Author's Note: I'm Back! YAY! Thank you everyone who supported me this year. Thanks to everyone who reviewed my stories, and thanks for being patient with my this one and Moonlight. I'm still pretty exhausted, and my creativity has still been beaten down by the stick which is grad school. Hopefully it'll come back soon.

I know people are getting impatient with Diego. I'm not sure why I started this story, when even I get frustrated with heroes who keep secrets when I read. It was just something I was compelled to write.

At the risk of *spoilers* - *ignore this paragraph*, this chapter and the next Diego and Victoria still have their wires crossed. I'm not gonna tell you when the reveal (or the sex) is, but Chapter 13 we will start to see our favorite couple being much happier, and a little less drama. If you're hating the story, I hope you give it a try after that.

I hesitated about posting this chapter, but several people like it and gave me the green light. Thanks to Marla for the best beta skills, LaCorelli, Katie, JP, MJ…now that I have the FB group there are so many people who encourage me. Thanks to everyone who reviews or favorites my story…I re-read them when I feel sad and I love you all, too. I miss some of my previous reviewers, and I hope to try to win you back eventually :D

Adult snuggie is being a pain and I have no ending yet, but will not be posted on this site. I'll note it in my profile when it's up.

So we pick up in this story with Diego planning to keep Victoria off balance in the kitchen. I wonder what they'll get up to?

zzz

Victoria wasn't sure why Diego couldn't crack an egg at first. She covered his hand to help, but still the egg didn't crack against the bowl. When she frowned and took the egg from him, Diego stepped behind her. She dropped the egg in the bowl when she felt his breath on her neck, then fought to breathe herself when he leaned forward with his arms around her. He carefully picked the broken shell from the bottom of the bowl, set it aside, wiped his hands on her apron, and settled his arms around her again.

She stared dumbly at the bowl, thinking this wasn't the playful Diego she'd expected from a clumsy man joining her in the kitchen. This was her husband, the man who just yesterday had promised he was going to try his best to seduce her. He squeezed his arms around her and bent to her ear. "You're making omelets with just one egg?"

Shivers raced down her neck all the way to her toes, which curled in her shoes. "I thought you were going to help?"

Diego placed a kiss behind her ear before he straightened up, but Victoria didn't have time to relax. He stepped closer, bent her forward so he could reach another egg. He used only one arm, leaving the other tight around her waist, pulling her into him as he leaned over her to crack an egg with expert precision.

Victoria had to clear her throat to speak. "Why didn't you do that before?"

Diego's fingers pressed into her side, heated her skin through all her layers of clothing. "Must have been a bad egg," he whispered, his breath raising goose bumps over her skin before he kissed her temple.

She blinked and reached for an egg herself, but still that pushed them together. She pulled the bowl of eggs closer so that wouldn't happen again, and they somehow managed to put several eggs in a bowl with only a few shells. Diego didn't seem to want shells in his food, so he leaned over her shoulder to carefully remove each piece.

Soon Diego's arms were back around her waist, his chin on her shoulder as he asked what was next. She looked at the fork she'd set next to the bowl, and glanced across the counter at a whisk. She wondered what she was thinking when she pointed to the whisk, covering his hand on her waist so he wouldn't remove it.

He smiled against her neck and her face flamed. So she liked having his hand on her waist. That wasn't wrong. She moved with him when he used his long arm to grab the utensil, becoming more aware of her own body where it touched his. She was proud of herself. She was making her husband happy, and she wasn't scared of his hands. She was starting to think she liked his hands very much.

A few minutes later, she stared at the scrambled yellow mess in the bowl and then blinked at the cutting board a few feet away. She was supposed to be chopping things up to put in their omelets while Diego cracked eggs. How was it so complicated? Oh. Right. Diego's fingers moved again…such a slight movement. His hands were huge, his fingers stroking slowly back and forth, just enough to remind her he was there. As if she could forget.

She pushed his hands away and turned to face him, but he didn't back up. "You're distracting me. Unless you want plain eggs, I have to cut up the vegetables."

Diego's hands came to the counter on each side of her, joined together and pulled her closer. "I'll help."

"I can't—" Victoria's breath caught, her words failing her as Diego pulled her even closer, even his feet embracing hers.

Diego grinned. "You can't…"

Victoria rested her hands on his chest, then grabbed the lapels of his jacket and shook him—well, as much as she could. "Behave. I can't use a knife if you're distracting me."

Diego grinned for a moment, then raised an eyebrow. "Am I distracting you?" He shrugged at her blush and released her. "I'll do it."

