Title: Zorro Rides Again
Rated : PG-13
Synopsis: The man responsible for killing Alejandro's brother returns bent on ending the rest of the family line.
Misc Notes: This story takes place 6 months after the story "Shattered Dreams.'
This is a series of 4 stories best read in this order: Shattered Dreams, Zorro Rides Again, de Soto's Revenge, Zorro's Last Ride.
Written: 11/05
Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.
Additional Notes: Due to the sensibilities of some readers, some of these scenes have been shortened. They will appear complete on my web site when I am done posting this story here.
Zorro Rides Again
"What are you planning?" Paco Alvarez asked as the grizzled man beside him drew the wet stone methodically down his blade.
"I have a score to settle with an old friend," Cordoba hissed, eyes narrowing in remembrance of the painful prison term to which he had been sentenced thanks to Alejandro de la Vega.
"And this old friend is rich, yes?" Of course the small group he had assembled was only interested in money. He was interested in something far more valuable.
"Oh yes," Cordoba smiled widely. "Very rich."
"Good. You can take your friend's life, and we will take his money!" Mancho Velasquez laughed.
"It's all yours, boys." Cordoba returned to sharpening his blade. "But his family. They belong to - him." He glanced pointedly toward the western sky and the ocean. "I will make Alejandro de la Vega regret the day he and his old military amigos came after me."
"Can I have the little lady?" Manuel Alvarado asked stupidly.
"No, you cannot have her!" Cordoba growled at the man. "She will be the perfect bait." He turned to the three men staring at him. "How nice of the de la Vegas to have a wedding just as I'm ready to execute my plans. They'll be so distracted, they won't even know what happened until it's too late!"
"But the woman –"
"She and Alejandro's son belong to – him. Alejandro de la Vega belongs to me."
"I don't like this secret . . . partner." Manuel frowned.
"You are welcome to find other employment." Cordoba snapped, standing and sheathing his blade.
"Take what you want, but you will not harm the woman or her husband."
The pleasant sensation of soft, whiskered lips drew a sleepy sigh from Victoria. She arched her neck and muttered something Diego could not completely understand. His mouth traveled slowly along the smooth column of her neck, prompting her to press her back further against his chest. He grinned before continuing his light caress down over her bare shoulder.
Victoria snuggled against him and drew his arms even tighter around her body. When gentle fingers brushed across already firm nipples, her eyes snapped open. She arched her neck and gazed adoringly back at her husband. Before she could speak her mouth was captured in a kiss so deep that she was instantly breathless.
With one last tug of her lips, Diego's mouth slid to her cheek where he lovingly nuzzled the smooth skin.
"Is this truly real?" Victoria whispered, rubbing her cheek against his lips. "I won't wake up and find myself lying in my bed at the tavern?"
"I would be right there beside you, Querida." Diego pressed a final kiss to her cheek and rolled onto his back.
Victoria quickly turned over and snuggled against his shoulder, flattening her hand atop his chest. Her eyes caught the glint of metal on her finger and she stretched her hand out to get a better look at the wedding band.
Diego grinned and trailed his fingers down her arm until they came to rest on his mother's ring. The band on his own finger gleamed in the early morning light as he curled his fingers around hers and squeezed gently.
"It almost doesn't seem real."
Diego grinned, his eyes glinting mischievously. "Oh, last night was most definitely real."
Victoria giggled and met his heated gaze with one of her own. She pulled herself up onto one arm and gazed down at him, her dark hair falling around their heads like a curtain of fine silk. She winced as she draped a leg over his. "You're right. In my dreams, I was never so sore."
A smile tugged at the corner of Diego's lips remembering the pleasure that had come with the brief moment of pain. He slid his hand up her arm until he cupped her cheek. The love and adoration in his gaze nearly burned her.
Victoria leaned closer, drawn by his gentle hand and her own desire to kiss his delicious lips.
When their mouths met, passion flared anew between them.
His hands moved over her bare skin, gently caressing, touching. When they parted, he watched her carefully. "Perhaps you would like a nice, warm bath to sooth those sore muscles?"
Victoria smiled, slid down and pressed her lips to the center of his chest. "That would be very nice." When she glanced up at him, her eyes danced. "When we're done."
"Of course," Diego threaded his hands through her hair.
Without taking her eyes from his, she pressed slow, languid kisses down the center of his chest. She could feel the pressure of his arousal and it excited her to know the effect she had on him.
He hadn't given her much time to explore last night before making her his wife in body as well as in name. But this morning, she had him at her mercy and she intended to explore every inch of his wonderfully firm body.
She might still be innocent in many of the proper, and even the improper ways of making love, but she had heard enough tales in the tavern to give her new husband a few eye-opening experiences of his own.
"Victoria?"
