Chapter 5

Don Alejandro didn't get any sleep that night. How could he sleep, when his only son was to die the following day? There had to be a way to save Diego, but how? He gave serious thought to go against his son's wishes and plan a revolt against de Soto but deep down, he knew that his son was right. If they rebelled against de Soto, innocent people would be hurt or killed. Diego would not want that on his conscience, it would kill him just as surely as a bullet would. He found himself drifting aimlessly around the hacienda, each room held its own memories of his son, as well as his beloved wife. He stopped in Diego's room and sat on the edge of his bed. He still had trouble connecting his son with Zorro's deeds. All these years and he never knew Diego, never really knew him. He hated himself for the way he had treated the bravest man he had ever known.

Don Alejandro wasn't the only person awake in the de la Vega household. Felipe tried to sleep but he tossed and turned, his mind wouldn't calm down. He threw back the covers and dressed. There was only one place that he could find some comfort, the cave. He pressed the hidden latch and went through the passageway. He slowly walked around the cave, saw the most recent of his adopted father's experiments bubbling away. He blew out the candle that had been heating the beaker; he didn't want a fire to break out. He crossed to Toronado but the black stallion reared up, as though he felt something was terribly wrong. Felipe moved carefully away from the steed and his eyes came upon his father's journal. He knew then what he wanted to do.

Don Alejandro had his head in his hands as he sat on his son's bed. He heard a sound, raised his head, and saw his grandson standing in front of him holding a large volume in his hands. "Felipe, what have you there?" he asked his voice hoarse.

"Father." Felipe said the only word he could say.

Don Alejandro gaped at the young man. "Felipe...You spoke?"

Felipe nodded with a small smile. "Father."

"Madre de dios." he jumped up and hugged his grandson. "That's wonderful. Does Diego know?"

Felipe nodded and signed.

"You can only say father?"

Felipe nodded again as Don Alejandro hugged him again. "But you must keep on trying Felipe."

He signed again.

Don Alejandro chuckled. "That's what Diego told you, hey. Well you had better do as your father tells you. Now what is this book?"

"Father." he said again, pointed to the book, and held it out to his grandfather.

Don Alejandro took the book curiously. "Is this Diego's?"

Felipe nodded and signed Z.

Don Alejandro opened the book to the first page and saw his son's neat handwriting

This is a true account of Zorro's adventures, to be passed down to my children and their children. It is my hope that justice will always prevail…

Don Alejandro could not see the words as his eyes burned with tears, as he finally let go of his grief. "Oh Felipe, I never knew my son and now I will never have that chance."

Felipe felt his own tears run down his face as he sat on the bed with his grandfather and wrapped his arms around the older man's trembling shoulders. Don Alejandro turned and held his grandson as they both gave into their grief.

There was another person in the pueblo who also had trouble sleeping that night but not for the same reasons as the de la Vegas. Ignacio de Soto was too excited to sleep, he had finally ended the masked bandit rebellious campaign against his authority and he was going to hang for his crimes. The fact that the masked man turned out to be a member of the most prominent family in the district, had no bearing on the matter.

He had already drafted a letter to the Governor, it only waited for the official execution of de la Vega, before being sent. Not only was he finally free of the masked menace, it meant that he could return to his beloved Madrid, a hero. Perhaps he would get a better posting than this squalid little outpost and conceivably his fame would encourage respectable gentleman of his class to bring their eligible daughters into a match with him. de Soto laughed aloud as he thought about all the possibilities that were now opened to him.

Victoria had cried herself out for the moment, her pillow was saturated with her hot tears. She slowly sat up and felt such a great emptiness in her soul that she didn't know what to do. Not only was she losing the man she loved but also her best friend. She cursed herself for being stupid, for it was only several days ago that he had confirmed to her that she knew the man under the mask and yet she still had not made the connection to Diego.

In fact, not only had she not made the connection to any of the gentlemen that she knew but she thought that his cousin, a total stranger, was Zorro. Why? Was it because none of them seemed the type or did she still believe in this childish fantasy about a stranger riding into town and sweeping her away, just like in the fairy tales her mother used read to her as a child. Perhaps Diego had been right, she had been too caught up in the legend, to notice what was in front of her all along.

She hurled her pillow across the room in a sudden outburst of anger. She was angry, not with Diego, but at herself. If only she had looked more closely at her friend, she would have seen his barely hidden love for her. If only she had noticed the physical similarities between Zorro and Diego, she would have seen that they were the one and the same man. If only she had put all the clues together, which he had dropped over the years, she would have guessed his identity long ago. If only...if only...Now there would be no future for them, no marriage, no children.

