Author's Note: Remember me? Did someone say this story was slow?

Yeah… don't read this chapter cause this is not propelling the story in any way. Just more thoughts and a bit of background. I'm trying to get back into writing, though, and this part of this story has not changed much in… oh a year? Three? How long have I been writing this?

It's not even the end of the beach, but it's over 2000 words. I am hoping posting this will help me post the rest, and if I can get over the end of the beach, and make the characters even through the scene, the rest of the story should flow much better.

Thank you for being patient with me. RL has been a beast. I have lots that I want to post, but nothing is finished and nothing is gelling properly. But I miss you guys and felt like posting something so here you go. Thanks to all my Facebook buddies for being my friends and cheering me on, and thanks for the reviews I've gotten recently during my dry spell.

Zzz

Some time later, Diego put a hand to his stomach when it growled. He glanced back at the shore, and Victoria splashed him for not paying attention. He turned to her with a smile and captured her hands. Her cheeks were pink, her eyes bright with laughter. Diego grinned. She'd had fun.

What was better than a lazy afternoon playing in the water? She was relaxed, and didn't tense up if he touched her. Her hair was wet… he'd long ago convinced her to duck under the water with him. She'd even touched the starfish he'd found. They both had a few shells in their pockets, and Diego felt like the luckiest man in the world.

She protested when he pulled her arms around his waist, but she didn't shy away. Diego bent to kiss her salty lips, and felt lighter because now it didn't seem to shake her. Her hands stayed wrapped around his back, and she smiled easily after the brief kiss.

"Are you hungry?" Diego's hands smoothed over her hair when she nodded, and he kissed the top of her head. Diego figured they had about an hour before sunset … time enough to eat before watching it together again. "Come on, let's eat."

Victoria breathed heavier as she started to walk towards the shore. It wasn't this hard going into the ocean … but it seemed her legs weren't used to carrying her anymore. She glanced back out over the water, missing the feeling of weightlessness and freedom.

Diego stopped when she stopped. "Tired?"

Victoria lifted her foot out of the sand which tried to suck her down. A wave came up behind her and knocked her into Diego, but now she only laughed.

Playing in the water had made her forget. Diego had held her as she tried to float, kicked her legs, or tried to copy whatever he did. He never let her be afraid of drowning, and it all made her fear of him seem silly. The world was huge, and now she had someone to be there for her, to keep her safe.

"Diego!" She cried out as he scooped her off her feet, but then she giggled. She liked it when he carried her. She worried he might fall as he stumbled a bit, and she held on for dear life as the waves tried to knock her towering husband over.

Diego re-settled her in his arms to get a better grip, and Victoria glanced at her bare legs. She pointed her toes, the sky a fading grey behind them. Her fingers played with his hair and he smiled down at her as he finally escaped the grasping clutches of the waves.

Who cared about legs? Everyone had them. He'd already put his hands on her. She shouldn't bother worrying about what she was wearing. She was determined to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Diego set her feet on the ground, and Victoria stumbled a bit when he didn't try to kiss her… or even keep her in his arms. She watched his back as he walked away. Apparently they'd kissed enough for one day. She was okay with that … maybe. The ground still seemed to roll beneath her feet as she watched him open a large picnic basket and start spreading a blanket, completely ignoring her. She hadn't seen the basket before. How had she missed that?

She didn't expect to eat dinner out here … dressed like this. She crossed her arms at the chill of the wind, but she reminded herself of her plans to stop worrying. She was right. Legs weren't enticing. She felt undressed, but she was dressed as a man. Diego didn't care to look all that much. In fact, he wasn't looking at all. Her thoughts were confirmed when Diego wrapped a large towel around her shoulders. He barely looked at her. She could relax and get back to enjoying this time getting to know her husband.

"You can dry off, then we can eat."

She watched him turn away and grab a smaller towel to start drying himself off. She wasn't disappointed. She caught herself frowning and shook her head. She pulled the towel over her head and tried not to think too much as she dried her clothes and hair the best she could.

Diego barely dried off, hoping the slight breeze would keep him focused. He anchored a blanket to sit on, then pulled out a few more blankets and tossed them aside. He refused to look at them, determined to throttle Luis when he saw the interfering man next. He dug out some water and took a long drink, then stood to offer Victoria some. She wasn't looking at him, and was working hard to dry herself off.