"Hmm?" She had reached his stomach now and was planting feather light kisses to the firm skin.
"What are you doing?" His voice was a mere whisper.
Victoria moved lower, eyeing him with a coy gleam. "Exploring."
Victoria sighed happily as she lay draped across her husband's chest. She was exhausted and every muscle in her body felt limp and useless. Her breathing had slowed and her lips curled into a small smile as she felt the still rapid beating of Diego's heart and his not-quite-controlled breathing.
"Father doesn't expect to see us today, you know."
Victoria giggled, rubbing her cheek against his damp chest. "Won't it be rude not to join him?"
"He'll think something is quite wrong if he sees us," Diego countered, his hands tracing light patterns along the bare skin of her back and shoulders.
Victoria lifted her head and grinned at him. "Well then, I suppose we can just stay in bed all day."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Diego rolled her onto her back and kissed her so deeply that she felt instantly breathless. When they parted, his eyes glistened brightly. "Now, how about that bath?"
She wrapped her arms around his waist and snuggled close. "But that means I have to get up."
Diego laughed. "And here you were just moments ago thinking it rude not to join my father for lunch."
"We-ell," Victoria began, "It feels too good to be lying in your arms. And –," she knew he wasn't going to want to talk about this, "we need to talk about Zorro."
He bent and kissed her, pointedly ignoring her comment about Zorro. "Then lay here, I'll bring us some breakfast and have Maria fill the tub."
But she refused to release him as he tried to extricate himself from her embrace.
An amused eyebrow raised and he lowered his weight down atop her, pinning her into the mattress. "Ah, would you prefer we stay in bed and make love all day?"
Victoria trembled, her hands sliding into his hair as his mouth dropped to her neck. Her desire to question him about Zorro was forgotten as his touch ignited the fire in her blood.
"Ahh," Victoria sighed as she leaned back in the large porcelain tub. "This feels –"
"Relaxing?" Diego grinned as he watched his wife sink beneath the water.
"Oh yes."
Wearing nothing but a dressing robe tied loosely around his waist by a thick silk cord, Diego knelt beside the tub and plunged his fingers into her ebony hair. Slowly, he massaged her head, his hands gradually making their way down to her neck and shoulders.
"That feels good," Victoria breathed, closing her eyes.
When he leaned forward and pressed a lingering kiss to her neck, she trembled from the desire he was re-awakening in her already well-sated body.
She opened her eyes, expecting to see him touch her further, but instead, his hand reached past her to lift the cloth and soap. Watching him with darkening eyes, she sighed when he lathered the cloth and began to rub it gently over her body. After a few, long, tense moments, he pulled his hand out of the water.
With a mischievous grin, he took her hand and dropped the cloth into it. His voice was deep, rough with arousal as he explained, "I think it's best that you continue. Otherwise, your warm, relaxing bath will end very suddenly."
Victoria's breathing slowed after a few long moments and she stared at him wondrously. She licked her lips at the ideas his simple words conjured in her mind. With an over-dramatized sigh, she took the cloth and continued where her husband had left off.
Diego directed his attention to her hair, curling his fingers into it and tugging gently. He washed it slowly, each motion methodical and precise. He poured water over her head, drawing the soap free from the ebony curls.
When Victoria arched her neck back, he groaned, unable to resist the temptation the smooth column presented to him. He leaned forward and gently fastened his lips to the smooth skin.
Victoria's hands slid into his dark hair. "Diego," she whispered and after a few moments he lifted his head and smiled into her eyes.
"Yes?"
"Come in here," she whispered.
"Alas, the tub is not big enough for two." Diego sighed sadly.
"I'm coming out." Victoria stood and it took every ounce of control Diego possessed not to lift her out of the tub and carry her back to their bed.
Glancing away from her glistening body, he reached for and held open a large towel.
She stepped into it with a coy smile, knowing full well the effect she was having on him.
He pulled her back against his chest and heaved a huge breath, smelling the fresh, sweetness of her hair and skin.
She turned around and dropped her hands to the knot at his waist. She didn't need to look down to feel his arousal. She simply untied the cord and let it fall open. Slowly, she parted the folds of the dressing gown until it slid off his shoulders and pooled at their feet.
"Do you want fresh water?"
"No," he answered, pulling her into his arms and kissing her soundly.
Victoria permitted the embrace for a moment, knowing just how their closeness affected him. She could feel the evidence pressing against her stomach even now. She returned the pressure for a quick moment, drawing a soft sigh from his lips.
But then she wiggled quickly out of his arms before he could reach for her. She playfully pushed him toward the tub. "In. Before the water gets cold!"
"I'm sure you can warm me sufficiently," Diego tugged at the edges of the towel but she held tight.
