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: Again, I so very apologize for the length it has taken to get back to this. Between Real Life and several jaw-dropping, story-inspiring events with my other fandom have caused several delays. (And I think having two Zorro stories which are leaning towards being similar doesn't help either). But at least I posted and completed several Zorro stories as well, so that's a plus (I hope).
Please enjoy this chapter.
Previously:
"Lancers! Lancers! Zorro was here! Go out and around the back and capture him!" Mendoza, as he was wiping his face, looked at Victoria. "I'm sorry, Senorita, but you know we have to chase Zorro."
"I know, Sergeant," Victoria told him sadly. When Mendoza rushed by her and out the back door after Zorro, Victoria rolled her eyes to herself. She hoped Diego had time to disappear. With a smile on her face, Victoria went back to cleaning the kitchen thinking of what Diego was going to say about being hit with flowers. That action certainly hadn't been discussed in their strategy planning session, that's for sure!
The next day, Diego went to the tavern by himself, wanting to spare Felipe the angst of listening to him and Victoria discuss their plans for their next step. Felipe had been wanting to go fishing by himself for several days now and had put that wish aside to help them with this new goal. Besides, Diego certainly didn't mind spending some time with his novia, even if it were spent in public.
There hadn't been any time to get together with Victoria to discuss the reactions in the tavern after 'Zorro' had left the night before. Not to mention he wanted to tease his love about her impromptu act of hitting him with the bouquet of roses. If he'd known she'd do that, he'd have taken the time to remove the thorns. He's had more painful injuries, of course, but the thorns weren't pleasant nonetheless. More of a nuisance than he expected.
Upon entering, Diego's eyes found his love straight away, taking an order. As if drawn by some unseen force, Victoria's eyes were drawn to the door just as Diego was looking at her. Their eyes meeting, a smile quickly appeared on Victoria's face and then disappeared as she turned back towards her customers. Diego was relieved; Victoria hadn't 'officially' accepted Diego's offer for courtship, as far as the pueblo knew. It was of the utmost importance they didn't provoke the least bit of suspicion they hadn't just recently decided to marry. Victoria being the smart woman she was, realized this and was learning to adjust her actions accordingly. Dios Gracias they'd be able to marry soon and she'd be living safely at the hacienda most of the time, away from the Alcalde's actions and observant eye.
Looking around the tavern, Diego was relieved he wasn't invited to join any of the other diners today. He'd much rather sit alone and watch his secret novia work. Lost in his thoughts, he hadn't observed the woman in question approach his table.
"Buenos tardes, Don Diego. How are you today?"
He looked up to catch a sparkle in her eyes that only he could see. "Hola, Victoria. I'm doing well. How are you?"
"Busy, like always, Don Diego. What would you like to order today?"
Diego decided to order his favorite meal of chicken and rice and watched as Victoria rushed to the kitchen. When she returned with his lunch, he was surprised by her next question.
"Don Diego, could I ask a favor from you, por favor?"
"Why, certainly, Victoria. What is it?"
"I have a few paintings I'm considering hanging up here in the tavern. I'd appreciate your assistance in deciding which to use and where to hang them."
It was a fortunate thing that Diego hadn't blinked, because the wink Victoria gave him was so quick, he wouldn't have seen it otherwise. He controlled his expression so only his bland smile showed. "I do have some work to do on the newspaper. I'll return at siesta, then, to help you hang those paintings."
Victoria smiled and hurried off to take several newcomers' orders. Diego spent the rest of his lunch enjoying his meal and watching others interacting with Victoria. After finishing his lunch, he quickly made his way to The Guardian. He really did have some work to do on this week's issue. With this new development regarding his relationship with Victoria, he'd been understandably distracted. He needed to keep up a good example for Felipe and maintain his responsibilities while courting his love.
Promptly at the beginning of siesta, Diego returned to the tavern. He opened the door as the last guest left, thanking Victoria for another delicious meal. Diego smiled to himself; he always enjoyed hearing others give Victoria praise for her excellent cooking.
"Hola, novio." Victoria had quickly made her way across the dining room to meet him at the door.
"Hola, mi Corazon," Diego bent down to capture Victoria's luscious lips, sighing to himself as she met him with equal eagerness.
Too soon he felt her leave his embrace. "I suppose we should hurry and hang the paintings. We then would have more time to…to discuss our courtship." Victoria's eyes twinkled with mischief.
"So you really do have paintings to hang?"
