Disclaimer: Zorro belongs to ZPI Productions. I'm just having fun playing with the characters.

Summary: Victoria and Diego play a game, and Don Alejandro has a gift for Victoria.

Author's Notes: Ok, this isn't the "They Call Her Annie" related story, not really. I've been having a hard time with that one, mainly because there were three basically unconnected things I wanted to deal with and trying to figure out how to smooth them together was proving impossible. Then I realized that it would be better to split them into three relatively short stories, to make things easier and to keep the overarching story moving along before we get to the heftier stories at the end of the season. In any case, this story is almost pure fluff.

(01-13-2014) - Edited to change a few minor details of the chess game.

(05-24-2015) - Edited to change a couple of details on Alejandro's gift to accommodate changes in Doña Catalina's family that will be appearing in the "Balancing the Books" story.

Games and Gifts

Interlude

(Between "A Woman Scorned" and "They Call Her Annie)

Victoria was visiting the hacienda the afternoon that Don Alejandro was expected back from his trip to Doña Catalina. Diego had convinced her to take a few days to recover from the injury inflicted on her by Señora Sinestra, though really he was looking for any excuse to spend time with her while things were quiet.

She was wearing a new dress which was quite enchanting in the way it hugged her figure, and he was starting to wonder if she knew how distracting it was when she leaned over the chessboard. Considering how flirtatious their game had become, he suspected that she was very aware of it. Neither of them really cared who won, as they weren't exactly taking their play seriously.

Today they were playing chess rather like they used to back when she had first learned the game. She'd been nine, very determined, and he was the only one willing to teach her. For some reason, it hadn't been enough for her to know which pieces moved which way, but she also wanted to know why they moved the way they did. He hadn't known, but he was at an age where he wasn't going to let that stop him, and between the two of them they created an elaborate story of kings and queens and knights and bishops. She'd never really mastered chess strategy, but they'd still managed to enjoy the game.

Today's game was a battle set in the days of Robin Hood, using as opposing kings Richard and John. It had taken them some time to decide which side would be white and which black, though they finally decided that since white was the aggressor in the game, that it would be the proper side for the Sheriff of Nottingham. Victoria naturally chose to play black, and Diego teased her about setting up the oppressors for victory.

"Oh, but you wouldn't want the villains to triumph, just so you could win a game, would you?" Victoria teased him.

"Well, as I'm playing the villains' side, I certainly should try to do my best. After all, it's up to the heroes to prove their mettle," Diego said, teasing her back.

"I'll just have to rely on my own cunning then," Victoria said.

"And your tendency to act in such a way as to defy anticipation," Diego replied.

While Victoria was a middling player with her tendency to move pieces impulsively without a particular strategy in mind, her unpredictability occasionally had her almost accidentally triumph over more deliberate game play. Having an afternoon alone, they didn't hurry their game, having more fun spinning tales of the various skirmishes between the opposing parties than moving the pieces in an almost unrelated way. Don Alejandro would never have had the patience to watch such a game, and they certainly wouldn't have flirted quite so blatantly in front of him. At least they would have avoided the more blatant caresses between moves or the many innuendos they both managed to weave into their story telling. After all, they would have wanted to appear more innocent in front of his father.

"I notice that Marian seems to be doing most of the plotting," Diego said, as they took a brief break from their story weaving.

"Well, the queen is the most powerful piece on the board," Victoria said.

"Very true, and unlike you, I have a Sheriff in that place, and he doesn't seem to know how to wield his powers very well, in comparison," he said, then added with a smile. "Though I might wonder why Marian seems to be teasing her enemy's knight."

Victoria put on a tone of mock outrage. "She is not teasing him; she's insulting him."

"A bit like Beatrice did Benedick," Diego replied. "What's the difference here?"

"Intent," Victoria replied evenly. "But then again, if you didn't insist on making him so wickedly charming that it's more fun insulting him than fighting him..."

"Is that why Robin seems to spend most of his time fighting the Sheriff and trying to free King Richard?"

"Well, it could be that it's easier to indulge in word play rather than describe sword play, my love," Victoria said.

