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: Thanks for returning to this story. I sure hope you like this chapter. This is the last chapter. I do apologize for taking so long to get it out. I probably shouldn't have added the romance to this adventure story, but…it seemed to fit at the time. I don't know why I struggled so on how to end it. Oh well. Guess I am still learning. Hope you like this...I think there are a few funny parts in here, if I do say so myself. Anyhow, I will let you read it.
Previously:
His voice breaking, Zorro said, "I will take my leave, then, Victoria. If you ever need me…." he trailed off, as Diego silently gave Victoria a kiss on the forehead, caressed her cheek and winked. He quickly left by way of the door again. the plan would be he would arrive later as Diego for a late supper.
The newly engaged couple fully enjoyed their late supper, alone in the tavern. Being cautious about being overheard, they didn't discuss what really happened. Instead, Victoria proceeded to 'tell' Diego of Zorro's reaction to her breaking their engagement. Diego took special enjoyment in acting appropriately as she told him. Victoria, however, had some difficulty in staying in character. At one point, he had to quickly kiss her to prevent her from saying his name in aggravation at his reaction.
The next day, Diego woke up with the feeling of having a world-sized burden having been lifted off his shoulders. From what Felipe had heard around the pueblo after Victoria's "talk" with Zorro, it appeared that everyone had indeed believed the scene for what it was, a break-up of the pueblo's 'great romance'. They could now begin planning their wedding in earnest, including the reading of the banns. Four weeks from this Sunday, he'll be able to make Victoria his. Something he had not even dared to believe, except in his dreams, could ever become true.
Only one thing remained which continued to nag at Diego. The Alcalde. Felipe had overheard the Alcalde talking to one of the shopkeepers expressing his amazement of Diego's engagement to Victoria. Even though Felipe remarked the Alcalde was making derogatory remarks about Diego, not once did he mention the possibility of Diego being Zorro. Felipe insisted Diego was being silly for continuing to worry whether the Alcalde would become suspicious. Felipe was positive the Alcalde was convinced Victoria had decided to 'settle' for a mild-mannered caballero instead of the masked hero. But Diego wasn't totally convinced.
It was the main reason for going to the pueblo today. Well, besides seeing Victoria, of course. Diego was going to subtly explore whether any doubts remained in the Alcalde's mind. Diego hadn't told either Felipe or Victoria this, but he also worried about going forward. They would still have to remain just as careful in their future interactions not to stir up any doubts in the Alcalde's mind, for all it would take would be one bit of doubt, and Diego worried the Alcalde would put everything together and discover the truth.
A part of him chided himself that it was only his fear not allowing him to simply enjoy his good fortune. With what happened with Palomarez and Thackery, the close call which 'Diego' had suffered, it gave them the perfect reason for Victoria to transfer her attraction from Zorro to Diego. In fact, Diego did hear for himself Victoria expressing that very belief to several of her patrons in the tavern, and seemingly, it was accepted without debate by all who had heard it. He had smiled to himself at the cleverness of the woman he loved. Victoria would certainly be a wonderful asset for Zorro's cause.
He shook himself. Victoria had always been, unwittingly of course, a helpful asset to Zorro. However, now that she knew, Diego could now so easily discuss strategies and plans with her. The downside of that, of course, would be preventing her from taking too active a role in the actual carrying out of the plans. This concern, as with all aspects of combining two lives into one, will certainly take time to completely work out. Diego was certain they will be able to do so, however. And oh, how he was looking forward to it.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
Previously:
Ramon shook his head. No matter how much he wished he could put an end to the Zorro fiasco, he couldn't convince himself that Diego de la Vega was indeed Zorro. No…there simply was too much evidence disputing such a foolish idea.
Ramon closed the file he had been studying and slammed it into the drawer. It was time for him to do his morning review of the troops. As he headed for the door, a smile crossed Ramon's face. Perhaps Zorro will be easier to catch, now that his heart has been broken. Or perhaps he will leave the area. Ramon straightened up, standing taller as he walked purposefully into the courtyard of the pueblo.
Ramon entered the busy tavern for a late lunch. Looking around for an available table, he spotted one next to the de la Vegas. A smile slowly crossed his face. The perfect opportunity was presenting itself to get in a few good jabs at the young caballero. I cannot believe Don Diego cannot see what he is getting himself into. A life with a woman like that could only result misery for many years.
"Buenos tardes, Don Diego. How are you this fine day?"
Diego had swallowed a smile as he watched the Alcalde make a beeline towards him. He wasn't going to be surprised to see the man take the first opportunity he could to deliver some taunts at Diego's expense.
"So, I hear congratulations are in order, Diego. You've won the fair heart of our Senorita Escalante."
Diego bristled at the Alcalde's use of the term 'our', but was successful in not allowing it to show. "Yes, indeed. Quite the surprise to find she has feelings for me which were brought out by my kidnapping."
"Isn't it fortuitous that something good occurred out of such a horrendous experience?"
"Yes, I have indeed been thanking God for such a miracle to occur out of such circumstances."
Diego watched as the Alcalde's friendly expression wobbled a little in light of his not reacting to the Alcalde's taunts. However, he wasn't prepared for the Alcalde's next remark.
"You, Diego, always seem so…even-tempered. As if you don't have a pulse, one might say. How are you ever going to survive such a tempest as Senorita Escalante?"
