Chapter 9

A knock on the door saved Victoria from having to put Diego off and she was grateful for being spared that unpleasant task.

"Ignore it," Diego muttered against her neck, his hands firmly holding her against him to prevent her from leaving the bed.

"Diego, Your father –"

"My father needs to realize that we are married," he muttered, ignoring the pain in his eyes.

"At least he's knocking now." Victoria chuckled. "In the days right after our marriage, he didn't even do that." She tugged his head up and pressed her lips to his. "Now let me go unless you want him to walk in on us."

"Maybe he needs to, just once."

"Diego . . ."

He sighed and rolled over onto his back, rubbing his eyes as Victoria slid out of bed and wrapped a robe over her shift.

When Victoria opened the door, Alejandro walked in, his eyes only for his son. "Ah, excellent, you're awake!"

"What is it, Father?" Diego asked with a heavy sigh.

The older man's eyes narrowed as he exchanged a look with Victoria.

She shrugged and placed a hand on her father-in-law's shoulder. "Talk to him, he's not in the best of moods." She swept out of the room, leaving father and son alone in relative silence.

"How are you feeling this morning?" Alejandro pulled the chair over to the bed and sank into it.

"If my eyes would cooperate, I'd be fine." The annoyance in his voice was clear.

"The doctor said it could take a few weeks. And with your head injury, perhaps longer."

'I know." Diego shifted uncomfortably and pulled the blankets to his waist.

Alejandro's eyes narrowed. "Is something else wrong?"

"Nothing that a complete recovery won't fix."

Alejandro noticed the strain in his son's voice and took it to mean that his son was impatient to get back to his life. "Patience, son. It will happen. You're healing. Your vision is returning . . . albeit slowly."

Before Diego could respond, Victoria returned with a tray of wonderfully aromatic food. Alejandro excused himself while Victoria fed her husband, noting that this time, he didn't fuss.

During the next week, Diego's condition only improved. On one particular visit, however, Diego asked to speak with the doctor alone.

Victoria gave her husband a curious look but kissed him on the cheek and left the room, followed by Alejandro and Felipe.

"What is it you wanted to speak with me about?" The doctor settled into the chair next to the bed.

"My condition is improving, yes?"

"Rapidly, yes," the doctor steepled his fingers and gazed at his patient. "I now have no doubt you will make a full recovery. It will take some time to regain the full strength in your leg and wrist, and your eyes may be sensitive to light for a while." He leaned in and examined Diego's still very bloodshot eyes. "But the swelling is going down and the redness is abating."

"Slowly," Diego frowned.

"You must not be impatient. You're lucky to be alive."

"I know." Diego's gaze shifted from the bedcovers to the doctor. "I wanted to ask you something of – a personal nature."

The doctor regarded his patient with an unreadable expression. Hopefully, there were no other conditions Diego had been experiencing that he didn't know about. "Yes?"

Diego began slowly, slightly uncomfortable with the topic. "It's about physical relations." Victoria wasn't going to let him touch her if he didn't assure her that he was well enough to engage in the act. "As you know, Victoria and I were married when it wasn't clear if I was going to live through my injuries."

The doctor nodded, a small grin tugging at the corner of his lips. "Ah, yes. That's right."

"Well, I am going to live and . . ." Diego lifted his eyes to meet the doctors, "and Victoria is afraid that I will have a relapse if –"

"I understand her concern and I share it."

Diego frowned, not expecting this answer.

"I would refrain from any strong physical activity for the next few weeks."

"Weeks?" Diego muttered sadly.

The doctor forced the grin from his face. After seeing the couple together, he could understand why his patient was eager to consummate their marriage. But, in good conscience, he couldn't advise Diego to take that step. Not until the young man was more fully recovered. "I'm sorry, Diego. I know my response is not the one you wanted to hear."

"Not exactly." Diego rubbed his eyes and then focused on the doctor again. While his sight was rapidly improving, he still often had to close and rub his eyes to keep his vision from blurring.

