Disclaimer: No copyright infringement meant with story. Characters owned by ZPI, not by me. I only wish to borrow them for a little while.
AN:Through fits and starts my Muse is finally helping me finish my many stories, both Zorro and Arrow. It feels good. More room for new Zorro stories, yay! (which I have posted 2 new ones before finishing this one….sorry). (Shrugs only half apologetically). Heehee. At this point in my life I am aiming to follow the Muse and trying not to censure her. Too much censuring and shaming going on in my real life at this time…so I need 'feel goods' from writing whatever the Muse offers more easily. (thanks for letting me vent).
Previously:
Looking at the dying fire Victoria sighed. "No, lucky for you I have a soft spot. And some food left over from the supper rush." Grabbing her novio's broad shoulders, she steered him towards the door. "Now you go sit down and behave, and I will bring your supper out to you."
"Yes, Querida," Diego said with a smirk, and left before Victoria could throw a towel at him.
After eating a wonderful supper, catching another sweet although short conversation with Victoria as she cleaned the dining room for the night, he had returned to Victoria's stable. He changed into Zorro's clothes once again, and was able to sneak out of the stable without being observed.
It was late when he arrived at the de la Vega hacienda, and so Diego did not expect Felipe to be in the cave. He himself rubbed Toronado down, checked his grain and hay, checked out all his lab equipment to make sure everything was turned off, and went to the peephole. Seeing no one in the library, he went through the passageway. Immediately, he heard his father's voice calling him. He turned around and allowed the older man to catch up to him.
Smiling at his father, Diego said, "Father, I thought you would be in bed asleep."
To Diego's surprise, his father turned a stern face to him. "Diego, where have you been?"
"I was in the pueblo. I got involved with getting the next issue of 'The Guardian' ready, and simply lost track of time. Victoria took pity on me and fed me supper."
His father shook his head. "Diego, Diego. You had me worried."
"But why Father? I've stayed late in the pueblo many times before."
Alejandro shrugged self-consciously. For once, the confident Don had difficulty expressing himself. "Well, I guess I was worried about you since it's only been a few days since you were kidnapped and could've been killed."
Diego smiled at his father and decided to take it easy on him. "It's all right, Father, I do understand. I'm sorry I worried you. But now, I'm going to bed. You should as well."
His father gave him a comradely pat on the back. "Now that you're home, I can rest easier, that's for sure," Alejandro said.
As Diego headed for his bedroom and turned a corner, Felipe almost ran into him.
"Felipe, whoa. What are you doing?"
Felipe rolled his eyes and began to sign. "Your father was going crazy worrying about you. I tried to tell him you were all right in the pueblo, but he didn't believe me." Felipe wiped his sweaty forehead. "You're planning on staying inside tonight, aren't you?"
Diego could only sigh in sympathy. His father must have been very worried to cause Felipe to be this exasperated.
"Yes I am, because…" looking around to ensure no one was listening, Diego said in a quieter tone, "Because I was able to take care of that other 'matter' late this afternoon."
Felipe smiled his relief. Diego ruffled his hair and said, "Thank you as always for worrying about me. Like I said, I'll tell you everything tomorrow." He then headed for bed.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
Previously:
Luckily, Mendoza and some of the other soldiers were in the pueblo when Zorro arrived with his prisoners. Mendoza walked over as Zorro rode up with his prisoners.
"Thank you, Zorro. I presume these are the bandits who kidnapped Don Diego?"
"The leader and one of his men. The others are by the old Flores mine. I couldn't bring them all in by myself with only Toronado to help."
Zorro dismounted, walked to the other horses and with Sanchez' help got the bandits off the horse. Another soldier, Mendes, arrived in time and assisted Sanchez in bringing the two men to the jail.
Alcalde Ramon had purposely avoided interrogating the prisoners last night, to avoid the 'drama' he knew was going to occur. Instead he had allowed Mendoza to fill out the paperwork on the criminals. All seven of them. Mendoza had reported they indeed were wanted for numerous occurrences of robbery and kidnapping. A messenger had been sent yesterday to Monterey so that the prison wagon could arrive and take them away. And leave a quite nice reward with the Alcalde as well.
Ramon walked to the back of his office and through the connecting door to the cells. It was quite the sight to see, the bandits behind bars, as they should be. Of course the moment Max observed the Alcalde, he immediately brought up the subject Ramon had been dreading.
"Alcalde, good morning. I've been waiting for you."
The Alcalde rolled his eyes, not bothering to hide his exasperation from the lowly criminal. "I'm sure you have. I suppose you're not done trying to convince me that de la Vega is Zorro."
"Of course he is. Why don't you see it?"
"I've never noticed any heroic behavior in Diego de la Vega. Quite the contrary, in fact." Sniffing, he added, "Or any other behavior supporting the belief he has been the masked thorn in my side for the past two years."