Victoria gaped at him, feeling cold when he stepped away from her so easily to stand in front of the cutting board. He picked up a tomato and the knife and looked at her. She crossed her arms and scowled, waiting for him to show her how he could chop vegetables if he couldn't crack an egg.

When nothing happened, she put a hand on her hip. "Well?"

"I didn't say I'd do it alone. I need some help."

Victoria's arms dropped to her sides as she gaped at him. Yes, he was still playing. Then she could see that maybe he was nervous, too. He needed her attention, needed her to want to be distracted by him. Diego was sensitive, shy around people, and especially around women. She remembered the times he asked if there was someone else. Diego shouldn't have to doubt his wife's affections, especially since he'd married a woman rumored to be involved with an outlaw. He wanted her to love him, wanted her to be comfortable in his presence. She was working on the first part. The second was scaring her only that it didn't scare her.

She slowly wrapped her arms around his waist, clenching her hands together over his stomach. She rested her cheek against his back, listening to him breathe for a moment as he covered her hands with his. He bent to his task, and she wondered if this was what he felt when he stood behind her. It couldn't be, because Diego was all hard lines and muscles. It should be uncomfortable, but his strength complemented her softness. She was wasting space by holding her own hands, so she flattened both palms against his stomach.

She smiled when he stopped chopping for a second, wondering if he was just as affected by her touch as she was by his. Diego was huge, strong, sometimes confident in a way she'd never seen before. She didn't know anything, didn't have the experience he probably had. Her heart sank at that thought, but she had no regrets. She smiled, turning that thought around. If she could affect him this much, even with his experience, with all he'd seen of the world, he must love her very much. Her fingers ran over his stomach, curious at how chopping vegetables could use so many muscles. She squeezed her arms to hug him, and Diego's hands stroked over her arms.

She stepped to his side, leaving her arms around him because she wanted to. "Finished?"

Diego's arms came around her as they looked at the diced veggies. She squeezed him again before she picked up the cutting board. When she stepped away from him to mix it with the eggs, it felt as if her body was still drawn to him. She was chilled, tingling, missed feeling how his muscles moved. She was aware of her own muscles as she stirred and poured the mixture into a skillet, and she shook her head as she wondered why he wasn't still wrapped around her.

She listened to the sizzle as the eggs began to cook, then turned to look at her husband. She frowned when she saw he was looking out the window. She covered his fist on the counter with her hand, worried.

Diego jumped when she touched him, and Victoria wrapped her arms around herself when he pulled away.

Diego watched her withdraw into herself and sighed. "Victoria, I'm sorry." Diego watched her glance around the kitchen, and wished she wasn't so afraid of him, afraid of making a mistake. He wasn't a monster. "You're not the only one afraid of making a mistake," Diego said after a moment.

Victoria glanced up at him, an eyebrow raised in curiosity. "I'm sorry. I thought you wanted me to…"

"You're perfect, Victoria." Diego crossed his arms and leaned a hip against the counter, but there was nothing relaxed in his stance. "Last night you were afraid of losing control. It's not easy for me, either." Diego took a deep breath, but he didn't want to scare her, didn't want her to stiffen in his arms as she had last night. And he didn't plan to stay away from her. "But there are some things a man can't control."

Victoria's eyes widened as she held his gaze, and she couldn't force herself not to look. He'd turned to her, he wasn't hiding or trying to be sneaky. He wasn't being rude or pushing it against her. Diego's arms uncrossed as her eyes trailed down his body, his well-tailored suit not hiding much.

Victoria took a step back, turned to her skillet. She tested the edges of the egg, couldn't help glancing back at Diego's lap.

"You're wonderful and I love you, my body reacts," Diego said, sad that the mood seemed to have been lost. "I said you never have to be afraid of me, but we're married now. I won't always be able to hide how much I want you. I don't want to hide, or pretend."

Victoria glanced up at him, then looked back down to flip the eggs. She turned to face him, her fingertips turning white as she clenched her arms around her waist. "I'm your wife. You've been more than patient."

Diego stepped forward quickly, and Victoria flinched without thought. Diego slowed his approach and put a hand to her cheek. "You are my wife. We will make love one day, and yes, I hope it's soon. What I said still stands, all of it. I want you to trust me. I want you to love me, not let me into your bed just because you think I need a place to sleep, or because you think it's your duty."

Diego shrugged a shoulder, embarrassed even as he stepped close and wrapped his arms back around her. She tensed, and he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "If I wrap my arms around you, or if you lay your head in my lap, and you feel my body respond, I don't want you to think I'm going to attack you."

