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Glover64 Fanfiction
It was a late night for HeeHeeX2, later than usual, dark, wet, hot, saucy, the perfect ingredients for an sexual soup. "What a day, working the mines really tore me up today, I really need to get loose" said HeeHee. Hot and sweaty, dripping like a camel on Ramadan in the middle of the Sahara, HeeHee decided to head for the bath. He slowly started to undress and head for his bathroom, incense in tow along with a wide variety of bath beads. As he slowly dipped his steaming body into the vat of warm and soapy water he heard a familiar voice call out. "Hey beautiful" Said the mysterious stranger. "How about some company". HeeHee was startled but also aroused since he knew the voice. It was Duke, better know as Duke_BigBulgeWater, Standing in the door, naked and hung like a sloth. "Well hey their dukey boy, of course I could use some company, this bath is built for 2" said HeeHee while blushing. "Hehehe, you always know what to say" Giggled Duke. But do you know what time it is, Question duke. "No duke, why is something about to happen" Said HeeHee slyly. "Why yes, its time for your glover run" said Duke, Duke then unclenched his rock hard ass and out dropped a perfect quality N64 cart of Glover. "My my my Duke, how could I forget" Winked HeeHee. Duke then started to ram the cart right up HeeHees little tight butthole. "Im gonna pound that ass until I could land a hole in 1 in it" Screamed Duke. Duke was hollering like a wild beast, like the man he was. "Oh Duke this is a little rough" whimpered HeeHee. Then things got serious, HeeHee was far behind marathon time and Duke would have none of that. "This cart is going to touch the back of your mouth when im through with you" Duke then started force his hand deep within the body of HeeHee. "OH GOD DUKE PLEASE STOP I CANT TAKE THIS, IT HURTS" cried HeeHee "THIS IS GONNA FIT" Yelled Duke. Blood was pouring out of HeeHees sphincter, more than any human should be able to produce. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" Yelled HeeHee before he collapsed due to blood loss. "Well that will teach you to be late for a marathon, MY marathon that is" Stated Duke.
Just then, born from the carange, blood, and sex, birthed a new being, one not of this world.
It was Cosmo, the Nail king and the Prince of gaps. He rose above the water and gently landed on it with his toes, walking on it like a leaf in the river. Duke was stunned as this god, he got on one Knee and awaited for what this golden god had to proclaim. Out came only 3 words from the god mouth "Kiss the Nails" and without hesitation, Duke kissed them and in a blinding light cancer for kids was cured.
End file.
| Glover64 Fanfiction by gloverfan69 | Zoo Tycoon |
The Gitzlaff Zoo Project
**A/N:** I used to play _Zoo Tycoon_ a little, but I never succeeded in creating a full, open, comfortable zoo. This is my take on what I would have made my zoo out to be if I had succeeded. This is loosely based off of _Zoo Tycoon 2 _and its expansion packs.
**Disclaimer:** I do not own _Zoo Tycoon_. Blue Fang Games developed it, and Microsoft Game Studios published it.
* * *
><p><span><strong>The Gitzlaff Zoo Project<strong>
Joseph Gitzlaff was opening his new zoo to the public, and boy, were the crowds lined up to enjoy the sights and the animals, and even enjoy a few shows, if the zoo had any, as well as a bite to eat or a sip to drink.
The main entrance/exit was linked to a gift shop called the Animal Hop Shop, where all kinds of souvenirs, books, DVD's, plush animals, and other memorabilia were being sold for good prices. Its products were about all the animals in the zoo in general. A lot of the people were looking forward to spending some money at the gift shops and stands there. But first, they wanted to see the animal exhibits, and they intended to get as much enjoyment out of it as they could.
At the beginning, the excited guests saw a forest exhibit that had a boreal forest and a temperate forest more or less side-by-side. In the temperate forest exhibit, which was called the Panda Forest, there were the Giant Panda and the Red Panda, and then there were more with the Koala, the Spanish Lynx, and the Spectacled Bear. Next door, in the boreal forest, the Bear Forest, were a few other kinds of bears, including the famous Grizzly Bear, and there was also a rare Wolverine.
Children watched with excitement as the Koala and Red Panda climbed through the trees and gazed back at them with curiosity, while the Giant Panda sat on the ground and ate bamboo plants. One girl said to her mother, "I sure wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of that big cat, mom." People began to take pictures of the bears, which the bears seemed to find mildly annoying, but didn't get outwardly upset about.
Many people started to move on to the next exhibit, which was the Blue River, a wetlands exhibit. A wide river and an invisible pit cut off the guests from the big island where animals such as the Nile Crocodile and the Hippopotamus swam or relaxed side-by-side, at peace with each other. There were about five Hippos and ten Crocs in that part of the Blue River. People looked on with interest as the Crocs made no move to harm the Hippos, and vice versa.
A ten-year-old boy asked his father, "Dad, how come the Crocodiles and the Hippos don't try to attack each other?"
"They don't dare to," said his father, "As dangerous as Crocodiles are, they're no match for the mighty strong jaws of a big, full-grown Hippo, and as long as the Crocodiles leave the Hippos alone, the Hippos will leave the Crocs alone."
"Wow, that's interesting," replied the boy.
In another part of the Blue River, isolated from the Crocs and Hippos, there was an area with a large beaver dam in one part of the river, and an American Beaver at work there. Nearby, there was a small flock of Greater Flamingos wading in the water, possibly looking for fish, which was exactly what Joseph had done to the Blue River's river. In another section, sitting alone on a rock, was a critically endangered Florida Panther. Actually, there was a small family of them on that rock, a male, a female, and two cubs. Various persons commented on how it was that this particular kind of panther had become so endangered in the first place.
At this point, some of the guests stopped to get a drink of water from the drinking fountains, or they stopped by a drinks stand and got some beer, soda, or lemonade. A second gift shop was near the Blue River in the southwest of the zoo, the Safari Zone gift shop. It, too, had many things to buy, but once again, most of the guests were going to wait.
Next was the savannah exhibit, or the Serengeti Park, although not all the animals there were technically Serengeti animals. In different fenced-in areas, the people spotted African Elephants, a Cheetah, a few Common, or Plains Zebras, a Black Rhinoceros, a Giraffe, several Thomson's Gazelles, a few Ostriches, an African Wild Dog, a Spotted Hyena, and of course, a Lion. Evidently, Joseph had a pretty good time getting animals for his savannah exhibit, and this held the attention of the guests for a long time. People were amazed that he was able to put African Elephants in his zoo instead of Asian Elephants, for a change. A girl asked her dad if the Ostrich was going to stick its head in the ground, to which he didn't think so. A few women were heard murmuring about the beauty of the Zebras, the Cheetah, the Lion, and the Giraffe, although one said, "I surely wouldn't want to have to face that Lion close-up." Some kids thought the African Wild Dog was a lot uglier than their own domestic dogs they kept as pets.
Then they moved on to the next area of the zoo, which had some enclosures filled with ice, snow, and strong air-conditioning, which were, of course, the tundra exhibits. Some people split off temporarily to get a bite to eat at the Roadside Restaurant in the middle of the zoo, where they could get hot dogs, hamburgers, cold drinks, and iced desserts, among other things. One enclosure in the Ice Capital (the tundra exhibits) housed a Polar Bear, which was sitting mostly relaxed with a couple of cubs. Evidently, it was a mother. Another enclosure had a Musk Ox. A third one had several different kinds of Penguins, including the Emperor Penguin and the Adelie Penguin.
Kids with cameras eagerly took pictures of the Polar Bear cubs and the waddling Penguins, enjoying every antic the birds did, and finding the cubs to be very cute. In fact, a zookeeper was feeding the Penguins at that moment, and so they all had the treat of seeing the birds eat. Men and women marveled at the size of the adult Polar Bear and its perfect white fur. The Musk Ox didn't get as much attention, though, but after they spotted another enclosure with a Caribou in it, they heard about how it was vulnerable, and close to endangered. Some folks were glad to hear that this zoo was working to conserve animals as well as show them off.
After the Ice Capital came the exhibit everyone had been waiting for the most, the tropical rainforest exhibits, also known as the Heart of Life. The Apes were an especially popular part of the Heart of Life, because the guests almost climbed over each other to get a close-up of them. They were kept in the Forest of the Apes. In one enclosure of this area was a family group of Chimpanzees. In another was a smaller family group of extremely rare Mountain Gorillas. In another were three Crested Gibbons, and in one more were a couple of Bornean Orangutans with their baby. The Chimps seemed to be socializing with each other, and one was digging in an artificial termite mound, or at least the guests thought it was artificial. The Gorillas were staring back at the guests, some with amused expressions, some with grouchy expressions. The Gibbons swung through the trees in their enclosure, hooting at each other and generally having a good time. And the female Orangutan was taking care of her baby, while the male just sat around not doing much at all.
Signs outside each enclosure revealed that each Ape had been given a personal name. People were interested to learn that the Gibbons were called Jon, Joy, and Jack, and the Orangutans were called Carl, Ellie, and Russell the baby. The Gorillas were called things like Chubby, Shiny, and Gusto, while the Chimp family had names like Peregrine, Paladin, and Pippin.
In other parts of the Heart of Life, there was an area with two Bengal Tigers, one orange, and one white, a Jaguar, a couple of Okapi, and a troop of Ring-tailed Lemurs. It even had a spot for a Baird's Tapir. People marveled again, this time at the human-like behavior of the Apes and the colors of the Bengal tigers and the Jaguar. Some kindergarteners thought the Lemurs were very cute and fuzzy. One five-year-old girl said to her mother, "I wanna take one of those Lemurs home, mommy!" Her mother kindly said that they couldn't just take an animal from the zoo. Zoos usually had adoption programs for that, and even then, they couldn't take them back to their private residence. The girl was disappointed, but didn't throw much of a fit.
Finally, there was one more biome available at this particular zoo, and it was the scrublands. Here, the guests found such beasts as the Red Kangaroo, the Gemsbok, the endangered Galapagos Giant Tortoise, and the vulnerable Komodo Dragon. As slow as they were at everything, the Tortoise amused several people with its slow movements and shyness. Almost anyone would marvel at a marsupial like the Red Kangaroo. And once again, some kids commented on how they wouldn't like to be near a Komodo Dragon if unprotected, after hearing about the deadly venom in a Komodo Dragon's saliva.
Besides all these, the zoo also had a Bird House and a Flight Cage to hold a multitude of birds, from birds of prey and kingfishers to foreign songbirds and shorebirds in the cages of the Bird House, and birds like herons, eagles, and marsh birds in the Flight Cage. There was also a Herpetarium in the zoo, which housed many reptiles and amphibians of all types, and even an Insectarium, which held dozens of different kinds of insects and arachnids, from ants to cockroaches, and from spiders to scorpions. Most of the guests took time out to enjoy these animals, too.
They also enjoyed the food and drink the zoo had to offer, and they bought merchandise from the gift shops, like educational books, apparel, plush animals, a variety of souvenirs, and even videos in tape and DVD. Besides the aforementioned Safari Zone and Animal Hop Shop, it also had the Simian House, which was by the Heart of Life, near the Forest of the Apes, the Serengeti Antiques, by the Serengeti Park, the Cold River Post, by the Blue River, and the Block of White Ice, by the Ice Capital. The Simian House sold sculptures, coffee mugs, plush apes and monkeys, and ape toys, all with primate labels on them. The Serengeti Antiques sold similar stuff, plus plastic Serengeti toys meant to simulate the Serengeti for children, and plush savannah animals. The Cold River Post had crocodiles-on-a-stick, complete with opening and closing mouths, a similar toy for hippos, and a Make-Your-Own-Elephant project for kids, as well as the usual stuff. And the Block of White Ice had big, stuffed polar bears, penguin apparel, and in the back, outdoors, an ice cream stand, which also sold cold lemonade and soda to warm guests.
People even enjoyed several special forms of transportation that had been installed at the zoo, like sky trams that gave them a bird's eye view of the outdoor exhibits below, jeep tours, which gave them paid rides through certain exhibits, like the Heart of Life and the Serengeti Park, and elevated paths, which was another way of them seeing the animals in unique ways. Some people said that these were excellent ways to see some of the endangered species, like the Orangutan, the white Bengal Tiger, and the Komodo Dragon.
As people started to go home with their new clothes, toys, books, and stuffed animals, not to mention cameras filled with photographs, they all had something to say about this grand new zoo.
"Hey, mommy! Look at how much stuff there is about Gorillas in this book!"
"Watch out, Greg. This Croc is about to nip off your ear. Hmm, hmm, hmm!"
"I'll bet my boyfriend, Doug, will like this new Elephant T-shirt."
"I could fill two small photo albums with the pictures I took today!"
"Amy, are you going to hug that stuffed lion all the way home?"
End file.
| The Gitzlaff Zoo Project by Balin Lord of Moria | Zoo Tycoon |
Glover64 Fan Fiction
It was a late night for HeeHeeX2, later than usual, dark, wet, hot, saucy, the perfect ingredients for an sexual soup. "What a day, working the mines really tore me up today, I really need to get loose" said HeeHee. Hot and sweaty, dripping like a camel on Ramadan in the middle of the Sahara, HeeHee decided to head for the bath. He slowly started to undress and head for his bathroom, incense in tow along with a wide variety of bath beads. As he slowly dipped his steaming body into the vat of warm and soapy water he heard a familiar voice call out. "Hey beautiful" Said the mysterious stranger. "How about some company". HeeHee was startled but also aroused since he knew the voice. It was Duke, better know as Duke_BigBulgeWater, Standing in the door, naked and hung like a sloth. "Well hey their dukey boy, of course I could use some company, this bath is built for 2" said HeeHee while blushing. "Hehehe, you always know what to say" Giggled Duke. But do you know what time it is, Question duke. "No duke, why is something about to happen" Said HeeHee slyly. "Why yes, its time for your glover run" said Duke, Duke then unclenched his rock hard ass and out dropped a perfect quality N64 cart of Glover. "My my my Duke, how could I forget" Winked HeeHee. Duke then started to ram the cart right up HeeHees little tight butthole. "Im gonna pound that ass until I could land a hole in 1 in it" Screamed Duke. Duke was hollering like a wild beast, like the man he was. "Oh Duke this is a little rough" whimpered HeeHee. Then things got serious, HeeHee was far behind marathon time and Duke would have none of that. "This cart is going to touch the back of your mouth when im through with you" Duke then started force his hand deep within the body of HeeHee. "OH GOD DUKE PLEASE STOP I CANT TAKE THIS, IT HURTS" cried HeeHee "THIS IS GONNA FIT" Yelled Duke. Blood was pouring out of HeeHees sphincter, more than any human should be able to produce. "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII" Yelled HeeHee before he collapsed due to blood loss. "Well that will teach you to be late for a marathon, MY marathon that is" Stated Duke.
Just then, born from the carange, blood, and sex, birthed a new being, one not of this world.
It was Cosmo, the Nail king and the Prince of gaps. He rose above the water and gently landed on it with his toes, walking on it like a leaf in the river. Duke was stunned as this god, he got on one Knee and awaited for what this golden god had to proclaim. Out came only 3 words from the god mouth "Kiss the Nails" and without hesitation, Duke kissed them and in a blinding light cancer for kids was cured.
End file.
| Glover64 Fan Fiction by gloverfan69 | Zoo Tycoon |
1. Chapter 1
Flames on Red Soil
Disclaimer: I don't own Zenon.
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<p>
Chapter One
Zenon studied the group in the Planks' backyard. "I didn't realize you had such a large family," Proto Zoa said, leaning in closer to her.
"Neither did I," Zenon replied, lacing her fingers through Zoa's. Together, they walked into the gathering, but it didn't take Zenon long to find her parents. "Hey, Mom, Dad," she said, "where did all these people come from?"
"They're just some friends of the family and supporters," Astrid replied.
"That's a lot of people."
"We thought it would help," Mark said. He glanced over at Proto Zoa and asked, "So, you're dating the rock star now?"
"You could say that," Zoa replied, releasing Zenon's hand so that he could shake Mark's.
"You haven't been doing anything stupid, have you?"
"Oh, no. Of course not."
"Good. We don't need another Sage running around in the ranks."
Zenon glanced away, and Zoa stroked her wrist gently. "Don't you worry. I've heard all the horror stories."
"Good, now you know what to avoid. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
"I'll count on it." Zoa shook Mark's hand again.
Zenon began scanning the crowd again, when she spotted Margie, Nebula, Dasha, and Dasha's dog Centauri in a cluster. She excused herself and walked over to the others.
"Vega omega," Nebula cried, giving Zenon a hug. "We thought you got blown to bits up there. Well, I did. The spay stay being blown up must be viral to the tenth power squared."
"Thanks," Zenon rasped. She knew she was losing her voice again, but right now, she wasn't about to let it happen. "You guys told her we tried, right?"
"Cetus lupetus, of course we did," Dasha replied. "You didn't think we wouldn't, did you?"
Zenon shrugged, causing the other three girls to look insanely concerned. Finally, Nebula said, "Zee, you look inked out. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, fine," Zenon replied. "Everything's fine."
"You don't look very sure major about that," Margie said. "You know, you can go nova on us if you want to, or you can go into meltdown mode major. We're your B.F.'s."
"I know."
"Zee, are you absolutely positive major you're okay?" Dasha asked.
Zenon nodded, and she felt a hand on her shoulder. She rested her hand on it and whispered, "Zoa." Gingerly, he rubbed her shoulder with his thumb.
"I'm here," Zoa whispered. She let him wrap his arms around her and leaned against him.
A charge ripped through space with a force uncharacteristic of such charges. Some of the cups, bowls, plates, and plastic utensils were swept off of the tables. Zenon noticed that her hair had been swept up and over her face and brushed it back behind her ear once the charge passed.
Centauri began barking wildly, and Dasha pulled at his leash in an effort to restrain him. Margie and Nebula looked over at whatever Centauri was barking at, which happened to be Numbar, with a obviously broken nose. "How is it possibly possible that you are here?" Zenon asked, more fervently than she had in some time.
"This is open to the public," Numbar said. "I'm amazed I hadn't been noticed until now."
"What are you doing here?"
"Well, I have some free time, so I figured I'd kill it while I still can. I'm not getting any younger."
"Well, we can all see that," Proto Zoa said. "I just don't see how you're a friend of the family or a supporter, and don't go into any arguments involving genetics."
Numbar chuckled, and Zoa stepped between him and Zenon. "Look," Numbar said, recovering himself. "You don't have anything to protect her from, yet."
"Yet? I really don't like how this sounds."
"It's not really as bad as it seems. Besides, we have a few weeks still. A few more arrangements to be made, and we're good to go."
"Arrangements?" Zenon asked.
"Nothing to concern yourself with, especially considering the unfortunate accident that took place just recently."
"What accident? It was your idea, and you planted the bomb. How dare you call it an accident?"
"All you have is your word, and it's not like it could stand up in a court of law. After all, any evidence from the scene has been destroyed by the crime itself. Quite a shame, isn't it? If you're not careful, you could end up jailed for purgery."
"Is that a threat?" Zoa snapped.
"Depends on-"
"Yes or no. Is that a threat?"
Numbar didn't answer, and it took all Zoa had to keep his rage from boiling over. Finally, Zoa hissed, "Get out of my sight."
Numbar smirked and walked away, and Zoa turned to face the girls. "Mm-hmm, that is thermo," Nebula said, folding her arms and nodding approvingly. Zoa chuckled and bowed his head in an effort to hide the smile on his face. He looked up again and held his arms out. Zenon walked toward him and wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing gently. He rubbed her back, allowing his eyes to close.
Dasha looked over at the other two girls. "Oh, yeah," she said, "he's playing for keeps."
ZZZ
As far as Zenon could judge, the conversation of the party-goers, outside of her circle of friends, had nothing to do with Numbar's sudden appearance and, it seemed, disappearance from the party; it seemed no one had noticed, just as he'd said himself. Of course, she couldn't tell much, since she didn't talk to anyone except Zoa, Dasha, Nebula, and Margie.
She migrated over to the back porch and took a seat on the patio, surrounded by a group of middle-aged people talking about how things were back in "the day", and she looked up at the planets that were just beginning to appear in the twilight sky. There's Venus, she thought, spotting the bright dot just above the horizon, surrounded by the hues of gold and red that went with the summer sunset.
She spotted a copper-colored dot just off the crescent moon. Mars, she realized. The planet she was fighting for. The thought struck her as strange. She was fighting for a planet this time, not just the moon, even though the moon was important. Just, something felt strange this time around. The only experiences she'd had of Mars were on Earth or in the space station looking up at the stars for pleasure, and now she was trying to stop an ambitious lunatic from opening up a colony there. Something about it seemed at once personal and impersonal, and it made her feel almost as if she were dreaming.
It also struck her as odd that this gathering of family, friends, and supporters was seemingly unaffected by the news reports of anarchy all over the world, but she'd already spent too much time wondering how that was possible. After all, she'd finally reasoned, she hadn't heard anything about the dark days not including a few stars here and there.
Zenon began scanning the crowd in the backyard for Proto Zoa, whom she spotted strumming a guitar for a few of the guests who'd gathered in a cluster around him. She smiled and shook her head softly. No matter where that guy went, it seemed, he couldn't stop performing.
"Oh, there you are," Dasha said, rushing up to the patio. "Cetus lupetus, we thought you went home or something, but Zoa's still here, so we thought you disappeared or..."
"Got kidnapped?" Zenon offered, albeit rather flatly.
Dasha nodded and sat on a stool next to Zenon's chair. She leaned forward, lacing her fingers together and resting her elbows on her knees, and studied the planks under her feet. "Y'know, Zoa's real stellar to you."
"I know."
"You're still thinking about everything that happened, aren't you?"
"I can't stop thinking about it."
"It's not like you can go back in time and fix it or anything. All that stuff is done now, and we have to start thinking about how to stop Numbar before anyone moves there. Zee, we can keep saving people's lives."
"I know."
Dasha chewed her lip and looked back down at the deck. It felt to her that nothing she had to say would faze Zenon while she was in this mood, or seeming lack thereof. In fact, when Dasha really thought about it, all that the night's events had proven was that she was immensely angry with Numbar. Still, it wasn't like anything was stopping her from trying to break her cousin's shell. "Zee, it's gonna work out. It'll be just like it was on the moon. We'll fix it."
"You don't know that."
"Actually, Zee, I do. I have a good feeling major about what's coming. It's gonna work out for the better, somehow."
"Better? Better for who?"
"For us, I'm pretty sure."
"I hope you're right."
2. Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Proto Zoa awoke earlier than usual or was expected of him, and gingerly he slipped out of bed. He replaced the sheets around Zenon's sleeping form, kissed her cheek, and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. With a smile on his face, he walked out of his bedroom and down to the kitchen.
Inside the utensil drawer, he found a small baggie full of tiny pieces of slightly and completely charred shrapnel. He set the bag on the island and grabbed a contacts list and the zap-pad lying next to it. "I really need to get myself a new one," he said to himself as he began flipping through the contacts list. Finally, he found a jeweler and zapped the establishment.
"May we help you?" a middle-aged Hispanic woman asked.
"Do you make rings out of raw materials?" he asked.
"What makes you ask?"
Zoa held up the baggie for the woman to see and explained how he came by the pieces inside, hand-extracted from the frame of Zenon's pod. "I'm hoping to make a ring out of some of this stuff for my girlfriend."
"Oh, why didn't you say so? Here, drop the baggie off at our place in an hour, when we open, and we'll zap you when we're finished."
"Thank you. Your address?"
"Oh, of course."
Zoa fished out a pen and paper and quickly noted the jeweler's address. "Thank you," he said again, when he'd finished, and the woman humg up on him. He slipped the baggie and the small slip of paper with the address on it into his jacket pocket and glanced at the clock. It wasn't even six o'clock.
ZZZ
Zenon stirred into consciousness the second she noticed that the surrounding air was colder somehow. When she opened her eyes, she soon realized why. Proto Zoa was gone. She stretched, looking around for any clue as to where he'd gone. The bedroom door hadn't slid closed yet, so he was up and about.
"This early?" she asked herself, knitting her brow slightly. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, stood up, and made her way out of the bedroom, beating the door through the doorway. She walked down the hallway and approached the kitchen, but she stopped short when she heard Zoa's voice and that of a Hispanic woman in a conversation. For a moment, she wondered what was going on, and then she realized that the odd sound in the Hispanic woman's voice meant that this conversation was taking place via zap-pad. Furthermore, the conversation sounded, judging strictly from what she could make out of the tone of the two people conversing, purely businesslike.
Okay, so he's not using my zap-pad to cheat on me, she thought, and then she almost kicked herself for thinking such a stupid thing. Zoa loved her, or he said he did, and nothing he did up to that point could've proven otherwise.
When she could tell that Proto Zoa's conversation with the Hispanic woman was over, she worked up the nerve to walk into the kitchen, where she found Zoa sitting at the island. She took a seat across from him and asked, "Who was that?"
"That was the owner of a jewelry gallery. They have a facility that can make custom pieces of jewelry," he replied.
"Why are you...? You're not...are you seriously thinking about...?"
"Not yet. You know, if you make me talk any more, you could make me give away my surprise."
"Is it a viral surprise?"
"I hope not."
"What do you mean, you hope not?"
"Zee, I'm not planning to leave you for another woman, and if you begin that line of questioning, I won't hear of it. The surprise is for you. It's...a gift. I wanted it to be custom-made so it would be special. I'm not cheating on you. I just had to make arrangements, and in line with those arrangements, I have to run a few errands in an hour, when the gallery opens."
Zenon reached across the island and pulled Zoa into a kiss. "As long as you're not cheating on me, I'm okay." Zoa smiled broadly and kissed her again.
"I love you, Zee," he whispered. "Don't ever forget that."
"I love you, too," she replied. She tapped her temple and added with a small smile, "It's right there in the memory banks."
He chuckled softly for a moment. "Well, love, what did you think of the party last night? You didn't do much mingling."
Zenon sighed and bowed her head, her eyes closing as if of their own accord. "I didn't ask for it, okay? I just want to figure out how to stop this before it gets worse, and then I can deal with it after we're done."
"You know, you're a very systematic person."
"I guess I am."
"I guess you have to be, what with everything you face and people having you save the world all the time."
"Maybe what I really need is a break from all that stuff."
"Well, Zee, a break certainly sounds like a good idea, but right now, Numbar's ambitions need to be cut short. When we take care of the Martian colony, we can focus on each other."
Zenon looked up at him and nodded. He glanced up at the clock again, shrugged on a jacket lying on the island countertop, and said, "I need to be off, but if you need anything, zap my pod. If I don't answer, leave a message. I'll get back to you as soon as I can." She nodded and watched him walk out the kitchen, cross the living room, and exit through the front door.
3. Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Selena paced back and forth across the Sea of Tranquility, reaching out with her senses for any news. Mars was still on the offensive; she could sense the hostility in him. It seemed the hostility expanded so far, touched so much, that the others kept their distance to the point where Selena couldn't reach them.
"Oh, that insufferable boy," she muttered to herself, taking off into a sea of blackness dotted by stars. She charted a course for a planet that would consume some time in reaching, but this had to be done. He had to be reasoned with before the others became too affected to guide life on Earth as they usually had done prior to this colony incident, and she would be the one to reason with him if it were the last thing she ever did.
ZZZ
Dasha paced back and forth across her bedroom on Earth. She knew Zenon hadn't registered emotionally everything that had happened so far, or she was ignoring it, or something other than dealing with it, but she had no idea how to broach the subject without getting chewed up and spit out only to be chewed up again.
She thought back on the party, namely the only true emotion Zenon had shown: her anger with Numbar.
The problem wasn't the anger. The problem was that that was the only emotion she'd shown that entire night. She'd been almost catatonic the rest of the time, walking around, engaging in short, superficial chats, spending her time being blank-faced, and, for whatever odd reason, not even eating the hors d'oerves. Even as she'd accepted Proto Zoa's hug and move of heroism, she didn't display much.
She thought of something she didn't realize until they'd gone to the moon. Zenon sorted out everything. She had to have a plan, and she had to sometimes even have a backup plan.
This was the only time Dasha had seen Zenon this way, so that must've meant that she had no plan, or was facing a crisis major.
She picked up her zap-pad and immediately zapped her cousin.
"Hey, Dash, what's up?" Zenon asked when she answered.
"I'd ask you the same question, and I was going to, but you beat me to it," she replied.
"Centauri hasn't been harrasing anyone lately, has he?"
"Negatory, and besides, Numbar and Mars are the first people he's harrassed in years, all his life, except me, but he's nice to me. Anyway, back to the point. Zee, what is up with you? You're basically in emotion shut-down mode major. It's been this way since the spay stay blew up."
Zenon sinked deeper into the state Dasha had described, and she said nothing. "I'm home, love," Proto Zoa called, and soon, he appeared in the screen, next to Zenon, who relaxed almost instantly because of his presence. "So, what's new?" he asked Dasha.
"Not much," she replied. "Just figured I'd zap Zee here, make sure she's okay, like cousins do."
"Oh, good."
Zenon smiled softly. Proto Zoa wrapped a hand around her shoulders, leaning in close. "You two are a cute couple," Dasha said. "Zee, I know he's playing for keeps. It looks like forever, at least from where I'm standing."
Zoa chuckled, kissing Zenon on the cheek. "Any news from Numbar?"
"Nope, but we've still got a few weeks."
"Yeah, three," Zenon said. "Barely four."
"That's enough time for us, and I can tell Numbar's getting nervous," Zoa said. "I still have my gig, and we still have our mission."
Dasha nodded. "Guess I'd better go," she said.
"Okay," Zenon replied. Zoa smiled, and Dasha returned the gesture before signing off.
Dasha nodded approvingly, setting her zap-pad back on the table. Zee and Zoa really had a really happy future ahead of them, if they lived through this whole Mars deal first.
ZZZ
Zenon let her zap-pad fall to the island's countertop, and Zoa kissed her hair before taking a seat next to her. "See? Even according to Dasha, everything's going to be fine," he said.
"I know that," she replied indignantly.
"So what's bothering you?"
She sighed, closing her eyes. There was no way she was getting out of this, no matter how hard she tried. "I guess I'm still just a little nervous, wondering if you're gonna leave or...or die." He wrapped his arms around her, stroking her hair softly.
"I can't help dying," he whispered, "but I'm not going anywhere."
"It's one thing to say it and another to do it."
"I can promise you now that you have nothing to worry about."
She nodded, buring her face in his neck, and after a moment, she pulled away. "I trust you, I do, but I'm trying to be careful."
"I understand."
A charge shot through the air, shattering at least one of the windows. Instinctively, Proto Zoa leapt up and pressed Zenon into him in a protective manner. In the bone-chilling silence that followed, Zoa peered above the island to survey the damage and determine whether or not it was safe to proceed. He stood and walked around the island, and soon, Zenon followed him. "They're getting worse," he said. "Any ideas?" She shook her head no.
The kitchen floor was dotted with stars created by the numerous small shards of glass, and one of the wall-sized windows in the kitchen was gone. Several other windows were cracked or had large holes blown through them, but there was only one that was completely gone.
Carefully, Zoa stepped over the chards of glass, which crunched under his feet, and approached the window. Zenon stayed behind and watched him. "This is the first time I've seen the charges indicate a direction or focal point," she said.
"Agreed," he replied. "Maybe they are getting worse, or targeting us more fiercely."
"So maybe Mars is getting antsy, too."
"Maybe. We should probably pack space suits, just in case."
4. Chapter 4
Chapter Four
"Hostile?" Mars snapped. "You think I'm too hostile?"
"Yes, I do," Selena retorted, "and so does everyone else, but I'm the only one brave enough to call you on it, so don't go defending yourself when they're avoiding you because of it."
The wind howled louder, and the rust-colored dust of the Martian surface was swept up in greater quantities, sweeping across and through the two sparring dieties until only silhouettes were barely visible. "You listen to me," he said. "I can be as hostile as I want to. You were when Numbar built something on your world, but you let him go too far. I won't make that mistake."
"I didn't take it out on the others like you are, and don't give me any of that 'I'm the god of war' crap, because I'm not having it."
Mars scoffed. "Beats being the 'moon goddess'."
The cloud of dust gathered more densely above their heads, and Mars began to seem genuinely afraid. Lighting flashed, and even in the thin atmosphere, the thunder was quite loud. The wind howled, and the dust made the air seem solid, as if it were a second layer to the planet's surface.
Mars recovered himself and said, "And she calls me hostile."
"I heard that," Selena snapped, and the storm grew worse. Mars jumped at a particularly loud crack of thunder, and Selena smirked. The storm began to calm, but it didn't abate entirely. "At least I centered my anger on the thing that caused it. You'd do well to do the same."
"Who the hell do you think you are, lady, the Buddha?" Another crack of thunder shook the surrounding area. "Well, I know one thing. You're not Jesus."
"I'm thankful for that much."
"But seriously, I'm handling this. If I torture this guy enough, he'll pack up and move."
"If he's not dead first, and he very likely will be, and who knows, maybe he willed it to his daughter."
"Oh, yeah, and she wants to be a part of his life."
"For once, I agree with you."
"Now will you just leave me alone so I can get on with my life?"
"I'm here as the only willing representative of our kind. Don't you think that's a little sad?"
"Well, maybe, but until Numbar and his scum are off my planet, who gives a damn what they think?"
"Every Earthling under their influence cares what they think, whether they realize it or not. They fled your influence, but that means they reduced their influence on their aspects of Earthlings' lives. That gives you greater control, and I'm beginning to suspect you planned this."
"Maybe I did, maybe I didn't, but either way, if a tactic makes a statement, I'm using it."
"That doesn't necessarily mean the tactic works."
"For me, a statement definitely works, and as long as he takes notice, I'm off to a great start."
"He's not going to pay attention. You know that, don't you?"
"Doesn't matter. Someone will stop him within the next three weeks. I'll make sure that happens."
Selena huffed and spirited herself away through the gathering storm over Mars' head. He was being completely impossible, and she began to doubt his sanity. Regardless, she had to get to Zenon and Proto Zoa, and they had take action, before it was too late.
ZZZ
Proto Zoa strummed his guitar, and Zenon closed her eyes and leaned against him, listening quietly. After a moment, she asked, "Isn't that Supernova Girl?"
"Nice work, love," he said with a laugh. He began to strum a different tune and asked her to name it.
"Oh, this is an old one," she said. "'Don't Want to be Found'?"
"Very good. Try this one." He played yet another tune.
"Oh, that one's easy. 'The Galaxy Is Ours'."
He chuckled, but he didn't strum another tune until he saw that one through. Then he strummed 'Out of this World', singing along to his parts. Before she knew it, Zenon realized she was singing along with him, helping him finish the song.
"Excuse me, I'm standing right here," Selena said, interrupting Zenon and Zoa's moment. They looked up at her, both startled out of their wits. She looked annoyed, as if she'd been standing there for an obscenely long period of time waiting for an answer.
"Oh, uh, sorry. We didn't notice," Zenon managed.
"Alright, look. I tried like hell and I can't reason with Mars right now. It's almost like he lost his mind. My advice right now is tread carefully, because he might mistake you for the enemy and kill you."
"If we're trying to get Numbar off of Mars the planet, why would he mistake us for the enemy?" Zoa asked.
"I told you, he's losing it, and I think the only way to solve this is to get Numbar's colony off, and if there's anything I know from experience, it's that he won't have any of it. He'll do everything he can to stop you."
"We still have a few weeks, and if we're lucky, he'll schedule a ride up to see whether or not he can get going on schedule. We sneak aboard, and he won't even know we're there."
"What happens when we get there?" Zenon asked, giving Proto Zoa a slightly annoyed look.
"Oh, I haven't thought about that part yet."
Selena looked a little more indignant and disbelieving than Zenon, and she even shook her head, completely refusing to comment.
"Well, don't get me wrong, the whole sneaking on thing sounds good. Take it from someone who's done it before," Zenon said, "but I think we need a concrete plan before we do anything that major."
Zoa shrugged. "Fair," he said. "Now, anyone have any ideas for such a plan?"
5. Chapter 5
Chapter Five
"Oh, there you are, love," Zoa said as he walked into the guest bedroom. Zenon was lying on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He took a seat on the edge of the bed and added, "I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help."
"So, we're supposed to wait for Numbar to zap Dasha a schedule and for Dasha to zap it to us?" Zenon asked, duller than she had shot for. "It's not like we can count on that, or if we have time to act on it."
"That might be our only option. He might shuttle his way up to his colony just to personally see to how things are doing, if he's trying to maintain a reputation, and if that is his plan, if we know about it, that's our opening."
"You really think that's what he's going to do?"
"It might be."
Zenon looked over at him, and Zoa took her hand. She turned her head toward the ceiling again, closing her eyes.
A charge ripped through the air, shaking Nova Linda down to its foundation. Zoa squeezed Zenon's hand reflexively, ready to defend her from more shattered windows. However, the only glass shattering to be heard came from the kitchen, signalling the final destruction of the damaged windows that had managed to hold together the first time.
"I can't tell if he's trying to scare us or just screwing around," Zoa said.
"Well, it's not like he can go nuclear on us until people actually move to Mars permanently."
"Actually, he can. He can do a lot of things, and I'm beginning to suspect that the only way to stop him, and consequently all this madness, is to find ourselves a shuttle to Mars, board it somehow, and figure out some way to destroy the settlement, like blowing it up, not to lift inspiration from what just happened."
"You're fine. Might be the only way to solve our problems."
"Are you getting desperate on me?" Zoa asked with a soft smirk. "This is worse than I thought." He lay across the bed and stroked her face. "Is there anything I can do to help get the old Zenon back?"
"I just want this over with right now. I want a normal life right now. I want a normal relationship with you, at least from my end."
Zoa kissed her cheek softly. "Zee, I'll tell you what. I'm going to zap Dasha, see if she knows anything as far as a schedule is concerned. You should get some rest."
Zenon nodded, and Zoa slipped out of the bed, bidding her farewell, and walked down the hall and into the kitchen, where he found his pen and a legal pad. He ripped a sheet of paper off the pad, wrote 'Only open me when Zoa's not here, Zoa' on it in small print, and pulled the small red velvet box out of his pocket. He wrapped the box in such a way as to have the message all on one face of the cube, taped everything securely, and set the box on the island countertop before putting the pen and pad back where he'd found them.
Then he reached for Zenon's zap-pad and zapped her cousin. "Zoa, what's up?" Dasha asked as soon as she picked up.
"I have a question. Did Numbar ever send you a schedule of shuttles to Mars?"
"Yeah, I think so." She pressed a few buttons, pulling up a second screen. "Which one do you want, the check up for the close friends and family in about a week or the main one in three weeks?"
"Is there any way you can sneak Zee and I onto the first one?"
"Yeah, I think there's a way. I'll get back to you guys and relay details, but don't get a new zap-pad before next week. I don't want to try to learn a new contact number until then."
"Saving the world first, new stuff later. Promise."
"Cool. Now, how's Zee?"
"Perfectly fine, if a little..."
"Zombie-like major."
"Yes." Zoa bowed his head and stared at the sleeves of his shimmering purple shirt.
"That's her norm lately. Guess it's the way she is, finishing things before processing them."
"Well, thank you for your help. She'll be dealing with it in no time if we have anything to say about it."
"I hope so. I want to do what's best for her, and I'm pretty sure that stopping Numbar will help, a lot."
"Well, you relay details to us, and maybe we can help you with the planning and execution."
"Okay. Over and out," Dasha said as she signed out. Zoa put Zenon's zap-pad into rest mode and walked into the living room, where he turned on the television and sank into the couch with a sigh. He went channel-surfing until he found a so-called "rockumentary" on himself and his band from before he met Zenon. He settled in for a mind-numbing three hours of old songs and concerts with ancient special effects systems, trying not to think about anything in particular.
ZZZ
Dasha studied the schedule on her zap-pad, alongside a diagram of the model of shuttle to be used. Then she noticed a label on the diagram that seemed to have been staring her in the face, except that she was too dazed and focused on other things to notice it.
ZZZ
Zenon stirred into motion by the sound of her zap-pad going off, and she got up and walked out of the room and down the hall to the kitchen, where it was ringing like a nutjob until she answered, to none other than her cousin Dasha. It was then that she realized the conversation she thought was a dream was real.
"Oh, hey, Zee," Dasha said. "Look, I've been going over the diagram, and I think I know a way in."
"A way in, like sneaking on?"
"Yeah, but since I'm invited, I can come up with something to explain you two, or any extra weight."
Zenon walked into the living room and shook Proto Zoa from a state of sleep. "Mm, Zee, what's up?" he asked.
"Dash thinks we have a way into the shuttle."
"The one for next week?"
"Affirmative," Dasha said from the zap-pad in Zenon's hand.
Zoa looked at Zenon as if both astonished and driven by purpose. "It's time," he said softly.
6. Chapter 6
Chapter Six
For the next few days, Zenon found renewed purpose, which coursed through her veins like the life-giving blood she knew was there. She worked with Proto Zoa and Dasha through a series of zaps to and from, relaying diagrams, notes, ideas, etc. Zenon helped Zoa select an outfit which would help him fit in inconspicuously in space, all the time feeling the old thrill of hoping not to get caught. And just think, I haven't even snuck on yet, she thought with a smile.
It reminded her of her younger years, sneaking to and from Earth for the good of the space station, sneaking out of a secure facility into a barren world with no atmosphere for the sake of the humans on the moon and for the planet they had called home. Now she was sneaking onto a shuttle and into the colony facility on Mars for the sake of that self-same planet, again.
She felt that somewhere along the line, all this world-saving had to come to an end if she wanted to keep her sanity. If she wanted to be with Zoa in any way that mattered.
But did she really want to put this part of her life behind her? Did she want to hang up her proverbial cape and "retire", as it was sometimes called? Was that what she really, really wanted with her life? Being the hero had already cost her so much, and she was beginning to wonder how much more she was willing to lose, to give up, to sacrifice for a greater cause, whatever that happpened to be.
ZZZ
The day was close at hand, of that Proto Zoa was sure. There was just one final detail he had to make sure of before he could proceed with this crazy plan he'd formulated with Zenon and Dasha.
"Lester," his manager said when he answered. Some things never change, Zoa thought.
"Another small favor, and I'm sure this one can pan out fully," Zoa replied. "You don't mind, do you?"
"I told you, I got your back, kid. Whatever you need done, I can do it."
"My girlfriend and I are about to sneak on the shuttle Dasha's taking with Numbar to Mars, and I know, even when I try to be inconspicuous, someone will notice me and rush up to ask me to sign something, which will definitely tip off someone important and ruin the whole thing for us."
"So you need a good cover to get the fans off your tail before you get nailed and everything goes south for you and your girl trying to save the world."
"Yes, that's exactly it."
Lester propped his zap-pad up and turned to his computer. He typed away on the keypad for a moment, looking up occasionally at the main screen. His typing finished with a quick, sharp stroke of the 'Enter' key, and Lester said, "Congratulations, Mr. Zoa, you and Zenon are now spending a romantic few weeks on the Isle of Skye in Scotland."
"Thanks, Lester."
"No problem, kid. Hey, take care of that girl of yours."
"I will. It's all I want."
"I'll make sure you get your cover, and you and Zenon make sure this colony thing finally gets over with."
"Lester, what would I do without you?"
"Not to toot my own horn, but you'd be playing guitar on the streets with the case open for money like you were when I found you." Zoa looked away. "Sorry, man. I know you're not much on talking about your past."
"It's not your fault. I'm the one who asked. Anyway, it proves a point. I owe you a lot, Lester. I just need to figure out to repay my debts."
"Hey, kid, don't worry about it. I'm your manager. It's my job to look after you."
Zoa smirked. "You make it sound like you're my father."
"Flattering as that sounds, I'm just a manager."
"Then perhaps I should let you go so you could manage my cover."
Lester nodded and signed off. Zoa sat his girlfriend's zap-pad on the coffee table and walked into the bathroom to give his outfit a once-over.
"So, that was your totally stellar major manager," Zenon said, leaning against the doorframe to the bathroom. She, too, was dressed for space.
"Yes, it was."
"He's awesome, doing that for us."
"Yes, he is." Zoa slipped on his overly large, overly dark sunglasses, and Zenon couldn't help but smirk.
"You know that's not going to hide your face completely. People will still recognize you."
"I know that, love." With that, he put a silver swim cap and then a brown, prim-looking wig over his hair.
"What about your precious hair?"
"That'll have to wait until we're done."
Zenon shook her head. "C'mon, we're meeting with Dasha in a few hours. Can't be late."
"You really don't want this to go off with a hitch, do you?"
"Not with so much in jeopardy gigundus here."
"Then let's go."
ZZZ
Dasha knew she had to move quickly. She zapped the lock with the laser and pushed the door open as quietly as she could. It would be a few hours still, and she'd tried to put this off as long as possible, but she got too nervous. She had to do this, and she had to do it soon.
She walked into the expansive space. The shuttle was there, as she'd expected, and for a moment, it seemed as if she was alone, so she kept walking.
"Hey," someone said, attracting her attention almost immediately. "You're not supposed to be down here."
"And you are?" Dasha asked the strange man. He definitely looked to be about her age, but looks were decieving. If anyone proved that, it was Proto Zoa.
"Actually, it takes a lurker to know one. I'm not supposed to be here, either." He held his and out to her. "Name's Sirius. Sirius Jackson."
"Dasha Plank," she said, shaking his hand. "What're you lurking for?"
"I wanna ride to Mars. What're you lurking for?"
"Helping my cousin and her boyfriend score a ride to Mars."
"And who's your cousin and her boyfriend?"
Dasha smirked. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. It's just so impossible major, you know. She has such a fairy tale major going for her. Anyway, I'll give it a shot. Her name's Zenon Karr, and her boyfriend's none other than mega-stellar rock star Proto Zoa."
"Your cousin's dating my brother's bandmate?" Sirius asked, his face one of bemused disbelief.
"Vega omega. You're the bassist's brother?"
"Yeah, small world. Anyway, Microbe hasn't been very busy, so he picked up a second job part time, just for the security of it."
"Makes sense. Zoa's busy all the time, like busy major with all this other stuff going on."
"He's probably taking her up so she can save the world. The charges are getting really bad; everyone can feel them now, and they're starting to damage property and stuff. Anyway, I'm lookin' for a little adventure, so I'm lurking around, hoping to sneak on and take the ride. I can help you get Zoa and your cousin on, if you want."
Dasha couldn't help but blush and erupt into a fit of giggles. When she recovered herself, she said, "Sure, you can help."
The smile on Sirius' face lit up the room and elicited a smile from Dasha in return. "Let's go," he said.
7. Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Dasha and Sirius hid behind a large crate in the warehouse, watching people come and go, discussing details about the check-up and prepare the shuttle for its long voyage. Once, they thought someone noticed them, and they ducked behind the crate. Sirius' hand accidentally brushed against Dasha's, and she blushed.
He glanced at her and smiled to himself. He barely knew the girl, and here he was, attracted to her on sight and rendered almost unable to stand or speak because of what he saw.
Dasha looked over at Sirius, catching herself as she studied his profile. She stared at the crate opposite them and waited for the voices to quiet down before peering up over their hiding place again. The crowd had thinned, and she spotted a couple of people making their way slowly, cautiously, from a back way into the room. She gestured to Sirius, who looked up over the crate at what she was staring at. He smiled and said, "C'mon, it's time."
They tiptoed out from behind the crate and over to the approaching couple. Only when they were within twenty feet of each other did Dasha recognize the woman as Zenon. The man was a little harder to recognize, but she reasoned that it must've been Proto Zoa in a really impressive disguise. "Well, who's your new friend?" he asked in a low voice.
"Oh, this is Sirius Jackson," she said.
"Ah, yes, I remember now."
"Holy crap, Zoa."
"It's just that you're so...tall...and...and mature-looking."
Dasha grinned and bowed her head to hide it. Zenon smiled softly and shook her head.
"And you look...like Elvis," Sirius countered.
"Elvis?" Dasha asked, looking up. "He looks nothing like that guy. What're you talking about?"
"Maybe I saw wrongly labeled holograms, but from what I can tell, he looks like Elvis."
"Okay, fine, maybe he does, but we can worry about that later. We have a shuttle to board."
ZZZ
"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Zenon hissed, refusing to look at Proto Zoa.
"You would've agreed to it, anyway. It's what you do," Zoa replied, studying her profile. "Anyway, we're here, and we're all in. All or nothing, all the way through, and besides, from where I'm standing, there's no turning back now."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, but..."
"But?"
"I just wondered, when we started planning this, that maybe I could have a shot at leaving this whole world-saving thing behind and have a chance at being...normal."
"Normal? For Zenon Karr? Impossible."
"Zoa, it's not like I can keep up saving the world and not turn into a lunatic major from the stress."
Footsteps paused at the door to the cargo unit, and the two slipped immediately into a tense silence, waiting for the footsteps to pass, which they eventually did.
"Okay, I can understand the stress thing, but doesn't saving the world feel good?"
"Yeah, but not when it's expected of me."
Zoa wrapped an arm around Zenon's shoulders and kissed the top of her head. "Oh, love," he whispered. She settled into him and closed her eyes. "I couldn't expect that from you."
"Yeah, but you're weird major."
"So are you. After all, I can trust you not to be a babbling idiot in my presence, so we're even."
"We as a couple are, but I'm not even with the rest of the world."
"You feel like they owe you for what you do? Well, I wouldn't blame you. I'd feel that way if I were you."
"Not like you'd know."
"You never know. Maybe I do know what it's like, feeling like people owe me for all I do for them, feeling like I'm being taken advantage of."
"By your fans?" Zenon asked with a smirk. She made no effort to hide it in her voice.
"No, Zenon," Zoa replied. His voice was unusually cold and pained. Zenon wanted to ask a follow-up question, but before she could, he said. "It's alright now. They're gone."
"Gone? As in dead and gone?" Zoa nodded. "And how is that alright?"
"I don't have to worry about what they think about me. I can do and think what I feel like, especially at Nova Linda."
"I guess that's a good thing."
"Trust me, it is."
Zenon shifted her position, listening for any more footsteps in the direction of the door. Her eyes scanned the cargo hold, and she spotted Dasha and Sirius next to each other, their backs against a large equipment case. "They look like they're getting along," she said.
"Yes, they do, but so help him if he mistreats her."
"To the tenth power squared."
"I thought she was invited."
"Well, maybe she wanted to spend time with this new friend of hers, to get to know him, you know."
"Maybe. I wouldn't doubt it."
ZZZ
Numbar leaned back in his chair, staring out the window at the stars that passed them by. By his calculations, it would be only an hour at most until the shuttle reached Mars.
The shuttle bucked, and immediately Numbar knew the cause. There was a charge racing through space. The windows held together, thankfully, but he could only hope that the next charge wouldn't destroy his shuttle. It was his ride back.
The people around him began to whisper in tones of varying agitation, so he said, "Stay calm, everyone. It happens all the time."
"You're used to this?" one of the passengers, a male, asked in clear disbelief.
"Yes, I am, as a matter of fact. Now stay calm, and everything will be fine."
This seemed to be enough to settle everything down, so he settled in his seat and returned his attention to the scenery outside his window.
ZZZ
Sirius thought back on how he'd touched Dasha's hand. Back then it had been an accident, but she hadn't pulled away, at least as far as he understood it. That sort of uncertain terms, however, called for an experiment, and one he shall conduct.
He reached out and took Dasha's hand, and if anything, she turned bright red and erupted in a fit of giggles. He smiled and nodded. Oh, yeah, he thought. That's definitely a good sign.
She leaned into him, and he felt himself glowing. He was certain he was blushing an almost alien shade of red, but somehow, he didn't really care. He was finally having his adventure, and it had come by way of a beautiful, spontaneous girl. Dasha Plank. What an interesting name. And to him it wasn't strange in the least that her cousin, Zenon Karr of space-station-saving fame, was dating Proto Zoa, of Microbe, the band his brother, who called himself Amoeba, was the bassist of.
Wow.
Dasha said something, jerking Sirius out of his musings, and he asked her to repeat what she said. "I'm just thinking about how stellar this is," she said. "We're on an adventure, sneaking around. I heard about all the stuff Zenon used to do, and all I could think about was having adventures like hers. It happened seven years ago, but I didn't think until now that it was happening again."
"Was it family gossip?"
"No. She's been my cousin since I was ten and her aunt and uncle adopted me, but she was my idol since I was four."
"Wow."
"Yeah, I know."
Sirius smirked and shook his head, closing his eyes. "It's a strange world we live in."
"Yeah. I mean, aliens, gods and goddesses, your cousin dating a major rock star? What're the odds?"
"Astronomical, I'm pretty sure."
Dasha smirked. "Ready for this?"
"Yeah, I'm so there."
ZZZ
Selena paced back and forth, listening to Mars rant on and on about the shuttle that was on its way. Finally, when she couldn't take the sound of his voice any longer, she said, "Shut the hell up. The shuttle's on its way, so what? That's gonna be the end of it."
"You better be sure about that," Mars said.
"They're right. You are extremely hostile."
"Shut up."
"You first, because I'm not putting up with your crap anymore."
Mars sighed and rolled his eyes. "It doesn't matter anyway. You're right. It is going to be the end of it, even if I have to force the issue."
Selena moved to stop him from whisking himself away, but he proved to be too fast for her.
8. Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
The shuttle entered the Martian atmosphere and bucked again. People began to scream, and this time, no matter what he said, Numbar couldn't calm them down. Even so, the shuttle landed as planned in the docking bay of the Martian base. Most of the people on the shuttle scrambled to get off, searching for some semblance of safety.
Numbar was the last one off, and immediately he asked for the most recent status report on all functions of the system of buildings currently set up.
The airlock doors buckled inward, and the lights flickered off. In the panic that ensued, no one noticed the four people slipping off the shuttle and down an adjascent corridor.
ZZZ
"That was close," Dasha whispered as soon as they were out of sight of anyone.
"Too close," Zenon replied. "Remember, we need to find a way to get these buildings off Mars the planet before Mars the god kills us."
"Is that why Zoa's wearing the Elvis outfit?" Sirius asked.
"No, I just couldn't afford to be noticed, or else this whole thing would've gone up," Zoa said. He took a few steps closer to Zenon. "Alright, how did this work on the moon, do you remember?"
"We evacuated everybody onto the Wonder Bus, and then some friends and I got our pods and got the dome off. Selena took care of everything else," Zenon said.
"Well, this case is clearly different. We're dealing with a different diety and a different volume of people."
"But we have a ride back," Sirius said. "We have the shuttle."
"Yes, very good. Alright, what do we have to do differently?"
Zenon thought back on her space station exploding, not for the first time in several days, and looked over at Proto Zoa. As if he read her mind, he said, "That might just work."
"Am I missing something?" Dasha asked.
"Trust me, you're not the only one," Sirius said.
"The question is how," Zenon said.
"I think I know," a voice from farther down the corridor said.
ZZZ
Numbar thought he heard footsteps in one of the corridors, so he followed them. Standing in the middle of the corridor was someone he recognized as Proto Zoa purely by the man's gait and build, and he asked, "What the hell are you doing here?"
"What?" he asked, turning around and tearing off his swimcap and wig. "I can't get the lay of the place before I actually have to perform? We can't have a lost me, now can we?"
"You aren't supposed to be here."
"Neither are you, last time I checked, but I guess since you're building yourself a self-sustaining settlement and staying, you don't care. Some things never change."
Numbar approached Proto Zoa, and the latter, despite his best efforts to hide it, was beginning to break out in a cold sweat. "Now, I'm just curious," Numbar said calmly. "Exactly how did you get here?"
"What, you don't already know? I thought you were smart enough to figure that out, but I guess I overestimated you, since you weren't smart enough to figure out that Mars was causing the charges so you'd halt this project. It was one of many tricks he used. It amazes me that after everything that happened on the moon, you'd underestimate, of all people, the god of war."
"That's a fluke."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure."
As if on cue, the walls of the corridor buckled, and the floor shook, almost sending the two men off their feet. "These buildings will fall," Mars shouted.
"Now do you see what I mean?" Zoa asked.
Numbar brushed past Zoa, who followed silently.
ZZZ
Zenon, Dasha, and Sirius walked into the main hall, interrupted only by Mars' shouting and the violent shaking of the floor. None of the threesome spoke until they reached the stage, with its mess of wires connecting the many panels of the giant background screen. Zenon cringed. "This looks dangerous major."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Unless they plan on getting that in regulation any time soon, I can't see Microbe on this stage at any point in the future," Sirius replied. "Unless this is how you plan to off Numbar."
"We're not going to kill him. That's not the plan, at least."
"Still, it's pretty dangerous," Dasha said. "Maybe we should be careful."
"Oh, great, more stowaways," Numbar said, forcing the three to turn to face him. Zenon found herself instantly relieved to see Proto Zoa behind him. "Another bunch of anti-colonial activists, most likely. Now, get back to wherever you came from."
"We can't without the full shuttle full of people," Zenon said. "You don't want to leave them here at the mercy of Mars, do you?"
A strange look passed over Numbar then: he looked as if he had no idea what Zenon was talking about. And what's more, he had a hard time shaking this look and putting on that face he used for his public appearances.
"What's the matter? Afraid to admit to the truth?" Zoa asked as he leaned against the wall.
"What truth?" Numbar asked.
"That your answer to the question is 'yes'."
Numbar scoffed. "Nonsense," he said.
"I wouldn't be so sure. After all, given your track record..."
"My track record has nothing to do with this."
"Actually, I'm pretty sure it does have something to do with this," Zenon said. "Next question. How will you explain yourself?"
"I have nothing to explain, but you, Mr. Zoa, are another matter. You better start talking before I file a restraining order."
"If anyone's going to file a restraining order, it's me," Dasha said, "and that's if you live through this."
Numbar smirked again. "Listen to me, little girl. I...will thrive here. You, however, are a different story."
"Do you want another punch to the face?" Zoa asked, standing up straight and taking a step toward Numbar. "I may not be a contractor, but I'm pretty good at rearranging faces."
"Is that a threat?"
"You threatened my girls, so I see no reason why I can't threaten you."
"Are we his girls?" Dasha whispered to Zenon.
"Clear minor. Guess he's a family man major at heart," Zenon replied.
Numbar took a few steps toward Zoa. "You just think you're invincible, don't you?" he hissed. "You think you can do whatever you want because you're some kind of pop star-"
"Rock star."
"Same thing."
"Actually, it's very different."
"What does it matter, anyway?"
"I'll tell you what it matters. It matters that you think I'm something I'm not, and I prefer to be regarded exactly as I am, an ultra-fabulous rock star. I'm not a pop star in any way, shape, or form."
"I didn't come here to argue semantics with a diva."
"That's because you know you'll lose."
Numbar lunged at Zoa, who dodged effortlessly. Zoa glanced at the wires of the screen panels and made his way over to the stage, watching Numbar as he went. Numbar's eyes lit up with an idea of his, and he shoved Proto Zoa backward, into the mass of wires.
Zenon leapt up onto the stage as Zoa collapsed to the ground, unconscious and with soft, pale whisps of smoke drifting up from his form. Just as Numbar turned around, she slapped him across the face and pushed him backward almost irreverently. She rushed over to where Zoa lay and rolled him over onto his back to check his breathing and heartbeat. Then she began to resuscitate him.
ZZZ
Dasha ran up to help her cousin, and Sirius yelled after her. Numbar's body had disturbed many of the wires as it tumbled backward, and sparks were raining down onto the stage. Some of the sparks touched other wires, causing another shower of sparks. Sirius ran up to Dasha and tried to pull her back, but she jerked away and continued to help her cousin resuscitate the unconscious rock star.
Flames erupted, though Sirius couldn't exactly be sure from where. His sense of danger heightened, but this time he wasn't sure whether he should help the others get out now or wait until Proto Zoa was breathing on his own. The flames began to circle around the four gathered there, and Sirius glanced over at Numbar's form, barely visible through the tongues of fire. "Okay, guys, we have to get out of here before we're trapped," he said. "We can't die here."
"Well, we're not leaving Zoa here to die, either," Zenon replied, taking a break from her resuscitation attempts. She returned to resussitating, and Dasha helped her count off the chest pumps.
Sirius looked around at the flames as they raced across the room and said, "We resuscitate him on the shuttle. Right now, we have to get out of here."
Dasha touched Zenon's arm gently, which seemed to be all the convincing she needed. The cousins supported Zoa and pulled him off the stage, following Sirius out of the room and down a corridor. Sirius paused only a minute to pat out some flames on his pants leg before continuing on.
They found the shuttle packed as soon as they boarded. The three conscious people walked into the cargo hold, the two cousins carrying Proto Zoa between them. They lay him down, and Zenon immediately continued her attempts to bring him back. "Zee, I'll take care of him," Dasha said. "This space shuttle needs someone to fly it out."
Zenon seemed to ignore her, preparing to give Zoa another round of CPR, when he gasped and coughed. She looked up at Dasha and nodded, before walking out of the cargo hold.
9. Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Zenon took a seat at the pilot's seat and prepped the shuttle for takeoff, getting her bearings through what she knew of flying pods. She managed to navigate the shuttle out of the settlement and get it on its way off the surface of Mars when she noticed the fire, amplified by Mars' own energy as the god destroyed the building cluster.
The shuttle shook in a way indicative of one of the fuel canisters beginning to fizzle, but she managed to maintain control. Okay, she thought, maneuvering the shuttle out of the Martian atmosphere and on its way to the blue dot she reasoned was Earth. Here goes nothing.
ZZZ
Proto Zoa allowed Dasha to help him sit up against an equipment chest. His back hurt so much, so he tried to do it carefully. His vision was blurred, but he could still recognize Dasha and Sirius. "What happened?" he mumbled.
"You got zapped pretty bad," Dasha said. "We're gonna have to get you to a hospital when we get back to Earth."
"Where's Zee?"
"Flying us back. It's over, Zoa. It's over."
His eyes fluttered closed again, and much as he wanted to, he was unwilling to move for fear of pulling at the sore flesh on his shoulders and back. Even so, he tested his limbs. He could move them, and more importantly, he could feel them.
Finally, Zoa opened his eyes again, and his vision was a little clearer. "Where's Numbar?"
Dasha sighed and bowed her head, and Sirius rested a hand on her shoulder. These gestures told Zoa more than words ever could. Numbar was gone. He wanted to ask follow-up questions about what had happened, but something told him that he should already know. Zenon had fought to save his life.
It felt bittersweet, when he really thought about it. Zenon's gesture was extremely moving, but death was nothing to be thrilled about, no matter who it was that met such an end.
He blinked a few times, waiting for his vision to come into focus. "Your vision looks like it's a little inky," Dasha said, and Zoa nodded.
Sirius adjusted his position and leaned against a crate, staring off into space, clearly listening vigilantly. After a moment, he relaxed.
ZZZ
Zenon studied the starscape in front of her. Earth was still in her path, but soon, she reached a point where she could see the moon, as well, and some of the space junk in orbit around Earth. She felt herself begin to slip into a trance, and as soon as she could, she snapped out of it, rubbing her eyes.
She checked the shuttle clock. It would be only about twenty minutes before she landed, and then she'd have to figure out a way to explain Numbar's disappearance to the authorities, if they ever asked. If anyone told them she was there.
Of course, she didn't know if they'd blame her. The only ones to actually witness the incident with Numbar were Dasha and Sirius, with Zoa who was present but was unconscious by then. She didn't know Sirius, but she was fairly sure Dasha wouldn't sell her out, especially with something that major.
She snapped herself out of her musings and steered to avoid some random bits of space junk from the early two thousands. She tried to remember where exactly the warehouse was, and when a street name came to her, she maneuvered in the early stages of getting there. Only a few minutes more.
She took the atmosphere shallowly, a natural reaction from her years of pod flying, and she pulled up the map on the shuttle's screen. She stated the name of the street and the keyword 'warehouse', waiting for directions, which came soon enough.
It took her a little time actually getting to Los Angeles, but when she did, she found the street and consequently the warehouse with relative ease. Carefully, she landed the shuttle in the warehouse and powered it down. She opened the main passenger door from her position at the control panel, and from the sounds of things, the passengers couldn't get out of there fast enough. When the crowd had gone, she got to her feet and crossed the shuttle lengthwise to the cargo hold.
Proto Zoa struggled to his feet and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her. Gingerly, she wrapped her arms around his waist, burying her face in his chest. "Love, I need to you to help me check into a hospital," he whispered. "Can you do it with as little public notice as possible?"
"Yeah, I think so," she replied.
ZZZ
"Well, Mr. Zoa," the doctor said, looking up at the rock star from his zap-pad, "we'll keep you overnight for observation, but other than the burns on your back, you're, by all appearances, quite healthy."
"And my brain?" Zoa replied. "I heard it got fried."
"It did. That's why we're keeping you overnight. Then we're going to run a few tests, make sure you're holding out okay, and take it from there."
Zoa nodded, and the doctor walked out of the hospital room. He closed his eyes, tuning out the sounds of the machines he was hooked up to. It was almost laughable how the doctors insisted on them, for reasons of safety, they said. He knew they were trying to avoid getting sued by a major rock star, not that he could blame them.
Regardless, he was there now, willing to do whatever the doctors needed him to do. His vision had cleared completely by then, but he didn't want to find out in three months that he was going to go blind in the middle of a concert, especially by going blind in the middle of said concert.
"Hey, kid," Lester said, walking into the hospital room. Zoa bumped his fist, and Lester took a seat at the bedside. "Heard from your girlfriend you got fried big time up there."
"I must have been. I don't remember much, but I know I had to be resuscitated," Zoa replied.
"No press harrassing you for details yet, I see."
"I owe you for that one, I really do."
"Hey, kid, I'm just the manager."
"I wouldn't have anyone else on the job, ever."
"Guess I better not retire until you do." Lester smirked, and Zoa couldn't help but laugh. "Anyway, how's your head?"
"They're going to run tests tomorrow, but that's the only major thing. I'm actually pretty healthy, except for the burns on my back from the shock."
Lester nodded. "Sounds about right," he said.
"Are Dasha, Zenon, and Sirius alright?"
"Yeah, as far as I know."
"Alright, good." Zoa looked up at the ceiling, ignoring the pounding in his head. "How're the others?"
"Getting antsy, but they don't know a whole hell of a lot about what happened."
"Are they here?"
"What, here? Are...are they here? You seriously just asked your manager that question?"
"Shouldn't I have?"
"We'll see."
"Hey, man, what up?" Amoeba asked, leading the other members of Microbe into the hospital room.
"The ceiling and my brain function. You?" Zoa replied.
"Same old, same old. How's being fried treating you?"
"About as well as it can. Apparently I'm almost perfectly healthy."
"Almost?"
"Yeah, well, there are some things that need to heal, but other than that, I'm fine."
"Cool."
"Well, we're just checking on you," the drummer, known as Paramecium, said, making his way to the door. The others nodded and followed Paramecium, leaving Zoa alone with Lester.
ZZZ
Zenon walked into the kitchen at Nova Linda, and she spotted a small cube of lined paper on the island countertop. She picked up the cube and examined Proto Zoa's familiar handwriting: 'Open me when Zoa's not here, Zoa'. She peeled off the paper to reveal a red velvet box, and when she opened the box, she found a grey metal ring about her size, engraved with '015741'.
With tears in her eyes, she pulled the ring out of its place in the box and slipped it onto her finger.
"I love you, Zoa," she whispered.
10. Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Sirius pushed his way through the crowd toward Dasha, who was dancing in the mosh pit around the stage. Finally, he got close enough to her to have a hope of speaking to her over the music. "Hey," he said.
"Hey," Dasha replied. "What's up?"
"Not much. Enjoying the show?"
"Yeah."
"Cool. Hey, uh, you wanna catch some late dinner after the show?"
"Sure. That sounds stellar."
Sirius grinned. He couldn't believe his luck, but he was absolutely certain he wasn't dreaming. He looked up at Amoeba, who had apparently been watching them for some time and was nodding approvingly. Then he looked over at Dasha, who, like most of the girls in the crowd, was watching Proto Zoa. He shook his head softly, but when he thought about it, he realized he wouldn't change anything about his situation at the present.
ZZZ
Selena walked up to the bar and took a seat. "What can I get you?" the bartender asked.
"The house specialty, if you would," she replied, watching the crowd dance to Proto Zoa's music. The bartender set a drink on the counter next to her, and she nodded her thanks, picking it up and sipping it through the straw provided.
The song ended, and Zoa's voice projected itself over the loudspeakers. "At this time, I'd like to play a special song for a special girl, a girl who saved my life just recently. Some of you know her, and some of you do not, so without further ado, 'The Galaxy is Ours' for Zenon Karr."
The crowd cheered, and the song began.
Selena's attention was attracted by red ribbons dancing through the sky, and soon, Mars came to join her. "Can I join the party?"
"You look cheerful for being recently colonized," she said with a smirk.
"Nobody came and stayed, so I wasn't colonized. Beat that."
Selena shook her head and took another sip from her drink. The crowd began to cheer again, and the cheering continued until Proto Zoa performed a couple more songs. "Anyway," she said, "you never did tell me what happened to the colony buildings."
"Well, the one I let burn to the ground, and I wiped out the others."
"And you've pretty much stopped being hostile to everyone you see?"
"Yeah. Destroying the colony and the man behind it did me good."
"Wish I had the chance. Could've saved you the trouble if I offed him myself." She took a sip from her drink and tapped her foot in time to the music. The last song ended, and the crowd began to disperse after Zoa's parting pleas of safe driving and "good night". She finished her drink and set the empty glass on the table. "That's all," she told the bartender, slipping him her tab and a tip.
"Glad I'm back to being good?" Mars asked.
"Actually, yes, I am," Selena replied. "I'll catch you around."
"Better believe it."
Selena watched Mars shoot up into the sky before she charted a course for the moon and did the same.
ZZZ
"Hello, love," Proto Zoa said, setting his guitar down next to some boxes and holding his arms out. Zenon wrapped her arms around his neck, and he pressed her into him. "What did you think of the show?"
"I liked it, especially since you sang half of it for me," she replied. "But I missed you, Zoa."
"I was ten feet from you, love."
"So were you when you got shocked."
"Well, I'm fine, thanks to you. You saved my life, Zenon."
"I didn't want you to die. Vega omega, I was so fully shivered out, but I couldn't scrub that mission. I love you, Zoa. I didn't want you to leave me."
"I'm here now, Zenon. I'm not going anywhere. I'm right here with you, always."
End file.
| Flames on Red Soil by t.j.guard | Zenon |
Locked Up Secrets
**I wrote this story a long time ago, so please don't judge me too harshly. :) I don't own Zenon, Disney does. Please Read and Review :)
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Sometimes she hated Earth, and this was one of those times.
Zenon had been celebrating her 21st birthday with several close friends at Nova Linda Cove. It was a great party and everyone was having a great time. Zenon didn't even mind that her boyfriend of two months hadn't shown up.
She had been laughing at a joke that someone had made when her zap pad made a noise indicating a message. It was from her boyfriend and, to make a long story short, he was no longer her boyfriend.
The party had ended relatively quickly after that, most of her friends assuming that she would be heartbroken and no longer in a festive mood.
She had left the party room and decided to go back to her room for a few minutes to reflect on things when she made a wrong turn and somehow ended up in a closet...one with a broken lock.
"Seriously, who puts a lock on a closet," she said to herself as she tried once again to open the door. It was useless, the damn thing refused to budge.
She sat on the ground and waited for a while for someone to appear. Someone would have to come by eventually.
After what seemed like hours she finally heard a voice calling for her.
"Zenon? Where are you, love?" It was Prota Zoa.
She jumped up and started to bang on the door. "In here!"
The door suddenly flew opened and Zenon fell backwards deeper into the closet. She looked up into the face of Prota Zoa, her long time friend and secret crush.
This was Zenon's biggest secret, her crush on Prota Zoa. No one knew about it and she didn't dare write about it anywhere should someone find it. Even though she had always liked him as an artist, it wasn't until she had met him and got to know him that her feelings went from fangirl to hardcore crushing. The problem was, he would never return her feelings because of the age difference. She knew this, so she kept her feelings deep inside, hoping to find someone who would overshadow them and help her get over it. No one had even come close so far.
"Are you alright?" he said stepping towards her to help her up. Just as he helped her up to her feet, the two heard laughter and then the door slammed shut behind him, engulfing them both in darkness.
"I was," she said sarcastically as Prota Zoa went to work on trying to open the door. He twisted, he turned, he pulled, he pushed, he even slammed his shoulder into the wooden door, but it still remained shut.
"Bloody hell!" he said before kicking the door like a 5-year-old. Zenon smiled lightly at his behavior.
There was no real light in the closet, the only possibility was from the cracks around the door providing just enough light that, after her eyes adjusted, Zenon could make out Zoa's outline in the dark.
He sighed in annoyance. " I could have sworn I had that door fixed."
Zenon smiled. "I would get my money back."
Zoa let out a little laugh before settling into a comfortable silence. It was nice, just sitting together not talking. Zenon found a sense of comfort in just being near her dearest friend.
Zoa spoke suddenly. "I hope that despite everything you had a wonderful 21st birthday."
Zenon smiled. "I did." She took a moment to gather her thoughts before she continued. "Besides the party could have gone on. I wasn't all that upset about the break-up anyway. We hardly saw each other and I was never in love with him, I was..." she paused for a second before continuing, "I was in love with someone else."
It became silent again in the little room as her words sank into the darkness. It was almost like she was talking to herself when Zoa spoke again.
"Oh," he said suddenly. "Who's the lucky guy?"
"It doesn't really matter," she said firmly. "He won't feel the same way about me anyways. We're... too different."
She heard Zoa laugh slightly. "If you are so different then you wouldn't love him."
Zenon shrugged, even though she knew he couldn't see her. "I know," she said, "but I know that is what he'd say if I told him. I'll just keep it to myself and cherish it as it is."
The room became quiet again, but this time Zenon felt like there was a strong tension in the room. It was getting tot he point she almost felt like she would suffocate from it. Then Zoa spoke again.
"I understand what you mean," he said. "I'm in love with this wonderful woman, but I can't tell her either. A relationship between us would be frowned upon and...it just wouldn't work out."
"Just because it would be frowned upon is no reason to give up," she said, even though her heart was breaking inside. Zoa was in love, although she expected it, so he could never be hers. "I mean, my case is hopeless, but you have a shot with this woman. What possible reason could there be that it would be frowned up?"
"She's almost 15 years younger than me," he said firmly. It grew quiet in the room again. Zenon was frozen as this information seeped into her brain.
"But, maybe you're right," he said and she listened as she heard him move. He seemed to be moving closer to her. "Maybe I'm thinking too much about this. I mean, I haven't told her and all that matters is what happens between us, right?"
Zenon took a minute to answer. She couldn't see him, but it was like he was right in front of her. "Right," she whispered.
"Besides," she almost jumped as he whispered in her ear, he was so very close to her. She was glad it was dark and he couldn't see her blush. "I should tell her, now that I have her trapped in a closet with me."
Zenon's eyes widened as the reality of what he had said dawned on her. Before she could even speak any type of response his lips were on hers.
Prota Zoa was kissing her!
What seemed like hours later he pulled back and rested his forehead on hers.
"I love you, Zenon," he said softly.
Zenon smiled in the darkness before lifting up and pressing another kiss to his lips, putting all the emotion she felt into it.
"I love you too."
End file.
| Locked Up Secrets by Only-eyes-for-Riddick | Zenon |
1. Chapter 1
Finding Dasha
Disclaimer: I don't own Zenon.
A/N: entirely separate from Z4, PZ/Z
Chapter One
Zenon walked quickly down the corridor, thumbing through pages of her z-book on her zap-pad, going over the things she'd highlighted. Eventually, she made it to class, only to find she was early, but nonetheless, she took her seat. Within the next few minutes, the rest of the class filed in, and at eight on the dot, Professor Jameson passed out the unit test, which was on a chip meant to be inserted into a zap-pad, and the class fell silent except for the clicks of chips into their slots and the beeps of people answering questions.
On average, the test took about an hour, but the more methodical students, or those who didn't study and consequently found the test challenging, took the whole hour and a half to complete the test, and when the last of them finished, the class was dismissed. The students erupted in chatter again as they filed out of the classroom, mostly complaining about how hard the test was, and Margie walked up to Zenon and asked, "Where's Proto Zoa been?"
"Recluse mode extreme, most likely," Zenon replied. "I think I know where, though."
Margie lowered her voice, even though she stood no risk of being heard over all the chatter in the corridor. "Nova Linda?"
"Affirmative."
"You know he only gets like that when he thinks his muse abandons him."
"Yeah, well, I'm clear minor about muses. That's why I'm taking Mythology this year."
"I bet you do know a thing or two about muses. After all, we all know he has a crush major on you."
"Had."
"What?"
"Had a crush major on me, then he decided to go out with that girl from Of All The Worlds."
Zenon sped up, her mind squarely on her destination, and Margie sped up just to catch up to her. "What girl? The one that plays the alien chick?"
"Affirmative."
"Well, I don't blame him. You had a crush major on Zoa and went and kissed Sage instead, and before that you went out with that Earth guy, and I know you thought about going with Orion."
Zenon stopped in her tracks and spun around one hundred eighty degrees. "For the record, Marge, the Earth guy, Greg, dumped me, Orion made it clear he wasn't interested ten years ago and still isn't, and Sage, don't get me started about Sage. Just don't." She made a second one hundred eighty degree turn and walked off.
"Okay, then," Margie said, walking into a classroom and taking her seat.
Zenon walked into a separate classroom and took a seat, fully prepared to take notes and equally prepared for the much-hoped-for mind-numbing movie. The latter turned out to be Professor Anisten's choice, and much of the class fell asleep during the documentary on the pantheon of Greek gods. Zenon found herself listening very closely to the section on the muses, however, which were said to inspire works of art and science.
She found herself surprised that the Greek moon goddess, who the book called Selene, was called Selena in the film and took the form Zenon barely remembered from seven years prior. Beyond that, however, the film ate up most of the class period uneventfully, and the class was dismissed to go to lunch.
Zenon met Nebula and Margie at their usual table in the space station's cafeteria, and Zenon scanned the crouded room, temporarily locking eyes with Orion before fully redirecting her attention to her tray. "Zee, you look inked out. What's wrong?" Nebula asked.
"It's minor, really," she replied, forking a bite of food with more ferocity than she intended. "College must be stressing me out major."
"Look, we all know college is inky," Margie said, "but this is rudicrous."
"Maybe it is a little rudicrous, but I swear that's it."
"Uh-huh, and I'm the tooth fairy," Nebula said, taking a drink from her glass of grapejuice. "Is it 'cause of Proto Zoa?"
"Hey, he abandoned me, remember?" Zenon snapped before she could stop herself.
"You abandoned him, too," Margie said. "Don't go nuclear on us because we're the voices of reason."
"My point is that it's my fault minor."
"Maybe minor, but definitely there."
"So what'd I do?"
"You kissed Sage," Nebula said. "That's what you did."
"I'm not the only girl he kissed, so I don't see what the problem is, Neb."
"My bet's Zoa saw it all and decided to hide out in Nova Linda, or he found out later somehow," Margie said. "Point is, you kissed Sage."
"The point is he's dating one of the actresses on Of All The Worlds, the one playing the alien girl. That's the point."
"The point is you're both jealous major," Nebula said. "What if we got you two together in a place where you could talk about how jealous major you both really are and where you can work through your issues together."
"That sounds so inky major I'd rather die first."
Nebula shrugged and returned her attention to her lunch. Margie was more reluctant, but she was also speechless. In time, she, too returned her attention to her lunch.
2. Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Proto Zoa's vision was blurred and he felt like he'd been pancaked between the Wonder Bus, or something equally large, and a solid concrete wall, so the blue, translucent form in front of him was barely visible and felt to him like a strange delusion or dream. He thought he saw the form move, and his vision cleared, but the form had vanished. He still felt like hell, but on the coffee table lay a half-empty bottle of wine, so he took a swig from it and set it back in its general location and lay back down on his couch, rubbing his eyes.
He felt himself dozing off, and he thought he saw the blue form return, though he could see more clearly now that it was the form of a woman with short black hair and dressed in a way he'd never seen before. "You're determined to stay in this haze, aren't you?" she asked, and she had a strange accent that was as unrecognizable to Proto Zoa as her dress.
"Who are you?" he mumbled.
"I'm probably the only one who can penetrate your haze right now, what with your incessant drinking."
"I feel like hell already. You don't need to make it worse."
"It's either this or an alcohol-induced coma. Your choice."
"I'd rather have the alcohol-induced coma right now given the choice." Proto Zoa adjusted his position and closed his eyes.
"I dunno if I can do comas," the woman said, waving a hand over Proto Zoa's head, "but I can do deep sleeps." She lowered her lips to her ear and whispered, "Dream, dream of what you want most of all."
Proto Zoa watched his memories unfold before his eyes as if he were dreaming the whole thing, starting with when he met Zenon, who'd won a contest and got the opportunity to meet him. The memories flowed through, and each was colored by Zenon, from when she was thirteen, winning against a space mogul who was intent on crashing his own space station, to when she was fifteen, insisting his song was being used as a signal by aliens, to when she was eighteen, evacuating the Moonstock settlement to protect the people from the wrath of the moon goddess Selena. The memories were played to the tune of Supernova Girl and then The Galaxy is Ours, which perfectly described Zenon, at least, in Proto Zoa's mind.
When he reached the end of this reel of memories, he slipped into a semi-awake state, but only for a moment before he realized he needed to throw up. Before he could think about it, he ran down to the bathroom, but the nausea passed by then. He collapsed against the wall and buried his face in his hands. The blue woman appeared again. "I knew it," she said, sitting on the floor and leaning back against the lower cabinet. "I knew that was what you wanted above all else."
"What good is it? She left me for some guy."
"And you left her as a consequence, as I recall."
"What are you, anyway? A freakish alien shrink?"
"Close. I'm Selena, and the dreams are a result of one of my tricks."
"You control dreams?"
"I prompt dreams, I can't control them."
"You see them, too?"
"I saw yours, only because you were so open, talking in your sleep about them."
"Oh, great. I can't keep quiet about anything."
"I just wasn't expecting the nausea, but perhaps that's an effect of the alcohol."
"I wasn't expecting to not need to throw up."
Selena floated to her feet and looked around. "I've gotta say I like your taste."
"Thank you."
"Well, phase one complete. Gotta be off now." Selena vanished in ribbons of blue mist.
Proto Zoa eventually pulled himself to his feet and stumbled through Nova Linda, barely thinking about where he was going or the state his hideaway was in. He collapsed on the couch in a sitting position, staring at the wads of notepaper he'd tossed about during the first few months. His eyes soon found their way to where his guitar lay on the floor, and a song flowed through his mind, one which entered his dream just minutes before.
He put his feet up on the coffee table and tilted his head back until it rested on the top of the sofa with a heavy sigh. He still felt like hell, but reaching for the wine bottle was the farthest thing from his mind.
3. Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Dasha lay on her front on her bed, her ankles crossed over her hips, moving her head in tune with one of the songs on Proto Zoa's most recent chip. Both of her parents were at work, leaving her free to turn up the stereo as loud as it would go.
The current song ended, and the next was a slow one, and as soon as Proto Zoa started singing, Dasha knew exactly who the song was about. "Oo, Zoa likes Zee," she said to herself, an ear-to-ear grin threatening to split her face into two pieces. Even so, she continued to move her head in tune with the music and sometimes tapped her feet to the music, as well.
"Vega omega," she said suddenly, propping herself up on her hands and knees. She reached over and turned off the stereo, picked up her zap-pad, and zapped her cousin, who answered almost immediately. "You heard Proto Zoa's last song?" Dasha asked.
"Negative. Why?"
Dasha turned her stereo back on and replayed the last song on Proto Zoa's chip, watching pain flash across Zenon's face, quickly replaced by a blank expression of quiet acceptance. "Good song," she said flatly.
"Zee, aren't you clear major? Zoa wrote that song about you, for you. He wanted you to hear it."
"I get that, but what's it matter now? He moved on."
"It doesn't sound like it."
Zenon rolled her eyes. "Dasha, I need to get back to my homework." The screen went blank and Dasha set her zap-pad back down on the nightstand, rolling her eyes as she reached over to turn off her stereo. She slipped out of bed and put the chip back in its package before walking out to the kitchen for a glass of water. When she walked back into the living room, on her way to her bedroom, she glimpsed a crate in the far corner. Gingerly, Dasha set her glass down on the coffee table and walked over to the crate.
On the surface, Dasha found only some old photographs of her when she was ten, with her new foster family, or new at the time, and the adoption docs that got her out of the foster system. She searched through the contents, removing them from the crate in neat stacks at its side. At the very bottom of the crate was the only paper document in the box. It was only yellowed slightly around the edges, but she still lifted it gingerly, keeping it even until she could get a good look at it. It was dated to May eleventh of twenty fourty-four, making it one of the last paper documents in history.
The rest of the document's text had all but faded completely, meaning the date must've been added later somehow, and no matter how hard Dasha tried, she couldn't make heads or tails of it, so she set it back in the crate just as gingerly as when she removed it. She stacked the pictures and docs on top of it, closed the crate and walked back to the coffee table, where she picked up her glass of water and took another sip, and she walked back into her bedroom.
ZZZ
Zenon turned off her zap-pad and lay back in her bed, setting it on the nightstand and running her fingers through her hair. She couldn't stop thinking about the song Dasha had played for her, Proto Zoa's. It was on most of the Top 40 satellite stations that often played in various parts of the space station and had been for over a month, and she never really paid attention, not until now, when her friends were taking notice of Proto Zoa's absence.
As usual, Zenon gave every inquiry the same response: "It's minor," or, "Sweat minor, it's fine."
Those were just the answers that, if said right, ensured that she didn't have to answer any more questions or have to talk about her feelings, feelings she was sure she could deal with on her own.
She slid her arms over her face so that they covered it almost completely, and she could feel herself dozing off, but she was startled out of this state by a voice she thought she'd never hear again. "You're in the same state he is."
Selena stood at the edge of Zenon's bed, staring down at the blond who was staring up at her, her shock fading into the blank expression she'd become accustomed to wearing. "You're here to ask me stupid questions, aren't you?" she asked.
"Not per se." Selena took a couple steps forward. "You're deluding yourself, and that's a problem."
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about this mask you wear. You're not fooling anyone, Karr, and you know it."
"So what?"
"So, it's a problem. You need to step back and start dealing with the pain."
"Well, why are you here?"
"I'm here to help you see that." Selena waved her hand over Zenon's head, and the latter could do nothing but lay back in bed, her eyes fluttering closed. The goddess lowered her lips to Zenon's ear and whispered, "Dream, dream of what you want most of all."
4. Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Proto Zoa thought more than once of trying to zap Zenon, but each time he denied himself, using a myriad of excuses to talk himself out of it. His zap-pad went off, and he was forced to pull himself to his feet and hunt it down before he could answer it. The zap-pad was in his bedroom, on the bed, and the person zapping him was Margie, of all people. "What do you want?" he asked.
"I think we know how to help Zee feel better, but we need you up here or her down there to do it," she said.
"I'm sorry, did you say Zenon needed help 'feeling better'?"
"Yeah, look, she's in this viral extreme mood and has been for who knows how long. We think it's something to do with you not being in her life anymore."
"So it's my fault?"
"We're clear minor about whose fault it is, but this is what we think about it."
"So what do you expect me to do about it."
"Find a little time to see Zenon and talk to her."
"Why isn't she doing this, then?"
"We tried to zap her before we zapped you, but she didn't answer, which can only mean one thing: she's zwonked."
"So what does this have to do with me?"
"Look, we just want you to come up here, pay Zee a visit, talk to her a little, and maybe she won't feel so viral extreme."
Proto Zoa paused for a second before he asked, "Is that all?"
"Affirmative."
"Is there a time you want me up there?"
"Negative. You come up here when, if, you choose to."
"Alright. I'll be up soon."
"Okay, stellar."
Proto Zoa nodded and hung up, letting his zap-pad flop to the bed. He got to his feet and stretched out a little, amazed he felt a little better. He could take his pod and fly up to the space station and have a hope and a prayer of cheering Zenon up, if what Margie said was true. Shouldn't it be? he wondered.
He walked out of his room and down the hall to the bathroom, where he washed his face. When he returned to his room, he got dressed in record speed and found himself out of Nova Linda and down the slope to where his pod was parked with equal swiftness. He hopped into the pod and spent a minute getting it used to functioning again before he officially took off.
Getting out of the atmosphere was the easy part, but finding Zenon's space station out of all the thousands orbiting Earth was something of a challenge. After about fifteen minutes of searching, all the space stations began to look the same, so he zapped Margie back to ask for directions, which she willingly gave him. With her help, he eventually found the right space station and pulled into the loading dock, where he thanked her and hung up.
Proto Zoa hopped out of his pod and walked down one of the corridors, which led him to a sector. He followed a second corridor down to another sector, and this continued until he was surrounded by college kids rather than older adults.
For a second, he almost didn't recognize the blonde he bumped into, but that changed when she snapped, "Vega omega, what's your problem?"
"Zenon, it's me."
"What the-? Hey." He pulled her into a closet, and she said, "Stop it or I'm turning you in."
"I'm really sorry about this, Zenon, but I came up here to see you, to talk to you."
"I don't need to talk."
"It sounds an awful lot to me like you do need to talk, if not to me than to a shrink."
"Get away from me," she said, pushing her way past him and out of the closet, leaving Proto Zoa quite literally in the dark.
ZZZ
Zenon walked into the cafeteria and took a seat at a table for two in the back, intentionally sitting across the table from Proto Zoa. "I thought you didn't want to talk," he said.
"I've been having a bad day major," she replied.
"Do you feel better?"
"Minor. Why?"
"I did hear you were in something of a funk lately."
"You're the one running around with people from soap operas."
"And you're the one dating activists of obscure causes."
"Not anymore," they both said at the same time, taking both parties by surprise. Zenon lowered her gaze and fiddled with her fingers, and Proto Zoa chewed his lip.
"I'm sorry, for everything," he whispered.
"So am I."
"Zee, I'm here if you need anything."
Zenon looked up at Proto Zoa, and she found herself speechless. After a long moment, she said, "I...I'm not hungry. I think I'll go and do some homework."
"Alright. My offer still stands."
"Okay."
5. Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Margie, Nebula, and Zenon met in Zenon's room, and she asked her two friends, "What exactly did you two want to happen when you asked Proto Zoa to come here and talk to me?"
"Well, we both know you miss him major," Margie said, "so we thought we'd get him to come up here and talk to you."
"You're bumming us both out major here," Nebula added. "Face it, Zee, you like Zoa."
"Yeah, so what?"
"So, you like Zoa, and he likes you. Haven't you heard this last song of his?"
"What's that gotta do with anything?"
"Just listen to it. Pay attention to the words." Nebula walked over to Zenon's stereo and inserted a chip. She pressed a few buttons and a slow song, accompanying Proto Zoa's distinctive voice, filled the room. Zenon closed her eyes, allowing the words to flow over her, and she sank to her knees, tears flowing down her cheeks. When the song ended, she wiped her eyes and got to her feet.
"Why?" Zenon asked.
"You get it now, Zee?" Nebula asked. "He likes you. He misses you."
"Zee, that's why he's up here," Margie added. "Just give him a chance."
"I already did," Zenon whispered. At her friends' questioning looks, she recounted what happened in the corridor and later the cafeteria. Margie nodded in ascent and Nebula tilted her head to one side for a second.
"Okay, that's a good start," Margie said.
ZZZ
Dasha sat cross-legged on the couch, listening to her parents discussing the issues, when she found herself saying, "You have a piece of history in that box over there," and she gestured to the crate in the corner.
"Oh, you saw that?" Judy asked with a laugh. "It's so faded I can't make out a thing except the date, but it was supposed to be your birth certificate."
"Standard adoption procedure," Commander Plank added. "They send every new adopting family one for that particular child."
"Did it say anything about my parents?" Dasha asked. "I mean, do you remember if it did or not?"
"It listed your mother as some woman named Black Dove, father unknown."
"What kind of name is Black Dove?"
"She chose it for herself, dear. It was part of what she did with her life," Judy said gently.
"Well, she picked it, so we're not allowed to judge that part," the commander added, returning his attention to the evening news. "No one wants us judging others, anyway. All this political correctness floating around."
"Oh, okay." Dasha slumped back against the couch, and no one spoke another word on the subject.
6. Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Proto Zoa walked back to the loading dock, hopped inside his pod, locked it behind him, and got as comfortable as possible. He turned on the pod's stereo, playing his own music until he fell asleep. Again, his mind was haunted by images of Zenon, and he lapsed in and out of consciousness several times before his body decided to wake up in the middle of the night. The stereo was still on, but the chip had long since finished playing, so he turned it off.
His pod felt unusually large and empty, but he closed his eyes and waited for sleep to come, which it eventually did.
ZZZ
Dasha leaned back against the wall of the corridor, watching the people pass her by. She checked her watch, determining that her parents were about fifteen minutes late, and she turned to press the button which opened the front door. Before her hand reached the button, however, she was grabbed from behind and a strongly scented cloth was pressed over her nose and mouth.
No matter how much Dasha struggled against her attacker, he proved stronger, and soon, her vision faded to black, and the last thing she remembered was the sensation of her falling.
ZZZ
Zenon's zap-pad beeped just before she walked into class, so she took a few steps down the corridor and answered. "We've looked everywhere," Judy said quickly. "Have you seen Dasha?"
"Dasha?"
"She's missing."
"Dasha's missing?" Zenon ran a hand through her hair and muttered, "Vega omega."
"Please tell me you might have a clue about where she might be."
"Sorry, Aunt Judy, but I'm clear minor. Unless... Any chance she's been kidnapped?"
"But who'd want to kidnap Dasha?"
"Anyone who had a use for her, I guess."
"Thank you." Judy hung up, and Zenon put her zap-pad back in her purse.
Class went off without a hitch, but Zenon was itching to meet up with Margie and Nebula during lunch. She did have a plan, despite what she told Aunt Judy, but the question was, could it be done in a manner which could yield results?
The musings on this question which carried her through class and on into lunch were interrupted by Margie waving a hand in front of Zenon's face and saying, "Hellooooo, Earth to Zenon."
"What? Oh, yeah. I...yeah."
"Zee, are you in comprehension mode minor or something?" Nebula asked. "What's wrong with you?"
"Dasha's missing," Zenon whispered, looking down at her tray.
"Oh, yeah, Daddy was telling us about this, something about making an announcement."
The girls' conversation was interrupted, as with the rest of the noise in the cafeteria, by Commander Plank stepping on a table and clearing his throat quite loudly. "As we're hoping many of you know by now," he began, "my daughter Dasha Plank is missing. Anyone with any information is instructed to come forward immediately, and we've already heard claims that Dasha has been kidnapped. As I said, anyone with information is instructed to come forward immediately."
Instantly the cafeteria erupted in a buzz of questions, and even Nebula and Margie joined the questioning. Zenon slumped back in her chair for a second before deciding to dump her tray and walk back to her dorm room.
"Zee?" Zenon stopped in her tracks, just after she stepped out of the cafeteria and into the corridor. She turned to face the speaker, and Proto Zoa added, "I'm...I'm sorry about...about what happened."
"Zoa, don't."
"What? I can't express empathy?"
"It's not that. It's just...this isn't your problem, it's mine. Dasha's my cousin."
Proto Zoa reached out to touch Zenon, but he stopped himself and let his hand fall back to his side. "Zee, do you want me to walk you back to your living quarters?"
She spun on her heel to face him, a distinct expression of shock on her face. "D-dorm r-room," she whispered, "and I can get there myself."
"Alright."
Zenon turned another one hundred eighty degrees and walked off down the corridor, and Proto Zoa couldn't bring himself to move.
ZZZ
Dasha flexed her face a little upon coming to, and she found that her mouth was covered with duct tape. Gradually, she could feel that her hands were bound with rope behind her back. She opened her eyes, and she could see the outline of a man in a chair with his legs crossed. He uncrossed his legs and leaned down, ripping the tape off her mouth, and after she recoiled, she asked, "Who are you?"
"You don't recognize me?" he asked. "I thought you would, since you were at my competition, not as a contestant, of course, but still present."
"Who are you?"
The man got to his feet, waved his hand, and a light came on.
7. Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Margie had zapped Zenon while she was pacing back and forth in her dorm room. "What's up, Marge?" she asked when she answered her zap-pad.
"We think we found a break major," Margie replied. "Meet us at the command center."
"Okay." Zenon hung up, put her zap-pad in her purse, and was out of her dorm room almost thirty seconds after Margie zapped her. She got to the command center about fifteen minutes later, to find Margie sitting at the computer with her father and Commander Plank behind her, staring at the screen. Zenon walked over next to Margie, and the latter pressed a button.
Zenon recognized the sector as the one which the Plank living quarters was a part of. She also recognized the blonde girl walking back into the Plank living quarters as Dasha, but the part that surprised her the most was the man who grabbed Dasha from behind and struggled with her until she was unconscious and yet still managed to hide his face from the camera as he struggled with and hauled Dasha away.
Without a second thought, she stepped outside and fished her zap-pad out of her purse.
ZZZ
Proto Zoa was surprised to hear his zap-pad go off while he slouched in the driver's seat of his pod, but he answered nonetheless. "Oh, hello, Zenon."
"Zoa, Dasha's definitely been kidnapped. We found security video to prove it."
"They still use video on the space station?"
"That's not the point. The point is that we need to figure out where she's been taken and wheter or not she's in danger mortis."
"Where would she have been taken, do you think?"
"I dunno, but I don't think she's still on the spay-stay."
"So that leaves Earth."
"Yeah, but Earth's gigundus extreme."
"I wondered if you were going to say that or if I had to. It reall doesn't narrow our search field."
"So what do we do? How do we find her?"
"I think I can get some assistance for us from the man of a thousand connections."
ZZZ
Lester pressed the button on his transmitter and gave his generic answer, "Lester."
"Lester, I need you to do something for me," Proto Zoa said.
"Zoa, baby, how you been?"
"That's beside the point right now. As I said, I have a task I'd like you to complete for me."
"Shoot, baby."
"Lester, is there any way you can get me a list of recent shuttles which have arrived on Earth?"
"Pods included?"
"Pods included."
"How recent?"
"Within the past forty-eight hours."
"Okay, I'll see what I can do and get back to ya, okay?"
"That sounds great. Thank you so much."
"You're too good to me."
"You're one to talk."
"Well, I gotta get to work. I'll let you know what I find as soon as I find it."
"Great, thank you."
Lester hung up and pulled out his computer. After he logged on, he entered a few queries into multiple search engines before he finally found a promising link.
ZZZ
Dasha couldn't help but gasp when the light in the room flickered on. The white-haired man before her absolutely towered, even as he knelt before her and she could get a good look at his face. "Numbar?" she asked.
8. Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Selena floated through the empty corridors of the space station, turning corner after corner until she found the loading dock, where Proto Zoa slept in his own pod. She slipped into the pod and rested a hand on his forehead, where she easily saw what he'd helped initialize on Earth, at Zenon's insistance.
Having found what she needed, she slipped out of the pod just as she entered, maintaining her etherial form, and she floated out the loading dock into space and down to Earth. A good portion of the population was asleep by then, but as she floated down to Los Angeles, she noticed more than a few office lights still on. She floated through the office buildings until she found Lester's office, which surprised her by being in his own apartment.
Lester's eyes were bloodshot, but he tirelessly scanned the screen of his computer. Selena slipped up behind him to get a glimpse of what he was examining, and she understood. Without a word, she slipped out of his apartment and up into the air.
ZZZ
Zenon tossed and turned in her sleep, seeing images of any horrible fate which might befall Dasha while she was kidnapped, trapped somewhere, either on the space station or on Earth. At one point, she sat up in bed, covered in a cold sweat, and she checked her zap-pad. The night had otherwise been uneventful, so she lay back down in her bed and rubbed her eyes.
As her body decided it wouldn't sleep, she slipped out of her bed and walked out of her dorm room, walking down the corridor and checking every room she could think of. Soon, this expanded beyond the space station's college to the space station as a whole.
Finally, she walked into the loading dock and tapped on the windshield of Proto Zoa's pod. After a few minutes of harsh tapping, she finally stirred him, and she opened the door, asking, "What?"
"I checked everywhere up here. I'm sure of it. There's no doubt now she's on Earth."
"I thought we figured that out before. I've got Lester on it right now."
"Okay, so we're well on our way to finding her, we hope."
"Zee, perhaps you should go back to bed. It's five in the morning space station time."
"I know, but I couldn't sleep."
"Oh, well then. I still think you should go back to bed, though, whether or not you have to skip class to do that."
"Zoa, are you crazy major?"
"I'm just worrying about you, is all."
"Zoa, I'll take care of everything."
"I'm sure you will, but I just want to make sure you're alright."
"Thanks," Zenon said with a smile. "I better get ready for the day." She walked out of the loading dock and back down to her dorm room.
ZZZ
The words on everyone's lips were each a different version of "Dasha Plank's been kidnapped," especially in the cafeteria over dinner, when the schoolday was complete. Only Zenon found she was incapable of saying anything, even to Margie and Nebula, who sat across the table from her.
Eventually, Nebula asked, "Zee, you look so maxed out major. You get enough sleep last night?"
"Dasha's on Earth," Zenon rasped, still staring at her tray. "I'm sure of it."
"Oo-kay," Nebula said, exchanging a confused and freaked out glance with Margie before forking a bite of food.
"Zee, I thought with Zoa being up here it would be so fabulo for you. Maybe it's this Dasha thing," Margie said.
"Sensitive minor," Nebula whispered as an aside to Margie.
"I'm just trying to make it all make sense, because it's murky major right now."
"I think that was the point," Zenon rasped again. "He kept his face away from the camera, so he had to know where it is."
"Cetus lapetus, that's a clue major," Nebula said suddenly. "How many people on Earth know where all the spay-stay's eyes are?"
"Vega omega," Margie said, her fork falling from her hand and clattering on the table and her jaw hanging slack. "What if it's someone we know?"
"What if it's someone who knows Dasha?"
"Then it's viral extreme," Nebula said, raising her eyebrows at Zenon in a serious expression.
"Neb's right," Margie added. "This is horrible extreme, and we don't even know where to start looking."
"Zoa does." The two other girls fell silent and exchaged a glance before looking back at Zenon, and she could tell they were both fairly surprised. "He has someone looking right now."
"You think this'll work?" Nebula asked.
"I told you it would be fabulo," Margie said with a grin. Her grin faded, though, as she said, "Just, not in the way I expected."
"Neb, if this doesn't work, then we're out of options, and you know how inky that is."
"So we put our faith in him?"
"We put our faith in Lester."
"Lester?" Margie and Nebula asked at the same time.
"Proto Zoa's manager."
The girls nodded in ascent and returned to their trays.
ZZZ
Dasha immediately fought back, trying to get herself free, and Numbar pressed a foot to her abdomen. "Just do what I tell you and you just might get the chance to go free," he said.
"What do you want?" Dasha asked through gritted teeth.
"Quite simply, I want you to send samples from both of us to a testing facility to determine whether or not you are my daughter."
"If I am?"
"If you are, then you will join me on Mars when the project is complete, and I have to admit, I see quite a nice life for you."
"And if I'm not?"
"If you're not, as the case likely may be, then I will determine whether or not the results were fabricated. If they are, you will die, and if they're not, you will walk away free, provided, however, that you don't tell anyone about what I've done."
"You won't get away with this."
Numbar knelt down and hissed in Dasha's ear, "I already have." When he got to his feet, he added, "Besides, I know you have questions, being a foster child and daughter of a prostitute." Dasha returned to her struggle with renewed force, but the ropes burned her wrists, and the ones she'd recently discovered around her ankles seemed to constrict the harder she fought. Numbar laughed and returned to his chair, crossing his legs so that he was just as he was when Dasha first woke up. "You've been given your options. Now, you have twenty-four hours to make your choice." With that, he got to his feet and walked out of the room through the only exit Dasha had managed to get a glimpse of.
9. Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
With the rising sun's light falling on his computer screen, Lester rubbed his eyes and pressed a button on his transmitter. "Hello?" Proto Zoa asked.
"Zoa, baby, what a night, but I just couldn't stop looking. I think I finally found something," Lester replied.
"Is it of use to us?"
"Well, there were a lot of pods Earthbound, but only one that left for Space Station 015741 the night before."
"Well, who does it belong to?"
"It's a private pod, and real high-end, too, but I couldn't tell much beyond that."
"I think we can take it from there. I just need the model number and make of this pod."
"All I got's the model number and pod ID."
"Even better. You're stellar, Lester."
"Uh, thanks, I think."
At Proto Zoa's signal, Lester rattled off the pod ID and model number, and he could hear scratching sounds on the other end of the transmission line, and when he finished, the scratching also finished. "Thank you, Lester," Proto Zoa said.
"This mean I can get some sleep."
"By all means. You've earned it, in my opinion."
Lester ended the transmission and closed his eyes, instantly lapsing to sleep in his chair.
ZZZ
Proto Zoa leapt out of his pod and rushed down to the cafeteria, which, as he expected at that time of the morning, was crouded. He stood little chance of being noticed beyond as a late arrival, but he made a straight beeline for where Zenon sat, fiddling with something she must've found on the way over. "Zee, I have a lead," he said brightly, handing her the paper.
She looked up and examined the paper. "What are these?" she asked.
"Model number and pod ID for the pod we suspect spirited Dasha away from the space station."
"So, you think we can use these?"
"If not to find Dasha's kidnapper, perhaps an accomplice who can tell us who the kidnapper is."
"Think this'll work?"
"Well, we won't know until we try, so let's. Come on."
"Well, I have nothing better to do." Zenon followed Proto Zoa down corridor after corridor until they reached the command center, and he knocked on the door.
"Well, what do we have here?" General Hammond asked when he answered the knock at the door. "Ah, Ms. Karr, Mr. Zoa, what brings you two here?"
"We think we have something which can help us find Dasha," Proto Zoa said, and Zenon handed over the paper, watching the general's expression as he examined it. "Do you think it's useful?"
"What is the history behind you obtaining this information?" Proto Zoa recounted everything he told and learned from Lester over the past several hours, which was stretching into the realm of days. General Hammond nodded where appropriate and when Proto Zoa finished, he added, "In that case, then I think it will be very useful."
Proto Zoa and Zenon exchanged glances, both mixes of shock and pleasant surprise, and the general led them inside. General Hammond met with Commander Plank, relating to him everything Proto Zoa had told him, and the commander's eyes widened as he examined the model number and pod ID on the paper.
"Well, let's find this pod," the commander said, turning to the computer.
ZZZ
Dasha rolled over onto her back and took a deep breath, telling herself to be a little more rational. She swung her legs up over her head, giving her hands a little bit of space, and she began to work her hands over her legs, adjusting position whenever necessary. Eventually, her legs dropped to the floor, and her hands were in front of her. She pulled at the ropes around her wrists with her teeth, but the knots were tighter than she previously thought.
Someone tapped on the door, and Numbar said, "Don't think you're going to escape that easily, Dasha. Remember, I need you around still."
"Numbar, I'll do what you want," she said, "on one condition."
"I knew you'd come around, but I expected this. What's your condition?"
"I want my proverbial one call from jail."
ZZZ
Zenon and Proto Zoa stood over Commander Plank as he entered the model number and pod ID in a search engine and selected the only result that appeared on the screen. The link led them to a profile with a very familiar, yet very unexpected, heading.
"Numbar?" Zenon and Proto Zoa asked at the same time, both jaws hanging slack.
10. Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Numbar opened the door and asked, "Do you want me to finish what you started, or will I leave that to you?"
"I figure you tied me up," Dasha said, "so you know how to untie me, too."
"Alright, then." Numbar quickly untied the rope, and Dasha's wrists were free. He handed her his zap-pad, but he stood over her as she pressed a button.
ZZZ
Zenon's zap-pad went off, and she said, "Hold on, I think this might be important." She took a few steps away from the group and answered her zap-pad, to none other than Dasha. "Dash? Dash, where are you?"
"It's Dasha?" Proto Zoa asked, taking a step forward.
"I told Numbar I'd do what he wants, if I got in touch with you, and he's watching me right now," Dasha explained. "I have to do what he wants, or I could die."
"Dash, where are you?"
"I dunno, can't say. I was hoping you'd find me."
"We will, Dasha."
Zenon could clearly see Numbar gesture to Dasha, and the latter said, "I gotta go now, Zee. Please come find me."
"We will. Promise."
Dasha hung up and Zenon turned to face the others, especially Proto Zoa. "We need to go find her."
"Hand me your zap-pad. We'll trace the other with it," General Hammond said, holding out his hand toward Zenon. She handed him the zap-pad, and he hooked it up to the computer and ran it through a program neither she nor Proto Zoa had seen before. The program popped up an address.
"Isn't that Lester's apartment building?" Proto Zoa asked. "One room under his?"
"You know the place?" the general asked.
"I'm fairly certain. I'm also fairly certain I can find it if I had to."
"You just might," Zenon said. General Hammond handed Zenon her zap-pad back, and she and Proto Zoa moved toward the door.
"Keep us up to date," Commander Plank said after them.
"Absolute major," Zenon replied.
ZZZ
When Numbar took his zap-pad back, Dasha untied the ropes around her ankles and got to her feet for the first time in what felt like, if not forever, then almost too long. She turned and followed Numbar out of the bare room to another, more furnished living room. He walked out of the door of the room, Dasha at his heels, and he continued to lead her down stairwell after stairwell until they reached his pod, and she hopped in right after him.
The pod took off, and Dasha adjusted her position in the passenger's seat and stared out the window at the everchanging scenery.
ZZZ
Zenon hopped into Proto Zoa's pod, in the passenger's seat, and stared straight ahead. Proto Zoa gently pulled the pod out of the loading dock and asked, "Zee, is something wrong?"
"It's...complicated."
"How complicated can it be? Someone or something hurt you, and you're not talking about it for whatever reason. All I want to know is, what's wrong?"
"Why do you care? You're the one running around with actresses from soap operas."
"And you're the one running around with activists of obscure causes. If my memory serves me, we've already been over this."
"It doesn't matter anyway. You do whatever you want no matter what anyone else says, so don't bother trying with me."
"Because I care about what you think, Zenon. I want to make you happy."
"That's what Sage said, that's what Greg said, and that was what Orion said, too, so don't go there with me."
"I'm sorry," Proto Zoa whispered, returning his attention to the space in front of him. He maneuvered the pod effortlessly into a slow descent through Earth's atmosphere, and Zenon looked out the side window, struggling to pay attention to the changing scenery.
"Why'd you do it, Zoa?" she finally asked.
"Why did I go on a date with the girl from Of All The Worlds? I should ask you why you kissed Sage, but if you insist, I'll answer your question first."
"I do insist."
"Then I did it because I thought you no longer wanted to be with me."
"And I kissed Sage just because it just felt right at the time. So, we both have our answers, and as far as I know, we're both single, so what happens now?"
"What do you mean, what happens now? We find Dasha, that's what happens now."
"I know that, but what about between us? I mean, are we friends, are we enemies, acquaintances? What are we?"
"Let's just worry about this later, alright?" Proto Zoa gently glided the pod through the streets of a city Zenon quickly realized was Los Angeles. "We do what we came down here to do, and then we can think about us. Do we have a deal?"
Zenon chewed her lip for a minute and then sighed. "Yes, we have a deal."
"Well, then. We have some work to do."
ZZZ
Dasha hopped out of the pod with the samples Numbar handed her, not bothering to ask how he got them, and she walked into the testing facility. "May I help you?" one of the ladies in white coats asked as she approached Dasha.
"I'd like to have a paternity test done," Dasha replied, handing over the samples. "I brought the samples already, and I hope you'll be able to use them."
The lady took the samples, thanked Dasha, and told her she'd have the results as soon as she could, and Dasha walked out of the facility, only to find Numbar leaning against his parked pod with an expectant expression on his face. "Five days," was all Dasha said to him.
11. Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
Just as Proto Zoa parked his pod in the lot of the apartment building, another pod parked right next to his, and Zenon gasped, watching silently as Dasha hopped out and ran down the sidewalk the second she had the opportunity. It took Zenon a second, but she hopped out of Proto Zoa's pod and ran after her cousin. She was followed closely by Numbar and he was followed equally closely by Proto Zoa.
Dasha ran straight ahead until she reached a park, where she turned a corner and ran into the grove of trees the park offered. Zenon ran into the grove for a few feet before she had to stop to catch her breath. "Dasha," she called. "Dasha! Dasha!"
Numbar grabbed Zenon from behind and pressed a laser to her temple, and she froze instantly.
Proto Zoa stopped in his tracks at the sight of Numbar pressing a laser to Zenon's head, ready to fire. After a second of pure shock, a strange rage passed over him, and he lunged for Numbar, grabbing his wrist and pulling the laser away from Zenon's skull.
Numbar managed to get himself free, laser in hand, and asked, "You don't want to kill me, do you?"
"Anything I can to keep her," Proto Zoa hissed.
Zenon stared at him for a second after she pulled away, but before Numbar noticed, she took off into the grove to find Dasha.
ZZZ
Dasha crouched down behind one of the trees, barely able to see the struggle taking place at the edge of the grove. Zenon ran toward her, and she felt a thrill of hope, one strong enough to tempt her to run out to meet her, but something about the action seemed unsafe.
Her cousin reached the tree and knelt to meet her and whispered, "It's okay, now. I promise, Dash."
"Zee," Dasha whispered. "Is he gonna kill me?"
"Not unless I'm in danger mortis first."
The cousins chuckled, got to their feet, and Zenon carefully led Dasha out from behind the tree.
ZZZ
Numbar looked around for a second like a crazed man before taking off down one of the walkways of the park, and Proto Zoa rolled his eyes before setting off into the grove, just as Zenon and Dasha made their way out of the grove. "Well, she's with us now," Zenon said, "but it's in completion mode minor."
"Of course it's not finished yet, since Numbar's running away a free man," Proto Zoa said.
"He's getting away?" Dasha snapped. "After all he did?"
"Look, we're gonna figure this out," Zenon said to her cousin. She turned to Proto Zoa and said, "Can we talk? Like, in privacy mode extreme?"
"Of course." He led her down the walkway, and he waited until they were both sure Dasha hadn't followed them before he asked, "What do you want to talk about?"
"What was that about with you and Numbar?"
"What was what?"
"That whole 'anything to keep her' thing. Vega omega, it sounds like you're perpetually jealous or overprotective major or something."
"You're one to talk, with the way you reacted to that one date I went on several months ago."
"Well, I'm sorry, okay, but what does it mean?"
"What are you talking about?"
"What aren't you talking about, I should ask?"
Proto Zoa looked away from Zenon and rested his hand on his hips. He licked his lip and sighed heavily. "Zee, you don't understand-"
"Damn right major I don't understand."
"No, let me finish. I can't watch you walk away from me. I don't know how to handle it, and I'm so afraid of losing you, I...I couldn't... Zenon, I'm so sorry."
Zenon took a few steps toward Proto Zoa and wrapped her arms around his neck. He rested his hands on her back and closed his his eyes. "Zoa, I'm so sorry I was so mad at you. I didn't know you...I didn't know you felt this way."
"It's not your fault, Zee." Zenon pulled away from Proto Zoa and smiled softly up at him. He smiled in return, and he looked back over his shadow back at Dasha, who still sat on the park bench, leaning back and watching the people walk by, for a second before returning his attention to Zenon. "Now, do you think we should get her back home?"
"That depends on if she needs to still do things here," Zenon replied.
"We'll soon find out."
"Got that right."
"So, Zee, why are you so jealous, exactly?" Proto Zoa asked as Zenon took a few steps toward Dasha.
"We'll talk about this later," she snapped. "So, Dasha, is there anything important major you need to take care of on Earth?" she asked when she reached her cousin.
"Not right now, but I need to com back in five days to pick up the DNA test results," Dasha replied.
"DNA test?"
"I had to, otherwise I'd be killed."
"Okay, then." Dasha got to her feet and followed Zenon and Proto Zoa back to the latter's pod.
12. Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Dasha stretched out her neck as Zenon landed her pod in the original streets of Los Angeles, and she hopped out as soon as it was safe. She walked into the testing facility and introduced herself to the woman at the counter, who instantly remembered who she was and walked into the back room for a moment. Dasha took a moment to look around before the lady returned and handed her a small envelope. She thanked the woman and walked out to Zenon's pod, hopping inside.
Zenon took off and set a course directly for the space station, and Dasha pulled a chip out of the envelope and examined it closely before putting it in her zap-pad. It took a moment for the chip's content to load, but she had to read the first page of the z-file three times before it registered in her brain.
"Numbar's my father?" she asked.
Zenon felt herself almost lose complete control over her pod, but she managed to wordlessly pull the pod into the loading dock.
ZZZ
Proto Zoa paced slowly across his living room with his zap-pad in hand. "Well, Zee, it looks like we've got another set of problems on our hands," he said, "what with Numbar being Dasha's father and all."
"Yeah, well, here's the thing," Zenon replied. "Numbar's not the best of guys, and he threatened Dasha with death if she didn't get a genuine DNA paternity test done."
"I know all that, but what about what happens now?"
"What do you mean what happens now?"
"I mean, isn't there some law that she has a choice now between her biological father and her adoptive family?"
"Well, she has to know both of them the same for that to even work."
"Did the test mention anything else, do you know?"
"She's mute major."
"I see. Now, Zee, why exactly were you so jealous of me with another girl?"
"Why were you so jealous of me with other guys?"
Proto Zoa stopped his pacing and sighed. "Zee, it's complicated, but cliff-notes version, I like you. A lot. You're the most amazing person I know, and I'm so afraid I'm going to lose you, that you're going to leave me."
"That's rudicrous, Zoa."
"It doesn't matter if it is or not. It's your turn to answer my question."
"I haven't really had a lot of luck with guys, since none of them want to be with me if I don't sleep with them, so if I'm with you, then, you wouldn't want to be with me after a little while and you'd cheat on me."
"I'm sorry, Zee," Proto Zoa whispered. "It's farthest from my mind to hurt you. I care about you too much for that."
"That's what they said."
"But they didn't mean it. I'm sure of it."
"And you do?"
"Zee, I care about you. You're my best friend, and perhaps more than that. I dunno about that just yet. It's just...I love you."
"Wh-what?"
"I-I love you."
Zenon chewed her lip and lowered her gaze, wondering if she should respond. "I love you, too, Zoa," she whispered, "but I need this to mean something, and I dunno if it can."
"How do you mean?"
"I just...dunno if we can be together in any meaningful way."
"Is...is there something you need of me?"
"I need it to be real. Don't just say you love me for a week or a month and then decide you don't want to say that to me anymore."
"I don't know if I could do that to you, Zee. All I've wanted since I first met you was to be with you, but I knew I couldn't until you were an adult. I still want to be with you, because I feel like you see beyond my face and my music into something no one else sees."
"Zoa, I miss you, I need you. You're the first person I think of when I need someone."
"It's going to be alright, Zee. I promise."
Zenon felt herself blush, and she smiled a little. "I can feel a storm major coming, since Numbar's still free, so I just might need you soon."
"Zap me when you do, and I'll zap you every day otherwise."
"Okay."
ZZZ
Zenon hung up, lay her zap-pad on her nightstand, and lay back on her bed, closing her eyes. Even when everything else seemed normal, she could feel something rushing through space, charging everything it could reach with a strange energy akin to electricity.
Proto Zoa was right. A storm was coming.
End file.
| Finding Dasha by t.j.guard | Zenon |
1. Chapter 1
The Blast Seen Around the World
Disclaimer: I don't own Zenon.
A/N: sequel to Finding Dasha, PZ/Z
>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<p>
Chapter One
Zenon stared out the window of her pod, puzzling for a moment at the fact that she couldn't raise her arms to work the upper control panels. The pod turned and drifted forward for a moment, toward the space station. She wondered what she was doing there, why she was going there, but she assumed that it was to return home after the summer was over.
Her hands moved the wheel as if she had no control over their movements, and at that moment, she realized she was trying to steer away from the space station. She tried again, in vain, to control her limbs, to steer back toward the space station, but instead, she found herself doing a large loop, positioning herself at a further distance from the space station.
Why? she wondered. She tried to look down at her hands, but her eyes were fixed on the space station.
A second later, the space station ripped apart from its core, and everything was torn to shreads by a ball of fire. The fireball was one of the brightest objects in their region of space, and the shockwave flipped Zenon's pod upside down and sending it backwards.
ZZZ
Zenon sat bolt upright in bed, breathing heavily and in a slight cold sweat. She was a little bit disoriented for a moment, and then she realized that she was in a guest bedroom at Nova Linda Cove.
She climbed out of bed and walked out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom. It felt good to be in control of her own movements again, especially as she washed her face with cold water and regained control of her breathing. She leaned on the counter over the sink, weighing her options. She wasn't sure about telling Proto Zoa about the dream; much as she loved him, she had a bad gut feeling about telling him about this dream. She didn't want to cause him any unnessecary panic.
A strange thought occurred to her: that the dream was a warning, some form of premonition. If that were true, she had several questions to answer. Who was trying to blow up the space station, and why? Could that person be stopped before it was too late?
She knew the answer to the latter question. Yes, that person could be found and stopped, especially with Zenon Karr seeing to it.
But that meant she needed to talk to Proto Zoa about it, and he needed to talk to Lester, the "man of a thousand connections" who helped her find her cousin after Numbar had kidnapped her and forced her to submit to a paternity test.
Were the two connected, she wondered, and what did it have to do with the Mars Colony that Dasha told her about?
She took a deep breath and walked out of the bathroom. She knocked on Proto Zoa's bedroom door, and it slid open. "Mmm, Zee, what's going on?" Proto Zoa asked sleepily as he walked back over and took a seat on his bed.
Zenon wet her lip and explained everything she knew about the dream she'd been having off and on for the past several weeks. Proto Zoa's eyes widened, and even if he wasn't, he certainly seemed wide awake. For some time, he was speechless, instead picking one side of his bed and patting the other. She walked over and lay next to him. He wrapped an arm around her, and she settled into him, her eyes fluttering closed. "We'll figure this out," Proto Zoa whispered, "and everything will be fine." These were the last words she'd heard before falling asleep.
ZZZ
Dasha sat cross-legged on her bed, her fingers laced and her elbows on her knees, chewing her lip. Her stereo was playing one of Proto Zoa's chips, but she wasn't paying much attention.
She picked up her zap-pad and replayed the message she'd recieved earlier that day. Numbar's face filled the screen, and he seemed cheery somehow, though Dasha didn't suspect that it was because he wanted to talk to her. "I just wanted to let you know that my offer still stands," he said. "Call me back if you decide yea or nay." The message ended, and Dasha let the zap-pad fall from her hands and into her lap. She tried to think, but her mind failed her and her eyes glazed over.
She almost didn't realize it when the chip ended, but when she caught on, she changed it and then lapsed back into a state of mindlessness. This state was only disturbed by a charge racing through space which sent chills down her spine.
2. Chapter 2
Chapter Two
Proto Zoa awoke the next morning, afraid that he'd had an affair when he noticed the woman lying in bed next to him. Then he realized that it was Zenon, and he remembered what had happened, what he thought was a dream. Zenon had had a nightmare about her space station blowing up.
"Oh, Zenon," he mumbled into her hair, giving her a gentle squeeze. He kissed the top of her head and relaxed, staring up at the ceiling. "Oh, Zenon. What are we to do?"
Zenon groaned, shifting her position slightly. He met her gaze when she looked up at him. "Good morning, love," he said.
"Morning," she replied.
"Are you okay? You had quite a fright last night."
"Yeah, it's been like this for several weeks."
He propped himself up on his elbow. "Several weeks?"
"Sweat minor. It's just a nightmare."
"A recurring nightmare."
"The charges come and go, too. It's not like they're connected."
"You never know, they could be."
Zenon sighed and shook her head. Proto Zoa sat up, allowing Zenon to adjust her position. "Zenon," he whispered, "be careful, and make sure you remember this dream. The last time you had dreams like this, they seemed to be a message. I don't see any reason to assume that that's different this time around."
"I will," she replied.
"Now, who wants breakfast?" he asked, smiling in spite of what had happened.
ZZZ
Numbar paced across the hotel room. The charges were getting worse, and every time they came, he got horrible migranes which forced him to draw the blinds and hang a "Do Not Disturb" sign at his door. When they became more frequent, he just left the sign and blinds where they were and tried to figure out exactly what he was going to do about the charges.
And Dasha. And his new pet project, the Martian colony.
His biological daughter being a completely unpredictable factor and the charges being something he deemed completely out of his control, he'd long since decided to focus on his plans for the colony. Reports came in on a daily basis about the progress the team was making, and he himself began contemplating hosting another Teen Supreme competition. After all, people had more than likely forgotten about Selena the Moon Goddess. It's been seven years.
Besides, the moon having Selena as a resident was a fluke. That wasn't to say that Mars would have its resident.
"Guess again," a voice hissed in Numbar's ear. He turned on his heel, straining to see in the darkness, but nothing seemed out of place save the red mist swirling around throughout the room in patches. The mist began to coalesce before his very eyes into the form of a red, translucent man with short black hair, one of only a very few changes in his coloration. "Don't underestimate us," the man added. "None of us are to be trifled with."
Numbar stood and stared, unable to speak, overcome with the knowledge that he couldn't move his body.
"One of my tricks," the man said, "but don't worry. It's not supposed to kill you. I just like making sure people listen to me."
"What do you want?" Numbar managed, his voice mangled and almost unintelligible.
"You know what I want, and you're the only one in a position to give it to me right now, unless there are others who build up a resistance or protest this colony of yours. Since that doesn't seem likely, then you're the only one. Questions, comments, or concerns? No? Good." He flicked his wrist, and Numbar flew backwards with a yell, slamming into the wall and crumpling to the floor.
Numbar pushed himself up so that he was on all fours and looked up at his mysterious visitor-attacker. "Who are you?"
The man walked over and picked Numbar up by the collar. "Wouldn't you ought to know," he hissed. "With all your knowledge and experience, how could you assume there was only one? I am the god of war, and dark days are coming for this planet. Dark, dark days." He dropped Numbar and disappeared, leaving the latter thoroughly confused and out of sorts.
"I need to find another pain medication," Numbar whispered when he felt certain he was alone.
ZZZ
Dasha paused at the mirror, her toothbrush hanging out of her mouth, thinking for a moment that she saw the reflection of a man composed entirely of red haze, but when she turned, there was no one there, and when she returned to the mirror, the image was gone. She finished brushing her teeth and walked out of the bathroom to meet her parents, who were sorting out decorations in the living room. Her dog was at the door, begging to be walked. "You better take care of that," Commander Plank said.
"Okay, Dad," Dasha replied, picking up the leash and hooking it to the dog's collar. "Be back in a moment micro."
The second she walked outside, she remembered everything she loved about Earth. The air, the sounds, the people, the occasional breaze. She kept pace with her dog, watching the people around her stare or merely turn away politely.
These minor details didn't occupy her mind for long, however, as her thoughts kept drifting back to the man in the mirror who wasn't really there. For a moment, she was grateful that she didn't tell her parents; she couldn't handle a massive stalker hunt extreme right then, when she'd finally let the Numbar Incident's water slide under the bridge, as it were.
She turned a corner and walked toward the park. Between a pair of trees, under the canopy of leaves the two trees formed together, stood the man from the mirror. Her dog barked up a fuss, and she knelt beside him and held him. "Easy, Centauri, easy," she whispered.
"For a moment I mistook you for your cousin," the man said, and Dasha looked up at him.
"What are you talking about?" she asked.
"You two look so much alike that it's almost scary, but that's beside the point. The point, and the reason for my visiting you, is your close relation, at least genetically, to one Patrick Numbar."
"Yeah, so?"
"I have a proposition for you."
3. Chapter 3
Chapter Three
"Wow, Zoa. Cereal. How romantic," Zenon said with a smirk as Proto Zoa walked into the living room and sat on the sofa, two bowls in hand. He handed one to Zenon.
"It's the thought that counts, love," he replied with a smile.
She scooted closer to him. "Thanks," she whispered. "For everything."
"I try, Zee. I try."
She chewed her cereal for a moment. "Zoa, do you sometimes wonder if you're being watched?"
"What makes you ask?"
"Just...curious."
"Zenon, I'm an extremely famous rock star. Of course I'm being watched, all the time, actually. Seriously, though. What makes you ask such a thing?"
"It's one of those things that comes with the charges. I get this feeling that we're being watched by someone, even though I'm not exactly sure who it is."
"Have you seen this person?"
She shook her head no. "Maybe I'm just paranoid major."
"Maybe, maybe not."
"You're gonna say something about it having to do with the charges and the recurring nightmare, and maybe they're related major, and maybe it's coincidence major."
"Zee, did you take statistics?"
"Yeah."
"Did you know that the odds are astronomically small that three seemingly unrelated coincidences will occur within a small timeframe?"
"Yeah."
"Then odds are the charges, the paranoia, and the dreams are related, though how I'm not sure yet."
Zenon twirled her spoon around in her bowl. "Okay, so maybe they are related, but what about Numbar's Martian colony?"
"Based on what happened on the moon seven years ago, I'd say that the colony project is most likely the focal point. Mars wants Numbar to stop building on his planet."
"Like Numbar's gonna listen."
Proto Zoa smirked. "I'd figured as much the second I found out he snuck his way aboard the Wonder Bus."
"I remember that. Didn't you publicly threaten his life?"
"I may have, when I was seeing red. I don't remember much, and besides, that was almost a decade ago."
"Well, he's been mentioning a colony on Mars for several years. Doesn't surprise me that he's actually going through with it."
Proto Zoa set his bowl on the coffee table and wrapped his arms around Zenon, who set her bowl next to his and leaned into him. He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger. "You don't need to be afraid," he whispered. "I'm not going to leave you."
"Vega omega, that's rudicrous," she said immediately.
"Is it?"
"Yes, it is. Rudicrous major."
"Or is there something you're ignoring?"
"Zoa."
"Sorry."
Zenon took the bowls into the kitchen largely in an effort to gain some space, and as she glanced at the window, she thought she saw an unusually red man. Confirming that her eyes weren't decieving her, she turned to face him, watching him pass through the wall as if it, or he, were immaterial. "Z-Z-Zoa?" she called. Proto Zoa rushed into the kitchen only to stop the instant he spotted the man.
"Oh, good, you're both home," the man said. He studied Zenon. "Ah, yes, the strong-willed one. The one with the dreams. Very interesting. Dark days are coming for this world, and yours." He then looked over at Proto Zoa. "These dark days can break a person."
"Okay, who are you?" Zenon asked.
"You should know by now." With that, the man disappeared.
"Okay, what was that?"
"Mars," Proto Zoa replied. "That's me wagering a guess."
"It's the only one we have, but what's with this cryptic major way of talking? I mean, 'dark days'? Really?"
"Mars is the god of war, so they really could be 'dark days'."
"Okay, no, no. Nobody's going to die."
"You never know, and personally, I'm beginning to doubt that we can control anything in this mess."
"You know what, I'm going to find Numbar, and I'm going to give him a peace of my mind. He thinks he's going to start a war? Negatory."
He pushed gently against her shoulders. "Zenon, look at me," he said. "We don't know how much he knows yet. Give it time."
She exhaled harshly, looking down at the floor. He tilted her chin upward and kissed her gently on the lips. "It's going to be okay," he whispered.
"I hope you're right."
ZZZ
Dasha watched as Centauri perched himself on the couch. Her mind was too distracted to really think about anything of any importance, but still she felt the need to think anyway.
All she'd really comprehended was that Mars had wanted her to somehow convince Numbar to stop this colony project of his, which seemed, at least to Dasha, impossible extreme, and yet she had the strange sense that it was in some way expected of her.
A thought sparked movement in her, and she reached for her zap-pad, which she found on the coffee table.
"Dasha, what's up?" Zenon asked when she answered the zap. Dasha took a deep breath and explained in detail her encounter with Mars. Zenon went pale during her cousin's explanation and, at one point toward the end, had to sit down.
"What's up?" Dasha asked, knitting her brow.
"Vega omega," Zenon whispered. "He said the same thing to us. Dark days are coming."
"But talk about ambiguous major. What does that even mean?"
"Join the club."
"Well, well, well, Dasha Plank," Proto Zoa said, a bright smile on his face as he sat down next to Zenon. "More Mars business?"
"Affirmative," Dasha replied.
"Next question: given the state of things right now, do we let this thing run its course?"
"Well, we'd have to intervene at some point," Zenon said, "especially if we're all being visited like this. I don't know if we're supposed to do anything right now, but as inky major as this is going to get, we'll have to do something somewhere along the line."
"How?" Dasha asked. "I mean, what're we supposed to do?"
"I'm clear minor, but at least we have time to figure it out."
4. Chapter 4
Chapter Four
Numbar could feel the deadline approaching as if it were his own death, and the numerous dust storms on Mars, right in the middle of construction, weren't helping matters any, even though he'd given the order that everything was to continue as planned. If he'd been given a little more time-
But he'd had enough time. Enough to plan, organize, figure things out, get the ball rolling, even giving it a push here and there along the way. The time was at hand where the colony buildings themselves would be complete, and it would be time to act, and act quickly.
He glanced at the piles of invitations that needed sending out, and he thought on the opening day. He still needed a main act.
"Of course," he whispered to himself, placing the invitations in a bag and grabbing his zap-pad. He zapped Proto Zoa's manager on the way down the stairs.
"Lester."
"Lester, it's Pat Numbar. I've got an opening for a show I'm hosting, and I think I know just the star for it."
"Who?"
"Proto Zoa."
Lester cringed. "Oh, I don't think he's going to agree to that, what with everything that happened last month. It's a wonder he hasn't sued your ass for pain and suffering by now."
"That doesn't matter right now. Can he do the gig or not?"
"Well, I'll run it by him, see what he says, and let you know."
"For the record, I only have five weeks."
"I'll see what he says and get back to you." Lester hung up, and Numbar caught the next taxi pod to the facility.
ZZZ
Proto Zoa stirred into consciousness to his zap-pad going off, and he answered with a groggy, "Hello?"
"Zoa, I don't know if you're gonna like this, but I got you an offer for a gig," Lester replied.
"A gig?"
Lester swallowed and wet his upper lip. "It's on Mars."
"Vega omega, he's seriously going through with it."
"Look, the guy that offered this gig, Numbar, he's getting antsy, and it's bad. Says he's got five weeks left, and that I'd better get him your decision, soon."
"Am I at least allowed a little time to think about it?"
"Well, yeah, I mean, this is your career and I'm just the manager, but still. I knew you weren't gonna jump on it right away."
"Well, for one I'm half-asleep, but you never know, this could work. We could work this into a plan to get the colony off of Mars the planet and get Mars the god to leave us alone." Proto Zoa remembered the dream Zenon had described to him, but he wasn't willing to share that with Lester of all people, even if his manager did happen to have some insight.
"Well, zap me when you make up your mind or anything else happens."
Proto Zoa nodded, climbing out of bed. He was about to turn off his zap-pad, but for some reason, he couldn't. Instead, he walked out of his room and into the living room, Lester still on the line and ranting about the high fees Zoa was racking up in this strange stunt, whatever it was. Zoa looked over at the television Zenon was fixated on, and he soon realized why.
The headline read: 'Riots break out in Rio', and the zap-pad almost fell from Proto Zoa's hands. "Are you watching the news?" he asked.
"What, of course I'm watching the news," Lester replied.
"What's the story you're watching right now?"
"Are you okay?"
"Which story are they telling you right now?"
"Something about riots in Brazil. Happy now?"
"Lester, don't try to kill me. I can't afford that right now, and I think the 'dark days' I've heard so much about are coming faster than we expected."
"Dark days? What the hell are you talking about?"
"Don't worry. We'll figure this out."
"I'm afraid you don't have time to figure things out," a voice said from behind him, miraculously attracting both his and Zenon's attention.
Selena walked over to them, and Lester asked, "Who's the chick?"
"We'll be zapping you back," Selena said, flicking her wrist at Proto Zoa's zap-pad, which flew out of his hand and landed on the floor, small amounts of smoke drifting up from what was left of it.
"You...you..." Zenon began.
"Fried his zap-pad. I know. Now listen. Whatever you thought was going to happen in the midst of all this colonial nonsense, it's worse, much worse. You two need a plan, now. Do you have one?"
Proto Zoa and Zenon exchanged a glance before looking at Selena, and they said, "No," in unison.
"Then get busy," she snapped, before taking a deep breath. "We only have a few weeks, and Numbar's acting quickly. We need to do the same thing, before this gets any-"
A crack of thunder shook Nova Linda.
"Worse," Selena finished, wincing a little.
Zenon got to her feet and walked around the couch, her eyes on Selena. "Vega omega," she whispered, listening to the rain falling hard against the roof and windows. "Dark days could be literal."
"Aye. A storm is comin'."
"So, what do we do?" Proto Zoa asked, looking from Zenon to Selena and back again.
Zenon and Selena exchanged a glance, and the latter asked, "What about the gig?"
"What gig?" Zenon asked, looking at Proto Zoa.
"Lester told me Numbar was looking for an act for a concert he was hosting, most likely the colony's opening day, and Lester knew I wouldn't jump on it right away," he said. "It might be the key to thwarting this crazy plan of his."
Selena looked at Zenon again, and she knew what Selena was thinking. Zenon looked over at Proto Zoa, and by the look in his eyes, she knew he knew what she was thinking. "Just remember," Selena said, "there are always casualties in war."
5. Chapter 5
Chapter Five
"You've been pacing for thirty minutes," Proto Zoa said from his position on the couch, watching Zenon cross his living room back and forth far too many times for him to count. "You're going to wear a groove in my floor."
"Zoa, I don't have a choice," Zenon replied. "We're running out of time, and somehow my dreams fit into this crazy major nonsense."
"You know, this reminds me of Selena's assault on Earth. Riots are violent, but they're a thing of the past, or they were. Assuming Mars is causing them, they're bound to break out in other places, not necessarily bound to Earth."
She stopped pacing almost immediately. "You don't think...do you?" Proto Zoa nodded. "How is that possibly possible?"
"You'd be surprised. I've seen hysterical fans trample each other for front row seats."
"But still. That's different. Riots are..."
"Usually fairly uncivilized political protests utilized by various groups of people in order to have an issue addressed. Contrary to popular opinion, I paid attention in school, for however short a time I was there. I paid enough attention to know that I never really wanted to go to school in the first place."
"Okay, so, is war the next step?"
He shrugged. "Who knows?"
"But now we have a gigundus major problem on our hands."
"It's not on our hands. It's on Numbar's."
"You know he's going to pass the buck."
"Yes, but it's still his problem, and if you ask me, I say he's the one that has to deal with it, no matter what excuse he makes to avoid it."
"But how?"
"I don't know yet, love, but I'm certain we'll think of something."
Zenon's zap-pad rang, and she answered almost immediately to a clearly panicked Dasha. "Vega omega," she managed, though her voice was strained. She held up a small chip and added, "He's serious about me moving to Mars."
"You got invited?" Proto Zoa asked. Zenon sat on the couch so that Dasha could see him better.
Dasha nodded, and Zenon said, "Well, so did Zoa. Numbar wants him to do a gig, and we're pretty sure it's on Mars. Zoa thinks it could be the key to stopping this whole mess, but we only have five weeks."
"That's a lot of time."
"Not in construction time," Zoa said. "In a contractor's mind, five weeks is the home stretch, the light at the end of the tunnel. The project is almost complete and he can get paid."
"So...what do we do?"
"We're working on it."
"So I guess I should work on it, too. What do you want me to do?"
Zenon glanced at Proto Zoa and said, "Watch Numbar. If he does anything suspicious extreme, let us know."
"How do I get that close?"
"That's easy," Zenon replied. "Tell him you want to know more about his project, but don't sound too eager, or he'll know we're onto him."
"Okay." Dasha hung up, and Zenon handed her zap-pad to Proto Zoa.
"Thanks," he said, and he proceeded to zap his manager.
ZZZ
Lester chewed his lip and tapped his pen against his desk. Numbar's antsiness was becoming contagious, and he certainly didn't want a lawsuit. Proto Zoa was probably still thinking about this decision he had to make, and if what he said was true, he could use the gig, or arrangements for it, to stop Numbar's colonization of Mars.
Lester had to admit, though, that Numbar was a new kind of ambitious, to the point of earning himself a picture in the dictionary next to the word. Some of his talents didn't even have that kind of ambition, and he'd been supplying it for a long, long time. It'd become a drain on him, dealing with these types of clients.
And then there was Proto Zoa. The kid didn't seem to be able to shut his mind off, except when Zenon wasn't around. It took a long time coming for him to admit his love for her, of that he was certain. "Godspeed, kid," he'd said to himself when he'd first heard the news.
His transmitter beeped, so he pressed the button and said, "Lester."
"Oh, good, you're still there," Proto Zoa said.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"It's Saturday."
"Well, I've got a few hours left still. You thought about that gig?"
"Yes, I have. I want you to put me in touch with Numbar."
ZZZ
Numbar's zap-pad went off, and as soon as he checked the ID, he said, "I've gotta take this." He stepped out into the hall and answered the zap-to the face of Proto Zoa. "What do you want?"
"I want to talk to you about this gig you're offering me," Proto Zoa replied. "It is on Mars, correct?"
"Yeah."
"Do you have any plans in the near future of stopping at Space Station 015741?"
"What are you talking about?"
"I know you know where Space Station 015741 is. Now tell me, do you plan to stop there for any reason?"
Numbar sighed. "Yes," he said indignantly. "I plan to stop at Space Station 015741. Why are you asking?"
"Because I want to meet you there so that we can discuss this concert you want me to do."
"Fine. I'll set a date and get back to you."
"Make it soon, because you're not the only one with the schedule."
"Fine." Numbar hung up, put his zap-pad back in his pocket, and walked back into the room.