Suddenly Victoria sat up straight as an idea formed in her mind. An idea that was so against her upbringing that she didn't want to think about it. But the more she thought about it, the more she found that she didn't care. Could she do this? She thought to herself. Yes, knowing that she would never get another chance to know what it would be like to love and be loved in return. What about Diego? Would he want to, or would he stop for propriety sake? She hoped not, after all they were engaged to be married, and if she had a child? She knew the consequences of an unwed mother but the child would be raised in love and at least she would have a part of Diego to live for.

Victoria stood up. She had made her decision. As she moved around her room, she saw her reflection in the mirror. "Dios, I can't go to Diego, looking like this." She said to herself as she saw her tear stained face, her hair messed up, her clothes wrinkled.

In no time at all Victoria was ready. She was pleased as she looked once more in the mirror. She had bathed, her hair was brushed into a deep shine and she was wearing a dress that she hadn't worn in a long time. But there was something missing as she stared at her reflection. "Dios, I know." She opened the drawer that held her ring and slipped it onto her third finger. As she looked in the mirror one last time, she felt her tears started to fill her eyes again. After tomorrow, there would be no life for her.

Diego felt cold and was shivering, as he wrapped his cape around him. The shock of his impeding death was finally settling in. He was lying down on the bunk and tried hard not to think about tomorrow. He remembered all the good times, all the joyous times that he had spent with his loved ones. He thought of his father and he even reflected on the many arguments that he had with him. He thought about Felipe, wished that he could watch him grow into a man that he was destined to become. He even thought of Toronado, his faithful steed. And of course, he thought about his one true love, Victoria.

He remembered his time at university in Madrid, of his delight in discovering his passion for the sciences and the arts, of his enjoyment of his fencing lessons with Sir Edmund, of Zafira, the woman that he once loved and hoped that she had finally found happiness with her rebel husband. He thought about anything that would take his mind away from tomorrow.

Diego was so deep in his memories that he didn't hear the outer door open. "Diego."

He jumped up at the soft voice. "Victoria...what...how?"

Victoria smiled softly as she used the keys and opened the door to his cell.

Diego swallowed hard as he watched the woman he loved walk slowly to him. She was wearing a dress that he hadn't seen on her for a long time. "Dios querida." he whispered as he held open his arms.

She rushed into his arms and buried her face into his black shirt.

His heart was pounding as he wrapped his arms around her tight. He couldn't believe that this was happening. That he can hold his love one last time. He wondered if she would allow him to touch her, perhaps even to...

But before he could ponder more, Victoria kissed him soundly on his lips. She parted her lips and darted her tongue along his warm lips. Diego sighed as he opened his lips, her tongue slid inside and mated with his. They both moaned as Diego pulled her tight against him as their tongues slowly danced together. He ran his hands down her back, felt her shudders. Her soft warm body pressed against him was intoxicating and his body started to react. Victoria deepened the kiss even more, she wanted him to know that she was his tonight, to do what they had denied themselves for so long. To give him pleasure for what would be his last night alive. She shuddered in pleasure at his hardness pressing against her stomach, making her burn with need.

Diego groaned deep in his throat. He tore his lips away and left a trial of burning kisses along her jaw, to her soft sensitive skin of her throat, his tongue flicked against her throbbing pulse on her neck. Victoria moaned at his hot kisses on her skin, as she undid the top button and slipped her hand inside his shirt, to caress his burning skin, felt his hard muscles ripple under her hands. He couldn't get enough of her and reclaimed her lips in a scorching and demanding kiss. His tongue delved deep inside her mouth and swirled around her mouth, wanting to taste all of her.

They came up for air, both gasping.

"Querida..."

Victoria placed two fingers against his lips, and it was then he saw his ring on her finger. And it pleased him very much, it meant that she was his. Then she took his hand, placed it on her breast and gently squeezed their combined hands.

Diego's eyes widened. "Dios." was all that he could say at the feel of her soft curves in his hand. He had longed to touch her there but never dared to.

She smiled lovingly into his blue eyes. "Make love to me Diego."

Diego's heart pounded, with his free hand, he gently caressed her face, noticed her swollen lips. "Are you sure querida?" he whispered.

She nodded. "I've never been more certain. Please Diego, let us have this night together."

He felt that he had to speak up, it was the way he had been raised. "What if you have a child?"

"Then our child will be raised with love. I'm sure that your father will help."

