Author's Note: How is everyone? Hope you're having a nice year. Mine stinks. I was toying with this last year. I'm pretty sure my beta glanced at it once, but all mistakes are mine. In other words: thanks to my beta, this story isn't her fault ;-)

Another friend also read it today when I sent it to her on a whim, and she liked it. So I'm posting it.

If you haven't been to Diana's website, you need to go. A lot of us posted a challenge over there, and you only have a week left to vote on who you think wrote which story. I don't think I can post links here, so look up New World Zorro Fanfiction on Facebook to find the link.

Hope you enjoy this little pointless addition to my other similar reveals. What can I say? It's an obsession.

zzz

"Yesterday was your birthday."

Victoria gasped when Zorro spoke quietly just over her shoulder. She heard a match strike and soon the light of one candle pushed away some of the darkness in her tavern.

He smiled at her. "I'm sorry I missed it."

Victoria shivered as Zorro pressed his lips to her hand. She followed as he backed toward a chair and pulled her into his lap. Her senses reeling from seeing him after so long, she didn't object to the intimacy. His heat seeped into her, and she felt it warm her loneliness.

"Where have you been?" Victoria asked.

Zorro pressed his lips against her forehead, his thumb stroking over her cheek as his fingers threaded into her hair. "I had some things to do. I'm sorry."

Victoria dropped her eyes to stare down at her fingers twisting in her lap. Everything was more important than her. When would she find someone to put her first? "I understand."

Zorro shook his head as he stroked her back and covered her hands with his. "You're much more patient than I am."

Victoria's shoulders straightened, but he didn't hold onto her when she stood. "Your mission is more important. I know that."

"Did you enjoy your birthday party?"

Victoria gave herself a moment to feel the pain. He didn't want to talk about them…about a possible future. He hadn't come to her party. She still didn't know who he was. He claimed to be impatient, but he was the one keeping them apart. If he expected she'd give in to his impatience…he should think again.

Victoria crossed her arms over her stomach before she turned back to face him. "Yes. I had a lovely time with my friends. The people who are in my life every day."

"Like Diego."

Victoria's brows furrowed.

"Did you get everything you wanted?" Zorro stood slowly, and she didn't back up as he stood so close to her she could once again feel his heat. She wanted to snuggle closer. She wanted to lash out at him.

She had no idea what she wanted. Victoria still couldn't speak, so she shook her head as she crossed her arms tighter.

Zorro ran a finger down her cheek. "And what did you want?"

Victoria pulled away, staring at the floor. He knew what she wanted, and still refused her. She'd spent last night with friends, but tonight she was alone. Every night she was alone, and she forever would be if she kept hoping for what she couldn't have.

Zorro unfolded her hands gently so he could hold them, so she wasn't so closed off from him. "What if I said I'd give you whatever you wanted?"

Victoria's eyes snapped back to his. He had asked. And she was tired of waiting. "Remove your mask. Marry me."

"That's what you want?" Zorro's hand cradled her cheek. "Are you sure?"

"What kind of question is that?" Victoria almost spat at him. "I love you. I thought you loved me."

Zorro watched her back as she turned away from him. "I did think of something I wanted to give you."

Victoria stepped away, gathering her courage…and her pride. He completely ignored her feelings, her dreams, even after he'd feigned interest. "Go home, Zorro. Wherever that is."

She heard strange noises, and couldn't keep her back turned. Zorro was on his knees, presenting his sword and scabbard to her.

When she didn't come closer, Zorro held it higher.

Victoria put her hands on her hips. "You want me to stab you with your own sword?"

Zorro didn't like the cold calculation in her voice, and he nervously fell back on his heels as he looked down at the sword. He shrugged one shoulder. "Maybe I shouldn't give you a weapon," he mumbled as he held it closer to his chest. He glanced back up at her, but she wasn't smiling. "You might stab me after all. It was more symbolic anyway. I'm putting away my sword. Tonight is Zorro's last ride."

Victoria's hand pressed against her stomach, afraid to hope.

"I returned to Los Angeles yesterday. I even gave you a gift at your party."

Victoria reached behind her to find a chair to sink into.

"I was going to tell you last night. I held you in my arms, and the music was so perfect as we danced."

Victoria tried to remember all the men she danced with last night. There weren't that many, but…she couldn't exactly think clearly right now.

"You kept looking for someone, though. I could tell you were looking for Zorro. You studied everyone… everyone but me."

Zorro removed his hat to scratch the back of his head. Remembering last night, his shoulders slumped. "We danced, and I wanted to kiss you. I wanted to take you to church…take you home with me. I could think of nothing else." Zorro stared at the floor, the feeling of rejection still weighing him down. "When you smiled at me… it wasn't the same. You didn't see me at all. You don't even think of me as a man. You would laugh in my face if I asked to court you."

Victoria slipped off the chair to kneel in front of him. "That's not fair. How can you expect me to look at another man when I'm waiting for you?"

"You've laughed at me before."

Victoria's eyes widened at his dejected tone, completely shocked. Was he asking her for an apology? Victoria scowled at him, then stood to pace away. "Zorro the infamous. The great hero." Victoria spun on her heels to look at him again. "You're a coward."

Zorro stood, hugging his sword as if it would protect him. "Zorro the great hero. I'm not a hero! I'm just an ordinary man. Will you love him?"

Victoria crossed her arms and leaned her back against the bar as she faced him again. "I guess you'll never know. I'm done waiting, and you're too scared to come forward."

"Don't you think I'm tired of waiting as well? I'm here, aren't I?" Zorro took a step forward, but she didn't look up. "I came here to tell you. I went to Santa Paula. They're sending a garrison and a new alcalde in a few days. Ramone will be arrested. We could…we could finally be together. If you wanted."