ZZZ
Dasha filled her glass of water and took a sip just as the doorbell rang. She set the glass on the counter and walked over to the front door. She checked the screen next to the door to see Numbar's face. She pressed the button and asked, "What do you want?"
"I'm just making sure you got your invitation, and personally I'm curious about what you decide," Numbar replied.
Okay, Dasha, focus. Remember what you're supposed to do. "Can I check out the project first?"
Numbar laughed, and Dasha found herself with a horrible feeling in her stomach. "I thought you'd never ask," he said.
Oh, god, what have I done? she wondered as she, according to plan, opened the door.
6. Chapter 6
Chapter Six
Zenon listened to the rain, contemplating her dream and wondering if Zoa had made a huge mistake by talking to Numbar and arranging to arrange a meeting on the spay stay-her spay stay.
Speaking of huge mistakes, she wondered if she'd made one in giving Dasha the idea to check out Numbar's project in search of anything "suspicious extreme". She wondered if she'd accidentally put Dasha in danger, and with that thought came a sense of urgency. She walked into Proto Zoa's bedroom, where he was strumming on his guitar. "Zoa, I think we made a horrible major mistake," she said.
Zoa stopped strumming and sat up properly, leaning his guitar against one of the legs of the bed. "Are you sure?"
"I hope I'm wrong major, but if I'm not, I don't want to be too late."
Zoa shrugged on a jacket and pulled an umbrella out of his closet. He wrapped an arm around Zenon and led her to the front door. As soon as the door opened, he opened the umbrella and walked past the fence, pressing a button as he passed. The hum of the forcefield could barely be heard over the thunder, rain and wind.
He led her down the slope to a small town with a parking garage, where he'd left his pod. He helped Zenon inside and turned the pod on before maneuvering out of the parking garage. "Now," he said, "where do we begin to look?"
"Try contacting Lester," Zenon replied.
Zoa nodded and turned to head north. He pressed a button on the dashboard, and, as characteristic of him, his manager answered, "Lester."
"We need your help, again," Zoa replied. "We're trying to find Numbar."
"Again?"
"Look, we think we've made a horrible mistake, and we have to correct it before it's too late."
"Too late? Too late for what?"
"My cousin's in danger, again, and so help you if you stop me," Zenon said.
"Zoa, your girlfriend scares me."
"Good," Zenon and Zoa said at the same time.
"Okay, look. I know he has an apartment below me, but he hasn't been there for weeks. I can run a quick search for a hotel if you want me to."
"Please do, and get back to us when you have something."
"Okay." Lester signed off, and Zoa glanced at Zenon, who swallowed and then looked out the passenger window.
ZZZ
Dasha sat in the passenger seat of Numbar's pod, the kidnapping replaying itself over and over again, the thought that this time she'd gone willingly being of no consolation whatsoever.
She glanced at Numbar, whose attention was fixated on the conditions in front of him, and she tried to go over the plan in her mind, but her thoughts remained on the kidnapping. Dasha chewed her lip, trying to stifle the fear welling up inside her.
Then her thoughts exaggerated on the mental replays: It's happening again, her mental voice said. You're going to be taken hostage again, as leverage, and if you don't do what he says, he could kill you. You need to find a way out, fast.
Quickly, Dasha checked their altitude. Too high to jump, she concluded. She settled back in her seat, staring out the windshield. It occurred to her that she should start asking questions, so she started with something simple. "How's the project going?"
"Just fine. We're looking to finish right on schedule," Numbar replied.
"Did you pick a space station to piggy-back off of for transport?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, we did. I'm sure you'll recognize it, since you have family that live there."
Dasha nodded. Time to start broaching the subject. "Any special plans for this space station?"
Numbar smirked. "You'll see."
"So it's a surprise. You know, usually surprises are fun major."
"Maybe this one is, if you're a pyro."
Oh, this can't get any more viral extreme, Dasha thought, the feeling in her gut getting worse at the sound of his words. As inky as it seemed, though, she did the same thing she did when she was in trouble with her parents. Okay, Dash, you can do this. Zenon could handle this. What would she do?
Numbar parked the pod in the lot of a building, and she climbed out the first available chance she had. He led her into the facility and down a hall to his office, where he gestured for her to have a seat. "Now, is there anything particular you want to know about the Martian colony?"
"Well, there is one thing," Dasha began. "Why do you want me there?"
He went pale, and she could see shock and terror in his eyes. In that moment, she realized something. Either he didn't intend for her to remember that, or he didn't intend for her to live.
For a long while he was silent, and Dasha found herself seeking an opening to excuse herself to the restroom and never return. After a moment, with Numbar's silence becoming excruciating, she said, "I feel a little inky. Can I go to the bathroom?"
"Yeah, sure. Down the hall, first door on the left."
Dasha nodded and walked out of the office as quickly as possible. She reached the parking lot within minutes and found a booth, where she entered her code and zapped the first person she could think of: Zenon. When Zenon didn't answer, she zapped an operator and asked for Proto Zoa's pod.
"Well, I don't know if I can patch you through, but I can give it a shot," the opperator said. A second later, he heard Proto Zoa's distinctive voice, even though he was a little miffed. "Who is zapping me at a moment like this when I'm trying to find Dasha?"
"Well, news flash major, rock star, you just found her," Dasha replied.
"Oh, thank goodness. Where are you?"
She rattled off a location and offered to stay on until he got there unless something "viral extreme" should happen. He agreed to it, and she glanced out behind her. "He's going to find out I'm not in the bathroom, but I had to say something to get out of there."
"Tell him you zapped your cousin to help you find a place to stay for a little while while you got over your sickness."
"You think he'll buy it?"
"He'll have to if he wants to keep a low profile. You just wait there however long it takes; just hang in there and trust us."
"Okay."
ZZZ
Zenon sank back in her seat, her eyes closed. Proto Zoa took her hand and stroked it with his thumb. "You see, it's going to be alright," he said. "It's working out just fine. You don't have anything to worry about."
"Except the spay stay blowing up," she replied.
"We don't even know if that's a vision of the future yet, and if it is, we might've already changed it by now."
She looked over at him. "But what if we didn't?"
"We still have time. At most, we have five weeks to stop this." He maneuvered the pod effortlessly around others as it continued its ride north. "I told you, you have nothing to worry about. Everything's going to be just fine."
"Let's get to Dasha first, and then we can sweat minor."
ZZZ
Dasha slipped out of the booth and began to pace, ignoring the strange looks she'd gotten from a few of the passersby. She didn't know how long it would take Proto Zoa to get there, but she couldn't stand in one spot for too long. She couldn't leave the location altogether, though, so pacing seemed to be her only option.
Several pods rushed by, but for several minutes, none of them stopped, and then a silver pod descended to the old street and stopped in front of the booth. Dasha relaxed almost immediately and walked over to the pod just as the door popped open. The second the door closed, she said, almost completely breathless, "Numbar wants to blow up the spay stay."
Zenon looked from Proto Zoa to Dasha and then looked out over the street. "What now?" she asked.
"We've averted disaster major," Zoa replied. "Will you stop worrying?"
Zenon sank back in the passenger seat and rubbed her eyes. "Are you two dating now?" Dasha asked in an effort to break the somewhat awkward silence.
"Uh, well, sort of," Zoa replied. "She's spending the summer with me."
"Oh."
7. Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
"What do you mean, she escaped?" Numbar asked.
"She must've called for a ride or something," one of the men said. "Point is, she's not in the restroom, and we haven't found her in the immediate vicinity."
"So where is she?" The man shrugged, and Numbar said, "Get out of here, all of you." The men filed out of his office, leaving him alone with his thoughts. "Okay, Pat," he said to himself. "Get it together. You've got a meeting to arrange."
ZZZ
While Dasha explored Nova Linda in awe, Zenon sat on the couch next to Proto Zoa, who wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "What are you thinking?" he whispered.
"I don't know," she replied. "I'm in comprehension mode minor right now and I feel like I should be thinking about something, but I'm clear minor about what it is."
"Perhaps you should take a break."
Zenon's zap-pad went off, and she checked the ID. "Great," she muttered. "Looks like a break is evasive major."
She answered the zap, and Numbar said, "Oh, finally. I've been waiting for thirty minutes for somebody to answer."
"It's for you," she said, handing the zap-pad to Zoa, who walked off into a separate room.
Zenon turned on the television to pass the time, but nothing of note seemed to be on, so she turned it off again. Dasha walked into the living room and sat down on the couch. "Vega omega," she said. "You're so lucky he's letting you stay here."
"I dreamt it," she said flatly, not looking at her cousin.
"Dreamt staying here?"
"No. You said Numbar planned to blow up the spay stay. I dreamt about the spay stay exploding."
"Wait, you had another freaky god-given dream?"
"I don't know."
"You just fell asleep and saw the spay stay explode?"
"I was trying to get away, but when I started trying to control my movements, I couldn't. I circled around, like I had to see it happen, and then the spay stay went up like a faulty major pyrotechnics show, and the shockwave sent me back, and I woke up. That's what happened."
Dasha immediately became subdued, and she settled back, staring at the carpet. A moment later, she glanced up at Zenon, who was still staring at the blank television screen, her eyes glazed over. "Zee, we have to stop him, before he blows the spay stay up."
"When he meets with Zoa," Zenon rasped. "Dasha, I need you to zap Margie and tell her everything you know. If she asks, tell her Zoa's using my zap-pad because Selena destroyed his."
"Okay, Zee, I will." She pulled her zap-pad out of a jacket pocket and began searching the contacts for the 'M's. Margie was near the top of the list, and she tapped the name gently.
"Dasha, how'd you get this ID?" Margie asked.
"Zee gave it to me," Dasha replied. "Look, she needs me to tell you something, about the spay stay."
"What about it?"
"It's gonna blow up."
"What?" General Hammond asked, walking up behind Margie. Carefully, Dasha explained what she knew of Numbar's plans, watching both of the Hammonds go white. "Excuse me," the general said, clearing his throat and straightening out his already straight jacket. He walked off the screen, leaving a pale and nervous-looking Margie.
"Are you guys coming up?" Margie asked.
"I think so," Dasha replied. "Just watch for Numbar's pod, and make sure your dad knows that."
"I think he does, but I'll make sure."
Dasha nodded and signed off, pocketing her zap-pad.
"We've got three days," Proto Zoa said as he walked into the living room.
"Okay," Zenon said.
"Wait, will you take us with you?" Dasha asked, turning to face him.
"Of course I will," he replied. "I mean, you two are the ones out to save the world. Who am I to stand in your way?"
"Thanks," Zenon whispered.
ZZZ
Commander Plank had finished trying to silence Centauri when his zap-pad went off. "This is the commander," he said when he answered.
"Commander, we have a situation," General Hammond said, "and I recommend that you get up here as fast as possible."
"What? Why?"
"I've recieved a tip that a Patrick Numbar is going to blow up the space station in the near future." The commander suddenly felt breathless, and when he didn't respond, the general added, "Contact everyone you can think of to get a date for Numbar's arrival, and pass it on to me as soon as you know."
"Yes, sir."
The general signed off, and Commander Plank set his zap-pad on the coffee table. He settled into the couch with a sigh. Judy walked into the room then and noticed the expression on his face. "Space?" she asked. "You have to go back to space?"
"I'm afraid so," he replied. "It's a Code Red."
8. Chapter 8
Chapter Eight
Zenon's zap-pad went off again, and Proto Zoa answered almost immediately. "Sweet Jesus," Lester said. "Where've you been?"
"My zap-pad got fried. Look, we found Dasha, and she's unharmed, don't worry, but we have bigger fish to fry right now," Zoa replied, propping the zap-pad up on the nightstand as he picked a bag and tossed a few things into it. "Can you contact General Hammond?"
"Why?"
"I have a message for him, one I'm sure he wants to know."
Lester pressed a few buttons, and the general asked, "Who are you and what've you got?"
"Sir, it's Proto Zoa," Proto Zoa said. "You have three days before Numbar goes up and the space station goes down."
"Ever give any thought to why he'd want to do it?"
"Probably wants to replace it with a dock station of some sort to piggy-back on the way to Mars. That's the only reason I can think of, and remember, we have three days. I'll do my best to distract him, but I can't guarantee good results; if I could, this wouldn't be a problem."
For a long moment, the general was silent, and then he asked, "What is your recommendation?"
"My Wonder Bus is parked in the Seven Stars parking garage in Los Angeles. Take a passenger on the way down so that they can take it back up. Zee will never forgive me if I don't help evacuate the space station as soon as possible, so please, hurry."
"I will," the general said, and with that, he signed off.
"Thank you, Lester," Zoa said. "For everything."
"No problem."
"Oh, and if anything should happen to me, take care of Zenon. Make sure she's set."
"Okay, I will."
Zoa dropped the bag on his bed and examined the contents. "You know, this is probably a bad idea, packing."
"Depends on how long you're gonna be there."
"It could be the last day of my life. It could be a few hours, a few minutes, or even a few seconds. You heard me make arrangements to help evacuate the spay-stay, Zenon's spay-stay. You heard me tell the general that Zenon would never forgive me if any resident up there died because of Numbar's little stunt. Lester, I need to be certain in what could be the final days of my life. Can I trust you to help me finish what I started?"
Lester nodded curtly, a soft smile on his face. "I got your back, kid," he said.
"Thank you." Lester nodded again and signed off.
ZZZ
The conference room was pandemonium, and try as he might, General Hammond couldn't get everything under control in the usual fashion, so he opted for a more direct approach. "Quiet, now," he shouted. The room fell silent immediately. "We will organize this evacuation in an organized manner. I will take someone down to Earth in search of a vessel large enough to transport everyone who doesn't have a pod of their own, and those who do have pods will leave this space station in an organized manner before Patrick Numbar can get here to blow this place up. This notice will be released as soon as possible and as calmly as possible. We must take every chance possible to avoid utter disaster."
His soldiers saluted him, and he saluted back before they walked out of the room, leaving Mark and Astrid Kar and Margie, who was watching from the corner. He nodded to the three and walked out of the conference room. "Zenon's fine. She's with Zoa," Margie said before following her father out of the room.
Mark took a deep breath. "I suppose we'd better pack up and stay with your sister," he said. "Safest place for us while this whole thing blows over." Astrid nodded, and they walked out of the conference room, down a few corridors, and into their room.
ZZZ
Zenon tapped on the doorframe, after the door slid open. Zoa looked over at her, slightly surprised, and when he recovered himself, he asked, "Should we pack or not?"
"Idea mode minor," she replied, "but I don't think this is gonna be a long trip."
"You're right. They're probably evacuating the spay-stay right now. In three days, it'll be up to us and Margie, if she stays, to disarm the bomb and stop Numbar's plans, for now."
"What if we don't?"
"Then it should be easy for us to get out."
She walked over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in her chest. He wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. "Don't be afraid," he whispered. "You're strong, I know you are, and I'm right here. I always will be."
"Don't leave me."
"I won't, I swear."
"Zoa, if anything happens to me, take care of Dasha."
He exhaled softly. "Nothing's going to happen to you, Zee. You're going to be fine."
"What if I'm not?"
"I'll die before I let anything happen to you, and if I die, I told Lester to take care of everything."
Zenon closed her eyes and squeezed him gently. "I don't know if I'm ready to watch this time."
"You have to at least go, if only for the practical reason of retrieving your pod before it's destroyed."
"Oh, great. The dream is a self-fulfilling prophecy major."
"I never asked for you to try to stop Numbar from blowing up the spay-stay. That was something I never expected, because I thought it would be much too difficult for you, and I didn't want you to invest too much and lose so much more. I have no idea how to watch you go through that. All I wanted was to help you save all of those people's lives."
She squeezed him a little bit harder. He responded in kind, running a hand through her hair and entwining his fingers in it. When she pulled away, he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her softly. "We're in this together now," she said when she had the chance.
"All or nothing," he replied. "Now, let's see this through." She smiled, and he kissed her again.
ZZZ
Dasha turned on the television and began searching through the news stations when she found something in a language she understood.
"Riots in Brazil, the Republic of the Congo, and other countries around the world are becoming increasingly more violent," the newswoman said. "In spite of the best efforts by police to keep the riots under control, dozens have been killed worldwide and hundreds more injured."
Dasha winced. Riots were supposed to be a thing of the past, only found in history books in impersonal terms that had no real effect. This was different. Something was severely wrong, not with the system in place on Earth, but with the Martian colony.
That was it, she realized. Mars was retaliating, and it wouldn't be long before World War Three broke out because of it.
The weather came up, and it seemed as if riots weren't the world's only problem. Storms of various forms were tearing paths of destruction across large swaths of the world.
This colony plan had to be stopped, and soon. Of this much she was sure.
9. Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
The three-days-wait had finally come to an end, and Proto Zoa found himself steering a pod to Space Station 015741, with Zenon and Dasha in the back passenger seats. Most of the other pods they encountered were headed in the opposite direction, and the drivers and passengers gave them strange looks. These pods were few and far between, however, leaving Zoa, Zenon, and Dasha mostly alone in a pod on their way to the space station for a meeting which could make or break almost everything.
Zoa maneuvered the pod into the loading dock and parked. One other pod was parked there: Numbar's. Zenon spotted Margie and General Hammond farther up in the loading dock, and she saw Numbar leaning against his pod, tapping his foot impatiently.
Zoa turned to face the cousins. "Stay here until I get him out of here, and then you can find the bomb and get rid of it. Be fast, but be careful," he said. "You can do this."
Zenon and Dasha nodded, and Zoa hopped out of the pod and walked over to where Numbar stood. "You're late," Numbar said.
"I'm never late. You're just early," Zoa replied.
"Excuse me?"
"Remember, you're on my schedule. I arrive somewhere whenever I choose to arrive there, and if I have to drive this point home with you, then I'll end up wasting my time, and my time is not to be wasted."
"So you're perfectly happy with wasting mine?"
"Excuse me. I'm the one you want performing on Mars for your colony project's opening day. You do still want me there, don't you?"
"Yes."
"Now, I don't like talking business in a loading dock. The attatched corridor, maybe, but not a loading dock. We'll talk about this show somewhere else."
"Okay, look-"
"We'll talk about it somewhere else."
"Oh, no, we're not."
"What's the matter? Afraid of taking orders from an ultra-fabulous rock star?"
Numbar lowered his head so that he could look up at Zoa through his eyelashes. "No. I just have important business to take care of, and I'm not willing to leave it for something else."
"Did you not hear me? I am an ultra-fabulous rock star. The only time I ever heard of you was seven years ago when you wanted to colonize the moon. Now listen to me. If you want me to perform on Mars, then you have to pay attention. First things first, we will discuss this somewhere else. I cannot make myself more perfectly clear."
"Oh, I hate you," Numbar muttered, following Proto Zoa out of the loading dock.
ZZZ
Zenon and Dasha hopped out of the pod, and Zenon gestured to Margie, who met them at Numbar's pod. Dasha managed to pop it open, and the three hopped inside, Margie glancing back and nodding to her father before proceeding. The back seat had been removed, and in its place was a bomb. It was white in color and looked so advanced as to almost be alien. "This is my final now," Zenon whispered.
"It looks like a group test," Margie added. "Let's make it good."
Dasha rummaged around for a screwdriver, which she found in the glovebox, and handed it to Zenon. Zenon and Margie walked over to the bomb, and Margie found a panel that Zenon could unscrew and detatch, which she did, only to find a mass of multi-colored wires beneath. "Now what?" she asked.
"Where's the main circuit board?" Margie asked in reply.
"Isn't it typically under the..." Her eyes drifted the timer counting down the minutes to their demise, which was now just under ten. "...timer?"
Margie snatched the screwdriver and began working at the timer, trying to get it loose. She succeeded at eight minutes and thirty-nine seconds to detonation and then began working at the board beneath it, trying to get it loose. "Great," she muttered after several moments of fruitless tugging and pulling. "Do you have a laser?" Zenon shook her head and glanced at Dasha.
"Is there a laser in the glovebox?" she asked.
"I think I saw one," Dasha replied, and then she returned to the glovebox.
"What's the timer say?" Zenon asked Margie.
"Seven fifty-nine."
"I've got nothing," Dasha said, returing to the back space. "What do we do?"
"How many army guys are still here?"
"Just Daddy, for support in case anything happens to me. Buddy system, you know. Why?"
"We have to get out of here."
ZZZ
"Oh, now you're getting ridiculous," Numbar said.
"Excuse me, but I have to check again. Do you want me there or not?" Proto Zoa asked.
"Oh, come on. That's the twelfth time you've asked me that."
"Do you want me there or not? Answer me; it's a simple yes-or-no question."
Numbar exhaled, a look of infinite rage and impatience in his eyes. "For the thirteenth time, yes, I want you at the show on Mars."
"Then make sure you have everything taken care of. And one more thing."
"Now what?"
Proto Zoa punched Numbar in the face. "That's for the girls," he said, watching Numbar push himself up off the ground.
"Am I interrupting?" General Hammond asked from the door.
"Has something gone wrong?"
Before the general could answer, Zoa noticed Margie and Dasha hovering near his pod. He was possessed by a seemingly endless dread. "We need to leave." Zoa nodded and walked past the general and over to his pod.
"Where's Zenon?" he asked the girls.
"Went to get her pod. I think the dream makes sense to her," Dasha replied. Zoa opened the pod, and the two girls, the general, and himself climbed inside. He started it and took off as the loading dock's door opened.
ZZZ
Numbar walked over to his pod and found the bomb damaged in the specific manner associated with attempts at disarmament. "Dammit," he muttered and tossed the bomb out of his pod. He then closed his pod up and prepared to take off, maneuvering so that he was behind Proto Zoa's pod and right next to a brigh red one that was preparing to take a far different path.
ZZZ
Zenon swung out in a large arc away from the space station, just as she had in her dream. She paused at one point to drift forward for a moment before steering away again. This loop was larger, and at the end of it, she found herself facing the space station again.
The only differences between this reality and the dream were that she had complete control over her movements and that she felt no feaer or confusion. She knew what she was doing, and she understood the reason behind her dreams. This was something she couldn't stop, but all the same, she had to see it. She had to live through it.
The space station erupted in a ball of fire, but it was off-center, not like it was in her dream. The blast ripped the rest of the space station apart like it was old-fashioned forensic gel, irreverent to where the breaks in the sections really were.
Zenon allowed the shockwave to rock her backwards, spinning her end over end, and then she recovered the will to steer. She charted a mental path to Nova Linda Cove and maneuvered her pod so that she could get there. She landed in the back yard, hopped out, and walked in through the back door, directly toward the guest room she occupied.
10. Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Proto Zoa searched for around thirty minutes before finding the ladder to the roof pulled down in the middle of the hallway. He climbed it and took a seat on the roof, next to Zenon.
"There's a star missing," Zenon whispered.
"I know, love. I know," he replied, unable to hide the pain he felt at seeing Zenon that way.
She continued to stare at the horizon, and Zoa noticed it. There was a larger than normal patch of darkness there, where the space station used to be. This blotch seemed almost ringed by stars and was quite small, amid similar blotches and numerous, numerous stars, but it seemed the most noticeable, the only blotch that mattered.
"Zee," he whispered, "I'm sorry. I should've done more."
"You couldn't. I couldn't disarm the bomb."
"I don't want you to blame yourself, Zee. I know you and Margie and Dasha did what you could, what you knew how to do, but I'm the one you should blame, for separating a man who might've had a laser from something that needed a laser to stop functioning. It's my fault."
"No. It's not your fault, Zoa."
"So, if it's not your fault, and it's not mine, than whose is it? Or is it a horrendous accident?"
"It's not an accident. Numbar got what he wanted."
"So that's why you blame yourself. You feel like he won."
"He did win, Zoa. He got what he wanted. He blew up the spay-stay, and now he can do whatever he wants with the space. He can piggy-back to Mars in that space if he wants to. He. Won."
"One battle," a strangely familiar voice said from behind them. Zenon and Zoa turned to face Mars, who was squatted farther up the roof, watching them patiently. "Numbar only won once. There's another battle coming, and if it's the one that ends the war before it even starts, then it should be you planting the flag, not him, and yes, I'm being hypothetical. He still has to open his colony to hopeful, oblivious Earthlings, and so help them if they're there when I destroy that establishment." He stood and dissolved into streams of red ribbon, shooting upward.
"Oh, Zoa," Zenon whispered, leaning into him. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, his cheek resting against the top of her head, content merely to hold her silently.
End file.
| The Blast Seen Around the World by t.j.guard | Zenon |
The Girl of Impossibilities
_**The Girl of Impossibilities
**By_: Neko-chan
_Series:_ Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century --with a focus on Zequel and Z3--
_Pairing:_ hints onesided (maybe, maybe not) of Proto Zoa/Zenon
_Disclaimer:_ Don't own any rights to the Zenon movies. (And books, if there're books. I don't know. Are there books? I could have sworn I saw books on Amazon. Anyway... *coughs*) Just borrowing the characters, specifically Proto Zoa, for this short piece because of the obviously blatant tension between him and Zenon.
_Summary:_ Some artists claim to be inspired by Muses. Proto Zoa doesn't need all that. He has something better. [very short introspective piece]
-----
**The Girl of Impossibilities**
It's amazing just how many people still are surprised by the girl of impossibilities: the girl who saved a space station at the age of thirteen, the girl who showed humanity that we aren't alone in the universe, the girl who befriended a goddess and saved the beauty of the moon. She's a special girl, little thing that she is, and yet people are still astounded by the things that she does.
She is a girl of impossibilities.
I hid myself away for a year, trying to think of what I could do next while the words and the music shriveled and dried out. She found me, when no one else could, and she brought back what I had missed so desperately. She gave me my words once more.
--then, of course, came the time when I was considered too "retro," too old, too outdated for concerts, abandoned by fans for something new and what they thought was better. My dignity and pride in myself lost, she worked her magic to get me a second chance. And when that failed, no fault of her own, I couldn't turn my eyes away from her gaze as the latest pop-rock beauty queens took center stage. I knew then that I had lost something essential; she knew, she understood.
And the girl of impossibilities continued to hold my gaze as my dreams of the future faded before my eyes.
But the girl of impossibilities continued to be just that, and she redeemed me in the eyes of everyone. I was once again welcomed, I once again got the chance to stand up on stage and do what I love to do: sing.
_I know that wishes come true.__
Your voice, across the universe you are calling.
Like a soul, from out of the blue--_
She is the girl of impossibilities. She is the girl who I owe so many things to. She is the girl who brought me back to life several times over. She is the girl who meets your gaze as you realize that your life is falling apart in front of your eyes; she is the girl who never flinches from that gaze, understanding that what has gone unsaid. She is the girl of impossibilities who touches people's lives and brings them to some higher level of _better_--and those lives are always, always changed for the good. She is the girl of impossibilities who makes wishes come true.
The Muses have failed me several times over, but the girl of impossibilities has never once let me down. My girl of impossibilities.
My super nova girl.
_::Fin::_
End file.
| The Girl of Impossibilities by Neko-chan -Silvered Tongue | Zenon |
Manos: A Sequel
It was the first time that Torgo had felt the cool breeze on his skin, at least since he had not been in the employ of his former boss, a breeze that was quite like the one that would waft through the hardened linden leaves late in an Indian Summer, carrying with it the sweet scent of buddleja, which flowers in the late Summer anyway, and hence its histamine producing pollens. This was not at all uncommon, but for mid-December? Torgo had no time for hayfever, he was on a mission. It was a Summer where lovers would lie and love, where sand would irritate the eye - there was no love for Torgo; sand enjoyed its usual ubiquity for Torgo, for he was in El Paso, Texas.
'What is this place?', Torgo paused and ruminated, muttering in his non-rhotic accent, 'I have never seen this before.'
A poorly built, extremely large and inefficient American car from the mid-late 1960s slid round the corner and hit him.
The end.
End file.
| Manos: A Sequel by Dong Freudenberger | Zenon |
The End Of The World, The End Off Apolla
_**The End Of Everything, The End Of Apolla**_
Song-Fic. Song: Lights By Ellie Goulding, The BassNectar Remix
Late in the evening, around 9:30 p.m, 12 year old Apolla Falconer awoke with a start. Everything around her was pitch black, all except from the orange street lights, who's beams came faintly through the blinded windows. Apolla quickly raised her head from the cold, sticky surface it was on. Turns out, with her increadible night-vision, she found out that the surface was a desk from her school. Apolla looked around even more and saw that she was, in fact, in her very own classroom, which how she had gotten there was way past her head and out on the road. "Why the 'ell am I in my classroom this fucking late at night! I'm supposed to be at home, eating dinne-" she started to say in a pissed of and confused whisper to herself, but only to be quickly shuteded up when she had heard the rustle of footsteps and heavy breathing of a creature of somewhat, to what it seemed like, to be near the corner of the classroom. Apolla slowed down her breathing to make it seem as though she wasn't there, and kept still as possible as she squinted around in the darkness to see who it was.
Even though, as dim as Apolla was, remind you, she had enough common knowledge and was intellegent enough to keep even more still and quiet as the sound grew louder. The strange noise she had heard had continued, and it was followed by the disgusting stench of rotten flesh and the horrible putrid odor of some type of chunky liquid falling to the smooth classroom's floor. The sound seemed to be getting closer and getting closer to the petrified Apolla. The young demi-gods heart seemed to race through her chest with fear. This is happening because Apolla just came across a terrifying idea that would confirm her utterly most worst nightmare. And, to top it all of, it's just one very frighting, but very short simple word. Zombies. And before she had enough time to faint or think about this almost impossible but likely idea, she felt the warm, disgusting breath of the creature behind her on her bare neck that was exposed from her midnight black tank-top. _I'm going to die, and when I do, I'm going to lose everything I've ever_ _known._Apolla thought in fear_. My mother, father, sisters, brothers..._ Aaron. She seemed to shudder even more at the thought.
**_I had a way then losing it all in on my own_**
**_I had a heart then but the queen has been overthrown_**
As Apolla slowly turned, her heart seemed to stop as she came face-to-face with her math teacher, only, he didn't look so good; his name was . His face was contorted and deformed, with blood covering all over his pale features. He hardly had any skin left that wasn't rotting or blood covered. Some flesh was falling off, but the zombie didn't notice, hardly seeming to care about his apperance. Apolla almost screamed in terror at this gruesome sight of her once awesome, happy, healthy math teacher, who was know a flesh-eating bastard. Stealthy and silently, Apolla slipped her trembling and sweaty hand into her desk without the zombie noticing. She kept going until her finger came across her pencil. She felt the tip and her finger got pricked. When she felt it start bleeding, she felt little relief. _Good, it's still sharp._ She thought. With lightning speed, she stabbed the zombie with such force, it almost exited through the back of his head. _Ewww! Zombie blood!_ Apolla thought with disgust as the dark red substance flowed thickly onto her hand. _Now that was disgusting! Maybe even worse when my mother stayed in the bathroom 3 hours to many!_ She thought as she quickly wiped the blood on her black leather pants.
Apolla quickly and quietly darted across the class room and through the open door. She was halfway to the schools parking lot before the zombie could try and grab her, or cry out, in what it possibly seemed like, pain. Apolla stopped only to catch her breath in the middle of the dark parking lot. All of a sudden, a rough hand clamped itself around her mouth and the other around her waist. She started to scream in shock and fear, but fourtunately, the hand muffled her scream, or else all of Pinewood Schools zombies would have heard her and they would have been dead for sure. Soon, a familar voice spoke up and Apolla quickly recognized it and silenced almost immediantly from her shreiking. "Come now, Apolla! You shouldn't start screaming for nothing at a time like this!" the voice whispered soothingly, but quickly quieted at its captives shaking from her silent sobbing. Aaron Julfayan quickly turned around his girlfriend, only to find her silently crying her strange silverly tears. But before Aaron could say he was sorry for scaring her, a big meaty hand came out of the darkness, wrapped itself around Apolla's throat, and pulled her roughly into the darkness. Her screaming started up again, but was soon quickly silenced. She was somewhere in the darkness, but Aaron didn't know where and obviously couldn't see her. And that alone scared him senseless.
**_And I'm not sleeping now the dark is too hard to beat_**
**_And I'm not keeping now the strength I need topush_**
"Apolla!" Aaron called out, almost yelling. No reply. "Apolla!" he yelled, not caring if the zombies heard him. He listened even more intently and finally heard her frantic and hyterical sound she made when her mouth was being gagged. Aaron clenched his hand, then, reopened it and a small ball of bright purple fire appeared in it. Carefully, he walked into the darkness, and when he could see clearly, he almost immediantly saw a huge zombie holding Apolla around her waist, his filthy, blood covered mouth only inches away from her pale, slender neck. The zombie looked up from her and he had a nasty cut on hs forehead, while the left side of his face was missing, spare the muscle and cheekbone. He growled, as though pissed off that this young demigod dared interuppt him from almost eating his girl for dinner, fresh."Hey ugly, leave her alone!" Aaron said and the zombie dropped Apolla on the ground, where she, ever so slowly, started to crawl toward the steps on the side of the lot. "So, you stopped me from eating her, the would-have-been tasty morsel. So what! What are you going to do now, hot shot?" the zombie said in a amused, gravelly voice. Aaron's eyes widened in shock that this thing could talk, but quickly, his face turned back to anger. "I'm going to light you up like a firework on 4th of July you faggot!" he snarled and swiftly launched the purple fire ball at him, which was bigger now that it had absorbed some of Aaron's anger and became larger and even more deadlier than before.
**_You show the lights that stop me turn to stone_**
**_You shine It when I'm alone_**
**_And so I tell myself that I'll be strong_**
**_And dreaming when they're gone_**
The zombies one eye widened in shock before, just like Aaron had predicted, lighted up like a firework. It hit his mouth and vaporized it, not allowing him to yell. Aaron threw three more. One hit the zombie's head, the second hit where its heart should be, and the third right through his stomach. The zombie fell to the ground, dead. The holes where the enchanted fire went though were still smoking purple fumes. Lighting up a blue fire ball this time so he could see clearer, Aaron rushed over to Apolla, who was crying freely this time, and was shaking madly now. "It's okay, Apolla. He's dead. You don't have to worry." he said soothingly to the terrified girl. Apolla looked up at him with her piercing green eyes in what it seemed like hope and relief, but soon, that was quickly drained all out, and was soon filled with desparation, fear, loss of hope, and frustration, from what Aaron could make out."What are you staring at? What's wro-" he started saying before Apolla had shouted,"Down!" Aaron ducked hurriedly, and as he did, Apolla launched a smoking ball of black and red boiling water from her hand. The ball of water went right through the zombie's head as it was about to pounce on the unsuspecting Aaron, who was oblivious to it in his efforts to try and calm her down. He looked bhind him and down at the floor of the dead zombie. Without saying thank-you, Aaron took Apolla's hand, hauled her up, off the steps, and soon they were streaking down the of all kind were chasing them, and one almost got Apolla! Apolla started crying again and her tears were whipping behind her at the speed they were going. But soon enough, they stopped again when a bright search light shone on them, which petrified them in fear. But Apolla was the first to move. She quickly whipped around to the oncoming zombies, and with a powerful wind blast, blew them to what it seems, miles away.
**_'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home_**
**_Calling, calling, calling home_**
**_You show the lights that stop me turn to stone_**
**_You shine It when I'm alone_**
**_Home-_**
But thankfully, it was only Aaron's mother, who was calling out frantically for him, and for her. Aaron sighed in releif, while Apolla almost collapsed onto the ground. "Mom! We're over here!" Aaron yelled and picked up Apolla, who had just collapsed onto the ground. came running over, and she turned paler if possible, at the sight of Aaron and Apolla. Aaron was covered in zombie blood, while Apolla was covered in zombie blood, zombie flesh was uner her finger nails from killing her math teacher, and she had a large bruise on her neck from earlier when the zombie had pulled her into the darkness and was perpared to eat her if Aaron hadn't saved her."Oh my god! Look at you! Come! We must hurry. The ship is all ready and everyone is inside." Suddenly, Apolla sat straight up and jumped out of Aaron's arms and onto her feet. Soon, she was saying hysterically to a surprised Aaron and his mother,"What about _my_ family! Is it only yours? Please, you can't just leave them here! They'll die! Please let them come! If you let me hurry, I could run over and see if they're still ali-" she said, crying again, when Aaron silenced."Don't worry, your family is already in there. Come now. We must go." Apolla sighed in releif and nodded. But then, her face was sad again, but he didn't notice. Aaron walked near his mother and they talked. They had both entered the space-ship and everyone there, including Apolla's family, were releived to see him. Just after they had started to rise, Aaron noticed that he didn'tsee Apolla and she didn't seem to be with her family.
"Apolla?" he called out, but didn't get any reply. Aaron looked through the whole spaceship,but didn't find a trace of her. Finally, he looked out of the window and there she was, still on land with millons of zombies surrounding her. Silently, she started rising into the dark sky and the zombies looked up at her, hunger in their eyes. Apolla was crying again as she thought over her plan. Since she was a demigod, she had a special healing power that she had inherited from her father, Poseidon. If she gathered all all of her energy, and with enough power, released it all over the world, she could possibly cure all the zombies. But the catch was, she would be sacraficing herself. Nothing would be left but ashes to give proof that she had ever exsisted. Apolla nodded her head in confirmanation, and with sad green eyes, she looked up at the spaceship, where she saw Aaron's petrified face."I love you, so much. Goodbye." she whispered. He screamed loud enough that she could hear him."No! Apolla! Don't do this! Apolla!" But she just shook her head and turned away.
Apolla closed her eyes and concentrated. As she was pulling all her power and energy together, Aaron's heart was pounding in his chest. As her powers were summoned together, she spreaded it all across her body. She was now glowing a sea green color, and she nervously gulped at the sound of the ravenous zombies below her. Just before she went, she looked at Aaron for the last time in her 12 short years of life. She only said five words that will always be ingrained inside of Aaron's memory until the day he dies,"I did it for them." And with that, she let it all go."APOLLAAA!" Aaron yelled.
Her body exploded and a green and blue aura wrapped itself around the planet, engulfing it with its magical powers. And, as soon as the aura faded, Aaron's heart broke into a millon pieces. It didn't work. Her plan failed. She didn't have enough power to cure them, and she died in vain. Apolla died for nothing. Nothing was left of poor Apolla Falconer. She had sacraficed herself for the people she loved. The Gods had watched this and had felt a great loss they had not felt in eons. Especially, her father, Poseidon. He never thought, his little hero, would die from this. But now, it was too late.
"Apolla...Apolla...why..." Aaron kept saying as his fist pounded on the Plexiglass window. His tears flowed onto his cheeks as he launched into space, never to be seen again.
**_You show the lights that stop me turn to stone_**
**_You shine It when I'm alone_**
**_And so I tell myself that I'll be strong_**
**_And dreaming when they're gone_**
**_'Cause they're calling, calling, calling me home_**
**_Calling, calling, calling home_**
**_You show the lights that stop me turn to stonne_**
**_You shine It when I'm alone_**
**_Home-_**
**_The End_**
**__****A/N**
Oh my god! I can't believe I finishedd this! This was a dream I had and it was so sad because Apolla is someone's name that I know!So sad!**
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End file.
| The End Of The World, The End Off Apolla by XxAngel-eyez-for-youxX | Zombie Fallout |
The zed's walk episode: 02
The zed's walk...episode:2 (characters:) (jeorge an american soldier)( a canadian scientist)(bruno german soldier)(henry a british scientist carries all supplies except for some)(clarrette an italian female soldier)
"god dam turn the lights of the temple isnt safe enough!"yelled a voice from within the temple. they all walked down into the temple to see the other research group already stationed. "hello guys how are ya doin?"said james. "swell"says some of the people the others say "good."
END OF RESEARCHER CAMCORDER...
RESEARCH CAMCORDER BEGINS...
"well we are all set up!" says doc james proudly. *BARAAAAAM RATATATATATA! "what the hell was that!"screamed clarrette. suddenly soldiers rush through the brush firing there weapons at creatures. "what the F### was that!" blared jeorge.
TO BE CONTINUED...
End file.
| The zed's walk episode: 02 by soniclover45 | Zombie Fallout |
What's Left of Us
Hello!
Hello people of ! I'm new to this website and I hope to enjoy it! I'm an aspiring young writer hoping to make it big time someday! I will be writing a whole lot of stories and hope that you all enjoy it!
Now, I'm not a crybaby or anything. But I really hope that I will receive constructive criticism and/or positive comments. If you do happen to post something negative and not well-put, I will simply ignore you. But anyway! I really hope you guys enjoy my writings! And I love to learn how I could improve my writing so leave comments on how you think you could help me! Also, if you'd like me to read some of your work, I will gladly do so :)
I also do requests. So if you wish for me to write something I will do so and upload it. I'll write anything that's not _too... _mature...
Now here's my first story. It's really kind of short but it's from a full book that I plan on finishing sometime soon.
ENJOY! :D
What's Left of Us
_It was dark. The room I was in was was old and overgrown with weeds and vines that had found their home there. There was a big door that stood a couple feet taller than me. A rancid odor was emanating from it. It was strange though. It seemed as though I was watching myself move, and could not tear myself away from walking toward the door. _
_ I walked toward the door and pulled on the handle. I struggled a while to open it before realizing that a couple of vines were obstructing my path. I pulled out the small pocket knife that my father had given me the day before he and my mother were brutally murdered. I began cutting the vines away as a heaving feeling of dread overcame me. It felt like something, or_ _some_one_, was missing from my side._
_ I shook the feeling off and heaved the doors open. Inside was something even the single most evil person on the planet could've dreamt of. And enjoyed it. Inside the big room was murder, homicide, genocide even. I pulled my hand up to my mouth to stifle a scream. Thousands of dead bodies were recklesslly scattered across the room. _
_ As soon as I saw the dead bodies I remembered the rancid odor and the feeling of dread came crashing back into my systems to me. I made a gagging noise and did everything in my power to try not to throw up. I began to meander through the room, stepping over the bodies, trying not to step on anyone, when I came to an abrupt stop. _
_ Because right there in front of me, was a small figure with long brown hair lying face down on the floor. It was a girl. A girl I knew all too well. I dropped to my knees and picked the girl up. As soon as I did I winced. She was all mangled up and limp in my arms. She was still bleeding. I began to cry, her eyes were open. To think that I would never see those beautiful blue eyes again made me want to jump out the window._
_ I took one last look at her. Fear and surprise were etched into her face for the rest of eternity. Before I could cocntinue my mourning, I heard a really loud groan rise from beside me. Followed by more moans and groans. Immediately, I spun around, the body of my dead friend still limp in my arms. _
_ The corpses were rising and making their way over to me._
_ Fast._
_ Carrying the body I got up and began to run. But my efforts were in vain. Fear shot through my body like a bullet out of a gun as something grabbed at my black hair. I screamed as I fell to the ground hitting my head against the cold marble floor. White pain spread through my brain in ripples. _
_ I'd dropped my friends and she was next to me. Looking but not seeing me. My eyes widened in pain as I felt something bite at my stomach. Before I could realize that I was being eaten by the dead, I closed my eyes and let myself fall. _
_ Fall into oblivion. The welcoming arms of Death itself._
I screamed as I woke in my bed, sweating. I was panting really hard and I heard footsteps run into my room. It was none other than my best friend Lena.
She sighed a sigh of relief and walked over to me.
"I thought a walker got in here. You okay?" She said setting her pistol down on the nightstand next to my bed. I gave her a half-hearted nod in response as I wiped my forehead of all the sweat.
Her long brown hair was tied back into a messy ponytail letting me see her big blue eyes clearly as the sun in the sky. They were full of concerned as she eyed me suspiciously.
"Let me guess. A nightmare?" She asked sitting on the edge of my bed and laying her hand on my forehead checking me for fever.
"Yeah, I dreamt I was in a room. And you were there, but you were dead. And the walkers they got to me and I died next to you." I said reliving the oh-so vivid dream. I shivered as I remembered Lena's face which would forever hold the same expression of fear.
"Well I'm not going anywhere," she said with that sweet smile of hers, "and you'll be okay. I promise." She said as she began to walk out of my room. "Get some rest we move out tomorrow and we need to be on our toes. Okay?" She said looking back at me at the door.
"Okay, thanks, Len." I said laying back down. Even though I knew I wouldn't get anymore sleep. She gave me a small nod in response and walked out of my room closing the door behind her. I waited to hear the click of the door closing and her footsteps walking away before swinging my legs over my bed and running over to my window.
The streets were _covered_ with Walkers. I only split the curtains open a little bit so that they wouldn't see me and try to run into the house. Closing the curtain and going back to my bed, I should heed Lena's advice and at least _try _to sleep.
I needed to find survivors and take care of Lena. And without sleep that would be genuinely hard to do.
So I closed my eyes and slept a deep sleep. And to my surprise, there was no dreams that night nor nightmares. Just sweet heavenly sleep.
Well? What'd you guys think? I really hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading it! Remember to comment and leave requests or anything if you'd like me to read your stories. Thanks again! Bye! 3 :)
End file.
| What's Left of Us by Kyo-Lion | Zombie Fallout |
1. Chapter 1
Chapter One
"Just kill it Des. Kill the ugly fat prick." Mr Rajind crawled across the floor of the small Tescos, his little eyes magnified hugely by the glasses he was wearing. Well, not so much wearing, but letting dangle loosely and uselessly off his large nose. He didn't need them to hunt, and He didn't need them to kill. All he needed was his nose to sniff out the children when went into his shop to find food. Good luck. He laughed, a chain of grunts, and then, fixed his nose on the boys in front of him. He recognised one of them from down the road. At least he thought he did. More like he recognised the smell of him. Cigarettes and smoke. He had heard the other boy call him Des. His ears still worked, and even though blocked up with earwax they proved to let in what he needed to hear. Like the voices of young children perhaps. Or their screams. "Seriously Des, kill him. We aint going to find no food here. Never. Stupid adults took all of it before they realised that they liked human flesh, innit. Kill him and get it over with soon. Its getting well dark." The boy called Des raised the baseball bat he was holding and stopped. "Whats the point. He's not going to get us anyway. We might as well leave him."
"Des, are you mental?"
"Its just-"
"Just what Des? He your boyfriend or something?"
"Hes Mr Rajind, Nik. He gave us free stuff when we went on his paper round."
"Your getting sentimental about a Yob, Des. Look, ill do it for gods sake." Nik took the bat from Des, raised it above his head and brought it down on the Adults head, cracking the skull and killing him. "Come on. " Des took one last look at Mr Rajind, lying on the floor in his own filth and thought that maybe Nik was right, and he was getting sentimental about a Yob. He ran out of the shop after his brother and dismissed the thought.
2. Chapter 2
Chapter Two
The tricked out bmx's that were the boys transport lay on their sides in the road like two dead animals. When Des and Nik reached them they hauled them off the black tarmac and mounted each bike, pushing off on the road and peddling forward in the direction of a large block of flats. On their journey, they passed five groups of yobs, but most of them didn't notice the boys, as they were eating. One of them, a skeletal father, his skin stretched like Clingfilm over his bones, was eating a small girl. With a jolt, Des knew that he recognised the girl, and stopped his bike. "Des, what the hell are you doing?" Nik stopped too, but did not get off his bike like Des. The other brother had left his bike on the road, and was converging on the man, who didn't seem to notice when Des brought the bat hard down on his needle like ribs to a satisfying crack, and finally stuck a bowie knife through his head. The man went down almost immediately, into a puddle of blood he had created. Des withdrew the knife hastily, bringing some brain matter with it. He looked at the girl, now out of the fathers hands and with a sickening realisation, Des recognised him as the girls actual father. The young girl lay in the road, not saying anything because now she couldn't. If Des had only killed bloody Mr Rajind sooner they might've been able to save her. But now, what was she? Not a warm body. A cold one. Des looked back at the father, who had stopped moving and was lying still. He had killed a father and his daughter. Who was he? "Don't beat yourself up Des. You did what you had to do to survive. Killing that father had to be done." Des' faced creased into a grimace and hot tears spilled down his cheeks, obscuring his eyes and making the dead girl and her father look like red blobs in some kind of surreal vision. "Its alright mate. C'mon. Its another yob dead." Des wiped his eyes, but still the salty drops came.
"But at the sacrifice of a girl, Nik. That's not what we do."
"Its not your fault"
"Yes it is. Its always my bloody fault. I didn't kill Mr Rajind fast enough. If I had killed him straight away and not gone all sentimental on him we might have been able to save the girl."
"But you didn't know she was here."
"But we don't know where anything is or what might kill us, and what might be our friends. In this new world, there's no way of knowing what's what. We have to just go with the flow." Des walked back to his bike and mounted it. "Cmon. Lets go." The two boys rode on into the ever falling darkness, and towards the large bright beacon that was their home.
End file.
| Brothers of the apocalypse by fromscratch11 | Zombie Fallout |
HyperSaint's zombie Apocalypse
It is the year 2018, the earth has been reduced to nearly a wasteland.
2013, 5 years before the incident
A secret independent government has been running multiple experiments on resurrecting dead lifeforms. They merely started out in small experiments, from dead animals to deceased infants. Things were looking promising until a demented scientist suggested to use this experiment for chemical warfare. Many others rejected and declined as the experiments were in there early stage, furious on being rejected. He stole several biochemical equipments and disappeared from the lab.
In a secret cave, located below civilization, the deranged scientist began his satanic experiment, he has managed to get several deceased soldiers of war, and a few near-dead as well. He began with the deceased ones, injecting them with his own creation of vaccination to cure only the brain so the body will not feel fatigues nor pain. It succeeded, the deceased came to life, but it loses its ability to talk or communicate. Overjoyed at what the scientists has created, he began to revive the other deceased. His creation seems to work, but as he starts experiment with the near dead victims, as he attempts to inject one, his revived experiments ambushed him and the feasted on his body alive. The near dead victims, witnessing the bloody carnage, unable to do anything, slowly became the now revived zombies next meals, thus opening the door to apocalypse.
The zombie spread was devastating, it took down the whole of American region with in months, then spreads to the Euro region in a couple of years, then it hit Asia. Mass panic erupts everywhere, people abandoning their homes to seek shelter or salvation. With in weeks, the entire population of the world was reduced to mere 10%, now survivors look out for their own. Pockets if survivors spreads through out as they hope to find a future.
Present time and location, Singapore
Now, zombies roam streets, survivors are wary on where they are traveling or searching for resources. Their hideout, The Scape building, a once popular area for many people, now is the survivors salvation. It's occupants, made up of teenagers, it's leader, a man called Kenneth aka The Panda or baybay, watches over them. He is not just a leader, but also an advisor, he brings joy and often tries many ways to enlighten the mood to keep their morals up. His second in command, a girl name J, not all knows her real name as in this situation, she changes her name to be head strong and confident and never show a side of weakness. Despite her being second in command, she has a close partner and rival, Krysen. Though both of them fight often, they both see a similar resembles in each other, both of them never gives up. They both own a Katana, J's sword engraved "We Fall", Krysen's "We lose", their grips "To win". An old taboo they both seem to agree and worship too.
No matter where they go, or protect survivors from zombie walkers, they had each other's back while challenging kill scores. Kenneth has 2 scavenger leaders, Ina and an arrogant person, Edward. Unfortunately Ina hates Edward due to his arrogant ways of collecting resources and killing zombie walkers, he tends to risk people's lives for the fun of it and always calls himself to have first priority in every situations as he claims to be better than everyone which many tends to disagree however, it could never change his mindset, though there are times Kenneth tries to sort it out, Edward would be ignorant about it and don't care what is said. Ina is the opposite of Edward, however she tends to over react at certain situations, but gets the job done safely.
Kenneth was sitting inside his private quarters, with him was his childhood lover, Coreena. Right as the out break hit, Kenneth alone went to rescue her family, and brought them all to Scape building, they have been safe ever since. Kenneth was surveying what resources was left, he knew that they would have to restock soon otherwise the survivors will starve. As resources was important, the lives of the survivors was as important, he would not risk a Suicide run. Carefully thinking, he called for J, a few minutes later J came in with a knock.
"Baybay, so what's the next mission?"
"We are low on supplies, you up for a supply run?"
"Haiyo, again? We just did a supply run 2 weeks back, what happen to all the supplies?"
"With new survivors, more mouth to feed, not to mention Edwards unstoppable diet, he keeps eating non-stop, not to mention keep stealing or leaching from other people's own food while Using his power as a rescue leader, not to mention Ina is out looking for more survivors"
J then crosses her arms
"So, what's the plan?
Kenneth look at J in the eye with a regretful expression
"We might have to double the load back this time, I wouldn't ask if it wasn't necessary."
J stared at Kenneth for a brief seconds, uncrossed her arms and turned
"Remind me to smack Edward in the head when I get back"
Kenneth can't help but smile
J was at the armory, loading up on her safety gear, then begin sharpening her katana.
"Going out for another run?" Came a
Voice J knows so well
Krysen walking towards while holding her own Katana on her shoulder.
"Yea, but you are not invited" said J
with a sly grin
"Ah ha, ah ha, ahh hha" goes Krysen, with her sarcastic laughter
"As if I want too, but I would self invite myself, gotta watch someone's back, at the same time kill more then that person"
As Krysen turns and walks away
J continues to stare and cracked another grin.
As J and Krysen made their way out Kenneth tossed them a pair of pistols with an extra mag each.
"Only use them if necessary, remember them zombies are attracted by noise"
Krysen and J nodded and left.
After years of sneaking around zombies, they learnt how to be as silent as a mouse, moving through the shadows quick, elusive and fluid.
Only engaging when necessary, as subtle as ever. Krysen and J reached an abandon store house, they quickly store up supplies and medicines but find themselves short in hand.
Krysen looked to J in annoyance
"How the hell are we gonna bring the stuffs back?"
J looked around and saw an abandon vehicle, she ran towards it and found out it was still intact and operational.
"Are you sure you can drive it?"
J looked up and smiled
"It's the apocalypse, laws and order don't apply anymore" as she start up the engine.
With a loud roar, the car came alive.
A few minutes later, they heard faint moans, which gradually became louder, it meant that the zombies are near.
Krysen and J quickly load the remaining supplies and began to leave the area, J took a quick glance around the corner, there were dozens of walkers. Tempting as it was, to decapitate a few of them, it wasn't wort it as the supplies were important. They both got into the car, but infront of them were filled with walkers.
With a grin on J face, Krysen knew what was coming, with a hard step on the ignition pedal, their car drove straight into the horde, smashing the zombies, bodies flew, being dismembered in the process, organs and blood splash the window plates.
Krysen then said "turn on the windshield, can't see anything"
J then look around anxiously looking for the switch
"Uhhhh, which is it?"
Then they laugh at each other sillily as the continue to drive through the zombies, and eventually they found the switch for the windshield.
Reaching back to base, they were rewarded with cheers, but Kenneth being careful, warns them of not being to loud as it's not that safe.
As J and Krysen distributes the supplies accordingly, Edward starts barging in and approached J arrogantly.
"Eh what the hell took you teo so long?! Funny ahh?! I hungry you know?!"
"Shut up la, you think you the only person hungry is it?! For one think of other people's need and being considerate, stop being such an ignorant and arrogant bastard."
Came J, after distributing several supplies.
"Everyone will get their share, so will you, so you better wait or so help me I will literally beat the crap out of you. "
"You come and try la! Think I scared you is it?"
Kenneth saw enough and decided to step in
He stood inbetween arms raised and spoke sternly
"Let's not start something dire right now, if you haven't notice, the world is ending, we are but a few survivors left, maybe there are more but who knows? Everyone here is equal, down to the last person. We have to learn to be considerate as well. Otherwise we are no better then the damn bloody zombies out there.
He turn to J
"J calm down, I understand what you are trying to do, let me take over"
"What the hell?! You take her side?!" Exploded Edward
"No I am not, nor am I taking yours either, but honestly you have been pissing me off for a certain period now, you have to stop thinking that you are the freaking president of this place, you are a survivor like the rest of us, though you are a leader of a rescue team, you have not been behaving like one. You've been behaving like a spoilt brat, you even cause a few casualties of your own team. So stop this now or I will."
Edward stood there, angered. He was beginning to tensed up. Though unable to do so as many others agreed to Kenneth's words, he then walked away, disgusted.
Kenneth let out a hard sigh, turned to J
"Carry on with the distribution"
J and Krysen nodded
Kenneth walked away, tired
Edward stormed into his private room filled with anger. He punched the fall several times before sitting on his bed.
"Eh, why so angry? What happen?"
Came Nicholas, sneaky a peak at Edward.
"Fuck la, the same people la! FucK they all gang up on me, like I'm the enemy, I just say I hungry only then they say I some arrogant bastard"
"Aiya, they always like that luh, they think they are always right, when we want something they never allow."
"Ya...that's right...shit"
"Eh! Why don't we go out and grab some stuff of our own, all for ourselves? Then next time if they want we just treat them like how they treated us ah!"
Edwards face suddenly lighten and brighten up.
"Eh ya, let's do it, show them who is boss"
He stood up and did a redundant backflip for no exact reason. Grab his gears, he and Nicholas sneaked out in the dark into the city to get their own supplies.
As Nicholas and Edward left the building from their secret passage, they did not shut it properly and the door swayed open and it hit against the wall repeatedly, attracting the darkness.
Kenneth was having a private moment with his girl, when suddenly he heard screaming. Sensing the worst, he open his drawer and took out a pair if circular objects, size of a fists and placed them in his pockets.
"Stay here and lock the doors, do my open for anyone but me, do you understand?"
Coreena replied "be careful"
"I am panda, I'm always careful" as Kenneth smirked and shut the door behind him.
Panda ran as fast as he can, then a sudden stop in his tracks, infront of him was horror, mutilates bodies laid, they've been devoured mercilessly. Organs lay everywhere in pools of blood, dismembered bodies as well. Kenneth was devastated, and wondered who the hell did they zombies get in? A scream ahead caught panda's attention and he ran in that direction. Ahead he saw Krysen and J, protecting a group of people, hacking and slicing many zombies. But the horde may prove to be too much for just the two of them. Kenneth knew that things are turning bad, surrounded by dozens of zombie walkers, he drew a pair of circular objects, his customized bladed yoyos. Steel strings and shuriken modified blades attached, he toggled a button, the blades began to spin, then swung them expertly, decapitating zombies in his path, hoping to reach his trapped comrades in time.
J hacked a walker at its neck, however her sword got stuck and couldn't budge free, an incoming walker had forced herself to let go of the sword and back away. Now without a weapon, J is quite vulnerable, but being the person she is, she wasn't going to give up. She stood in combat form, but then Krysen stood infront of her, sword at the ready.
Krysen look back and smiled
"Guess I have to protect you now"
She leaped into the fray and decapitated many walkers, kick and slicing at the same time, she was in the middle of the horde. Her breathing became heavy, her energy slowly depleting, her grip became lose. Suddenly she slipped and her ankle got sprained, she fell onto the ground and the walkers were amassing on her. J suddenly appeared with a metal pipe and beat off a couple of walkers
"Oh no you are not!"
As she argued back to Krysen over her pervious statement
With a brief moment of pause, Krysen caught a few seconds of breather and got back to her feet. Stood beside J and grinned
"I am not gonna lose to you"
J grinned back
"Neither am I"
Then suddenly infront of them, Kenneth burst through like a spinning tornado, every walker near him were decapitated with ease
"Ok caaaan~ Stop competing and deal with the problems now~~"
J and Krysen laughed, and joined Kenneth.
Near the resources building, Nicholas and Edward were piling up their batch of supplies, nearly 3 carts full of them.
"Let's see who wants to take them from us, we will make them bow to us before giving them." Edward boasted ignorantly
"Haha! Make them all bow la! Become the leader instead of that Kenneth, I think you would be a better one la!"
As Nicholas was grabbing another batch of food, a walker suddenly appeared out of the darkness and bit a huge chunk of his arm. Nicholas screamed in horror as he arm was being devoured then ripped from it's socket, blood gushed out as the veins and bones were exposed, then a couple of more walkers appeared, dragged Nicholas down to the ground and start eating him alive. Nicholas' kept screaming, till his throat filled with blood, then a walker bit his throat off exposing his bloodied windpipe, blood spewed out uncontrollably, unable to mutter a word and chocking on his own blood then Nicholas went silent. The sounds left were meat and bones being chewed and eaten. Edward watched in horror as the walkers ate Nicholas body gruesomely, ripping his head of, gouging out eye balls and eating them, finally cracking open the head and exposing the brain which manywalkers began feasting on it. Edward couldn't watch anymore as a walker tore Nicholas' lifeless body open and ate his organs. Edward slowly backed away, but clumsily knocked over a couple of boxes, drawing attention of the walkers. Edward then turned and ran out of the store, being chased by now a huge horde of zombies.
Kenneth, J and Krysen were cleaning up the rest of the horde, with the help of some others. After another 30 mins, the building was secured, everybody was cleaning up the mess, disposing and burning zombie and human corpses, to prevent any infection. J found and retrieved her lost katana, while Kenneth and Krysen were cleaning their weapons, Coreena then approached them.
"Guys you better take a look at this"
As she pointed at the video surveillance system.
The four of them gathered and found the reason that started all this, Edward and Nicholas were the culprits of letting the zombies in by leaving a door open.
"That damn Edward, he has crossed the line, if those zombies won't kill him, I will." As Kenneth slammed his fist hard on the table. What comes next took them by surprise, Edward appeared through the room, limping. His right leg was bitten and was leaking lots of blood, infected signs were appearing as his leg became to turn grey and black.
"Help...me...please..."
As Edward collapsed. Kenneth and J knelt beside Edward's infected leg, unsure of what to do. Kenneth the stood, looking at Krysen and extended his arm, Krysen realized what was coming next and nodded. She unsheathed her sword and gave it to Kenneth, grip first.
He looked and J
"Hold him" Kenneth said grimly
J too understood the situation and held Edward down.
Edward looked up as Kenneth stood above him at his right leg.
"Wait, what are you doing?"
Kenneth replied "It has to be done, or you will turn into one of them" as he raised the sword above his head.
"Wait, no, stop don't! Don't do it!" Noooo! Screamed Edward.
Kenneth swung the sword in a downward, and sliced of Edward's leg from the hip onwards.
Edward screamed in pain as his right leg was chopped off. He spasmed uncontrollably as the pain was too immense, Coreena was trying hard to bandage the amputated leg, J and Krysen then was trying hard to hold him down as the more he moves, more blood will flow out. Kenneth couldn't take it anymore, he uppercut Edward hard and knocked him out. Finally Coreena was able to stop the bleeding, Kenneth tossed the amputated leg into the fire along with the other burning corpses. Though the situation didn't seem to die out as there were loud moanings coming from the outside. Kenneth look outside the window, to his horror, there were dozens of walkers outside approaching the building.
Nabehh, thanks to this stupid Edward, we are doomed now, how the hell are we gonna fend them off?
Kenneth's thoughts ringing in his head, he looked around him, the teaming survivors were tired and beaten. Even J and Krysen were suffering from fatigue, he couldn't risk any of their lives and he would not either. Kenneth then kissed Coreena for what seems his last kiss, walked out of the building to face the zombies.
With only his blades yoyos with him, he stood ready.
"Eh panda, do you really think we let you do this alone?" Came J
Kenneth turned and saw J, Krysen and even Coreena walking towards him, weapons drawn. Coreena held a long steel rod, with a determine look on her face.
"Don't think you are the leader we will listen to you all the time"
Grinned Krysen as they stood at panda's side.
"Haiz, you stupid people"
As a smile cracked on panda's face
As the zombies crept closer, the 4 of them stood ready.
Suddenly a immense brilliance of light appeared at the walkers, the a huge barrage of gun fire erupted, the four of them leaped onto the ground,
Covering their heads as they watch the slaughter. The zombies were torn apart by gunfire and explosions, them witnessing the situation was what is now their salvation. Within a few minutes the entire horde was annihilated.
The group then stood up, staring at the massacre, then noticed laser sights were aimed at them. They stood together back to back, as figures in face mask approached them, hiding their identity weapons aimed at them, along with military vehicles bringing up the rear, it was a huge convoy of what seems like military personal.
Then a representative approached them and spoke in a commanding voice.
"You infected?!"
Kenneth and the rest stood in silence.
The figure the aimed the weapon at panda'a head
"Answer me!"
Kenneth then shook his head, No
The figure then sighed in relief and lowered the weapon.
"Seems like it is a small world huh Kenneth bay"
Kenneth stared in confusion as the figure removed the face mask, revealing its face, and exposing its long hair. Kenneth eyes widened in shock and awe as the figure was Amira, behind her were was Aiman, Shannon and Hanna and a returning Ina whom all were smiling
"Seems like we came just in time huh?, Booyah! So you got space for a few more? Grinned Amira.
End file.
| HyperSaint's zombie Apocalypse by JintaRequim | Zombie Fallout |
Hypersaint's zombie story part 2 of 3 of volume 1
Salvation
The arrival of Amira and gang brought much joy and hope to the beaten and worn out survivors. Bringing fresh supplies, and improved equipment meant that the survivors have a higher chance of facing any situations. Even as new and trained survivors enters, Kenneth reminds everybody to not slack off or lose focus, it has not change the fact that the world is still infested with zombies. But for this one night alone, Kenneth allowed everyone to have fun and relax as Amira's people brought it what is now a luxury, barrels of beer and other alcohols. Though Amira doesn't drink, she is the party leader as she started to sing and dance like a machine bringing up the mood.
Kenneth took the over watch himself, as his people deserves it.
As Kenneth walks towards the balcony, he stopped in his tracks, outside of Edward's now confined cellar. He turn and faced him, Kenneth's face still grim over what Edward has done.
"Do you realize what you have done? How foolish you are? You costed many lives over what? Greed over food? Seriously, you never think! You always think for yourself, never once for others." Exploded Kenenth.
"Aiya whatever la, it's already over you still bring it up for? You even chopped of my leg! Why would you do that? What if I wouldn't get infected of the wound, fuck Just let me out of the cell will you? I need to eat and do some stuffs" retorted Edward.
Panda slammed the cell door
"Even after all that had happened, how ignorant are you? Even when your leg is gone. You continue to be an arrogant little asshole." Said Kenneth as he turn his back on Edward.
"Enjoy your new room, you are gonna be in there for a very long time"
"DO NOT LEAVE ME HERE! DO YOU HEAR ME?! KENNETH!" Screamed Edward, but it was completely redundant as Kenneth ignored every word.
Reaching the top balcony, Kenneth let out a long and relaxing sigh, first time in a long time he felt secure and safe. The thought of his people down below are having fun and finding renewed happiness made him happy. After a long time of making hard choices and tough decisions, it seems it was for a better future.
Suddenly Aiman and Hanna popped from behind.
"Panda!"
It gave Kenneth a huge shock
"Nabehhh, scare me sia, I though what suddenly zombies can talk"
"Haha! No luhhh, how can Sir Vanity be a zombie? I'm so majestic and kingly"
"Pssshh what ever la Aiman, you were screaming like a girl when I saved you"
Replied Hanna as she flipped her hair with her hand and gave that bitch face.
Aiman replied "ehlehhh, don't ruin my image as Sir Vanity!" Retorted Aiman
"So Panda! How's everything? It seems you did a good job maintaining order and keeping them safe, it makes me wonder how you did it."
The sudden comment gave Kenneth a sour look, he turned and face the sky, waiting for a few heartbeats and replied
"It was a promise I made to someone, he unfortunately gave his life allowing us the board up and seal every entrance to prevent any zombies to breach in. He always was crazy, doing anything and keeping us high morale and spirited. But his sacrifice gave us hope, and a better tomorrow."
Kenneth turned and walked away before Hanna or Aiman could reply, as he does not want to reminisce himself of the death of a close friend.
Down below, Amira was partying like a queen.
The very next day, Kenneth strode the floors leisurely, many people were passed out or asleep, Amira was on top of a pillar in a queen posture, a mixed of both asleep and accomplished form. Kenneth assumed that Amira may have partied too hard as she was using her shoe as a pillow and her arm dangling down while holding onto a microphone . To his surprise, he saw Ina, Krysen, J and other military personal up and early. Cleaning their weapons, teaching them how to use the firearms cautiously. A military personal was sparring with Krysen, Kenneth grinned as he knew Krysen was going easy on him as he sees Krysen grinning uncontrollably and doing her sarcastic laughter. J was being taught by a weapon specialist on wielding dual swords, Ina on the other hand, occupied herself with configuring fire arms to her accustomed satisfaction.
Kenneth walked into his quarters, saw Correena asleep peacefully, while holding a bottle of empty Soju, Kenneth slowly reached and retrieved the bottle and replaced it with a pillow. Correena then hugged the pillow tighter and snored discreetly. Kenneth reached for a blanket and covered her with it, before giving her a kiss on the forehead. As Kenneth exited the room quietly, he saw Aiman and Hanna gearing up, Kenneth approaches them.
"Where are you two heading to?"
Asked Kenneth
"We are heading out, see if we could find any survivors and get more supplies, though we brought a huge supply, it's not infinite." Said Hanna
"May we tag along?"
Came a voice behind
Kenneth turned and saw Krysen and J walking towards them, in full gear which made Kenneth frowned sarcastically.
"Can't lose my edge now can I? I can't lose to J in skills as well"
Said Krysen with a challenging tone.
J just snorted and cocked her head to her right, avoiding Krysen's eye.
Kenneth smiled foolishly
"This time I'll come along, need some fresh air, confined in here for abit too long"
"Well more the merrier, is what I would say if it wasn't a zombie apocalypse, but sure why not, we could use some extra hands"
Said Aiman
"When did you gain wisdom?"
Asked J
"Cause I am Sir Vanity"
An hour later, the group was in full armor, finishing their final preparation. Kenneth entrusted Ina and Amira for guarding the building, though Amira would need to get back to earth as she was still half passed out.
Using on the military vehicles with a large interior. The 5 of then drove out, avoiding roads with massed zombies to prevent any dire situations.
"So how did you guys get all this gear?"
Question Kenneth.
"As soon as the out break reach Singapore, my uncle brought me to his military base to stock on arms and supples, he however got bit, I had to put him down unfortunately. But the place came flooded with refugees, some were infected and slowly one by one they turned, I already gathered some supplies beforehand, so I grab a few more just in time as almost everyone start turning. I picked up a few military personal on the way, saved Hanna back there, while Amira was holding her own with a baseball bat with nails embedded in it. She was going ape-shit on them, and trust me she is crazy. When I saw her, she was standing on a pile of them, shouting "Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!" Like a female spartan on crack" Answered Aiman
All five of them start laughing, never have they heard of someone being so crazy enough to kill that many zombies.
They came to a stop at a abandon building, Aiman parked the car as close as he could to the garage elevator. The five of them splitted up, to cover ground and collect as many supples as they could, Kenneth and J in charge of supplies while Krysen with Hanna and Aiman for medicines.
As quiet and cautious as they can be, Kenneth and J walk through lvl 1
to 3, already gathered some supplies. Then a sound that send a chill up their spines, but is different now, more like licking and sniffing with fleshy foot steps. Kenneth and J immediately ran into a store, they blended into the shadow and hide.
The sound crept closer, it's rotten odor was immense, Kenneth fought hard to keep himself from throwing up, J was covering her nose and mouth. Then they saw it, a mutation. It was waking in all four like a sort of animal with long nails, it's bodies flesh was protruding out, it's long tongue was licking the area, it's face was made of flesh and bone, it's jaw was deformed, teeth sharp and rotten. It has no eyes, but hollow sockets. It's head was turning left and right, finally it stopped at a store where Kenneth and J was hiding in, it then crept closer. Kenneth had to think fast, other wise risk getting into a messy situation. Kenneth threw an empty can down the hall way from which they entered from, which caught the new zombie's attention and went in that direction. Kenneth went out the store to see if it's clear, then turned back to give J the all-clear signal, but J was digging through a heap of thrash.
"What are you doing? We have to go before it comes back" warned Kenneth.
"Wait, this are super rare and limited Editions of Super Junior collection cards with legit signatures laminated in long last plastic covers, I must have all 13 of them!" Exclaimed J
"Are you serious? The world has gone to a shit hole and zombies around us, yet you are collecting Super Junior cards?!
"Like duh! Especially Eunhyuks and Donghae's! Yes! I found them all! Krysen is not gonna have any of them!" Grinned J
Kenneth turned with an annoyed face and muttered to himself.
"Figures, worlds gone to shit storm, zombies around us and we are suppose to be looking for supplies, yet she has time to collect them cards, nabehhh..."
Meanwhile...
"Why did you have to shout "I am Sir Vanity! Come and face your doom!"
"Sorry! I couldn't help it! Cause I am Sir Vanity"
"You didn't have to shout when we there were zombie around! Shit you la!"
Hanna and Aiman were running from hordes of zombies while carrying a bag of medicines, which some bottles are dropping out.
"Hanna! The medicines are dropping! What do we do?"
"Be my guest to get them back, just tell those zombies to give you passage through, oh wait they won't, CAUSE THEY WANT TO EAT US!"
"This sucks!"
Finally they both turned to a corner and manage to shut the doors before any zombie broke through. Hanna and Aiman slump to the floor, exhausted. The medicine bag Aiman carried, inside was only 1/5 of what they collected.
Hanna then realized they were inside a sword relic store, she then made a devilish grin and made her way to one of the swords on the wall. Aiman saw and began to freak out.
"Hanna...what's with that smile? You are scaring me."
"Heheee, time to have some fun~"
Hanna then kick open the door which sent a couple of zombies flying back. She then swung and slice with two swords in hand. Decapitating multiple zombies at once, Aiman was still in the store, stunned. After a few more minutes, Hanna finished off all remaining zombies, and their path was cleared.
Aiman was trembling in fear at what he just witnessed. Hanna turned and smiled.
"So Sir Vanity, you just gonna stand there, shaking in fear in the process of losing your dignity, or you gonna pick up these medicines you dropped?"
Finally Aiman got back his senses and snorted.
"Pfft, of course I am. I'm Sir Vanity!" Shouted Aiman.
"Your lucky I cleared the zombies and filled my rage, otherwise I am
Gonna cut your head off for saying that over and over"
30 minutes later. The separate groups met up in the lobby.
Kenneth was walking ahead of J as she was busy looking at her collected Super Junior shiny cards.
Aiman was carrying a big bag of medicines, while Hanna's backpack was filled with multiple swords and knives.
"Yo panda! Catch!"
As Hanna tossed a bamboo stick at Kenneth.
Kenneth stared at it and frowned.
"What am I suppose to do with it? My nickname is panda but I ain't eating no bamboo stick."
"Will you just open the top end before even judging?"
Kenneth then took another look at it, placed his hand at the tip, and pulled. A long sword emerged from it, which made Kenneth's eye open wide.
"Nabehhhh, fucking shiok sial"
Hanna laughed
"See, I told you he'd like it" as Hanna stared at Aiman.
"Ok fine!"
"Seriously J? We are fending off the zombies, collecting supplies and food, and you are collecting Super Junior cards? How crazy can yo..."
Before Hanna could finish her words, J presented a shiny Exo Kris card to her.
Hanna then squealed uncontrollably.
"Omg thank you! Zomg he is so..."
Without let hanna finish her sentence,Kenneth turned and whispered to Aiman.
"She another one...Haiyo, best let her and J alone till they are done fan-girling."
As the group slowly approached the exit, there was a loud grotesque roar which shook all of them and instinctively drew arms. Facing at all directions, they surveyed at all directions. Suddenly a large chunk of debris dropped from the higher levels towards the group. Kenneth was the first to react, he pushed Hanna and Aiman back, grab J and narrowly avoided the rocks. Getting back to their feets, they finally saw the culprit. It was a huge zombie, mutated into such a huge berserker, a large torso and arms, it's head was divided into two. It's form of walking is similar to an gorilla, it then start beating the ground and leapt down towards Kenneth.
Kenneth rolled to avoid the death crashing of the huge zombie. It crashed down hard, it began to react as if it's being annoyed. Beating its chest and roaring, it then charged towards Kenneth. Although it's huge, and a single blow would kill him instantly, it was slow in moving. Kenneth was able to dodge a few times. Hanna and J then charged towards it and start slashing it's back, trying to bring it down. But it's back muscles were hard as if hitting a rock, any attempt of cutting it was in vain. It swung it's huge arm back, J and Hanna reacted just in time as the huge arm glanced over their heads. It made the two of them back off, risking another close attempt would definitely unwise. Aiman at the far side was inside a liquor store, grabbing a bottle and stuffing a cloth down the tube.
"How the hell do we kill it? It's bound to get a lucky hit!" Shouted J
"I have no idea! None of our attacks are working!" Replied Kenneth.
"EVERYBODY! GET CLEAR!" Came a shout.
All of their heads turned and saw Aiman running towards the berserker zombie, in his hand a Molotov.
He threw it, and it lit up the berserker. Covered in flame, the berserker was in pain now, thrashing wildly and roaring. Aiman threw more liquor and it intensified the flames.
"Let's get out of here before it manages to recover! " shouted Kenneth.
The group then ran towards the exit, but suddenly a huge boulder flew over them and blocked the exit. It stunned them, and despair crawled over them. Suddenly, the water sprinklers activated, and the roaring stopped. The four of them turned and saw the flames were dead, the berserker zombie was blackened and smog, but it's still alive. Now trapped against the corner, it walk towards them. It then grabbed a huge rock and hurled it, the four of them dodged it and attempt to get around it, but at a surprising speed using the slippery floor it was upon Aiman instantly as it recognize its attacker, and sent him flying towards the wall with a loud crash, Aiman slumped on to the floor, coughing blood.
Hanna race towards Aiman, but suddenly out of the darkness, a long tongue emerged and caught Hanna by the neck, it's was the deform zombie Kenneth and J saw earlier. It came back to seek its preys. Hanna desperately tries to grasp air has it began to choke her, her grip of her sword weakens and it dropped to the floor as she begins to lose conscience. J attempted to save Hanna, she sliced off its legs, dropping to the floor, it's tongue weakened but it's grip was still strong but with its sharp claws, it stab into J's thighs, J screamed aloud,but then pierced its claw with her sword to the ground and locking it in place. It's other claw went straight for J's neck, but she dodged it at the last second and did a submission move, now the three of them are in a dead lock.
Torn between the berserker, and the licker Zombie. Time was running out and choices steep, drawing his bamboo blade, he stared down the berserker, in ready form. With each dodge, Kenneth cut its arms as hard as it can. It's burnt body manage to soften its hard skin and Kenneth was causing pain. Kenneth had to finish it fast in order to save the others. He dodge another blow, and stabbed with all his might. It went through the arm, but it got stuck, Kenneth unable to pry it free, he was forced to let go as the berserker swung it's other fist. Kenneth rolled to his side, finally he had enough, he drew his shuriken yoyo, and charged, moving expertly now he attacks were relentless. He gaining ground and pushing the berserker back. Kenneth swung harder and harder, and finally manage to slice of its left wrist. It then dropped to the floor, beaten and bleeding. Kenneth went for the killing blow, but it blocked at the last second with its right arm, as how the sword got stuck, so did Kenneth's yoyo. The swinging with all it's might, it slammed Kenneth to the ground. Kenneth laid on the ground, his back bones fractured, he couldn't move. Darkness was shrouded, his vision blurred, blood was rupturing internally. He glanced over and saw J and Hanna battling hard with the licker zombie, Aiman unconscious. He couldn't save them in the end, a shadow loomed over head as he saw the berserker raising its free arm. Kenneth closed his eyes, and thought of Correena.
Suddenly he heard a couple of loud gun shots, and he saw the berserker being pierced by two harpoons, two figures in the shadow was pulling it back, away from Kenneth. Finally securing the ropes to the wall, a burst fire of shots from the shadows,
It hit the licker in the head and back, yet it was still alive, a few more shots and finally it died.
With the licker dead, and berserker secured, four silhouette clad in black, each with a chess board piece of sort on its backs reeled down. They were maskless, but Kenneth couldn't recognize them as his vision was blurred. The knight chess piece carefully brought Kenneth towards his other comrades, and they placed injured four at a safe location, finally turning back towards the berserker.
The four held rifles, one of them had a rocket launcher on his back. They fired at it, destroying its legs and most of its lower torso and it slumped to the floor.
The one with King chess piece, unslung the rocket launcher and aimed at it.
"Your move, checkmate you ugly motherfucker."
The berserker let out a final roar, as the rocket was fired towards its head and exploded.
It was the last thing Kenneth saw as he finally slump into unconsciousness.
End file.
| Hypersaint's zombie story part 2 of 3 of volume 1 by JintaRequim | Zombie Fallout |
The zed's walk
The Dead Walk by:Riley these characters are (jeorge a american soldier)( a canadian scientist)(private bruno a german soldier)(henry a british scientist carries all supplies except for some)(clarette a italian female soldier)
It was a warm summer day, everyone in the group 13 of the research group was tired... "when the hell are we gonna get to the god dang temple!" Shouted jeorge "i dont know but this map indicates we are close." say's "thank goooood!" moans the rest of the party. then all of a sudden the temple showed up "the temple wow,i never imagined it being this beuitiful!" said excitedly.
then clarette said"ok now that we are here you henry set up the camp you! jeorge and bruno gaurd the primiter me and the other scientist's will check out the outside of the building." suddenly a load noise arose from behind the temple "what the heck was that?" questioned .
TO BE CONTINUED. . .
End file.
| The zed's walk by soniclover45 | Zombie Fallout |
Home
**AN: As I've done before, I've procrastinated with updating my fanfiction by writing yet another fanfiction. **
**This fanfiction in particular is inspiried by the song, "93 Million Miles" by Jason Mraz, which I had on repeat while writing it.**
**I apologize for any mistakes I've made, as I've forgotten bits and pieces here and there.**
**Zombies, Run! belongs to Naomi Alderman and Six to Start.**
ZR!: Home:
He squeezed his eyes, trying to block out the sound of his father's vehement voice, but already Sam knew it was fruitless; whenever the elder Mr. Yao was pissed, he only seemed to grow louder the harder you tried to block him out. Sam imagined his father's face being blood red in color, hair dishelved, his arms waving madly about with the cause of this immense anger clutched tightly in his hands-true, while this was more like something one would find in a cartoon or something of the sort, it wasn't very far off to how his dad probably was acting right now.
"...You can't just let the boy continue with this...this _insanity!_ Everytime you go to him, saying "oh Sam, it's all right", you're only encouraging him! He _needs_ to be punished-one of my own _failing_ a class? No. I won't have it," Mr. Yao paused, taking a sharp intake of breath before proceeding with his rant. "If he was raised by _my_ father, he would have been kicked out of the house by now. And honestly? I'm starting to think that maybe that's not a terrible idea after all."
"Love..." The thick wood of his door muffled his mother's voice, but Sam could hear her nonetheless. "Don't you think you're being...unreasonable?"
"Unreasonable? _Unreasonable?! _What's unreasonable are his grades-if he's failing French, what else could he be failing? I know that if he's failing his Engineering course, I won't heistate in disowning him."
Sam felt sick to his stomach, knowing that sooner or later, his parents would find out what he had been so desperately trying to hide. Then where would he go? It wasn't as if he had many friends who'd allow him to stay at their place until he was able to find a good job. He supposed he could stay with his sister and her boyfriend, though he didn't much care for being a third wheel.
Downstairs, the arguement continued, "Have you ever even _tried_ talking to your son-_without_ telling him he's a complete failure?"
"He's failing one of his easier courses. To me, that is nothing short of a failure."
"Do you ever think that Sam's failing because you're putting far too much stress on him? That perhaps, you're scaring him so much that he panics and can't concentrate on his work?" Frustrated, Mrs. Yao began to raise her own voice. "Maybe if you weren't so hard on h-"
"He's not stressed; he's lazy, unmotivated, and careless-which you seem to turn a blind eye to."
"What the hell is with you?! Don't you hear how you sound right now? You...you sound like a bloody maniac who's angry that he can't completely control everyone around him- you sound like a madman!"
"Maybe if our son was more like-"
"Oh _no_ you're not comparing our children. I will _not_ allow you to do that."
There was a moment of silence, followed by the sound of the front door slamming shut. Prying his eyes open, Sam allowed himself to walk over to the window; his father's car was backing out of the driveway, inside of it, his dad was struggling to keep himself calm. _Off for a drive...He only does that when he's __**really **__pissed... _Sucking in a shaky breath, he placed his forehead against the cool glass, though, it offered no help whatsoever.
"I'm dead," he muttered. "I am one hundred percent_ dead."_
"Sam?" He jumped; he hadn't even heard his mother come up the stairs. "Are you okay?"
"Oh...ah...hi mum..." A nervous smile tugged at his lips. "...Yeah, I'm...I'm fine..." his gaze darted back to the window: something that did not go unnoticed.
"Come here," she pulled him into her embrace. "You know your father loves you, right?"
Sam snorted, clearly expressing his disbelief.
"He does, you know. He just," she sighed, "he just has a difficult time showing it." She pulled away, resting her hands on his shoulders. "All we want is for you to be happy, okay?"
_Happy? Then why are you both forcing me to do something I'm not good at? Something I don't even want to do?_
Clearly afraid that her words weren't of any use, Mrs. Yao tried to make an offer, "Just finish up this year, and we'll see how everything goes, all right? If you don't want to be an engineer, you don't have to...just...can you try to get through the rest of the year?"
"I...okay."
"Good," she placed a kiss on his forehead and ruffled his hair despite his protests. "And Sam?"
"Yeah mum?"
"Just remember that after you move out...if you ever need a place to stay, you're more than welcome to come back; this will always be your home for as long as you want it to be..." she smiled, ruffled his hair once more, and proceeded to walk out of the room.
"Mum...?"
"Yes?" she paused, her hand lightly gripping the door knob.
"...Thanks."
"You're welcome, sweetheart."
**XxX**
Sam's arms dropped weakly to his side, but the grip on his ax remained firm. Despite the fact that mere weeks ago, he would have insisted that something like this could never happen-except in video games and movies-people were turning into zombies left and right. You get bitten? Boom. Zombie. One of said creatures had managed to break the lock to the Yao household, and, (unfortunately for Sam) before he was able to re-kill it, it had bitten both of his parents.
Blood and brains were splattered across the pale yellow walls, and the ancient vase handed down through his father's family lay in pieces on the floor. Shelves were over turned, knick knacks scattered about in their attempt to find a weapon to use against the walking dead (or as a distraction, if not a weapon); nothing had worked, and, as they were losing valuable time and energy, Mr. Yao had shouted at Sam to get the ax from the tool shed as he kept the zombie busy.
If Sam would have just been a few seconds faster, he probably could have saved them.
His father had been gripping at his neck, face pale, when he'd returned, and his mother (who'd attempted to defend her husband from being bitten a second time) found her skin come into contact with the zombie's teeth right before his eyes.
Angered-more at himself than anyone else-Sam had found himself rushing full force at the zom, wielding his newfound weapon; he didn't stop striking until it ceased its moving. As he pulled the weapon out of the thing's head, it made a disgusting "squelch." A chunk of brain slid off of the blade, hitting the floor with a squish.
"Mum...Dad...I..." he stood there trembling, eyes wide, and face drained of all color, uneasiness plain on his features; he tried to keep himself from looking at the grey corpse lying motionless beside him.
"Sam...you...you need..." Whatever it is she'd wanted to say was cut short by a series of body-racking coughs. "You need to..."
His father finished the setence, "save yourself." Sam felt as if he were in some cliched movie and would've laughed at the words had his parents not been on the brink of joining the army of the undead.
"But you-"
"Save yourself," he repeated, trying (and failing) to stop himself from coughing. "Get out...look for your...your sis-sister...just..._go."_
He felt helpless, standing there as they were slowly dying, guilt clutching him in its grasp. _He _should be the one who was bitten, not them. Sam had nothing to offer the world except for interests in video games and radio-which were more useless these days than before, considering the "zombie apocalyspe" called for _actual _skills, not simple hobbies.
His parents were far more important than he; they and his sister actually had things to offer that could prove helpful, unlike him: useless, lazy, unmotivated Sam.
"I-"
"Sam, listen to your father. You can't...can't do anything to help us. We're going to...I don't want you to turn, Sam. ...Please...just...go," Mrs. Yao's face was contorted in pain. "You..."
"Kill us."
_"What?!" _ Sam was taken aback by how calmly his father could say those words together.
"You heard...heard me...use the ax. Kill us." His coughing was growing worse as time passed.
"That's...I can't...are you _mad?!"_
"The way things are going, you're going...to have to kill more people before they turn, so why not start with us?"
He felt his mouth go dry, knowing full well he'd lost the arguement. "Can I...can I at least sit with you until I have to..." he swallowed. "Do you both in?"
"Sam..." his mother was pleaing with him, tears glistening in her eyes. "Don't do this...don't make it harder than it needs to be..."
"I...okay..." Shakily, he raised the ax above his father, preparing to swing downward at full force when the elder man spoke once more.
"I love you, son..." With a sickening crack, the weapon pierced his skull, sending bone fragments (as well as more brains) flying.
Before Sam could lose his nerve, he repeated the action, this time with his mother.
Covered in bits and pieces of his parents, Sam felt as if he would puke, but at the same time, nothing would come up. Trembling violently now, he gripped his ax tighter, not bothering to stop the onslaught of tears streaming down his face.
After a few seconds, he forced himself to move, forced himself to get the backpack that he'd filled with emergency supplies just days before from his room, and to get moving.
There was nothing here for him any more: his parents were dead, and their house wasn't safe any more. Soon, it would be a haven for swarms of zombies, leaving it unhabitable for the living.
He knew he could never return home, even if all this ended-"home" was gone.
**XxX**
Due to yet another short supply of runner not only doing supply runs, he'd been guarding the southern wall, an ax in his hand (not _his _ax, as that had been destroyed weeks ago), when he spotted someone-or _something_, as Sam quickly reminded himself-heading straight for the township...if one could even call it that.
Abel was just a dinky little thing, consisting of one giant farmhouse at the, a shabby garden to the north, a tent as a hospital nearby, and "houses" that were more shacks than anything else surrounded by walls that most people doubted were even stable enough to hold back raiders, much less zoms.
Thus, the need for guards twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week until enough supplies could be gathered to build stronger walls.
Whatever it was seemed too fast to possibly be a zom, but even if the person made it within reach of Abel, they had a growing pack of the undead on their heels, which spelled certain doom for the base and all of its residents.
_They might make it here long before the horde if they try hard enough... _Vaguely, he wondered if there was a chance the mystery runner could be his sister, and held onto that hope until the person got close enough for him to see their features and those hopes were dashed.
The runner was a pretty, dark-skinned girl; she was covered in a sheen of sweat, her clothes sticking to her body. The pack on her back gave little bounces each time her foot would hit the ground. However, what really made Sam stare in absolute bewilderment was how far the horde that'd been chasing her was falling behind.
Within a few more moments, the stranger had made it to the gates, dishelved from the long run. "Holy..." gasping for breath, she bent over, hands on her knees. "Holy hell. ...Must've run thirty five kilometers at _least." _Catching her breath, she stood up straight, her gaze on Sam. "Not trying to be bossy or anything, but can you let me in? I don't know how much longer it'll be before they get here, but I _really_ don't want to be out here when they do. "
"Uh...sure?" He called to the other side for someone to raise the gates (luckily Abel's residents were smart enough to install automated gates as soon as they were able to-several bases had fallen to zombies due to having a simple latched gate.)
"Thanks," she nodded. "You should get inside too, you know...I highly doubt you can take on twenty or so zoms by yourself."
"H-hey!" Sam protested weakly, not wanting to seem like he couldn't hold his own in front of her. "How do you know I'm not a professional zombie killer?" ...Though, he probably succeeded in making himself seem foolish in his attempt.
"Uh huh," the girl raised an eyebrow. "And if you're so good at killing zombies, then where were you when I had that horde coming after me?"
"I...uh..."
"Thought so," she strolled through the gates without waiting for him to follow.
Despite the fact that he'd get into serious trouble with both Janine and the Major, Sam couldn't help but follow her and quell at least _some_ of his curiousity. _Besides...someone needs to take her to the Major for a background check. _"Hey, you-what's your name?"
"Huh?" she turned around to face him. "Who, me? I'm Alice. Alice Dempsey." A warm smile lit up her features. "And you? What may I have the pleasure of calling you, "Mr. Professional Zombie Killer"?"
"Sam Yao," he answered, returning the grin. "Pleased to meet you."
He'd only just now met Alice, and already he was beginning to feel at ease around her; there was just something about her that reminded him of life before the outbreak.
She reminded him of home.
End file.
| Home by Blithe Novelties | Zombies, Run! |
Alive
His eyes won't adjust as he stumbles out of the comms shack, tonight of all nights Jenine has finally agreed to light it, and into the inky black night. And even though the klaxons are still blaring at the gates, and he has just watched her sprint past the last camera, he's still panicking. "Five!" he shouts. "Five! Five!" His heart thuds heavily, where was she? Sam barely has the time to make out the blur of motion before she slams into his chest. His breath escapes him in a deep shudder, and his eyes slip closed. "Five, oh god, Five." Alive, she was really alive.
Her whole body trembles in his arms, whether from her sweat-soaked clothes or fear, he can't tell. He holds her for a long moment, hands pressing her tightly, feeling her flesh firm and solid beneath. He's never had a runner come back, he thinks. Almost twenty hours gone, and now she's back and warm in his arms.
The first strike lands on his lower ribs, the second on his right shoulder. He pulls back, confused and a little stung, but the blows keep coming. They're not _that _ painful, but that's probably due to Five's exhaustion. He grabs her wrists, "Five, what-"
He hisses as her elbow connects solidly against his solar plexus. "They're not the lucky ones, Sam! They're not the-" she bucks against his hold, "lucky-" a weak fist into his stomach, "ones!" His words rush back to him, leaving a foul taste in his mouth. "No, oh Five, I'm so sorry, we're the lucky ones, of course we are." She ends her attack, but it's quickly replaced by a wave of sobs, which Sam's not sure is necessarily an improvement. What was one supposed do with a crying female? He settles for scooping her up in his arms.
"Let's get you to the hospital, huh, Five?"
He can feel her hiccupping breath as she whispers into his neck, "-not the lucky ones."
"No," he agrees, "they're not."
His shirt is wet with her tears and sweat by the time they cross Abel to the hospital where Maxine is ready and waiting. Sam isn't completely sure he's not hallucinating the moisture edging the doctor's eyes. "Welcome home, Runner Five." Five lets out a sob in response.
"She's crying."
"So I see, Mr. Yao, thank you."
"I don't- she's crying a lot."
Maxine shoots him a bemused sort of half-grin. "She's in shock, Sam. Why don't you put Runner Five down on the cot here."
Sam moves to do as she asks, but it soon becomes apparent that Runner Five has no interest in removing her hands from around his neck. "No," she whispers, "you can't go." She looks up at him with great glossy eyes that remind him of the look his little sister used when she wanted to play with his friends, or needed him to lie to their dad. She's a little girl all of the sudden, tiny and fragile, and it scares Sam half-to-death.
He remembers when she came sprinting into town after the helicopter was shot down, Alice on her tail and a gash in her head that would cause retrograde amnesia bad enough to wipe several months from her memory. She'd been so strong, barely batted an eye before she took up her new position in Abel. Now she's small and scared, but damned if Sam's not going to let her hold on if she needs to.
"Hey Five, I'm not going anywhere, okay? But the doctor here needs to look you over, yeah? So why don't you just hold my hand for a little bit?" Five is slow to move at first, but gradually moves her hands down Sam's arm until they're clasped tightly between his own. "That's my girl."
"Very good, Mr. Yao. Now, Runner Five, I need you to drink as much of this as you can, alright?" Maxine hands over a bottle of water mixed with what looks to be powdered sports drink, and probably, Sam acknowledges, crushed pain killers. Five nods and sips obediently. "Good, can we take off your pack?"
They do, though it is a slow process as Five is hesitant to let go of Sam's hand for even a split second. He can tell she's starting to come back to them though, her pulse is settling, and her eyes are tracking more of Dr. Myers' movements. A few more sips of her bright orange water, and Five shakes herself like a wet dog. "Sorry, sorry, I'm trying."
"You're doing fine, Five, we've got you."
"My leg, I hurt it. Fell down a hill, got caught up with an axe I was carrying. Didn't see the zoms in time to plan a good path. Didn't see the hill. Really bloody. Hurts like hell." She tries to take off her cargo pants with just one hand and without standing up. Dr. Myers tuts and pushes her hands out of the way before cutting the leg of her pants completely off. His face is about to catch fire, Sam is pretty sure, just as he's pretty sure Five will kill him if she remembers any of this tomorrow. But then he's distracted by the torn, dirty wound marking the pretty pink skin of her upper thigh.
"Damn."
"You didn't think to stop and bandage this?"
"Zombies," is all Five replies.
The wound is too old for stitches, Maxine explains, but she grabs the antiseptic and begins to clean. Sam flinches with every hiss Five lets out. He can't even protect her from this, after all she's been through, and after he was the one to recommend her for the mission. It seems like hours later when Maxine is finally done.
"Bandages," Five forces out between teeth still clenched against the pain. "There are big bandages in my pack."
Maxine strews the contents out along the counter, and she and Sam let out nearly synchronized gasps. Hundreds of bottles of pills roll along the counter, and none of them look anything like the bottles of over-the-counter medicine which currently stocks Abel's hospital. There are thick sleeves of bandages, too, and syringes still packed in their sterile casings, and there at the bottom-
"Is this a defibrillator?" Maxine asks, and Sam can hear the near reverence in her voice.
"Ran into a clinic that hadn't been looted. Brought everything I could carry."
Maxine runs gentle fingers along the plastic casing, but doesn't take much longer to return to taping up Runner Five's leg. "You need to come back every couple of days to make sure infection isn't setting in, and no running until I say so, alright?"
It warms Sam's heart to see Five spark with protest, even if it is a stupid one, "I have missions, Maxine, I can't just-"
"Your missions for the next week have already been redistributed among the other runners. Right now you need to focus on getting better."
Maxine's words, though meant to comfort, only serve to remind both Sam and Five that six hours ago everyone thought she was dead. Six hours ago, for all intents and purposes, she was dead. She shifts her body closer to his on the narrow cot, and he places a gentle kiss along her hairline. And then another, because, hey, when will she ever let him this close again?
"Alright, Runner Five, let's check you for bites, and get the rest of that grime cleaned off."
"But Sam-"
"Will either stay or go, whatever you want, won't you, Sam?" Maxine finishes. He can feel the blood rush to his face, but nods anyway. Not that he'd be adverse to staying and watching, exactly, he just always saw himself as the sort of guy who might buy a girl's dinner first, or, you know, marry her or something.
Five doesn't look very happy with the options either. She's wearing an odd combination of flushed cheeks and panicky eyes which twist something odd in his stomach. "Sorry, sorry, I'm being silly."
"Stop apologizing, Five." Sam's voice comes out deeper than he means it to. "How about this? I'll go stand facing the corner over there, and you girls can tell me when to turn around." Maxine sends him a nod of approval over Five's head, so he squeezes her hands and then disentangles himself from her embrace.
He tries as best he can to not listen to the soft sounds of clothing being discarded behind him, but nearly forgets himself and turns at Five's soft voice, "Sam?"
"Yeah, Five?"
"Thanks for staying."
When Maxine sounds the all clear, Sam releases a breath he didn't even know he'd been holding. She's going to be fine. Twenty hours with the zombies, but no bites. He tucks the blankets around her tightly, and takes the hand she reaches out to him. Fatigue has caught up with her, and her eyes are already closing. His hand she pulls against her chest and curls around it just a little.
She blinks up at him through sleep-lidded eyes. "Sam?"
"Yeah?"
"I know it's not the same, but, I'm proud of you, Sam. You're a good man, Sam Yao." She smiles a bit and falls almost instantly asleep.
And well, if he's crying after that, it's damned well deserved, isn't it?
End file.
| Alive by Erimenthetic | Zombies, Run! |
Illusions
_ Illusion_
I took a deep breath and looked around the room. It was all just an illusion. My entire life now. I would blink and wake up soon. Sometimes that's what life felt like right now, an illusion. Just a long dream. That's what life felt like. I could never tell what was real anymore.
"Janine, Janine, Janine, Janine, Jani-" I whipped my head around.
"What do you want, Mr. Yao?" I snapped and raised my head from its place on the table. I was sick a tired of Sam Yao bothering me about every single thing that every went wrong.
"Janine, my computer is broken. Can you fix it?" He asked. I sighed and shakily stood up.
_Illusion._
Is that what I was to everyone? Is that all we were? What is family anymore? Alliances? Was it that simple? We just have alliances. No more friends, family, trust, or love? We're human beings. We are programmed to survive and do whatever it takes.
Is that how we picked our friends now? What about a certain smile that people had that made you feel good? What happened to being able to make you laugh or being able to help you when you're scared?
"Janine, it's over here. Do you know what I did to it?" He asked me. I groaned. I was not in the mood to deal with him and I wanted this done as quickly as possible. I took the laptop in my hands and opened it up. Sam Yao was luck I was an engineer and he was luck I was more patent then he would ever give me credit for. I opened the laptop and touched the track pad. It was all wet. I looked up.
"You have got to be kidding me, Mr. Yao!" I snapped and dropped the computer back on the desk.
"What's wrong? Do you know what happened to it, Janine?" He asked me. I rolled my eyes.
_Illusion._
That's all my help really was. To everyone. Sam knew damn well what was wrong with it. He just liked to make me angry. I would never understand him. He yells at me to get out of his shack and he begs me to fix the laptop.
"You can't fix it, Mr. Yao. It's wet, you spilt something on it. It's broken." I snapped and stood up, exasperated with everything. "Now, as you know a engineer can only do so much. If you want me to fix your things in the future, I'll kindly ask that you don't break them by being carless." I hissed and stormed off. I could hear Sam protesting about how he was careful and some other ridiculous excuse he has for wasting my time. I walked over to my farmhouse and sat down on a chair. No sooner had I sat down than I herd a knock on the door.
"Finally, someone who remembers what privacy is!" I hissed.
_Illusion._
Privacy is a funny word now. It's really the only thing that never changes, regardless to what I say. People always pretended to respect your boundaries before the outbreak but never did. Now they don't even try to pretend. It's just another illusion and trick of the mind. Another side effect of the outbreak. It didn't change now that half the population was dead. We still all know what's going on with each other.
That is the worst possible disadvantage.
The only thing that changes was the amount people cared. They were still just as nosey and self-centered.
"Come in!" The door opened to reveal Sara Smith, or Runner Eight as she is called. "Ah, Sara, I'm not surprised that it's you. You have always had respect for the fact that this was my house before the outbreak." I snapped. Sara walked over and sat down in a chair.
"What's going on with you, Janine?" She asked me and I shrugged. "Come on, I know it's something." Sara said. "We've been friends for months now, Janine. You can talk to me." She said.
"Sara, do you think anything is real anymore?" I asked. Then I realized how stupid that sounded and I looked down. Sara was probably the closest thing that I had to a friend here in this thing that we call our town.
"What do you mean, Janine? What's going on with you? Is everything ok?" She asked. I sighed.
"I don't know, Sara. I just think that everything has changed and-" She cut me off with a laugh.
"You can say that again!"
"And I don't know what's real anymore. I don't know whom to trust and I don't know whom to believe. Everything is just strange." I said and then realized just how much I hated myself for opening up to Sara. I stood. "I'm fine though, Sara." I said. "I appreciate your concern."
"You know what it is? It's that damn runner." She swore. I rolled my eyes. "I don't trust them, Janine. Coming from Mullin's? Coming in all this way to help set up tents? And what do we do just let them in because Sam's grieving and Dr. Myers says that this new Runner Five is clean." I held back a smirk. This was all Sara had talked about for the last three hours.
"Sara, we don't trust just yet, but Runner Five did good work today and Dr. Myers is concerned about that box Five picked up." Sara snapped her head up too look out the window.
"Don't expect me to play nice until I get proof that our dear runner isn't the one who shot the chopper down." Sara snapped.
"Play however you want to, Sara, just don't let Sam onto it. He's already attached to the new runner."
"He just needs someone to care about and now that Alice is gone he has no one." Sara said. I nodded in agreement. "Back to you, Janine. Are you all right? You don't seem yourself. Is something bothering you? I mean except for not knowing what's real." Sara said. I caught a bit of sarcasm at the last part.
"I guess just that, Sara." I finished, not really wanting to explain to her about what I felt. She wouldn't understand. Everything was black and white with Sara. She didn't understand that some things were there but you couldn't see them and I'm not talking about ghosts or goblins or the things in Mr. Yao's video games. Even I didn't know what I was talking about.
"You are going to be ok though, right, Janine?" She asked and I nodded. She smiled at me.
_Illusions_
They were the same as lies. No one was going to be ok. We were a dead generation and we might all die off. We might lose the battle to the dead. I was not going to be ok.
"Ok, Janine, good. We can't lose you, you know. Go get some sleep. I'll keep Sam out of your house. You just worry about sleeping to tonight." Sara said. She might have had an obsession with making Runner Five's life miserable but she was a good friend a fiercely loyal.
"Thank you, Sara." I said and she smiled, walking out. I lay down on my bed and took another breath of air. I closed my eyes and just inhaled and exhaled. Sometimes one needed reassurance that they are still alive. I closed my eyes and, now satisfied that I knew I was alive, breathed, not just for myself but also for all the forgotten souls who will never breath again.
End file.
| Illusions by America Liberty | Zombies, Run! |
Worse than Death
**AN: I decided to do a oneshot centered upon Sara, after completing Mission Three. Once more, if there is anything wrong, I apologize, as I am new to the fandom. Things worth mentioning are my headcanon about Sara and the night sky (revealed in the fic) and that Runner Five is female due to a choosing randomly.**
**Zombies, Run! belongs to its rightful owners.**
ZR! Worse than Death:
It was cold outside, winter slowly closing its icy grip around the ever growing base by the name of Abel. Not that it bothered Sara; the brisk air soothed her throat, made her cough a little less than she would have done, say, had she been inside of one of the compounds with several other residents...or rather, it used to.
Nowadays, she was coughing more than before, waking up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat, gasping for air that just wouldn't reach her lungs despite her best efforts. No one, not even Maxine knew that her condition was beginning to plummet, and she wanted to keep it that way; the last thing that they needed was for more people to freak out over something that _really _wasn't a big deal, and end up a runner short for no damn good reason.
"Could be worse," she muttered between coughs. "Could be a zom..." Exhaling deeply as she ignored the itch in her throat, Sara glanced upwards; smatterings of stars decorated the sky, diamonds scattered across black velvet. A partially filled moon-more than a crescent but less than full-was gradually making its way across the sky.
"Waning gibbous." The runner spoke aloud, as if there were someone with her who has posed a question about the shape of the celestial being. It wouldn't be long until the new moon, the "no" moon as she had called it as a child, would reign throughout its heavenly kingdom, and soon after that, would it slowly increase in size, growing bigger until it was full once more. If there was one thing Sara enjoyed about the moon, it was its predictability, its stableness of the cycle it under went. Even on nights where visbility of the night sky to those on Earth was at its absolute worse, the moon still continued growing and shrinking, shrinking and growing.
She clung to it, that predictability that the moon had; it was the only true stable thing she had these days...not to mention, it reminded her of simpler days, years before Abel and the other bases, years before she even thought that a zombie apocalypse was even possible; It reminded her of..._home._
When she was younger, she had wanted to be an astronomer. From the time that she was three, until the day where she moved out of her parents' house, her dad had taken her outside (weather permitting) to sit and stare at the sky. He had known all of the constellations, taught her their names, and she repeated them back to him, enjoying the feel of the name rolling off her tongue. And he would nod, giving her an encouraging smile, before pointing at another, _"See that one, right over there? It's name is..."_
Tears began rolling down the young woman's cheek, and she felt sick with the hope that no one would see her like this, that her hardened reputation would not be ruined. Her parents, as far as she knew, were dead, just like her husband and her sons...or worse, had joined the zoms. All she had now were her stars and her moon to hold to, to remember them by; take them away, and it was a fate worse than death.
End file.
| Worse than Death by Blithe Novelties | Zombies, Run! |
Sleeping With Ghosts
Title: Sleeping With Ghosts
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Janine/Simon
Characters: Janine de Luca, Simon Lauchlan, Sam Yao, Jody Marsh
Warnings: Spoilers for the second half of Season 2 (vague spoilers for one particular plot line)
Summary: A betrayal unmasked. Abel begins to pick up the pieces and sort through the debris
* * *
They bury his body inside the walls. That's something that Janine insists upon, even if she appears otherwise unmoved by the events of the last few days. There are security breaches to mend after his treachery, new rules to be put into place, plans to create because she doubts that Van Ark will take his loss of informant lightly.
She cannot, _will not_, allow Abel to fall a second time. It would make his fear and his death and the blood on the ground of the quad utterly pointless.
Janine lies in bed that night, alone, and for the first time since the apocalypse, wonders whether it is all futile.
Simon's things sit in a box on the kitchen table. His bunk has already been turned over to someone else. She's sure that the new Runner Three will appreciate it. But the box, what personal effects which were not of immediate use to anyone else in the Township, just sits there, slowly gathering dust.
She's a busy woman after all. Going through what probably amounts to junk is not high on her list of priorities.
It's a week later, perhaps, when sleep doesn't come and she's finished every useful task that she can think of, and a few more that certainly don't need doing the middle of the night. It's the box that catches her attention now. Simon's box, the battered metal crate that's been on the table since they- since he-
No. He made his choices. They did what they had to.
"Foolish sentiment," she mutters to herself as she digs through the box of possessions. There's a battered wallet; a few useless bank notes screwed up inside along with the usual credit cards and coins and a couple of old concert tickets that she slides back inside. The money is just so much kindling these days, but the tickets, well, there's no harm in them. Maybe they'll end up in a museum some day.
A somewhat scratched phone is next and it even switches on when she tries it to see if it's worth salvaging. For a moment, she just stares at the picture that he'd made his background.
It's _her_. Smiling at something off screen, hair in her face and it's obviously a candid. She doesn't remember him taking it, or even when he could have. It's something painfully personal, and she feels a little guilty even for seeing it.
She switches the phone off quickly and sets it aside. She has plenty of old mobile phones to disassemble at the moment anyway. No sense adding to her work.
There are a couple of plastic bags in there too and she pulls them out to look more closely. One of them is filled with wool in various bright colours, the other has a few chocolate bars, Curly Wurlys by the wrappers, and a set of Buffy DVDs. Each has a scrap of paper covered in Simon's distinctive scrawl. She swallows thickly upon seeing the names and yes, these she can pass on, although she isn't sure of their reception.
There are a few other trinkets. A couple of stuffed animals he must have intended to keep until birthdays or what passes for Christmas. A dog-eared copy of an Edgar Allen Poe anthology. House keys, a diary, a shopping list of all things, the minutiae of a daily life that can no longer exist. He'd never spoken much about the past, about life before the apocalypse and this, these reminders that he existed then are painfully human.
Damn him.
She almost misses the last little thing in there in her haste to shove those savage little reminders back inside. Lucky then that her fingers brush over it, a little velvet box, small enough to slip easily into a pocket on a run.
Her fingers close over it and when she opens it, another scrawled note falls out.
_Jenny._
"You _bastard_," she hisses, staring at it for a long moment and it's late so of course her eyes are pricking with heat and soreness and more than anything she wishes that she could shake him, shaking him and demand to know why, _why_ hadn't he told them, said something. Told _her_ so that she could have _helped_ him.
And it's all very well for him. He doesn't have to cope with the aftermath, just leaves her to go through a battered metal box of dead things.
The box snaps shut and she wants to hurl it across the room, but that would be ridiculous for something that she doesn't care about. "Letting the lack of sleep get to you," she murmurs, as she switches off the lamp and heads back upstairs, to a bed that is the perfect size for her and her alone and she doesn't imagine his lips at the back of her neck.
_Night Jenny_
* * *
Abel's children never find out where she'd got the toys from, but they love them nonetheless and Janine thinks that it's the first time that Amber has smiled since... well. It's best to move on, look to the future. That's what she's always said. Why linger on past mistakes?
But some require a more personal touch, even if she is hardly the person who should be doing this.
"Runner Four, Mr Yao," she says, poking her head into the rec room where the two of them are engaged in a game of some sort. They both look very very tired when they look at her, and very young. "Would you please accompany me. I need to speak with both of you.
They share a glance and then stand up, hands brushing for a moment before Sam takes hers, squeezing it. Janine doesn't wait for them, but heads quickly towards the farmhouse, confident that they will follow her.
They do. Of course they do, both of them quiet and subdued. She's noticed it in many people, shock mainly, but they're the worst. It is... understandable and she regrets that these two have been so unduly affected.
She waits until they're both seated at the scarred and heavy wooden table and then places the bags in front of them. "I found these amongst Mr Lauchlan's possessions. I believe that he would have wished for you to have them and I see no reason to deny you them."
"Janine..." Sam says warily, and Jody just looks pale and a little sick.
"He was a friend, for all that happened in the end," Janine replies tightly. "I know that we have not always seen eye to eye, but I am not so callous as to ignore that he meant something to both of you."
Sam nods and there's the rustle of plastic as they both open the gifts. Jody gasps softly at the sight of the wool and new needles, and it's easy to see her starting to well up with tears. She clutches the bag tightly to her chest, and Janine isn't sure if she's smiling or grimacing or perhaps they are the same thing.
"I-" Jody begins, her voice hoarse and raspy. "Thankyou," she says. "I need- I should-" She ducks a quick nod before bolting and they hear the door to the farmhouse shut.
Sam just stares at his gift, lips drawn into a tight line, eyes shadowed. "He didn't deserve this," he says quietly, looking up at Janine. "I know what he did was.. it was terrible, but he didn't deserve it. A public execution. What are we? Monsters?" His voice is quiet and intense and Janine fights back the urge to either snap at him or run herself.
"We do what we have to," she says firmly, impressed by how little emotion her voice holds. "Desperate times, Mr Yao. None of us would ever have been able to trust him again." And maybe for Simon that would have been worse.
Sam looks like he's about to object, but something must give him pause. Perhaps she isn't hiding it so well as she had thought. "He cared," Sam says, picking up his gift with something approaching reverence.
"I know," Janine replies softly, closing her eyes for a moment. "If we are done here..."
"Yeah," Sam replies, and turns away, only to pause in the doorway. "Nice ring. I've not seen you wearing jewellery before."
Janine's hand flies to the chair around her neck which she'd slipped the band onto. Rhodium plated, she thinks, as if that means anything anymore. "Ah yes. It was my- my grandmother's," she says. "I found it while cleaning and it seemed silly to let it go to waste. Everyone needs a reminder of those who were lost. Even me, Mr Yao."
It isn't even a good lie and she doubts very much that Sam is fooled. For all his antics, he is remarkably observant when he wants to be. He just smiles though, a small, sad expression, and nods. "Yeah. Reminders. Janine, take care of yourself, okay? We- we can't do this without you, so if you ever need-"
"I am quite self-sufficient, Mr Yao," she says firmly. "If I need anything, then I am certain that I can find it."
"Right, of course," Sam says. "I'll just-"
"Yes. You do have a job to do after all," is the wry response.
He gives another nod and then he's gone. Janine wraps her hand around the ring and draws herself up, spine straight and firm.
"That's quite enough silliness for one day," she says, rubbing at her face. She really needs to start using her full rest period, at least for a few days. She's obviously not getting enough sleep. "Quite enough."
End file.
| Sleeping With Ghosts by Zalia Chimera | Zombies, Run! |
1. Chapter 1-my boring life
**AN**
**Hello this is my first story, please review so can learn how to improve to give the viewers a better story.**
**Hope you enjoy reading**
**Riki1191**
* * *
chapter one- my boring life
Alarm awakens me. Struggle to get out of bed. Finally gain the will power to get up and get ready...of course this includes shower; breakfast; pack bag ; then I'm gone. Walk to the bus stop. Catch bus. School day. Home. Out with mates, which didn't happen today because they are all ill. Bed. This was my plain routine 5 days a week, the last part was the other two days.
Honestly I don't know how to get a thrill anymore. I have too much homework which affects my social life and then my family ranting on at my every decision i make. Even the xbox has got boring for me now. Why can't anything the least bit exciting happen? I asked myself, which at the time seemed fine.
The next day at school is when i realized that things started to get weird. There was more than half of the student and teacher population not at school today. Nobody knew the reason. The lack of attendance led to everybody being sent home early. I was delighted. It was the first time I actually felt happy, but as i was to realize soon, this was evidently not a good thing. I mean such a high percentage of the population being ill is obviously not a good thing. Of course being a typical teenager, i wasn't up to date with the news. People, obviously mental I thought at that particular moment was running around screaming " run kid, run for your life". I lifted my dark blue hood up and looked down at my phone. "NOT A SINGLE MESSAGE, SOMETHING MUST BE UP" i shouted unaware of how loud, because as per usual my ears had music blaring either side by my black, rubber protected headphones.
My younger brother, Shane approached me from behind, aware that i had headphones in and jabbed my in the side, giving me a surprising and painful shock. "whats up man? I questioned, opening the doors to conversation. "Nothing, did you see how many people were not at school today." He said aware that i wasn't listening. I looked up, to a tall, lean, lad, slightly younger than me, but the same height, ginger, trimmed hair, and glasses, freckled face, but distinctive cheek bones as he briskly remarked, " Your a twat when you start conversations but don't actually speak in them." He had a point. I did tend to do that. Wearing his coat, green, longer than his upper-body, in a humid kind of climate, he must have been insane, although it does look like a comfortable coat.
By the way, in case your wondering we live in a city called Gloucester. Not too big or small, a lot of countryside, fairly big population, no bigger than average. I live in this place called Upton, very small, and country like. Me and my brother just got home, our parent's were away for the week, doing work. It was just us two, we liked to lighten up the mood in most occasions with petty things like food fights and things like that. It was rather amusing actually because it would always start with me throwing something like an egg which explodes like a paintball on contact. Bits of shell and egg white coated the wall drastically. My brother, being a complete twat, would then open a tin of tomato soup and lash it at me. Avoiding any contact with the actual tin, i would duck, being coated with small splotches of tomato soup, then i would return the fire with greater speed than Shane used before to completely coating him with the remainder of the tin. Then I went to have a shower. The sensation of the warm water slowly cleansing my body after a long tiring day was the best feeling I would have. As I stepped out of the warm, condensed atmosphere contained within the bathroom where my shower had just taken place, i was slapped with the cool air that contained the rest of the house. The house, was in the middle of three, it was three stories high, there was six windows from the front view and a porch. Also it was a mixture of different reds for every individual brick you could see a slight contrast in the colors, a small stone garden in front no bigger than ten meters squared.
"Xbox?" Shane exclaimed with a slight tone of excitement now contained within his voice. " yeah sure...zombies? eh?" I questioned actually already knowing the answer was yes. "yeah, sure man, lets hope to beat our target of round 26. I believe my ability has increased remarkably" Shane waffled trying to sound smart. " The inconspicuous monstrosity of you becoming a more psychologically advanced player than me is impossible" I said, having no idea of what I just said. " Shut up you stupid smartass twat" Shane said jokingly. The xbox, which was now on along with the television, on the black ops 2 xbox game. " Start round five? I demanded unintentionally. Before I knew it i was under going an intense game of zombies with my brother. " Oh god damn it, Facking zombies." Shane yelled before long. " Just keep going Shane, you piece of shite...i thought you said you was getting better."
20 minutes later he exclaimed after a lot of hard work and strong concentration " Fuck, you twat of a zombie, i'm down Jack." Shane looked at the screen helplessly as i laughed at him being unable to revive him. " wow only 16 rounds" Shane said looking exhausted. "I'm going to bed vijazzle head" (his nickname for me at the time.) "Night twat face!" I shouted after him.
Before long I was asleep.
2. Chapter 2- identifying the virus
**AN**
**here's c****hapter 2, and I hope you enjoy this one since we find out what's causing the population shortage. Riki1191**
* * *
I awoke the next morning, with Shane, snoring his head off, and me unfortunately having 'morning glory' as they call it. This happens a lot since i hit 15. I'm 16 now, and i can really feel it. The dreadful odour occurring form Shane's bed made me want to throw soapy water over him. That's exactly what i did. " what the fuck?!" Shane screamed his voice breaking all over again. " You smell like farts and BO" I remarked trying my best not to laugh. This is the banter I introduce in to the Dawson household.
Yet again, the result of the lack of people turning up we was sent home from school early. I was actually getting kind of worried now. Despite the great feeling i was getting from missing out on school again, i was really worried about the where abouts of all my friends as none of them have been out, messaging me or been at school. When i got home i turned on the televison to see if there was an explaination for all of the recent illnesses that have been occurring nationally from what i have heard.
"Breaking news, there's been high out breaks of a virus around the whole of Europe. Many people have been falling ill, leaving them with the incapability of moving; speaking; and living, many people who have caught the illness has to be aware to keep away from others as the virus can be transmitted through any liquids produced by the body, blood, salver, and sweat are prime examples. We are aware of around 20 million cases worldwide, we know there is more but we cannot presume who is and isn't ill. My best advice is to stay indoor and...we have found out that the source is a a rare northern fish called salelique and has passed its venom into some cod through a bite, which we have later on eaten and then we have spread the virus ourselves, there is no cure at the moment but we are doing our best to do something about it."
"what the fuck!" shane screamed. " Is this actually happening." We was both confused of what we had to believe, but deep down we knew that it was a boys worse nightmare- the dead coming alive. " Do you think its zombies?" shane questioned. " Well its kinda like the movies tho,i mean theres a viral infection spreading and it is very contagious." We both thought about it, but no one had been reported alive from the dead yet, maybe it was just a serious illness?
A week had passed and more and more people had been reported ill, including our parents. Me and Shane had been safe. At school there was around 100 people left now who wasn't ill. Also another news update; breaking news saying that the k19 virus has actually spread into the blood circulation which actually takes control of the body when there is no longer a mind or conscience controlling it. Basically when you die. The problem is that after 9 days of having the illness you die, which is when the venom takes over, another thing is that the venom needs more blood which makes the body kill for blood.
We was right from day one, it was a zombie apocalypse and now we was really scared, the one thing that we could think about doing is to see who was not affected by the illness. We haven't been out the house since the update on the illness. we were low on food supplies. Next door my friend,m Jordan survived, alone for only a day though, because his mother left yesterday to get food but never came back. We went to get him, a high percentage of the houses had boarded up windows and doors, there was skid marks all over the road, along with a car, smashed bonnet making contact with a wall corner. Other than that there was no cars, just what looked like people wondering the streets hopelessly. These were called the infected.
No weaponry, other than knifes was available for us, which was what we brought with us, close range combat was the only protection. we knocked at Jordan's house, this had borders covering the whole first floor of windows and the doors to make sure nothing could get in. Shouting obviously attracted the infected towards us, and one by one they all slowly started walking towards us, with mouth open, arms stretched out and dragging their feet across the floor. Some were looking in a much worse condition than others. I was frightened but, for some reason, i was full of momentum. Jordan quickly opened and closed the door. Jordan was a small, and chubby lad, dark hair with a long and messy fringe, he wore glasses and his birthmark is placed on the left cheek. " Your alive" he exclaimed, " yes, we are we haven't been out for days, we need to get resources but we will have to do it when it is lighter because the venom can only work effectively when there is small amounts of night, we are going to have to stay here for tonight Jordan if that's okay? Also we need to be up 4 am sharp because that's when it becomes lighter. " I explained to both Jordan and Shane.
The night passes slowly, the smell of all three of us put together was worse than a farm that hadn't been cleaned in a week. It almost made my eyes water. Also throughout the night you could hear the constant grown of the infected as they roamed the streets without the slightest idea of what they were doing. I eventually fell asleep but later had to be up because we had to get moving at the break of dawn. The sky, now filled with the slight glimmer and glow produced from the sun rising from behind the horizon created a purple and pink effect in the sky. It was the most beautiful thing i had seen all week.
As we packed all our essentials together, as we didn't know if we would be returning that night, Shane questioned " what's the point? You see in the films and black ops 2 that you die eventually". No one answered to Shane's question and everyone looked through the little breaks in the borders to see if it was safe to run.
Now we had to get to Tesco...alive.
3. Chapter 3- the first encounter
**AN**
**This is where the brothers meet two more people, one girl and a boy. This is when they get there first proper encounter of the infected**
** Riki1191**
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As we stepped outside, there was a very little number of the infected now wondering the streets mysteriously. "We need to check on Harry, see if he is there still?" i questioned to see what reaction i would get. "Okay" they both replied almost at the exact same time. As we snooped around trying to avoid any encounters of the infected we slowly patrolled towards Harry's house. Three children, us, were still alive where as most the population was not, and people say we are not sensible. Cutting across a field, which use to be clean cut, green, surrounded by tall, green trees, was now trye tracks all over, trees on fire, i don't know how this happened, and it looked like hell. Again the area was thankfully infected free. We continued through the field to find a small break through where a bush use to be, a steep and muddy fall. "Be careful lads." I said quietly trying not to attract any attention. We all carefully made our way down the muddy, yet smooth hill, that lucky for us, ended up of the street where Harry lives.
We walked towards Harry's house, his street was in a much worse condition than ours. A tree had collapsed on to what looked like an infected, the wall of a house had collapsed because of a car which looks like it hit the house at great impact, there was a distinct smell of rotten flesh, as it smelt like a beef steak when it had gone off, me and Shane didn't really respect the house. There was one car though, that looked untouched, the question was could any of us attempt to drive it?
We arrived at harry's house, which was not looking good. There was blood smothered on the door frame, along with the wide open front door. This wasn't looking good. We slowly, and with cation we walked through the house, continuously looking around for the infected and for Harry. "Harry? " Shane shouted. No answer. Then we entered the living room. The table flipped over, the mirror smashed all over the white, blood stained carpet, the television, knocked of its stand, then behind the sofa, which was also knocked on its side, it came to my attention that there was two feet, both not moving, knowing that I would regret looking i continued to follow up the body, the jeans, dark blue, was no longer that color but they was covered in blood, continuing to follow his body to find his chest been ripped apart. What looked like the liver laid beside him, his rips broken and actually sticking out of his chest. there was, now a dry puddle of blood, was what surrounded him. Two trails either side of his mouth, of blood, continued down to the neck. " Aww, HARRY!" I shouted. " Well this is a bit more aggressive than black ops" Shane said, but he was serious "I mean all they do is punch you" he finished.
No wonder the house was in such a state. We knew that we had to continue on our travel to Tesco, this was a couple of miles away, we were unsure whether we was going to even survive the night.
After a long hour of, looking at the devastating hell that we was in, avoiding the small amount of infected that was around, dodging any combat, and not a single site of another survivor.
The car park was the worst scene that i have seen yet, there was at least thirty cars all flipped, on fire or smoking, other than the odd few. There was at least 120 bodies led all over, all i had to do now is stay safe, along with my brother and Jordan. Jordan was quiet and obviously shaken up by the shock that we was all in because of the situation.
The doors where surprisingly still in operation which once we got in to the big, warehouse like shop, we had to stop. The silence was interrupted by the groans around, but we couldn't quite pin point where from. It echoed all over and was hard to work out. "Looks like we have got our first encounter lads. It doesn't sound like many but we are going to have to take care of them if you want to stay here and survive. Do it for everyone we have lost." I said with a kind of heroic tone to my voice. " Okay as long as we stick together because all we have is each other" Shane whispered. " I've shat my pants" Jordan exclaimed not joking. " I didn't want to go to the toilet because i watched zombieland and that is when you are vulnerable. What if one jumped out of the toilet and bit my dick off, i mean seriously, now i have to look at the underwear. Plus it feels like a wet one." Despite the situation me and Shane cannot contain our laughter as Jordan blushes at the same of it.
We all went down to the food isle as we was starving to find that the fruit was still in good condition. As my lips touched the smooth skin of the red apple, I shivered with excitement, as my teeth plunged into the juicy sensation that was with held within the apple i closed my eyes almost falling into a dream gaze. When i opened my eyes next " JACK, RUN FOR YOUR FUCKING LIFE!" I heard Shane shout at the top of his voice. I pulled the knife, that i tucked into wear my belt was and made my stance, to see a fat, bold man, three times my size charging at me, when he was within range, i closed my eyes and plunged the knife into his chest which burst his heart. I could tell because he was lying there on the ground with a puddle of blood slowly oozing from his body. " FUCK YEAH! THE THRILL!" I shouted being a bit cocky about my first encounter.
My brother and Jordan had shock and worry contained all over their faces as they followed me with their eyes. " Wow, man that was insane" Shane remarked. " Guy's I really need a change of underwear" Jordan added to really spoil the feeling i had for the sensation kill i had just made. We were now looking for the remaining infected as we could still here loud groaning sounds coming from all around the store. " I'll have the next one. take a chance, take a chance" he whispered to himself as he went ahead. Now we was in the tinned isle, we was looking around. Suddenly a groan becoming louder and louder, approaching us from behind, Shane ducked under and trying to be heroic threw a tin of beans, which bounced of the zombie's head. " Are you stupid shane, catch" I threw my blood stained knife which perfectly landed in the palm of Shane's hand. " you son-of-a-bitch" Shane said as he pulled his arm back to gain pressure behind the blade as he swung it with all his strength forward. He cleanly removed the hand for the body. " Plunge into his chest Shane" Jordan screamed, "with the knife". Shane did exactly this. The tall African male fell to the floor, along side him, his hand and blood slowly creating a slipping hazard for us in the isle.
Silence. No more groans, nothing. " Jordan, now you can change your underwear." I said relieved that it was over. " Are we all okay" Shane said gasping for breath because of the hard work he had just under taken. " yes" Jordan shouted from a distance. Also sounding like he was going to be sick. " yeah I'm fine bro, how you feeling after doing that" i said to see if him, his self was alright. " I'm fine jack, just a bit tired that's all."
Me being a curious kind of person went exploding around the rest of the shop. It was a great place to be as it was so big and there was so many places to go. I went to the toilets because I wasn't as stupid as Jordan. There was a small whimpering sound as i came around the corner, my hand on the cold marble walls. "hello?" I questioned unsure of what to expect. A little boy appeared, he looked around the age of ten. " Are you a monster?" He asked frightened as i could tell by how shaken his voice was. " No kid, i'm not, i'm 100 percent human" I pulled my hand from out my pocket to offer him a hand up which at first, seemed threatening to him but he soon realized that i was there to help him.
"what's your name kid?" i questioned. this was a conversation i was willing to pay attention to, we had finally found a survivor. " I'm Dom". He was a small, skinny kid, he had blonde hair, scruffy, and was just a bit smaller than jordan. " There's a girl, hiding in the toilets." He quickly added.
No one said anything, we just all made our way to the toilets. i felt uncomfortable stepping into a ladies toilet, but i had to. " Hello?", i questioned waiting for a response. "hello" a small voice replied. the cubical closest to me was where it came from. Soon after her replying she unlocked the cubical door.
As she stepped out, she was beautiful, she had beautiful eyes of dark brown, her red, highlighted he moved behind her, her face looked so soft and cute, with a slight tint of red in her cheeks, and her lips were the perfect size, looked so soft, I just wanted to kiss them at first sight. She was slightly smaller than me but slimmer. She was perfection. " Hi, I'm Beth".
4. Chapter 4- My story
**AN**
**This chapter, they meet, Akos and two girls, the group attempts to get to gloucester town**
**hope you enjoy Riki1191**
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After a long hard day, everyone finally familiar with each other, everyone finally decided to settle down. I wanted to get to know beth a bit more. She seemed so kind, but she also looked upset, i could see some kind of sorrow in her eyes. "How you feeling?" I questioned making sure no one else could here, I didn't want to get of the impression that I was already fond of this stranger we had just encountered. The thing was I was fond. " I'm fine thank you, actually it feels nice to be with someone. I have been along for 5 days." She said her voice slowly quieting as she finished her sentence. " I don't know how you feel, i'm sorry though, i've had my bro and he's had me, so i wouldn't understand how it would feel to be alone...you have us now", "yes, i guess that's all i have now. she said, i could tell that she was drifting off into, what i hoped would be a better place.
I couldn't sleep. I had to admit being the only one awake in a pitch black warehouse shop, every move i made echoing throughout the whole building, that's some scary shit. I went to the refrigerator, the only thing producing light, I sat on the floor, with a small bottle of apple juice. " Don't want to be kept awake all night " I spoke in a whisper to myself " aha...energy drink at this time." I got half way through the bottle of the apple juice. I went exploring again, this was something that i was getting rather fond of as well, I was worried it would late on result in my death.
After a good 20 minutes i realized that where the supplies would have been brought in there was a small source of light, along with the smallest sound of breathing. "Fuck, I swear if it's infected..." I cursed. To my pleasant and grateful surprise, it was not the infected but three people, one of them I recognized. " AKOS" I exclaimed, but still being quiet. " JACK" He returned. Akos was a tall, tanned boy, the same age as Shane, dark,long hair and a skinny lad. Also behind him there was two girls behind him, both looking around 18. Both of them were blonde, one wearing glasses, the other was not, both looked fairly tall and pretty. " Yes Akos...Who's you got there?" I said being my annoying self. " AH You see Jack, these two girls, i found, separately. Their name's, Amy and Becca", " okay, well bring them to the toilets south of your position now, we have taken care of the infected that was in the building." Akos, now looking shocked "We go here, jus', 'ad to make a runna, got chased. We was very lucky." After a nice calm conversation me and Akos bidded fair well, hoping to see each other again soon, I returned to where i was sleeping. Now very tired, i went to bed.
As i awoke, early in the morning, I made the group aware of the survivors. "I can't believe it...Akos" Shane exclaimed with joy. " Let's go to them straight away" I said. As we made our way to the three survivors, we realized that they had finally finished getting ready to meet us. Me and Akos discussed at night that the plan was that Amy would drive us into town and we would get as much ammo and weaponry from the gun store that the biggest car in the car park could hold. We also discussed the danger that everyone was going to be in " I'm in" one by one everyone said that. " Keep close to me." I told Beth making her blush a little. "I will" she said softly. We all made our way to a van, we all had melee weapons but that was going to have to do, as we walked towards the van an infected blocked our path. "Shit" i shouted as i swung with all my strength with the baseball bat i had. Once it was down everyone started smashing it in, blood splashing everywhere, some going on my top and trousers. " Quick, get in the car" I yelled taking control of the situation as i saw more of the infected heading my way. " NOW" i said this with fear trembling within my voice, "Go, go go!" Shane shouted as i climbed into the back of the van, Amy revved the engine and we were gone. As we went through Gloucester, it was now clear that we was the only survivors, there seemed to be more infected out per usual, as it was light. " Right, here's the plan, all of us but two of us, i think that Beth and Amy should stay. " that's fine " they both said relieved. I continued " Being as quick as we can, we will take, at first pistols, carry as many as you can, then ammo, then go back for rifles only if we have time" Shane picked up from that " we need someone at the door with a pistol, for a bit of target practice and to protect everyone getting the guns." "sounds like a plan" Akos said.
As we turned in and out of crash cars we finally turned left past gl1 to get the the gun store there was a load of infected down the street, i went to beth " Wish me luck" with that she kissed me, " Is that good enough?" I couldn't stop looking at her eyes, I was completely in love with her, this time i moved in, we shared a much more passionate kiss this time, her soft wet lips , interlocked with me as we both held each other, my hand on her face, her arms were rapped around my waist. "I'm sorry but i love you" I said unexpectedly. " I think i love you too". Another kiss as i stepped out of the van. We smashed the window to get into the store, now all of the infected were closing in on us, we were going to have to shoot our way out. " GUYS...HEEEELLLLLPPPP...ertgggg..." Becca faintly screamed as an infected impaled its teeth into her neck, ripping away the flesh, leaving a chunk on her neck missing spraying blood everywhere. " Just keep going" Jordan said keeping on topic also picking up a pistol. " So how does this thing work" Jordan questioned looking down the barrel, his finger on the trigger. " Jordan be..." Shane tried explaining as a loud bang filled the room and the street with that, Jordan dropped to the floor with a bullet shaped hole in-between his eyes, his brain and blood all over the shop he shot himself in the face accidentally. " My bags full i'm going back to the van Shane come'on and you Akos, NOW!" I was ugerent, i didn't want to lose anyone else. " I can't" Akos said weakly, "look at my arm" with that " Good bye motherfucker" Shane shouted towards him. I looked at him sternly. " Come'on it's better than becoming one of them." Again he had a point. Shane had shot Akos as he said before dying " Thank you my friend". Shane had tears filling his eyes, "This has all went wrong" I said. " JACK HELP!" Shane shouted as an infected jumped him. " I'm not letting this happen, not today ." I flicked the bag of my back,reached in to find a loaded pistol, the infected on Shane, without hesistation, i shot, it dropped to the ground. " Jack, I'm sorry", "No...no...nooo" I shouted pulling out another pistol. "Catch. " Shane caught the pistol, shot after shot the infected dropped to the floor, but now we was surrounded by 100's of them. " Jack go...I have a plan." Shane pulled out a grenade, " Thanks for being the best bro anyone could have" he said smiling. " No...please...w-we can sort this. " No, we can't", " Please", Love you bro...guess what?", "What?", " haha, got ya" He said this as he pulled the pin, "FIND COVER" he shouted as he jumped through the window, i did what he commanded. " Haha i farted , great way to..." The grenade went of sending my brother, the infected everywhere. All of the body parts were bloody and well...everywhere. I ran to the van, Amy had been turned,I climbed into the back where beth was crying. This is where I have been righting my story from, not my time now...i'm sorry to any survivor who finds this but both me and Beth are going to kill each other. It's the best option out. If anyone finds this...remember me...remember us, I mean its nothing like the movies, we tried that bullshit, and look where it got us...dead. I'm grabbing Beth's hand, I really did love her...hopefully we are remembered...we would have had a good life together, but it looks like we don't anymore. I'm going to call this, diary, as it did had, How this change...because look at this shit hole...well here i go, so long, farewell.
End file.
| How things change by riki1191 | Zombies, Run! |
Resident Evil: Zombie Apocalypse: Part 1
Resident Evil
Zombie
Apocalypse
I never thought that the day was finally here. Today was my 18th birthday. I didn't feel like going to school today, I didn't want everyone to wish me a happy birthday. I do like getting birthday greetings, but most of the time, it bothers me.
But enough of that, let me tell you a bit about myself. My name is Helena Harper. I am about to graduate Zambie Apackalips High. Our mascot is a Zombie with a lollipop. Lollipops are very special to our school. They are given out to people that have good marks, or do good deeds.
Leon S. Kennedy, a God, as some would call him, has the perfect marks in the whole school. A lot of the girls say hes a player, but I don't care, I'd never date him, even if he was he last man on Earth. Everyone says that Ada Wong and Leon S. Kennedy, would make an excellent couple.
Ada doesn't go to our school, she goes to an all girls school, she is the prettiest girl in the world, well, that's what all the perverts say. Ada is one of the people who has great marks, she's also a good athlete at her school.
My best friend is Sherry Birkin. She's a very smart girl. She's always the first one done with her work. A lot of people are jealous of it. Rumor has it, she use to live out on the streets, until a young couple came and saved her. She always talks about a man name Jake Muller.
Jake Muller, a very good athlete at our school. Rumor has it, he turns two girls down every day. He say's his father forbids him to date until school is done, so he can get good marks. He may be a very good athlete, but he's one of the kids that has the lowest marks. I wonder if Sherry would even have a chance with him.
The newest kid that recently came to our school was Piers Nivans. He's from France. He speaks French, English, and Spanish. He can also do a lot of sign languages. He hardly mingles with people, some girls call him an angel, because of his voice, it drives them crazy.
The last popular group at the school are the Redfield siblings, Claire and Chris. Claire Redfield is the best artist at the school. A lot of people go to her at lunch when she's not busy and ask her to draw a picture of them. She even gets paid doing it. Claire is a very nice girl. She is very good friends with Leon. Chris Redfield is the captain of the Football Team, because of him, we never lose. Other school teams wish they had him on their team. A lot of girls give him his number. Rumor has it, he only wants to date Ada.
You're probably asking what I do, well I, Helena Harper, has a record for the best attendance at the school. I also do a lot of good stories. I keep a diary of everything that goes on in my life. Some kids pick on me, they call me a nerd. I consider myself very smart. I hardly mingle with people. I don't have time for friends, except Sherry. I never dated once in my life. Sherry always wants to set me up at the dances with someone, but I always convince her not too.
I looked at the clock and notice that all my talking made me late. I ran downstairs, my mom was at the door. She offered to drive me. I like when she drives me. I rather get a drive than take the bus everyday.
I got to school at 8:30am. Sherry was outside waiting for me. I was shocked when I saw Sherry because Jake was standing beside her. I got out of the car and rushed over to them. "Hi Sherry! Hello Jake". I greeted without a smile. "Hey Helena". Sherry greeted with a hug. Jake looked at me, then looked at Sherry. "Well I got to get ready before class starts". Jake smiled. "Aw, okay". Sherry sighed. "I'll talk to you later babe". Jake leaned in and gave Sherry a kiss, then walked away. "Babe"? I questioned with a smile. "Yeah, we are kinda dating now". Sherry smiled. I was so happy for her, she finally got a chance with him, I guess his father let him date, or he's doing it secretly. The bell rung, and it was time to go in. We went to our Zam Zam Talk. It only last 20 minutes.
After Zam Zam Talk was over, I head to first class, which was science. Sherry and Leon are in my science class. I sat in the row at the back of the class. I looked over to the left, and Leon sat beside me. Class began five minutes after everyone got settled. We had to take notes on the Ecosystem. I got so focused in my work, that I nearly screamed when Leon poked me with a pencil. "Hey, Helena, is it"? He questioned. "Yeah, what do you want"? I answered. "Do you have any paper I can have, I forgot my binder at home". He replied. "Sure". I replied and reached into my bag and grabbed five pieces of paper and passed them to him. Leon took the papers. I looked at him, he looked at me, and when I tried to look away, I noticed a grin on his face. I tried not to blush, but it was to late. "Thank you". He smiled. I tried to get right back into my work, but then Leon passed me a note. I opened the note. The note said "Helena, I think you're really cute, would you like to go to the Halloween Dance with me next week"? I smiled and looked at him. "Well"? He whispered. I couldn't say no to a voice or face like that, so I nodded. Leon smiled and started writing another note. The next note said "What class do you have next, I have math class". I replied back "I have art class". He replied back "Is Claire Redfield in your class". I replied "Yeah, why"? He replied "She owes me a picture of me". We kept passing notes through the whole class, and never got caught, but we never got our work done.