Her eyes flew to his, and Diego felt himself blush. "The quilt wasn't just a pillow." His hands smoothed up and down her back. "I don't want you to be afraid of me. I loved feeling your hands on me." He squeezed her gently. "You let me hold you. You can do whatever you want, don't stop because you're afraid of me or because my body scares you."

Victoria tried to relax and put her hands on his chest. Once again she thought of soft versus hard, as she tried to relax her stomach muscles where his…where he pushed against her. "I like your body. That's what scares me."

She lifted a trembling hand to his cheek, smiling weakly when he pressed a kiss against her palm. She ran a hand over the stubble on his cheeks and chin. "I'm learning. Men have always been something to be afraid of. I had to always be on my guard, even with…" Victoria scowled, disappointed in herself for thinking of Zorro again. "I had to protect myself. I trust you. I'm your wife. If you want me, I'll try to please you."

Diego forced a smile, tried to ignore the things she didn't say. Had she been afraid of him yesterday when he kissed her? Is that why she sent him away? "You do please me. I want to please you, too."

Victoria stared at his chin, sad for a moment the wrong man loved her. He reminded her of Zorro, which was strange, yet Zorro didn't love her…not really. She closed her eyes tightly to banish that other man, and met Diego's eyes.

Diego, her husband. He could make her forget if he kissed her again. If he stopped talking about things which scared her, if she stopped thinking about things which she couldn't have. She liked kissing him. She frowned up at him as she ran a finger over his mustache. Was that enough?

Diego saw her frown and released her, wiping a hand over his mouth and mustache. Zorro should have worn more of a mask. What if she recognized him? Standing so close, kissing her… He got lost, forgot everything when she was close. Her frown indicated she didn't forget, though.

He scooped eggs on one plate, looked at the other one he hadn't planned on using. He didn't want to sit far away from her. He wanted to share a plate. Wanted to feed her, wanted to sit close enough to kiss her. But if she looked too close…

Why was she still thinking of Zorro? Hadn't they gotten far enough away from Los Angeles? Did Diego's kiss not satisfy her? When was he going to stop being jealous of himself? When would he stop being afraid she'd find out?

He'd have to tell her eventually. He'd have to tell his father, share with everyone that Felipe could hear. He wanted a family, didn't consider what having something like this weighing down on him would feel like. Even if Zorro disappeared, never showed again, he'd have to tell her.

Victoria noticed the tension in his back as he stared at the plate of eggs and wondered what he was thinking. They'd been having such a nice time before she spoiled things again. She picked up the second plate and brought it near, and Diego filled it with the breakfast they'd cooked together. That was something any couple in love might do.

She sat down and picked up her fork while he returned the skillet to the stove, but he still didn't look at her when he took his seat and stared at his eggs. What was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to make him happy when she didn't know how? Her fingers clenched on her fork, and she set it down to get up and pour them both some tea. She had to stop being afraid, and stop thinking about the past. This was her life now. Diego was her husband, and that wasn't a bad thing. She trusted him, should be more relaxed around her friend and not wishing he was a masked man she knew nothing about.

Diego glanced up when Victoria pulled her stool close to his before she sat down again. She rested her arm on the table next to his, slid her hand under his to lace their fingers together. He turned their hands over to see her ring.

He didn't have to tell her yet. She was responding to Diego. Smiling at Diego. Today he'd show her Santa Monica. Show her how much fun they could have together. Maybe he didn't need to wait for her to fall in love with Diego…she admitted she liked his body. Maybe she'd let him in tonight. Consummate the marriage, she couldn't run away. He needed her, but he knew she had a temper. He didn't want her to ruin what they could have together by bringing up secrets when they should be enjoying their time alone.

She was off balance. She wouldn't recognize him. He lifted her hand to his lips for a kiss, and touched her ring to make sure it was real. He would keep her off balance. Maybe they both needed to forget about Zorro.

"Can you swim?"

Victoria's mouth dropped open at the odd question, but Diego dug into his eggs. He scooped up another bite and held it to her mouth when she didn't respond. She took the food, her fingers tingling when his eyes dropped to her lips. She shook her head. Weren't they going shopping today? Why would she need to swim?

"Do you want to?" Diego tried to relax, and smiled at her wide eyes. "You said you'd never seen the ocean. Might as well get wet while we're here."

"Isn't that dangerous?" Victoria wondered why she had her own fork if he was going to continue to feed them both.

Diego shook his head and squeezed her hand. "Even the Queen of England has been in the ocean. You don't have to go out far. It's fun. The waves pull at your legs, your feet sink into the sand."

