Note: This chapter has not been beta'd yet but I figured I've tortured you long enough. If I get this chapter back from my beta and I make major changes, I'll make a note of it. Otherwise, enjoy . . .
Note #2: There are slight revisions from the first posting of this chapter thanks to smithcrafter's catch of something I inadvertently omitted.
Chapter 1
Zorro's worst fears had just been realized. An innocent had been shot, again, because of him. And not just any innocent this time but his own father!
His world slowed and time stood still. A horror unimaginable gripped his heart like nothing he had ever before felt. When Victoria's blood had been spilled in protecting him, there had been dread, helplessness and fear that he would lose the woman he loved. But this time it was different. This time, it was his own father's blood that had been spilled – his own blood.
The disbelieving "Madre de Dios" that fell from Ignacio de Soto's lips drew Zorro back to himself and the danger surrounding him. He needed to get out of the pueblo – and he needed to take his father with him.
Anger greater than he had ever imagined spread through his body. Zorro's eyes hardened and he strode swiftly toward de Soto, ignoring the pain in his leg. No one stopped the masked man when he lifted his blade and snapped it hard across the alcalde's wrist.
Lancers lowered their muskets and stared at the scene in horrified awe. Mendoza's eyes were wide as saucers as his attention was split between Victoria cradling Alejandro's head in her lap, and a furious Zorro dolling out long overdue retribution.
With a sharp hiss, de Soto dropped the still smoking pistol and clutched his hand. Blood spread slowly from the shallow cut, but the man didn't move another muscle. He had never seen Zorro so angry, and that enraged look in his eyes glued the alcalde's feet to the ground.
Zorro sheathed his bloodstained blade and gripped the collar of the alcalde's pristine uniform so tightly that the action drew the breath from the man's lungs.
With a tone that sent icy tendrils of fear straight down de Soto's spine, Zorro hissed, "If Don Alejandro dies, you will swiftly follow."
With a swirl of black silk he was gone, leaving de Soto staring stiffly at the place he had just vacated.
A shrill whistle pierced the silent plaza and Toronado was suddenly there, pawing impatiently at the sand.
Victoria turned tear-filled eyes on Zorro as he knelt at Alejandro's side. He quickly unwrapped his sash and shoved it against the wound, staunching the bleeding temporarily, before he lifted his father out of her arms. With a swiftness that bespoke danger on many levels, he was able to push the injured man into the saddle.
Victoria laid a trembling hand on Zorro's arm and whispered, "let me come with you."
The pained look in the masked man's eyes caused Victoria's heart to thud sharply in her chest. She recognized those eyes. She had seen that look before, the last time his father had been shot.
"Send Doctor Hernandez to the hacienda," Zorro answered urgently, softly, for her ears only, as he swung himself onto Toronado's back.
The galloping of Toronado's hooves on the sand echoed through the still silent plaza. The people stared after the black stallion in stunned shock and disbelief as Victoria rushed quickly to carry out Zorro's request.
Toronado came to a halt, minutes later, before the hacienda gates. Quickly dismounting, Zorro carefully pulled his father from the saddle. Heaving a huge breath at the exertion of bearing Alejandro's weight, he rushed to the door and kicked it open. Blood trickled down his own injured leg but he ignored the uncomfortable pain of it.
At the startling sound, Felipe rushed to the door, followed by the de la Vega doorman. Servants ran from the kitchen and stood wide-eyed as Zorro carried their patron down the hallway to his bedroom.
Only Felipe and the head house-maid dared follow.
When Zorro had laid Alejandro down on the bed, he turned desperate eyes on Felipe and the maid.
"Heat some water, bring a candle and towels." Zorro slid his knife from its sheath and deftly drew it down the front of Alejandro's jacket and shirt, popping buttons effortlessly as the steel cut the cloth like it was butter.
Alejandro moaned loudly as Zorro ripped off his gloves and hat and tossed them to the floor.