Diego stood frozen as she touched herself with the towel, then he fell back on the blanket to lay out food. He set aside the water and opened the bottle of wine to take an even longer drink, and prayed again for patience. He stretched his arms and concentrated on tensing and releasing all of his muscles. It didn't help. He glared at the robe he'd brought for her, but lifted it off the pile of blankets before turning to face her again.

Victoria hid behind the towel as Diego stood, and smiled when she saw the robe. He was so sweet to think of her comfort.

Diego pushed his fingers through his hair. "Rebecca gave you her robe." He pointed at the stack of blankets. "Or you can cover up with those."

Victoria wanted to smile. He didn't look happy about his chivalry.

Victoria fluffed out her towel and wrapped it around her shoulders. It didn't give her much in the way of decency, leaving her legs exposed, but it kept the wind off her back. She glanced around the beach. They were still alone, and she wasn't supposed to hide from her husband. He hadn't looked at her legs at all, and she could keep the towel.

She smiled. "I'm good."

Diego's bright eyes met hers and he tossed the robe onto the stack of blankets with a smile. He bent and picked up a cup of water and brought it to her. Victoria closed her eyes to drink, and Diego took the time to watch her. He was never so captivated by someone drinking before. He could see the muscles in her throat work as she drank, and he resisted the urge to smooth away the few strands of hair which still clung to her skin.

When he'd been told to give her a brush and comb as a wedding gift, he'd laughed. What a silly idea. Now, though, he wished her gift was here instead of up in her room. She could sit in front of him, and he would brush her hair as they talked, until it was glossy and smooth again. Jacqueline assured him it was a wonderful feeling for the new bride, and considering how much he loved her fingers in his hair…

He smiled as he pictured her reaction if he did have the gift here… which included a mirror. Victoria didn't spend a lot of time dolling herself up, but her hair was always perfectly tamed. He loved her no matter how messy she looked, though. He ran his fingers through his own chaotic hair before he approached her again.

"Close your eyes."

Victoria closed her eyes right away, without thinking. She grinned, proud of herself.

Diego smiled when she trusted him so quickly. "This will get the salt off your face." She jumped a little when Diego wiped a wet cloth over her forehead, over her cheeks and lips. "We can take a bath later, but…"

He trailed off, caught by her blush, by what it meant for them. She wasn't protesting or balking at the thought of a bath with him. She'd held him close in the water, answered his passion with hers. She didn't ask for the robe. They'd had such a lovely day. Now they could enjoy a nice meal, watch another sunset. Then she'd let him wash her back, and brush her hair, and she wouldn't make him sleep on the couch tonight.

Victoria took a deep breath as Diego wiped his own face, relaxing as he helped make her comfortable on the blanket. She wrapped her arms around her knees as Diego handed her more water. She held up her fingers, grinning at the wrinkles as she drank. She was tired, but not from working. It was a good feeling. She should feel guilty, or out of place, but Diego smiled at her and the weight never settled on her shoulders. She smiled out at the waves, and let herself enjoy.

Diego finished setting out dishes of food, and then realized he was kneeling on the other side of the blanket from her. His carefully laid out picnic now separated them. She made him lose his sense – even with her hair was a mess from the water. He grit his teeth, damning his poor planning by surrounding her with the food. He sighed as he sat down across from her.

Victoria set her glass down and found herself chuckling at Diego's pout. It was enlightening to be around him so much. She was starting to read him rather well. She came to her knees to start opening the food. She hadn't cooked it, but everything smelled delicious. Victoria felt … happy as she fixed her husband a plate of food, sitting on the beach as the sun sank in the sky.

He thanked her for the plate of food she handed him, but even Victoria didn't like this seating arrangement. Neither of them were dressed for seduction. Maybe tomorrow she could wear one of the new dresses Jacqueline was tailoring for her. That would make him happy, too. She fixed herself a plate, then rearranged things so she could sit next to him. Diego helped her, his eyes lit from within, his smile increasing her happiness. Not such a bad thing, making someone happy.

Victoria took a bite of chicken and rice and glanced out at the ocean. "This was a good idea."

"I like the beach. It's nice to share it with someone."

Victoria bumped his shoulder with hers as she took another bite. Diego thought of some other places he'd like to show her. Part of him just wanted to go home. He wanted to show her his house, show her his land … to start their life with together. He'd wanted her since the first time her eyes lit up when he talked about one of his experiments. On the other hand, he liked being away from everything, and they needed this time alone.

