AN: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE, THANKS FOR YOUR LIKES, REVIEWS, COMMENTS OR KUDO'S LAST YEAR. I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP READING IN THE YEAR THAT JUST STARTED. I ACCEPTED THE BXP2020 CHALLENGE THIS YEAR SO LET'S WRITE. HUGS AND KISSES LADYTPOWER

Chapter 5:

Diego sighed, "I know you are worried about tonight, Felipe. I am too not only for Victoria's reaction or about the fact that I don't know how to tell that I am Zorro for her to believe me but also I don't know what to expect. I hate that whatever happens, I can't help you."

" I will survive. Just go to her as Zorro and take her to our training place. I can be there if you want to show her that what you tell is true." Felipe signed

"That's a good idea but how are you going to do that?" Diego asked.

"Simple, I take the letters with me and take another race against Toronado." Felipe signed.

"Humiliate me in front of Victoria why not." Toronado thought.

Felipe rolled his eyes, "Don't be such a bad loser, Toronado." Felipe thought back. "I am not your enemy remember."

Diego looked confused between the two.

"Toronado can't handle that I am as fast as he is." He signed to Diego.

Diego shook his head and laughed. He thought this very amusing the bickering between the two.

"Saddle Toronado, Felipe. It's time to face my only fear in life. Time to face Victoria's reaction." Diego sighed while starting to unbutton his shirt to change into the fox.

The ride felt longer, although Zorro didn't take a detour and used his normal daytime path. He was happy he could relate to his faithful stallion. In a way, it was like he sensed that his master was far away in thoughts.

Like every time Toronado stopped at the taverns back door. Only to disappear into his favorite hiding place with lots of grass to munch.

Zorro listened if Victoria was still in her kitchen it was siesta time after all. The sounds of plates being washed told him enough.

He knocked and entered the kitchen carefully. Victoria turned around the moment she heard the cracking sound of her wooden door.

"Zorro? Another person that needs your help?" She asked curiously

The masked fox shook his head, "Not this time, Victoria, this time it's me that needs help. You are the only one who can do this."

Victoria looked confused, "What can I do to help?" she asked willing to do everything for her hero.

"I can't tell you here, preciosa. Do you trust me?" Zorro asked carefully.

"What a silly question, of course, I trust you," she responded.

"Can you leave me now? I will make sure you are back before the siesta is over. It's just too dangerous to do it here." her hero said vaguely

"Sure, do I need to bring something?" Victoria asked still not knowing what to think about all of this but she trusted Zorro with her life.

Zorro shook his head, "No only your beautiful self." he smiled placing his gloved hand on her cheek and kissed her on her lips, "Come on we have no time to lose."

Victoria nodded and followed him, enjoying the fact that he was holding her hand. They walked until they saw the stallion enjoying himself with some fresh grass. One of the few places where he could find grass and stay hidden.

Zorro held Toronado while Victoria mounted the black stallion. Once she was safe in the saddle he jumped on the horse his back and took his place behind her, placing one arm around her waist and holding his reins with the other.

It was a long ride but Victoria enjoyed every second of it. It was rare that he took her for a ride, sitting with her back against his chest made her feel warm and secure. She felt a safety like she never had before. Victoria leaned back, closing her eyes while letting her head rest on his broad, strong shoulder.

She sighed happily the moment she felt his arm tightening around her waist. Normally she always felt hope that they would start a family someday but in moments like this, she realized that even though she believed he would keep his promise they still weren't any step closer in having a life together.

Victoria opened her eyes the moment that Zorro stopped his stallion. Zorro jumped from Toronado's back. He lifted Victoria out of the saddle and in his arms. He looked into her eyes and sighed was this a good idea.

Toronado shook his head, "He is doubting again." the stallion thought knowing Felipe was somewhere in the neighborhood.

"I was afraid that would happen. Do something." Felipe responded.

Toronado thought quickly and pushed with his nose against Zorro's shoulder.

"You are right boy, we don't have any time to lose." Zorro reacted with a sigh.

"Zorro, this place is beautiful but what am I doing here?" Victoria asked impatiently.

Zorro sighed again, "I asked you here because I need your help or rather someone who helps me needs your help but showing you who will lead you to who I am behind the mask." Zorro said softly before closing his eyes.

"Come on out, Felipe," Zorro yelled.

Victoria looked behind her in the direction of footsteps coming from behind his hiding place. His eyes were locked on the ground and he carried a big old book and some letters with him.

"Felipe? Does Don Diego know?" Victoria asked and Felipe nodded looked towards Zorro.

"Yes, Victoria I know." Zorro just answered.

Victoria looked around in shock, "Diego ?"

The mysterious masked man was gone and made a place for her best friend hiding half his face with black silk.

Zorro turned his back towards Victoria before he responded, "Yes, Victoria it's me. It was time that you knew the truth. I just needed a reason to grab my courage to tell you."

Victoria walked towards him, "Do you love me Diego or was it all a game?"

"It was never a game for me, my feelings for you are real, Victoria. I was just afraid that you could never bring yourself to love the Diego that I show in public. I can never be a hero without the Mask, Victoria." Zorro said

À tear left Victoria's eye, Diego gave up so much to help the people now it was time to help him and after that, they would find a way to finally be together.

"I can love that Diego because I know what's in your heart. We will find a way to know that you can count on me, Diego." Victoria said.

"I trust you, my love, but are you willing to not show worries even if I am shot at? My life depends on it, Victoria. I am an outlaw." Zorro asked

Victoria placed her hand on Zorro's shoulder. Making him turn around.

"Know that I love you, Diego. The man from flesh and blood and I will do anything to keep you alive but what has all of this to do with helping Felipe?" Victoria asked.

"I think you should read these letters." Zorro simply said before handing over the letters Felipe was carrying.

She took the letters and started reading.

"Zorro, are you serious right now? A werewolf?" Victoria asked agitated

"I am afraid so, I knew it was hard to believe so I brought you here to prove it. He can't shift yet but some things are changing already." Zorro said.

Felipe took off Toronado's gear.

"Felipe runs as fast as Toronado at full speed," Zorro said while drawing a line with his foot in the sand.

"Ready, boys." Zorro to Toronado and Felipe.

They both nod.

"Go!" Zorro yelled.

Both started full speed both with equal speed. That Amazed Victoria. They were telling the truth.

She even noticed that Felipe wasn't sweating at all when he arrived back.

"what can I do to help?" Victoria asked

"You see tonight he will make the change for the first time and to be in control of himself a mother figure needs to give his first meal. He chose you, Victoria. Will you do it?" Zorro asked

This was the last thing she expected but they did so much for the people she couldn't refuse.

"I will do it," Victoria said without a doubt in her voice.

Felipe was happy he wasn't going to be alone tonight. He saddled Toronado again it was time for Zorro to ride Victoria back to the Pueblo.

"I will come for you after closing time, be ready Felipe will be there already but I don't want to leave him alone for too long my love," Zorro said softly

"I am afraid it's time to go back my love," Zorro said helping her mount Toronado again. Climbing behind her pulling her close to him. Victoria turned her head and kissed her hero with every love and passion she felt. He needed to be sure that she loved him.

The ride back was amazing now that they could finally work on a way to be together. Closing her eyes again knowing she was safe in Diego's arms. He hadn't taken off his mask but she didn't mind she knew he needed to be careful.

"I will see you tonight my love. He said kissing her hand. I love you." Zorro whispered the moment he had helped his Victoria down.

"I will be ready, Zorro. I love you too." Victoria smiled before she disappeared and Zorro turned around before he would be noticed.

Soon his life would start but first Felipe.

TBC