Without heed to who might overhear, he whispered soothingly, "Stay with me, Father. You must stay awake."
Alejandro's eyes widened at the sound of his son's voice. He reached a trembling hand toward the mask and briefly touched his fingers to it before falling unconscious.
Felipe and the maid returned with the requested items and Zorro placed his knife near the flickering flame of the candle, heating the steel for the difficult task ahead.
With a dismissive gesture toward the servant, uncharacteristic for him or his alter ego, Zorro said, "that will be all. Thank you."
With a raised eyebrow, the maid stared at the masked man, steadfastly refusing to leave her injured patron's side. She had been a servant in the household since her patron's son was a small boy, had, indeed, helped to raise him; she would not be put off with so little regard.
Noticing that the woman hadn't moved, Zorro gently commanded, "Please wait outside for Doctor Hernandez. Victoria should be here with him shortly." To Felipe, he said softly, "Take care of Toronado."
Victoria appeared with the doctor almost immediately following Zorro's arrival. They were met at the door by a wide-eyed Felipe, who urgently beckoned for them to follow. He escorted them into Alejandro's spacious bedroom and neither was surprised to see Zorro fretting over the care of the injured man.
"I've given him some medicine for the pain. But the pistol ball will have to come out," the masked man said not looking up. "You are far more experienced with such tasks." He finally glanced at the doctor, his eyes visibly rimmed in red.
A servant entered with more water and towels, glancing warily at the people surrounding her patron's body.
"Thank you." Victoria wrapped her arm around the woman's shoulder and escorted her out of the room, shutting and locking the door behind her. When she returned, the doctor was working quickly, Zorro watching in painful silence.
"I could use your help." The doctor stopped suddenly and stared into the masked man's eyes. "You have knowledge of medicines far more advanced than I."
Silent understanding passed between them. Somehow, some way, the doctor already knew. And Zorro didn't have the energy or will to deny it. More important was his father's health.
Victoria stood back with Felipe, watching with sad eyes as the two men worked desperately to save Alejandro's life. He was, mercifully, unconscious.
Time after time the mask hindered the Zorro's vision and he rubbed at it with a disgusted annoyance. The doctor had been unable to reach the bullet and now Zorro was trying with a steadier, stronger hand. If it didn't come out, Alejandro would surely die.
"Dios!" Zorro growled, glancing at the doctor, "you can't find the bullet, and I can't see it!" With an irritated hiss, he shoved the mask off his head and threw it to the floor. While the occupants knew the identity of the man beneath it, witnessing the removal of that mask, nonetheless took them by surprise.
The doctor recovered first and continued to assist Diego, instructing him as he dabbed at the fresh blood flowing from the wound. They worked quickly to extricate the bullet, the removal of the mask hindering Diego's vision helping tremendously.
Victoria simply stared at the indisputable proof that her best friend and the masked man to whom she had given her heart were one and the same. She watched with continued fascination and amazement as the Diego she knew, or – thought she knew, vanished before her eyes only to be replaced by a curious mixture of the two men she thought she knew so well.
Felipe's eyes darted nervously from Diego to Victoria. He had not witnessed their connection in the plaza and was visibly shaken by the removal of the black mask now.
Victoria understood the young mute's shock to mean he had not known about Diego's secret life. She draped a comforting arm around his shoulders and hugged him tightly. She didn't speak, simply stood there, her arms comforting the young boy whom the man she loved so dearly thought of as a son.
The unmistakable smell of burning flesh filled the room and Victoria bit back a grimace of disgust. Still, her eyes remained glued to the scene playing out before her, as Diego sealed the bleeding wound and then cleaned his hands in the basin nearby.
"It's out." Hernandez turned to Victoria and Felipe with a heavy sigh as Diego sank into a chair beside his father's bed and took his hand.
Victoria's eyes brightened at the news but her smile slid into a frown when she noticed that the doctor didn't seem to share her enthusiasm.