It was time to go to our second class. Leon walked to to art and stopped me from going into the class room. "What is it"? I questioned. "I feel like something bad is going to happen". He sighed. "Like"? I questioned. "An Apocalypse, if it does happen, I want you safe". He smiled as he leaned in and kissed my cheek. I started to blush, and couldn't stop. Leon smiled, then walked to his class.
In art our teach turned on the TV to the news. All of a sudden, the news reporter, screamed "Zombies! Zombies! Help"! I thought it was just a joke. Then I looked up and saw a Zombie eating the reporter. All the kids were freaking out. I never thought that Leon would be right, there's a Zombie Apocalypse happening. The announcements came on and said they were locking the school down, no one is to come in, and no one is to leave.
I ran out of the classroom to look for Sherry, she was in the lobby. I looked to the right, and there he was standing across from me, Leon S. Kennedy. I tried my hard not to look back, but it was to late. "Look who's coming your way". Sherry smiled. I shouldn't have turned around, but I did and just like that, Leon had one arm around me. "I told you that something bad was going to happen". Leon sighed. I pushed him away. "What are you doing"? He questioned. "Just because I said I'd go to the dance with you, doesn't mean you can be all romantic to me, I know who you are, Leon Scott Kennedy, you're a player, and I am not gonna fall for that, and I find it strange that you knew about the Apocalypse". I yelled in anger, I didn't notice that I yelled, people were staring at me. "Geez, calm down Helena, I guess it because I heard it from Ada". Leon replied. Surprisingly he was all calm about what was going on. "Why are you so calm"? I questioned. "Because, I have a plan, on how to kill them all". He smiled. "WHAT? ARE YOU CRAZY"? I yelled. "No, but if you wanna stay at school all your life, be my guest". He said while walking away for slowly. I thought about his idea for a bit. "Maybe we should go with his plan, we need to find food and water as well, sooner or later we are going to run out of food, we need to find some, quick, or people will die". Sherry nudged my shoulder. I nodded and took Sherry's hand, and ran up to Leon.
"Leon wait"! I hollered. Leon turned around and smiled. "We'll go with you". I smiled. "Well before we go we need good people, who can run very fast, a strong person, someone with brains, someone that can speak different languages, and two people with good looks". Leon smiled. "So you mean, me, you, Sherry, Jake, Chris, and Piers"? I questioned. "Yes, and we should take Claire along, in case we have trouble reading those art like picture on the walls". He replied. "I'll go get them". Sherry said while leaving to go look for them. "What about Ada"? I questioned. "Ada, Ada is doing the same thing we are doing right now at her school, but shes just bringing herself, no one else". Leon looked at me. He looked mad when I mention Ada. "Oh". I replied with my head down. Leon took his finger, and lift my chin up. "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you, I'll protect you, no matter what". He smiled. I didn't want too, but I couldn't stop blushing. Sherry came back with everyone. "You wanted us Kennedy". Chris barked first. "Yes, I need you 5, to help me out with an important mission. We need to get food, and water for these people. More importantly, we need to find the person who started this biohazard". Leon explained. "He believes you six hold the key to help find out who caused this". I said butting in. "I must give you each a special weapon". Leon said while taking his backpack out of his locker. It had six weapons, and a lot of ammo, and seven knives. "Claire, you get the claw gloves". "Thank you Leon". Claire smiled and took the gloves. "Chris, you get the sniper gun". "Thanks Leon". Chris said while grabbing the gun. "Sherry, you get the chainsaw". "Don't worry, I'll be killing a lot of Zombies with this thing". Sherry laughed and took the chainsaw. "Piers, you get this sword". "Thanks". Piers nodded and took the sword. "Jake, I'm giving you this bow and arrows". "Great, I always wanted to use one of these". Jake laughed and grabbed the bow and arrows. "And I get the shot gun, and everyone gets one knife". Leon said while passing out all the knives. "What about me"? I questioned. "Helena, you only get a knife". Leon smiled. "But everyone else has good weapons"! I yelled. "Helena, out of everyone, you have the best weapon ever". He smiled still. "What are you talking about"? I questioned. "You'll find out sooner or later". He said while winking at me. Once again, I tried not to blush, but it was too late. "Okay team, lets move out, and stay close to me, if these Zombies bite you, you'll be infected and turn into one. There's a secret door at the back of the school's computer lab". Leon said. "Why we are in the computer lab we can use one of computers to send a message to someone to come help the kids are the school". I said while butting in once again, kinda felt bad for that. Leon looked at me for a second, then looked at everyone else. "She has a point Leon, these kids need help". Claire spoke. Leon looked at me a nodded. "Fine".
We headed the computer lab. When we got there, we started turning on all the computers. Only one worked. I hopped on the chair and went to my e-mail to e-mail my uncle who was a doctor on supernatural stuff. I e-mailed him, "Dear Uncle Krauser, if you didn't already hear about what's happening in my hometown, well, I'll tell you, everyone from Zambie Apackalips High, is forced to stay at the school until the biohazard has stopped. We are going to run out of food in about a week, we need to find the person who caused this and find food for the others, will you please alert mom and dad, and tell them I love them so much. Love Helena Harper". I pressed send and waited for it to send. "Fallow me". Leon called out and held the door open. I fallowed everyone down the stairs, but I paused at the door way and looked at Leon. "Something wrong"? He questioned. "Well...are we going to make it out alive"? I questioned with my head down. Leon lift my chin up, looked into my eyes, and kissed my lips, softly. "Don't worry, you'll make it out of here alive". He whispered. I smiled and walked down the stairs. Leon fallowed behind me.
"Ugh, it smells in here". Jake hollered and plugged his nose. "Oh Jakey, don't worry about the smell, the smell is worth it". Sherry laughed. "Jakey"? I questioned. "What do you mean the smell is worth it nerdy girl". Chris butted in. "Well, we are doing a good thing, we are looking for food and looking to kill the person who is responsible for causing this mess. I'm sure you boys can handle the bad smell in this place". She replied while smiling. How can she talk about killing so easily? It's kinda weird. Just then, I heard a sound. I took my knife out and turned around. There was nothing there. I sighed of relief and continued fallowing the others. At the end of the stairs, there was a three doors. "Okay lets split up. Jake and Sherry, you guys go left". Leon ordered. "Got it". Sherry replied while grabbing Jake's hand and went through the left door. "Chris, Piers, and Claire, you guys go right". Chris nodded and fallowed Claire and Piers to the right door. "I guess you're coming with me Helena". "Got it". I nodded and entered the door in front of us first.
"Where are we"? I questioned. "I think we are in an abandon old mineshaft". Leon answered. We continued to walk. "Hehe". "What was the sound"? I questioned. "Who's out there"! Leon called out. There was no answer. Leon took his shot gun out and walked towards where the voice came from. "I'm give you one more chance, who's there". He called out again. "You...you are all DOOMED". The voice called out. Just then the mineshaft started to shake. "WE GOT TO GET OUT OF HERE"! Leon yelled and grabbed my hand and ran. "Leon! What's happening"! I yelled. "Dynamite! They are using dynamite to bring the mineshaft down with us in it"! He replied. We were almost to the exit. When we came to the opening, there was a drop off. I wouldn't want to try jumping off the ledge, the drop off look so deep, it could kill us. "Leon what are we going to do"?! I yelled. "I...I don't know Helena, this is the end I guess". He replied. "NO"! I cried. Leon wrapped his arms around me and held me close. "Helena, I want you to know, I always loved you". "I...I love you too Leon". I cried and hugged him. A huge rock above us fell, and I knew it was the end. I started to cry into Leon's chest. Five minutes passed, I looked up to see how far away the rock was from hitting us, but what I came to find was, the rock was gone. "Leon, the rock, it's gone". I smiled. Leon got up and helped me up after he was up. The way we came was blocked off. "Well, we can't go that way". Leon sighed.
"Look! There's a handle on the other side"! I yelled. "Great, how are we going to get it over there"? Leon questioned. "Allow me". A voice called out. In front of us a woman in red and black clothes appeared. The woman pushed the handle down, and a walk way appeared. Leon and I rushed over to thank the girl. "Thank you so much". I thanked. "No problem, I'd help anyone out, even if it's Leon". She replied. I was shocked. "Leon? How do you know Leon"? I questioned. "Ada, it's good to see you". Leon replied. "Ada? You mean, Ada Wong"? I questioned. "Aw, someone's been doing their homework. Yes, I am Ada Wong. But I don't think we ever met". She laughed. "I'm Helena Harper". I greeted. "So, you and Leon are doing the same thing as me"? She questioned. "You mean looking for food and trying to stop who's responsible? Yes"! I replied. "No need to get snarly little lady". Ada laughed. I didn't like Ada was treating me, and she was all over Leon too, not that I cared. "I'm surprise you took the an abandon mineshaft way Leon, it's very dangerous". Ada laughed. Leon looked at me and smiled. "We should get a move on, find the person responsible, and get the hell out of here". I said. Ada looked at me, then looked at Leon. "Do you agree with her, Leon"? "Yes, I agree with Helena". Leon smiled. "Then fallow me". Ada laughed. We fallowed Ada out of the place.
We ended in an abandon factory. "The people who worked in the an abandon mineshaft must have worked here". I pointed out. "I wonder what happened to the people". Leon questioned. "They were killed years ago". Ada answered. I thought for a moment, wasn't this strange to Leon at all? "Why were they killed"? Leon questioned. "No one knows, probably some drug deal went haywire, and yeah, you get the picture". Ada replied. We stopped at the door to go out. "Why did we stop"? I questioned. "Shh"! Ada whispered. I got really mad when she told me to shh. "Ada, is there something behind the door"? Leon whispered. Ada nodded. "What"? I whispered. "Zombies". Ada replied. "Zombies? They are here"? I questioned. "Why don't you stay behind, and let the professionals do this, you don't even have a weapon". Ada laughed quietly. What she just said right there made me almost yell. "Leon, I'll go in first, but from the the whole in the ceiling, I'll sneak down, and snipe them with my crossbow". Ada smiled. "Here take this". Leon handed Ada a knife. Ada nodded and headed to the latter. "Shes right Helena, you need to stay back". Leon sighed. "But Leon, what if you get hurt". I cried out. Leon smiled. "Don't worry, I promised I'd protect you, even if it cost my life". "But Leon"! I grabbed Leon's arm. Leon put both his hands on my cheeks, and kissed my lips. I could feel my face burning up. "Be careful please Leon". I smiled. Leon nodded.
I ran to hide and watched Leon kick the door open. All I heard was the sound of Leon's shotgun. Five minutes later Leon came out with Ada. "Killed them all". Leon laughed. I came out fro hiding and ran up to Leon. Just then two Zombies came up from behind Leon and grabbed him. "Leon"! Ada yelled while trying to reload her crossbow. "LEON"! I yelled. Just then a bight light appeared and covered the whole room. When the light was gone, the Zombies where gone and Leon was laying on the ground. Leon are you okay"? I rushed over and fell to the ground beside him. There was no answer. I started to cry, because I thought he was dead. Just then, I heard Leon cough. "Leon"? I questioned. "What...what just happened"? Leon questioned. I got up and helped Leon up. "Where did the Zombies go"? Ada questioned. I walked into the room where the Zombies where, the room looked like something blew it up. "Come on lets go". Ada called out and ran to the exit door at the other side of the room. Leon fallowed behind her. I fallowed behind Leon. I was puzzled. What was that bright light, what happened to the Zombies, and why did the room looked like it was blown up? I guess I'd have to find those answers out myself.
Outside of the abandon factory, was bridge. "Lets go". Ada said while stepping on the bridge."Are you sure this is safe"? I questioned. Ada looked at me with a weird look. "Why don't you go first and test it out"? "Okay Ada, that was kinda mean, don't you think"? Leon butted in. Ada looked at me, then looked at Leon, then back at me, then turned around started walking across the bridge. "Thanks Leon". I thanked him with smile. "No problem, now come on, lets go". Leon said while fallowing behind Ada. I wasn't so sure how safe this bridge was, but I had to fallow Leon, who knows would would come after me if I stayed on here. The bridge start to swing when I got half way across it. I looked up, and Leon and Ada were on the other side of the bridge. I looked down, it was a long way down if I fell. Just then, the bridge started to swing even more. What's going on? I asked my self. I turned around and a group of Zombies were charging at me with axes. At the end of the bridge was a bigger Zombie with a chainsaw. The Zombie started up his chainsaw and walked over towards the ropes holding the bridge. "HELENA! RUN"! Leon yelled. I paused for a second. I looked at Leon, then started to run towards him. The one the ropes were cut, and the bridge tilted to the side. The Zombies that were on the bridge, feel off. I was almost there, the Zombie was on to the other rope. The bridge started to fall, I jumped for Leon hand. Leon grabbed my hand and pulled me up. By the time I got up, the bridge must have been half way down the drop off. I hugged Leon very tight. I started to cry. "Leon, if you didn't grabbed my hand, I would have died". I cried. "I know, I could never let you die, you're too important to me, Helena". Leon whispered while patting that back of my head. "Not to rude, and break up this romantic moment, but we have to go". Ada interrupted. "She's right, everything will be okay now Helena". Leon cuddled me. "Are you sure"? I questioned with tears in my eyes. Leon wiped the tears away from my eyes and looked into my eyes. "I am positive". Leon got up and helped me up. "Leon". I grabbed his arm. Leon turned around. "Please, kiss me, Leon". I smiled. I could see in Leon's eyes that he was very happy to hear that, plus I could see how red his face was. Leon put one hand on my check and leaned in, I leaned in to, until our lips touched. My face must have been very red. "Come on! Lets get a move on"! Ada barked. I didn't want to stop kissing Leon but I had to, Ada might have had a hissy. "Where too next"? I questioned. Ada pointed to a huge house on a hill. "That way". "Well, that's not to far away". Leon laughed. I smiled. It makes me happy when I hear Leon laugh. "I wonder how the others are doing". I wondered. "I'm sure they are at the house by now". Leon replied. "What do you mean"? I questioned. "All the door they took, the different paths they had to go through, all lead to this house". Leon answered. "The person responsible lives here". Ada replied. "How can you be so sure"? I questioned. "The tracker says he or she lives her". Ada smiled. I looked at Leon, he looked back at me with a smile. I started to blush. Before I knew it, we were at the house.
Ada tried to open the door, but it was locked. "Great, how are we going to get in now"? I questioned. "Why don't you shut up, and let me find out"! Ada barked at me. "Ada calm down". Leon laughed. I looked at Leon. I like hoe he stands up for me, he really cares about me. I can't hide the fact anymore that I might just have feelings for him. "Good thing I know how to pick locks". I interrupted. I went over to the door and started to pick the lock. "Shes good". Leon smiled. The door opened. "There you go". I smiled. Ada walked right in, without saying thanks. She's must be jealous. We entered the house and started to look around for clues. Leon looked through boxes. Ada looked through the computer files. I looked through the books. "Find anything guys"? I hollered out. "Nope, just photos of a little blonde haired kid". Leon replied. "I found plans on taking over the world on here". Ada hollered back. I walked over to Leon. I looked at the picture and gasp. It couldn't be. It isn't her. She's not evil. "Is there something wrong Helena"? Leon questioned. "No, I was just looking at the picture, I thought she look familiar for a second". I replied. I went back to the books and pulled a big black one out. Just then the floor under us disappeared.
We fell onto a slide. It was fun. When we got to the end, we fell into cages. I was in a cage all by myself. Leon and Ada were in the same cage together, beside mine. I looked over to my right, and Sherry, Jake, Chris, Claire, and Piers were stuck in one too". "GUYS"?! I yelled. We must have been in the basement. "Ha! I knew you'd come to find me". A voice called out. "Who's there"? I called out. A woman in a blue dress with a red scarf appeared. She looked just like Ada. I tried to look closer. I wish my eyes were wrong, but it was her. "Who are you"? Leon yelled. "Why don't you ask your friend here, Helena Harper". The woman laughed. "What is she talking about Helena"? Leon questioned me. "No, this isn't possible, you're not her"! I yelled. "Better believe I am her. Don't act all mad, I know you're happy to see me"! The woman laughed. "WHO IS THIS HELENA"! Leon yelled at me. "This...this is...Carla Radames". I replied. "Leon, I know you know who I am. Why don't you and Ada stop telling Helena lies. She deserves better". Carla giggled. "Leon, what is she talking about"? I questioned Leon in fear. Leon looked at me, then to Carla. "I don't know what you are talking about". Leon said in an angry tone. "Fine if you won't tell her, I will". Carla laughed. "Tell me what"? I questioned Carla. "They used you, for your power". Carla answered. "What? What power"?! I questioned, hoping it wasn't true. "You never knew"? Carla questioned me. I shook my head. "Well, you have secret supernatural powers. When you're angry, you can make explosions with your mind. When you're sad, you can make it rain. When you're happy, you can do anything. When you're in love, your power grows stronger, and you use those powers to protect, the one you love. Like Leon". Carla explained. "I really...have supernatural powers"? I replied. "Yes. Leon knew about me wanting to take over the world, because what you did to me. Leon wanted to kill me. So he faked loved you, just to make your power grow stronger, so you can kill me. He choose you, to kill your old lover". Carla replied. I looked at Leon, with tears in my eyes. "Leon, is this...true"? I cried. "It was all his and Ada's plan". Carla barked. Leon looked at me with a frown on his face. "Helena, I'm so sorry". Leon said while starting to cry. When I heard those words coming from his mouth I got so made that I made a storm appeared in the room.
When the storm passed by, I looked around, Carla was gone. The cages broke and everyone was out. Leon walked towards me. "Helena, I'm -". "Don't you dare talk to me ever again! Everyone was right about you, you're a player. I thought you were different from what they told me, but you're not. YOUR A JERK!I HATE YOU LEON S. KENNEDY"! I yelled and started to cry. "Helena I'm so -". "GET AWAY FROM ME! I never want to see you again...EVER"! I yelled. "You better get out of here Leon". Sherry yelled. "Well if that's want you want...I'll let you be Helena. I'm sorry, and I regret what I did. I truly do love you, but I hurt you to much for you to believe me. I'm so sorry". Leon sighed and walked away. Sherry started to cuddle me. I couldn't stop crying, so I cried into her chest. "Shh, it's gonna be alright, he's gone now". Sherry whispered. I took her advice and calmed myself down. I kinda felt bad for yelling at Leon. So I ran upstairs looking for him. "Leon"! I called out. I checked everywhere, the last place to look was in the closet. I opened it hoping to find Leon, but no luck. "Leon". I sighed.
That night, I sat outside in the grass looking at the stars. I wished Leon never left, but it was my fault why he left. "Leon...I'm sorry". I whispered to myself. I looked to the right, and my sadness turned to happiness. There standing there, was Leon. "Leon"! I yelled. I ran straight for him and hugged him tightly. "Leon"! I cried. "Helena! I'm so sorry". He cried. "No, I should be the one who's sorry. I yelled at you, I shouldn't have". I replied. "Helena. I truly love you. I faked it until the time we almost died at the abandon mineshaft. I know what I did was wrong. I'm so sorry. I love you so much Helena Harper". He said starting to cry. "Leon, if you really love me, kiss me". I whispered. I looked into Leon's eyes as he looked into mine. We both closed our eyes and leaned in until our lips touched. Tears of happiness came out of both our eyes. Leon really loved me. I really loved him too. We stopped kissing two minutes later. "We should head in now". He whispered. I nodded and held Leon's hand and walked back to the house with him.
Sherry was cooking something up for us. I wonder what she might say because Leon is back. "Something smells good". I said to Leon. Leon looked at me and smiled, as we entered the kitchen. Sherry turned around then froze. "Leon? What are you doing here"? She questioned surprisingly. "Well, I am the one who put this team together, so I should stay". He smiled. "Yeah, but what are you doing with Helena? Didn't she say she didn't want you near her"? Sherry questioned. "Yeah, but we worked things out". Leon smiled and hugged me close. Sherry was a little bit upset, but she knows I love him to much. "So what are you making"? I questioned Sherry. "Well there was nothing to make, but I did find some cans of soup, with ribs in them". She smiled. "Where's everyone else"? Leon questioned. "Well, Claire is hurt, she can't move on anymore. So Piers volunteered to stay behind here, to look after Claire, and to see if Carla would come back". Sherry answered. "Good, now, Helena, I don't know the whole story about you and Carla, but I'd like to know it from your words". Leon smiled. "I'd like to hear it too". Sherry said while pulling up a chair and sitting on it.
"Well, it goes back to when we were 13. I just moved to Kartalamore School for Girls. On my third day I got into trouble with some kids. A girl came and saved me. I told her my name was Helena. She told me her name was Carla. Three days later, Carla invited me over to her house. We took pictures of ourselves. After that, Carla and I decided to watch a movie together. It was a chick flick. I was so focus into the movie and Carla was too, that our hands touched. I never touched another girl's hand before. I kinda liked it. Carla turned around and looked at me. I looked right into her baby blue eyes. Next thing I knew, we were kissing. I liked it a lot. It was my first kiss. I started to develope feeling for Carla. She told me she liked me ever since she layed eyes on me. We dated for three years, but one day, my parents got into a fight. My mom decided to leave my dad. She wanted to take me with her. My dad got to mad he told my mom about me and Carla. My dad new because I told him. My mom told me since we are moving, that I had to break up with Carla. I went over to Carla's the next day, I told about the fight and how we had to break up. Carla tried to hold in the tears, but I could see it in her eyes that she wanted to cry. I told her, "I'd never love anyone so much, like I loved her". I kissed her good bye, and told her I loved her, one last time. I went home that night, packed my bags, and left on the plain early in the morning. Leon, that picture you found of Carla. That was one of the picture of me and her. She ripped the picture part of me out. When I video chatted her the next day, she looked so much like Ada did. She told I must love her now, since she looked different. I told I wish I could love her, but I couldn't because of my mom. I never saw or talked to her since then, until today". I sighed.
Leon came up and hugged me. "Why does she want to kill you"? Sherry questioned me. "Because, I am in love...with Leon". I cried. "What's wrong with loving me"? Leon replied. "I told her...I wouldn't love anyone else, but her". I cried. "I'm sorry, but you can't always keep that promise, eventually you're going to fall in love with someone, who you can be with". Leon whispered to me. "I know, you're the one I love". I smiled. "You're the one I love too". Leon smiled. "Okay, so its me, you, Leon, Ada, and Sherry then". Chris said. "Chris, how long have you been standing there"? I questioned. "Long enough to hear your love story". He replied. "Oh". I sighed. "But don't worry, I'm sure one day, Carla will understand your choice on who you love. It's your decision, not her's. If you love Leon, she can't make you stop". Chris smiled. "Well aren't you a man of words". Ada smiled. "Well, I'll say anything, to make a lady feel special". Chris smiled at Ada. I knew Chris liked Ada. I wonder if she felt the same for him. "Not to be mean, or anything, but I say we need to find Carla and stop this". Sherry interrupted. "I agree, but first we'll need a plan". I smiled. "We'll have to stay the night, it's dark out, and leave in the morning". I pointed out. "Helena's right. We'll sleep here, and then regroup and head out in the morning". Leon agreed. Everyone agreed to sleep downstairs, while me and Leon had to sleep upstairs. We'd each take turns looking out for Zombies, or Carla. Leon's shift was up first. I got to sleep for two hours before it was my turn.
I kept tossing and turning. I couldn't sleep. I started to get a cold, I was freezing. There was no heat in the house. I struggled to keep warm. I kept coughing. I take Leon go upset with it, because he woke me up. "Here, take these". Leon said while handing me some pills. "What are these"? I questioned. "They are pills, they will get rid of your coughing". He smiled. I smiled back and took them. "You can have an extra hour of sleep". He smiled. "Thank you". I thanked him and closed my eyes to go to sleep. When I woke up, and Leon was laying beside me asleep. I nearly jumped out of my bed. It scared me. I nudge Leon's shoulder, to wake him up. Leon woke up after five minutes of nudging his shoulder. "Leon, why did you...you know...sleep in the same bed...as me"? I questioned him seriously. "You were freezing, and I tried to keep you warm by cuddling with you". He giggled. I couldn't stop blushing. It was so kind of him for keeping me warm. "Leon I am so sorry, I slept in and didn't take my shift". I sighed. "That's okay Helena, I wasn't tired at all last night, until I slept with you, but I decided you need your beauty sleep". He smiled. "You go round up the others, I need to wash my arms and face at the lake". I smiled. Leon smiled and headed downstairs. I headed out for the lake.
It was very chilly out at the lake. I sat down and started to wash my arms, but something didn't feel right. I felt like I was being watched. I got up slowly and pulled my knife out. Just then the bushes behind me started to move. "Who's there"? I called out. I walked backwords up the path. I jumped for a minute because I bumped something. "I GOT YOU NOW"! I yelled. I turned around with my knife. Luckly, it was Leon. "Leon you scared me". I sighed of relief. "I'm sorry Helena". He apologized. "I though you were a -". "HELENA LOOK OUT"! Leon yelled. I turned around and the huge chainsaw Zombie we saw before at the bridge, was right behind me. "Leon tried to take his shotgun out, but the Zombie swung his arm and hit Leon in the face. "LEON"! I yelled. I turned around, about to grab my knife, when all of a sudden the Zombie grabbed me. "LEON"! I yelled, but it was no use. "LEON! PLEASE WAKE UP"! I yelled again. Leon still didn't wake up. "LEON"! I yelled even louder. Before I knew it, I was far away from Leon. The Zombie walked me into the fog, I sight of fog makes me faint sometimes, and before I could look again, I passed out.
When I woke up, I found myself in a blue foggy room. I tried to move but I was tied to the chair. "Don't even bother, you won't get out of this one"! A voice called out. "Who's there"? I called back. Out of the blue fog what the Chainsaw Zombie. "You think that boy of yours is gonna come help you? Ha! Yeah right, that will never happen"! He laughed. "WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME"?! I yelled. "It was all planned to captured you, Carla's old lover, a.k.a. Juliet and Niko's daughter, Helena Harper". He laughed. "Who? You got that wrong, I'm Lee Harper's daughter". I said confusingly. "Wait, you never knew"? He questioned. I gave him a confusing look. "Anyways, Carla planned that she'd come get you when you turned 18. She tried to get you on your birthday, but that Leon guy, he kept standing in the way, until now". He grinned. "What does Carla want with me"? I questioned. "Why don't you save that question for her, she'll be here soon". He answered. I praied that Leon would come find me, before Carla came. Out of luck, Leon busted through the door.
"LEON"! I yelled happly. "Helena! I'm here to save you". Before I could say anything, the Chainsaw Zombie pinned Leon against the wall and started his chainsaw up. "LEON"! I cried. "Let's show the girl that her lover died without saving her". He laughed. As the chainsaw got closer to Leon's throat, it started to break. "What the". The Zombie said in shock. He turned around and I was there holding my hand out. My hair was blowing in the wind. I turned my hand into a fist and the Chainsaw Zombie exploded. I fell to my knees as Leon rushed over. "Helena, oh Helena, your eyes, they are crying out blood". He said while wiping them away. "I know what I am...I'm not Lee Harper's daughter. I have supernatural powers...and I must defeat Carla Radames...before she kills anyone else". I smiled at Leon. "Now, you see why me and Ada need you. I couldn't find away to tell you about your powers". He sighed. "I understand" I smiled. "My destiny was too aid you on your quest when you turn 18, but I fell in love with you". Leon whispered. I smiled. He smiled back. "We should get back and make a plan, cause Carla is the next to defeat". I smiled still. "No. Ada and the other are fighting the Zombies back there. We are going to Carla's place and defeat her there". He grinned. "You know where she is"? I questioned. "Yes". He answered. "Lets go get her"! I yelled. Leon took my hand and we headed out to find Carla.
We excited the buliding where I was being held captive, and came across a path that lead to a huge Castle. "There, Carla must be in there". I pointed out. "I couldn't agree more". Leon agreed. "Let's finish this once and for all". I said in an angry tone. Leon nodded and we ran to the Castle. At the entrance there were three huge Zombies with huge axes. "Well, axes are better than chainsaws I suppose". I whispered to Leon. Leon nodded. "How are we going to get rid of them"? He questioned. Leon went to look over and the Zombie were blown up, so was the door to get in. "Maybe we can get that way". I winked at Leon. "You're always full of suprises". He chuckled. We ran inside the Castle.
It was quit inside. "Carla! I know you are in here! Come on out and show yourself". I called out. "Wow, I'm suprised you found me". Laughed a voice. I turned around and Carla was sitting on what she called, her throne. "I'm glad you found me Helena, I was starting to get bored waiting here for you to show up". She laughed. "I challenge you"! I yelled. "Challenge me? To what are you proposing"? She questioned. "A fight, I win, you stop this biohazard that you created". I answered. "What do I get if I win"? She questioned. "You...you get me". I answered. Carla started to smile. "Helena, I think you're taking this to far". Leon sighed. "Leon, I know what I am doing, trust me". I replied. Leon nodded and backed up a bit. "Let's make this fair". She laughed. She must have pressed a button or something, cause two Axe Zombies fell from the ceiling. They were there to distract Leon, while I fought Carla.
"Shall we start"? She questioned. "Come at me bro"! I answered. Carla did a flip over me and ran up to me while my back was facing her. I turned around as quickly as I could. I just dodged Carla's attack. "So this is a knife battle, huh"? I laughed. "I guess so". She smiled and tried to stab me in the throat. I tried to stab her in the brain, but I missed. I looked over, Leon killed one of the Axe Zombies. I looked back at Carla, she ran so fast up to me and cut my cheek. I fell to my knees, coughing up blood. "HELENA"! Leon yelled and shot the other Axe Zombie in the head and rushed over. Carla looked at Leon, and Leon went flying. "LEON"! I yelled and tried to get up, but Carla grabbed me by my hair. "If you give up now, I promise I won't kill him". She smiled. "Like I'd believe you"? I grinned and kicked Carla's feet while making her fall. "I choose to fight, with power"! I yelled. I started to feel hot, my clothes were buring off, and before I knew it, my body was covered in a flame. Carla's body was covered in water. I closed my eyes and let my spirit control my powers. Carla did the same. Our powers started to fight each other. I thought about things that happened so far this week, because of that, my power got stronger and the Demon within me, took over, and destroyed Carla. My body started to cool down. When the smoke went away, I could see Carla's body. Carla was already dead. I dropped to my knees and started to cry. "Carla! Oh Carla! I never...I never ment to kill you"! I cried. I could feel the bloody tears falling down my face. I killed her...I killed Carla.
It took a week for me to get over what I've done to Carla. I never ment to kill her. Leon and I missed the school dance to visit her grave. "Carla...I'm so sorry you had to die like this. I never wanted to kill you. I guess it was the only way to make you stop. I'm sorry we broke up. Carlee and Lee wanted us to break up. I promised I'd never love someone like I loved you...I'm sorry, but I broke that promise. I'm in love, with Leon Scott Kennedy. I'm sorry. You can rest in piece now, my old love". I cried and placed a rose ontop of her headstone. "Helena, we should go, it's about to rain, and Lee wants to talk to you, it's about Carlee and Deborah". Leon sighed. "What about my sister and Carlee"? I questioned. "The day, the biohazard broke out, Carlee went to pick you up from school with your sister. Lee told me that they found Carlee, in the car, dead". He answered. "And what about Deborah"? I questioned. "They never found her. Lee thinks she might still be alive, but might be held captive". He answered. "Let's go talk to Lee. Then, let's go find Deborah". I replied. Leon nodded and walked me to the car. I never thought that I'd have to set out, on another mission. Deborah, I will find you!
End file.
| Resident Evil: Zombie Apocalypse: Part 1 by SherryBirkinResidentEvilFan | Zombies, Run! |
Fragile Things
Title: Fragile Things
Author: Zalia Chimera
Pairing: Eugene/Jack
Summary: Even in the apocalypse, there are some moments worth savouring.
* * *
"What is this place?"
"Hell if I know," Jack says, finally taking a look around in the dim and narrow light of their torches. "Some kind of office?"
"Looks that way," Eugene says. "Park management or something, I guess."
"Lucky us," Jack replies, turning to test that door one more time. It's locked thankfully, but they've shoved a cabinet up against it just in case. "Upstairs?" he suggests, the torchlight raking over the metal staircase.
"Yeah. We should."
Eugene leads the way, brandishing the piece of metal pipe like a bludgeon as they climb and enter the room at the top. Empty as well, a quick search with the torch revealing what looks like more office space. It doesn't matter, the room is small and easily guarded. Pretty perfect for a night's hideout.
"We really need to not leave it so late tomorrow," Eugene says as they settle down, unrolling the sleeping bags and setting out their supplies of food.
"Hey, how was I supposed to know that after that service station there wouldn't be another building for miles? It's not like they're putting up signs like '10 miles until the next possible sanctuary from the undead hordes'."
Euegene smiles and tugs him down, kissing him until Jack hums sweetly and relaxes against him, nervous energy bleeding out of him. "It's okay, dummy. We just... need to be more careful. I don't want to get caught outside after dark again."
"Rather get caught inside after dark," Jack says, and Eugene can feel his smile change in the darkness, Jack's arm sliding around him.
"Let's eat first," Eugene says, brushing his lips against Jack's cheek.
They have a travel lantern which casts roughly half of the small room into light, making the shadows extend in a way that might have been eerie once, but when you've spent the day evading zombies, shadows seem almost friendly. Eugene sets it up and pokes through what they have. "So, what are you in the mood for? Corned beef or minestrone soup?"
"Oooh, what a wealth of goods we have," Jack says, bumping their shoulders. "Corned beef I think. We had soup last night. We should mix it up."
"Right, variety is the spice of life and all that."
It's cold and kind of gross and pricks at every last lingering shred of food snob dignity that he has, but it's food. He never thought that he'd be so grateful for half a tin of corned beef and a couple of squares of chocolate.
"So," Jack says, giving him a sideways look, a little half-smirk half-smile playing about his lips. "About getting caught."
Eugene laughs softly, slides his hand around to rest against the back of Jack's neck. "C'mere. I'll show you caught."
"Oooh, Mr Woods, I'll start to think that you're trying to seduce me." He grins and lets Eugene pull him into a lingering kiss, whimpering a little when Eugene's teeth graze over his lips.
"What gave me away?" Eugene asks, tongue flicking out over the spot that he'd just nipped.
"Oh, I sort of had a- a hunch," Jack says, sounding a little breathless. "The kissing might have given it away too."
"Always the kissing. I've really got to work on that."
"I will offer myself up as a willing test subject," Jack replies and leans in to do just that.
They're still alive come morning and that's a relief that Eugene had never thought he'd have to experience, y'know, waking up, unbitten and breathing. It's early morning, the days getting lighter which is a relief. More time to travel, more chance of finding safe spots to shelter before dark. They clear up their makeshift camp, pack up without speaking in a way that's become routine over the weeks of travelling together.
The head downstairs and the barricade is still intact so they're probably safe to explore a little. Well, not so much safe as not in immediate danger. It's a subtle but important distinction.
The inside door leads to some more offices and an industrial style kitchen area filled with the sickly-sweet scent of rotting fruit. They hurry through without checking the cupboards or the fridge. That never ends well. They come out into a store room and beyond that there's a shop and-
"Wow, this is almost untouched!" Jack says, looking around at it with a certain amount of wonder.
Eugene follows him, staring a little too, because anywhere untouched is rare these days. "Must've been too far away from a settlement to make it worthwhile." It's a gift shop really which is unfortunate, pencils and notepads and little plastic toys. Eugene picks up a brightly coloured eraser, turning it over in his hands.
"Well, we're kind of sorted for sweets for the rest of forever," Jack says from across the room, and he's already tearing into a packet of chips and opening a can of pop.
"You better make sure you eat some of the lime flavoured sweets. You've got to eat your greens."
Jack laughs, chugging half of the pop before picking WG back up and heading to the next door. "Good thing I've got you here to keep me healthy. I'm gonna check out what's in here. Maybe there's a cafe!"
"Don't go too far!" Eugene calls after him, and gets a cheeky wave in return as Jack disappears into the next room. Eugene grabs a drink for himself. It's warm and tastes incredibly sweet after weeks of mainly drinking water but it's refreshing, and he starts to fill up the empty spaces in his bag and pockets with chips and candy. Not the healthiest selection but better than nothing.
"Eugene!" Jack's voice comes through loud and clear and shocked, and Eugene's blood turns to ice. He has his pipe raised in a moment and charges through, fearing the worst. Oh god, why had he waited? Why hadn't he told Jack to wait? Why why why and-
He stops dead when he spots Jack, eyes going wide at the sight.
"Jack..."
Jack beams at him, wide and delighted and so so happy, like Eugene hasn't seen him since they'd first kissed pressed up against each other in the back room of a DIY store. "It's a butterfly house, Gene!"
And Eugene, Eugene just laughs to see Jack covered in the insects, beating their wings slowly against his hair and arms and one of them's on his cheek, bright blue wings spread wide.
Eugene takes a step forward and some of the butterflies take flight. Some of them land on his backpack and one on the end of the pipe. "How are they still here?"
Jack shrugs, dislodging a few more which settle back onto him in different places, one the ends of his fingers even, when he holds out his hands. "I dunno. It's still warm in here though! The glass must trap enough heat and the maybe water's getting in somewhere, enough to keep the plants alive."
"Yeah, that must be it," Eugene says, leaning closer to stare in wonder at the closest butterfly. It stays obligingly still for a few moments before flying off. Eugene finally takes a proper look; the trees and flowers are still there, overgrown in places, dead in others, but it seems remarkably alive.
"Oh my god, look at that one!" Jack says, and then he's leaping off ahead, running over the walkways after one of the butterflies, the ones that had landed on him taking off in a cloud of coloured wings.
Eugene goes after him at a slightly more sedate pace as he chases the butterflies, and okay, maybe chases him a little too, their laughter filling the place for the first time since the outbreak probably. There are holes in the ceiling letting in cooler air and local wildlife must be getting in somehow, only to be eaten by the sleepy looking lizard that he spots sunning itself on a rock.
He eventually finds Jack sprawled out on his back on one of the walkways, eyes closed and being happily explored by hundreds of bugs. Eugene just watches for a moment, smiling.
"I wish I had a camera," he says after a moment, because god, he wants to save this moment.
Jack opens his eyes, still smiling blissfully at being covered in butterflies. "Taking compromising photographs now, are we?"
"Of course. I need the blackmail material for later," Eugene replies and goes to sit down next to him. It scares most of the butterflies away to surrounding branches and Jack tugs him the rest of the way don't until they're laying side by side.
"I can't believe a place like this still exists," Jack murmurs, turning to press his face against Eugene's throat.
"It is pretty amazing," Eugene agrees and he should really move. They've slept and eaten and they just can't stop somewhere for too long. "We should keep moving."
"Yeah," Jack agrees, and makes absolutely no attempt to stand up or do much else except curl closer against Eugene's side. "I wonder if there's like... tigers and wolves in the wild now. Like, there was a safari park I visited as a kid and-"
"I think I prefer the butterflies," Eugene says with a soft laugh, his hand running through Jack's hair, scratching lightly at his scalp in a way that makes him go limp and cat-like in his arms.
Eugene rolls them over so that he's looking down at Jack. There's dust in his hair, and bits of fallen leaves and he's smiling so brightly that Eugene can almost believe it's not the end of the world. For a few moments, it's like time stands still. "We should really go," Eugene says, reaching up to brush one of the twigs from Jack's hair. He ends up stroking his cheek instead, tracing his smile with his thumb.
"I know," Jack says softly. "Zombies and all."
And still, neither of them move.
Outside the end of the world is continuing and for all they know, they're the only people in the world. And Eugene leans down to kiss Jack like none of it matters.
End file.
| Fragile Things by Zalia Chimera | Zombies, Run! |
Unsure
**Disclaimer: Zombies, Run! isn't mine.**
"Hey, Ed," Sam leaned out of his booth to where Ed was installing a new range booster. "Head over to the armoury for a bit. Runner 5's got something you'll want to see."
Reluctantly, Ed packed up his tools, grabbed Molly, and headed for the armoury. It was only next door and Ed could see what Sam was talking about as soon as he stepped outside.
The gates were just closing behind a rusty-looking fire truck. Runner 5 jumped down from the driver's seat.
"You know, I didn't know until today, but it turns out I've always wanted a fire truck. What do say, Ed? Do you think you can fix it up?"
Ed gave the truck a once over. "I should say so, yeah."
"Cool. The zombies seem to love the sirens, but they hate the high power jets."
5 ruffled Molly's hair on the way by and started for the hospital for a post-run check-in.
Ed went back to comms to get his tools. There was something about 5 that he wasn't sure he liked. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. The air of levity, maybe, as if the zombie apocalypse were some sort of game.
That wasn't really it though. Runner 5 took missions very seriously, didn't flinch or complain when they were dangerous, followed orders well, worked hard, and seemed to genuinely care about the other residents at Abel. Ed hated to even mention it (and he hadn't) because everyone else seemed to think Runner 5 could walk on water.
He had thought so, too, when they first met. After all, Runner 5 was risking life and limb to save Molly at the time. But then, over time, he had become... unsure.
Ed set to work on the fire truck 5 had brought back. He'd have to ask about it later. Surely 5 and Sam would have a wild story to tell about where it had come from.
The fire truck seemed to be leaking every possible fluid from every possible system. Puddles of coolant and oil and transmission fluid were already collecting underneath it.
Ed set Molly on the ground and opened up the hood. It smelled a little like a tire fire.
"Dada!" Molly yelled to him.
"Not now, Molly."
"Dada!" she insisted. She pulled on the leg of his trousers. "Dada!"
"Dada is working, Molly."
"Ed," said a voice behind him, "do you want me to take her?"
He turned to see 5, still a bit flushed from the run, ice packs taped around both knees.
"No, we'll be fine." After a beat, he added, "Thanks, though."
"Are you sure? I can take her with me to the farm. Leave you to work in peace. She can help me feed the chickens."
Molly lit up. "Bok bok bok," she said.
"That's right," said 5, crouching down to be level with Molly, "chickens say 'bok bok'. There are even some little fluffy yellow ones now. Cheep cheep."
Molly repeated, "Cheep cheep cheep."
Ed sighed. "You want to go feed the chickens, Molly?"
She nodded.
"All right."
"You want a piggy back ride?" 5 asked. Molly nodded before being scooped up and spun around, giggling wildly. "See you in a bit, Ed."
"Yeah," he said, somewhat tenuously, "see you in a bit."
End file.
| Unsure by Stellina Gatsby | Zombies, Run! |
Somewhere a Clock is ticking
Title: Somewhere a Clock is Ticking
Author: Zalia Chimera
Rating: M
Pairing: Jack/Eugene
Warnings: Death, suicidal thoughts, ambiguous ending, major major angst, black humour
Summary:
They say that once infected, you'll never see dawn and dusk on the same day.
They say a lot of things.
A rather more personal end of the world.
* * *
Hour 1
"It's just a scratch."
"Jack..."
Jack leans in close, lips pressed into a tight line, eyes blazing. "It is just. A. Scratch."
Eugene sighs heavily, closes his eyes for a moment. "Jack, we don't _know_ that. What if..."
"I know it!" Jack replies, with the kind of certainty usually reserved for the truly delusional or utterly fanatical. Eugene clutches at the small, lightly bleeding wound on his upper arm, an innocuous little mark, and thinks that Jack might actually be both.
Hour 2
Eugene feels hyperaware of every minute that passes. The ruined building provides a little cover but not enough to hide the sun and he tracks it's passage across the sky. Jack is pressed up against him, deathly (hah!) still in the way Eugene has come to learn means that he's desperate to move but holding it back.
"You should go," Eugene says quietly, just to say _something_. "You- you could find somewhere better to stay before it gets dark an-"
"No."
Jack glares at him and Eugene gives a little huff but can't quite bring himself to argue.
Hour 3
Eugene tries to pretend that the tickle in the back of his throat is just because of the dust.
Hour 4
They don't tell you about the cough. Well, everyone knows it happens, but they don't tell you how it feels. Of course they don't, Eugene thinks madly, 'cause by the time it gets that far you might as well be dead already.
Dead man walking has a whole new meaning since the end of civilisation.
He laughs softly, earning a strange look from Jack which melts away into concern as the laugh shifts into a hacking cough that shakes his whole body. He can taste bile in the back of his throat, his lungs burn.
"Jack..." he says, voice hoarse and scared and he _knows_, he can see it in Jack's eyes.
"I know," Jack says, and slides his hand up beneath the hem of his shirt to rub his back.
Hour 5
Jack isn't back. He'd gone to find water, food, a blanket, _something_ and he isn't back yet.
Eugene huddles down, pulls his jacket closer around himself and stifles the cough against the back of his hand.
Hour 5 and a half
He's gone, hasn't he? He's done like Eugene asked and gone to somewhere safe. He's not coming back.
He squeezes his eyes shut against the pricking heat there, and pretends that he's happier being left alone.
Hour 6
Something drops over him, heavy and coarse and he starts back to full wakefulness with a start and a startled cry, trying to shove it away (but what's the _point_?) until someone grabs his hand and he's face to face with Jack.
"Jack," the relief is obvious in his voice, even as he breaks off into another round of coughs. He turns away quickly, shielding his mouth against his sleeve, the millions PSAs about how the Gray Plague is transferred running through his head.
A bottle is thrust into his hand. It sloshes with liquid. Water. "Drink it," Jack says. His face is white, pinched with worry.
He stares at the bottle and god, he's so thirsty but... he shoves it back towards Jack, shaking his head. "Don't need it, Jack. Don't waste it." Not on a dead man.
Jack glares, but Eugene can see the fear in his eyes. "Look, 'Gene, how're we supposed to get anywhere if you don't take care of yourself?" He says it lightly, joking, and for a moment, Eugene sees red.
"Stop it, Jack! Just- just stop it! Stop pretending that everything's gonna be fine."
He turns away, stifling another bout of coughing. Anything to avoid the stricken look on Jack's face.
He can taste blood in his throat.
Jack is silent as he sits down next to him, back against the half fallen wall, and he pulls the blanket carefully around Eugene's shoulders. Eugene huddles into it, and feels sick with gratitude.
Hour 7
He starts to shiver violently, hot and cold by turns. Enough that he can barely keep the blanket around himself. Frustrated tears prick at his eyes as he tries to shrug it up his shoulders again, because his fingers don't seem to want to work properly.
"'Gene?" Jack asks, peering at him, hand coming to rest against Eugene's cheek gently.
Eugene gives a weak smile. More a grimace really. "S-sorry," he manages. "Just- just cold."
Fear flashes in jack's eyes for a moment and then he smiles back. It doesn't erase the worry from his face, the lines around his eyes that Eugene is sure hadn't been there when they'd met. "That, I can help with," he says, and for a moment it's like they're back in the shack at Abel and igod/i, he hates that a draughty shack at the end of the world is the best they ever got.
Jack presses tight against his side and pulls the blanket around them both. Eugene turns into the warmth, burrowing his face against Jack's neck.
He knows he'll never feel this warm again.
Hour 8
"'m gonna make the most pathetic zom," Eugene murmurs, only half conscious. Even the cold has receded. He just feels kind of numb.
"What?" Jack says, and he looks kind of adorably baffled. "What are you talking about?"
"Mmmm," Eugene hums softly, and it's really hard to think clearly right now. "Just- just kind of dragging myself 'round on the floor. Think the other Zoms'll laugh?"
Jack stares incredulously for a moment, enough that it makes Eugene give a soft laugh, and presses a kiss to Eugene's temple. "Nah. You'll be the terror of the undead world. The Dread Zombies Roberts."
"Did- did you just quote Princess Bride at me?"
"Mmmhmm," Jack replies, lips grazing down along Eugene's cheek and jaw like he's trying to memorise every inch of his face. Maybe he is. He stops short of Eugene's mouth, hovering there until Eugene makes the decision for him and turns his head away.
"We can't," he says, disappointment welling deep inside him. Blood, saliva. Bodily fluids.
Jack sighs, warm breath against Eugene's clammy skin. "I know," he says, uncharacteristically sombre. And then... "Do you reckon anyone ever got infected from uh- ingesting semen."
Eugene's incredulous silence would work better if he could stop coughing (like a death rattle) long enough to actually be silent, but they've been together long enough that he thinks Jack gets it.
"Did you really just ask me for my thoughts on- on undeath by_ blowjob_?"
"I think I did. Too much?"
"Just a bit."
"Right."
Hour 8.5. Ish.
He drifts in and out of consciousness after that, breath rattling painfully in his lungs. He wakes up long enough for Jack to force more water into him and he drinks greedily, half of it spilling down his chin and somewhere in there, the coughs turn to sobs which he muffles against Jack's shoulder.
"'Gene."
"Please Jack," he asks, not sure what he's even asking for anymore.
"Right..." Jack's lips press against his cheek and for one horrible moment, he thinks that Jack's gonna kiss him, indirect suicide, and he won't, _can't_ be the one responsible for that.
"That's only romantic in movies," he mumbles and feels Jack frown against his skin.
"What?"
He blinks. Oh, yeah, he'd said that out loud. "You need to go, Jack," he says tiredly. So tired. He could just fall asleep.
"I know," Jack replies and makes absolutely no attempt to actually move. Stupid, stubborn, perfect iidiot/i.
Eugene shoves him weakly, squirming out from where Jack's arm is wrapped around him. "You _have_ to go," he repeats, giving Jack as fierce a look as he can manage when his face is blotchy and red and oh yeah, he's gonna turn into the undead soon. Kind of makes any emotion other than fear kind of- of tough.
Except the one that wraps his heart in an icy fist whenever he thinks of Jack, and he can't figure out if it's misery or just another kind of fear.
"You're going, Jack," he says firmly. "You're- one of us has to- to survive this and it- you're_ it_. God, you're... you're it. That's..." He's rambling he knows, but he can't stop it, all the things he wants to say and wishes he had said and he remembers cutting off a phone call to his boss the first time he saw an attack and his boss is... well, probably dead now like- like he will be.
"'Gene."
"And there's- there's only you really, like, who remembers me anymore so you- you have to go. You're the only one."
"'Gene!"
It's followed by a metallic click and that's what really grabs his attention. He falls silent and looks over at Jack, at the gun in his hand and he... he smiles.
"Thank you." It's not what he wants to say. He doesn't iknow/i what he wants to say and it's inadequate and horrible and the sob that Jack lets out rakes down his spine, makes him feel sick to his stomach but he can't deny the twisted gratitude that he feels for it.
"Don't," Jack says, voice strangled and he won't- he won't even look at Eugene. "Please don't. Don't thank me for-" For killing you.
"It's getting dark," Eugene says, and they both know what that means. You don't- don't live from dawn to dusk on the same day. That's what they say, isn't it?
"Yeah." Jack's eyes are closed but they open, damp and red and Eugene can see every bob of his throat. "Yeah, it is."
His fingers are clumsy as he handles the gun, but WG would be too cruel and well, anyone can make a headshot at such close range and the barrel of the gun is so very cold, a point of ice even against his already cool skin.
"Do it."
Jack's hand is shaking. Or maybe it's just Eugene's vision. Can't keep it straight.
"Jack. Please."
Jack stares at him, expression crumpling. "As you wish."
And everyone knows that means 'I love you'.
There are two shots. Eugene only hears one.
End file.
| Somewhere a Clock is ticking by Zalia Chimera | Zombies, Run! |
Rebel Rebel
Title: Rebel Rebel
Author: Zalia Chimera
Pairing: Simon/Sam
Warnings: Needles and piercings
Summary: Even in the middle of the zombie apocalypse, there's still time for those small rebellions and becoming the person you want to be.
* * *
"What are you doing, Sam?" Simon asks, sliding his fingers into Sam's hair and giving a little tug that makes Sam shiver.
Sam ignores him for a moment and runs his tongue along the outer edge of Simon's ear with a curious sort of deliberateness, tongue curling around the line of rings and studs that run along it. Simon tugs again, pulling his head back gently to look him in the eyes and Sam licks his lips, making a soft noise of protest.
"You got a thing for piercings?" Simon asks, raising an eyebrow at him and Sam squirms, a faint blush colouring his cheeks and that's enough of an answer for him. "Kinky," he says, smirking as he loosens his grip on Sam's hair, combing his fingers through it instead.
Sam frowns at him. "It's not like that," he says, then gives a soft growl of irritation and dips his head back down. There's one quick swipe of his tongue and then it hooks into the ring through the lobe and pulls.
Simon hisses and curls his hand against the back of Sam's neck, drawing him in for a kiss. Sam nips at his lip and Simon laughs. "Getting to be a right little sadist aren't you Sam?" he teases, and kisses him again quickly to stifle the inevitable protest.
It's not really fair, considering they're not much beyond snogging and mostly clothed groping, but Sam is always fun to fluster. He gets allsquirmy, like now in fact, and it does awful, wonderful things to Simon's cock.
He lets the kiss linger until Sam pulls away and gives him a look that's half annoyed, half amused. It's a remarkably common look on people who spend time with him. Simon can't imagine why.
"I just like them, okay?" Sam says. "They're just cool."
"Of course they are," Simon replies. "They're mine."
Sam rolls his eyes and slides one leg between Simon's. "Is modesty anything you've ever come across?"
"Sure it is!" Simon says cheerfully, rocking up against Sam's thigh. "Other people have a lot to be modest about."
"You are impossible."
"I prefer 'unique'."
"I can think of a few other words I prefer," Sam replies and presses his leg up harder against him, dragging a soft groan from Simon's lips.
"Devilishly handsome, charming, that kind of thing?"
"If that's what you want to believe," Sam replies, leaning in to give the earring one last tug, letting Simon feel the scrape of his teeth.
Simon swears he doesn't whimper. "What's got you all into piercings today anyway, besides them being cool? Which they are."
Sam shrugs and settles against him, face tucked into the crook of his neck. "Just thinking."
"That must be the funny noise I can hear," Simon teases gently. Sam shoves him in return.
"Ha ha. You're such a comedian."
"I might have tried a little stand-up when I was younger and you are avoiding the question," he continues. He runs his finger along the shell of Sam's ear, stopping to pinch his nails into the lobe, making Sam yelp softly and glare.
"You'll think it's stupid," he mutters.
"You think most of what I say is stupid so I think we're about even, right?"
Sam just looks at him for a moment and then huffs, folding his arms defensively across his chest and pulling away, leaving a bit of a gap between them on the cramped cot that they're sharing. "I always kind of wanted one," he admits, "but my dad said I wasn't allowed."
"Your dad's not here," Simon says, frowning at him. "I mean, it's just a piercing. What's the harm in it? I'm guessing you weren't angling for a nose ring or gauging either."
"Just an earring." Sam shrugs. "He said it'd make me look like a thug or a delinquent.
Simon takes a moment to try to process what exactly it would take Sam to look anything like a thug and fails miserably. "Well, delinquent maybe," he says, ruffling Sam's overgrown hair affectionately. "But since we all kind of look like that does it make you a conformist?"
It works and Sam smiles, giving him a wry look. "Wow, you really know what to say to make a boy feel good there, Simon."
Simon laughs and grasps Sam's hand, pushing it up under his t-shirt, over his stomach and chest. "If you like piercings, thought you'd go for this one actually." He presses Sam's fingers against his left nipple and the barbell piercing through it.
Sam goes still for a moment and glances at Simon with a curious, kind of intrigued look when he feels the metal, testing out the edges of it with his fingertips while Simon lays still and releases his hand only to jerk and make a pleased gasp when Sam twists it, feeling it pull at sensitive skin.
"Did it hurt getting it done?" Sam asks, tilting his gaze upwards as he continues to play with the little bar and god it's been a while since anyone's paid so much attention to that piercing.
"Ngh, kind of? A little bit," Simon replies, sliding his hands down Sam's sides to his hips and pulling him firmly down because if he's going to keep teasing then Simon's going to tease a little in return. "More a pinch than anything, a bit sore for a few days. Isn't as though I got one anywhere really sensitive," he adds with a lecherous grin, gaze flicking downwards to make sure that Sam knows what he's talking about.
"Pervert," Sam mutters, but it doesn't stop him glancing down as well, looking like he can't decide whether to be horrified or fascinated.
"Oi! I said I didn't have one down there. No-one is getting a needle near my cock thanks."
"But you've thought about it," Sam replies, smirking at him in that way that is far too knowing and it's easy to forget beneath the awkwardness and insecurity to forget that Sam is observant and brilliant and god if he'd only had the chance.
"Thought about it," Simon admits, rubbing his cheek against Sam's and grinning when he pulls away muttering about stubble burn. "There was this guy I knew..."
"Why do I get the impression that you have a lot of stories that start with 'there was this guy I knew'? Let me guess, you met him in a pub."
"I did actually," Simon says, smile widening when Sam snorts. "I was working there and he used to come in on a Friday night. Professional piercer. Did a couple of mine, including the nipple. He showed me."
"Showed you or showed you?" Sam asks, sounding suspicious enough that Simon is actually a little offended.
"Hey, it was an entirely platonic display of his cock and... oh god, I didn't even realise that was a sentence you could say, and you!" he adds, giving Sam a hard look when he starts laughing, "you are becoming a bad influence."
"Me?!" Sam replies, looking scandalised, or as scandalised as you can be when not trying very hard to stifle your laughter. "You're the one talking about getting a needle stuck through your dick."
"I said I didn't! You're the one who keeps bringing it up. I'm starting to think that you want one."
Sam grimaced, shaking his head. "Oh god, can you imagine trying to explain that to Maxine? 'What seems to be the problem?' 'Oh, someone stuck a needle through my penis and now it's oozing.' Yeah, I think not."
"Eurgh, did you have to go into detail there Sam?"
"You choose now to get squeamish? You always seem to have some unholy glee for zombie guts and blood and stuff."
"Yeah, but that's not... that's not my dick."
"It's all about your dick, isn't it?" Sam replies but he's grinning, even though he tries to hide it. Well, he doesn't try very hard. More of a token attempt to look serious.
Simon gives a lazy smiles and slides his hand down to rest over Sam's groin lightly. "Could be all about yours if you're up for it."
Sam's breath stutters and he loves the way Sam's lips part, his tongue darting out over them. "Yeah, I think so," Sam agrees.
"Always happy to be of service," Simon murmurs, drawing him up for another kiss.
"Got you a present Sammy."
Sam looks up from the comms desk just quickly enough to catch what Simon tosses at him. He glances down at it, frowning and turning the little plastic bag over in his hands. "Earrings? But I don't-"
"Don't yet," Simon says, grinning widely and brandishing the other part of the present; a small sealed package containing a needle, and an antiseptic wipe.
Sam gives him an incredulous look. "Did you decide to take a jog through a piercing shop or something?"
"Beauty parlour," Sam replies, utterly unrepentant, "and before you start lecturing, we found a lot of stuff for sterilising med kit over there, rubbing alcohol and the like."
"And this just happened to fall into you bag."
"I know. Weirdest thing," Simon replies. "Almost like they knew that you want a piercing."
"Wanted. Wanted a piercing. It's the middle of the zombie apocalypse. It's not exactly the time to be living out teenage rebellion. Especially since I'm in my twenties."
Simon walks over to him, leaning against the edge of the desk, finding that sweet spot where he can control the wobble of the wonky leg. "Of course it is. If you can't be a little rebellious when every day could be your last, then when can you? Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die, and all that."
"God, you're a ray of sunshine. They did warn me about people from Yorkshire."
"Oh aye?" Simone replies, deliberately exaggerating his accent, drawing out the vowels and making it thicker. "About our charm, wit and grace?"
"About your morbidity and bloody-mindedness more like."
"Well, there is that," Simon agrees magnanimously, "but those're survival skills now!"
"What was that song?" Sam asks, smirking at him. "Ilkey Moor Barter? You sang it while staggering back to the barracks after that party in New Canton."
"Ilkley Moor Baht 'at," Simon mutters, looking a little sullen.
"What does that even mean?" Sam asks, giving him a look like he's just grown another head.
"Without a hat. And it's part of my proud Yorkshire heritage. Just 'cause you don't understand perfectly clear English."
"That's not English! It's a stereotype from a costume drama. And you were singing about people dying and getting eaten by worms! I got that much."
"Natural order of things. Don't see you complaining when the kids sing 'Circle of Life'."
"Except you changed the words to include zombies."
"Folk songs are supposed to reflect the experiences of the common man."
"Yes, thank you Karl Marx, but then," he continues doggedly, "you gave up halfway through a verse and started singing 'Dancing Queen'."
"Uh..." Simon does actually have the grace to look embarrassed, "I really don't like folk music that much actually."
Sam sniggers and fingers the lobe of his ear thoughtfully, gaze returning to the little silver studs that Simon had brought back for him. "It's not exactly an essential procedure," he says, but it's obvious that he wants it. "I mean-"
"Sam," Simon says firmly, resting a hand on his shoulder and leaning close, giving him an intent look, "if you never got to be rebellious as a teenager, why not now? And if it's your dad you're worried about... well, he isn't here and even if he was, I think he'd be more pissed off about you making out with another bloke honestly. We've done plenty of that," he says.
Sam chuckles softly. "You're sure it's safe?"
"What part of our lives is safe these days really?" Simon asks but continues before Sam can get a word in. "I asked the doc and she said it would be fine as long as it was a sterile needle and kept clean."
Sam thinks for a moment, chewing on his lip pensively before giving a small nod. "Alright," he agrees, a small smile curling his lips. "Live dangerously, right?"
"Absolutely," Simon replies and leans in to kiss him softly, coaxing him into it, hand cupping his cheek. "So, your place or mine?"
Sam snorts, shaking his head. "So, between a barracks with seven other people and a tiny room next to the comms shack? How do I decide between such luxuries?"
"Yup, the Abel Township Ritz provides the finest in post-apocalyptic accommodation and cuisine."
"Wow, with a recommendation like that, how can I resist? My place. There's a bit more privacy. I don't want someone walking in and startling you."
Simon laughs, holding up his right hand. "I have very steady hands. Had no complaints so far," he says with a lascivious grin.
"How many piercings have you done?" Sam asks suspiciously.
"Well... three," Simon admits, "but one of those was while I was drunk so I figure that's got to be double points."
"Oh god..." Sam moan, looking a little sick.
"It'll be fine, Sammy," Simon says, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and drawing him along.
"I'm gonna be the only person in the zombie apocalypse to die of- of ear gangrene."
Simon sniggers and kisses Sam's temple affectionately as they leave the comms shack. "Sure you don't want to change your mind? I can still do your nipple. You know I like getting my hands all over your naked chest."
"Always knew you got your number by sleeping with the boss, Simon!" Roman calls as he passes.
"Wouldn't you?" Simon calls back, grinning and pulling Sam closer against his side as the younger man squirms. Simon loves it when he blushes like that.
"I hate you so much," Sam mutters, elbowing him in the ribs, but making no attempt to actually pull away.
"You weren't saying that last night," Simon replies cheerfully.
"Temporary insanity," Sam says, giving him a wry look. "I'm going to see Maxine about it later."
"Right, that must be what it is."
They turn into the little, well, shed is about the best that can be said for it, where Sam sleeps, and he closes the door behind them. It's small; enough room for a cot and a small chest for belongings which doubles as a table, but it's private and out of the way of most of the accommodation, since Sam tends to be on call in case of emergency. He stretches himself too thin, Simon thinks, but they all do and there's nothing as reassuring as hearing Sam's voice during a hard mission.
"Right, so, where should I-" Sam begins, uncertainty bleeding back into his expression.
"Just sit down on the bed," Simon says, "get comfy."
Sam nods and goes to perch on the edge of the cot, at least until Simon nudges him back so that he's leaning against the wall.
"Uh, do you really have to take your shift off for this, Simon?" he asks, raising an eyebrow as Simon strips off.
Simon grins and crawls onto Sam's lap, straddling his thighs. "No, but the sight of my perfect abs should help to ease the discomfort."
"Do you ever listen to what comes out of your mouth?" Sam asks.
"Nope!" Simon says cheerfully. He wriggles a little to get comfortable, and okay, maybe to tease a little.
He's as clean as anyone's likely to get today; any mission where there's been a chance of a bite or infection gets them disinfected and given clean clothes. Too much risk not to. Simon pauses before he opens the wrapper of the anti-septic wipe, meeting Sam's eyes squarely. "You're sure about this?" he asks, serious for once.
Sam hesitates for a moment and then nods. "Yeah. I'm sure."
"Alright then."
He wipes Sam's earlobe carefully and then unwraps the needle. It's a proper one for piercing too, not one of the guns or a medical needle. He keeps up a steady stream of chatter as he prepares, waiting for Sam to relax.
"Thought about doing this professionally for a while, learning how to do tattoos too."
"Why didn't you?" Sam asks.
Simon smiles, presses hard, the needle goes through and Sam gasps. Simon can feel the pounding of his pulse as he cleans off the dab of blood and slides the stud through.
"Because I was eighteen and had the attention span of a housefly. There, done."
Sam gives a shaky little laugh, catching his breath. "Not much change there then."
"Oi! You're the one who couldn't be a runner because you get distracted every time a squirrel crosses the path. I feel unfairly maligned." He leans back, letting go of Sam's ear and putting the needle back into the packet to be cleaned or disposed of or whatever the Doc recommends.
Sam reaches up tentatively to touch his ear, fingers sliding over the little gold stud that Simon has put in. "Ow, that hurts."
Simon rolls his eyes. "Well yeah. I did just stick a sharp bit of metal through your flesh. That tends to sting a bit."
"Wise-ass," Sam mutters, but he looks pretty intrigued by the piercing, twisting the stud gently and Simon wishes that he had a mirror so he could see it.
"It looks good," Simon says, smiling and sliding his thumb down Sam's cheek. "You delinquent, you."
Sam laughs, ducking his head and touching the stud again like he can't quite believe that it's there. "That's me. Such a rebel."
Simon ruffles his hair. "I like your rebellious side. Maybe we shoul-"
"No," Sam says firmly. "Whatever it is. No. Just no."
"Awww, you spoil all my fun."
"Hey, I let you stick a needle into me. I normally only let doctors do that."
Simon grins, leaning in to nip at Sam's lower lip lightly. "Oh? Is that what you consider fun then?" he asks, voice lowering as he leans their foreheads together. "Didn't think you were the type."
He feels the whoosh of air as Sam exhales sharply, his eyes widening. Simon laughs and kisses him, a little rough, tugging at Sam's lip with his teeth. It drags a soft little sound from him, one that makes Simon shiver pleasantly.
Sam's arms wrap around him, one tangling in the short hair at the back of his neck. "I don't really know what type I am," he admits quietly, but there's a little smile on his lips.
Simon's been working on that assumption so it doesn't surprise him. He smiles warmly though, tilts Sam's chin up to kiss him again. "Plenty of time to figure it out, Sammy. I still am."
Sam looks a little startled at that. "What, really?"
"'course," Simon replies. "I figure the zombie apocalypse shows you a few things about yourself. What you're capable of."
Sam just looks at him for a long moment, then smiles. "When did you get smart?" he asks, fingers combing through Simon's hair, twisting messy curls around his fingers.
Simon gives him a mock-offended look. "There you go again, taking pot shots at my dignity."
"What dignity?" Sam asks, giving him a cheeky look and kissing him again, just as hard and hungry. Simon just laughs and kisses back.
End file.
| Rebel Rebel by Zalia Chimera | Zombies, Run! |
Fourth Time's The Charm
**Hmm, what is this? A fanfic for a basically non-existent fandom? A story for a little running app? Yup. That's exactly what this is. A one-shot for a beloved game called Zombies, Run!**
**I couldn't help myself though. I was stuck on a bus with my iPod and next thing I knew I was writing this little gem on the notepad thing. So voila. Here you go. A story.**
**I'm not anticipating many readers, so if you're reading this, thank you very, very much. Please let me know what you think.**
**Warnings: Spoilers for mission 9 of season 1.**
* * *
Run.
That's really all I say, isn't it? It's all I can say. Just keep running, you're doing great, and oh, by the way, you're not even our second Runner 5, you're our fourth. Don't know why I said that last bit to you. It's not like it's even a morale booster or anything. Just the plain truth. And I keep saying other useless things too, about engineering, or my sister, or ice cream sandwiches, anything to fill that awful blank static sound coming from your speakers. But for some reason, you know, that fourth Runner 5 thing seems kind of important.
Maybe it's 'cause in the back of my mind I'm trying to tell myself that fourth time's the charm. Yup, that's right, fourth is great. Fourth's bloody brilliant. Fourth time's the charm, so just keep on running, because you'll surely make it home.
But that's not really the way it's supposed to go, is it? Fourth time's the charm? Hah, yeah, I know. It's not meant to be fourth. It's third. Unlike that ice cream sandwich thing, I can actually remember this facet from the world 'before'. Third is meant to be that key number. And that would be lovely and all, but third stumbled. Third got caught. Third went and got herself turned into a zombie, chased our fourth, and we had to- well we had to bloody shoot her in the head.
Yeah, that. So third's not around anymore. I'm left betting on fourth.
But hell, fourth doesn't look to be around much longer either, what with you being out there. In the dark. Alone.
You're probably dead, aren't you.
Right, no thinking about that. I'm sorry. I'm trying here though. Really, I am. Can you here my voice? I'm speaking to you, saying that inconsequential story about my time in University. You probably don't even care, do you? If you're still alive, that is. I mean, you wouldn't care if you were dead or a zombie, either, I guess. I'm just trying to give you something to follow. Is it working? Are you trying to make it back here? Just keep running, Runner 5, you're doing great.
You know, my mind is going a little funny on me. I'm not scared to say that I'm probably pretty close to breaking down. You can bet I'll have some trouble holding on to my meagre sanity if you don't make it back. Or even worse, if you do make it back. As a zombie. And I have to watch them shoot you down. God that'd be awful. I truly almost lost it when I saw it happen it the old Runner 5, you know? But it had to be done. Awful, but dammit, it was necessary. If it happens again, though... man, I don't know. I think that'd be it for me.
Actually, I'm kind of losing it already, aren't I? Getting a little frayed at the edges, I'd say. All alone, here, in this control room, talking to someone who has probably can't even hear me. Not quite right in the head. At least that's what they're telling me, in kinder, more subtle words. Apparently if you go in to someone's room in the middle of the night during a zombie apocalypse to ask about ice cream sandwiches, people get kinda worried. Crazy, I know. But they're telling me to let it go, give up, go to sleep.
They're telling me that you're already gone, Runner 5.
And for some reason, some bloody unknowable reason, I refuse to believe that.
Because I'm still here, aren't I? Still talking to you, hours after we lost contact. Hoping you're alive - and if you are, that would be really, really great. And I'm still giving you instructions, advice, telling you what you need to do. They're closing the gates soon, by the way, which is kind of counterproductive for your situation, but they wouldn't listen to me when I told them to give you just a little more time. So if you're on your way here, it would be good to put on a burst of speed.
You can make it. I know you can, Runner 5.
I'm still here, waiting for you.
So just do your best.
Wait, what is that noise? Is that-
Oh god. The- the alarm is sounding, isn't it. That's what that noise is. The alarm for the gate. Bloody hell, they're getting ready to lower goddamn gate. Fuck no, not now. Runner 5, right now would be a good time to show up. Like right goddamn now. Please, please show up.
I can't- I don't know what to do. I'm panicking. The alarm is still going. You- your time is up, Runner 5. There's no way you can survive the entire night out there, no matter how much you run. You need to be here. Now. Because they're going to lower the gate and shut you out.
I- I don't know what else to say.
Oh god, if you can hear me, run. Just run.
Shit. Shit shit, no. You can't- they can't leave you out there. They can't do that. Not to you. No. Just god no.
Runner 5. Bloody fucking Runner 5, listen to me now. You have seconds - seconds! - to show up on our screens. Please. You need to show up NOW or it's over. If the gate closes, it's done. There's nothing anyone can do. They won't open it back up. Not until morning, and you can't last that long. I... I can delay them if I see you. As long as it's not completely shut. But they'll only do that if you're in range. I need to see you on screen. Now. So please, god please just keep running.
I'm trying. I'm trying so damn hard to see you. Bloody hell, I can't... You're not showing up, and the gate... the gate's started descending.
I- It's over, isn't. You're not coming ba-
Wait.
Was that... Oh god that's- there! Movement, on the screen from the north side. It's... I... I can see you, Runner 5! And- and you're running. God, you're alive and running and oh my god they need to hold the gate!
Hold the bloody gate!
I can see you. Just keep running, that's it. God that's it. You had a trail following you but you left them behind, and you're still running. You... you're amazing, Runner 5. They've held the gate for you. We can all see you now. Just a few more steps, that's it, and few more steps and you're in.
Oh god you've made it. You're alive.
It's over, Runner 5. You're home.
* * *
**Aha, look. It's done. Welp. I had fun writing this, so if you had fun reading it, drop a review or something. It'd be much appreciated.**
**Thank you kindly, and I hope you have a wonderful day.**
End file.
| Fourth Time's The Charm by Zaabeth | Zombies, Run! |
How I Got Saved
Hey guys, hope you all like this, and GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Check out True North church and Warren Baptist church! They're epic churches, and I've never felt more in sinc with God. And remember, JESUS LOVES YOU!
How I Got Saved
By MAB:
Hello, my name is Madison April Boswell, I love to ride horses, write (apparently), read, and I'm a science geek, and a geek in general, who also can't stand anything girly, like make-up or curling or straightening irons. I have a quirky personality, I'm almost like a multi-sided coin, I'm not popular, and don't really have a lot of friends.
And this is the story of how I got saved.
But not just physically or mentally saved, but spiritually saved.
**Early Childhood:**
I was born in Atlanta, and moved here when I started school. We didn't really go to church a lot, and I didn't know much about Christ, and I knew some of the most basic-general stuff that everyone knew. I'm also going to go ahead and admit it now; I like to do the right thing. It bothers me whenever I get in trouble. So when my neighbor, Sarah Margret, she is now in 6th grade and goes to another school on the other end of town (she moved, but still lives twenty minutes away!), her parents and little sister, Catherine, moved in next door, it was only the beginning to this wild ride.
Her family was more of the strict kind of Christian. So naturally, whenever I did something un-Godly, or used His name in vain, Sarah Margret would tell me off. Over time, she talked more and more about God, and what He was all about, and I became really curious about Him. So I started listening to what she was saying, and asked my parents if we could go to church.
We went.
Came back.
I barely remembered the service, but we kept going anyway. It was one of those churches were the men had to wear black-tie formal suits, and the girls, dresses and skirts, and my parents are those kind of people. In the first paragraph; I said I couldn't stand anything girly in the slightest.
Despite that I hated the dress code, I always had a very guilty feeling in my gut whenever I went to church because I _wasn't_ religious, and it made me feel bad that I didn't know anything. Just going made me feel really bad about myself. So as the years passed (about two), we occasionally went to church, and my feeling of guilt persisted and grew.
Then middle school happened.
**True North Church:**
In 6th grade, I had a sort of fantasy for running, and I would be on the Cross Country team for the next two years of middle school at RMS. One day I was about to start running alone when another 6th grader walked up and asked if she could run with me. Her name was Reagan Miller, and as we talked and ran, we both became immediate best friends. In some ways, we were exact opposites, but exactly alike. One day as I was telling her about my proper church, she told me about the church she went to in North Augusta; True North Church. The part that first got me was "you don't have to wear fancy clothes," and "there's this awesome rock band!" So when she invited me to tag along with her family, I was all for it. But when I went to my parents and told them about it they were like, "No, you have to dress properly, you're in God's house and you need to respect Him!" LSo even though I didn't have to wear nice clothes, my parents made me.L
So the clothes were a downer, but when I got there, I was surprised at what it was like. It wasn't even in a real church building. They set up at North Augusta high school. (They recently bought land and groundbreaking is going to be soon, YAY!) There are tables outside laden with warm, _fresh out of the oven chocolate chip cookies, _goldfish, coffee, and the occasional box of Krispy Cream Doughnuts. J They did their lessons in little series, and according to each series they would hand out little brochures that you could take home and had neat little fill-in the blank notes. I think the rock band was one of my favorite parts. We sat in the front row, feet away from blaring speakers that blasted out awesome music, that no matter how loud you sang or how loud you screamed, you couldn't be overheard by three electric guitarist, and barefoot keyboardist. I came back from the service feeling enlightened and happy, and pumped up about the church service. And I kept going with the Miller family.
I love the Miller family. I grew up as an only child, and to be locked in van with four fighting and screaming kids, one in middle school, and the others in Elementary school, with a baring stereo (to which everyone sang screamed along to, and two parents yelling at all of us to stop screaming; was a cool and exciting change for my quiet and normal family.
I started going to church every Sunday. (My parents still made me wear kakis.) L
**Warren Baptist Church, Youth Group at Merge.**
After a while, Reagan asked me if I wanted to go to another church's (Warren Baptist) youth group with her on Wednesday night. I didn't want to at first, but eventually, I said yes.
Overtime, I started learning more and more about God. I started understanding what His word meant, and how much He loves me.
Then one day at Merge, instead of breaking up into our small groups and studying, a gentleman named Coach Mallan Turner came to give us presentation. But before that, the Youth Leaders put on a play. And the play was this: some people were dressed up as demons, one as the devil, one as God and one as Jesus, and it was court battle over people who had died, and were encountering their Judgment Hour. (When God decides whether or not to send you to Heaven or Hell.) God was the Judge, Jesus was the defender, and Satan was the prosecutor. And several times Satan won, when the persons' sins were not covered in Jesus's blood, but when the dead person's sins _were_ covered in Jesus's blood, they were saved and sent to Heaven!
This scared the crap out of me, because at that very moment, I realized that I did not love God with my entire heart. If I were to die at that very moment; I would be in Hell. Then Coach Mallan Turner did a little sermon about confessing our faith, and he said for all of us to hold hands and pray. Then he started praying and told us to squeeze the people's hands next to us if we needed to confess our faith. And I haven't mentioned this yet, but I'm an emotional train wreck, I'll burst into tears if I get a bad grade on a math test, so of course I start crying my eyes out. Not because I was sad, but because I was ecstatic with God's love inside me! And a little scared of the people beside me knowing I wasn't faithful yet. I happened to be holding Reagan's hand, and one of the people was one of the Youth Pastors, Mrs. Casey Mary. As soon as I squeezed her hand, she covered my hand with hers, and came with me to the front when I confessed my faith to God. And on March 25, 2012, became my new spiritual birthday
Afterwards (while I'm still crying my eyes out and my friends are trying to make me stop by rubbing their hands over my eyeballs) she walks up to me and she's so excited and she starts talking about how we might be neighbors in Heaven one day. Has anyone ever talked to you like that? Just gone up to you and started talking about the wonders of Heaven and what God promised to do for us, and how much He really loves us? Now, that new spiritual birthday means more to me than my actual one on which I was born, December 28, 1998.
I could stretch out this three page document into hundreds of pages describing everything I felt and feel right now, and how great my love for God is, this barely has any detail at all what-so-ever, but instead I'm going to cram a few short sentences in this, and hope you just get a sprinkling of what God's love has done for me. And I'm not saying that the church I had gone to before was bad, it just didn't 'click' for me, and True North and Warren Baptist did! Every person has their own 'click', just like one girl or guy can think someone else if absolutely gorgeous, or puke ugly. And if you don't have yours, I hope that you find it soon! I also hope that you love Him as much as I do! I cannot possibly describe in words how much God loves you and me; I can only say that you cannot experience His love if you don't let Him enter your heart.
And I'll pray for each and every one of you that you do soon.
JESUS LOVES YOU! :)
~MAB:)
End file.
| How I Got Saved by writernerd | Z for Zachariah |
Trusting You
**Hello people!**
**I saw that here are barely any fan fics and I thought that I could make an One Shot here, since I absolutely loved the movie! :D**
**It's Joey (Zoey/Jackson) of course and has something to do with a movie scene!**
**Well, the dialouges won't be completely correct, since I want to change the scene :D**
**I hope you guys enjoyed my little One Shot and leave reviews! :)**
**If you want to read more of me, get a look at the I didn't do It section! :D**
**I would love it if you check my stories there out and leave a review! :)**
**Love you guys xxxxx**
* * *
**Summary:**
**What if after Zoey gave Jackson the command to kiss her the scene would've ended different and Zoey would've tried to get Jackson to stay? What would have happened?**
* * *
**Outside of school**
**Zoey's POV:**
''Then just kiss me!'' I exclaimed.
The obeying voice from my phone came again and Jackson suddenly looked shocked at me.
Then he leaned in and gave me a kiss at the corner of my mouth, but still on my cheek.
Oh my god. That really-
''Why did you just do that?'' I asked shocked even though I already knew the answer.
Jackson looked as shocked as me and stuttered, ''I-I- don't know.''
I really liked the kiss , but I really didn't want it to happen like that!
Jackson was right. I really was screwing up everything!
''I- I- '' Jackson started and swallowed. ''I think it's better, if we don't see each other for some time.''
My eyes went wide at that and Jackson already wanted to turn around.
''No Jackson! Wait!'' I cried.
I didn't know what else to say.
I wanted to apologize. I felt horrible. Even for Taylor a bit, but I couldn't.
Why was this all so freaking complicated for me.
Jackson looked confused at me and I realized that I hadn't said anything more.
''What?'' Jackson now asked and took the last step to me again.
That was a pretty good question, but I seriously had no answer to that.
''Can't we just talk about this?'' I asked him pleading.
I didn't want to loose Jackson.
I knew that I made a huge mistake, but Jackson was the only thing that actually worked a bit I thought.
After I manipulated all boys for my liking. I was such a horrible person.
''I don't think that there is anything to talk at the moment.'' Jackson replied.
He wanted to turn around again and I looked desperate.
''Yes, there is. Jackson, I am sorry!'' I exclaimed honest.
He just had to believe me. At least I hoped so.
I didn't also want to loose my crush, because of what happened.
Jackson meant a huge lot to me and this would be so horrible.
Jackson raised an eyebrow at me and then asked, ''How am I supposed to know that you really mean it? I don't have the feeling that I know anything about you.''
Ouch. That most definitely really hurt.
**Jackson's POV:**
I raised an eyebrow at her and then asked, ''How am I supposed to know that you really mean it? I don't have the feeling that I know anything about you.''
I wished that I knew more about her and that I could understand what she did, but it all didn't make any sense anymore.
Why did Zoey act like Taylor just minutes ago?
''I know that it's hard to believe me right now, but please let me t-''
''Why didn't you talk to Taylor instead of manipulating her?'' I asked now.
Not that I wanted to defend Taylor. I knew that she was a horrible person.
But this time it was Zoey, the girl I liked who did the mistake and she didn't act any better than Taylor.
Zoey looked down at that and didn't reply.
I hated it to see her like that, but I didn't know what to do with all of this.
Why did she do that?
''Do you know what hurts the most at all of this?'' I asked her.
At this she looked confused up and I sighed.
''You are an amazing dancer and I know that you can make so much more out of this, but you can't stand up for Taylor even though I know that you're better than her. You know that.'' I added.
She looked shocked at me and I looked honest back.
I meant every single word of what I said and she should be also able to see that.
''You think that I am better than her?'' Zoey asked me.
I shrugged at that and sighed.
''I thought that. Well, you're better in dancing but what you just did inside there was unbelievable.'' I told her.
I really just wanted to walk away and have some time to think.
Last time I came together with a girl it went horrible wrong and I still didn't get how I just kissed Zoey.
Not that I didn't want to kiss her, but that certainly did not fit in that moment.
I sighed and shook my head.
''I really thought wrong of you like it seems. I better go now.'' I stated.
It hurt to say that, but it was true.
I turned around again and wanted to leave.
But this time Zoey grabbed my arm and spun me around and kissed me on the mouth.
My eyes went wide, but I kissed back automatically.
I was longing for that kiss and now it happened.
Even though normally the boys did something like this, but I really didn't care.
My body was on fire from the kiss and as we broke apart I looked shocked at Zoey.
''I really am sorry. I do mean it and if I could I would turn all of this back, Jackson. I don't want to loose you.'' Zoey told me.
I looked a bit shocked at her and sighed. I knew that I couldn't be mad at her.
''You promise to fix this?'' I asked her.
Zoey nodded eagerly at that and I sighed again.
I knew that I would give in at the end now. After that kiss I couldn't do anything else.
''You know that those kissing things are actually meant to be by boys?'' I added.
Zoey laughed at that and shrugged.
''Well, I guess I did learn something from living with boys. Sometimes girls have to make the move and even girls have mistakes.'' Zoey replied.
I chuckled at that, too and nodded.
''I'll try my best to fix this, but you ahve to trust in me and forgive me.'' Zoey added.
I looked at her, but then nodded again.
''Okay, I trust in you and I forgive you, but you better fixt this quick. I know how horrible Taylor is, but nobody deserves that.'' I told her.
Zoey looked down and nodded.
''I know.'' She replied.
I chuckled and shook my head.
''But I'm going to help you to fix this.'' I promised her.
I really would. I wanted to.
Zoey looked shocked at me, but then smiled as she saw my honest look.
''Well, then let's go.'' Zoey replied.
I nodded and then we walked away. Hopefully we could really fix this.
Well, but as long as Zoey and I did it together and found a really good plan other than manipulating Taylor it would work. Hopefully.
* * *
**That was my first Zapped One Shot! :D**
**I really hope that here are going to be more stories soon, but this is my first One Shot for it! :D**
**I know it was a bit out of the movie, but I told you! :D**
**Hope you guys enjoyed and please leave a review , if you did! :)**
**Kate**
End file.
| Trusting You by JarrettorForever | Zapped |
We Did It!
**Hello everybody! :D**
**LoveYaAll aka Susan here! :D**
**Woah. Haven't posted something in a while :D**
**I watched Zapped yesterday and I had an idea for an One Shot that I really wanted to share with you! :D**
**It's Zoey/Adam siblings ship , but also slight Zoey/Jackson at the beginning :)**
**I really loved Zoey and Jackson together, but I also loved the siblings ship between those two and wanted to post this :D**
**It kinda plays after the competition and is more like a drabble :)**
**I hope you guys enjoy and leave a lot of reviews! :)**
**Love you so much xxxx**
* * *
**Summary:**
**After the competition and Jackson went away, Zoey has a short talk with Adam. How will the conversation go and about what will they all talk about?**
* * *
**At the gym hall**
**Zoey's POV:**
''Well, I can't wait for our date, but I really got to go. You know, hanging out with my chess mates. I promised them to come today.'' Jackson told me.
I grinned at him and replied, ''Don't worry, I'm fine. You go and have fun. I want to spend some time with my family anyway after you know...''
I honestly actually didn't even want to talk about the stupid app thing anymore.
I kinda was mad at myself for doing this, but I was glad that the others helped me.
Jackson nodded at that and kissed my cheek.
''Yes, I know. I see you tomorrow.'' He replied and with that walked out.
I blushed at that and then wanted to walk back to my mom as I saw Adam talking to that guy from college.
I smiled at that and waited for them to finish talking.
I really wanted to talk to Adam and thank him.
''Thanks, Mr. Thompson. I really can't believe that you want me in the college.'' Adam told him shocked.
Oh my god. Adam got it?!
Called Mr. Thompson smiled and replied, ''Of course. I only give stipendiums to choosen pupil, but you definitely deserve it. Well, but I got to go now. I'll send you further information per mail.''
With that the man walked away and Adam grinned wide.
I walked up to him and he looked to me.
''I DID IT!'' He cried.
''Yes , you did!'' I replied and hugged him tight.
Adam was a great guy and an even better brother. I was so happy for him.
''I can't believe that I really got a stipendium.'' Adam added.
I put my hands on my hips and then stated, ''Of course you did. You were awesome and not a bit doggy like.''
Adam laughed at that and smiled.
''Well, I'm glad that all of this is over and I see that I'm not the only one with success.'' He replied.
I blushed at that.
''I'm happy for you, Zoey and I'm glad that you are in our family.'' He added.
I smiled thankfully at him and then replied, ''I'm happy, too and I'm even more happy for you that you can live your basketball dream now.''
Adam smirked at that and then cried again, ''WE DID IT!''
I looked down and nodded at that as Adam put a hand on my shoulder.
''Hey, don't look like that. Everything is okay again and you have to stick up with me until I go to college , still. You don't have to be sad.'' He told me.
I looked at him with raised eyebrows and he smirked again.
I smiled and then said to him, ''Let's go to the others and celebrate.''
Adam nodded and then asked, ''Without any apps to train us?''
I nodded and grinned.
Then I replied, ''Without any apps. I'm never going to use something like that ever again.''
* * *
**That was my drabble for you guys and for the movie! :)**
**I know it was not my best one and short, but it's a drabble after all! :)**
**Did you guys like it? I hope so! :)**
End file.
| We Did It! by LoveYaAll | Zapped |
The Real First Date
_**Warning: This One Shot has not been beta- read. My betas weren't online today and I really wanted to post it :D**_
* * *
**Hay guys! :D**
**I already said it at my life journal that I will make One Shots at the space for my finished I didn't do it stories and now it comes :)**
**The fouth One Shot is for Zapped and the pairing it is Zoey/Jackson pairing :D**
**I so loved the movie and just had to write this already after I asked in a mail at fan fiction net to put the section in :)**
**That also means that it is the first story at this section! YAY! :D**
**I hope you guys enjoy it and don't forget to leave a review! :D**
**I'M SO HAPPY! My sister was in Venice with her class and bought me an 'Anna' (Frozen) Doll from there! Italy has like the best dolls and I'm squealing! :D**
**If you want to see what I have all in store for you get a look at my profile under 'IMPORTANT!' :)**
**MAY I just say that Jackson aka Spencer Boldman is absolutely hot? :D**
**What did you think about the movie and Spencer and Zendaya? :)**
**Love you guys as always xx**
* * *
**Summary:**
**After all the trouble after the competition, Zoey and Jackson finally have their first date without any apps or anything. How will it go?**
* * *
**At the Steven's house**
**Zoey's POV:**
''Zoey! Your boyfriend is here!'' Ben cried from downstairs.
I just finished up my mascara and looked nervously around.
Oh my god. Jackson was there and the boys were already embarassing me.
Okay, I shouldn't think like this.
I've already learned my lesson and that was why I didn't have a smart phone anymore.
Just take a deep breath Zoey.
I took another deep breath and then walked out, almost walking in to Adam.
''Hey, only because you have a date with your boyfriend doesn't mean that you have to not see your brothers.'' He said to me chuckling.
I rolled my eyes at that.
''First of all: Jackson is not my boyfriend yet and second of all, how could I not see you?'' I replied.
Adam chuckled at that and I chuckled, too.
I really loved my brothers now, but I still had the strongest bond with Adam.
He smiled at me and then told me, ''Good luck with your date and if he disobeys you...''
''I call you, I know.'' I said to him and smiled at him.
Adam nodded and I walked downstairs.
Jackson was waiting at the stairs, looking great as usual.
He smiled at me as he saw me in my dress.
''Hey Zoey. You look great.'' He greeted me.
I blushed at that and smiled.
''Thanks you look really handsome.'' I replied.
We just stared at each other for a while until Ben cleared his throat.
''Don't you have a date to go on?'' He asked us.
At that Jackson and I both went red and I quickly completely walked up to him.
''Let's go.'' Jackson told me and I nodded.
Jackson and I started walking in silence, but it wasn't awkward.
Even though I really wanted this date to go great.
I hopelessly fell for Jackson to say at least.
''This is kinda weird.'' Jackson stated.
I looked confused at him as we walked to the diner place where we hang out for the first time.
We both thought that it was easier to start over there again.
''What do you mean?'' I asked him worried.
Jackson chuckled at that and looked at me.
''Well, you not using your phone and me, not knowing what to say.''He replied.
I looked a bit shocked at him and he laughed.
''Hey! That wasn't funny!'' I exclaimed, punching his shoulder.
Jackson just laughed at that and shook his head.
''Yes, it was.'' He replied.
I blushed a bit at that and said, ''Okay, maybe a little bit.''
We both sat down and after the waiter took our orders we just started talking.
''So... How's the dancing going? Practicing for the finals?'' Jackson asked me.
I laughed at that.
''Seriously? You were at every practice since we started.'' I stated.
Jackson shook his head and chuckled along.
''Sorry. I just didn't know where to start here with us two, being on a real date and so. I mean after all I'm still a boy.'' He replied.
**Jackson's POV:**
''Sorry. I just didn't know where to start here with us two, being on a real date and so. I mean after all I'm still a boy.'' I replied.
I really was a bit weird at this date, but I really meant it.
Even though I knew that Zoey and I both learned our lessons and I probably should be more chill with this.
Zoey chuckled, taking my hand and then told me, ''And I wouldn't want to have it any other way.''
I smiled at that at her and Zoey looked down.
''It's funny that we talk less now that you don't have your phone with you you know.'' I added.
Zoey looked at me in disbelief and I chuckled.
''You just can't stop, can you?'' She asked me.
I chuckled and shook my head.
''Sorry. I stop now. I'm not here to make you feel bad. We're on a date after all.'' I replied.
Zoey nodded at that and looked down.
''Yeah, a date.'' She said.
I smiled and took her hands.
''Hey, it's going good. No crazy phones or apps and no dogs. Well, if you don't count me.'' I told her.
Zoey looked in disbelief at me and I chuckled again.
''Okay, sorry. That really was the last one.'' I added.
Zoey rolled her eyes just as our food came and I smiled, squeezing her hand.
''Unless you want me to do something else. I mean , now that we are on a date and you-''
''Just don't say it, okay? Nothing with obeying please.'' Zoey said to me.
I nodded at that and we started eating.
It was pretty fun also the rest of the date.
Besides of some jokes from me that Zoey more or less laughed about we also talked about serious things.
I really was head over heels for that girl.
We kinda forgot the time and as we stood up to go (sadly) I realized how late it was.
''Oh crap. Your dad and your brothers are probably going to kill me.'' I said.
Zoey chuckled at that and then replied, ''Not if I use my app on them.''
I looked shocked at her and she laughed and punched my shoulder.
''Let's go.'' She added and I nodded.
Before we walked out of the door, I stopped.
''Wait.'' I said and put off my jackett.
Then I put it around Zoey's shoulders and she blushed.
''I don't want you to get cold.'' I told her.
Zoey blushed at that and we started walking to her house in silence.
At some point I took her hand what made her blush again .
She looked so cute when she blushed.
I chuckled and we walked hand in hand to her house.
As we arrived there Zoey turned around to me.
She wanted to give me back my jackett, but I told her, ''Keep it. A boy should give a girl something for the first date.''
Zoey raised an eyebrow at me and then asked, ''You just made that up, didn't you?''
I laughed at that and nodded.
''Totally.'' I replied.
Zoey rolled her eyes at that and I smiled at her.
Then she looked down at her hands and said , ''Well, this was nice.''
I nodded and took the last step to her.
Zoey looked confused up to me and I then replied, ''It was more than just nice and I hope that we can do it again.''
Zoey looked a bit shocked at me, but then nodded.
That was the last straw for me to really lean down and kiss her.
Zoey immediately kissed back, while the jackett fall of her shoulders and her hands went around my neck.
Mine were around her waist.
As we broke apart after 30 seconds, foreheads resting at each other, I chuckled.
''Well, you better get that Jackett in the house and washed.'' I said to her.
Zoey rolled her eyes and then replied, ''I think it's okay, since it still smells like you.''
I raised an eyebrow at her and Zoey blushed.
I chuckled , pecked her lips one more time and then told her , ''I see you tomorrow.''
Zoey nodded and with that I walked away.
* * *
**I don't know. Was it good, bad, awful, awesome? :D**
**It was my first try on the movie and I just had to, because I so loved this movie :D**
**I hope you guys enjoyed my One Shot and don't forget to leave a review! :)
**
**Gabrie**
End file.
| The Real First Date by StoryToBeToldAsOne | Zapped |
Pack
PACK
AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER
Takes place during the scene where Taylor's commanding Zoey to act like a dog and shows the guys' thoughts as they break the app's spell. Belongs to Disney and the creators of the movie.
Adam was still doing the kick-line just as he had been commanded when he saw Zoey on the floor acting like a dog at Taylor's behest. _Oh heck no! Taylor's not getting away with this!_ he thought in annoyance and he wrenched away from the line, walked up to her, and then dropped to his knees, causing her to look at him in surprise.
"How did you-"
"I'm your brother. We stick together." With that, he began shaking, begging, and panting along with her. Hearing this, Ted's heart swelled in pride. _I'm so proud of him for sticking up for our girl_, he thought. Our girl. Zoey was his daughter and he wasn't going to stand for her being humiliated on her own like this. Determinedly, he scooted forward and then got in the same position as his children and copied them. Ben and Zach's eyes flashed angrily as they watched the scene. Their sister was in trouble. Well, they weren't going to leave her alone. _Hold on, Zoey! I'm coming!_ Ben thought. _I'm not letting her go through this alone. I've got her back_, Zach mused. Immediately, the two joined their family. Jackson watched the family for a few moments and felt his heart break. He couldn't believe Taylor was doing this. How could she be so cruel? _Ah, the heck with it_, he thought and headed for them. As he did so, he saw Adam move over, leaving a space for him right next to Zoey. He dropped to his knees and began imitating them, sharing a smile with the girl next to him. When Taylor started yelling at them to stop, saying that they were ruining everything and to get back, Jackson had to force down his laughter as he just started panting harder and made the sound playful at his ex-girlfriends' annoyance. And without even looking at them, he knew the others were doing the same thing. _This is actually kind of fun_, he thought and then smiled as the other girl finally asked why the phone wasn't working.
"Because everyone knows, you can **never** make a dog turn against its own pack," Zoey responded, sharing a look with her stepbrothers. Jackson smiled at the word. Pack. They were a pack. Yeah, that sounded good to him.
THE END
End file.
| Pack by Ghostwriter | Zapped |
Who puts a bubble machine inside a mountain?
_What, no-one else wondered what that bubble machine was doing there?_
_Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Therefore I don't own it._
* * *
"So," said the teacher, "What have you two got to show me?"
The two creatures looked at each other.
"Bubbles!" they said in unison.
The teacher blinked his as-of-yet unspecified mumber of eyes.
"What you do," said one, "Is you stand just _here_..." he pointed with one arm/paw/tentacle, "...And it makes a bubble and you float across to the other side.
"Through the maze!" said the other.
"And what happens if the bubbles burst?"
"Well, we've both ridden it and it worked."
"Though fat people might want to avoid it."
"Yeah."
The teacher sighed.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous this could be?"
One student let out a yelp as she was sucked down a whirlpool.
"What happens to people who go down the whirlpools?"
The two creatures looked at each other and shrugged.
"So, do we win?"
"I think I'll move onto the mirror machine."
"Aww!"
"Come on, sir!"
"And don't let anyone else ride in that... thing."
End file.
| Who puts a bubble machine inside a mountain? by Hiho | Zoombinis |
Wait For Me
**Title**: Wait For Me
**Characters/Pairings:** Elwood
**Rating**: PG-13
**Word Count:** 680
**Warnings**: None in particular.
**Disclaimer**: Standard disclaimers apply.
**Notes**: Written for the LJ comm writers-choice, #261 "Sorry"
* * *
It was silent on the hill, except for the whistling wind tugging at his clothes. The sun hid behind big gray clouds, as if to leave him alone for the moment. It cast a dim shadow over the barren land, where far and wide nothing was to be seen. Nothing except the grave he knelt in front. His sister's grave.
The earth beneath his palms was still dampish and loose, having been dug up only recently. It heightened the sense of unease and parting, as it was still fresh like the wound on his heart. He could not entirely wrap his mind around the fact that she was dead, although he had seen the gaping hole in her chest, the blood on the walls, had held her in his arms and told her he would find a way to save her. Although he already felt a bone-deep loneliness encompass him, weighing him down. (She was not there with him any longer, he was all alone.)
Her death had all been his fault, he knew and there was no way he could tell her how sorry he was for everything that had happened. If he had not joined Kinqro's gang for money, if he had just opted for a cleaner way to pay for her medication, maybe none of this would have happened. But it was already too late for ifs.
Had he been anyone else, he might have blamed his sister's heart disease for forcing him down the wrong path, might have been glad he was free of the obligation of caring for her. Had he been anyone other than John Elwood Shepherd, he might have.
But Elwood loved his sister. She had been the only family he had. His gentle and trusting older sister, not one to be discouraged or troubled by her disease even though she was weak. She had been the sunshine in his life, always cheerful even when she was in pain. Always believing in him until the bitter end. He had disgusted himself every time he had to lie to her about his job and where he got his money from. It had been all for her sake and there had been no need for her to know about the dirty means he earned it through.
He could put all of that behind him now. There was no sister he could care for anymore and Kinqro had been dealt with. (Gamma, a Powder Hunter he had just met that day, had seen to that.) Elwood was free now. And without a home to go back to.
The situation was not entirely hopeless though. There was Gamma. And there were the Rings of the Dead. If Elwood could gather twelve of them, he would be given Zombie Powder, a substance said to be able to resurrect the dead. Gamma seemed to have leads on their whereabouts, so Elwood would just follow him.
Those rings were his only source of hope now. With them he could bring his sister back to life. That goal helped him overlook the feeling of guilt and remorse clutching his insides. He wasn't conscious of the fact that by resurrecting his dead sister, he could erase that burdening knowledge of being responsible for her death. (A selfish reason.)
Whatever it was, he was brimming with determination and would not stray from his path. It was everything he had left to live for, he did not need any reason for doing what he had set his mind to.
Getting up from his knees, he put his woollen cap atop of her simple cross. It was his favorite, so he would come back to pick it up again. When Zombie Powder was in his possession.
Slowly the shadows over her grave retreated with the clouds in the sky, rays of sunlight spilling over Elwood's dark brown hair, as he spoke his temporary parting words. "I'm going now, sis. But just you wait. I'll definately bring you back, no matter what."
They could be a family again, but this time without heart failures and lies.
End file.
| Wait For Me by CrookedSpoon | Zombie Powder |
Flying True
Smooth and slow, he wiped at the small handgun as he watched Elwood. The sun had already started to rise in the sky, casting soft gray shadows along the bench where Smith rested. He worked with the cool efficiency of one who knew his weapon well and not just from admiring it from a distance.
Smith knew every crevice and curve of the killing machine. It was his partner in a way only Gamma could match and, even then, it could be far more trustworthy than the other man. But, it was Gamma's unpredictability that made him all the more intriguing to work with.
For example, the boy not too far away from where Smith sat. Elwood had never been in their plans. In fact, he was one of those blips that made traveling with Gamma exciting, even if more dangerous.
Elwood wasn't trained to fight like they had been and, with the way Gamma was holding back, he never would understand. That was what was going to end up being dangerous for the both of them. The small kindness that Gamma had offered to Elwood in bringing him with them was going to kill both of them if they weren't careful and, by not teaching Elwood, Gamma was being just that: Not careful.
Smith whistled the boy over, setting his gun down neatly on the bench and took the blade from Elwood's hands when he stepped cautiously.
"Try not to swing your elbow so much," Smith explained, shifting his grip and throwing the knife as an example, "It has a better chance of flying smoothly like that."
Just because Gamma wasn't careful didn't mean Smith couldn't be, after all.
End file.
| Flying True by Shini-Kender | Zombie Powder |
Just Around the Corner
"Up and at them!" Wolfina exclaimed to herself, patting off her hands before she reached up to pull her hair into the ponytail that was a familiar spark of brown on the streets of her precious city and the terror of many a villain.
She was in better spirits than she'd ever been, at least ever since her brother had gone into his coma. But, now, there was freedom. That tiny flickering bit of hope that was growing every day since Gamma had given her the key.
"Morning, Emilio," she paused, leaning over to kiss his blank face. He didn't move, but the promise that he would soon was enough of a cheer for her. "Guess what I'm going to do this morning, hmm?"
He didn't answer, staring blankly forward as he always had since that fateful day. But, she knew he was guessing, somewhere deep inside.
"Can't figure it out, huh? I'm cooking a special meal just for all of them!" Wolfina smiled, shifting to tie on her boots. She could feel his weighted gaze on her back as she rose, heading for the door.
"And, someday, Emilio, I'm gonna make it for you."
End file.
| Just Around the Corner by Shini-Kender | Zombie Powder |
After Story
It's been ten years since Gamma and Smith split off from Elwood and Wolfina. It took Elwood about three years to gather all the rings of the dead he needed to bring his sister back to life. During that time Wolfina found that she was growing attached to Elwood in more ways than one. After dating for several years they got married. It was a day both of them would cherish forever. Even Gamma and Smith showed up, and despite Smith beating him at poker 10 times in a row they all had fun. Wolfina got pregnant about 2 years later and gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The girl was named Rose after her mother's favorite flower, and the boy was named Gamma, after the man who changed his father's life. They named Angelle and Gamma as the godparents. As the family huddles together the new parents can only silently thank the Gamma for everything he did for this to happen.
**I know this is short, but I just thought it up. Feel free to review ^_^**
End file.
| After Story by Kenpachi17 | Zombie Powder |
Craving Clean Senses
Disclaimer: If I owned Zombie Powder, there would be waaaay more guys without their shirts off.
* * *
It was always Angelle's fault.
If Angelle hadn't made that stupid comment, Wolfina would not have cared about the matter one wit. She'd never have thought, bothered or dreamed about it, she wouldn't have cared because she wouldn't be knowing what she was missing.
Not that she was missing anything.
She grumbled, switching to lie on her left side, and stifled a gasp as she felt her spleen move over 5 inches. She could take the pain, she had always taken the pain, but this was much worse. Long silver hair flew past her memory, leaving her with another ache inside her body, this one not surgically relevant.
_'God, have you ever noticed the way he smells?' Angelle asked, eyes shining, hands clasped, yet speaking to no one in particular. The maids--none of whom Wolfina had bothered to remember the names of, were watching the television diligently, each one having their month's salary wagered on a horse that was leading a close second._
_'Huh?' Wolfina had responded, quietly and to herself, mostly in wonder how such a small stupid child could be so infatuated with someone like Gamma, rather than some second rate pop star._
_Curly blonde hair slapped Wolfina across her face, but before she could make any crass comment on Angelle's dandruff problem, a pout and a shrill voice beat her to it._
_'How could anyone like _you _understand? Gamma is _waaaaay _out of your league, so don't even think about stealing my boyfriend biatch.' Wolfina swallowed her growl and dove into her bowl of cereal, the only thing she was allowed to eat, ever. She ground her teeth harshly, turning the wet cereal into a sugary cement, milk leaking through her teeth and down her throat. Who the hell cared what Akutabi Gamma _smelled_ like anyway?_
This is what she had honestly thought at the time.
Time. Time had passed. A long time had passed. Things change over time; Wolfina had known this all too well with the case of Emilio. And though change was usually welcome, it was not always a good thing.
Peanuts. She'd decided. Akutabi Gamma smelled like peanuts. Nutty and salty, and fitting any time through the seasons. She clenched her eyes shut tightly, yellow and black flashing across her eyelids, but it didn't stop the image of one SO class criminal from lying across them, sleeping and frowning on the rooftop. His hair had looked so smooth, she remembered, and even then he had smelled like peanuts.
The sound of the lightbulb humming interrupted her thoughts. She looked up and stared at the light weakly, noticing that it swayed slightly back and forth, back and forth...
She wondered if they'd found any more rings. She wondered if they'd been hurt along the way. She wondered if they were having the best time of their lives.
She wondered if he wondered about the way she smelled.
She turned her head back, to rest on her pillow and breathed in deeply the smell of her unwashed hair and face oil. She smelled like, like a dead flower under the porch of a house. She smelled like an old dorm room from the generation before the previous generation. She smelled like, like...
She _smelled _like _crap_.
She let out an awful squeal of anger and indignation. Frustration squeezed through her throat and out came the moan she'd been longing to release, and was finally liberated in one long call of hygienic mourning. Tears seeped bitterly from her seldom used eyes, and she with held breathing for as long as she could stand, not wanting the embarrassment of hearing the sniffle that would surely sound. Through her cry of anguish, she heard a distant, "Shut up!" that no doubt came from the blonde helper that fancied herself a dictator.
Wolfina gave one last shout of defiance, and then slumped down even further, her breasts giving out a sigh she would not regain, drooping into the mattress as the last straw, her final release.
Her face was hot and sweaty from her wet breath, but she didn't remove it from the pillow. She didn't feel it.
Instead she felt the wind blowing his hair closer to her, so close she could barely move a finger in order to grasp it. Wolfina inhaled, and smelled peanuts.
And for once, she was grateful to the midget fairy.
* * *
A/N: I thought I should contribute to this poor little besotted section of fanfiction. I guess Zombie Powder isn't as worshipped as it should be. (I mean come on, the main character looks like Grimmjow and Sephiroth!! How can that _not_ sell??)
Innywho, if you like it let me know, and if not...whatever. I happen to really like Wolfina, I think she's an amazing character, and so much fun to work with.
Gamma is just too damn sexy. S'later y'all.
End file.
| Craving Clean Senses by Freaking Cage | Zombie Powder |
Gullible Wolfina
**Gullible Wolfina**
**By: Klutzilla01**
Klutz: Hello everyone! Klutz here and ready to write again!
Sasu: Again, WHY AM I HERE!?!?!?!
Klutz: Well, you're always there when I start a new story. And Orochimaru owes me money. Stupid...snake-loving...pedophile...gaywad ...2nd Michael Jackson wannabe...-mumbles off-
Sasu: -sweatdrops-
El: Hello everybody!
Wolf: Yay! I'm here too!
Em: -Z, Z, Z, Z-
Klutz: Now that the party is here, Look and behold the title!!!
Wolf: YAHOO! It's a story about me!!
El: Will I be in it too?
Klutz: Yup! Of course!
Bal: I AM THE ALMIGHTY MYS- -POW!-
Anglee: YOU OW ME MONEY!!! -punches Balmunk-
El: I would REALLY hate to be Balmunk right now...
Wolf: True that.
Sasu: Can I go now???
Klutz: NO! I don't own Zombie-Powder!! Bye!!
Elwood: ENJOY!!!
( Wolf: Too cute!-hugs El-)
"Aren't you gonna give me a reunion kiss, Gamma?" When Anglee Said that, Wolfina knew Gamma wouldn't do it. She was a kid after all.
"I told you I will kiss you when you're 16 years old." That's when Wolfina started panicking. What? Does that mean... No, he couldn't mean... HE was dating her!? Or had the hots for that little girl...did he? Holy crap was he a pedophile!? "Hey El?" Wolfina whispered to the young boy next to her. "Oh she? Well, she said she and Gamma are lovers-!" Be fore he even got to finish anything, Wolfina pulled him into a tight. Grip.
"Gamma...You're...a... PEDOPHILE!?" She yelled pointing an accusing finger at him. "What?" He asked definitely confused with her sudden yell. "Elwood told me that you are that little girls lover!!" She hissed angrily. "Uh," Anglee cut him off by saying, "Of **course **we are! He loves me and I love him!!" She said snuggling close to him. Wolfina gasped. No, it was to late. "Pedophile!!!" She yelled making Elwood look disappointedly at Gamma. "Wait, I'm not a pedophile!"
"Pedophile!!!!" C. T Smith looked at Gamma with a shocked look. "To think, my partner could have been targeting Elwood ...Poor boy..." He muttered. "No, not you too Smith!" Gamma said alarmingly at the banker. "Does this mean... I could've been raped!?" Elwood asked alarmingly as he hugged Wolfina tightly. "Holy crap, I've been traveling with a pedophile all this time???" Wolfina started growling. "How dare you trick us, Pedo!" she growled. "Trick you? I'm not a pedophile! Tell them Smith!" Gamma roared.
"I'm sorry Gamma, but I'm not to sure myself." Smith smirked, obviously enjoying Gamma's situation. "Smith, I hate you..." Smith only shrugged at Gamma and sighed. "I love you too, partner." He said with a smile on his face.
"Look, I am **not **a pedophile!" Gamma stated with a serious tone. Wolfina took out her camera-thingy and aimed at Gamma's head. "O-Okay now Wolfina, I-I think you're being to over-dramatic about this-
"PEDOPHILE!!!" She yelled as she shot the whatever it's called at his head. Lucky for him, he dodged... Now only if we could say he did it again. "Hah you miss-OOF!" He yelled as the whatever-it's-called (W.i.C) hit him in the head.
He quickly got up and started growling. "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT YOU ASS!" He yelled at her only to earn a knife graze his cheek. "What the heck El-wood?" He looked as Elwood was shakily throwing knives at him. He looked at Smith who was forcing him to do this. "Now Elwood, Make sure you aim at him and not anyone else. That's my secret okay?" He said as he pointed the gun to Elwood's head. Elwood nodded as he started throwing more knives at Gamma. "Smith!? What did I do!?"
Gamma dodged another one of Wolfina 's attacks as he started running from building to building. All the while trying to avoid, bullets, Wolfina 's W. I. C's, Elwood 's knives, and trying to keep Anglee safe. Okay, you CANNOT tell me you don't feel sorry for him... Okay maybe you can but that ain't the point.
It all ended when Elwood got tired and asked Wolfina to make dinner. Of course, Wolfina was able to say yes and start making dinner while Smith and Gamma mysteriously disappeared. Weird... Anglee tasted Wolfina 's cooking and fell in love with it. Thus ending the day and restarting it tomorrow for today they were all just too busy.
Klutz: Now I'm satisfied!
Sasu: Yeah...
El: Please review!
Wolf: GAMMA'S A PEDOPHILE!!!
Gam: AM NOT!
Smith: We say good-bye to you all! (:-)
End file.
| Gullible Wolfina by Klutzilla01 | Zombie Powder |
Bounty
_Disclaimer: I don't own Zombiepowder, Tite Kubo does._
**Bounty**
Well, it had finally happened, Elwood thought distantly as he stared at the piece of paper in his hand.
It was kind of anti-climatic, actually. After all, of all the things he'd gotten caught up in, _that _was the one that got him a price on his head?
He resumed staring at the wanted poster he was holding as he sank lower in the chair he was sitting in before he glanced around to make sure that Gamma and Smith hadn't come back while he'd been distracted.
Nope, the hotel room was still empty aside from himself, the two beds, the couch, and the dining table with three chairs around it. He didn't know whether that was a good thing or not...
Looking back at the wanted poster which boasted a three-quarters picture of his face and his name in large letters, he decided that it was a good thing, because that meant he had time to destroy the dang thing!
"And it isn't even a _good_ picture either..." Elwood grumbled as he glanced down at the amount printed under his name and right beside his new rank and made a face.
_E0. Bounty: 400 Niit_.
And wasn't that just a rip-off if he'd ever seen one?
The thirteen year-old flushed, his face turning bright red, as he remembered where the picture had been taken and exactly why there was now a price on his head and found himself glad that Gamma probably hadn't seen one of the posters yet.
He exerted a force of will that he hadn't even known he possessed and tore his eyes away from the poster, scowling as he promptly began tearing it to shreds. He didn't want to take a chance on any bit of the paper being recognizable.
Elwood had just finished shredding the wanted poster when the hotel room door opened and Gamma Akutabi, the Black-Armed Death God, walked in, followed by his partner C.T. Smith.
The ashen-haired man stopped for a moment, blinking when he saw the bits of paper littered around Elwood's chair, and that's when the preteen noticed that Gamma himself was holding another piece of paper.
"Hey, Elwood, look what I found!" There was a grin on Gamma's face that told Elwood that whatever was on the paper that the older man was holding out to him was about to seriously embarrass him...and the fact that Smith was hiding his grin behind his hand wasn't helping!
With a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach, Elwood stood up, walked over, and took the paper. One look at what he now held and he wanted to crawl under a rock and die.
Because, there in his hand, was an exact copy of the poster that he had just got done tearing up, lousy picture and everything.
Feeling like he wanted to pass out, Elwood looked up at the smirking Gamma and Smith and hesitantly asked, "So what? It's not even that much..."
Gamma's grin widened, and the thirteen year-old swallowed nervously as the older man opened his mouth, "Yeah, and I want to know what you did to earn such a low bounty!" Behind Gamma, Smith was nodding in agreement, obviously amused by what was going on.
Elwood took a small step back as he stammered out, "No, it's really not that big of a deal, and it's a really boring story! You wouldn't want to know about it..." He trailed off when both his partners started nodding and advancing, and he did the only thing he could think of: he bolted.
Darting around the room and evading Gamma's lunge, he made tracks for the door, half-hoping he would make it and get to lay low for a few days until Gamma forgot about the stupid poster.
Unfortunately for the preteen, Smith was between him and the door, and trying to figure out a way around the gunman meant that the swordsman chasing him had time to tackle him to the floor. And then Gamma exploited one of his most closely guarded secrets: the ticklish spot on the side of stomach.
Ten minutes of extended tickling, and Elwood finally cried out, "Mercy! Mercy already! I'll tell you!" Tears of laughter had made tracks down his face, and he could barely breathe enough to choke the words out, but Gamma was apparently in a good enough mood to spare him anymore humiliation.
Lying spread-eagle on the floor and gasping for breath, his chest heaving as he fought to fill his lungs with air, Elwood managed to muster the strength to glare over at where the ashen-haired man now stood smirking, and where Smith was sitting at the table and watching the proceedings with the unmistakable glint of mirth in his eyes.
Managing to regain his breath and pausing to gather the shattered remains of his dignity off the floor, Elwood pushed himself to his feet and stumbled over to one of the empty chairs at the table, sinking gratefully into it as he paused to gather his thoughts. Still glaring over at Gamma, who had joined the two in sitting at the table, the knife-thrower sighed as he wearily started, "It started when you two went to Felridge and you sent me to Irongrudge to look into that Ring rumor..."
**Author's Note: Sorry if this isn't very good, I just had the urge to write this drabble, and this is my first time writing a Zombiepowder fic, so please go easy on me! Please R&R and tell me what you think! Constructive criticism is welcome!**
End file.
| Bounty by general zargon | Zombie Powder |
1. Chapter 1
Author's Note: Hiya! This is the first fanfic for ZP. I've written Heroes stories. So, please reveiw! Btw, this is rated for slash of Elwood/Gamma and is not a oneshot. No flames on the relationship, I find slashes challenging and fun to write, and Smith/Gamma didn't seem like fun because Smith has a mysterious personality when he's serious. I'm also just guessing Gamma's age and if it isn't right, oh well.
The sun shone brightly upon the gravelled road, the two figures walking along it. A silver coat fluttered in the wind, a monarch butterfly of an elegant black drawn on the back. The other wore a chocolate brown suit and a hat to match, resembling a banker easily. From behind, it was obvious that he was wearing large glasses. Honey blonde hair gave off a cozy warmth in the weather. The suitcase swayed with each step, giving off a small noise as it gently moved. Ashen hair had blown back with the coat and finally, a husky sigh had broken the silence.
"Smith, should we have left him?" Gamma asked, lips slightly parted in his pondering moment. "I mean, what if Elwood dies?"
"He would've died anyway, Gamma, if he hadn't stopped to train seriously," Smith replied, his voice deep and clipped. Gamma gave a sideways glance to Smith, his brows furrowing. Pale skin felt like it was burning. Smith cocked his head and let out a sigh of his own, a braced frown curving upon his lips.
"If he comes," Smith decided to compromise with Gamma, wanting to make this trip as easy as possible, "and he catches up to us, he can stay." Gamma let a small smile grace his lips but Smith knew everything wasn't perfect. Something had perplexed him. Why did Gamma seem so attatched to Elwood? They couldn't have grown friends so easily, Elwood was 13 and Gamma was about 22. Smith's head turned forward again, another sigh echoing through the gentle breeze of the summer day. They were approaching a town and they both saw the bounty hunters awaiting their first move.
"Smith," Gamma called out noisily, "We've been expected."
"Of course we have," Smith's cheerfullness had returned, his breifcase snapping open. In a quick flash of brown, the gleaming silver pistol was retrieved. The tip of the hybrid chainsaw/sword had lanced into the ground, both taking an intimidating stance. Smith's heel dug into the terra firma and he lept into the air, gunshots ringing around as the bodies fell in such quickness. Gamma advanced forward to the next wave, his blade waving and shoving through the crowd of attempting fighters. Smith had landed and deftly backflipped once, coming back to back with Gamma. They both struck their poses again, a shot ringing out. Smith ducked forward, the bullet grazing his neck. One man stood with a bold sneer, his gun smoking. He quickly aimed it at Gamma and prepared to shoot, his finger pulling the trigger.
The soaring knife caught the sunlight in glorious triumph before lunging forward into the assassin's skull, the target reached. Gamma and Smith quickly spun around to find the shadowed figure standing on the rooftop, the blazing light acting as a makeshift halo for their savior. He wore a blue and red jacket with matching pants. Raven black hair was unruly at the slightest, blowing in the breeze. Eyes narrowed as a smirk graced his lips. Gamma gaped openly as Smith stood, his brows knitting together in disbelief.
Elwood.
xOx
The trio was reunited. Elwood had trained for a month and then came after Gamma and Smith. He was much better, he stood a chance against Smith and Gamma. Now he wasn't a Flunky, he was an Apprentice, and he would soon be a full on Teammate. Gamma was in an unusually good mood, a smile never leaving his face. They were in search of the rings as it started, all of them together.
"So," Elwood finally said, "Where do we go to sleep?" Night was falling. Gamma's smile finally faded. He searched around and creened his neck to see up ahead. A small town would have a hotel. They all began to hurry there.
Gamma walked in first, walking up to the woman at the front desk. She gave him a pasted smile, turning her head slightly.
"How may I help you?" The cheery voice sounded like it was forced. Elwood held back laughter.
"We'd like three rooms, please," Smith sauntered forward, a pasted smile of his own on. Elwood's amusement could not be held. He openly sniggered and managed to fake it into a cough. Gamma gave him a small grin.
"I'm sorry, this place is packed. We only have one room left..." Her uncaring voice was met with a sense of amusement.
"One room then," Smith's choked reply came, followed by a small chuckle. The woman perked a brow and then shook her head, handing him the key. They all walked down the hallway to the last room. They walked inside and found 2 beds and a bookshelf. A coffee maker was unplugged on a table that was unnaturally clean. The three gazed around.
"I call a bed," Smith chirped, placing his breifcase on one. Gamma slammed his sword case on the other. Elwood let out a small sigh and began to gather sheets and a pillow for the floor. Gamma watched him with a small sense of pity before groaning in exasperation.
"Sleep with me, er..." Gamma's eye lightly twitched. "You sleep under both the sheet and the blanket, and I'll just sleep on top of the sheet underneath the blanket." Elwood chuckled.
"'Kay, Gamma. Thanks," he said softly, he placed out stuff for tomorrow and all three lay in their beds. Elwood didn't feel that uncomfortable at all, he just blocked out Gamma. But Gamma, he smiled to himself and felt just right. If only they had both slept underneath the sheets.
2. Chapter 2
Author's Note: I am so shocked that someone reveiwed this story. I was waiting for one and stuff and now I'll finish it all by the power of that single reveiw. If you want chapters to come out quicker, you people better click that button and add to my collection.
Gamma woke up alone in the room. In the next room, water was running. He stood, balencing uneasily on legs that needed to stretch. His arms rose above his head as he yawned. The automailed warrior saw the note upon Smith's bed. Written in a scrawl, Gamma took a while to interpret it.
"Dear Gamma,
Went out to get info.
-Smith."
He nodded to himself and set the note down. Elwood must be taking a shower. Gamma sighed and looked around, wondering what to do. He found a journal on the small table that held up a lamp. Elwood's journal.
"July 24th, 2007
Dear Journal,
I met Wolfina's brother Emilio today. He seemed very nice and pretty skilled in fighting. We sparred a bit until Emilio was told about Wolfina's deal. I knew I had to leave soon to go find Gamma and Smith, so I asked him if he wanted to go. Emilio refused to leave until Wolfina was done with her surgery. I'm going to leave tomorrow.
-Elwood."
"August 5th, 2007
Dear Journal,
Finally found Gamma and Smith. Gamma and I had to sleep in the same bed and it got very awkward. So while he and Smith fell asleep in less than half an hour, I decided to write. Gamma seemed so much happier to see me. I've never noticed before how nice he is. I wonder if what I said earlier was true. Ever since we left, I've been forgetting sis more and more. All I've been able to think about is Gamma. I just wonder what it is though. Maybe I really do--"
"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Elwood growled lowly. Gamma looked over the book. He was only in pants, a shirt heald in his hand. The book fell. Elwood's face was a deep red, his fist clenching.
"Gamma, don't you dare even try to make an excuse. You jack ass, you looked in my journal!" Elwood seethed. Gamma averted his glare.
"Sorry," a low murmur hung in the air. Smith entered the room, smiling happily. The bright cheeriness faultered once he caught sight of the two: Elwood looking angry, Gamma looking ashamed. He shrugged and sat down on the bed.
"We'll stay here for 2 more days."
xOx
"Hello?" Smith answered the knock on the door. He opened it and Elwood stood there, a sheepish grin on his face.
"I forgot my key," Elwood walked in. Smith smirked some.
"Do you really love Gamma?" He asked nonchalantly, running a hand through his blonde hair. Elwood spun around, attempting to punch Smith. The fist was caught with ease.
"You read my journal.."
"Gamma did too. Too bad he didn't get any further than he did." Smith wagged a finger at Elwood. His grip softened as the teenager hung his head.
"You cannot tell him anything that's mentioned in this room."
"Fine," Smith chimed, wanting to hear the story.
"Yeah, I guess I do love him." Elwood murmured. "I mean, Gamma saved me so many times. I think it's wrong, if he ever found out, he'd probably never speak to me again." Smith merely nodded, though he knew the answer was the exact opposite. Both didn't notice the looming figure at the window, nor the ashen hair whipping out of sight.
xOx
Elwood walked out into the hallway, going to look for Gamma. He hadn't been around all day. He ignored the woman at the main desk and went outside. A charcoal black arm grasped him and tugging Elwood, sending him out of sight to all. Elwood was pinned to a wall by Gamma.
"Gamma, what the he--" Elwood's mouth was cut off by Gamma's roughly slamming into it. They broke apart and Gamma quirked a brow, a smile unlike his own growing upon his face. Elwood remembered what Smith had said. Gamma wasn't the same when he had someone he loved. He became weird.
"You know you liked it," A husky voice rang, Gamma's lips practicly touching Elwood's ear. Elwood grew stiff before a light blush came onto his face. The grin broadened as Gamma kissed Elwood again. It was different, more deep. Gamma's tongue travelled into his mouth and Elwood closed his eyes as Gamma's body pressed against his. Gamma grinded his hips against Elwood's, deepening the kiss. They broke apart again and Elwood fell from his pin firmly upon the ground. He stared up at Gamma.
"This isn't you," Elwood's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowed. Gamma leaned forward, gently kissing a spot on Elwood's jaw that made him moan in spite of himself.
"Now you wouldn't care, would you..?" Gamma replied with a smirk, merely raising a finger to his lips before he disappeared into the hotel.
3. Chapter 3
Author's Note: Hooray for my 2 reviews! I wish for more! Ignore the very short chapter.
The next morning, Elwood woke up and stretched. Gamma wasn't there. He got flashes of everything from last night: Gamma kissing him, holding him, and motioning him to stay quiet. He shook his head and walked outside. Gamma leaned against the wall, that familiar smirk in place. Elwood cautiously approached him. Gamma awaited with open arms, lifting Elwood up to start for another kiss. Elwood pushed away and backflipped to land firmly on the ground.
"Gamma, what's happened to you?" Elwood's face was crossed with an unphathomable emotion. Gamma's eyes changed and he shook his head.
"El, I'm sorry. I can't do this with you. And you know me. I'm stubborn. So I've developed some kind of rebellion in myself," He brushed Elwood away and walked torwards town. Elwood's heart ached. He never wanted Gamma to do this. Just to be his normal self. If only then...No. Elwood felt his muscles tighten. He wasn't going to be the whining and pleading child anymore. If Gamma didn't want him, fine. Fuck him.
_Exactly_, A snide voice sniggered in Elwood's mind. Elwood cringed. He went off to train by himself, ignoring the war developing within himself.
xOx
"Gamma," Smith stared at the man leaning on the wooden counter. He heald a mug in one hand, the man looking depressed.
"You're drunk," Smith stated openly, sitting next to his partner. A small murmur of agreement came from the man.
"Is it because of Elwood?" Smith chirped. Another murmur. "You know, it's a bit unhealthy. I doubt we should even keep Elwood with us if this is going to happen between you two." Silence. Then a flash of silver. Smith flew back, slamming against a wall. Blood trickling from his nose and Gamma stood. His armored arm looked threatening, Smith wondering what would've happened if that arm had hit him. A mixture of hatred and anger mingled in Gamma's eyes as he seethed.
"He's staying," Gamma spoke clearly before exiting the bar.
xOx
Smith was asleep. Gamma lay awake, staring at the ceiling until the door opened. The man shot up. Elwood stood, his hair matted with dirt as well as his face. His hands looked worn, the boy reeking of sweat. He panted lightly, shook his head, and walked inside the bathroom. A few minutes later, the shower began to run. Elwood sighed, letting the warm waters clense him of the aching. He could see muscles developing, his hands looking like he had thrown knives perfectly for years. He heard a soft murmur. Elwood looked around. Nothing. Must be Gamma or someone. Elwood noticed the large arm drape around him, the fingers lightly stroking his torso. Elwood spun around. There Gamma was, right near the shower, a small apologetic smile on his face.
"Can I come in," A murmur rang softly. Elwood numbly nodded. He looked away as Gamma undressed and stepped into the shower. Elwood looked at him and prepared to get out. A strong arm held him and pulled him close to Gamma. He looked up into Gamma's eyes and they kissed. It wasn't the same as before. No, these kisses were sweet and perfect. They kissed once more, again and again as the waters heated both of their bodies. It wasn't long before the water stopped and both got out. And this time, both slept under the sheets.
End file.
| Flames of Passion by Slasher2256 | Zombie Powder |
Your Importance
**Title: **Your Importance
**Author:** Tara Kitaide
**Rating:** T
**Spoilers:** None really. Just read up to volume Three.
**Disclaimer:** I do not own Zombie Powder. It (as well as BLEACH and my soul) belongs to Kubo Tite.
**Dedication:** To every single Zombie Powder fan out there.
**Warning:** I guess yaoi but it's unintentional.
**Note:** I haven't read volume four yet. I just ordered it on line but alas, it has yet to come in. This is just based on the notion that Gamma and the gang DO beat Balmunk and that Emilio survives so don't be pissed if I get some things wrong.
-/-/-/-
Elwood sat out side on the hospital steps, a wool blanket draped around his lean shoulders. He looked up at the night sky and sighed. Stars were plentiful and the moon was full, shedding light onto the ground and mingling with the yellow hospital lights. There were many thoughts running through Elwood's mind but one stuck out in general. It was about Gamma. Gamma and everything he had done for him. When ever Elwood thought about it, it seemed Gamma was always the one saving _him._ Helping _him._ Not once had Elwood been a help or made things easier for him. Sure he beat that pyrotechnic circus freak but he let him live in the end and what that guy said...
Elwood sighed again and scratched the back of his head in irritation. He grumbled and pulled the blanket closer to his body.
_Gamma would be much better off without me. Nothing I've done has helped him so far. Everything he's done he could have done without me. All I've done has gotten myself captured and been just one more thing he's had to put up with..._
"Hey. What's with the long face?"
Elwood was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of the familiar voice. He turned his head around and flashed a small smile. "It's nothing. Just thinking."
Gamma nodded and took a seat next to Elwood, holding out one of the steaming mugs he held in his hands. "Here."
Elwood took it and held the cup with both hands. The steam floated up through the air and brushed across his face, warming his cheeks. "Thanks." Elwood sniffed it for a moment and was surprised to find it smelled sweet. He blinked at the cup for a moment and then sipped it. His eyes grew wide as he rolled the liquid around on his tounge and slowly moved the cup away from his face. The drink didn't only smell sweet, it _was_ sweet.
Gamma looked down at Elwood, noticing his abnormal response. He lowered his own cup away from his face and gazed at the boy before speaking. "What's with that look?"
Elwood looked up at Gamma, his eyes still wide. Their eyes locked for a moment before the boy smiled. "It's sweet." He said in amazement.
Gamma blinked at him for a moment, looking at him like he was crazy. "Well, _yeah_. It's Hot Chocolate. You've never had it before?" Elwood shook his head and took another sip of the drink before speaking. "No. Me and my sis... we were too busy making money to survive. I mean, I've seen it before but I never thought it would taste this _good_."
Gamma chuckled and nodded in understanding before taking another sip and smiling at the night sky.
Elwood looked at Gamma for what felt like forever. A cool breeze blew by, chilling him but blowing Gamma's long silver hair, it shining in the moonlight. The light sparkled and shined off of the armor on Gamma's arm, adding to the tantalizing effect. Elwood was mesmerized. Never had he seen Gamma look so serene or beautiful...
He quickly looked away and sipped his chocolate.
_No way... I did NOT just think that..._
Elwood felt a blush creep up his nose which he tried violently to force down. He buried his face in his mug and avoided any eye contact with Gamma.
_Say something... I've gotta say something..._
"So, how's Wolfina and Emilio doing?"
"Their fine now. Doc said Emilio would wake up in a couple days and Wolfina is sleeping. Smith just got bandaged up and went to lay down." Gamma took another sip and smiled, looking at Elwood. "And what about you? I never got a chance to ask how _you_ were doing."
"Huh?" Elwood looked up a Gamma but quickly ducked his head back down because of the blush that still lingered on his face. "I'm fine. Just some bruises and burns. Nothing serious or worth a bandage. I mean, I really didn't do much so it's not like I was ever in any danger so..." Elwood forced a weak smile up at Gamma but that smile was quickly overcome with shock when he looked into Gamma's face. Gamma was looking down at him, his eyes narrowed, serious and meaningful.
"Gamma... What's with- Gah!"
Elwood was suddenly pulled closer by Gamma's armored arm and pressed against his shoulder. He looked up at Gamma, gripping tight to the cup he held firmly in his hands so as not to spill it's contents. Gamma averted his gaze and stared at the sky, the deep look he gave Elwood still plastered on his face.
"Gamma, why are you-"
"You did help."
Elwood gave a small gasp. He didn't expect Gamma to think anything of what he said. If anything, he thought he'd agree...
"You defeated that guy and got away with barely a scratch. Also, ever sense you joined me things have been kind of interesting."Gamma looked down at Elwood and smiled. "You _are_ an important part of this team and you _have_ helped. If anything, I'm to blame here for getting you into danger all the time."
Elwood stared up at Gamma for what felt like hours until he managed to break the intense gaze. He sighed and slowly leaned his head up against Gamma's shoulder, resting there. He started to feel a warmth that wasn't there before and realized Gamma's arm was still around him. He closed his eyes and took in the comforting warmth.
"You know that's not true. I'm always getting myself into trouble. You give me plenty of warning all of the time but still, I fall for the simplest traps and in the end, you have to save me or end up getting hurt for it." Elwood sighed again and nuzzled the crook of Gamma's arm. "Like when I first joined you, you went out to get that CD and I just had to go with you. You told me to stay there but I ended up 'helping' those guys and almost wound wound up dead. They probably would have killed me if it wasn't for you. And then with that weird Calder guy. He pulled that sister trick and I was too damn sensitive to- OW!!"
Elwood put his hand to the now large bump on his head. He grimaced and pulled away from Gamma, glaring at him ferociously. "W-What the hell was _that_ for?!"
Gamma didn't look at Elwood but kept his gaze fixed on the sky when he spoke. "I told you already. You _are_ an important part of this team so don't go making it out like you're not. Stop thinking so much about it and just accept the damn complement."
Elwood's glare turned into a dumbfound stare. He couldn't help but gaze at Gamma, watching the play of emotions in his eyes, how serous and tense he seemed to be...
Another blush crept up Elwood's nose but this time he didn't try to fight it. He just turned back to his mug and stared into it's murky depths before taking a sip. He looked back and Gamma and noticed a strange empty feeling when the wind blew. Like something was missing...
"Hey, Gamma?"
"Yeah?"
This time Gamma looked down at Elwood with a blank stare and it made him gulp.
"Uh...Can I...lean up against you again? I'm kind of cold..."
This time, a faint smile played across Gamma's lips and Elwood smiled in turn. "Sure." Gamma extended his armored arm and Elwood scooted into it, leaning back up against his shoulder and sighing contently. "Thanks."
Gamma smiled and wrapped his arm around the boy before taking another sip out of his mug and looking at the sky. Elwood closed his eyes and felt his body relax as he took in the comforting heat.
_I promise you sis. I'm going to find the rings of the dead. I'm going to bring you back to life. Then, we can live together again, the way we want and Gamma? I swear I will become the person you envision me as. I'll work harder, become stronger, pay more attention... I won't be a burden to you._
The last thing that went through Elwood's mind was how gentle and caring Gamma could be. Then he relaxed against Gamma's body and slowly slipped into sleep.
-/-/-/-
**A/N:** Yeah, it sucked. Go ahead, flame me. Then again, I bet no one reads this considering there's only one other story in all of the Zombie Powder section. That makes me sad thus, the reason I wrote this little drabble. I guess I'll write more Zombie Powder stuff but only if I can come up with an idea for it. SPREAD THE ZOMBIE POWDER LOVE PEOPLE!! Bleach isn't the only title Tite did, ya know!!!
End file.
| Your Importance by Tara Kitaide | Zombie Powder |
Teaching Me
Okay, um... no idea how I got the title and it is ElwoodGamma... that IS the correct order... -- I just got the final volume today and I got Lost Boys... so, yeah... I was INSPIRED!!! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Zombie Powder. Tite Kubo does, along with Bleach and many others small one-shot mangas.
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Teaching Me
Zombie Powder
Yaoi
by:
Ichigo Kurosawa
---
"Hey, have you seen Gamma today?"
Smith looked up at the young boy, Elwood, who seemed to be slightly nervous. "Yeah, he was getting ready to leave with Wolfina."
"WHAT!? WITHOUT ME!?" Smith smiled brightly, waving his gun around blankly. "Well, they're just going to the next town for another Ring of the Dead. He said they'd be back tonight." Elwood grumbled and crossed his arms, walking off with a 'Whatever...'.
Elwood didn't miss the man. Nope. Not in the least. He was just... bored? Yeah, that's it! He was just bored and Gamma provided entertainment...
That sounded so perverted.
But, Elwood wasn't like that, was he? Well, he did feel a pang of jealousy when he learned he went with Wolfina rather than himself. But he doubted Gamma was gay and Wolfina seemed like a perfect match for him. Elwood sighed. He was thinking too much on this. He flopped down onto his bed and stared at the ceiling, falling sleep to more than friendly thoughts of the supposed criminal, Akutabi Gamma.
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"Elwood, wake up."
Elwood halfway opened his eyes to the familiar voice, blinking. "G-Gamma?"
"No, Santa Claus."
Elwood said what came to mind. He thought he was still dreaming because there is no way Gamma would wake him up in such a calm manner.
"Do you know how beautiful you can be?"
Gamma blinked. Well, that was unexpected.
"Elwood, are you okay?"
This was definitely a dream. Gamma never asked him that.
"No... I'm sick."
Damn it, he was going to use this moment to his advantage. He saw the look on Gamma's face turn to that of slight worry and leaned over, reaching out his hand to check Elwood's temperature. But Elwood smirked and grabbed his wrist, pulling him closer until their lips clashed together. Gamma's eyes opened wide in shock, staring at Elwood's eyelids as they fluttered closed. He almost gasped when Elwood's tongue glided across his lower lip.
This wasn't right. One, this was Elwood and he was only thirteen and two, he was supposed to be the dominate one! But he felt his lips part anyway, Elwood's tongue darting in quickly to explore and memorize every inch of the hot cavern. Gamma caved in and wrapped his arms around Elwood's thin neck, two thin arms wrapping around his waist. Elwood pulled away, Gamma making a sound of protest before Elwood flipped him over onto his back, sitting atop his torso.
"Elwood... what're you... doing?"
Elwood smirked and rest his body flat against Gamma's, nibbling softly on his neck. "What I've wanted to do for a long time, Gamma-_kun_." Elwood bit down into Gamma's neck when he said 'kun', earning a delightful gasp. "No objections?" Elwood ran his tongue over the bite mark, lapping away the small amount of blood. "N-No..."
"Good."
Elwood placed his lips on Gamma's once more, Gamma eagerly kissing back this time. Elwood lifted Gamma off the bed slightly, quickly relieving him of his cloak and shirt. Elwood grinned and started to attack his chest, laying kisses and bites over the exposed area. Gamma become a puddle of moaning goo, and this made him wonder if Elwood was virgin or not. He was barely aware that Elwood was removing his pants and underwear, those evil lips wrapping around his left nipple and distracting him so.
"Gamma..." When had Elwood moved his head up to his face? Gamma didn't know, nor did he care; not with the way the boy lovingly pronounced his name or with his hot breath rolling over sensitive skin. His eyes popped open and he threw his head back, a moan spilling from his lips as he felt the boy's finger brush the tip of his member before gripping it firmly and pumping it slowly. "Ngah... E-Elwood..."
"Yes, Gamma-kun?"
Gamma hated that new-found smug tone Elwood used as he ran his tongue slowly over the tip of his member. Gamma gasped softly and arched his back, now forgetting both the question and his hatred as he felt Elwood's mouth wrap around his length. Gamma tried to buck into the hot, moist cavern but the boy chuckled and placed his hands on his hips to hold them down. Gamma felt unbearably close to his limit but the boy pulled his mouth away and slithered along Gamma body to get close enough to place a passionate kiss on his lip.