"So you're playing to your strengths," he said. "And they are charming ones at that." He pulled her hand to his lips for a kiss and then continued holding it as he returned it to the table.

Victoria smiled at him. Diego glanced down at the board before looking back up at her with a glint in his eye. "I believe it's your turn and your move. So shall we continue with the cat and mouse game between Maid Marian and Sir Guy at the castle or return to the game of hide and seek between Robin and the Sheriff in the Forest."

"We'll stick to the cat and mouse game," Victoria said. "I'm very curious to see how you— ahem, Sir Guy— intend to counter my next move."

"Do you think he really wants to?" Diego said with a sly grin.

Victoria returned a smile of her own before directing his attention back to the board. "Now where were we?"

"I believe Sir Guy had just sent off a messenger..."

"Oh, yes, and found Maid Marian outside the door..."

"Exactly, which leads to my turn." Victoria moved her queen. "Check."

Diego looked at the board. "So what did she do?"

"Well..." Victoria began, but stopped when she heard the front door open.

They both looked to the door and saw Felipe coming in and signing to Diego.

"Father's back," Diego interpreted out of habit. "And he wants both of us to meet him by the stables. He has something he wants us to see."

"Both of us?" Victoria asked.

Felipe nodded.

"Tell him we'll be there in a minute," Diego said. "We just have one thing to finish up here."

Shrugging, Felipe turned and headed back out the door.

Diego stood up and held out his hand to Victoria. With a glance at the board, he said, "I don't think we're going to be able to finish this. Should I resign? After all, you're right that it would be a pity for evil to triumph."

"Or we could just call it a draw and the end of the first part of the story. We can always continue with a new game another day," Victoria said as she took his hand and stood.

"I like that. After all, I still want to know what she was going to do."

"And I'd like to know what Sir Guy would have done."

"But for now I suppose we should see what it is that Father is so eager to show us."

The two of them headed for the door, but just before Diego opened it he turned and pulled Victoria in for a brief but passionate kiss. "Sorry, but I've been wanting to do that all afternoon and didn't know when I'd get another chance."

"You're forgiven as long as you sincerely try to find time to do that again."

"You can count on it."

~Z~Z~Z~

Don Alejandro was standing outside the corral near the stables when the two of them arrived and greeted them both warmly.

"Victoria, I was glad to hear that you were here. How on earth did my son convince you to take a day off?"

Victoria smiled up at Diego. "He was very persuasive and convinced me that I was working too hard and that the tavern wouldn't break down if I took off an extra day or two."

"Good to see you're putting your love of words to good use," Alejandro said.

"You're home early, Father," Diego said, not at all sure how to respond to that. "We didn't expect you until dinner."

"We started out early. I didn't want to give Aunt Catalina the chance to change her mind."

"About what?" Victoria asked.

Diego, taking in his father's expression, said, "Don't tell me you convinced her to sell one of her prize horses."

"Yes, finally, I did," Alejandro said cheerfully as he led them to the corral where they saw a beautiful dappled-gray Andalusian mare with a black mane walking about. The horse looked almost silver in the sunlight.

"Father, is that Fortuna?" Diego asked, genuinely surprised.

"Yes, indeed," Alejandro said.

"I thought she was meant to go to Lucretia," Diego said.

"Well, despite Aunt Catalina's and her father's best efforts, Lucretia is still not much of a horsewoman, and Fortuna is a bit more spirited than she can handle," Alejandro said, gleefully.

Diego and his father watched Fortuna canter along the edge of the corral, circling one way then the other, stopping periodically to allow Victoria to stroke her muzzle and gently pat her side.

"It took some persuasion," Alejandro continued, "but between the bargaining and the explanation of just why I wanted her, I finally got her agreement."

"And exactly why did you want her?" Diego asked.

Alejandro did not answer. He simply smiled broadly and motioned for his son to follow him. "So what do you think, Victoria?" Alejandro asked as he walked up next to her.

"Oh, she is the most beautiful animal I've ever seen," Victoria declared.

"I'm glad to hear you say that. Because she is yours now."

"Mine?" Victoria looked shocked.

"Yes. A gift from me to you in honor of your wedding," Don Alejandro said.