"Of course," Victoria said, pretending to be offended. "I'd never lie on purpose, Diego." She laughed then, unable to hold the pretense for very long. "Seriously, I thought I'd better have at least one new painting to put up, in case someone questions it."
Diego sighed. "I can't wait until we're safely married so we can quit all this subterfuge."
Diego watched as her smile vanished. "But Diego, wouldn't we still have to be on our guard? Perhaps continuing to carry out lies and twisting the truth, to protect Zorro? Surely our marriage wouldn't negate the need for that?"
"Yes, you're correct." Taking her hand and gently leading her to a nearby table he gestured her to sit. Sitting across from her he said, "I've been thinking how long Zorro should continue to ride after we're married."
"What else can we do? Nothing seems to have changed regarding the Alcalde or his behavior."
"I should really attempt to get Father and the other Dons involved in trying to solve the problems, so Zorro could retire. Father seemed especially eager to implement this idea." Diego grimaced.
A smile slowly formed across Victoria's face. "Would…would you consider that? Retiring Zorro? Giving up all that thrilling adventure and danger? Because of me?"
"It was never my intent to be married and continue to ride as Zorro," Diego said. "Actually," he bounced his index finger against his lips as he thought, "I never intended to have Zorro ride so long. At first it was simply to get the two of you out of jail. Then it was until we got rid of Ramon." A shadow crossed his face. "I should've phrased that better. Anyway, I want to settle down, get married, raise children with you and take over the ranch. Like Father has wanted all these years."
Diego sat silently watching as Victoria's smile shone brighter, He shook himself out of his thoughts and asked, "One thing. What made you hit me with the roses? All my work in picking them for you, and you practically destroyed them." A smile tugged at his lips.
Victoria rolled her eyes. "I'm sure Felipe actually picked them for you, since you can't have any of the staff do that. Otherwise they'd certainly be wondering why Don Diego was needing a bouquet of roses."
"But my scalp was pierced by the thorns. It hurt," Diego said, with a pout on his face.
"Well, now I know what our children will look like when they pout," Victoria said with a sparkle in her eye. Diego laughed with her until she realized what she had said, then she blushed when thinking about their wedding night.
Victoria cleared her throat. "It felt like that would be what I'd do if I were really angry with Zorro. And it was a success! Diego, everyone was talking about that, and that I said I had accepted your offer for courtship! I think it's safe for us to proceed with the second part of our plan." She paused and said, "The courting."
"Humph. Now the real work begins."
Victoria sniffed. "What do you mean? You don't want to romance me?"
"No, of course not. I was only partially teasing you. The other part, I must be especially careful to act as naïve, clumsy Diego, for as far as anyone knows, I've never courted a woman before."
Victoria looked at him thoughtfully. "How many women have you 'courted', Diego?"
Diego gave her a small smile and shook his head slightly. "No one but Zafira and you, my dear. I've not been interested in anyone else since I've known you."
"Except for Zafira."
"I was so sure you'd be married by the time I returned, Zafira seemed to be a suitable replacement." His eyes clouded over in remembering the past hurt. "I was wrong, though."
Placing her hands gently on his shoulders, Victoria said, "I'm sorry she hurt you, but I'm certainly glad she didn't marry you."
Diego kissed her gently on the lips. "I'm so very glad too." He kissed her again, this time deepening the kiss. Reluctantly he ended the kiss. Looking down at her with a smile, he told her, "You never have to worry about her, Victoria. The love I had for her was a young man's fantasy, a young man who was homesick. It doesn't compare to the love I have for you."
"Oh, Diego!" Victoria threw herself in his arms, hugging him. "You're so completely the man of my dreams." Coming back to her senses, Victoria suddenly pulled herself away from him. "We mustn't lose sense of time, though. We really should see about the paintings before siesta is over. Or…someone notices we're in here alone."
"While I'm thinking of it, since you've said the rumors of our courtship should've spread by now, why don't you join us for supper again at the hacienda tonight?"
"I'm not sure…let me check with Alicia and see."
Diego wasn't too happy with that answer, but he quickly reminded himself that his novia was indeed a working woman, at least until they were married. Another reason to get the wedding scheduled as soon as possible!
"Let's see the painting in question before time escapes us," Diego said, offering Victoria his arm. She took it with a smile, grateful for any chance to be close to her love.
AN: Kinda short, but…the Muse wanted to get this out as soon as possible, since it's been too long. Hope you enjoyed it and let me know what you think. Always appreciated.
