Chapter 5

Later the following day, Diego was showing his friend around the de la Vega property, discussing the pros and cons of the offer, when Felipe came rushing up to them. He stopped short when he saw Miguel but he quickly made the sign for bandit.

"Oh no." Diego said.

"What it is?" Miguel asked, amazed at how easily the two men communicated with each other.

"There are two bandits, attacking one of our tenants. I must go." They started back towards the hacienda.

Miguel nodded and grinned. "Ahh, it's a job for Zorro. Do you need help?"

Diego grinned back. "No Miguel, it's not safe for you to come."

Felipe stared open-mouthed at the two men. Diego noticed and chuckled. "Miguel knows, Felipe."

Miguel snorted.. "Considering that I witnessed some of those fencing lessons with Sir Edmund, it would be hard not to know who Zorro is."

They chuckled as they reached the library.

Diego pressed the hidden latch and Miguel was surprised to see the back wall of the fireplace open. He laughed aloud at the convenient hiding place. "I expect a tour of that place later Diego." he said as Diego and Felipe vanished through the passageway.

"It's a deal." Diego's voice came back to him, just before the panel closed.

Diego quickly changed into Zorro's black clothing, buckled on his sword as Felipe saddled Toronado.

"Gracias son." Zorro noticed the red hue creep over Felipe's face and grinned. "You better get used to being called my son. The papers have been signed and we are just waiting on final approval."

Felipe grinned back and signed 'father'

He gave Felipe a quick embrace. "I'm proud of you my son."

Felipe signed back. 'I'm proud of you father' They both had tears welling in their eyes and their emotions threatened to overwhelm them both. So Felipe pushed his almost adopted father towards the black stallion before they could end up disgracing themselves.

As Zorro galloped to the aid of the de la Vega's tenants, Margarite was visiting Victoria at the tavern and she had taken Katherine with her. The two women had become firm friends in such a short time and in between serving customers, they gossiped. It had been a long time since Victoria had another female friend, close to her own age, to sit and chat with. Besides, she liked Margarite, almost like a sister she never had.

Margarite knew that Victoria was too busy to have many female friends and those that she went to school with, were already married with children. It must be lonely running a tavern, but she had come to respect the lovely tavern owner and felt that they had know each other for years. She knew without a doubt that Victoria was the right woman for Diego and he was the right man for her.

They gossiped about everything, from babies, to brothers, to husbands, to life at University. Victoria couldn't even imagine how large the university must be and how many people attended.

"Can woman attend classes?" Victoria asked.

She shrugged. "Only classes in cooking or literature, as I did. If a woman wanted to learn more, she would have to get private lessons. It's very much a male dominated place and unless you don't mind being in a lecture hall with forty or more males, it can be intimidating."

"But you did."

Margarite grinned "I have six brothers, so I don't find males all that intimidating."

Victoria chuckled as her friend continued. "Besides Miguel and I married at the end of his second year."

"Excuse me, Margarite." Victoria rose to look after another customer that had come through the doors.

Shortly Victoria sat back beside Margarite, and smiled down at Katherine asleep in her basket. She wanted to ask her something but wasn't sure if she should. Running a tavern which was patronised mostly by men, she had often heard talk that any other young woman wouldn't have known about. There had been one particular incident about a year ago, when a son of prominent family from Santa Paulo had became the subject of gossip because of his behaviour at university, after his father had ordered him home in disgrace only two years into his four year studies. Behaviour that seemed widespread.

Margarite saw her nervousness. "What's wrong Victoria?" she asked.

Victoria shook her head. "Nothing, I am a little curious though."

"About?"

"Well...I have heard rumours about...men taking...well mistresses...while at the university and..."

Margarite immediately understood. "And you want to know if Diego ever took a mistress?" Victoria nodded her eyes on the floor, her face red with embarrassment.

Margarite knew she had to be careful, she had seen how Victoria looked at Diego last night. She had seen the love in her eyes and didn't want to upset her with what were only rumours. There had been stories about a wealthy caballero from California who had taken up with a rich widow. Margarite had always suspected that it was Diego but she never knew for sure.

"I really don't know Victoria, plenty of men did."

