AN: I guess you did like that reveal I'm so happy you did that I decided to already publish the next chapter.

Enjoy!

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Aware that a kiss was all it took for Victoria to realize the truth about him, Diego took her to the cave, where they could talk and he could explain himself to her without running the risk of being either overheard or interrupted.

The young woman recovered as soon as she felt the smelling salts he brought her after carefully placing her in his chair. She first looked dumbfounded at him, then her eyes wandered off and she easily recognized Zorro's refuge. Again she looked at the man she loved as she remembered how and why she had fainted, but seemed unable to say anything since her mind was doing its best to process the truth she had just uncovered.

"There was never a choice for you to make… but I am glad you chose the man over the legend." Diego told her.

"Is it really you?" She just asked, tears falling freely from her eyes, yet her face filled with joy.

"I wanted to tell you… so many times but… after keeping my secret from those I love – from you – for so long… it's not that easy to take off the mask." He uttered.

"I knew it! I mean, I didn't know it… I had hoped at one point… But you made sure it seemed impossible, even though many times I suspected…" She stopped herself at realizing she was stammering. "Oh, I'm so glad it's you!" Victoria said as she reached to kiss him again.

"You don't resent me for deceiving you for so long?" Diego inquired when they parted.

"Resent you? No! Maybe… A little! But only for letting me torture myself by believing I loved another man than the one I had promised myself to! I hardly slept a full night since I realized how I truly felt about you, Diego!" She said with a loving smile, which soon transformed as her face became pensive and filled with what looked like doubts. "Wait…" she muttered, "who was it I kissed yesterday morning? It wasn't you, for it felt very different, and you couldn't' have been in two places at once…"

"Ah… It was Felipe…"

"Felipe? But… But… He's a deaf-mute!" She said, hoping she had heard him wrong.

Diego slightly shook his head. "Not anymore… He hasn't been deaf since he was about 11 and his voice came back a few months ago. He's been my helper, accomplice, and, more than once, my own hero…"

"I should have known it wasn't you… I mean…"

"Perhaps you did in a way." He suggested with a smile at noticing her embarrassment. "You certainly knew the man you kissed wasn't the one you loved… And I can only be glad about that. Since the day I had found myself forced to create Zorro, and saw you fall in love with him, I've kept asking myself if, the day I'd take off the mask, it would be the man or the legend who you'd decide you truly loved."

Victoria looked deeply into his eyes, then averted her glance, before returning it on his face. "Now we both know the answer to that question…" She said. "So… every time Zorro was injured or almost killed… it was you the one I could have lost…"

"Fortunately they weren't so many…"

"But you risked a lot… You risked your life so many times…"

"Only when it was necessary. When Diego failed to convince an alcalde or help the people, Zorro was the last resort."

"But… There were times… When Zorro rode though you were injured… You saved me from those horse thieves as Zorro, but you were still recovering after that leg injury… And when Don Manolo abducted me, you, Diego, freed me, though you had been badly injured yourself, and Zorro was shot… And…"

"I know… Victoria, I will get to each of those stories… in time. For one, though, as I remember it, I might have put on the mask to help you, but it was you who saved me from those horse thieves, and my injury was the reason why you had to do it. And why I didn't dismount to give you that kiss you asked for… As for that night at Don Manolo, I was too afraid the lancers might get you killed. I couldn't just stay home and wait to find out what happened. I would have ridden as Zorro, but my friend, D'Artagnan, who had stumbled over the cave, had already decided to put on the mask when I was injured. He was the one who was shot, which is also how, some weeks later, the Governor's men couldn't have possibly found the true Zorro by searching for that wound…"

"I knew it! I knew you wouldn't betray… What am I saying? Of course, you wouldn't betray yourself! You played quite a trick on me, Diego!"

"I'm sorry, Victoria. I'm sorry for having deceived you for so long… For making you believe I was two different men… How can I make it up to you?"

The young woman sighed, then smiled at him. "You can start with another kiss…" She suggested, and the caballero gladly obeyed.

ZZZ

"Ignacio? Jessie? Is there something wrong?" Don Alejandro asked a while later as he came to find Victoria after leaving Marisol sleeping with Doña Maria.

Sat at the garden table, they were discussing possible places they should search, and the white-haired man seemed quite adamant in his opinion about where the couple they were looking for could be.

"We saw Diego and Victoria head into the house, and we were looking for them…" Ignacio replied.

