The cold, hard rain pelted Diego's face and neck like sharp needles. The gusting wind was slamming him mercilessly and repeatedly against the mast. The seas were rough, and the ship was clearing the crest of each wave only to come crashing down several feet into the next trough.
Diego worried endlessly about Victoria locked up in the hold of the ship. If they started taking on water or the ship was damaged in the storm she could easily drown in the brig.
The ship pitched forward again, flinging Diego away from the mast. He pivoted the swing by turning the front of his body towards the mast. As the ship pitched backward again and rose to the top of the next wave, Diego twisted his body and wrapped his long legs around the mast pulling himself close and held on tightly. He inched his way around to the back of the mast so that it was protecting him somewhat from the wind. His efforts had taken much of the strain off his shoulders and wrists. They were small comforts, but it was something.
The storm lasted through the night and into the next morning. The clouds finally parted a few hours after dawn, and Stark ordered Diego lowered from the mast. Incredibly weak, he couldn't support his own weight as his feet hit the deck. Cold, wet, sore and hungry he laid on the wooden planks shivering uncontrollably. He barely noticed when Sanchez unshackled his hands from the swing. He blinked up at Stark who stood looking down on him, silhouetted by the sun peeking out from behind the passing rain clouds.
Stark knelt and chuckled. "I think yer finally startin' to see things my way." He punched Diego hard in the temple. The blow didn't knock him out, but it was enough to daze him. Sanchez and Juan each grabbed one of his elbows and dragged him back to the brig.
This time, they ignored Victoria's silent plea to place him on the cot. Diego was tossed into the cell and landed hard on his chest. His grunt was muffled by the muzzle, still tightly in place. A second later, he felt Victoria's soft hands wrestling with the buckles and then it was off. He took a deep breath of relief.
"Thank you," he said softly. He mentally cursed his weak body as he shivered uncontrollably.
"Dios, Diego. You're chilled. Come lie down on the bed."
He would have never admitted it out loud, but the thought of moving even an inch at the time seemed like too much effort to go through, despite the comfort he knew the cot would provide. He shook his head no, making the room spin slightly. He could feel his left eye starting to swell shut.
"Diego, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not as strong as you are. I can't pick you up."
"You lift me up every day," Diego said with a small smile, his eyes closed to ward off the dizziness.
Victoria shook her head in amusement at the double meaning. "Diego."
When she didn't say anything else, Diego opened his eyes to find her looking at him intently. "I'm fine," he attempted to reassure her. "I just need a minute."
"There are many words I could use to describe you, Querido, but at this particular moment, 'fine' is not one of them."
Diego shivered again and sighed. He really needed to get out of these wet clothes. Victoria seemed to read his mind and reached for him. When she started to unbutton his shirt, his breath caught in his chest, and he grabbed her hand gently with his own.
"Diego," Victoria said, chagrinned, "It's nothing I haven't seen before."
He had to smile at that. "That's hardly fair. I was unconscious at the time."
"At least the shirt, Diego. You'll catch a terrible cold if not."
She was right about that. Too tired to argue, he let her help him sit up. He managed to get his shirt off without too much effort and made it over to the cot without stumbling. He nearly drifted off to sleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, but he felt a cool cloth on his face. He opened his eyes. Victoria pulled the blanket up to his chin and then dunked the cloth back into the water to put back over his eye.
"That's going to be quite a bruise," Victoria observed quietly.
"Probably," He agreed grimly. He took the cup of water Victoria handed him and drank most of the contents before giving it back to her.
"You were outside during the storm." It wasn't a question.
"Tied to the mast." He hoped that much information would placate her curiosity.
"And?"
He smiled when she kissed him softly on the lips to encourage him to keep talking. "And…I was hanging from the lift swing…at the top of the mainsail."
Victoria brushed his hair off his forehead. She sniffled to try and hold in the sob threatening its way out of her mouth. Refocusing her attention on the cloth she simply said, "I'm glad you're all right."
"I'm glad you're all right. The brig isn't a safe place to be in a storm."
"Neither is the top of the mast."
Diego chuckled. "Touché." He yawned.
"You must be exhausted." He nodded even as his eyes started to drift close against his will. She kissed him softly one last time. "Get some rest, Querido."
When Diego awoke, he was once again lying on his side on the small cot in the brig. Something unsettled him, and he sat up quickly. Victoria had busied herself while he rested by washing his clothes. She was checking on the dryness of his shirt which she'd hung on the bars of their little jail cell, when his sudden movement startled her. She turned around, her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
"Diego!" She rushed toward him as he struggled to pull himself into a sitting position. "Good heavens, what's wrong?"
Diego blinked at her as he processed that. "I…I was about to ask you the same thing. What's going on?"