Victoria's eyes grew wider and Diego squeezed her hand again before releasing her to cup her cheek. "It's quite safe." Diego's thumb traced over her bottom lip, this idea growing on him. Waves pushing them together, Victoria relying on him to keep her safe. He leaned over to kiss her shiny bottom lip, his tongue tracing over her only briefly before he pulled back. This time she hadn't stiffened, hadn't tensed at all when he kissed her. "And if you like it, I'll show you something better."

Victoria's heart beat faster, but she wasn't sure why. It sounded scary, it sounded exciting. And what did he mean? Better than the water? Or better than kissing? Maybe the rest wouldn't be so bad?

Victoria glanced down at her plate as Diego pulled it closer to him when his plate was empty. He lifted a bite for himself, and Victoria blinked at her own fork. She picked it up and took a bite, the same way she'd been feeding herself for nearly twenty years. She was still her own person. She never thought Diego could be so overpowering, could make her forget. She wanted a partner, a husband, but that didn't mean she wanted to lose who she was. Diego said it was fine to lose control, that he didn't care what happened before. That didn't mean she was going to forget who she was.

She watched his fingers tense on the table when he saw her take a second bite, but he only took a sip of his tea. The eggs tasted bland when she fed herself. It was nice and he was being sweet earlier, before she ruined it. He wasn't trying to overpower her. Victoria wondered how long it would be until she stopped pushing him away. It wasn't fair to him, after he'd given her so much. She scooped up more eggs, but this time held the fork out to him. He smiled and relaxed, and let her feed them both for the rest of the meal.

There was no other man for her, she owed Diego everything. Her eyes caught on his lips as he chewed. The kissing was good. More than good. The something better for him meant a possible baby for her. She'd dreamed of feeding a baby often, never imagined feeding a man could be romantic. She had no regrets about her life so far, but Diego was offering to show her more. He was being sweet, patient, honest. She wouldn't give Luis and Rebecca more reason to distrust her motives. Diego had fought with his father as well to marry her. Diego would give her a home and children. She would give him whatever he wanted.

Diego took her hand when the eggs were gone and kissed the inside of her wrist. Her fist clenched at the contact, unexpected shivers spreading through her body.

Victoria scowled at herself when his smile faded at her reaction. Some wife she was. She jumped to her feet, wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pressed her lips to his. She closed her eyes tight and tried again when nothing happened. Her toes didn't curl, his pulse didn't accelerate beneath her hand at his neck. She pulled back and licked her lips, not sure what she was doing wrong as she released him, feeling even more of a failure.

Diego turned to her, pulling her between his legs and putting her hands back on his shoulders. "Victoria…" Diego put his finger under her chin when she still didn't look at him. "I like kissing you. Kiss me whenever you want, but only if you want to. I'm not angry when you don't respond to me, don't get angry at yourself, either."

Diego's hands were gentle at her waist, and Victoria wished Alicia was here to tell her what to do. Rebecca was nice, but she didn't trust Victoria yet. Victoria couldn't blame her. So far, Diego was bending over backwards for her, and she'd offered nothing in return. She let him pull her into his arms, told herself not to be relieved she couldn't feel his body reacting to her.

"I need to shave and clean up, and then we can go." Diego ran his fingers through her hair because he wanted to, but didn't know what to say because he didn't fully understand why she was suddenly so sad.

Victoria put the dishes in the sink and followed him into the living room, thinking of the nice china bowls and large mirror up in her room. "There's water in my room."

Diego stood with his shaving kit and turned to look at her. Victoria's fingers trembled, but she held out her hand to him from where she stood at the base of the stairs. Diego thought back to his plan to keep her off balance, but this didn't feel right. He did want her to love him. He needed to make her comfortable in his presence, didn't like it when she felt she had no choice. Not his Victoria.

He glanced around the room and noticed the book they'd started last night. He picked it up and handed it to her before taking her hand and leading her upstairs.

Zzz

Author's Note 2: Look up the whisk sometime. Does anyone have the new one with the balls on the end of a wire? Kitchen utensils…who woulda thought they'd be interesting to read about? It's a stretch to give Rebecca a whisk, but go with it.

My name is Emma, and it's been eleven days since I got a review…so I'm having serious withdrawal. Hope you like it, at least some of it. Diego and Victoria are still getting used to each other, and Victoria isn't in love yet. Remember this is early in the series, so I can't have them as close as they'd be in a season four story. When I started I didn't realize the buildup was so long. I haven't been writing much this semester, but I did come up with some great plans for this story, and Moonlight. Hope you stick with me! I hope to start writing up a storm now.