"You never answered, Gamma-kun." Elwood attacked his neck again, a few small bruises forming on his neck from previous events.
"Gah! Elwood... j-just fuck me a-already..."
Elwood smirked again and stuck three fingers infront of Gamma's mouth, groaning when he felt those lips wrap tightly around the three digits and his tongue swirling around them. Elwood pulled his fingers away with an odd 'pop!' and placed his lips on Gamma's again. Gamma groaned when he felt one finger slip inside him and gripped Elwood's shoulder tightly, wondering how the hell a thirteen year-old boy was topping! Especially with him. But that thought stopped when he felt a seconf finger slip in next to the other one.
Gamma squirmed oddly when he finally added that third finger but it turned into a gasp, a loud moan, and an arch of his back as he brushed something inside him that made him see white. Elwood smiled above him and placed a kiss on temple as he removed his fingers and replaced them with his own member. Gamma bit his lower lip and his grip on Elwood's shoulders tightened. "Relax, Gamma."
Gamma nodded and Elwood felt his muscles lax as he stopped for a moment, waiting for Gamma's signal. He chuckled when Gamma moved his hips forward, the signal Elwood could move. Elwood started out slow, but soon, all the noises Gamma was making was too much. He pulled out almost all the way before slamming back in, hitting that spot that made Gamma call out and clutch his shoulders helplessly. Elwood grinned almost evilly before repeating his actions, reaching out to grip Gamma's neglected member and pump it in time with his thrusts.
"Ngah... I'm... going to..." He stopped mid-sentence to call out Elwood's name loudly, back arched and body shuddering before he came. Elwood loved the sight and gave a few more thrusts before he himself came inside the older man. He rode out his orgasm before falling beside Gamma, wrapping his arms tightly around Gamma as he fell asleep. As he started to, he thought, 'I liked this dream. I really didn't want it to end.' He smiled, placing a kiss on Gamma's forehead before falling into a deep sleep.
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Elwood groaned and opened one eye, mind still set on the blissful dream. He smiled and rolled onto his right side, bumping into something. Elwood blinked and looked up slightly to see the face of Gamma, rather peaceful in sleep. His eyes widened and he sat up quickly, turning to look at Gamma.
Gamma was, indeed, naked and covered in the bite marks and bruises Elwood had created. Wait...
Elwood had slept with Akutabi Gamma?
And he topped!?
Elwood blushed brightly when it dawned on him but he was pulled from his thoughts when two large arms wrapped around his stomach and a chin placed upon his head. "G'morning, Elwood."
Elwood tensed and Gamma laughed, moving his head to nuzzle his cheek. "Hey, no reason to be afraid or embarrased. I should be embarrased! I had a thirteen year-old boy top me!" Gamma laughed again, and Elwood decided he liked the more carefree laugh of Gamma. "Don't expect to always top, though."
"EH!?"
"I don't really believe in one night stands. So, until further notice... we are together..."
"... Is this your way of saying 'I love you'?"
"Mmm, yeah. Pretty much."
Before Elwood could reply, the door slammed open and Smith and Wolfina appeared in the door way.
"MORNIN'! How you do-?"
Wolfina stopped to stare at the picture: a naked Gamma hugging a naked Elwood rather possesively. She snickered and Smith smiled brightly. "I see you two had fun last night. Who topped?"
Smith wagged his finger. "It must've been Gamma. He hates being over shadowed."
Elwood glared. "SHUT UP!!!"
Gamma just scratched his finger boredly. "Actually, Elwood topped."
Wolfina blinked and turned to Elwood before giving him a one-armed hug. "Aww! Our little El-kun is growing up! Ne, Smith?"
Elwood growled before being taken by Gamma. "I'll be taking him. God knows we both need a shower and I don't fell like sharing." Elwood blushed before Gamma headed towards the bathroom, both Wolfina and Smith smiling like no tomorrow.
END!
End file.
| Teaching Me by IchigoxKurosawa | Zombie Powder |
Personal Jesus
He could feel it, that shaky arthritic feeling was creeping up along his arm again. The dryness was starting to touch along his skin. He couldn't have it. He wasn't going to let this body die on him.
The Phenixamin came in small shipments, sometimes only a few pills per package. Slowly, but surely, it was becoming less effective with each dose. The addition never stopped though.
He settled on the wooden floor of their hideout, ripping open the fresh box with little ceremony. It had arrived only minutes ago, their most recent shipment since two months ago. He needed this. His face, his body, everything was starting to grow imperfect.
His hands shook as he finally secured the thin plastic bag that held the smaller container. His drugs. How long had he waited? How long had he needed this fix? He tossed the bag aside as his small, childish hands grasped at the container.
There it was. There was his precious fix. The first pill went down with no problem, released from sweaty hands and swallowed without a drop of water beyond his spit.
The rush came fast and clean, his body reacting almost instantly to the potent mixture. He closed his eyes. He needed no religion. He only needed the small white capsules that gave him everything he wanted.
Those were his god and savior and with every one he swallowed, he whispered a little pray of thanks to them, his addiction satisfied once more.
End file.
| Personal Jesus by Shini-Kender | Zombie Powder |
Graveside Manner
He had buried her at sundown. It had seemed the right thing to do. He didn't want to leave her body there. What was left of it wasn't much worth looking at, anyways.
The dirt was moist, filling his nostrils with its warm, earthy smell as he finished the grave, shoveling the last few piles of dirt over the small box, a reminder of just how little was left of her when they were done.
He had done it all alone. None of the others had heard yet. They'd hate him, but he needed to get her out of sight. He needed to not see her body every time he walked into the small house.
"Tatena," he sighed, wiping away the sweat that threatened to overtake his brow and leak into his eyes. The dirt that was still on his hands made his eyes sting, but Gamma was almost a little happy that it did. Somehow, it made everything more real.
The rustling of grass behind him was a sign that he wasn't alone, a generosity on the part of the other man, who could be deathly silent when he wanted to be. Somehow the noise was a comfort to the quiet buzzing in his ears that had begun to ring steadily since the second she died.
"Smith," he said, softly.
"It's time to move on," the other man coaxed, "The others will be here soon. They'll want answers."
Gamma nodded, wiping his hands and hefting the shovel over his shoulder. "I'll answer them in the morning."
End file.
| Graveside Manner by Shini-Kender | Zombie Powder |
Unconsciously Conscious
Author's Note: 100-word drabble based on the scene in "Broken Heart, Broken Mask" where Victoria wakes up from her coma after being shot.
**UNCONSCIOUSLY CONSCIOUS**
"Zorro is only a part of our past now."
What did Diego mean? Whose past? Victoria felt even more disoriented than when she first woke up.
Why would Diego believe so adamantly that he knew what Zorro would say or think? It was as if he had spoken to the masked man while she had been unconscious, recuperating from the bullet wound she had received protecting Zorro's life.
Or was there another reason why Diego thought he could speak for Zorro? One that she didn't even want to consider, if only because she wanted it so badly to be true.
End file.
| Unconsciously Conscious by pamz | Zorro |
The play
**One of my first scrabbles. Please review and tell me what I've done wrong, so I can do it better the next time.. Oh, and sorry for my bad English..**
**I'm just trying to keep zorro alive..**
**The play.**
Diego de la Vega rides, hidden beneath the mask of Zorro, back in his cave. He still felt the adrenaline of today's events rushing through his body. He dismounted Toronado, and changed his material mask for his invisible mask of _Diego, _the weak man.
The last few years, since he got back to Los Angeles, the world he was living in was a lie. Well, he didn't view it like a lie. He saw his last few years more like his masterpiece, his play, or a con. In Madrid he loved to be in a play, or he just pretended to be someone else. It gave him freedom. The freedom to choose who he was, to experience how others lived. Not to always be the rich don, son of an important caballero.
And now in Los Angeles his deceive, or play as Diego would say, has reached another level. Of course, he did it all for a higher purpose, justice. It wasn't right what the Alcalde has been doing, but Diego had to admit, he actually loved the way he 'composed' his life. And of course, sometimes he didn't like to deceive the ones he loved, but an actor has to stick to his role.
The role of Zorro was the most important role he was playing and perhaps more fun in short terms. But the role of Diego was more difficult, had more depth and Diego was actually proud of the character he had developed all these years.
But his play was maybe getting out of the hand. Five years have passed and still the play wasn't over. He was getting tired of playing, deceiving the people he loved. But he knew it wasn't the right time to quit. His story he created wasn't over, and Diego didn't know how long it would go on if he didn't put an end to it.
But how good Diego was in creating and playing his character, he wasn't that good at the story. He needed someone who told what there was going to happen, what he should do. Yes, he was spirited enough to start one, but he never knew how to end one.
But he couldn't play much longer. Every time when he played Zorro or Diego he wanted to show everyone the real Diego. He wanted to act like the real himself again. It has been 5 years, and he was starting to forget who he really was, how the real Diego would have reacted. If he didn't stop his play where he lived in, he would totally change and blend in the play.
But the purpose of the play wasn't accomplished. The whole reason why he started the play was to bring justice to the people of Los Angeles, but they were still far away from this goal.
So the show must go on..
End file.
| The play by AmaClement | Zorro |
Alejandro's Rescue (Drabble)
Alejandro darted across the plaza to rescue the sergeant, only to be knocked down. The next thing he knew strong arms gathered around him, dragging, pushing him to safety.
A woman wailed for her son. Diego moved like lightning to collect the youngster, dodging bandits' horses like a matador.
Diego reunited the boy with his mother, and stood beside him again. His son hadn't raised a sweat. Close enough to hear Diego's heartbeat, Alejandro didn't hear the rapid beating of a panicked scholar. The steady, slow pulse was of a man used to such things every day.
End file.
| Alejandro's Rescue (Drabble) by Paulsmum2001 | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
**Diego's Nightmare**
**Chapter 1**
Diego woke up in a cold sweat. His reoccurring nightmare was getting worse each night. He tried to go back to sleep, but he tossed and turned.
Later in the day Diego went to talk to the Padre about his scary and sleepless nights.
"It all starts with the alcalde leading me up to the gallows and announcing my wrong doings to the crowd gathered below. Then Mendoza puts the rope around my neck and tightens it. I feel my body falling, and as I hang there I see Victoria running up to me with tears in her eyes.
"Why didn't you tell me who you really were?" She yells and then begins to cry harder.
"I love you." I manage to whisper before all goes black.
"It sounds like it is time to share your secret with Victoria. She loves you and it shows every time you show up as your alter ego. I know you are trying to protect your family and Victoria, but in the end it only causes more pain when they find out when if it is too late." The Padre said quietly and patted Diego on the forearm lightly.
"I think you're right, I do need to tell them, but what if Victoria stops loving me once she finds out who I've been for the past 5 years?" Diego questioned the Padre and looked down at his shaking hands.
"She loves you for your bravery, heart, and most of all your commitment. All those traits and beliefs live in your heart no matter who you are at the time, Zorro or Diego." The Padre reassured Diego with a smile.
"Thank you for all your kind words and understanding. You have helped me find a part of myself that has been trying to break free for a long time. I will tell Victoria and my father tonight over dinner. For now, I need to go home and rest." Diego thanked the Padre with a warm but worried smile.
"Do not trouble yourself with worry my son, everything will turn out better than you think." The Padre said as Diego went to the door slowly.
"Thank you again, and I hope you are right about Victoria's feelings. I love her so much, I would be lost without her." Diego replied as he left the Padre standing on the porch. He mounted his mare, waved to the Padre, and rode home to rest up for his life changing evening.
When he arrived home, he sent a note to Victoria, inviting her to dinner. "Could you please take this note to Victoria. Wait for her reply and hurry back." He handed the note to Felipe.
Felipe nodded his head in understanding, and rushed out the front door.
Diego went to his room to think. He needed to tell Victoria and his father about his secret life, but he was not sure how tell them yet.
2. Chapter 2
**Chapter 2**
Felipe came running into Diego's room about an hour later and handed Diego the folded note from Victoria. "Thank you Felipe. What did she say?" Diego asked as he opened the note carefully.
Felipe signed that she would join them for dinner, but was wondering about the important news you need to share with her.
"I am going to tell Victoria and my father about Zorro. I have been having nightmares about being caught by the alcalde and hung on the gallows." Diego's hands started to shake at the thought.
Felipe's eye's grew big and quickly signed his concern.
"I know Felipe, but I would rather they find out before the alcalde gets his wish." Diego gave Felipe a small worried smile. "Please let Maria know we will be having a guest joining us for dinner tonight." Diego asked Felipe and sat down at his desk in deep thought.
Felipe knew he wasn't going to change Diego's mind, and it worried him very much.
Felipe left Diego's room and finished his chores quickly before going out to the stables.
Diego left the hacienda a few hours later to pick up Victoria for dinner.
"Have you seen Diego?" Alejandro asked Felipe as he sat down at his desk to work on the books.
Felipe signed that Diego went to get Victoria for dinner.
"Victoria is joining us for dinner? Diego didn't tell me, does Maria know yet?" Alejandro asked with confusion.
"Yes, she knows." Felipe signed and smiled.
"Well then, I guess I better get ready for dinner." Alejandro stood up and left the room muttering to himself.
Felipe went to his room to clean up and change his clothes for dinner.
3. Chapter 3
**Chapter 3**
Diego pulled up in front of the Tavern and jumped down from the wagon. Victoria was waiting for him behind the bar.
"You're early. Is something wrong?" She noticed how distracted he was when he walked in.
"Nothing is wrong, I have a lot on my mind at the moment." Diego offered her his arm and waited for her to loop her arm through his. He led her to the wagon and helped her sit down the wagon bench. He climbed up and sat down next to her and flicked the horse reins. They traveled in silence for a while, Victoria noticed Diego was still distracted and began to worry about him.
"Is something bothering you Diego? You have been very quiet." She asked with a worried tone.
"I need to show you something, and I hope you understand my reasons for hiding it." He replied in a lost and worried tone.
Victoria was not sure how to respond; she sat back and kept quiet. She noticed they were going toward a dirt path off to the right. " This is not the right road to the hacienda." She questioned him.
"We are going to the hacienda, just a part that I know about. You will understand when we get there." Diego replied quietly and kept his eyes forward.
They turned onto the dirt path and stopped next to a rock wall. Victoria was not sure how to react when Diego jumped out of the wagon and helped her down.
"Diego, why did we stop here?" She questioned him.
Her puzzled face made it clear to him that he would have a lot of explaining to do. He reached for her hand and when she took it cautiously he lead her over to the wooden panel on the ground. He stepped on it and the rock wall opened up. Victoria's face turned pale and shock was visible.
"Diego, where does this cave led too?" She sat down on a near by rock before she fell over.
"Follow me and you will find out where it leads." He waited for her to stand up and follow him.
They slowly walked into the cave, and Victoria knew she had been here before when she saw the desk.
"Diego, I have been here before. Does this mean you have kept your true feelings for me hidden, just like this cave?" She sat down in the chair slowly and leaned forward to keep from looking at Diego.
"Let me show you around, and I will explain everything to you." He helped her stand and led her around the cave. He watched her closely and waited for her reaction. She looked around in wonder, and touched the black silk outfit hanging on the rack.
"I should have seen it before. I was so blind, and now it all makes sense." She muttered to herself as she explored around the cave.
"Yes, you saw what I wanted you to see. I wanted to tell you, but it was just too risky. I also never intended to keep this double life going for so long." Diego walked over to stand behind her. He wrapped his arms around her small waist and whispered, "I'm sorry for deceiving you my love." He turned her around to face him and kissed her gently on her sweet lips. She responded with surprise, but quickly allowed him to deepen the long-awaited kiss as himself instead of Zorro.
"Do you forgive me?" Diego took a step back from her to keep himself from going any further than a kiss.
"Yes, I forgive you, but from now we need to be honest with each other." She smiled and took a step closer to him. She liked how his strong arms held her close. She relaxed and rested her head on his chest and listened to his heart beat faster each time she snuggled closer to him. His control was slipping, and he knew they needed to get inside for dinner. Oh, how he wanted to make her his, and only his, but he wanted to share that special moment with her after they were married.
"I love you Victoria." He kissed the top of her head and stepped back a few steps away from her.
"Did I do something wrong?" She looked worried and stepped toward closer to him.
"No, you didn't do anything wrong. I have waited for this moment for a long time, and now that it is here, I am finding it hard to control my emotions and deep passions I feel when I'm around you." Diego turned around and reached for a damp cloth to wipe his face.
"I have something to tell you also. I felt something special between us when you returned home from Spain. I would have mentioned it to you sooner, but Zorro showed up and captured my heart." Victoria looked at him closely and pulled him closer to her.
"I would have helped you and my father as myself, but then there would have been more trouble for my family. So I decided to create Zorro. Nobody knew who he was under the mask, so it made it harder for the Alcalde and his lancers to find him." Diego smiled at Victoria and continued, "I freed you and my father and it was then that I realized my alter ego could help all the people Los Angeles. Then I felt like I was able to express my true feelings for you when I was dressed as Zorro. As Diego, I wanted to show how much I cared for you, but by then you were in love with Zorro and not myself." Diego finished quietly and pulled Victoria closer to him.
"Well, you can show me now, I love you Diego." She stood up on her tip toes and kissed his lips softly. Diego felt her shiver with excitement and pulled her closer to deepen the kiss. Victoria's knee's grew weak and Diego pulled her up before she slipped to the floor.
"Victoria, we really should be getting to dinner, my father will be wondering where we've been." Diego stepped away from her out of breath. He helped her stand up until she calmed down and was able to stand on her own.
"Diego, can we come back here later?" Victoria smiled slyly at Diego.
"Yes we can, but only after we tell my father about Zorro's true identity." Diego replied and lead her out of the outside entrance to the cave.
4. Chapter 4
**Chapter 4**
They both climbed up into the wagon and went around the hacienda so it would look like they were just arriving for dinner.
Alejandro was waiting outside and when he saw them coming up the road, he waved at them.
"It took you a while to get here. What delayed you?" He asked with concern.
"I helped Victoria with a few chores at the Tavern before we left." Diego smoothly lied to his father.
Victoria was surprised when Alejandro believed him.
"I am sure Victoria appreciated the help. Lets get inside and enjoy a special dinner. Maria made your favorite Diego." Alejandro smiled sweetly at Victoria and helped her down.
They went inside and sat down at the table just in time. Maria was putting a fresh bottle of wine on the table along with a tall vase of freshly picked roses.
Dinner was served a few minutes later. They ate quietly, enjoying each bite of chicken, rice, and fresh vegetables. Diego needed to tell his father about Zorro, but he wanted to wait until after dessert. Victoria watched Diego while he ate; he looked distracted and lost in thought. Alejandro noticed his son was acting strangely quiet.
After dessert, they went to sit in the library to enjoy a glass of wine and visit before Victoria went home. "Diego is something bothering you?" Alejandro asked his very quiet son.
"I need to tell you something father. I hope you understand my reasons for not sharing until now." Diego took a deep breath and looked his father.
"You can tell me anything Diego." Alejandro looked at Diego in confusion,
Diego sat down next to Victoria and reached for her hand. " Father, I have not been totally honest with you for the past five years. I have kept a secret from you and Victoria. Please understand that I only kept this secret to keep those close to me safe. I hope you understand and forgive me just as Victoria did when I told her." Diego started to shake with nervousness. Victoria patted his hand to reassure him.
Alejandro noticed their joined hands and began to wonder what was going on between them. " Diego, is there something going on between you and Victoria that I should know about?" Alejandro asked with a confused but small smile.
"That is also part of what we need to share with you father." Diego looked at Victoria and smiled.
"Alejandro, Diego and I are engaged to be married and have been for a while. It was only today that I learned who he really was." Victoria spoke with a shaky, and quiet tone.
"I thought you loved Zorro?" Alejandro questioned her.
"I still love him and we are getting married." She looked at Diego and smiled with so much love. "We are finally going to have the life we have waited for since he returned from Madrid." She finished slowly and squeezed Diego's hand tighter.
"Father, Victoria is telling you the truth." Diego replied when he noticed his father in deep thought. A look of surprise and shock covered his fathers face as the pieces fell into place. "Diego, when you came home from Spain, I saw how you looked at Victoria. Then Zorro showed up and gave her that same sparkle eyed look. I don't understand how I could not have seen the connection until now." Alejandro paused for a second. "Diego, you may have fooled me for the past five years, but now that I can see who you really are, it makes me proud son. You could have been hurt or worse yet, killed. You should have told me sooner. Even Zorro needs some fatherly advice." Alejandro's face grew bright with happiness and tears formed in the corners of his eyes.
Diego sat still as his father uncovered his secret. "You are the best father anyone could ask for, and it was your words that helped keep me alive and fighting for freedom. I didn't tell you because I wanted to protect you from harm, and in doing so, I had to deal with a lot of painful words from you and others around me. It was the only way I could help you and Victoria out of that filthy jail. Please forgive me, I didn't plan to ride as Zorro for this long, but the people of Los Angeles have been mistreated for far to long. I needed to do something about it before someone was hurt or wrongly punished." Diego replied with a renewed strength. His father was not angry with him, and sounded like he had already been forgiven for his deception.
"Diego, I love you, and I am so proud of all you've done for us, and the people of Los Angles, but there must be another way to protect them, without putting your own life in danger, every time there is trouble." Alejandro suggested.
" I appreciate your concern, and I have waited so long to hear that your are proud of me. I didn't want to disappoint you, but I needed to appear as two different people." Diego looked at his father with guilt. " I agree with you father, and there is another way to protect them. Will you help Zorro teach the people how to stand up for themselves when there is trouble? They need to learn how to work together when the Alcalde tries to enforce a new senseless tax upon them." Diego sat up straighter, and pulled Victoria closer to him. He waited for his fathers replay with growing hope.
"I would be honored to help you, Zorro, teach the people of Los Angles how to defend themselves went trouble is brewing." Alejandro replied with a huge smile filled with a touch of laughter.
"Thank you father, your help means so much to us." Diego and Victoria locked eyes, and the sparkle grew brighter between them, showing how deeply in love they truly were.
Alejandro cleared his throat to get their attention. Both Diego and Victoria jumped a little and blushed when they realized they were not alone. "Sorry father." Diego apologized and turned to sit straighter on the couch again. He still kept Victoria's hand tightly enclosed in his. Victoria was embarrassed and looked down at the floor.
"I can see that now is not the right time to ask questions. I understand why you hid your alter ego from me, and I will help Zorro retire, so he can enjoy a long and loving life with the women he loves. And sometime soon, I hope to have the sounds of Grandchildren filling this hacienda." Alejandro smiled at them and stood up slowly. He walked over and pulled them into a huge and tight hug.
"I am so proud of you Son." Alejandro whispered into Diego's ear.
"Welcome to the family." He whispered into Victoria's ear as he pulled her in for a hug.
5. Chapter 5
**Chapter 5**
One month later Diego and Victoria were joined as one in holy matrimony. The entire pueblo, friends, and family witnessed the union of the two love birds. The celebration at the Tavern was joyful. Music, wine, and food were plentiful. By the end of the party, Diego and Victoria were ready to go home and share some time alone.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Diego slept soundly that night, and the night mares never returned. He pulled Victoria closer to him and relaxed when he felt her hand rub over his stomach lightly and rest her head on his chest. He dozed off again and remembered the special feelings they shared with each other just a few hours before. He didn't care if they spent the whole day in bed, just as long as Victoria was by his side safe from harm. They were blessed with twins, both boys, one year after they married. And their daughter was born one year later. Alejandro was the happiest Grandfather in the pueblo.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
The people of Los Angles were standing up for themselves and the Alcalde was upset he hadn't caught Zorro. Zorro had only been seen a few times in the past month. Alejandro called a few of his friends to help teach the people how to defend and stand up for themselves when the Alcalde tried to mistreat them or impose a new tax that was not necessary.
Zorro retired, but made it clear that he was still watching, and would step in to help if the Alcalde started to turn back to his old habits.
Felipe started to help at the Tavern and used his hearing and sharp eyes to make sure the people were treated fairly. He wanted to tell Alejandro about his ability to hear, but enjoyed keeping a secret of his own.
End file.
| Diego's Nightmare by jpaez | Zorro |
A Thing to Consider
This story is an old work - I believe I wrote it around the time I posted my other two Disney Zorro stories here. I put it on my website, which I had not maintained over the years. It is fortunate that I recovered the fic at all. So, cleaning up the fic a bit, I'm posting it mostly for my own backup, but it would make me happy if there is even one more person enjoying it.
As for the story itself, I did have Disney Zorro in mind, but I suppose it was broad enough that you could probably substitute your favorite TV (or perhaps even movie?) version of Zorro and it might just work. In any case, I have not watched Disney Zorro (or barely any Zorro at all) for many years, so our hero might be hopelessly out of character for all I know. ^^;;;;;
I mentioned it in the summary, but this is a first-person fic. It could serve as both a warning and an incentive to different people (of course, I am usually partial toward stories written in first-person).
Disclaimer: Probably doesn't really need one for this story, except for occasional references to a certain masked bandit. ;-) Oh, wait. And for his alter ego, and his father. That should just about cover it.
Author's Note: Although this story came about in a rather unexpected way, I admit to being partly inspired by a fantastic story called "Doubt" by MaryAnn T. Beverly (the story can be found on the web). However, please excuse my lack of knowledge in writing in this tone.
On to the fic...
* * *
**A Thing to Consider**
Why are there so much suffering in this world? I don't understand, and probably never will...
I often wake up late at night to the screaming voices of those in prison. They are expecting a miracle to save them. And I'm supposed to be that miracle. The thought haunts me, whenever I can't save someone. It stays with me, days and nights. I want to shout, to tell them, to shatter their hopes, that I'm no saint. I'm an ordinary human being, even too plain for my own liking. I bleed when someone, or something, pierced my skin. I fall when I slip. I have a temper, if crossed. I cry, when hurt. Most of all, I have my pride, even though I have done nothing to deserve it.
Given my qualifications, or lack thereof, for this "miracle" job, should I just give up then? Oh, I forgot to add that I'm definitely selfish. Why, I can't even share my secret "work" with my own father. I just keep reminiscing about it here. Someone might find this diary in the future, but as long as I live, no one else would be allowed to know the deep, dark secrets it contains.
Maybe the world would be better off without me messing around with it. Who am I trying to fool? My work is not noble. In fact, it is one that has me hanging my head in shame. Substantial money is offered for my capture. Innocent people get hurt far too many times, just because they are believed to have information of my whereabouts. If I still continue with my work, my family, my close friends, someone I really care for would eventually be in danger.
Yes, I will give up. I just can't deal with the pressure anymore. My father wants me to act more like a man than like a coward. I wince every time I hear that, but he is right. A coward I am, I can't let him know what I'm doing in my spare time besides reading a book or playing the guitar. Even if I can tell him, I have absolutely no idea how to explain my work. In fact, I can't admit even to myself what exactly has caused me to start my crusade, let alone describe its exact nature. Why, indeed. Restoring justice is not my, or any civilian's, job, nor I should even consider taking it upon myself to do it in the first place. No one benefits from my "interference," as some nameless official put it.
* * *
I am walking outside any definable time and space. It is the most unusual scene, but the scary thing is that I am not at all afraid. My feet are light; I feel like I could literally walk on air. The last thing I remember before finding myself here is my rather heated discussion with Father. Actually, he did all of the shouting, saying that I was too aloof to care for anything that had been going on around me. I have nothing but love and respect for my father, but this time, I felt the need to defend myself, although not with any intention of making him proud of me. How could I, when I have been nothing but a failure in his eyes? I just got tired of being yelled at, like anyone would.
However, I never got a chance to say anything to Father. In the heat of the argument, my father lost himself in his anger, forgetting that we were standing in the open view. A would-be robber, creeping up ever so silently behind us, raised the musket at my father. Instinctively, guided by no thought nor reason, I leapt forward, knocking the gun out of the robber's hand, but not before the cursed thing was fired. I fell facedown on the ground, feeling my blood, and my life, oozing out of my body. After that, everything became blank...
I snap out of my thought when I notice someone, cloaked from head to toe, materializes from nowhere and walks toward me. A guardian, I believe, from the way he dressed, hood pulled down, covering his entire face, which was something I have heard about life after death. If I have not been feeling miserable I might enjoy the fact that this person has the black cloak on. That black cloak does not seem much different from the black cape, something I, rather my alter ego, must be quite comfortable with, having worn it often.
"Ready for your trip?" he asked kindly. His voice was familiar, but at the moment I could not quite place where I had heard it before.
I simply nodded, not trusting myself to say anything more.
"Good. We will begin shortly." Then he looked curiously at me. "Don't you want to know where we will be going?"
Personally, as long as we were not heading toward a certain dark underworld, I couldn't care less. But, given the state of the affairs right then, it probably did not matter much if I had to go to hell. I have been a big disappointment to my father. I have managed to upset the peaceful way of the town with my "taking the laws into my own hands." I have killed, the fact that I always regret, even though those that died by my hands were tyrants. Tyrants, you say? Right, a little voice chided me, that's what you keep telling yourself; you just don't want to believe that you can't control yourself.
What's wrong with the fact that I can't control myself? I am no one special. I have flaws, serious flaws. I..
"..and the couple was safe, secured in the knowledge that their prayer would not go unanswered."
Huh? What was that? The soothing voice of the cloaked man did little to calm my nerves.
Noting my blank stare, he turned toward me. "You have not been paying attention, son," he accused, yet amusement was evident in his voice.
Now I became his son. Oh.. who was he anyway? He was not the friar I know. In fact, I was not even sure if he was a man of the robe.
"I was talking to you, yet you still haven't said anything. If I don't know any better, I would believe you were mute."
"I am not," I protested, a little too self-consciously. "You don't expect me to chat away while I am truly confused, do you?"
"Of course not. I just wanted to get you to open your mouth." He put his hand gently on my arm.
Ah.. That made senses. Yes, of course. So why did I feel stupid all of the sudden?
"All right, let me get this straight. Am I dead?"
The cloaked man was not fazed. In fact, he probably wondered why I had not asked that question earlier.
"Depends on how you look at it." He paced about, then stopped near the empty spot where I had first seen him appeared. "If being dead means your spirit leaves your body, I regret to inform you that you are. However, if it means that the legend you started will not be continued, think again."
"Legend?!" I cried, aghast. "You must be mistaken, Sir. I don't think there was anything I did that could even be considered legend!"
"Have you truly forgotten the masked adventurer, whose blade would never stop righting the wrong, who has sacrificed his happiness for the sake of others?"
What was the meaning of all this nonsense?! I just could not stand listening to all these lies. My fists were clenched unconsciously, and I would be tempted to use them had the scene not suddenly changed...
We are no longer in space, but in something that looks like a room, although I am sure it is not. A shadowy figure suddenly approaches us, and I have to hide my amazement when I realize who it is. It is him, my elusive alter ego, although looking from the outside, I have a hard time recognizing him. Apparently, he takes no notice of us and continues to ride on urgently, although I must confess that I don't remember the purpose of his ride on that particular occasion.
The answer to my question comes soon enough. As soon as "he" reaches the barracks and makes straight for the Sergeant's room, I dimly recall that it was the first time he ever rode. But still.. I
"He looks so different. I.. Is that really him?" I asked, knowing full well the answer, but refused to believe it.
"It is really him, or more accurately, you," the cloaked man returned just as I expected. "That was your first outing."
He doesn't have to state the obvious, but I didn't think I should say that to him. "I know. But why show me this? What do I need to know that I don't already know?"
But you just contradicted yourself! You didn't know anything, especially why your alter ego did his work.
"Oh my boy, when you do speak, you speak a lot!" he said teasingly. Then he became serious. "You just have to continue watching."
Looked like I could not get more information out of him for the time being, so I simply sat down, waiting for whatever vision would be thrown at me next.
Not so long, I see the face of the prisoner "he" has rescued. I can't even believe I would be saying this, but the man looks at him with undisguised admiration. I must be so dense not to notice this before.
But stubborn as I am, I shrug it off as a mere coincidence. No one can appreciate my "meddling." This man would later regret it that he ever trusted me with his life...
* * *
Do I shut my eyes from the happy, hopeful faces? Do I close my ears to their cries, their cheers?
A woman comes to him, all-smiling. And he grins, looking quite wicked, and accepts her thanks.
A man waves, gratitude clearly written on his face. And he waves back, with his customary two-finger salute.
A girl shyly approaches him, a flower in her delicate hand. And he just hugs her close, whispering his thanks in her ear.
A boy runs up eagerly to him. And he just scoops him up and swings him around, a playful smile on his lips.
The disturbing visions keep flashing across the "room." They are weird to me, these pictures of lies that torment my very soul. I know I don't deserve whatever honor people choose to bestow on me, so why do I feel so torn to betray them, to stop helping them? I don't think I did the right thing by beginning this "work," but yet.. I am not so sure of my decision to quit anymore.
No, I have been wrong. They are not pictures of lies. The only one lying is myself. I am wallowing in self-pity. I hate to be responsible. I hate to take credit for whatever greatness he does.
* * *
We were back, again, to the great empty space, as swiftly as we left it. My guide then asked abruptly:
"Still want to walk away, knowing that so many people depend on you?"
Oh.. how could he even utter those words? It's no use now! I'm no longer alive..
"Well, allow me to refresh your memory, Sir. YOU said that I am dead, so, like it or not, I am not in any position to help anyone now." If the sarcasm in my voice could be measured, it probably filled a basin.
The cloaked man didn't even flinch. "I can return you to your body."
"Why would you want to do that?!" I must be near hysterical. What he proposed to do defied all of the values I hold dear. Only evil spirits return to the land of the living.
Wait- I am afraid to be associated with evil spirits, when in fact I have sinned so much I am probably at least one of them, or even worse.
"You are needed, my son. Your courage and bravery are something rare and such a breath of fresh air. I can't see you feeling sorry for yourself, feeling worthless, or feeling like the world is coming to an end, just because you had no idea how much people love you, respect the fight you stand for, and admire the selfless sacrifice you make."
I blinked rapidly. It dawned on my poor, worn-out brain then that I was brought here just to see for myself what my alter ego meant to the people. But, sadly, I still don't understand what "he" means to myself.
"Why did you single me out? Surely, there must be some other who is more worthy of your consideration."
For the first time, my guide seemed to hesitate. Then he, apparently had collected himself, walked slowly toward me.
"It was a purely selfish reason that motivated me to bring you here." He proceeded to throw back the hood that concealed his identity.
I gasped. A familiar pair of kind and caring eyes stared back at me. I did not know. How could I not recognize his voice? The voice of my own father..
"How.." I was at a loss for words.
"I am not him, my son. I am merely his guardian spirit," he explained.
I should breathe a sigh of relief that my father is still alive and well, but something really bothered me.
"Does my father know about my "work," or will he find out?"
The guardian, who looked just like my father, laughed. "He loves you; why does anything else matter?" Before I could protest, he continued, "To be honest, I can't tell you. You have to figure that out on your own. But just know this, no secret in the world can be kept forever."
Oh.. he is my father, all right. I could not help but smiled at the similarity between the guardian and my father, the headed-strong old man who likes to treat me like a child.
All of the sudden I felt tired. Before I knew it, I was on the floor, fighting to keep my eyes open, but failed miserably. The last thing I saw before everything went black was the guardian, his hood replaced, standing at the far end of the space we occupied...
* * *
I opened my eyes to the scene not so different from what I am accustomed to. In fact, I realized that I had not been gone more than a few seconds from the plaza where I was shot. The whole thing I had experienced before meeting with the guardian had not been a dream, since I felt the warm blood from the wound. The only difference was that the bullet had barely grazed my side.
Seeing that my father, with color almost gone from his face, was too stunned to do anything, I simply got up and, catching the bandit by surprise, kicked him down. I then asked for the rope to bind the would-be robber from my father, who looked like his heart would stop beating. Luckily, the Sergeant and his men took care of the robber for us, and after a brief visit to the town doctor, my father and I returned home.
I sat still in the sala, thinking, when my father came in and sat down besides me.
"Are you all right, my son?" His voice was filled with concern.
I looked up and nodded, although I was still pretty much shaken, given all that I had learned.
"I.." he hesitated. I just stared at him. "I take that back, that you don't care for anything. I do not want you to die, my son. You are the only treasure your mother left for me."
I cracked a smile. "I don't want to die either."
Now that part about dying was over, Father made it his duty to inform me that I should not recklessly throw myself against a bandit. He even offered to help train me, if I ever want to put up a fight against anyone.
I just laughed aloud, relief flooded over me. You don't know it, my beloved father, but you have been my inspiration long before all our disagreements ever formed, and will continue to be. I could not have done it without you.
"But I must commend you, my son. Wherever did you learn to "fight" like you just did?"
I just shrugged noncommittally. Then, to my surprise, I noticed the unmistakably glow of pride he usually reserved for my alter ego.
He got up and, before I knew it, simply hugged me. "I love you, Son. You don't need to be a hero, just simply be my beloved son."
A faint smile was tugging itself at the corner of my lips. Despite what he said, my father still would not miss any opportunity to chastise me. But the guardian was right; anything else does not matter. The moment here with my father was the precious one that I should cherish.
I returned his hug, letting myself be embraced, be loved. "I love you too, Father."
My alter ego is still a long way from ending his commitment to the people, but now, at least I learn that I am not alone in my journey. Rewarded or not, as long as the cries for help can still be heard, my alter ego would not back down.
* * *
Author's End Note:
Thank you for reading my fic. :)
Back when I wrote the fic, I'd gotten feedback along the lines of 'it (the fic) has some resemblances to _A Christmas Carol'._ Having never watched nor read _A Christmas Carol_, I cannot confirm or deny that. I suppose I just wanted to say that if it seemed like I copied anything from _A Christmas Carol_ at all, I did not do it intentionally.
My tenses are wonky, I know. English is not my native language, but after having used it for more than half of my life, that should not be an excuse anymore. I guess I'll just have to keep writing more and hope my mistakes appear less.
End file.
| A Thing to Consider by Scroll Keeper | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
**The proposal - Part 1**
_A/N: This is the first part of the story that is complete as it contains the events in Los Angeles. The second part where they travel isn't written yet and I don't know when I will write it. I only have some ideas for it, so you have to be content with part 1 for the moment._
**Chapter 1**
It was nearly dinner time and Diego was having a drink at the table opposite the bar when the post was delivered to the tavern.
"A letter from Venezuela," Victoria exclaimed happily when she sorted through her mail.
Diego went over to the bar, leaning onto it. "Isn't that where your brother Ramon is living now? How is he?"
"Oh, I haven't heard from him for a while," Victoria smiled. "Did I tell you that his wife is expecting their first child soon? I might be an aunt already!"
"That is really good news. For how long is he married now? A year?"
Victoria opened the mail and started to read. "Oh no, Ramon," she turned pale.
"Something wrong, Victoria?" Diego asked concerned. "Has something happened to your brother?"
When Victoria looked at him, tears were standing in her eyes and he could see she was under shock. He reached for her to take her in his arms, but she ignored him. "Victoria, what happened?" he asked again, but she was oblivious to her surroundings. Slowly she went up the stairs to her room and closed the door behind her.
Diego followed her and knocked at the door. Victoria didn't react to his knocking and didn't open the door either.
"Where's Victoria?" her helper, Pilar, asked as she walked out of the kitchen.
"Victoria, just got some bad news about her brother," Diego explained. "I don't know what happened, but I think Victoria needs some quiet now. She went up to her room and won't open the door either."
"I'm so sorry for Victoria," Pilar said compassionately. "I'll close the tavern for the rest of the day so no one will disturb her."
"I think that's a good idea." Diego was concerned for Victoria and he wanted to help her. Not for the first time he cursed the fact that she wouldn't accept him as Diego and let him take her in his arms.
Though it wasn't dark yet and he would be easily spotted as Zorro, he knew what he had to do. Diego returned to the hacienda to dress up as Zorro and told Felipe to cover for him with his father..
Z Z Z
Some time later he knocked gently at Victoria's bedroom window. When she didn't react, he opened the shutters himself and climbed inside. Victoria was curled up on her bed, staring aimlessly at the wall with the letter still in her hand.
Zorro went over to the bed and sat down beside her. "Victoria," he removed the letter from her grip and put it aside. Zorro drew her in his arms and held her tight. "Tell me what has happened," he asked her softly. Victoria put her arms around his neck and clung to him. "I'm here, Querida, I'm here," he whispered, stroking her back and caressing her.
"He's dead! Ramon is dead!" Victoria cried out in grief. Then she started to cry at his chest and he held her shaking body in his arms, trying to comfort her while he had to cope with his own shock. He remembered Ramon when they had played together as children and the last time he had seen him at Devil's castle.
"Ramon is dead?" he asked incredulously. "How?" Victoria buried her head even deeper at his chest. "In the letter they said that the village was attacked by Indians who came out of the jungle."
Lying down on the bed they held each other tight, comforting each other. She started to talk about her brother, recounting childhood memories, sometimes smiling, sometimes crying in remembrance. Holding each other close they dozed off a little, until Victoria stirred in his arms again.
"Thank you for coming for me, Zorro," Victoria sniffed between tears. "How did you know?"
"I heard you had gotten bad news and I wanted to be there for you," he comforted her.
"Are you really there for me, Zorro?" Victoria questioned him.
"Of course, I am or I wouldn't be here now. I love you and you can count on me." Zorro assured her.
"I will really need your help now, Zorro," Victoria looked at him insecurely. "I don't know how to cope with it on my own." Victoria reached for the letter he had put on the nightstand.
"Read! Then you will understand!" Victoria requested of him.
Zorro took the letter and began to read. It was written by a woman and at first he thought that it was from Ramon's wife, but as he continued he found out that it was from one of the nuns of the mission in Venezuela.
When he had finished it, he looked at Victoria questioningly. "In the letter Sister Francesca says that during the attack Ramon's wife was injured as well and that she died after giving birth to her daughter who survived. That is really terrible."
Victoria nodded under tears. "A wet nurse is taking care of my niece now, but she is my responsibility as my brother and I are her closest relatives. My brother isn't suited to care for a child, so it falls back to me. If I don't come to get her, she will be put into the local orphanage."
"What are you going to do about it, Victoria?" he asked, gently removing a strand of hair from her cheek. From her face he could read that she had already made up her mind.
"I will go to Venezuela and pick up my niece. We all know that the nuns in the orphanages do their best, but the situation is often very bad. Many children die who would have survived if they had had a family to care for them. I can't leave my niece with them."
"It's very dangerous to go to Venezuela, Victoria," Zorro stated.
"I know, that's why I need you to come with me." Victoria looked at him pleadingly. "I will need to take the next ship that's going there, because the ships leave only once a month and I don't know if I can wait so long."
"Do you know what you are asking for?" Zorro said to her softly.
"I don't know what I'm asking for, I only know that I need your help now. I have to travel to my brother's grave and I can't go there alone. Please," she said, "you promised you'd be there for me."
"Victoria, I can't go with you dressed as Zorro. I can only go with you as myself and it wouldn't be proper if we travel together while we aren't married either. What you actually want me to do is to unmask and marry you in the next week!" he sighed.
"Would you do that? Even if I bring my niece into the marriage?"
Zorro hesitated. This proposal came too suddenly and he didn't know how to handle it. How could they get married in a week when they hadn't managed to figure it out in years?
"You don't want to marry me, do you?" Victoria interrupted his thoughts. "You have made me wait for years and now when I need you to fulfill your promise, you hesitate. Isn't that so?"
"Victoria, I do want to marry you, but I just don't know how."
"You don't know how? I'll tell you how! Go with me to the church, remove your mask and say 'I do'!"
"You know it isn't that easy."
"What I know is that I need you and that you're not up to it!" Out of her mind from despair and grief, she went to her nightstand and took out the ring from a box. "Here take it back. If you don't want to marry me, I'll find someone else."
Zorro looked shocked at the ring she had dropped in his hand. "Victoria, I know you don't really want to do this. The death of your brother was a great shock to you and once you're able to think clearly again, you'll see it differently. Just don't do anything hasty that you'll regret later."
"Just leave now, Zorro." Victoria cried.
Zorro wanted kiss her cheek, but she turned away from him. Hurt by her behavior he wordlessly climbed out of the window. From the corner of his eyes he saw her crying into her pillow, but staying wouldn't be of any help now.
Z Z Z
2. Chapter 2
**Chapter 2**
The next morning Diego felt beaten up. Neither he nor Victoria had slept much while they had been talking about Ramon, sharing their grief. He had held Victoria tight while she had been crying over her brother and his wife until they had fallen into an exhausted sleep. And then there had been the fight because he had hesitated too long with his answer. He didn't know what to do now. After he had returned home, he had lain sleepless in his bed, unable to find a solution for his situation.
In deep thoughts he stared at the piano without playing. "Diego, have you heard about Ramon, Victoria's brother?" Diego looked up to his father who continued without waiting for an answer.
"Victoria got a message yesterday that he and his wife died in an Indian attack in Venezuela. We have to go to the tavern and pay her our respect." Diego only nodded and rose from his seat to follow his father to the stables. Maybe he'd get the chance to talk to her privately and figure out how he could marry her.
Z Z Z
"What's wrong, Diego?" Alejandro asked him on their ride to the pueblo. "You have been very quiet all morning and you look as if you haven't slept at all last night."
"I'm just thinking of Ramon and how hard it is for Victoria to lose her brother. Now there's only Francisco left of her family."
"You have been preoccupied even before breakfast, Diego, so it must be something else."
"I already heard of Ramon's death yesterday in the tavern." Diego admitted.
Alejandro looked at him surprised. He had heard that Victoria had been too shocked yesterday to tell even her helpers. Obviously Diego and Victoria were closer to each other than he had thought if she had told him first. Diego and Victoria's brothers had played together as children with Diego as the undisputed reckless leader of the group, admired not only by the younger boys, but also by his peers. Diego had been so different as a boy. Why had he changed so much in his years in Spain? Where had his fire, his temper gone?
"Why didn't you say a word?"
"I don't know," Diego shrugged.
Z Z Z
Standing behind the bar, Victoria tried to occupy her mind with work and keep her composure though it was hard on her. She had been unable to find sleep after Zorro had left, trying to find an answer to her dilemma. What could she do now? She desperately needed to get married to a man who was willing to go with her on her journey. Zorro was unable or unwilling to fulfill the promise.
She thought about her life if there had been no Zorro. If he hadn't captured her heart the night he had freed her from prison, she'd have given Diego a chance. The day he had returned from Spain there had been a mutual interest in each other and he had even defended her, but after the appearance of Zorro he had withdrawn. But Diego stood up for her on other occasions, even when he didn't have a chance, like the day he went against the fencing master. He had been the one who caught her the times she fainted. So maybe the interest was still there and he had thought himself without chance in comparison to Zorro? She had to admit that she had often compared him poorly to Zorro out loud and she felt bad about it. Wasn't Diego her best friend, the one she could always count on? Dared she risk his friendship?
Her face lit up when she saw Diego with Felipe and his father enter the tavern. The three headed straight for her and Alejandro expressed his sympathy. "Victoria, I'm so sorry about your brother. At first I couldn't believe it when the peon brought me the news. Come sit with us for a moment!" Alejandro guided her to the table across the bar and made her sit down. "The news must have been a hard blow for you. Is there anything we can do for you?"
"You can count on us, Victoria," Diego added. Victoria looked hesitatingly at them, searching for words. "There is actually something you can do, Diego. I.. I ..,," she stopped and bowed her head, not daring to speak out. "What is it, Victoria? We're friends, you know you can talk to me," Diego urged her to continue.
"I don't know if you have heard, but my niece has survived the attack and will be put into an orphanage if I don't take her into my care." Victoria tried to make them understand.
"But your niece is in Venezuela and you're here in California," Alejandro objected. "There's nothing you can do about it, Victoria." Then it dawned on him. "You're not planning to travel to Venezuela, are you, Victoria?"
"But I have to, can't you understand? I need to see my brother's grave and I can't abandon my niece." Victoria wrought her hands in despair.
"But that is much too dangerous, especially for a woman on her own." Alejandro didn't agree with her plans. "You must sensible, Victoria."
"I know I can't travel on my own, Don Alejandro." Victoria bit her lip. Finally gathering all her courage she addressed Diego. "Diego, would you consider marrying me and traveling with me as my husband?"
Alejandro and Diego were both stunned by her proposal. Diego was the first to overcome his surprise, but he reacted differently than any of them had anticipated.
"You're asking ME if I want to marry you?!" Angrily he shouted at her and the heads in the tavern turned in their direction as they overheard his remark.
Not hiding his fury, he stood up, grabbed her by the arm and pulled her in the direction of the kitchen. "We will discuss this in the kitchen. Now! Privately!" Diego glared at those around him, daring them to enter the kitchen. Victoria was too shocked by his unexpected reaction to offer any resistance and let him drag her behind the curtain.
"Explain, Victoria," Diego commanded the moment they were alone. "Explain, why you want to marry me."
Victoria had never seen Diego so furious and if he had ever displayed some anger, it had never been directed at her. He had always been so kind to her.
"I need an explanation why you want to marry me," Diego demanded in a seemingly calm voice that scared her even more.
Victoria began to cry, no longer able to hold herself up. "I'm sorry if I offended you somehow, Diego. I never intended that. I explained it already, I need to travel to Venezuela to pick up my niece and I can't go on my own. I thought if we married you'd go with me."
"I understand the situation with your niece, but you still haven't told me why you ask me! Why marry me when you're in love with Zorro? Is it because of my money? Why would you choose the studious caballero who can't even defend himself? Who am I compared to your legend?" Diego had come to stand dangerously close to her. She could feel his breath on her face when he looked at her intensely.
"You are my friend, Diego, at least I thought you were," Victoria was shaking. "I can't marry Zorro and besides him there is no one else who is so close to me. When you returned from Spain that first night I fell in love with you and if it hadn't been for Zorro, there would have been a chance for us. I thought you might feel something for me too and that we may learn to love each other." Diego's angry face hadn't changed and she could see that her explanation didn't satisfy him.
"Why did my proposal make you so angry at me, Diego?" Victoria asked, intimidated by him.
"Don't you think I have the right to be angry? Last night you were crying in my arms, asking me to marry you and today you're proposing to someone else?!" Diego was still furious and Victoria stared at him in shock.
"You?!" She whispered. Diego pulled the ring out of his pocket and displayed it in front of her. "The whole morning I have been thinking about us, trying to figure out how we could get married without the alcalde getting suspicious. But you, you.. you never even gave me a chance!" Angrily he took a plate from a table and smashed it on the floor.
"I'm sorry, Diego," she cried, "I just didn't know what to do."
"Couldn't you have waited just a little?" Diego dropped another plate.
Victoria's temper started to rise in her and overcame her remorse. "How much longer should I have waited until you found your courage to remove your mask? I have been waiting years for you!" Following his example, she smashed a bowl.
At that moment Mendoza put his head through the curtain. "Don Diego, Senorita Victoria, is something wrong?"
"Out!" they yelled in unison at him. "This is a private discussion, Mendoza!" Victoria shouted at him, throwing a dish in his direction that landed before his feet.
Carefully, Mendoza took a step back, looking at the broken dishes in confusion. "A private discussion, I see." Shaking his head, he hastily retreated from the kitchen.
They looked at each other again. "And what are you going to do now?" Victoria challenged him.
"We will get married today, before you do something more foolish, such as asking the sergeant to marry you!" Diego declared, determined and still angry.
Victoria looked at him stunned. "You want us to get married today?"
"Do you think I'll let the chance to marry you pass by? I have wanted to marry you for years and I won't let you get married to anyone else. Don't you agree with me?"
Victoria looked at him, exhausted by the emotional uproar she had gone through. Not knowing what to say, she simply nodded. She wasn't sure if he had forgiven her already.
Diego took her by the arm and led her through the curtain into the main room. All eyes were fixed on them as they approached the table where his father and Felipe were sitting. Alejandro looked at them curiously, noticing the tears in Victoria's face. "Father, we have decided to get married today. I think two hours should be enough to have a talk with the padre and get dressed for the wedding. Or do you have any objections, Victoria?"
Both looked at him surprised. "You will marry Victoria? In two hours, Diego?" Alejandro looked at him questioningly. "Why the haste? Why not wait until tomorrow? And what about Zorro?"
"Zorro isn't here, is he?" Diego was determined. "So we do it this way and marry before he has time to find out and show up."
"Will you be ready in two hours, Victoria?" Diego addressed her and she nodded, overwhelmed by the events she had triggered.
"Are you alright, Victoria?" Alejandro asked concerned, unable to figure out what had happened between her and his son. "Are you sure you want to marry Diego today?"
"Yes, I'm fine, Don Alejandro," she declared, but she didn't look at all like a happy bride. "I'll be ready in two hours, Diego," she looked at him and all power to fight was gone. She didn't know how to go through this if he was still so angry with her. He hadn't even smiled when he told her he'd marry her. All she wanted to do was to sit down and cry.
Diego looked at her unhappy face and he knew he had to make up with her before they got married.
"Excuse us once more, Father, there is something else we forgot to discuss!"
"Another of your private noisy discussions?" Alejandro raised his eyebrows, but Diego didn't listen and nobody dared to follow them into the kitchen.
"What did you forget, Diego?" Victoria looked at him, trying very hard to hold back her tears.
"I forgot to tell you that I love you." He drew her into his arms. "I'm not happy about the way you handled this, but you probably found the only way for us to be together without anyone getting suspicious. And that is something that makes me very happy."
"Then you're no longer angry with me?" Victoria cried in relief. Diego's tender kiss was answer enough.
"This is going to be the day we have been waiting for such a long time. And I can't have you crying at our wedding. We should be as happy as we can under these circumstances. I'm sorry, Victoria, for yelling at you." Holding her in a tight embrace, he stroked her back comfortingly until she stopped crying.
"At least you left most of the dishes intact," Victoria smiled, looking at him. "We shouldn't make it a habit."
"My father would be very angry about it," Diego grinned. "I love you, Victoria."
"I love you too, Diego. There is no one else I want to marry." She wrapped her arms around his neck for a long kiss. He would have liked to kiss her longer, but his father was waiting in the main room and the helpers needed to return to the kitchen too. After their previous discussion none of them dared to enter without permission.
"Happy again?" He tenderly caressed her cheek, looking at her lovingly.
Victoria nodded in reply. "I can't wait to marry you, Diego!"
"Neither can I!" He kissed her hand and saluted her goodbye, creating a smile on her face with the familiar gesture.
His father and Felipe were waiting for him on the porch of the tavern and looked at him expectantly. "Can you please tell me what is going on between you and Victoria, Diego? This sudden decision to marry her and that noisy discussion you had? Are you serious about marrying her in two hours?"
"Of course, I am, Father." Diego was well aware of the bystanders who were listening to every word. "Victoria needs a husband if she wants to get her niece from Venezuela. And I have agreed to marry her since she can't marry Zorro. You two should ride ahead and get yourself ready while I have my talk with the padre."
Alejandro shook his head about that very sensible explanation. He didn't know what to make of Diego's plans to marry Victoria the same day.
"Diego, I don't think you should rush into a marriage like this. It's something that should be well considered. I don't know what you said to her in the kitchen, but I have never seen a woman look so unhappy after she announced her engagement. That's not the way to treat a woman, especially one you intend to marry. Can't you see that Victoria is completely out of her mind with the loss of her brother? Give her some time to think it over! I can't believe she'll give up Zorro like this. You'll both be unhappy later if Zorro shows up and Victoria regrets her decision! And she'll hold you responsible for it."
"I know what I'm doing, Father. Victoria and I will marry in two hours whether you like it or not!" Diego was stubborn about it.
Alejandro sighed and shook his head disapprovingly. "I don't think you do, Diego. Just think about it again and delay the wedding for a few days." Together with Felipe he went over to their horses.
Diego turned to the alcalde who had listened to their discussion earlier. "Alcalde, I'm not sure if Zorro won't make an appearance at my wedding with Victoria. Are you going to post some guards at the church?"
De Soto smirked. "Are you afraid Zorro will challenge you for your bride? You're hardly a match for Zorro. Very well, Don Diego, I'll see it as my duty to protect innocent citizens from that outlaw. You'll get your guards and if he shows up I'll catch him!"
Diego breathed out relieved. "Thank you, Alcalde!"
3. Chapter 3
**Chapter 3**
Two hours later Diego was waiting at the altar in his dark blue suit that was almost black. He was serious, trying to hide his joy that he was going to marry Victoria.
Walking down the aisle at his father's arm, Victoria looked beautiful in her white shirt and red skirt, that she only wore at special occasions. Fastened to her hair with a comb was the white mantilla from her mother that showed her unmarried state and that she would never wear again. Diego had always imagined that she would look very happy, but she looked only tired. He felt guilty that he had hurried her to this wedding, after the terrible shock she went through yesterday. They had both gotten little sleep last night while they had been grieving for Ramon, lying in each others arms.
Victoria had a forced smile on her face and she tried to be happy, but her happiness was overshadowed by the loss of her brother and sheer exhaustion.
The padre kept the wedding short and to the surprise of many, Victoria didn't hesitate to say her 'I do'. To the alcalde's disappointment Zorro was nowhere to be seen, he probably hadn't heard of the wedding in time to make an appearance.
The few friends who had managed to come on such a short notice congratulated them in front of the church, eager to return home for siesta before the afternoon sun made everyone seek shelter from the blazing heat.
The wedding reception would take place in the evening to give everyone more time for preparations. They had some more hours on their own at the hacienda before their guests would arrive for the party.
Z Z Z
Upon their arrival at the hacienda Diego lifted his wife from the carriage and scooped her up in his arms. "Now I need to take care of my wife," he smiled to his father and Felipe, carrying her across the threshold and straight to his room, closing the door behind him.
"What are you doing, Diego?" Victoria hadn't expected that. Diego sat her down on his bed. "Do you want us to..?" she asked a little shocked. "I'm sorry, Diego, but I can't.."
"No, not now," he calmed her. "I don't intend to force myself upon you. I'd never do that. And it would be force at the state you're in. I can see that you're completely exhausted." He sat down on the bed beside her and drew her in his arms. "I'm sorry I rushed you into this wedding without giving you time to think, but it was the only way I could think of to distract the alcalde from suspecting me being Zorro. Forgive me?" Victoria nodded, relaxing in his arms and burying her face at his shoulder. "You need some rest, Victoria. I'm surprised you're still able to stay on your feet after all you've been through the last day. I want you to sleep a little, querida."
Victoria raised her head and looked at him astonished. "You want me to sleep? In your bed? Now? On our wedding day? I don't think I can! The guests will be coming soon and I'm too excited," she exclaimed.
"It's siesta and we have a few more hours until our guests will arrive. I want you to enjoy the party without falling asleep. I know very well that you hardly slept last night. If you don't want me to call a maid, I can help you out if your dress, so it doesn't get wrinkles." Reluctantly she nodded and turned her back to him for him to open the buttons of her dress. Diego helped her out of it before he lifted the sheets for her to slip between them. Diego bent down and kissed her tenderly. "Try to rest a little, querida."
Victoria put an arm around his neck and held him back as he wanted to leave.
"I don't want to be alone now," she whispered. " You didn't get much sleep either, Diego. I think I could sleep much better if you held me for a while."
Needing no further invitation, Diego took off his suit and shirt, until he was in his underwear too. Then he slipped under the sheets beside her.
"I must have done something right to have the most beautiful woman as my wife." Diego kissed her tenderly and she snuggled into his arms. "You made me fall in love with you and I never want to live without you again, Diego."
At first Victoria thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but now that the excitement was over, the missing sleep took its toll and they soon fell asleep, scooped side by side.
Victoria woke up from Diego's tender caress. He was sitting at her bedside, dressed again in his wedding suit. "We need to get ready to receive our guests. You'll have some more time to prepare. I'll send a maid to help you." Victoria smiled, feeling refreshed from sleep. "We have to pretend at least for today that this is a marriage of convenience. I won't be able to show you how much I love you when our guests are here." Diego kissed her tenderly.
"I understand, Diego." She kissed him back, wrapping her arms around him. "I expect you to show me your love once we're alone." She grinned and Diego was happy that she wasn't so depressed any more. "We'll work it out, Victoria. Just a few days until we leave for Venezuela to pick up your niece."
"You don't mind that I bring my niece into our marriage, Diego?"
"No, why should I? I have Felipe who is as dear as a son to me. He will be part of our family too."
"Yes, you're right, Diego. I never thought of it that way. I want to have a big family." Victoria smiled.
"We'll work on it later," Diego grinned and Victoria blushed.
Z Z Z
"Where's Victoria? Where have you been the last hours?" his father asked when Diego entered the parlor alone.
"She's still resting, but she'll be ready soon."
"Resting? You didn't waste much time, son," Alejandro frowned at him.
"No, it's not as you think," Diego defended himself though he knew it wasn't his father's business. "Victoria hardly slept last night and she needed some rest before the party."
Alejandro eyed him suspiciously. How could Diego know how much Victoria had slept last night?
"Diego, tell me what is going on between you and Victoria? I understand her wish to take care of her niece and to get married, but I don't understand why you had to marry her today. And what were you fighting about in the kitchen?"
"We solved our problems before we made our vows and getting married as soon as possible was one thing we needed to do. You don't have to worry about us." Diego smiled.
"And what about Zorro? Don't you think he will be very angry once he finds out? Do you think it was a good idea to marry Victoria before Zorro could show up?"
"I'm married to Victoria now and there's nothing he can do about it. I don't think he'll be a problem any longer and soon Victoria and I will be on our way to Venezuela." Diego declared confidently.
Z Z Z
Victoria had put on her dress again when Diego knocked at the door a little later.
"Are you ready, Victoria?"
"Yes, thank you for sending the maid, Diego." Victoria smiled. "You were right, I really needed some rest." She looked much better than earlier and wasn't so pale anymore.
"Turn around, Victoria," Diego stepped close to her. From his pocket he drew a necklace and put it around her neck. It was gold with green emeralds, matching the ring he had put on her finger earlier.
Victoria reached for the cold metal around her neck before she stepped in front of the mirror to look at it. "It's beautiful," she beamed, turning to him. "It was my mother's necklace. I have wanted to give it to you for so long," he said. "Open your hand," he commanded and he dropped two earrings into her palm. "These are from me," he whispered, "I had them made to match the ring and the necklace."
"Thank you, Diego. They are wonderful," Victoria beamed at him after she had put them on.
"Sometimes I thought this day would never come." Diego kissed her cheek.
"Now who's in a somber mood today?" Victoria put her arms around his neck and kissed him. "We are married now, Diego. Nothing can take that away from us. Although I want to cry, thinking of Ramon, it is still one of the happiest days in my life. And there's no need to regret that you had us marry so quickly. With all that happened, I couldn't think straight earlier, but now I'm more than happy that we didn't wait any longer." Diego showered her with kisses, before he finally released her.
"Ready to meet our guests, querida?"
"Yes, and I need something to eat too. I was so excited earlier that I skipped dinner."
Diego laughed. "The cook has done her best to have a feast prepared. She and her helpers have been working through siesta to have everything ready. But I think she enjoyed it very much though she complained about the short notice."
"She'll have a hard time to get everyone fed with Mendoza coming. He'll eat more than his share." Victoria grinned.
ZZZ
"Diego, Victoria, there you are!" Alejandro greeted them in the parlor. "It's about time. Your guests will arrive soon. The rest has done you good, Victoria." Then he looked at Victoria's necklace. "Your mother's jewels, Diego?"
"Do you mind, Don Alejandro?" Victoria asked self-conscious.
"No, of course not. They were always intended for Diego's wife and I'm happy they are worn again. I don't know if I said that before, but welcome to the family, Victoria." Alejandro embraced her. "And it's father for you now."
"Thank you, Father." Victoria had tears in her eyes.
"Hm, I don't remember there were earrings too." Alejandro looked at her.
"There weren't. I had them made to match Victoria's engagement ring." Diego explained.
Engagement ring? They didn't have an engagement or did they? There had been only two hours between the engagement and the wedding. So when had Diego ordered the earrings? Alejandro still puzzled about their relationship. For someone who had given up her love to marry her best friend as a matter of convenience, Victoria looked quite happy. He still couldn't understand how she could give up Zorro so easily after all these years. Or maybe she would regret it later after she had time to think about it. Diego hadn't given her any chance to think twice about her proposal, rushing her into the marriage. He could only hope that neither of them regretted marrying without an engagement that would have given them the time to think about spending their life together.
Alejandro frowned when he saw how Diego distanced himself from his wife as soon as the guests arrived and Victoria threw him a look when she noticed it.
"Don Diego, Dona Victoria, my congratulations," the alcalde greeted them. "You created quite a stir today with your marriage."
"One doesn't often get a proposal," Diego shrugged, "and I didn't want to spend my wedding night on a swaying ship."
"Hasn't Zorro something to do with it too?" the alcalde smirked. "Didn't you marry so fast to give Zorro no time to appear? I'm curious how he will react, once he finds out that you married his woman right under his nose. I wouldn't want to be in your place then, Don Diego." The alcalde couldn't hide his gloating.
"We may have left already before he finds out. Then he'll have enough time to cool down."
"You have your honeymoon already planned?"
"It's not exactly a honeymoon. We're going to Venezuela to take care of Victoria's orphaned niece."
"Ah, now I understand, Dona Victoria," De Soto looked at her pejoratively. "You needed a husband who could provide you with the means to go there and who was better suited than Don Diego! Interesting, interesting! I'd never thought that of you. Abandoning your great hero for money after the show you put on the last time you were trying to get married."
Smiling satisfied to himself, he left them standing before they had a chance to reply. Diego wanted to follow him, but Victoria held him back. "Let him believe what he wants as long as he is far from the truth," she whispered and then there was no more time as the next guests wanted to shake their hands and express their best wishes.
After an excellent dinner for those who were invited to the party and not only to the reception, as the alcalde and other mere acquaintances, there was dancing with Diego and Victoria opening it. Under his shirt she felt his strong muscles and the thought of touching his skin made her blush. After the slow waltz, the newlyweds danced only a few more times as Victoria wasn't in the mood for much dancing. Victoria was glad that Diego had made her rest earlier or she wouldn't have been able to enjoy the party at all, merely stumbling through the dances.
Diego kept on the show that they were only friends who married out of convenience and restrained himself from showing her his affections. At some point in the evening Victoria couldn't stand it anymore. She didn't want to act any longer and she wanted to be alone with Diego.
"I don't want to party any more, Diego," Victoria said quietly, standing beside him watching the dancing.
"You want us to leave, Victoria?"
Victoria hesitated a little. "I just need some time on my own, Diego. To think, to get ready, I don't know. So much has happened today. Do you mind if I go ahead?"
"I understand. It's quite a lot for you to take in. I'll come a little later, Victoria," Diego replied, insightfully.
"You let your wife go to bed alone? On your wedding night?" Alejandro watched Victoria leave on her own.
Diego only shrugged his shoulders. "I want to enjoy the party a bit more. One doesn't get married very often, don't you think?" Diego stayed a short while longer, putting up the show, before he retreated to his room too.
To his surprise Victoria was already fast asleep when he slipped under the sheets beside her. Even though he had made her sleep earlier, she must have been more exhausted than she had admitted.
It wasn't how he had imagined his wedding night, but it was only the first one of many to come and nothing could take that away from them. He smiled happily as he drew his sleeping wife into his arms before his own tiredness overtook him.
Z Z Z
Used to getting up early, Victoria thought she'd be the first to wake, but then she saw his blue eyes watching her. "Waking up in your arms is something I can get used to quickly." She smiled at him, remembering how he had spent the previous night with her as Zorro.
"How are you feeling today, querida?" Diego drew her closer.
"Better, Diego. Much better! Thank you for giving me time yesterday. I needed that." She snuggled even closer.
"I know how exhausted you were, querida."
"But I'm rested now, Diego." She kissed him passionately.
"You're sure, Victoria?"
"Very sure!"
4. Chapter 4
**Chapter 4**
It was already late morning when they emerged from their room for breakfast. "I think I need to take care of Zorro today," Alejandro heard Diego say as he saw him enter the dining room together with Victoria.
"I need some more things from the tavern, so I will go to the pueblo too." Victoria said.
"You will stay here, Victoria. You can go to the tavern later," Diego told her.
"The fact that we are married doesn't mean you can tell me if I can go to the pueblo or not," Victoria raised her voice.
"I want you to be safe here!" Diego said, determined.
"I'm as safe in the pueblo as here. You can't expect me to stay at home when I don't know if you'll return safely or not." Victoria made her point.
Alejandro sighed, fearing for another noisy discussion and some broken dishes, he hastened his step to meet them. "Please, Victoria, Diego, this is the first day of your marriage. There is no reason for you to fight."
"It will be safer for me if I'm not distracted by your lovely presence." Diego took her hand and kissed it, looking her deep into the eyes, not regarding his father's surprised look. "Please! Only this time."
"Just promise me that you'll be careful, Diego." Victoria gave in.
"I promise, querida. I'll return as soon as possible and I'll go with you to the pueblo afterwards." Holding both of her hands, he kissed her cheek tenderly.
"The waiting will kill me." Victoria couldn't hide her concern.
Alejandro continued to be surprised and confused. What had changed Diego into the romantic lover overnight? And Victoria wasn't the least surprised about the way he behaved towards her suddenly. It was as if she was used to it. But there was only one man who had courted her like that and that was Zorro. Did it mean that Diego..?
"Can you please tell me what is going on? Diego? Victoria?" Alejandro addressed them.
"You haven't told him, Diego?" Victoria asked.
"What haven't you told me, Diego?" Alejandro took a guess. "Are you Zorro, Diego?"
Now it was Diego who looked surprised. "How did you know?"
"The exchanges between you and your wife!" Alejandro looked at them. "No one who sees the two of you together will believe that this is a marriage of convenience. It puzzled me how you got so close so suddenly. And the way you kissed Victoria's hand was too familiar for everyone who has seen her and Zorro together."
"We'll work on it," Diego said and after a look from Victoria, he added, "of course only in public."
"So what are you plans for today? You mentioned Zorro earlier?" Alejandro asked.
"Zorro will find out about Victoria's marriage today and then he will disappear." Diego explained.
"There will be no more Zorro, Diego?" Alejandro was surprised. "Are you able to give him up so easily?"
"Zorro was created to get you and Victoria out of prison without fearing any retribution from the alcalde. Victoria will be at my side and out of reach of the alcalde while we travel to Venezuela, so there's only you left. We will be gone for about 3 months. Do you think you can stay out of trouble for the time we're away?" Diego asked him.
Alejandro suddenly felt like a boy again who was asked by his parents if he would manage for some time on his own. Only it was his son who was asking him and he realized the burden Diego had carried over the years. While he and Victoria had stepped in front to resist the alcalde's plans, it had been Diego who had taken care of their safety. He felt ashamed that he had relied so much on Zorro, never caring for the risk for his own life when it was actually Zorro's life that had been at stake. The life of his only son as he knew now.
"Of course, son. I will manage and be careful while you are away. I won't put my life in danger, you need not worry for me." Alejandro swallowed. He needed to take some of the burden from Diego's shoulder, so that he would not feel torn between his self-imposed obligation for the pueblo and his new life as husband. "The caballeros will have to learn to rely on their unity instead of the actions of a single man."
"Thank you, Father." Diego was relieved. He knew he could trust his father's word.
Z Z Z
After they had finished their breakfast, Diego went to his cave to dress as Zorro while Alejandro and Victoria prudently waited until he was finished before they entered cave too. Leaving them in Felipe's company to explain everything, he hoped they would be distracted enough by exploring the things he had stored in the cave that they wouldn't worry too much while he was away.
Not much later he rode into the pueblo and led Toronado to the back of one of the buildings. Using his whip as a rope he quickly climbed onto the roof to check the situation from above. The situation was exactly has he had expected. Most of the lancers were busy in the cuartel with their morning chores of taking care of their equipment and their horses. Without the lancers being aware of it, he quietly lowered the bolt of the gate in place with his whip. At the same time he had spanned a rope on the outside of the gate that was only a foot above the ground and easy to oversee.
After he had finished his preparations he leisurely went over to the tavern where Mendoza was still sipping his morning coffee and holding his head. Zorro tried not to grin too much. He could imagine how the sergeant felt to today after the amount of wine he had drunk the evening before at the wedding party.
"Buenas dias, Sergeant," Zorro saluted him.
"Zorro!" Mendoza sprung up from his feet and wanted to yell for his soldiers.
"Don't bother, Sergeant," Zorro had his saber already at Mendoza's chest. "You'd be dead before they as much as reached you."
"Dead?" Mendoza was taken aback. "You wouldn't hurt a friend, Zorro, would you?"
"I didn't come to hurt you, Mendoza. I only came for a talk."
"A talk? Well, I can do that." Mendoza was compelled by the sword to sit down again.
"Now, tell me about yesterday. I heard you were present at the wedding of Victoria and Don Diego yesterday?"
"Si, Zorro. I'm sorry for that. I know it must have upset you terribly."
"So it's true? Victoria has really married Don Diego?"
"Yes, but she didn't look very happy about it. I think she hoped you'd come for her."
"I only heard about it today. I never expected her to marry so suddenly."
"Don Diego insisted on an immediate marriage in his hope you wouldn't be able to appear in time." Mendoza explained.
"It was really clever of Don Diego. But if Victoria is married now, there is nothing to keep me in the pueblo."
"Then you're not going to challenge Don Diego? You're not angry at him?" Mendoza asked surprised.
"What would be the point? Victoria is another man's wife now and it would be murder to fight with Don Diego. Why should I make her a widow when she can be happy with him while I'm unable to give her what she wants?" Zorro lifted his sword from Mendoza's chest for the salute and Mendoza breathed, relieved.
"Adios, my friend. You can call your soldiers now." Quickly, Zorro climbed onto the tavern roof and out of sight of Mendoza. For a moment he lingered to check if his earlier preparations had the desired effect. From above he could see how the lancers emerged from the cuartel only to fall over the rope in front of the gate. Zorro chuckled at the chaos and whistled for Toronado who took him back to the cave.
Z Z Z
His father and Victoria were waiting anxiously for his return. As soon as he had dismounted Victoria was in his arms. "You're back! I never felt like this before. To know the man behind the mask makes a big difference. I'll never be calm again when you ride out as Zorro."
"How did it go, Diego?" Alejandro wanted to know.
"I'll tell you in a few minutes after I haven taken care of Toronado and changed. But there was no need to worry." Diego grinned.
Not much later, Diego told them about his conversation with Mendoza and the fun he had with the lancers in the pueblo. Alejandro and Victoria smiled, imagining the soldiers stumble over the rope. "I think that should take care of Zorro for the moment. It will explain why he has left the pueblo and no longer comes for Victoria. We can go to the pueblo now, Victoria, and get your things. I also need to take care of the newspaper for the time we're away."
Z Z Z
In the pueblo Mendoza greeted them with a happy face."Buenas Dias, Don Diego, Dona Victoria. You missed Zorro today."
"Zorro was here?" Diego feigned ignorance.
"Si, he asked me if you both were really married. And when I confirmed it, he left. I don't think Zorro will return." Mendoza's smile vanished and he took off his hat, scratching his head. "I will miss him in the pueblo. Of course, not the sewing, but Zorro was my friend."
Diego patted him on the shoulder. "Life will be much quieter without him, Mendoza. Just the right time to leave on a vacation when there's not much to report in the newspaper."
"I'll miss you too, Don Diego. Will you join me for lunch? These encounters with Zorro always leave me hungry."
"Mendoza, you're always hungry, Zorro or no Zorro," Victoria threw in. "Aren't you still full from the party last night?"
"Well," Mendoza smiled apologetically. "A man has to keep his shape."
"Because it's you, Mendoza, I'll make some special tamales. I think it will be the last time I'm going to cook here." Victoria was overcome with sadness.
"The last time?" Mendoza was alarmed.
"Haven't you heard?" Diego asked, surprised. "We'll pick up Victoria's niece in Venezuela and I don't think Victoria will have much time for cooking and working in the tavern after we have returned."
"Si, I heard about your trip," Mendoza said, "but I had thought you'd come back to the tavern! Where will I eat then?" He looked horrified.
"You can take over the tavern from me," Victoria offered. "As my manager. Then I'll know that it'll be in good hands."
"Me?" Mendoza couldn't hide his surprise. "Managing your tavern?"
"I'll give you time until the end of the week to tell me your decision!" Victoria told him. "But then I must have your answer."
"I'll need to think about it, Dona Victoria. I like being soldier, but to be in the tavern the whole day and try those wonderful recipes..." Longingly, he looked at the tavern like a child who was forbidden to touch the cake.
Diego left the sergeant outside on the porch as he went inside with Victoria. Immediately all attention was drawn to the newlyweds and they were congratulated by those who only heard the news that day.
Both kept up the impression that it was only a marriage of convenience, never standing close to each other. Victoria was unhappy about it and the missing smile on her face added to the gossip.
"Will you come over to the office when you're ready, Victoria?" Diego didn't look like a happy bridegroom either. Victoria was already surrounded by her helpers who wanted to draw her into the kitchen and she only nodded in his direction. "I'll come as soon as I can, Diego."
Diego didn't need to wait long for Victoria to come to his office. As soon as she arrived, Diego locked the door behind her. "Shouldn't we keep the door open?" Victoria asked, surprised.
"As long as we keep quiet, they will believe we have left." Diego grinned, drawing Victoria to him.
"We should leave soon," she smiled.
"But not before I get the chance to kiss you here in my office," Diego wouldn't stop kissing her. "I always wanted that. To have you here in my arms."
"Remember this is supposed to be a marriage of convenience?" Victoria reminded him.
"Remember we're not here?" Diego closed her mouth.
After their breathing had calmed down again, they returned to the tavern, claiming they had taken a walk in the missions garden because they had to discuss something. The word 'discuss' resulted in raised eyebrows as the gossip about their noisy discussion from yesterday had made the rounds. Victoria's helpers feared for the dishes, and politely asked if they were finished with their discussion or if they'd rather take another walk.
Victoria packed her personal belongings from the tavern to have them transported by some servants to the de la Vega hacienda, making clear that she was going to live there until they went on their journey to Venezuela.
The next days kept them very busy with their preparations for the journey and they were hardly seen in the pueblo. Alejandro didn't tell anyone that he hadn't seen them much either, as they were spending most of their time in their room. He was very sure that there would be children's laughter filling the hacienda soon and not only from Victoria's niece. Though he felt sorry for Ramon's death, it had lead to something good, making him very happy.
Mendoza agreed to use some of his accumulated time off from the army in order to take over the tavern for the time of their absence. It would allow him to think over his decision and enable him to return to the army.
With the good wishes from their family and friends Diego and Victoria embarked on the ship that would take them south a week later, promising to write and to return as soon as possible.
End of part 1.
tbc in part 2.
_**A/N: **I know the story is not really completed at this point, but I have to think about the further adventures before I can keep on writing. I decided that it made no sense to hold back this part of the story when there wasn't going to be any change. I don't expect too many readers for the following chapters either, as the interesting things as the revelations and the wedding already took place. It will also depend on the feedback how motivated I am to write the sequel. So for the moment I'm concentrating on a new story that I hope to finish soon. Then there's also the challenge from Diana that I want to participate in. So you'll get something new from me in the near future._
_Thanks go to Marla for her beta reading and her valuable input._
End file.
| The Proposal Part 1 by katie1999 | Zorro |
Zorro Fights a Duel - Zorro
_**Author's Notes : Being a huge Zorro fan and a huge fan of the Walt Disney television series, I have made up my own little scenes between Zorro and the woman who captured his heart, Anna Maria. She appears in the second season. I felt that my scenes would add to the romance between these two lovers and the tragedy of their realization that they can never be together.**_
_**What I have done is I have started the scenes from the actual television series and transitioned my fictional scenes in where I think they should be.**_
_**I do not own any rights or any of the characters! I am just a huge Zorro and Guy Williams fan!**_
* * *
Zorro Fights a Duel -
**Ricardo challenges Zorro to a duel in the Walt Disney television series. This is a scene between Zorro and Anna Maria after Anna Maria had watched Ricardo practice for the duel. She is worried because Ricardo is very good, is he better than Zorro?**
Bernardo wants Zorro to fight, Anna Maria wants Zorro to fight, everybody does.
Anna Maria asks Diego to pick her up and watch the duel together. Garcia then asks Diego to help him capture Zorro. Diego, giving up, willingly excepts to help Garcia. Zorro secretly sent a note to Ricardo to meet at a different time so his identity could be kept secret.
* * *
The night before the duel, Anna Maria paced in her room anxiously. Why do men have to kill each other over silly little things?
She sighed out loud, "Oooh."
Her heart ached for him to be with her. She wanted to have him in her arms and never let him go. She did not want him to fight this duel.
"Did you like the chocolates?"
Anna Maria gasped as she turned abruptly around to find the Zorro's silhouette in the moonlight. He was sitting on the window sill casually.
"Zorro," she whispered, trying to catch her breath. "How long have you been there?"
He smiled, "Long enough to sense something is troubling you."
She heaved a sigh again. "I am upset. I am upset about this duel between you and Ricardo del Amo."
He leaned his head in thought.
"What do you plan to do?" Anna Maria asked trying to break the awful silence.
Zorro contemplated, "What do you think I should do?" He crossed his hands over his chest.
"Ricardo is crazy to challenge you." She said half-assuringly.
"You do not sound so confident."
"Ricardo is good. Diego and myself watched him practice today. It has me worried."
"Do you think he is better than me?" Zorro asked concerned. He stood and walked toward her.
"I do not know what to think." Anna Maria huffed in frustration. "If only you did not have to fight. If only Ricardo was not so childish. I could not bare to see you hurt."
"I am flattered you care for me, Senorita."
"Must there always be this unnecessary fighting?"
Zorro shrugged.
"Ooh, life is so trying."
"If life was easy, I would give up this night life." He said, a dream he wished would be fulfilled some day.
"Will I ever have the chance to see your face?"
Zorro paused for a moment, "I hold onto that hope, everyday. Everyday I see you."
Anna Maria raised an eyebrow, "Every day you see me? Do I see you often?"
"I have said too much. I must go."
"No, please," Anna Maria grabbed his elbow and pulled him back to face her. She gazed up into his eyes; flashing brightly in the moonlight. "Those eyes," there was something familiar about those eyes. Those kind eyes; full of love and compassion and sincerity.
He felt she had stripped him of his mask and knew his identity. For once in his life, he coiled in fear and turned away from her.
"Do you have to go?"
He nodded, "Si."
She went around to face him then wrapped her arms around him. She hugged him tightly. "Promise me something, come back to me."
"I will do my best," he could see the seriousness in her face, "I will also do my best to not hurt your friend, Senor Del Amo."
"Gracias," she forced a smile.
"I must go," he tilted her head up and kissed her forehead ever so gently. He then went to the window and slithered out into the night. She watched him disappear into the shadows, hoping and praying with all her might that he would be spared.
She had a feeling that something was in the air. Something that would be in his favor. She hoped that whatever it was, it would protect him and bring him back safely into her arms.
End file.
| Zorro Fights a Duel - Zorro by Wherewolfe1 | Zorro |
A woman scorned (drabble)
Doubts entered Zorro's mind almost as soon as he woke the lady. She reached for him, claiming a level of intimacy that was disturbing. He fought his way out of the tavern easily, but the heartache on Victoria's face had cut him to the core.
If the lady was innocent, she needed his help. There was no one else. Taking her to old windmill was simple, defending himself from her seductive words annoying. Insisting that his affections lay elsewhere induced a rage in the woman that was quite irrational. She left in a temper. Instinctively, he knew to protect Victoria.
End file.
| A woman scorned (drabble) by Paulsmum2001 | Zorro |
Set me free
Title: Goodbye Letter. Why I'm leaving you
Autor: MEG
Summary: Victoria's letter to Zorro
Rated: G
AN: Thak you Katinka for corecting!
The idea come from discusion on nwzfanfiction, about that Victoria and Diego wouldn't be happy after their mariage, because they have so different characters. This should show, why they could have a happy mirage.
---
Zorro, my Love,
What I want to tell you will be probably a shock for you. But please, try to understand me.
I love you from my whole heart, never doubt that. I have fallen in love with you the first time I saw you, the five years ago, when you came to rescue me.
Since that day I have been waiting patiently for the day you will be finally able to marry me.
I refused to get interested in other men; I put down everyone who showed having some interest in me.
I did it, because I loved you.
I still love you.
But I can't go on living like this anymore.
I want a home, a husband and some children. I want to have someone with whom I can talk every single day, not only at night, in secret, or when something bad has happened in pueblo.
Because you have to keep your identity a secret, you can't be all the time with me...
You can't be here all the time I need you...
But there is one man who is always at my side.
In sickness and in health, in good times and in bad ones. A constant presence of support, concern and...
I'm sure you know about whom I'm talking. Next to you there is only one man in whole pueblo paying me as much attention as you do.
He is the only man who takes his time to get to know me better. He knows my dreams, my desires, my faults and my advantages.
He is the only man, besides you, whose one word can make my day, who can calm me down and comfort.
Diego de la Vega. The man I will probably marry... If he only say yes.
You see, I haven't talked with him about it, yet.
However, I've talked with don Alejandro. He was surprised about my decision, but very happy with my question whether I could be part of his family. He said he will help persuade his son to marry me.
I hope, Diego will say yes on his own will.
I know he hasn't any desire to marry, after all he is a bachelor for all those years.
But you see I know he likes me. Why would he always be there for me? And I can promise him, that he will not need to change his habits. I have nothing against his experiments, his sleeping till noon, his peaceful demeanor.
I know I usually demand him to be more active, more courageous, more... open. I want him to be more like you.
I would like him to be you. But he isn't...
Zorro, I'm so sorry.
You make my days fascinating, my nights exciting, and my life uncommon.
I'm a woman of action. I like to do something useful, interesting, and even dangerous.
But I'm a woman, who after an exciting activity looks for shelter in a man's strong arms. I want a man who gives me stability, security, his whole time... I want a home.
Diego has so much to offer... and I can give him so much back in return.
Zorro, you will always be in my heart. But if you can't find a way for us to be together, please... let me live a life of my own.
I will never forget our time together.
Love,
Victoria Escalante
PS. You can always count on my help.
V.
End file.
| Set me free by MadaMag | Zorro |
Time to Get Married, Diego
**Disclaimer:** Zorro belongs to ZPI. I'm just playing with the characters.
**Author's Notes:** I don't write Christmas stories for a variety of reasons. However, I'm not averse to a bit of fun and fluff, and as I'm terribly behind with "Love Has No Rhyme and No Reason", I thought I'd offer up this little story which struck me suddenly and took very little time to write. It's about as fluffy as I can make it. And my thanks to Ghetto Outlaw as always.
**Time to Get Married, Diego**
Diego entered the hacienda after a three weeks' trip to Santa Barbara to find his father and Felipe sitting playing chess.
"Ah, son, you're back. It's about time," Alejandro said, looking up from the board. "We have a lot to discuss."
"Well, Rafael did..."
"No, not about your trip. It's your wedding," Alejandro said.
Diego froze, uncertain if he had actually heard what he thought he had heard. "My what?"
"Your wedding," his father said calmly as if it were the most expected thing in the world. "You've been putting it off far too long, so I've gone ahead and arranged it for you. We've already had two readings of the banns."
"Banns? To whom?" Diego choked out.
"To the one woman capable of handling all that marriage to you entails," Alejandro said easily.
"And that would be?"
At that moment Victoria entered the room. "Diego! You're back," she said cheerfully.
"Yes... but it seems something odd has been happening while I'm away." He looked desperately at Felipe who just shrugged his shoulders and gestured towards Don Alejandro.
"Odd, what's odd about getting married?" Alejandro asked. "You should have been married years ago."
"Father... I..."
"No, Diego, you've kept Victoria waiting long enough, and it's time you kept your promises."
"Pr-Promises?" Diego stuttered.
Victoria lifted her hand and showed the engagement ring Zorro had given her, and Diego felt the blood draining from his face.
"You know. You both know," he finally said.
"Yes," Victoria said, gently. "We've been waiting for you to be ready to tell us."
"But then I found out that _Zorro_ had proposed to Victoria, and you still weren't getting to the point..."
Diego looked at Victoria.
"It was an accident," Victoria said. "But that's how we found out we both knew."
"How long?"
"Since two days after my adventure as Zorro," Alejandro said. "You didn't really think I wouldn't remember that, did you?"
"I hoped," Diego said quietly.
"So I supposed," Alejandro said. "But the fact is, son, that you should have told us, both of us. I am your father; I would never betray you. And Victoria... you claim you love her and yet you proposed as a bandit and not as a de la Vega. I am very disappointed in you, Diego."
Diego tried to think of an answer that wouldn't seem weak but for once nothing seemed right. If he said it was because of the danger, his father could quite rightly say then he had no business proposing at all, and he had no idea what he would do if he said he was afraid that Victoria only could love Zorro not the man under the mask.
What came out of Diego's mouth instead was, "I thought you'd be more angry."
Don Alejandro shook his head. "Shows you aren't as clever as you thought, son. We understood why. How could we not?" Victoria gave Alejandro a significant look. "All right, maybe there was _some_ anger, but I'm angrier that you've had to fight this battle almost alone than angry with you and Felipe with keeping your secrets."
Diego turned to Felipe. "They know everything?" he asked.
Felipe nodded.
Victoria said, "Diego, I know you wanted to protect us, but it's time to trust us. We both love you and would do anything to protect you."
Don Alejandro broke in. "The world is always dangerous, but that doesn't mean we need to stop living. And there's no better time than now. De Soto's been gone for a month, and I know the reputation of the new man who's coming. A fair and honest man. Zorro hasn't been seen since the Emissary's death. There's no better time than now to reclaim your life. And that's why I've gone to the trouble of setting up your wedding."
"Don't worry, Diego. Everyone knows that Don Alejandro's been impatient to see you wed, and Zorro's gone, and even if he wasn't, I'm tired of waiting, and we're good friends, aren't we?"
"Of course, Victoria," Diego said.
"And friendship is an excellent basis for marriage," Alejandro said. "Diego, if anyone is talking about anything, it's about my impatience to see you married and determination not to give you a chance to back out."
Victoria looked up at Diego. "I told Don Alejandro that we should discuss it with you first, but he insisted. But I have to ask you: did you really mean to marry me?"
"Of course, I did... I mean, I do," Diego said. "I love you, Victoria. It's just this seems so... sudden."
"Sudden? It's been nearly five years," Don Alejandro broke in. "So if you're serious about Victoria, you'll be ready to marry her the day after tomorrow. Victoria's got a new dress, and we've even got a new suit for you. And now that Felipe's officially a de la Vega, he's even agreed to be best man. So as long as you don't object, we're all set."
Diego was speechless for a few moments. It had been all so hard to take in, and now it seems as if his family had planned his future for him without so much as a by your leave, and yet... it was the future he desperately wanted. But...
"Victoria, will you truly be satisfied to marry your old friend Diego? Despite everything, it's not as if I can change over night," Diego said.
"Diego, when I realized that you were Zorro, I finally saw that I had all along been attributing many of your virtues to him. Ones that he really never had time to show. It was a relief really because I had always cared for you more than I thought I should. So yes, I will love you as the man you pretend to be as well as the one you truly are. All that matters to me is that we finally start our life together and face the future united rather than divided. Are you willing to do the same?"
For the first time in his life Diego felt exceptionally slow and dull, as he absorbed what Victoria was saying, and he finally surrendered to his father's plans and his heart's desires. "Yes, of course," he said, taking her into his arms. Looking around, he noticed that his father and Felipe had disappeared from the room, so he bent to kiss her with all the enthusiasm of a man about to get married to the love of his life. When he let her go, he said, "I do love you, Victoria. I just never expected this."
Victoria smiled. "You should have. Zorro's not the only cunning one in the family."
At that moment, Alejandro reappeared in the door, followed by Felipe. "Come on you two, I've brought out some of my very finest wine. We have a lot to toast."
They followed him to the living room where glasses were already prepared. Alejandro handed them around and then rose his high. "To love, to happiness..."
"And a long life together," Diego added as he smiled warmly at Victoria.
"A long life indeed, son."
"I do have one regret," Diego said.
"What?" Alejandro and Victoria asked in unison. Felipe merely looked the question.
"That I wasted so much time." He looked into Victoria's eyes. "That I made you wait so long. Can you ever forgive me?"
She gently placed a hand on his face. "Of course I do."
"I forgive you too, Diego." Alejandro clapped a hand on his shoulder and finished the contents of his glass. "Just don't make me wait so long for grandchildren."
The End
**End Notes:**
This was just meant to be a fun piece, as I had a sudden thought, what if Alejandro as well as Victoria knew the truth and decided to take matters in hand when it seemed like Diego was never planning to come clean. I'm not sure if Alejandro really could start having the banns read if Diego wasn't around, but parents did have a lot of power back then, so I figured I'd just run with it, and after all, it's more a question of Diego being willing to go through with the ceremony after all is said and done.
Anyway, I'd love to hear what you think of this bit of non-holiday fluff.
End file.
| Time to Get Married, Diego by LaCorelli | Zorro |
Suitor (Drabble)
Reminding himself not to be a coward, Diego entered the tavern.
Waiting was at last too hard, first for Victoria, and now for him. She had to listen.
Greeting her as usual, he talked of her last suitor's suitability. Although she insisted that he wasn't the man for her, something about him being too self-centred or something, Diego knew she wouldn't be so picky forever.
Asking to talk with her got him fobbed off like all the rest. He sighed, turning away. Taking a deep breath, he sauntered over to the other dons, pretending he wasn't shaking in his boots.
End file.
| Suitor (Drabble) by Paulsmum2001 | Zorro |
Through The Eyes Of The Father
_This is a WDZ one shot, Alejandro's POV, about how Alejandro may have figured out the truth about his son Diego. Many thanks again to my wonderful beta **IcyWaters**! You're awesome!
_
**Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z**
**Through The Eyes Of The Father**
I mentally berated myself for not paying attention to my son. Granted, officially all I knew was that my son was a scholar, a pacifist, an inexperienced fighter. Unofficially, I knew better. No, he hadn't told me a single word about who he was behind the facade of the idle poet, but there are some things a father notices when he tells himself to pay attention.
To my shame, I must admit it took me a while to realize my son wasn't selling himself at face value when he returned from Spain, but I didn't. Too great was the disappointment when he offered to write a letter of complaint to the governor instead of saddling his horse, diving into action, when I told him upon his return what had been happening to our pueblo at the hands of the tyrant Monastario.
His reaction had come as such a complete surprise that the thought it may all just be an act simply refused to cross my mind. All I could think of was the adventurous fighter, my son, who had left for Spain to educate his brilliant mind and train his talented hands at swordplay. I had high expectations for him, and all the time he was gone I never doubted a second he would excel at any task thrown at him. Then I saw myself facing the complete opposite.
Slowly but surely, when my initial anger and disappointment started to subside, I noticed things about my idle son that didn't quite add up with what he pretended to be. Every time I tried to coax him into action for the good of the pueblo, he would come up with a dubious excuse and retire to his chamber. He had just made other arrangements. He had planned on reading a book. He even lost a game of draughts to me on purpose and pretended a broken guitar string. At first, I thought he did it just to get away from me. Then I noticed some curious coincidences.
Every time Diego found an excuse to retire, he would sleep late the next morning. Every time I couldn't find him when I needed him, he suddenly showed up in a place I had already checked unsuccessfully. Every time he disappeared, Zorro rode.
That last conclusion I came to over time only. I would have sworn having seen Zorro ride with my son right at my side, but after Diego had ditched me yet again and Zorro appeared, I started recalling all the other times this had occurred.
And once I had made up my mind about my son's real identity, I wondered how I couldn't have seen it sooner. The time Zorro first appeared was exactly one day after Diego returned. All those haywire excuses Diego thought up were simply something he'd already used as a boy, when he'd rushed off to do something he was well aware that neither his mother nor I approved of. Although sometimes I wondered if my wife really didn't approve or just said so to please and support me.
Now here we were, my son, his faithful servant and friend Bernardo, Sergeant Garcia and myself, locked and bound in the cellar of Administrado Varga's house, resigned to listen as gunshots were fired and then ceased.
Diego had tried to warn me, to alert me to gather our vigilance group, but I had insisted on first reading the letter I had drafted up yet again. If it would have made a difference at all had I listened to him straight away, I don't know. But I like to think so.
Now the administrado was standing in front of me, offering my freedom in exchange for the list that contained the names of the dons that made up my army, as Varga put it. Naturally, I refused and I must admit feeling quite shocked when Diego readily inquired if the same offer would be made to him.
Questioning his motives, he told me he can't bear to stay, to be locked up anymore. And I understood. He couldn't stay. The fox had to ride. He was our only chance. But I had to keep up pretenses.
"Are you so afraid of death, my son?" I asked him. The hurt in his eyes was real. Even the sergeant tried to convince him, to talk him into not giving into the administrado's demands. To play my role I have one more dagger to shoot at my son, as much as it pains me. But I hope to help protect his identity with it.
"Save your breath, Sergeant," I said, averting my eyes as my Diego walks up the steps to ride to the rescue.
Sometime later, we three remaining prisoners were released from the cellar by the fox. We managed to hold our own, shooting from the windows as long as our powder held. I'm sure we had a lot of outside help from Zorro, but all of us really sighed in relief when Don Alfredo and the other dons, my army, arrived to save the day.
In no time, the administrado, or should I say the Eagle, and his henchmen were overwhelmed or dead, and Zorro made his exit over the roof of the cuartel, saluting us as we locked away the prisoners.
I saw Don Alfredo riding up to me, calling out to him in joy. Only then did I learn that Diego had not simply disappeared to let Zorro ride. No, he had done far more than that. He had alerted the dons to the situation in the pueblo so they could ride to help us.
When things started to quiet down, Diego appeared in the cuartel and I couldn't contain my happiness and pride any longer. I know I must have babbled like a child, but it filled my heart to see that son of mine and being publicly able to praise him for a change. The words simply bubbled out of me.
"I'm proud of you, my son!"
The smile appearing on his face said more than a thousand words.
End file.
| Through The Eyes Of The Father by miXiZ | Zorro |
The Letter answered
**The Letter answered**
* * *
><p><em>Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by GoodmanRosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else._
_Author's note: Due to some requests I continued The Letter. This is an alternate version of the letter where Diego is around to answer his father's questions. Please read 'The Letter' first before this._
* * *
><p>He took the letter and went to the library, where Diego was reading.<p>
"Diego, I'm sorry, I thought this letter was for me that's why I opened it. Can you please explain this to me, Diego? What is this all about?"
Diego took the letter from his father's hands and read it carefully. After he finished he sighed, he knew he couldn't get out of this without a good explanation. Of all letters his father had to read this one.
"Diego, please tell me that this letter is not true. There must be some mistake."
"I'm sorry, Father, you had to find out this way. I wanted to tell you for some time, but I wanted to protect you."
"Tell me what, Diego? That you are secretly engaged, when there is nothing I want more than seeing you happily married? And why did you disinherit yourself? I always thought you were proud to be a De la Vega. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Why, Diego? Why don't you trust me? Am I such a bad father that I have lost the trust of my only son?" Alejandro sounded desperate. "Is there something wrong with you that you haven't told me? Are you sick that there is the need for a will?"
"No, father, I'm not sick. What I wanted to tell you is that I'm Zorro."
"You are Zorro?" Alejandro was speechless. "But, you don't know how to handle a sword."
"Believe me, Father, I know how to handle a sword. The sword I use when I'm fighting as Zorro belonged to Sir Edmund. He gave it to me, after I defeated him in one our lessons."
"You defeated Sir Edmund? He was the best swordsman in Europe, and no one was ever able to beat him. There was an outstanding wager that he would give his championship sword to any one to do so. I thought he had kept his sword until his death. But, you won it from him. No wonder Zorro fights so well."
"But why didn't you ever tell me, Diego? Why didn't you trust me?"
"Any accomplice of mine would surely be hanged beside me if my identity is ever discovered. As long as you didn't know you were safe."
"What about Victoria? You asked her to marry you? Did you tell her?"
"No, she doesn't know either, for the same reasons."
"She agreed to marry you without knowing you name?"
"Yes, she is a remarkable woman, and I'd do anything to protect her, even if it means that I have to put my life on hold."
Alejandro sat in his chair and stared at his son, unable to grasp what he had just discovered. Now that the information slowly sank in, he recognized the change in his son. It was not only what he said, but how he said it.
The man in front of him had a different attitude than the Diego he knew. He sat more upright, with his shoulders straight, and had the bearing of a self confident man. Also his voice sounded deeper and more distinguished. Now that he saw the differences, he could believe it. He had spoken to Zorro many times before, and he recognized him in the man who was sitting in front of him.
"I'm sorry, son, please forgive me all I said to you. I treated you so badly and showed my disappointment in you, and at the same time you saved my life again and again, and you never said a word."
"It is all right, Father. There is nothing to forgive. I only let you see what I want to show you, and the Diego you know is as part of my masquerade as the black mask I wear as Zorro."
When Alejandro stared uncomprehendingly at him, Diego began to laugh.
"I didn't really change that much in the four years I spent in Madrid. I do hate injustice and inactivity as much as you do, but I can't be suspected to be Zorro. That's why I invented peace-loving Diego."
"Do you say that the Diego, who I talked to these last years, is only an act? How could you do this for such a long time, and who is the real you?"
"I do love science and reading books, but that is the only thing that is true about the Diego you know. The real me you have met only under the mask of Zorro."
The revelations astonished Alejandro more and more. He had never suspected the depth of the deception that had taken place under his very nose. The more Diego told him, the prouder he got of his son. He thought he was through with surprises, but he learned differently when Diego got up and pulled a secret lever at the mantelpiece.
He looked in wonder at the secret entrance that opened up, and followed Diego into his secret cave. He learned of a world and of a man who had been hidden from him for so many years. Looking at the many unknown items stored at the cave, he couldn't stop asking, and for once Alejandro was grateful for the patience Diego displayed while answering his questions.
When the day got late, both were nearly hoarse from talking, laughing and exchanging ideas. Alejandro thought that he had never talked that much on one day, and he was finally at ease with the world, having found a man who shared his way of thinking and who was also his only son.
End file.
| The Letter answered by katie1999 | Zorro |
I've Been Thinking, You Should Have A Husband
**I'VE BEEN THINKING, YOU SHOULD HAVE A HUSBAND**
Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, Zorro Production Inc does - I just like to play with the characters.
Plot - Zorro's thoughts on why Victoria should have a husband, preferably Diego.
I just had to do a vignette story for Broken Heart, Broken Mask to explain why Zorro told Victoria that she should marry Diego.
* * *
Zorro stood in the shadows waiting for Victoria to take her nightly stroll around the de la Vega garden; a walk that she had started a week after she regained consciousness. He had struggled for weeks over his guilt that she had taken a bullet from him; a bullet that would have killed him. His death would have resulted more from his own arrogance than of the cold hard metal piercing his flesh.
He had been arrogant in his belief that nothing and no one could touch him; he should have ensured that Bishop had left the pueblo before turning his back on the man and not just assume that he had gone of his own accord. He had become so accustomed to bandits and thieves not fighting back that it simply hadn't occurred to him, until it was too late, that Bishop would turn around and shoot him.
That arrogance had almost cost him the life of the woman he loved.
It was when Victoria had recovered from the shooting that he decided to end the romance between Zorro and herself; a romance that should never have started in the first place. He should never have flirted with her and he should never have encouraged her to believe that she had a future with Zorro, which in hindsight was not only harming her reputation but it was also becoming highly improbably that he would ever be able to fulfill that promise.
What he should have done was to be the gentleman that his father had raised him to be and declare his intentions right from the beginning instead of hiding behind a black mask; a mask that had trapped them both as time went on. If he had courted Victoria when he first arrived home nineteen months ago, they might have been engaged to marry by now.
Perhaps it was time to change all that. Perhaps he could start over, start afresh and this time he would do it right. But in order to do that, Zorro had to stop his flirtation with Victoria to allow Diego de la Vega to step forward. Perhaps he could give his other self a helping hand and get Victoria to see him as a potential suitor.
His thoughts were interrupted by movement off to the right and he watched with an aching heart as the woman he loved twirled gracefully around the garden; he knew what he had to do.
Victoria jumped slightly when she saw him standing in the shadows, "Senor Zorro." she whispered.
He glanced to the right before he moved closer to her, "You look lovelier than ever." he said quietly as he raised his hand to her face.
She smiled, "Thank you, I am feeling much better."
He gazed at her, wishing he didn't have to break her heart but it was for the best, "I've been thinking. You should have a husband. Someone like Diego, perhaps." He couldn't help but see her disappointed look and he knew it was going to be hard to convince her of Diego's suitability.
"Like Diego? I thought...I thought we shared certain feelings?" she said.
"We do, more than you'll ever know." he replied as he gazed into her eyes before she unexpectedly kissed him. Although it was their first kiss, he knew that it had to be their last; he simply couldn't allow it to go any further.
"Diego!" Don Alejandro called out.
They pulled apart, neither wanting to be caught in such a compromising embrace.
"I must go. I must go." he whispered hoarsely, cursing his father's interruption. As he left the garden, he feared that he would never get another opportunity to break off the romance between Zorro and Victoria and his resolve to do so, slowly began to crumble.
* * *
The End
I hope you like this one :)
End file.
| I've Been Thinking, You Should Have A Husband by CrazyJan57 | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
**Times of despair**
_Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else._
Chapter 1
When Diego rode back to the hacienda, he had never felt this miserable. He couldn't think of a time when everything had been so bad.
He remembered how it all had begun. The handsome stranger Hernando Gonzalez had arrived in Los Angeles some months before. He had stayed at the tavern as Victoria's boarding guest, first for a week, then he had extended his stay. As soon as he had arrived, he had started to court Victoria. At first she had rebuffed him, but he had not accepted it. Since he stayed in the tavern, he had always been around. He knew how to make himself useful and Victoria had started to accept his help. His constant presence made it also difficult for Zorro to meet Victoria alone what had put an additional strain on their relation.
It had been some weeks ago. Gonzalez had left town on some errand and had not returned when Zorro slipped into Victoria's kitchen.
"Victoria! I have missed you."
"Zorro, I need to talk to you." Surprised she had turned around and faced him. "There is something I need to tell you."
He had reached for her, but she had kept her distance. "Is something wrong?"
"Wait here, Zorro, I'll be back in a minute."
She had left the kitchen and had returned a few minutes later. She had approached him and had opened her right hand that she had closed before. In her hand had lain his mother's ring that he had given her when he asked to marry him.
"Take it back." She had dropped the ring in his black gloved hand.
Shocked he had looked at her. "Victoria, I don't understand. Why? What happened?"
"I'm tired of waiting. I need a man who is around and who is there for me. Hernando Gonzales is that man. He has asked me to marry him and I said yes."
"Victoria, I love you, please. After all these years you are going to leave me?"
"My decision is final. I think you'd better leave now."
She had turned around and had left him standing in the kitchen. He didn't know how he had gotten home that night. He had ridden across the country until dawn and then he had finally returned home. After he had taken care of Toronado, he had fallen onto his bed, dead tired but still unable to sleep. He had lain awake the whole morning and then sleep had finally overwhelmed him.
The next days had been a nightmare for him. He had told his father that he was sick and had stayed in bed most of the time. He had seen the concern in his fathers eyes who had thought for the first time that his son was sicker than would admit, but he couldn't talk to him. Felipe was the only one whom he had told the truth. Felipe had been shocked, but there had been nothing he could do.
2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
A few days later he had gone to the pueblo to look for the newspaper and to see Victoria. He had tried to occupy himself with his work at the Guardian but he had often gotten distracted with thoughts of Victoria and the work had gone slow.
Alejandro and Felipe had wanted to join him for lunch at the tavern and he had been the first to arrive. When Victoria had come to take his order, he had tried to have some talk with her.
"Victoria, how is business today?"
"Oh Don Diego, I really have no time for talking."
"It is so busy today that you don't have time for me?"
He had looked around and there were only a few occupied tables and most of them were already served. Then Gonzales had come over to the table. "Victoria is right. She has no time for idle talk." "You'd better go to the kitchen to prepare for lunch, Victoria."
He had been surprised. "You let him order you around and you have no more time for an old friend? What has gotten into you? This doesn't look good to me."
"What ever is good or not good for me is alone my concern and you'd better keep out of it. If you must know, Hernando Gonzales is the man I'm going to marry."
"What about Zorro? I thought you promised to wait for him."
"Zorro is past. I'm tired of waiting and I want to go on with my life."
"So you split up with him, after all these years he has been loyal to you."
"That is just what I thought you'd say, Don Diego. I knew, you'd be on Zorro's side. No wonder when Zorro has always been there to help your family and Don Alejandro has been his greatest supporter."
"Victoria, I don't say that because Zorro has helped my family. Your decision seems to be a bit hasty. You know Gonzales only for a few weeks after all."
"As I said before that is none of your business."
"But Victoria, I don't think..."
"I'm not interested in what you think about me and Hernando." Victoria had become angry.
"Since you can't keep your thinking to yourself, you'd better leave now. We'll be on different sides now, since you'll be loyal to Zorro."
"Victoria, you are throwing me out of your tavern? Does our friendship mean nothing to you any more? This doesn't make sense at all. You can't do this!"
He had been stunned and hurt. He had never expected that.
"I can and I will. And I never want to see you in my tavern again."
"Victoria, you really want to do this? Only because I wanted to have a chat with you?"
"You'd better leave now."
Victoria had been sincere and he knew her well enough that she wouldn't change her mind that easily again. He had risen and was about to leave when Alejandro and Felipe had entered the tavern.
"What is going on here? Diego? Victoria?" Alejandro had asked when he had noticed the angry mood between them.
"Victoria has just thrown me out of her tavern. We are on different sides now that she is going to marry Senor Gonzales. If you excuse me, father."
"Is that true, Victoria? You ordered Diego to leave the tavern?"
"Yes, it is true and he'd better stay out."
"Felipe, in that case we'd better leave as well. I won't stay in a tavern where my son is not welcome. The de la Vegas will not be divided."
With that his father had followed him out to the plaza.
Hernando Gonzalez had only smiled triumphantly when Diego had left the tavern.
3. Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Diego didn't know what to do, now that all access to Victoria was denied to him. She was totally under the influence of Gonzalez. He wanted Victoria to be happy, but she didn't look that happy at all. Hernando had taken his time to upset Victoria against her friends and she wouldn't listen to anyone anymore. Diego didn't believe that Hernando had Victoria's best in his mind. He seemed to be a man who was interested only in his own good, but took his time to set his plans in motion.
The last weeks had been the hardest in Diego's life. He was grieving for his loss of Victoria, but he had still tried to continue as Zorro. The denied access to the tavern as Diego made his work as Zorro even more difficult. He could no longer invite the sergeant for lunches and get the necessary information from him that he needed as Zorro. His father also refused to eat in a tavern where his son was no longer wanted and didn't catch up on the information and the gossip in town either.
Two weeks after he had lost Victoria, he sat in the library with his father pretending to read when one of the peasants knocked at the door of the hacienda.
"Don Diego, can you please come, you have medical knowledge, haven't you?"
"Juan, tell what happened. Who was injured?"
"Pedro Ferera, he is very bad after the flogging from the alcalde. He needs medical aid and the doctor is at an emergency."
"There was a flogging in the pueblo today?"
"Si, Don Alejandro. The alcalde has invented a new tax on bread and Pedro Ferera wasn't able to pay. That 's why he was flogged today."
"And Zorro has not come to prevent it, Juan?"
"No, Don Alejandro, he hasn't. It was the first time he didn't prevent a flogging. Why has Zorro deserted the people? Is it because Senorita Escalante has left him?"
"I don't think, Zorro has deserted the people because of the Senorita. Zorro can't be everywhere. But it is good you came here. I'll ride with you to the Ferera farm and see what I can do."
Diego had tried to assure Juan, but he didn't seemed to be convinced.
He had been shocked about what had happened. Neither he nor his father had been in the pueblo for some days and they hadn't known about the new tax and the scheduled flogging.
The next day he had ridden to the pueblo as Zorro. After a short fight with the lancers, he had dueled with the alcalde and soon had him at the point of his sword.
As a result the alcalde had rescinded the tax on bread again.
But the damage had already been done. The trust in Zorro had been broken. He had not been there when he had been needed. Now the people knew that they no longer could rely on Zorro to always help them as they had in the past.
The alcalde had reacted to the changed mood in the pueblo by slowly rising the level of suppression and the people were no longer spirited enough to object, now that their main leaders were no longer present. Don Alejandro rarely went to town now and Victoria hardly rose her voice any more.
4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Diego had tried to keep himself informed as editor of the newspaper, but the people were less open and reluctant to share information.
Whenever he had been in the pueblo, he had tried to have a look at Victoria, but she was rarely to be seen now and stayed mostly inside the tavern.
He had had some talk with Alina, one of Victoria's helpers in the tavern. After he insured her that he would publish what she told him, she had been willing to share the gossip and some information what was going on in the pueblo from what she picked up at the tavern.
They were either having some chat when they met on the plaza or she was coming to his newspaper bringing him the lunch he ordered from time to time.
So it had been no surprise to see Alina at the newspaper today. But this time she hadn't come for some chat, but with a request.
"Don Diego, I would like to work for you at your newspaper."
"Alina, this is a surprise. I thought you were busy enough with your work at the tavern."
"That is the problem, Don Diego. I don't work at the tavern anymore, but my family needs the money I earn and that's why I thought.."
"Why did you stop working at the tavern? What has happened?"
"Senor Gonzalez has told me that they don't need me any more since there isn't enough work any more and that I'd better leave."
"But the tavern has been full most of the time, especially on market days."
"That had been the case as long as you had been there but that has changed in the last weeks."
"What has happened?"
"Your fight with Victoria. Since Victoria has banned you from the tavern, your father has made clear that he doesn't go there anymore."
"What has that to do with the business at the tavern. Three people don't make such a big difference."
"But you underestimate the influence you and your father have at the caballeros in Los Angeles. Those who are good friends with your father won't do less than him and they don't visit the tavern either. Since your father is well respected among the caballeros, there are hardly any left who come."
"I see. I never thought of that. I think Victoria didn't either. How is she anyway?"
"I can't say, Don Diego. It is mostly Senor Gonzalez who gives the orders now and Victoria keeps much to her room. She is sick quite often now."
"Victoria has never been much sick before." He was very concerned. "What about Senor Gonzalez?"
"At first he was nice to all of us, but recently he has shown his true nature. The atmosphere in the tavern has become quite unpleasant and except for the money, I'm glad I don't work there anymore. Since the flogging the normal people shun the tavern as well and all the guest the tavern has left are passing travelers or some rowdy vaqueros."
Diego had been at loss. "What has the flogging to do with the tavern being empty?"
"The day after the flogging Pedro Ferera's wife came to the tavern and she made Victoria responsible for her husband's injuries. If Victoria hadn't broken up with Zorro, he would have been there to protect him. Zorro always came before. And I think she is right."
"Alina, you can't really believe that. Zorro wouldn't abandon the people because Victoria decided to marry someone else."
"But that is what he did. It is all Victoria's fault. Who do the peasants have except for Zorro to defend them?"
Diego had been shocked about Alina's statements. The people shouldn't blame Victoria because Zorro had failed in protecting them. This was all wrong. Just when he had thought the situation couldn't get worse, it did. What could he do? He was worried about Victoria and at the same time he couldn't get to her. He had been distracted by the news that he hadn't heard what Alina has said next.
"Don Diego, what about my working for your paper then? Is there a chance? I'd really like to work here and I need the money."
"Alina, just let me think about it. Please come back tomorrow and I'll give you an answer."
"Thank you, Don Diego."
When Alina had left, he had been very concerned. When would this nightmare ever end?
5. Chapter 5
Chapter 5
On his way back from the pueblo Diego was so lost in thoughts that he had paid little attention to his surroundings. Only now he saw the trail that was leading away from Los Angeles. It was a trail from a single person on foot which was rare on the road. Those who used the road were traveling north to Santa Barbara either by horse or by wagon. There was only the de la Vega hacienda on the road before the camino real to Santa Barbara started.
Who would come to the hacienda on foot?
But the hacienda wasn't the destination of the traveler, because the trail left the road before the hacienda came into sight. Intrigued by this mystery he followed the trail that leadin the direction of the Perdido canyon.
He followed the trail for quite some time until the footsteps ended at some rocks and some bushes. That was where he found her. He recognized the red skirt and the formerly white blouse immediately.
"Victoria," he exclaimed when he saw her body lying on the ground. He dismounted his horse and knelt down beside her. When he turned her around, she opened her eyes. She looked at him confused and with swollen eyes.
"Diego? What are you doing here? How did you find me?" she whispered with a hoarse voice.
"I followed your trail from the road and I think it is you who has to some explaining to do."
Now that he looked at her, he was shocked about the state he found her in. He hadn't seen her for some time and the changes were obvious. She looked haggard and much thinner than the last time. Her arms were full of bruises and her face was covered with paint to hide the bruises there. Where the paint was washed away from her tears, she looked even worse.
"Tell me what happened. Who hit you? Was it Hernando?"
She only nodded and then she began to cry.
"Shh, Victoria. It is all right. You are safe now."
He took her in his arms and comforted her. "Why didn't you come to the hacienda? We would have helped you."
"I thought you were no longer my friend, after all that I said to you. Please forgive me, Diego." She cried even more, her whole body was shaking.
It broke his heart to see her so desperate.
"I'll always be there for you, Victoria. Don't cry. Tell me what happened."
He embraced her and held her close. Desperately she clung to him and between tears she slowly started her tale.
"Hernando, I thought he loved me, but I in the last weeks he turned bad. At first everything was fine and he made me believe that he cared for me. He did everything for me and he was always around. Then slowly he changed. He started to hit me when I didn't do what he wanted."
"Why didn't you tell someone and ask for help?"
"There wasn't anybody left to turn to, he had alienated me from all my friends. And I was all alone. It grew worse and worse until he hit me every night and then last night..."
It took her some time to continue.
"He said if I had been Zorro's whore I could also be his and when I refused, he hit me like never before and then I started to run. I didn't know where to go, I only wanted to get away. I just ran and I ran... Diego, I swear, Zorro and I have never.."
"Victoria, I know."
He tried to comfort her as best as he could, but she kept on sobbing.
"Did he force you?"
He was relieved when she shook her head.
"Can you move?"
She shook her head again. "My ankle. I think it's broken." She winced in pain when she tried to move it.
"It was plain stupid to run out in the middle of the night. You could have died here if I hadn't followed your trail. Promise me, you'll never do that again."
He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. Effortlessly he lifted her in his arms and sat her on his horse in front of him.
He held her in a close embrace to make sure she wouldn't fall off on the way to the hacienda and she didn't resist. She didn't care at all what happened to her and it showed him even more how much she was hurt. He had never seen her in such a low spirit with all her fierceness gone.
Tonight Zorro would visit the tavern and make sure that Hernando Gonzales left the pueblo forever and that he never came close to Victoria again.
He carried Victoria to one of the guest quarters and ordered a servant to get Dr. Hernandez. His father was as shocked as Diego when he heard what happened. Alejandro felt guilty that he had no longer visited the tavern when Diego couldn't. He thought that he might have noticed something.
"Dr. Hernandez, how is she?" Don Alejandro asked him when the doctor came out of Victoria's room to join them in the hall where they had been waiting.
"She has a broken foot and some bruises. The bruises will be gone in a few days, but the foot will take longer. I have splinted it and she should not walk on it for some weeks. It will take time until she will be able to work again. That is all I can say from the medical point of view, but I have noticed that she had a very bad time recently. The bruises to her soul will probably take longer to heal. She will need her friends now."
"That's what she will have from me and my son, and she will have all the time she needs." Don Alejandro assured the doctor.
"Then there is nothing else for me do to here now. I will have a look at her again in a few days."
6. Chapter 6
Chapter 6
That night Zorro paid a visit to the tavern. The tavern was still open when he entered through the back door. The kitchen was deserted and through the curtain he took a peek at the main room of the tavern. The room was empty except for one vaquero who hastily gulped down his drink and headed for the door when he saw Zorro enter.
Hernando Gonzalez was standing behind the bar arranging some bottles. It grated on Zorro to see him at Victoria's place.
"Senor, I think we need to talk," he said threateningly.
"Zorro, you are no longer welcome in this tavern. Besides Victoria is not here."
"I know very well where Victoria is and I also know what you did to her. You will pay for that."
"Don't think that this is so easy, Zorro." Gonzalez reached for the pistol he had hidden behind the bar. Before he could pull the trigger, Zorro quickly hit his hand with his sword and the shot went to the ceiling.
Zorro climbed behind the bar and grabbed Gonzalez by his collar. With a powerful shove he pushed him at the wall and fixed him with a strong grip.
"Now Senor, we can talk," Zorro said angrily. "I want to know why before I hand you over to the alcalde. Why did you hurt Victoria like this?"
"To take revenge for my brother. It was you and Victoria who ruined his career. Pablo Gonzalez is my brother."
"Are you talking of Corporal Gonzalez of the royal army?"
"I see that you remember him. He wanted Victoria to be a little friendly to him and show him the respect he was due as a corporal, but instead she poured juice all over him and Don Diego nearly challenged him."
Zorro remembered the moment when he had met Victoria the first time after his return from Spain and he had fallen in love with her. It was before he had even thought of Zorro.
"If he had wanted respect, he should have earned it by acting like honorable corporal."
"It was her fault. After this incident his whole regiment laughed at him for being made a fool by a tavern wench. The next time when his regiment passed through Los Angeles, he wanted her to apologize for her behavior, but Zorro got in the way and cut his pants that he stood there in his underwear. He became the laughing stock of his regiment and he was always reminded of his humiliation by his comrades. Then he started to drink and discharged from the army.
My brother came home and told me everything, before he shot himself. That was when I decided to take revenge on the woman who was responsible for my brother's downfall."
"Your brother is the only one who is responsible for what happened to him. That gave you no right to hurt Victoria."
Gonzalez ignored Zorro's remark and continued his tale, gloating while he revealed his plan.
"I wanted to humiliate the woman who did this to him and to bring her down.
It was easier than I had thought. I always had my way with women and I knew how to treat them.
Victoria was lonely and tired of waiting. With some well placed comments and some intrigues you never discovered I was able to set her up against you and her friends, and at the same time I made her believe that I loved her until she split up with you, Zorro. I even asked her to marry me."
"But you never intended to marry her, it was all a trick," Zorro growled.
"Of course, it was. As soon as I had ruined her, I would have dropped her. But unfortunately she resisted and ran away."
Zorro had never been this angry in his whole life, after he heard what Gonzalez had planned for Victoria.
"That she escaped from what you had in mind for her, is the one thing that saves you from death. If she hadn't, you would be dead now. But if you ever try to harm her again or even get near her, I will kill you. That is a promise I will keep. "
He tied Gonzalez up and pulled him to the kitchen. On his way in he had seen the big bathtub, ready for use and it had given him his idea.
Gonzalez looked confused at Zorro when he filled the bathtub with water and then rummaged through Victoria's cupboards. Zorro took several ingredients and poured them into the water. When he was finished, he cut through Gonzalez clothes until only his underwear was left and directed him to the bathtub.
"Now senor, you will take a bath." With the sword pointed at his chest, Gonzalez climbed into the tub. "Submerge until you are totally under water", Zorro ordered him.
"Are you going to drown me, Zorro? So you are a murderer after all." Gonzalez sneered.
"If I wanted to kill you, you would already be dead. No, I'm only giving you a shave. This might be aggressive, so I recommend you to keep your eyes closed."
Having no choice, Gonzalez did as he was told and totally submerged holding his breath. After a short time he surfaced again. He repeated the procedure until Zorro was satisfied and made him leave the tub. Zorro tied him up again and pushed him to the ground.
"Now Senor, you will have an encounter with the alcalde and his men. Unfortunately for you, the sergeant is very fond of Victoria and especially her tamales. When he hears that he has to eat garrison food because you hurt her, he will not like it at all. The sergeant is a nice fellow, except when it comes to eating. He will guard you closely until your trial in San Pedro."
Zorro emptied the bathtub, carefully avoiding all contact with the water, before he went in search for the sergeant. He opened the tavern front door and stepped on the porch. The sergeant was leaning against it having some supper.
"Buenas noches, sergeant," Zorro greeted him. "Just don't try to arrest me. It is useless anyway."
"Zorro," the sergeant turned around surprised. "What are you doing here? I thought that you no longer visited the Senorita, now that she will marry Senor Gonzalez."
"This is not a visit to Victoria, but to Senor Gonzalez. Victoria is at the De la Vega hacienda because Gonzalez hurt her."
"Senorita Escalante is hurt? How is she?" Mendoza asked sympathetically.
"She nearly died when she got away from him, but Don Diego found her and now she has a broken foot and some bruises." Zorro's face was very grim. "The tavern will be closed until she is better."
"The tavern is closed? No more tamales?" Mendoza looked at him in horror.
"You can thank Senor Gonzalez for that. I have already done your work and tied him up for you. You will find him inside. Take him to the jail and make sure that he is brought to court in San Pedro."
With the prospect of having to eat at the garrison, he followed Zorro into the tavern quickly.
In the kitchen Mendoza looked confused. "Zorro, I thought you had tied up Gonzalez, but I don't see him. And who is the man over there?" He pointed at Gonzalez without recognizing him.
"That is Hernando Gonzalez. I simply got him a shave with some potion after a recipe I read about in a book from Dr. William Morgan. It is quite effective, but a little aggressive. Now I know why he didn't recommend it."
Mendoza looked at Gonzalez incredulously. "Now, that you say it, I recognize him. But the man is totally bold and he has not a single hair on his whole body like a baby. Before he was handsome and very vain about his hair, but now he looks like ..."
Mendoza was at loss for words.
"Now his outside reflects his soul. This will give him a lesson not turn on some woman for some time." Zorro added, still angry.
"Will his hair grow back, Zorro?"
"Probably. Dr. Morgan wasn't specific about the time it will take." Gonzalez face turned white.
"Remind me never to ask you for a shave, Zorro. I think he deserved it, after what he did to Senorita Escalante when she isn't able to cook for some weeks."
He roughly pulled Gonzalez to his feet and shoved the tied man out of the door. "I will do as you say, Zorro. He won't have the chance to hurt the Senorita again, because he will spend the next time in jail under close guard."
His task accomplished, Zorro locked the tavern behind Mendoza and returned home.
_**Author's note: **This part was quite difficult to write because for the first time Zorro steppes out of his role of never hurting somebody and takes his revenge. But I thought that simply doing his 'Z' and getting him to jail would be too easy on Gonzalez._
7. Chapter 7
Chapter 7
At the hacienda Victoria slowly recovered from her ordeal, but she showed no intention to return to her tavern after Gonzales was removed. She was ashamed and didn't want her bruises to be seen in the pueblo. After the first day, when Diego had found her, she never opened up again and she totally retreated to herself. She ate very little and hardly said a word. She didn't even allow him to take her in his arms to comfort her. She trusted nobody anymore.
The next evening he paid her a visit as Zorro. She had limped to one of the benches in the garden and had made clear to Don Alejandro that she wanted to be alone.
"Zorro, you came to see me?" There was a first glitter of hope to be seen in her eyes. "I understand that you don't love me anymore, but can you forgive me, please?"
"Always, Victoria." He sat down beside her and took her hand. Softly he placed a kiss on it.
"I have never stopped loving you."
"Then you are not angry at me anymore, Zorro? How can you still love me after all I've done?"
Her eyes were full of fear and grief.
Slowly he reached out and caressed her cheek. "You will never lose my love, Victoria."
Then her self control vanished. Tears ran down her face and he slowly kissed them away while he took her in his arms.
"Hold me please, Zorro. Don't ever leave me. I love you so much, but I only realized it after I sent you away." Desperately she clung to him.
For the first time in months they kissed again and both were happy about their reconciliation.
"I was not your fault, Victoria. It was a trap and it wouldn't have happened if had been there for you."
He told her what Gonzalez had revealed him at their encounter. Victoria was shocked and at the same time relieved. "I felt so guilty that I left you, but now that I know he planned it all along, I am more ashamed of my stupidity."
"Victoria, none of us could have known that he was such an evil man. But he will never harm you again. I will be there for you when I wasn't in the past."
After that Victoria's condition greatly improved and her mood lifted. Zorro met her every night after dinner in the garden, and they spend the evening together until she went to bed. They were kissing, talking or only watching the stars in silence. Sometimes it got so late that she fell asleep in his arms and he carried her to her bed. When she woke up the next morning, she found herself fully clothed in her bed, covered with a sheet and a rose on her pillow.
Whenever Alejandro saw Zorro in the garden, he never said a word, but retreated to another part of the hacienda to leave them undisturbed. He knew he shouldn't allow these secret visits, but he was glad that Zorro had come and still cared for Victoria who was as dear to him as a daughter. He knew how much Victoria depended on Zorro's love and that they both needed some time together after this near tragedy.
8. Chapter 8
Chapter 8
Diego spend more time with Victoria as Zorro than he ever had before, but the longer it went, the more he realized that it couldn't go on like this. First of all it became more and more difficult for him to keep up his charade. The days he was spending with her as Diego and the evenings as Zorro. He could hardly keep himself apart anymore. He had always to remember what he said to her as Diego and what as Zorro. He began to slip more and more often. Now that she was recovering, Victoria became more alert and sooner or later she would make the connection.
Somehow he wanted her to know the truth. After all these years he couldn't blame her that she had been tired of waiting for Zorro and they needed to go on with their lives. He couldn't risk to lose her once more and he needed to find a solution for the difficult situation they found themselves in.
During one of their talks they had discussed that fact that the people blamed her for his failure to show up at the flogging.
As Zorro he had told Victoria that he hadn't known about the flogging, but still she felt responsible, because he had always know before. Now that she and Zorro had reconciled, everything would return to normal, but that left them with the problem how they could marry. To marry her as Diego was impossible now, not when everybody was expecting her to stay true to Zorro. It would be the same as revealing his identity as Zorro. And to marry her as Zorro would put her into danger from the alcalde.
What a terrible mess.
Diego had been pacing the library up and down for some time without coming to a solution until his father interrupted him.
"Diego, now please stop it. You won't solve your problems with walking holes in the floor. Tell me what troubles you, maybe I can help you. Is it about Victoria?"
Diego looked up surprised. He hadn't known that his concern for her was that obvious.
"Don't tell me you don't care for her. You have been spending every free moment with her, ever since you brought her here. And I have seen how you look at her. How long have you loved her?"
"Since I came home from Spain."
"That long and you never said a word to her? No wonder I could never persuade you to marry.
What are you going to do about it? Now that she has reconciled with Zorro again."
"That's the problem. I'll never stand a chance against Zorro."
"You should talk about it with Victoria. If she hadn't been tired of waiting, she'd never have fallen for this 'Hernando'." Alejandro said the name with disgust. "She is as close to marrying Zorro as before she met that man. Not when there is no end of the alcalde's oppression in sight. Zorro is still needed and won't be able to openly stand by her side for some time. Maybe you do stand a chance with her."
"Do you know what that means, father? You expect her to dupe Zorro once more, just after they got together again? You yourself support his visits to Victoria and on the other hand you want to betray him?"
"I do hold Zorro in great esteem, but you are my son and I want to see you happy with Victoria."
Diego was shocked about his father's statements. He had always thought that his father was loyal to Zorro. But his father preferred Diego to Zorro. While he was pleased to be his father's favorite it also meant disloyalty to his other self. He was torn. Torn and trapped!
Even more angry than before he started pacing once more, his mood clearly showing.
"Now Diego, what have I said that has made you angry? All I that I wanted was to give you some fatherly advice. I looks like you're angry that I prefer my own son to some masked stranger whoever he may be. You are my flesh and blood and I will stand by your side. You should know that."
"Thank you father, I appreciate your help. But unfortunately that doesn't solve my problem. If only I could get rid of Zorro."
"What do you mean by that? If you weren't such a peaceful man I would think you wanted to kill him. But gladly you would never do that."
"Maybe I should really kill Zorro. It would give the people something to think about. I only need a good plan." He started thinking and pacing again.
"You can't be serious, Diego. How can you even consider killing a man?" Alejandro looked at his son in horror. "I never thought you were bloodthirsty. Sometimes I wished you were a more active man but I'd never want you to kill someone."
"I don't intend to kill someone, I only want to kill Zorro. I just need to think about it." Leaving his shocked father behind, he left the room.
9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
In the evening when he was about to meet with Victoria as Zorro, Alejandro waited for him in the garden.
"Zorro, I need to talk to you. I think you are in danger. Today I had a talk with Diego and I think he is jealous of you and Victoria. He has thought about killing you and I can't let that happen."
Zorro's reaction was not what Alejandro had anticipated. He laughed, "So you are loyal to Zorro after all. But I can put your mind at rest, there will be no bloodshed between Diego and me. That would be quite impossible."
"How can you be so sure about that?" Alejandro was irritated. He had come to warn Zorro and as a result Zorro laughed at him.
"Because.." Zorro started to say something and then suddenly he changed his mind.
"Oh well, I have got enough of the whole masquerade." He threw his hat to the ground and shoved his mask from his face.
Alejandro stared at him. "Diego?" "You are Zorro?" Alejandro leaned against one of the walls for support. "How..? How ..?" he was stunned. Before he found his speech again, Victoria entered the garden. She looked at the two men and at Diego in his black outfit.
"Diego, it's really you?" She sounded more relieved than surprised.
"Victoria, you are not surprised?" Diego asked her.
"Not after these last weeks. I never spend so much time with Zorro before, but having you and Zorro day by day beside me, I must have been more than blind. Besides, you made too many mistakes recently. I could asked Diego something I talked about with Zorro and Diego could give me the right answer and vice versa. I checked it. I'm not stupid. I was about to confront you today."
"You really did? Then you are not angry?" he asked hopefully.
"Only at myself, for being so blind." Without hesitation she stepped into his open arms. "The biggest mistake I ever made was when I banned you from my life, Diego. I'll never want to live without you again."
She reached for him to kiss him and he tenderly returned it.
"But you will answer a lot of questions, Diego," she said demandingly.
He laughed happily at that. Her remark showed him that she had gotten back her temper and that her spirit hadn't been broken. She would be herself again.
"We should better move inside," Diego suggested. "What we have to discuss, should better be done in private. And I think you'll find a chair more comfortable for support, father."
They talked a lot that night and Diego had much to explain.
Although they didn't find a solution what to do about Zorro that night, Diego and Victoria made up their mind about one thing. He would marry her soon, either secretly as Zorro or openly as Diego.
10. Chapter 10
Chapter 10
The next day Victoria expressed her wish to accompany him to the pueblo. It was the first time she'd return to the pueblo after the night she ran away from Gonzalez. Only then Diego realized what they had overlooked. Since Victoria hadn't been in the pueblo recently, nobody knew that she had reconciled with Zorro. Zorro had kept his visits private even to the servants on the hacienda. Except for Victoria, Felipe and his father, nobody else knew. And if they kept it private, there would still be a chance for Diego and Victoria. It was Diego who had saved her life after all.
So there was no real need to get rid of Zorro.
Nobody could expect to Zorro to take her back after she had left him, and this would be the chance for Diego to marry her, after all the weeks she had spent on the hacienda. Zorro would merely be a good friend, no longer angry at her, but no longer her lover either.
Now that he no longer had to act in front of his family, life became a lot easier. He no longer had to guard his tongue and act like he didn't care when in fact he was quite angry. When Victoria got to know the real Diego, she discovered how much alike he was to his father. They both had the De la Vega temper and they couldn't stand injustice. But where Don Alejandro acted impulsively, Diego kept his anger in check. He always gave it a thought, before he made his move trying to turn the situation to his advantage. When he acted, he was in control of the situation and he used his opponents anger against them. The only times she had seen him act impulsively was when she or his father had been in danger. But then it had sometimes been Alejandro who had restrained him.
Two weeks later Victoria's brother Ramon arrived at the De la Vega hacienda. Diego had written him in his worry about Victoria and hoping that her brother would be able to help her when he no could reach her. Ramon had been very concerned about Diego's letter, but he wasn't able to come earlier.
He was relieved to see his sister well and happily agreed to give his sister away at the wedding that was scheduled the week after his arrival.
Victoria and Ramon made a decision about the tavern. About all that happened Victoria didn't feel comfortable there any more and after the wedding she wouldn't have that much time for it either when she hoped to have her own family to care for soon.
Ramon was glad to take over the tavern from Victoria after it was reopened. Victoria helped him to set up business again until he was able to manage it himself. Alina and Pilar returned to their job at the tavern and since the De la Vegas were regular customers again, the business improved considerably.
Victoria also had a clue that her brother wouldn't stay alone for long since she noticed how well Ramon and Alina got along after they set sight on each other.
11. Chapter 11
**Epilogue**
After they wedding ceremony was over, Diego and Victoria used the moment of quiet before the guests arrived at the hacienda for a walk in the garden.
"Diego," Victoria said, "there is something I must tell you."
Diego looked at her expectantly.
"You know that night when Hernando wanted to have his way with me," she said hesitantly, "something happened. He restrained me by the arms and I didn't know what to do. I needed to
make a decision. I could give in to him or I could resist him. It would have been easy to give in, just to stop the beating and I nearly did.
And then suddenly everything was different. It was like a vision. In one moment I had been in my room and in the next I was standing at the bar of my tavern. But the tavern was not like it had been before. There were women who were entertaining the men and I was one of them. It was a nightmare. And then there was you. You were very angry and you grabbed me by my arms and forced me to look at the mirror behind the bar. "Look what you have become," you said. "Look at yourself. You promised you'd wait for him."
"Wait for whom?" I asked. "Wait for Zorro." I didn't know who you were talking about and I saw the desperation in your eyes.
The next moment I was back in my room and I knew I had to fight. Somehow I knew what would happen if I didn't and that look in your eyes hurt me more than anything Gonzalez could ever do to me. It was more than I could bear. I freed myself and then I started to run from that nightmare. Everything had been so real and there even was Mendoza, but he no longer wore his uniform."
Before she could continue, Diego interrupted her. He had turned white when she had described the scene at the bar. He was staring at her, his eyes unfocused as if he was seeing everything in front of him.
"Mendoza was dressed in a beggar's rags and he was hungry because he hadn't eaten in days. And you wore a white blouse that was pulled very low down one of your shoulders. And my father was dead and Felipe was in Devil's Fortress."
Victoria stared at him in shock. "How can you know that? It was so real, but it was a dream, wasn't it?"
"No, Victoria, I don't think it was a dream. It was what could have happened if we made the wrong decision. I have been through that nightmare before and it still haunts me. I have been there, years ago and it helped me to go on as Zorro when I had doubts and was questioning the reason for him."
It showed me what my life would be if I hadn't decided to become Zorro."
He recounted her what had happened that Christmas eve some years ago.
"And it showed me what I would become and gave me the power to resist Gonzalez," Victoria added. "At that moment I knew I couldn't live without you."
"Neither can I, Victoria and nothing will ever come between us again. I'll do everything in my power for that."
Happily he kissed her and hugged her close, the memory of that nightmare engraved on their minds. They needed to feel each other to know what was real and that they escaped this possibility if only barely. For what they had endured made them value their wedding even more. The future would not always be easy, but life could never be better for them than when they were together.
End file.
| Times of Despair by katie1999 | Zorro |
Reflections
_**Reflections**_
_**
* * *
**_
Summary: New World Zorro. Zorro's thoughts at the end of that fatal episode _Devil's Fortress._
Obviously all credit goes to the producers of Zorro. If I owned Zorro, Luis Ramon would have been promoted or still Alcalde.
* * *
Zorro's eyes widened as the mask was torn from his face. A myriad of emotions rushed though his mind, leaving him numb, cold. Fear. His enemy knew his identity. Victoria and his father were in danger. It was unlikely the Alcalde would spare them. They were too close to the source of over five years of humiliation. Anger. How could he have allowed the Alcalde to tear off his mask? Temptation. All it would take would be one push. One push and no one would ever know his identity.
And then the Alcalde cried out. And he was slipping, falling, falling. In that split second Zorro could do nothing but watch as his enemy fell away from the stone towards the unforgiving ground bellow. His numbness left, as adrenaline took its place. Never had he taken a life. Always he had believed in saving his fellow beings whenever possible. Yet the numbness had lasted too long. His enemy was now out of reach of even the whip he carried at his side. He was rushing down the stairs before the Alcalde had finished shouting that he "should have known" his humiliating opponent had been the son of his most active political opponent. And then he was standing next to the man who lay, rigid and unmoving, in the stone courtyard.
Numbly he stared at the body that had been Luis Ramon, eyes never leaving the dead man's face as he retrieved his mask and hat. One leg of the Alcalde's was twisted beneath his body. A small pile of blood dribbled out of the cut on the back of his head. And one gloved hand still held that document, the deed to the De La Vega estate. Gently Zorro retrieved the paper, crushing it slightly as he held it tightly in a gloved fist. A document a man had died for.
And as he stared at the body, memories intruded themselves forcibly upon his consciousness. Memories of the countless petty tyrannies inflicted upon the Los Angeles pueblo by the man in front of him. He tried to hold them there, to rejoice in the death of this man. Tried to think of declaring himself openly to Victoria; to think of the joy he would feel to hold her in his arms.
Yet more memories followed. The flustered, angry Alcalde _not_ ordering his men to open fire on Victoria as she stood between the lancers and her brother and Zorro, this despite the chance that he could have caught Zorro had he done so. The Alcalde's face as he proposed seeking Zorro for help against the malingering Sir Miles Thackery. Their brief truce and almost-friendship on that occasion, and back when he had won back those four-thousand pesos. The Alcalde abandoning his attempt to claim the bounty on Sir Edward Kendell when faced with Diego's true grief. He thought of the elation which never failed to seize the man when he thought he was being admired or accepted by anyone.
