Author's Note: Apparently I'm impatient. I said I'd post one a week, but here you go. Thank JPaez. It's a short chapter, but the next section is over 2,000 words and I'd rather post that as one chapter later. Not much happens here, but I like it. I might post the next section tomorrow. However, the faster I post, the faster I hit the end. The slower I post, the more you forget between chapters… it's a dilemma.

The timing is still ambiguous in this story, but I imagine it's about two years after Diego returned from Spain. Victoria is a tavern owner, but she's pretty innocent here. I do give some reasons later, but I hope you go with it. I like Victoria, think she'd fight to protect her innocence and reputation even if she did run a tavern.

Thanks again to my beta Marla, and to LaCorelli, Katie, and everyone else who helped with this story.

We pick up where Diego and Victoria have gone back to the tavern after she's accepted his proposal and he's announced it to the world.

zzz

Diego led Victoria to the foot of the stairs. "Do you need help with anything?"

Victoria shook her head. She needed some time to herself. She saw Diego's eyes drop to her lips, but he only cupped her cheek and kissed her forehead again. She started up the steps, but stopped and turned to him. He was still watching her, oblivious to the raucous atmosphere which followed his announcement. It was obvious to her now, what everyone else must have seen. His eyes sparkled, and he seemed to be unable to stop the slight grin which lit up his face. She came back to stand a step above him, put her hands to his cheeks and touched her lips to his.

She'd expected it to feel as if she were kissing one of her brothers. She'd never been so wrong. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him after the quick kiss, his surprise quickly turning into the most brilliant smile she'd ever seen. She saw his hand reaching for her, saw him take a step closer, but she panicked. She looked back down at him when she reached the top of the stairs. He was still smiling at her. He wasn't upset, wasn't demanding more. She would never find a better husband. She knew she would fall in love with him this week. She was half-way there already. Maybe she didn't have to tell him she had kissed another this morning. Diego was already jealous of Zorro. The way she was feeling right now, he didn't need to be.

She silently closed her door as she entered her bedroom. She changed into her nicest dress, then stood and looked around blankly. Diego said pack light. What did she need? She scanned her things, not letting herself think how old and used they looked. Diego loved her. He never wanted any of the debutantes everyone threw at him. He wanted her. She changed her dress twice more, but made herself stop. Diego didn't care. She put on her favorite dress, the one she saved for special occasions. Those had been few and far between, but she knew she'd worn it to Diego's home before. He always included her, never acted as if she shouldn't be involved.

She knelt in front of the chest at the foot of her bed. She didn't give herself time to think as she set a box in her lap and started to fill it. She didn't unfold Zorro's mask he'd left for her, didn't lift flowers to her nose. Notes went into the box unopened, and trinkets weren't set aside to give away. She closed the lid tightly on her history with Zorro, and then put a few things in another bag. The bag was her future. The box was nothing.

She saw something white tucked into the side of the chest. Not remembering what it was, she grabbed the corner and tugged. She draped the handkerchief over her hand as she tried to recall where she'd gotten it. Her fingers traced the embroidery in one corner. Diego? Then she remembered.

Diego had rescued her the day he came back from Madrid. She'd poured her drink over that nasty soldier's head, and Diego had stopped the situation before it could escalate. Good thing Mendoza was there to keep anyone from getting hurt. Diego had given her his handkerchief to dry her hands. He'd even kissed her hand, long before Zorro had. She'd felt a spark back then, and had kept this token. She'd been flattered by his attention, before she knew who he was. She'd settled for friendship when she'd heard his name. She never imagined she'd be here, about to marry a De la Vega. Had he really been attracted to her, even back then?

She carried the box and her bag downstairs, and wasn't surprised to see Diego leaning against the wall at the foot of the stairs waiting patiently for her. She handed him her travel bags, and he didn't ask about the box. Did he know? Suspect? She didn't pause as she approached the fire and set the box in the flame. She turned and saw Diego staring at it. Would they have to talk about it after all? She didn't hold his gaze when he looked at her, and she left him to go to the kitchen. She would tie up her old life, and start her new one where she would never be alone, and she would never doubt her husband's love and goodness.