Victoria looked up and knew that Margarite was holding something back. Did her silence mean that Diego did indeed have a mistress when he was in Madrid? Then another thought crossed her mind. "Did Miguel?" she couldn't finish the words.

Margarite nodded.

"Dios, I'm sorry Margarite." she reached out her hand in comfort.

"It's alright Victoria, it occurred before I met Miguel. In a way I was glad he did. I was anxious on our wedding night but he was so caring and understanding." Margarite blushed slightly at the memory. "Have you and Zorro ever..." She asked softly, curious.

Now it was Victoria's to blush furiously. "NO. But we...almost have...but..." she stuttered.

Margarite patted her hand. "My mother died when I was four, and although my father remarried, I never had a close relationship with my stepmother and I had no-one to turn in regards to the physical side of love. So if you want to know anything Victoria, you can ask me."

"Gracias Margarite." The two women hugged each other

Zorro followed the tracks of the two bandits that had terrorised the Oberon family. The tracks were easy to follow as though they didn't care if anyone followed them and with no effort at all, he found them. Even if he couldn't track them, he would have been able to find them, simply by listening. The two bandits were shouting at each other. He snorted and shook his head as he realised they were fighting over what little money they had taken. What happened to honour amongst thieves, he wondered. He glanced quickly around the immediate area, noticed that they were alone and quietly stalked up behind them. "Buenos dias senors." he said with a grin.

The two bandits swung around in the direction of the arrogant voice. "It's Zorro." said the taller of the two men. He pulled his pistol from his belt but Zorro was faster, he drew his sword before the bandit had time to prime his weapon. With a quick flick of his wrist, the tip of the sword nipped at the hand holding the pistol. The bandit grunted in pain and dropped his weapon.

Zorro then quickly knocked him down with a left hook.

The second bandit saw what had befallen his accomplice, fled in the opposite direction.

Zorro whistled and Toronado came rushing out from behind a large boulder, directly in front of the fleeing bandit. The bandit backed away from the large stallion, trying to wave the horse away.

"You shouldn't make him angry senor." Zorro said with a huge grin on his face as the bandit turned to face him. Big mistake, Zorro thought, as he sent the bandit sprawling to the ground with an uppercut to the chin.

He patted Toronado's neck. "Good boy Toronado. Let's get these bandits back to the pueblo." he said as he tied the bandit's arms and then slung them over their horses.

Victoria stood on the veranda of her tavern with Margarite and Miguel; he had just arrived to bring his wife and daughter back to the hacienda.

They were chatting when they heard a commotion near the gateway of the pueblo. They turned and saw Zorro leading two horses with the bandits slung over them, his signature 'Z' marked on the back of their trousers.

"I'm guessing that this is the famous masked man?" Miguel asked as he exchanged a glance with his wife.

"Si, its Zorro." Victoria replied excitedly, almost bouncing on her toes in happiness at seeing her love.

Zorro rode towards the cuartel, saw Victoria standing on the veranda, with his friends. He smiled as he called out. "You are looking more beautiful then ever senorita."

"Gracias Senor." Victoria replied as they watched him stop the horses nearby.

Miguel almost choked at the bizarre sight of his friend, completely dressed in black, calmly complimenting the woman he loved, while he lead the two bandits towards the jail, like it was an everyday occurrence. Which, he supposed, it was.

Margarite nudged him with her elbow. "Hush Miguel." she said softly enough for him to hear.

"Sergeant." Zorro called out.

"Si Zorro." Mendoza replied as he stood up from the chair he was sitting in.

"These bandits are responsible for robbing the tenants of the de la Vegas. Please make room in the jail for them."

Mendoza grinned. "Of course Zorro, we will make room for them."

Just then the Alcalde strode out of his office. "Zorro." he stopped short, then yelled. "LANCERS, GET HIM!"

Zorro was soon surrounded by the lancers. He quickly kicked at the chest of the nearest lancer, knocking him to the ground. He pulled on the reins and turned Toronado away and quickly raced through the thin line of lancers, using his whip to disarm them. The lancers were in disarray and only the Alcalde was left standing.

de Soto was furious at the incompetence of his lancers as he drew his sword. "Zorro, you are under arrest."