And of the Alcalde saving his life mere minutes earlier from the treacherous woman who had had him at gunpoint. He could see the gun in the Alcalde's belt. He wondered why the man hadn't opened fire on him from up there. Or indeed every other one of those numerous times the man had simply started taunting him as he pointed his pistol at him. Could it be that Luis Ramon had, to an extent, enjoyed matching wits with the outlaw Zorro?
Zorro stared at the body. And then he left the Alcalde silent and alone on the cold stone.
End file.
| Reflections by Laelwen | Zorro |
A Daddies Love
**All rights are owned by the creators of Zorro. This very short story is meant for entertainment purposes only. Happy reading :)**
**A Daddies Love**
Victoria woke up and felt for Diego on the other side of the bed. "Diego." She softly called as she opened her eyes.
It was still dark and very early in the morning. A soft piano melody could be heard from the down the hallway.
Victoria slowly climbed out of bed and put her robe on before going to see who was up so early.
She rounded the corner of the hallway and stopped before she was seen by Diego. He was sitting at the piano playing a soft classical tune holding little Edmond. "Shhh, we need to let mommy rest. She has a long day tomorrow." He spoke softly to the small child staring up at him with bright eyes. "Someday I will teach you how to play piano my little bambino."
Diego carefully shifted the bundled child so he was nuzzled up against his chest. Edmonds little eyes slowly closed while he sucked on his tiny thumb.
"There, there little one, sweet dreams. Daddy loves you very much." Diego slowly stood up and rocked from side to side humming a soft lullaby. He slowly moved down the hallway that led to the nursery.
Victoria quietly watched him with tears of love pooling in the corners of her eyes. "I love you Diego." She whispered to herself and wiped her eyes with the edge of her robe sleeve.
Diego carefully laid Edmond down in his crib and softly kissed his forehead before leaving the room. "Sweet dreams my brave son." He whispered from the doorway.
Victoria saw Diego come out of the nursery and quickly went back to the bedroom before her husband saw her.
Diego entered the bedroom and carefully climbed into bed. He put his arm over Victoria's still and relaxed body. "I love you Victoria." He gently kissed her forehead and pulled her close to him and relaxed.
Sleep quickly took over his worn out body and soon he was snoring.
Victoria opened her eyes and a soft loving smile curved her lips, "I love you too Diego." She whispered and kissed his cheek softly. She closed her eyes and a few minutes later she was sound asleep in her husbands safe and warm arms.
End file.
| A Daddies Love by jpaez | Zorro |
Melon
Author's Note: The 365 Project is an experimental project to write and post at least one short every day for the next year, not including my semi-regular bi-weekly updates. Whether or not that goal can be reached, we'll see... This is The 365 Project, 27 January.
Second note; there's been some confusion lately regarding the 365 Project and 'missed days' because of situations like the last entry for "Zorro" was 2 January and this entry is 27 January - the 365 Project isn't limited to any one fandom, so if there's a period where it seems like I'm missing days, the stories for those days are in other fandoms. For a better explaination of the 365 Project, feel free to check the updated profile on my author's page.
Disclaimer: Zorro (this version, at least) belongs to New World Entertainment and the Family Channel and is used without permission or intent to profit.
* * *
"Melon"
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'
* * *
Victoria smiled at him and it would have been enough to get him to do anything she wanted if not for the simple fact that she treated him like a brother - a particularly vexing brother, but a brother nonetheless.
"I'm surprised you asked to watch me prepare a simple bowl of fruit, Diego - it hardly seems like something you would be interested in."
Diego shook his head and tried not to let the fact that he would use any excuse to spend time with Victoria that didn't involve black clothes and a mask show on his face, "To the contrary, Victoria, a 'simple bowl of fruit' as you put it seems the sort of dish which even I couldn't ruin and this way I can prepare something for myself if I have to work late at the Guardian after you've closed the Tavern for the night."
"Even if the Tavern is closed, I would still be glad to fix you something simple if you need it late, Diego," Victora answered.
Trying not to focus on the strands of dark hair that had fallen in front of her ear and the desire he felt to tuck it back behind it, Diego managed to answer, "I wouldn't want to disturb you."
Victoria's eyes flashed in frustration, "But you would rather disturb Doctor Hernandez instead?"
Diego chuckled carefully, "I believe I am familiar enough with my accident-prone nature that I can fix most of the cuts I might suffer and not have to disturb the good doctor. Of course, if you'd rather I return to the hacienda and ask Maria for instructions, I can do that as well."
"I don't think it would be fair of me to inflict you on Maria in her kitchen, Diego," Victoria retorted, "At least if you start causing trouble in the tavern kitchen, I can trust that Sergeant Mendoza would be glad to remove you."
"I sincerely promise that I will do nothing to make you wish for me to leave," Diego swore, leaving Victoria to wonder at the strange wording of his promise.
* * *
It was about twenty minutes later and already a large bowl now contained slices of avacado, slices of oranges and various other bits of fruit, but Victoria hadn't finished yet, there was still one ingredient left to add.
"Now the..." Victoria paused and looked around, "Diego, have you seen the canteloupe"
"Father has the wagon," Diego answered distractedly through half-closed eyelids, trying not to think of how he'd like to suck clean the fruit juices that had collected Victoria's slender fingers as she had moved the cut fruit from the cutting board into the bowl.
"What?" Victoria frowned at him, "What does your father have to do with a missing canteloupe, Diego?"
"He has the wagon and Esperanza isn't used to carrying two," he answered in that same distracted tone, almost as though he were talking in his sleep, "Unfortunate since I want to wait until we're married before I give you the rest..."
By this point, Victoria wasn't sure whether she should be amused that Diego had drifted off until he was half-asleep or surprised that her old friend was so unknowing of his actions that he had just confessed to wanting to marry her, something she had never considered as a reason for his lack of romantic attention to the senoritas of the pueblo. Two sudden realisations hit Victoria in succession; the first, that Zorro must have been the 'other man' who he had mentioned after Zafira's appearance in Los Angeles as having the heart of the woman he loved, her, it had to be her...
And the second brought a crimson flush to her face, as she thought it out, 'Canteloupe, why would it matter that Don Alejandro has the wagon... it wouldn't for fruit, but if a sleepy Diego was upset that we can't elope because his father has the wagon...'
Victoria felt a sudden mix of shame and embarassment, wondering why she had ever thought of Diego as unromantic; he read books and books had stories of romance; he read poetry and poetry could just as easily include love poems, but everyone stopped paying attention as soon as he started talking about science and experiments... which made her wonder if that wasn't exactly what he was wanting.
All of which added up to one question that Victoria wanted an answer to and she decided to get it in the simplest way possible; softly so as not to wake him, she walked closer to Diego until she was standing next to him and close enough to whisper her question.
"The rest of what, Diego? What are you waiting to give me the rest of?"
Diego moaned and smacked his lips before answering, making Victoria grin slightly, never before having seen the fastidious Don asleep on his feet like this, "The jewelry set."
Victoria's eyes narrowed, "What jewelry, Diego?"
"Mm... Necklace and earrings to go with my mother's ring, Querida..." Diego answered as though it were obvious, causing Victoria to take a step back as her hand went to where she wore Zorro's ring on a chain under her shirt.
'No,' Victoria thought, 'Not Zorro's ring... _Diego's_ ring...'
Not Zorro who made a spectacle and left, but Diego who sat and talked with her when days were slow; not Zorro who forced the Alcalde to repeal taxes and release people jailed unlawfully, but Diego who pointed out what taxes actually helped the Pueblo and found ways to help people pay them when they needed it; not Zorro the mask, but Diego the man, Diego her oldest friend, Diego who loved her, Diego who had proposed to her...
'No', Victoria corrected herself, '_Zorro_ proposed to me... and then he had the gall to insinuate I'd never love the man!'
Grinning to herself, Victoria turned to finish preparing Diego's bowl of fruit, knowing just how she wanted to handle the situation...
* * *
Late that night, as Diego sat in the office of the Guardian looking over articles for possible inclusion in the paper, he found himself snacking on the bowl of fruit that Victoria had prepared for him earlier in the day, complete with a stern lecture against him sleeping in her kitchen again. Diego chuckled to himself, it was a good thing that Victoria didn't know where his mind had went during that lecture, as he had found himself thinking that if she didn't want him sleeping in her kitchen, would she mind him sleeping in her bedroom. Reaching into the bowl and digging down towards the bottom, Diego felt something strange and pulled it out. Upon inspection, it appeared to be the kind of small glass container used for seasonings or spices, the kind with a lid that screwed on. Curiousity piqued, Diego undid the lid and dumped the contents into his clean hand, his jaw dropping in surprise as realised that it was his mother's ring. Unsure of what it meant, he laid the ring carefully on his desk and looked into the jar to see a piece of paper rolled up and stuck in there. Using his fingers, he managed to work it out and set the jar next to the ring so that he could unroll the paper and read what was written on it. As soon as the words penetrated the surprised haze around Diego's brain, he smiled and picked up the ring as he stood, intent on making a visit to the tavern.
After all, the note had said that if he wanted her to have the ring, this time the man had to give it to her and not the mask.
* * *
Author's Note: Yes, the "Cantelopue" joke is an old one, but it's still one of my favorites...
End file.
| Melon by turbomagnus | Zorro |
Tornado's Thoughts: The Fox's Uncle
WDZ - Tornado POV, One Shot 4 out of 4... so far ;) Thanks to **Icywaters** again, for you know what ;) Oh, I own nothing!
**Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z*Z**
The Fox's Uncle
The summer breeze was rushing through my mane as I ran across the plains to my heart's content. It has been a while since I ran freely. Usually, I'm carrying my friend, the fox, or Zorro, as they call him. Don't get me wrong, I love my Zorro and we've braved many adventures together. But sometimes it simply feels great to run where I want to go.
So when the opportunity presented itself to me this morning, I seized it. I was feeling a bit restless and was moving around the cave, when I accidently backed into the beam that blocked my way out. I must have unhooked it somehow, since it clattered to the ground with quite a racket. Temptation was just too great. I had to run, and I did.
I had planned to return when my longing for freedom had been satisfied, but fate had another idea. Stopping on a particularly fine spot, I whinnied out my joy. I shouldn't have done that. At least not without checking the surrounding area first. I ought to have learned that from my master. But I did it and sure enough a few moments later a strange caballero approached on horseback.
I had half a mind to turn on my hind hooves and run, but something made me stay rooted to the spot. At first, I didn't know what it was, but when I drew in more air through my nostrils, I realised a faintly familiar smell. I almost expected my master, his father or his friend to be the one approaching. But my eyes were telling me a different story.
The horse I knew. He was from the stables belonging to my master's father. But who was the rider? I was about to find out what he was up to, though, when he dismounted and came up to me, asking me loads of silly questions. Before I knew it, the man grabbed my mane and asked me if I could run.
What a question! My master didn't call me Tornado for nothing. Running is my favourite thing to do. Swinging himself on my back, the strange man who smelled somewhat familiar dug his heels into my sides and I sped off. I raced once around the open field before stopping next to my fellow horse and the man dismounted.
He praised my speed and kept talking about winning a race. I always win races. They never managed to catch me, riding with Zorro. Unless I let them, that is. By now, I also realized why the stranger smelled familiar. He must be staying where my master lives. That would explain the horse he came with as well. And if he stayed with my master, he must be a friend. So I didn't resist when the man started leading me away.
When we reached the old winery, however, I became uncertain. What was I supposed to do there? That was neither my cave nor my master's stables. While I was still trying to sort my confusion, I felt a rope being slid over my neck. Then I ended up tied to a beam and the stranger left the winery, carefully bolting the door. Great. Nothing else to do now but wait.
I had been dozing a little when suddenly I heard voices and steps approaching the winery. Sure enough, the door was unbolted and in came the stranger along with two lancers. I knew them. I've had to endure their company once before and I snorted softly, briefly thinking back to the sergeant and the corporal painting my hide and putting an old straw hat on my head. Not one of my prouder moments, but I got them back.
The familiar smelling stranger proudly presented me to the sergeant, who somehow didn't seem to recognize me. That was remedied by the corporal. I just didn't know if that was good or bad.
"So, you're Zorro's horse?" the stranger, whom the sergeant called Don Estevan, mused.
"I knew him the moment I walked on," said the sergeant with boisterous self-confidence. Liar, I snorted good-naturedly.
Don Estevan was making plans for me and told the lancers explicitly what he wanted them to do. They were not to open the winery door for anybody but himself. Quite inconvenient for me. I pawed my front hooves a little and the sergeant jumped to the conclusion that I must be hungry. Figures, that he made the assumption. But I could do with a bit of hay to nibble on.
Shortly thereafter, Don Estevan left the soldiers and me alone and the corporal went about the business of fixing a bed for himself. Oh joy, that meant I wouldn't get any privacy tonight. Hooray.
A good while later, there was a knocking on the door. The sergeant readied himself by drawing his saber.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Don Estevan."
"How do I know it's you?"
"Open the door and see for yourself."
Oh, Sergeant. You are so gullible. If it wasn't Don Estevan and you opened the door, it would be too late. At least Garcia had the presence of mind to let the corporal unbolt the door while he awaited the newcomer with his sword ready. I, of course, knew it was Estevan. I recognized his voice. No wonder Zorro was never caught if they weren't even able to tell whose voice belonged to who.
The door was bolted again after Estevan had entered. He said he had decided to watch out for me himself. I wonder where this change of heart came from.
I didn't have time to think about that as a shrill whistle pierced the night. I knew that whistle. My master was calling for me. I had to get to him, but I was still tied up and locked in. I started prancing around, snorting and whinnying. I wanted out. Zorro whistled again and my unrest grew.
The soldiers and Estevan picked up on my agitation immediately and Estevan came to the right conclusion.
"It's Zorro. He must be here." You bet he was. Time for me to go, let me be free. But no, instead of untying me, the trio ran to the door and, opening it, dashed outside to look around. The whistling had stopped. I heard Estevan ordering the lancers to search. Then Garcia had the idea, prompted by the corporal's fear, to guard the only door.
Apparently, they didn't guard it well enough or all three of them were deaf and blind. Only a few moments after, I heard the soft steps of my master approaching me. I even recognized his steps. In no time, I was untied and immediately made use of my freedom by turning around.
"Let's get back inside," I heard Estevan say. "Let him come to us."
Upon hearing this, my master, agile as a cat, climbed up on the storage railing and took cover. When Estevan noticed I was free, he correctly assumed that Zorro was already in the building. Funny enough, he didn't even think of bolting the door again. Very convenient, muchas gracias.
Looking around, Estevan picked up a ladder and leaned it to the storage platform to climb on top, Garcia and Reyes on his heels. I almost snorted, amused, when my master stopped the soldiers ascent by throwing a box at them. Then he took cover behind some vats as Estevan grabbed a wooden hammer and the lancers tumbled to the ground, ladder and all.
Estevan tried to corner Zorro, who laughingly countered his plans and sent the man tumbling. Grabbing a rope, he swung himself towards me, kicking the beam off my stall. Then he mounted swiftly and guiding me by the rope tied around my neck, we escaped through the still open door into the night.
Not far away, my master stopped me short and caused me to rear up. I enjoyed my freedom and my master's presence and pawed the night air, seeing that Estevan and the soldiers had run outside and were watching us. Then Zorro's legs urged me into a gallop and we raced across the hillsides towards the cave.
In the cave, Zorro took his time to check me over for anything off. Hey, I'm fine, I snorted, nudging his shoulder. He smiled at me.
"So, boy. Did you get restless?" I neighed softly. "I thought so. I shall make certain to let you stretch your legs more often so the itch doesn't catch you again. I was quite worried, my boy," he continued, patting my neck and feeding me an apple.
Behind Zorro, I saw Bernardo appearing from the passage. I nuzzled my master again and nudged him to turn. Seeing Bernardo, Zorro's smiled widened. He took off his hat and untied the mask.
"Has Uncle Estevan returned yet?" he inquired. Bernardo nodded eagerly, then pulled an angry face. "Ah," Zorro laughed. "He's not a happy man, I guess." Bernardo laughed and nodded. "I hope it will teach him a lesson." Zorro shook his head, still laughing silently. "I only regret I cannot tease him about it. It would be a dead giveaway."
Definitely. So that familiar smelling stranger named Estevan was Zorro's uncle. How could my Zorro be related to a man that talked so much? But then, there's nothing we can change about who we are related to, man or horse. But with an uncle like this, who needs enemies? Good riddance!
End file.
| Tornado's Thoughts: The Fox's Uncle by miXiZ | Zorro |
Alejandro's Shock
_I do not own Zorro_
_Anyway, once upon a time I read a great story called __6000 Pesos__ by __lbindner_
_It was a great story and practically begged for a sequel_
_Unfortunately, said sequel was never written_
_But the idea of everyone's reaction to Zorro's identity wouldn't leave me alone_
_Which prompted this story. I like it a lot and hope you do to_
**Alejandro's Shock**
Everything was perfect. Diego stared captivated into the dark eyes of the woman he loved. The alcade had changed his ways, ruling Los Angeles the way he should have from the start. De Soto had even offered his long time enemy a full pardon. He had revealed his identity to the entire pueblo and Victoria had accepted him. This was undoubtedly the best day of his entire life.
"Diego," a stunned voice cut through the young man's euphoric daze. "My Diego?" Alejandro did not look at all well.
The now unmasked man shot Victoria a helpless look before moving through the crowd. "Father," he grasped the older man by the arms, helping him to a seat. "Do you need something? A glass of water? Doctor Hernandez?" Diego accepted a fan from a nearby lady, using it to cool the other.
Alejandro didn't respond. He seemed to be in shock. "My Diego?" he repeated.
A curious look was shot the pair's way by de Soto. "He didn't know?" The alcade found that surprising.
Diego shot his former classmate a withering glare that would have been considered out of character just the day before. "No he didn't," the young man said shortly. He hadn't wanted anyone to hang with him if it came to that. Felipe, with his youth and handicaps, would have been above suspicion.
"Father," the caballero admitted. "I have a confession to make. I am not the worst swordsman in Los Angeles."
The entire pueblo snorted at that. That fact was now blatantly obvious.
"I sleep late because I am often out working as Zorro," Diego doggingly continued. "And I wasn't really sick when I missed Don Renaldo's wedding. I was bitten by a rattlesnake."
Alejandro was still staring blankly off into space. His son threw out several other shocking facts. Still nothing.
"And there is an entrance to Zorro's cave inside the hacienda."
"What!" The older man's head shot up. How had he never noticed?
Bolstered by the response Diego continued. "And Felipe isn't really deaf.
"What!" This time Alejandro's response was echoed by the rest of Los Angeles' citizens.
The young man blushed. "S-Sorry," Felipe stammered brokenly. He still hadn't quite gotten the hang of talking. Everyone stared at the boy Diego had brought home so long ago. This was certainly a day for surprises.
"Look at the bright side Father," Diego put in. He reached out to draw Victoria to his side. "Remember those grandchildren you always wanted."
Once again Alejandros's face descended into insensibility, but this time a sappy smile spread across his features. Yes, this was indeed a very good day.
_ASASASAS_
_Hope you guys liked it_
_If we are really lucky maybe this will inspire __lbindner_
End file.
| Alejandro's Shock by peppymint | Zorro |
Guilty Conscience
Title: A Guilty Conscience
Rating: G
Disclaimers: Zorro and all other related characters do not belong to me and they are not being used for any profit whatsoever.
Notes: I am currently editing (and writing new) stories for this fandom. I figured with the release of the DVDs coming up this month there would be people surfing around for fanfic. I am very excited to see the outtakes myself! :D
* * *
The man leapt from his horse onto the tavern roof. He desperately needed someone to talk to. The death of a man weighed heavily on his mind.
He found her cleaning up the kitchen and smiled as she sighed in frustration at the hair falling into her eyes. "A woman's beauty is always something to behold."
Victoria Escalante jumped at the voice and turned around. "Zorro!"
In one, swift motion he was standing next to her, holding her in his arms. "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's all right," she replied. "I was just thinking."
"About?"
She looked into his beautiful orbs. She could still see pain in them from earlier that morning. "You."
"Is that so?"
"Si. I know you. You are blaming yourself for that man's death still! It wasn't your fault, Zorro!"
He sighed and turned away. "Then why do I feel this way? I swore that I would protect these people and bring the evils of this world to justice. Saragossa s death should not have happened!"
"No, it should not have. But then, neither should the tyranny that is going on in this pueblo! Everyone who lives here believes you are innocent of this man's death. He fell on his own knife because of his hatred for you! He made that choice and he will answer to God."
Zorro stared into the eyes of the woman he loved. She was so very right. He took her hands in his and kissed them, then brought his lips to hers.
"Senorita Escalante, I was wondering... Zorro!"
"Sergeant Mendoza," Zorro said. "Good evening. I don't suppose you could quietly leave without sounding the alarm."
Mendoza shook his head. "Forgive me, but the Alcalde would have my head if he found out you were here and I didn't try to stop you."
"Very well, Sergeant."
"Wait!" Zorro had been about to punch him. "You don't really want to do that, do you?" Victoria asked him.
"I guess not. Go ahead, Sergeant, sound the alarm."
"Gracias, Zorro," he replied, rushing out the door.
He smiled warmly at her. "Gracias, querida," he whispered, kissing her hand.
"De nada."
Zorro jumped up to the window, turning to face her. He saluted and was gone. Victoria sighed. "Adios, querido."
End file.
| Guilty Conscience by MacGateFan | Zorro |
Sharp Dressed Hero
**SHARP DRESSED HERO**
Black silk shirt. Black trousers. Black sash. Black leather boots. Black satin cape. Black hat_._ Black leather gloves. Sword belt. Saber made of the finest Toledo steel. Knife inherited from his sword master. Black leather braided whip.
And the most important item of all - the black silk mask that concealed his identity from all and one. The alcalde, the lancers, the citizens of the pueblo de Los Angeles. And most importantly it hid him from the two people who would suffer the most from his masquerade.
With a sigh, Zorro mounted his black stallion and rode out into the night.
End file.
| Sharp Dressed Hero by pamz | Zorro |
1. April 28, 1813
Not mine; I own nothing; I make no profit....but I'll buy the DVDs when the folk that _do_ and _can_ will sell them.
Special thanks to Pamz! In the absence of DVDs it is only with her hard work that writing ep-centered fanfic is possible at all. I am extremely thankful for her patience and persistence. This one is for her, as a small payment on my debt.
I'd also like to thank my beta Martha, who has only ever seen two episodes of NWZ in her life, and has followed me here--probably mostly out of love--into the unknown wilds of Colonial California.
And I'd like to thank everyone who wrote to support "Hermanito." I know I was going out on a limb here.
* * *
**Saving the Fox II: Fiesta**
**April 28, 1813
**
The morning was dim and overcast, but the cool air woke Felipe when the sun did not; Diego had opened the window again. About half the time he said that the air in the house was too stifling to let him sleep. Sometime during the first week, Felipe had realized that that the air was fine. Some nights Diego had just a little trouble breathing. It comforted him a little to know that there was plenty of fresh air.
Grimacing at the chill, Felipe slipped out of the bedroll and bundled it up into a tidy package that would fit under the wardrobe. He slipped on his pants and, picking up his sandals, crept to the grand bed in the main bedroom and looked down at Diego sleeping.
His color was good this morning. His breathing was even and deep. His hands were relaxed. Felipe let himself enjoy it for a moment: Diego not sweating and pale, not pretending to be calm, not enduring a dizzy spell. Not even tired and a little sad.
"Tell me you don't do this every morning," Diego said, his eyes closed, his face composed as though he were still asleep.
Felipe, startled, skipped backwards. The thump when he landed made Diego open one eye. "Surely, you aren't checking to see if I'm alive."
Felipe scowled. With the hand that was not holding his shoes, he made horns.
"Oh, yes, that's very gracious. I trust Father hasn't seen you curse like that." There was laughter in his voice and Felipe couldn't help smiling back.
Slowly, Diego turned over...and then, slowly, he sat up.
Felipe sat on the bed and began putting on his sandals. When he was younger, he hadn't understood how improper this familiarity was. No one--not even the shorter one--had explained that the peasant child taken in as an act of charity should show a respectful restraint and remember his place. He'd intended to show he could do better when the twins came back from Madrid. He'd be mature and decorous, he knew better now--
The last thing Diego needed from him was propriety. Felipe had spent four nights now holding Diego's hand while he panted his way through a bad spell. What Diego needed was to be teased and pestered with questions and taken fishing. He needed someone to play chess with, someone to listen when he wanted to talk about rain or bees or the moon.
In the two weeks since the twins had returned home...some of the days had been pure pleasure. Diego knew practically everything. Felipe had all but given up trying to find a question he couldn't answer. A collection of books had come back from Madrid: poetry, geography, natural philosophy, and Diego was always willing to show Felipe something new, explain something interesting.
Diego could also sit patiently on the riverbank, letting the fish come in their own time...or admire a little carving Felipe had made...or sit and eat oranges in the shade by corral.
Felipe's favorite playmate, dearest friend, and teacher had come home. Sometimes everything seemed perfect, and he could forget that anything was wrong. And then Diego would go white and 'need a moment' to collect himself. Or he'd become winded crossing a room. Or he'd be tired without warning and go to lie down.
And sometimes it was worse. Diego's pale lips would go blue and he'd gasp and gasp while the little pulse in his wrist raced, uneven and weak. The worst of these lasted two or three hours. Diego would close his eyes, trying to hide his growing fear while Felipe sat beside him, unable to do anything but wait for the spell to pass. Sometimes a cool cloth on his face helped. Sometimes Gilberto would come and talk quietly about mathematics or foreign languages. Mostly, though, Diego just wanted quiet for his battles. He would hold Felipe's hand, panting great, slow breaths while his heart raced and faltered.
Felipe tried not to think about that--at least not in front of Diego. Diego was watching him _now_, though, with a knowing expression. "Felipe, you must see...this can't go on. It's asking too much of you--"
"You didn't ask," Felipe shrugged.
"You're too young to take this responsibility, even voluntarily. See reason--"
"How old were you when you brought me home?"
"At least four years older than you are now. And it's hardly the same thing--"
Felipe nodded, quickly agreeing. "True! You can hear. You can talk. You understand what is happening to you." Felipe paused, gave him a fierce look. "Also, I will not have to teach _you_ how to use a napkin or read."
"You are impossible," Diego said. It wasn't a criticism.
Felipe hopped off the bed. "Get dressed," he said. "Come have breakfast in the kitchen."
Diego stood up more slowly. "Oh, yes, that's right. Father and 'Berto went hunting this morning. You should have gone with them. Father says you're quite a good shot."
Felipe ignored that.
In the kitchen, Maria was fussy and cheerful. She still treated the twins as though they were Felipe's age, and today was no different. She asked if Diego had washed and clucked over how he wasn't eating enough. She gave them fresh milk and eggs and bread with honey. For half an hour or so, it seemed as if nothing had changed, as though they hadn't gone away to Madrid at all.
"Do you need anything from town for the party tomorrow?"
"I was going to send Tomas in with a wagon later," she answered.
"We could go," Diego offered. "It isn't as though I have plans for today." When they both shifted uncomfortably, Diego smiled charmingly and added, "The weather is not hot, I will be on a wagon, and I promise Felipe will do any heavy lifting. No one could possibly argue with that."
Frowning a little, Maria glanced at Felipe. He had actually lifted his hands to answer when he realized what had just happened. His hands came down hard to slap the table. "No! He is not a child. He is not in jail. And I am not--I am not his jailer! _He_ decides."
Diego reached over and caught Felipe's near hand, shaking his head. Blushing, Felipe looked at Maria and apologized with his free hand. Maria wasn't looking at him: she was looking at her feet, absently drying her hands on her apron. "Don Diego, I...I didn't mean...."
"Everyone is trying to protect me," he said softly. "And I appreciate that. I do." He paused, but she would not look up. "Adjustments have to be made. It takes some getting used to."
She still could not meet his eyes. Felipe realized she was hiding pity or grief, and that Diego must know it, too. But she reached into a pocket and withdrew a scrap of brown paper. Her list. She handed it to Diego without a word and refilled his glass of milk.
They didn't leave for town at once. Felipe suspected Diego was timing it so they could have lunch at the tavern. Diego was completely enchanted by Senorita Victoria. No one else had noticed, as far as Felipe knew. Certainly _she_ hadn't noticed. The few times they'd met since the twins had returned she'd been too busy or too distracted or too polite to really pay attention to the way Diego looked at her.
So instead of leaving right away they had a history lesson. At this stage, the "lessons" still consisted of Diego exploring the boundaries of what Don Alejandro had been teaching. He asked harder and harder questions, and Felipe answered. Where Don Alejandro had preferred his answers on paper, Diego was comfortable having abstract conversations in sign (with a paper and quill nearby for a truly obscure term) and believed that depriving Felipe of the chance to organize his answers on paper was good for his intellectual development.
Felipe thought it was a pain in the neck, but he didn't say so: he didn't want Diego to think he was lazy.
They got to town at about lunch time. Diego was so bland and casual when he suggested stopping at the tavern before running their errands that Felipe suspected that even he might not have noticed his particular interest in the tavern owner.
While he was securing the horses, Paulo rushed up. Felipe hadn't had a chance to talk to him in several weeks, since Paulo worked at the mission and they'd been preparing fields for planting. On the one hand, Felipe hadn't seen him in a while and wanted to talk--but on the other, he couldn't leave Diego. There was no question of that.
Diego's sharp eyes had caught his quandary. "I'll order lunch," he said gently. "Join me when you're ready."
Paulo wanted to gossip. He was half Chumash and could read Felipe's handsign, but as usual he was much too wrapped up in the latest rumors to listen to anyone else's opinion anyway. He had news about his myriad relatives, which wasn't very interesting, and news about the mission, which actually was: word was the pueblo priest, Father Raphael, was going to be promoted. Nothing definite yet, but apparently everyone was whispering about it.
Even as he listened, though, Felipe couldn't get his mind off of Diego. He was just in the tavern, hardly two dozen steps away. And he'd be fine...
They'd caught the wild dog that was killing chickens out at the orphanage, finally. It had been a huge monster, nearly ninety pounds. "But I haven't asked about you. Everyone is saying those twins are home."
Felipe nodded, his eyes straying to the tavern door.
"Is that who you came in with? Was that the one who's dying?"
Felipe flinched. He didn't want to lie. He didn't want to talk about the truth. He wasn't even sure what the truth was.
As usual, Paulo didn't notice when Felipe didn't answer.
"Don Alejandro, he's well thought of in town. A lot of people feel sorry for him. Still, he has another son, doesn't he?"
Rather than smash Paulo's nose in, Felipe signed, "I have to go," and hurried into the tavern.
Diego was seated at a table, drinking juice with one of the garrison lancers.
Felipe tripped to a surprised stop in the doorway. Locals did not mix with military stationed in town. And caballeros did not eat with scruffy soldiers. There wasn't a rule against it, really. But why would you make a rule? Who would want to sit with them?
Diego waved him over and Felipe sat down just as Senorita Victoria brought over three plates of tamales. "Felipe! I haven't seen you in a while.. Diego been keeping you busy?"
Grinning, Felipe signed fluidly, "Lessons all day. Sunup to sundown. He is merciless." He felt uncomfortable, though he thought he was hiding that. He hadn't expected to eat at the table with Diego in public. And he didn't like sitting so close to the lancer. He was a big man and he smelled like gunpowder, but even aside from that he was a_ lancer_, one of _them._
Senorita Victoria laughed. "Such a hard taskmaster. And, Diego, you seem such a kind and reasonable man."
The lancer shook his head. "I don't...I don't understand. What was that?"
Senorita Victoria was still tisking over Diego. "He claims Diego makes him do schoolwork around the clock."
But that wasn't what the man meant, and Diego answered him softly, "Felipe doesn't speak, Sergeant. He was injured as a child. He talks with his hands. It is a variation of the Indian trade-language. Felipe, this is Sergeant Mendoza. He tells very entertaining stories, and he understands how everything works in the territory. A good man to know."
"Oh, well," the lancer actually looked embarrassed. "That's gracious of you to say, Don Diego." He took a big bite of his tamales and waved his fork in Felipe's direction. "I haven't seen you much in town, have I? A shame: if you do not come to town you cannot eat this very good food." He laughed.
Diego spend a good hour charming the sergeant. Mostly, he seemed to do it by listening, and Felipe had to admit, the man _did_ have good stories. It was possible that most of them weren't true, but maybe that wasn't the point. Maybe Diego was...bored and wanted someone to give him lurid and unlikely accounts of Indian raids and pirate incursions?
Probably not.
Maybe Diego liked him. Despite being one of _them_, Sergeant Mendoza seemed almost nice. He hadn't been put off by Felipe's lack of speech. Everyone who entered the tavern he greeted with a wave, and some of them he called by name. Even a couple of men whom Felipe knew vocally resented the garrison and their heavy-handed enforcement of the alcalde's whims didn't give him dark looks or bother to detour around his table.
Felipe kept his questions to himself while they completed the errands after lunch: a paper-wrapped package at the seamstress's, wheat flour and sugar and coffee from the dry-goods store, cheese from Senora Ortiz.
Once they were on the road home, however, he handed the reins to Diego so he could ask what Diego had been up to.
"I was having lunch, I wasn't up to anything."
Felipe considered accepting that, but in the end he decided that Diego needed to know when he wasn't fooling anyone...or at least when he wasn't fooling Felipe. "He's a soldier. He arrests people for nothing. He's a bad man. Why did we eat with him?"
Diego glanced at him wryly. "Well," he drawled, "at least you aren't accusing me of class prejudice." He sighed. "Yes. He arrests people 'for nothing' because that is his job. And mostly, he doesn't even seem to question it. I feel very sorry for him."
"You bought him lunch because you felt sorry for him?"
"No, I had lunch with him because if Gilberto and I make a mistake...I don't know if you can understand. Those soldiers have as much to lose as anyone else here. Zorro isn't the only one taking risks. I need to know what I can expect from those men at the garrison. And I need to remember that they are men."
Sometimes Diego had very odd ideas. "The alcalde does evil things. He likes to hurt people--you said so! And the soldiers help him."
"Yes, they're in a terrible position."
Sarcastically, Felipe answered, "Yes, they're_ bad_."
"They face a firing squad if they disobey orders. They enlisted for glory, or loyalty to the king, or to make an honorable career." He sighed. "Or because they had no better ideas....We had friends in the corps in Madrid. I know Gilberto thinks of that, when he looks at these men in their uniforms."
Since Felipe couldn't think of any answer to that, he took the reins back.
Z
Don Alejandro and Gilberto had returned from their hunt with a fat young buck. It hung in the shed, waiting to be dressed for tomorrow night's dinner: venison and fish and pork, an extravagant departure from the usual, plentiful, beef.
It was Gilberto who'd brought it down, and Don Alejandro was all over himself with pride. Felipe couldn't help thinking, just a little resentfully, that Diego could have done better. But thinking that way didn't help anyone.
"Diego, what do you think of playing the piano tomorrow night?" Gilberto asked.
"I think," Diego snorted, "that I haven't touched a piano in more months than I care to count."
"Is that 'no,' then?" his father asked.
Diego glanced at the piano in the parlor. "That is...maybe."
He sat down and ran first his eyes and then his fingers over the keys. He paused, looking for just a moment uncertain, and then slow ripples of sound began to flow out from his fingers. The ripples got faster and turned into waterfalls of sound that danced in and out of Felipe's hearing.
Knowing he shouldn't, unable to help himself, Felipe stepped forward and laid his hand against the silky wood of the piano. The sweet sounds filled his hand, his arm, his shoulders. It poured into his bones and swept him away with the torrent. Up and down, up and down--and then suddenly it stopped.
Diego looked up. "Were you thinking of something specific?"
He had been warming up.
Felipe had heard Don Alejandro and Gilberto and Senorita Pascal and Don Armando all play the piano, and Diego put them all to shame just warming up.
"That Mozart sonata you played at Julian's party."
Diego held up seven fingers. Gilberto winced and held up five. Diego thought for a moment. "Oh, yes. I remember that one." He turned back and caressed he keys again. What flowed out was soft and delicate. At first, Felipe could barely hear it, but the notes tickled against his fingers and palms and made him feel light inside. The music danced, a little thicker, a little heavier, a little deeper. The music in his ears and bones was strong and sweet. Felipe had a lump in his throat.
The song--if that was even a word you could use--bounced between cheerful and friendly and gentle...and sad and dramatic and eager. Once or twice Felipe had to open his eyes and make sure that Diego still only had two hands. It hardly seemed possible for one person, alone, to make music like this. Felipe felt a little giddy.
The music went strange and jarring for a moment before resuming its inexorable flow. Felipe sighed. This music was astonishing. There scarcely seemed to be room in his brain for something so big, so sweet, so exciting.
The music stuttered and clanged. Felipe's eyes popped open. Diego was scowling at the keyboard. His hands fumbled, and the skipping melody collapsed into something rhythmless and sour. Snarling, Diego slammed the cover down. And then he cursed, which was almost as shocking. And then he jumped to his feet, pushing back from the piano. Except--
He wavered. For a moment the world was motionless and silent. And then Diego crashed to the floor, taking the piano stool with him.
Although Felipe was closer, both Don Alejandro and Gilberto reached Diego's crumpled form before he did. Gilberto kicked the stool aside so hard he took one of its legs off. Swiftly, with firm, efficient strokes, Gilberto ran his fingers over his brother's head. Diego mumbled something and pushed feebly at the probing hands.
"Be still. It was just a faint. I want to make sure you weren't hurt."
Diego tried to struggle free, but both Gilberto and Don Alejandro were holding him now. He said something, but Felipe couldn't understand what it was.
"Damn it, Diego! Stop. Just...stop. Father, I think we can lift him to the divan. Let's get him off the floor."
Working in concert they managed to turn Diego onto his back and scoop him up onto the divan. Gilberto lifted Diego's feet and set them on the padded arm. "You're all right. Wait a moment. Just be still." He glanced up. Something in Felipe's expression made him wince a little. "A glass of water might help," he said gently. "And a damp flannel."
Felipe ran to get them. He was desperately glad to be doing something to useful. He was also desperately, shamefully, glad to get away. Diego was too pale. His eyes, half-open, focused on nothing. His breathing was too shallow and too fast.
When Felipe got back a couple of minutes later everything had changed. Diego was sitting up, his forearms braced on his knees, his head cradled in his hands. Gilberto was standing calmly, once again the voice of reason. "--been over a month since anything like this has happened. It's no reason to panic. And Diego is right, it is no reason to send for the doctor. He overexerted himself and stood up too quickly--"
Diego looked up darkly. "I overexerted myself _playing the piano_," he drawled. "I gave myself such severe palpitations I couldn't finish one sonata--it was almost seven minutes long, I admit, but that is still hardly arduous!"
Don Alejandro turned away and stared unseeing out the window.
Very politely, Gilberto began, "The fault was mine, and I apologize. I pushed you. You need more time--"
Angrily, Diego ground out, "Yes. Perhaps things will improve if I spend a few more months avoiding vigorous activity like sitting down! Do not pretend--" He caught sight of Felipe, standing in the doorway with a tumbler of water in one hand and a damp cloth in the other, and froze. He closed his eyes for a moment and passed a hand over his face. Then, very carefully, he stood up. "Excuse me," he said softly, walking toward the back of the house.
When he was out of sight, Don Alejandro turned and exited in the other direction. For a moment, Felipe was frozen, unsure which of them to follow or what he could possibly say to either of them. Gilberto laid a hand on his arm and shook his head. "Leave them alone. They need some time."
Felipe set the glass and cloth on a table, but even with his hands free, he didn't have an answer....
Gilberto led him behind the fireplace to the cave. He went to curry and feed Toronado, and Felipe sat down at the battered worktable they'd brought down. He lit the lamp, and the light alternately sank into dark pools of soft leather and glittered of off a scattering of silver fittings.
The twins had brought the fittings back with them from Spain. They were to be a gift for their father, but Zorro had a more urgent need. "We'll give them to him later," Gilberto had laughed. "Once Zorro drives this alcalde off, they'll have historical significance as well as being beautiful.
Obtaining a plain black set of tack had been simple enough. Tooling the leather with a tiny stamp and hammer had taken days, though. Diego did pretty leatherwork, but it wasn't an art form he practiced very often, so it was slow, tedious work.
Diego had also marked the spots where the silver decorations were to go. Felipe picked up an awl and tweezers and began the careful process of positioning and securing the bits of silver. When Gilberto finished tending Toronado, he joined Felipe at the table and began work on the bridle.
The cave was quiet and a little cool. Peaceful. Felipe was sure that Diego would appear in a few minutes, calm and a bit abashed at having lost his temper. He would tell them not to worry and make everything all right.
By the time Felipe had finished with the left stirrup, though, Diego hadn't appeared. Felipe laid out the right stirrup, setting it beside the first so he could make sure they matched. The fittings glittered, blinking up from the inky leather like stars in a night sky. Sucking briefly at a sore finger, he reached for the tweezers.
Abruptly, Gilberto shoved the bridle away and sank heavily onto one of the coarse stools they'd brought into the cave to make it a little more livable. "Did you know I used to wish...." he began in a flat voice, "every time we started something new, I used to wish that just once I would best him at something. My brilliant, talented brother. Everything came so easy for him. God forgive me."
Felipe thought about that for a moment. He knocked on the table for attention and signed, "It's not true. You never hated him. I know it's not true."
Gilberto frowned in puzzlement. "What do you--Oh...no, I didn't. I never wished...for him to suffer."
Felipe nodded. "Never. Everyone always liked Diego better, I did not understand--" Felipe stopped, realizing too late that he'd said far too much.
Amazingly, Gilberto didn't seem offended. "Why didn't I resent him?" He pulled the saddle toward him and ran his fingers over Diego's careful rosettes. "Well. Even when I was in competition with him, he was never in competition with _me_. He took as much joy in my accomplishments as he did in his own. Diego has always been quite devoted to me. Sometimes I think God alone must know why--I certainly have no idea...." he took a deep breath and sat up straight. "No, you're right. I have never hated him. I did not....no, I did not wish this on him."
Felipe tried to look stern. "So stop it. You have nothing to regret. You took care of him. You brought him _home_."
Very slowly, Gilberto shook his head. He ran a single finger along the leather. "You don't understand. It should be him. Zorro. This should be his, not mine. Diego was born for this. He is a better swordsman than I, a better athlete, a better tactician."
Felipe shook his head. "He always said you are as smart."
"He said that to_ you_?" Gilberto's brows rose slightly. He shrugged. "Well, I'll have to be, won't I? I have to be as good as Diego, now. Somehow."
"He believes you can do it."
"Of course he does," he whispered bitterly. "He is generous and loving, as well as a genius. God is not punishing me for resenting my brother. He is only laughing at me." He passed a hand over his eyes. "We should go. We don't want to be late for dinner."
Felipe had stopped serving at the table. He hadn't wanted to. He was very proud of learning to do it correctly. But as Don Alejandro had pointed out, if he didn't eat when the family took their meals he would have to eat some other time, and he wouldn't be available to Diego. Giving up eating altogether was simply not a practical long-term solution.
After dinner in the kitchen he found the twins in the library. Gilberto was reading a novel, but Diego was sitting quietly, staring into the fire that had been started to ward off the chill of the spring evening. Felipe nudged him on the shoulder and asked, "Chess?"
Diego lifted his eyes slowly. "Perhaps not tonight."
Felipe nudged him again. "Will you tell me about the cathedrals in Madrid?"
"Felipe...I'm afraid I'm poor company tonight. Why don't you work on your history for a while? We'll be talking about the Roman Republic next...."
Worried, Felipe glanced at Gilberto. One handed and without looking up from his book Gilberto signed, "Sit down. Read. It's all right."
Obviously it wasn't all right. But Felipe pulled a book randomly from the history shelf and sat down to read.
_TBC_
2. January 21, 1813: Alta California
**January 21, 1813**
Tomas came running into the barn, a handful of letters clutched to his chest. Alejandro's mouth went dry as he reached for them. The one on top was from Spain, written in Gilberto's hand. From the look on Thomas' face, he knew it, too.
Alejandro turned away and walked to the house with dignified, measured steps. By the time he reached his office, the sweat from his hands had smeared the ink on the envelope. He carefully set the other letters on the desk and--for a just one cowardly moment--clutched the one from Gilberto in his hand.
There was no salutation, just the bald statement, "_Diego is still improving_."
Diego is still improving.
Oh, thanks be to God.
His eyes raced down the page.
_We have seen four doctors in the last two weeks. Only the last was of any use. He was recommended by a friend of Diego's who is in medical school. Dr. Arrellanos is an odd old bird, but Diego is satisfied with his work. He tossed out half the medications Diego was taking and gave us instead an absurd stack of lists--mainly of things he must not eat and things he must eat (nothing pickled, nothing smoked, nothing salted, no coffee or strong chocolate, no soup--but as much fruit as he wishes, small servings of meat at all meals, custard with honey, small amounts of wine, and so forth). His treatment is odd--and frankly his manner is odder--but it actually seems effective. Diego showed clear improvement by the third day. The swelling in his hands and feet is no longer visible (although he says he can still feel some when he closes his fist), his color is much better, he has stopped coughing, he is passing water normally, and he is able to walk from the bedroom to the sitting room._
He was able to walk from the bedroom to the sitting room. God have mercy. And this after weeks of recovery....
_Dr. Arrellanos has recommended a water cure, if Diego is well enough to travel a little by next week. I think he might be. I am much more optimistic than before._
_To answer your question, I am not letting him read your letters himself, so you may write what you wish. I censor as necessary in order to keep him from anything upsetting. One thing all of the doctors continue to agree on is that he must not be shocked or troubled. He is not even allowed to study, although he did not have the energy to complain about that until yesterday._
_Perhaps that is why I am so hopeful now._
Alejandro closed his eyes and collected himself for a moment before going on. He had already read the meat of it, though. All the rest was a little news from Madrid, some terse gossip, and complaints about the mail. The tone of it--worried and uncertain--told him more than enough about Gilberto's state of mind.
He read the letter over four times and took a deep breath. The next needed to be done, though. It was only unkind to put it off, but, oh, it seemed like he barely had the strength to stand, let alone share such tepid news.
Tomas, Juan, Raul, Maria, and Felipe were waiting in the hall. They didn't even try to look like they weren't waiting.
"Diego is still very sick. But he is getting better."
**TBC
**_In case you haven't guessed, this is going to be huge. Epic. I'll be writing for the next year...._
3. April 29, 1813
**April 29, 1813**
Diego had a peaceful night. Felipe himself woke three or four times, but each time he checked, Diego was deeply asleep. In the morning the room was cold again, which meant that at some point Diego had been uncomfortable enough to open the window. Still, he hadn't been troubled enough to disturb Felipe's light sleep.
Despite this encouraging start, the day wasn't particularly good. The house was bustling as the staff got ready for the party. It was a huge, joyous occasion: Don Alejandro's celebration, welcoming his sons home from Europe. Except as far as Felipe could see, Don Alejandro spent the day avoiding Diego. They were hardly in the same room together, and even when they were, Don Alejandro wouldn't--quite--look at his son.
As for his part, Diego was...quiet. Felipe was sure he wasn't feeling ill or weak: he knew what that looked like. No. But he was withdrawn and uninterested. Felipe tried clowning around and practicing magic tricks. He tried asking questions about horse training. He produced a strange, orange rock from the ravine that he'd been keeping in his room because it was pretty. Nothing held Diego's attention for more than two or three minutes.
Felipe wanted to shake him. He wanted to say, "I can't play the piano either. It's not the end of the world." He wanted to say, "You're here with us, and we love you. Why does anything else matter?" He didn't.
Finally, after lunch, in an act of desperation, he retrieved a kitten from the barn. The kitten was too young to wean, and Felipe earned himself a scratch from its mother. He set the kitten in Diego's lap.
Diego lifted it up in one hand and gazed into the round, blue eyes. He glanced at Felipe. "Where is her mother?"
"In the barn," Felipe signed.
Diego frowned. He turned the kitten over and ran a finger along its belly. It grabbed his hand and fastened tiny needle teeth on his knuckle. "I don't see anything wrong? Why...?" he stopped and glanced at Felipe again. Removing his hand from the tiny jaws he slowly said, "Do I seem in such terrible...yes, I suppose I do." He sighed. "I'm sorry. I don't wish to worry you. I wish I knew what else to say, but I find--" he glanced up and Felipe followed his eyes to see the fireplace door open.
Diego winced dramatically at Gilberto and held up the kitten. Gilberto frowned for a moment, not understanding whatever message Diego intended, then nodded at Felipe. Diego sighed and set the kitten in his lap.
"Well," Gilberto said. "You never used to be moody. He's never seen you bitter and feeling sorry for yourself. Although--I have to admit, it's been nearly a day this time. I'm beginning to worry myself."
"Not you, too...." Diego clinched his teeth. "I apologize if my 'moodiness' is inconvenient. Given what I am facing, I don't think a couple of days brooding are completely unwarranted."
Felipe gave Gilberto a furious look and signed a frantic apology at Diego. Gilberto ignored Felipe and said calmly, "It's not inconvenient. It's terrifying."
"It's unanimous, then. How nice that we all agree."
Gilberto opened his mouth. Then he shut it and turned on his heel. His retreat made it as far as a hand on the mantle before he turned back and folded his arms.
The argument that passed between them was so motionless that Felipe couldn't follow it. Diego looked away first. "I don't know," he whispered sadly.
"All right," Gilberto answered. "You don't know. You don't have to know. Just...try. For me. For him. For Father. Just try."
Diego dropped his eyes. Seeing the kitten, he took it into the palm of his hand and ran a single finger along the fuzzy jaw. "She's hungry, Felipe," he said heavily. "Take her back to her mother."
Felipe was calm and steady until he got the kitten out of the room. That was as far as he made it. Out of sight of the twins, he sank into a chair and pressed a hand over his eyes to keep the tears in.
Around the corner Gilberto said, "It was kittens on the ship, wasn't it?"
"The ship's cat had littered. It was the first time I got him to smile....I didn't think he remembered."
Felipe hadn't. Held the tiny ball of fur to his chest and crept back to the barn.
z
The guests began to arrive in the late afternoon. Some had traveled several hours by carriage. They were shown to guest rooms to refresh themselves. Don Alejandro, Gilberto, and Diego, all in their best clothing, greeted the guests. They were polite and warm, and if Gilberto tended to hover at Diego's side...probably nobody noticed but Felipe.
Felipe himself was staying out of the way. Even during this huge celebration, he had no duties except to be available to Diego, but he could do that from a spot in the corner. The house was filling with people he barely knew, many of whom were wealthy or well-thought-of. And while none of them were grander than the de le Vegas, all of them were grander than Felipe.
The kitchen perfumed the whole house with the enticing scents of roasting venison, tamales, fish stew, corn soup, wheat pastries, saffron rice....Felipe couldn't remember there ever being this much food, not even for the Day of the Dead or when they broke the fast at Easter. Don Alejandro was absolutely determined to celebrate the homecoming of his children.
By the early evening guests were arriving every few minutes. Felipe began to notice that Gilberto was growing more and more irritated by...something, while Diego--every time Don Alejandro showed guests on into the house, Diego's polite smile would turn to a smirk. While it was a relief to see his mood lighten, Felipe could not figure out what it was that pleased him so.
Don Sebastian--who lived only a half hour away--arrived in the company of his wife and a niece from Santa Barbara. The niece was pretty. She smelled sweet. She was wearing a confection of lace and cream silk. She smiled very coyly at Gilberto and eyed him over her fan--and Diego took a step back and turned his face away. Felipe, from his vantage point, could see him press his lips fiercely together.
Oh. Gilberto was handsome and intelligent and the oldest son of a very, very rich family. Tonight's party would be a battle for his attention. Felipe had to look away to hide his own smile.
But although it clearly _was_ funny, Felipe couldn't have explained _why_. Gilberto would have his pick of eligible women, surely an enviable position. Lots of men had a hard time finding wives. Maybe it was funny because not all of the girls were pretty and some were unkind or stupid? Maybe it was funny because he could only choose _one_, and the others would have to be fended off?
Senorita Victoria arrived from the pueblo with Senor Estevez and his wife. She was angry about something. It spilled from her in waves, even as she curtsied formally to Don Alejandro and smiled at the twins. Diego leaned down to say something to her, and Felipe saw her answer, "Something that is apparently not appropriate to discuss at a festive occasion." She looked very sour as she glanced after Senor Estevez.
Don Alejandro said something then, and Senorita Victoria's anger softened to sadness. "Our alcalde has arrested three young men for sedition. He is going to whip them tomorrow, publicly. To make an example, he will do it himself." She bit her lip unhappily. "They're practically boys--just a couple of years older than Felipe over there. And the 'sedition' was calling the alcalde a dirty name. He's giving them six lashes each."
Don Alejandro patted her hand and said something that made her sigh. He pulled her aside and the two murmured together for a moment. The look they were sharing was one Felipe had seen many times in the months since Luis Ramone had arrived to take command of the garrison.
z
The party was splendid. Tables had been set up in the courtyard--the only place large enough to accommodate so many. They'd put out excellent de le Vega wine, and Don Sebastian and Don Carlos had each made gifts of their best as well. The food--platter after platter of it--streamed endlessly from the kitchen. And when the meal was done, the tables would be taken away, and the courtyard was filled with musicians and dancing. For light there were dozens of colored lanterns, and small firepots had been set out for warmth. Between the kitchen garden and the bunkhouse the vaqueros were roasting a pig. Every room was full of people laughing and talking or singing or teasing. Felipe found it completely overwhelming. He kept finding himself edging closer to Diego.
During the meal, Diego sat between Gilberto and one of the young women who was pursuing him. Initially, he sat back and watched with a little amusement while she tried to alternately tease and flatter his brother. At some point during the main course, though, he seemed to grow tired of the game--or perhaps Gilberto had petitioned him for help, because Diego shifted forward to block her view. In a very few minutes their conversation first distracted and then deflated her. She turned away and gave her attention to the person on her other side. Gilberto gave Diego a grateful look.
After dinner, Diego settled himself in a wingback chair in the parlor. He had apparently decided to gracefully play the role of serene invalid. Although guests came and went, paying their respects, the people seated with him were two elderly women and three girls only a year older than Felipe. To the indulgent amusement of the women, Diego patiently began to teach the girls English drafts. One could already play, but her strategy was execrable. Diego, with amazing forbearance, corrected mistakes and explained tactics and laughed at their jokes. Felipe had no idea how he stood it: was there any creature more boring than a fourteen year-old girl? At a formal party in the city, you wouldn't even bring them along.
But then, Diego had always had an extraordinary amount of patience for the dull, the powerless, the unimportant. Felipe would know that better than anyone.
Hot, his head aching from the noise and the smells, Felipe slipped out into the lee between the house and the barn. It was cooler here. And quiet. Well, quieter. The music and laughing was a senseless roar behind him. He wondered if hearing was such an exhausting chore for everyone. He wondered when he would get used to it..._if_ he would. He leaned his head back against the wall and whished he had some water.
He shouldn't stay long. Diego was alone.
The sound of footsteps, very close, made him shift sideways, deeper into the shadows. He didn't want to speak to anyone or see anyone or hear any questions or accept any sympathy.
"People will talk about this party for years," a man was saying. "I haven't seen the like since I left Mexico City."
"Oh, yes. A magnificent party. I, certainly, will never forget it." Don Alejandro's voice. Felipe cringed inwardly and pushed himself against the wall. He didn't want to hear this conversation, but most of all he didn't want to join it, so he stayed still.
"What could you do?" And if Don Alejandro was speaking so openly the second voice must belong to Don Carlos. "You could hardly pretend they never left? You had to celebrate."
"It feels like a funeral banquet. Diego....Santa Maria, what a good, bright child he was. Absolutely blessed. Ah, Carlos...what I don't understand...I don't understand, if someone has to die...why isn't it me? I've had a _good _life. Diego had so much ahead of him."
"Well. Don't look at me. I drove Rosalita away--we both know I'm a jackass. I have no children, no sons. I've never done anything worth...anything. _Most_ days I envy you." He shrugged. "Clearly not today."
Like a released spring, Don Alejandro spun around and shoved Don Carlos hard. He tripped and caught himself on a hitching post. "So?" he asked.
"So!" Don Alejandro snarled. "You are still a jackass." He laughed once, bitterly. "But you are also right. There is no cure for birth or death but to live between them."
"You got the quotation wrong."
"I did not--! Ah, Diego....Diego would know."
There was a little silence. The breeze stirred the bushes.
"You said he thinks he might live a long time with his condition."
"Dr. Hernandez...disagrees."
"It's been four years, I admit....But it seems to me that Diego was usually right. About the most surprising things....he was right more often than not."
It was a long time before Don Alejandro answered that. "He suffers so. He is frustrated...and he is afraid."
"Then he will need you to be very strong."
"Ai! Are you drunk? You are never wise when you're sober, you old jackass."
"Go to your guests. Smile at your sons. Celebrate."
Felipe stayed still until they were gone. He felt guilty--partly for eavesdropping, but mostly not. If you were going to hear personal, painful things, it was much better not to get caught. But he should not have been away from Diego so long.
Diego was still in the parlor. They had moved on from the board game and one of the girls was playing the piano. Felipe's stomach clinched as he glanced down at the repaired stool. It seemed unfair, that Diego should have to listen to someone _else_ play the piano.
He didn't seem particularly put out or unhappy, though. Possibly because the chair beside him was now occupied by Victoria Escalante. Diego was staring straight ahead, but his attention was clearly on her.
The girl at the piano wasn't very good. At least, she didn't seem to be, from what Felipe had heard in the past year or so. She was followed by one of the other girls...who was a little better. The room was growing more crowded and someone coaxed Don Armando into playing. Before he had heard Diego play, Felipe had thought Don Armando was quite good.
As Don Armando's first piece finished Senorita Victoria laid a hand on Diego's arm and leaned over and said something in his ear. Felipe saw Diego answer that it would be a pleasure. His rise was slow but graceful, and he formally offered Victoria his arm.
Outside, there was a pause in the music and dancing, but courtyard was still crowded. Diego led her around the edge and through the small gate into the low-walled kitchen garden. Felipe followed at a short distance. He needed to be available, but he didn't want to embarrass Diego by obviously watching over him.
Senorita Victoria sighed and turned to look back at the lanterns, the decorations, the elegantly dressed guests. "It is such a beautiful night."
"Yes," Diego answered wryly, gazing up, into the darkness pushed away by the lights. "One of the conveniences of California. No matter the date or what you are celebrating, the weather is cooperative."
Something in his answer made her look up and frown. "Diego?"
He regarded her blandly.
Her voice more hesitant, Senorita Victoria began again, "It was good to see you in town yesterday. I hope you enjoyed your lunch?"
"Yes, it was delicious," this answer was bland, too: polite and correct, but distant.
"I hope...that is, Sergeant Mendoza, he means well, I think. And he keeps his men in hand, which I deeply appreciate," she paused, but when Diego didn't respond, she continued, "as you can imagine. But. He is not always...Well, sometimes he is blunt. Or unkind. Without meaning to be--"
Frowning, Diego peered down at her. "What are you talking about? What about Mendoza?"
"I only meant, if he said something yesterday, at lunch, that...well that offended you somehow....I wanted to tell you not to take it too closely to heart."
She had his full--if puzzled--attention. Finally. "Why would you think Mendoza offended me, Senorita?"
"Well, you were just in such a good mood yesterday. And today, here we are at a party and...." she shifted slightly, clearly uncomfortable under his unblinking gaze. "I thought, perhaps, well, it would not be the first time he said something thoughtlessly."
"No. No, I found his company very pleasant. Instructive, even."
"Only....It seems to me...that you are very unhappy about something, Don Diego?"
Wearily, Diego turned half-away and rested his hands on the wall. "What do you want from me, Senorita?"
She took a step back. "What do I _want_ from you? You're my friend. I want--" She stopped, suddenly. Her back stiffened with suspicion. "You were my friend when you left, but perhaps Spain changed you." She took another step backward and visibly shored up her dignity. "You were in Madrid for a long time. Maybe you're not the sort of man who has friends in the middle classes now. Or maybe it's _women_ who are now beneath your notice?"
Diego's head snapped up and he gaped at her in unconcealed shock.
"Or perhaps you have decided I'm not the right _sort_ of woman. You wouldn't be the first."
"Victoria!" Diego gasped. "I--no." He broke off helplessly. "I." Felipe had never seen Diego at a loss for words. It would have been funny, if he hadn't looked completely devastated.
"I would have minded my own business, if you'd asked me, but instead you're suddenly so _polite_--" she all but spat the word out, as though it tasted terrible.
"Victoria, no. no. I...." He made a grab for her hand, thought better of it and clasped his own hands together. "Senorita, you are in no way responsible for my truly foul mood. You have not offended me, and I regard your friendship with the same...do you really believe that I think you're...you're _beneath _me? In any way?"
She dropped her eyes. "Before tonight I would have said no. Of course not. But I scarcely seem to know you tonight. I've been trying to talk to you for half an hour, and you have been so polite and so...cold." She put a few more feet between them and opened her fan; not to fan herself, but to hide behind. In a small voice, she added, "Your friendship means a great deal to me."
He rested his forearms on the low wall and bowed his head. "And...and to me. Forgive me, Victoria. I...I can see how offensive my behavior seems. As my brother tried to point out earlier today, I am very unpleasant when I'm feeling sorry for myself. It was nothing to do with you."
Slowly, she stepped a little closer and closed the fan. She leaned on the wall beside him and rested her chin on her hand. After a while she said, "Because you're ill."
"Yes."
She looked, studying the top of wall as though it were very interesting or beautiful. "Well. I have nothing comforting or reassuring or...philosophical to tell you. I'm not very wise. I suppose...I should say something pious. And I--I do believe that my parents are waiting, in heaven. And your mother. And, surely, Diego, if there is anyone who has a place--" She stopped and shook her head. Felipe thought she might be about to cry, which was an offense he was going to hold against her. But just then Diego laughed.
He laughed loudly enough that several of the nearer guests turned to look. Senorita Victoria swatted him on the arm with her fan. "Have you lost your mind?" she hissed.
Still laughing, Diego held up his hands in surrender. "It was such a nice compliment. A bit extravagant, perhaps, but you're the first person to claim I was a saint." He laughed again. "Really, I'm touched."
She scowled at him. "Saint? You are a devil! It's not funny."
Diego's laughter softened to something more serious. "No. I suppose it's not."
"No--wait." She started to reach for his hand and then froze. "Don't. Laugh if you want to. I didn't mean...just...laugh if you want to."
Diego's only answer was to take her hand. It wasn't the formal gesture of a gentleman addressing a lady, but two children clinging to one another. The stood that way, silently, for a long time.
The musicians returned from their break. People began dancing again. Felipe sat cross-legged on the ground next to the gate. From his position he could see both the party and Diego, who was safe enough where he was. And content, at least as much as he was going to be.
Another dance started. Felipe wondered how anyone could remember to move their feet, when the music itself was so distracting.
"I suppose you saw people waltzing, when you were in Madrid?" Senorita Victoria said, thoughtfully.
Felipe couldn't see Diego's answer, but Senorita Victoria's eyes widened. "How scandalous! And you practically a saint, and everything."
Diego drew himself up primly. "The church doesn't forbid it in Europe!"
"Oh. There is that, I suppose. Still...is it as bad as people say?"
He nodded cheerfully. "Every bit." His smile faded. "I'm sorry, Victoria. I can't ask you to dance."
She blushed and glanced away before stammering, "I--I would have declined anyway. I mean...these shoes. They're so uncomfortable. I can barely walk, I'm sure I couldn't... dance."
"And here I let you stand so long," Diego said, not acknowledging the kindness she had pretended he didn't need. "Here." He lifted her neatly to sit on the wall.
For a moment, she looked startled and pleased. Then it was gone, and so was the brief regret that had chased it away. "Oh! Look who's dancing with Dona Isabella. Don Bernardo--"
"Oh, yes. I remember. He was trying to press his suit when I left--don't tell me she still hasn't--"
"Not yet. Perhaps she thinks it's unseemly...at their age. I think they're adorable."
They gossiped for a while, easily picking up threads of the endless web of observations and assumptions that ordered life in a small community. Felipe had heard it all before. He leaned his head against the gate post and listened to the music instead.
When, sometime later, a hand closed around his arm, he jumped. Senorita Victoria was leaning over him, her face serious. "Diego has asked for you," she said. "He seems very tired. I'm a little worried."
Nodding to show he understood, Felipe leapt to his feet. Pushing past her, he paused to sign a hurried thank-you and rushed on.
Diego had stepped into the shadow of a rose arbor. "I'm not ill," he answered Felipe's worried look. "Just...suddenly exhausted."
"Bed?" Felipe asked.
Diego nodded, and Felipe led him around the edges of the party and in through the kitchen door. Inside, in the light, Diego didn't look too pale, but he was drawn with fatigue. Felipe led him down the back hall and into his bedroom.
Many of the guests would be staying the night. A few who had traveled most of the day would go to the homes of nearer neighbors and some would stay up and party all night, but to accommodate the rest, families would be sharing the bedrooms here. Even Don Alejandro's own room was to be used. In fact, the only room that wasn't included in the sleeping arrangements was Diego's--and even he would be sharing with Gilberto, assuming that Gilberto actually planned to sleep at all.
Felipe set the candle on the table and guided Diego into the comfortable chair. Diego didn't protest when Felipe helped him change and then tucked him in to bed. In fact, as he settled back into the pillows, he was still holding Felipe's hand. And he didn't let go. Felipe snared the stool with his foot and dragged it over so he could sit down. The candle was on the other side of the bed, but there was no help for it. He let it burn.
He wasn't particularly tired. It couldn't be very late. Well, later than he was usually awake, but still nothing like the night they'd stayed up building Zorro's glider. The musicians were still playing outside, so people were still dancing. Nobody had left yet. Anyway, looking after Diego wasn't very taxing, as work went. There just wasn't that much to do. Felipe wasn't sleepy....
He began to pray. He wondered--he frequently did--if the prayers worked better in Latin. He wondered if it mattered, that he couldn't speak them at all. He wondered why God had allowed this terrible illness to seize Diego, when there were so many evil men who deserved to suffer, so many no one would miss.
The candle had burned low when the door opened slowly and Gilberto slipped in. Silently, he stripped off his boots, jacket, and sash, and crept across the room in his stocking feet. He twitched aside the curtain and nodded when he found the windows completely closed. He turned and studied Diego thoughtfully.
"I'm fine," Diego said quietly. He freed the hand that Felipe was still holding and opened his eyes. "I just needed to lie down for a while. How much have you had to drink?"
Gilberto growled irritably. "Firstly, Little Brother, I am not an idiot. I've had enough to be a little sleepy and not enough to give me a hangover. Believe me, I have the sense not to go out tomorrow _indisposed_. Secondly, will you stop being such an old woman! You _worry _about every little thing. Yes, I am sober."
Diego turned his face away and said something too quietly for Felipe to hear. Perhaps that had been deliberate, because whatever the words were they completely incensed Gilberto, who shoved past Felipe and grabbed his brother by the shoulders. "And you're asking if I'm drunk? What have you been drinking? How could you say something so purely stupid--"
Gilberto was huge--nearly as tall as Diego and every bit as broad. Felipe grabbed him from behind anyway and tried to pull him away. It was like trying to shift a tree. Gilberto turned on him and pushed him back onto the stool. "Oh, no. Sit down and I'll tell you what he said. He said I had to be careful because _I was all Father had left_."
Felipe's eyes darted to Diego's face. Diego did not deny it.
"Giving up so easily? That odd doctor you liked so much said you had every chance to see forty or even forty-five. You're as likely to be burying him as...."
"Yes," Diego said tightly. "What a lovely idea. A nice, long, pointless life. I'm useless to my community, a burden to my family--"
"Just how do you expect me to manage this Zorro scheme without you?" Gilberto asked incredulously.
Felipe barely heard him. A huge and terrible wave of...something was washing over him. It was cold and empty and terrifying. Fumbling, he pushed between the twins and signed at Diego, "I need you. I need you. I don't know how to be a man. You were...teaching me...Diego...." The wave didn't recede. It inundated everything, filled his lungs so he couldn't breathe, filled is brain so he couldn't think, filled his throat so it burned.
Diego closed his eyes.
"Oh yes. Close your eyes so you can't hear him. Well, you brought the little pest home, and he isn't nearly grown up yet. He's your responsibility."
_Oh, yes_, Felipe thought, _Oh, yes_. Gilberto had understood. The courage Diego didn't have anymore for himself he could find for the people who loved him. _Help me._ _Make him listen._ But Gilberto was silent, and Felipe gave him an angry look. When he turned back to Diego, though, he understood why Gilberto had relented. He had stopped fighting because they'd already won. Two slow tears slid free and left shining tracks on Diego's cheeks.
Gilberto climbed the rest of the way onto the bed and seated himself at the headboard beside Diego. He put an arm around his brother and produced a handkerchief. "I know what we're asking. The courage and forbearance you've already shown....I know, I know. But, Diego, you aren't alone. You don't have to face this alone."
Diego wiped his eyes and then reached for Felipe with his free hand. "I feel so....helpless. It is difficult to imagine anyone so desperate as to need me." He tried to smile it into a joke, but Gilberto had to carry it for him:
"I was desperate enough to fly in an artificial bird you'd never tested at full size. That should have made the point right then."
Felipe tapped Diego's hand until he opened his eyes. "Not all of the days are bad," he signed. "I've seen you...happy."
"And there are more good days now then bad. I know, Diego, it has already been so long. But you're still getting stronger." He sighed. "Enough. This kind of upset, it won't help you at all. Are you calm enough? Or should I dose you."
Diego's eyes popped open. "Not tonight. Tomorrow, I'll need a clear head...is the saddle ready?"
"Almost."
"I can finish it tomorrow while you're at mass. I'll plead exhaustion, no one will question it."
"As though I would let you go, anyway. But it is convenient. I'll race home directly after to 'check on you.' It's the only way I can see to manage the timing."
Felipe tapped the bed. "What are you talking about?"
Gilberto smiled broadly. "Zorro has an appointment tomorrow; he's going to see a man about a whipping."
Oh. Good.
"And speaking of, I'd like a little sleep between now and then. Put out the light and go to bed. If we need you, I'll call."
_ TBC_
4. January 21, 1813: Madrid
**January 21, 1813**
Senora Diaz met Gilberto at the door with the news that the mail had come and also that Diego had company, "the nice master with the unpronounceable name and that Englishman." Gilberto suppressed a smile. There hostess clearly found only one of the guests welcome: Master Nurgaliyev, the botanist, was exacting in his assignments and intolerant of a student's mistakes, but he was very gallant with women. On the other hand...well, in fact, the only thing wrong with Sir Edmund was that he was English, but that was a fault Senora Diaz found unforgivable. "I brought them tea, earlier." She disapproved of tea, too, but Diego still wasn't allowed coffee.
Gilberto thanked her, tucked the package containing his new boots under his arm, and hurried up the stairs to their lodging. When he opened the door to the tiny sitting room he found Diego and the two older men comfortably conversing. He paused, very pleased. Diego was complaining about _Philosophie Zoologique_ again. He'd been talking about it all week. He seemed to be-almost-himself. "I'm not saying his descriptions aren't accurate. And some of his proposals are brilliant, but-"
"You can't argue with the Use and Disuse model." Master Nurgaliyev's Russian accent made his interruption sound very harsh, but Diego was not intimidated.
"No, but I simply _must_ argue with the idea of a complexifying force," he responded reasonably.
"What do you mean?" Master Nurgaliyev sounded as outraged as if it was his own theory being questioned. "It is elegant!"
"Yes, as long as you ignore basic chemistry."
Sir Edmund snorted behind his tea cup.
Master Nurgaliyev opened his mouth to begin making his point in his favorite way-loudly. Gilberto hurriedly stepped forward to distract them before Nurgaliyev and Diego provoked one another into a frenzy. "Good afternoon, gentlemen. _Dobrie dehn_. It was good of you to come by."
"Gilberto, marvelous to see you, my boy," Sir Edmund said, jumping to his feet. "I was hoping I could talk you into competing in the tournament next week."
Gilberto shook his head with only a little regret. "It would mean being out of the city for four days. I couldn't-"
"Of course you will," Diego corrected. "You'd be delighted and honored."
Gilberto shot Diego a quelling look and said, "No."
"_Yes_." Diego smiled. "And it isn't kind to contradict me." Which was Diego's way of saying that he wouldn't let his health keep him from arguing. Damn him.
"Why?"
Diego shrugged. "Because you'll win. Because a few days by the sea...you'd enjoy that."
"We'll talk about it later." Gilberto said. It was not a concession.
The masters left shortly after that. Gilberto walked them to the door, and used the walk down and back to calm himself and rein in his temper. "Thank you," he said, as he came in. "I appreciate the thought, Little Brother. I understand why you are being generous, but it's not necessary."
"It's only four days. It's not as though I'll be alone. Senora Diaz always checks on me when you are out. Upstairs, Don Marco-don't look at me like that. It's not as though anything interesting is going to happen while you're gone. Sitting here and watching me breathe isn't productive and can't be very interesting. You have to start living your life."
Gilberto closed his eyes. Damn him, damn him. "Will it make you happy if I compete?"
"Yes."
"Then I will do it." _Damn you, Diego_. As though he would be able to do anything but worry the whole time he'd be gone. "Have you taken your medication?"
"Not yet."
Gilberto went to the narrow table in the corner and poured a little water into a tiny glass. Seven drops from the green glass bottle, five drops from the brown glass bottle. A tiny spoon to measure the grey powder..."I assume they came to discuss when you'd be returning to classes?" he asked. Master Nurgaliyev and Sir Edmund both visited Diego occasionally, but they had never come together before.
"I...couldn't give them answer."
"No?" He tried to set aside the automatic flash of worry. "You're improving very quickly. Surely, in a month or two you'll be ready to at least...but that's up to you, of course. I won't rush you._ I_ might resume classes soon, though." In a second small glass, he poured equal measures of water and wine and added a spoon full of honey. The medication was so bitter, and Diego took it six times a day without complaint... He handed Diego the first glass. "There was mail?"
"On the desk," Diego said. He gulped down the first glass with a grimace, then quickly followed it with the second.
Gilberto returned the glasses to their place and went to the desk. There were two envelopes. One was already open. "You've read this," he said.
Diego didn't answer.
Gilberto tugged out the paper and glanced over it. From home. "Well?"
"I'm not going to deny it."
"Diego-"
"How much have you been censoring?"
"Not much." Sighing, he sat down.
"This is the first I've heard of Luis Ramone."
Gilberto glanced down at the letter. Ramone was making himself truly obnoxious. There had been very little rain in months. Measles had gone through the pueblo in November, and two people had died. Felipe's hearing had stopped improving, and the boy was still half-deaf. There was good news, too, of course, but... "Father can handle the alcalde. Truly. Diego...Father is fine. The hacienda is doing well-the profits last fall were very good. The pueblo is growing. Your little shadow has thrived this last year."
"I know," Diego said. "I know. I'm sure there's nothing to worry about."
"There isn't." Gilberto glanced over the letter again and set it down. Diego didn't say anything further, so after a minute Gilberto picked up the unopened letter. It was from Julian. He didn't let himself hesitate, but broke the seal at once. "South America," he said. "He's been posted to Santiago."
He glanced at Diego, expecting him to say, "I'm sorry," but instead he said, "It could have been much worse. He may do very well there." _Then_ he sighed and said, "I'm sorry."
Gilberto read the rest of the letter. It was short. He folded it neatly and put down. "You never liked Julian."
"I never _dis_liked him. Or even disapproved of him. I just...worried."
Sighing, Gilberto stood up and turned his back on the letters. "He was as bad as you..._right_ about everything. Always. He warned me about Zafira..."
"Ah. I am sorry," Diego said quietly. "About Zafira."
"Don't say it again. Please."
"She...it _was_ because of me. Because you were so occupied with my illness-"
"Yes, and both of you had warned me, within days of meeting her, that she was shallow and cold and I was being a fool-"
"I never said that."
"Julian did."
A tiny smile teased at Diego's lips. "Ah. I like him more and more."
"Diego...He was right. _You_ were right. She..."
"She was brilliant. She was proud. She was fearless. She was a beautiful, charming woman who...was very well suited to you, and she found you fascinating," Diego said gently.
"Until the moment she noticed that she was not the center of the solar system and I a planet obsessively orbiting her!" He said it more bitterly than he'd have liked, but he had just been so surprised. She'd seemed practical and reasonable and kind. She was the first woman since his mother that he'd respected: not silly or fearful or trivial-
All that had changed so quickly. Without warning she'd turned selfish and petty, demanding his attention to trifling, ridiculous things when Diego had been hovering near death. They'd quarreled, and Gilberto still didn't understand what they'd been quarreling about or why she'd been angry...
"You went to see her today," Diego guessed.
"She wasn't there. Hasn't been there. I don't know where she went, or why...I'm not going back again."
Diego stood slowly and looked at him. Hard. "Do you mean that?"
"Yes, I'm done with her. I won't go back, I won't look for her again."
Diego rose slowly and went to the window. Gilberto steeled himself inwardly, but Diego didn't open the window, he only pushed the curtain aside and looked down on the street.
"What is it? Diego?"
"Nothing. I'm thinking."
"Diego? Are you-"
"I'm not having a spell. I'm thinking. I...are you sure? About Zafira?"
"Yes, I mean it. All right? Finally. And please don't tell me you told me so."
Diego turned back and studied Gilberto carefully. "I'm already insufferable. I'll pass this time." He hesitated. "I _am_ sorry," he said, and Gilberto heard all the things he didn't say: I'm sorry because you loved her. I'm sorry because I know what you hoped for. I'm sorry because you would have been so good to her.
I'm sorry because she was the first woman you ever noticed and now I'm afraid you won't ever risk noticing again.
Gilberto swallowed. "I'm not. Better to know her nature_ now_, surely. What if I'd married her? This can't be the last trial we face in our lives. But let's forget it. Hmmm? It's in the past now. Diego...something else is on your mind."
"It's not important." He turned back to the window.
Gilberto waited. It was a long wait. When Diego finally spoke it was so quietly that Gilberto had to step closer to hear him. "The whole time they were here, talking about resuming my studies...all I could think was that I wanted to go home. I'm sorry."
"But-you love the university-"
"I do. I do. And it isn't just me. Your studies-you haven't finished either, 'Berto. But it doesn't really mean so much to you-not so much that you'd mourn it-"
"Diego-"
"I want to go home," he burst out, laying his hands on the windowsill and leaning forward. "I'm sorry. But it's all I can think about anymore. And if_ you_ won't miss the university and if you have given up on her, then..."
"I'll take you home," he said quickly, taking his brother by the arm and guiding him back to his chair. "We'll go home."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't be."
"You love Madrid. You have friends here." The regret and apology in Diego's eyes was too much to bear. Gilberto looked away even as he squeezed Diego's forearm with all the strength he could muster. "You've already given up so much for me."
"We'll go home. As soon as the doctor says it's safe for you to travel. We'll go home."
_tbc_
5. April 30, 1813
**April 30, 1813**
Felipe rose to check on them three times during the night. The first two times music was still playing outside. The third, he could hear people talking outside-but not many. All of the times, Diego was sound asleep under the covers, Gilberto was asleep on top of them, and the window was shut.
When he woke for the fourth time it was starting to get light and Gilberto was putting on his boots. Felipe sat up and pulled the blanket around him-for comfort, mostly, since the room wasn't particularly cold. "Diego?" he asked.
Gilberto glanced worriedly around the corner toward the bed but signed, "Good." He made use of Diego's hairbrush, fussing at the mirror for a long time before turning and signing crudely, "We need to talk. People who are sick like Diego is sick...sometimes they get sad."
Felipe rolled his eyes. Sometimes Gilberto was an idiot. "If I were sick and couldn't _do_ anything, I'd be sad, too."
Gilberto shook his head. "Hope...and happiness...and love take...strength. Body strength." He glanced at the bed, then at the door, clearly wishing he could have this conversation with words. But people were moving around in the house, and speaking loudly enough in here for Felipe to hear might disturb Diego. "What he thinks and how he feels...both are the same." He stopped and thought. "He will _try_ not to be sad today. But maybe the sickness will pull him down. His feelings...will be very strong. Be kind to him." He smiled suddenly, probably relieved at seeing the end of this tortuous and halting description. "Be patient."
Felipe nodded, although there were dozens of questions he wanted to ask. That hadn't been clear at all. Gilberto patted his head and opened the door. He paused for a long moment in the doorway, and then as he eased out Don Alejandro eased in. He gestured an absent "good morning" to Felipe and crept around the corner into the bedroom. He looked at Diego for a long time. Finally, he turned and asked Felipe-more fluidly than Gilberto could, and wasn't speaking with hands convenient when you wanted to be quiet?-how Diego was.
"He slept-good sleep, all night long. It was a good night."
Don Alejandro nodded slowly, his eyes on Diego. "Don't wake him. Let him sleep...as long as he wants."
Felipe nodded. He had no intention of waking Diego.
He waited until Don Alejandro, Gilberto, and the remaining party guests had left for mass. Diego wasn't stirring, so he slipped out and began to help with the clean-up. He spent two hours at a tub outside, washing dishes. Every dish in the house had been used, and an extra set borrowed from a neighbor. Most of them had probably already been washed and reused at least once during the night.
After a couple of hours, he slipped off and checked on Diego: still sleeping. Felipe left him there and went down to the cave to finish the trim on Toronado's kit. He was reaching for the last silver fitting when Diego joined him. He lifted the light and held it over the table. "Very good work," he said. "Did you get anything to eat?"
Felipe shrugged. He had, in fact, helped himself to leftover venison pie in the kitchen.
Diego set an orange on the table. "Felipe...last night."
Felipe shook his head and motioned him to hush.
"I'm sorry."
Felipe squeezed his hand and then changed the subject. "Toronado is in a bad mood. He wouldn't let me feed him."
Diego straightened. "He hasn't been out in two days," he said. He went and had a short discussion with the stallion. He curried him and fed him and-slowly-saddled him. Toronado tossed his head and complained, but he took the bridle and then the saddle. Felipe stayed a dozen feet back when Diego led Toronado outside and mounted. He walked the horse in circles, then, as he became less skittish, put him through a series of sharp turns and short trots. By the time Gilberto-dressed in Zorro's black-emerged from the cave mouth, Diego had Toronado well in hand.
Diego slid from the saddle and held out the reins. Gilberto hesitated for a moment before taking them. "I don't have much time..." he said.
Diego nodded. "Don't complicate it," he said. "Move fast and don't give them time to think."
Gilberto paused for a moment more. He mounted, turned Toronado, and was gone at a canter.
Diego crossed himself and went back into the house.
The wait was an hour and a half. Felipe knew that because Diego laid an open pocket watch on the table. He had a book in his lap, but he didn't read it.
Felipe fixed a bowl of stale bread and milk, which Diego scowled at, but-with surprising obedience-ate. Well, some of it, anyway.
Felipe fetched a broom and started sweeping. He was so agitated he had to keep reminding himself not to kick up dust.
How long would it take?
What could go wrong?
He had been watching the secret door with one eye the whole time, but when the panel finally opened and Gilberto rushed out, frantically running his hands through his hair, it was almost anticlimactic. "Is he here yet?" he gasped.
Diego exhaled hard and sagged with relief. "Not yet. Not yet...what happened?"
"The lancers gave chase. I had to run them up the little arroyo that opens into Pine Creek." He grinned. "He was incredible, Diego. He'll need water later-"
"Yes, it's good you are conscientious about your horse. What happened with Ramone?"
Gilberto gave a single shudder of disgust. "He erected a pole in the middle of the plaza for his whipping. I think you're right-it wasn't a coincidence. He knew there would be dozens of de le Vega guests in town for mass before going home. He was making a point to a broad audience."
Diego nodded.
"I rode right up behind him and caught the whip when he drew back for his second strike."
"Second?"
"My timing was off. But everybody was looking at the 'public justice,' and no one saw me until I was in the middle of things." He grinned. "Ramone challenged me again. Lost again. I demanded concessions. The boys go free..." He winced. "That sergeant and two of his men tried to box in Toronado. I think one has a broken arm."
"Is he-"
"Remembered his training. Came when I whistled." He laughed. "I had two ladies throwing handkerchiefs after me-one of them little Victoria. I remember she used to trail after us when we went fishing with her brother. And now look at her!" He took a deep breath, visibly calming himself, and sat down at the writing desk. "It was incredible. It was perfect." He paused. "So. The next move is theirs."
Diego nodded thoughtfully. "I will be interested in hearing Father's account. We need to know how people are responding in town."
Gilberto rubbed his hands together. He was all but humming with excitement. He rose and paced the little room. "How are you feeling?"
"Comfortable enough. If you'll let me change the subject, there's something we need to discuss."
"Oh?" Gilberto looked up, and then looked again. "Oh." He sat down, suddenly serious.
Diego motioned for Felipe to sit, too. He looked from one to the other, and Felipe understood what Gilberto had seen: Diego was angry about something. "'Berto, you've been using Felipe to maneuver me since we got home. I'm not going to ask that you stop-he has been completely complicit, and I know I'll never win that sort of argument against the two of you." He smiled, briefly, which didn't at all disguise his anger. "But last night you went too far. It was unacceptable, and I won't allow it."
Felipe's mouth dropped open. He couldn't imagine what had happened. Perhaps Gilberto had said something after Felipe had gone to sleep?
"Diego, you know I didn't mean it-"
Slowly, in a hard, calm voice, Diego answered, "I don't care if you mean it or not, you will not attack Felipe in order to get my attention."
What? No! Felipe was horrified. He reached out and swatted Diego's leg so he'd look toward him. "It's not important!" he signed. "I don't care."
Diego lifted a single finger and pointed Felipe into silence. "You don't care. I do." He turned to Gilberto. "I will not hear the word 'pest' again-or any others like it. Ever. Ruse or not."
Felipe expected Gilberto to laugh or point out that Felipe had, in fact, been a pest quite often. Or maybe that he'd give way with the patient condescension he sometimes used when he was trying not to upset Diego just because of his illness. But instead he nodded almost pityingly. "I still don't understand...but at least now I see _what _it is I don't understand. I can't imagine being _anyone's_ parent." He lifted a hand quickly. "I don't understand it, but I respect it. All right? He's yours. And...and maybe the only one you'll have. So." He dropped his eyes. "I apologize, Diego. I apologize. And for what it's worth, I'll...I mean to see you finish this endeavor."
Diego nodded, but continued to look at him flatly.
Gilberto turned to Felipe. "I beg your pardon," he said politely, as though they were two gentlemen circumventing an issue of honor. "No offense was intended."
Felipe shook his head vigorously.
Diego leaned back in the chair. He was silent long enough that Felipe began to worry. He had always known Diego hated the endless sniping and one-upmanship and little sabotages. _Now_ he didn't have the strength to waste on arbitrating petty meanness. Felipe reached across and nudged his arm. "I'll stop calling him short," he offered desperately.
Gilberto groaned, but Diego just nodded thoughtfully. "You could, actually. You can stop defending yourself. He has finally-oh finally-realized that you are not some kind of replacement brother I brought home because he wasn't interesting enough."
Felipe felt himself flushing. On the one hand, it _was_ patently absurd: the idea that a peasant orphan could ever take _anything_ away from the de le Vega firstborn. Felipe was nobody and every once in a while Gilberto used to remind him of this fact. On the other hand...Felipe _had_ hated him. He had only stopped wishing that Gilberto would just disappear when he was literate enough to write down a confession and read the answer the priest gave back.
But that had been wrong, hadn't it? Really _wrong_, to hate him or want him gone, because it was only Gilberto's devotion to his brother that had brought Diego home. It was Gilberto's strength that was sustaining both of the twins right now. "I'm sorry," Felipe signed, forcing himself to make the gesture large and clear.
"Oh, no," Gilberto said quickly, misunderstanding what the apology was for. "Don't bother. I've gotten kind of attached to Shorty."
Oh. Felipe swallowed. He couldn't face that, calling Gilberto "Lesser," for the rest of their lives. Not now. "Older," he signed. "My Older Friend."
"As you wish," Gilberto said, swallowing hard. He stood up and briskly went to the bookshelf. "Where have you put the history?"
Diego was still looking at Felipe. Felipe saw him whisper, "Thank you."
Gilberto sat down beside Diego with a copy of _The Lord, Master of the Military Arts_ and began to read aloud.
He was still reading half an hour later when Don Alejandro returned. "Gilberto, you will not believe what happened," he bellowed even before closing the door. "Gilberto? The Fox is making himself a plague on Ramone!" He broke off as he caught sight of them. "Diego? How are you feeling?"
"A little tired, but no more then I'd expect."
Don Alejandro nodded. He looked acutely uncomfortable and uncertain. "Diego..."
"You were saying, Father? About The Fox?" Diego asked, looking mildly interested.
After a moment, he sat down. "Telling the story-it seems almost absurd. He rode right into the middle of the pueblo and snatched the whip out of the alcalde's hand. How is it possible? He defeated Ramone with a sword and carved a neat little "Z" in his jacket and...just rode out again. The lancers say he seems to have vanished about a mile outside of town. It was amazing."
"How remarkable," Diego murmured. Gilberto kept his eyes on the closed book in his hand.
"The lancers are saying he's some kind of demon. Victoria Escalante says the people finally have a champion who can't be intimidated."
"Let's hope she's right," Gilberto said earnestly. "What a shame I missed it."
_~end_
End file.
| Saving the Fox II: Fiesta by Therrae | Zorro |
Clever Victoria
**I do not own the rights to Zorro or any of the characters in Zorro. All rights belong to the creators of Zorro, and this story is for entertainment purposes only. **
**Clever Victoria**
Diego and Felipe were sitting at their usual table at the Tavern Victoria. Diego was following Victoria with his eyes closely. She looked so tempting when her skirts brushed across her ankles.
Two men entered the Tavern and sat down at a table next to the far wall. They looked like trouble, which made Diego uneasy about leaving for the newspaper office.
Victoria came over with a fresh glass of Lemonade, "Would you like to order something to eat?" She asked sweetly. Her eyes followed to where Diego was looking. "Is something bothering you?" She questioned him.
"I don't like the looks of those two men. They look like trouble to me." Diego replied in a familiar tone.
Victoria had to shake her head to clear the picture that came to her mind when she heard his voice deepen.
"I need to serve other customers, call me if you need something." Victoria rushed away still confused.
"Felipe, I need you to go get Zorro's clothes. I don't trust those two men." Diego replied in a serious tone when Felipe made a small z on the table.
Felipe quickly left to retrieve Zorro's outfit. Diego sipped his lemonade slowly, and watched the two strangers closely. Victoria noticed Felipe leaving and the puzzle pieces were fitting together in her mind. She continued to serve other customers and refilled Diego's drink a few times without saying a word to him.
Felipe returned and motioned for Diego to follow him outside. Diego followed him outside and went to the newspaper office to change. Felipe went back to the Tavern to keep an eye on the two peculiar men. Victoria noticed Diego rush out and one more puzzle piece slipped into place.
Zorro heard yelling coming from the Tavern and hurried in the back door. He saw Victoria fighting with the two men he had been watching closely. " I believe the lady told you to leave senors." Zorro stepped behind Victoria.
Zorro pulled his sabre out and pointed it at the men. " Now would be a good time to leave, before you get hurt." Zorro warned as he stepped around Victoria. The men left the Tavern slowly at sabre point and quickly left town. They did not want to find out if Zorro would follow through with his threat.
Victoria came running out and hugged Zorro. "Thank you for helping. I will have a fresh glass of lemonade waiting for you when you return." She said so only the two of them could hear, and winked at him.
When Victoria went back inside, Zorro stood on the porch with a look of shock and surprise on his masked face.
He was quickly reminded of where he was at when he heard De Soto yell, "It's Zorro, lancers after him. Zorro whistled for Toronado and rushed out of town with lancers following behind.
End file.
| Clever Victoria by jpaez | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
Zorro is as silent as the night,
As he soundlessly prevents the crimes
That are attempted at this late hour of night,
He never gives up, He never gives in,
For he is El Zorro,
The silent and valiant caballero and friend
!VIVA EL ZORRO!
2. Author's Alert!
Hey guys sorry for the delay on my most recent story about Arthur pendragon promise thought that it'll I unless anything goes wrong be up this weekend. Have been studying for finals all week and past weeks luckily they're next week. Wish me luck on history usually I'm pretty good at it but hard teacher.
anyway what I really want to say is that if anyone wants to tell what they think or if they like the new prologue that I will in the next few days be releasing or just want to chat just:
-Get on TWITTER and to find me just look up:
LeonDesdichard
- don't put any space between them and make sure to capitalize tooth the names
- sincerely
LeonDesdichard
)H(
End file.
| Viva El Zorro! by LeonDesdichard | Zorro |
Five Greetings
Author's Note: The 365 Project is an experimental _multi-fandom_ project to write and post at least one short every day for the next year, not including my semi-regular bi-weekly updates. For more details, see the relevent section in my profile. This is The 365 Project, 3 August.
In the immortal words of Samuel L. Clemens... "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot. BY ORDER OF THE AUTHOR."
Disclaimer: Zorro (this version, at least) belongs to New World Entertainment and the Family Channel and is used without permission or intent to profit.
* * *
-o0O0o-
"Five Greetings"
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'
-o0O0o-
* * *
Like all of the villagers of the Pueblo de Los Angeles and the surrounding area, Don Diego de la Vega waited impatiently for the Pueblo's new Alcalde to disembark from the coach, perhaps more impatiently than most; the attitude and methods of this new Alcalde would determine who lived and who died; Don Diego and Senor Zorro... or perhaps even, if God was smiling down on him with favor, Diego would finally be free to live his own life without either mask...
When the new Alcalde finally stepped out of the coach, Diego couldn't believe his eyes, automatically stepping forward to clap his hands on the other man's shoulders.
"'Don' Ignacio!"
The other man smirked and returned the gesture, "'Senor' Diego! So, here is where you disappeared to; Madrid just wasn't the same without your presence."
From where she had been standing, Victora stepped forward to look at the two men, "Diego, you know the Alcalde?"
The two men released each other and the Alcalde - Ignacio, according to Diego's greeting - spoke, "Si, he does, I would never have finished at the University without the aid of Diego de la Vega... forgive me, Ignacio DeSoto, newly appointed Alcalde of the Pueblo de Los Angeles, at your service... Senora?"
It was true; without Diego's tuition in subjects like Literature and Maths, Ignacio wouldn't have had a chance of graduation unless he'd resorted to cheating, something he had been tempted to do before the Californian Don had offered his help.
"Senorita," Victora corrected, causing Ignacio to turn a disbelieving look on Diego.
"De la Vega," Ignacio shook his head, "You mean to tell me you've let such a lovely woman remain unattached? I've never before taken you for a fool, Diego, until this moment..."
Diego chose not to rise to the bait, instead making the other side of introductions, "Ignacio, Senorita Victoria Escalante; Victoria owns the Pueblo's best tavern."
"The tavern, you say? Excellent! Come, Diego! I will buy you a drink and you, you will tell me of this Pueblo."
"No, Ignacio, _I _will buy _you _a drink and _you _will tell _me_ what happened to seeking high office," Diego counteroffered.
"Ah, it doesn't matter who buys first," Ignacio proclaimed, "We both will buy many rounds this evening to celebrate our reunion!"
"Yes, this is indeed worth celebrating," Diego agreed, guiding Ignacio towards the tavern, never saying that the real celebration was that it seemed that his prayers had been answered, Zorro would not need to ride again and he could begin to live... idly, Diego wondered if that weekend would be too soon to propose to Victoria...
* * *
-o0O0o-
The Spanish Ambassador looked up from his paperwork, "Ah, bonjour."
The newcomer frowned, "What?"
"I'm sorry, it's become a habit to speak the local language," the Ambassador switched to Spanish, "Buenas dias, Senor, how might I assist you?"
"You are Ambassador Diego Sebastian?"
"Si?" the Ambassador nodded, "I am he. What brings you to Paris?"
"I regretfully bring tragic news from Los Angeles, Ambassador... It is my sad duty to inform you that your father, Alejandro de la Vega, has passed away."
The Ambassador of the Spanish Crown to France turned his attention back to his papers, adding a sharp dismissal, "That man is not my father. You may leave the way you came in."
The messenger bowed his head, "Have a good day, Ambassador."
The Ambassador snorted, his day had been fine until this person had arrived to bring up a past he no longer considered his.
-o0o-
Ten years earlier, in the Pueblo de Los Angeles, Don Alejandro de la Vega was once again railing in the tavern against the latest taxes imposed by the Alcalde and against his son's own quiet acceptance of them.
"I simply cannot believe you, Diego!" Alejandro was fuming, "These taxes are bleeding the Pueblo dry and you think we should just accept them because the Alcalde _claims_ they're for roads and wells and... and... and... No _true _de la Vega would ever just stand by and let such lies happen!"
"So be it, Don Alejandro," Diego stood up firmly, unable and unwilling to take anymore, "You talk so often of how no son of yours could do this or no son of yours could be that, then very well; claim Zorro as your son for all the good it will do you - I renounce the name de la Vega!"
"...My son, I..."
"I am no longer your son," Diego cut him off before storming past him to leave the tavern.
As Diego vanished out of sight, moving faster than he'd been seen to move in years, Alejandro sank into his chair, face pale and eyes wide, "What have I done...?"
* * *
-o0Oo-
Vicky Vega - properly Victoria de la Vega, but she wasn't fond of her full name, considering it too much of a mouthful to say and beyond that never having known the great-grandmother she was named for anyway - felt like she had just been hit with a ton of bricks, all wrapped up in a nice white linen tablecloth. The last time she could remember her head hurting as bad as it did now had been after her graduation celebration where she had drunk too much of the wine that her father had permitted her claiming that it was a special occasion. She hadn't know what she wanted to do with her life after graduation, so her father had suggested joining the family business - at least for a while - and while once, a hundred years ago, that might have meant raising and selling horses, now the de la Vegas were better known as the family that had owned and published one of Los Angeles' longest-running newspapers, _The Guardian_. She'd never intended to make a career out of being a reporter, instead she had just meant to work there long enough to make her father happy before finding something better - the radio industry was picking up and stations were always in the market for good voices, that was an idea that sometimes appealed to her when she thought about it. But every time the owner/publisher - also known as her father - brought her a story and asked her to look into it because he trusted her, she found herself caught up again and unable to leave _The Guardian._ This was the last time, story or no story, it was time for Vicky Vega to get out of the business - getting hit over the head and waking up in dark alleys was no way to live. The problem was the reason she had woken up in a dark alley with a bump on the head, the story her father had wanted her to handle because he couldn't trust anyone else... if she had needed any better proof that it was true and there was corruption in the LAPD - and probably City Hall too - reaching up to the top, it didn't get much better than someone using her head for a snare drum and warning her not to stick her nose into things that didn't concern her or they'd see how pretty she was after it was cut off.
"My God, Victoria," her father who never used her shortened name gasped as she walked into his study at the manor where generations of de la Vegas had lived, "What happened?"
"Guess what, Dad?" she answered somewhat rhetorically, "I think there might be government corruption in Los Angeles, can you believe that?"
"I was afraid this day would come," Phillip de la Vega sighed as he stood up from behind his oak desk, crossing the room to where a picture of his grandfather, Diego de la Vega, hung on the wall.
Vicky's eyes widened in shock as the picture swung away from the wall, revealing a safe that she had never known was there. Carefully, Phillip turned the dial until the safe opened and extracted a simple thin book, bound in black leather before shutting the safe and swinging the picture back to hide it once more. Slowly, he walked over to the chair where his daughter sat and handed the book to her.
"Read this, Victoria, and then meet me in the library," he instructed, spinning on a heel and rapidly leaving the study.
Frowning, Vicky undid the looping string that kept the book closed and opened it to the first page, reading what had been written...
_'The true story of Diego de la Vega and his life as the outlaw El Zorro, considered a hero to some and a bandit to others, written in his own hand. If you are reading this manuscript, then you are my descendant and a true de la Vega. It is my hope that you do so only to learn of your family and its history, but it is perhaps too much to hope that greed, injustice and corruption will not one day rise again within the Pueblo de Los Angeles. If it is thus, my descendant, and it cannot be fought openly, if you would still fight, then read the words that will follow and learn from them; if you cannot clothe yourself in the skin of the lion, then put on that of the fox...'_
It took Vicky time to read the entire journal, hours in fact, but when she was done, she found her father in the manor's library.
"Dad, I..."
Standing by the fireplace, Phillip raised a hand to forestall further comment from his daughter, instead reaching up to release a hidden catch and the two de la Vegas watched as the back of the fireplace swung away to reveal a secret passage.
"There is more to see, Victoria, before you say anything," Phillip informed her.
* * *
-o0O0o-
"Senor Emissary!" The Alcalde greeted, "It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Pueblo de Los Angeles. I am the Alcalde, Luis Ramon. If there is anything I can do to help you during your stay in Los Angeles, please, feel..."
"Alcalde," the Emissary of the King cut Ramon off, "Do not grovel, do not attempt to ingratiate yourself with me. You've already failed. My purpose for being here is to determine the punishment for your failure."
"My apologies, Your Excellency," Ramon attempted to save some sort of face, "But I don't believe I have your name."
"My name, Senor?" the Emissary looked at Ramon disapprovingly, "My name is Don Diego de la Vega, son of Don Alejandro de la Vega with whom you are acquainted and second cousin to and Emissary from His Majesty the King of Spain."
Ramon's face turned pale.
* * *
-o0O0o-
The Alcalde entered the tavern in a fury, "Is there a problem here, Corporal?"
The Corporal nodded and pointed at a stranger, dressed in the clothes of a caballero, standing nearby, "Si, Alcalde, this man refuses to pay the traveller's tax and inform us of his identity and destination."
The strange caballero turned to face Ramon, "You are the Alcalde, Luis Ramon?"
"Si," Ramon answered sharply, "and you are?"
"My name is Don Diego de la Vega," the caballero answered sharply, drawing the sword he had been gifted by Sir Edmund Kendall from his hip, "You killed my father. Prepare to die."
* * *
-o0O0o-
Author's Note: I'm sorry for the last one, I just couldn't resist the temptation...
End file.
| Five Greetings by turbomagnus | Zorro |
See Your Eyes
_This one is a short poem-fic I wrote awhile back, non-specific to series but inspired by the Disney version._
* * *
**See your eyes**
A wisp, a flash of night in day
Simply another shredded touch of darkness
Vanishing behind a silent wall
Unseen, unheard
A flash of smile
Satisfaction in a hidden gaze
Before vanishing once more into the darkness
Letting none close enough to see
The sadness
In his eyes.
End file.
| See Your Eyes by librophile | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
**"This story is an amateur, not-for-profit publication produced solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe upon any rights by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.**
**A stranger's face**
**Chapter 1**
He woke up in a large bed that was covered with a blanket in red and orange design. It was a large room and some flowers were standing on a small side table. The sun coming through the closed shutters told him that it was already day. In his nightshirt that he didn't recognize, he opened the window to look outside.
The window was on the ground floor, opening up to the garden of a large hacienda. Behind the walls, enclosing the garden, he could see the stables where servants were already busy. The bright sun from the window blinded his eyes and increased his headache. He touched his head and felt a big lump on the side of his head where he had probably hit himself somewhere.
In the mirror on the wardrobe he saw the face of a tall man with Spanish features, blue eyes and a mustache. It was the face of a stranger.
Looking into the wardrobe, he found man's clothing that seemed to fit him. After doing his morning toilet at the washstand, he dressed himself in a blue suit and a white ruffled caballeros' shirt. Stepping out of the room, he followed the hallway where he heard some voices. He was about to pass by an open door that led into a study, but was stopped by an older man who approached him.
"Ah Diego, have you finally decided to get up? It's nearly noon!" The man from the study greeted him. He looked at the man bewildered. He didn't recognize him. What was his name? Only then did he realize that he couldn't remember his own name either. The man had called him Diego. Was that his own name? It must be, since the man seemed to know him.
"I'm sorry, I think I must have bumped my head," he replied, carefully avoiding to address the man.
"Did you fall from your chair when you were reading late again?" The man shook his head. "When will you ever change, Diego?"
He wanted to protest that he hadn't fallen from a chair, but then he stopped. How could he deny it when he didn't know himself what he had done last night? It was one of his least problems now. He needed to find out who was and get back his memory.
"Your breakfast is waiting for you in the dining room, Diego," the man said. "I'll tell the cook to brew you some fresh coffee."
"After you have finished, I want you to come with me to the pueblo. I'll meet with some friends there and we can have lunch together in the tavern. It's been some days since we have eaten in the tavern. Victoria will start to miss us."
He left the study to look for the dining room that could be anywhere behind those closed doors he had passed by or even further down the hall. He went to the left, farther down the hallway, and opened the next door by chance. It wasn't the dining room but a library with bookshelves, filled with books on both sides of the large fireplace in the center of the room.
He took randomly some of the books from the shelf and looked inside. One was a poetry book and on the inside there was a name written. Diego de la Vega. The book looked new, only a few years old, so it was probably his own book and his name. He was Diego de la Vega. Scanning through the pages, he couldn't remember any of the poems he read. He sighed. Either he hadn't read the book or it was one more memory that he had lost.
"Don Diego," a servant entered the room, "the coffee is ready. Your father told me to make some for you. I put it on the breakfast table. Do you need anything else?"
"I'll come with you and I'll tell you." So the man in the study had been his father who was the patron of the house. He put the book back on the shelf and followed the servant who led him to the dining room that he had passed by on his way from his bedchamber. Sitting down at the table, he helped himself to some breakfast that was laid out for him. He poured himself coffee in the hope that it would help him with his headache. If he could get rid of the headache, he might get back his memory too.
Without knocking, a teenage boy in an orange shirt and loose trousers entered the room and started to sign. He looked at him uncomprehendingly. What were these gestures about and why wasn't the boy saying a word?
"What do you want from me?" he asked. "I don't understand you."
The boy started to sign more agitated, but stopped soon again with a questioning look on his face when he got no reaction.
"You can't speak?" The boy looked at him surprised and shocked. "I don't understand your signs, so unless you have no other means of communication, I don't know what you want from me." The mouth of the boy gaped open at his statement and gestured again.
He waved his hand. "Please stop signing. This is futile. Can you write?"
The boy nodded, but was shocked again by the question. The boy left the room only to return with paper and pencil a few minutes later.
_What happened? _The boy wrote.
"I don't know what happened. I can't remember anything. Who are you?" The boy look scared at his question.
_I'm Felipe. I'm in your charge and you are my guardian._
"Can I trust you, Felipe?" he asked the boy.
The boy nodded vehemently, a gesture that needed no explanation.
"Can I ask you some questions?" The boy nodded again. "You can hear but not speak?"
The boy nodded, but started to write again. _I can hear, but it is a secret between us._
"Why?"
Felipe sighed. _It's complicated. You can't remember anything?_
"No, I'm sorry. I can't even remember my own name. Who am I and what happened to me?"
_You are Don Diego de la Vega and Zorro fell from Toronado last night when the horse was frightened by a bullet._
"If I'm Diego de la Vega, why does Zorro's fall affect me? And who is this fox? Is this a kind of unusual pet? What does a fox have to do with a storm?" He could see that Felipe's exasperation grew with every question.
_No, Zorro is a man. You are Zorro! And Toronado is your horse._
"Why am I called Zorro? I thought my name is Diego?!"
Felipe threw his hands in the air. This was getting more and more annoying by the minute.
"I'm sorry, Felipe, that I ask so many stupid question, but can you imagine how it feels to wake up knowing nothing about yourself?" He asked, trying to make the boy understand. To his surprise the boy nodded. "You do?" The boy nodded again.
_I lost my parents when they were caught in a battle of the rebellion. You found me and took me in when I could neither speak nor hear after that day. You called me Felipe and gave me a home. I regained my hearing, but not my ability to speak and I never remembered my parents. So I know how it feels!_
"Felipe, I'm sorry to hear that about your parents, but I also know now that I can trust you. So we are friends?"
"_You have been like a father to me; you raised me and you had me educated."_
He smiled at the boys sincere expression of love. "I need to find out what happened and get back my memory. So you say that I or Zorro was thrown from my horse, because I was in a fight. Who was I fighting with? And I haven't understood yet what Zorro means. Is that a nickname for me?"
Felipe sighed again, but patiently he started to write again.
_Zorro is a black rider whose identity is hidden behind a black mask. He has taken over the task to protect the pueblo from bandits and from the alcalde. Zorro is an outlaw!_
"So I have a secret identity as Zorro?" The boy nodded. "So I was riding as Zorro last night and I got a concussion during that trip? How do you know that?"
_You told me and I helped you when you got back. _Felipe smiled proudly at him.
He wanted to asked another question, but his headache overwhelmed him. Bracing his head in his hands, he tried to fight the sudden dizziness and the blurring of his sight. Felipe looked at him concerned, putting a hand on his shoulder.
"Have you finished breakfast, Diego?" his father asked, entering the dining room. "Are you ready for our trip to Los Angeles?"
"I'm sorry, Father, but I can't join you. I hit my head yesterday and now I may have a concussion. I will go back to bed." He apologized, still holding his head. Getting up, he swayed a little and he saw the sudden concern in his father's eyes.
"I'll talk to Dr. Hernandez when I ride to the pueblo and tell him to come looking for you."
"Thank you, Father." Leaning a little on the boy, he let Felipe guide him back to his room. Putting on his nightshirt again, he slipped between the covers. He noticed Felipe closing the curtains before he fell asleep.
Z Z Z
When he woke up again, he saw a white-haired man standing by his bed who was examining him.
"Don Diego? How are you feeling?"
He blinked at little, trying to focus on the man. "Dr..., Dr. ..?" He tried to remember the name of the doctor. Hadn't his father mentioned the name?
"Yes, it's me, Dr. Hernandez," the doctor assisted him. "You told your father you had a concussion. What are your symptoms? Headache? Dizziness? Problems to focus?"
He nodded to all of them.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"I don't know, I can't remember. I can't remember anything!"
"That happens quite often that the patient doesn't remember his fall after a concussion. You will remember it eventually."
"You don't understand, doctor. I don't remember anything, anything at all."
"Please explain, Don Diego, what can't you remember?"
"I can't remember who I am, my family, this house, you, ..., I have no memory at all."
"I see, a memory loss is the result of your concussion, but most of the time it's only partial. Patients lose the memory, how they got hit or sometimes they are missing some time of their past. Tell me, Don Diego, what is the last thing you remember?"
"I remember waking up this morning here in my bed and from that time on."
"What about yesterday or last week? Or your childhood?"
He shook his head, only to have his headache return. "Ow! Nothing. I know my name is Diego de la Vega because others told me, but I can't remember myself!" He tried not to show his frustration. "When will my memory return, Doctor?"
"The human brain is still a mystery to us, Don Diego. I can't give you a prognosis. I may return in a day, a week or never."
"Does that mean that I may never remember at all?" He was shocked.
"It's a possibility that I can't keep from you. I'm sorry, Don Diego. But you must not lose faith. There is hope that you will remember all. Just give it time."
"Is there anything I can do, doctor?"
"You need to rest now and stay in bed at least today until your headaches are gone. I'll come back tomorrow and look at you again."
He leaned back into the pillows and closed his eyes. This was a nightmare. To imagine he'd never get his memory back!
2. Chapter 2
**Chapter 2 **
"Diego, you're awake again?" He saw the man who was his father put his head through the door. "Felipe looked into your room earlier and he said that you were sleeping soundly." His father came into the room, closing the door behind him.
"The doctor told me you suffer from a concussion and a loss of memory. How are you feeling?"
He sat up in his bed and the dizziness was back again for a moment. He closed his eyes and waited for the spell to pass.
"Diego, you should better lie down. A concussion has to be taken seriously." He felt his father's hand on his shoulder, pushing him back into the pillows. "Why didn't you say anything in the morning? It's dangerous to walk around with a concussion! Normally, you go to bed at the slightest cold and when you're serious ill, you get up." His father shook his head.
"I don't remember anything, Father, not even my own name."
His father looked at him with a mixture of shock and compassion. "I'm sorry to hear that, Diego, but I'm sure you will get back your memory in no time. Victoria missed you in the tavern today and when I told her you were ill, she sent you her best wishes. She'll will visit you as soon as it's less busy in the tavern. But the market day will hardly leave her a free moment."
He wanted to ask him some questions, but then someone called for his father. "I'm sorry, Diego, Juan is calling for me. One of the mares is foaling and there are some problems. We'll talk tomorrow when you've rested some more."
He couldn't sleep anymore, staring at the ceiling, he soon became bored. He reached for one of the books that was piled up on his nightstand. He started to read, but it explained some complicated chemical experiments. The drawings and letters began to blur in front of his eyes and he couldn't concentrate either.
Frustrated he put the book back on the pile. He hated this forced inactivity. He wanted to get up and move around. He wouldn't get back his memory if he stayed put in his bed. Nonetheless he didn't want to take a chance on losing his memory for good by getting up against the doctor's advice. He'd stay in bed today and if his headache was gone tomorrow, he'd get up again.
Dozing on and off, the time passed by slowly. A light knocking on the door woke him up again. He hoped for Felipe to come visiting, but it was only a servant.
"I'll bring your dinner, Don Diego," the maid said shyly. "It's some soup that Maria has made for you."
"Maria is the cook?" he asked.
"Si, senor," the maid answered surprised. He started to hate that reaction. He needed to know about the people in this house, but to others he gave the impression as if he had suddenly become plain stupid, asking all these questions.
"Where is Felipe?" That was a safe question to ask.
"He is in the stables with your father, supervising the foaling of Fatima." He noticed that the woman was eager to return to the kitchen and he refrained from asking her any more questions.
Z Z Z
The next morning he felt much better. The headache and the dizziness were gone when he sat up in his bed. He felt refreshed as if he had gotten enough enough sleep for the first time in weeks.
Thinking of the double life Felipe had told him about, it was probably the case. It sounded crazy to him to stay out all night as a masked man and live another life by day. How had he managed and how long had he been doing that?
He had just finished the breakfast, the same maid from the evening before had brought him, when the doctor came for his visit.
"Good morning, Don Diego, how are you today?" Dr. Hernandez greeted him.
"Much better, Doctor." He couldn't await getting up again. Patiently he endured the doctor's examination of his eyes, his head and general constitution.
"The headaches and dizziness are gone, Don Diego?"
"Si, I really feel much better today," he assured the doctor.
"What about your memory? Any progress in that direction?"
"No, not at all. My memory starts with yesterday," he replied depressed. "Shouldn't there be any change, now that the headache is gone, doctor?"
"I think you expect too much, Don Diego. Because you're feeling better today doesn't mean you're healed again. It takes time and with the brain you'll never know. The memory may return slowly or all at once, there is no rule. Sometimes it's an item or a situation that reminds the person of what he has forgotten. Strong emotions may trigger the memory too."
"Is there anything I can do?" he asked.
"Nothing special, Don Diego, you should give yourself time to heal and not overexert yourself."
"Can I get up again?" he asked eagerly. "I need to get out of this room."
"I'd prefer if you stayed in bed for some time, but I can see that I can hardly keep you here, now that you're feeling better. You may get up for a short time if you promise to return to bed immediately if your headaches return. And don't stay up for too long. I want you to lay flat as much as you can."
He suppressed a face at the doctor''s restriction, but he was relieved to get up at all. As soon as the doctor had left, he finished his morning toilet and dressed himself. With more confidence than yesterday he left his room. He found his father sitting in the parlor that was adjacent to the library, reading his mail.
"Diego, you look much better today. The doctor told me you shouldn't stay up too long and not strain yourself."
"Thank you, Father, I feel better. The long rest helped a lot."
"Is there anything I can do for you, Diego?" His father put down his mail and looked at him. He sat down on the chair opposite his father's.
"I don't know if you can understand it, but I know nothing of myself. Tell me about our family. What about my mother?"
His father hadn't expected that question from the astonished expression at his face.
"Your mother, Diego? You have forgotten her too?"
He nodded. "What happened to her? Is she dead? How did she look like?"
"I think you will remember her, Diego, once you get your memory back. You were already twelve years old when she died. You were an only child and we always wished for another," his father sighed. "So we were very happy when she got pregnant again after all these years. Unfortunately she had a miscarriage and both your mother and the child died."
"I'm sorry to hear that, Father," he put a comforting hand on the man's arm. His father wiped a tear from his eye and stood up to fetch a small picture from the mantel. It showed a portrait of a young woman with curly brown hair and striking blue eyes.
"As you can see, you have the eyes of your mother. You remind me a lot her and not only because of her eyes. She had a quick wit and a hot temper, but she was able to control herself. One of us had to or our marriage would have been a fiasco if we both had said what we later regretted. She was very interested in arts too. I think you got your talent for painting from her."
"I'm painting pictures?" he asked.
"Yes, and they are really good, but I haven't seen new pictures from you for some time."
"So, I have no siblings. What about other relatives?"
"I had two brothers, one was killed during a campaign when were soldiers and the other died ten years ago of an accident. He has one son, Rafael, who lives in Monterey with his family. On the way back from you uncle's funeral, you found Felipe who had lost his parents in a battle near Guadelajara and brought him here. Though you were still a teenager then you took care of him as if he were your son."
"That made me really proud of you, Diego. You never cared that the boy could neither speak nor hear. And Felipe will never forget what you did for him either." His father smiled at him.
His father's eyes followed him when he started to walk around in the parlor. Though this was his home, he felt like someone who explored an unknown territory. He opened the piano and let his fingers run over the keys, playing a short melody that came into his mind.
"That's Beethoven, Diego. Do you remember that whistling bandit who robbed the pueblo? Stealing even your mother's bust!" His father made an angry face, remembering the incident.
"No, I don't remember, Father. I still haven't gotten back my memory." Frustrated he closed the piano with a loud bang. "I'm sorry."
Looking for other things to let out his frustration, his eyes fell on some swords that were loosely attached to the wall, ready for use.
He took one of the swords from the wall and weighted it in his hand. "Why do you keep these swords here, Father?" His father looked at him surprised. What was wrong with this question again?
"They aren't of a good quality, very light and not much use in a real fight. A good Toledo steel will easily cut the blade at its hilt."
He made some fencing moves with the blade in his need to do some exercise. "It could be better balanced," he continued his evaluation of the sword. With one quick movement he cut through the base of the row of candles on a sideboard. "At least it's not dull." His father stared at him open mouthed. And Felipe who had slipped into the room unnoticed was standing behind his father with his hands on his head and a shocked expression.
"Why are you staring at me?" he asked, not understanding their reaction. "Since I have lost my memory, everything is new to me. What's wrong with asking some questions?" He became annoyed with their staring. Gracefully, he rapidly swung the blade in the air with no effort and enjoyed the feeling of an extended hand though the sword was too light for his taste.
"Do these swords have a special meaning, father?" He tried to understand. "Did you mind me touching them?"
"No, Diego, not at all. I was only surprised by your skill with the sword." His father had gotten up and went over to the candles, examining them, lifting each in a row to see a clear cut. His father sat down again, shaking his head. Looking forward and back between him and the candles, his father was still upset by something.
He put the sword back on the wall. "You haven't told me about the new foal that kept you busy last night," he switched the topic and both were eager to tell him about it during lunch.
3. Chapter 3
**Chapter 3**
He had slept a little after lunch and now he was sitting in the library, trying in vain to read a book. Somehow he couldn't concentrate on anything and he heard his father talk with a woman in the hallway. They were talking loud enough for him to overhear every word.
"Hola Victoria, it's nice of you to visit Diego when you're so busy at the tavern." His father said.
"Of course, I need to look for Diego," the woman replied. "He's always there for me too, Don Alejandro. How is he? I heard that he has lost his memory?"
"Yes, he doesn't remember anything about his past. Today he asked me about his mother."
"It must be scary, not being able to remember one's past."
"Yes, it's scary, but not only for Diego, Victoria."
"What do you mean by that, Don Alejandro? "
"I always thought that I knew my son, but somehow he's a stranger now. And I am starting to think that I never really knew him. And that I never saw his true self after he returned from Spain."
"That sounds really scary, Don Alejandro. But how can he be different? He's still Diego even if he has lost his memory."
"I can't explain, Victoria. You'll see for yourself when you meet him. He's in the library if you want to see him. I have to go to the stables now to look for the new foal. Do you want me to introduce you to Diego first?"
The woman laughed a little. "Why would you introduce me? I've known Diego all my life. That's about the silliest thing I have heard. Don't let me keep you, Don Alejandro. I know my way around."
He heard the woman's light steps come closer and he rose from his seat to greet her. He didn't know who to expect, but her sight had him speechless. His heart was beating fast when he saw the stunning woman enter the library.
"Excuse me my staring, Senorita. You must be Victoria. I heard you talk with my father in the hallway. You are the most very beautiful woman, I have ever seen," he took her hand and kissed it. "Are we engaged?"
Victoria only stared at him. "No, we aren't," she stuttered.
"I wish we were. Even if I don't remember you, I can't believe any man wouldn't want to marry you at first sight."
Victoria gaped at him. "I don't know what to say, Diego. You and I are just friends. And besides that, there is another man in my life."
"That's too bad. It that the reason we aren't married?" Victoria looked at him scared, but he wasn't finished yet. "Then why aren't you married yet? You say there is another man, but why didn't he marry you? Who is he? Did you only meet him recently?" Victoria couldn't stand his questions anymore.
"Please excuse me, Diego, but I have to go now."
He realized that he had shocked her somehow. "I'm sorry, Senorita, I didn't want to upset you." He looked at her and deep inside he knew that he loved her with all his heart.
"I think I didn't start this conversation very well. Will you please forgive me?" He took her hand and placed another kiss on it. For a moment they looked straight into each others eyes, before Victoria turned her eyes away. She wanted to leave, but he didn't let go of her hand. "You didn't answer my question, Senorita. Will you forgive me?"
"I will, if you let me go now." Victoria's voice trembled and he could see that she was very nervous.
"No, you can't go yet," he stopped her. He was still holding her hand and he kissed it once more. Even if his mind had forgotten her, his body hadn't. He knew the smell of her skin, the taste of her lips. Without releasing her hand, he drew her into his arms and kissed her. She put her hands on his chest, trying to push him away. But then her initial resistance to his unexpected kiss melted away as soon as her body remembered too and her arms found their way around his neck. "You!" she exclaimed, looking him into the eyes. He couldn't stop kissing her, now that she responded to his kiss. "I could never forget my love for you, Victoria," he whispered.
He remembered the feeling of having her in his arms, the warmth of her soft body under his hands. And he remembered kissing her before. He knew without thinking how to hold her and how she loved to be touched.
"We should get married soon," he said softly, as she started to moan under his kisses. "I don't know why we haven't yet, but we will redeem that as soon as possible."
Her arms around his neck felt too good, just where they belonged. But his suit was somehow more confining than expected. He needed her in his arms and he wasn't willing to let go. There was this overwhelming love for her that made him kiss her breathless.
When he kissed her, pictures and memories started to appear in his mind. He was wearing black and she was lying in his arms while her white blouse turned red from her blood. He had wanted to help her, but she had urged him to leave. He had never felt that scared and helpless before.
Somehow other memories came up on his mind where he was holding her in his arms or kissing her hand, but all were overlaid with the feeling of danger that made him leave much earlier than he wished. He saw her putting her his ring on her finger, smiling happily at him. More and more memories came back to him, all centered around the woman in his arms. How she smiled at him when he was wearing black or was angry with him while he wasn't.
The pictures were flooding him and his head started to spin again. Releasing her, he tried to cope with it. He swayed a little and put one hand to his forehand. Victoria looked at him concerned.
"Diego, are you alright?"
"I need a minute, Victoria. I'm starting to remember. There are so many memories. So much information." He sat down on the couch, pulling her with him, still holding her hand. For some minutes he leaned back, closing his eyes, trying to make sense of his memories. He was Diego, but he was Zorro too. It was as if his life was given back to him. Relieved he breathed in heavily.
"Are you feeling better now? What do you remember?" Victoria asked when opened his eyes again.
"You! I remember you, Victoria! Who you are, who I am; my whole life centers around you!" He was now Diego again who looked at her with a happy smile and caressed her cheek tenderly. He had gotten back his name and his self.
Victoria noticed the change in him and looked at him questioningly. "Holding you in my arms made me remember the most important moments in my life. I will need some time to sort it all out, but I think I'll be whole again. The doctor said that strong emotions may trigger the memory and now I know what he meant. There's no one else I have so strong feelings for than for you."
"So you're Diego again?" Victoria asked him. "You were so different when you didn't remember me. Did you really mean that about loving me at first sight?"
"Yes, it was the same feeling I had on the day I met you after my return from Spain. You are the woman of my dreams." Victoria began to blush when Diego looked at her lovingly.
"What are you going to do now?"
"For a time I didn't have any memory of my past and it helped me to see everything from a different angle. I don't want to go back to this life as Diego and Zorro, always hiding myself. I think it was a mistake to have it going on for so long. What I said to you earlier was the truth, I have always loved you and I want us to get married without wasting any more time. Do you think you can love me even when I'm not wearing black?"
Victoria smiled at Diego. "You should have believed me when I told you that I'm in love with the man and not with the legend." She bent over to him, putting her hand on his cheek and kissed him.
"But how can we get married without making the alcalde suspicious?" Victoria inquired concerned.
"I'll tell him that my illness has convinced me to tell you of my love and you agreed, since you had a secret crush on me too and are tired of waiting for Zorro. And I can offer you much more than an outlaw."
"Do you think the alcalde will buy it? What if he doesn't?" Victoria wasn't convinced yet.
"Victoria, this time without memory made me realize what really matters in life. That's having you as my wife. And I don't want to live a life on hold anymore. If we wait for a change, we may never be together. We have to get married now and have a life together before it's too late. We need to risk it and no longer live in fear. Don't you want that too?"
"Yes, I do, but I'm afraid," Victoria confessed. "This is all going so fast for me. I never expected the day to turn out like this. I came here to visit a sick friend and now everything is different. You actually scared me when you greeted me as if you hadn't seen me before."
"I'm sorry, Victoria, I didn't want to scare you. I wasn't an act. I only said what was on my mind and what I felt. When I woke up yesterday, I didn't know anything about myself. Felipe tried to explain my life to me and I realized that it was a total mess. I wasn't aware of the restrictions I had put on myself to keep my secret identity and so blew my cover inadvertently. Not only with you, but also with my father. You should have seen him this morning when I played with one of his swords because I was frustrated." Diego chuckled at the memory. "I didn't even understand why he was gaping at my sword skills."
Turning serious again, Diego took hold of both of her hands and looked at her intensely. "Can you live with a short engagement, Victoria? Marry me on Saturday next week? I think a week is the shortest time between reading the banns and the wedding. How much time do you need for your wedding preparations?"
"Diego, I could never find Zorro, because you hid him too well under the mask of Diego, but I now I can see him in you. It is good you made up your mind and there is nothing I want more than to share my life with you. I won't need more than a week to dust off my wedding gown that I have ready ever since you asked me."
Diego's father interrupted their kissing when he entered the library. "Hrrmph!" Alejandro made himself heard. "Diego, Victoria! What's going on here?"
"Victoria has just helped me to regain my memory," Diego smiled, a little annoyed by the interruption. Diego kept an arm around Victoria's waist and looked at his father challenging. "She has also agreed to marry me in about a week, after I have spoken to the padre."
Diego had thought his father would be surprised again, but he didn't react as expected. His father only nodded as if it was the confirmation he had been waiting for. "So you have finally decided to marry your lady, Diego? Or should I rather say Zorro?"
"You're not surprised, Father?" Diego asked.
"Not after your little show with the sword this morning. It made me take a closer look at you and the differences were visible. You walked and moved differently from the Diego I saw the last years. There is only one man I know who moves with such grace and self confidence and that is Zorro. Seeing you here with Victoria is all I needed to know."
Z Z Z
"Hola, Don Diego," the alcalde greeted him when he entered the tavern. "Your father told me you were ill. Are you feeling better again?"
"Yes, I'm fine now." Diego smiled. "I hit my head somehow and lost my memory, but now it's back."
"I heard you and Senorita Escalante are engaged? Is that true?" de Soto inquired curiously.
Diego smiled broadly, "Yes, it's true alcalde. You can congratulate us. When I was ill and couldn't remember my past, I began to see some things differently. I have always loved Victoria, but I never dared to ask her. When I told her I loved her, she confessed that she loved me too and she agreed to become my wife."
"And what about Zorro?"
"Victoria may never love me as much as Zorro, but as long as she feels some love for me I can live with it." Diego was serious. "And an outlaw can never compete with a de la Vega," he added almost arrogantly.
De Soto looked at him surprised. "You have changed, Don Diego!" Diego was almost getting used to creating surprised reactions from others by whatever he did or said.
"Losing one's memory is almost like dying and makes a man think about his life. You should think about that too, De Soto. Have you given your life a thought recently?" Diego questioned him.
"Here you are in this pueblo that you despise, wasting your life, trying to catch an outlaw you will never get. Years have passed now, since you came here and nothing has changed. You are hated by the citizens and have no true friends, eating all you meals alone. Is that really the life you want to live? How you want to be remembered? It's not too late for you to change it, by either becoming a different alcalde or by returning home to Spain to your family."
De Soto looked impressed by Diego's speech and Diego could see that he had somehow hit the mark with the alcalde. "You have changed really profoundly, Don Diego. And you have given me something to think about. You may be right and it's time for a change not only for you."
Diego looked around in the tavern and saw Victoria coming towards him. "There you are, my dear," he smiled. He stretched out his hand to reach for her hand that she gave him happily. Holding her hand with a tight grip, Diego led her out the tavern. "Padre Benitez is waiting for us. He will read the bans tomorrow, but he wants to talk with us about the wedding next week."
"I can hardly await it," Victoria beamed at him.
Hand in hand they walked across the plaza to the church.
Z Z Z
There were some more delays to the wedding, not only that Victoria's brothers and some of Diego's relatives protested that they wouldn't be able to attend on such a short notice, the padre rose some objections too. It would put the marriage into a bad light, hinting a scandal, if they insisted on a fast wedding when there wasn't really a need. Grudgingly they had agreed to marry in a month, the earliest day all parties consented to.
It gave them time to prepare everything for the big day he had been waiting for so long. Diego's father insisted on arranging the wedding party and inviting all the guests he was expected to host as a member of the de la Vega family.
Giving Diego's suggestion a thought, it took the alcalde less than a month to make his decision about his own future. After arranging everything for his successor, de Soto left with a ship to Spain, not attending Diego's and Victoria's wedding.
Diego was wearing a black suit and he thought that Victoria had never looked so wonderful as that moment when her brother led her down the aisle in her wedding gown.
"I love you, Victoria," he whispered, before he kissed his wife the first time, "and nothing can take that away from me."
**The End**
End file.
| A stranger's face by katie1999 | Zorro |
Hero's Price
Many of us have thought of the feelings the characters of Zorro have.
We have thought deeply about the feelings the characters would have,
much deeper than the TV show does. Lots of us have read and written
about them on our own. This is my take on the feelings of the
Dark Angle de Los Angeles, Child of Night.
*Hero' Price*
Don Alejandro de la Vega opened his son's door carefully. Moonlight
streamed into the room from the windows and the open balcony. On the
four post bed Alejandro saw Diego sleeping peacefully. He closed the
door and walked over to the bed as silently as he could. Diego lay on his
left side, his head resting on the pillow and his long legs spread out.
Alejandro looked at the bruise on his son's right shoulder. It was a
deep purple now and probably very tender to touch. His heart ached for
what Diego put himself through. But there was also an unmeasurable amount
of pride too. Alejandro watched his son sleep for some time, Diego's
face peaceful and his breathing even. It was very likely that Diego was
awake since Alejandro walked in and was only humoring his Father by
looking asleep. But Alejandro needed to just look at his son, to know
that he was there and safe. If only for the moment. Alejandro's
shoulders sagged and he turned to leave. As he reached for the door a
soft voice whispered out from the night. "Buenos noches, Father."
Alejandro turned to see Diego's hazel eyes open and looking at him.
Alejandro smiled sadly. "Buenos noches, Diego" He escaped out the door.
Diego laid on the bed for a long second before rolling across it and
swinging his legs over the side. He didn't react as the bruise on his
arm rubbed against the sheets. Going to the fireplace he pressed the
hidden button on the lip of the mantel. A door opened to the left of it
and he walked into the dark room. Quickly he dressed in black and put
on his cape. Grabbing his sword he ran down the passage. At the end Diego
emerged into a cave. A black stallion, saddled and ready pranced near the
cave's opening. Diego swung up and turned the horse to the opening.
Both rode out, the night surrounding them as if they were one.
Zorro would ride tonight.....
Upstairs, Alejandro looked into his son's room to find him gone.
Sighing he went back to his room to wait for Zorro to finish his work
for the night and return home. It would be a long night for both
Father and Son.
(I use the characters of Zorro for fun, but I always put back
my toys. I do not own Zorro in anyway, shape, or form.)
This was meant as a one piece story only! Go read my other story.
End file.
| Hero's Price by Reona | Zorro |
Capistrano
Author's Note: Part of an experimental project to write at least one short every day for the next year. We'll see if I actually manage to meet my goal. This is The 365 Project, 2 January.
Disclaimer: Zorro (this version, at least) belongs to New World Entertainment and the Family Channel and is used without permission or intent to profit.
An AU from Season One, Episode One of 'New World' Zorro, "Dead Men Tell No Tales", where Alcalde Ramon uses an actor to frame Victoria for murder. What might have happened if Zorro hadn't managed to catch the actor before he could leave the pueblo...
* * *
"Capistrano"
By J.T. Magnus, 'Turbo'
* * *
James Kendall arrived at his home in San Juan Capistrano after a long ride from Los Angeles. Most of the people in Capistrano were never quite sure what to make of this man with an English name and a caballero's appearance. When he had first arrived in the pueblo, rumors passed through the streets of everything from this Kendall being a spy for a British crown seeking to claim California after losing it's other American colonies to a revolt to him being a retired pirate hiding from people who wished to kill him after he had attacked their ships to him being a former officer in the Spanish army forced to retire after killing his superior in a duel.
None of them realised that the truth, perhaps, would be more unbelievable than fiction, but the last was the closest to the truth even if it were nowhere close.
Riding up to the gate of his hacienda outside Capistrano, James dismounted and handed the reins of his horse to a servant that was standing nearby.
"Here, Bernardo, you know what to do."
The servant nodded and patted the big black horse on the neck, getting a whiney of appreciation from the mount.
"Bernardo," James chuckled, "If you're not careful, I'll begin to think Tornado likes you better than me."
Bernardo shook his head, raised his left hand, then pointed into the hacienda.
"She's waiting?" James asked, looking into the courtyard, "Thank you, Bernardo."
* * *
James stopped at the doorway to the parlor and listened, smiling, as his wife played the piano until she finished the piece.
"You play almost as beautifully as you look, Senora," he said to announce his presence.
Her head turned sharply at the sound of his voice, "Jaime!"
Within seconds, she was off the piano bench and moving towards him only to be stopped by a pair of outstretched hands, "As much as I would love your embrace, my love, I smell like the road. Permit me to bath first, then you can greet me any way you wish."
"Very well," she answered with pursed lips and narrowed eyes, "But I doubt you'll be able to stop your son as easily - he's as stubborn as both of his parents."
"I only hope he doesn't take after us in other ways," James sighed.
"You're too late for that, Jaime," his wife informed him, "I've already seen him in the courtyard with a stick, proclaim he'll one day be as great as his father."
James sighed again and shook his head, "There is nothing great about his father, I'm a liar and a coward, I've broken promises and I've killed a man. By the grace of God, our son will take after you more than he will me."
"Jaime," his wife paused and looked around to make sure that no one was near, "Diego, you must stop blaming yourself - it has been ten years."
"I swore to never take a life, Victoria," James answered more harshly that he would have liked, "Still, when I was faced with the choice between breaking that promise and losing my honor or leting Ramon live and losing you, I killed him without hesitation. I pray to God every day that Edmund is never forced to make such a decision, that he'll become a better man than I am."
Not caring about the fact that his clothes were covered in trail dust, Victoria threw her arms around her husband, "Diego, it was _not_ your fault. You know what Fillipe's letter said, Ramon had actually gone so far as to kill his own friend to make sure there was no way to prove my innocence. If he would've done that, there was nothing stopping him from actually hanging me just to prove he could do so. Do not forgive him if you must, but forgive yourself."
"I'm afraid I don't know how," James admitted, "Zorro is a murderer and a traitor, Diego de la Vega is a scholar and a coward, James Kendall is a loving husband and father and wealthy landowner... and I don't know which of them is the real person anymore."
"None of them are the 'real person'," Victora corrected as she ran a hand through her husband's hair, "Because they are all just different parts of the same person... and I love all of him. Yes, I miss Los Angeles, I miss the tavern and the people, but I love you and I love our son and I wouldn't trade this life for any other, even if it meant Zorro was still a hero and I was Victora Escalante or even Victoria de la Vega instead of Victoria Kendall. Stop thinking so harshly of yourself and think of all the good you've done instead. The last time Father came to visit, he mentioned that the villagers were planning a jubilee to celebrate Alcalde Mendoza's tenth year in office - do you think they would have willingly done the same for Ramon? And Fillipe, he takes such pride in publishing the pueblo's newspaper after the written word being such a part of his life while he couldn't hear or speak. And I've seen few grandfathers who dote more than Alejandro does on Edmund Alexander. Yes, Diego, Luis Ramon is dead, and so are Victoria Escalante and El Zorro... but we're still alive, why can't you be happy with that?"
James cupped her cheek in his hand, "Do not think me ungrateful or unhappy, Querida, I only wish that we could have made a life together without such bad things leading up to it. Do you think it would have been possible?"
"I think," Victoria answered, "That whatever life we might have, it would be together."
End file.
| Capistrano by turbomagnus | Zorro |
Rivals
**RIVALS**
Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, Zorro Production Inc does - I just like to play with the characters.
This is a small add-on scene to the second season episode "To Be A Man"
It takes place between the time Zorro helped Carlos de la Paz, as the teenager fought for Victoria's honour in the tavern and the following scene in the plaza where Zorro comes to Carlos's help once more. It explains why Zorro was late in getting to the plaza and was unable to prevent the bad guy from putting a rope around Carlos.
* * *
"... And next time, do not hide that handsome look behind a disguise."
Zorro grinned as he watched Victoria give young Carlos de la Paz a kiss on his cheek for his bravery and his defence of her honour. He knew that the teenager would be walking on air for the foreseeable future after receiving his first kiss. It was a feeling he knew well, after his own first encounter with the fairer sex when he had been about Carlos's age.
Victoria walked passed the curtains and saw a familiar shadowy figure behind it. Before she knew it, a black gloved hand came out, took her by the arm and gently but firmly pulled her into the kitchen.
"So, senorita, it seems I have a rival for your affections," Zorro said with a teasing gleam in his blue eyes.
Victoria smiled, "Perhaps you do," she replied, "He's a gentleman and he's good looking and he's -"
" - a little young?" he quipped.
She chuckled as she gazed up at him, "Oh I don't know, Zorro, I think he's just the right age," she teased back.
"So, he captured your heart then, did he?" he asked with a tiny smile tugging on his lips.
She shook her head and smiled, "No, he didn't because my heart belongs to another." she replied.
Zorro reached out to take her hand in his, "I'm glad because I would hate to duel against such an expert swordsman like Carlos de la Paz." he said with a smile before he raised her hand to his lips for a soft kiss, "I must go, Senorita. I don't believe your young champion is out of danger, yet. Adios." he said as he leapt up to the window, gave a shrill whistle and was gone before she knew it.
Victoria shook her head, "It would serve him right, if I do lose my heart to someone else." she muttered to herself.
* * *
The End
This is to celebrate my 3rd anniversary of posting Zorro fanfics to this site :)
End file.
| Rivals by CrazyJan57 | Zorro |
The Letter
**The Letter**
_Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else._
Don Alejandro sat down in his leather chair behind his big mahogany desk and looked through the mail at his desk. The post had just arrived from Monterey this morning. Among some letters from his friends there was one from his lawyer in Monterey.
He took the small knife with the silver handle and opened the letter carefully. Enfolded were several official looking thick parchments and a short letter. As soon as he started to read, he realized his mistake. The letter was addressed to his son Diego. He wanted to put the letter aside but when he glanced at the first sentences he was compelled to continue reading.
_Dear Don Diego,_
_attached to this letter you will find the documents you requested me to set up at your last visit. Besides the documents to legalize the adoption of Don Felipe, I have included a changed version of your will. In case of your death your son and your fiancee are now well provided for as you requested. Due to your changed familiar situation, I strongly recommend you to undo the waive of your heritage, you made me set up five years ago, before you get married, even if I must assume that the special circumstances you find yourself in are still valid._
_I would like you to visit me in my office again, so we can discuss the situation in detail._
_Yours sincerely,_
_Luis Cristobal _
_Lawyer_
Alejandro slowly put down the letter only to start reading it again. He was stunned and couldn't believe what he was reading. The whole letter made no sense to him.
Diego wasn't engaged, he would have told it his father, wouldn't he? Nothing would please him more than the prospect of grandchildren. Why did he expect to die before getting married? What reason was there to set up his will when he was a young and healthy man? And why would he disinherit himself? What special circumstances was the man talking about?
The questions were whirling in his mind, but he was unable to figure out an answer. He knew his son, and he would never take such profound measures without telling his father. He turned the letter around and checked the address once more. I didn't change under his inspection. The letter was addressed to his son.
He couldn't make the written words vanish from the letter. If the letter was true, then he didn't know his son at all. He had a son, who expected to die any time, and who was secretly engaged. What else didn't he know about him? What was the reason for this secrecy?