"For a change, nothing. Sanchez brought us fresh food and some water for washing. We've been alone for a while now."
Diego glanced around the hold. Something was different. His groggy mind didn't seem willing to cooperate as he tried to puzzle it out. He looked at Victoria and noted the concern on her pretty face. It was concern for him. He sighed. He wished more than anything that he could get her away from Stark and his crew.
"Diego?"
"Hmm?"
"Did you hear me just now?"
He had thought he had. Her expectant expression made him think she'd asked him a question he had yet to answer. "Perhaps not?"
Victoria held the back of her hand up to his forehead. "You don't feel like you're running a fever. Do you feel all right?"
He was thirsty. And hungry. Dios, he felt like he could eat an entire herd of cattle. As he thought about his answer, he realized his back felt better than it had in days. The nausea seemed to be gone. He was dizzy, but he couldn't remember the last time he ate. "I think I do," he said, the answer surprising them both. "You said there was food?"
"Yes, a full tray!" Victoria moved quickly, and before Diego knew it there was a large jug of water and a tray of hard biscuits, dried fruit, and several pieces of dried beef jerky. Victoria handed Diego his shirt as well.
"Have you eaten?" He asked as he pulled the linen over his head and fastened the few buttons at the top. He noted the shirt wasn't nearly as irritating to his burned back as it had been before.
Victoria smiled at his thoughtfulness. "I have. Eat as much as you want."
Diego was nearly done with the tray when Victoria asked him about his back. She'd maneuvered her way behind him and was gently rubbing her fingers through his hair as she lifted his shirt and examined the wounds. "I think we should wash the cuts, Diego."
Diego finished the jug of water and sighed, putting the tray under the cot. "Let's wait until tonight. I'm guessing I slept for a while?"
"The rest of the day and night. It's the following morning."
"I'm hoping to be conscious for a while," Diego said. "Let's wait to see if Stark comes back down to…" Diego broke off abruptly and stood up. In two strides, he was gripping the cell door to try and see out the port hole on the other side of the hold. Why hadn't he noticed before?! He cursed his battered body and sluggish mind. They were wasting precious time!
Victoria came up behind him. "What's the matter?"
"We're anchored!"
"What? How can you tell?"
"The movement of the ship. It's different. There's no noise or clatter from the crew on the deck. We have to get out of here. Right now."
Victoria raised an eyebrow at him and glanced pointedly at the iron bars standing between them and the staircase out of the hold. "And just how exactly do you propose we do that, Diego?"
Diego wasn't about to let a little thing like an iron cell door stop him from getting Victoria to safety. He grabbed the bars and pushed and pulled as hard as he could. There was a considerable amount of give as the door rattled against its old lock and frame. There was also a considerable amount of noise as the metal door clanged against the metal frame. He paused for a moment, waiting patiently to see if anyone would come running to see what all the racket was about. Victoria gripped the bars beside him, anxiously watching the door to the hold as well.
No one came. In fact, they still hadn't heard any sounds above deck. No orders were being called. Nothing.
Diego turned to examine what they had in the cell more closely. Luckily, the pirates hadn't chained him when they'd brought him back after the storm or his new task would have been exceptionally difficult. Eyeing the cot, he strode over to it purposefully and flipped it over. It was made of sturdy wood, but if he could break one of the legs loose…
"We could use a small piece of metal. Anything will do. A file from the wall, a loose bolt from the chains, anything." Diego brought his hand down in a swift chopping motion to loosen the wood, and he finally pried the leg away from the rest of the cot frame. He turned around to find Victoria standing behind him looking like a cat who had just swallowed a canary. He tipped his head in an unspoken question, and Victoria slowly pulled a spoon out of her skirt pocket.
"They brought me soup last night while you were asleep. I'm not sure why, but I thought holding onto this might be a good idea."
Diego kissed her squarely on the mouth. "You are absolutely amazing."
He took the end of the spoon and jammed it into the keyhole of the cell door at a slight angle. Stepping to the side, he wound up and hit the spoon cleanly with the block of wood wedging it deep inside. Swinging the wood over his head, he brought it down on the handle as hard as he could. It made a tremendous racket, but the door clicked and popped open. Diego swung the door open wide.
"Hurry!" He whispered. He held his hand out to Victoria and they ducked down behind a stack of barrels before a pirate came barreling down the stairs.
"What's going on down here—Blimey!" The man exclaimed when he realized the prisoners had escaped. Before he could turn and yell up the stairs, he felt a sharp pain in his neck, and instantly dropped to the ground unconscious.
Diego released him from the neck pinch. He grabbed a rope that was hanging off one of the walls and tied the man securely before dragging him back behind the barrels. Victoria finished the job by tying a scrap of cloth around his mouth so that the pirate couldn't call out.
