I can't resist posting these chapters...they have been resting in my documents for ages...I am getting a little impatient. They were meant to be part of the Too Much Wine challenge, but now I will have to rewrite most of that one...lol. They just seemed to fit here.

Market day was always busy, and stalls filled the plaza filled with every product imaginable. There were stalls filled with practical things such as fruit and vegetables from all over the territory, leather goods necessary for day to day life, as well as many luxuries that only appeared at these once a month occasions.

Basic bead jewellery delighted the ladies, and sometimes there were fancy decorated swords and daggers, as well as fine clothes for the average caballero or vaquero. Fabric was available for the ladies to make their own clothes, and many women longed for market day just to get their hands on the imported laces and fancy materials from Spain. Heaven help the stall holders if the shipment was late, Diego mused, glancing at some disappointed ladies at the stall. Something had obviously sold out, and several ladies were retreating with frowns from the stall.

Diego enjoyed being with his friends as they browsed the stalls that filled the plaza. Pausing for a moment at a table covered in beadwork, he bought little Raquel a necklace of pretty blue beads and she squealed in delight, showing her father her new prize, before running off with her brother.

"I will definitely have to watch you, my friend. That is the second time you have bestowed favours on my daughter."

"You needn't fear my tokens of friendship. She is definitely a little young for me, Francisco," Diego said with a gentle smile. "Besides, my heart is already engaged."

"Really?" Isabella Azarola grabbed his arm, as she strolled beside her husband. "Who, pray tell, is the lucky lady?"

Francisco cast a thoughtful look at Diego, who turned his attention to the beautiful woman in between them, to avoid his friend's eyes.

"A secret love," Diego murmured.

"So secret he won't even tell the lady," Victoria explained, coming close enough to eavesdrop. "Please make him tell you all his secrets."

Diego glanced at her large basket, full to overflowing with many different things. "I see you have had a good day Victoria." He followed her to a stall overflowing with vegetables and watched as she examined some softer than normal tomatoes.

"I found so many bargains today, Diego," she said with a smile. "Look at these tomatoes, see how cheap they are! They are a little soft but they will make a wonderful sauce."

"I was just talking with Francisco about the price of bulls in the area," Diego said with half a smile. He knew the topic would make her lose interest in their conversation very quickly. "He is starting up his new ranch, and needs a stud bull."

"Surely your father would sell him one, Diego."

Diego nodded thoughtfully. "We don't have any suitable bull calves at the moment. Father just sold one not long ago."

"A pity."

She fussed with her skirt for a moment. "Diego, I saw you buy that pretty necklace a moment ago. Is it for her?"

"Her?"

"You know, your secret love."

Diego chuckled a little. "Not a love and not so secret. It's Raquel's birthday soon. I bought her a present."

Victoria blushed with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, Diego. I really should keep a hold of my tongue sometimes."

"We are friends. I try not to keep secrets from you, Victoria. Some things, however, are private."

She frowned and then laughed a little. "I'm sorry, Diego. I get carried away sometimes."

"Did you see something you'd like? Your birthday is coming up, and I will buy you a present. Show me something pretty that catches your eyes," Diego said softly. "Let me make it up to you, Victoria. I had a laugh at your expense, and it was quite wrong of me."

She sighed, and shook her head. "I was quite provoking, Diego," she said. "As for a trinket, I see many things that I would like."

Diego wanted to say he would buy them all, just to make her happy, but such recklessness would cause a scandal. He followed her to the trinket stall, and watched her face as she stared down at the necklaces and the fine shawls.

"This," he said, following one of her glances. He held up the fine woven shawl, and it felt soft and silky to his touch. Silk and pashmina, he realised. Very warm and very pretty. Very expensive as well, as the pashmina was an animal found only in South America, and silk was always dear. Victoria could never have afforded it in her wildest dreams. It was also very practical.

"Pick a colour," he murmured. She was so close, and his body ached to hold her. He could smell the fragrance of roses in her hair, and he had to resist leaning down to kiss her, even if only on her hair.

It was something only Zorro did, and she would be frightened if it came from anyone else.