He might understand that his son hadn't told him about his engagement yet. He could think of reasons that lay in the bride's family, but what shocked him most was that his son had disinherited himself. His son was a de la Veg,a who should be proud of it, and there was no reason to deny that. What could drive a man to take such actions? Was it shame or desperation?
Why couldn't Diego trust him? Was he such a failure as a father that he didn't know his only son at all?
He must have read the letter a hundred times, and the questions had multiplied each time he did.
He went to his son' s room to talk to him, but his bed hadn't been slept in. Diego must have been out all night. Had he spend the night with his woman? Who was she that his son couldn't admit his engagement?
After he returned to the living room there was a knock at the door, and Juan Perez, one of his peasants, entered the hallway.
"Hola, Juan, what is it?
"Don Alejandro, I wanted to bring you the news from the pueblo."
"Some new tax from the alcalde?"
"No, not this time. Some bandits were causing trouble in the tavern last night, and one of them tried to shoot Senorita Escalante."
"How is she? Was she injured?"
"No, the Senorita is fine, but only because Zorro was able to turn away the pistol. He chased the bandits all night and brought them to jail in the morning. I have never seen him that angry, he was close to killing the man. When the alcalde made a bad remark about it, he had to find out that today is not a good time to start an argument with Zorro because he had instantly Zorro's sword at his throat."
"Then the alcalde should better keep that in mind. No sane man would willingly face Zorro's anger. Everybody knows how dear Victoria is to him. Thanks for stopping by, Juan. Have you seen Don Diego today?"
"No, he wasn't in the pueblo."
Alejandro let Juan to the door and returned to the living room when he saw Diego coming from the library. Diego was finally back. The questions that were burning in his mind needed an answer, and he called out.
"Diego, I have to talk to you."
Diego approached his father's desk. He wore the same blue suit as yesterday, and he looked tired with his disheveled hair falling in his eyes.
"Father, not now, please. I am not feeling well, and I need to get to bed. Let's talk later."
"No, Diego. I have been waiting the whole morning for you, and I want to know where you have been all night."
"I don't think this is your business, and I really need to go to bed now."
"Not my business?" Alejandro grew impatient. "Maybe it is my business when my son is spending his nights with some whore he intends to marry."
"Don't you ever dare calling the woman I love a whore! You will never say that again!" Diego growled, threateningly, with a much deeper voice.
Diego was angry as Alejandro had never seen him. Diego stood straight in front of him and looked down on his father. This was not the docile Diego he knew, but a very dangerous man, who was on the verge of attack. Alejandro felt as if he was at pointed end of a very sharp sword. The anger in his son's blue eyes made Alejandro's throat go dry.
Suddenly, Alejandro knew who he was facing, and he remembered his previous conversation with Juan. 'No sane man would willingly face Zorro's anger.' And he was exactly doing that now. He had seen the alcalde at Zorro's mercy, and now he knew how it felt like. He had the answers he wanted, but it was more than he had expected. Slowly, he backed up.
"I'm sorry Diego, I didn't mean that. Maybe it is better if we talk later when you feel better."
Diego calmed down a bit and in his normal peaceful voice he said: "No, I'm sorry. You are my father, and I shouldn't talk to you like this. But, if you excuse me now."
Diego turned round and headed for his door, leaving his shocked father behind. Alejandro heavily sat down again in his chair, picking up the letter again that suddenly made sense so dreadfully, now that he knew that his son was Zorro.
End file.
| The Letter by katie1999 | Zorro |
Twist of Vengeance
**Author's Note:** 100-word drabble prequel to the episode "The Arrival". It was originally intended to be the beginning of a longer story that I might still write. We'll see. *shifty eyes*
**TWIST OF VENGEANCE**
Gilberto Risendo glanced into the mirror. He looked every inch the caballero he truly was.
He sneered, remembering the story that his mother had drilled into his head from the day he was born. Of how his parents had told her to place their son in an orphanage because his leg was twisted.
One would think there had been nothing wrong with it at all. He could do anything any other man could do - ride, fence, run. . .
Today was the day he would avenge himself and his mother. The day he had been waiting for the whole of his life.
End file.
| Twist of Vengeance by pamz | Zorro |
1. Default Chapter
_**Wrath of the Wolfgirl**_
_**By Cassi**_
_**PROLOGUE**_
_Most humans know of stories of the place called Neverland. They talk of other humans such as the boy called Peter Pan, and the faries, and of Captain Hook. But, you see, there is much more to this place that is untold. I live in Neverland, far from the pirates, the Indians and even the Lost Boys. I live in a secluded place called the Neverwoods. A place where no other people in Neverland venture. They are afraid of us, you see. Afraid because they do not understand us. . . as most humans do not understand us. _
_My name is Harley, and I am a Neverwolf. This is my story, and it takes place long before there ever was a human called Peter Pan. Long before the battles against the legendary Captain Hook. Though there were Lost Boys, and there were Pirates and Indians, we did not pay them much attention. They avoided us, and we left them be._
_Though I am older and wiser now, I was foolish as a pup. I was the first born son of Nightmare and Moonbeam, the Alpha pair. I was destined to be the next Alpha-male of the pack, yet, at the time I was six months old, I did not want such a responsibility. I had never been out of the Woods before and I wanted to see the world. So one day, when my father and mother were busy patroling the Woods, I snuck away. I had no idea where I was going to go. All I knew was that I wanted to see everything. _
_So, being a curious pup, and not considering what would come of it, I snuck on board a Pirate ship. The ship sailed away with me on it. For a while, I know not how long,--as time to a young pup means nothing--I became bored with being below decks. This was not what I had wanted. I had wanted to see things. So, I snuck out to see what I could see. . . and then . . . then I was caught. I was put in a cage. _
_The Pirates would not go near me. They were too afraid of me. They vowed to get me off the ship any way they could. It was in that moment that I was caught, that I realized I could not feel the others in my mind. Always, I had shared a mind link with the Pack. Now, I could not find them. Suddenly, for the first time in my short life, I was afraid. And this was the beginning of my adventure. . ._
_**Chapter One**_
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl--April 1822 (Neverwoods)**_
* * *
_I hear him call to me even now. Nightmare and Moonbeam _
_urge me to go after him. His confusion and fear reach out _
_to me across the miles of ocean the separate us. The Pirates _
_have discovered his presence. They will remove him from _
_the ship at the closest stop._
_I am afraid of what will happen to him in a foreign land. _
_The sight of a Neverwolf to mortal eyes is often shocking. _
_The reactions of a mortal to a confused wolf can be deadly. _
_I must go at once before any person comes near him._
* * *
**Spanish California, just outside of the Los Angeles Pueblo 1822**
* * *
The pirate Captain glanced at the First Mate with a wicked smile. "I told you it would be easy." He remarked. "Fools like that are extemely greedy and very gullible."
The First Mate watched the soldiers take away the caged animal. "A bunch of suckers." He answered. "I can't believe they paid _us _so they could take it."
"They will realize their mistake in time." The Captain replied, knowingly. "I would have gladly paid _them _to take that beast away. Even now, the Creature comes for it."
--
In the shadows, a masked man listened to the conversations of the Pirates. He had followed the soldiers to the pier, wondering what they were up to. He had seen the animal bought by Luis Ramone. The very sight of it had caused Tornado to shy in fear. It had taken all his strength to hold the frightened stallion at bay.
What had the pitares meant by, "The Creature comes?" The pirates were obviously afraid of the Wolf-like Creature, with good reason.
"You should leave while you can." A voice spoke up behind him.
Zorro turned quickly and stared at the small pirate that stood by Tornado.
"Your horse is a smart animal." The small pirate went on. "They can sense evil, you know."
"What evil?" Zorro asked, suspiciously.
The pirate smiled. "When you first saw that creature, what was your first reaction?"
"What is it?" The masked man asked with an edge to his voice.
"What does it look like?" The pirate remarked, seemingly avoiding the question.
Zorro frowned, not liking the game this small man was playing. "In its appearence, it seems to be a wolf. . ." He paused. "But by the way it acts, one would think it was a mountain lion of some sort."
The pirate nodded, knowingly. "That is a young one." He replied. "Not nearly full grown. A full grown Neverwolf could easily take down several horses like yours at one time. They are very dangerous. I would not be those men for all the money in the world."
"What did you call it?"
"Who are you?" The pirate asked, eyeing him. "And why is it you wish to know?"
"I am called 'Zorro'." The masked man answered. "It is my task to protect the people of Los Angeles. If that animal is dangerous, I want to know."
The pirate shook his head. "No Senor, not the animal itself. The _Pack_ is the danger, especially the Creature that commands it."
"The Creature?" Zorro questioned, remembering the words of the Pirate Captain.
"Aye." The small pirate answered. "The Pack is connected by minds. They know one another's thoughts. The Creature knows it is here. It will come. We would have released that thing to the wild, just to be rid of it, had your soldier men not come first."
"Then why not kill it, or throw it off the ship, if you fear it so?" Zorro asked.
The Pirate's eyes turned serious. "Know this." He warned. "No one has ever killed a Neverwolf and survived. The Pack and the Creature would hunt them down. They would not rest until the killers were all dead. Believe me, Senor, you cannot kill it."
Zorro gave the pirate a funny look. "They would hunt you down in the middle of the ocean?" He asked, doubtfully.
The Pirate chuckled. "This Creature is not a normal animal. It is not from this world." He explained. "They can be anywhere the Creature calls them. They travel with the speed of thought, under a full moon."
"A full moon?" Zorro asked. "Well, that doesn't come until next month."
The Pirate shook his head. "The _Pack_ can only travel by full moon. The Creature itself, travels when it wishes." He told the masked man. "Once out of the Woods, it can only summon the Pack under a full moon. You can hear the voice for miles around. It speaks in a language that is unknown to man."
"And how does this Creature summon the Pack?" Zorro asked, pointedly.
"It sings." The Pirate answered. "You will know if it has summoned the Pack. The animals will all know, just as your horse knew. When the Pack comes, you will not be able to hold him down."
Zorro stared at the Pirate's face. The story itself was unbelievable...but then, so was the Wolf-Creature, itself. Never before, had he seen an wolf such as this one. It was all black, with bright red eyes, with the pupils of a cat. It had appeared to have very sharp claws on its front feet. It was also hard to believe this animal was not yet full grown. It was already bigger than any wolf he'd ever seen.
"You are deciding whether to belive me or not." The Pirate spoke up.
Zorro nodded. "It _is_ rather unbelieveable." He replied.
The Pirate nodded, and pulled from his shirt a piece of green cloth. "The Pirate that found this was found mauled to death outside the Woods." He informed the masked man.
Zorro took the cloth and examined it. It appeared to be a cross-bone flag of some sort. Yet, instead of a skull, it had a wolf face resembling the "Neverwolf", and two black feathers hung from the cross-bones. Dripping from the bottoms of the feathers was red, that he could only assume was supposed to be blood. A look at the cloth flag sent a shiver down his spine.
The pirate walked off, toward the ship, but turned around to give one last word of warning. "Beware the Creature that sings by the light of a full moon, for it will be the death of your entire town. . ."
* * *
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl-April 1822 (California)**_
_I have found him, but he is in distress. Very confused._
_One has been warned of my presence. I must disguise_
_who I am if I am to get to Harley. Most of the humans _
_appear to be gullible. They are no match for my tele-_
_pathy. The one human who was warned will be seeking_
_the Voice that calls the wolves._
_He will not find me. I will establish myself well. No one_
_will know me until it is too late. I will make them see _
_what I want them to see._
_He is afraid. I can feel this. I must go to him, and _
_return to him the link that was lost. He cannot hear my_
_calling now, but he will soon. Confusion clouds his mind._
_Do not worry, my sweet. They will not harm you._
_The masked man keeps watch. He is the one warned of_
_me. He fears the one called 'Keeper of the Wolves.' I _
_smell this so well. What would this 'Fox' say if he knew _
_the one called 'Creature' was closer than he had _
_thought?_
_My dear sweet young Harley, I will protect you. And_
_if they are needed the Pack will follow when the moon_
_is full._
_Woe to the men who hold you captive..._
* * *
**LOS ANGELES PUEBLO**
In the Pueblo of Los Angeles, life was going on as it always had. . . except for one new thing. There was a new attraction. Alcalde Luis Ramone was smiling, as he stood outside the make-shift tent, to take the money from the residents who came from miles around to see the Werebeast.
The animal in the cage was behaving in a confused savage way. It paced the cage it was in, snapping its teeth and claws at anyone who came near it.
Sgt. Jaime Mendoza watched it nervously. He had not been part of the group that had gone after it. For once, he was glad to be left out. Although he couldn't figure out why, the wild look in the animal's red eyes made him nervous. He felt as if, somehow, the Creature in the cage knew what he was thinking.
"I don't know how to say this, but I think the Alcalde has completely lost his mind, bringing that creature here." A voice spoke up behind him.
Mendoza jumped and turned to look at Don Alejandro.
"That animal has every horse in the Pueblo spooked." The elderly man continued.
"It is a scary animal. That is for sure." Mendoza agreed. "But it can't get out of the cage, I assure you, Don Alejandro."
"You'd better hope not." Alejandro replied. "That thing looks as if it could cause a lot of trouble."
"And who could blame it?" A female voice put in.
"Now Senorita..." Mendoza began.
"Look at the way it is treated!" Victoria demanded. "That poor animal is so terrified it's ridiculous! Do you even feed it?!"
"Of course they feed it!" Mendoza spat out. "It just doesn't eat anything we give it!"
"And why do you suppose that is?!" Victoria went on. "That thing is not in your control! That animal is dangerous, and the Alcalde treats it like dirt!"
"Is it even a real animal, or is it another trick of the Alcalde, making it out to be what it isn't?" Alejandro asked, pointedly.
"Oh si Senor, that is exactly what it is." Mandoza assured him. "The Alcalde could not get near it to change it in any way."
* * *
As the conversation went on, a hooded figure watched, reading the lips and minds of the humans talking.
Cassie, Wolfgirl of Neverland, blinked in amazement. The humans had tried to _feed_ a Neverwolf?! What a bizarre concept. Adult Neverwolves did not need to eat. They gained strength from singing to the full moon and the mind support of the Pack. Harley was six months old, and no longer required food. In offering him food, they had unintentionally insulted him.
She shrugged inwardly. The humans would learn in time. Now was the time to be consentrating on re establishing the mind link between herself and Harley. The wolf would not calm down. Neverwolves were often aggrivated by large crowds of humans, and Harley had been subjected to them since he had arrived here. She would have to have visual, maybe even physical, contact. This meant she would have to enter the tent where the humans were. A task she did not look forward to. Cassie, herself, was almost as uneasy around humans as the Neverwolves were.
As Cassie watched the humans, and concentrated on her wolf, she did not realize that she was being watched. A servant boy, dressed in white, watched her intently. He had never seen a girl that looked this way. Then, almost as if she sensed his presence, she turned to look at him. What he saw shocked him. He had never seen a girl that looked this way. She was covered in dust and dirt, her clothes were torn, yet her face was so pale, it almost seemed to be transparent.
As Felipe stared at the girl's eyes, a thought entered his mind. This was nothing he had not seen before. There were poor people all over the area. This was obviously one of them. Satisfied, he turned back to the horses.
Cassie watched him as he walked away, with a small smile. If this was how the humans were to her telepathy, this would not be very hard. That one had been easy.
* * *
Diego De la Vega frowned as he studied the cloth flag that had come from the Pirate. The cloth seemed to be normal, but the picture was painted with a substance he had never before seen. It seemed very odd that a piece of material found on a mauled man would not have any blood on it. . . unless the flag was deliberately placed on the body. . . and if so, what did it mean? Was it a warning of some sort? And if it were indeed a warning, who had placed it on the body? The Creature? Being found outside the Woods where the animals came from, it could be a warning to stay away, but what Diego couldn't figure out, was the Creature itself. What was it that would sing in an unknown language? Was it human. . . a wolf, perhaps. . . or something else altogether?
Sighing, Diego set the flag inside one of his books. After studying for over an hour about anything realated, he had found nothing that would offer any help. Even the legends of werewolves didn't seem to fit. Unfortunately, that was all he'd found that even related to wolf-creatures and the full moon.
He massaged his temples and put the book in a drawer. Until the matter was solved, it was best to keep his studies to himself, to avoid looking like a complete fool.
After standing and stretching out his stiff joints, he decided to go to town to investigate the animal itself. Besides, his father was expecting to see him in town. It was probably a good idea to at least make an appearence.
* * *
Cassie watched the human men argue some more. Two other human men had joined the dispute. One of them was the evil human that was holding Harley captive. This meant that no one was watching the cage, except the stupid humans. She smiled. This was good.
With her cloth-bound feet, she made no sound as she snuck into the tent. Convincing the minds of the stupid humans that they did not see her was simple. She walked right past them. At the first sense of her presence, Harley turned toward her. Staring him directly in the eyes, Cassie knew it would only take physical contact to re-establish the mindlink. She had to touch him. He could not hear the mindspeech. His mind was too confused.
Harley laid down, his nose in his paws. He knew who she was, and was giving a silent apology for leaving the Woods. Cassie nodded, assurring him he was in no trouble for venturing away. She understood why he had done it. Slowly she approached the cage. Harley sat up in anticipation of her touch and the return of the comforting mindlink he had been secure with since his birth.
Cassie reached her hand into the cage.
--
"What on earth is that child _doing?!_" Alejandro burst out in shock.
"Madre de Dios!" Mendoza exclaimed, as the wolf jumped in anger of the broken link.
Cassie, jerked her hand out of the cage quickly. She had not been paying attention to the other humans. They had come back! Harley was furious with them, for interrupting, and might have unintentionally bitten her. Fortunately, she knew she still appeared as a human girl, and they had not caught her with her usual pointed ears and cat eyes.
--
Diego stared at the forlorn creature standing by the cage. She was a small creature, who looked greatly afraid she was in trouble, and appeared to be no older than Felipe. What on earth did she think she was doing? It had almost looked like she wanted to pet the creature in the cage.
The Alcalde dragged her from the tent, much to the surprise of the soldiers, who had not even noticed her until she was caught.
As she was dragged into the light, Deigo heard Victoria gasp in disbelief. The girl was very pale, and covered with dirt, and dust. On her feet, where shoes should have been, there was only rags. Her eyes were a shade of forest green, Diego had never seen before. Her dress, beneath her black hooded cloak was torn and stained.
"How _dare_ you enter this tent without paying!" Ramone shouted at her. "I should have you arrested for that!"
The girl looked at the ground, before looking back up at the Alcalde's face. She said nothing, which only seemed to anger him more.
"Who does this...this _vagrant _belong to!?" He demanded.
No one said a word. The girl dropped to her knees, as if she was faint.
Victoria stood behind the De la Vegas, staring in shock. "Don't just stand there!" She whispered. "We must help her! She will be arrested!"
Alejandro stepped forward. "Take your hands off her!" He shouted. "Can't you see you're scaring the poor thing half to death?"
Ramone glared down at the girl in disgust. "And I suppose _you _know who she is, Don Alejandro?" He spat out. "She's a vagrant, nothing more."
Victoria stepped forward. "She is working for me!" She proclaimed. "She is no vagrant!" She walked over to the girl and helped her up. "Come along, now. I'll take you back to the tavern."
The girl looked surprised, but allowed herself to be lead away from the Alcalde.
"Hold it!" Ramone cut in. As Victoria turned, he glared at them both. "If this girl works for you, then you owe me the 10 pesos it cost for her to see the creature!"
Diego shook his head in disgust, and handed the Alcalde the money. "Here." He spat out, following Victoria and the girl.
Alejandro sighed, before following the group toward the tavern.
* * *
Once inside the tavern, Victoria lead the girl to the back room, with the two Caballeros following.
The girl looked around, curiously, as if she had never before seen a place like this. She had not said a word at all, only allowed herself to be lead without protest.
Victoria sighed, as soon as she was sure they were far enough away from the Alcalde. She looked at the girl's dirty face. "Are you alright?" She asked.
The girl stared at her a moment before slowly nodding her head.
"So do you have a name?" Alejandro asked, quietly.
The girl then looked at him, studying him, and again, nodded her head.
Diego frowned, suddenly understanding. "Do you speak?" He asked.
The girl turned toward him, with a small smile. She shook her head, but pulled out a small book. Opening it to a blank page, she pulled out a small black stick. Much to the surprise of them all, she wrote in the book, one word; "Cassandra".
Alejandro stared in shock. There was no way this girl was a vagrant. Most vagrants were illiterate.
"Cassandra?" Diego asked, surprised. "You write very well."
Cassandra smiled shyly and nodded.
Victoria smiled at her. "Perhaps we should get you cleaned up." She replied, softly. "Do you have anything else to wear?"
Cassandra shook her head.
Victoria nodded. "Well, than come with me." She ordered, with a grin. "I'm sure we can find something that will fit you. Diego, will you tell Maria to watch the customers?"
Diego nodded, watching Victoria lead Cassandra up the back stairs. "Most unusual, isn't she?" He asked.
Alejandro nodded, with a frown. "I wonder where she came from." He spoke up.
"I don't know." Diego answered. "But I have a feeling we should keep an eye on her. The Alcalde is not about to let her get away that easily."
"She looks like she was abandoned." Alejandro replied, softly. "Did she look a little pale to you?"
Diego nodded. "Very. Almost looked Albino." He suggested. "I wonder if she has a place to stay."
"Depends on whether or not Victoria is planning on keeping her here." Alejandro answered. "Although it might be a better idea for her to stay out of town, with the Alcalde upset at her."
Diego nodded. "I'll mention it to Victoria." He said, quickly.
Upstairs, in the back room, Cassie watched the human, Victoria, as she brought in water for Cassie to wash up with. This was a new concept to Cassie. Why did humans use such small containers to bathe in? Obviously they could not get into such a small container. In the Neverwoods, Cassie had bathed in the lake, by a waterfall. She had loved it. This just was not the same. One could not get fully cleaned up with a rag and a container of water.
Victoria caught her glance and gave a small laugh. "Is something wrong?" She asked.
Cassie, who had shed her cloak, pointed at the container and held up her long hair, with a questioning look. This was definitely not enough water for her hair.
Victoria smiled. "Good point." She replied, softly. "I think we may need a tub for that. For now, let's just clean up the rest of you. We can pin your hair up until later and wash it then. Okay?"
Cassie made a face. She had never pinned her hair up in her life. She liked it down. However, Victoria-human had said she would help her with it later. For the moment, this would have to do. She nodded, slowly.
"Good, I'll get you something to wear." Victoria decided, and walked out, leaving Cassie to clean up.
An hour later, Diego and Alejandro watched as Cassandra and Victoria descended the stairs. Now cleaned up, Deigo realized she was, indeed very pale. Were it not for her dark green eyes, and blonde hair, she could actually have passed for an Albino.
A while before, they had discussed with Victoria, about Cassandra's staying with them. Victoria had disagreed at first, but later admitted it was probably safer for Cassandra to stay outside of town, at least for a while. So, she had provided a couple of changes of clothing.
Cassandra, on the other hand, was not easily convinced. She did not seem to want to leave the town. She shook her head when she saw the men at the bottom of the stairs.
Victoria sighed. "Cassandra, the Alcalde is not the best person to have upset at you." She explained...again. "At least for the moment, you shouldn't stay in town."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow as if to consider it. Then she looked pointedly at Victoria and pointed to her hair.
Victoria smiled and gave a small laugh. "Is _that _the only thing you're worried about?" She exclaimed.
Cassandra shook her head...than reconsidered, and nodded.
"What?" Alejandro asked, curiously.
"I promised I would help her wash her hair." Victoria retorted.
"We _do _have someone who can do that." Alejandro remarked, with a small smile.
Cassandra frowned and shook her head. She did not want anyone but Victoria to help her. She did not trust anyone else.
Victoria smiled. "I can come over and help you." She concluded. "Now go with Diego and Don Alejandro. They can bring you back tomorrow and you can help me out here. Okay?"
Cassandra thought about it, then, with a sigh, she nodded, and allowed the men to lead her out.
The first person they ran into was the human boy in white, Cassie had seen earlier. She already knew his name was Felipe, as she had read his thoughts before. She knew he could hear, but did not speak. He was like her.
"Ah, Felipe." Diego-human spoke up. "This is Cassandra. She's working for Victoria. She'll be staying with us for a while."
Felipe-human smiled and shook her hand. He did not remember seeing her earlier.
"Felipe is deaf, so he doesn't speak either." Alejandro-human replied.
Cassie frowned. This was not true. She knew from the boy's mind he could hear very well. Why did the other humans think he was deaf?
Felipe-human was staring at her, so she quickly smiled at him, and nodded.
"Cassandra doesn't speak, Felipe." Diego-human informed the boy, with a smile. "So the two of you shouldn't have any trouble communicating."
Felipe-human grinned and signed that it was nice to meet her.
Cassie signed the same to him, and allowed herself to be helped aboard the wagon. As the wagon left the pueblo behind, she cast one last glace back toward the tent containing Harley, and vowed she would return to it.
* * *
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl--April 1822 (De la Vega residence, California)**_
_As I sit in this room, I wonder about the humans who _
_have taken me in. They have the most wonderful things._
_Today, after they gave me my own room, I found another_
_room. It was full of books! It was a wonderful sight!_
_These must be very rich humans, that even their books _
_have a room of their own. I think perhaps I will look at_
_the book room later. I must not forget the real reason I _
_came to this place._
_Harley is in utter distress. I worry for him, and part of_
_me thinks I should not have left him alone in the town._
_However, I will be able to go back, when I work for the_
_human woman Victoria. She seems to be the Alpha-_
_female of this town. I have a feeling the man-human,_
_Diego is in love with her, but he does not seem the type_
_worthy of an Alpha. She is in love with the masked _
_human. This "Fox". He must be the Alpha-male. She has_
_spoken about his deeds. If he is what she says, perhaps _
_he will help with Harley. I will try to find him..._
* * *
It was nightfall and Diego was once again sitting in the library, studying the books, and the flag. At this point, he was ready to beat his head into the desk. Sighing, frustrated, he glanced out the window at the half-moon. In a few weeks, it would be full again, and he was no closer to solving this riddle than he had been the day he'd been given the flag.
When was this Creature supposed to show itself, if at all? The only newcomer had been Cassandra. . . Cassandra. He frowned. She had been close to the wolf when they'd first seen her. Then again, it had also tried to bite her. And how could something as small and forlorn as she was be this Creature that was so badly feared? It didn't make sense. Not to mention the Creature had to have a voice, and Cassandra, by all rights, appeared to be mute.
However, he mused, he himself, was not what he appeared to be either. But why would the Pirates be so afraid of a young girl? That made even less sense. No, Cassandra couldn't possibly be the Creature. It just wasn't possible.
Suddenly, he felt a presence in the room. Turning, he found Cassandra, her hair now washed and combed,--thanks to Victoria--, flipping through one of his books. She seemed entranced with it. He hadn't heard her come in, he realized, because she still wore the rags on her feet. The cloth on the floor had made no noise at all.
As she finished leafing through the book, she looked up at him, eyes full of wonder. Then she motioned around the room at all the books, and pointed at him, with a questioning look.
Diego smiled for the first time in over two hours. "No, they're not all mine, but if you wish to read some of them, you certainly may." Then he thought a moment. "You can read, can't you?"
Cassandra nodded with an obvious look on her face. Then she pointed to the shelf and held up five fingers.
"Five of them?" Diego asked, awed. Who was this girl? "Which ones did you have in mind?"
Cassandra scanned the shelf, and sellected five books, and held them up, one at a time.
Diego nodded. "All right." He replied. "That should keep you busy a while, I suppose."
Cassandra shook her head, and motioned that she could read fast. Then she walked out of the room, with the books, and a happy smile on her face.
Diego was still staring after her when Don Alejandro walked into the room. "What was that all about?" His father asked.
"I guess she wanted to read." Deigo answered.
"Apparently." Alejandro retorted, eyeing the gaps in the shelf. "Is she going to read them all in one night?"
Diego shrugged. "I'm not sure." He answered, slowly. "She says she reads very fast."
Alejandro shook his head. "Well, just see that she returns them." He started to walk out of the room, but turned back. "Diego?"
"Yes Father?" He asked.
"Get some sleep, son." Alejandro ordered.
"Yes, Father." Diego answered with a smile, before blowing out the lamp in the library.
As he walked toward his room, Diego stopped to peek in at Cassandra. She was laying on the bed, on her stomach with a book opened before her. She was turning the pages. He frowned. She looked as if she was reading, but how on earth could she be reading that fast?
Strange, he thought to himself, as he retreated to his own room.
* * *
Cassie smiled as she closed the last book. As she was nocturnal normally, she slept very little at night. The little sleep she required, she could get before she had to go back to town. When she had entered the book room, hours before, she had hoped no one would be in it. Much to her surprise, the Diego-human didn't seem to mind her reading at all. Diego-human posessed a kind heart, and that was rarely seen in a race of humans. There were so very few. . . at least very few Cassie had met.
As she laid down and blew out the lamp, she frowned. She would have to control her addiction to reading. It was not a good idea to get occupied with the books, when she had a wolf pup to save. She had gotten involved with books before, and it had nearly given her away. Best thing to do was focus at the task at hand. She had to speak to Victoria human about the Fox-man. She must know where to find him. Although . . . for now, it was best that she got a little sleep before dawn.
Back in the Pueblo, an hour or so later, Victoria was getting up for the day. She looked out the window to see that the rest of the pueblo was just starting to stir. Her eyes caught sight of the tent in the middle of town. She'd heard the wolf-creature howling during the night, as if it was calling out to something. She shivered to think what it could be calling. It scared her more than she cared to admit.
Then her heart nearly skipped a beat when she saw the black figure sneak out of the tent. She smiled. He must have been keeping an eye on it during the night. Then, as if he felt her watching, he looked up toward her window. He gave her a salute before disappearing around the Alcalde's office.
2. Chapter two
_**Chapter Two: The Creature Arrives**_
Cassie frowned as she stared at the dishes in the tub. Washing dishes was a new concept to her, like most other things that went on around here. In the Woods, she did not use dishes. This was not what she had planed in her mind when she had come here. She had wanted to re-establish the mindlink with Harley and then get him out as quick as possible. She was not one to sit around washing dishes while humans tormented her wolf. She could hear Harley growling and howling. He knew she was nearby, and did not understand why she did not come to him. She was growing very tired of this abused waife act. Out the window, she could hear the Evil Human yelling at another child who had tried to touch Harley.
Cassie's eyes narrowed, as she glared in pure hatred at the thought of the Evil Human. She was not as helpless as she looked to him, she knew, and she could easily have killed him, had she so desired. Even now, she still carried a multitude of knives and daggers hidden in various places about her clothing. For just a short second, her eyes flashed with the look of a cat's.
Suddenly, much to Cassie's surprise, the small glass in her hand suddenly exploded into pieces. She had been holding it in a death grip and it had shattered. She stared abscentmindedly at the blood running down her hand from the gash made by the glass shards. She was confused as to what had happened.
* * *
Victoria, had been talking to Diego when they both heard the glass break. They looked at one another and rushed to the kitchen, where Cassandra was now staring, confused, at her bleeding hand, as if she was unsure of how it had happened. Pieces of broken glass lay in the tub of dishes, as well as around it on the floor.
"Cassandra! Madre de Dios, are you alright?!" Victoria cried, pulling the young girl up from the floor, to examine the cut.
Cassandra finally shook herself as if she had been in a trance. She signed that the glass had broken when she picked it up.
Diego crouched down to look at the broken glass. It had almost looked as if the glass had actually exploded, from the position of the pieces. How odd, he mused. Glasses didn't normally explode like that.
"Diego, can you get some bandages for me?" Victoria asked, as she cleaned the cut.
Diego nodded, and shook his head in confusion. This was very strange, indeed.
Cassie mentally scolded herself as Victoria-human bandaged her hand. This was not a smart thing for her to have done. She had let her anger escape. However, there _was _one good thing about it. It had excused her from washing any more dishes for a while.
"Is the child alright?" Alejandro asked later on that day, as he and Diego watched Cassandra stare out the door lost in thought.
"She seems a little shook up over it." Diego answered slowly.
"Probably afraid she was in trouble." Alejandro suggested. "Poor thing seems very timid. Not only that, she looks rather tired. You don't suppose she was up all night with those books, do you?"
Diego thought about it. He had seen her lamp go out as he'd left on Tornado this morning, but he wasn't about to mention that to his father. "Possibly." He answered. "As pale as she is, I don't think she gets much sunlight, either."
Alejandro shook his head. "She doesn't get any sunlight because she wears that cloak everywhere." He retorted. "She's a strange one, that girl."
Diego stared at Cassandra, and then he realized what it was that he was seeing there. He had the same look when he thought about Victoria. It was a longing. What was she looking at?
A howl broke the silence, and everyone jumped. The wolf-creature never failed to startle the whole pueblo with one bloodcurdling howl.
"That is the creepiest howl I've heard in my life." Don Alejandro spat out. "That animal . . . there's something about it. Something is not right there."
Diego nodded, and looked back at Cassandra. She was the only one in the room that did not seem to be spooked. In fact, she was staring out the door, toward the tent. "That's it." He whispered.
"What is?" His father asked, with a frown.
"Look at her." Diego said, quietly. "She stares at the tent. I believe she wants to go back to see the wolf."
Alejandro turned to look. "Why, on earth would she want to go back in there?" He asked. "That thing nearly took her hand off, last time."
"One way to find out." Diego remarked, as he got up, and walked over to the girl.
Don Alejandro shook his head as Victoria came over to refill his glass.
"What's going on?" She asked, looking over at where Diego was talking with Cassandra.
"Diego thinks Cassandra wants to see the wolf again." Alejandro spoke up.
Victoria frowned as she watched. "Seems as if she does." She replied, motioning toward the pair.
Cassandra was smiling and nodding, as she went with Diego out of the tavern.
"Victoria, I don't think I'll ever figure that girl out." Alejandro remarked, shaking his head. "I'll never know what she sees in that beast."
Victoria smiled. "She seems to like animals." She informed the man. "I caught her feeding scraps off her own plate to a cat, when she had her lunch. I asked her why, and she signed that the cat was hungry, too."
Alejandro nodded. "Yes, I guess I can see that...but that animal..." He trailed off.
Victoria sighed. "I have no idea what she sees in it." She admited. "Maybe Diego can figure it out. He seems to understand her very well."
"How dare you bring that _vagrant_ back here." Ramone spat out.
Diego glared and handed him twenty pesos. "First of all, Cassandra is no vagrant. Second of all, you have the money." He retorted.
Ramone arched an eyebrow. "If she pokes her hand into the cage again, I'm throwing her in with it." As he said this, he missed the hopeful grin that spread across Cassandra's face; but Diego didn't.
--
Cassie shook her head, letting the two humans argue, and continued on into the tent. The stupid humans were still there, in various places in the tent. They noticed her, but she made a show of standing farther away from the cage.
Harley, on the other hand, sensed her presence immediately. He looked up, his eyes meeting hers.
_Hear me, Harley_. Cassie spoke in mindspeech. There were fewer people inside the tent today, and he was not as confused as he had previously been. _I am here and I will not leave you here alone_.
Harley closed his eyes in deep concentration.
Cassie broke the stare and turned to look behind her. The humans were talking. The stupid humans were watching the other humans. Seeing her only chance, she moved forward quickly, and reached into the cage. Her hand touched Harley's nose.
Harley's eyes shot open. _I hear you, Cassie_. He responded. _Take me home __now_.
Cassie smiled and quickly jumped back. _We are one again, my Harley_ She told him. _You will not be here for long. I will take you away from this place_.
_I do not like the humans_. Harley remarked, sitting down. _They are evil_.
Cassie smiled. _Not all of them, my sweet_.
_Who is the masked one_? Harley asked.
_He is the Alpha here_. Cassie answered. _He will help us. I will find him_
_He was here_. Harley told her. _Before the sun came up, I saw him_
Cassie frowned. _You must tell me when you see him next_.
Harley's eyes met hers. _I smell him even now_. He told her. _He is here_.
Cassie looked around, seeing no one, except the stupid humans, and Diego-human, who was standing with the Evil human. _Where do you smell him_? She asked.
_He is there; with the Evil Human_. Harley remarked. _Do you not see him_?
Cassie stared at Harley. _It is him_? She asked, in surprise. _Are you positive_?
Harley gave a nod. _It is him_.
_Then we have found him already_. Cassie remarked with a smile. _I will speak with him_.
_He is afraid of me_. Harley warned. _What if he will not help_?
_He will not have a choice_. Cassie answered. Then she was interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. She grabbed the hand in a death grip, before turning, and realizing it was only Diego-human. She let go of his hand, quickly and smiled.
Diego-human stared for a moment, startled by the pain, before he shook himself. "Cassandra, are you ready to go?" He asked.
_You keep that up, and he'll figure out who you are, too._ Harley remarked, with a chuckle.
Cassie nodded with a smile. _You are not amusing, Harley._ She quipped, as she let the disguised Fox lead her out.
As they left the tent, the Evil Human stared after them. Cassie could feel his glare. He did not trust her. _Harley, my sweet. Go to sleep._ She sent to him. _I will awaken you when the time comes to wake._
* * *
"Cassandra, can you please clear the dishes from the tables?" Victoria asked, as she set a pile of dishes into the tub.
Cassandra nodded and hurried out to the main room. It was now closing time and Victoria was getting the rest of the food put away, and washing the dishes. She had cleaned up the glass earlier, and decided it was best to keep Cassandra from washing dishes for a while. The girl hadn't seemed comfortable doing the work at first, but after she'd returned from visting the wolf-creature, she'd seemed much happier and worked much quicker.
"You've aquired more help recently." A familiar voice spoke up behind her.
Victoria grinned and turned. "Come to see that creature again?" She asked the man in black.
Zorro smiled. "It's asleep." He answered.
Victoria sighed, relieved. "Let's hope it sleeps through the night." She answered, yawning. "It's spent the last few days howling. I don't think anyone here has been able to sleep much."
"Has it been that bad?" Zorro asked, looking concerned.
Victoria shrugged and leaned against him. "I think I'll just be happier when it's gone." She whipered. "I'm always afraid of what will happen if it gets out." She stopped when she felt him stiffen. Was he afraid of this, too? She looked up at his face. "You know something, don't you?"
Zorro looked away. "I know more than I would like." He remarked.
"Do you know what it is?" She asked.
Zorro sighed, reluctantly. "It's something called a Neverwolf." He answered. "I don't know much else, except that it's not full grown. That one is a young one."
Victoria stared in shock. "Young?!" She managed to say. "But--it--Did you see the _size _of that thing?! What do you mean it's not full grown!?"
_--Author's note. Harley is first born son of the Alpha male. At six months, an Alpha's shoulder is as tall as the average man's thigh. Fully grown, his shoulder will reach the height of a man's waist.--_
Zorro closed his eyes. He obviously didn't want to tell her.
"What is it?" Victoria demanded. "You're afraid of something."
He shook his head. "Trust me, it's better you don't know." He informed her.
"Don't you tell me what I don't want to know!" She shot out. "I know it's dangerous, and I want to know what you know about it!"
This was when Cassandra entered the kitchen with an armful of dishes. She stopped short when she saw Zorro, staring him directly in the eyes. Then she looked at Victoria with an amused look, then calmly set the dishes into the tub.
Victoria sighed, disappointed that she was not going to get anything else out of him tonight. "Cassandra, this is Zorro. Zorro, this is Cassandra." She replied, quickly. "Cassandra is working for me right now."
"Very nice to meet you, Senorita." He remarked, kissing Cassandra's hand.
Cassandra gave him a funny look, then smiled shyly.
"Cassandra seems to have taken a liking to that wolf." Victoria explained.
"Really?" Zorro asked. "You're a very rare person, Cassandra. Most of the residents here are afraid of it."
Cassandra gave a knowing smile and pointed at Zorro.
Victoria chuckled. "Ah, Senor Zorro is just thinking of the people of the Pueblo." She said, quickly. "Certainly he is not afraid of it, himself."
Zorro gave a chuckle and shook his head, knowing he was being teased. He looked out a window toward the tent. "I just don't want to know what would happen if it were to get out." He replied, distantly.
Cassandra watched him with interest, Victoria noticed. There was something about the girl. Perhaps she was just surprised to actually see Zorro in person. Victoria, herself had mentioned him to her before.
Victoria followed his gaze to the tent. "I just hope it sleeps through the night." She muttered.
Cassandra glanced at her with a questioning look.
Victoria shook her head. "It was a good thing you're staying at the De la Vegas." She remarked, with a small smile. "That animal howls so much at night, it's impossible to sleep around here."
Cassandra shrugged, and pointed at the moon in the sky, then at the tent.
Victoria frowned. "Yes, I suppose it could be howling at the moon." She agreed.
Zorro turned sharply and stared at Cassandra. "What makes you think it's the moon?" He asked.
Cassandra shrugged again, with a pointed look.
"I think she means that the normal ones do." Victoria suggested.
Cassandra nodded.
Zorro looked back out the window. "I suppose so." He replied, distantly, then turned back to Cassandra. "You're staying with the De la Vegas?"
Cassandra nodded.
"Well, I have to go by there anyway. Why don't I give you a ride?" He asked.
Victoria frowned. "I think Felipe was going to come." She put in.
Cassandra shrugged again, then nodded.
"Well if we meet Felipe on the way, I can leave her with him." Zorro replied. "It would save him the trip."
Victoria nodded. "Good point." She admitted. "Cassandra, do you want to go with Zorro?"
Cassandra appeared to think about it, then nodded.
Victoria smiled. "Alright then, why don't you get your things? I washed and sewed up your dress."
Cassandra nodded a thankyou, and rushed out of the room, and up the stairs.
"She seems nice." Zorro commented.
Victoria smiled. "She is very sweet." She admitted. "I like her a lot. It was nice of you to offer to take her home."
Zorro shruged. "I do pass by the De la Vegas, anyway." He commented. "It isn't out of the way."
Victoria grinned slyly. "Then can I assume your hideaway is not far from them?" She asked.
Zorro chuckled. "I didn't say that." He retorted, slipping his arms around her waist.
Victoria laughed. "Maybe that animal is good for something after all." She commented. "It keeps you closer to the Pueblo more often."
"It may do that, but I think it would be safer for the people of Los Angeles if it were to get out of the town as soon as possible." He replied.
"Do you think there may be more of them?" Victoria suddenly asked.
Zorro sighed. "Why do you ask?"
"You said it was a young one." She answered, worried. "If there's young ones, there must be older ones."
"I have a feeling there is much more to that wolf than the Alcalde has thought of." Zorro told her, seriously. "Promise me you won't go near it."
Victoria shivered. "Don't worry about it." She assured him. "You couldn't _pay_ me to go near that thing."
At that moment, Cassandra bounced into the room, holding a bundle.
"You're ready then?" Zorro asked, releasing Victoria.
Cassandra nodded.
Zorro turned back to Victoria, with a small smile, and took her hand. "Until next time." He told her, pressing a kiss to her palm.
Victoria smiled. "Don't let anything happen to her." She ordered. "She's a very good worker, and a very dear friend."
Zorro nodded. "You have my word." He retorted, before jumping out the window, then reaching up to help Cassandra out.
Victoria waved goodbye. "I'll see you tomorrow, Cassandra." She told the girl.
Cassandra smiled, and nodded, then followed Zorro to the back of the building where Tornado waited.
* * *
Zorro-Diego did not say anything for a long while. Cassie noticed he was uneasy about Harley. However, when he'd kissed her hand earlier, he'd opened his mind to her without knowing it. She understood why he acted the way he did. He was very good at hiding who he was, she mused. Had Harley not told her, she would not have known until she saw him. How Victoria-human had not figured it out was beyond her. Cassie would have known the instant she looked in his eyes. There was only one human in the entire town with eyes like his. Not just the color...but it was the look in them. It was that rare look she had found so strange in the human, Diego.
"Do you know anything about it?" Zorro-Diego asked, breaking the silence.
Cassie frowned. He was suspicious of something. She nodded her head, slowly. He tensed, slightly. He was afraid of Harley, she could tell, no matter what he tried to do to hide it.
"What do you know?" He asked, as the hacienda came into view.
Cassie jumped off the horse with a small smile, and touched Tornado's nose, then looked at Zorro-Diego's face. She pointed at him, than at the hacienda with a knowing smile, then pointed to his mask.
He stared at her in complete surprise. "How?" He asked after a minute.
Cassie signed him one message, before heading inside; "One look in your eyes." She knew he remained watching her for a full minute before he went on. He would be inside later on. And when he was, she _did_ have something to show to him. She had to make him understand that it was vital that Harley be released before the next full moon.
* * *
That night, Diego sat in his room with a small stack of books, and the wolf-flag. He was determined to find something about this if it took him all night. There must be _some_thing about a wolf like this. Tired, he massaged his head, then jumped as a hand touched his shoulder. He turned to see Cassandra staring at his pile of books, curiously.
Diego sighed. "You can't be finished with the others already." He remarked.
Cassandra arched an eyebrow, then picked up the wolf-flag, then looked at him with a questioning look in her eye.
Diego sighed again She obviously knew who he was. "Zorro got it from one of the pirates that sold the wolf." He told her. "Do you know anything about it?"
Cassandra slowly nodded.
Diego turned to stare at her face. "Do you know what the Creature is?" He asked, his heart racing.
Cassandra gave what looked to be a laugh, as if she couldn't believe he had just asked her. When she turned sober, she looked directly into his eyes.
Diego's mouth nearly dropped to the floor as he heard a voice in his mind.
_Look not with your eyes, but with your mind, and you will see what it is that you seek_. The voice commanded. _The answer is before you even now_.
"How did you do that?" He asked.
Cassandra blinked and set a book before him. He recognized it to be one of the books she had borrowed from him. It was a book of folk legends. She opened the book and pointed at a page.
Diego looked at the page. There was a small drawing of a wolf, that was obviously a Neverwolf. He read the next few pages telling of the destruction of the town on the night of a full moon, and that it was said that no one believed in the wolf story. It had become a story, and nothing more.
"How did you find this? " He asked, slowly, fearing the answer.
Cassandra looked at his eyes again, then pulled a smaller book from her pocket. It was worn ragged, and was definitely not one of his.
Diego opened the book and looked through it. It was full of drawings of a wolf, and pages of handwriting. It was a diary. It could be nothing else. The diary seemed to belong to a man. The town listed was the one that was said to have been destroyed. He flipped through the pages and finally stopped at another drawing. It appeared to be a girl. She was singing and dancing. On the next page was another drawing. It was of the face of the girl. She had eyes like a cat and pointed ears. She definitely did not look human. Apart from the strange features, he could have sworn the girl was Cassandra.
"Where did this come from?" He asked quietly, then stared at her with a frown. "Who are you really? And where did you come from?"
Cassandra had a far away look in her eyes and she cocked her head to the side. _I know not where I came from, and I know not what I am. All I know is that I am_. He heard.
"How is this poss-"
_Look not with your eyes, but with your mind_. The voice repeated, interrupting him.
Diego stared at her, desperately wanting to see something he had overlooked. Before him, Cassandra's features changed. _I am the Keeper of the Wolves. I am the bringer of death. You will help me or you will fall, as will the town you protect_.
"It's you." He whispered, as he took in her true face. "You're the Creature the Pirates were afraid of."
Cassandra nodded. _I am she_. She told him, pacing the room. _I came here to find the Wolf-Prince of our Pack, and to re establish the mind-link that was lost to him when he boarded the ship_.
Diego frowned. "How is that done?" He asked.
Cassandra smiled. _Sometimes it is only line of sight_. She answered. _Others it must be physical contact. It was so with Harley_.
"What do you call him?" Diego asked.
_He is Harley. Son of Nightmare and Moonbeam, the Alpha pair_. Cassandra answered.
Diego nodded. "What is it you want from me?" He questioned.
Cassandra looked down. _You must help me release him. You must persuade the Evil Human to let him go before the full moon_. She replied, seriously.
Diego gave a chuckle. "The Evil Human? Is that what you call him?"
Cassandra smiled. _That is what Harley calls him as well_. She answered. _He is evil, and cruel and hateful. I do not like him much_.
Diego sighed and leaned against the desk top. "You should know by now that persuading Ramone of anything isn't the easiest thing to do." He remarked, sounding tired. "Do you really want to destroy the town?"
Cassandra looked sad. _I do not like to destroy things_. She told him. _But when the full moon comes, I will call the Pack. You will have one chance and only one to release him then. If it is not done, the Pack will go after anyone they see as a threat to them, myself or Harley. . . starting with the Evil human. There will be nothing I can do to stop them once they have started. Harley must be released before the full moon_.
Diego closed his eyes, and leaned against his hand, thinking for a minute, then he sat up. "If the wolf is released, what will it do?"
Cassandra smiled. _He will come to me, and we will leave_. She told him. _Humans are a strange sort of race, you see. Had the Pirates released him to the wild, I would have come and brought him home without any problems_.
Diego raised an eyebrow. "So basically, you're saying that the best thing to do with these things is to leave them alone and they will go away?" He asked.
Cassandra nodded. _You are correct_. She answered, then picked up one of the other books he had been looking through. She turned through the pages, gave a small laugh, and looked up at him. _A werewolf, am I_? She asked.
Diego smiled. "All I could find." He retorted. "I don't know how you found this one." He held up the other book."
_It is easy when you know what you seek_. Cassandra answered.
"When do you want--"
_I think it is best we let him sleep for the night, and tomorrow, and then after that, we will free him._ Cassandra interrupted.
Diego nodded. "And you can control him when he gets out?" He asked, seriously. "I don't want to see him jumping on anyone. . . including the Evi-the Alcalde."
Cassandra smiled, then frowned. _He will attack if he feels threatened._ She informed him. _It is in Harley's instincts to attack that which would cause him or I harm. He cannot stop himself. You must keep the Evil Human out of the way or he will be __killed._
"I will talk to the Alcalde." Diego promised. "But I don't think he'll listen."
_You are not like the others._ Cassandra told him, smiling.
Diego gave a chuckle. "I try not to be." He answered.
_She may surprise you, you know._ Cassandra remarked. _She loves you both, she just does not see what I see. Give her time._
Diego nodded. "How do you know all this?" He asked.
Cassandra smiled again. _It is in your mind._ She confessed. _Physical contact, you see._
She was talking about when he'd kissed her hand in the tavern, Diego realized. Cassandra communicated through telepathy. He frowned. But how did she sing?
Cassandra read his eyes, and nodded. _I never lied to you. You asked if I _did _speak. You never thought to ask if I _could_ speak._
"So you can speak." Diego replied.
_I have the ability to speak, if that is what you ask._ Cassandra explained. _I just choose not to. It is easier this way. When you have a mind-link with all around you, there really isn't a need to use my true voice. . . unless I am singing. I like to sing._
Diego smiled. "I see what you mean." He answered.
Cassandra perked her head up, then picked up another book. _Your father comes now._ She told him. _We are discussing books again._
Diego nodded, and picked up another book, as Don Alejandro looked in. "Hello, Father." He spoke up.
Alejandro looked at Cassandra with a frown, obviousy wondering exactly what she was doing in his son's bedroom. "Isn't it a bit late?" He asked.
Diego glanced at the clock. "Well, I didn't notice." He answered, truthfully. He had indeed gotten caught up in his discussion with Cassandra, that he had not noticed it was after midnight. "You'd better go on to bed, Cassandra. You have to be at the tavern in the morning."
Cassandra nodded, and walked out, carrying a few more books with her.
Alejandro watched her walk back to her room before turning back to face his son. "What exactly is going on?" He asked.
Diego sighed. "She was looking for more books." He answered.
Alejandro frowned. "She's finished the others already?" He asked, astonished.
"Well, she did say she was a fast reader." Diego answered.
"I don't care how fast she reads, there is no way she could have finished all those books in one night!" Alejandro snapped.
Diego frowned, thinking about it. He would have to ask her about it. "I'll talk to her about it in the morning." He answered.
Alejandro sighed. "I'm sorry, Diego." He spoke up, sounding tired. "It's just that creature in town, and now we have a new house guest, who the Alcalde is obviously not happy about, and now I find her in your room at midnight."
Diego nodded. "I understand." He answered. "I was trying to find something about the wolf, and she came in to point something out."
"You found something on it?" His father asked, surprised.
Diego nodded. "It's only an old legend, but the wolf in the legend is discribed to look like the one we have here." He replied, slowly.
Don Alejandro's face turned serious. "And what happened in the legend?" He asked, sounding as if he already knew the answer.
"It wasn't good." Diego answered. "We have to get the animal out of here before the next full moon, if the legend is acurate."
"And what happens if we don't?" His father asked.
Diego looked at the floor, thinking of what to say.
_But you will._ A voice in his mind spoke.
Diego's face shot up, as he looked toward the door. Much to his surprise, Cassandra was nowhere to be seen.
"Diego?" Alejandro asked, looking concerned.
Diego shook his head. "I think I need some sleep." He answered.
"You do look a little tired." Alejandro told him. "Go on to bed. We'll talk in the morning."
Diego nodded as he watched his father walk out of the room. After he was sure the older man was gone, he laid back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "That wasn't very nice, Cassandra." He remarked.
He heard a silent chuckle. _This is what a mind-link does._ She answered. _It gives you the ability to speak to someone in your mind. It matters not what room you are in._
"So, is this a permanent thing?" He asked, sounding very sorry he had ever touched her.
_As long as I am here._ She answered. _You realize you do not have to speak out loud for me to hear you._
Diego closed his eyes, thinking about it.
_You asked about my reading._ Cassandra remarked.
Diego frowned as another thing occured to him. _Your real name isn't Cassandra._ He thought.
_No, it is not._ She answered, with an inward smile. _Very few know the true name of the Wolfgirl._
"Cassie." He whispered out loud.
_You must not reveal it._ She warned. _It is dangerous._
Diego frowned. _Why?_ He thought to her.
_Humans fear the unknown._ She told him._If they knew what I truly am, they would react in a way that would harm me or even Harley. If they were to injure one of us, the Pack would hunt them down and kill them._
_That's what the Pirate was afraid of._ He realized. _That's why they wouldn't kill Harley._
_To kill a Neverwolf would nearly kill me._ She confessed. _Harley must not be harmed, nor any other member of the Pack. For when one is injured, we all feel it. And if one should fall..._ She trailed off. _You are tired. You must sleep now._
Diego smiled. _Do you sleep?_ He asked.
He felt her smile. _I do. . . but not as long as humans. I am nocturnal._ She replied. _For me, this place is strange. Usually, I sleep during the day...here, I sleep very little. I will get some sleep before dawn._
_Then you're going to read?_ He asked. _How is it you read so fast?_
_I have only to look at a page to know what is on it._ She answered. _By looking at every page, I know the whole book._
Diego shook his head in disbelief. "Interesting. . ." He murmured, before he fell alseep.
In her room, Cassie felt him fall asleep. He would never know it, but she had assisted in putting him to sleep, just as she had done to Harley. The masked man needed rest, she knew. He was weary from his continual battle. Though she still could not understand why he refused to let the Evil Human die. The Evil human would kill the Fox-human if he could, and yet, Diego-Human still would protect even him. To Cassie, it was a strange concept. Sighing, she rolled over and opened one of the books, to read her way through the night while Harley, Diego-Fox, and Victoria-human slept.
3. Chapter three
_**Chapter Three: The Voice of the Full Moon**_
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl --April 1822 (De la Vega residence, California)**_
_I have spoken to the one called The Fox. He_
_has agreed to help me free Harley tomorrow _
_night. I have high hopes that it will be successful_
_as I do not want the Pack to have to take their _
_revenge. _
_The Evil Human has his suspicions of me. I hear _
_his thoughts. He knows not who I really am, but_
_he dislikes me for what he sees of me. Confusing,_
_I feel it is. He seeks to find something that will accuse_
_me. I will watch him._
_Victoria human, I have grown to like. She has told _
_me many things. I think that I will call her Victoria_
_now. She is not like normal humans. I feel that, as_
_the Alpha, she is strong willed and of a good heart._
_The human Diego. . . or as I have discovered, the Fox._
_He is the other Alpha. I will call him Diego-Fox._
_Dispite the kindness shown to me by these few humans, _
_I wish to take Harley home as soon as I can._
_The human Diego-Fox calls Father is very curious_
_of me. This I have found. He will never understand_
_why I constantly ask for books to read. Just as he will_
_never understand why I find Diego-Fox's books so_
_wonderful. I do not get to read much and his books_
_are not like others I have found. They are full of _
_new things to learn about._
_I must get some sleep now. . . this is quite a new_
_concept to me; this sleeping during the night. . . _
_strange. Yet, as Victoria does not know of what or_
_who I am, it is best to carry on as a human._
* * *
Cassie smiled as she entered the Pueblo the next morning with Diego-Fox and Felipe-human. Diego-Fox had told the boy who she was earlier. She had very much loved Tornado when she'd touched him the night before, and now she could still hear his thoughts in her mind. She did not understand how humans could get by without sharing their thoughts.
Unfortunately, her thoughts were interrupted by the Evil Human's annoying voice, yelling about Harley sleeping. Apparently, he did not attract as much attention when he was asleep, as he did when he was awake.
Cassie exchanged a look with Diego-Fox. _I still do not understand why you would miss him._ She remarked.
Diego smiled. _Because;_ He answered. _They would just send us another one who is likely to be worse._
Felipe-human grinned slyly. _You don't know that for sure._ He replied.
Cassie nodded in agreement. _You must talk to the Evil Human today._ She reminded Diego-Fox. _Go back and get Tornado. He wants to get Harley out of here._
_He told you this, did he?_ Diego-Fox asked with a smile.
Cassie raised an eyebrow. _He would tell you if you would listen._ She informed him.
Their silent conversation ended when Victoria stepped out of the tavern with a smile.
"I see you made it back last night!" Victoria remarked.
Diego-Fox smiled. "Zorro was nice enough to save Felipe a trip." He answered. "He was just getting ready to come and get her when he dropped her off."
Cassie smirked. _You shouldn't speak of yourself with such distaste. It isn't healthy._ She told him. _I think she'd still love you even if she found out who you were._
Felipe-human, smiled from his place on the wagon seat. He very much seemed to enjoy Cassie's tormenting of his master.
_I think both of you need to mind your own business._ Diego-Fox retorted as he turned to walk back to the wagon. He was regretting the mindlink again.
"Will I see the two of you later today?" Victoria asked, smiling at Cassie, as she passed.
Diego smiled. "Of course, senorita." He answered with a pefrectly straight face, dispite the comments of the two other parties going on in his mind.
* * *
Cassie smiled at the stupid humans as she took their orders. They seemed to do nothing but eat. . . especially the one Harley had effectively called the Cowardly Human. Victoria referred to him as Sargent Mendoza. Cassie thought of him more effectively as the Large Cowardly Human. He was very nice to her, though, she had noticed. It was odd to see, really. In spite of his many flaws and sometimes cowardly behavior, he possessed a kind and generous heart. She liked him in a small way. He was something for her to study with curiosity. She had never personally spent this much time among humans in her entire existance. She now found that they were not all the same as she had once thought. Perhaps one day would come when humans would not look upon what they did not understand with such distaste.
She quickly handed the order to Victoria, and moved to wash and clear a table that had been recently vacated. Cassie gave an small smile as she watched the Evil Human stalk inside the tavern, complaining that he was not making any more money on the wolf. Harley was still asleep as Cassie had not yet given him his wake-up call. She expected that Deigo-Fox would soon visit him. He had not been in his office all day, she had gathered from the Fox's thoughts.
Before she could look away, the Evil Human looked up and caught her eyes. He stared for a moment, and Cassie blinked quickly, lest he catch her eyes studying him. It was not quick enough.
He charged up to her. "You!" He shouted in her face. "This is _your_ fault! Who are you!?"
Cassie cocked her head to the side, pretending not to understand him.
He glared. "Don't even tell me you don't have anything to do with that creature!" He grabbed her arm, jerking her toward him. "That animal didn't sleep until you came in there. You did this!"
Cassie could not stop herself. She looked him in the eyes and glared.
* * *
Victoria was in the kitchen when Felipe suddenly burst in, and pulled her toward the doorway. "Felipe, what is it?!" She asked, alarmed.
Felipe made frantic motions toward the front room, and Victoria followed him, only to see Cassandra forcefully yank Luis Ramone's hand from her arm, and twist it painfully behind his back. She had a look in her eyes that Victoria had never before seen, and she seemed to possess a strength she did not appear to have.
"Lancers, arrest this girl!" Ramone shouted.
"Madre de Dios. . ." Mendoza managed to get out. "How in the world--"
"Cassandra!" Victoria shouted. "Stop!"
Cassandra shook herself as if she had been in a trance, and released the Alcalde. As she did this, the loudest bloodcurdling howl was heard from the tent. The wolf had awakened. The horses in the Plaza were rearing and fighting thier reins, and everyone rushed out to calm his or her horse.
Ramone stared into the young girl's eyes. "_You_ are under arrest." He spat out. "Take her away."
From the upper floor, Zorro watched as they lead the girl out. He was going to cut in, but Cassie had forbid it. She had ordered him not to. Now was not the right time to fight. Now was the time to give his warning. He was to take the flag to Ramone and warn him of the consequences if the wolf was not released. It was not in his nature to stand by and watch them arrest her, but overall, he was given no choice.
Unintentionally, Cassie had awakened Harley before she had planned. He could hear the animal in his mind now. Harley was outraged that a mere human would attack his mistress. He wanted to attack in return and was fighting against the bars. The lancers guarding him backed away from the cage in fright.
Victoria then looked up and saw him. She gave him a pointed look and motioned to the door where the lancers had taken Cassie. He closed his eyes, not knowing how to tell her why he had not helped.
_I will tell you what to say._ Cassie's voice spoke to his mind. _She may not believe it, but I will reveal it to her in time. I have trust in her._
Zorro opened his eyes, still not used to her speaking to him like this. He looked at Victoria and motioned he would meet her in the kitchen.
She nodded and moved toward the room. Most of the place had cleared out, as everyone was watching the lancers arrest Cassie.
--
Victoria sat down close to tears. Over the past couple of days, she had grown to like Cassandra very much. She and the girl had shared quite a few secrets when they talked together. She could not understand why Zorro, of all people, would just stand there and watch her be arrested.
He entered through the back window, looking uncertain.
"Why?" Victoria demanded. "Why did you let them take her?"
Zorro sighed. "I had no choice." He stated, and paused before continuing. "She wouldn't let me stop them."
Victoria frowned. "What do you mean, she wouldn't let you stop them?" She asked. "She didn't even know you were there. She never even _saw_ you!"
"She knew." He answered. "She didn't _have_ to see me. She's not what you think she is."
"She is my _friend_!" Victoria shot out. "And you didn't even move to help her." She burst into tears.
Zorro's heart wrenched, watching her. He pulled her into his arms. "There's something you don't know about her." He whispered.
She looked up at his face, studying him. "What?"
_Why do you hesitate?_ Cassie's voice asked his mind.
Zorro sighed. _It's not as easy as that._ He remarked.
_You must tell her. . . then you must warn the Evil Human._ Cassie continued.
"What is it?" Victoria asked, staring at his face, obviously sensing something was going on.
"She came here after the wolf." He informed her. "It belongs to her."
"What?!" Victoria jerked back. "You can't be serious! That thing tried to bite her!"
"It was not intentional." He told her. "It was because they were interrupted."
Victoria shook her head. "How do you know this?"
Zorro stood up slowly. "She told me." He explained. "She needs my help to release the animal."
"No. . ." Victoria managed to get out. "You can't let that thing out. . . first you say it's dangerous and now you want to _release_ it? How do you know this creature belongs to her?"
_You must come quickly. He is in here. I will kill him if I have to!_ Cassie's voice suddenly screamed in his mind.
Zorro's head shot up. "I have to leave now." He said quickly. "Tell this to no one."
"But what is it?" Victoria asked as she watched him jump out the window.
--
Victoria watched the window for a minute. "Figures." She said to herself. "First he tells me the girl I hired owns that dangerous monster and then he leaves without saying goodbye." She sat down and cried.
Cassie stared up at the Evil Human as he held his sword above her. She was growing tired of acting weak. If he did not stop, she would be forced to do something not nice to him.
"You will tell me what I want to know, or you will--" The Evil Human began.
"And you will let her go before I get angry." Diego-Fox spoke up from outside the cell.
"Oh not you again." The Evil Human muttered under his breath.
"Get away from her." Diego-Fox commanded, forcefully. "She is not your problem, Alcalde."
Cassie watched him, with an amused look. The Evil Human did not see it, but the Large Human behind him did. He stared at her. This man did not believe she was helpless, she knew. He knew there was more to her than the Evil Human had thought of.
"And what exactly is my problem?" The Evil Human demanded, mockingly.
"Your problem is what you're going to do when that animal's Pack comes after it." Diego-Fox informed him. "She is an innocent girl. If you weren't wasting your time with her, you'd stop to think why those Pirates were so anxious to get rid of that creature."
"What do you mean, Zorro?" The Large Human asked, timidly.
"Shut up, Sargant!" The Evil Human ordered. "This is a trick."
"Not this time, Alcalde." Diego-Fox warned. "I met the Pirates after you left. That animal is dangerous. If you don't get it out of here soon, you could kill everyone here."
The Large Human stared. "Uhhh. . . Alcalde? I don't think he's playing a trick."
The Evil Human glared at the masked man. "And what would you know of such matters?" He demanded.
Deigo-Fox motioned for Cassie to come over behind him. Cassie smiled shyly at him and moved behind him, reading in his mind that this was because he didn't want her to do anything to them. Her hand, under her cape, was clenched on a very large dagger. She would do what was in her instinct to protect herself if she had to, and he knew it well.
_We have to get Harley._ She ordered.
Diego-Fox looked down at the Evil Human. "This was given to me by the Pirate." He held up the flag. "It was a warning to those who would come near the Woods where the animals came from. Those animals are fiercely protective of one another. They know it's here, and they _will_ come after it."
"I think you're bluffing." The Evil Human retorted.
Diego-Fox was getting frustrated, Cassie could tell. _Leave him now. He has had his warning._
He shook his head before knocking the Evil Human unconcious.
The Large Human stood staring for a moment. "Is it really true?" He asked quietly.
Diego-Fox looked at him for a second. "Yes." He answered, before taking Cassie's hand and leading her out.
Once they had left the jail, Diego-Fox sighed. "You're not making this very easy, are you?" He asked.
Cassie looked at him, pointedly. _It is not I._ She reminded him. _The Evil Human is stubborn._ She shook her head. _He is not a nice human._
"There's an understatement." Diego-Fox retorted.
Cassie looked up at the sky. The sun was getting low. She could see the moon in the sky. It was not full, but she knew there was one full in the Neverwoods. _I want to sing._ She replied, watching the moon.
He looked at her sharply. _This isn't exactly the place to be singing._
Victoria met them where Tornado stood behind the Tavern. She was holding Cassie's things and looked as if she had been crying. "Is she alright?"
Zorro nodded. "She's fine." He told her. "It was the Alcalde I was concerned about. It seems she's taken quite a large disliking to him."
Victoria frowned. "Alright. What is it I don't know?" She demanded. "I saw her twist the Alcalde's arm behind his back as if she was folding a tortilla! What is going on?!"
_The Evil Human is waking up._ Harley's voice spoke in Zorro's mind. _You must leave now. Do not tarry to speak with the Alpha female. You have not the time._
Zorro frowned. _What _had the wolf called Victoria?
Cassie pointed toward the jail, and gestured at Tornado, who seemed quite anxious to leave.
Victoria nodded, understanding. "Go." She told them.
Cassie looked at her eyes, then touched her cheek, in a silent thankyou. _All will be explained._ She told the woman, who stared in shock.
"Time to go." Zorro remarked, pulling Cassie aboard the horse.
As they rode away, Zorro could feel Victoria's confusion at what had just happened. "This isn't going to give away my identity, is it?" He asked as Tornado carried them away from the Pueblo.
Cassie smiled. _She can only hear what you tell her._ She explained. _It is I who read minds._
_You're going to have to stay in the cave for the moment, you know._ He informed her, changing the subject.
Cassie gave an amused look. _I know. . . I told you I can read minds._ She retorted.
Zorro chuckled. _I can bring you a few books._ He told her.
_I want to sing._ Cassie reminded him.
Zorro stiffened. This was not a good idea. The Pirate had said the Creature could be heard for miles around when she sang. "I don't think that's a very--"
_Now!_ She ordered.
"I thought you sang by full moon." He pointed out. "It's not full yet. You can't call your Pack."
Cassie smiled. _No, I cannot._ She remarked. _But where I come from, one of the six moons is full, and I want to sing._
Zorro turned around to look at her strangely. "Six?!"
Cassie shook her head. _It is far away from here, but I live there still, and I can see what you do not._ She told him.
"This won't drive the horses insane, will it?" He asked in his normal voice.
Cassie gave an inward laugh. _Tornado, do you want me to sing?_ She asked the horse.
Tornado gave a nicker, and nodded his head.
Zorro laughed and shook his head, with a sigh. "I don't suppose I can stop you." He commented.
Cassie shook her head.
Zorro slowed Tornado down. They were now a considerable distance from the Pueblo as well as the hacienda. He watched as she jumped down, shedding her cloak and dress. Much to his utter surprise, she was wearing what appeared to be a black doe-skin Indian-like costume underneath. A multitude of knives and daggers shown in various places on her body.
Cassie walked a short distance away from he and Tornado, to where a large circular flat rock was embedded in the ground. She began to dance, and soon he was sure she barely acknowledged his presence as she started to sing. The language was nothing he had ever heard, but her voice was incredible. He smiled as he watched her.
A short distance away, Victoria was riding her own mare, following Tornado. She had taken off after them, after a brief moment of thought. She had to find out who Cassandra was. They seemed to be heading far from the Pueblo. Could they be going to Zorro's cave? He had said before that he had to pass the De la Vegas, and yet, they had not come close to it. She slowed the horse as Zorro stopped. Cassandra had jumped from the stallion, and seemed to be stripping off her clothes.
Victoria frowned. What was going on? She watched as the girl walked away dressed as an Indian maiden. She shook her head in utter disbelief as the girl began to sing and dance. "Madre de Dios. . ." She whispered.
Her mare, seeming to have a mind if her own, stepped up closer to Tornado to listen to the sound of the voice that filled the night with its song. It was in no language she'd ever heard, but it was beautiful.
Zorro turned sharply at the approach of the horse. "Victoria?" He managed to say.
"I had to find out what it was you weren't telling me." She whispered, watching Cassandra. "She can speak. It's beautiful."
"She doesn't speak out loud." He told her, softly. "She only sings out loud. She speaks with her mind."
Victoria nodded, understanding. "That was what I heard." She replied. "Who is she?"
He smiled, watching the girl, whose features had faded to reveal what she truely was. "They call her by several names." He answered. "The Pirates called her The Creature. Where she comes from, they call her the Keeper of the Wolves or the Wolfgirl. Her real name is Cassie."
Victoria nodded. Somehow, she had already known the girl's true name. "And the animal in the Pueblo?" She asked.
"Harley." He answered. "He's the first born son of the Alpha pair; the Prince of the Pack."
"This must be so hard for them." Victoria spoke up, as a tear slipped down her cheek.
"There's more than that." He reluctantly told her.
She shivered. "What? I know there must be some danger."
"If he isn't released by the full moon, she'll summon the Pack." Zorro said, in a serious tone. "They will kill the whole Pueblo to protect him."
"Madre de Dios." Victoria, whispered. "They can't do that. She can't let them do that."
"She won't be able to stop them once they've started." He told her. "We have to get the wolf out before that night. She says she can control him. We don't have any other choice."
Victoria nodded, watching Cassie dance. "She seems so innocent. . . and yet, at the tavern . . . when she grabbed the Alcalde. . . I could have sworn she wanted to kill him."
Zorro closed his eyes. "She would have." He answered after a moment. "That's why I left so fast. She told me she would kill him if she had to." He shook his head. "She isn't human, and she doesn't understand why she can't just do away with anyone who gets in her way. I don't think she's known many humans."
"Where does she come from: and what is she, anyway, if she's not human?" Victoria asked, pointedly, noticing that Cassie now appeared to have pointed ears.
He shook his head. "She doesn't know what she is. She lives in a place called the Neverwoods, but she was not born there, and she doesn't know how she came to be there."
Victoria shook her head. "She has a beautiful voice." She murmured, sliding off her horse.
Zorro joined her and wrapped his arms around her as they both watched Cassie sing in silence.
After a few minutes, Victoria smiled. "I wonder what it looks like where she comes from?" She whispered.
Zorro shruged. "She didn't say. . . although, she did mention that there was six moons." He answered.
"Six moons?" Victoria shook her head in disbelief. "Can you even imagine that?"
"I don't know." Zorro replied, with a grin. "But it sounds like something out of a dream."
--
As Cassie sang and danced, she smiled as she heard their conversation. Little did they know that it truely _was _a place out of dreams. It was so many dreams of children and others alike that had willed Neverland into existance. She loved her home, and perhaps one day, she would bring them to see it. She could sense the love between them, and she continued singing louder, as she danced. In her mind, she could see the full moon above the Neverwoods, where the Pack danced in the clearing, singing their own tune, at that very same moment.
* * *
At the hacienda, Don Alejandro stepped outside, hearing the voice on the wind. It was in a strange language, but it was beautiful. He shook his head. It almost seemed to be magical. From the Pueblo, he could hear the wolf in its cage singing its own tune with the voice. He shivered, before turning and stepping back inside. Where was Diego?
From the cave entrance, Felipe also listened to the sound, although he knew who it was. The animals around seemed to be gathered outside, listening to it. In a way, it was peaceful. He smiled. Cassie had a beautiful voice. It was a shame she didn't use it more often. It was hard to believe this was the one thing the Pirates were so afraid of. Sure, there was more to her than one could see. After all, he had seen her with the Alcalde as many had. . . but he also knew there was another side to her. A side she rarely revealed. He liked that side.
* * *
_**Dairy of the Wolfgirl --May 1822 (Cave of the Fox--California)**_
_I was finally able to sing again. I know they did_
_not hear anything in the town but Harley's _
_accompaniment. Harley has a wonderful voice. I'm _
_sure they were not impressed. The Evil Human is_
_not going to heed the warning. I do not know what _
_I will do next. Diego-Fox tells me we will get him out,_
_and I believe him. It is the Evil Human I do not _
_trust. He orders the poor Stupid Humans around_
_to do his bidding when he is afraid to do it himself._
_He is a true coward, and very foolish._
_I sit here in this cave as I am supposed to be hiding _
_for a while. Tornado is keeping me company at_
_the moment. He has many stories to tell, and I_
_would have grown bored had it not been for him._
_Diego-Fox brought me some books, but I have read_
_them all already._
_Felipe has also been in here a few times to bring me_
_food and drink. He is very nice. I have decided I_
_like him very much, but I know it is not to be._
_Though there is one meant for the Wolfgirl, he_
_will not be from here. It is said that he will be_
_attacked by the wolves and nearly killed. . . but_
_he will survive, and bear the mark of the wolf _
_on his right cheekbone. Felipe is not he. I know _
_not how I know this, but I know it to be true._
_I will rest now._
4. Chapter four
_**Chapter Four: The Wolf Speaks**_
Victoria was surprised when she saw Cassie walk into the tavern the next day. As far as she knew, Zorro had taken her back to his cave to remain hidden. Cassie smiled at her and waved.
_I was growing bored._ The girl's voice explained in Victoria's mind. _Tornado is very good company, but even he must sleep at times._
Victoria frowned. So Cassie had stayed in Zorro's cave all night, talking to Tornado. This meant the girl must know who he really was, didn't it?
Cassie gave a small smile. _It is not my place to say, but how could I not?_ She pointed out. _I have the ability to read his mind._
"I see." Victoria replied out loud, mildly disappointed . . . and yet jealous at the same time.
Cassie grinned. _But Tornado has told me many adventures. . .and some of them you do not know._ She remarked. _There really is not any harm in sharing them._
Victoria brightened, and winked. "Why don't you start by clearing that table over there?" She suggested. "Before the Alcalde decides to come in and arrest you again."
Cassie made a face. _Evil Human._ She muttered.
"That he is." Victoria answered, laughing, as she watched Cassie go over to clear the table.
_He won't try to arrest her again._ A very familiar voice spoke up in her mind. _I already made sure of it._
Victoria looked around the tavern. She didn't see the masked man anywhere. _Where are you?_ She asked.
_Can't exactly say . . . I'm not wearing a mask._ Came the reply.
Victoria's head shot up, frantically searching the tavern. Then she heard his inward chuckle.
_I didn't say I was in the tavern. We don't have to be in the same room, you know._ He remarked.
Cassie was looking at Victoria, with a small grin. She was laughing.
_That is not funny._ Victoria retorted. _Cassie, where is he?_
Cassie gave an innocent look. _This is between you and he._ She answered. _I am not at liberty to say._
_I never promised such a thing._ Harley cut in.
_How soon do you want to get out of there?_ Zorro asked Harley, in a teasing tone.
Their conversation was interrupted when Luis Ramone stepped into the tavern. He glared at Cassie, who gave him a bright smile in return. The man walked up to Diego.
"I need to speak with you outside." He told the young caballero.
Diego frowned. "About what?" He asked, sounding suspicious.
"Now." Ramone remarked.
Diego sighed and followed him out, after giving Felipe a small nod.
Felipe turned to look at Cassie with his eyebrow raised.
Cassie nodded.
_What is it?_ Victoria asked.
_Felipe says it is about me._ Cassie answered. _He is most likely asking questions about me._ She followed Victoria into the kitchen. _The Zorro-Fox will listen in._
"Does Diego know who you are?" Victoria asked, as they entered the kitchen.
Cassie nodded. _He is very nice. He lets me read his books._ She answered.
"Do you speak to him this way as well?" She asked.
Cassie nodded again. _He and Felipe both speak to me this way._ She answered. _Felipe likes this form of speaking._
Victoria smiled. "I believe." She replied. "As he is deaf, this is a very good way for him to hear and speak."
Cassie frowned, as if listening to something.
"What is it?" Victoria asked.
_Diego says that the Evil Human is asking about Harley._ She explained. _The one Diego calls Father told the Evil Human that Diego had found something._
"Did he?" Victoria asked, wondering what her friend could have found.
Cassie smiled. _Of course he did._ She answered, matter-of-factly. _I showed it to him in the book myself. The Evil Human has already been warned by the Zorro-Fox. Now he is being warned by someone else. Eventually, it must sink into his tiny brain._
Victoria laughed, shaking her head. "Why don't you go out and see what Sargant Mendoza and his men are eating."
Cassie grinned and nodded, before leaving the room.
In the Alcalde's office, Diego was about ready to beat Ramone's head into a wall. The man was not listening.
"I appreciate your concern, Don Diego, but a book filled with legends is hardly enough evidence to prove this wolf is really as dangerous as you say." Luis remarked.
Diego sighed. "I wouldn't bet on it, Alcalde." He said for what seemed like the tenth time. "Some people use legends to cover up what would otherwise be unbelievable. The wolf discribed is identical to this one. Doesn't that at least make you wonder? I mean have you ever even seen one of these creatures before? Do you even know where it came from?"
Ramone looked exasperated. "It came from a group of Pirates, Diego." He told the Don. "I would assume if it were as dangerous as you say, then they wouldn't have kept it alive on the ship. If it were truely that much of a danger, why didn't they just shoot it?"
Diego shook his head. He could not say all he knew for fear of revealing Zorro's identity. "Maybe they were afraid of it."
Ramone looked triumphant. "If they were so afraid of it, they would have shot it on sight." He retorted, obviously feeling he had won the agrument. "I think you and your father, are just being paranoid. That animal is bringing a great deal of money to this Pueblo, and until I see some hard evidence of this so called "mortal danger", it will stay where it is. I'll keep your concern in mind. Good day."
Diego walked out of the office, shaking his head. Obviously nothing would convince this man, short of the entire Pack standing in the middle of the Pueblo plaza . . .and by that time, it may be too late to convince him.
Cassie closed her eyes. She had never felt feelings for any humans in her life. All the time, they had been nothing to her but a weaker and foolish race. She had never known that any human could be more than that. . . but now, after spending so much time among them. After seeing there was so much more. So much she had missed. They were real creatures just like her and the wolves. . . and just as much as she, they deserved to live.
Diego-Fox was one of the most rare. He would sacrifice himself to save the life of another...even if that other was not one he loved. The Evil Human, in Cassie's eyes, had been nothing but a human who only cared for himself. But as she looked deeper, there was something there...something that would amount to so much more. Dispite his many faults, this man's life was not over. This man had a future. A future that Cassie could not stop from coming. The Evil Human had to live, no matter what he did. There was no doubt in her mind.
As she looked closer at each human, she began to feel more. Each of them were different. Each one could be so much more. No, humans could not possibly be weak. If anything, they were just ignorant. They did not know better.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a hand on her shoulder. Diego-Fox had returned. He had been speaking to her mind, but in her deep state of thought, she had blocked him out. She turned to face him. _We cannot let him stay here._ She told him.
Diego-Fox nodded. He looked very tired, Cassie realized. Although he did get plenty of sleep, he still put up with more mental torment than any human she'd ever met. Although he was loved and respected as one man, he was cursed with having to hide in the shadows as another.
Cassie read his eyes. _I may never understand why you must do this to yourself._ She told him. _You show more strength than any other human I have ever seen. Why do you do this?_
Diego gave a tired smile. _Because no one else can._ He answered.
Cassie nodded. _We must release Harley soon._ She told him. _I cannot bear to watch him in that cage being tormented by all._
Victoria stepped up, carrying a tray full of dishes. "What did he say?" She asked.
"He's not going to listen." Diego-Fox answered with a sigh.
Victoria groaned. "Why doesn't _that_ surprise me?" She muttered.
"We don't have much time." Diego put in.
_The Alcalde is coming in._ Felipe warned them. _You might not want to be seen talking with Cassie right away. He will suspect she has more to do with this._
"I think I have to check the food now." Victoria spoke up, heading to the kitchen.
Cassie nodded and went back to clearing the tables.
Diego went back to the table with Felipe just as Ramone walked through the door.
The Alcalde's eyes scanned the place before he found what it was he was looking for.
Cassie looked up and caught his eye. For a moment, they just stared at each other. He was planning something against her, she could tell, but at the same time, somewhere deep in his gaze, she saw what it was she was looking for. It was what she'd been thinking before. Yes, there was something there.
He walked over to her. "I know you're hiding something." He told her. "And I will find out what it is. I don't know where you came from, but I know there's something about you."
Cassie held his gaze, with a raised eyebrow. This human was persistant. Yes, he probably would come to realize who she was. Unfortunately, there would be nothing he could do about it. She nodded her head. This was going to be an interesting war. He was trying to play mental games with the Keeper of the Wolves, who was a master of things mental. Yes, this would be most amusing.
Ramone, realizing his attempt to intimidate her was not working, turned and left.
She watched his back as he walked out. _I think that there is more to that human that even you do not know._ She remarked to Diego-Fox. _He has a future none have ever thought possible._
_What do you mean?_ Diego-Fox asked.
_I cannot explain it._ She answered. _All I know is that it is true. This man must not be killed._
* * *
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl--May 1822 (De la Vega Residence, California)**_
_I grow tired. This town to me has become some-_
_thing of a curiosity. The humans, I have found,_
_are not what was once thought of them._
_I want so desperately to just get Harley and take_
_him home . . . yet, I am uncertain of what to do. I_
_once thought to simply release the wolf and kill all_
_who may stand on my way._
_But now, that is not so. The more time I spend_
_with these humans, the more they convince me _
_that maybe the mortal world is not doomed as I_
_once thought. _
_I know that in the near future, I will have to make_
_a choice. Something is coming closer and I feel it_
_with every passing day. It will be bad. _
_I do not wish for this small place to be destroyed, _
_and yet, I do not know how to stop it. The_
_Evil Human does not see what he is doing. I fear _
_the only way is if I confront him myself . . . but I _
_know not how to do this. I do not fear him, but I_
_fear what killing him will do._
_This human may be what he is now, but he will_
_be more as the future comes closer. I cannot kill_
_him, and I cannot afford to be killed, myself._
_I do not know what to do. . ._
* * *
Cassie looked up from her journal when the human called Alejandro-Father looked into her room. She was growing tired of this place in a lot of ways. She hated sleeping in the nighttime, and she was looking more exhausted because of it.
"Are you alright, Cassandra?" Alejandro-Father asked, looking concerned.
Cassie sighed and signed that she was just a little tired.
He frowned. "Perhaps you should stay here and rest a while."
Cassie shook her head. She could not leave Harley in town by himself. What if something happened during the day? No, she would take her sleep when this task was completed.
"All right." Alejandro-Father remarked with a nod. "If you really insist on going, I don't suppose I could stop you . . . especially after what happened to the Alcalde?"
Cassie gave a guilty look. That had been an accident.
Alejandro-Father shook his head. "I have a feeling there is more to you than meets the eye, Cassandra." He told her. "I'm not going to pry. I just think you need to show a little more restraint around people like the Alcalde. That man really isn't someone you want for an enemy. . . believe me."
Cassie nodded, fighting off the urge to laugh. Truth be told, it was more the other way around. She was not one the Evil Human wanted for an enemy...there was more, much more she could have done, and had not. If only the Human Father knew how much restraint she was already showing...he would be most surprised.
They were interrupted by Diego-Fox in the hall.
"Cassandra, are you coming?" He asked.
Cassie nodded, pulling her hood over her face. The sun was very bright today, and she was not used to such light. She walked past Diego-Fox, and out the front door, where she knew Felipe waited with the horses. He smiled at her when he saw her come out. She squinted, holding up her hand, to shade herself. Even with the heavy hood, the sun was too bright.
_Are you alright?_ Felipe asked, with a frown.
_I am well . . . perhaps a bit tired. It is very bright here today._ She answered, climbing aboard the wagon.
Diego-Fox and Alejandro-Father stepped out the door, talking. They were discussing her wellbeing, Cassie realized. She smiled at them, to assure them she was alright. Diego-Fox would understand why she felt she must go into town. She had to see Harley again. Although they still had a mind-link, she missed seeing him, just as she missed seeing the rest of the Pack and the Neverwoods itself. They had been in this place for over a week now. The full moon was drawing closer, and Harley had yet to be released. He, as well as she, was growing frustrated.
* * *
In the Pueblo, inside the tent, Harley heard the thoughts of his mistress. She was in need of rest, he could tell. He was growing tired of this cage...and these human fools who continued to offer him food and drink. It was insulting and degrading. Before, when he had left the Woods, he had not thought much on one day becoming the Alpha. He had only wanted to see the world. To find out what lay beyond the boundries of his home.
Now that he had found it, he wanted nothing more than to go back home. This was not the adventure he had invisioned when he had left the Woods. He was not even getting to see anything. . . except the Stupid Humans who held him captive, the inside of this prison, and the humans who tormented him.
Curiously, he looked up as the Large Cowardly Human Cassie said was called Mendoza, came in with, yet another plate of food. Harley made a grunting noise that sounded much like a young child confronted with something he did not like.
Mendoza-Human stopped, looking at the wolf. He glanced around the tent, noticing the other humans were all outside. He looked back at Harley, biting his lip. He looked down at the food and then back at Harley. "Tell me, senor Lobo, why do you never eat anything?" He asked quietly. "You are going to starve to death, if you do not eat."
Harley cocked his head. He understood why Cassie found this human a curiosity. He looked deeply into the human's eyes, willing him to understand. _I do not eat, Human._ He told him. _By trying to feed me, it is an insult. Will you stop insulting me? I do not like being treated like a mere pup._
Mendoza-Human stared in shock at the animal. He had obviously not expected it to answer his question. In response, he fell to the floor.
Harley stared down at him, confused. Why was the human sleeping now? This was a new concept to a young wolf. He sat down to watch the sleeping human. Why had he fallen asleep? It was not time to sleep. Strange. . .
Outside the tent, Diego paid the Lancer, who was currently guarding Harley, and he and Cassie stepped into the tent. The first thing they saw was Mendoza, laying, passed out on the ground, and Harley staring down at him with a confused look on his face.
Diego rushed to Mendoza's side, nudging him. "Sargent?" He called.
_He has fallen asleep._ Harley spoke up. _Why did he fall asleep?_
Cassie looked from Harley to Mendoza and smiled. _What did you say to him?_ She asked.
Harley wrinkled his nose. _He asked me why I do not eat._ The wolf explained. _I only told him I do not eat anymore._
_He told him something?_ Diego asked.
Cassie nodded. _Why did he fall asleep?_ She asked.
Mendoza was groaning and blinking. "Ohhh, where am I?" He muttered.
"You fainted, Sargent." Diego explained. "Are you alright?"
Mendoza sat up and eyed Harley. "Diego, do you know anything about that animal?" He asked.
"I know it's dangerous to keep it here." He replied.
"I would almost swear it spoke to me." Mendoza confessed. "Does that sound strange?"
Diego looked from Mendoza to Harley. _It would have a few weeks ago_. He remarked inwardly. "A little, I suppose." He answered out loud. "What did it say?"
Mendoza frowned. "He said that he was insulted because we gave him food." He told him. "And that we should not try to feed him again."
"Insulted?" Diego asked. This was something he had not known.
"He said that he does not eat anymore." The confused Sargent answered. "Can you imagine that?"
_I do not suppose he can._ Cassie retorted in Diego's mind.
Diego smiled. "Remarkable." He murmured, wondering what else he didn't know about the animals. "Do you think maybe you shouldn't feed him anymore?" He asked.
Mendoza looked back at Harley, who now stood looking at him, pointedly. "No, Diego." He stated, with a nod. "I don't think he wants to be fed anymore."
Harley nodded his head and sat down. This was more like it.
Mandoza shook his head. "You know...it is loco, but sometimes, I think he understands exactly what we're saying." He muttered.
Diego looked at Cassie, who was smiling at Harley. "I think you may be right, Sargent."
"And what is going on here?!" Ramone demanded as he entered the tent.
The four looked up. Diego suddenly heard Felipe's mind speech warning. He had been so preoccupied with Mendoza, that he had somehow blocked it out. He shook himself. "Cassandra wanted to see it again, Alcalde." He explained. "I paid the admitance. When we came in, Sargent Mendoza was on the ground, unconcious."
Ramone looked doubtful. "Really, Diego..." He spoke up, in a cocky tone. "And here I thought you were under the illusion that this animal is a mortal danger to the Pueblo. Why in the world would you bring someone as young as Cassandra in to see it if it is so deadly?"
Diego sighed. "Cassandra is simply an animal loving person." He answered. "She has a fondness for all animals. . . even the dangerous ones."
Cassie smiled at the wolf and nodded.
"Really." The Alcalde remarked, flatly. "Well, then why don't the two of you leave so that Mendoza may feed this dangerous, and yet loving animal? We wouldn't want him to starve to death, would we?"
Harley snorted again.
"Uhh . . . Alcalde, I don't think he is hungry." Mendoza spoke up.
Ramone glared. "Of course he is! He's hardly eaten anything since he arrived!" He spat out. "He's simply not wanting to eat with so many people around. If you will. . ." He made a motion to Cassie and Deigo.
Diego sighed, rolling his eyes. "Good luck, Sargent." He muttered, before leading Cassie from the tent.
As the two of them walked across the Plaza, toward the tavern, Ramone caught up with them. "Excuse me." He cut in, suddenly standing behind them.
Diego turned, close to losing patience with the man. "Now what is it?" He asked.
"I think it would be a very good idea if Cassandra did not visit the wolf anymore." Ramone told them, with a hard look.
Cassie glared, ready to strike the man.
Diego held up a hand as if to restrain her. "And why is that, Alcalde?" He asked, pointedly.
"I do not have to explain myself to you or her!" Ramone snapped. "But if she is found in that tent again, I will have her arrested!" He looked at her. "Again!"
They both watched as he stalked off.
_I really do not like that human much._ Cassie remarked.
Diego sighed and shook his head. _I think it's time we got Harley out of this man's clutches._ He answered.
5. Chapter Five
_**Chapter Five: Sleep**_
Cassie sighed, tiredly as she dumped a load of dishes into the tub of water, a couple days after she had been so rudely told not to return to Harley. She was exhausted both mentally and physically. She would not have the strength to help Harley escape if she did not rest. It was taking all her energy to keep her disguise up.
Victoria watched the girl as she worked. _Diego, can you hear me?_ She asked in her mind. He was not in the tavern and she had no idea where he was.
_What is it?_ He replied.
_You must take her back to the hacienda._ She answered. _She is exhausted. She can't keep this up, if she doesn't rest. Take her home with you._
--
Zorro looked at Felipe, helplessly. He was currently on Tornado and they were headed back to the Pueblo.
Felipe shrugged and motioned to himself. _I will go and get her._ He remarked.
Zorro nodded. _I will send Felipe for her at once._ He answered Victoria, with a quick nod to Felipe.
The boy took off on his horse, riding ahead.
Tornado shook his head. _She has not been sleeping._ He informed his master.
Zorro looked sharply down at his horse, in surprise. He didn't exactly know why he should be surprised his horse was now talking to him, but he was, none the less.
Tornado gave a noise sounding like a snicker. _What?_ He retorted. _You were talking to the wolf, weren't you?_
The masked man shook his head with a laugh. All right_, I guess that's understandable. So why hasn't she been sleeping. . . as if I didn't already know to some extent._
_She doesn't sleep at night, obviously._ Tornado pointed out. _How much do you see her sleep during the day?_
Zorro nodded, understandingly. _How long do you think it will be before we can free the wolf?_ He asked.
_It would depend on how long she should sleep when she is brought back to your home._ Tornado answered. _I don't know all that much about her. She is only supposed to be a legend amongst the animals. Her existance was only a rumor. There are very few animals who have actually seen her._
_Wait. . . is that why you spooked when you saw that animal?_ He asked the horse.
Tornado shivered, remembering the feeling. _Yes. The wolf-pack is rumored to be deadly; and not just by their strength. They are supposed to be able to kill with one scratch._
Zorro frowned. "One scratch?" He remarked out loud. "How in the world can they--"
_They are poisonous._ Tornado answered. _Much like the rattlesnake. . . only far worse._
_Then you mean they have venom in their claws?_ Zorro remarked, in sudden realization.
Tornado gave a nod. _That is the rumor._ He answered. _How true it is, I have no idea. But you might ask the Keeper. If legend is correct, this poison has only one cure . . . and it can only be found in the Woods the wolves inhabit._
Zorro closed his eyes. This was not what he needed to hear. As if the wolves weren't dangerous enough without the venom. If Tornado was correct, Harley was capable of killing with only one scratch; and there was no telling how the venom took effect once the scratch was obtained. _How long will it take to kill?_ He asked, as the Pueblo came into sight.
_This, I don't know. . . but it does kill. A person or animal cannot be scratched and live, unless given the antidote._ Tornado informed him. _How long they live after the scratch, I don't know, but I think it has to do with how much poison they get._
_Which would depend on how many scratches are given._ Zorro concluded.
They were interrupted when Felipe came riding toward them with Cassie behind him in the saddle. The girl looked so tired, Zorro could see the dark lines under her eyes. Her skin looked positively transparent.
"Is she alright?" He asked the servant boy.
Felipe shook his head. _She is too tired to talk. I'll take her back so she can sleep_
Zorro nodded and watched as the pair rode toward the hacienda. He was obviously not going to get any information out of Cassie right now. Then he frowned, as an idea came to mind. No, he could not get anything from Cassie, but he _could_ talk to Harley. Certainly the wolf would know something about damage he himself could do.
_It won't be easy to get into the tent in the middle of the day._ Tornado warned.
_Right now, we don't have much of a choice._ Zorro replied. _I need to know if they truely are poisonous. If they are, we have to keep anyone from getting close enough to even accidentally get scratched. From what I've seen, they have some pretty impressive claws._ This was of course an understatement, and he knew Tornado knew it. Harley's claws were at least an inch and a half long, and retractable, which he had never before seen on anything but feline-like creatures. Not being full grown, the claws could only get longer as the wolf grew.
Meanwhile, in the tent with the wolf-creature, Mendoza was again holding a pan of food. "Forgive me, senor lobo." He told the wolf, sincerely. "The Alcalde is making me give you this food. I do not mean to insult you." He felt rather stupid apologizing to a creature like this, but he had an inner feeling that the wolf was seriously insulted by being offered food this way. He was not entirely sure that the animal had actually spoken to him, the day before, but somehow he knew without a doubt that his feeling was correct.
The wolf looked at him from the cage, cocking his head. He looked from the food to Mendoza, almost as if he were mildly annoyed, and yet somehow understanding.
"He says you are forgiven." A familiar voice spoke up behind Mendoza, startling him.
Mendoza jumped and dropped the food, as he turned to see Zorro standing behind him. "How do you know that?!" He demanded.
Zorro walked over to the cage, and carefully looking the wolf in the eyes, then moving his gaze to the wolf's feet, respectfully, he stuck his fingers into the cage.
Mendoza stared in shock. "Madre de Dios." He whispered, crossing himself, as the wolf licked Zorro's fingers as if it were a pet dog. "How did you do that?"
The masked man pulled his hand out of the cage and turned back to the Sargent. "He is not what you think he is." He answered.
"He did talk to me yesterday, didn't he?" Mendoza asked, quietly.
"Yes." Zorro answered, just as quiet. Neither of them had any desire for Luis Ramone to catch them talking. "He talks to your mind. Don't ignore him."
"How did you find out about this?" Mendoza asked, frowning. "Did he speak to you as well?"
Zorro eyed the animal with a small smile. "No." He answered. "The Creature that commands it spoke to me first." He assumed that Mendoza was a safe person to be telling as Ramone would never believe the animal were anything more than a wild beast.
"What Creature?" Mendoza asked, looking even more confused.
"I think you already know who it is." Zorro informed him. "If Harley has spoken to you, you are already connected in someway to the mind-link he has with her."
"Cassandra." The Sargent murmured under his breath. "But that is not her real name. . ." He paused, in thought. "We have to get this animal out of here before the full moon."
"Yes, we do." Zorro whispered, then frowned. The mind-link was suddenly cut off between them and the wolf.
"What just happened?" Mendoza asked, confused. "Why did it all go away?"
Zorro frowned a minute. "It's her." He whispered, in realization. "She controls the mind-link with the wolf. She's gone to sleep." His frown deepened. This meant he could not question the wolf until she awakened. He turned to the cage, with another sudden thought. "Harley." He spoke up, drawing the wolf's attention. "Show me your claws, please."
Mendoza was looking at Zorro with a perplexed frown. "What is it?" He asked.
Harley, knowing his mistress was now in deep sleep, understood why the humans could not speak to him anymore in his mind. However, he still understood their words. He quietly unsheathed his claws and propped them against the bars of the cage.
Zorro leaned over to examine the claws closely. He stared as he touched the points, realizing the claws were obviously hollow with tiny holes close to the tips. "So it's true." He murmured.
"What is?" Mendoza asked, even more confused. "And why can't we hear him anymore?"
Zorro eyed the animal who seemed to give a small nod. "Don't let anyone get close to the cage." He ordered Mendoza. "This wolf carries a very dangerous venom in his claws. It's highly lethal, even at small doses. Do not let anyone get close enough to be scratched. I have to go."
Mendoza's eyes widened as he listened. "You cannot be serious, Zorro." He whispered.
"I wish I wasn't." Zorro informed him, severely. "I had hoped Tornado was mistaken when he told me. Keep an eye on anyone who comes near it." He finished as he left the tent as quietly as he'd entered it.
Mendoza paused, looking at Harley in wonder, before he did a double-take. "Did he just say his _horse_ told him?!" He asked out loud.
Harley gave a snort, and cocked his head as if it should have been completely obvious that the horse would talk.
The Sargent turned to look at the wolf at the sound. "You are a most strange animal, Senor Lobo." He replied, as he left to stand guard outside the tent. If Zorro said the wolf was poisonous, he was not lying. How he had found it out was not important. He would keep the people who came to see it at a safe distance.
Meanwhile in the tavern, Victoria was a bit on the confused side. She had been able to feel the wolf's presence up until just a few moments ago. Although she had a general idea that it must be because of the state Cassie had been in, why had it just stopped all of the sudden? After all, the girl had been asleep before and it had not made any difference. She jumped as she heard a sound from the window, even though she'd already had a feeling as to who had made it. She quickly made sure the curtain that closed her off from the customers was securely closed, and turned to face the masked man now standing next to her window.
"What happened?" She asked out loud, as she was pretty sure mind-speech would not work.
"I think it means Cassandra is asleep." He answered, not using her real name.
Victoria shook her head. "She's been asleep before." She argued. "Why is it different now?"
Zorro shook his head. "I don't know for sure, but she looked exhausted when I saw her with Felipe." He replied. "Maybe she is too tired to keep the comunication line open."
"I suppose so." Victoria admitted. "How long do you think she will sleep?"
"I don't know." He remarked, with a sigh. "But I hope it isn't too long."
Victoria eyed his face. Dispite the little time they usually spent together, she'd gotten to know his looks very well, and this one was telling her that he'd found something out that was not good. "What is it?" She demanded. "Tell me what you found out."
"Is it that obvious?" He asked, surprised.
He was avoiding the question. "Yes." She quipped. "Now tell me what it is you know."
Zorro sighed, looking very tired. "It's Harley." He answered, not really wanting her to know how serious the situation had become. "Tornado told me."
Victoria frowned. "Your horse told you something?" She retorted, with an amused look. "He is talking now?"
"Cassandra talks to a wolf and you have trouble believing Tornado can talk?" He pointed out.
"Well, Cassandra _did_ mention she spent a night talking with him." Victoria answered, remembering. "In fact, she was told some interesting stories. . . why didn't you tell me you were nearly killed by a rattlesnake?!"
Zorro stared at her, then shook his head. "I think I'll have to have a word with my horse later." He remarked, thoughtfully.
"And don't change the subject." Victoria cut in. "What about Harley?"
"Tornado wasn't sure." He told her, still delaying the answer. "Apparently, the legend of the Keeper of the Wolves was thought to be just a rumor amongst the animals. They know of her existance, and yet, she is merely just a legend."
"And what did he know about the wolves themselves?" Victoria pressed. If he was still avoiding the answer, it was _definitely_ not a good thing.
"Not a lot, except that they were believed to be poisonous." Zorro informed her, slowly.
"Poisonous?" Victoria whispered. "But how? And why didn't Cassandra say anything?"
"I don't know." He replied. "I was going to question Harley, but it seems that the Keeper fell asleep too quickly. From what I've seen, and from what Tornado says about it, the poison is a venom carried in the wolf's claws. I looked them over myself. The claws are hollow with pin-point holes toward the tips..." He paused. "Much like that of a snake's fangs."
Victoria closed her eyes for a brief moment, then opened them. "And this venom?" She asked, not sure she wanted to know.
"Is lethal at any dose." Zorro told her, chewing his lip. "One scratch can kill a horse, let alone a man. That animal has got to be released before the full moon. There's no way the pueblo can survive the entire pack being let loose. I've warned Mendoza to keep anyone away from the cage, but that won't stop the pack."
"Is there a cure to this poison?" Victoria wanted to know. "Or does Tornado not know that part?"
"All he knows is that the cure can only be found in the Woods where the animals live." He answered, with a sigh, sitting down on the counter. "And from what we've been told about it, I don't think it's anywhere near here."
"Zorro, the full moon is only a few days away!" Victoria complained. "You know the Alcalde would never believe anything until the entire pack knocks his door down and kills him."
Zorro frowned, remembering something Cassie had said. "No." He whispered. "They can't kill him."
Victoria frowned. "Why?"
"Something she said." He murmured, shaking his head. "Something about him having some kind of future, and that he cannot be killed."
"How in the world can she possibly know something like that?" Victoria asked, considering it. "I can't even begin to think what he would have in a future that didn't include taxing the pueblo to death, and owning all the land in the area."
Zorro shook his head. "I haven't the slightest idea as to what she sees about him." He confessed. "Then again, she does have the ability to look a lot deeper than you or I can."
"So what about Harley?" Victoria questioned. "We can't really risk letting him out with the Keeper asleep. She won't be able to control him."
"Actually, I'm sure it would probably go to her." Zorro remarked. "However, as Don Alejandro is not in on the situation with the Keeper of the Wolves, it's best the wolf did not go into the hacienda, searching for her. It's too big a risk."
Victoria nodded, remembering that Don Alejandro was not entirely fond of the animal and would definitely try to stop him from reaching Cassie. This would definitely get him killed. "So we have to wait for her to wake up." She stated.
Zorro nodded. "And judging from the look of her when I saw her, that may be a while." He concluded. "I better get out of here. My presense here is dangerous. Just keep an eye out for anyone wanting to get too close to Harley. You know how Mendoza is at guard duty."
Victoria nodded as he pressed a kiss to her hand, and slipped out the window. "Be careful." She warned him.
"Always." He replied with a grin, before disappearing from view.
--
On the other side of the curtain, Ramone had heard the tail-end of the conversation. So the girl _was_ involved with the creature. His eyes narrowed. And apparently, the wolf-creature had a name.
He quietly walked off, headed for his office to think. So Zorro and the girl, Cassandra were making plans to release the animal, and from the sound of it, Mendoza was in on at least part of it. He would have to see that a stop was put to this conspiracy as soon as he figured out what to do about it. Although this explained the warnings he'd gotten from Diego and Zorro. He glared at the thought. "If De la Vega and the others think they will pull anything over on me, they have a great surprise coming." He muttered to himself.
6. Chapter 6
**I apologize to the readers that this has taken so long to get done. I suffered Writters Block for a long while with it and really wasn't sure what else to write, however, your emails and encouragements for this story have been a huge help and for all of you who kept reminding me what a good writter I was and telling me how much this story is meaning to you. Thank you all so very much. Your words mean more to me than you can know. So for all of you. This Chapter is for you. Enjoy.**
**--Cassi**
* * *
_**Chapter Six "Something Terrible"**_
_Pain . . . She was asleep and she could still feel it. Something was going to happen. A great pain and loss to the wolfpack. _
Cassie turned over in her sleep as images flashed through her mind. Memories of times past, and times she knew must still come . . . .
_The town was called Petersborg. The humans that had inhabited it had been suspicious and untrusting of srtangers, save for one. He had been an older man who outwardly had posessed a kind heart. He had taken her into his home, and showed her his books._
_Mystified, Cassie had allowed herself to drop her guard. Because of this mistake, Mystic and Flame, the Beta King and Queen, had perished and the town of Petersborg had ceased to exist._
_In the ruins, the Old Man Human had dropped a book. Within the book, Cassie had learned the true story. The man had known about her connection with the "Demon Dog" to start with and had sought to distract her long ehough for the "demons" to be cast away._
_At the end of the night of the full moon, the village was gone and every man, woman, and child was dead. In the ruins of the small village, Cassie had held the lifeless wolves to her chest. No human being was left alive to see the tears or hear the cries. In agony, Cassie cried as the Pack sang the last respects for the dead . . . both animal, and human._
_It happened time and time again . . . and now, once more, it would happen again . . . . She saw the steele, and the bow it had been fired from, and as the cry of pain echoed in her mind . . . ._
Cassie's scream of agony echoed through the hacienda.
In the cave, Felipe dropped a glass container to the floor. Not taking the time to clean it up, he ran into the house through the secret door.
In Los Angeles, the scream also echoed, but it was not the only one heard. In his cage, Harley had been napping, knowing Cassie was asleep and the Pack knew he was safe. Yet, in the exact moment the scream began, Harley's own howl of agony joined it, as he fell to his side in pain.
In the tavern, Zorro had just left and Victoria had gone back to the dishes. As both cries were heard --not only in her ears, but her mind as well-- the entire tray of dishes crashed to the floor, and Victoria's knees buckled as she fell forward, grabbing her ears in pain. Just as suddenly as they began, the cries in her mind cut off . . . .
Less than a half a mile from the pueblo, Toronado gave his master a nudge with his nose. The masked rider had been headed back to the hacienda when the screams had made him grab his head in pain, not even noticing he'd actually fallen off his horse as the animal had reared up rather suddenly.
Zorro gave a soft groan as he sat up, shaking his head to clear it. Blinking, he frowned as realization washed over him. The cries in his mind were now eerily silent. "Oh no." He whispered.
Toronado pawed the ground, looking in the direction of the hacienda.
Zorro nodded, climbing back into the saddle. He did not need a mindlink to tell him his horse was thinking the same thought he was. Something terrible had just happened, and they had to get to Cassie.
By the time horse and rider reached the hacienda, the cries had long since ceased, and a feeling of dread was in the pit of his stomach as Zorro raced into Cassie's room, without even bothering to remove his mask.
Felipe looked up from where he sat in a chair beside the bed, looking confused. The bed in front of him was empty. Cassie was gone.
(_AN: I must confess, I thought of ending the chap here. However, as you've all waited this long for an update, and will more than likely kill me for it, this will continue instead. . . .at least until you know just a little more about what's happening here--Cas)_
"What happened?" Zorro asked the pale faced boy.
Felipe shook his head and started signing.
Zorro watched, translating out loud. "You heard her scream, you came in here . . . " He paused, watching. "She said something . . . 'Star Light,' and then she vanished?"
Felipe nodded, then went on, pointing to his right side.
"She was in pain as if something in her side was hurting?"
The boy nodded again, before he continued, wide eyed.
"Do I think the Alcalde hurt Harley?"
Felipe nodded.
Zorro was quiet as he consisdered this. "I suppose you've got a point." He admitted after a bit. "She did say something about the Pack being connected by one mind, and that when one was hurt, they all felt it." He paused, then stared in realization. "And that she could travel with the speed of thought. That would explain her vanishing."
Felipe's eyes went wider, and he frantically motioned toward the pueblo.
"You're right. We'd better get there fast." Zorro concluded. "Even if she's not there, we better go anyway. If whatever happened to Cassie affected us this bad, there's no telling what happened to Victoria and Mendoza." He paused. "Saddle two horses. I'll change before I go. My father's in town, and he'll be expecting me to make an appearence."
* * *
In the back room of the tavern, Don Alejandro was helping Victoria off the floor. He too, had heard the wolf, as well as the girl's scream. Indeed the cries had nearly caused him to choke on his water as he jumped.
However, the sound of dishes crashing to the floor caused him to snap out of his shock long enough to run into the kitchen to help Victoria.
"Are you alright, Victoria?" He asked, helping her off the floor, and into a chair, avoiding as much of the broken glass as possible.
Victoria shook her head as tears flowed down her cheeks. "Something terrible has happened, Don Alejandro." She whispered, horrified. "Something's happened to Cassandra."
Alejandro frowned, remembering Cassandra was incapable of screaming. "Are you sure?" He asked, shivering as he remembered the howl.
Victoria ignored him, shaking her head, her face almost white. "She's hurt. Something aweful."
"Cassandra was asleep at the hacienda." He murmured, then his face paled. "And I saw the Alcalde leave the tavern with the strangest look just a moment ago. He'd come in, looking for you, then he just left."
Victoria's head shot up. "Just a while ago?"
Alejandro nodded. "I'd assumed he'd spoken to you."
She shook her head. "Zorro was here just a bit ago. He was talking to me about the wolf. That he and Cassandra would do something about it." She was sounding more and more hysterical. "If he heard anything about Cassandra being involved with it, he'd--" She trailed off, letting more tears fall. "We have to find her!"
Victoria jumped up, pulling Don Alejandro after her. "If he's done something to her, those wolves will _kill_ him!"
Don Alejandro frowned in confusion, allowing himself to be lead. Diego had mentioned Cassandra's interest in the wolf, but obviously, there was a lot more to the story than he'd been told. Someone definitely was going to have to do some explaining soon.
* * *
The pair did not get far. As they stepped out of the tavern, they were met with the sight of Diego standing with Felipe, Mendoza, and the Alcalde in front of the tent that contained the wolf. The group was arguing.
"Diego!" Victoria called, drawing his attention as she ran over with Alejandro behind her. "Where is she? What's happened?!" She turned on Ramone and glared. "What did you do to her?!"
Diego quickly grabbed her arm, placing himself between her and the Alcalde, as his father also stepped in.
Ramone glared back just as fierce. "I've done absolutely _nothing_!" He defended. "**YOU**, on the other hand, have been conspiring with that girl since she came here! Planning all this time to come in with _Zorro_ to release that beast!"
"Eh, Alcalde I really think--"
"Oh shut up Mendoza!" Ramone snapped.
"But Alcalde-" Mendoza stopped, seeing his glare.
Around them, the residents of the pueblo were staring at the group, gasping.
"Don't be ridiculous, Alcalde!" Alejandro broke in. "Zorro would never endanger the people by letting that animal go here."
"Oh really, Don Alejandro, how naive you truely are." Ramone put in, evenly. "I heard it myself when Zorro was confessing it all to the Senorita here."
"That's a lie!" Don Alejandro objected. "Tell them, Victoria."
Victoria was speechless as she glanced around at the people. She looked at Don Alejandro, then turned to Diego for help.
Alejandro, seeing the look, let his mouth fall open. "You were not seriously planning to release that wild animal _here_?!" He whispered to Diego, fiercly.
The people gathered around them burst out in a series of objections, and shouting.
"**QUIET**!!" Diego shouted in a forceful tone, that was very unlike him. He moved over to block Victoria from the angry shouting.
As the pueblo quieted, Diego went on. "The animal does not belong here." He told them quietly. "It belongs to Cassandra. If he is released, he will go to her and she will take him home with her, quietly. No harm or damage will be done to the Pueblo."
The people looked at one another, doubtfully.
"How do you know it belongs to her?" One of the men asked, sounding doubtful.
"Because I have seen her with it." Diego answered, calmly. "Not one person in this pueblo could get near it until she came here. That animal knows her well, and I believe she is telling the truth. She will not let anyone get hurt."
"Rubbish." Ramone spat out. "The first time she came in there, that thing nearly took her arm off, I saw it. You let that thing out, and it will destroy the whole pueblo, and kill anyone who gets in its way. You and Zorro may believe that vagrant, but I'm not willing to risk the lives of my people just because some mute vagrant girl thinks caging animals is cruel."
This statement was met with cheers and nods of agreement.
Diego sighed, grinding his teeth.
"Not here." Victoria whispered for his ears alone. "We cannot say more. It's no use."
"The animal stays in its cage!" Ramone announced, in a reassuring tone.
"Don Diego." Mendoza whispered under his breath. "I think you should see this."
Casting a glance at Ramone, Diego followed Mendoza into the tent. Victoria and Alejandro quickly joined them.
"Go on about your business!" The Alcalde told the people. "We'll take care of this, without endangering the lives of you, my people."
As he finished, he turned and stepped into the tent with the rest of the group.
In the tent the group was met with an incredible sight. Harley was laying on the floor of the cage on his left side. He was panting, and appeared to be in pain.
Ramone, ignoring the animal, turned on Diego. "Where is she?"
Diego, eyeing the wolf thoughtfully, looked at him. "She's gone."
"Gone where?!" Ramone demanded.
Felipe nudged Diego and started signing.
"What's he saying?" Mendoza asked, staring.
"At the hacienda, she was holding her side before she vanished." Diego murmured, thinking. "And the Pack is connected by one mind. . ."
Felipe went on.
"Star Light." Diego remembered.
Victoria's eyes widened. "You think another wolf was hurt."
"She's gone home." Diego finished.
"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Alejandro asked, pointedly.
"Well I for one am dying to know." Ramone agreed, with a glare.
Diego sighed. "The Pack is connected by one mind." He explained. "When one is injured, they all feel it." He motioned to Harley. "It's why they screamed at the same time."
"I was under the impression she was mute." Ramone remarked, flatly.
"We never asked if she _could_ speak." Diego pointed out. "She only informed us that she _didn't _speak. She just chooses not to, communicating by telepathy instead of speaking."
"Then that was her singing." Alejandro concluded.
Diego nodded. "She has a habit of singing to the moon. It's something about the wolfpack." He looked at Felipe. "Felipe heard her say 'Starlight.' I'd be willing to assume one of her wolves is named Starlight."
"How did Felipe hear it?" Ramone objected. "Or is he lying about it, too?"
Felipe glared at Ramone.
"She's telepathic!" Victoria reminded him, pointedly. "He heard it in his mind. He was at the hacienda when it happened."
"Starlite is the Beta Queen." Mendoza suddenly interrupted. He was staring at Harley, who was staring back at him, directly into his eyes. "She's dying."
The group stared at him.
Ramone's eyes narrowed. "So even _you_ are in on this." He seethed. "I believe I've heard enough. You are all under arrest for conspiracy. LANCERS!!"
Don Alejandro watched helplessly, as the soldiers escourted Victoria, Felipe, Diego, and Mendoza toward the prison. He was still completely baffled at what had taken place, and unsure of how to respond, as his eyes met Diego's.
"Do not let anyone near enough to touch that animal, and do NOT let them hurt him!" Diego pleaded.
Alejandro nodded, stepping back.
Ramone gave a sly grin, as he watched them go, then just as suddenly frowned as he heard Zorro's voice in his mind. _You will regret the day you brought that animal to this pueblo._
**End Chapter Six**
_For my wonderful readers who have stuck with this story, it will cheer you to know, that I have now in my head the direction this story is going and I do know how it's ending, so I have already started the next chapter and hopefully the next updates will follow much sooner than the last ones._
_Until then, let me know what you think, and thankyou for the encouragement and your comments thus far. There is still more to come.--Cassi_
_I would also like to announce...for those who have not yet seen it, there are several drawings posted online of the wolfgirl, and I will also announce that the cover picture to this story is also about to be uploaded online. There will be a link to the picture on my bio page as soon as I get it posted for those who wish to see it. Again, let me know what you think._
7. Chapter 7
_**Chapter Seven "The Spike of Death"**_
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl--May, 1822 (The Neverwoods)**_
_Tonight as the moons shine high, we sing again_
_the song of death. A single spike of steele from an_
_Indian's bow was fired upon Starlite, the Beta _
_Queen. We have done all we can for her, but in_
_our hearts, as well as our minds, we know she will_
_not survive the night. Midnight will die with her,_
_as he cannot survive without her. Once lifemated,_
_their fates are bound as one._
_Our single worry was for the survival of the pups_
_she carried. Two were dead when the spike struck._
_Three remain yet, but they are weak even now._
_Only one shows any sign of survival. She will be _
_taken in by Crea, daughter of Nightmare and_
_Moonbeam. If she lives the night, she shall be_
_lifemated to Harley, and she shall be called, "She_
_Who Survived The Spike."_
**Los Angeles, California 1822: Two days before the Full Moon**
Harley sighed heavily, as he laid down to sleep, his muzzle settled between his front paws. He was a foolish pup for leaving, he now saw the truth. The adventure he had so eagerly looked forward to was nothing but a disappointment.
In his side, he could feel the pain of the spike of steele, that had pierced the beta queen. The once proud Starlite was now silent to his mind, as she and her life's mate had died together. Thier bodies would be burned to ashes in the clearing where the wolves danced. Together, they would blow off into the wind.
Of the three surviving pups, two were already dying. The third, destined to be his. He should have been there to see her born.
Using only his eyes, Harley looked around the tent. He could hear the Angry human that held him captive laughing in joyful glee. Stupid human. The fool actually believed he had won. He would soon see the error of his ways. The full moon was fast approaching, and Harley did not have to be outside to see it. He could feel it coming in his bones, his soul, and his heart.
The dance would come with it. Their dance was ancient to their kind. For ages, wolves had sang to the full moon.
In the days of his captivity, Harley had done some thinking. Indeed, he'd had nothing but his own thoughts for company in the early moments after his capture. He finally realized what his father had been trying to tell him before he'd left. Harley had a responsibity to the Pack. He had his future and the future of the Pack that would somday be under his own command to consider. Wandering from the Woods was something a young pup would do, and Harley was no longer a young pup. At six months old, he was old enough to hunt for the Pack and prowl the Woods for intruders.
Realization dawned on Harley as the first thoughts of the One who would soon be his entered his mind. It was time to grow up. She needed him to grow up.
* * *
Sitting at one of the tables outside the tavern, Diego groaned inwardly, watching Ramone, as he practically strutted out of his quarters. After being held in jail for a full day, Felipe, Diego, Victoria, and Mendoza had been released. Cassandra had not yet returned. . . naturally, the Alcalde had a bright grin on his face, and was actually whistling, happily.
Unlike the Alcalde, Diego knew the battle over the wolf was not yet over. Cassie would return, it was plainly obvious, and yet, there was Luis Ramone, acting as if he had not a care in the world.
Mendoza had been banned from guarding Harley and the Corporal Gomez had been ordered to make sure the wolf was fed, dispite Mendoza's protests that the wolf did not want food. The meals, of course, were left untouched.
Victoria exited the tavern, and cast a look over at the tent before collecting the dishes in front of Diego. Her tavern was empty of customers, with the exception of Mendoza and a few of his men. Most of the others in the pueblo had turned the cold shoulder on her for trying to have the wolf set free.
Victoria eyed the Alcalde, with a disgusted look. "Does he actually think she's not coming back?" She commented, shaking her head.
"It appears he does." Diego responded, distantly.
"Do you think things in her woods are alright?"
"Mendoza said that was a Death Song that Harley was singing last night." Diego remembered. "I would guess that things are not well with the Pack."
"She _will_ come back, won't she?"
Diego finally turned to meet her gaze. "I have no doubt that she will." He replied. "And it will be before the full moon."
"What's going to happen to the pueblo if the Alcalde doesn't give him back, Diego?"
Diego took her hand in his and gave her a reassuring look. "He will give the wolf back if I have to go in there myself, and _break_ that cage open."
Victoria stared at him. Rare were the occasions when Diego actually showed a temper.
Diego, realizing what he'd just said, gave a shrug. "I'm sure Zorro will have his hands full protecting the people." He put in, quickly. "He might need some help this time."
Victoria nodded in agreement. "Diego, we have to evacuate the people before she comes back." She told him, worried. "There are children in this pueblo, and innocent people."
"The way the people feel about that wolf being released, that may be a bit difficult." Diego remarked, thoughtfully. "Then again, we've got two days to figure out a way to do that."
"Just tell them an entire _Pack_ of those animals is coming." Victoria pointed out. "And if what we've heard is true, the others are much bigger then that one." She shivered at the thought.
Watching Victoria take his dishes inside, Diego frowned. She had a point.
* * *
**The Neverwoods, May 1822**
It was the middle of the night, as Cassie sat on the cliff overlooking the Neverwoods. In the light of the six moons, she could see as if it were daytime. Starlite and Midnight were now gone and four of their five pups had died with them. Fortunately, Spike was doing well, with Crea taking care of her. It was good that way. She would live for them.
Shadow and Crea had assumed the duties of the Beta King and Queen. They had a three pups of their own, in addition to Spike. When the Pack was called, Crea would remain in the Woods to care for the newborn pups. The Indian who had shot the wolf was now dead. When the other indians had found out what he'd done, they had thrown the offender into the Woods to keep from becomming victims themselves.
The Arrogant Human Ramone had thought he'd won. He actually believed he has bested the Wolfgirl. A small predatary smile curved on Cassie's lips. He would learn. It would soon be time to return. She would not leave Harley to these ignorant humans. Not now.
She would return. And this time, she would return without a disguise. She would come boldly, in her true form. The Ramone human would have one chance before she would summon the Pack. When the Pack stood before him, flanking her sides, she would demand the release of Harley. Assuming he still refused after that, not even Cassie herself would be able to stop the slaughter when it started. Neverwolves were fierce, uncaring of whomever should get in the way of their own family. They killed without remorse, without fear.
Standing now, on the moonlit cliffside, Cassie stared out at the Woods below. She couldn't stop the tears that streamed down her face. Perhaps the wolves killed without remorse, but Cassie herself could sense the pain of those around her. Just as she had in the town destroyed so long ago. She could still hear the screams inside her head. . . .
**End Chapter Seven**
_A/N I apologize for the long delay. I've been so busy and really my writing is seriously suffering for it. As I said, I DO know how this is going to end. There will be two more Chapters. The next will cover the night of the Full Moon, and the one after is merely an Epilogue. I want to thank my dedicated readers, who have kept up the pestering me through emails and reviews to finish this story. Without you...well, this story would have ended long ago. _
_For you my readers, and the members of the New World Zorro discussion and Fanfiction groups, I WILL finish this story. I know this chapter is rather short after all this time, but I am on a role and I have resolved to finish it this time, so check back soon. The ending will shortly follow._
_Thanks again, all of you. I really appreciate your help and encouragement._
_--Cassi_
8. Chapter 8
_**Chapter Eight: The Full Moon**_
_**Diary of the Wolfgirl: May 1822 (The Neverwoods)**_
_**The Full moon arrives tonight in the Pueblo of**_
_**Los Angeles. The time to leave is fast approaching.**_
_**The Pack stands ready to fight. I know that Diego**_
_**Fox and Victoria are preparing for my arrival.**_
_**They will do what is in their power to prevent**_
_**the slaughter of the town. I must return. **_
_**Harley calls. It is time.**_
**Los Angeles, California 1822: the night of the Full moon**
Evening was fast approaching and Cassandra had yet to make her appearance. Diego stood in the entry to the hacienda, thinking. He was trying to figure out how he and Zorro could appear at the same time again. His father was expecting Diego to join him in town tonight. There was no way he could pretend to stay home. Not with the way he'd gotten himself involved.
He had packed Zorro's things into Tornado's saddlebags, just in case. That seemed to be the only thing he could do. Felipe caught up with him as he was headed out the door, lost in thought.
A tug at his sleeve brought him back to the present. "What is it?" He asked his servant boy.
Felipe pointed at the eastern horizon.
The full moon was already rising. Cassie could arrive at any minute.
Felipe signed a question to him as they mounted their horses.
"Do I think she will wait until the sun has set?"
Felipe nodded.
"I don't know." Diego replied, as they rode toward the pueblo.
The sun was low on the horizon, but not quite near setting yet. In the pueblo, Victoria and Don Alejandro were trying to evacuate the children and the innocents, they both knew.
Whether or not the people would listen, was another story entirely. Zorro had ridden to the center of town earlier that day to warn of the impending doom. He did not mention releasing Harley, but he _did_ warn the townsfolk that the Pack was coming to get him.
Despite this, Ramone had refused to move the animal.
As Felipe and Diego entered the pueblo, they were relieved to note that many wagons had left the town. The people were taking their children to safety.
Ramone was standing in the square, glaring at them all.
Diego shook his head, with a sigh. "Some people never learn." He muttered, under his breath.
Victoria and Don Alejandro moved to greet the two new arrivals.
"Did you see her yet?" Victoria asked.
Felipe shook his head and Diego replied. "No. But the sun has not set completely yet."
"And what even makes you think she's coming back?" Ramone sneered, unimpressed.
"The fact that the Prince of their Pack is still in your cage." Diego remarked, pointedly.
Ramone rolled his eyes and walked off, toward his office.
"That must be an act of some sort. He _can't_ be that unworried." Diego remarked, thoughtfully.
"The lancers are all on high alert." Don Alejandro informed him, pointing at all the armed Lancers, standing guard around the pueblo.
"You don't suppose they mean to shoot her on sight, do you?" Victoria asked, worried.
Diego frowned. "I'm not sure they can."
"What do you mean?" His father asked staring.
"It was in the man's diary that she was carrying." Diego explained. "They _tried_ shooting her. For some reason, it didn't work."
"How didn't it work?" Don Alejandro asked, not understanding. "Are you saying she could stop a pistol ball?"
"I'm not sure how it works." Diego replied. "The diary wasn't exactly clear. The man who wrote it did not survive to finish it."
"_There's _a comforting thought." Don Alejandro muttered.
"That wolf needs to be released." Diego put in, staring at the tent. "If she _can_ stop a pistol ball, the lancers are defenseless. She could slaughter them all."
"I think we should wait for Zorro." Victoria spoke up, trying to hold him back.
"I'm not sure Cassie is going to wait for Zorro before she starts the battle." Diego remarked, pulling away and walking toward the tent.
At the opening of the tent, Corporal Gomez stopped Diego with his rifle. "I'm under orders not to let you in to see the animal, Don Diego." The Corporal told him, bluntly.
They both turned at the sound of frantic murmuring. Approximately fifty yards from the pueblo entrance, the dust was blowing in a circular pattern.
Ramone, at the sound of the voices, ran from his office, and stared at the dust devil.
Within the dust, a lone figure appeared. She still wore her cloak, but the rest of her had changed. She was now dressed in the doe-skin garb Diego and Victoria had seen before, and her features had returned to their normal state. Everyone in the plaza saw her pointed ears, slit pupils, and the wolf-mark on her forehead. She carried a single sword as she walked, determinedly through the entryway.
She stood before Ramone and looked directly into his eyes. _You will release my wolf. _She ordered.
Diego glanced at Victoria, Felipe and Mendoza, noticing they could all hear her mind spoken directive. Apparently, the mind-link had returned with her.
Ramone started to laugh. "Shoot her." He ordered, backing away.
The lancers took aim, and Cassie whipped off her cloak. She was dancing before anyone knew what was going on. As the song began, every animal in the pueblo shied in pure terror. Horses broke free of their bindings, and riders were thrown.
Diego turned back to Felipe, seeing him trying frantically to hold down their horses. "Let them GO!" He shouted, knowing that Victoria would assume Felipe would hear him in his mind.
Don Alejandro, hearing Diego yelling, quickly snatched Felipe away from the horses, as they thundered away from the pueblo.
They all turned to watch as Cassie sang. Though the language was _not _Spanish or English, there were a few people in the pueblo who could actually understand what she was singing about. The movements of her body in the dance and the motions of her hands were almost in a sign language.
_**--**_
The lancers repeatedly fired their weapons at the girl, but to no avail. Once the song had started, the gunshots were useless. What happened to the pistol balls, nobody knew; but not one of them ever hit Cassie.
Felipe watched Cassie's dancing. He saw her hand motion to the rising moon, then the setting sun, then again to the circle of dust blowing around her. Over her head, her hand swept a circular motion as if she were swinging a lasso, but the hand was open, as if beckoning, while the other hand motioned to the circle on the ground.
She seemed to be calling them from above. Remembering what Diego had said of where she had come, Felipe had no doubt her home was amongst the stars that were slowly appearing in the night sky. Looking up, he suddenly spied one star, glowing brighter all the time, just to the right of the North Star.
"What is it?" Victoria asked him, knowing he would hear her.
He motioned up to the glowing star, and then turned her attention to the dance. _She is speaking in sign language. _He told her.
Victoria stared, watching her, realizing Felipe was right. According to the motions of her hands, she was singing of the wolves as being bound to her. It was as if she and the Pack were one in the same. Then she went back to the circle, beckoning from sky to the ground, and as she called out for the wolves for the third time, the dust around her stirred again.
The people in the pueblo stared in horror as the tracks of wolves appeared in the dust, along with the howls that were becoming louder by the second.
Diego shook himself, turned back toward the tent and ran.
In the entryway, Corporal Gomez was staring in shock as Cassie continued singing with the wolves, now visibly running around her. When Diego entered, he again pointed the gun at him, although this time, he looked less sure of himself.
Diego looked from the Corporal to the rifle, then back at the wolves in the plaza. "Shoot me." He snapped, pushing the Corporal aside.
Behind him, Sergeant Mendoza ran into the tent. "Madre de Dios! Do you _see_ the size of those things?!" He cried, panicking.
"We have to get him out of here." Diego told him quickly, approaching the cage, where Harley was howling in anger at not being in the circle. "Where's the key?"
"The Alcalde has it." Gomez told him, terrified.
Diego groaned, and then snatched the Corporal's gun. "Get back." He ordered, taking aim at the lock.
The two exchanged a glance and quickly fled the tent as the gun went off.
ZZZZZZZZZZZ
Out in the plaza, Victoria and Alejandro heard the gunshot, and seeing the officers run from the tent, started to rush toward it. They jumped back fast, as Harley burst through the entryway, and ran to where the Pack was now standing, flanking Cassie's sides as she approached Luis Ramone.
Diego walked, slowly out of the tent, dropping the rifle as he met up with his father and Victoria. "What's going on?" He asked, uncertainly, looking exhausted.
"I'm not sure." Don Alejandro replied.
Ramone stared as Cassie grabbed him by his lapels, holding the sword to his throat.
"Cassandra!" Diego shouted, moving forward.
Barely acknowledging Diego's presence, Cassie released the Alcalde, and looked deeply into his eyes. _I tell you this once and only once. _Victoria heard in mind-speech . . . but the rest of it was apparently for the Alcalde's ears alone, because she heard nothing more as Ramone frowned, confused, but obviously listening to her.
The people in the pueblo plaza could only stare as it appeared the Wolfgirl was communicating silently to the Alcalde. Not one heard anything, even when she returned her sword to its sheath, and left him standing there.
Ramone, staring blankly after her, backed away. He seemed to have had no idea what she had meant, and yet, he made no move to go after her.
The wolves behind her did not move. Harley had rejoined what could only be his parents; the largest pair of wolves in the entire Pack.
Victoria frowned. Did Diego releasing the animal stop the attack? And what was it that Cassie had told the Alcalde? He seemed to look completely speechless, which was very odd for him.
Cassie turned, eyeing the lancers, who were still posted around the pueblo. As she did this, every lancer dropped his gun to the ground. Not one of them made any move to attack.
Seeing this Cassie turned to the wolves and nodded. At her signal, the entire Pack turned and ran toward the entryway to the pueblo. As they reached the place Cassie had first appeared, they all vanished, their howls echoing across the desert.
The people in the plaza were finally able to breathe their first sigh of relief since the animal had first arrived.
Cassie turned to leave, and then stopped, frowning. Looking alarmed, she stared directly at Diego.
Diego did not meet her gaze, much to Victoria's surprise. In fact, it seemed he was having trouble focusing at all. Before Cassie could even approach, he collapsed to the ground gasping, as if he could not breathe.
"Diego!" Victoria cried, frantically.
Don Alejandro knelt beside his son, trembling. "Diego, what is it?"
Cassie knelt beside him, and drew a dagger. In seconds, she had sliced his sleeve open, revealing three small inflamed scratches.
Victoria's face turned white. "Is- is that the poison?" She asked, uncertain, and yet terrified.
Cassie met her gaze. _Yes. He will not be able to breathe. Tornado comes now._
"What poison?" Don Alejandro demanded, not hearing the mind-speech.
"The wolves, they are poisonous." Victoria told him, tears streaking her face. "Harley must have scratched him when he opened the cage."
Tornado's cry interrupted them as the stallion rode into the pueblo, without a rider. Odd, that his master would not be with him, Victoria mused, frowning. Where was Zorro? Had he been thrown off when the horses had stampeded away?
_Put him on the horse now! _Cassie ordered, interrupting any whispers about Zorro.
By the time Diego was loaded onto the horse, he was unconscious. Cassie leapt up behind him and Tornado took off at break-neck speed . . . . and just as quickly as she had appeared, she and Tornado vanished . . . and with them Diego was also gone.
Don Alejandro stared after them. "Diego." He whispered, as he collapsed to the ground in despair. "No, oh no." He moaned.
"There is a cure." Victoria told him as she knelt beside him.
"Do you know that for sure?" The old Don asked, quietly, not meeting her gaze.
"Zorro said that Tornado told him it could only be found in the Woods where the Neverwolves live." Victoria replied.
"And where exactly is that?" Don Alejandro asked, staring at the place they had vanished.
Victoria looked at the ground. "I don't know." She admitted. "I was told that it had six moons, so I didn't think it could be anywhere near here.
"Six moons?" Mendoza asked, suddenly. "That would mean it's on some other world!"
The group cast a look up toward the heavens, in silence. Each one wondering the same thing. Would they ever see Diego again?
"How would Tornado know of such things?" Don Alejandro asked after a moment of silence. "And how would he _tell_ Zorro about it?"
Victoria met his gaze. "Cassandra talks to her wolves with her mind." She explained. "When she came, she was able to communicate the same with Diego, Zorro, Felipe, and I. Because of this, Zorro was able to talk to Tornado. He said that the Wolf Girl was a legend amongst the animals. They all knew of her, but had never seen her. He had only heard what was in the legend. Zorro checked Harley's claws to find out if it were true."
"And he couldn't bother to tell Diego?!" Don Alejandro demanded, angry.
"Diego knew." Victoria replied slowly.
"So the wolf scratched him for letting him out." Alejandro replied, thoughtful. "A fine way to say thank you, I would think!"
"I think it was an accident, Don Alejandro." Mendoza put in, quietly. "I don't think Harley even realized he'd done anything."
"Cassie would not let Diego die." Victoria told Alejandro, sternly. "She didn't mean for it to happen, anyone could see that."
"And she would not have taken him with her unless she intended to help him." Mendoza added. "I guess that means she will bring him back from where ever she took him."
"Where ever that is." Don Alejandro retorted, drily.
Felipe tapped Victoria and pointed upward toward the sky.
"He's right." She agreed.
"About what?"
"There was one star earlier when she was singing that was brighter than any others." Victoria told them, and motioned to the star near the North Star, which was now very small and dull.
"How could that have six moons?" Mendoza asked eyeing the little star.
"You don't know how far away that is." Victoria reminded him.
Don Alejandro sighed. "I need to get some sleep." He finally replied, defeated. "Please remember to pray for my son."
Victoria and Mendoza nodded.
Off to the side, Felipe had listened to the exchange. He too was worried. He knew Cassie would not forget Diego had helped her, but down inside, he also knew that a human being could not be without air for very long before he died, and Diego had not been breathing when they'd loaded him onto Tornado.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
In his office, Luis Ramone had completely ignored what had happened after Cassie had released him. He had blankly walked back into his office and shut the door. Sitting at his desk, he frowned, thinking.
Chewing his lip, he pulled out a pen and paper. Carefully, he wrote down the words she had told him.
_"The secret you seek leads only to death._
_When one life shall end, and another begin._
_That which was whole, shall only be half._
_When destiny calls you, again you will live._
_And then, only then, will they learn to forgive."_
Confused, Ramone stared at the paper. What on earth was this supposed to mean? Was he going to die over a secret? And what secret was it that she was talking about? The only secret he'd ever wanted to know was the identity of Zorro. Did she mean that it was going to kill him to find out? And what was that part about coming back to life? And what would only be half? Half of what?!
Shaking himself, he folded the paper and placed it into his desk. Perhaps he would figure it out later. Without a word, Ramone stood, and walked, almost in a trance, into his quarters. He didn't even bother to look outside before he wrenched his boots off and collapsed onto his bed. He was asleep before he could even take off his clothes.
9. Chapter 9
**Chapter Nine: "A Future Promise"**
**Diary of the Wolfgirl/ The Neverwoods; May 1822**
**As I sit here at the cliff top overlooking the Neverwoods,**
**I have a lot to think about. Diego-Fox is nearly recovered**
**his injury. He seems to understand it was purely **
**accidental that he was hurt. Harley has already **
**apologized, and although Diego-Fox assures him he**
**holds nothing against Harley, Harley still feels **
**badly about it. **
**We will be returning Diego-Fox to his people as soon**
**as night falls. I will leave with him something that**
**will tie into his future. I know not how, and I know**
**not why, but I have a strong leading to leave with him**
**the Fire Amulet. Diego-Fox is not the Warrior who will**
**awaken the Amulet's sleep, but I believe Los Angeles **
**is the place where it will be awakened, so therefore I will **
**leave it in Diego-Fox's keep. He will protect it. **
**When the Day of the Amulet arrives and they are all**
**finally awakened from their sleep, we shall all meet **
**again, but there will be a new evil to fight. Yet, still**
**I sense that those days are still a great many years **
**away.**
**Night is falling. It is time to go.**
**The Neverwoods in the Home of the Neverwolves**
* * *
Diego opened his eyes and sat up. He seemed to be more aware this time, he noted. He knew he had been in this make-shift bed of leaves for more than a day now, but he couldn't recall more than half of it.
According to the She-wolf who had been looking after him when Cassie was not available, he had been delirious and feverish from the Neverwolf poison. He knew Harley felt bad that he'd gotten hurt, but really, all Diego cared was that Victoria and the people in the Pueblo were unharmed.
Diego looked around the den. No sign of Cassie. Over in the corner, a mother wolf sat with four pups greedily nursing. Beside her, Harley was seated, watching intently, the smallest pup. This was Spike, Diego somehow knew. The pup who had survived when her mother had been killed.
After having seen the way these animals acted around each other, Diego wondered how anyone could ever consider them to be the cold, heartless creatures they were made out to be. No, he could never hold anything against Harley. He had only done what was in his instincts to do. It was the humans who had made the mistake of underestimating the power of the Pack.
Standing up, Diego looked around the den again. None of the wolves was even giving him a second glance. Slowly, he walked toward the entryway. He stepped out of the den, into a massively wooded area. The trees were so thick, he couldn't see any part of the sky.
_I was wondering when you were going to get up. _A voice spoke up in his mind.
Diego turned his head. Tornado stood beside a very thick trunked redwood, munching on grass.
"Tornado." Diego spoke up, grinning. "How are you, old friend?"
_I like this place._ The horse replied in mind speech. _It is very peaceful. I cannot imagine why Harley would ever want to leave it._
_I don't think he knew what the world was like outside of these woods. _Diego responded, as he looked around. _Have you seen Cassie?_
_She is on the cliff top. _Tornado answered, tossing his head in the general direction. _But she is coming back down. She says it is time for us to go back home. They are worried about us there._
* * *
**LOS ANGELES, CA MAY 1822, DE LA VEGA HACIENDA IN ZORRO'S CAVE**
Felipe woke with a start hearing Tornado's snort above him. He'd gone to the Cave to be alone and think, and he had fallen asleep on a bed of straw. Looking up, he saw Tornado's nose and the horse backed up slightly.
Felipe jumped up and looked around, but the horse was without a rider. He frowned, until a voice entered his mind.