"Why? What happened?"

"Nothing…" Jessie replied.

"Victoria fainted… After Diego kissed her…" Ignacio contradicted her.

"We just wanted to know whether she was alright." Jessie explained.

"My son kissed Victoria? And she fainted?"

"That's what we saw. But now we can't seem to find them anywhere. The only place we haven't searched is Diego's room." Ignacio replied just as the two people they were talking about also came to the courtyard, exiting the house holding hands.

The De Sotos and Don Alejandro looked somewhat confused towards them, easily taking in the taverness' enthusiastic face and Diego's broad smile.

"Where have you two been?" Jessie asked as soon as they got there.

"Ah… In the library. Talking." Diego said as he released Victoria's hand.

"Really?" Ignacio asked. "Strange… Because the library was the first place where Jessie and I searched for you after we saw you kissing Señorita Escalante breathless to the point that she fainted and you had to carry her inside." He continued, eyeing the tall caballero and the young woman with him. "And, when we didn't find you there, we searched the rest of the house to no avail… The one place we didn't search was your room, Diego…"

"Son?" Don Alejandro inquired only half-crossed.

The tall caballero felt trapped at that moment, so he uncharacteristically stuttered to find a reply. "Ah…We…" He muttered.

"… were in Diego's room," Victoria said, trying to be helpful. "He took me there because it was where he keeps his smelling salts, and then we remained to talk… That was all, Don Alejandro!"

The man she loved grinned gratefully at her. His father, on the other hand, after nodding, realized that he had a perfect opportunity to make sure that there would soon be another Doña in the house.

"Still…" he said, "I expect you to do right by Victoria, Diego! You have compromised her by your behavior and, should you refuse to marry her, I fear Ramon might decide to challenge you to a duel to defend her honor. And if he doesn't, Son, I will!"

"You're not serious, Father! Nothing improper happened between the two of us." The tall caballero stated.

"I doubt others would also see things the same way," Ignacio said. "I, myself, have a hard time believing you, and I'm your brother…"

"Stepbrother." The tall caballero corrected.

"Still… Diego, my wife and I both saw you kiss Señorita Escalante the way only married couples should kiss – in private, I should add – then we saw you lift her into your arms and carry her, as per her own admission, to your bedroom, where we can only imagine what the two of you did for… well… we've been searching for you for at least twenty minutes or so… That's more than enough time…"

"If you're insinuating what I think you're insinuating, I believe you should find a sword, Ignacio!" Diego said, his voice filled with ire.

"No! You can't fight, remember?" Victoria stopped him, in turn realizing she had the chance to speed up their wedding, for Diego, despite their conversation, hadn't even mentioned setting a date. "And, they are right. After everything that happened between us, I don't believe there's any way out of this… I know you wanted to properly court me before marrying me, but perhaps it would be wiser to get married sooner. As soon as possible, for that matter… Just in case…"

"Just in case of what?" The caballero asked her confused.

Victoria took a hand to her belly. "You never know…" She said, grinning innocently and winking at Don Alejandro.

"I think I've heard enough!" The elderly don muttered, pretending to be quite displeased. "I'll go talk to Padre Benitez!" He continued. "I'll set the wedding for next Saturday, which should be just enough time for my cousins and their families to get here should they find a fast ship."

Victoria smiled happily at that.

"Don't you think that getting us married so soon might just feed the rumor mill? People don't even know yet that Victoria broke her engagement with Zorro to be with me..." Diego said.

"She did?" De Soto inquired.

"Yes," Victoria confirmed. "I confessed to him yesterday that Diego is the man I truly love, and he agreed to free me from our engagement."

"And I don't suppose you told that to anyone…" He continued to ask.

"She told me last night," Jessie informed her husband.

"But no one else?"

Victoria shook her head.

"Then I fear Diego is right, De la Vega." Ignacio said. "If you get them married so soon, people might just get the silly idea that Diego is Zorro…"

"Exactly!" The tall caballero muttered slightly amused.

"Nonsense! After I talk to Padre Benitez I'll complain to Mendoza about all this, and the entire pueblo will know everything by the end of the day." Don Alejandro said, as he hurried to exit the house, set on a plan.

The tall caballero sighed as he turned to Victoria. "You know one can't get pregnant from just talking, don't you?" He asked.