"I'll be happy to when you're nice and clean!" Victoria stepped away and stared appreciatively at his aroused state as he sighed and stepped into the water. She watched, transfixed, while he melted into the refreshing liquid as completely as she had done.
Glancing toward Diego's shoulder, she pulled the hanging cord beside the tub to call the maid. When the woman arrived with more water, Victoria met her at the door and took the kettle, thanking the older woman with a slightly embarrassed smile.
When Victoria returned, she sighed as poured in the fresh water and further buried her husband's beautiful body from view.
"Please don't use the flowery scented soap." Diego chuckled, leaning against her hands as they slid into his hair.
"Oh, why not?" Victoria quipped. "You'll smell all nice and . . ."
"I much prefer you to smell like flowers, my delicate rose. I have soap and I am quite happy with how it smells."
Victoria leaned over the tub and pressed her lips to his ear, breathing deeply of the sandalwood scent still clinging to his skin. "So am I," she whispered, nibbling on the lobe before pouring the heavier-scented soap into her hands.
Diego closed his eyes as her fingers pulled the suds through his hair. His pulse quickened and his arousal grew with each pass of her hands. As much as he delighted in the feel of her hands in his hair, he was equally as excited when she'd finished. He desperately wanted to pull her into the tub with him, but he knew it would not be a comfortable fit. He resolved that his next purchase would be a porcelain tub for two.
Instead, he stood quickly, water trailing between well-cut muscles, and pulled her into his arms. The towel between them, thanks to his quick movement, was only held on now by their closeness.
"Diego!" Victoria gasped, wiggling against him as he pulled the towel from around her and used it to dry himself.
She sighed when he lifted her into his arms and carried her back to their bed. She wrapped her arms around his neck, playing with his wet hair and tugging at the dark strands as his mouth met hers in a searing kiss.
A soft knock on the sitting room door drew them apart.
Diego shot an annoyed look through the bedroom archway while Victoria giggled.
"Go see who's there. I'm sure no one would bother us if it weren't important." Victoria pushed at his shoulders and he muttered something incoherent as he retrieved his dressing gown from the water closet floor.
Diego reluctantly left Victoria's side, tightening the knot as he walked through the sitting room.
When he unlocked and pulled open the door, his father stood on the other side, an apologetic look on his face.
"I'm sorry to interrupt – I forgot to tell you," The older man began quickly, noticing his son's mildly irritated look at being interrupted. "Felipe and I are riding to Santa Barbara today. We'll be back tomorrow."
Diego raised a curious eyebrow but remained silent. It was plainly obvious Alejandro wanted to give his son and new daughter some added privacy.
"Is there anything you need while we're there?"
Diego thought for a moment. "Yes. Actually, there is. Señor Cristoba has surely completed the paperwork I asked him to draw up last week. Could you bring it back with you?"
Alejandro wisely didn't ask his son's business, though he suspected that it had something to do with Victoria. He simply nodded and smiled widely at the restless look on his son's face. No doubt he was irritated over being drawn out of his lovely wife's arms so early in the morning.
"Of course." Alejandro stepped out of the doorframe and winked. "I've instructed Miguel not to disturb you unless there is an emergency."
Diego nodded and closed the door, leaving his father grinning at with amusement at his son's irritated state.
A few hours later, after tasting the delights of married love for the second time that morning, Diego left his wife's embrace and returned a few minutes later with a tray laden with all kinds of sweet delicacies. Melon and fruit had been artfully arranged on the platter. At the center was a single red rose, its thorns removed.
Victoria stretched sore muscles and smiled up at her husband. She pushed herself into a sitting position as he set the tray across her lap, lifted a piece of fruit and held it to her lips.
She grinned as she opened her mouth to receive the melon and slowly, seductively took it from Diego's fingers, licking them as she curled her tongue around the piece of fruit.
"My beautiful temptress." Diego leaned over and attempted to kiss her, but she inched away and leveled a heated gaze at him.
"No more kisses until we have a long talk."
Diego cocked his head and sat down beside her on the bed. "About?"
"Zorro."
"Oh."
"You've been sidestepping discussion about him for months."
"I'm not sure what I am supposed to say."
"He isn't really needed anymore with Francisco running the garrison."
"Well, he hasn't been seen since you were shot."
"And –" Victoria watched her new husband with a critical eye. She didn't want him to continue riding as Zorro. Francisco's appointment as alcalde nearly six months ago had given the local hero the reason he needed to hang up his mask and court the woman he loved. Victoria could sense the restlessness in her husband but she feared for his safety, now that he was finally hers.
She knew he enjoyed the freedom he had when riding with Zorro. The wildness and the danger called to some part of his soul. Victoria could see it. But Diego had not admitted it to her.
"I would rather not retire him completely until I'm sure he will not be needed."
She knew if she pushed, this was the answer he would give her. But she also remembered while she recovered from being shot a second time, that he said he would hang up that mask. And he had – so far.