_Come into the hacienda. Diego-Fox is returned and wishes to see you before he is sent to bed, and Zorro can come out._
Grinning, Felipe ran over to the peep-hole, finding no one in the room, he snuck through secret door and ran to the entry way where Don Alejandro was hugging his son.
Cassie stood off to the side with her own smile and gave him a nod. _He will be fine. Does not worry, but I would like to speak to you, Zorro, Victoria, and Sergeant Mendoza alone later tonight._
Felipe nodded.
**LOS ANGELES, PUEBLO, MAY 1822**
Victoria sighed as she swept the floor inside the tavern, well after closing time. It had been almost two days and Diego, Tornado, nor Zorro had been seen since Cassie and her Pack had vanished. The Alcalde had actually slept for a full twenty-four hours after she'd left and seemed to have little memory of anything after when Cassie had spoken only for his ears. He did not find out about Diego until he awakened a day and a half later, when Mendoza had quietly told him.
Although Ramone had expressed his sympathy to Don Alejandro, it was unclear as to whether he truly meant it. Ramone had little hope for Diego returning at all.
As for Victoria, she had done some thinking to herself in the quiet hours of the night after Diego had vanished. Serious thinking. Zorro had never appeared the night of the Full Moon, only his horse, who had come at Cassie's command. Then Zorro had also not been seen since the vanishing. Somehow Victoria knew that had Zorro been able, he would have come to see her after the events of the Pack's would-be attack. Most people of the Pueblo had agreed that Zorro had been likely thrown from his horse when the wolves had arrived, and not made it in time to the Pueblo to help, but they decided that he must have seen everything was alright and stayed out of sight.
Victoria herself, had another theory. There had been too much evidence. Actions Diego had made in the times he actually acted on his emotions before he covered it up . . . hints he had dropped to her at times, and even hints Zorro had dropped to her back when she had taken a bullet in his place. Somehow she realized what she had already known since the night the illusive Fox had broken her and Don Alejandro out of jail. Zorro had been in the plaza the night the Pack came, and Zorro, indeed, had saved them all by releasing Harley. Yet, this time, he had acted without his mask.
As the sly smile crept across her lips, as she lay in her bed, looking through the open window at the almost full moon above, Victoria almost laughed. She would never reveal to anyone what she knew, not even to Diego himself. She would keep the illusion Diego had created hidden deeply within her heart, until the day came when they would finally declare their love. Only then would she reveal she had already known.
A noise on the roof above caused her to jump, startled, but as the figure darkened the light of the opened window, she sat up, revealing she was fully dressed and waiting.
"I knew you'd be coming back sooner or later." She whispered, throwing off the sheet.
Zorro grinned. "Cassie has returned with Diego and Tornado." He informed her, with a bow of greeting and a kiss on her hand. "She commands our presence at the De la Vega Hacienda, and I came to get you. I believe she has something to say."
"Oh thank God." Victoria breathed, allowing him to lead her out the window, and help her down to a waiting Tornado. "Is Diego able to receive a visitor?" She asked, as they rode out of the Pueblo.
"I believe Diego was sent straight to bed." Zorro replied, softly. "He has been through a rough recovery and Don Alejandro wanted him to sleep through the night at least, before seeing anyone."
"Oh I see." Victoria responded, with a secretive smile her companion did not see. "I'll come to see him in the morning then."
"I'm sure he'd appreciate that." Zorro responded.
**EPILOGUE**
In the aftermath of the entire adventure, the people of Los Angeles were finally able to get back to their normal routine. After Don Alejandro and (they thought) Diego had gone off to bed, Cassie spoke alone to the humans who had helped her most. Although Diego was not present at the time, Cassie did mention he also heard and was part of the prophecy she was bestowing upon them all.
She placed in the hands of Zorro, a red Amulet, with strange markings around the sides. The markings, in the common tongue read, _"Fire burns forth to the Warrior True."_
After handing him this and telling him to bury it where none would find it, she spoke for their ears alone a prophecy, as she touched them on the forehead, one by one; Zorro, Victoria, Felipe, Mendoza, and Tornado.
"_The Amulet of Fire, I leave in your keep;_
_Until the Day when the Warrior awakens its sleep._
_At that time, you'll fly, as Part of the Pack;_
_To defend us all from Evil's Attack."_
* * *
The Alcalde never mentioned the message he'd received from Cassie, nor did he ever forget it. And when the time finally came and the secret he'd so longed for did eventually take his life, a single Dark Elf came to his side when all had gone.
The heart was still beating, although the back was broken and the spine was severed, his life could still be saved. But in order for him to recover all his wounds, he would sacrifice half of his humanity and become half Elf. He would eventually return to live in the land of the humans once again, but that is another story and another time.
As for the De la Vegas', in his thanks for saving Diego's life and returning to him his only son, Don Alejandro gave Cassie a black filly. Said to have been sired by Tornado himself, Cassie named the baby Night Mare.
**The End**
* * *
_**To my dear readers who have stuck with this story throughout, and to you who discovered it later and kept on pestering me about finishing it. Thank you for your comments and your advice. It was for all of you that I have finally finished this story . . . a story that has been in the making for over 14 years, back when I first started the original version in a green wire ruled notebook. **_
_**I hope the ending was worth the wait, and as for the continuation of this "When Worlds Collide" posted on Sven's page, although it doesn't yet include the Zorro characters, it DOES include the Wolfgirl. We'll see how it goes about completing it. Sven is the one writing it so no promises as she's stopped completely with the spoofs, but I'll ask about this one. If not I can always try to complete it myself.**_
_**--Thank you for your continued support. **_
_**Cassi (Evilspoofauthor2)**_
End file.
| Wrath of the Wolfgirl by evilspoofauthorCassi | Zorro |
1. Zorro Don Diego
Disclaimer :Zorro nor any characters in this show belongs to me. This is just for fun, for all the fans of Zorro out there. This is a rewrite of part of the episode Zorro takes a dare.
I had gave the soldiers the slip, as I ran back up stairs going into my room before anybody saw me. Going into my room, I shut the door behind me, knowing an open door could cause some of the soldiers to wonder, since my counterpart Don Diego was not at home this night. Rushing over, I pushed the little hidden button that allow part of the wall to slid open showing my secret passage way in and out of my house. Entering, I am surprised at first that the Excellency was there staring me in the face with a sword at hand. Knowing in order to keep people from finding out who I was, I was in need to fight his Excellency. Closing the passage way, kept from anybody coming in and spoiling our little fun. The fight started great, with me having the upper hand, but somehow he was able to catch me off guard. His sword fighting was great, but mine was greater. Our swords clashed against each other, making the noises of steel hitting together. My mine off for a slight second of wondering how Bernardo was since that was who the Excellency was here for. His Excellency must had sensed my distance as he took it as advantage, as his sword drew blood from a cut on my left arm. Knowing it was just a scratch, it brought me back to my fight.
Although, I knew this was not going to end well as all we could do was move back in forth. I was so used to fights being out in the open, it became different as we was stuck in this small room, with hardly any room to move. His sword again moved bringing blood again, although on my right arm this time, then following some cuts of both my legs. Being taught to never give up, I knew I could not give up, but the cuts he had been placing on me, was loosing some blood, as my vision blurred. Cursing under my breath, I knew this could in fact be the down fall to Zorro. Not knowing how, I ended up facing the opposite way, as the next thing I knew, I felt the cold steel of his sword come across my back, making a deep long gash. I gritted my teeth against the pain, falling to my knees onto my stomach. I looked up seeing that the Excellency knew he had me right where he want me, as he moved to the door opening the secret passage way, going to tell the others. After I watched him leave, I tried slowly moving to the door trying to close it, but could not find the strength in myself.
As if sensing my pain, Bernardo rushed up the secret stairs, saw me, looked at the open door, and then rushed to my side. I told him that his Excellency found the secret passage way, and had done this to me, as he was going to go tell the others about me. Bernardo's face became angry, as he rushed out the opening and I heard a shot as Bernardo came back in saying, His Excellency was dead, being shot. Closing the door, kept from people coming in to find Zorro injured. The pain was almost fighting to over take me, but I knew Bernardo had to get me onto the bed down in the chamber to stop my bleeding. Getting me to my feet, was easier said then done, as Bernardo placed my right arm over his head, lifting me, almost with none of my help. Slowly we walked down a few flight of stairs, down into the cave that held my black horse, and some medical supplies.
I had Bernardo first remove my mask, and cape, then tearing the remains of my shirt off, as I was much to weak to remove them my self. Bernardo took care of my small cuts first, and then all his attention went to the long deep cut, I had on my back. I knew by the way I felt, it would take a while to heal. Bernardo took some stitches, and needle, as I watched him thread them, before moving. Bernardo helped me lay down onto a little colt we had built down there, in case of an emergency. Handing a bottle of wine to me, I pushed it away, not really thirsty, plus just wanting this over with. Before starting, I felt liquid pour onto my skin, making me tense, as it burned like fire. Looking up at Bernardo's face, I could see that he didn't want to cause me any pain. Telling him, that I be fine, he started as I could feel every little stitch, pulling the wound back shut. My vision started to blur again, as I tried to focus my eyes, but the pain over took my whole body. Keeping my eyes shut, I figured it best, then trying to focus. Finally, I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding in, as Bernardo finished with the last stitch.
I must had passed out, as my vision went black, as next thing I knew, I awoke in my room. My father was sitting in a chair, next to me as Bernardo was sleeping in the chair near the fireplace. I tried to sit up, but was reminded of my injures as it brought pain back to my mind. Sensing my pain, my father looked over, and raised his hand, telling me to not move, or I could end up opening my wound. Figuring it was a smart idea, I did what I was told, laying back down. The next few weeks were boring, as my father plus Bernardo made sure I was to stay in bed. Finally after the wound had healed, I was back on my feet, practicing fencing, getting back into my routine of Zorro.
2. Bernardo
Wondering why the soldiers where there for me, I ran into the kitchen going into the secret chamber. Knowing that Don Diego aka Zorro was already dressed and read to fight off the guards. Going further into the secret passageway, I watched through a little hole as Zorro was fighting the guards. As he ran out of the room, I stayed watching until, I felt a reason to go up to the passage way into Diego's room. As I came up the stairs, I was shocked to see my best friend Diego on the ground beside the door going into his room was wide open. Rushing to his side, Diego informed me that the Excellency had found the hideout and was going to tell everyone. Knowing I had to do something, my face turned angry as I rushed into his room onto the balcony, where I saw his Excellency get shot. Returning to Diego's side, I used my hands to tell him that he was dead, since I could not speak. Knowing I had to take care of his wounds, I helped Diego to his feet, as we slowly walked down to where his horse was, as we had all the supplies there. I obeyed him as I removed his mask, plus cape, laying him down onto the colt, seeing as he was already to weak to do so. Tearing his shirt off, I gasped at his cuts especially the long one on his back. Knowing it would help the pain, I handed Diego a bottle of wine but he pushed it away. Diego looked up at me knowing I didn't wanna cause him pain. His body tensed up as I poured liquid onto his wounds. Fixing his small cuts, I moved on to stitch up his long cut pulling his skin back together. I watched as the pain was to much for Diego, as he passed out. Diego father helped me get his son up into his bed, as the next couple weeks, we made him stay in bed. Finally he was able to get better, as he was able to become Zorro again.
End file.
| Zorro Takes A Dare by sting12 | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
**Scared**
Chapter 1
Diego had offered to join Victoria on her way to Santa Paula where she wanted to go to the bank. It gave him the opportunity to spend some time with the woman he loved.
The attack from the bandits came as a surprise. "We need only the girl," he heard them say. "She will tell us the identity of Zorro after we had some fun with her."
"Only over my dead body," Diego challenged them in a controlled voice. Diego cursed himself for not having come as Zorro. Then he would have had his sword with him. He grabbed the whip from the wagon and pulled three bandits from their feet. From one of the men he drew a sword after he had knocked him out.
Afterwards Victoria couldn't tell anymore what had happened. The men had threatened her and Diego had fought with surprising agility. He nearly managed to defeat them all, but then there was a shot from behind.
"Victoria," he had cried out and she had seen the look in his eyes before he fell to the ground.
Victoria had screamed as he went down. She had grabbed a pistol from the ground and without aiming she had shot at the men. She hadn't hit them but a little later Mendoza and his men had arrived. They had been patrolling in the area and come to their rescue when they heard the shooting. The soldiers had arrested the fleeing bandits and Mendoza had taken care of the rest.
When Mendoza arranged for Diego to be taken to the hacienda, she hadn't been able to say anything. While the doctor treated Diego, Alejandro had asked her what had happened.
"Zorro, he didn't come," she cried, pulling at her hair, "Zorro didn't come." Alejandro realized that she was under shock. He insisted she stayed at the hacienda though she wanted to return to the tavern. "Zorro will come to the tavern to see if I'm alright, won't he?" she sobbed, covering her face with her hands.
"Victoria, you're under shock, you can't return to the tavern in your state. But I'm sure Zorro will find a way to see you, no matter where you are."
Alejandro couldn't understand why she was so obsessed with seeing Zorro when it was Diego who was severely injured.
But how could he understand when he hadn't seen Diego fighting for her. She clung to the idea that Diego wasn't Zorro. It just couldn't be. If Zorro was someone else, it would mean that he was safe and that the man she loved so deeply wasn't on the verge of dying in the room next door, because he had saved her life. But she had seen his eyes when she had tried to stop the bleeding while he was lying in her lap soaking her skirt with his blood. She'd never forget the way he had looked at her. But it couldn't be. He couldn't be dying. Not him. She loved him and she couldn't live without him.
A glass was pressed into her shaking hands and the doctor told her to drink the bitter tasting medicine. She didn't care at all and without resistance she let a maid take care of her. The maid stripped her of her blood soaked clothes, washed her and put her to bed. She was already asleep from the potion when the doctor looked for her again a little later.
Alejandro stayed at the side of his son's bed, praying for his life. Diego had lost a lot of blood and the doctor had done all he could, but he stayed at the hacienda to check on his patient's condition and change the dressings. The shot itself had missed vital organs, but the loss of blood could kill him. Fortunately his patient was in a better physical condition then most. There was still hope that he might survive.
Z Z Z
It was a lonely night for Alejandro while he kept vigil over his son. From what he heard from Mendoza, one of the bandits had confessed that they wanted to kidnap Victoria and when Diego had started to defend themselves, he had been shot.
"Diego, my son, how could that happen to you? When you're never involved in a fight?"
Alejandro didn't understand what had happened. Victoria hadn't been able to tell much. He had never seen her in such a state before. The events had shocked her utterly and the doctor had thought it best to have her put to bed with a sleeping potion.
The next morning she appeared to be calm again, asking him about Diego and when she heard that there wasn't any change, she showed no emotion. Alejandro wanted her to stay and recover, but she insisted on returning to the tavern.
2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
At the tavern she tried to concentrate on her work, but her helpers soon noticed that she hadn't overcome the shock from the events yet. She was lost in thoughts and when Pilar entered the kitchen unnoticed by her, she frightened and dropped the dishes. Shaking she stared at the broken fragments on the floor without making any move to pick them up.
Everything in the kitchen reminded her of Zorro and the times he had come to see her. She wanted him to visit her right now and kiss her, even for a brief moment. Then she would know that he was alright and not close to death in his bed.
At siesta time she couldn't stand it any longer. She needed to see Diego, how he was doing and she needed proof that he was really Zorro. Before she left for the de la Vega hacienda, she went up to her room and packed the two things that bound her closely to Zorro, the engagement ring and the mask he had given her.
"Victoria," Alejandro was surprised to have her come back so soon.
"How is Diego? I'm sorry, Don Alejandro if you got the impression that I don't care, but I do care." Alejandro noticed her shaking hands. "If you need someone to sit by his bed and relieve you, I'm here."
"That's really nice of you, Victoria. I could use some sleep in my own bed, after sitting in this chair most of the night. Felipe has taken his turn and I have sent him off to bed."
"How is Diego?" Victoria repeated anxiously, trying to hide her state by keeping her hands behind her back.
"He's very weak from his loss of blood. The doctor isn't sure he will make it." Alejandro was depressed.
"Has he been awake?"
"From time to time he opened his eyes and said something unintelligible. I'm not sure if he was really conscious or not. I know you were very upset yesterday, Victoria, but can you tell me today what happened during the attack?"
Victoria searched for words and when she thought of the fight, she began to relive the nightmare again. How Diego had fought the men, making her realize that he was the man she loved. And in the moment she had finally found him, he had been shot and now she was going to lose him and her best friend at the same time.
"Everything happened so fast, Don Alejandro, I'm sorry," Victoria stumbled over the words and began to cry.
"I'm sorry, Victoria, I didn't want to upset you again, I only want to understand how he got shot." Alejandro realized that it was of no use to ask Victoria anything about the incident. "Do you really feel good enough to take a vigil at Diego's side?" He was concerned about her.
"It's alright, Don Alejandro, it will help me relax," she lied. "I need to do something and I want to help."
Alejandro was inclined to believe her and left her at Diego's side while she started to moisten his dry lips with a wet cloth. As soon as Alejandro had left her alone, she pulled the black mask out of her bag and unfolded it. She laid it over his face, just the way Zorro used to wear his mask. Standing up, she looked down at his partly covered face. There was no mistake when she looked at him. He featured the same jaw line as Zorro and his mouth was the same too. She didn't need him to open his eyes and look into his blue ones to be absolutely sure who he was. He was Zorro.
Retrieving the mask from his face she put it back in her bag and looked at her finger where she wore her engagement ring. She clasped his hand in a tight grip and tried to keep her tears at bay. "Please," she whispered, "please don't die. You can't leave me alone. You gave me a promise that we'd be married some day. Please, I love you." Holding his hand to her breast she began to cry wetting his fingers with her tears.
But all her praying didn't change a thing. The beating of his heart was still fast and irregular while he was breathing quickly with only shallow intakes.
How long could he survive that until all power left his body? All she could do was to make him sip small amounts of water and wait by his side.
Alejandro found her dozing in the chair while holding Diego's hand in her lap when he came into the room to change places with her.
Alejandro touched her slightly at the shoulder and she looked at him bleary-eyed. "How is he, Victoria?"
"Still the same, fighting for his life." She looked at his unconscious form and wished for him to wake up. Just to have him open his eyes and look at her again. To see the love in his eyes. How could he still love her, after all the things she said to him when she compared him to Zorro. No wonder he had been afraid to remove his mask.
"Victoria, you should take some rest too," Alejandro looked at her concerned. "You're still very pale and I don't think you have fully recovered from yesterday."
"I'm fine," she protested. But then she threw herself in his arms. "He will be alright, won't he?" Alejandro put an arm around her, offering her some comfort. "It's not sure yet, Victoria." He ran with his fingers through his hair. "I still can't understand how it happened. Diego was never involved in any fighting, he should have known that he didn't have a chance against those bandits. Why did he even try?" The worry for his only son had engraved deep lines into his face.
Victoria stared at him, realizing that his father didn't know. She had somehow assumed that Zorro had someone who helped him and thought that it must be his father, but he wasn't.
Had Diego kept the secret to himself, taking it upon him all alone, enduring all the hurtful remarks from everyone? The prospect made it even worse.
She put her hands in her face to hide her tears before she ran out of the room. She hadn't no idea how she could cope with it and wandered aimlessly around, until she stopped in the garden of the hacienda.
She unfolded the mask from her bag again and touched the soft cloth. The same satin cloth as his shirt that she had felt under her hands each time he had taken her in his arms and kissed her.
She would never forget the evening they had shared their first kiss. She had recovered enough from being shot to walk around and then he had been standing there, unnoticed by her at first. He had suggested her to marry Diego, but she hadn't understood. Instead she had thrown herself in his arms and they had kissed until he had reluctantly let her go because his father had been calling for him. Later she had found his mask at the wall. Why hadn't she made the connection earlier?
Diego had told her once that he loved a woman who was in love with another man. Was that how he perceived it? That she only loved the legend and not the man? How had he managed to play the double role for such a long time?
Putting her fingers through the eye holes in the mask she remembered his blue eyes who had always shown his feelings for her so vividly. Through his eyes she had looked into his soul and she knew now that he had hidden much more of himself when he hadn't worn a black mask.
She didn't know how long she had stayed there in the garden. "Victoria, Victoria?" Alejandro was calling for her. Coming out of her thoughts, she quickly put back the mask and she also remembered to take off the ring she had worn while keeping vigil. Unintentionally the stone was turned to the inside so Alejandro couldn't have recognized it earlier.
"Ah, there you are." Alejandro spotted her on a bench in the shades. "The doctor just checked on Diego and he told me that he has improved a little. So there is hope yet that he will make it."
"Thank you, Don Alejandro, for telling me." Victoria managed a small smile. So there was hope, but hope wasn't enough. He could still die. She wouldn't give in to hope until she knew for sure.
"Do you want to come in, Victoria? It's been some time since you had something to eat."
"I'm not hungry, Don Alejandro," she replied, but nonetheless she followed him inside.
Alejandro looked at her pale blank face. He had hoped she'd be happy to hear the news, but she showed no emotion. If he hadn't seen her tears earlier, he'd think she didn't care. How could she stay so emotionless?
Victoria went to Diego's room to look for him. Though it wasn't much, there was a slight change to be seen. His breathing seemed to be slower and deeper. "Please, wake up," she whispered, "don't leave me!" She caressed his cheek that felt unusual cold to her touch.
On Alejandro's insistence she stayed for dinner, but it was a quiet meal. Neither Victoria nor Alejandro were in the mood to talk much when their thoughts were with Diego and Felipe was at Diego's side. Victoria barely managed to eat the soup while she looked at the empty seat where Diego used to sit at dinner. Everything around her reminded her of Diego and without his presence she felt empty inside. Some drops of tomato soup on the table-cloth brought back the image of Diego's blood soaking his white shirt and how she had tried to stop the bleeding.
Someone took the spoon out of her shaking hand and put it back on the plate. When she looked up she saw Alejandro standing beside her chair.
"It's alright, Victoria," Alejandro said gently, " You're still under shock."
"I'm sorry," she cried, "there was so much blood. It was so terrible. I can't eat anymore. I'd rather go to bed if you excuse me."
"Do you need another potion to help you sleep?"
"Thank you, Don Alejandro. I'll try without one first."
Alejandro looked at her concerned as she slowly went to the room she had already occupied last night. He had thought that she had overcome the shock already, but she seemed to be completely shaken though she had looked so calm earlier. He couldn't understand why she was so out of her mind now. Normally she was a tough woman who wasn't so easily frightened even when she had been attacked in the tavern or kidnapped before.
A maid who had been sent to look for Victoria alarmed him to come to her room. Crying helplessly Victoria was sitting on the floor with her knees up to her chin, clutching her bag.
"Victoria, you need to sleep and relax," Alejandro tried to get through to her. "It will help you to get over the shock." Felipe vanished from the room, only to return a few minutes later with a small cup he pressed in her hands.
"That's cactus tea," Victoria exclaimed after she had tasted it. "I had that before. It made me so sleepy."
"Diego takes it sometimes when he can't sleep," Alejandro explained. "Felipe makes it for him."
Victoria looked at Felipe and she knew then who was Zorro's accomplice. At her questioning look Felipe nodded slightly.
"Drink it all and the maid will help you to go to bed. Tomorrow we'll talk again."
"Thank you," Victoria mumbled already getting sleepy from the tea.
3. Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Felipe and Alejandro took turns at Diego's bedside and they noticed with relief how Diego's condition improved during the night. He even opened his eyes regaining consciousness for brief moments without saying anything.
Z Z Z
The next day Victoria wanted to do vigil at Diego's bed though Alejandro was very reluctant about it. "Victoria, first of all you should take care of yourself. You haven't recovered yet."
"Please, Don Alejandro, I need to do something. I don't know if I can work again today and sitting by Diego's bed is at least something useful. It's not that straining when he is on the mend."
Since she was insistent about it, he let her sit by Diego's bed. "Felipe will come later to relieve you, Victoria. And if you want to talk, I'm here."
"Thank you, Don Alejandro," Victoria smiled a little.
As soon as she was alone with Diego she took his hand again, placing a kiss on it. Then she put her head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat. Tears of relief ran down her cheeks when she felt the slow and steady beat of his heart.
"Don't cry," she felt a hand touch her hair.
"Diego," she exclaimed surprised, "You're awake!"
Before he could say anything more she kissed his lips. With surprising strength he responded to the kiss, opening her lips with his tongue to start an exploration of her mouth.
When they parted again, his lips curved up to a smile that lightened up his eyes.
"You're supposed to be too weak for that from your loss of blood," she chided him.
"You just sped up my recovery," he grinned. He started to choke and she saw the effort it took him to speak as he paled. With his hand he reached out to touch her face, but missed the strength to lift his arm high enough. His hand fell powerless to the side of his head.
"I'm here," Victoria whispered and lay her face on his hand on the pillow. "Don't use up your strength." She cupped his cheek with one hand while facing each other and he smiled before he fell asleep again.
Victoria stayed some time with her head on the pillow beside him, but Diego didn't wake up again until Felipe came to relieve her.
Z Z Z
Diego's health was improving during the next days and he could sit up in his bed again and have a longer talk, but he needed to stay in bed for a while longer.
When Diego didn't sleep, it was either Alejandro or Victoria and of course Felipe who kept him company in his conscious moments. Victoria hardly left Diego's side and Alejandro was surprised how close the two of them suddenly were. He had even caught them kissing once, but since Diego was still very weak and couldn't do much there was no reason to keep them apart.
"Diego, what about you and Victoria?" he asked his son in a quiet moment. "I must say I'm a bit concerned about Victoria."
"Why's that, Father?" Diego asked curiously.
"When you were attacked she got a severe shock and she wasn't able to tell what really happened. She only complained that Zorro hadn't been there for the rescue and was frantic to see him. That's why she returned to her tavern the next day."
"She asked for Zorro?" Diego asked incredulously.
"Yes, she was completely shaken. I thought she had gotten over it the next day, but she hadn't. I'm not sure if she has recovered yet."
"That's why you're concerned, Father?"
"I'm not sure if her sudden dedication to you is not a result of her feeling guilty that you got shot while defending her. And once she has overcome it, she returns to Zorro. I don't want you to get hurt, son."
"I'm sure that won't happen, Father, but I'll talk with her."
Z Z Z
When Victoria visited him later, Diego eyed her critically and noticed how strained she looked.
"What's wrong, Victoria?" Diego asked her, running his fingers through her hair after she had bent down to share a passionate kiss. "I'm feeling much better and I'm not going to die anymore. You should be happy and relax again."
"I'm alright, Diego," Victoria affirmed, but Diego knew her too well.
"That's not true Victoria," Diego contradicted her, "so tell me what bothers you. My father told me that you were out of your mind after I was shot and that you were calling for Zorro to come. But I know that you found out who I am during the fight or you wouldn't have kissed me when I woke up. Why call for Zorro when you knew that I was him?"
Victoria began to cry. "I just couldn't stand it to lose you. I only wished Zorro to be someone else so I wouldn't lose you and Zorro at the same time. Please, Diego, don't leave me. I can't live without you." Sobbing she sank into his arms.
"It's alright, querida, I'm here. You won't lose me anymore." Diego stroked her hair, holding her tight while she kept on crying. He understood that she was utterly scared from nearly losing him and that it would take some time until she overcame the shock.
Z Z Z
Their engagement was no surprise in the pueblo to all who had seen Victoria shift her love from Zorro to Diego, after Diego had nearly died. Victoria explained that she had only now realized how much Diego meant to her when she had been about to lose him.
That was probably the reason Zorro no longer came to the pueblo after he had lost his love to Don Diego.
But it had been Victoria who kept him from riding as Zorro. First of all Diego needed time to recover enough to go riding again. The doctor told him not to put any strain on the side where he had been injured or the wound might break up again. So he had to stick to a carriage until he was healed.
He saw Victoria's relief when she heard he wouldn't be riding as Zorro any time soon. To imagine him facing the garrison all alone scared her now when she hadn't given it much thought before.
"I'm sorry, Diego, but I don't know if I can ever face that again," Victoria turned pale at the memory and Diego put an arm around her, gently pulling her tight. "I don't want to see you lying in your blood once more. Now I know how easily a shot can kill you, even if you're the best swordsman in California. I can't get that picture out my mind and it scares me to death."
"There won't be any reason for Zorro to come into the pueblo when you're here at the hacienda and married to me. And while I wait for my injury to heal, the caballeros will have to find other ways to deal with the alcalde instead of relying on Zorro." Diego kissed her tenderly and he knew that his days as Zorro were finished. Now that she knew his identity, he couldn't ask her to wait patiently at home for Zorro without knowing if he returned at all.
She would never be able to cope with it, because she loved him too much to face the prospect of losing him.
Z Z Z
The wedding took place a few weeks later as soon as the doctor declared Diego fully healed again.
After the wedding Diego led his wife into the library and slipped with her into the cave. "I have a wedding gift for you, Victoria," Diego smiled at her.
"Another one, Diego?" Victoria asked surprised. "But you already gave me that necklace."
On the desk in the cave was a small box that felt very light when she lifted it. Inside she saw some black cloth and it unfolded as two pieces with eye holes in. "Your masks, Diego?" she asked him questioningly.
"My mask and my spare one too," he confirmed. "As long as you have them, I can't ride as Zorro."
"You're giving up Zorro for me?" Victoria asked him incredulously. And when he nodded, he thought he hadn't seen her smile so happily since the day he had been shot. "This is the best wedding gift of all!" She leaped into his arms to kiss him and he knew he had made the right decision.
The END
End file.
| Scared by katie1999 | Zorro |
Found
**_Found_**
_"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." - Elizabeth Stone_
For the first time in his life he's frightened.
It's getting late, he thinks, hours since it happened. The smell of death and gunpowder still lingers in the air and he can't comprehend how he's found himself here, alone and lost.
He's young, too young to fully understand death, to realize that when people die they cease to exist in this world, that they can be cruelly snatched away, love stolen from you, leaving you alone.
When Don Diego sees the child he's huddled against the base of a tree, tears falling silently from eyes that seem too big for his thin face.
He looks up as he approaches, swiping at the tears, looking at the stranger, into the kind eyes and at the strong, outstretched arms.
He's a tiny and fragile child, as light as a sparrow, and Diego holds him as gently as the birds with broken wings that he nursed back to health when he was a child himself.
He can feel the boy's heart beating through the thin fabric of his shirt, feel his chest lift with a soundless sob.
He carries him to the carriage, climbing up beside him, and lightly slapping the reins for the horse to hurry away from the battlefield.
After a long time the boy falls asleep, the motion of the carriage lulling him, tears drying on his cheeks, revealing the dark smudges of exhaustion through the trails of dirt. Diego removes his cloak and drapes it over the child, pausing to tenderly run a hand over his hair. He looks down at the tiny hand resting in his large one, and feels his heart break.
He's almost home when he realizes that in all this time the child has never let go.
End file.
| Found by Cruelest Sea | Zorro |
Only one kiss
**Only one kiss**
_Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else._
The vaquero in the tavern demanded another drink after he already had several and Victoria refused.
"Senor, you had already enough. It is better if you leave now," Victoria denied the request with a firm voice.
"Why are you so unfriendly?" the drunken vaquero asked impolitely, restraining her by the arm. "Why don't the two of us have ha little fun?"
"Let me go," Victoria demanded, but the vaquero only laughed. "What will you do if I don't?"
Diego had risen from his chair in her defense. "Let her go!" he demanded angrily.
The vaquero paid him no heed but instead produced a pistol from under the table that he pointed at Victoria.
"You should better keep to you own business, Senor," he addressed Diego. "Now the lady and I will have a little fun."
He began to drag Victoria to the stairs leading to the guest rooms, the pistol pointed between her shoulders the whole time. Victoria was terrified and with wide eyes she looked at Diego who had stopped a few steps before them. The rest of the guest were paralyzed and and only looked at the scene in shock.
"I said let her go!" he repeated in a deep angry voice, but the vaquero continued in the same direction which brought him closer to Diego who was standing by the stairs. The moment they passed by, Diego stepped between Victoria and the pistol. He was fast, but not fast enough to fully distract the shot that loosened from the pistol. He knocked out the man with his right fist when he felt the pain from the shot at his left arm.
The moment it was over, everybody moved to action again. Mendoza quickly came over to manacle the bandit and bring him to prison while he was still unconscious.
"This was marvelous, Don Diego. I never thought you were able to do that," he congratulated him.
"Why did you do that?" Victoria asked still shocked. "You could have been killed if the bullet hadn't missed you." But then she saw the growing red stain on his upper arm.
"You are injured!" she exclaimed. "Let me help you. Remove your shirt and I'll take care of your wound."
Diego tried to ignore the pain in his arm, he knew if others saw the scars on his body it would rise suspicions where a studious man like him got them.
"It is just a scratch. You need not bother about it. Are you alright?" he tried to move the attention away from himself. "I'll go up to one of your rooms and take care of it there."
"Why are you be so demure, Diego?" Victoria asked uncomprehendingly. "But if you insist I will bring you some bandages and something to clean it. You can take the room on the right side of the stairs."
Diego went up to the room where he sat down on the bed relieved to escape the attention of the tavern guests. A few minutes later Victoria arrived with water and alcohol for cleaning and some bandages. Expectantly he waited for her to put down everything and leave again.
"Diego, don't be so coy. Remove your jacket and your shirt and I'll have a look at it. It is the least I can do after you saved my life today. How will you treat yourself with only one arm? I know what to do I have treated my brothers before."
He tried not to move, still waiting for her to leave, but she only stared at him. The pain in his arm made him give in and he sighingly removed his jacket and the left arm of his shirt covering himself as much as possible with the remaining half of his shirt.
"Oh please, Diego! But if you insist," she said annoyed by his shyness.
She looked at him after she had bandaged his arm and couldn't explain why she felt suddenly so attracted to him. Not being able to avert his eyes she wanted to feel his naked skin under her hands and she put her hands on his shoulders under the open shirt. When she kissed him, the world exploded around her. Diego responded to the kiss with a passion she had never expected. Zorro had always restrained himself and kept their kisses short and tender, but Diego was too surprised to hold back giving her the most passionate kiss she had ever received. His muscles felt so good under her touch and the way he explored her mouth left her breathless.
When they drew apart she was stunned by his passion and his suddenly revealed love.
"Oh Diego, why didn't you ever say something?" she whispered. She wanted to say that she hadn't wanted it, but it would be a lie.
But she was in love with Zorro, how could she want Diego at the same time? Confused by her conflicting emotions she turned around and ran out of the door into her room locking the door behind her.
Some minutes later she heard Diego's soft knock at the door, but she ignored it and didn't open to the repeated knocking.
In the evening Zorro came to visit her as she had expected it, but how could she look him in the eyes after she had betrayed him today by kissing another man? She loved him but she couldn't ignore her feelings for Diego either. She loved Zorro, but she wanted Diego as well. When he reached out for her with his hand she didn't rush into his arms as she used to but turned away from him instead.
"Please go, Zorro. I need to be alone tonight."
Zorro was shocked. It was the first time she was sending him away.
"Is something wrong, Querida? Are you angry at me because I wasn't there for you when you were attacked? Tell me what bothers you."
"No, Zorro, I'm not angry at you and I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone. It was an eventful day and I need to rest," she said impatiently.
Zorro knew her well enough that when she wasn't in the mood for talking she wouldn't change her mind about it.
"Sleep well then," the hurt by her behavior audible in his voice he turned around and left as quietly as he had come.
Instead of sleeping she threw herself on the bed crying in her pillow. Why had she made such a mess out of her life? It had been only one kiss that had turned everything upside down. She never knew Diego had such feelings for her. Who would have thought he would kiss her so passionately, showing her how much he wanted her and she wanted him the same. Now she knew she was the woman he loved for so long who was in love with another man.
When she saw Diego the next day in the tavern, she felt the tension between them. The easy friendship she had taken for granted had vanished, now that she knew what he had hidden all these years from her. Diego tried to talk to her in private, but she avoided him as much as possible by making sure she wasn't alone in his company for a single moment until he gave up his efforts having understood the message.
Alejandro soon realized that something was amiss between the two of them and asked Diego if they had a quarrel.
"No, Father, we didn't have a quarrel." It was the truth, since kissing each other couldn't exactly be defined as having a quarrel.
"What else has happened then?" Alejandro inquired. "You saved her life with this foolish act and now she doesn't want to talk to you?"
"Father, I don't want to talk about it." Diego continued drinking slowly his lemonade making clear he wouldn't provide further information about the matter.
Annoyed Alejandro went to the kitchen to talk to Victoria. Victoria was in deep thoughts and hadn't heard him enter. Surprised she dropped the dishes she was carrying when he addressed her.
"Victoria, I'm sorry I startled you. I wanted to know what is wrong between you and Diego. Has he somehow behaved improperly towards you?"
"No Alejandro, it's not Diego's fault, he has done nothing wrong. But if you excuse me, I have to clean up this mess and my customers are waiting to be served."
Frustrated by this insufficient answer Alejandro retreated to the main room again.
Not only Alejandro was frustrated by Victoria's behavior. Diego knew he needed to talk to Victoria but as long as she eluded him there wasn't a chance.
The next time Zorro came to town she turned around evading eye contact with him and retreated to the tavern until he was gone. She was still too ashamed of herself to face Zorro again.
This was welcome fodder for the local gossip. Not only did the tavern owner have a quarrel with her best friend Diego, she was also cross with Zorro.
Diego didn't know what to do. Victoria's behavior was a puzzle to him. He could understand that their friendship had changed now that his true feelings were revealed, but why she didn't talk to Zorro either?
Or had she found out that he was Zorro and was angry with both sides of him for deceiving her?
When he had visited her as Zorro on the day of the attack he had wanted to remove his mask and reveal his identity to her, but her refusal to talk to him had made it impossible.
His mood deteriorated with every day this was going on, until Alejandro couldn't bear it any longer. His son who was normally quiet and well-tempered showed his mood by either getting easily angered or brooding to himself.
"Diego, I don't know what kind of problem you and Victoria have, but you should work it out by talking to each other. Victoria is snapping at her customers and won't soon have any left if she continues like that and you are hardly to bear either. I have invited her over to dinner tonight. First she refused and only after I told her you wouldn't be here, did she agree to come. Tell me Diego, what have you done to her that she suddenly avoids you at all costs?"
When Diego remained silent, he got angry again.
"Aargh, just keep your secrets to yourself, but work it out tonight." Annoyed he waved with his gloves and strode agitated out of the room.
Victoria was surprised when she saw Diego standing in the the library at her arrival.
"You must apologize my lie, Victoria," Alejandro said. "It was my idea to lure you here by telling you that Diego wouldn't be here tonight. He didn't know anything about it until I told him an hour ago. What kind of problems you have, you should talk about it. Why don't you go outside to the garden, there you'll be undisturbed and nobody will hear your yelling," he glanced at Victoria who started to blush, "or talking or whatever you have to do. But don't take too long, dinner will soon be ready."
Nervously avoiding Diego's eyes she let him lead her to the garden until they were out of hearing distance.
"My father is right, Victoria, we have to talk about last week."
"Please Diego, can't we simply forget what has happened? It was only a kiss and I don't know what came over me that made me kiss you. I never wanted it."
"Don't lie to me and yourself, Victoria. You can't deny that we both wanted it."
"But can't you understand, Diego, I'm in love with Zorro and I can't betray him with you. I feel so bad about it." Victoria started to cry.
"Don't cry, Victoria, everything will be alright, just trust me."
"How can you say that, Diego. I don't want to lose Zorro because of you and I don't want to lose you either."
"Close your eyes please, Victoria," he said with a low voice that sounded much deeper now.
Unable to resist him she did as he asked. Slowly he took her in his arms, holding her as he had done so often as Zorro and gave her one of the tender kisses like the ones he had given her as Zorro. She immediately recognized the familiar touch and responded by throwing her arms around his neck. Slowly he intensified his kiss until they were kissing as passionately as the day she kissed him as Diego. Only then did she realize what was happening. Surprised she opened her eyes and looked at Diego.
"You are Zorro! And I thought I was going crazy because I felt so attracted to you, Diego, but you are one and the same! Why didn't you tell me?"
"I had wanted to tell you the truth that night when I came to you as Zorro but you didn't give me the chance to talk to you."
"I'm sorry, Diego, but I was so confused. I wanted Zorro's love, but at the same time I wanted the passion you gave me as Diego and I didn't know what to do."
"It's alright, Victoria. I love you and I want you. I will give you any kind of kisses you want, if you still want to marry me?" She didn't need any further invitation to throw herself wholeheartedly into his embrace.
They were both out of breath when they finally drew apart again. They just wanted to start all over again, but were interrupted by Alejandro who was calling them for dinner.
Alejandro had expected to interrupt them in an argument and not to see them so passionately entangled.
"Arrmph," he cleared his throat loudly audible. "Can you please explain to me what is going on here? Diego? Victoria?"
"Father, I think you can congratulate us. Victoria has agreed to marry me." He laid his arm around Victoria's waist who smiled happily at him.
"And what about Zorro?"
"What explanation do you want to hear? The one for the alcalde or the real one?" Diego prompted.
"Why are there different ones?" Alejandro asked uncomprehendingly.
"The real one is that I'm Zorro and the official one will be.." Diego didn't finish the sentence.
"That I'm tired of waiting for Zorro and that I found out how much Diego means to me after he saved my life last week which is the truth." Victoria continued smiling.
It took Alejandro a while to overcome the shock of this sudden revelation, but then he learned a lot that evening about his son who had to answer many questions from both his father and Victoria. But when he asked them why they had this sudden change of heart after all these years Victoria told him that it was only one kiss that changed everything. He didn't understand because Diego and Victoria only looked at each other lost in their own world where only their love counted and the marriage three weeks later didn't come to soon for them.
End file.
| Only one kiss by katie1999 | Zorro |
Little Cupid
Disclaimer: Felipe and co. don't belong to me.
Author's Note:
This is a...well...not exactly lighthearted, but not exactly downhearted either...story I wrote years ago. It used to be on my now defunct website. I read it again recently and, while it doesn't really resemble most things I write nowadays, it doesn't seem as fluffy as I remembered, so, well, here it is, with very little editing.
It's probably an after-series AU. Doesn't really assume specific knowledge of the series, beyond knowing who the characters are.
* * *
><p><strong>Little Cupid<strong>
Felipe de la Vega put his head in his hands. The teenage boy was worried about his father. Diego just had not been his normally cheerful self lately. For starters, the caballero refused to hold their normal fencing lessons. That in itself was not unusual, but the reason Diego gave for doing so let Felipe know in uncertain term that something was seriously wrong.
"I can't stand violence anymore. In fact, I think I'll stop being Zorro."
Felipe remembered letting his mouth hanging open at that. It was so unlike Diego to be that irresponsible, and to be so casual about it.
The teenage boy tried to think of what terrible things that could have happened to his father recently. Diego is not a quitter, period. The end of the world must be definitely near if he felt he had to give up his quest for justice.
Somehow, Felipe knew the reason behind Diego's startling declaration must be totally unrelated to his "dislike" of violence.
* * *
><p>His said father did not, at the moment, look sad, depressed, or anything like he was during the past few days. In fact, he had a calm, peaceful, aura about him. Felipe rarely saw his father that way, and he wasn't sure he liked it. Diego was hiding something from him!<p>
"Felipe."
He looked up, surprised that his father had actually said his name.
"Don't stare at me like I'm something so disgusting." Diego actually sounded hurt.
Felipe had a good grace to avert his gaze. "Sorry, Father. Why did you call me?"
"I don't know, Felipe, but you look like you have something you want to talk about."
_The only person around here who has something to talk about is you, Father._ However, Felipe was wise enough to refrain from voicing that thought.
"Si, Father. Can I ask you a question?"
A frown appeared on Diego's face, but he nodded. "I suppose."
"Why do you wish to resign from -" Felipe choked, unable to finish his question.
"Being Zorro?" Diego said, not pretending not to know what his adopted son meant. "Like I told you before, I personally detest violence. I don't know how I ever managed to train in Spain. The more I fought, the more I know Zorro was simply not for me. This role needs someone else, someone who could handle all the responsibilities."
'And the sacrifice,' finished Felipe quietly, making sure that his voice was low enough so that his father couldn't hear him. Still, it was strange. Diego never complained about being Zorro before, why did he now?
The teenage boy was not happy. If he could not find out the truth from Diego, he would have to go to his grandfather, Don Alejandro. However, the thought was quickly pushed aside. Don Alejandro would not be much help, considering that he had not a clue about Zorro's identity.
Victoria? Maybe she could help, but he suspected that his father's problem had to do with her somehow. Anyway, he better finds out what she knows, or doesn't know.
Suddenly, an idea came to Felipe. Without any doubt, that was a very foolish idea, but it was an idea nevertheless. Well, it couldn't hurt to try, especially if his father was still uncooperative in the matter.
* * *
><p>Felipe found himself at the tavern, and all his doubts were gone. He was going to pull this off!<p>
"Felipe," greeted Victoria brightly.
He returned her smile. She is always radiant, always a pleasure to be with. If Diego doesn't have his eyes on her...
Wait- banish the thought. Victoria is like an older sister to him, although not a lot, but still older. And since Diego is now his father, he must look to her as his possible future mother.
"I've been meaning to ask you something, Felipe," Victoria stated after they made some small talk.
_Cut to the chase and direct to the point, doesn't she?_ Well, that was one thing he admired her for. She said whatever she felt like saying, unlike his father, who forever hid his feelings, and most of other things.
"Si, Senorita. What is it that you wish to know?"
Victoria seemed amused. "Well, I want to know where in the world Diego had been during the past few days. Not that's saying much, considering that he's rather a silent type, but he used to be around, so I kind of miss him."
Now Felipe was truly confused. His father might be acting strange, and reserved for that matter, but he still did come to town, and undoubtedly stopped by the tavern.
"I was just teasing," the tavern owner went on, apparently reading his thought. "He was here, all right, but his heart seemed to be else where. I was hoping that you might have a clue."
For a while, Felipe contemplated on his plan. Then he made his decision.
"Allow me a question, Senorita Victoria. Would you believe that my father is not what he appears to be?"
"Not what he appears to be?" she repeated, a perplexed expression appeared on her beautiful face.
"Si. He is not only a poet, a scientist, a musician, or a painter-"
"But also a terrific cook," finished Victoria, a dreamy look in her eyes. "I remember that one time when Maria was sick and couldn't help me, and Sergeant Mendoza insisted on that special recipe. Guess who came to my rescue: Diego. I didn't know he could handle cooking so well."
Diego's adopted son sweated, despite the weather. _This is not what I intended at all, but I guess I'll have to make the most of the situation._
"All right. I don't really know what's bothering my father either-"
"I never said I don't know," interrupted the tavern owner. She then lowered her voice in conspiracy, "He's in love. I just don't know who the lucky lady is."
_Now that is easy, Senorita. That lady is you. But Father must be really unstable for you to notice that he is in love._ Had Felipe said them out loud, he probably ruined everything for his father then and there.
"You could be right, Senorita," he remarked carefully at last. "I'm afraid I'm rather clueless when it comes to love affair."
Victoria raised her eyebrows. "Felipe? Have you ever loved someone?"
He shook his head vigorously, feeling his face turned an interesting shade of red.
"Well, sorry about that," she amended. "I don't understand much about love either, but right now I guess I am in love. However, I believe he doesn't know of my love."
The idea that Victoria could not always say things on her mind seemed alien to Felipe.
"You should tell him if you really love him."
To his chagrin, her face darkened. "I would, if he is around for me to let him know!" she snapped. "It's not Zorro, in case you're wondering. The mask will always stand between us." Then she managed a small smile. "What happened to your being clueless about love?"
_So Zorro is heart-broken. No wonder Father is so out of it. Still..._
"I'm not sure, Senorita. Love is such a strange thing. Look at what it does to my father, to you, to anyone else."
"Well, you are sure philosophical about it, Felipe. I want to look at love from the outside, too, but I guess I'm too swept up in it."
Felipe felt his heart ache for the beautiful tavern owner.
"Who is he? I might be able to let him know that you would like to see him."
Victoria grinned. "That's my secret, Felipe. I would like to give him more time."
Felipe was dumbfounded. Victoria was sure not very upset about not being able to express her love. She never ceased to amaze him, or his father for that matter.
"Can I ask you something else, then?"
"Sure, ask away."
He took a deep breath. "Why did you break up with Zorro?"
Of all the reactions Felipe could have expected, Victoria grabbing his hands, pulling him toward the back of the tavern and laughing, simply was not anything he would have dreamed of.
"How could I break up with Zorro when we have never been together to begin with?" Victoria explained between wiping tears from her eyes.
"But...but" stuttered the boy, not unlike when he first regained his power of speech.
"I know. People thought we were a couple. Nothing could be further from the truth!" A hint of exasperation crept into her voice.
There was something else going on here, and Felipe de la Vega sure would not back out until he knew.
"Does Zorro know of your opinion on this?"
Victoria sighed. "Felipe, if I don't know any better, I would think that Zorro sent you to ask me all these questions."
"No, he did not send me," the boy answered with total accuracy.
"Anyway, Zorro and I have an understanding, or so I thought. From the beginning, Zorro does not belong to me, but to the people."
That sounded really unselfish, coming from Victoria. "Have you ever tried to find out who he really is?"
"Are you a lawyer or something?" she mockingly asked, then shook her head. "No. I believe Zorro has a certain right to his privacy. Besides, I was only infatuated with him, which is, sadly, not the same thing as real love."
She was way too uninterested in Zorro's identity for Felipe's liking. Now was a good time as any to apply his so-called plan.
"Senorita Victoria, why don't you come and visit my father? After all, seeing you would cheer him up."
"Um.. did that ever work before?" mused Victoria.
For a moment there, Felipe thought she was serious until she winked. "Good idea, Felipe. I would love to come."
Diego's adopted son could not be more pleased. "That's great, Senorita. See you at the hacienda sometime soon." With that, he got up, waved, then left the tavern, feeling like he had accomplished a great feat.
* * *
><p>"I'm home," announced Felipe.<p>
Diego looked like he was trying to hide whatever he had been doing and putting on a cheerful face, which would have fooled anyone except his adopted son.
"I was looking for you, Felipe. Where have you been?"
The boy sighed. Yet another lie. He just had to put an end to this.
"I went to the tavern," replied Felipe. Before Diego could get any word in, he continued, "You know, Father, Senorita Victoria is worried about you."
His father stiffened visibly. "Which one: Diego or Zorro?"
"Diego of course. But to be fair, I guess she is also concerned about Zorro, whoever he is."
Seeing that his father was quiet, the boy figured it was time for him to put his plan in action. "I suppose you know all along that she never loved Zorro."
"No, I was more stupid than you give me credit for. If a man like Zorro could not win her love, I don't know who could."
Was it despair on his father's face? Felipe could not believe that his father, who could do many amazing things, could be so helpless when it came to love.
"Anyway, I invited Senorita Victoria to come here, and she accepted."
"Are you the owner of this house by any chance?" If Diego's look could kill, his son would be dead.
Not that said son was disconcerted.
"I could tell her not to come, in the way that she would never suspect a thing... on one condition."
"Which is?" Diego was obviously nervous, and willing to take anyway out of seeing her here.
Felipe looked straight into his father's eyes. "You tell me honestly, dear father, what went wrong from the beginning. You are definitely not yourself lately, and there must be a lot more to that than what you already told me."
Diego gaped at his son, who already knew he won.
"All right. I'm going to satisfy your unfounded curiosity, even though this is your fault."
"How could my curiosity be unfounded when you made a stony face? Or how could it be my fault that Senorita Victoria finally catches on that you're in love?" returned the teenage boy, smiling triumphantly at his father.
Diego did not seem to find humor in his son's questions.
"It is your fault that Victoria is coming here. It is your fault that you use that to bargain with me."
"I'm sorry, Father, but you weren't talking otherwise."
Diego let out a heavy sigh. "Look, Felipe. I'm sorry too, but can't you give me some time? Have I ever kept anything from you before?"
_You have now. But I used to keep the fact that I regained my hearing from you, so I guess we are even._
"I am not sure, Father," he answered, choosing his words carefully. "You might have hidden something before, but this is the first time that I know of."
His father suddenly turned away. "We'll resume this conversation later."
Felipe bit his lip. He could not shrug off the fact that Diego left with a barely concealed rage. It was a mistake to say that he didn't trust his father. True, it hurts, but if Diego is not ready, his son can't force him to open up.
* * *
><p>As much as he did not want to, Felipe went back to Victoria's tavern. Not going back on his words was one of many things he learned from Diego.<p>
"Back so soon?" asked the tavern owner.
The boy smiled sheepishly. "I forgot that we'll go on a trip, so I'm afraid you can't visit us anytime soon. I'll try to get Father here, though."
"Don't bother." Victoria waved her hand. "If he'll only come in with his body and leave his spirit somewhere else, he's better off at home."
She must have seen right through his attempt to get them together! It becomes clear to Felipe now that both his father and Victoria are trying to avoid each other, in which case there is absolutely nothing else he could do.
"I guess this is good-bye then, Senorita. Sorry for wasting your time."
Victoria gently touched his arms. "I never thought a time spent with you is wasted, Felipe. Diego should be very proud to adopt such a fine young man like yourself."
"Thank you," he murmured. Tears were blurring his vision and he fought hard to hold them back.
Victoria pulled the boy close and embraced him.
"It's all right, Felipe."
"No, it's not," he replied between tears. "I was making a mess. I was just worried about my father, and now he might not even talk to me anymore."
"Then you don't know your father at all. He won't be mad at you long, if he is mad at all."
Felipe just looked wide-eyed at her.
"Your father and I grew up together, remember? He is gentle-hearted, and very much fond of you. I could bore you for hours with stories of when we were children, but you just have to take my words that Diego would eventually forgive you for whatever you did."
"You do know what I did." It was not a question.
"I think I have an idea, but I get a feeling that you want to keep it a secret."
"It's not a secret anymore if you know," Felipe said in a broken voice.
"Oh, stop that, will you!" exclaimed the tavern owner.
Felipe knew he was acting like a small child, but his body would not stop trembling.
"Don't feel so sorry for yourself, Felipe," she continued, hugging him tight. "Everyone makes mistake. Even I do, if that would make you feel any better."
Felipe did feel somewhat better after hearing her soothing voice.
"Thank you, Senorita Victoria." He reluctantly tore himself from her embrace, his face flushed with embarrassment.
The tavern owner released him. "Let me tell you something, Felipe. You are a big guy, but it's perfectly all right for you to cry sometime."
Felipe did not know what to say to that. A guy like him should not cry, but he would rather not contradict her. Looking out the window, he noticed with growing alarm that it was already dark.
"I must be going, Senorita. Thank you for everything."
"You're welcome. See you later."
* * *
><p>He came home to the worried face of Don Alejandro.<p>
"Felipe, where have you been?"
Weary and tired, he didn't feel like saying much. "Victoria's," he mumbled.
Somehow Don Alejandro seemed to find Felipe's answer amusing. "All day? Are you sure
>you're not setting yourself up to be Zorro's love rival?"<p>
His grandfather's teasing failed to cheer him up. "It's nothing like that, and I would rather not talk about it."
"Oh. Suit yourself. No one wants to talk to an old man like me anyway." Don Alejandro turned in a huff.
Felipe looked after his grandfather's retreating back, then simply collapsed to the floor. _What was wrong with me today?_
* * *
><p>Diego was working on one of his experiments when Felipe walked in.<p>
"Father, can I sleep in your room tonight?"
There was a pause, which, to the impatient young man, seemed like an eternity, and he was almost tempted to just leave quietly.
"Um... sure," came his father's voice at last. "Mind if I ask why?"
Felipe's heart sank. His father sounded so hesitant about the idea of sleeping in the same room with him.
"I'm scared, Father. Not of nightmares, they come less frequently now, but of what I did today. I made everyone angry at me, including you."
"And your point being?"
"I don't want to hide, or run, from what I did, although I feel terrible just to think about it. If I were you, I probably would not want to talk to me ever again."
Diego stopped his experiment and turned to face his son. "Not much of a point, is it? But you are beating yourself up over something so trivial. I don't hate you, Felipe, and never would. If I do, you wouldn't be here at all."
Felipe was speechless. He never really thought about what would happen to him if not for Diego. Now that he did, the tears welled in his eyes, and before he could stop himself, the dam broke loose, and he found himself on the cold floor, crying like nothing else mattered.
To his surprise, his father sat down and effortlessly lifted him up. "Oh, you're such a big baby, aren't you? Come, I'm going to put you to bed."
Felipe could hear a definite grin in Diego's voice. Realizing that his voice would be incomprehensible with all his crying, he simply relaxed in his father's strong arms.
* * *
><p>When Felipe woke up early next morning, he didn't see his father. <em>Strange. Father usually sleeps in. It is a part of his cover... Oh!<em> Felipe slapped his forehead. _He does not want to be Zorro any longer._
After fixing himself some breakfast (he considered himself a decent cook, although no where nearly as good as his father or Victoria), Felipe went out for a walk. The fresh morning air would do him good.
As he neared the garden, he heard faint sounds like someone talking. Curious as to who could be in the garden, the teenage boy quietly crept to the nearest bush. Looking from behind his hiding place, who else did he behold but the two people he really cared about. Totally losing interest in a morning walk, an anxious Felipe moved closer, straining to hear their conversation.
"... He's worried, Diego."
Felipe saw his father nodded. "That was the reason I sought your advice. I have no idea what I did wrong. He's practically blaming himself. It is not even his problem, but mine."
"What exactly is your problem?"
Despite himself, Felipe smiled. He could count on Victoria to be blunt. He doubted, though, that his father would tell her the truth. Knowing Diego, he probably talked his way out in the way that Victoria would never suspect.
"I'm in love with a woman who does not love me back."
Felipe nearly jumped, and gave away his presence, but caught himself in time. He marveled at how seemingly easy Victoria could get his father to talk. Also, how could Diego ever say that? Victoria, from what he knew of her, definitely had some feelings for his father.
"Sounds like someone I know, as in myself. I'm also pining for a man who does not seem to notice my affections."
Panic gripped the teenage boy. What was going on here? Victoria could not be that clueless!
"Zorro? Impossible. He's totally in love with you."
"How do you know Zorro's feelings so well anyhow? For a moment there, I almost thought you are him."
Diego looked down. "Suppose I am Zorro, would you hate me?"
Victoria laughed. "No. I would just hit you once. Is that all right?"
"Sure, if I am really Zorro."
Victoria raised her hand, and Felipe thought she was going to slap his father, but then he saw her hand slowly made contact with his father's face.
"This is for being so thickheaded. I love you, Diego. Whether you are Zorro or not does not matter to me at all."
For the first time in the past few days, Diego smiled. "You're right, Victoria. I'm so thickheaded not to notice. I just thought I was hopelessly chasing after Zorro's lady."
"Let's not talk about Zorro. I would rather talk about us."
"And Felipe. He's my son after all," Diego reminded her, much to his son's delight. "Now I think I understand what he tried to do. The boy was trying his hand at being a cupid. Almost succeeded, too. I just didn't give him any chance."
"He's such a cute cupid, though."
Felipe blushed furiously at that comment.
Diego lowered his voice. "Don't let him hear you say that. That boy will get you under his spells."
_Too late, Father._ Felipe smiled. _I wish I really do have spells to cast, though. My life would be much easier that way._
"Aw... I would not mind being under his spells," she said in a teasing tone.
"Well, the boy was rather down last I saw him. Think you could cheer him up?"
"I will try."
Diego held out his hand, which Victoria took. Together they walked toward the hacienda.
"Oh... Felipe. Don't stay down near the bush too much. You'll catch cold from the dew."
**The End**
* * *
><p>Thank you for reading my story. :)<p>
End file.
| Little Cupid by Scroll Keeper | Zorro |
Silk Neck Ties
Annoyed beyond belief by the new alcalde's behaviour, Zorro waited calmly in the wardrobe. Ignacio de Soto should have been the best alcalde for Los Angeles, instead he was just the same as the last one. Zorro felt the cold sting of disillusionment.
Grinning, he realised he knew enough about Ignacio to really annoy and irritate the man. The silk neck ties and fine clothes were an obsession with him. Who needed seven silk neck ties anyway? It would be fun to play with the stuck up fool. Ripping 'Z's into the fine jackets would indeed be cathartic.
End file.
| Silk Neck Ties by Paulsmum2001 | Zorro |
Felipe's Guide to Babysitting
**Author's Note: **100-word drabble from the episode "Zorro's Other Woman". I had intended to make this a slightly longer story but this about sums up what I was going to write.
**FELIPE'S GUIDE TO BABYSITTING**
A baby! What on earth was he supposed to do with a baby? All he knew about them was that they cried a lot and leaked at both ends. What had Diego been thinking? Why hadn't he taken this tiny nuisance to a female, like Victoria?
Felipe looked down at the baby in the basket who was happily sucking on her fingers. He smiled as he remembered that day, when the idea of taking care of a baby frightened him to his very toes. What a fool he had been, he thought as he kissed his daughter on the head.
End file.
| Felipe's Guide to Babysitting by pamz | Zorro |
1. May 14, 1813
**Saving the Fox III: _Scachki, fokuchik, i rebyenka_**
_For reasons that are not even egregiously ahistoric, the title this time is in Russian. (And, okay, yes, I admit it. My Russian is bad, but I don't speak Spanish at all.)_
_As always, thank you Martha, for taking this odd ride with me. _
**May 14, 1813**
Felipe couldn't remember Jose Macias's father. He'd died about a year after Diego brought Felipe home, but he'd been the foreman of the de le Vega copper mine over near the Puente Hills, and so he hadn't come to the house often. He'd been killed in the mine collapse along with two of the miners. Don Alejandro had been so upset that he'd closed the mine and settled a small farmhold on Macias' wife and son.
Jose Macias was the same age as the twins. He was a hard worker, but there wasn't much choice in that, since farming in a colony was hard work. He was enthusiastic and optimistic, as well, though, and the de le Vegas had always approved of him.
Right now...as far as Felipe could tell, Diego still approved of him. Certainly, he seemed sympathetic. He'd bought wine and was listening patiently as Macias complained about his terrible luck, his unhappy fate. Gilberto, however, sat back in his chair with his arms folded. He refused to touch the wine and occasionally cast his eyes impatiently skyward.
"A miracle dropped in my hands, and look how I've squandered it. What an idiot I was."
Gilberto looked ready to agree.
Diego shook his head sadly.
"How am I going to tell my wife? All the time I spent on that horse, and nothing to show for it."
"Well," Gilberto drawled, "since he's been taken in lieu of taxes, I'd say you're paid up with the government for the next several years. That's not nothing, exactly..."
Diego gave him a look that said don't be unkind. As usual, Gilberto ignored it.
Macias drained his cup. "I want to see Zeus," he said glumly.
"Yes, well. He's in the cuartel," Gilberto pointed out unsympathetically.
Diego drummed his fingers on the table and cast a thoughtful look at the garrison sergeant who was sitting a few tables away. "Give me a moment," he said. "I think I know someone who can help us."
The sergeant offered him a seat at once. Felipe couldn't see their faces, but he could well imagine the gist of the conversation as Diego leaned forward, serious and hopeful in his request...and the sergeant shifted nervously...and glanced around...and sighed...and stood up. Diego signaled Macias and his brother to follow them. Felipe, sitting discreetly in the corner, rose and followed as well.
Diego's lancer friend was alternately reassuring and nervous as they crossed the plaza to the cuartel. "It doesn't do any harm to look at a horse." He chuckled. "I see them all the time. But the alcalde...he is, well, so grumpy sometimes."
The guard at the gate gave Macias a dark look, but Felipe was sure that was for losing the race (the lancers had lost money-not a lot, but then, they hadn't had a lot to start with) not for trespassing on the fort.
Mendoza hustled them around into the barn. "If the alcalde finds us here, I'll be saluting corporals."
Zeus was lying down in his stall, snorting, skittish. Not good. Macias froze in drunken horror. "Surprise, surprise," Gilberto said and rolled his eyes.
Diego knelt in the straw and laid his hands on the shining brown flank. "What happened? He's sick." He pressed his hands flat against Zeus' neck, then his belly. He glanced at Gilberto. "Something he's eaten, I think. Or something that's been given to him."
Gilberto snorted and turned on his heel, storming out impatiently.
Diego looked up at Sergeant Mendoza. "Go call the garrison blacksmith."
Stepping carefully around the downed horse, Felipe crouched down where Diego could see him. "What's going on?" he signed.
Diego made the sign for cheating. He added, "Say nothing."
Say nothing? About cheating? Diego saw his surprise. He rose and drew Felipe aside. "Without proof, to mention it would be simply insulting, not a matter of law."
Oh. And Macias couldn't fight. He was just a farmer, he didn't even own a sword. And Diego was too ill to fight. And Gilberto obviously didn't want to, and that only left Don Alejandro, who was just adequate with a sword and an old man besides...
No, they couldn't afford to toss around unsubstantiated accusations here.
The sergeant came running back with another man. Diego watched them go into the stall, then collected Macias and returned to the tavern. Felipe was curious-he would have stayed to watch the blacksmith, but of course it was better to be out of the garrison.
Gilberto was waiting at their table. Victoria was sitting with him and they were talking amiably enough about the year's orange crop, but his eyes glittered in irritation. He poured a cup of water from a pitcher for Diego, but he said nothing at all in greeting. Macias sat glumly with his elbows resting on the table. Diego sipped his water and ignored Gilberto's ire and chatted about oranges and beans and rain. After about twenty minutes, the sergeant returned.
Gilberto ignored him. Diego offered him a seat and filled his cup from the wine pitcher.
"It was something he ate. The blacksmith gave him some herbs to calm his stomach. He's going to be fine."
Macias groaned. "Oh, thank God."
Gilberto sighed, but Victoria and Diego murmured their support.
Macias glanced around and said softly, "Do you really think that Senor Herrera would poison my horse?"
Diego glanced at the bar, where Herrera was trying to charm Luisa, who was serving. "We don't _know_ one way or the other," he answered.
One of the local men, a young caballero, stepped between Herrera and the tavern maid. "You could boast a little less loudly," Felipe saw him say. Oh, boy. This might well be the fight Diego had been so carefully avoiding...
"If only you had the sense to bet on my horse instead. Well..." Herrera shrugged, his gesture taking in the entire room of disgruntled Angelenos. "Live and learn, hm?"
The caballero opened his mouth to respond when Senorita Victoria stood up. "You don't have the fastest horse in California, you know." Felipe wondered if she was attacking on purpose, since Herrera could hardly find offense and challenge a _woman_ to a duel. And if he were rude in response, well, then he would be rude to _his hostess_ (since it was her tavern) and she could shame him and ask him to leave.
Herrera just chuckled. "Really? Then who does, Senorita? If there is a better horse, I have yet to see him."
"Zorro has a better horse," she said it almost casually, as though the fact was obvious, but Diego nearly dropped his glass.
"Zorro? Oh, that bandit they're talking about in the presidios."
"He has an amazing horse. Incredible. Huge-nineteen hands-at least-and as fast as the wind."
Diego rested his elbows on the table and hid his face behind his folded hands. He was trying very hard not to laugh.
Several people put in, now, to add bits of description or opinion. The black horse was a demon with four legs. The black horse was the most perfect in the New World.
"And nearly as smart as a man," the sergeant added.
Senorita Victoria laughed, "And smarter than some." She was looking at Sergeant Mendoza when she said it, and he winced and looked away. Felipe wondered what he (or one of his men or the alcalde) had done to irritate her this time.
Herrera looked around interestedly. "Then where is he? This legend and his wonder horse?"
Diego had gotten his face under control. When he shook his head and sighed he actually looked a little disapproving. "Zorro is a terribly unpredictable character."
Mendoza nodded. "It's true. He has a price on his head and he only comes out with good reason."
Herrera smiled. It was the sort of smile that set Felipe's teeth on edge. He drained his glass, set it aside, and sauntered over. His gaze lingered on Mendoza and Macias. "Then let's give him a good reason. Another race. If I lose, I return all that money."
"And if you win?" Diego asked.
"My winnings so far against this 'incredible' horse of Zorro's. If the horse is as good as you say...then surely he will accept my challenge. If not, perhaps it is not so special after all, and Zorro is not such a hero."
Senorita Victoria snorted inelegantly. "Why would Zorro risk his freedom to race _you_?"
Herrera shrugged. "Put the word out. I hereby challenge Zorro to a match race tomorrow at noon." He smiled at Luisa. "Barmaid, drinks for everyone."
Mendoza leaned over and said something-his voice was too quiet to hear and the angle was wrong to see-to Diego.
Diego sat back. "Why should he?"
"Because we lost our money unfairly," Mendoza answered earnestly. "Macias's horse was drugged."
Macias looked up from his drunken slump to nod at this. "That's true...my poor Zeus."
Senorita Victoria shifted uncertainly. "_Was_ the horse drugged, Diego?"
"There is no proof," Diego answered in a tone that meant "yes."
The sergeant looked around and then leaned over the table to confide, "The money the Alcalde lost was from the governor's tax fund. He'll do anything to get it back."
Gilberto cursed and looked about to laugh. Diego kicked him under the table, and Gilberto begged the senorita's pardon.
Diego set his glass aside and rose slowly, like an old man. "Well. It's been a rather exciting day. I believe it's time to go home."
Gilberto gave him a thoroughly mutinous look. But he stood up and followed his brother to the door.
Don Alejandro was sitting on the porch of the tavern with a thoroughly glum and somewhat intoxicated Don Carlos. He had lost money, again. Gilberto looked frankly disapproving as he paused to explain that Diego was tired and wanted to go home.
"Shall I come with you?"
Gilberto looked about to say yes, but Diego interrupted quietly: "There is no need. Why don't you see him safely home, Father? We'll see you at supper."
Because the morning had started with Gilberto challenging Herrera to a race against Don Alejandro's precious Dulcinea, Gilberto had come into town in the open carriage with Diego and Felipe. Now he consigned them both to the back and took the reins himself.
Seeing Gilberto in such a black mood made Felipe nervous. It was hard to predict what he'd do. Or say. Or to whom, since he had never seen the necessity of sparing someone from his ire just because he hadn't been the original cause of it. Diego patted Felipe's hand, signed "relax," and leaned back in the seat with his eyes closed. Felipe watched him for a while: it wasn't entirely clear how much their sudden exit was due to Diego's need to get his brother out of town before he exploded and how much was due Diego's limited strength.
When they were about halfway home, Diego leaned forward and touched Gilbert's shoulder. "Let's pause here a moment. If we're going to argue, it's better to do it out here than at home with the servants about."
"We're not going to argue," his brother said. He didn't slow the horses.
"Talk, then. Seriously. If I have to shout at you from behind, I will."
With a curse, Gilberto reined the team and hopped down to pace beside the carriage for a moment. Diego waited placidly until he paused and looked up. "Fine. What would you like to say?"
Diego leaned forward. "What I want to know is why you're so angry. It isn't the gambling you disapprove of. I remember your Classical History examination our first year." He turned to Felipe. "He stayed up all night playing cards and showed up at the oral exam wearing the same clothes he'd worn to the party..."
"Of course I don't disapprove of gambling. With friends. Using money one can afford to lose! But this...rank stupidity! To gamble with a stranger-no, with a man who is obviously hustler and likely a cheat as well-and then to be _surprised _when he takes every last peso! To complain and piss and moan about it! God in Heaven, what were those men using for brains, goose shit?"
"Language," Diego murmured.
"If you don't want me to talk, don't ask me questions!" He turned away and breathed deeply. "Every last one of them deserves to lose his money. Frankly, given the vast scope of their stupidity, poverty is the least of what they deserve. And on top of that, drunk in public-"
"Jose Macias-"
Gilberto fairly spun around and all but shouted up at Diego's face. "Could have waited a month and made his money at the Corpus Christi fiesta. There are always races. Or he could have taken it up to Monterrey for the festival of San Juan. But no. He was greedy. He was impatient. He was so amazingly stupid-"
"It is so very easy to condemn others for 'greed' when we've never wanted for anything," Diego said mildly.
"I'm not going to do it, Diego! Saving people from their own foolishness is_ not_ Zorro's job."
"A predator came into your town, preyed on your people. Fooled them, yes. Played on their weaknesses, yes. Manipulated them and made a game of poison and cheated them. Your neighbors. Your friends...right here, in your pueblo."
"Perhaps they'll learn a valuable-"
"Right or wrong, they are your neighbors," Diego shouted.
Gilberto opened his mouth. Shut it abruptly. Turned away.
"Think of the goodwill it will engender with the townspeople. Just for tactical reasons, it is an opportunity too good to ignore."
Gilberto folded his arms. Felipe suspected he'd already conceded the argument and anything from here forward was just for the appearance of things.
"Think of what it will do for Ramone's morale-having to come begging to Zorro for the tax money. One more little sign of his own powerlessness..."
"Yes, I know. All right?"
"And it will be fun. Tell me you weren't disappointed when he pulled up and threw the race with Dulcinea."
"Enough, Diego."
Diego stopped talking.
Gilberto said heavily, "I always liked Macias."
"Is that who has disappointed you?"
"Everyone has disappointed me," he snapped. "Where shall I start? Don Carlos? Father needs to hit that man about the head with a board! Maybe that will bring him to his senses. And every last lancer was taken in-I suppose I should be pleased that they are _uniformly_ stupid?"
"Very funny."
"Would they have kept their money in their pockets if Herrera had been wearing a sign that said 'swindler'?"
Diego sighed tiredly. "You will have to go in tonight and have a word with the alcalde."
Gilberto turned around, smiling wolfishly. "Well, that part I'll enjoy."
"Keep your temper, for pity sake!"
His eyes rested on Diego's face for a moment and something in Gilberto softened. "_Such_ a mother hen. _Yes_. I will remember that I am in control of the situation. _No_, I won't get ahead of myself. _Yes_, I know how to play the game-_and_ I know it's not a game."
"My. Have I started repeating myself?" Diego didn't look entirely convinced, though.
"Endlessly." He climbed back onto the drive's seat. "But I have resigned myself to it."
Felipe could see one more issue that they hadn't addressed. He tapped Diego's hand. "Can he win?"
Diego laughed aloud.
"What?" Gilberto asked, glancing over his shoulder.
"He brings up a good point. Can Toronado beat Herrera's horse?"
"Well, how nice to be the object of so much faith!" Gilberto laughed.
"He did pull up when you tested him with Dulcinea..." Diego said.
Felipe nodded vigorously. It was no small achievement, to outrace Dulcinea. The name wasn't just a literary reference-it was a very pointed joke. _Sweetness_? Dulcinea was a demon, a monster. She was fast. She had wind. She didn't mind the roughest terrain...but she often balked and she had a tendency to rear if her rider let her get away with it. Actually, she had improved...she used to bite the stable boys, too. A horse that could outrun her was no easy competition.
"Very funny, both of you."
That night, after supper, Gilberto excused himself to "go for a walk in the garden." Don Alejandro started to head for the barn, as he often before bed, but Diego caught him with a hand on his forearm. "Would you care for a game of chess, Father?"
It was clear to Felipe that he didn't want to...and equally clear that he saw no graceful way to refuse his son's request. Since Diego didn't signal him to leave, Felipe took a book and sat down in the corner.
Diego won the first game in ten minutes. He won the second in fifteen. "You know, Father," he said, resetting the board, "my game hasn't improved this much."
Don Alejandro apologized. "My mind was elsewhere. I'll try a little harder."
His play didn't improve, however, and a few minutes into the third game, Diego suggested, "Perhaps you'd like to talk about what's bothering you."
"It's nothing important," he said quickly. He slid his queen forward. "Check."
If he meant the offense as a distraction, it didn't work. Diego took the queen with a bishop and said casually, "That business with Zeus today...How much did Don Carlos lose?"
Don Alejandro grunted irritably. "Two hundred and fifty pesos! Certainly more than he can afford just now."
"I'm sorry to hear it," Diego answered.
Don Alejandro hesitated, glancing up from the board. "Victoria says you believe the horse was drugged?"
Diego nodded. "I believe so, yes."
"Can you prove it? The alcalde would have the matter before the magistrate if you could give him any evidence at all."
Diego shook his head. "I can prove nothing."
Unhappily, Don Alejandro sat back and regarded his son in uncomfortable silence for a moment. "Diego...you must stay out of this matter."
Diego looked up and Don Alejandro flinched away from his gaze. "You wish I could do something." It was sort of a question.
"No, of course not," he denied quickly. "Accusations...could only lead to a matter of honor. It wouldn't do anything to help Macias or Don Carlos or get our tax money back..."
"But you wish...that I could do..._some_thing."
"No. Diego. I promised myself..."
"I wish I could, too. But even if my heart were up to making an issue of this, nothing useful would come of it, as you say..."
Don Alejandro wasn't listening. "I promised myself I would not do this."
Diego frowned. "Do what, Father?" he asked gently. "Ever mention my illness? I have to say, I think that will make living with me rather difficult."
"I promised myself you would never have to comfort me."
"Ah." Diego nodded slowly and motioned to the chess board. "Very well. It's your move, Father."
Don Alejandro pushed back from the table and stood up.
Diego's face fell, but he squared his shoulders and said firmly, "Don't run away. Again."
Don Alejandro only fled as far as the fireplace. He leaned against the mantle and muttered something Felipe couldn't hear.
"Oh," Diego said. His fingers dug into the arm of the chair as he stood up. "No. No."
Don Alejandro turned around, but stepped further away. Retreating, even as he protested, "It _should_ have been me. If I could take your place..."
"I don't need you to face my fate for me! I just wish..."
"Anything. Tell me."
"I wish you would forgive me. I know you had such expectations..."
Diego's sadness broke something in Felipe. It seemed to break something in Don Alejandro as well. He gathered his taller, broader son into his arms and held him tightly for a moment. Speaking very softly, he brought Diego back to his chair and squeezed his shoulder tightly. "You mustn't distress yourself, Diego. You need to stay calm. This isn't good for you."
Diego made a show of leaning back and being placid. If anyone asked, Felipe would have pointed out that he looked deliberately cow-like. But no one asked him and he didn't want to draw attention to himself.
After a few minutes, Don Alejandro drew his own chair closer and sat down. "Until you said it, I didn't realize...You're right, Diego. I'm very angry. And I'm very...afraid." He spoke very reasonably and carefully. "It seems I don't have your strength, or your brother's-even _he_," his hand swept toward Felipe, "is handling this with more courage than I am."
Felipe didn't know how he should take that statement. He was pretty sure he shouldn't be listening to this conversation, but if Diego _was_ going to get upset...no, he wouldn't leave him.
"But I do need to tell you...this isn't about my 'expectations' for you. I'm not disappointed in you. And my anger-I'm not angry at you."
"You can hardly stand to be in the same room with me."
"My own weakness, nothing else... Certainly no fault of yours. I simply cannot bear to face my fear."
"Ah." Diego looked away. "I'm sorry. I should not have pressed you."
"You had the right."
"Father, if it is any comfort at all...it helps. Being home helps. Knowing that you and 'Berto and Felipe are near...that I am not alone...it _helps_."
"Ah. And knowing that you are dearly, dearly loved?"
Diego nodded and brushed his hands across his eyes. His father hugged him hard. "I forbid you to distress yourself."
"Y-yes, father."
Don Alejandro talked softly, then, his hand on Diego's shoulder. Finally, he pulled back and asked if Diego wanted to finish the chess game.
"If you like," Diego said. But he was tired and pale.
"You could retire. It's been a long day."
Diego glanced at the dark window and then at his father's face. "Soon. Not yet."
Don Alejandro went to the shelf and ran his fingers along the poetry books. "Gongora?" he asked.
"Please, no. Gilberto always chooses Gongora. Something by Calderon?"
Felipe stopped pretending to read, and set aside his book to listen to Don Alejandro. Not for too long; Zorro would be back from the pueblo soon, and Gilberto would be irked if he had to climb the ravine and come in through the garden. Felipe was just beginning to worry about the time when Diego glanced at the moon and said that he was ready to go to bed.
Twenty minutes later Felipe was just putting out the candle when Gilberto poked his head in and reported that all was set for the race the next day.
Z
Don Alejandro spent the morning inspecting the shearing sheds, but an hour before noon he returned to the house and changed clothes to go into town. "Where's Gilberto?" he asked as he met Diego and Felipe in the front hall. "We don't want to be late."
Diego shook his head. "He isn't coming. He disapproves of this whole business."
Don Alejandro froze in confusion. "_Gilberto_? Disapproves of a _horse race_?"
Diego made a face. "It's stupidity he disapproves of, betting with a swindler..." He glanced at his father. "He was quite intolerant, actually. We had a little quarrel. He's off sulking, I think."
Don Alejandro's eyes narrowed. "Your brother quarreled with you...and now he's off sulking."
"I'm sure he'll get over it quickly," Diego said easily, picking up his hat and heading for the door. "You know how he is." Felipe followed, carefully failing to meet Don Alejandro's eyes.
The pueblo was crowded, even though it wasn't a market day. The soldiers were out, but not carrying muskets, and most of them were sitting on a bench near the cuartel. Don Sebastian had erected a sunshade near the church so his wife and young daughters could watch in comfort. A couple of Indian boys were wandering through the crowd selling pumpkin seeds and oranges. The race had turned into quite the fiesta.
Don Alejandro found them a place on the tavern porch to watch the excitement. Felipe's palms were sweating. He glanced nervously at Diego who only seemed a little distracted. Felipe wondered if it was an act or if he really were that confident of Gilbert and Toronado.
As noon drew closer, the soldiers cleared the center of the plaza and Herrera rode out to pace back and forth in front of the gathered villagers. "Zorro!" he laughed. "Well, where is he? This so-called man of courage with his horse I've heard so much about? Obviously he has no interest in winning your money back. So-" He caught of something that made him stiffen, his arrogant grin turning into a scowl.
In a moment everyone could see and a scattering of cheers went up: from behind the blacksmith shop came a huge black stallion at an easy canter. His rider was erect and fearless. He bowed jauntily as he passed the alcalde, who bowed back, and then he waved to the crowd and pranced to a halt beside Hererra.
All Felipe could think was _where was Gilberto_? He knew-_knew_-that Zorro was Diego's brother, had known him most of his life, had watched him with the care you watched an adversary for most of that and-and-
Who was this man in black? Gilberto-
In the month since the twins came home Gilberto had changed; distracted, sober, worried by his brother's fragile health. He stayed close to home. He didn't bother to argue about very much. He hovered...
Had it been an act?
Hadn't it seemed strange _at all_ that Gilberto had responded to Diego's illness by becoming subdued? Since when had he met a threat to his brother with anything but aggression? Any problem of Diego's-Gilberto was always fierce, certain, eager in support of his brother. Not quiet. Not _subdued_.
Did it make sense that Diego's illness would make Gilberto any less sure of himself? But Felipe hadn't noticed the subtle changes until now, when he was confronted with Zorro, who seemed nothing like the new Gilberto and only a little bit like the old one.
Zorro inclined his head politely to Herrera while Toronado stamped and danced his impatience. Felipe laughed silently.
Herrera bowed back and said tightly, "My challenge still stands, Senor. My winnings against your horse."
Zorro grinned. "Toronado and I accept."
Herrera turned to offer the money pouch to Victoria. "Senorita, if you would be so kind?" The pouch was heavy. Victoria held it against her chest. Her eyes were on Zorro, though, not the fortune she had in her hands.
Sergeant Mendoza drew a line in the dirt with his heel and stepped to the side. "Riders to your marks!" He glanced around, took a deep breath...
The crowd had gone very quiet. Toronado danced eagerly. The alcalde cleared his throat.
Mendoza lifted his pistol. "Ready!"
Herrera's horse leapt forward just ahead of the "bang" of Mendoza's pistol. Several of the men on the porch muttered in consternation, but Zorro only laughed and kicked Toronado forward.
The race itself wasn't even the best race Felipe had ever seen. Toronado quickly caught up to Herrera, who lashed out with his riding crop, first on his own horse and then at Zorro, who snatched the crop out of his hand and then increased speed and began to leave Herrera behind.
Gilberto-Felipe was laughing now-wasn't even subtle about it. He beat Herrera by at least six lengths and then did a circle around the plaza as Toronado slowed. The crowded cheered, probably as much from relief as from local pride.
Zorro trotted over to the tavern steps, where Senorita Victoria waited with the money. He bowed showily as he took the bag from her hands and lifted the money over his head. "This money was taken from you under false pretenses, and so it will be returned." He hesitated, and for a moment Felipe worried that the pueblo might be in for a lecture on the dangers of gambling with strangers, but Zorro turned to Ramone and inclined his head. "Alcalde, I know you'll be relieved to return this. I leave this matter in your hands."
The alcalde showed the sack of coins to the waiting crowd, which cheered some more. Felipe felt his nervousness like a snake coiling in his chest. The twins had been sure that Ramone would make a move against Zorro as soon as the race was over. The fact that all the lancers were in plain sight and none of them were carrying rifles was only a sign that the plan was 'clever' rather than direct.
Busy expecting an assault by the soldiers, Felipe was taken completely by surprise by what happened next. Herrera galloped at Ramone and snatched the bag from his hands. Cheers turned abruptly to shouts, the loudest of them Ramone himself. He raced into the center of the plaza waving his arms and bellowing, "Now! Lancers, now!"
The lancers scrambled to carts that had been left standing beside the blacksmith shop and near the cuartel. They shoved them forward, blocking the streets...but not quite fast enough to stop Herrera, who slipped through at the last moment. Sergeant Mendoza pulled out his second pistol and shot after him, but pistol shots were hard to make, and it was no surprise when he missed.
Ramone had drawn a pistol as well. He was pointing it as Zorro, rather than pursuing the thief who had just stolen a fortune from the pueblo. He nodded at the loaded wagons that cut off escape. "No horse can clear that, Zorro. Surrender or die."
Furious, frightened, Felipe started forward. Diego snaked an arm around his waist and pulled him back. "It's all right," he said swiftly.
Zorro seemed to think so, too. He ignored the alcalde and trotted to the gates of the cuartel.
Ramone stepped forward, leveling the weapon.
Toronado flashed across the plaza, a blur racing past the fountain. Felipe held his breath. Toronado leapt.
Ramone fired his pistol.
Toronado cleared the cart with over a foot to spare and landed without breaking stride.
The pueblo was pure pandemonium. Cheering and yelling, the crowd streamed into the plaza. Ramone shouted at the lancers, ordering them to move the wagons, get their horses, capture the bandits. "Mendoza! I want Zorro! Obviously they were in league with each other. It was all a trick. Get me a weapon!"
But the lancers were clearly unprepared to chase down their quarry. Two or three minutes must have passed before a mounted volley finally charged out the gate. Many in the crowed walked to the edge of town, trying to see what was happening, but Herrera and Zorro were already out of sight. There was a little muttering and a little yelling and a great deal of uncertainty.
Felipe turned around. Diego's jaw was tight and his eyes were narrow, but he smiled at Felipe. "Don't worry. It's actually going very well."
Oh, well, _obviously_, Felipe shrugged.
Diego chuckled. "You'll see," Diego said gently. "The advantages..." his eyes strayed to the road leading into the pueblo. "Ah," he said.
Mendoza and three lancers cantered into the center of the village. They were leading a bound prisoner: Herrera, riding backwards on his horse, a large 'Z' cut into the back of his jacket. Mendoza was beaming. He held up a leather pouch. "The money is right here! Zorro sent it back with him."
Ramone strode forward and all but snatched the bag from Mendoza's hand. "And where is Zorro?"
Mendoza's face fell. "We could not find his trail...the rocks...I have men out looking?"
Ramone's lip curled. He might have begun publicly haranguing Mendoza right then, but Don Alejandro appeared at his side holding the ledger that contained the previous day's wagers. "Shall we, Alcalde?" he asked sweetly.
Ramone ground his teeth, but turned and pointed to one of the tables on the tavern porch. A queue began to form at once.
Diego took Felipe's arm and led him into the tavern. He took a table at the back of the main room and sat down against the wall. Out of the daylight, Felipe couldn't tell if he was pale or not. He nudged Diego's arm. "You all right?" he asked.
"I need a moment," he admitted. "And don't look at me like that. It's as likely to be the standing or the sun as the excitement. It will pass."
Felipe nodded agreeably, then, moving between Diego and the room, checked his pulse. Fast, but not _very_ fast. And strong. And even. So he was mostly all right, then. Felipe sat down to wait.
Hardly anyone came into the tavern at first. All the action was outside, where the alcalde and Don Alejandro were handing out the winnings that Herrera had swindled. They would be watching every centavo and each other, so it wouldn't be quick work. The few customers who did drift in stayed near the bar, clearly planning to celebrate by heartily toasting Zorro and his miraculous horse.
"Toronado is as big a hero," Felipe signed.
"Yes, and you will not gloat about that," Diego commanded. "It is difficult enough to manage his ego without you goading him."
Felipe made a show of looking innocent-which, as intended, made Diego smile a little.
Grinning, practically dancing, Victoria came to their table. "Well? Have you ever seen such a horse race?" She laughed. "And what do you suppose Herrera will get for stealing all of that money right out of our dear alcalde's hands? We don't need to prove he was a cheat when he shows he's a thief in front of three hundred witnesses."
"Very obliging," Diego agreed. "We should thank him."
"And I was right about Zorro's horse. Toronado." She sighed. "Toronado."
"You are completely vindicated," to Felipe, he looked a little amused. "Herrera did _not_ have the fastest horse in California."
"And, I was right about Zorro. Did you see that leap? Amazing."
"Amazing that he chose the tallest cart to leap rather than the one that gave him the best angle of pursuit."
Victoria froze, and then very slowly looked down at him. "Don Diego de le Vega? Did I just hear you criticize a man who risked his safety and freedom to rescue this pueblo from a-a hardship that was none of his affair? A man who is even now being pursued by soldiers? For no crime at all except to inconvenience the local military with the truth of its own corruption?"
"I apologize." Diego dropped his eyes. "You are quite correct. The pueblo is in Zorro's debt. I apologize for my comment." He was absolutely meek and polite, but Felipe was sure that Gilberto would hear about it later at home. He had to turn his head to hide his smile.
She softened slightly. "Never mind. Are you hungry? The stew is only pork-but it's very good."
Diego glanced at Felipe, who realized he was starving. "He'll have the stew. And orange juice. I'm...not very hungry, actually. Just some water."
As soon as she was gone, Felipe turned to ask Diego about the conversation he'd just heard, but just then Sergeant Mendoza came in, and made a point coming over. "I thought you might like to know-your friend? I just returned his horse. Well, he can pay his taxes now." He grinned and clouted Diego companionably across the shoulders. "Quite a day, eh? That Zorro." He leaned down and added, "I suppose he's not a demon, but I don't see how he could be quite human either. Ha." He turned away to join a small group of lancers that was just coming in. "That Zorro."
Diego centered his eyes on the table and managed not to laugh.
Felipe nudged him. "You should write this down. It would make a very funny book."
Diego did laugh at that. "A very incriminating one. It would have to be published posthumously."
When Victoria returned Felipe dove into the bowl of stew. It was only after a few bites that he slowed down enough to realized that a tall mug was sitting in front of Diego beside his water. "What's that?"
"Atole. She's put cream in it, I think. And honey." He looked at the mug thoughtfully. "It's either an apology for our disagreement before or she's trying to fatten me up."
Felipe put his spoon down. "You don't look thin. Just tired."
"Thank you. How reassuring." He took a couple of swallows of the atole, though.
It was another half hour before Don Alejandro joined them. He ordered a bowl of the stew and a glass of wine and then stood and offered a toast to Zorro. This was met with cheers from the room, which was as crowded and happy as Felipe had ever seen it.
Which, admittedly, wasn't saying much. Until the twins had come home, he hadn't spent much time in the pueblo and hardly any in the tavern. Right about now he was remembering why. It was hot and crowded and loud. The voices jangled against each other. It was bad enough that he could only understand about one of every three words Diego said. And the party was clearly only beginning.
Don Alejandro collected them as soon as he was done eating, though. Outside the sun was painfully bright, but the breeze was cool and it was-wonderfully-quiet.
On the way home, they met a few of the returning lancers. It was obvious that they'd had no luck picking up Zorro's trail, but the de le Vegas didn't point this out when they greeted the men politely.
Back at the hacienda they found Gilberto reading in the library. He was clean and tidy and-yes, he even smelled good. Felipe nearly laughed. Gilberto asked politely about the race, muttered something sour about a 'cheat and a thief' when Diego reported that Herrera was now under arrest, and turned back to his book.
Don Alejandro mentioned that it was very warm for so early in the year and suggested that Diego lie down for a while. To Felipe's surprise, Diego agreed without protest. He collected Felipe and withdrew to his room. When Felipe reached to help Diego with his jacket however, Diego gave him a surprised look and shook his head. "Go find them. They're probably in the barn. I need to know how bad this is."
Surprised, Felipe looked Diego up and down, hoping for some hint. "How bad _what_ is?"
"'Berto is about to get terrible scolding. I need to know how badly I miscalculated. And stay out of sight. I can't get you both in trouble today." Felipe hesitated. "Well, go on. I'm fine."
So he hurried out. Sure enough, the library was empty. Felipe went around and slipped into the barn through the side door, the one through the tack room. He was too busy cringing at the sound of the quarrel to congratulate himself on his cleverness, however.
"-as much luck stopping the sun shining as stopping the two of you arguing. He wouldn't enjoy it if I did stop you. But I do expect you to show a little sense! My God, 'Berto! To go so far over something so trivial-over anything at all? You know better than anyone not to strain your brother's heart."
Felipe cringed. He wondered if Gilberto even knew exactly what he was being reprimanded for.
Apparently so. "Father, I assure you, while _I_ was very adamant, Diego was not. If anything, he was provoking me, not the other way around. I certainly...I never..."
"You let your temper get away from you, I know that much. And that is not a luxury any of us have any more."
"And yet, here you are," Gilberto snapped.
There was a short, shocked silence. Felipe held his breath.
"I withdraw the comment, Father. Please forgive me."
So softly Felipe could barely hear it, Don Alejandro said, "I withdraw the accusation."
Gilberto sighed. Felipe could hear him walking across the floor. "This is going to sound very odd," he said. "I mean, it is strange that I would mention it."
"I am listening."
"Just this: he is still Diego. For months he...wasn't. Two? Three? I don't know...it was terrible. All his strength went to living. And just living took _everything_." He paused for a long time, but when he continued, he seemed to have collected himself. "But now, although he is ill, he is again _Diego_. He is always the smartest man in the room. He is interested in everything. He has mercy on everyone-even those whose suffering is entirely their own fault. He understands his illness and his limitations better than the most expensive doctors I could find. And he knows us very, very well."
"I see."
"No, I don't think so. Would you like to take a bet with me? I can offer an honest wager-two to one odds that his minion is here right now."
Oh. No. No, no, no.
"What are you talking about."
"Felipe?" And then "Don't make me ask again."
Trying not to cringe too obviously, Felipe crept around the door and onto the main floor.
Don Alejandro stared at him in astonishment. "How long has he been there?"
Gilberto snorted and rolled his eyes. "I expect he arrived at a run. No, you can't yell at him. You told him to give Diego anything he wanted, you can't complain that they took you up on it."
"And Diego...wanted to check on us. He was worried. ."
"Of course he was. He will argue with us when he thinks it's necessary. Or set his spy on us. Or try to protect us...we shouldn't expect anything else. Frankly, the alternative is much worse." He turned to Felipe. "Go tell him that Father and I have made peace and there is nothing to worry about. Hmmm? And that we don't need to do this again."
Felipe nodded. and with a desperate, apologetic look at Don Alejandro, fled. He was grateful to get away so easily.
He was also a little surprised-there was a time when he could have crept up on Gilberto. He seemed to have gotten smarter. Felipe wasn't sure how well he knew him any more.
When he reached Diego's room, however, he stumbled to a halt. The report would have to wait. Diego was asleep. Well. At least he was on the bed rather than the chair. That was a good sign, even if he was using three pillows. And the window was closed, a very good sign. Felipe pulled the coverlet over him and sat down to read.
~_The end of Part One, _Scachki _(The Races)_
2. March 2, 1813
_Zorro and everybody else aren't mine. I'm not making any profit, and the credit belongs to all the people who worked so hard and so beautifully to make them in the first place. Thank you. _
**March 2 1813**
The ocean was the most astonishing shade of blue. Growing up with the grey, cold waters of the Pacific, the azure waves here seemed a vision of Heaven itself. Diego supposed he could try to paint the sight before him, but surely anyone who hadn't seen it themselves would assume the image was only fanciful...
Poetry, perhaps, could capture it, this sweet, peaceful moment in Heaven. How long had it been since he'd been inspired? Strangely, though, he could only think of three words for 'blue' and none of them captured the crystalline depths before him. And 'crystalline depths' was entirely too obvious and insipid to use.
"So here you are." Gilberto joined him at the rail. "This is the best part of the trip, I think." He lifted a rough canvas bag and rested it between them. "Sailing through paradise with nothing to do to while away the time."
Diego's eyes lingered on the bag. Long. Narrow. Clanking in the familiar way. "Don't tease," he said. "Whomever you've found to-"
"Oh, yes. That's right. I'm so bored I've decided to be pointlessly mean to you." He pushed the bag into Diego's hand. "You've been wanting this for weeks."
"And you've refused to discuss it."
"Well, yes. Not until you had some color in your cheeks and went a day or two without your heart going mad. How do you feel?"
Fogged. Heavy. Empty. "I'm fine."
"Not dizzy?"
"Not even once today."
Gilberto looked at the sack thoughtfully. He pulled open the string at the neck and slid the practice swords partially free. "If you want," he said.
Diego found he could only nod.
They put aside their jackets and hats and put on gloves. Diego couldn't help grinning.
The practice sword in his hand seemed as heavy as his competition sword. He'd been sick too long. He swung a couple of easy arcs through the air. The balance was good, despite the weight. This was so familiar. Oh, dear God, how he'd _missed_ it...
Gilberto stepped back and saluted.
Diego saluted and relaxed into guard. Had he been afraid he would forget? His arms remembered. His feet remembered. Gilberto met his eyes for a moment, and then advanced-
Diego met him easily, circling to sixte, stepping to the side because this was Gilberto and if you stayed still his point found you, sooner or later.
Gilberto laughed and started to follow. Diego chased him back, teased him with quick little strikes.
"Do you remember the tournament in Toledo? It was down to the two of us?"
"I remember you lost." He also remembered the wicked combination that nearly cost him the trophy. He was ready when Gilberto tried it again: six rapid parries, tierce and quinte and back again, and again.
Gilberto stepped back, dropping his guard. "Good," he said. "But slow."
Diego felt mildly affronted. "It was not."
"Well...you're out of practice."
Diego advanced, forcing him back, nibbling at his brother's guard. The swords rang together with a reassuringly familiar rhythm. It was a gratifying sound. The yelp Gilberto gave when Diego caught him a stinging slap on the shoulder was more gratifying still.
Gilberto paused and saluted, smiling with absolute glee. Diego couldn't help laughing aloud, was still laughing as he danced to the left and snapped his blade up under his brother's defense. Gilberto knew this move, caught him easily-
The deck heaved, but Diego knew where his feet were, knew the riposte Gilberto was about to make. He lifted his sword which-
Sliced in the wrong direction. The deck was tilted sideways and _spinning_. Diego's knees shocked against the wood before he realized he was falling. It was Gilberto's sword that swept Diego's blade away, the only reason he didn't fall onto it-
And then it was wood against his cheek and the deck whirled around him and-dear God,-dear God-he was going to be sick.
Gilberto was beside him, one hand gripping his shoulder, the other searching for his pulse. "It's just a faint. It's nothing, Diego. Breathe."
If he had dared open his mouth he might have cursed or tried to reassure him, but since it seemed equally likely that a return of breakfast or a scream of rage would come forth, he locked his teeth and said nothing.
Gilberto turned him easily and then kept him still. "Diego? Can you hear me?"
His stomach still wasn't up to a nod, but Diego squeezed his brother's hand.
"Good. That's good. We pushed too hard. You've had a faint. I need you to hold still."
He tried the nod then, regretted it, managed to hold back the threatening gorge. Diego stayed still as long as he dared: lying flat on his back helped clear his head, but it also made an unpleasant heaviness in his chest, and if he kept it up too long he'd regret it. "Up," he said, as soon as he judged it safe to speak.
Gilberto sat him up and helped slide him back to lean against the rail. Diego rested his head on his knees, but no, there wasn't enough room to breathe that way. He leaned back and studied the impossibly blue sky above the sails. "Not ready," he said.
Gilberto rose onto his knees. "No." It was nearly a sob.
"Damn," Diego murmured. Damn, damn.
"You all right?"
"Let me sit here." He snagged the hilt of his practice sword and slid it across the deck. "Put this away."
~tbc
3. May 22, 1813
**May 22, 1813**
The magician's name was Michel Foucard. He was French. He was tall and elegantly dressed and spoke Spanish with an accent. Some of the women in town said it made him sound 'mysterious' or 'musical.' Felipe just thought it made him nearly impossible to understand.
He put on a magic show at the tavern. It was quite an event. People dressed up. The tavern was so crowded that there was a line of people standing at the back. Felipe was among them, although Diego had seemed to expect him to sit with the family. Diego had been keeping Felipe close since his return, but really, with his father and brother _right there_, he would be fine.
Foucard started out by making coins appear out of the ears of the Salgado girls. Felipe had seen both the twins do as much, and wasn't terribly impressed. A wave of laughter (silent, of course; no one noticed it) washed over him at the image of Gilberto and Diego in matching capes traveling from town to town performing in taverns. Before the mirth could make his throat sting and ache too badly the memory of what Gilberto and Diego were _actually _doing sobered him. The truth was far more outrageous than the passing whimsy.
Two days prior the alcalde had tried to introduce a surcharge on services-the blacksmith, the doctor, the wheelwright, and so forth. Zorro had come to town to 'talk' him out of it. It had involved another duel, which Ramone had lost. Publicly. And spectacularly.
He was in a foul mood. Worse, he now saw Zorro as an enemy to be put down as quickly as possible. Gilberto now had a thousand-peso reward on his head. The reward notice was hanging on the wall by the quartel gate. Every time Felipe closed his eyes, he could see it...
Diego wasn't worried, though. And if Gilberto were in danger, he would be. Of course, Gilberto himself wasn't worried at all, but he always had a blind spot for his own invincibility. Right now the boys were watching the magic show as though they hadn't a care in the world.
Foucard had moved on to making balls, scarves, and even a small rabbit appear and disappear. Felipe had to admit that the twins couldn't do _that_, not with a rabbit. He supposed it was just more slight of hand, the rabbit went up his sleeve or into his sash...but how _did _he keep it from squirming out and hopping away between tricks?
A gold ball disappeared under a burst of flame, then turned into a flower, which Foucard handed to Senorita Victoria with a flourish. "My esteemed hostess," he said in his strange, rolling voice. "But perhaps you would prefer a red one?" He passed a hand over the flower and it changed color.
There was laughter, scattered applause.
The magician made a tumbler of milk disappear, then become two. He ripped paper and made it heal itself. He turned the rabbit into a silk scarf, which he laid across his small table.
"Here I have a little vile of water," he said, holding one up and crooning about it in his strange accent. "And here a dead bird, found just today by Sergeant Mendoza and myself."
The lancer nodded proudly, and Felipe supposed he must be mishearing this bit: surely nobody would particularly happy about finding a dead bird.
He laid the bird on the scarf. "For those who believe that death is everlasting, you are about to be proven wrong." He called Senorita Victoria forward and gave her the vial. "If you would so kindly, Senorita, pour some water onto the bird."
She looked both doubtful and amused, but accommodatingly poured the water. The little bird twitched and flapped jerkily. The magician prodded it with a finger, and it shook itself and fluttered.
Felipe's breath had frozen in his throat. It was several long, terrible seconds before he realized that this was just another trick. Water didn't bring back the dead. Miracles like _that_ didn't happen, not when you prayed for them, and certainly not for stage magicians.
Foucard was kissing Victoria's hand and moving on with his act, but Felipe had had enough. He slipped sideways till he came to the door, then went out and sat in the carriage to wait for the others to finish.
Families had been drifting from the tavern for several minutes before the de le Vegas came out. Diego shot an inquiring glance at Felipe, but Gilberto was grumbling too intently to let anyone else talk. "I didn't say he wasn't competent. I said I'd seen better."
"But you have no desire to see his second show tonight..." Don Alejandro climbed into the front of the carriage and took the reins from Felipe. "And you, Diego?" he asked over his shoulder. "Were you dissatisfied?"
"There's no point in my being dissatisfied. Gilberto is so much better at it, after all." That earned Diego a gentle clout across the shoulders, which he ignored. "Felipe, are you feeling all right?"
Felipe nodded cheerfully. It was even true, here in the warm, late afternoon sunlight.
Don Alejandro chuckled and prodded Felipe in the ribs with his elbow. "Do you know, even as a baby he rarely cried? I thought at the time he was good tempered, but now I begin to suspect he was just lazy, letting 'Berto do all the complaining for him."
Gilberto laughed at that, but Diego said innocently, "I'm sure I was a completely unremarkable child. It is only in comparison with _this_ fractious, ungrateful lout that I seemed adorable and sweet-tempered."
Gilberto snorted with outrage that might only have been half-feigned. "Adorable and sweet-natured? How do you have everyone fooled? Diego, you are the most devious, most ruthless, most defiant man I've ever met. You never in your life followed a rule you found inconvenient."
"Oh, now. You wound me. Deeply. I have never broken a rule that was either just or necessary."
Don Alejandro laughed so hard he had to grip the seat to keep from falling out of the carriage. Felipe, though, cast the twins an irritated look. The rules they were breaking these days were too serious to joke about.
The evening was pleasant. Beef for dinner, of course, as usual, but Maria was an excellent cook. Gilberto played the piano afterwards while Diego sat at the tiny desk in the sitting room and scribbled single-mindedly in his notebook and Don Alejandro played chess with Felipe. It was a pleasant evening.
The next morning wasn't.
Felipe rose shortly after dawn, shrugged into his pants and shirt, and slipped around the corner into the bedroom to check on Diego. He wasn't there.
Felipe had done his best to steel himself for the unbearable (not the unthinkable, obviously, since he thought about it almost every day), but while he realized he might one day wake to find Diego very ill or worse it had never once occurred to him that he might find his charge _missing_.
The bed had been slept in. The window-? Closed. A very good sign. Whenever Diego felt ill, the first thing he did was open a window...
He'd gotten up. That was all. Never mind how he'd snuck past Felipe. He'd woken up hungry. That was all.
Carrying his sandals under his arm, Felipe hurried out to the dining room where Don Alejandro and Gilberto were just sitting down to breakfast. Diego wasn't there. "Where is he?" Felipe demanded.
"Where is what?" Gilberto asked.
"Diego! Diego! Where is he?" His fingers clawed out _friend_-Diego's namesign-franticly. _Where is he, you great idiot, who else would I be looking for_? "Diego!"
Don Alejandro came smoothly to his feet and called for Maria, who poked her head around the doorframe immediately. "Have you seen Diego this morning?"
"Oh, yes. He was in the vegetable garden about twenty minutes ago. Shall I go fetch him?"
Felipe raced past her and out through the kitchen.
Diego was walking down the row of chili plants carrying a folded net and a small cage containing two speckled birds. He saw Felipe and smiled, but his hands were full, so he couldn't wave.
Felipe looked Diego up and down. He seemed to be fine. Disgusted, Felipe sat down on the rough hewn bench Maria and the girls used for shelling peas and put on his shoes.
"Felipe?" Diego came up and looked at him thoughtfully. "Is something wrong?"
Helpless to explain, Felipe ran his hands through his hair. Bad enough-impossible enough!-to take care of Diego when he could _find_ him. Wandering around outside, collecting _birds_, of all the stupid-He turned on his heel and stalked into the house.
Don Alejandro and Gilberto were hovering uncertainly in the dining room. "Everything is fine. Diego is well. _Nothing_ to worry about." He was just outside collecting birds. Not even chickens, birds you could eat, no. Felipe went back to Diego's room and put away his bedroll and made Diego's bed.
Then he went out to the barn and curried Esperanza and his own Sunshine.
Tending Toronado was his next thought, but when he went down into the cavern, he found Diego at the worktable setting up some kind of experiment involving a series of thin glass bottles. The cage was on the table beside him.
Diego set the bottle he was holding down and turned around. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Felipe shook his head.
Diego talked anyway. "I was up very early this morning. I thought it would be inconsiderate to wake you. It never occurred to me that you would worry."
Felipe waved at him forget it and picked up the currycomb.
"I'm trying to apologize. Will you look at me?"
"I can hear you fine," Felipe signed irritably. And then he winced and buried his face in his hands and apologized. Being upset was no excuse for being rude. Certainly not to Diego who didn't deserve to suffer for Felipe's worry and frustration. "You do what you want."
"I do what I want?" Diego repeated. "What is that supposed to mean? Felipe-"
Felipe put down the currycomb and came over to the table, his hands open in surrender. "I mean, you do not tell me where you go. You are not a child. You...know what you are doing. And you are free to do as you wish."
Diego dropped his eyes. "As much as I..._hate _the limitations my health..." he trailed off and considered for a moment. "I wish I did not need to be cared for. But the fact remains... you have been so patient and kind and brave on my behalf. It is unkind to frighten you on account of my 'freedom.' I should have waited."
Felipe thought about that. "I want you to be happy."
Diego hugged him. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. "So, so sorry."
He wasn't sorry for sneaking out that morning. He was sorry for being sick. Felipe didn't know how to answer that.
And then, suddenly, he did. He pushed Diego back and signed very slowly, "You never made me apologize for not speaking."
Diego bristled, affronted, shocked.
Felipe shook his head firmly. "It's the same. The same, the same."
"Oh, Felipe-" Overwhelmed he started to close his eyes.
Felipe slapped his shoulder: pay attention. "I was deaf. We learned to live with it. I can't talk. You learned to speak with me. Nobody apologizes. This is...how it is."
"How can it be the same?" Diego whispered.
"Sitting with you when you're sick, it's not more work than learning a new language! Not more work than teaching a child _everything_. You loved me as I was, even when I was a terrible burden-"
"You were never-!"
"I know that you think you are a burden. I...don't think so. I think. I think I love you. My friend. My teacher. As you are. Nobody apologizes."
Diego swallowed hard and nodded.
"You are not sorry," Felipe added firmly.
"I...will try not to be sorry."
"Try hard," Felipe said. "Now. Have I upset you?"
"No, I'm fine. I'm fine."
Felipe watched him very carefully for a moment. When he was sure that was the truth he pointed at Toronado. "I have work to do."
Diego nodded. He turned back to his little bottles, but he didn't touch them for several minutes.
Felipe fussed over the big black stallion until the unsettled, sad feeling went away. Mostly went away. But you could only spend so much time combing a horse. He fetched some water and put out fresh oats and went over to see what Diego was doing.
One of the birds was hopping around in the little cage. The other was laid out on a flannel, a motionless pile of feathers...
That was, well, _strange_. Diego liked song birds. He used to make small sketches of them.
Diego caught the look on his face and chuckled. "Don't worry. She's not hurt. It's only an experiment."
Felipe leaned down. Normally you didn't see birds this close up. The beak was tiny and sharp, and had tiny nostrils. He wondered what Diego was doing.
"All night, I've wondered how Foucard could bring a dead bird back to life without substituting a live one." He leaned down and peered at the bird himself. "Like any illusion, preparation is the key. I've fed her a few drops of wine, and now she is very deeply asleep."
Felipe snorted and slapped Diego's shoulder. "Shame on you! You've led the bird astray! Drunk! And so early in the day! As a person of reason you should set a good example, but no, you have lured her into excess and sin!" Despite being in hand signs it was a recognizable recreation of Father Raphael's sermon from Sunday, and Diego threw back his head and laughed.
When he'd collected himself he held up one of his small bottles. "I propose that Foucard's bird was simply drunk, and the water revived her." He splashed a little water from the bottle onto the bird's face. The bird didn't move. Diego tried again. "Hmmm." He peered down at the damp bird.
Felipe shook his head and tisked sadly. "So much for your career in magic."
Diego, still staring at the bird, didn't even notice the tease. "Much have fed her too much wine. But how could Foucard know exactly how much to use so the bird would sleep until the proper moment? Unless...Unless he added a stimulant to the water. Hmmm. Felipe, under my bed is a small, leather-clad chest. Go and fetch it, if you would. And the key-I keep it in the top bureau drawer."
Felipe was so bemused by the whole thing that he almost forgot to check the peephole before exiting into the library.
When he returned with the chest and the key, Diego cleared a place on the table and pulled a second stool close so that Felipe could sit beside him. "Felipe..." Diego gave him a penetrating look. "Before we continue...you and I must come to an agreement. You must never touch the contents of this case without my-or Gilberto's-direct supervision."
Felipe wasn't sure how to take this statement. Frowning, he replied, "I won't take your things."
"I'm not worried about you stealing. It's a question of-here." He unlocked the lid and opened it. The chest was full of tiny bottles packed in cotton. Diego withdrew one and set it on the table between them. "This one is a very powerful acid. If you were to spill it on your hands or clothing...or drop the bottle...it might well be disastrous. Most of the things in this chest are very dangerous."
Oh. "I'll be careful," Felipe promised.
"Of course you will. But you cannot be careful until you know what you are being careful _of_."
Felipe looked at the bottles. There were a lot of them.
Diego withdrew another and held it out so Felipe could see the label. "Do you recognize this?"
_Digitalis Purpurea Tincture. _Felipe nodded. "Four times a day, five drops in water."
Diego blinked. "That's correct. You've been paying attention." He sighed. "In November I was taking a spoonful every four hours, day and night." He took a small, round spoon from a clip on the lid. "A dose this size-one single dose this size-would kill a healthy person of your weight. There is absolutely _no_ room for error." He held out the spoon so Felipe could take a good look. It wasn't very big at all.
Felipe extended a finger toward the little bottle that held life and death, but he didn't touch it. He had to swallow hard. "I understand. It's dangerous. Never alone-" another thought struck him and he grabbed Diego's arm. "You can't work alone, either! If you were to faint and drop that," he pointed to the acid. "No!"
Diego only nodded. "And since Gilberto won't have time to babysit me, I will have to teach you enough chemistry to do so."
Oh. All right then.
"So where shall we begin? Right now, we are looking for a stimulant to wake the bird. The first-"
"So here you are," Gilberto called cheerfully as he came down the stairs. "I had a feeling-" he broke off as his eyes fell on the sleeping bird. "Why, Diego, I've known you all my life and I never took you for the sort who collected dead animals!" He wrinkled his nose and looked more closely. "Oh. Alive. Are we teaching the boy vivisection, then?"
Diego sat back and folded his arms. "Oh, yes. _Very_ funny. Quite the humorists, the two of you. I'm trying to-"
"Figure out Foucard's bird trick." He poked the bird lightly with a finger. "Brandy, I assume?"
"I think the water needs a stimulant added, just something to help things along." He turned back to the chest. "What do you think of Doctor Verdi's tonic?"
Gilberto shrugged. "I think it includes _Hyoscyamus_, which is known to kill small animals. Other than that, it's a fine idea."
Diego replaced the bottle he'd picked up. "Valid point..."
"Father is looking for you. Don Sebastian has talked him into going into the pueblo to argue with Don Antonio Pascal about...well, I'm not sure. You know how Don Sebastian is when he gets on about something. Anyway, Father wants to know if you want to join him. Lunch at the tavern, and I know how you like Senorita Escalante's cooking..."
Diego ignored that and pulled out his pocket watch. "It is getting late." He gently lifted the bird-flannel and all-and set it in the cage with its friend. "Will you be joining us?"
"Not I. Raul has finally talked Father into keeping bees. We're off to the mission to buy equipment. And bees, I hope. I don't look forward to obtaining them the hard way..."
Diego convinced his father to let him ride a horse into the pueblo. Felipe, like most people, preferred horseback to carriage, but he was still a little worried about Diego. He told himself he shouldn't be; Diego was a good enough rider that he probably _could _keep his seat through a dizzy spell...and full-on faint wasn't likely while riding. And he always mounted very carefully. And Esperanza was a gentle, alert mount. Diego would be fine.
Felipe kept him in sight the entire two miles to town, just in case.
Don Alejandro, Don Sebastian, and Don Antonio had lunch (with a great deal of intent talking and very little actual eating) at table at the back of the tavern, so Diego and Felipe ate with Sergeant Mendoza. Diego and his friend talked about many subjects, most of which weren't very interesting. Felipe finished first and slipped out to sit on the porch.
Diego came out without his father and collected Felipe with a nod. "We're heading home. I need to look at some things before Gilberto gets back. It's going to be a busy night." He mounted Esperanza and set out at a brisk walk that became a canter at the edge of town.
Felipe had chosen Esperanza for Diego largely based on her tendency _n_o_t _to do things like canter. But, of course, this was Diego. He could get horses to do pretty much whatever he wanted. Felipe quickly drew along side and reached across to lay a hand on Diego's arm. When Diego glanced over, he shrugged and shook his head. What was going on?
Diego scowled. "Monsieur Foucard is going to rob the military payroll tonight."
Oh. Well. Felipe was used to Diego saying astonishing things. "Why?"
"For the money, I assume. But it might be part of some larger plot to sew discontent among the soldiers."
Felipe shook his head. It was hard to talk one-handed, but he could manage, "No money!" and a shrug.
Diego laughed mirthlessly. "No, soldiers don't get paid much, but they haven't been paid at all in six months. And it isn't just the garrison here, but the presidios south of us as well." He nudged Esperanza a little faster. Felipe followed.
Diego handed off the horses to Tomas, sent Felipe to fetch Don Alejandro's maps, and retreated to his room. When Felipe brought them he found Diego seated at his desk, flipping through a book. "When Father comes home, tell him I'm asleep. When Gilberto comes home, tell him I need to see him at once."
"What do I do?"
Diego handed him a chemistry book. "You get started on this. Oh, and please check on the birds. They're probably hungry."
That was all he had to say, so Felipe fed and watered the captive birds, retreated to a corner in the library, and started learning chemistry.
When he brought Gilberto to his brother a couple of hours later, Diego had moved to the chair by the window, and the window was open. He had one of the maps unrolled in his lap.
Gilberto took a long look at his brother before smiling and saying, "I surely hope that whatever you have to say it's more interesting than bees."
Diego smiled back. "Bees _are_ fascinating, so I'm unsure. But Foucard is going to rob the military payroll. Interested?"
Gilbert gave Felipe a dark look, but Felipe shrugged innocently and signed that he was unable to speak. "You wouldn't have believed me anyway," he added.
"I suppose you got this from Foucard?"
"No, from Sergeant Mendoza."
"Who, no doubt, has the man locked up in his jail even as we speak."
Diego waved a hand irritably. "Oh, no. He just told Foucard where and when to do it."
Gilberto laughed once, sharply. "Dear God, that man is an idiot."
"No. He isn't. And you make a serious mistake to think so."
Gilberto smiled smugly. "Little Brother, you are a generous and compassionate man, but even you have to see-"
A little angry, Diego jumped to his feet so he could meet Gilberto eye to eye. "Don't mistake-" he broke off abruptly and swayed. His hand snatched out for the arm of the chair. It missed.
Gilberto was fast. Before Felipe could move, Gilberto had Diego by the upper arms, steadied, still. "All right," he said softly. "All right."
"Just a little dizzy," Diego said through clinched teeth.
"I know. Let's sit back down, hmmm? Felipe, bring that stool over."
"I don't need my feet up. I don't need to be fussed over. 'Berto-"
"We were discussing something important. Or at least you seemed to think so. Do we have time to quarrel about the footstool?" He took the stool from Felipe and positioned it. Diego submitted to his ministrations without further complaint. "All right? Now, you were saying about the good sergeant?"
"He is an excellent judge of character, as far as his men are concerned. He has the garrison well in hand-a fact that astonishes me, given what their living conditions, lack of pay, and dealing with Ramone must do to their morale." Diego paused for a long time. Gilberto waited patiently. "It is only where civilians are concerned-well-dressed, well-spoken civilians particularly-that he has bind spot. He has dedicated his life to protecting these little scraps of civilization on the frontier. He wants to believe he is doing something of use... and he longs for his efforts to be valued." Diego sighed. "It made him easy prey."
Gilberto sighed. "I'll take your word for that-don't get upset, I _do_ accept it. Now I need to hear how you know Foucard is a threat."
"If you're asking for evidence, I don't have any. But if you'd seen him today...if you'd talked to Mendoza, you would be sure as well. He very generously advised Mendoza on 'strategy.' He asked too many of the right questions. He...he smiles too much. And yes I know how that sounds."
"I'm not disagreeing," Gilberto said gently. He motioned for Felipe to bring over the desk chair so he could sit next to Diego. "What do we know about this robbery?"
Moving slowly (and when had Felipe stopped noticing how carefully Diego usually moved these days?) Diego retrieved the map that had fallen to the floor. "I know where it has to be. Mendoza's men are set to meet the shipment here. Between here and the pueblo, the best place to set up an ambush is here, at the creek crossing, but only if you have a large number of men. If Foucard is working alone, and he might well be, then..." He indicated a place five miles south of the creek crossing. "Especially if he is going to slip back to the pueblo before anyone notices he is missing. There is a narrow track here that leads right to The Scissors. It is where I would choose."
Gilberto took the map and sighed. "Damn," he said.
"Language."
"When will all this happen?"
"Tonight. Mendoza and his men left directly after lunch to reach the rendezvous."
Gilberto pulled back. "Oh, Diego, not tonight. I can't possibly do it tonight! I've met a girl, and tonight I was planning to-" He broke off suddenly and shook his head. "Stop, stop. Diego. Don't be an idiot. Where would I meet someone between here and the San Gabriel Mission? Unless you thought I was preying on one of the poor neophyte girls? Really. You know me better than that."
Diego snorted and looked away.
Felipe poked Gilberto firmly in the shoulder and gave him a scolding look.
Gilberto sighed. "It was _funny_. Too busy courting to save the payroll. Ha."
"Oh, yes," Diego said dryly. "Very funny. I'm deeply amused. There was another payroll stolen. Up near San Francisco. The thief apparently used fireballs. Perhaps someone has managed to recreate the recipe for greek fire. Wouldn't that be lovely? Scholars have been arguing over that for several hundred years. If we're really lucky, you might even get to see it first hand."
Gilberto blinked. "Greek fire?"
"Well, apparently not quite that bad. And no one was killed last time. But forgive me if I want you to pay attention. This could be dangerous."
"Fine. Fire balls. Any theories? Burning pitch and a catapult, perhaps?"
"No. That kind of evidence would have been very definite...I just don't know. They may even have been illusion."
"I won't depend on _that _theory."
"Good." Diego smiled very slightly. "It_ was_ funny. I suppose you were going to say she wanted flowers and serenading?"
"No, actually. I was going to wax poetic about how delicate she was, how fragile, how meek-until either you saw through me or I made myself too ill at the schmaltz to go on. I don't have a romantic soul." He laughed.
"You have a very romantic soul. You're just looking for a woman who isn't fragile and meek." He paused. "Victoria Escalante-"
"_Don't_ try it. We'd be absolutely miserable."
Diego looked away: a concession, and one he was unhappy about. Felipe wondered what he was missing, but the twins frequently seemed to have two or three conversations at once, and the extra ones were based on things they both already knew so well they didn't need to actually talk about them.
"You'll have to leave immediately after supper. It's too bad we _can't_ manufacture a woman for you to 'court' in the evenings."
"Only because I'd eventually have to produce a wife. Thank you, no. The longer I can put that off the better. And don't do me any favors and tell Father we fought again, hmmm."
"I've admitted that was a tactical mistake." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "We'll tell father I want to go out starwatching. He'll send you to babysit, and you can sneak around through the cave entrance."
"Leaving you alone outside with no one but Felipe."
Hey! Felipe pointedly tapped his shoulder and gave him a stern look.
"It's time he started learning astronomy. We'll be fine. 'Berto, we're here alone at night. I don't see the difference."
Gilberto gave in and conceded that perhaps Felipe could manage Diego for a few hours-almost to have their plans thrown into chaos when Don Alejandro declared that he would shepherd the astronomy excursion himself. Of course, that was just as well: if he was outside, Gilberto could come and go through the house as he pleased.
'Astronomy' turned out to be long periods of Diego fiddling with the telescope followed by short periods of Felipe and Don Alejandro looking through it at small colored dots. The night was pleasant and warm, though, and Diego seemed relaxed and happy.
That last was probably a front, actually. Diego was never completely relaxed when Zorro rode.
In any case, Don Alejandro called a halt to the activity at one in the morning. Diego didn't bother to argue; he couldn't convincingly claim not to be tired. Gilberto wasn't back yet, but his brother wasn't expecting him so early and his father assumed he was in bed asleep, so that was all right. In fact, until Diego refused to go to bed, things seemed to be going very well.
"I'll wake you when he comes home," Felipe coaxed.
"I'll wake you," Diego returned. "You're still growing. You need the rest as much as I."
Frowning, Felipe ran his index finger along Diego's wrist. He found the pulse very easily, now. The little flutter was strong and distinct, which was reassuring. Felipe squeezed Diego's shoulder. "Go to bed. There's nothing you can do but rest."
Almost too softly to hear, Diego answered, "No."
"Idiot!" He signed it without thinking and regretted it immediately. "Sorry. Sorry."
Diego waved the outburst aside, neither hurt nor angered. "Please understand," he said patiently. "I can't. I don't know what he is facing, and I sent him...I sent him out there."
"In his place, would you have gone?"
"Of course, but that isn't the point."
It was the point, but there was no use in arguing with someone who thought truth wasn't important. He changed tactics. "He needs you well." Felipe lowered his brows and looked as stern as he could manage. "He'll need you tomorrow. And after that."
Diego stared down at his hands for a long moment. "You win," he said at last.
He had barely gotten Diego settled in bed when the door swung open just enough to admit Gilberto, running, in his stocking feet, his boots in his hand. He was whispering something that resolved into a string of curses when he drew close enough for Felipe to hear.
"Wait-start at the beginning. What did-"
"Your sergeant and his men ran away." He dropped his boots and sat down on the edge of the bed, speaking urgently and quietly and looking ready to grab Diego by the shoulders and shake him. "Not, my God, that I blame them. I swear, I still cannot believe what I saw!"
"What do you mean by-"
Gilberto waved his arms. "It wasn't Foucard! You were right about the _robbery_. He got the whole payroll. Ha! Someone did. But it wasn't Foucard. Damn it."
"Start at the beginning. You were following the transport..."
"It happened exactly where you expected. Actually, if there were something you were wrong about, _that _might have been the place to start, I would have been happy to see you wrong about that, but no, Foucard was in his room."
Diego signed to Felipe to pour Gilberto a glass of water.
"How did the attack begin?" It took him ten minutes to get a coherent story out of Gilberto. And another twenty after that of careful questions to reveal a clear outline of events. A rain of fireballs the size of wagon wheels scattered the soldiers without actually damaging the wagon or hurting the men. While Gilberto was trying to locate the source of the attack, a horseman had closed on the wagon, assaulted the driver, and made off with the cash portion of the payment.
Gilberto had pursued him, gotten close enough to slash a 'Z' onto the bandit's coat tails, but had then lost him in the darkness.
"You have the fastest horse in the territory. How did he get away from you?"
"The thief turned into that little ravine-the one with the messy trees-and Toronado balked at the darkness. I told you we were pushing him too fast-"
"Don't start defending yourself. I'm not criticizing you. And don't blame Toronado. No doubt the thief's horse was already conditioned to fireballs..." Diego rubbed his forehead with the heel of his hand.
"But that little ravine leads east. So I headed southwest to town, thinking I could get back before Foucard, catch him returning with the gold, or at least a cut coattail. Except when I climbed up to his room he was already there. Asleep. In his bed."
"He couldn't have gotten there before you."
"No, so it can't have been him-"
Diego shook his head. "It was him," he said flatly.
Gilberto frowned. He took Diego's hand. "Father mentioned that Foucard had been...rather obviously...trying to get Senorita Victoria's...attention."
"No."
"Diego...I've noticed..."
"No. Just...no. No, there is no point in discussing Victoria. And no, this is not a product of my...it isn't. Foucard is your thief. I am sure."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure."
Gilberto sighed and nodded. "All right then." He fussed with Diego's coverlet. "He's leaving tomorrow on the three o'clock stage. We'll have to figure something out before then. In the mean time, we all need some sleep."
He took the candle with him. Felipe caught his shoulder as he reached the door and signed, "Is he right?"
Gilberto made the tossing motion that meant, "It doesn't matter." At Felipe's astonished look, he pulled Felipe out into the hallway and said softly, "In my life, I've never regretted trusting him. Only one time has he ever asked me for anything important...and I was so sure I knew best so I refused him. I was wrong, and Diego..." he stopped and looked away. "If Diego says it is Foucard, he is probably right. So it is Foucard we investigate."
Diego slept late the next morning, but not as late as Felipe had hoped. While Felipe was in the kitchen assembling something for Diego to eat when he rose, Diego was getting up and dressing. He passed Felipe in the hallway, smiled a thanks, and snatched an orange from the tray.
Holding the tray in one hand, Felipe tapped it sharply with the other. "I've had an idea," he said apologetically over his shoulder. A bit bemused, Felipe followed him to the cave.
Gilberto was already there, fussing with Diego's makeshift chemistry laboratory. Felipe had never seen him do that before. Diego didn't seem to mind, though. He smiled serenely and said, "Pyrositic sulfate."
Gilberto nodded as though this were a sensible greeting. "It would solve your bird problem as well. I'm about ready to test it." One of the birds was laid out on flannel again, asleep. Or, more probably, drunk.
Diego paused to put a handful of orange peels on the tray, then motioned Felipe to lay the tray aside. "Stand here, where you can see," he said.
Gilberto measured out a tiny portion of powder and added it to a beaker of water. "It's a volatile substance with many different applications. When mixed with water it produces a powerful stimulant that exhilarates the nervous system." He sprinkled the water onto the bird's face and waited smugly.
The tiny, shiny eyes popped open and Felipe jumped. "Another medicine?" he asked.
"Not for him," Gilberto said absently, gently prodding the bird with a finger. "His heart reacts badly to stimulants." The bird stood unsteadily and shook its feathers. "For birds that have overindulged, however..."
"Nicely done," Diego said.
"It does get better," Gilberto said. He scooped a tiny amount of the powder into a shallow metal dish and set it on the other side of the table. "Alcohol," he said to Felipe and wet a wad of cloth from his little bottle. "Watch." He tossed the cloth into the powder.
There was a nervous pause.
"Perhaps," Diego began.
There was a flash and hiss and a fast, flickering fire licked from the little metal dish. Gilberto made a single, short shout of joy.
"That is our fireball. The more alcohol, the bigger the reaction." Diego collected the dish and prodded what remained of the contents with a strange glass stick "Hmmm. It didn't consume much the cloth. I wonder how he delivered the chemicals. Maybe..."
"Never mind, Little Brother. The stage leaves in less than five hours. We need a plan."
The plan they threw together was not as circumspect or fool-proof as Diego would have liked. The entire trip into town was spent going over contingencies-what to do if Diego could not convince Foucard to join him for lunch, what to do if Foucard was not at the inn at all, what to do if soldiers were present and what to do if they were not, what to do if Foucard resisted, what to do if he ran...
In all contingencies, Felipe was to stay out of the way.
Gilberto dropped them at the tavern and then continued on with the carriage. He'd visit the blacksmith, the dry goods store, a tailor-none of them long visits, but enough to establish why he wasn't with his brother. A short distance from the rear of the tavern was the old gristmill. It was small and inefficient, and it only operated during the late fall. Right now it would be easy for Gilberto to pick the lock and slip inside to change into Zorro. From the roof of the mill it was a short jump to the roof of the tavern's tiny stable, and from there an easy climb into Foucard's room.
All Diego had to do was occupy Foucard for a short time, and in a wild stroke of luck, he was sitting right in the tavern speaking with Senorita Victoria. They wouldn't even have to look for him or entice him from his room.
Diego smiled, nodded politely to Victoria, and said jovially, "Senor Foucard, just the man I was hoping to see. I heard you were leaving today, and I wanted to ask your advice on a puzzle I've been working on. Have you eaten? Perhaps you would join me for lunch?"
Foucard smiled. "I'm afraid I'll be rather too busy for lunch, Senor de le Vega. Have you heard the wonderful news?"
"News?" Diego was all polite interest and charm.
"I have convinced Senorita Escalante to leave with me."
Diego turned to her in pleased surprise. "Why, Victoria, is this true?" he asked.
Eyes wide, smiling too broadly, Victoria nodded.
"What wonderful news!" Diego said to both of them.
Felipe felt a stab of terror. Nowhere in their contingencies was there a plan for what to do if Diego and Senorita Victoria simultaneously went completely mad.
"Senor, allow me to compliment you on your excellent taste. The senorita is truly a great treasure. Were I not so inconvenienced by health problems, I would have courted her myself."
And how had Diego made the absolute truth sound like a polite lie? Turning slightly so that Foucard couldn't see his hand, Diego signed urgently "Go away. Now."
Felipe swallowed hard and took a couple of steps back. This left him standing in the middle of the tavern. Feeling both awkward and afraid, he sank into the nearest chair.
"This great occasion calls for a toast." He turned to Victoria. "Perhaps some wine?" He laughed. "Your very best wine, I'm buying, of course." He stepped back so Victoria could rise.
She didn't move.
"That won't be necessary," Foucard said.
"But I insist. Oh! You were planning to leave today. You can't possibly. My father will want to throw a party for you both tonight."
"Thank you for the thought, but I'll have to refuse. I must ask you to excuse us. The senorita and I-"
Diego continued relentlessly, still smiling, but clearly neither friendly or amused. "Surely I can change your mind. Victoria, old friend, move over." She started to move, froze abruptly, closed her eyes. Diego didn't seem to see her odd reactions "Senor Foucard and I have so much to say to one another. We have a great deal in common. Magic, as you said, is very much like science. For example, I've been giving some thought to your water-of-life trick. Are you aware-"
Without warning, Foucard shoved his seat back, thrust the table away and leapt to his feet. In a single heartbeat he was standing directly in front of Diego holding a sword at his throat.
Diego didn't seem at all alarmed. He didn't even seem surprised. "I am unarmed, Senor," he said mildly.
Felipe had come to his feet. So had Don Roberto and Don Carlos, who had been playing cards in the corner. Diego, moving his hand only a little, waved them back. "No blood has been drawn. Let's keep it that way, shall we? Senor Foucard needs a moment to think."
"And what is it I have to think about?"
"Your options," Diego said reasonably. "For example, you could surrender now. No one has been killed; the punishment would not be too severe. Or you could run; that would preserve your freedom, at least. Or you can kill me, which would end your life very quickly; I see Don Roberto is armed...and there are two vaqueros beside the door, strong young men waiting for an opportunity...and, of course, as soon as you are occupied with impaling me, Senorita Escalante will run for the door screaming for the lancers. If you continued to fight they would have no choice but to kill you."
Senorita Victoria, who had stumbled to her feet but only managed a single step away before Foucard had taken Diego, folded her arms tightly and shook her head.
"All of those options...leave something to be desired. Let's try another: those two young men," he nodded to the vaqueros, "go up to my room and bring down the trunk. Then, I lock all of you in the store room, and quietly leave with the senorita."
Diego shook his head politely. "I'm afraid we covered that one-it's the one where you have to kill me. You are not leaving with Victoria."
"Diego, no," she whispered.
"You two," Foucard said to the vaqueros. "Move. Now."
Felipe felt a wave of hope. Zorro might well be in Foucard's room by now, searching it. He watched the men climb the steps with growing joy. Gilberto would take care of this.
Foucard eyed Diego. "Do you think I won't?"
"You're a desperate man. You won't kill your hostage. Victoria, go stand next to Felipe."
"But Diego..."
"It's quite all right."
She moved very slowly. Her shoes were soft, but each step seemed very loud, even to Felipe. When she was close enough, he reached out and took her hand. Diego would expect him to keep her out of the way. When Zorro arrived, all hell would break loose-
All hell broke loose without bothering to wait for Zorro. Diego took a single step backwards. Snarling, Foucard lunged for him. Diego ducked neatly under the swinging blade. His left foot shot out, sweeping Foucard's forward leg, sending him crashing to the floor.
Diego turned, about to make his escape, but he stumbled and in that moment's hesitation, Foucard leapt to his feet and drew back his sword. Oh Saint Mary, Diego had no way to defend himself, and the caballeros were running, but they were more than a dozen feet away. Felipe's throat knotted painfully around the scream that tried to rip its way out.
A "bang," shocking, loud, transmitted through the floor. A clattering hail of-gold coins? Froze everyone, including Foucard.
Diego fell sideways, out of Foucard's path and then another of those shocking crashes rocked the room again as a bag of gold coins came sailing over the balcony railing to shatter on the floor.
No one moved but Foucard, who turned in a circle his sword at the ready.
Zorro hopped neatly onto the balcony railing and peered down at him with ostentatious regret. "Oops," he said cheerfully. "Butterfingers. That's me. Shame about the mess, all your pretty money...but then it wasn't your money, was it? It looks to me like the military payroll."
"Why are you involving yourself, outlaw? This is none of your business."
"As my conscience endlessly reminds me, justice is everyone's business." He shrugged. "My pueblo, my friends, my neighbors," he sighed, "and the lancers who work so hard for their meager pay." His eyes flicked to the side, checking Diego's position. He was a couple of yards away from Foucard, now, leaning against the railing at the bottom of the stairs. Zorro smiled.
He launched himself laterally from the balcony, caught the iron chandelier, and swung slowly over the floor to drop neatly directly in front of Foucard. "You got away from me last night, Monsieur, but I managed to cut your coat. Will you show us your coat?"
Foucard lunged with his sword. Zorro's sword knocked it neatly aside. They started in earnest, then. The swords flashed, probing and defending. Both seemed to be good, but in a minute it was clear that Foucard was_ trying_ much harder than Zorro, who fairly danced across the floor and grinned as he parried Foucard's desperate thrusts.
Felipe had never seen Zorro fight before. Sir Edmund's few letters from Spain had endlessly praised _Diego's_ talent, but Gilberto had always been 'progressing acceptably.' How good had Diego been, that this was merely acceptable? He found himself clinging to Senorita Victoria's hands, both of them pressed into the table behind them, neither daring to breathe. The blades were _sharp_, and Foucard, at least, was intent on killing.
Zorro was parrying with a flourish, now, almost laughing aloud as each attack was turned aside. Foucard broke and ran for the door. He found Don Roberto and Don Carlos in his way. He diverted and dove for the stairs. Zorro was behind him. Halfway up the steps, Foucard spun and tossed a small knife. Zorro's sword snapped up and deflected the smaller blade, which imbedded itself in the railing.
Zorro, more slowly but relentlessly, continued up the stairs. "Cheap tricks won't save you now, Monsieur. Justice is more certain then either the hand or the eye."
Foucard took a step backward. Zorro advanced. "Trickster by day, highway robber by night. A most creative dual identity." Foucard took another step backward, but Zorro was too close to simple turn and run. "A rope tied to a wig mannequin, a fire bellows that coughs, all so we would think you were in bed last night. I admit, you had even me fooled."
Franticly, Foucard swung his sword. Zorro ducked under it and then pushed forward, taking the other man in the stomach with his shoulder. Foucard went sailing over Zorro's back to land in a heap at the bottom of the stairs. His sword landed several feet away on the tavern floor.
Zorro turned, his sword still ready, but Don Roberto had seized Foucard before he could move. Zorro nodded and sheathed his saber. "Was anyone hurt?" he asked. If his glance hesitated on Diego, it was less than a second.
Shaking, Victoria let go of Felipe's hand and stepped forward. "No," she answered. "Thank you. No one was hurt. I...he was...Zorro, how can we thank you?"
Gilberto gave a half-bow. "It was purely my pleasure," he said. He looked about to say something else, but at that moment, the door to the tavern opened and Sergeant Mendoza and two of his men came in. For a moment, everyone froze: the overturned tables, the gold coins all over the floor, Don Roberto holding the magician at swordpoint, the outlaw on the stairs, and the stunned soldiers seemed to be part of an impossible vision or the punch line to badly told joke, rather than a real, solid moment in a spring afternoon.
Everything sprang to life again at once. The lancers charged forward to seize Zorro, but were unable to pass Don Roberto and his prisoner. Don Carlos began bellowing that they were after the wrong man. Zorro leapt up the last few stairs and disappeared into what had been Foucard's room. The two vaqueros who had been waiting on the balcony applauded as he went by.
Diego alone was unmoving. He leaned against the side of the stairs, gripping the rail support and obviously a little breathless. Felipe circled around the crowd at the bottom of the stairs and took Diego's hand. It wasn't particularly cold, a good sign. His pulse was faint and a little fast, but not as bad as when he had a heart seizure. "Dizzy?" he signed.
Diego nodded weakly. Felipe wrapped an arm around his waist and quickly shifted him three steps to the nearest table and dropped him into a chair. Diego rested his arms on the table and tried to look normal. He didn't quite succeed. Felipe darted over to the bar and gathered up a pitcher of wine and a cup. He was fairly sure the owner wouldn't mind him helping himself just this once.
He filled a cup and slid it across the table to Diego, who winced and signed "sick," with his left hand. Sympathetic and completely helpless to do anything useful, Felipe pulled over a chair and sat beside him.
One of the soldiers took a bound Foucard away, and two more arrived to help gather and count the scattered money. The alcalde arrived. He stalked through the dining room in a quiet rage and stalked out again.
Senorita Victoria came over and sat down across from Diego. She peered at him impatiently. "What were you thinking?" she demanded. Her face was still pale and pinched-looking. "No one told me your illness included insanity. I mean it, Diego, you could have been killed."