A muscle twitched in Diego's cheek. He should have been prepared for such a taunt. For some reason, however, it hit a nerve today. Before Felipe could grab him, Diego stood, and facing the Alcalde, got into the Alcalde's face and whispered, "Wouldn't you love to know, Alcalde?" He shook himself before he could add to the remark and allowed Felipe to pull him back to his chair.
The Alcalde watched as the de la Vega men resumed their eating with a curious look upon his face. "Hmm, interesting display of emotion, Diego. Perhaps I'm wrong. You do seem to have a pulse. I wonder why you've hidden it all these years."
Felipe kicked Diego in the leg to help remind him to watch his words. Diego leaned back in his chair, looked Ramon directly in the eye. "I believe I've grown into the de la Vega temper. Must be the company I've been keeping."
Felipe had to cover his laugh by pretending to cough. The Alcalde swallowed hard, and glared at Diego, who simply picked up his glass of juice and took a sip. Setting it down, and taking up his napkin, Diego wiped the corners of his mouth. "Is there something else I can help you with, Alcalde?"
"You're certainly a different one, Don Diego. Maybe I should simply give up trying to figure you out."
"Maybe you should." At the Alcalde's raising of an eyebrow, Diego added, "I mean, I'm not at all complicated to figure out. I like the easy life. I don't like to get my hands dirty. I'm afraid I'm somewhat of a coward. And, for whatever reason, Senorita Escalante loves me anyway. For that I am eternally grateful."
"Humph!" Ramon said in exasperation and shook his head. "I give up. Like I said, I'm going to stop figuring you out, Don Diego. Have a good lunch."
As they watched the Alcalde leave the tavern, Felipe and Diego both breathed a sigh of relief. As Diego turned towards Felipe, the younger man gave Diego a slug on the upper arm.
"What's that for?"
Felipe simply rolled his eyes as he signed, "You, my friend, will give me a heart attack one of these days, I swear."
Diego smiled his lop-sided smile and shrugged. "You know, I don't always mean to be that way, you know."
Felipe looked down his nose at his amigo for a moment, then resumed eating. "I simply want to eat my lunch."
Silence occurred while the two men proceeded to finish their meals. Felipe amused himself by watching the other patrons, while Diego was lost in his thoughts regarding the Alcalde. His worries weren't totally resolved, but he decided it best not to keep investigating. Otherwise, the Alcalde could easily start to wonder again. Besides, why worry about it? If the Alcalde was truly suspicious, he'd have wasted no time at all by arresting Diego, if not all of them, and throwing them into jail. On that happy note, Diego joined Felipe in watching the other patrons.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
The weeks flew by for the engaged couple and Don Alejandro, wrapped up as they were with the wedding preparations. Diego had been worried his father would want to invite family from Spain, making them wait to get married. However, Alejandro was most anxious for the wedding to occur and simply told his son he would host a celebration for the extended family in the months ahead. Diego blushed when his father hinted there might even be an announcement of a certain kind they would be able to make at the party, if all went well.
The day of the wedding was met with the nicest weather a bride could hope for. Not a cloud in the sky, and the cool breeze was just right. The ceremony went off without a hitch. Well…except for the soldiers who the Alcalde insisted should surround the church in case Zorro would show up. Diego cheered his bride with the reminder that such a display showed the Alcalde didn't suspect Diego was Zorro.
Diego's argument did cheer Victoria up, in more ways than the one Diego suggested. Such an observation made Diego be more relaxed than she had seen him be over the past month. Victoria knew, despite his assurances to the contrary, Diego still worried whether the Alcalde did suspect anything. Seeing such a wonderful smile on her beloved's face made Victoria vow she would do all she could to always make sure such a smile always graced his lips.
That night, after a beautiful reception with almost the entire pueblo invited, the couple hurried to their room as soon as they could, within reason. Instead of Diego's bedroom, his father had insisted in having one of the guest rooms prepared in the wing farthest away from the rest of the family's bedrooms for the newlyweds in which to spend their first night together.
As he led her through the hallways of the hacienda, her small hand in his, Diego still couldn't believe all his dreams were coming true. And all thanks to two criminals hell bent on revenge. They reached the bedroom and Diego stopped and looked down at Victoria, who met his gaze with only love in her eyes. He swept her up in his arms and carried her into the room. As he gently laid her on the bed, she involuntarily gave out the softest sigh. Raising an eyebrow as he looked at her, Diego wasn't surprised at her answer.
"Everything has been just so perfect, Diego. More than I could ever have hope for. Gracias."
"I vow to always make it so, to the best of my ability, my preciosa." As her eager lips met his in a kiss, Diego thanked God again for the love of this beautiful woman, and then proceeded to give that woman his utmost attention.
AN: I hoped you like this ending, and that it wasn't too…flat. I tried to get my muse to chase some of the plot bunnies which were still hopping around, to add more threat from the Alcalde, but the Muse just didn't want to. Oh well…maybe another story will incubate from that. We shall see. I do have some other Zorro stories percolating, as well as those posted I still have to finish. I know my productivity has dropped…real life and losing my father slowed me down I guess. Anyway, I do thank you all for reading and enjoying this little story, and hope you will return for the new ones when I post.