Chapter 11

Diego blinked slowly as the nightmare he'd been trapped in faded away. He sighed. Lately it seemed every time he closed his eyes he had a nightmare. Mostly they featured Paco and his minions, but occasionally Zorro made an appearance in his ghastly dreams only to be caught and tortured by the Alcade or forced to watch helplessly while the Alcalde tortured his father and Victoria. Either way, his sleep had been anything but restful lately.

Light streamed in through the windows, which was odd. He could have sworn he spoke to his father late in the afternoon. He became even more confused when Victoria sat down on the edge of his bed and softly called his name.

'Dios, she sounds like an angel.' Diego figured he must still be dreaming and closed his eyes.

"Diego?" Victoria gently brushed his bangs out of his eyes. She'd been worried, and it showed in the way she was fussing over him.

Diego let his eyelids drift open once again. "Victoria?" The confusion in his voice was obvious. "What time is it?"

"Nearly ten o'clock." Before she could continue, Diego raised an eyebrow and glanced pointedly at the sunlight coming in the open drapes at the window. "In the morning," she clarified. "You slept all night. I was getting worried."

Diego winced as he pulled himself upright in bed, but smiled gratefully when Victoria rearranged the pillows behind him. "I must have just needed the extra rest."

"Are you feeling alright? Do you need something for the pain?"

"Actually, I am feeling better. And having you by my side is all I need to hasten my recovery." Diego kissed the back of her hand. They were silent for a moment. Diego finally decided to put an end to the awkwardness. "You've never been at a loss for words the entire time I've known you, Victoria. Please tell me what's on your mind."

Victoria chuckled. "I'm not sure. I guess maybe that's the problem."

"We've never been uncomfortable talking to each other before. I don't want things to be any different now, especially since there's no longer an enormous secret looming over us."

"No. No we haven't. It's just that…we've spent so long pretending and keeping secrets…"

"I know. It's been my biggest regret since I returned from Spain; believe me. Looking back, there are so many things I wish I'd done differently."

"Such as?"

"Courting you as myself, as Diego, from the moment I first saw you. I've wasted so much time, put off so many things a man my age should be doing…"

"Padre Benitez once told me that Zorro is like a priest in many ways. That he answers to a higher calling."

Diego smiled. "I never thought of it that way before," he said as images of Don Fernando speaking to him earnestly in the Alcalde's jail sprang to mind, "But in many ways it's true. I knew as soon as I came home I was the only person in the territory capable of exacting some kind of change…So many times I hoped I could simply stop wearing the mask. But something always happened to remind me of what would happen to the people in the pueblo, the good, honest people who simply can't defend themselves. I have to help…It's been difficult at times," he admitted. "I questioned continuing the masquerade more than once."

"Like when I was shot."

Diego shuddered at the memory. "Yes. I quite literally threw my mask into the fire that day."

"What made you change your mind?"

"You," he told her simply while caressing her wrist. "I couldn't let you down. I could see the fear in your eyes, the worry for the people and their wellbeing if Zorro were to disappear. Your utter disappointment in me. You should know you've been instrumental over the years in helping me find the strength to continue to fight."

"We found strength in each other," Victoria told him honestly. "Without you fighting injustice, life in Los Angeles would have been much more difficult. And I don't just mean the banditos you put in jail. You've always brought hope to the people. You bring me hope. I only wish I could have done more to help you over the years."

"I couldn't risk your safety. If something ever happened to you...To be honest, I'm terrified now more than ever that…that…"

"I know. I feel the same way."

Diego looked at her with anguished eyes. "I know you must worry about me."

"Constantly."

"Querida, please don't. I admit I was more careless when I first became Zorro. I was young, and it took falling halfway down a canyon to realize I wasn't invincible. I've learned a lot since then, and so has Felipe. We always plan carefully. There's no need for you to worry."

"You say this as you lie recovering in bed," Victoria replied wryly.

"Touché."

"Diego, I'm serious."

"I know, and I don't mean to make light of your concerns…I do occasionally become…injured. But that's all. The amount of physical pain I've endured over the years is nothing compared to being kept apart from you all this time."

"Now you're trying to change the subject," Victoria accused.

Diego smiled. "Zorro may come home somewhat worse for wear on occasion, but he's always recovered. He always will."

"You can't promise that, Diego."

"I can promise you that I will always do everything in my power to come home safely."

"I just want it to end. No more Alcalde, no more banditos. Just a quiet life in the country where we can love each other for who we are."

Diego brought his hand to her cheek, and pulled her close for an intimate kiss that left them both breathing heavily when it ended. "I do love you, Victoria. So very much. And there's nothing I want more in this world than to give all of that to you. Someday. Soon. I promise, Querida."

He brought her lips to his for another deep kiss, and this time they only parted at the insistent clearing of Don Alejandro's throat.

"Good morning, Father," Diego said pleasantly as if he and Victoria had merely been discussing the weather.