Victoria curled her fingers around his hand and squeezed, trying to voice her support when all she really felt was fear – for his safety, for their family. "Just – don't take any unnecessary chances, all right?"
"After we've finally found a life together and relative peace in Los Angeles?" Diego asked with a raised eyebrow and Zorro's customary smirk. "I would be a fool."
Before Victoria could answer there was a knock on the sitting room door.
The two glanced curiously at one another and Diego shook his head. "Now, I know my father and Felipe left hours ago."
Victoria pushed at his shoulder. "Then it must be important. I'm not going anywhere." She seductively popped the remaining piece of fruit in her mouth and leaned back against the pillows, shooting him a look that promised so much when he returned.
Diego briefly considered ignoring the door, but decided he could not please his wife as completely as he wanted with such noise going on outside.
Diego sighed and stalked toward the door, mild irritation with his father's interruption earlier that morning turning to annoyed irritation at being interrupted yet again.
"Patron!" Miguel stepped back when Diego pulled open the door. "I'm sorry to bother you. But, your father's purebloods are missing."
Diego's eyes widened. "My father's – What? Missing? They've been stolen?"
"I think so. We can't locate any of them. The stallions or the mares!"
Victoria, overhearing the urgency in Miguel's voice, slipped on her shift, fastened her own dressing gown tightly around her waist and walked into the sitting room. She rested her hand on Diego's back as he spoke with Miguel.
"Gather the vaqueros. This is most unusual. No one has dared to enter our barns to steal horses before." Diego turned to Victoria. "I must go with them. I will return as –"
"As soon as you find them," Victoria finished for him.
Miguel stepped back, embarrassed at being forced to make such an intrusion on his patron and his new wife so soon after their wedding.
Diego closed the door, telling Miguel he would be right out.
As Diego dressed, he explained to Victoria that these horses were the descendents of the pureblood Andalusians that his grandfather had been permitted to bring from Spain when he'd settled in the new land. As such purebloods were no longer allowed to leave the homeland of Spain, by the King's decree, it made these horses even more rare.
If someone had taken only these horses, the thieves knew exactly what they were after.
Diego pulled Victoria into his arms and kissed her soundly as they stood at the door to their bedroom.
"Hurry home." Victoria embraced her husband tightly, an unfounded fear spreading through her body.
"With such loveliness to hurry back to, may God give me wings." Diego's hands moved suggestively down the outside of her dressing gown and his kiss traveled from her lips to her neck and back again.
Victoria stared after him until he disappeared from the hallway, a smile spreading across her face at the promise of his return. She pushed the foreboding feeling to the back of her mind with an annoyed grunt. The grumbling in her stomach grew and she padded back to the bedroom to eat a few more bites of the food her husband had so thoughtfully brought.
After a moment, she realized Diego had not eaten much this morning. He'd fed her. And now he was going to be gone for who knows how long with an empty stomach and tired, if how she was feeling was any indication, weary bones.
Victoria hurried out of the room and out the front door in hopes of catching them before they rode away but it was too late. They had already left. Victoria sighed disappointedly, and resolved to pack some food and send it with another vaquero.
When she turned to go back inside, an unfamiliar man blocked her way.
"Hello pretty."
Victoria wrinkled her nose and hissed loudly when he grasped her arm. "What are you doing? Get your hands off me!"
"I think not. At least, not yet."
"Lets go, Paco," An older man appeared at Victoria's other side, grasping the arm she'd just raised to strike the other man.
"Now, now, little lady, we can't have you causing any harm, or rousing any suspicion."
Victoria pulled at her captors but they were too strong and soon her arms were bound tightly.
"You fight too much and I may change my mind about letting my men have their way with you."
Fire flared in Victoria's eyes but she ceased her struggling. She would bide her time and wait for a more opportune moment to escape.
"What do you want?"
"I want Alejandro de la Vega, and you, pretty thing, are going to bring him right to me."
Victoria shoved her nose into the air and said with confidence, "My husband will find you first."
The man laughed as they dragged her toward the stables. "Oh, no, he's out searching for the horses my men stole last night. The missing pride and joy of the de la Vega horse breeding line will keep him searching for days."
Victoria's eyes widened and as she opened her mouth to scream, a rag was shoved in her mouth to keep her silent. She was roughly lifted onto the back of waiting horse as the older man swung into the saddle behind her.
"Now quiet. If anyone sees us leave, they will be the first to die today."
Victoria struggled to keep her dressing gown closed as they began to gallop away from the hacienda, and she mentally cursed her decision not to put on additional clothes when she went to see if Diego had left.
Victoria noted they were riding west. The sun had just reached its zenith. Diego would have plenty of daylight to find her.
If he returned in time.
TBC