"Except when he fought us."
"One time doesn't make him the masked fool."
"But, Alcalde, I…."
"Enough! You and your men will stand trial for the crimes you have committed. No amount of lies or subterfuge will get you out of it."
Max watched as the Alcalde stormed out of the jail. His lips curled downwards into a sneer. Somehow I will make them pay for this.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
Three days later, Victoria stood with Diego, Felipe, and Don Alejandro as they watched the prisoners get loaded into the wagon. Max was the last one to climb aboard. He turned and located Diego. Diego didn't like the look he saw in the bandit's eyes. Not one bit. Despite any possible danger to himself, he was still glad he had captured the bandits. At least for right now, the dangerous men will be in prison, unable to harm or threaten anyone else.
Ramon continued to not believe in Max' claims. At least he had given no further indication of changing his mind about Diego, as far as Diego could determine. Ramon continued to treat Diego as he always did, with barely disguised disdain for Diego's supposed ineptitude.
As the dust from the wagon receded, Diego breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps now he could focus on something he never dared allow himself to dream about, courting Victoria. Now that she knew who he really was, and accepted it, he could barely wait to begin the next stage of his life.
"Victoria, how would you like to join us for supper tonight at our hacienda?" Diego asked.
Victoria's face fell. "I'd love to, Diego, but it's my turn to close the tavern again..."
Suddenly Alicia was beside her. "Victoria, I'll gladly work tonight for you."
"Oh, Alicia, you already worked two nights last week for me. I can't ask you to..."
"Of course you can. Please, Victoria." With her back to Diego, Alicia winked.
Victoria didn't know if she should be angry or appreciative at the audacity of her employee. She decided on the later. Nodding, she said, "Thank you, Alicia. I appreciate it more than I can say."
This time Alicia decided to be more obvious. "It's the least I can do. I'm anxious for another wedding in the pueblo." She nudged Victoria as she blushed, Felipe suddenly had something catch in his throat, and Diego didn't know what to do with his feet. Don Alejandro wisely refrained from saying anything, but he straightened his already impeccable posture and a huge smile crossed his face.
Victoria decided to break the silence. "Well, if I am going to join you, I better get back and finish several things." Turning to Diego, she said with a small smile, "I will see you in several hours, then, Diego."
"Indeed, my fair Senorita." Diego gently took her hand, and placed a kiss on the back of it in a grand gesture. Victoria heard Alicia sigh behind her, but she chose to ignore it. She wished Felipe and Don Alejandro good-bye and headed to the tavern.
~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~Z~~
One month later Diego was sitting in the rose garden, grabbing a quiet moment of reflection and enjoying the afternoon sun. The garden was his favorite place, not only because of its beauty but because it had also been his mother's favorite place for quiet meditation as well. And Victoria…because she had excellent taste, she loved this garden as well.
Ah, Victoria. Diego breathed a sigh of happiness. It had been quite a busy month of courting for him His beloved hadn't made it easy. As she reminded him, there were quite a few details to work out regarding trust and honesty between the two of them. So, even though it was sometimes painful and uncomfortable, Diego allowed Victoria to explore those issues, sharing with her the true facts of Zorro's various rescues and escapades while also exploring her many feelings about his subterfuge.
Adding to the stress of these discussions with his beloved, Diego also had many of the same discussions with his father. Alejandro, being the complicated man he was, vacillated among many emotions. Despite this, through their many discussions, Diego was almost certain all had been resolved to his father's satisfaction. At least he hoped so.
As he was contemplating returning to the hacienda, Felipe rushed up to him. He thrust an envelope at Diego and rapidly began to sign.
"Whoa, wait a moment, Felipe. What's the matter?"
Felipe signed, "Petro arrived with this note from the pueblo. He says Victoria has been kidnapped, and they left this note for you."
"What?" Diego, after noting his name on it, tore open the envelope and read the note.
It read: "Dear Zorro, if you wish to not have a dead Victoria on your conscience please come to the same campsite you had captured us at sunset. Come alone, and unarmed."
Diego exchanged glances with Felipe. He rested his forehead in the palm of his hand and began to pace. "Well, I really don't see what else I could do. I might have to turn myself over to Max for Victoria's sake. Hopefully it wouldn't come to that, however."
Felipe signed: "Why don't we go earlier and check out the area first?"
Diego shook his head. "I can't chance you being recognized, or else endanger Victoria."
Felipe signed: "They're probably going to kill Victoria anyway."
"I don't think so. Their intention, I believe, is to capture me and prove Diego is truly Zorro."
"Then you will be dead, once the Alcalde finds out," Felipe signed frantically, his fear apparent on his face.
"Now that I have the opportunity to marry Victoria, I refuse to allow that to happen, Felipe."
AN: Thank you for reading. I sure hope you will let me know what you think of this chapter.