She wasn't prepared when she pushed through the curtain and Alicia squeezed her tightly in a hug. She smiled, though, forgiving Alicia the little game she'd played this morning by not telling her Diego was listening. When she was finally released, she was horrified to find tears filling her eyes as she looked around her kitchen. Wives didn't own property. She trusted Diego, didn't she? She was so used to being on her own. But independence was lonely. She could learn to be a partner. Giving up some control also meant gaining support. That's what she wanted, wasn't it?

"Now don't start." Alicia said as she shook Victoria's shoulder. "No crying, or I'll start. Today is the best day of your life. You don't have to say anything. I will take care of your tavern."

Victoria wiped her eyes and nodded, leaving her friend's arms to walk around the kitchen. Her hand floated over everything as she passed. Diego wouldn't keep her from the tavern, but she knew she'd have new responsibilities. She wouldn't have to cook or clean. She had no idea what her new life would be, but surely she'd be busy at the hacienda. Children? She glanced down as she put a hand on her stomach.

Alicia smiled. They'd been friends since childhood. She walked up to Victoria and put her hand over her friend's. "You're getting married. You're going to be a mother like you've always wanted."

Victoria smiled weakly at her friend before her eyes went to the curtain, where her future husband waited in the other room.

Victoria took a deep breath and Alicia hugged her again. "Do you want to talk?"

Victoria's eyes widened and she felt her face turn pink. "Talk?"

Alicia nodded. "Your mother's been gone a long time, honey. We talked a little when I got married, but are you okay? Do you have any questions?"

Victoria dropped her eyes to Alicia's flat stomach and shrugged. Alicia already had two children. She wanted children. She honestly hadn't spent a lot of time thinking about… She enjoyed Zorro's kisses, but all her life she'd had to fight to keep speculation at bay. She knew the basics, she did operate a tavern after all. She had little time for fantasies, however, when trying to run a business.

"He said I could have my own room tonight."

"What? Why?"

Victoria blushed as she met her friend's eyes again. "Don't you think this is happening a little fast?"

Alicia shook Victoria's shoulders. "No!"

"But—"

"Honey, the man loves you. He might be the nicest man in California. He's rich. He helps the poor. He's smart. And he's loved you for years. What's the problem?"

Victoria shook her head. "I never thought of him that way. He was a friend."

"You're lying to yourself. I think you knew Zorro was impossible. You carried on with him to protect yourself. But Diego won't hurt you. If you hadn't been so chicken, you might have married Diego a long time ago."

"But—"

Alicia waited this time, but Victoria didn't continue. "You think he's handsome, don't you?"

Victoria shrugged. "I guess."

Alicia laughed. "Trust me. He's gorgeous. And I bet he's a very attentive lover."

"Alicia!" Victoria covered her cheeks and felt the heat as she turned red.

Alicia caved. "Alright, you don't want to talk. But don't make him sleep alone tonight. Don't do that to yourself. Remember to relax. Don't be afraid. And do whatever you want to him." Alicia chuckled. "You won't hurt a man that big. He'll love whatever you do, I promise."

"I'm supposed to do something? I don't know what to do!"

Alicia patted her hand and started dragging her toward the curtain. "Yes, you will know. And you will enjoy it."

Victoria planted her feet. "But you said it hurt."

Alicia shook her head. "Only once."

Victoria stared back at the curtain. "Diego is bigger than Joshua." She looked up at her friend, who was almost as tall as Diego. "You're bigger than me. This is crazy!"

Alicia took both of her hands and looked at her friend intently. "Name one person who is gentler than Diego. Nicer. Anyone you know. Name one."

Victoria thought hard.

"Joshua and I learned to talk to each other. Tell Diego everything. What you like, what you don't like. You can always try something else."

"Something else?" Victoria squeaked.

"Victoria, honey, there are lots of ways to make love. And I bet that man out there knows more than my Joshua."

Alicia laughed again at Victoria's wide eyes. "Remember to relax. You told me many times he was your best friend. You talk all the time. Talk about this. Go with what feels right." Alicia squeezed her hand hard. "And don't let anything else stand in the way of making a happy marriage."

Victoria bit her lip. Alicia had never approved of her hero. "Diego is perfect for you, Victoria. Somewhere deep inside, you know it, too."

Zzz

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