Chapter 8
Diego entered the library of the hacienda and found Felipe waiting for him on a chair. By the surprised look on Felipe's face he surmised that he did not expect Diego to be back all ready.
"Felipe, I can't help it if the alcalde interrupts me, I'll return this evening to close the anniversary week. Has father said anything?"
Felipe shrugged and started signing. "What do you mean when you say that the alcalde interrupted you, did he see you?"
"No, he did not, the last I noticed before I took off was Victoria ordering them to get out, denying I was ever there. She would make a great actress. But I didn't stay long enough to check if they actually left or were going to search the tavern." He elaborated.
"Por favor, will you now tell me what you have been doing all week besides, showing her the hideout? You kept me in the dark long enough don't you think?" Felipe pleaded, he still didn't like it when Diego kept secrets from him and it had been bothering him all week.
"Then we have to go to the cave, where no one can hear us." Diego motioned to Felipe who happily followed Diego.
Once they were down the cave Felipe looked at Diego with a serious face filled with anxiety.
"Felipe this week I've been spending every siesta courting Victoria by relieving our firsts. The first time Zorro and she met, the first kiss, first date, quarrel and the first time that I spend a lot of time on her. Considering the quarrel was here I had Toronado taking her here. I kept you a secret, but she almost guessed who I was when we agreed she got three guesses who I was. She almost said my name, but changed it at the last moment. Perhaps next year I'll redo this, but tonight I'll end this week." Diego was cheerful remembering she almost guessed his name, it was one of the most happy thoughts he could think of. Next year he would give her three more guesses not doubting he would be among those names.
Felipe stared at him with wide eyes. "You almost told her who you are, have you lost it? It's too dangerous, you know that."
"She all ready spend more time in jail that the average person just for loving me, even though she has no idea who I am. It can't get worse knowing who I am, as long as the alcalde doesn't know she knows. And besides I made the remark she was a great actress, If I wasn't there I would have believed her that I wasn't. But that will have to wait till next year perhaps if thing continue as they are now." Diego sighed. "Now let's get the rapiers and we'll have a fencing lesson, except I'm not the one learning."
Felipe smiled and collected the rapiers and they started their lesson.
xxx
Zorro raced across the landscape in the pitch black dark, hearing only Toronado's hoof beats and his own thoughts. The pueblo came into sight and he slowed down, not wanting to wake anyone up, except for one señorita. He was late after taking his fathers advice and slept for hours. The tavern closed a few hours ago and he hoped Victoria had not gone to bed yet.
He dismounted at the back of the tavern out of sight as usual and looked through the window, he didn't see Victoria, but did notice some light coming from the cantina. She had to be awake and he silently crept through the window. He walked to the curtain and moved it slightly aside to see into the room and saw Victoria behind a table on a bench. Seeing no one else he steeped into the open.
"Preciosa, how I've missed you after my sudden departure this afternoon." Caressing her neck in the meanwhile.
Victoria shivered and inhaled, "I knew you'd come back, I've waited for you." She got up and turned around to face him. "Shall we finish what we started this siesta?"
Zorro nodded and kept silent only gazing at his love, he saw her going to the kitchen and he took his seat. He didn't have to wait long before Victoria returned with two plates and neither of them knew how to start talking.
"Zorro, you should have stayed this after noon, I chased the lancers away for you." Victoria was the first to speak.
Zorro looked up, smiling. "If I had known you would have done that, but you know that the usually search every inch, I can't be found here."
Victoria sighed, knowing he was right. "I'm glad we can finish now, besides we've always met in the dark so far."
Zorro smiled and both finished their plates this time, almost two hours had passed and it was time to leave. He collected his belongings and got out the way he came in.
xxx
Zorro, took the long ride home wanting to enjoy the feelings stirring in him for a little while longer. By the time he returned to the cave another hour had passed and he entered the cave. He took off his sable and gloves and removed his hat. He turned around to put them away and noticed a figure in a dark corner, keeping still, he couldn't make out who it was and unsheathed his sable.
"Come out now." He slowly ordered, not taking his eyes off the intruder.
The intruder stepped forward and Victoria came into sight. "That is no way to treat your fiancée you know." She smiled. "But I'll forgive you this time, now I know why you hide in the dark for me, it fun to know you can see them, but they cannot see you."
Hr noticed he still had his mouth hanging open and closed it quickly and put away his sword. "How long have you been here."
"Not long, I was surprised that you weren't here yet, it isn't easy to find in the dark." She got closer to him and kissed his cheek. "I believe the roles are reversed now, aren't they?"
Zorro looked at her surprised and grinned. "I seem to be forgetting thing, what do I usually do next?" He invited her teasingly.
"You hold me like this and give me another kiss. What you do next is something I will not do..."
"What is it that I do next then?" He was surprised, not having any idea what it could be that she meant.
"Leaving." She answered softly while giving in to her love once more.
Zorro looked at her and smiled, "Then you are planning to spend the night here, in the cave?"
"Victoria lifted her arms and caressed Zorro's face, "If that's where you spend the night it is..."
Zorro grabbed her hands and pulled them down, "You know we can't do that, it's too dangerous."
Victoria turned around trying to hold down her anger. "Here we go again, I don't care for any danger, all I want is you."
Zorro grabbed her shoulder and pulled her towards him. "I know, but if a child should come of it. Ask yourself, what would the alcalde do with that information when he found out?"
Her head shot up and she turned around to face Zorro, "He would use it against you..."
He nodded and kissed her forehead.
"It's not just dangerous for me, but also for you." Victoria understood what he meant. "Can't I openly fall in love with the real you and forget Zorro?" She hopefully asked.
"You might..." He answered carefully, remembering his name on her list and sighed.
Victoria smiled and nodded knowing what he meant, "I know why you answer like that and I know there is one correct reply to that."
Zorro looked at her trying to figure out the meaning of what she said, "What do you mean by that, there can't be a reply on a question that has not been asked."
"But there was a question in your mind when you made your last statement..."
"What would the answer be to that question?"
Victoria smiled wickedly, knowing to be in control, "I should have finished saying your name when I had the chance..." She moved up and kissed him on the lips. "Diego De La Vega..."
Zorro pushed her away and saw love in her eyes and held her close. "This has indeed been a anniversary to remember."
Victoria moved her hands up and removed his mask. "No more secrets."
"No more secrets." He vowed and kissed her once more before he would tell her everything that she had the right to know.
xxx
AN: I hope this is the ending you hoped for after all that waiting. Hopefully you have all enjoyed reading this as I have had writing it. Till my next story!