Diego nodded slowly. "Yes, I think he would." he continued to caress her breast, felt her nipple pebbled and gently used his thumb to caress her, heard her soft moans. He made his decision, he wanted her as much as she wanted him, and this was his only chance to show her of his deep love for her. He had already considered Victoria his wife in all but name. "Was it Mendoza who let you in?" he whispered.

Victoria nodded. "Si, it was."

"Come." Diego pulled away, took her hand and lead her from the cell.

"Diego, what are you doing?" she asked as he led them out of the door.

He whispered. "I don't want something that is so wonderful, to happen here in this dirty cell."

Victoria blushed at his words.

"Wait here querida." he whispered again.

She stood still, shivering lightly as Diego moved silently to Mendoza, who jumped at the voice behind him. She watched as the two men talked. She couldn't hear what was being said but she felt herself blush again, knowing that Mendoza would know what they were about to do.

It was only a minute later that Diego returned to her side, with a small warm smile. "Come." he took her hand again and this time he led her to the outside door.

Victoria didn't say anything as they went in the direction of her tavern. Her heart was pounding as they entered through the back door and up the stairs to her room and closed the door behind them.

They gazed lovingly as they stood in front of each other. The realisation of what they were about to do, hit Victoria and she became nervous. "I...Diego...what you said about this being wonderful...how do you know?" she was getting even more nervous now. "I mean have you...done this before...because I...I haven't."

Diego kissed her gently on the lips. "I know querida, it will be beautiful, I promise." he pulled her into his arms and simply held her.

Victoria sighed as she buried her face into his chest and felt his heart pounding against her skin. "Diego have you done this before?" she whispered again.

He sighed as he gently lifted her face up. "Yes, I have Victoria but it was a long time ago, while I was in Madrid."

She saw the sad look in his eyes and was confused, she thought he said it was wonderful. "Was it awful?"

He chuckled softly. "No querida, it wasn't, but I wished that I had saved myself for you."

Victoria placed her fingers on his lips. "Shhh Diego, forget about the past, let's just have tonight."

He pulled her close against him. "When did you become so wise?" he whispered against her soft lips.

"Since today, when I found out that my best friend was Zorro and that tomorrow..." Her voice caught and her words lost.

"Shhh querida." he whispered as he caressed her face. "Let's forget about the past, and we won't think about tomorrow. We have tonight. Let me love you Victoria."

Some time later, Victoria laid her head on his bare chest, her arm was flung across his stomach, she felt tired but wonderful, she felt peaceful and she felt loved. She had no regrets in what they had done. But now she felt tears flow down her face.

"Querida, please don't cry." he said sadly, as he lifted her head.

"I can't help it Diego, I feel so happy, I never knew this could so joyful, so perfect. But after tonight..."

"Shhh Victoria, remember what we agreed upon, that we wouldn't worry about tomorrow."

"I know...it's just that I love you so much Diego."

"Oh querida, I love you too."

They held each as they slowly drifted off into a light sleep, their bodies entwined in the small bed.

Diego woke, startled to feel a warm and soft body pressed against him. As his eyes slowly focused on Victoria, the woman he loved more than anything else, his foggy mind cleared and he remembered everything with a sinking heart. Although he had finally made beautiful love to his querida, it was with bittersweet feelings. He was to hang in a couple of hours. He didn't want to die, especially now that they had finally found each other after so long. He wanted to live, to marry his lady, to see her grow large with his child, to hold their child in his arms. He sighed softly as he watched her sleep, her head on his chest, her delightfully soft curves pressed alluringly against his side. He didn't want to disturb her; he wished he could freeze this moment in time, to stay this way forever.

There was a small knock on the door. "Don Diego." came Sergeant Mendoza's voice through the door.

Victoria stirred, turned over, which allowed Diego to rise reluctantly from her warmth.

He went to the door. "Yes Sergeant." he whispered back through the wooden door.

"I'm sorry Don Diego, but you asked me to...let you know that it's almost time."

Diego sighed. "Gracias Sergeant." he replied as he heard the good Sergeant go back down the stairs. He turned back and saw Victoria sitting up in bed, the sheet pulled up to cover herself, hot tears running down her face. He rushed back to her, sat on the bed and pulled her into his arms. "Oh querida." he kissed her hair as he rocked her gently.

"No...No..." Victoria cried openly in his arms. She had promised herself that she wouldn't do this, she wanted to be strong for him. But when she heard Mendoza voice outside her door, she broke down.

Diego felt his own tears burning down his face as he continued to rock a sobbing Victoria in his arms.

It took some time but Victoria stopped crying and stayed in Diego's loving embrace.

"How…how long?" she asked, her voice hoarse with her grief.