"Its one hurdle of many Don Alejandro will need to beat." The doctor cast a weary look back toward the bed. "He has lost a great deal of blood and infection is certain to set in. It will take all the willpower and strength he has to get through this."
"His family will get him through this," Victoria said with a confidence she didn't really feel. She hugged Felipe tightly and walked slowly toward Diego. When she rested her hand on his shoulder, he stared up at her with such a pained look in his eyes that it broke her heart. She opened her arms and embraced him wordlessly. Pressing his head against her chest, she dropped a kiss into his soft hair and simply stood for a long moment, holding him.
They dimly heard the doctor informing Felipe that he would stay at the hacienda for the next few days to monitor Alejandro's condition closely. Felipe led the doctor out of the room, leaving Victoria alone with the unmasked Zorro.
"Thank you for staying," Diego's voice was barely audible but to Victoria's ears, it sounded different from his normal light, airy tone, but – similar. The events of the day had irrevocably changed him. He was a different man now. And Victoria had no doubt that she was looking down at the true Diego. "I'm afraid I'm not being much help to Felipe right now. He loves my father as if he were his own."
"I'll take care of Felipe." Victoria allowed a small smile when he lifted his head to gaze into her eyes. "And I'll take care of you, too."
A sad smile crept slowly across his face but it was Victoria who continued.
She slid one hand into his hair and tugged lightly at the soft, dark strands, reveling in the feel of them between her fingers, something she had wanted to do for a very long time. "You have taken care of us for so long, its time to return the favor."
Her touch was far from sensual and comforted him more than he could express in words. Diego heaved a huge sigh. "If he dies –"She pressed a finger to his lips to silence his words. "Don't think that way. He has recovered before. I recovered before." She leaned down and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss reminiscent of those Zorro had given her countless times. When they parted his eyes held a wonder that made her smile. Briefly, she remembered his revelation in the cave when he'd asked her to marry him, admitting to her that his greatest fear was that she could not love the man behind the mask. She traced his jaw with the tip of her finger. "He has a lot to live for, Diego."
Their next kiss was interrupted by Felipe as he hurried into the room and gestured sharply toward the door.
"What is it, Felipe?" Victoria asked, confused. She wasn't embarrassed one bit by the mute seeing them in one another's arms, wrapped in a very intimate embrace. But he hadn't given any indication that he'd even noticed.
Diego lifted his head and turned weary eyes on the boy. His eyes narrowed and his lips curled into a snarl. "De Soto? Here?"
Victoria could feel Diego tense and she quickly rubbed his shoulders to try to relax him. She'd witnessed Zorro's angry display toward de Soto in the plaza, and the reaction had shocked her. She glanced down at the black clothing he still wore and her heart thudded sharply. "Diego, you need to change. If the alcalde sees you dressed like Zorro –"
Felipe nodded rapidly and Victoria helped pull Diego to his feet. "I'll meet him at the door, you go and change!"
Felipe followed Victoria as Diego replaced the mask and scooped up the discarded hat and gloves and slipped out the open window. His room was in another wing of the hacienda, and he would have had to go through the parlor to reach that hallway. To simplify matters, he simply crept to the other side of the hacienda and slipped in through his own bedroom window.
Diego didn't bother to comb his hair or straighten his disheveled appearance. The alcalde wasn't worth it. And he barely cared enough to wrap a torn piece of cloth around his upper thigh – staunching the bleeding just enough so that it wouldn't soak through his pants.
He had a very difficult time controlling his anger and was unable to completely mask the steely look in his eyes as he rounded the corner to see Victoria speaking with the alcalde. Diego didn't see Felipe, but he hoped the boy was sitting with his father.
"You are not welcome in this hacienda," Diego said sharply as he strode toward Victoria and his old schoolmate.