"I would also suggest," the doctor knew his patient wasn't going to be happy about this either, "that you wait until you've returned home and are in more familiar surroundings."

Diego stared unhappily at the doctor. "Why?"

"Any anxiety will be lower when you are home, in a familiar bed, surrounded by familiar people."

Diego rolled his eyes. "My anxiety is quite high enough lying here night after night with a beautiful wife sleeping right next to me."

The doctor stood as a knock came from behind the sitting room door. He leaned over and patted Diego's shoulder. "Well, you can always ask her to sleep elsewhere."

Diego glared darts at the doctor as he moved to open the door.

"Yes, yes, come in. We are quite finished."

Victoria swept into the room and perched herself on the bed. When she bent to kiss her husband on the cheek, Diego turned imploring eyes on the doctor. "See?"

The doctor laughed as he closed his bag and said, "I'll be back tomorrow," before shuffling out the door.

Victoria gave her husband a curious look but he simply muttered, "I'll tell you later."

Alejandro could tell instantly that something was bothering his son. They hadn't talked much about Zorro since he'd been found, intent only on ensuring that the man behind that mask received the best care possible. Now, Alejandro found himself wanting to discuss the masked man with his son. So caught up in his own thoughts, Alejandro completely missed the longing look Diego gave Victoria.

"I am going downstairs to get some breakfast," she announced, smiling warmly at her husband and caressing his unshaven cheek. Bending to kiss him before leaving, his mouth clung to hers before she pulled herself away, breathless. "You two talk. I'll be back shortly."

Diego heaved a huge breath and Alejandro chuckled, "Married life suits you."

Diego grinned, slightly embarrassed about exhibiting such behavior in front of his father. "I wish I was well enough to fully relish the experience."

"Ah," Alejandro finally understood. "Well, that can wait as I'm sure the doctor –" he stopped and stared at his son, "I certainly hope – the doctor said the same?"

"Of course," Diego muttered sadly.

"Good."

Silence fell for a few moments while each man contemplated what they wanted to discuss.

"Diego," Alejandro found his voice first. "We need to discuss Zorro."

Diego glanced up as Felipe came in, smiling at the boy. "Sit, Felipe. We're discussing your favorite topic." Diego grinned as Felipe made the hesitant sign of a 'Z'.

Felipe took a seat opposite Alejandro and waited.

Diego turned to his father. "What would you like to know?"

"Its not what I want to know, Son. It's what we are going to do about him when we return home."

"Ah. I haven't given it much thought." Diego didn't admit all that had been on his mind as of late was the beautiful woman sharing his bed.

"I think we should let him remain dead, Diego." There. He'd said it. Alejandro only hoped that his son didn't vehemently refuse, as he expected.

Diego remained silent for a long time. He and Victoria had briefly discussed Zorro. Just recently, actually. "And if he's needed?" Diego asked quietly.

"When I left, Diego, the caballeros were ready to stand up to the alcalde's unjust taxation. The reports I've received from the pueblo since we've been here seem to support that they continue to do just that."

"So, Zorro is no longer needed."

"I hope not."

Diego remained silent for a long time, contemplating his life without Zorro. It was a day he'd longed for and now that day was upon him, he wasn't sure he was ready to give up the masked man.

"The people have finally begun to stand up for their rights." Diego shook his head. "I hoped that they would do that for so long."

"Now you can leave him behind, free of obligation, and begin your life." Victoria carried the tray over to the table and set it down. Turning to Alejandro, she motioned to the tray, "I brought you some juice. I wasn't sure if you'd eaten."

"Thank you, my dear."

Victoria smiled at Felipe, "And you too."

Felipe smiled bashfully and reached for the glass she handed to him over the bed.

"Hungry?" Victoria favored her husband with a warm smile.

Diego's voice was low, his eyes simmering as he gazed at her. "Always."

She blushed prettily and set the tray on his lap. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips, oblivious to his father and Felipe sitting in the room.

"Diego –" Victoria trembled, as much from the gentle contact as from embarrassment at his bold action – with witnesses, even!