He took another bite of chicken. There was something to be said about having friends in his corner. In Los Angeles, they'd be interrupted every day. Stared at and talked about because of his rushed marriage. Here, Rebecca had made a nice picnic basket with everything they needed for a late evening by the ocean, then left them alone. She'd made some effort to make friends with Victoria. She still didn't seem happy with him for some reason. Maybe they needed to have a talk.

Diego glanced at the pile of blankets. Luis had no shame sometimes. Luis needed more than a talk. Diego and Luis were polar opposites, but somehow they fit. He was the brother Diego never had. When Diego had met Rebecca, he had not been a good friend to her. He was young, trying to impress his father's old friend, Rebecca's father. Luis had been traveling with Diego, and Diego had been proud of himself for finding his friend a job and a place to live.

That had blown up in his face. Luis had seduced the boss's daughter, and Diego found himself in the middle of a family tearing itself apart. He had spent his life up to that point trying to live up to his father's expectations, seeing the world as white and black. He'd never met such an outspoken woman, and Rebecca sure had her own opinions. Eventually, he'd seen she wasn't a horrible person, and he'd stood up for her.

Maybe that's why Diego didn't see anything wrong with fighting against the government in Los Angeles, with being an outlaw. He did some things right, though, he thought as he looked at Victoria. Luis could tease him all he wanted. He'd been patient with Victoria, and now he was reaping the rewards.

Unlike last night, she was wasn't pushing him away. She kissed him... many times… and now she wasn't hiding, was sitting close to him. He didn't want their first time to be out on the beach, no matter how many blankets they had, but maybe he could change her mind about some of her rules.

Victoria uncovered another dish and found some bread. She ripped off a piece for Diego and put it on his plate, then took some for herself. This was nice, not having to grab a bite when she could while she fed the hungry masses. She had nothing to worry about but taking care of her new husband. He'd shown her patience, had cared about her feelings. They sat close together now, her shoulder still touching his.

She pushed at a piece of chicken with her bread, and inhaled the aromatic spices on the delicious food she hadn't cooked before she took another bite. How much food and wine had she wasted over the years? She'd fallen in love with the tavern the first time she'd seen it when she was only thirteen years old.

Another year showed her the delights of cooking for others. She was a part of the center of town, where everyone stopped to relax and chat, where travelers brought stories of far-off places and wild adventures.

Another year and her grandmother had wanted to leave, to sell the tavern. Victoria had known she was the luckiest woman on earth when she was able to buy the building. She'd painted the sign for Tavern Victoria herself. Had bought a new dress to celebrate, because her meager sewing skills couldn't keep up with how fast she was outgrowing her clothes.

Another year taught her harsher lessons. Suddenly as an independent business owner, no one thought she had a right to her own body. She dumped wine on a man's head, she was left with the unpaid bill, she got the bruised knuckles when a man didn't listen, and she had to clean up after all of it.

But she succeeded. She started to get compliments on her food and her tavern instead of her … new assets. Friendly strangers became friends, and good men started to outnumber the bad. Still, when she said no, she was prepared for anger, not gentleness.

In the ocean, she'd started to forget. He'd even touched her bare legs when she tried to float in the water. Every touch was gentle and full of love and concern for her. Most of the touches. When he'd held her so tight, when she'd lost herself, he'd let her go - and it hadn't been terrible. He did not react in anger, he simply asked why. Because he cared.

Now Diego was standing for her. She didn't have to fight alone anymore... but once she gave that up, what did she have left? He wasn't paying for her body, she knew that. She'd given it when she had recited her vows in front of God and the town she loved. You couldn't take that back. She didn't want to. Diego was an educated man. He obviously had desires, they both wanted children, but he was giving her time. She was growing used to being near him, to feeling his hands on her. His hands were different than those who expected different things from a taverness, and he deserved better. He was a man who respected others, and he respected her. She had new duties now, and it had been her choice.

Part of her was still waiting for the trick, preparing to maneuver when the illusion was shattered… She frowned. Diego didn't deserve that, either. Diego's shoulder brushed hers, and she brought herself back to the present. She leaned her head against his arm and took another bite. Yesterday was good. Today was good. Their future together would be good, because the past wasn't part of her future.