Alejandro shook his head ruefully. His son was a fine actor; that was now abundantly clear. "Well, I'm glad to see you're awake. How are you feeling?" He set down the bundle he'd carried into the room on the nightstand.

"Better, I think."

"Well enough that I need to have Felipe or Maria sit in here as a chaperone?" Alejandro fought back a laugh when Victoria looked suitably chastised by glancing at the floor and moving off the bed to the chair sitting next to it, while Diego simply smirked and looked pointedly at the cloth bindings tightly holding his ribs in place, then his sling, before finally making eye contact with his father.

"No, I don't believe that's necessary."

"Very well." Alejandro began shuffling the items he'd set down.

"What's all this?"

"We need to change the bandage on your arm."

"Why don't I get Diego's breakfast while you do that Don Alejandro?" and she slipped out of the room.

"Don't make me regret letting her stay in here with you," Alejandro told his son sternly.

"As if you could pry her from that chair, Father."

"I mean it, Diego. You'll behave like a gentleman while Victoria is here, or I'll insist she be chaperoned whenever she's with you."

"Yes, Father." This time, Diego did look appropriately contrite.

"Now let's take care of this arm, shall we?"

ZZZ

Later that afternoon, when Victoria went to Diego's room after siesta, she was dismayed to find his bed empty. Rushing through the house she found Felipe in the library studiously working through a French lesson in one of his textbooks.

"Felipe, where is Diego?"

Felipe gave her a grim look before signing, In the garden. Doctor Hernandez was here. He said it was all right for Diego to get up and stretch for a little while.

Looking less than convinced, Victoria made her way through the hacienda and out the kitchen door. It didn't take long to locate Diego wandering somewhat aimlessly through the rose garden. She had to admit, though, that he looked much better. Some of the color was back in his cheeks and he looked healthier than she'd seen him in days.

"There you are!"

"Victoria! I'm glad you're here. Come to the stable with me there's something I'd like you to see."

"Are you sure you're all right?"

"Of course! I was getting stiff lying in bed so long. I needed to move around. Come. Please." He offered her his hand.

They reached the stable to find Felipe saddling his Pinto. Diego didn't miss the guilty look Felipe shot at him when they entered. Diego simply shook his head. "Whatever you don't finish today only means you'll have twice as much to do tomorrow."

Felipe scuffed his boot in the dirt and nodded.

Diego decided to put him out of his misery and changed the subject. "Did Miguel do as I asked?"

Felipe smiled at Victoria and nodded. Hanging his horses' reigns on the hook near the stall, he waved Diego and Victoria to the far end of the stable and led them over to the last stall.

There stood the most beautiful chestnut mare Victoria had ever seen. Diego noted with pleasure that Miguel had left her tacked, and gently took her reigns and led her out to the pasture.

Victoria and Felipe followed, unsure what he was about to do. To their surprise, he dropped the reigns and taped the horse lightly on her hindquarters encouraging her to run about the enclosure near the stable.

Victoria smiled. It was a magnificent sight, watching that beautiful creature run so freely in the large area. Diego came up behind her and wrapped his good arm around her waist. Victoria leaned into him gently, mindful of his still-healing ribs.

"She's beautiful, Diego."

"She's yours," he whispered in her ear.

Victoria gasped and whirled around to face him. She found herself the recipient of the most loving, adoring look he'd ever bestowed upon her. "Mine?" she could only whisper back.

Diego nodded. "Her name is Especia."

"Oh, Diego, I couldn't possibly…"

But Diego waved off her protest. "I've not been able to give you nearly as many gifts over the years as I would have liked. I want you to have her. I've even trained her already." And Diego let out a familiar shrill whistle, which Especia immediately responded to by coming over and warmly sniffing his hand. "Besides, hopefully now you'll be spending more of your time here at the hacienda. You'll need a way to get here."

Felipe laughed when Victoria didn't even have the opportunity to protest past opening her mouth again.

"Please, Querida, allow me the indulgence of doting upon you for once," Diego patted the horse's neck and winked at his novia.

Victoria knew then and there that she'd have to learn quickly how to say 'no' to him when he called her Querida. "I…thank you, Diego. This is a wonderful gift. I don't know what to say."

"She's very gentle. Would you like to take her for a ride? Get acquainted?"

Victoria nodded enthusiastically. "Absolutely."

"Felipe do you mind?"

Felipe agreed at once, and went into the stable to get his own horse.

"I hope you don't mind, Victoria. I'd like someone to go with you since it's your first time riding her. Perhaps next week we can go for a ride together. I think Father would skin me alive if I even attempt to get within a few yards of Esperanza just yet."

"I'd like that very much." Victoria stood on her tiptoes to kiss him. "Thank you Diego. It was so thoughtful. I love her already." She patted Especia's neck and the horse gently nosed her in return.

Felipe trotted over on his Pinto, and Diego held Especia's reigns so Victoria could mount.

"Ride safely. I'll see you when you return." Diego opened the gate for them, and Victoria blew him a kiss as she and Felipe departed.