"Santa Paula?" Victoria's eyes glanced around her tavern, and she brushed at her apron. Needing to move, she untied her apron, shook it out and tossed it on the bar. She stared out the window at the empty plaza. "You went with the De la Vegas?"

It was a long time before he answered, but she already knew.

"No, I went with my father."

Victoria turned to him, her hands rubbing the chill from her arms. Zorro didn't hold her eyes for long, and soon he was fidgeting with his sword.

Victoria stepped forward, her arm outstretched. "Let me see your sword."

Zorro stepped back under her icy stare, clutching it to his chest again. "Why?"

"You said you came here to give it to me."

Zorro took another step back, stumbling over a chair. "I said it was symbolic. Then I realized it was probably a good idea not to arm you."

Victoria chased him around the table for a few steps, then stood still and crossed her arms again. "So you are a coward."

Zorro dropped the sword with a clatter, then rushed around the table to come up behind her. She protested when his arms wrapped around her waist and lifted her off her feet. She tried to push his hands away, but in a heartbeat he turned her around, wrapped her tight in his arms as he stepped into her.

"I'm not a coward," Zorro said, his breath mingling with hers when he bent as if to kiss her. "Do you even remember dancing with me, Victoria?"

Victoria felt dizzy, her hands fisting in his shirt to keep her balance. His hands rested indecently below her waist as he pulled her tight against him.

Zorro's legs moved hers, and they rocked together to silent music. "I held you in my arms last night. You barely looked at me."

Victoria swallowed against the lump in her throat, and managed to find her voice. "You didn't hold me like this." She examined his face, surrounded by his heat, by the scent she now recognized as her friend. One hand released its death grip on his shirt, and she tried to ignore the fact that she'd apparently popped a button or two. She cradled his face, recognizing his eyes, seeing the man who was meant for her. He closed his eyes as her finger slipped under the mask and slowly pushed it off his head.

He really was afraid she wouldn't love him, and her heart ached for all the time they'd lost. For all the time he'd wasted.

She was silent too long, then he felt her begin to push away. Diego changed tactics. His lips slanted over hers, pulling on her bottom lip and running his tongue over her soft flesh. His fingers clenched in her skirt, lifting her against him as he licked at the seam of her lips, demanding entrance. She gasped as his tongue swept into her mouth, her fingers clenching in his hair in surprise.

"Kiss me back, Victoria," Diego whispered against her lips, not giving her time before he took her mouth again. Victoria opened to him, her toes curling when a growl escaped from deep in his chest. She pressed her tongue against his, then wanted to taste him in return.

Diego thought he just might lose his mind. Finally she was his. Probably… He forced himself to pull away, burying his face in her neck to catch his breath. "Dios, you smell delicious." It took all his strength to lift his head to look around, and he carried Victoria back toward the bar where a lone candle tried to light the room.

Diego set her down on the bar, and she felt small and delicate as he struggled to pull himself away from her. She ran her tongue over her lips, which still tingled and tasted like Diego.

His thumb lifted to her mouth to stroke over her plump bottom lip. "Don't do that."

Victoria tried to calm her breathing and crossed her arms again. "I didn't do anything!"

"Do you know how hard it was to hold you last night when you were looking for another man? How hard it's been to watch you fall in love with a legend?"

The tension left Victoria's body, and she brought a hand up to his cheek. "Why?"

Diego stepped forward again, and Victoria bit her lip as he stepped between her legs. Diego's hands stroked over her legs and he felt her tense, so Diego took a deep breath and lifted her down to her floor.

He turned away from her and took a seat at the table they'd been circling a moment ago. He told himself not to move, not to corner her again. She had to come to him…and he needed to remember she wasn't his wife…yet.

"Anyone associated with Zorro would be in danger. I started something when I freed you and my father. I couldn't fight the alcalde as Diego, but I could fight him as a phantom. He couldn't seek retribution from the people I love without my true identity." Diego slumped back in his chair. "I knew I was right when you were shot."

Victoria closed the distance, putting her hand on his shoulder. "That wasn't your fault."

Diego covered her hand with his. "Yes, it was." Diego kissed her hand, stroking her delicate fingers. "I came to say goodbye that night."

Victoria squeezed his hand. "I know."

"It was easier to push people away. I needed to keep you safe."

"And what I wanted didn't matter? I said I didn't care. I wanted to be with you. I thought there must be some reason you couldn't get married yet."

"A six thousand peso bounty isn't a big enough reason?"

Victoria tugged her hand away and reached for his sword. He grabbed at it, but he was left holding the empty scabbard. Victoria lifted the shiny toledo blade which had ruled his life for so long.

He fell back against the chair, his head resting on his hand on the table with a grin. She was beautiful…his fierce warrior lady.

"Aren't you worried I'm going to stab you?"

Diego chuckled. "I'm trying to be a gentleman and stay in this chair. If you want to wrestle again, I'm more than happy to play."

Victoria leveled the sword tip at his chest, once again noticing she'd torn his shirt. "You're awful confident all of a sudden."

Diego grinned, and Victoria felt shivers run up her arm. She backed up a step when he stood, careful not to hurt him. "You didn't slap me. You melted in my arms a moment ago. Would you like me to remind you?"

Victoria took a few steps back, and her arm shook as she pointed his own sword at him. Then she remembered his kiss, remembered finally being able to thread her fingers into his hair. Remembered how well they fit together as he danced with her, how attentive he was last night at her party. What would it be like to be the main focus of such a man? Without Zorro's mask standing between them?

The sword grew heavy in her hand, and Diego took another step forward as the tip dragged on the floor. Diego watched her drop the sword, then she put her hands on her hips with an impish grin.

"Maybe you should."

Zzz

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