Victoria's eyes were wide. Leaning back against the fence, she was startled when Fortuna nuzzled her shoulder.

"And it seems she knows she's yours," Alejandro said, laughing. "She's one of the cleverest horses I've seen next to Zorro's Toronado, and according to Aunt Catalina perfectly suited to a lady of spirit and determination. I told her there was no one better suited than my future daughter-in-law. She finally agreed and sealed the bargain." Alejandro grinned. "Aunt Catalina's always liked you; it wasn't that difficult to convince her."

"But I imagine she still extracted a generous exchange from you," Diego replied.

"Your Aunt Catalina certainly does know the value of a good horse, particularly one as excellent as Fortuna."

"Don Alejandro, this... this is too much," Victoria said, eyes suspiciously moist. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," he said. "You're finally, officially going to be my daughter. You need a proper mount. I would have waited until closer to the wedding, but... well, I've never been a patient man."

"I've noticed," Victoria smiled. Then she crossed to give him a hug. "Thank you, Don Alejandro. I don't deserve it, but thank you."

Alejandro returned her hug. "You are more than welcome."

Diego eased up next to his father. "She certainly is amazing," he observed as he watched Fortuna prance back and forth in front of Victoria.

"Yes," Alejandro gave Diego a knowing look and cast a glance at Victoria. "She most definitely is."

~Z~Z~Z~

With Don Alejandro now home, Victoria was willing to spend the night rather than go back into town. She wasn't sure why she found it surprising that it took so little persuasion to agree to that or to stay most of the next day as well in order to get better acquainted with Fortuna. Despite her concerns about the future of the tavern, she was becoming far more willing to leave others in charge in order to spend more time at her future home with her family.

Supper was spent hearing about Don Alejandro's trip and telling him about what had happened while he was away. He was fascinated by the story of Jacinto Santana and Alberta Sinestra, though both Victoria and Diego downplayed Sinestra's attempt on her life. Victoria didn't want Alejandro to worry too much about her safety. She was grateful that her long sleeves hid her nearly healed arm.

"So Zorro can be fooled by a pretty face," Don Alejandro said. "I wondered when he'd show an interest in someone new. Pity she was a murderer."

"Father, I don't think he was interested in doing anything more than helping someone he thought was unjustly accused," Diego said, trying to disguise his discomfort, while Victoria couldn't help but be a little amused by his squirming. "He's always been courteous in his dealings with women. Besides he did the exact same thing for Señor Santana. I don't see the difference except in making a mistake about the innocence of one of them."

"You don't, Diego? Really?" his father asked, chuckling in disbelief.

"No, Father, I don't," Diego said firmly. "Though I must admit I wish he'd thought more carefully about making that particular mistake." Victoria could tell that he was still angry with himself while trying to keep from letting his father know. "It does the man's reputation no good to free criminals, no matter his good intentions."

"It shows the man's human, Diego," Alejandro said. "It may not be the best thing for the legend, but it does show that there's a man behind the mask."

"A fact I'm sure he would rather his enemies overlook," Diego said evenly.

"I think that when confronted by the man in black, they are more concerned with their own humanity," Victoria said, trying to reassure Diego. "Besides, what's most important is that because of him, an innocent man was freed. I don't think the señora would have confessed without his mistaken rescue."

"You're right, Victoria," Alejandro said. "We should make sure to focus on his successes, especially in public, though for him it's best if he remembers that he's only a man and to be cautious with the ladies. Under the right conditions, they can be more dangerous to his health than any bandit."

"I very much doubt that Zorro will let himself be fooled the same way again," Diego replied.

Victoria could see that Diego was getting more annoyed and in order to turn the conversation, asked Alejandro about his trip to Doña Catalina's. Don Alejandro was more than happy to detail all the news of the family, and the conversation lasted the rest of the way through dinner.

After dinner, Don Alejandro excused himself saying that he was tired from the journey and said he would see them at breakfast. Victoria and Diego went to sit on the sofa in the library. She curled up next to him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Alone again," she said softly. "That was very considerate of your father."

