Thanks for your patience with this story. I had written it in the present tense and had to rewrite everything to get it in the past tense. While doing so I changed some parts or added some lines in the story. Again, thanks for all your nice reviews. I am now working on a contiue, and if you have some ideas, be welcome to share them with me.
-Z-
I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright you were amazing
I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling such a feeling
Of complete and utter love, as i do tonight
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
The next morning Victoria woke up early. Despite of the darkness, she noticed a lone rose lying next to her on her pillow. This must have been Zorro's rose. She doubted Diego would have done would he? He is not in love with me! He always treats me like his sister. Besides, he knows I am in love with Zorro. But…there was something about the way he proposed that weird idea of having a walk outside and sharing blood. And later he said he would have given me a rose. But, what if he… no he wouldn't. He wouldn't want to kiss me, would he? Could he really be in love with me?
Victoria was a little embarrassed at the thought, though she secretly wondered what that would be like, kissing this handsome caballero. Diego had never ever given any sign of being in love with her or anybody else. His only interest went to his books and experiments. When he made this odd proposal, he didn't seem to be very serious about it, either. No, Diego would have said this quite differently, if he had been serious about it. Then it hit her, he would have given her a rose out of friendship to hearten her since Zorro hadn't picked her out. Didn't he confess that his disguise was Dracula by just saying that some must have overheard their conversation? He felt sorry for her then.
Good old friend, Diego. Victoria smiled at her good friendship.
She picked up the rose and smelt its scent.
"Gracias, mí precioso," she whispered into the air with love filled eyes.
In a good mood, Victoria got dressed and started cleaning up the taberna from last night's party. Then she heard some commotion in the plaza. How could she forget? Don Ricardo was supposed to be hung today for being Zorro! Still, Victoria couldn't believe the alcalde wanted to go on with this insanity. She smiled when she thought of how disgusted the alcalde was when Dracula, actually Diego, suggested he would drink blood, human blood. This is very ironic indeed. Diego could never be so cruel!
Victoria hurried outside toward the plaza, hoping she could make people change the alcalde's mind, or else she would do it herself. She also hoped Zorro would come whereas she was dying to see him, as a matter of speaking.
A few other citizens had come to the plaza, watching the gallows being prepared. Victoria saw don Alejandro entering the pueblo gates. As always, Diego had stayed at home.
"Hola, don Alejandro," she greeted the most influential caballero in a tense voice, when he had come much closer. She hated to see don Ricardo hang.
'Hola, Victoria," he greeted with a warm smile.
He turned to face the gallows. "This man;" he sighed, feeling some anger boiling, "will he ever learn this is NOT the way to govern this pueblo correctly!"
He looked back at Victoria, "I don't know why the king has never done a thing about this insanity. He wouldn't have approved this, would he?"
"I wouldn't think so, don Alejandro. But wouldn't Diego and Risendo have been right on this subject, that the king has other things on his mind, in Spain?" she suggested, very displeased with this fact, if this was the case.
"Hmm,' don Alejandro says absently, watching the garrison, "if only my son would act more like a caballero than reading his books or sleeping all day long."
Victoria looked curiously at the older caballero and wondered whether he wasn't proud of his son last evening. Diego really stood up for her and this fake Zorro. She wondered what he would have done and said, if she hadn't fainted.
And now, he was the old friend she has known since he returned from Madrid.
"Everybody knows, one should not disturb his beauty sleep," she sighed, feeling mixed up about her chameleon friend.
Then all of a sudden, everybody became silent, when the drums were heard. De Soto and some lancers came out the cuartel. Don Ricardo was walking in the middle of this group.
Sergeant Mendoza and a lancer led the prisoner up to the gallows. De Soto followed them with the parchment on which the crimes of this prisoner had been written down.
When the prisoner was ready to be hanged, the alcalde unfolded the parchment.
"I wouldn't mind reading that, alcalde," a firm voice echoed over the plaza.
Everybody looked up to see where the voice came from.