"Wait here. I'll be back shortly. If someone else comes down to the hold, hide in the shadows behind the food stores."
"Diego…" Her shaking voice was barely audible. Victoria grabbed his hand and didn't let go as he tried to leave.
He turned to face her with the most incredibly tender expression she'd ever seen on his face. "Trust me." He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. "I'll be back before you even realize I'm gone."
She clutched his arms tightly. "Please be careful."
"Always." He kissed her softly, and before she could blink, he was gone.
Diego crept up the stairs and cautiously poked his head out of the trap door leading out of the hold. The main deck was quiet. He could see the anchor line had been drawn out; the large coil of heavy chain had been unspooled from the deck and was hanging over the side. There should be at least one more guard, Diego thought as he looked around.
He finally spotted him on the aft deck near the wheelhouse. After that, it was a simple manner to dispose of him like the other pirate.
Diego looked over the side. From this distance, the view of the bustling port of San Diego was breathtaking. The ship was anchored a hundred yards from the docks, probably to avoid any scrutiny from the Spanish authorities. A wise precaution on Stark's part, especially with captives on board. A huge wave of relief washed through him. If they could just get to shore, they could easily find their way home. His father had many resources in San Diego, so his name would get them anything they needed for the journey.
Crouching low so that no one from shore could make out his profile if they looked too closely, Diego crept to the port side of the ship and peered over the railing. As he suspected, both longboats were gone. It would complicate their escape, but not make it impossible. Moving quickly towards the main mast, Diego opened a large storage crate near the main mast. While the torment Stark had imposed upon him had left him weak and in pain, it did have the benefit of allowing him to get the lay of the ship when he wasn't locked in the brig. Stark's ego and arrogant plan to try and control Diego was now backfiring. The crate he'd opened was a weapons cache, and Diego grabbed two pistols, a flask of powder, a small bag of musket balls, and a cutlass. The flask and bags he hung off his belt and then tucked one of the pistols into the small of his back. The cutlass and extra pistol he carried in his hands. He wasn't taking any chances.
Diego made his way quickly back to the hold. The pirate they'd restrained was struggling against his ropes, and he was just in time to see Victoria hit the pirate buccaneer over the head with a block of wood. He rushed down the stairs, but to his chagrin, the man was unconscious and clearly no longer a threat.
"Holding down the fort, I see," He said with a twinkle in his eye. Victoria grinned back. "These are for you," Diego handed her both pistols, the powder, and extra musket balls.
Victoria raised her eyebrows in surprise but said nothing. He was Zorro. She didn't know why she was surprised he'd managed to return with a small arsenal. She chuckled.
Diego had been ready to bolt back up the stairs but turned at the sound of her laughter. He smiled, but his brow furrowed in an obvious question.
"Is life with you always going to be such an adventure?"
"I sincerely hope not," He said with a large grin. "Come on. We should still be alone on the ship for a bit longer, but we mustn't tarry."
He led the way up to the main deck and glanced furtively around before allowing Victoria to move out of the hold completely. They moved quickly to the other side of the deck. Under the stairs leading up to the forecastle was a set of double doors. If Diego was right, this should be the captain's quarters. He looked toward the docks but didn't see anyone approaching the ship yet.
"With any luck, they are getting supplies and we'll have a few hours' head start before they get back. I'll be in Stark's quarters through here, Diego gestured toward the doors behind them. Watch for anyone approaching the ship and come warn me if you see the pirates returning."
"Shouldn't we signal the authorities? Someone on the docks is bound to notice a signal."
"If that becomes the only way to ensure your safety, I won't hesitate to do so. I don't know how much the authorities know about our abduction, or what my father has done in our absence. I think it would be a good idea to avoid alerting the local garrison unless we absolutely must. I just need to find my sword and we'll be on our way."
He was right, of course. She had grown so accustomed over the last several days of seeing him without his mask on, the need to maintain his secret identity hadn't even occurred to her. "Diego…"
He kissed her gently to assuage her fears. "We'll be all right. Keep watch, I'll be back shortly."
She nodded and turned toward the shore.
Diego entered Stark's cabin. Mounted on the wall behind the large navigation desk, were his sword, whip, and mask. He smirked; he had hoped it would be relatively easy to find his things, but he had underestimated Stark's ego. The display was clearly a reminder of the victory he had won over Zorro. Smiling at his good fortune, Diego took his sword and his whip. The mask he tucked carefully into his belt. He wouldn't wear it, but it was a good idea to not just leave it lying around for someone to find.