Reds, and purples, yellows and greens met their eyes, and she hesitated.

"How much are they?" She asked the stall keeper, but Diego held a finger to his lips and the woman smiled and kept silent.

"It would be a present from me, Victoria. I can spend my money any way I please," Diego murmured.

He could guess the price, and he didn't want her to worry about proprieties.

"It is far too expensive," she said, turning to look him in the eye. "I don't think I should accept."

"It will be our secret," he murmured.

She sighed, and reached for the bright red shawl, and he smiled. He thought she would pick the red.

"Our secret?" She repeated. Diego paid over the money quietly, and nodded. "I'll buy something small later, and give it you at the party. I want you to be warm," he added. He wanted to call her querida, but he had to bite his lip to stop himself.

"What's wrong?" She said, noticing him frown slightly.

"I think I've forgotten something, but I can't remember," he said. Victoria laughed at him, and the sound of her laughter melted and relaxed him.

Francisco and Isabella rejoined them in a moment, and Diego strolled slowly alongside Victoria, keeping pace with all of them. Isabella looked a little pale, Diego noticed with concern.

"Francisco, how is Isabella? She looks a little tired today. She's not ill?" Diego said, as his friend joined them.

Francisco smiled broadly, and glanced at his wife. She had become distracted by the stall nearby, and had wandered off to examine the produce. "It depends what you mean by ill. It's a little early to announce it, but she is expecting another child."

"Congratulations, Francisco," Diego said, being sure to keep his voice low. "Your children are wonderful."

"I wouldn't mind another boy, but Raquel could do with a sister to soften her a little."

Diego smiled a little. "Should I buy a toy for the baby?"

"Zorro made a wooden rattle for the Russian baby, remember?"

"You'd think an active man like that would have no patience for such a thing," Francisco said softly.

"Zorro is very unpredictable," Diego said. "As I have said many times."

"Indeed."

"Zorro has a soft heart. Why else would he bother with this pueblo in the middle of nowhere," Victoria said. "Should I congratulate her?"

"Not right now, I think. We'll announce it when Stefano arrives later today," Francisco said softly.

Victoria nodded, and went to join her new friend at the stall.

Francisco watched the ladies for a moment, and then glanced at Diego.

"Can I ask you something? You won't take offence?"

"Why would I? You are one of my oldest friends, Francisco."

"Are you…enamoured of Victoria?"

Diego stiffened, and as their eyes met, he realised his reaction had given him away.

"Aren't you worried about facing Zorro?"

"Should I be?"

Francisco glanced around quickly and smiled a little. "The Diego I remember would have the man at the point of a sword in seconds for all the man's blustering," Francisco said softly. "Why did you give it away? Was it because of Destara?"

Diego stared at the ground intently, and shrugged after a moment's thought.

"I did half kill the man," he murmured. "Don't repeat the tale…my father would be ashamed of me."

"Diego, I hate to tell you, but…" Francisco hesitated. "He isn't that impressed with a son that refuses to carry a blade."

Diego was silent. "Diego, you would let Zorro take your heart's desire?"

"If that is what she wants," he murmured.

"I will challenge Zorro for you, if you fear killing the man," Francisco said firmly. Diego looked up at him with concern. "You saved my sister's life, and I will never let you forget it. It made us brothers that day."

"Zorro is more than a match for most."

"I beat you a few times, remember," Francisco said, warmly. "Don't fear for my life, friend. Fear for Zorro's."

Diego nodded and smiled. "Zorro is a friend to the people. I wouldn't stand back and let Victoria go off with just anyone. He is worthy of her, believe me. And I wouldn't want to break her heart by killing or imprisoning her hero."

Francisco stared at him for a few moments and then nodded.

Isabella was calling and the men glanced towards her.

"Have you seen Miguel? He hasn't been seen for a while, Francisco," Isabella said worriedly.

Francisco strolled over to her quickly, and took her arm, patting her hand.

"I'll have a look around, Isabella. No doubt the youngster is just playing with friends," Diego said briskly, already moving through the crowd. His height would be an advantage in the search for the little boy.