AN: So if I want reviews, I guess I have to give you something to review. I was going to post tomorrow but I'll be busy. I'm not completely happy with this chapter, but here it is anyway. I hope you like it! Now can we hit 100 reviews? 8-)

zzz

Diego sighed happily when they finally reached a part of town away from the noise and people in town for the market. He smiled at Victoria, glad that she was holding on to him so tightly. They turned a corner and the noise of the market and the rest of the world slipped further from their minds. This was the first time she'd gone anywhere alone with him where people would have noticed.

Diego saw a bench across the street and they crossed to take a seat. Diego stretched out his leg, happy it was finally healing. He set his cane aside and watched Victoria fidget with their clasped hands in her lap.

"I guess everyone will be talking now," Diego spoke to her bowed head. "Do you mind much?"

"You're walking much better now," Victoria said absentmindedly.

"Is that all it is?"

"All what is?" Victoria responded, thoughts still a mile away.

"All the secrecy? You still don't…" Diego took a firmer hold on her hand to get her to look up at him. "You still don't seem very enthusiastic to spend time with me."

"I thought we were waiting for you to walk. To be able to defend yourself if someone found out."

"So it is just because I'm injured?" Diego asked as she studied their hands again.

"Diego, I'm not sure what you are talking about. We've spent lots of time together. I thought we were waiting for talk to die down about me and Zorro."

"I thought you said you didn't care about what people say?" Diego asked.

"About me, Diego."

"What's the difference?" Diego asked, a little exasperated.

"People shouldn't gossip about you," Victoria said quietly as if it were obvious.

"We could get married. End of gossip." Victoria didn't respond. She unlaced their fingers and started examining his hand. Diego didn't mind her fingers tracing imaginary patterns on his skin, but her distraction and silence worried him. "I rode my horse last night. I don't need my cane anymore. I think if I don't let on that I am healed, it will be more convincing if Zorro has to ride. Zorro can come plead for forgiveness and you can toss him out. Maybe tomorrow?"

"Do you think that will happen?" Victoria gripped his hand again and looked up at him finally.

"What? You tossing Zorro out? I thought that's what you wanted to do."

"Do you think Zorro will be needed?" Victoria insisted with another squeeze to his hand.

"I'm not sure. The alcalde has been quiet, I think he's still waiting for Zorro to come after me. Maybe you haven't made it obvious enough that you're accepting my attentions," Diego suggested carefully. "What's the matter?"

"The alcalde wants you dead. Both of you. I don't want to get you killed," Victoria said quietly.

"Why would you think that?" Diego asked urgently. He turned her to face him and stroked a thumb across her cheek to ease her frown. Diego's eyes cut to something over Victoria's shoulder and he dropped his hand.

"Padre Benitez," Diego greeted as he stood in respect. Their friendship had started with letters but grown deeper after the padre had moved to California. Even The Fox needed guidance once in a while.

Victoria also stood to greet the padre. "Why such a sad face, my child?" Padre Benitez put a hand on Victoria's shoulder.

"I've been trying to figure that one out myself, Padre," Diego answered hopelessly.

The padre took her hand and linked arms with her. "Why don't you come talk to me. Diego always feels better after some time spent in God's presence. Maybe we can find answers." Victoria looked over her shoulder at Diego, then let Benitez lead her into the mission which was just a short distance away. Diego looked up at the bell of the church and around at the few people walking down the road before following.

"Diego, you sit here," Padre Benitez gestured to a bench in the back. When Diego started to protest, the father put a hand on the taller man's shoulder and urged him to sit. Victoria watched Diego over her shoulder as the padre led her to the front of the church.

"It seems circumstances have changed since you last asked me about a certain matter of the heart," Benitez said. Victoria glanced at the padre, then looked at the cross at the front of the church for several moments before dropping her eyes to her lap again. When she said nothing, he continued. "Diego and I have had many talks here. It is a place you can come to ask questions, to seek answers when you don't know the question, ask for help, for forgiveness… what troubles you?"

"Nothing. I don't know," she looked up at the kind father. "You said I have so much love to give, yet now I am afraid."

"Diego has been afraid, too," Benitez countered. "It appears he has conquered his greatest fear in telling you how he feels." Victoria's eyes examined Benitez intently. "I must admit I wasn't sure if you would have him. Sometimes even the smartest and bravest men can act the fool." Benitez smiled at her.

Victoria held her breath. "You know."

"Diego almost killed Bishop when you were shot. That day we talked well into the morning. Diego is a man who plays many roles, but I'm afraid that might have destroyed him."

"I kissed him that night," Victoria admitted.