Diego shot her a wide-eyed innocent look before releasing her hand and picking up his fork. After a few bites, he extended the fork to his wife.

Victoria smiled prettily and let him feed her, oblivious for the moment, to the other two occupants of the room.

A few days later, the doctor returned with a few crude looking weights. Diego had answered his own door this time, clad still in a nightshirt and trousers.

"I want to begin some strengthening exercises."

"I've been walking around more and more," Diego answered with a smile as Victoria looked up from her book.

"Well, as your eyesight returns, I want you to do as much as you can to regain your strength," the Doctor turned to Victoria, "and make sure he doesn't overexert himself, hmm?"

Diego rolled his eyes, catching the hidden meaning. "Don't worry, she's been very strict."

"Good." The doctor demonstrated how to use the weights and then examined his patient once more. "I'll return in a few days to check your progress. Please send for me if I am needed before then."

The couple nodded and Victoria proceeded to help her husband with the weights, offering soothing words when Diego grunted in pain and frustration.

After a few hours of slow progress, Diego sighed and crawled into bed, exhausted. "I think I may not be as strong as I'd like to think I am."

Victoria brushed her hand through his hair and kissed his cheek. "You've got a long recovery ahead of you, Diego. But you are making good progress. The doctor and your father are amazed at how well you are doing."

"How about a walk in the moonlight later?" Diego asked, taking her hand in his and bringing it to his lips.

"I would like that." Victoria slid down onto the bed and leaned her head against his shoulder. "Now sleep, or you won't have the energy for a walk."

Diego chuckled, wrapped his arms around his lady and closed his eyes.

Later that evening, after they'd eaten, Victoria draped the green shawl over her shoulders and slid her arm into her husband's. They bade Alejandro and Felipe goodbye as they walked out of the hotel arm in arm to enjoy the evening air.

Lamplight was all that illuminated their way as they walked the short distance out of the pueblo and to the beach.

Diego had spent a great deal of time in Santa Barbara and knew of a perfectly secluded spot he wanted to take his lovely wife.

They walked in comfortable silence, simply enjoying one another's closeness and neither feeling the need to speak.

When they reached the edge of the beach, Diego turned and pressed her hands to his chest.

Victoria curled her fingers between the buttons of his shirt to touch his bare skin and smiled lovingly at her husband.

They studied one another wordlessly for a moment before his hands slid around her waist and pulled her against his chest. When their lips met, weeks of pent up passion flared between them. Their mouths clung to one another, drawing the life-giving breath from their lungs.

When they finally parted, Diego embraced his wife tightly, murmuring words of love. His warm lips peppered tiny kisses down her cheeks to her neck, pausing at the shawl draped casually over her shoulders.

Gentle hands slowly drew away the material covering her skin, giving his lips further territory to explore.

Victoria closed her eyes and sighed deeply, her body skin from the desire his touch had awakened in her body. She wanted desperately for him to continue but knew it was not possible. The doctor had advised them to wait and she would not risk the possibility of a relapse just to sate their desires. Threading slim hands through his hair, she tugged his lips from where they so lovingly trailed a line of moist fire down her skin.

The smoldering desire reflected in his eyes caused her heart to thud sharply in her chest. She brushed her lips against his apologetically and said, " Diego, you know we can't . . ."

He rested a long finger against her lips, silencing her protest. "I know," came his almost inaudible reply.

They sat for a long while, with Victoria still nestled comfortably on his lap, and watched the waves roll in with the high tide, depositing shells and other sea life. When Victoria shivered, Diego's arms tightened around his wife.

"You're chilled." Diego glanced down at her, concern worrying his handsome face. He pulled the shawl more firmly around her shoulders, and with a heavy sigh, said, "we should be getting back."

Victoria nodded wordlessly and they made their way slowly back to the pueblo and to their soft, comfortable bed.

Another week went by before the doctor pronounced Diego well enough to travel.

With the wagon packed, Felipe mounted on Toronado, whom Diego was quite happy to see was well cared for, the de la Vegas began the long-awaited journey home.

