nod, and encouraged her to give Diego a chance.

Diego slowly slipped from her arms, and immediately she missed his warmth and security. In a twinkling of an eye, she understood she never wanted to let him go, she needed his presence in her life. Slowly she put her hands on his arms.

"I'm sorry, Diego," she felt him tense. "As usual, you are right. I'm still in love with Zorro. But I care deeply for you. And if I have to decide between a near stranger and my best friend, who claims to love me, I think it's obvious that I would choose the friend."

Even before she had finished, the people began to cheer. Hearing her declaration, Diego gathered her in his arms again to hide his blush in her hair. "Thank you. I promise I will try to make you as happy a woman as I am now." He said gently.

Victoria found herself blushing as well. "Diego, there are so many people who care for you...You should know, that for all the people in the world, save Zorro, you are the one I love the most." With that, she stood on her tiptoes and gently laid her lips on his.

--end.

Bonus / Addition

"I can't give you all that you want. While I can give you all of my love, my father's name and children, I can't give you peace. Not until there is a need to fight for the benefit of the pueblo's people."

"I have adored you since I first held you, that is, since you were a newborn and put in my five-year-old arms."

"I was looking out for you, since your mother asked me to consider you as a sister I should have had."

"I came from Spain expecting the girl I had loved like a sister, instead I found a woman to be loved by a man."

"Where did the courageous boy go who looked with me at the rising sun over the hundred foot abyss?"