"Yes," Diego replied. "Though I think he really was tired. They had to have started ridiculously early to get here when they did." He leaned over to kiss her forehead. "He's really looking forward to seeing you ride Fortuna tomorrow." His lips slid over her temple and down to her cheek, then he stopped. "Do you have a riding outfit here, or do you need to get one from the tavern? I haven't been paying attention to what's in your wardrobe here."

"True, but do you ever notice what I'm wearing?" Victoria teased.

Diego kissed her. "I always notice what you're wearing." He looked over her dress. "Did I forget to tell you how lovely you look in your new dress?"

Victoria smiled wickedly. "Oh, you expressed appreciation, my love, just not with words, so I wasn't sure if it was my dress or my neckline that was receiving the attention."

"Señorita Escalante!" Diego exclaimed as if shocked. "Are you accusing me of improper intentions?"

"You, of course not," Victoria said with equal insincerity. "I'm sure your intentions are all that are proper..." she lowered her voice, "if we were already married."

"If only we were," Diego whispered, kissing her cheek. He sighed. "To get back to the question, do you have a riding outfit here?"

"As a matter of fact I do. A new one finished just last week. I had wondered why your father insisted on having that completed earlier as well as the new pair of boots. And now I know. Did you suspect it?"

"I did. Though he hasn't really talked to me about it, I knew he was looking at horses with an eye for one for you, but I never expected him to bring home one of Aunt Catalina's prize mares. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Father can be very single-minded and determined when he's after something specific."

"I've noticed. It's a trait you share with him, even when you try to hide it."

Diego kissed her hand. "I'm not sure if it's a good thing or a bad thing."

"Now it's a good thing," Victoria said. "There have been times when it's been a problem." Victoria turned more towards him. "However, right now, I'd rather take advantage of our solitude," she wrapped her arms around his neck, "and any improper intentions you may have."

~Z~Z~Z~

Some time later, Victoria entered the guest room that seemed to become more her own every time she stayed. The wardrobe was rapidly filling with new clothes as well as older clothes that had been brought or left on other occasions. It also seemed as if Diego managed to slip in a new gift for her comfort at every visit. This time it was new brush set, along with some combs for her hair. She smiled as she picked up the brush. At this rate by the time she and Diego married, she would have more of her things at the hacienda than the tavern, and all she'd need to do is have her things moved down the hall rather than from town.

She knew that Alejandro wouldn't mind if she did move in. He'd more than hinted at it on occasion, but she couldn't leave the tavern yet. At least not until she found an appropriate manager and got him or her or them properly settled into the job. Diego hadn't given his opinion on the subject, but he often seemed reluctant to discuss the changes they'd be making in the future. He'd skirt around the subject, while still doing things like making this room more comfortable and welcoming. He was willing to help her try to find a manager but seemed reluctant to say what he might want her to do. Sometime soon, she'd have to corner him and find out what it is he really wanted from their marriage.

For now, though, she was content to simply enjoy being in her future home, feeling the love of family.

The End

Next Up: The post-"They Call Her Annie" story for real this time. Not that the story has much to do with the episode, just a few references really.

End Notes: I'm sorry about both the brevity and the basically plotless nature of this story, as well as the delays in my writing. Part of my problem is I don't have a heavy plot or episode driven story until we reach "Siege". Right now I'm clearing the brush on some things I feel should be happening. This is the first with Don Alejandro giving his future daughter a truly magnificent horse (I'm sorry that I don't know enough about horses to make this work better). I also wanted Diego and Victoria to have fun together, but I wanted to do something a little difference, hence their loose chess-playing, round robin story telling game that gives them a chance to flirt in other ways to try in some part to make up for my ignorance of horses.

Coming up, there will be the beginning of the self-defense lessons mentioned at the end of the story before this, and after that a story dealing with a few changes at the tavern. Hopefully, as the next story is half done there'll be a shorter gap until the next installment. I've been suffering from writer's block lately, and if it were not for the valuable assistance of Ghetto Outlaw, I'd still be stumbling around trying to finish.

Actually, I'm not very satisfied with this story as is and am willing to take suggestions on improvements or things that should be expanded on. But I needed something fluffy and something completed, so here it is. Constructive criticism and reviews are more than welcome.