"Now wait a minute, Diego –"
"I've heard the reports, Ignacio," Diego interrupted, causing even Victoria to shrink back at the steely tone coming from the lips of the normally docile caballero. The change made him sound far too much like Zorro, and it worried her deeply that de Soto would notice it too. "I need to hear no more."
"Then you'll know that it is that masked bandit's fault your father lies near death!" de Soto answered, determined not to take the full blame for striking down a leading member of the pueblo and a member, however distant, of the royal family of Spain.
"I will have – words with that man as well."
Only Victoria knew the effort it took for Diego to admit such a thing. The guilt he must be feeling had to be tremendous, but Victoria resolved that she would be beside him through everything, even if it meant closing her tavern until Alejandro pulled through, or – passed away. She reached out and rested a gentle hand on his arm.
"The fact still remains that the shot fired from your pistol struck my father down," Diego continued, and Victoria could tell the effort it took to restrain his temper.
Remorse – or was it fear – flickered in de Soto's eyes. "And I regret that, Diego. Believe me. It was not my intent to harm an innocent man."
Victoria opened her mouth to counter with a comment about flogging an innocent man, but Diego's biting remark stopped her speechless.
"It is usually the innocent who pay the highest price for one's misguided fight for justice."
De Soto swallowed nervously, unsure of how to respond to such a statement. It indicated clearly where Diego's sympathies lay in relation to the alcalde's governing of the pueblo, but it could also mean that the man was equally as frustrated with Zorro's continuous opposition of the alcalde's plans. De Soto wisely decided that now was not the time for clarification. "Well, I've said what I came to say. I will pray for your father's quick recovery."
As his hand reached for the door, Diego stared at him, his eyes hard. "If my father dies, Ignacio, the King will hear of it."
Victoria inhaled sharply at the thinly veiled threat and de Soto's eyes narrowed, understanding perfectly that he had crossed the line for the last time with this distant relation to the royal family.
De Soto's honor would not allow him to take such a blow without response. But even as the words left his lips, de Soto instantly regretted them. "Is that a threat, Señor?"
"No, Ignacio," Diego met de Soto's gaze with a firm one of his own. "It is a promise."
Morning brought with it singing birds and cool, crisp autumn winds. Victoria sleepily pushed herself out of bed and dressed quickly, determine to be by Diego's side as he sat with his father. She had no doubt Diego had not left Alejandro's side during the night and first made her way to the kitchen to gather a food tray.
"You need to rest, Diego." Victoria said as she walked into Alejandro's room and set the tray down on the bedside table. "And you need to eat something."
Diego simply shrugged, not looking up.
When she cupped his cheek in her hand, drawing his complete attention, she was taken back by the weary, defeated look in his eyes. "You cannot go on this way."
"I won't leave him," Diego said softly, returning his gaze to the bed.
"I'll sit with him. Go and rest," Victoria implored, knowing that it might take far more devious means to get the devoted son to leave his father's bedside.
When she received no answer, she reached down and slid her hand into his, squeezing gently. She saw him glance down at their entwined hands and smile sadly.
"What he would give to see such a simple gesture of affection," Diego said quietly. "The passionate, fiery Victoria Escalante comforting his passive, indolent son."
Victoria fell to her knees beside him and turned his face to hers. "And when he learns the reason for that – charade, he will beam with pride at everything you've done for this pueblo."
Diego closed his eyes but Victoria would not be deterred. She leaned against his chest and smiled knowingly as his arms instinctively encircled her shoulders, drawing her tightly against him. She nuzzled his neck, inhaling deeply, taking comfort by simply being in his arms. She pressed her mouth to his neck and was rewarded with a heavy sigh.
As she looked up at him with bright eyes filled with unmistakable love, he could not resist lowering his lips to hers.
The kiss was comforting but far more romantic and sensual than any they had shared before. Diego's sad, steely resolve melted beneath her soft caress and when his hands slid into her hair to pull her deeper into his kiss, Victoria closed her eyes and melted into his embrace.