"Of course, I do. But we also kissed… And the way you touched me, made me wish you would do more than just kiss me… Soon…" She said seductively, looking deeply into his eyes, and causing Diego to lean down, set on kissing her.

"You know we are also here, don't you, Señorita?" Ignacio inquired.

Both she and Diego seemed to only then remember the De Sotos, if one was to judge by the glances they gave him.

"Why did you have to interrupt them? It was getting quite interesting." Jessie muttered.

Her husband just frowned. "Instead of having you two lovebirds making us all nauseous with your sweet talk, why don't you explain something to me? How is it that a woman who had spent a decade hoping Zorro would wed her decided to give him up in exchange for her best friend, and why have you, Diego, lied when I asked you if you were truly in love with the Señorita?"

"I never lied. I just let you make your inference…" The tall caballero pointed out. "The truth is I have always been in love with Victoria. Since the day I first held her in my arms, when I was four and she was a newborn baby. Since that first moment I laid eyes on her, I knew we shared a bond. When I left for Madrid, I did so fearing she might be married upon my return, and when I came back and she was still unwed, I decided to court and marry her as soon as possible. But then… Well, Zorro interfered with that plan. Had he never existed, I would have married Victoria a long time ago."

"And I wouldn't have taken so long to realize whom my heart belongs to." The taverness said, looking lovingly towards Diego.

ZZZ

A while later, Doña Maria found her son and stepson with the women they loved, having coffee together, and she easily noticed that Victoria's hand was resting on Diego's leg, his own hand on top of hers, holding it in place.

About an hour later, when Don Alejandro returned with news that the Padre had agreed to perform the wedding ceremony the following Saturday, it was not Victoria the happiest person there, nor was it Diego, Felipe, Ramon, or even Don Alejandro. It was Marisol who, from the moment she was told that the tall caballero was to marry her adoptive mother, could hardly sit still, instead happily running around, giving the news to all the De la Vega servants, vaqueros, and even to the horses in the nearby stables.

ZZZ

"What do you think our lives will be like after we get married?" Victoria asked Diego that evening after dinner, as they were taking a stroll in the courtyard.

"Not much different than it is now, I suppose. At least not at first." He answered. "Except that you and Marisol will be moving here permanently and yours will be the first face I'll see every morning at waking up, and the last I'll see every night as I go to sleep.

"In time, though, I might build a new medical office at the hacienda and bring the printing press here, so that I could stay home more. And you might decide to let Ramon and Pilar run the tavern in your place. But I hardly expect you to just completely change your life the moment we get married, and I would certainly not have you give up something that brings you joy."

Victoria smiled at the man she loved, remembering that Juan Ortiz had once asked her to sell the tavern and leave everyone and everything she loved just to be with him. Unlike him, being with Diego required no sacrifice from her, and she congratulated herself, once more, for having made the right choice by leaving her former childhood sweetheart at the altar. She also silently chuckled at remembering that she had chosen not to marry Juan because Don Alejandro had mentioned Diego as he walked her down the aisle which, in turn, made her think of Zorro. Perhaps, deep inside, she had always known the truth.

"We'll need to consider Marisol's sleeping arrangements." She mused as her mind focused on the idea that, after marrying the tall caballero, she'd share his room. "Unless you want her to sleep with us every night."

"No... I suppose sharing a matrimonial bed with a toddler is not ideal for a newly-wedded couple..." He replied. "Perhaps we can convince her to only sleep with us one or two nights a week for a start. We will also make sure to decorate one of the hacienda's rooms just for her. That might help..."

"I doubt it." Victoria muttered.

Diego smiled at her. "We'll find a way." He assured her.

She grinned at his confidence as they continued walking in silence for a while, simply enjoying holding hands.

"Diego, you're really not worried about what people will say about the two Doñas De la Vega spending their time cooking and serving customers in a tavern?" She eventually ventured to ask.

"I never much cared about what people say. As long as the woman I love is happy, why would their words matter to me?" He wondered, then stopped and turned to look her in the eyes. "I'll always do everything in my power to make you happy, Victoria. And to make up for all the time we have wasted. You must know that." He then promised.

The young woman glanced at him with bright eyes, almost unable to believe the passion and conviction he had put into his words. Taking her right hand to his cheek, she closed her eyes and pulled him closer, hoping for a kiss.

The caballero smiled as he looked at her, his lips meeting hers halfway. "It's a good thing Marisol is here." He muttered when they parted.

"What do you mean?"