"About thirty minutes, maybe a little longer. I need to be back in the cells." he planted a soft kiss to her hair.

Victoria looked up. "You're going back then?"

Diego nodded as he gently wiped her tears away with his hand. "I must querida, I don't want the good Sergeant to get into trouble with the Alcalde." he whispered.

She reached out and caressed his face. "Love me one more time Diego."

The moment was not about first times, it was not about gentle exploration of their bodies. It was about their need, their desires. They both knew that this was to be their last time together and their frantic kiss showed it. They groaned as their lips tore hungrily at each other, demanding more from each other, their tongues plunged deep inside, wanting to explore, to taste everything the other had to offer as he lowered her back down on the mattress.

They didn't have much time left as Victoria rested her head once more on his chest and tried not to think about it. "Diego..." she whispered as she placed a soft kiss to his chest.

"Mmm, yes querida." he whispered back, his hand slowly ran down her bare back.

"I want to know...if I do have a child...have you any idea to names."

"Oh Victoria." he sighed sadly as he planted a kiss to her hair.

She looked up. "Please Diego."

He couldn't ignore the plea in her eyes, he didn't want to think about her raising his child without him. "Querida, I had thought that if we had a daughter, we could call her, with your permission, I would like to call her after my mother, Felicidad. If that's okay with you, I mean you may have other names chosen..."

Victoria pressed her fingers against his lips. "No, I like it. I know how much your mother meant to you and your father. Now what if we have a son?"

"Alfonso, after your father." he replied without hesitation.

Victoria was stunned, she thought that he would have said one of his own family names, not her father's. "Oh Diego, I don't know what to say. Thank you."

Diego smiled softly. "Remember I was there, when you saw him last. I know how much that meant to you and Ramon, to see him, to speak with him."

Victoria nodded, unable to speak at the honour he had given to her and their child. If she was indeed with child, she hoped she was. They laid together, their arms wrapped around each other.

Several minutes later, there was another soft knock on the door. "I'm sorry but it's time Don Diego." Mendoza's voice came from the other side of the door.

Diego reluctantly moved away from his lady's warm inviting curves. "I must go now querida."

Victoria nodded, not trusting herself to say anything. She had to stay strong as she watched him dress. She stood up and put on a robe and helped him buttoned his black shirt.

Diego was finding it hard not to give in to his grief, he had to be strong for Victoria's sake. He held her in his arms, one last time. "I have no regrets about making love to you Victoria, none."

"Neither do I." she whispered back.

He gently caressed her face. "I want you to promise me something."

"Anything Diego you know that."

"Promise me that you will go on with your life. You have so much love to give, you are so full of life, promise me that if you meet someone else that you can love, take hold of it, don't let the chance of happiness pass you by."

"I...I don't know Diego. I don't think I could love anyone but you." her voice cracked, she fought back her tears.

Diego kissed her forehead. "I know querida, but if, in the future, some gentleman can make you feel loved and if you come to love him, marry him. I want you to be happy." his voice broke with his emotions.

Victoria lowered her gaze. "I...will think about it, Diego."

Diego raised her head and tenderly kissed her trembling lips. "That's all I ask querida. I love you."

"I love you too Diego." They kissed one last time.

And then he was gone.

Victoria sank down on her bed, amazed that even as he faced his death in a couple of hours, he was only concerned with her future happiness. Dios, she loved that man so much, she thought. She didn't know how she could even look at another man, let alone marry him.

Mendoza was waiting downstairs in the taproom to escort Don Diego back to the cuartel. He was a kind-hearted man and although their religion didn't allow relations before marriage, he had seen enough of the world to have an open mind. And considering that the young Don was to be executed later that day, he felt no guilt in allowing them a few hours of happiness in each other's company. They deserved it, considering what they had given up, in order to fight the injustices of both his commanding officers.

Diego saw Mendoza as he crossed the tavern floor and held out his hand. "Jaime, I want to thank you for allowing Victoria and I time together. It meant a lot to us."

He was startled to hear his given name but he reached out and shook the young man's hand. "You're welcome Diego. I just wish you could be together forever."

"So do I." They walked out of the tavern, crossed the plaza to the cuartel and back into the cells.

As Mendoza locked the door to his cell, Diego called out. "Jaime, can I trust you to look after Victoria for me, make sure that there isn't any rowdiness in the tavern."

He came back to the bars. "Of course you can, I will look after her. It's been an honour to know you Don Diego."

Diego smiled warmly. "Gracias amigo and it's an honour to know you Sergeant."

The two men shook hands again.