After a few moments, Diego pulled away and gazed wondrously into her eyes.
Victoria simply smiled and said softly, "Is that enough incentive to convince you to take a bit of a siesta?"
Diego glanced down at the bed and sighed wearily. "Only if you plan to take one with me."
Victoria's eyes danced. There was nothing more that she would rather do. But she knew his father would be simply horrified to wake and find that his son had taken a siesta with a woman who was not yet his wife – under his own roof even! So in answer, she simply kissed him once more and said, "imagine your father's reaction if he found out."
"I think he would be ecstatic to find any woman in my bed," Diego said wryly. But he knew she was right. He didn't have the emotional strength to press the issue. As much as he wanted to hold her in his arms now, to draw comfort from her sweet body, he knew that his father would probably frown upon such knowledge when he woke. "But I know you're right."
Victoria helped him to stand but before he turned toward the door, he gazed imploringly at the woman he loved. "If there is any change –"
"I will send for you at once."
Diego nodded, satisfied that his father would be in good hands. He bent and brushed his lips across Victoria's before walking slowly out the door.
"I want regular reports on de la Vega's condition." De Soto paced around his office, causing Mendoza to fidget nervously.
"Sí, Alcalde," Mendoza saluted clumsily, "but no one is willing to give us any information."
"Then speak with the doctor." De Soto stopped his pacing and regarded Mendoza with a stern stare.
"He is staying at the de la Vega hacienda," Mendoza said proudly. At least he was able to give his alcalde some useful information. "No one has seen him. And Don Diego refuses to speak to anyone from the military."
"Yes, I'm quite aware of how upset Don Diego is over this whole matter." De Soto's eyes narrowed as he recalled the indolent caballero's threat. "Perhaps he will channel some of his newfound anger on Zorro; the real reason his father lies near death."
As de Soto continued to speak, every word sounded like a feeble excuse to his ears and he wondered if they sounded the same to Mendoza's.
"I want to bury him next to your mother," Alejandro said as he walked with Diego to the private garden where the body of his wife and stillborn daughter had been laid to rest.
"He was a de la Vega," Diego said solemnly, "his final resting place should be here."
They stopped and knelt before the delicately etched gravestone. Alejandro placed a single rose at its base and bowed his head, praying softly for his dead wife's forgiveness. If he had been there for the birth, he knew, without a doubt, that both of his sons would be standing beside him today.
"You didn't know," Diego said softly, resting a comforting hand on the older man's shoulder.
"But I should have," Alejandro sighed. "If I had been there, this would never have happened. If I hadn't been so – restless after our marriage – wanting to do more, be more, I would have been home when you were born."
"Home," Diego muttered softly as his head tossed from one side of his pillow to the other. "I should have been –"
"Diego?" her voice penetrated the uneasy fog of sleep and his eyes snapped open.
Diego sat up instantly, breathing heavily, his brow pebbled with beads of sweat. He stared disbelievingly at Victoria for a moment before the haunting images of the last twenty-four hours barreled into his mind. The force of such powerful emotion caused him to glance away and choke back a sob.
Victoria was instantly sitting beside him on the bed, ignoring all sense of propriety. She pulled him into her arms and he weakly accepted her comforting embrace.
Brushing her hands through his damp hair, briefly noting that he felt a bit warm, she could feel his tears wetting her blouse. She didn't know what else to do, what she could say to comfort him so she simply held him, until his shoulders stopped shaking.
After uncounted minutes, he gazed lovingly up at her through red-rimmed eyes, muttering, "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me."
Victoria quickly stopped his apology with a kiss, a slow brushing of her lips against his, which erased all thought from his tortured mind.
When they parted, long fingers slid into her hair and he reveled at the silky feel. His eyes met and held hers for a long moment wrought with understanding and deep affection.