A small door on the other side of the room led to Stark's sleeping quarters. Diego smiled as his eyes fell on the wardrobe. Pulling it open, he saw outfits neatly hanging from the cross bar. His own clothes were stacked on the bottom. He thought it odd Stark had not gotten rid of them, and the thought nagged at him, but he couldn't pinpoint why. He grabbed them and quickly changed, feeling more confident with each article he put on. Diego quickly pulled on his boots and tucked his mask into his sash. Fastening his sword and whip around his waist, he emerged from Stark's quarters to find Victoria still intently watching the shoreline.
"Any sign of them?"
"No, it's been quiet. Almost too quiet…"
"Indeed. I must say, it does surprise me that Stark was willing to leave the ship with only two men standing guard while we were captive, even if we were locked up." Diego took the time to look around the deck one more time and ensure they were still alone. "They took both longboats. This way," He instructed, and they headed aft.
Victoria's eyes widened as she hurried to keep up with his long strides. "How are we going to get ashore? I can't swim, Diego."
"I'll keep you afloat if I have to, but I'm hoping it won't be necessary. If we show up on the docks soaking wet, we'll probably be detained for questioning. As much as I wish we could turn Stark in, we can't risk drawing unnecessary attention to ourselves." He peered over the aft railing. "I'm hoping there's a small dingy they use for repairs...Ah ha!"
Their luck was holding. A dingy was secured to the stern of the ship and rested just under the railing. Before Victoria had a chance to worry, Diego had pulled himself over the safety barrier. He held on tightly with his left hand, and carefully untied the ropes securing the tiny vessel. Once untied, the dingy dangled from the rope that was meant to keep it from drifting too far from the ship and out to sea. Diego carefully let the line out, and the boat dropped slowly to the water.
Diego noted that the paddles were tied tightly to the sides of the boat. At least that was one less thing they had to worry about carrying down. It would be easy enough for him to repel down to the boat using the rope but getting Victoria down to the water was another matter entirely. There wasn't a ladder on this side of the ship, and he doubted she had the upper body strength to repel down on her own.
Diego pulled himself back over the railing. "I'll have to carry you."
Victoria looked skeptically over the railing and then back to Diego. "How?"
"Climb on my back and put your arms around my neck and shoulders."
"Diego, no…your back…" She shook her head vigorously at the thought of putting him in greater pain. "No. You go. Find a way to bring back help. I'll hide somewhere, and…"
Diego's raised eyebrow and quick retort proved a very effective interruption to her plan. "Don't be ridiculous. I am not leaving you here by yourself." He crouched down in front of her. "Climb on," Diego instructed, but Victoria still hesitated. "Victoria, we must move quickly. The crew may return at any time; we haven't a moment to lose. Quickly now!"
"A bit late for that, my friend."
Diego and Victoria whirled around to find Stark standing behind them with several members of the crew, pistols drawn. Diego immediately pulled out his sword and whip, but Sanchez led another group that approached from the other side of the ship effectively trapping them on the aft deck. Diego moved to stand protectively in front of Victoria.
"Over the railing, Victoria."
Victoria's throat tightened. "You weren't willing to leave me just a moment ago!" She said angrily.
"You promised!"
Well, curse that promise anyway! Victoria was starting to shake from the nervousness. "He won't forgive you for this, Diego. He'll kill you!"
He turned his head slightly so that he could keep an eye on the pirates but addressed Victoria over his shoulder. "I won't ever forgive myself, Querida. If this is to be my final choice in life, then I choose to do whatever is in my power to keep you safe…no matter what the cost. Now go. Please." The last word was barely a whisper.
Stark was getting impatient and took a step toward them.
Diego turned his body slightly to keep Victoria behind him and adjusted his en guarde position to the new threat. "Stark, that ship anchored off the bow is a Spanish warship. One shot will bring every Spanish sailor in the port to descend on this vessel. You can't set sail that quickly, and you know it," He told Stark.
Stark's mouth tightened into a firm line. This insolent caballero was going to pay dearly for this, but the Don was right. This close to the docks the crew couldn't risk being boarded, especially not with captives on board. His prize catch was about to escape and there was nothing he could do about it. "Hold yer fire!" He ordered angrily.
Victoria knew their luck had run out. She quickly pulled herself over the railing. She couldn't quite get a good grip on the rope, slipped part of the way down, and ended up tumbling into the dingy. Her fingers fumbled to release the paddles from the sides. The instant they splashed into the water, Diego turned around and brought his saber down in a tight arc to slice the rope tethering the small craft to the ship. She could not stop the tears that poured down her pretty face.
"I love you," He said simply only a second before Stark's men grabbed him from behind.
"I love you too," She called back to him. She saw him smile just before the pirates wrestled him to the deck.
~ZZZ~