He grinned as he vaulted down from the saddle and drew his own sword. "You can try Alcalde." He saluted de Soto and they slowly circled each other and began fighting.

Miguel and Margarite watched in wonder at the sight of their friend fighting with an air of boredom against the local official. At first Miguel wanted to join in the fight but Margarite held him back and shook her head. "He wouldn't want you to get hurt besides I think he can take care of himself." He nodded, he had to agree with his wife as he watched the duel between Diego and the Alcalde. He had forgotten just how skilled Diego was with the sword. He saw Diego or rather Zorro run rings around his opponent.

Margarite understood why Victoria had fallen in love with Zorro. He made quite a dashing figure, mysterious, and charming, with an air of arrogance which was tempered not only with compassion, but also with his high sense of justice and not to mention his obvious skills as a fighter. It was all very romantic.

Zorro played with the Alcalde for awhile until he decided to end the game. He quickly disarmed him before hitting de Soto with a left hook, knocking him unconscious. The lancers having seen their leader fall, decided that retreat was the better part of valour and didn't interfere with Zorro.

He strode across the plaza to the tavern, and whistled for Toronado. He smiled politely at Miguel & Margarite. "Buenos dias senora, senor." he said, he knew that they wouldn't give him away.

"Buenos dias." the couple said together.

He turned to Victoria, took her hand and raised it to his lips. "Our time is always so short Senorita." he knew that the Alcalde was starting to come around. He started to turn but Victoria held onto his hand and whispered so only he would hear. "I need to see you Zorro."

He gazed into her brown eyes with concern. She had never asked this of him before and wondered what was wrong. He brought her hand against his lips, whispered. "Tonight." before gently kissing her soft skin.

Victoria nodded. "Gracias."

They watched as Zorro leapt onto Toronado's saddle and galloped off.

Later that night, after Victoria closed the tavern doors, she walked slowly back towards the kitchen. She felt anxious, a little afraid, should she tell Zorro about her feelings for Diego? Would he be hurt? Would he understand or would he become enraged with jealousy? She didn't know what to do or what to say. She was so deep in thought, that she didn't noticed Zorro standing in the shadows of her kitchen.

Zorro watched her, saw the apprehension that made her body rigid. He felt a surge of guilt, knowing that he had caused her to be so troubled. He believed that she loves his real self but her feelings for Zorro were real too. There was only one way to stop all this doubt they both were feeling. He would remove his mask, now, tonight.

"Querida." he whispered, stepping out of the shadows.

Victoria twirled around. "Zorro." She launched herself into his arms and all thoughts of Diego and unmasking was forgotten as they kissed passionately, as though they had been apart for months and not just the week since their last encounter.

Zorro's strong arms wrapped around her back, pulled her close against him as Victoria put one arm around his neck, while the other around his back. They moaned softly, as the kiss deepened, their lips parted and their tongues slowly caressed. His hands travelled up and down her back making her shiver and her fingers played with his hair that strayed from under his mask.

He groaned as he pulled away from her embrace, he knew that very soon she would feel his growing desire for her. After what had almost happened last time, he couldn't allow their passion to get out of control, otherwise he would carry her upstairs to her room and without any further thought to the consequences, make love to her.

Victoria whimpered in disappointment that Zorro had once again pulled away. They stared at each other, their heavy breathing sounded harsh in the silence of the tavern.

"I...I didn't ask...you here...for this..." Victoria said breathlessly.

Zorro reached out his hand and caressed her face. "I know you didn't querida." his voice husky.

"I wanted to talk to you Zorro. There is something I need to..." Victoria didn't get to finish when a musket shot rang out nearby.

Zorro was immediately on alert for any possible trap by the Alcalde and they heard shouts of the lancers.

Then came the unmistakable voice of de Soto "You fool, now Zorro will know we are here."

"Look, there's Zorro's horse." Mendoza said.

"Damn." Zorro whispered. "I have to go mi preciosa."

"But...But...I...we need to talk."

"I know Victoria but it must wait for a more opportune moment." Zorro leaned down and kissed her lips once more. "I love you querida."

"I love you too Zorro." Victoria whispered but he had already disappeared. As she sank down onto the bench, she realised that she loved Zorro more than ever but where did that leave Diego?