On the way, Diego pulled Victoria into his arms and slid into the welcome comfort of Toronado's saddle. "It's all right, boy, "Diego soothed, passing his hand across the black stallion's long, proud neck.

Victoria leaned into her husband's arms and they rode in companionable silence for a good long while.

Before long, the hacienda was in sight and Diego had never been so happy and grateful to be home.

They had discussed how to approach their newfound relationship and had finally decided that it was best to let the pueblo believe that Victoria had turned to her old friend Diego in her time of grief.

In the months following Zorro's death, Victoria and Diego, whom they had met up with on the way to Santa Barbara, had grown close. Finally, they had decided to marry, thinking it was the best way to assuage their grief.

When Diego entered his bedroom, for the first time in months, a small smile spread across his handsome features. Womans clothing already hung in his wardrobe and as Victoria followed closely behind him into the room, he whirled on her in mock anger. "Already replaced me, hmm?"

At Victoria's confused look, he stepped away from the wardrobe to reveal women's clothing hanging within. "I'm hurt! My father, replacing me so soon after –"

Victoria caught the mirth in his eyes and launched herself into his arms, drawing his head down for a long, delectable kiss.

Alejandro, who had followed with a few additional packages, stopped in the doorway, grinning widely at the sight. "I'll leave these here," Alejandro dropped the packages onto the nearest table. "Maria has drawn baths for both of you." He began to back out of the room, and with a slight chuckle, added, "I'm sorry to admit the tubs are not big enough for two."

But Diego and Victoria didn't hear him. They were wrapped in one another's arms so tightly that Alejandro knew he wouldn't see them for the remainder of the evening.

Forced apart by the desire to wash the dirt and grime from their bodies, Diego and Victoria parted reluctantly.

Diego finished first and padded quickly and quietly into the bathing room adjoining his bedroom. He stopped short and caught his breath at the sight of the bath water lapping gently against his wife's bare skin as she washed her hair.

He crossed the distance between them in a hurry and slid long fingers into her soapy hair. "May I?" he asked, his voice deepening with arousal.

Her fingers, already rubbing her hair, curled around his for a moment before falling away.

With a small smile, he began to gently work the scented soap through her hair. He could hear her heavy sigh, feel her lean her head into his hands. Slowly, he massaged her scalp, sending small tremors of desire straight down her spine.

When he rinsed the soap away, Victoria turned wide, expectant eyes on her husband. She grinned when she noticed the sleeves of his long nightshirt were thoroughly soaked.

"Well, you'll need to remove that before getting into bed," she winked mischievously at him, " I don't want you catching your death of a cold."

Diego quickly rid himself of the offending garment by pulling it over his head and depositing it on the floor.

Victoria grinned and he leaned forward so that his lips were mere inches from hers, "Is that better, Señora de la Vega?"

Victoria's eyes slid appreciatively down her husband's well-muscled torso, finally coming to rest on the waistband of his trousers.

"A bit."

"Are you finished?" Diego asked slowly, feeling his body responding under her intense gaze.

"Oh, yes."

Diego reached for the large, soft towel and hesitantly wrapped it around her as she stood. "I've lost my mind to be covering this beautiful body," he whispered against her neck.

She turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, his hands at her waist the only thing holding the towel in place. "Then by all means, remove it." Victoria's eyes glinted playfully and she was not at all shocked when he did precisely as she asked.

"Much better," Diego murmured as he lifted her into his arms and carried her into the adjoining bedroom.

TBC

Thethirdtroll – Ok, so there hasn't been too many days in between this chapter and the last….happy now? There's one more chapter left and then it will be done – Finally!

Auriela30 – No, Diego isn't someone I really want to kill off. But its so fun to hurt him . . . just for the pleasure of getting him well again. Hehe. De Soto – well, I have no problems killing him. Hopefully, the end won't be too much of a disappointment. If you're expecting some big confrontation scene with the alcalde. He, unknowingly, did Diego a favor – he killed Zorro. Leaving Diego and Victoria free to begin a life together. But - the alcalde has been dealt with . . .