"With her here, I can't let myself fall into the temptation of taking you to my room right now, or spending the night in yours."

"Who says I'd allow you to?" She inquired, seeming scandalized.

"Wouldn't you?" He asked as he stared mischievously into her eyes.

She glanced back at him and slowly nodded, captivated by that look he gave her. Having him so close made her feel like she was made of flan, and she again wondered how she had lived so long without realizing what effect Diego had on her.

Making an effort to come back to her senses, she took a step back from him, certain she was flushed for her skin felt like it was burning.

"Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yes… I'm fine… It's just… I'm not sure I can wait till next Saturday to marry you, Diego!" She said. "Can't we just elope and marry tonight?"

"Tempting…" He muttered, seeming to consider that idea.

"Not on my watch!" Don Alejandro warned them as he came to the courtyard. "It's getting late Diego. I think Victoria should put Marisol to bed."

The two young people exchanged an embarrassed smile before the taverness started for the house.

Diego didn't let go of her hand, though. Moments later, she found herself back into his arms, facing him as he leaned down to kiss her again, so passionately that she feared she'd faint once more.

"I'll miss you till morning." He said as he stopped his attack on her lips.

"And I you." She replied breathlessly as she buried her head in his chest, trying to calm her racing heart.

"Diego!" Don Alejandro chided, more than a little perplexed by his son's behavior and, especially, by his cheekiness towards the young woman.

The caballero smiled and let go of Victoria, who headed inside as in a daze, stumbling on her feet as she entered the house, and being forced to support herself on the doorframe.

"Are you alright, my dear?" Don Alejandro inquired noticing she almost fell.

"Yes! Of course, I am…" She said, glancing back at Diego, slightly embarrassed by her clumsiness.

He smiled lovingly at her. "Goodnight, Victoria!" He wished her.

"Bueas noches, mi amor!" She muttered as she went on her way.

Don Alejandro watched her with a confused frown, then headed for his son.

"Continue with that behavior and I'll have to marry you two tomorrow." He threatened.

"Is that a promise?" His son asked.

Don Alejandro almost shook his head at his words. "For God's sake, Son, what has gotten into you? I hardly recognize you."

"Well, Father… I think you might say love has made a new man out of me." Diego replied with a confident smile before heading inside. "Goodnight, Father!" He said from the door.

"Goodnight, Son!" The older don replied as he remained watching him till he disappeared from sight in one of the hacienda's corridors.

Shaking his head as if to forget what he had just witnessed, Don Alejandro made his way to his room, where his wife waited for him in bed while reading a book.

"Why aren't you happy, my love? I thought you'd be thrilled about how well things worked out!" The Doña asked at seeing his pensive face.

"I am. I am, my dear! I am very happy that my son and Victoria have finally decided to marry. But I can't deny I am also worried about tomorrow. I am not sure how Zorro might react to all this, and something tells me we will need him."

The Doña became quite concerned at those words. "You really think there will be an attack on the Governor?"

"I fear so. Those men we arrested said that there are more of them out there. And that their leader is also supposed to come here tomorrow... Which means he might try to take Los Angeles, for I doubt he's only coming to see the sights…"

"You mean… I'm in danger of losing you tomorrow?"

"No… No! I have no intention of dying before seeing my son married, I assure you! But… That doesn't make me less worried about what might happen, and I want you to also be aware of the danger and keep your eyes and ears open if you go to the tavern in the morning. And be ready to either hide or run away, should they attack while we are at the port. I will leave some of the lancers to guard the pueblo, but they won't be able to do much if attacked by a larger contingent… Perhaps you should all remain here…"

"Nonsense! There are men in the pueblo who could help the lancers protect it, and the hacienda is far more vulnerable. Besides, you said it yourself: the men in your prison were duped. They think they are serving the people of California. That they are fighting for justice. Should anyone try to harm the people of Los Angeles, the illusion that monster has created shall crumble that very moment, and he shall be left with no man to defend him. He won't dare harm anyone!"

"I can't be certain of that. All we know about him, all his own men seem to know about him, is that he is someone close to the Governor and calls himself El Liberador. As if California needs freeing…" He said with frustration as he changed into his nightshirt and joined Doña Maria in bed.

The white-haired woman smiled at him, then, as she put out the candle on her nightstand, she rested her head on his chest. "It will be alright." She tried to assure him. "You'll see! Everything will be fine, my love."