"I love you." The words slipped out before he could stop them and it was only then that he glanced away uncomfortably, hoping that such an honest admission wouldn't frighten her. They hadn't had any time to discuss her feelings over his secret life and she, gratefully, hadn't asked him about it. He didn't want to think about Zorro. Zorro was the reason he was not married to this radiant creature sitting beside him right now. Zorro was the reason his father lay dying. No, Diego only wanted to lose himself in her sweet embrace, and forget about what lay beyond the boundaries of his bedroom door.
"I know," she answered softly and closed her eyes, leaning her head against the hand still buried in her hair. "And I love you, Diego. Very much," she said after a long moment.
His eyes shot back to hers, disbelieving, and she nearly chuckled aloud. "Do you think me so shallow that I would reject the true hero behind Zorro's mask, now that I can see his true face?" she asked with a small smile, tracing his jaw with her fingertips. "I think I've loved you for a very long time. I just couldn't bring myself to admit it."
Diego remained silent, allowing her unbelievable admission to sink into his overly burdened mind. They were words he had longed to hear for so long, and his heart cried out guiltily over his desire to roll this woman over and make her his and forget the problems that would face him when he stepped into the hall.
Sensing his disbelief, seeing it in his eyes, she leaned toward him and pressed her lips to his before repeating, "I love you, Diego. I'm proud and surprised and mad at you all at once!" she chuckled as she nuzzled his cheek.
A small, understanding smile crossed his face as he embraced her tightly, "I've been so afraid."
"I know. I remember what you said that day in the cave."
He remembered too and he sought to assure her that he had meant every word he'd said.
After a few moments of blissful silence while they simply enjoyed the soothing sound of one another's heartbeat, Diego asked quietly, "has there been any change?"
Victoria sighed. "Not yet."
Diego closed his eyes so she would not see the guilt-ridden pain swimming in the deep blue pools. When he made motion to rise, she stopped him with a firm hand flattened against his solid chest.
"Get some more rest. Felipe is sitting with him."
A wry smile slid across his face, "A lot of rest I am getting with you sitting here."
A pretty blush crept slowly along her neck. "I heard you call out and," she lowered her head to conceal a conspiratorial smile, "I wanted to make sure you were all right."
"Thank you, Querida," Diego breathed against her hair. "It was just a dream."
A concerned look passed across her pretty face. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Diego shook his head. "I'd rather just hold you."
TBC
WolfDaughter - heh. Too late. Tho', his little revelation wasn't one to those standing in the room. As for your other hope…my beta wants to see the story go one way and I've written it another . . .The story is completely done, I'm just impatiently waiting for my beta to finish with it. But she's been really busy so I decided to post this chapter anyway….
Stacee Phelps – I'm glad you liked the story enough to want to write a review! You know, all writers crave them, even if they say they don't! So, thanks! Review more! Even if its to say you didn't like something:)
Beverly – Thanks for the review. I know the prologue was too short, but it was meant to pull the reader in and leave them wanting more…I guess it worked! Good to see you back. Enjoy all the new fic!
InuKurama – thanks for the review…this wasn't a 'quick' update but at least its an update….
Thethirdtroll – Trolie! So good to read your review…..this one was toned down…didn't call me mean and evil…I was so disappointed :P Yeah, the alcalde is going to get what's coming to him, but not before a lot of other painful stuff happens and it won't happen in a way he is expecting. If Diego/Zorro were to come out of the stories he would probably bow at our feet for giving him more of his lady to touch and kiss! I'm sure he'd be happy with a little pain knowing that he gets the woman in the end!
Smithcrafter – thank you for catching that . . . I can't believe I forgot to mention that injury again. Probably because its been so long since I looked at this story. My beta told me she wouldn't read it if I did certain things . . . which I decided to do anyway . (how's THAT for teasing, hmm? Cackle!) . . I got impatient and wanted to post, so I'm sure when she gets back to me, she'll have all kinds of suggestions. Of course, your mention of it has given me another idea to incorporate into the story . . . so now it really isn't done! laugh