"He told me," Victoria blushed. "Do not be ashamed, my child. Your feelings are genuine. I know Diego has struggled, but I believe he has acted the gentleman. Is there something you feel you need to confess?"

"No, Father. He was. But, Father, I kissed a man when I did not know his name."

"And he gave you his ring and his promise," the padre allowed.

"You do not think I have acted shamefully?" Victoria worried as she stared at the cross which represented her faith. "People say I am ruined. If I marry Diego, he will be, too."

Benitez smiled. "You went with your heart. No one is ruined. You know better than to believe gossip," the padre once again reassured her.

"He wants to be married right away."

"That is understandable. You've both waited a long time."

Victoria was quiet. Padre Benitez looked to the front of the church, patiently waiting for her to admit whatever was troubling her.

"I waited for a stranger. He knows me. I am starting to wonder if I know him. He's so…" Padre Benitez patted her knee in understanding. "Sometimes I see the old familiar Diego, so different from Zorro. Books and art and a home bigger than my tavern. Then other times he makes me feel…" She looked to the back of the church to see Diego focused entirely on her, though she knew he could not hear them.

"Father, I am selfish." The padre looked at her with wide eyes. "I do not want him to ride as Zorro again. I'm afraid he'll get hurt. I am afraid I will lose him."

Padre took her hand and focused on her worried eyes. "Men are reckless when they are young. They do not care about themselves. Then they grow up. They fall in love. They put away childish things. Diego has fought for the people enough, and neglected other duties. It is time for him to live his life. For you to help him. There are others who can take over the fight now."

"What if I'm not good enough?"

"You've been on your own for a long time. It will take time to learn to share, but I know that is what you want. You are headstrong and confident, smart and loving. You are his perfect match. God must have thought you were ready to know Diego's secret, ready to move on with life. He would not have revealed things to you if it wasn't time."

"If the alcalde finds out he is Zorro because of me," Victoria started but once again didn't finish.

"Did you talk to him about this fear?"

"I said I didn't care about the danger. But that was before I knew who he was," Victoria qualified.

"So what changed?" Victoria didn't have an answer. "The Victoria I know is not one who hides her feelings."

"She does if she's afraid she'll get someone killed," Victoria mumbled.

"If you love him, marry him and put the poor man out of his misery." Victoria turned surprised eyes to the padre and once again looked back at Diego. "God will watch over you. Do not be afraid when He offers you what you have asked for. Have faith that God will protect the gift that He has given you."

Padre Benitez must have seen something soften in Victoria's eyes and he motioned to the back of the church. A moment later, Diego appeared behind Benitez.

Victoria smiled when she saw Diego's worried expression. If they were both so worried about the other, they would never get anywhere. She stood and took his hand.

Padre Benitez went to the front of the church and held out his hands to them. "Come forward. There are things we must do if there is to be a wedding…"

Diego watched Victoria patiently, and smiled at the answer he saw in her eyes. She took a shaky breath. "I don't need time. I want to be your wife."

"Next Saturday. We're going to have a wedding next Saturday night," Diego said.

The padre held up his hand with a firm look at Diego. "I didn't say I'd grant a marriage bond. What would your father say? Banns of marriage must be read three Sundays."

"What does that matter?" Diego insisted, annoyed. Victoria stepped closer to comfort him and he wrapped his arms around her.

"Two weeks from tomorrow," Diego conceded. "I'll make sure the banns are read in all the neighboring missions. We'll announce it tomorrow at my father's party, and twice in church. I'm going to Santa Paula, I'll get a sworn declaration drawn up," Diego countered.

"Diego, three weeks is not a long time," Benitez explained.

"I don't remember any banns being read last time," Diego glared at the padre now, both of them remembering the one time Diego had lost his temper with the mild priest when he had almost lost Victoria to another man. "It will be two months since she broke with Zorro. There are no impediments. If Victoria has no objections, why should you?"

Padre Benitez thought of all these two people had done for the pueblo and each other, and didn't have the heart to stand between them anymore. Victoria did look happier and more confident. "Very well," Padre Benitez accepted finally and held out his hands again for them to approach.

Victoria smiled as she stepped forward with her beloved, trying to absorb some of his confidence. Many times in her life her faith had seen her through troubling times. She had to hold on to that, but now she had someone to share her burdens with. She would be there to ease his burden as well. If God thought the time was right, who was she to argue? She stepped forward and renewed her faith in God, and let confession absolve her of her shame. She spoke honestly and listened with her whole heart, and when candles were lit and promises given, doubts and fears and worries were cast aside. When the padre blessed their betrothal, she finally stopped feeling alone.

When they left the safety of the church a lifetime later, they regretfully returned to the real world.

zzz

AN: Next up: Will Sebastian and Felipe find some trouble?