"Zorro!" De Soto shouted and everyone on the plaza cheered.
"Sí, alcalde, it's really me!" Zorro answered animatedly.
"Men, get him!" Mendoza shouted, since it was his duty to capture this masked man.
Two other soldiers approached Zorro with their swords pointed at their enemy. With a circling motion, the hero was able to disarm the two lancers at the same moment. The swords flew in the air and landed in front of the alcalde's feet.
"Lancers, get him!" De Soto felt powerless. "Mendoza, don't just stand there hugging that stupid horse!"
Mendoza wanted to follow orders, but was stopped by Toronado. This smart horse didn't leave Mendoza a chance to approach its master. At the same moment Zorro hit the two men to knock them out, and prepared himself for the next attack, while people on the plaza were cheering in encouragement. A few lancers were standing at Zorro's left side, not moving an inch, just watching the action, and not wanting to attack, since they knew it would be an useless effort, like it always was. Unfortunately for these soldiers, Zorro decided to attack them. During this fight, with these five soldiers a few others had found their courage to interfere. But Zorro kicked them out of this fight or he parriedonce or twice, and they dropped out as well.
Finally, Zorro had found the moment to end his pleasure. This was good for today's exercise, and it would prevent him from getting bored. Now, all the lancers had been knocked out, and Zorro demanded the alcalde to let don Ricardo go free.
The alcalde snorted, but he told Mendoza to do so.
"Zorro," De Soto cried out loud, "next time I will have your head!"
Diego whistled for Toronado, who came for his master right away.
"Careful, alcalde," Zorro grinned, amused, "you will have the rest of me too."
Having his moment of victory, Zorroo led Toronado into Victoria's direction. "I hope you had as much fun at the ball as I had. You were hard to pick out; I hope you can forgive me for that." Victoria's heart warmed by his confession, and hope filled her whole being when he continued. "Be patient, my love, our time will come!"
Then he turned back to the alcalde, "Alcalde, did I mention I wasn't able to give you my regards for the ball, last night?"
The alcalde looked displeased at Zorro, wondering what insult he would receive this time.
"I guess this would be a right moment, don't you think?"
He didn't wait for the reply, "Enjoy it!"
Zorro told the citizens that nobody would be hurt, and urged Toronado to run off, when the first explosions of the fireworks were heard.
Some people ran back to the buildings for shelter. But when they saw the nice colours and some strange figures forming in the air, they just kept watching with open mouths, staring at this beautiful sight.
Zorro had watched his work with a content smile from a distance, and left for home when it was almost finished. Diego should be in bed before his father returned.
-Z-
A few hours later, the De la Vegas entered the taberna for some lunch. Diego carried a book in his hands which he laid on the table and started turning the pages after he had taken a seat. Felipe joint him and started talking to him. They had a livid, but silent conversation, and Felipe was very interested in what Diego was telling him. Don Alejandro watched the younger men from a distance, while he was talking to don Emilio. It seemed Emilio's son had learnt his lesson. He probably would never try to court the hero's lady again.
Victoria too watched the De la Vegas from a distance. She smiled about don Ricardo having wanted to court her. It was just that her heart really belonged to Zorro, which made it more difficult for anyone to capture it. Besides, the alcalde had a way of helping her to stick to her love, since he was desperate to capture the hero, even if this was not the real hero. She watched her best friend closely with a sense of homesickness. He was so relaxed, easy going, and felt so much interest in his hobbies. Then, she frowned while she observed Diego more closely. Who would have thought Diego could be that scary, but very charming Dracula?
She wouldn't mind seeing more of this side of her best friend. She got their regular drinks and placed the glasses in front of them on the table. The last glass she put down was Diego's glass. Before she sat down to join her friends, she briefly looked into Diego's eyes, wondering whether he could also be her dashing hero.
No, he couldn't be Zorro, he is still too studious!
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
I never will forget the way you look tonight The lady in red My lady in red I love you
THE END