"Victoria," he said tightly, "I have been very brave today. Right now I'm dizzy, I have a headache, and I am trying not to be ill here in your place of business. I would consider it a great favor if you'd postpone the lecture till later."
Her eyes had gotten very wide. "Are you," she turned to Felipe, "Is he-?"
Felipe signed (slowly) that everything was all right. Nothing to worry about. Relax.
She reached across the table and squeezed Diego's hand. Diego actually smiled slightly.
"You were brave." She laughed weakly. "_I_ was terrified. I haven't had a day this bad in...years."
"It was a good day," Diego corrected.
"Ah? Oh, so it was," she said. Then, resolutely, she stood up, patted Diego's shoulder, and walked around him to plant herself between him and Sergeant Mendoza, who was headed toward their table.
Finding his path blocked, Mendoza said politely, "Excuse me, Senorita. I need a word with Don Diego."
"He can't speak to you right now. We went through a terrible ordeal, and he needs a moment to collect himself."
"Oh. Yes. I'm sure it was terrible. But that's what I want to speak to him about. You see, Don Roberto said-"
"Then your business is with Don Roberto." She smiled sweetly.
"Yes, but. That is, Don Diego was talking to Senor Foucard, and I really-"
"The answer is no. Not now. Maybe later. Sergeant, don't make me have you thrown out."
That surprised him. "But you can't through me out. I'm the legally appointed representative of the king's-"
"Fine. Then I will cancel your credit." She sighed. "Your prisoner isn't going anywhere, is he? You aren't in a terrible hurry, are you? Try again later."
Unhappily, Mendoza backed off, and Victoria returned to her seat. "Is there anything I can do?" she asked anxiously.
Diego smiled wearily. "Actually, that display was quite bracing." He took the wine cup and managed a couple of sips.
"Diego...how did you know?" she asked softly.
"Know what?" He pinched the bridge of his nose and took another sip of the wine.
"That Foucard was holding a sword on me. That he was planning to abduct me. That he was the bandit who took the military payroll."
"I-I-" Diego blinked, stumbling over his answer, flailing for something to say. He had escaped a grilling from the sergeant only to fall into an equally dangerous conversation with Senorita Victoria. "I didn't _know_ any of that!" He took a quick swallow of the wine. To Felipe, it was clear that he was buying time. "I mean...I knew you would never abandon the tavern to run off with a man you'd known about three days. Obviously. But holding a sword..." He smiled self-depreciatingly. "I had no idea. Actually, I'd assumed he'd drugged you."
"But everything you said...you sounded so odd..."
"I was trying to buy time while I figured out what to do. Frankly...the whole time I was worried that I was wrong. How embarrassing, to go on and on like that if you really had fallen madly in love with the man."
"Hmmmm," she said, looking doubtful. "Well, I suppose everything worked out in the end. Zorro showed up in the nick of time."
"I would have said he was a little late, myself," Diego muttered.
"Diego! ...well, actually, I can't blame you this time." She smiled ruefully. "But he _did _show up before any one was hurt or killed! Today-today could have been a very, very bad day." She looked over at the table where she and Foucard had been sitting. "I wonder how _Zorro_ knew. I didn't, and I spent more time with him than anyone else. I actually thought he was kind of-" she broke off and shuddered dramatically. "Oh, I feel like such and idiot." She was blushing a little.
Diego looked slightly surprised. "But he was holding a sword on you. You must have found out something inconvenient, for him to try to abduct you."
"Oh, no. He was...he was trying to convince me to run away with him. And when I said, 'no,' well," she shrugged. "He didn't like to be refused. I suppose...I suppose it isn't a surprise that anyone who steals that much money would be very selfish. But he seemed...He was so charming and polished..." She shuddered again.
Gilberto-wearing his own clothes-stormed into the tavern then. His boots clacked on the floor as big angry steps carried him to the table. "I just had the most amazing conversation with the sergeant. He claims that Foucard is some kind of bandit, and you challenged him to a duel-while he was armed with a sword and you had your bear hands? Really, Diego! Can't I leave you on your own for twenty minutes?"
Felipe surged to his feet, signing to Gilberto to leave Diego alone. He'd had enough of a strain today, he didn't need a fight.
He got maybe two words out before Diego neatly captured his hands and said, "Don't blame me: I certainly didn't _plan_ to do anything so foolhardy. If it had been up to me, I'd have gone about it much more neatly." He took a deep breath. "Besides, how was I to know he'd see Victoria as-as just another bag of gold to be stolen at sword point? None of this is my fault."
Diego was looking past his brother's shoulder and Gilberto looked on the verge of laughter. Felipe realized, then, that this was one of their small games. Besides the two of them, only Felipe was in on the joke-that Diego had planned so carefully for every possible contingency except the one that happened!
"Not your fault? Whose, then? I suppose you're going to blame it all on the criminal?" Even though his mirth, though, Gilberto was studying his brother very carefully. He probably didn't like what he saw: Diego was too pale, drooping with exhaustion, still taking an extra breath now and then...
"Well, I rather thought so," Diego answered.
Gilberto compressed his lips. "Do you still want to have lunch in town? I know you were planning to see if Foucard would join you-I imagine that option is closed now."
"Yes, very funny," Diego responded, but his voice was heavy and his mirth was fading.
"On the house, of course. Saving me from abduction deserves at least a free meal."
Diego smiled. "Perhaps I could collect some other time? I've had enough excitement for one day. And if I remain, Mendoza will want to talk with me about what happened, and I...would rather not."
About halfway home, Felipe reined in the horses and turned around to face the twins, who were sitting in the back of the carriage. Gilberto had his fingers resting against Diego's wrist. "Are you going to yell at him? For real?" Felipe asked.
Gilberto's mouth dropped open. "Whatever for?" he asked.
"For doing something stupid and dangerous," Diego explained. "Felipe...it wasn't as bad as it looked."
That was just beyond absurd. "He had a sword! You didn't!" he signed emphatically.
Diego sighed. "When two men duel...when they are equally armed with swords or pistols or even a pile of rotting lemons-"
"That was Julian's idea. And we'd both had too much to drink," Gilberto protested. He spoke softly enough that if Felipe hadn't been watching them he would have missed it.
"And I have no idea why you persist in thinking either of those constitutes an adequate excuse. Whatever the weapon, however, in dueling, there are rules. Requirements for honorable conduct. But when an unarmed man is menaced unfairly by an armed opponent...there are no rules. Any 'dirty' trick I cared to play would have been considered not only fair, but laudable."
Gilberto nodded. "If I were to rebuke him-and I am not, and you were right to try to stop me before. He is much too tired-but if I were, it would be for not pursuing his advantage and finishing Foucard. However...I suspect the reason he did not is the reason he decided to attack in the first place. His head was spinning and it was getting worse."
Felipe crossed himself. He wasn't sure if he was thanking God for his help so far or asking Him for more...
"Felipe, I _am_ sorry things did not go as planned. I wasn't...I obviously didn't take into account..."
"Enough," Gilberto said. "Drive. We need to get him home and lying down...maybe if we sedate him there won't be terrible consequences for today's heroics."
"'Berto, I feel all right now. Tired, I suppose..."
"Don't argue. Please. As it is, I am going to have to explain this to Father before he finds out from someone else. Where was I, when _you_ were being attacked by an armed criminal? I'm supposed to take care of you, for heaven's sake. How could I let you face a vicious brigand alone?" He sighed.
"I'll talk to him."
"No. You won't. You will rest. Well? Drive, Felipe-and don't think you're spying on _this_ conversation. I can handle it myself."
Felipe turned around and urged the horses forward.
_End of Part 2:_ Fokuchik _(The Magician)_
4. March 3, 1813
**March 3, 1813**
He woke in icy blackness, a small, and airless space. Frantic, he reached out with his hands, encountered a wood panel on his left. Something hard and flat met his fingertips an arm's reach above his face. Oh, God, he'd been buried alive.
There wasn't any air.
"Diego!" There was movement above him and a solid thump to the right as Gilberto dropped down. Gilberto. The ship. Their berth.
Strong arms swept behind him, pulled him to sitting.
Diego gasped. And gasped. Gilberto held him up, tried to calm him, but the darkness pressed in, smothering him.
"The rugged peaks are indebted to the Sheppard god; The fields are owed to Ceres; On one falls a rain of gold; on the other snowflakes of wool,*" Gilberto recited. He pulled away, and for long seconds, Diego was alone in the dark with only Baroque poetry they'd learned when they were ten for company.
A light sliced through the tiny cabin, flared, and dimmed to something only a little painful. Gilberto had lit the lamp. Diego had to shade his eyes, but at least he could see the room-small, but not unbearably so, not shrinking, not a coffin, not yet.
Gilberto hung the lamp on a hook and sat beside Diego on the narrow bunk. He propped Diego in place with pillows and found the pulse at his wrist. Diego didn't need to check-if he thought about it he could feel the headlong gallop of his stampeding heart. Frowning, Gilberto turned Diego's arm and pressed the skin several times with a single finger. This, at least, was good news: the skin didn't take the dents. It wasn't dropsy, not this time.
"Open the-door a little," Diego panted. "Let some-air in."
Gilberto opened the door, though he clearly knew it wouldn't do any good.
Diego kept his eyes on the darkness on the other side of the narrow opening. There was plenty of air. There was plenty of room. He needed to stay calm. He needed to relax. This would pass.
The seizures always passed. Always. Always.
Gilberto opened the leather case and pulled out a narrow glass bottle. The laudanum. No. Damn. The beloved panacea, so dear to the doctors. If you could neither explain nor cure a disease-well, _that _hardly mattered if a little laudanum made the patient stop complaining and slip into a blissful sleep, did it? Diego closed his eyes. "No, please...don't want it."
A thin stream of water rang as it poured from a canteen into a metal cup. Then only silence as Gilberto added the drops of laudanum.
"Don't. 'Berto. Don't."
Holding the little cup, Gilberto came back and sat on the edge of the narrow berth. He checked Diego's pulse again. Of course he found it no slower than before. "Diego."
It was going to be a bad seizure-the worst in weeks. It would last a couple of hours at least and every minute would be agony. But laudanum turned men's brains to mush. It grabbed hold and didn't let go. People could live years half-removed from their earthy lives, their loved ones. "Don't...want it."
"I don't have anything else. Nothing else helps, not now. There's nothing I can do but give you this..."
"Mother," Diego whispered. "I remember. I won't." It was hard to force the words out, to take the seconds away from breathing to speak, but he couldn't-_couldn't_-let this go. "I won't do that."
"It's not the same." Gilberto took his hand, coaxing, gentle. "I remember, too, Diego. She was dying. She was in horrible pain. It wasn't a bad thing that she slept through that..."
And yes, that was true. The agony had been even more terrible than the delirium that had replaced it. But Gilberto had taken to drugging Diego not only through the worst seizures but also when he became too unhappy or angry or 'agitated.' It was too easy. It was too often. The calmness it brought was already too tempting. "I won't," he ground out, "sleep through...what's left of my life."
"But this isn't the same. This isn't a strong dose. You don't need it every day. Be reasonable."
"No." Too often. Too easy. The sweet, comfortable dreams were a terrible temptation. A danger. No. "No."
"What you are suffering right now-it is unendurable, and nothing else will end it. We've tried all the remedies: all the sane ones all the desperate ones all the stupid ones. This is the only thing that helps. Please. I don't have anything else." Diego heard the grief in his brother's voice. And the fear. And the anger.
He took the cup and drained it.
The affect was fairly swift: in only a few minutes he felt a lightness...a flush of warmth...a sigh, as the urge to gasp and pant faded into something more manageable. The lightness spread to his fingers and toes. In a few minutes more, his worries-that he was about to smother, that he would never see home again, that the drug would become an unbreakable habit, that Gilberto was being crushed by his grief...seemed less urgent...and then completely unimportant.
It would all sort itself out, later.
Diego closed his eyes. He was distantly aware of Gilberto's fingertips on his wrist. And the motion of the boat. And the occasional creak of wood.
He could barely feel his heart, now. It was still fast, but stumbling and weak. It made a counterpoint to the slower motion of the boat. And the occasional creak of wood. And Gilberto's voice reciting poetry-when had he resumed that?
He didn't notice that he was falling asleep until he woke. His body leaden and aching, his mouth dry and bitter, and his eyes gritty. When he tried to open his eyes the day light pouring in the tiny window was like a lance through his skull.
"It's all right," Gilberto whispered, holding a cup of water to his lips. The water was tepid and tasted like tin. Diego sucked it in greedily and nearly choked on it. "All over. It's all over, little brother. You are all right."
Diego wondered if that were true. He was weak, and damn, but his head hurt...
A cool, damp flannel on his face, wiping his forehead and around his eyes. Diego tried a deep breath. "More water," he whispered.
Gilberto gave him the water again, then a few spoonfuls of thin porridge that sat heavily in his stomach. The food did clear his head a bit. Diego carefully slid his legs over the side of the low bunk, stripped off his thin nightshirt, and took the flannel to wipe away the sour sweat that had dried on his chest and neck.
He had to rest again after that, but he was mostly sure that it was the aftereffects of the laudanum that was making him so tired and not the weakness of his heart.
"You were right," Gilberto said suddenly into the silence.
Diego scrubbed a hand tiredly over his eyes. "My most unpleasant trait, apparently."
That earned him a sharp, unhappy look. Diego looked back and waited. Gilberto swallowed. "It doesn't help you. Last night..." Gilberto lifted Diego's hand and turned it over. "You were blue. Not just your fingernails...up to the tips of your fingers. I did stay awake during Ortega's lecture on Priestly. I know what it means."
"'Berto, a mistake-"
"It wasn't a 'mistake.' It was my own selfishness...because I couldn't bear to watch. Because it was my fault, because I made you fence yesterday. Because I was afraid. And _I _couldn't stand it. I'm so sorry, Diego. I-"
"'Berto, don't."
"I made it worse."
"Fully half my doctors would have had you keeping me relaxed and my heart 'calm' by dosing me every day. I'm sure it would have kept me less argumentative, at least."
Gilberto's mouth opened but only a tiny choking sound came out. Diego reached for him, but he flinched. "Argumentative? Argumentative. God help me. You are the best part of me, and I betrayed you...I betrayed you. I think you nearly died last night...and I know...you will forgive me. And I can't forgive myself."
Well. Diego had expected his brother to fall apart for months. The burdens of caring for an invalid-the sheer work of it, never mind the emotional toll-were not something suited to Gilberto de le Vega's temperament. Diego had been expecting-but of course it would happen_ today_, when he was weak and wool-headed. Diego impatiently pushed his hair out of his eyes and took a deep breath-and still couldn't think very clearly. "You...you must," he said, unable to come up with anything more inspiring.
Gilberto frowned at him. "I must what?"
Ah. "Forgive yourself and go on. I need you, 'Berto. There's nothing else we can do. I need you."
"A very good point," he whispered.
"I do forgive you. I don't think you are doing so badly. At least...If our roles were reversed, I couldn't...it would break my heart to see what you've seen. I don't know that I could do as well as you have."
"Liar..."
"No, I swear to you," Diego whispered. Dear God, he was tired. "You've done _so_ well."
"Lie down and rest. I think you might be delirious," he smiled, but he eased Diego backwards and propped him against the pillows. The pressure of Gilberto's fingers against his wrist was reassuring. Diego closed his eyes.
* _The Fable of Polyphemus and Galatea,_ Gongora. 1627
5. June 12, 1813
**June 12, 1813**
That June was unusually warm. Diego found the heat oppressive, and spent as much time as he could in the cave, working on various chemistry experiments. Today he was making very small quantities of explosives, varying the ingredients for each batch. He was going to test them, he said, to find out which had the biggest noise and the smallest actual concussion.
Felipe understood the point of this, and he had to admit it was a good idea. But it still made him nervous.
Today they'd had all morning in the lab. Don Alejandro was occupied with a houseguest: Luis Cristobal had come down from Santa Barbara to court Carlotta, Antonio Pascal's younger daughter. He'd met her at the twins' homecoming party and been completely taken with her. She, apparently, looked favorably on his suit, but her father thought she could get a better husband than a lawyer with a very small hacienda, so Don Sebastian and Don Alejandro had been having long talks with Don Antonio for weeks now: Don Luis was intelligent, hardworking, and came from a very good family. And so on. And so on.
Anyway, at the moment, Don Alejandro and Don Luis were out riding, looking at cattle. Tonight there'd be a small party-the Pascal family, Don Sebastian and his wife, Don Carlos-but in the mean time the boys were free to amuse themselves. Diego took the opportunity to experiment with explosives and Gilberto was out contributing to the myth of Zorro by riding around the countryside allowing himself to be glimpsed by farmers.
Felipe's job in all this was to take notes, carefully recording ingredients and amounts. When a batch was finished, he weighed out thirty gram packets and wrapped them in tight-carefully labeled-paper. It was useful work, and he was glad to help, but the note-taking and labeling was simultaneously nerve wracking and dull.
Diego must be the most patient, fastidious human being alive.
Felipe was wondering if he could talk Diego into breaking for lunch anytime soon when Gilberto rode in. He was hunched over a narrow basket he held clutched to his chest and he was humming. "Little Brother," he said, breaking off his melody to speak softly, "I want you to know that I blame you for this disaster. You were in charge of thinking of contingencies, and you didn't think of this one. As long as I live, I won't forgive you." He looked so put out that Felipe nearly laughed.
Diego, too. He was smiling as he came over. "Come now, it can't be that bad. What have you got in there? snakes?"
Gilberto thrust the basket at him. Diego took it, gasped in surprise and nearly dropped it, clutched it franticly to his chest, and whispered, "Blessed Saint Mary." He crossed himself. Twice.
"Try not to drop it, oh graceful one," Gilberto said sourly, stripping off his mask and wiping his face with his arm. "I didn't bring it all this way for you to damage in an accident."
Curious, Felipe squeezed around Diego's arm and peeped into the basket. There was a baby in it. "That's a baby!"
"Why thank you, Felipe. How astute of you. I hadn't noticed." He swung down off Toronado and stripped off his gloves.
"'Berto, how? Where?" Diego was beside himself.
"I kidnapped her, what do you think?" Gilberto snapped irritably.
"This isn't funny."
Gilberto sagged. "I found a wagon half a mile from the nearest road. It had a couple of trunks some bandits were ransacking. And the baby. They got away and I was left with..." He shook his head. "I tried to trace the wagon, but it's so dry...there wasn't a track anywhere. I-" He shrugged helplessly.
Diego started to lay the basket on the work table, remembered the explosive experiments, and went to the battered old desk instead. He shoved his careful piles of papers and books aside and gently laid the bundle on the wood. Gilberto and Felipe peered around his broad shoulders as he unwrapped the thin blanket.
The baby fussed a little, making a very unpleasant noise. Diego crooned gently and stroked the pale cheek. The dress beneath the blanket was beautifully embroidered, covered with strange trailing flowers. "That's unusual," Diego said. He lifted the dress aside and pulled free a cloth wrapping stuffed with dried moss. It was completely fouled with babymess. Diego wadded it up and tossed it into the bucket he kept for collecting chemistry mistakes. "It's a girl," he commented. He produced a handkerchief and began to wipe at the mess. "And she's well loved, if this dress in any indication."
"She's Russian," Gilberto said dully.
"I shouldn't think so. The Russian encampment is north of San Francisco. No one would steal a wagon and then drive for a week before dividing the loot. Besides, she can't have eaten that long ago. And her wrappings aren't dirt enough-"
Gilberto slid a finger into the lacy neck of the dress and retrieved a finely woven cord bearing a tiny metal cross. At least, it looked mostly like a cross. It had extra bits stuck on it.
"Russian," Diego whispered.
Felipe pointed at it.
"Byzantine," Diego elaborated. "A Russian cross. Well. You are a mystery, little girl."
Felipe held his nose and waved his hand.
"Indeed she does. Go upstairs and get some clean rags and a basin of water. We'll see about cleaning her up properly."
When Felipe had brought them he was sent back for some masa and a cup of milk. By the time he'd finished this second trip, Diego had wrapped the baby in clean cloths and seated himself at the desk with the baby in his arms.
Gilberto was wolfing down some cheese and a stale tortilla, the remains of Felipe's breakfast. "We have food," Felipe signed when he'd put down this load.
"I'm going right back out. If I can find the bandits, I can find out from whom and where they took this little one."
Diego, meanwhile, pinched off a small ball of masa, wrapped it in one of the clean rags, and dipped it in the milk. Then he popped it in the baby's mouth. "No," Diego said, answering his look, "This will only solve the problem for a day or two. We must find her mother. I should go into town. If there are Russians wandering around somewhere, everyone will be gossiping about it."
"Send the boy," Gilberto said, bending down to check Toronado's hooves before remounting. "Father expects you to be at the party tonight. If you wear yourself out and turn up looking exhausted he'll worry."
"Felipe doesn't like the pueblo."
Felipe shook his head rapidly. "It's all right. I'll go." The alternative was staying here, with the baby, who hadn't cried much yet but probably would. And it would make more of that mess. And it would want to eat, and feeding her was surely much harder than Diego was making it look, (after all, Diego made all kinds of impossible things look easy.)
Diego hesitated. "Are you sure?"
Felipe nodded.
"Go to the tavern. People gossip there. Look for Sergeant Mendoza. You won't have to ask him questions, if he knows anything, he'll be talking about it already. If, by some oddity you don't hear anything...mention to Victoria that you saw a wagon with strangers go by and you wonder who they were. But no more than that. We don't know what is going on here. It's best to keep what we know to ourselves."
Felipe thought about that. "We could take the baby to town. Say we found it out riding. Or say Zorro gave it to us..."
Diego and Gilberto glanced at one another and winced. "The government is polite enough to the official Russian delegations...but an unofficial incursion this far south...the military might not look too favorably. It's best to keep it a secret."
"An assault? With a _baby_?" Felipe replied.
"The government might take offense at a party that got lost...or shipwrecked off our coast... And our alcalde in particular isn't above taking advantage of people who have luck against them. Felipe, until we understand what is happening, it is best if this is a secret."
He went to the blacksmith's first. He bought horseshoe nails and took the opportunity to talk to one of the boys working there, Innocente, an Indian who was a few years older than Felipe. "Any good gossip?" he asked.
"I think you're too young to hear it," Innocente teased. He answered in tradesign, since he didn't get much chance to practice living in the pueblo.
"If you don't tell me someone else will."
"Private Reyes ruined Dora Nunez. They say Sergeant Mendoza is going to make him marry her."
It was not the news he was looking for, but it was still very interesting. "Can he do that? Make somebody get married?"
Innocente laughed. "Better than what her father wants. Senor Nunez wants to shoot him."
No other gossip, though. Felipe went to the store, hoping to eavesdrop on some customers. He waited politely at the back while everyone went ahead of him, but he had no luck: some farmers complaining about the lack of rain...A vaquero looking for work...Two ladies whispering about the Nunez girl... Felipe was about ready to give up when Eugenio Estevez, the owner's son came in. He grinned at Felipe and made a series of broad, meaningless gestures with his hands. Mocking him.
Most days, Felipe found Eugenio offensive-well, _most _days he wanted to haul off and hit him, but Eugenio was two years younger than Felipe and several inches shorter and what Diego would say if he ever found out that Felipe was beating up smaller boys simply did not bear thinking about-but today he didn't have time. He went to the counter and produced his short list (tea, wax candles, writing paper) and the handful of pesos he'd been sent with.
He would have to go to the tavern. At least it wasn't market day. It wouldn't be too crowded. He went to the counter and asked Senorita Victoria for orange juice and some bread.
"Is Diego in town today?" she asked.
"He's home, resting," he answered, trying not to look as though he were looking around.
"Not ill, I hope!"
Oops. "No. Party tonight. Don Alejandro is playing matchmaker."
"He's wha-? Oh! Yes. I'd heard you had a guest. How is it going? Are they making any headway with the girl's father?"
Felipe shrugged. "Who knows? Love is all a big mess. I'm never getting married."
Victoria laughed. "You'll feel differently when you're older."
"Is the Sergeant around?"
"You mean Sergeant Mendoza?" she asked. "No. He and the alcalde were called out to the mission early this morning." She grinned. "So it's been very quiet all day." She leaned across the counter and lowered her voice. "You needn't be so nervous of him, Felipe. He doesn't behave badly in town, and he doesn't let his men do it either. There's nothing to be afraid of."
Felipe nodded. "I heard about the soldier and the girl."
Victoria winced. She looked like she thought she ought to be scandalized. "Who told you about that? You're much too young to be talking about...Anyway, I suppose that is a good example, though. This batch of soldiers isn't like the last."
"Any other gossip?"
"One of Jose Macias' chickens laid an egg-well, that's normal enough, but a two-headed chick hatched. It didn't live long, of course."
That was old news. Felipe had heard it the week before.
Felipe could hardly go back to Diego with nothing, could he?
How could there be Russians in the pueblo and nobody talking about it?
How could a family have been robbed and a baby kidnapped and people still be talking about anything else? Why wasn't the alcalde out scouring the land for the bandits-or Russian invaders-instead of off at the mission?
Felipe seated himself beside the well in the center of the plaza and watched people come and go. Farmers. Indians. A soldier. A couple of old men who went to sit on the tavern porch. Nothing unusual. Nothing.
Russians hadn't been here. Nobody knew anything. Maybe the rest of the family on that wagon had been killed, the bodies dumped in a ditch or the muddy river. Maybe that was why nobody knew.
Or maybe the Russians really _had _come secretly. Maybe a bunch of families had tried to set up a little colony, maybe inland, in a bid to expand Russian territory. They said Russia was a vast empire, always growing, always greedy. Maybe it was true, and they wanted to take California away from Spain.
When Felipe got back to the cave he found Diego asleep in the chair, his feet propped up on the desk, the baby sound asleep as well, resting on his shoulder.
Well, he certainly wasn't going to wake Diego to tell him he didn't have anything useful to tell him.
Felipe packed the explosives away in a waxed canvas bag and hung it from an iron hook Gilberto had sunk into the stone wall. Then-with a worried look at Diego-he started to collect the ingredients. They were all harmless individually, and they were much safer put away than left out where they might be spilled, but he wasn't normally allowed to touch the chemistry things by himself...
He glanced over at Diego, still sleeping with the Russian baby snuggled against him. "Usually" probably didn't apply.
After he finished that he raked out Toronado's stall. He was putting out fresh hey when Zorro returned. The sound of hooves woke first the baby then Diego, who immediately started singing and bouncing. He looked a little silly.
Gilberto tossed Felipe the reins and swung down. "Nothing," he said. "The ground was too hard. And you two?"
Felipe spread his hands and shook his head. "Nothing. Old gossip. That's all." He began to unsaddle the horse.
Diego sighed, poked a finger into the baby's wrappings, and began to change them for a handful from the dwindling rag-pile. "Perhaps..." he glanced at Gilberto diffidently.
"Maybe," he admitted, taking off the hat and mask. "You're a better tracker than I. But what will happen if you find them? Anyway, it's too late today. I need to bathe before the party...and you need to change. You smell a bit like...what do you smell like? It's worse than me and I spent the day on a horse!"
"Baby vomit, I assume. She had some...difficulty at first."
Felipe felt his eyes go wide. He'd done the cipher, and any way he subtracted it, three minus two was one.
Diego's sharp eyes had caught his anxiety. "It isn't so bad. Really. Don't drop her or let her roll off of anything, and keep her fed and clean." He motioned Felipe to take the chair, and when he was seated, passed the baby into his arms. It was warm. It seemed very heavy. She looked at him with round, vacant eyes and whined. "See? It's very simple. Actually, in a lot of ways, it's like looking after a new foal..."
With both hands holding the warm little body, Felipe couldn't very well argue the point.
A small, awkward hand reached up and grabbed Felipe's nose.
"See? You're getting along splendidly," Diego said over his shoulder.
He wondered if Diego kidding or just insane? Felipe didn't know anything about babies. All three of the woman who worked in the house were either too old or too young to have any. Most of the vaqueros weren't married-it was hard to afford a wife on what a vaquero got paid. The neighboring farmers, yes, and some of the laborers-and little kids, there were those, he'd played with them, ones old enough to walk-but a baby this age was always strapped to its mother or left in a cradle. No one had ever handed one to _him_.
She poked a finger _into_ his nose. Felipe took it out.
She drooled. She kicked her feet.
Experimentally, Felipe tickled them, which she seemed to find interesting.
That activity kept things going for about five minutes. Then she began to make a strange squeaky noise. Not a bad noise, probably.
He handed her the green river rock Diego kept as a paper weight. Her little hands couldn't grasp it, of course, and it slid on to her chest.
Panicked, Felipe tossed the rock onto the desk and shoved aside her clothes, looking for a bruise. Was that a red mark? No, it was just a smudge of dirt. It went away when he brushed it.
Diego returned. He was in a clean suit and newly shaven. "How is it going?"
Felipe shrugged. He considered confessing to the rock incident, but decided against it.
"I'm going to tell father you have a headache and I've sent you to lie down. Supper will be early, and when it's done, I'll excuse myself and come help you with her." He set a glass of milk on the desk. "She'll be hungry soon, if she isn't now. This is goat's milk They say it's better than cow's milk."
Felipe set the baby in his lap and turned so the desk drawer would keep her from rolling off. "Who says?" he signed. "How do you know things? How can _anybody_ know these things? This is crazy! You can't leave me with her for three or four hours!"
"I know it's a daunting responsibility, but if you apply your good sense, you'll do fine. Believe me, I'd rather be here with the two of you." And he patted Felipe's head, kissed the baby on the cheek, and went back into the house.
The trick of feeding the baby was, as he'd expected, much harder than Diego made it look. The goat's milk did seem to be a favorite, but every time he pulled out the little ball of cloth and masa to re-soak it in the milk, the baby complained and squirmed. With one hand on the food, he only had one hand to hold her still with...
When the food was gone there was nothing else to do. She fussed. Felipe supposed that it this point, Diego would sing to her. Not that that was much help.
He began to walk her. He'd seen people do that, of course, walk up and down with an unhappy baby. She squirmed, and the blanket half-fell off, but she wasn't complaining anymore so he supposed this was good enough.
And then she made a mess. It soaked her wrappings and the blanket and spilled across Felipe's hand-apparently Diego hadn't managed to engineer an effective diaper. Felipe mopped her up with most of the remaining ragpile. He folded the biggest piece of cloth that was left around a padding of paper and straw and tied it in place with string from the desk drawer. Then he put the baby back in the basket and cleaned up the desk and his hand and his...ick...shoe...
The baby, not happy about being left in the basket, began to whine again. Felipe picked her up and walked her. "Keep her fed and clean." And he had, and she was, so she was probably all right, but that didn't stop her from crying. Felipe walked back and forth.
Felipe didn't know what time it was when Diego finally reappeared. He was carrying an armload of clean flannels, a new glass of milk, and some fresh masa. He set the things down on the desk and looked sympathetically at Felipe. "I know this isn't easy," he said, and took the unhappy baby from his arms.
Felipe sagged with relief.
Diego hummed at the baby and dangled his pocket watch over her head. She ignored it. Diego jiggled her and made faces. One of them turned into a frown. "Is that my Archimedes sticking out of her diaper? You couldn't find anything else?"
Possibly. He hadn't noticed. He'd just grabbed things the last time he'd changed her.
Diego glanced at him oddly, but the baby was still fussing and he turned back to her. "Oh, _such_ a dilemma, little one," he said in a strange, high voice. "What are we to do with you?"
"Zorro?" Felipe asked hopefully. "Please!"
"Where would he take her?" Diego asked. "Anyway, at the moment he's been pinned down by Don Antonio's _other_ daughter. I fouled her plans as much as I could, but since I had an excuse to retire early..." he switched from jiggling to swaying back and forth. Strangely, the baby got quieter. "I'll look after her until the party ends, then Gilberto for a while. And then your turn, again, while he gets some sleep. Hopefully, tomorrow-"
"Tomorrow? No! We can't. I can't. You can't."
"Felipe? I don't-we can't what?"
"We can't take care of this baby! It's not working. You're too sick. I don't know how. This is women's work and that baby is still crying. We can't do it."
Diego stopped swaying. The baby made an ugly squawking noise to protest, and he shifted her to his shoulder. "I see," he said. His eyes went hard, and for a moment Felipe thought he might be going to yell, but he didn't. He only said, "I disagree, but my father never made me to adopt his opinions, so I won't force the point. You don't have to be involved in this project. You're free to go."
Felipe's mouth dropped open. He reached out to ask...something, anything, but Diego turned to the desk and set the baby down to change her. "You are finished here. You're free to go," he repeated.
Disobeying when Diego was this angry was unthinkable. Leaving, though, filled him with shame and frustration. He hadn't meant...this. He wasn't sure what he had meant, but just leaving Diego to it hadn't been it.
He backed away and crept up into the house. All the lights were on up here. He could hear music. He wasn't sure where to go. Not Diego's room, not without him. Not his own room-that barely felt like his anymore. It was just a place to keep spare clothing. And it would seem like he was sulking.
Uncertain, he crept down the hall to the wide doors that led to the rear courtyard. Don Sebastian was playing the guitar and Gilberto and Don Luis were doing a folk dance with the Pascal girls. Gilberto looked miserable, but Felipe was in no mood to chuckle. Maybe he _was _sulking.
The dance was interesting and the music was pretty, but trying to listen to pay attention to both made his head he stepped back into the house and walked along the hall. The narrow windows were open. The music floated in prettily. The roses smelled sweet. Felipe felt...really bad. About everything.
And then he passed behind a window that looked out on the table where Don Alejandro, Don Carlos, Don Antonio, and Don Antonio's son, Don Emilio, were sitting. Don Carlos was saying, "-sorry about being late, but it was the strangest thing. I was called to the mission. Apparently some Russians were robbed on the Kings Road where it crosses my land."
"Some what?" Don Alejandro sounded as shocked as Felipe felt.
"Russians. They're down to trade for grain, apparently."
"And the government is allowing it?" Don Alejandro asked.
"Well, our alcalde is looking for an angle, of course. What the governor thinks, I have no idea. They just wanted to ask me questions about my people...my place is now full of Indian neophytes searching for a child that got taken during the robbery. By accident, apparently, but still...Russian neophytes, too, or whatever they call them. It's the strangest thing."
Felipe turned on his heel and ran back around to the door. There he froze. He couldn't just run out and interrupt things. He stepped into the light and waited to catch Gilberto's eye. Somehow, somehow he managed to wait until the song was ended, and Gilberto signed an apology to his father and hurried over. "Diego?" he asked.
Felipe shook his head vigorously and pulled him into the house and around the corner.
"Felipe, what-"
"They're at the mission!" he signed.
"Who is at church?" Gilberto asked, signing: "Not _Diego_?"
Idiot. "Them!" He didn't have a sign for Russians. What did he know about Russians? "The bearded people are at the mission!"
"Not that I'm not grateful for the interruption, but what are you talking about? Hairy people? For goodness sake slow down!"
Felipe tried again.
"The hairy people-beards! The Russians are at church-the big church. Oh." Gilberto closed his eyes. "They're at the mission." His eyes popped open. "San Gabriel or San Juan?"
"_Our_ mission." San Gabriel.
"You are fantastic!" Gilberto hugged him briefly, spun, and ran for the fireplace.
If anything, the praise had made him feel worse. But if Gilberto was about to take the baby to San Gabriel, Diego would come up to bed. And he wouldn't leave Diego alone at night. Even if Diego were angry at him. He took a candle from the hall and went to the bedroom to wait.
He laid out the bedroll and took off his shoes and sat down to wait. He didn't have to wait long.
Diego slipped in, patted Felipe once on the head, and sank heavily into the desk chair. "That was well done," he said softly. "How did you find out?"
"I heard Don Carlos tell your father. The bandits attacked the strangers on his land."
Diego closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead tiredly. "Don Carlos?" He groaned. "I know where they had to be hiding, then. That little blind canyon we always had to search during the round-up...They're gone now, of course. Even if I could chase after them myself."
Felipe went to him and tapped his knee for attention. "I'm sorry about the papers," he said.
"I'm not angry about the papers."
Oh. "I'm sorry for being lazy," he tried again.
"You're hardly lazy-Felipe, I'm not angry with you. It wasn't your fault. I...I forget sometimes...how very young you are. The little boy I knew is gone and you've been so patient and careful with me...I forget that you're still not grown."
"I don't understand."
"I asked far too much of you. Of course you wouldn't understand..."
"_Yes_," Felipe nodded. "I don't understand. What is it I don't understand?"
Diego sighed and shook his head sadly.
"Please. Try. I'll listen."
Diego rubbed his eyes. "It wasn't her fault that she made a terrible mess and cried and was ungrateful. She couldn't be otherwise..." Diego looked past him, seeing something very far away. "She was helpless. Completely. And she had no one but us; no one to care for her or provide for her or protect her or speak for her. She was alone in the world without a single resource and she certainly could not care for herself. She was placed in our hands and...you resented it. You declared it women's work and beneath you."
Numbly, Felipe signed, "She was in my hands." Cold. He felt cold, and the blood roared in his head. This baby had been in his hands. She had been no different than Felipe had been when Diego first found him. Helpless and alone, unable even to ask-
And instead of seeing that this was a chance to pass on the mercy he'd been shown, he'd been angry. He said he couldn't do it, that he didn't know how, as though he somehow didn't know how to be _kind_...
How could Diego even bear to look at him? To know that after all these years, after the best example under heaven, Felipe had learned _nothing_?
Stumbling, Felipe got to his feet.
"Felipe-don't!"
Diego reached for him, but Felipe staggered backward. The shame was unbearable.
He had wasted this opportunity. And he couldn't get it back now. The baby was gone. He couldn't try it again. He had failed this test.
He turned and ran. In the hall he remembered he'd left his sandals. Never mind. He started for the library, but there were voices ahead so he ducked out the back and around toward the barn. He used to play in the hayloft before the boys came back and they spent all the time they could in the cave. He would hide in the hay and no one would know he would cry himself sick. No one would know-
Of course Diego would still know how badly Felipe had disappointed him. And it had to be a terrible disappointment-Diego had _though_t he could do it. Diego had believed that Felipe was old enough to understand and strong enough to manage.
But Felipe hadn't managed one baby for even half a day. _One _baby. She made a lot less mess than a horse, after all. And if she made an ugly noise, well it wasn't like she was _hurting_ anyone or anything. It was just a noise. And he had given up and walked away, and she and Diego had had no one else.
He cried until his throat knotted up so badly he could hardly breathe. It didn't make anything better, though. When he lay in the prickly hay, drained and miserable with his face itchy from drying tears, he still had the same problem.
This wasn't something you could fix by getting your nerve up and confessing and apologizing and taking the punishment or whatever. Diego had _said_ he wasn't angry. He was just sad that Felipe was not as mature and strong as he'd thought.
_That _almost had the tears start again, but his throat hurt too much. He was...what? Going to have to live with Diego's disappointment? Try to do better next time? Wait years and years until he actually _had_ enough compassion and sense to make Diego proud?
Diego sure wasn't proud of him now...
He wiped his face on his sleeve and crept to the window. The moon was getting high. Gilberto might be back from San Gabriel by now. It was only half a dozen miles.
He climbed down and crept through the darkened house. The guests had gone and there was no light under the door of Don Alejandro's room, though he thought he could still hear Maria and Rosa in the kitchen singing a little as they cleaned up. He'd go down to the cave and look after Toronado. He could do that much at least.
There was a fairly bright light in the cave, not just a lantern set to low. He turned the corner expecting to fine Gilberto already changing out of Zorro's clothing, but the stall was empty and Diego was sitting behind the desk.
Felipe froze.
Diego stood up very slowly, one hand resting on the desk as though he was afraid he'd fall. "I couldn't search for you. I'm sorry. And I didn't know where you go, except for here. Felipe..."
Felipe ran to him. He caught Diego around the waist and squeezed hard. _I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. _
"I assumed too much. It wasn't your fault. I forgot I was supposed to be teaching you. Felipe, don't think-You don't have to get everything right."
And oh, that was funny, because _Diego_ got everything right.
As though he'd pulled the thought from his mind, Diego inched him back and tilted Felipe's head up so he could look into his eyes. "Not this time. I've handled this so badly. All of it. And you are so important to me. You always have been."
He hugged Diego again and nudged him back down into the chair. He didn't know what to say, and his hands seemed awkward. He didn't know where to put them so he rubbed his neck.
Diego waited.
"I didn't think," he said at last. "I'm sorry. You were not wrong; I should have understood. I'm sorry."
"Felipe, you-"
"Let me _say_ it. I'm sorry. I wasn't grown enough to...be kind. But I am grown enough to regret it." Ah, no, there were the tears again. "I understand _now,_ and I'm sorry. You were only a little older than I am when..."
"Oh, Felipe, I was at least four years older."
Felipe had a sad feeling that four years would never be enough. But he wasn't going to argue it any more. He'd taken a good look at Diego, and he didn't look well. In the yellow lamplight it was impossible to tell if he was merely pale or starting to go grey, but his hand, when Felipe reached down and took it, was too cool.
"I'm all right. I promise." He turned his hand over and offered his wrist. The little flutter wasn't particularly fast but it was very faint.
"Will you come to bed?" Felipe asked.
Diego's eyes shifted to the empty stall. "I can't. The mission isn't that far. He should be home by now."
"I could look for him?"
"No, not tonight. Bad enough you've been out with him when it was just lancers we had to worry about. The Russians are a complete unknown."
"He'll be all right. He's smart."
"Yes, he is." Diego closed his eyes. It was clear he wasn't going anywhere. Felipe fetched a small crate that held packets of sulfur and slid it under Diego's feet. He pulled over the tall stool from the worktable and settled in to wait. He hoped Diego might nap a little, but knew he wouldn't.
It seemed like a very long time later that Diego's hand tightened hard around his. Felipe looked up. Diego nodded. "He's here."
Felipe took up the lamp and went over to meet them. The hoof beats coming up the tunnel were slow and weary. Toronado was covered in lather and Gilberto was strangely stiff as he dismounted.
"It's done," he said. He stripped off his hat and mask but didn't reach automatically to fluff up his hair.
Diego stood slowly. "What happened?"
"Half a dozen soldiers must have been at the mission. They shot at us when they recognized Toronado."
"The baby-"
"She's fine. I turned and ran, of course, at once." He sighed. "I took her to town and left her with little Victoria. _Don't_ look at me like that. She's already known to support Zorro and she's a troublemaker on her own. Besides, where do you board someone away from home but a tavern?" He took a deep breath. "Then I went back to San Gabriel."
Felipe hung up the saddle and reached for the curry comb. Toronado was all but quivering and Gilberto didn't look much better.
"I left him in the orchard and went over the wall and found the Russians myself. Ramone," his voice shaped that name bitterly, "had told them the outlaw Zorro had taken the baby and wanted a huge ransom."
He sank onto the pile of sacks of oats and began to tug off his boots. "They were nearly beside themselves. And very nearly shot me. But. By the time Ramone realized I was even there I had already won the leader over." He laughed bitterly. "He had to stand there and watch me talk to Ribikov in Russian with no idea what we were saying..."
Shocked, Felipe peered over Toronado's back. Gilberto spoke Russian?
Diego saw the look. "Well, I was studying English in Madrid, so he decided to be different and study Russian."
Gilberto snorted. "You were already better than me at French and Latin. What else could I do?"
"What you must do _now_ is study English as quickly as possible and pretend you speak Russian very badly-if at all. It's a clue Ramone doesn't need."
"Ah. Damn. You're right." He sighed. "Father knows, but I can't imagine it coming up..." he closed his eyes. "She's with her parents now. Natasha. Her father is a... 'procurement officer' or some kind of quartermaster and her mother is a third generation Alaskan colonial. Their first child..." he trailed off.
Diego lifted the lantern from the table and held it up. "You've started dripping blood on the oats."
"It's not a musket ball, I think. But one hit the rock wall next to me and..." he shrugged awkwardly. "I think there's a piece of rock still in my leg. Natasha's fine. Nothing hit her."
"Can you move onto the table? Felipe, light the other lamps."
A little horrified, Felipe lit the other two lamps and then fetched the slim leather case that held the emergency kit Diego had assembled: a tiny sharp knife, a couple of thin metal prods, a set of needles and strong cotton thread, and some delicate tweezers. Diego pointed to the instruments. "Put those in a bowl and pour that vinegar on them. And then go up to the kitchen and build up the fire enough to heat a poker." To cauterize it. Because a deep cut would infect otherwise.
He soaked the tools in the bowl and then-hesitated. Gilberto was sitting on the table, leaning sideways so his outer thigh was in the light. The pale skin was marked with three cuts; two long and shallow and one tiny and deep. That was the one that was trickling a thin stream of blood. Diego prodded the area around the deep cut. Gilberto howled, but didn't pull away.
"Yes, there's something in there all right," Diego said. "Felipe, go on."
Tearing his eyes away, Felipe went.
He tried to hurry. He didn't dare rush too fast: that poker needed to be _hot_. He'd seen bad cuts cauterized before. It was like branding calves...but worse. You couldn't just grit your teeth and not think about it. Not when you _knew_ someone.
Not when you knew it didn't always work and the wound might fester anyway.
He walked fast, keeping the glowing tip away from his body. It was still reddish when he handed it to Diego. Diego didn't hesitate. He took the poker and set the tip to the wound in a single motion.
Gilberto didn't scream, he hissed. Felipe looked away. He didn't look back until he heard Diego toss the iron rod onto the stone floor.
He looked back. Gilberto was lying mostly on the table. There wasn't very _much _blood. He could see the rock chip, lying beside the bowl of little tools. It was half the size of a fingernail. Felipe bit his lip.
Diego picked up a clean towel left over from the babyminding and began to wipe off his hands...Gilberto's leg...the table...
"Not_ so_ bad," Diego said softly.
"Speak for yourself," Gilberto said tightly. "Are you going to stitch it?"
"No. The muscle wasn't deeply cut...but it is so narrow I'm worried about infection if I close it up too tightly." He sighed and leaned against the table. "We need to keep you in bed for a few days. Give that some time to heal. Because God knows I'm no surgeon...We'll have to claim you're ill."
"Right now, that sounds wonderful...But Father will worry."
"If that doesn't heal properly he'll have something to worry about. Felipe help me get him up. It would be nice if we were all in bed by dawn."
_~End of part 3:_ Rebyenka _(the girl baby)_
6. Epilogue: June 13, 1813
**Epilogue: June 13, 1813**
Although they made it to bed a good two hours before sunrise, it was a long time before Diego had gone to sleep. He'd been unable to get comfortable. He'd needed the window open and then another blanket because it was cold. He'd fretted about Ramone-what kind of man ordered his men to fire on approaching riders when they were searching for a missing baby? Twice he had sent Felipe to check on Gilberto...who was asleep both times.
Felipe had wanted to shake him. Diego needed rest, and he must, _must _know that. But he was too nervous to settle, and Felipe couldn't actually blame him. He'd dug a hunk of rock out of his brother's flesh. He'd had Gilberto's blood all over his hands. There were still bits of brown in the creases around his fingernails. Because Gilberto had been shot at because he was Zorro and that was all Diego's idea.
And maybe Felipe wasn't even in a hurry for Diego to go to sleep, because when he did Felipe would have to crawl into his bedroll, wouldn't he? And he'd close his eyes and hear Natasha crying or see the blood dripped all over the worktable or remember Gilberto's hiss as Diego tried to burn the infection out of the wound.
He sat on the bed and held Diego's hand. He couldn't fuss and worry forever; even as upset as he was, he was still exhausted and ill and it wasn't too much longer before he faded into sleep and Felipe shifted to the chair by the open window.
He listened to the birds as the sun came up. They had saved the baby. And Felipe had helped, although certainly not in a way that did him any credit. But never mind. She was safe. And Gilberto _wasn't_ badly hurt. And Diego-as exhausted and upset as he'd been, he hadn't fainted or gotten sick. That was a good sign, surely. He might be getting stronger.
When the sun was fully up Felipe borrowed a little water from the basin to wash his face. And then he went to the dining room where Don Alejandro was sitting down alone to breakfast. He took a deep breath and stepped out where he could be seen.
"Felipe? What's wrong?" From the way Don Alejandro blanched Felipe must look terrible. "Diego?"
Felipe shook his head vigorously. "Not sick," he signed quickly. "Just...a bad night. Not sick, but restless." Felipe swallowed. "Unhappy. Uncomfortable. Nervous." And this was the truth, wasn't it? "We finally got him settled. Gilberto has gone to bed. He's exhausted. It's very hard for him..." The truth and the lie ran together. Felipe remembered Gilberto limping through the house. "It was bad," he said, and folded his hands.
"Ah. I'd wondered. Do I need to call the doctor?"
Felipe shook his head. "He just suggests the sleeping medicine. Diego won't take it."
Don Alejandro nodded gravely. "We'll let them sleep then. You haven't slept either."
No, he hadn't. He supposed he was starting to want to.
"Go to bed, Felipe. Come get me when Diego wakes. I'll stay home today."
Felipe nodded and returned to Diego's room.
~End
_Saving the Fox IV _is coming. It is currently 93 pages and counting, and I won't start posting until it is all finished, so it may be a few weeks.
Also-if there are any eps from season 1 anyone really, really, really wants to see here, well I'll give any advice I get very serious consideration.
End file.
| Saving the Fox III: Scachki, Fokuchik, i Rebyenka by Therrae | Zorro |
1. Chapter 1
**The Dance**
_This take places at the end of the episode Conundrum._
__Disclaimer: This story was written solely for the enjoyment of other Zorro fans and is not intended to infringe on any copyrights held by Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, Zorro Productions, the estate of Johnston McCulley or anyone else.__
**Chapter 1**
_Start of Transcript Episode Conundrum_
_The party was already in full swing when Diego, Felipe, and Don Alejandro walked inside the tavern. The tavern was crowded with joyous people who were dancing to the music. Mendoza greeted Diego when he entered the tavern and grabbed him by the arm. Unnoticed by Mendoza Diego grimaced with pain when Mendoza squeezed his wounded arm. _
"_Zorro was magnificent. You should have been there." _
_Mendoza exclaimed enthusiastically,_
"_So I've heard, Sergeant." said Diego as Mendoza pretended to imitate Zorro's sword fight._
"_Quite a party, huh?" Don Alejandro added joyously as Victoria walked past him._
_Victoria stopped and turned around.
>"And the Alcalde has agreed to pay every centavo." <em>
_de Soto wiped his face with his handkerchief.
>"Yes, as a matter of fact, I have. I think we all need to let off a little steam. You all know how personally close I came to death. " <em>
_When Felipe started to dance with a young woman, Don Alejandro pointed at them and clapped._
_Mendoza added, "Me, too. If it wouldn't have been for Zorro. . ."_
_"Sergeant, if it weren't for Zorro, we wouldn't have come so close to hanging in the first place." _
_Victoria who came up beside de Soto chided him.
>"Oh, come on, Alcalde. It's a celebration. Can't you bury the hatchet with Zorro just for one night?" <em>
_de Soto stuffed his handkerchief up his sleeve.
>"You're quite right, Senorita. This is a joyous occasion. May I have the honor of this dance?" <em>
_Diego quickly came up behind de Soto.
>"Pardon me, alcalde, but the senorita promised this dance to me." <em>
_He went over and lead Victoria out to dance who smiled up at him._
_"The Alcalde will bury the hatchet all right." said Diego as they danced away. _
_"Yes, right on Zorro's head." she replied._
_End of Transcript Episode Conundrum_
Diego felt happy holding Victoria in his arms while he tried to ignore the constant throbbing in his arm. He had bandaged his arm before he came to the party, but because of Mendoza's hard grip the wound had reopened again and he felt blood drizzle along his arm. Victoria's hand lay lightly on his shoulders well above his wound for what he was grateful. They continued to dance and Diego noticed with horror the dark stain that was beginning to show on his jacket. Also Victoria's white blouse was getting red where it was soaking blood from his arm. He started to think frantically. He couldn't let the blood on him be discovered or the alcalde would find out that he was Zorro.
2. Chapter 2
Chapter 2
Slowly he started to dance towards the bar so that they were ending their dance there.
"Dancing makes one thirsty," he said and reached for one of the mugs on the bar. Clumsily he tipped over one bottles of wine spilling the red liquid all over Victoria's white blouse and her red skirt.
Shocked Victoria looked down at herself, where the wine was dripping to the floor from her clothes, and then at Diego.
"Diego, what have you done," she exclaimed. "My dress, it is full of red wine. It's ruined!" Tears were standing in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Victoria," Diego said very remorsefully. "It is really a nice dress, but maybe you can save it. I'll get you a new one. But my own suit isn't in a better condition."
He pointed at his suit where splashes of red wine could be seen on his white shirt and his jacket.
Victoria went up the stairs and headed for her room. Quickly she changed her clothes and then she went to her washstand. From the pitcher she poured water into the bowl and reached for her stained blouse. She examined the stains that the wine had left there, when she noticed a difference. Under her left arm there was a dark red patch of fresh blood. She examined her left arm for some hidden scratches but there was nothing.
This wasn't her blood. That got her thinking. Her blouse had been clean so it must have happened during the dance. But how did it get under her arm? Her arm had been supported by Diego's during the dance. This must Diego's blood on her blouse. But why was her blouse soaking blood from his arm and why didn't he say something about such a severe wound? She nearly wouldn't have seen it between dots from the wine if she hadn't looked closely at the stains. The wine nearly concealed it. The wine. It was Diego who had spilled the wine over her and himself. What if he had done it on purpose to hide his bloody arm? To make her change? What did he have to hide that he couldn't admit being injured today?
Slowly she sat down on her bed, staring at the blood stained blouse in her hand and thought of the events of the day. She had seen Diego in the tavern talking with his father and then Diego and Felipe had left together. Alejandro had shown her that infamous letter that Risendo had given him and then there had been the commotion because of Zorro. Zorro had freed Toronado and then he had fought with Risendo on the roof. There had been a shot and Zorro had gone down on the roof and then Risendo had fallen to his death while Zorro had escaped. There was only one person except for Risendo who had been injured today and that was Zorro. If Diego was wounded now then Diego must be Zorro!
Diego! She had to talk to him. She rushed through the door and looked at the gathered crowd searching for Diego. At last she spotted him heading for the door.
"Diego," she shouted through the tavern. "I have to talk to you. Don't you dare leave like this."
Everybody turned their heads to look first at her and then at Diego who had turned around at her call. Surprised he looked at her and headed towards her through the dancers who made space for him.
Victoria went down the stairs. "We'll talk in the kitchen," she said in an angry voice pointing to the curtain. "And the rest of you should better stay out."
The alcalde couldn't hide his gloating when Diego passed him by. "Now you're in for a scolding from the senorita. I wish you luck."
Obediently Diego followed Victoria through the curtain.
"I'm really sorry, Victoria," he started, but she interrupted him.
"Don't say a thing, I know what you have done." She moved closer and pointed at the dark stain on his arm. "That's blood, isn't it?"
He stared at her, thinking what to say, but then he nodded.
"You were shot by a lancer when you freed Toronado today."
"Yes." There wasn't anything else to say. She had looked through his disguise.
"You spilled the wine intentionally over us to hide the blood stains on my blouse."
"I couldn't think of anything else at that moment. Forgive me?" He looked intently in her eyes waiting for her reaction. He remembered the last time when Zorro had been asking her forgiveness after he had robbed her. How would she react now?
"Always," she replied, as she had the last time. And her eyes were full of love.
"It was you." She raised her right arm as if to hit him on the chest, but he intercept her and gripped her by the wrist. "All those years and I never saw you," she whispered.
Tenderly he started to trail the inside of her arm and her neck with kisses and with his other hand he slowly drew her in a tight embrace.
"You should go on with your scolding," he said in a low voice, never breaking eye contact. "Then we won't be disturbed."
"I can't," she whispered to his lips before they kissed.
When the music stopped outside, they broke apart. "I must go and change my suit now, before any one else figures it out."
"Will you come back to the party?"
"Only if you let me hold you in my arms and grant me another dance."
"I can't wait."
When he left the kitchen, Diego tried to look sheepish, which was hard, when he had never felt so happy in his life. Victoria's reactions was not what he had anticipated, and he had to admire her cleverness to draw the right conclusions in such a short time.
"Don't think you're off the hook so easily, Don Diego," Victoria called after him from the kitchen again in an angry voice that would have deceived even him if they hadn't kissed moments before. "You owe me another dance, Don Diego."
A short time later he returned again, this time totally changed in a dark brown suit and another white ruffled caballero shirt. Victoria was surprised he came back so soon, but then she remembered that he must have a lot of experience in quickly changing his clothes.
Diego waited for the music to play a slow tune, until he asked Victoria for her dance.
When he lead her to the dance floor, neither of them said very much. What they wanted to talk about, they couldn't in public, and for the other things they needed no words, only some concealed looks. He held her much tighter than he would have otherwise, bending the borders of propriety as far as it still went unnoticed from the outside.
Victoria put her hand only very lightly on his shoulder, carefully avoiding his hurt arm. He couldn't comment, but squeezed her other hand thankfully for her efforts. Except for this dance Diego danced no more, ignoring the hopeful looks of other potential dance partners.
"I have lost my taste for dancing tonight," he replied, when his father tried to urge him to another dance and pointed out some other women to him. "It is enough that I Victoria is cross with me, I 'd better avoid other incidences." He could hardly tell his father that he had to take care that his injured arm wasn't discovered from anybody else.
He would have liked to dance with Victoria much more, but they had to avoid to attract attention, when Victoria was supposed to be angry with him. She was a better actor than he had thought and kept convincingly to her role for the rest of the evening. So she appeared to be reluctant when he asked her for the last dance for the night.
"Are you still cross with me, Victoria?" he asked her aloud. "I promise I'll get you another dress." Inaudible for the others he added, "White is the color that suits you." She started to blush knowing he was referring to a wedding gown. She was glad that it was a lively dance that put some color in her face.
There was no reason he could linger after the party ended without raising suspicions and he had to accompany his father and Felipe home.
3. Chapter 3
Chapter 3
They only met again the next day when the de la Vegas drove into town with the dead body of Risendo.
Victoria looked concerned when she came over from her porch to meet with them.
_Start of Transcript Episode Discovery_
_Victoria looked over sadly at Don Alejandro.
>"I heard what happened. I'm so sorry."<em>
_Don Alejandro added,
>"It's hard to gain a son and then lose him all in the same hour." <em>
_"Gilberto was suckled on vengeance. I wish I had known him as a brother and not as an enemy." Diego said _
_Victoria looked over at Diego
>"Perhaps if he would had a different life, you could have been proud of him instead, Diego" <em>
_Diego nodded as Don Alejandro. Diego then got a strange look on his face. _
"_There is something I have been meaning to tell you all for quite some time." _
_Victoria looked at him with a confused expression. _
"_Now would seem an appropriate moment. Felipe, with your permission." _
_[Felipe looks at him with worried confusion.] _
"_I. . . I. . . am . . .going to adopt Felipe. He's to be a member of our family." _
_Victoria laughed happily. _
_Don Alejandro smiled broadly.
>"This is wonderful news." He hugged Felipe who grinned. "This is wonderful news." He let go of Felipe. "I now have two sons. The de la Vegas will never be divided. Never." <em>
_Felipe let out a sigh of relief as Victoria giggled. Diego exhaled and smiled. _
_Don Alejandro got a strange look on his face.
>"Diego, there's something that's been gnawing inside of me." <em>
"_Father, there is something I've been meaning to tell you for quite some time. Felipe, Victoria, if you will excuse us for a moment." _
_He held out his hand and lead Don Alejandro away. Victoria went over to stand next to Felipe, who looked worried. Victoria looked over at him and he waved his hands then shrugged. _
"_Do you remember when Gilberto was just about to shoot you, he said he was not only going to kill you, he was going to kill. . . " He stopped and turned to face Diego. "Then he never finished. What do you suppose he was going to say?"_
_End of Transcript Episode Discovery_
Diego started to say something but then he stopped looking around at the people walking across the plaza.
"I think we'd better talk about it when we are back at the hacienda. I want to invite Victoria to dinner, then I don't have to repeat myself." Then he pointed out to the private who had been ordered to take away Risendo's body. "I think you are needed at the wagon, father. Please excuse me, I want to talk to Victoria."
"What happened today?" she asked Diego while Don Alejandro walked over to the wagon. "I heard you were fighting with Risendo and that the alcalde killed him. What else was there?"
She looked at his bloodied arm. "Come to the tavern and I'll have a look at that while you tell me about today."
She led him into the tavern while Alejandro drove Risendo's body to the cuartel. After they entered the tavern, Victoria locked the door behind her, since the tavern was still closed for siesta.
"Remove your shirt, I want to look at that wound." She urged him to sit down at one of the benches while she gathered everything she needed to treat his injury.
Diego was too weary to argue and simply did as she requested. Victoria blanched when she examined his arm. "You have been fighting with that? How can you even move your arm?"
"I didn't fight with that arm. I used my left hand. Luckily my fencing master insisted that I had to be proficient with both hands. My father saw me fighting, he got suspicious about my fencing abilities."
"Anyone would if you were able to beat a good swordsman as Risendo with your left hand only."
He closed his eyes and hissed in pain when Victoria cleaned the wound with alcohol before she bandaged it again. In the meantime she tried to distract him with her questions.
"What about the truce that Risendo offered Zorro? Did you go to the canyon?"
"It was a trap. Risendo had an explosion prepared that caused a landslide."
"But you escaped."
"No, I was buried under it."
Shocked Victoria interrupted her bandaging and looked at him, her face totally white.
"How did you survive?"
"I don't know. I got out with Toronado's help and very much luck. I arrived just in time before Risendo could kill my father. Risendo found out that I was Zorro. I didn't know what to do. If he had survived, he would have revealed it and then I'd be dead. But I knew I couldn't kill him, Risendo was right. Inside me I felt that he was my brother."
He sounded weary and lost.
She braced herself against his naked shoulders when he drew her lips down to his. They kissed hungrily savoring each moment.
"It was a terrible day. I thought I wouldn't make it." He drew her down until she was sitting on his lap and hugged her in a tight embrace. She felt his hot skin through her shirt. "I need to feel you in my arms to know that I'm still alive. We need to talk where we won't be disturbed. Will you come to dinner to the hacienda tonight?"
She nodded her agreement and he continued. "I promised my father to talk to him tonight and I will tell him that I'm Zorro. All that I'll tell him, I want you to know as well. After these last days I cannot go on like before. Maybe the alcalde has finally had an insight and has a turn for the better after he talked to the padre. Then we can leave Zorro buried under that rock and get married."
"I'd like that very much, Diego. I think we have waited long enough." They kissed passionately until they heard Alejandro calling from the back door of the tavern.
"Diego, Victoria, are you in there?"
Alejandro looked surprised when he saw his son standing half dressed in Victoria's tavern buttoning up his shirt.
"Victoria bandaged my arm." Diego explained to his father. "She saved me the visit to Dr. Hernandez."
Alejandro looked unconvinced but didn't comment. "Has Diego invited you to dinner tonight? We'd be happy if you came."
"I'm looking forward to it." Victoria answered. "After all that happened there is much to talk about."
"You're right, Victoria. There will be much to talk about." Alejandro sighed at little. "But we must be on our way now."
"We'll see you at dinner, Victoria," Diego added who had finished with his shirt now. As Victoria looked at him inquiringly, unsure how to act in front of his father, he decided he no longer wanted to act any more when only his family was present.
With a hand he caressed her right cheek while he placed a short and tender kiss on the other. "I'm looking forward to it too."
With his mischievous grin that she knew so well from Zorro, he left the kitchen ignoring his father's bewildered look at this intimate gesture.
"He will have a lot to explain. I hope he is up to it." Alejandro grimaced and followed after his son.
4. Chapter 4
Epilogue
The evening held many surprises for Alejandro even when he had already guessed that his son was Zorro. The engagement to Victoria was one of those and it brought back a smile on his face that had been gone after he found out about Risendo. Another was the revelation of the secret cave that had been right under his nose and last not least he was happy for Felipe that he could hear and would eventually start talking again.
The day that had nearly ended so horribly for all had finally come to a good end, the family united with the prospect of a marriage in the very near future.
End file.
| The Dance by katie1999 | Zorro |
Getting Rid of Zorro
Getting Rid of Zorro
by Linda Bindner
A/N: Thanks to mmbrook, Noda2, QueenNaberrie, and yeahsureyoubetcha for beta reading - you're all great!
"Father," Diego said in a voice meant to momentarily wrest Don Alejandro's attention from his lunch at the tavern. Don Alejandro paused to look up at him, his attention successfully diverted. "Have you ever wondered about the man behind Zorro's mask? I mean, seriously wondered?"
"What do you mean, Son?" His fork rested on the plate while he stared.
Thus encouraged, Diego thoughtfully went on. "Have you ever considered what we're all doing to that man?"
Alejandro's face took on the blank expression of someone not understanding. "Doing?"
"Consider." Diego was on a roll now, and had abandoned his own lunch of tamales in extra sauce to continue. "Zorro is just a man like any other. I suppose that he has wants and needs, wishes and desires, just like I do."
Don Alejandro was completely involved in the conversation now. "Wants and needs? Doesn't he want justice?"
"Well, yes," Diego conceded. "But so do I. So do you. But by asking him to continue his fight for justice, aren't we in effect just keeping him chained to the status quo?"
The blankness continued. "The status quo?"
Diego shrugged a nod. "Aren't we just relying on him to solve all our problems for us?"
Don Alejandro lost his vacuous expression as a tolerant one invaded his eyes. "I would say that the Alcalde is more the one responsible for that than we are."
Diego considered. "Maybe. But is the Alcalde the only reason that Zorro rides out all the time? What about the outlaws other than Zorro in the area?"
Alejandro reared back. "Are you saying that you think we should create some kind of armed patrol to scour the countryside for bandits?"
Diego took on a look of amusement. "Isn't that what the Lancers are for?"
Don Alejandro had nothing to say to that, but his nothing said a lot.
So Diego went on with his argument. "What if Zorro just wants to settle down and raise a family, but can't because he's always riding after someone, or fighting unjust taxes?"
Alejandro's gaze traveled instinctively to Victoria when Diego talked about Zorro wanting to settle down. She waited on another table, oblivious to the caballero's conversation.
Diego went in for the main point to his thesis. "He's as trapped by his own overdeveloped sense of justice as we are by the oppression of the government we live under day to day."
Alejandro paused to stare at his son in contemplation. "What do you propose that we do about it?"
Diego leaned across the scarred tabletop to better engage his father. "I suggest we set up some kind of rotating schedule where the caballeros - or whoever wants to be involved - do a kind of patrol around the pueblo meant to keep the peace." His pause was telling. "Since the Lancers can't be bothered to do their jobs, we'll do it for them."
Alejandro smiled the patient smile of all parents. "That sounds like a plan, Diego, but what about the fact that Zorro has skills that none of the rest of us have? He can track a phantom, but can you?"
Diego refused to be waylaid by what he considered insignificant details. "Anyone can learn to read tracks, even me."
Alejandro looked as if he didn't believe him. "And who's going to do all this teaching?"
Diego shrugged. "Zorro, I suppose."
"What if Zorro doesn't want to be bothered? He's a busy man."
"We're all busy men. Has anybody ever asked him?"
Alejandro reared back again, then blustered, "The Alcalde will never allow this."
Diego softened his voice to a conspiratorial murmur. "The Alcalde doesn't have to know."
A look of doubt stole across Alejandro's face. "Perhaps. But what about the Alcalde's taxes? They aren't anything to sneeze at."
Diego's tone rose again to what it was before. "True. But what are there caballeros for but to keep control of overall justice for the pueblo?" His eyes narrowed shrewdly. "Aren't we just a group of wealthy men who are letting another fight our battles for us?"
Affronted, Alejandro spluttered, "But it's Zorro who's keeping us all from the gallows!"
Diego grabbed his father's wrist in a light squeeze to make certain he had his attention. "Or are we ensuring that Zorro has to avoid the gallows all the time just by letting him fight for us?"
That argument made the older man pause. "But de Soto..."
"What about de Soto?" Victoria asked as she rested her serving tray on the table in order to hear Diego out.
But it was Alejandro who spoke. "He's a menace to lasting peace in the pueblo."
"Father! Not so loud!" Diego admonished, sending a furtive glance over to the far table where de Soto was currently embroiled in eating his lunch.
Alejandro complied by lowering his voice, but continued in the same vein. "We still have to contend with him!"
"No we don't, not really," Diego pointed out.
"We try to change his ways!" Victoria complained at the same time. "We're always protesting his cruelty. We've tried everything!"
"Have we, really?" Diego instantly objected. "Has anyone taken things so far as to be hurt or maimed by anything the Alcalde has done?"
This time, both Alejandro and Victoria reared back as if what Diego had said had hurt them, too. "Yes, people have been threatened with flogging, or worse! And it's Zorro who always saves us, always defends us."
"But should we always rely on Zorro? Shouldn't we respond to that kind of cruelty ourselves?"
Alejandro incredulously objected, "What you're suggesting is that we let ourselves be hurt just to prove a point?"
Diego rolled his eyes. "No, of course not. But.."
"It sounds like you want people to be abused in order to put a stop to the problems of the pueblo."
Diego sat back to pointedly stare at them. "Well... Zorro is abused all the time. Why do we think it's alright to abuse him, but not any of us?" When the other two didn't say anything, he added, "That's basically what we're implying each time he brings a bandit to the jail."
"It is not!" Alejandro blustered in righteous indignation.
"Isn't it?" Diego's stare didn't waver.
Just then Felipe hurried over, gesturing that a group of bandits had been spotted on the outskirts of the pueblo, using guns to threaten people, and looting all the farmer's wagons, looking for treasure. His last gesture was an appeal to them all to put a stop to this.
"Zorro will handle those outlaws," Alejandro confidently told Felipe. "You'll see."
"Do you realize what you just did?" Diego stared in baffled amazement at his parent. "Without even thinking, you decided to let another man face those bandits for us while we sit back and watch. What if he gets hurt this time? What if he gets killed?" It was a sobering thought.
Alejandro was compelled to argue, "But you're speaking like you have personal knowledge of his past battles and injuries. There's no way you can know something like that."
Diego cocked his head. "I may not have personal knowledge of his past injuries, but I have to assume that he has them - he's a bandit, after all. If he's going to be a fighter, he must have had broken ribs before, maybe the occasional knife cut through his cape and shirt to scar his chest. Maybe a sword has sliced his leg open. Maybe he's covered in scars."
His two companions looked like they'd never considered this before. They looked sick at just the thought.
Diego didn't want to sicken anyone. "Maybe he's not _covered_ in scars. But you get the point."
However, the damage was done. "Madre de Dios," Victoria whispered. "He could be injured right now, and I wouldn't even know it!"
The conversation was taking a turn that Diego didn't like. "The important thing here is that we're allowing this to happen," he forcefully said in order to get them all back on track. "Should we just sit back while this kind of abuse is going on?" He eyed Alejandro and Victoria.
Astonished to have what he'd thought of as his acceptable behavior called into question by his poetry-loving son, Alejandro asked himself as well as them, "Madre de Dios - how could we have let things get this far?"
Diego ended his argument with the words, "How indeed?"
His father jerked up. "We should put a stop to it! I'm going to call a meeting right now with every caballero in the area. This must end!" He thumped the table in determination.
Diego enthusiastically agreed. "That's the spirit, Father!"
Alejandro paused in his bid for action. "But how can we do this without the Alcalde stopping us?"
Diego had an answer to that as well. "Don't tell Mendoza."
With a giggle and a laugh, the group clandestinely held the first meeting of the movement meant to rid Los Angeles of its hero. And Diego didn't even gloat about starting it... much.
The End
End file.
| Getting Rid of Zorro by lbindner | Zorro |
Late Night Visit
**All rights belong to the creators of Zorro, and the sole purpose of this story is for entertainment only.**
**Late Night Visit**
Zorro silently crept along the Tavern roof until he reached her window. Victoria's room was dark and the curtains were drawn shut. He would have come to see her sooner, but the business trip he was on for the past week with his father, took longer than planned. He quietly lifted the window and climbed inside her room. He needed to see that she was safe so he could rest when he rode home. Victoria looked so peaceful when she slept, her even breathing let him know she was in a deep sleep.
"I love you so much Victoria." He whispered as he knelt next to her sleeping form. "Someday we will be together, and live the life we have dreamed of." He lightly kissed her hand. He was careful not to wake her when he lightly lifted her hand to his lips.
Victoria began to stir quietly and rolled over onto her left side. "Zorro I love you too." Victoria moaned in her sleep and pulled the blanket up to her chin. She relaxed into a deeper sleep.
Zorro smiled to himself and slowly stood up. He watched her sleep for a few more minutes. He quietly left her room through the window, and carefully closed the window behind him. He crept along the Tavern roof until he reached Toronado behind the Tavern. He rode home and after he changed, he relaxed into bed and dreamt of the love of his heart.
"Zorro." Victoria woke up the next morning calling for him. She could have sworn he was there and looked around her quiet room. "It must have been a dream, but it felt so real." She sat up confused.
End file.
| Late Night Visit by jpaez | Zorro |
The Promise
Disclaimer - I don't own the rights- ZPI does.
One more drabble for the Emmarae challenge. Set right at the end of "The New Broom" where de Soto is riding away from the de la Vega hacienda.
* * *
**The Promise**
How dare that loathsome bandit humiliate me in public like that? And in front of my men too!
You are a menace to society and I will hunt you down even if it takes me the rest of my life to do it. There is nowhere you can hide, no place you can go. I will follow you to the ends of the earth to bring you to justice.
I will see you and all your accomplices hanging from the highest gallows and then I will dance upon your grave.
This is my solemn promise to you Zorro.
End file.
| The Promise by CrazyJan57 | Zorro |
Warm
Hey, everyone! I've been working on another project, but have hit a bit of a wall on it, and was inspired by all your lovely little drabbles here to write one of my own (thanks for starting this lovely challenge, Emmarae!). This drabble's a bit over the 100 word limit, but I hope you don't mind. It's based off "One Special Night," and was written during a very boring work conference last week. :) Hope you enjoy!
* * *
It was cold in the small space inside the windmill, yet Diego was warm. That growing warmth was curled up against him, pressed against his chest and was spilling through the rest of him. The winds were whistling loudly outside the door with the raging storm, and yet his senses were filled with the scents of roses, sunshine, and clean linen. He knew that scent, and the beautiful skin and hair that they emanated from. _Victoria_.
Diego reached to brush away a tickling sensation at his chin, only to find his fingers moving over a silken head of hair. His eyes popped open as the warmth against him suddenly moved at his touch, and his own body went still. It wasn't a dream. He was really in the windmill where he and Victoria had taken shelter. He looked to the fire, and then to where the bench he'd placed so carefully between them had been. It was gone - and so was Victoria.
"I was cold." Her voice was slightly muffled against his chest, her body still as well, as if the boldness that had motivated her to move the bench and tuck in beside him had suddenly skittered away from her when she realized he was awake.
His smile curled slowly across his lips, and he rested his cheek lightly against her hair as his arms closed around her, his eyes closing in contentment as she relaxed in his embrace and burrowed closer against him. "I was cold too," he whispered. He turned his face into her hair, inhaling deeply as he slowly drifted back to sleep. "But I'm not anymore."
End file.
| Warm by LovelyStardust29 | Zorro |
The Wedding Drabble
The wedding dress was beautiful in its simplicity. White Spanish Lace covered her black curls, trailing down her back, a wonderful remembrance of her mother.
Standing at the back of the church, he watched them near the altar, paralysed with shock. He struggled to understand her wish to marry her old flame so impulsively, without even consulting him. He shook his head. How could she consult him? She had no idea who he was.
Stumbling at her vows, she shook her head, and stepped back. He could finally move. She couldn't marry the fine man. She loved Zorro too much.
End file.
| The Wedding Drabble by Paulsmum2001 | Zorro |
Treasured Gift
**Disclaimer: Out of respect to the estate of Johnston McCulley, Goodman/Rosen Productions, New World Television, and Zorro Productions I respect the copyrights held by the groups and names listed. I don't intend on infringing on them. I'm only borrowing them for my own creativity and will return them in the same or better condition as I received them. No money is being made off this story.*
*Author's Note: This fan fiction story was inspired by the episode "Child's Play."*
"Treasured Gift"
It was a cloudy morning in Los Angeles, California as an elderly man; Senor Gregorio Romero worked his small farm. He worked very hard, for very little money, but his granddaughter, Cristina Herrera was also happy. Cristina's birthday was quickly approaching and he knew what she truly wanted in her heart was to be given Don Miguel Martinez's chestnut mare, Firestar when he passed away as a birthday present. But now, Don Miguel's son and heir, Don Pedro has come from Mexico City to claim his inheritance. Cristina was eating breakfast that morning and dreaming of the day when she could own and ride Firestar.
The sound of the front door opening had Cristina looking up to see her grandfather coming into the cottage. Cristina got very excited and leapt up out of her chair. "Do you have her? Where's Firestar?" Gregorio placed his withered, worn, hard-working hands gently on her shoulders and just as gently tried his best to explain the situation to her.
"I'm sorry; there will be no horse for your birthday." Cristina tried very hard not to look brokenhearted, but didn't have the time for the cottage door suddenly swung open and Don Pedro Martinez and his associate entered the room. The young man sneered at the pair of peasants with sheer disdain. "Go outside and feed the livestock."
Cristina returned the man's sneer and bitterly spat out the burning question in her heart. "Where's Firestar? Where's MY horse?" The young man raised his hand as if to strike her.
"Cristina! Please go and tend to the livestock!" Gregorio pleaded. As he watched his granddaughter stand her ground even though she really shouldn't at this time, Gregorio knew things could be very bad for the pair. "I said to go and feed the livestock!"
Don Pedro sneered at the young girl again as he watched her leave the cottage. "Wise decision, old man," he spat out. "I wouldn't want your granddaughter to see me teach you a lesson!" The young man took a menacing step toward the old man just then. "I want you and that terrible, ill-mannered brat of yours off my property by morning!"
Gregorio desperately pleaded with the heir and new owner of the Martinez estate. "I worked for your father, Don Miguel for a very long time! He promised the mare to my granddaughter! Can you find it in your heart to give her the animal?"
Don Pedro sneered even more crudely, "I don't care old man! I want the two of you off property by morning!" Gregorio's face turned red, his facial features tightened and he made a charge toward Don Pedro. Don Pedro easily slid out of the old man's way, allowing the elderly man to stumble into the bunk beds. "As I said old man, be gone by morning!" Gregorio made another attempt at charging the young man. Once again, Don Pedro easily side stepped the old man and allowed his associate to grab him.
"I can't believe you would be so cruel!" Gregorio cried out. "Don't you understand, Cristina loves that mare and you have no use for the animal? Please can't you just give the horse to her?"
"I've had enough of your mouth, old man!" Don Pedro bellowed, his face turning red. He moved to strike Gregorio, as his associate held the elderly man. Pulling back his hand, he struck the old fast and hard across the face.
"That is QUITE ENOUGH!" a deep voiced bellowed from behind. Don Pedro turned to see a tall figure dressed in all black.
"W-who are you?" Don Pedro stammered.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Zorro!" the tall figure announced, introducing himself. Don Pedro exchanged glances with his associate. There was an instant, intense greedy look in their eyes. They knew the large reward placed on the head of this "outlaw", and while Don Pedro really didn't need the money, it was still exciting to get the chance to collect it!
"So, you're the infamous Zorro. I shall have the pleasure of killing you and collecting the reward!" Don Pedro yelled as he withdrew his pistol and pointed it at the taller man. Zorro nodded in acknowledgement, a wide grin spreading across his face.
"Are you so certain you've caught me?" Zorro inquired.
Don Pedro cocked the pistol and squeezed the trigger but Zorro simply moved the weapon out of his way and punched the man in the face. His associate moved to attack Zorro from behind and failed. With Gregorio looking on helplessly, a much larger fight ensued right before his very eyes.
Somehow, Zorro escaped their clutches and dashed outside to his faithful stallion, Toronado. As the pair rode away, Don Pedro steadied his pistol and fired a single shot. The musket ball shot out from its home, seeking its target, quickly slicing through the stallion's leg, just above the knee, although it was superficial. Don Pedro and his associate ran to their horses and rode in the opposite direction, leaving Zorro to give chase. As he turned around and tried to catch up to them, the injury to Toronado's leg bothered him. Pulling up the stallion, Zorro dismounted and checked the injury. It wasn't life-threatening but it would prevent any riding for some time. Rather than risking any further damage, Zorro quickly dismounted and checked the injury. "You'll be fine, boy. Unfortunately, no riding for some time," he told the stallion as he undid the cinch and removed the saddle. "I wouldn't want anyone to catch you only to find out who you belong to." He gave the stallion a pat on the rump and told him to go home.
After watching the stallion run off and stashing the tack behind some boulders, Zorro made his way down the road on foot. It was a long way back to the secret cave. At that precise moment, Victoria Escalante was traveling in a wagon along the road. "Ah, how lovely to see you on this fine morning, Senorita!" he greeted her warmly.
"Zorro! What are you doing out here and without a horse?" Victoria Escalante asked, surprised. "Has something happened to Toronado?"
"A mere flesh wound from a young blade's pistol. Nothing to worry about, Senorita." Zorro amused, as he approached her wagon. "Care for some company?"
Victoria was elated! "Oh by all means! I would love it!" She scooted over to make enough room for him to join her on the seat. Once the pair was settled, Victoria signaled the horse to move along the road. "My tavern is filled with people Don Pedro kicked out of their homes and off their lands. While they can't pay, I'll not let them starve or sleep in the streets. That is all I can do for them."
"The strength and depth of your heart is unlimited, dear sweet lady. Sadly, our Alcalde doesn't feel the same way." Zorro observed. As they traveled down the road. The sound of hoof beats caught their attention. "Sargent Mendoza." Glancing quickly at Victoria, "You better not be seen with me. I wouldn't want you to get into trouble." He told her as he jumped down from the seat and ducked under the tarp.
"Morning, Senorita. Have you seen Zorro anywhere near this area?" Sargent Mendoza inquired as he pulled up beside the wagon.
"Zorro, around here? Goodness, no I haven't!" Victoria replied. "Why do you ask?"
"We got a report saying Don Pedro Martinez had a run-in with the outlaw in this area. Oh well, adios, Senorita."
Victoria watched as the soldiers left, before looking down at the tarp, still thinking Zorro was hiding. "You can come out now, they're gone." No response. Victoria tried again. "I said, 'you can come out now.' Zorro? You can..." Throwing back the tarp, she suddenly saw he was nowhere to be found. She slumped against the seat, confused and disappointed.
* * *
Meanwhile, Zorro on foot, ran to the secret, hidden cave. Entering the cave and not seeing Toronado there, Zorro was confused. "Where's Toronado? I sent him home hours ago, he should have been here by now." Felipe looked alarmed. "No, no. Don't worry, you know he'd never let himself by captured. If he hasn't returned, it's for a good reason. Let's get some sleep. There's much to do." They left the cave and went back into the house.
* * *
Toronado was enjoying himself, running free in the desert, despite his injury. Galloping around, feeling the wind blowing through his long mane. He circled through the valley and up the rise, slowing down to a relaxing walk. Sniffing the air, his nostrils quivered with excitement! There was a mare in season somewhere in the area! Seeking the mare out, he ran along the meadow until he came across, an exquisite chestnut mare. Letting out a squeal of delight, Toronado raced to her side. Inquisitively sniffing each other, the pair of horses trotted off together. As he looked around him, Toronado noticed a young girl playing by herself. The girl looked lonely but happy, but also in need of a friend. Intrigued, Toronado slowly descended to get a closer look, he would put on a display of talent, finesse and power to get her attention.
As Toronado galloped in circles, he made sure to snort,whinny and neigh loudly so as to get the girl's attention.
* * *
Cristina walked among the trees, playing with different objects she found in her path. As she did so, the sound of horse's whinny caught her attention. Stopping short, and looking up Cristina was in complete awe of the magnificent sight she saw before her eyes. "Wow! What a horse! He's the most beautiful horse I've ever seen!" she whispered to herself. She crept closer, careful not to frightened the animal. "Here boy, it's okay, don't be afraid." she called gently.
Toronado walked closer, intrigued by the gentle voice. "Your leg, it looks very bad. Let me help you." Cristina stepped closer and bend down to wrap her sash around the great stallion's leg. "There. Now. How does that feel?" she asked after she was done. Toronado apparently nodded in approval. "Good." she said. "How about we go get you settled down some place for the night?" Cristina asked the stallion as she led the him off toward her family's barn.
* * *
Don Diego de la Vega, the alter ego of Zorro, rose the next morning to find Toronado's stall in the cave still empty. He was beginning to worry about the beloved stallion. It wasn't like him to be away for so long. Felipe came running into the cave, he had been trying to find the stallion for hours. "Felipe, I bet he's somewhere near the area where I turned him loose. Go saddle up a horse from the new herd we bought last month." As Felipe ran off to do what he was told, Diego quickly changed into his Zorro outfit. There was no telling what was going on with the treasured stallion.
* * *
Cristina patted the stallion as she tied him in place behind the barn. "You'll be fine here until I can tell grandfather about you. I need to give you a name. I think I'll call you 'Titan'. How do you like that? I think it suits you."
"Cristina! Cristina!" Gregorio shouted from the cottage.
Cristina turned at the sound of the voice. "I have to go in for supper." Cristina ran off toward the house, but turned back to where she had the stallion tied. "I love you, Titan."
Later that night, after supper and chores, Cristina returned to the stallion. "Evening, Titan," she greeted the stallion. "Grandfather went to bed early. I will stay with you tonight." she told the stallion as she laid down a couple of saddle blankets near the animal. "Good night, Titan." she murmured, settling down for the night.
* * *
The early morning hours found Cristina still sleeping near the stallion's stall at that time black cloaked figure approached the pair. "Well, Toronado, you look better, old friend." Zorro said in a low whisper. He bent down to check the bandage around the stallion's leg. "Not bad, not bad at all." He patted the stallion on the shoulder. "I can see and understand why you didn't leave her." Cristina slowly begun to stir from her sleep.
"Hey! Who are you?" Cristina shouted, leaping to her feet. "What are you doing with MY horse?"
Zorro turned calmly to look at the young girl. "Your horse? I'm sorry, I thought this was my stallion."
"Titan is MY horse!" Cristina said fiercely. Zorro was shocked and amused at the same time.
"Titan? Funny, I thought this was my stallion, Toronado." Zorro observed. He stepped away from the great horse. "Tell me something. My stallion comes to me when I whistle. Does yours?"
Thinking for a moment. Cristina responded with a quick, "Yes, he does!"
"Show me."
Cristina tried her best to whistle loudly, but just couldn't do it. "Okay, so I can't whistle like you. But he's still my horse!"
Zorro thought tactfully, before whistling for the stallion. Naturally Toronado walked right up to him. "I know, boy."
Cristina was crestfallen. With shoulders slumped heavy, she looked defeated, sad and heartbroken all in one.
"I'll make you an agreement. How about we come for a visit twice a week? You can even join me for a ride."
Cristina wiped the tears running down her cheeks. Looking up, it took a moment to allow his words to sink. "Oh yes! I would love it!" She rushed to throw her arms around Zorro's neck, leaving the masked man laughing at her antics.
"Let's get back you back to your grandfather." Zorro told her.
* * *
"Cristina! Christina! Where are you?" Gregorio yelled outside the cottage. Searching high and low, Gregorio couldn't locate the little girl. A horse snort drew Gregorio's attention. Looking up, he saw Don Pedro, his associate and several other men on horseback with torches. "Oh no! Please, don't, your honor! Let me find my granddaughter! Please!"
"I told you and that brat of yours to be gone, old man!" Don Pedro shouted sternly. "Now you'll pay for your disobedience!" Several of the men rode had dismounted and started to burn the surrounding property.
Sergeant Mendoza and Victoria came riding up the road (Zorro having alerted Victoria by leaving a note in her room, in which she alerted Mendoza) and immediately intervened. "Don Pedro! You can't do that! These people worked faithfully for your father and they can do the same for you if you treated them with kindness."
"This is MY land and I can do what I want on it and with its people! Stand aside, Senorita! I don't want to hurt you, but I will if I have to!" Don Pedro shouted, his features twisted crudely.
A horse's loud, piercing whinny sounded through the air and silence everyone. Zorro, holding Cristina in the saddle came trotting up to the cottage. "Don Pedro! Leave this family alone!" Zorro yelled as he lifted Cristina from the saddle and placed her on the ground. She ran to her grandfather's side.
"Kill him!" Don Pedro shouted to his men.
"Gentlemen, listen to me. I don't wish to kill or be killed and I know he's threatened your lives and homes. But if you leave now, you'll be spared from this man, that is my promise to you." Zorro declared.
The men shared looks, dropped their torches, and wheeling their horses around, galloped off into the hills. Don Pedro was shocked and angry. "Get back here! All of you! I'll burn your homes!" he shouted to the retreating men.
Zorro withdrew his whip and let the popper snake through the air to wrap around Don Pedro and his associate's arms, forcing them to drop their the two men rode away from the scene with Zorro giving chase.
Racing along the valley trail, Zorro handily catches up to the associate's horse and promptly knocks him off the animal. Quickly running along side Don Pedro's horse, Zorro leaps from the saddle and takes the man out of his. Both men tumbled to the dusty, dry ground, sending up a great cloud of dirt. Once they were on their feet, they each reached for their whips.
Don Pedro smiled evilly as he sent his whip cracking across the dirt; Zorro just smiled and cracked his own whip. Don Pedro sent his whip out to seek Zorro's flesh and failed. Zorro released his whip and expertly connected with the Don's whip holding hand. Dropping the weapon at the instant it stung his hand, Don Pedro looked shocked.
"Now that we have an audience. There's something I'd like you to read." Zorro announced. "Here. Your father's will. Read it, please."
Don Pedro caught the small tied bundle, removed the ribbon and read aloud. "To all those you who have served me, I hereby make them free landowners with two acres each." Everyone cheered excitedly.
"Go on. Read the last few lines, please." Zorro instructed.
"To my devoted and dearest stable hand, Cristina. I leave you my mare, Firestar. Take good care of her and happy birthday, my dear." Don Pedro looked up after he was finished. "How? When?"
Zorro looked at the man and simply said, "Last night. I took it before you could destroy it. You see, Don Pedro, if you showed your people kindness, they'll return the favor."
A snort from Toronado had Cristina approaching him. "Toronado, come on, boy," she told the stallion. Leading him over to his true owner. "Here you go, Zorro. Don't forget our deal."
Zorro offered to shake the young girl's hand. "Of course not!"
* * *
A few months later, Cristina felt like she was on cloud nine, as she loved her rides on Toronado with Zorro. She felt her heart soar along with his sharp hooves as they Cristina was brushing out Firestar's chestnut coat after breakfast when she felt something move against her hand. She moved her hand away from the mare's underbelly and then moved it back. There it was again! Something moved into her hand! Her eyes grew wide at the realization! Firestar was in foal! Cristina was so overjoyed she was about to shout to the world! But wait! Who was the foal's sire? Did Don Miguel breed Firestar and not tell Cristina? No, no, Don Miguel wouldn't do a thing like that and not let Gregorio in on the secret. Cristina slowly approached the mare's head and stroked the lovely blaze running down her face. "Suppose you tell me who you've been visiting with, hmm?" Firestar just snorted and nuzzled the girl's hand. "No, no, you've had plenty to eat."
Cristina left the barn, still walked among the clouds at the thought of a foal out of her lovely and beloved mare. Gregorio looked up as Cristina entered the cottage. "Well, what's that big smile all about, Cristina?" he asked her. Cristina said nothing and went about her chores. Gregorio was now curious, but said nothing to her.
Later that night, after supper, Cristina went out to check on Firestar. She didn't know her grandfather had followed her out to the barn. "How are you feeling tonight, Firestar?" she asked, as she stroked the mare's neck. "How's the foal doing tonight?" Gregorio was taken aback! Firestar was in foal! Why didn't he know about it? And who was the sire? There were too many questions running through his mind as he watched the pair. "Well, girl, I'll let you get your rest now. You take good care of that foal, understand?"
Gregorio left the barn hurriedly before Cristina spotted him. Entering into the cottage, he quickly and quietly closed the door before dashing over to his bed. Cristina came into the cottage just then, happily humming to herself.
* * *
Don Diego was working on a science experiment in his secret lab, when he heard Toronado growing restless in his stall. "What's wrong, boy?" He could see the big black stallion was restless about something, but he didn't know what was the cause of it. "I know, you want to go visiting." he realized. "Well let's go visiting!" He quickly changed into his Zorro outfit as Felipe got the stallion ready.
When the pair arrived at the Romero farm, Cristina was outside lovely doting on Firestar. "Hello there!" she called as she waved. She came jogging over to join the men. "Guess what!"
"You've taken up playing Chess?" Zorro teased.
Cristina shook her head. "No. Firestar is going to have a baby!" Zorro was thrilled.
"Well then, congratulations!" Zorro said grinning happily. "Who's the daddy? One of Don Miguel's stallions?"
Cristina looked perplexed. "No, Don Miguel didn't breed her, but we don't know the answer."
Zorro looked stunned. "Well, either way it's a surprise gift."
"Yes, yes it is, a surprise." Gregorio agreed.
Just then, Firestar let out a loud whinny. Toronado returned the greeting. The big stallion trotted over to the mare and nuzzled her. Everyone watched the exchange between the horses. "Wait a minute, you don't suppose..." Zorro wondered. He looked at the stallion, "Is there something you didn't tell me about when I released you?" Toronado just tossed his elegant head. "A treasured gift!"
Cristina's jaw dropped! So Firestar was carrying Toronado's foal! Oh how wonderfully exciting! "Oh my goodness! This really is the best birthday present ever!" she said joyously. "I don't know who to hug first! Ha ha!" Everyone just laughed. It really was very exciting to say the least.
"How much longer until this special foal makes its debut?" Zorro asked.
"I'm guessing Firestar is six months along, because I can feel the foal kick when touch around her underbelly." Cristina answered. "So five months from now, we'll see a precious little foal," She walked over to the horses then. "and it'll be half of you, boy. Thanks for the gift." She patted the stallion on the smooth neck, followed by wrapping her arms around the stallion in a thankful hug.
* * *
Five months later, Cristina was on her way out to the barn to check on Firestar and possibly help the mare foal. She was just gathering up the supplies when she heard a the cutest little whinny she ever heard! Firestar had foaled all on her own! She cautiously approached Firestar's stall and peeked around the corner. She gasped as the precious chestnut colt with its dark, liquid brown eyes gazed her way. "Oh! Aren't you just adorable!" she squealed with delight. Carefully she approached the colt, holding out her hand, and speaking in low tones, she let the colt sniff her hand. "Wow! you're probably the biggest foal of ever seen!" she remarked as she realized just how tall the colt was. "Let's see, you need a name. Your mother's name is Firestar and your father's name is Toronado. Hmm, both of those have nature elements in their names. How about Starwind?"
The colt playfully headbutted her in the chest. Cristina laughed at the colt's antics and rubbed his ears. "Ok, Starwind it is." At that moment, Cristina began dreaming of what the future held for this great colt of the most exquisite horses she had seen and known.
* * *
A few years went by and now Starwind is now a champion racehorse among the local farmers. Looking up at the sky, she said, "Thank you for allowing me to live this dream and have such a treasured gift." Starwind would go on to become a great stud with many sons, daughters and other progeny to continue the wonderful legacy that all started with the great black stallion, Toronado!
*THE END*
End file.
| Treasured Gift by KJSlice | Zorro |
The Body Speaks
**The Body Speaks**
Disclaimer: I don't own this.
"Where have they gone too?" Victoria queried of no one in particular. Felipe and Diego had been sitting at a table in her tavern just a moment ago pouring over a new book that Diego had picked up during a recent trip to Monterrey. But now the duo was nowhere to be seen. Of course the gentlemanly Diego had left more than enough pesos sitting on the table to cover the two plates of enchiladas they had ordered only two minutes prior.
"Boys," she mumbled to herself as she picked up the money and wondered what she was going to do with the food. Should she keep the two plates warm in the kitchen in case they returned or ask around to see if anyone else in the tavern was hungry? Thankfully Sergeant Mendoza was there and quickly made her decision for her.
"Senorita I will happily take the extra food off your hands. I do not think that Don Diego and Felipe will be returning anytime soon. They left in quite a rush. In fact they even forgot that new book that Don Diego was so interested in."
Victoria momentarily wondered what could have prompted the duo to leave the tavern so quickly as she handed the food to Sergeant Mendoza. No doubt Diego had thought of some experiment he wanted to try or a story he wanted to include in the next issue of the Guardian. She smiled at the thought of Felipe and Diego covered in dust from an experiment gone wrong as she made her way back to the kitchen. She was just about to pull over the curtain to the kitchen when she caught sight of the book left abandoned on their table out of he corner of her eye. It was a new book and no doubt they had not had time to finish it. She had better pick it up so she could keep it safe for when they returned.
The unobtrusive book sat innocently on her cupboard the whole day without Victoria giving it any more consideration. But that evening when she was finished closing up the tavern and the last of the ceramic dishes were done and she was just about to head upstairs to bed the book caught her eye. She was not quite ready to sleep yet. It had been an exciting day with Zorro riding into the pueblo to protest the latest produce tax. So she picked up the book with the intention of reading a few pages until she was able to go to sleep.
"_Body Language Interpreted_" she mouthed as she read the title of the book. The title caused her to giggle. The way Diego and Felipe had been so absorbed by the book she would have guessed it's subject to be something much more interesting than about body language of all things. But then again, it was just the kind of scholarly topic that Diego would put way too much thought into. I mean, it didn't take a genius to figure out what a shaking fist or an angry tone meant. Did people really need a book to explain what a person could easily see? But then she was a woman and naturally more in-tune to those things. She prided herself on being an excellent judge of character and quick to realize when a fight or new romance was budding within her tavern walls. But despite her obvious lack of appreciation for the book's subject she picked it up and began reading.
While the book was full of obvious suggestions there were plenty of tidbits about human nature that Victoria had never really thought to think about and she quickly found herself absorbed in the book. She especially enjoyed the description of the dominant male. The dominant male adapted a low voice, a wide based stance, erect shoulders and often held his hands on his hips ready to reach for his weapon. It made her think of Zorro. In fact her fiance was much more dominant in his demeanour than even the examples sketched in the book.
_What's a phallic display?_ she thought in confusion as she read on. The book stated that males often try to assert their dominance with phallic displays. She supposed she would have to ask Diego about it later. But then she saw the following pictures and descriptions which gave her a pretty good idea of what it was exactly. She thanked her lucky stars that she had not been naive enough to ask Diego. At that embarrassing thought she blushed to herself. Then for some reason an image of the impressive sword that Zorro carried popped into her head and she could not prevent herself from giggling into the darkness. But by now it was far to late so she gave up and put the book away to catch a few fleeting hours of sleep before sunrise.
The next few days went by without too much excitement in the pueblo. In fact things had been so calm that she had plenty of time to finish Diego's book. She had to admit if nothing else the book was quite entertaining. Victoria even found herself watching her patrons' private interactions, looking for the small clues the book had talked about. It was remarkable as she was soon able to pick up who was bluffing at a game of poker, who was the most respected person in a group, who was interested in their lunch companion and who wished they could be left alone to eat! It was fascinating.
Having finished the book she was pondering riding to the de la Vega hacienda to return it this afternoon. Normally she would have just waited until Diego showed up on his own but she was concerned since she had not seen him all week after he and Felipe had left in such a hurry. But just as she was wondering if Pillar would be able to handle the tavern for a few hours Don Alejandro walked into her tavern.
For all intents and purposes Don Alejandro was an excellent example of the dominant male. The way he walked into the tavern with his head held high and shoulders erect. Victoria noticed that the few people who wished him hello always broke eye contact with him first. Alejandro would pat his well-wishers on the shoulder but no one dared pat at him in kind. And he wasn't just trying to exert his dominance but was granted it willingly. When the men shook his hand Alejandro always had the upper hand. If she did not know him personally it would not be hard to guess that he was one of the most well-respected and wealthy landowners in the pueblo.
Victoria smiled as she thought that no one could quite measure up to the dominance that Don Alejandro exuded except for Zorro. She wondered who would have the upper hand between those two men? Surely Zorro, with his hand at his hips ready to wield his sword was the alpha male, but perhaps he would grant the upper hand to Alejandro as a sign of respect.
While Victoria was pondering this Diego entered the tavern with Felipe at his side. She noted his hunched shoulders and attempts to make himself smaller than he was. His light airy voice and upturned hands proclaiming his pacifistic attitude. Oh Diego! So unlike his father.
Victoria marvelled at the huge difference between the two men as Pillar prepared their orders. She was picking up their food dishes when a most unwelcome customer entered the tavern.
"What brings you into the tavern this afternoon De Soto?" asked Alejandro, a barely contained undertone of contempt in his question. While Alejandro was still sitting calmly in his seat Victoria was still able to recognize the confrontation stance that had come over the previously relaxed caballero.
"I am merely here to ensure that the senorita is aware of the new food tax. I am being fair Don Alejandro in that I am giving her plenty of warning so that she can change her charging scheme appropriately," announced De Soto.
The two men glared at each other angrily. Neither willing to give up their ground like a bunch of baboons as Diego's book would have said noted Victoria. Alejandro stood up from his seat to properly face the alcalde before continuing.
"I see. Well I hope you realize you run the risk of ruining her business if you make people pay a tax on all their foods. And this is the only place to stay in the whole pueblo for out of towners. People will stop coming to our pueblo because of this ridiculous food tax and the merchants who you tax so heavily will have nothing left to give. Are you purposely trying to run this pueblo into the dirt?"
The alcalde was about to retort when Diego placed himself between the two men.
Victoria thought with some interest that Diego's action was quite aggressive for such a passive man. But as she continued to watch the little drama in front of her she began noticing quite a few things about the passive Diego. First of all he stood like a warrior, with a wide-based stance and one hand on his hip. And that hand was busy clenching and unclenching as if he were preparing to grasp a non-present weapon. Of course those clearly alpha male actions were undermined by the fact that he was not standing at his full height and was not making eye contact with either man. He merely stood slumped between them. But he stood his ground.
"Father we must learn to respect the alcalde's taxes. It could bring in revenue for a new school. And at least he warned Victoria before collecting," said Diego in that airy voice of his. Not at all commanding in word or deed. But Diego staunchly stared at his father until the elder man broke eye contact first.
Victoria did not pay mcuh attention to Alejandro subsequently. He was busy muttering to himself about what made a true de la Vega and his son's repeated inactions. Ranting that Diego would accept any of the alcalde's insane taxes. And it certainly appeared that way to the untrained eye. But Victoria knew better. Diego had pressed his finger against his lips while telling his father they must respect the alcalde's tax. And that, as his book had educated her, was a sure sign a person was lying. Diego had no respect for De Soto's laws. Perhaps this unspoken taunt was why De Soto always seemed annoyed with Diego for no reason. As if Diego were a threat to him.
"Diego I have something for you in the kitchen," she piped up suddenly unsure of why she did it. Perhaps she wanted to extricate Diego from his father's displeasure and De Soto's smug grin. Either way he seemed grateful to be saved from the situation as he meekly followed her into the kitchen.
"Diego you left this book behind earlier in the week. I thought you might want it back," stated Victoria as her mind pondered the scene she had just witnessed. As she handed the book to Diego she studied his face for a sign of the commanding man he could be, but unfortunately his eyes were trained on the book and not on her. It was then that she realized Diego rarely made eye contact with her. A sure sign he was hiding something from her!
"Diego?" she prompted as she held unto the book that he was trying to take from her. This time he looked up into her eyes.
It was only for the briefest of seconds that they held eye contact. But long enough for Victoria to notice it, the barely perceptible dilation of his pupils. The slight blush at the base of his neck. It was obvious if you only knew what to look for. Diego de la Vega was attracted to her. But was that really a surprise? In her deepest heart she already knew that. His body had shown her long ago but she would never let herself believe it. It was too dangerous an admission. Because deep down she knew that her body reacted to him as well. Reacted to him as if he were a powerful man. The kind of man she could respect. The kind of man she could be submissive too if he proved himself worthy.
Victoria panicked at her thoughts. She could not be standing in her kitchen thinking about her attraction to Diego. About how he was anything more than he appeared to be. It was ridiculous. Why would he hide under a coat of incompetence? But the moment silence in the kitchen seemed to stretch on forever so Victoria spoke without thinking to lighten the tension.
"Diego you give yourself away. De Soto and your father are the two most powerful men in this pueblo. And you put yourself between them as if it were nothing. You're not as cowardly as your father thinks if you are willing to diffuse an argument between those hot tempers. You use lame excuses about schools but the whole time your hand is acting as if it wanted to reach for your sabre."
In her panic Victoria barely realized what she had said. But she had gotten Diego's attention whatever it was. Because this time he raised his eyes to hers for more than the fleeting second. She opened her mouth in surprise but managed to suppress the exclamation of wonder that wanted to escape. As Diego stood about her at his full height and full commanding presence it was only too obvious who he really was. His broad jaw and blue eyes practically screamed it.
"You can only mask so much," she finished as if it had been her original discovery and not dumb luck she had stumbled on his secret.
"I will have to be more careful," he whispered huskily as he took the book from her and placed it into his inner coat pocket.
They stared at each other.
"You should go back before they get suspicious," whispered Victoria realizing that she badly needed a moment to calm herself down and process all she had discovered. While her body was urging her to embrace the man across from her, she could hardly risk the action with De Soto and Alejandro sitting in her tavern, on the other side of a flimsy curtain.
"As you wish," he replied, his face falling only slightly. But as he walked away she could tell the sag in his shoulders was not an act, but her doing. He felt rejected.
"Diego, come back later tonight," she whispered as he pulled back the curtain, rejoining his father and Felipe as if everything was still the same.
He made no reply to her words, but he walked just a little bit taller.
The End
End file.
| The Body Speaks by Musicat | Zorro |
New Lease on Love Drabble
Zorro was stunned. What had the Sergeant said? Victoria was getting married? How? Who? When? It took a few seconds to recover, and refocus on the job at hand.
The alcalde's pride and joy, the way to finally be rid of Zorro? Just what was the "statue"?
Finally he got his hands on the box. Gazing at the canon, his heart sank. What on earth was deSoto thinking? Shrapnel's invention ensured indiscriminate killing on a massive scale. Half the pueblo massacred for the sake of Zorro? He should feel flattered by deSoto's desperation. Horror shivered through him.
End file.
| New Lease on Love Drabble by Paulsmum2001 | Zorro |
Zorro meets Winnetou
Crossover - Zorro meets Winnetou and Old Shatterhand
*** None of the characters belongs to me. I had to arrange the times and events a little bit, as Zorro is supposed to play around 1820 and Karl May had his heroes live about 30 years later. I transferred this all to play around 1820 though. For all of you who have never heard of Karl May and his most famous characters Winnetou and Old Shatterhand: Karl May was a German author (*1842 +1912) who wrote many fictional stories about the Wild West, the fate of the Red Indians as well as about the Orient and its people. Concerning this story, the characters of Winnetou and Old Shatterhand need a little introduction. Winnetou is a young Indian chief of the tribe of the Mescalero-Apaches. He's a hero of his race, always fighting for justice, no matter who needs his help, he is always willing to sacrifice his own life to help the just and honest. Old Shatterhand is an adventurous young German who has come to the US in search of adventures. He became Winnetou's friend and bloodbrother and the two have ever since carried on their battle for justice together. Both have black horses, of Indian breeding. Winnetou's stallion is called Iltshi, which translates to "wind". Old Shatterhand's horse is a brother of Winnetou's and is called Hatatitla, which translates to "lightning". Winnetou has a famous rifle, ornated with silver nails, which earned it the name "Silver-rifle" whereas Old Shatterhand has two firearms, an old heavy hunting rifle and a repetition rifle, the Henry- carbine. ***
___zzz___
Pecos River, near Santa Fe, 1823 -
In the morning of a lovely spring day two riders left the pueblo of the Apaches, at the banks of the pecos river. They were a white man and an indian mounted on great black stallions, dressed in typical indian like clothing. They were heading towards Albuquerque where they would meet a salesman, whom they had volunteered for to take a journey to the west coast, into Spanish territory on a business trip. The salesman, Mr. Stanley Fitch, had ties to other salesmen in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Los Angeles and was due to deliver a shipping of goods and couldn't make the trip himself due to health problems. So he had asked two famous men of the west to do the trip for him. He organised permission for the two to enter Spanish California and even got them a recommending letter for several of his fellow salesmen, where they would be hosted in a friendly way. The two famous men of the west were Winnetou, the chief of the Apaches and his white bloodbrother Old Shatterhand. They arrived in Albuquerque on time and everything went on as planned. Several weeks later they had delivered the goods and were just about to finish their job, dropping of the last bundle just outside Los Angeles.
When they arrived in the pueblo in the late afternoon they decided to first look for the tavern to get rooms for the night. They tied their horses to the beams outside the tavern and entered. Immediately all looks were drawn to them, as they were not a usual appearance in the pueblo de los Angeles. In the tavern was a handful of dons and peons as Winnetou quickly observed. His gaze fell on a handsome young don, about his own age, who - judging by his clothing - had considerable wealth. They locked looks for a second, then Winnetou turned to the counter where his bloodbrother was already talking to the innkeeper.
"Buenos dias, Senor!" Old Shatterhand addressed the innkeeper.
"Buenos dias, Senor, how can I help you?", the innkeeper readily replied, eyeing the new arrivals curiously, hoping for some returns.
"We would like a room for the night and... what do you have to offer for two hungry stomachs?"
"I'll bring you good food right away, Senores. If you take a seat somewhere!", the innkeeper nodded at his maid, Angelina, to fetch the food.
"Muchas gracias" Old Shatterhand replied, and he and Winnetou sat at a table not far away from the young don.
The door of the tavern opened again and Bernardo, Don Diego's manservant, entered. Don Diego was the caballero Winnetou had exchanged looks with. Bernardo headed toward the table where his master sat and sat down as well.
___zzz___
Don Diego de la Vega sat in the tavern with a mug of wine, waiting for Bernardo, his manservant. When the door opened he looked up, hoping to see Bernardo. But the two men who entered captivated his curiosity as well. The one was a tall gringo man with blond hair who was dressed in leather. He had two rifles with him and definitely was a stranger in the pueblo. His companion was an Indian also dressed in leather. Diego looked up and found himself staring at the Indian who seemed to feel his eyes on him and looked back. Diego couldn't lower his gaze. That man was truly fascinating. He also had a rifle, ornated with silver nails, and a tomahawk was in his belt as well as a knife. Diego managed to look elsewhere and focused on his mug of wine. He heard the gringo talk to the innkeeper and then the two men walked over to a table not far away and sat down.
The door of the tavern opened again and in came Bernardo, who rushed to Diego's side and sat next to him. One look at his manservant told Diego that the mission had been accomplished. The wagon with all the supplies for the de la Vega hacienda was ready. Diego was about to tell Bernardo of the two strangers when Don Andoni stood from his card game and walked over to the strangers, putting on a menacing look.
"You two... what do you want here? We don't need any foreigners in Los Angeles!" he cried.
The tall gringo just looked at him shortly, then returned his attention to the plate that Angelina had just brought and started to eat.
"I asked what you two filthy tramps want here!" Don Andoni demanded.
Diego's attention was drawn to this scene immediately.
"Don Andoni" he called. "Leave them alone. They're not disturbing anyone."
"I don't appreciate any Indians in our tavern, Don Diego. And we don't need gringos here either!" Don Andoni hissed back, glared at Diego for a moment, but then decided to return to his cardgame. He would not let any tramps disturb his game, he decided. And he would deal with them later.
Diego stood and walked over to the table where the two strangers sat.
"You must excuse Don Andoni's behaviour, senores. We're not accustomed to having strangers here." Diego said. "Let me bid you welcome to Los Angeles! My name is Diego de la Vega!" he continued with a polished bow.
The Indian nodded at him and the gringo replied: "Thank you senor! And don't worry, we did not take any offence. This here is Winnetou, chief of the Apaches, and I'm Old Shatterhand."
From Diego's quizzical look Old Shatterhand concluded that those names were not known to him.
"But call me Charlie, it won't draw that much attention" he smiled at the californiano.
"So you don't like to be the centre of attention. I'm afraid that that will be hard to avoid here in Los Angeles." Diego replied. "Your companion and you are much too unusual an appearance in Spanish California."
"You certainly have a point there, my friend" Old Shatterhand mused. Then he exchanged a quick glance with Winnetou before adding, "Have a seat, Senor de la Vega!"
Diego accepted with a bow and sat down.
"Is there anything about this pueblo that we should be aware of", Old Shatterhand asked and nodded in direction of the poster offering a reward for a bandit called Zorro.
Diego looked over his shoulder at the poster and then turned back to the two men. With a slight smile on his face he said: "If at all you have something to fear in Los Angeles, it certainly isn't him!"
"Fear?" Winnetou raised an eyebrow. It was the first time he had spoken. "Winnetou fears no-one!"
Diego looked at the Indian. Certainly he didn't have the look of someone who runs off scared easily. Diego was ready to retort something, but then decided it would be better not to argue with Winnetou. This man had something about him that didn't let anyone doubt his word.
In the other corner of the tavern Don Andoni and his friends got up from their card game and left the tavern, but not without shooting some not very friendly glances in direction of Diego and his new friends.
"This man," Winnetou looked at Don Andoni "he doesn't like Indians, and he's up to no good!"
Diego sighed. Don Andoni certainly wasn't known as the best friends of the local Indians, but neither had he yet shown any animosity towards them. He just ignored them.
"Not everyone in Los Angeles has had good experiences with the local Indians. But I can't say we've had real problems with them either." Diego explained. "Most people here are just scared of things or in this case, people, they don't know."
"Winnetou will be on his guard", the Indian said.
There was a short silence while the two men finished their food. Diego waved to Bernardo to come close then signed for him to return the wagon to the hacienda, so his father wouldn't get worried and then to return to Los Angeles with a horse for him. Bernardo nodded and left.
Angelina, the waitress, came to retrieve the plates from the two strangers as Old Shatterhand addressed Diego again.
"Say, if this outlaw there on the poster is as harmless as you just said, how come there is a prize on his head?"
"Oh," Angelina chimed in. "He's only a thorn in the side of corrupt and injust military men and others who try to take advantage of the weak. He's never been one to raid coaches or rob anyone. Zorro only appears to right the wrong. He's the champion of the people! His sword has never been defeated, so it is said."
Diego felt a bit uncomfortable but managed not to show it. Angelina cast a pleasant smile at him and then left.
"The champion of the people?" Old Shatterhand raised an eyebrow.
"Well" Diego laughed. "It's true! I've never heard anyone but the military complain."
"If that is so... I think I might want to meet him."
"Oh, it is not easy to meet him. He's not being seen unless there is trouble."
"Have you seen him?" Old Shatterhand inquired.
"Seen him?" Diego exclaimed. "Everybody has SEEN him... riding on his black stallion fighting for justice. But that's about it."
Diego started to like the men, but he also felt a little uneasy. He didn't think he could fool these two about Zorro. His only hope was that there was nothing to do for Zorro while they were in town, even though he doubted they would turn him in. Still, just the possibility of being recognised was a new sensation and Diego wasn't sure he liked it.
___zzz___
Bernardo had returned the carriage to the hacienda, where several servants unloaded it and stored the supplies. Bernardo went to the stables and saddled Diego's horse as well as his own.
When he arrived in the pueblo he tied the horses up and then went to the tavern. He was about to enter it when he heard voices.
"No, Xavier, they HAVE to go! And if they refuse to go we'll have to... eliminate them."
"Are you sure, Andoni? I mean, it's not that I like foreigners, but... Don Diego was right, they don't disturb anyone."
"You are a fool! Foreigners don't belong here, especially not Indians. I want to get rid of them. The pueblo isn't save when we allow every stranger to stay! Enrique, Marcos... are you ready?"
"Si, everything is ready!"
Bernardo stood there, frozen to the spot, listening.
"Okay then. We'll wait till everybody left the tavern and the innkeeper has locked up. Then we'll find a way in through that window that is always left open. And the rest will go as planned. Is everybody ready?"
"Si, si", several voices mumbled.
"Okay then... lets find a place to wait."
Footsteps were fading away and everything was quiet again. Bernardo let out a breath. He hadn't noticed he had held his breath. Then he entered the tavern and rushed over to Diego. He tapped his friend on the shoulder to get his attention. When Diego looked at him, Bernardo started signing that the horses were there and he had something of importance to tell him. Diego signed back that he would be there in a minute and he should wait outside. With that Bernardo left the tavern.
"My manservant, Bernardo. He neither speaks nor hears." Diego explained.
"Manservant?" Winnetou asked with a slight air of detest. "No man has to serve another man!"
"Well," Diego continued. "It is customary for wealthy families of Spanish heritage to have servants. Bernardo is more a friend to me than a servant. But society here wouldn't accept that. And: servants are not slaves, although I must admit that some don't see a difference there."
Diego hoped that he hadn't lost his face in Winnetou's eyes. He certainly didn't want to make this man his enemy. Old Shatterhand nodded in understanding.
"And now, if you'll excuse me, it is time for me to return home! It's been a pleasure!" Diego excused himself with a bow, walked to the innkeeper and paid his bill. Then he left the tavern.
Outside Bernardo was waiting for him impatiently. As soon as Diego was out the door Bernardo grabbed him by the arm and pulled him around the corner.
"What is all this about, Bernardo?" Diego queried.
Bernardo started signing rapidly.
"Wait up, I can't follow you!"
Bernardo sighed and then repeated his signings while his friend tried to figure out what Bernardo's excitement was all about.
"You overheard some men talking? - a cardgame? Oh, Don Andoni - they plan to chase away the innkeeper? - No... someone in the tavern? - two? Oh, the gringo and his indian friend. - They want to shoot them???" Diego's jaw dropped a bit.
Bernardo looked around and then wrote a Z in the air, looking at Diego questioningly. Diego rolled his eyes and nodded.
___ZZZ___
Zorro and Tornado cut through the night like a flash. In no time they had reached the pueblo de los Angeles. Zorro stopped his steed, then dismounted and hissed "Hide nearby, Tornado!"
The faithful horse took off. Zorro snuck towards the taverna and peaked inside. Old Shatterhand and Winnetou were still sitting at their table, appearantly ready to retreat to their rooms for the night. The innkeeper was busy washing the last wine mugs.
Zorro ran to the back of the taverna, found an open window and entered the building. He found himself a place to watch everything that went on in the taverna just in time to see the door being pushed open and Don Andoni and his friends rush in armed with pistols and swords.
"Hey you tramps!" Don Andoni called pointing his rifle to them. "Get lost!"
His companions lined up also pointing their weapons. Winnetou didn't move and Old Shatterhand turned around slowly to face the dons. "We're not going anywhere!" he simply replied in a firm but calm voice.
"Please, Don Andoni!" the innkeeper said. "Go home!"
Pointing his gun at the innkeeper Don Andoni said: "That is none of your business, senor."
The innkeeper, not a man of great courage, thought it best if he'd leave and shot out of the tavern.
"Now, you two... I give you a choice. You either leave here NOW or you'll never set foot anywhere else!" Don Andoni threatened.
Winnetou and his white friend decided to ignore the group of armed Californios. But they always had an eye on them. Don Andoni couldn't hide that he was running out of patience and was ready to kill.
The second he lifted the gun to take aim Winnetou and Old Shatterhand drew their weapons but before either of them could shoot a dark figure jumped out of a shadow and Don Andoni saw his gun flying across the room.
"Zorro!!!" Don Andoni exclaimed, when he recognised his attacker. Marcos changed his aim and shot at Zorro, but his hand was shaking so much that his bullet missed the target by a long shot.
Zorro pushed Don Andoni away and drew his saber. Back at the other table the two visitors watched what was happening calmly. Zorro had quickly rid everyone of their pistols, but hadn't been able to avoid being shot at again. But as before the bullets missed their target.
"All right" Zorro addressed the dons. "That's enough now. Get out and go home! All of you!"
Just when he had finished that the door opened and the soldiers, led by Sergeant Garcia, entered the tavern. The innkeeper had run off to the garrison right away to alarm the lancers.
A big chaos emerged and Don Andoni saw his chance to finish his attack on the gringo and the Indian. He retrieved his gun and started to reload it.
Meanwhile Zorro was busy defending himself against all the lancers. He was doing a fine job as usual but knew he had to get out of the tavern quickly in order to have a chance to disappear. He found that he had one allie, seeing that Winnetou had drawn his tomahawk and was fighting next to him.
Suddenly a shot broke the fighting noise and the voice of Old Shatterhand called: "That's enough now!" Everyone froze to see what was going on... almost everyone. Don Andoni had finished reloading his weapon and now saw his chance to accomplish what he had come for. He aimed at Winnetou, who was having his back to him. He pulled the trigger and the shot rang out...
Zorro also had stopped fighting, a bit startled by the Old Shatterhand's interference. He turned to check his options when he saw Don Andoni aiming at the Indian. With lightning speed he jumped towards Winnetou and pushed him out of the way, just as the shot rang.
Zorro felt as if someone had put a knife in his left side. At first he didn't know what had happened, but then he realised he must have been hit. He had to get away quickly or he wouldn't stand a chance to escape.
Taking advantage of the momentary shock of everyone around he grabbed his sword that he had dropped and pushed the two lancers who stood between him and the door out of the way. Outside he whistled for Tornado, mounted and disappeared in the darkness.
___ZZZ___
Inside the tavern Winnetou picked himself off the floor, retrieving his tomahawk. Old Shatterhand was aiming his carbine at the Sergeant.
Garcia, who was about to order his lancers to pursuit the masked outlaw, froze, when he saw he was in the aim of the tall gringo.
"This man" Old Shatterhand said, referring to Zorro by nodding at the poster, "has done no wrong. He tried to help Winnetou and me. But this one", now he nodded at Don Andoni, "and his friends have threatened to kill us!"
"Is that true?" the Sergeant asked Don Andoni.
"That's true... Don Andoni and his friends have caused the trouble, Sergeant", the innkeeper affirmed.
"They're foreigners! They don't belong here!" Don Andoni only replied, but his face told even more. He was fuming.
Even the Sergeant saw that and decided it would be better to have him brought to his office.
"Lancers!" he called, "escort these men to the garrison. They're all under arrest!" Then he turned towards the innkeeper. "And you need to come with, Senor. We need your testimony!" The innkeeper nodded.
Turning to the strangers now, the Sergeant added. "I have to apologise for their behaviour, senores. Be assured that they will get punished!" With that everyone besides Winnetou and Old Shatterhand left the tavern.
When the door had closed Old Shatterhand turned towards his friend. He detected a red stain on Winnetou's clothes. "Have you been hit?" he asked Winnetou, slightly worried.
Winnetou shook his head. "I'm not injured. And I didn't wound anyone so the blood can only be from the black clad man they call Zorro!"
Old Shatterhand looked at his companion. "Then he has saved your life. We need to find him to help."
Winnetou nodded, got his rifle and then left the tavern ahead of his white brother.
___ZZZ___
Just outside the pueblo Zorro realised he was losing blood very quickly. The bullet had hit him in the left side, bleeding profusely. He was growing lightheaded and knew he wouldn't make it to the cave before passing out. He had to look for another hiding place.
Tornado seemed to sense that his master was injured and walked even smoother than usual. He snorted.
"Boy... go find a spot to hide", Zorro told his horse. He pressed his gloved right hand tightly to his wound in order to try and slow the bleeding. Luckily it was full moon, so Tornado didn't have too much trouble finding a save path. The horse was headed into the hills, where lots of little caves were to be found.
Zorro leaned forward and held on to Tornado's mane. The pain was not receding and the lightheadedness was growing every second.
Looking ahead Zorro saw the outlines of a cave up about 200 yards ahead. Thinking himself in some kind of safety he relaxed his grip on Tornado's mane slightly, when suddenly Tornado, spooked by an animal crossing his path unexpectedly, rose up to his hind legs and threw his rider.
Zorro struck his head on a boulder and hit the ground hard. Pain shot through his whole body and he moaned in pain before darkness fell upon him and he knew no more.
___ZZZ___
Winnetou was a marvelous tracker even in the dark. He got his horse from the stable and mounted, already knowing in which direction he had to head. Old Shatterhand followed him. Leaning down in Indian fashion Winnetou had his eyes on the trail... a series of dark spots on the ground, well visible to his eyes in the light of the full moon.
After following this trail for about 15 mins Winnetou raised his hand and reined his horse Iltshi. Old Shatterhand also haltet and they both listened. They could hear a horse snort, then neigh. Riding up ahead a couple more yards Winnetou could see that they had found who they were looking for. Up ahead there stood a stunning black stallion. At its feet lay a still form, all dressed in black.
Winnetou and Old Shatterhand got off their horses and approached the fallen man. The black stallion was standing tall between them, wanting to guard his master. Winnetou talked to the horse softly which seemed to calm Tornado somewhat and he allowed the two to help Zorro.
___ZZZ___
Winnetou was kneeling next to Zorro, checking if he was alive. Then he turned and said: "He's alive. The bullet isn't in there but the bleeding has to be stopped or he won't make it." He got up and fetched some bandages he always had attached to his saddle. Then he fashioned a bandage that stopped the bleeding somewhat. Next he picked up the injured Californio and carried him towards the cave, Old Shatterhand following behind them leading their horses. Tornardo hesitated a moment and then followed, too.
In the cave they rested Zorro as comfortably as possible and decided to wait until he regained consciousness. Meanwhile Winnetou was interested in Tornardo. He was an expert with horses and those of his tribe were the best in their part of the west. But Tornardo was still unsure of whether to trust these men. But Winnetou knew exactely how to make a horse his friend. And slowly Tornardo started becoming more trusting.
"Winnetou!", Old Shatterhand called. Winnetou turned around to see the masked outlaw starting to stir.
___ZZZ___
Zorro was feeling as if he'd just come out of a deep sleep. His eyelids were as if made from lead and he struggled to open them. When he started to focus on his surroundings he recognised the two strangers who were looking down at him. But he didn't know where he was nor how he got there.
He tried sitting up and asked: "Where am I?"
"You're in a cave in the mountains, Senor", the white man answered. "Do you know what happened?"
Zorro closed his eyes and pondered for a moment. "I think so. I was shot in the tavern after Don Andoni and his compadres tried to kill you both."
Zorro reached to his side but instead of feeling the wound he felt the bandage. He looked up and Winnetou said: " Winnetou had to stop the bleeding since your life was at stake. And Winnetou doesn't want to risk the life of the man who saved the Chief of the Apaches."
"Well, then I think we are even now, Senor!", Zorro tried to muster a smile. Then he took a deep breath and tried to get up slowly, which he managed. Then he turned to the two strangers again.
"Thank you for helping me, senores! But I must be going now."
"Are you sure you can make it to your home?", Old Shatterhand asked Zorro.
"My horse Tornado will carry me there safely. Thank you for your concern!"
With that he turned to Tornado and mounted his steed. Then he gave his two new friends the famous Zorro salute and cantered off into the darkness.
"He's going to be alright", Winnetou observed.
___ZZZ___
At the de la Vega hacienda Bernardo was waiting for Zorro's return. He was busy preparing some hay and oats as well as water for Tornado when he heard the hoove beats of the faithful horse. He turned around to see both Tornado and his master standing before him.
Zorro dismounted and said: " Bernardo, unsaddle Tornado and feed him, then meet me in my room. I'm going to need your help."
Bernardo raised his eyebrows. Diego's voice sounded a bit unsteady and he seemed to be a bit pale to the mozo. So he nodded and tended to the horse while Diego climbed up the stairs to his room.
When Bernardo entered Diego's room a short time later Diego had undressed from the waist up and had a bowl with water and some bandages ready. Only now Bernardo saw the gash in Diego's side.
Diego saw Bernardo looking at him and said: "Don't worry my friend. It's nothing bad, but it needs treatment nevertheless. And the wound is in a place where I have trouble reaching it myself."
Bernardo nodded as he saw the truth of Diego's words. Then he hurried to get a towel. He motioned for Diego to sit on the bed and then he washed his wound again and dressed it with the bandages Diego had gathered. He wrapped them tightly around the wound before helping Diego in his night clothes.
Then his eyes fell upon a bloodied bandage which lay on the floor. He signed his question to Diego about the bandage and about getting wounded in the first place.
"You want to know what happened, eh?" Bernardo nodded eagerly.
"Well, you were right about Don Andoni and his intentions. Zorro managed to thwart the initial attack but a fight broke loose in which Don Andoni got a chance to aim at the Indian Chief. I tried shoving Winnetou out of the way and got hit in the process."
Bernardo's eyes were wide.
"And then I managed to escape, but I thought nobody had taken notice of me being hit. Appearantly the two strangers did and they followed me in the hills. I don't know exactely what happened, but I must have fallen off Tornado and when I came to again I was in a cave with my side wrapped and Winnetou and his white friend nearby."
Bernardo signed: "Do they know who you are?"
"I don't know Bernardo. I don't think they removed my mask, but they seem to be able to look right through a person. We'll have to wait and see, Bernardo. Now go and get some sleep, like I will."
Bernardo wanted to know if Diego would be okay and Diego confirmed. So Bernardo left the room to get to his own one.
___ZZZ___
The next morning Sergeant Garcia went into the Taverna to find the two strangers in order to question them about the incident last night.
He found them sitting at a table enjoying their breakfast. As he approached he hesitated a bit, because he was somehow afraid of the Indian.
"Good morning, Sergeant!", called the white trapper. "Buenos dias", Garcia replied.
Then he gathered all his courage and asked: "If you don't mind, senores, I would like to put some questions to you about the quarrel last night."
"Of course Sergeant", Old Shatterhand nodded. "Have a seat, please!"
Relieved the Sajento sat down and started his questioning. When he thought he knew all he needed Don Diego entered the tavern.
"Ah, Don Diego!", the Sergeant called. Then he turned to Winnetou and his white friend: "Con permiso", and he got up to greet the Don.
"Buenos dias, Sajento", Diego greeted. "I would like to talk to you, but that will have to wait as outside there is an officer of the army waiting for you with a note. I just met him and he was looking for you, so I told him I'd find you for him."
"An officer? Maybe he has news about a new commandante for this pueblo. I will see him immediately!" And the Sergeant left the tavern, not without a sad look at the fact that he had to postpone having a glass of wine with Diego de la Vega.
___ZZZ___
After the Sergeant had left Diego looked about for a table and he decided to join the two strangers.
"Buenos dias, senores", he greeted them. "May I join you?"
The young Don was invited to sit with them.
"In the plaza I heard that there was an incident here last night", Diego started.
"Yes, you can call it that. Do you remember that Sir who tried chasing us out of the tavern yesterday?" Diego nodded.
"Well, he came back with some friends and guns and tried shooting us."
"As I can see appearantly he wasn't successful", Diego remarked.
"No, he wasn't. We had some help from that bandit on the poster over there", Old Shatterhand indicated the reward note on the wall.
"Zorro helped you?" Diego asked.
"He did", the white man replied. "But he had to pay for it."
"What do you mean?" Diego queried, feeling a bit uneasy.
"Well, he took a bullet that was intended for Winnetou!", Old Shatterhand stated.
Diego sighed in relief. For a moment there he had thought that maybe something had happened while he was unconscious that would be even worse for him than being shot.
Winnetou, who hadn't said anything up to that point, said: "That Zorro is a very brave man. The Chief of the Apaches would like to be his friend. It's a pity that he's an outlaw!"
Diego looked up and was ready to retort something about what being an outlaw in this case meant, but he caught himself. He thought that defending his alter ego in this situation to those men could give him away. And even though he was not sure whether they already knew or not, he wouldn't risk it.
"Well", Diego started, "as you were told yesterday people here don't see him as an outlaw, but tell me, do you know if he got away safely?"
"I think so", Old Shatterhand grinned, with a twinkle. "At least it seems to me that he is okay."
"Is???", Diego asked. And then he realised that trying to play the innocent in this case was no use. But somehow he didn't feel upset about it. More sort of relieved that he now had an answer to his question of the last night and yet he knew that there was nothing to fear from his two new friends. Diego leaned back in his chair with a soft smile on his face.
Winnetou looked at him: "Are you?"
Diego just nodded shortly and then leaned forward: "Please senores, I see that I can't fool you, but don't make it too obvious since there is still a price on my head."
"Don't worry, senor", Old Shatterhand said. "We'll be off here right after breakfast and we have no intention of turning you in."
"Gracias!", Diego simply said.
___ZZZ___
After Winnetou and Old Shatterhand had finished their breakfast the white man got up and paid the innkeeper while Winnetou went to fetch their horses. Diego watched them mount and leave, and he silently hoped that he would be able to meet them again some time.
END
End file.
| Zorro meets Winnetou by mimoji | Zorro |
1. 1
Title: Poisoned Part 1
Rating: PG
Disclaimers: All characters from the New World Zorro are property of people who aren't me.
Notes: With this fantastic series coming out on DVD this month, I've decided to do some editing on my past fics as well as looking to write more. I am working on a continuation of this one right now. Enjoy! :)
* * *
"Tell me, Senor Ramirez, how will you succeed where others, including myself, have failed?"
Ramirez grinned. "Alcalde, it's just a matter of getting close enough," He replied, showing him a small vial of white powder.
"What is that?"
"A very potent poison. It just needs to be breathed in, and unless one has the antidote, they end up dead within three days."
The Alcalde laughed. "Sounds intriguing. I take it you have a plan to get Zorro here?"
"I do. Zorro's dear love and I will be in danger. Of course, the bandits will be friends of mine and I will hold them off as long as I can. When Zorro arrives, he'll fight my friends. As soon as he's close enough, no doubt wanting to thank me, well, you know the rest."
Alcalde Luis Ramon nodded. This was going to be a night to remember.
* * *
Mendoza hadn't meant to over hear the conversation, but he had. He shook his head nervously as he headed over to the tavern. True, he had a duty to perform as an officer in the military, but poisoning Zorro?
Zorro was a constant in the people's lives. Even Mendoza knew that. He sat down with a sigh. He would just have to figure out a way to save the man he admired so much... not that he would admit it.
"The usual, Sergeant?"
He looked up to see the tavern owner, Victoria Escalante. "Si, Senorita." She smiled and turned. "Wait! There is something that I have to speak to you about. It is very important."
She eyed him warily. "This better not be some kind of plot to help you catch Zorro."
"Please sit and I will tell you what I know."
Twenty minutes later, Victoria stared at him with wide eyes. "Are you sure about this, Sergeant?"
He nodded. "Si! I would not lie about this. It is true I've tried to capture Zorro, but only because I am afraid for my life. You know how the Alcalde is."
"I do. Thank you for telling me all this. And do not worry; your secret is safe with me."
Mendoza sighed in relief. "I am so glad I got this off my chest. Now, how about some of your delicious tamales!"
"Right away!" Victoria replied. This man was the one who saved Zorro's life. She would get him whatever he asked for.
* * *
Diego was working on one of his many scientific experiments when Felipe rushed into the cave. He looked up to see a worried expression on his friend's face.
"Calm down, Felipe, I can't understand you. Two men are holding Victoria hostage? Saddle Toronado, we have to hurry!"
By the time Zorro had arrived at the tavern, it seemed that someone else was doing an excellent job of fighting. He watched for a few minutes before swooping behind one of the men and effectively knocking him unconscious. The second man was then dispatched by the stranger.
Victoria rushed up to him. "Zorro, this is a-"
Before she could finish, the stranger threw something at them. Victoria pushed Zorro out of the way. The powder stung terribly in her eyes.
"What have you done?" Zorro asked the stranger angrily.
"I-I'm sorry, I did not mean to do that to her! It was meant for you!"
Zorro grabbed him by the collar. "WHAT was meant for me?"
"The poison."
"There's an antidote no doubt?" Zorro asked, glancing at Victoria. Her face was flushed and she was breathing heavily.
He shook his head. "I made none. I really didn't think I needed to since I was going after you."
"Arrest Zorro!" The two turned to see the Alcalde, Mendoza, and three guards.
"I beg your pardon, Alcalde, but this man should be the one under arrest. He just poisoned Senorita Escalante." Zorro shoved the stranger towards the Alcalde and lifted Victoria off her feet before she fell to the floor. Whistling for Toronado, he ran out of the tavern.
* * *
Felipe grabbed Alejandro by the arm and pulled him outside. The Don just stared at the young man in confusion, and then nodded in understanding. Zorro was arriving and he had Victoria with him.
"Don Alejandro!" He exclaimed.
"Zorro, what happened?"
"She's been poisoned," Zorro said. "Dr. Hernandez is just behind me."
Alejandro nodded and helped him with Victoria. He could see the worried look in the masked rider's eyes. "Felipe, the door."
When Victoria was lying comfortably in one of the guest rooms, Zorro smiled warily. "Thank you, Don Alejandro. Now, I must depart. I daresay the Alcalde will look for me where she is. Besides, I have an antidote to work on."
Zorro had disappeared just as Dr Hernandez arrived. "Alejandro."
"Felipe, find Diego. He'll want to know about this." Alejandro turned to his friend. "Dr. Hernandez. I don't know what it is you can do for her. She's been poisoned. Zorro took what was left of the substance to find an antidote. I believe he's determined to find one."
"I don't doubt it for one minute," the doctor replied.
* * *
Felipe found Diego in the secret cave of Zorro. He was busily studying the poisonous powder. "If she dies I will never forgive myself."
He turned when he felt a tap on his shoulder. Felipe gestured to him. "You say it's not my fault? Then why do I feel as though it were?" He sighed. "I'd better go make an appearance. I'll be up in a few minutes, Felipe."
Diego rushed over to the guest room, nearly knocking over his father. "I just heard. Is she going to be all right?"
"Dr. Hernandez says there's nothing he can do for her. Our only hope is that Zorro can come up with the antidote."
"Zorro? He's the reason she's like that in first place!" Diego cried. He winced and so did Alejandro. He hadn't meant for it to come out like that.
Alejandro placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Relax, Diego, he'll come through for her. He always does."
He nodded, taking a deep breath. "How is she doing right now?"
"She's very weak and she's running a high fever. Dr. Hernandez said she has until Friday evening." He watched as the color drained from his son's face. "Diego?"
"Excuse me, Father," he replied, stepping around Alejandro and into the room.
Alejandro shook his head. "If you ever wanted to tell her how you feel, my son now would be the best time."
2. 2
Poisoned
Part 2
Disclaimers in Part 1
* * *
Felipe found Diego in the cave, fast asleep at his desk. He shook his head and tapped him on the shoulder. Diego sat up quickly and looked around in confusion. "Oh, Felipe. Is Victoria all right?"
The boy shrugged, and then signed.
"She's asking for me? Then I should go."
Felipe asked if he came up with anything. "No. I thought I had, but it nearly ate away at the table. I will figure this out!"
The younger man watched as Diego ascended the stairs to the fireplace. He followed him. When they entered the library, he tapped Diego on the shoulder again.
"Yes, Felipe? What's on my mind? Besides being frightened about losing the woman I love, I'm thinking about telling her that I'm Zorro."
Felipe's eyebrows rose as he signed, 'Are you sure? What if you find the antidote? You won't be able to take it back.'
"That's true, amigo. However, I believe she has a right to know who she saved. Now, if you'll excuse me, Felipe. One shouldn't keep a lady waiting."
* * *
Victoria squeezed her eyes shut. They were burning and watering terribly. _Just remember, she said to herself, this was for Zorro, the man you love._ She was so lost in thought that she didn't hear Diego enter.
"Victoria," he said quietly.
"Diego," she replied, reaching out for his hand. He clasped it tightly. "I was wondering if you would do me a favor."
"Anything for my friend."
She smiled at him. "Will you find Zorro for me? I-I want him to know that it was not his fault. I did this for him. The people need him so much more than I do." Diego took a deep breath. "Please, Diego!"
He nodded slowly. "I will. Maybe he could use a hand trying to figure out the antidote. I have studied many of the sciences."
"Please hurry..." she whispered, drifting off to sleep.
Diego rushed out of the room and past Alejandro. "Would you mind telling me what's going on?"
"Victoria needs to see Zorro."
"And you're going to find him?" Alejandro asked skeptically. "How do you think you're going to do that?"
Without thinking, Diego opened the door to the passageway in the fireplace. Alejandro watched in shock as his son disappeared inside. Felipe had just joined him.
"Felipe, what is going on?" The young man had no idea what to say or even think! "I'm not going to wait around for an answer," Alejandro said, touching the same spot on the mantel that Diego did.
The sight that greeted him was not what he had expected. Standing five feet in front of him was Diego, and he was putting on a black mask. A horse whinnied and he glanced to the right to see Toronado.
"Dios!"
Diego's eyes widened. His father hardly ever blasphemed. "I don't have time to explain this right now, father, I have to see Victoria."
"You are going to tell her, right?"
"I am."
* * *
"Victoria!"
She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice and smiled. "Zorro, Diego found you."
"He did," Zorro replied, taking her hand. "I am so sorry for this."
"Please do not blame yourself. I knew what that man was going to do so I prevented him from doing it! As long as I know you're alive and able to continue to help our people, then I am content."
Zorro removed his hat. "I want to tell you who you saved, Victoria. I believe you have a right to know."
He guided her hands to the knot holding the mask. Victoria couldn't tell if she was excited or nervous about this. She took a deep breath and untied it.
Her eyes never left his as the mask was removed. She smiled happily as tears coursed down her face. Her best friend was there, smiling back at her. "I knew it was you deep inside me. I just couldn't bring myself to believe it."
"Victoria, please hold on. I'm going to try my hardest to find an antidote for this poison. Can you hold on for us?"
"I can and I will, Diego. I love you."
He kissed her softly on the lips. "I love you too, querida."
Suddenly, Felipe rushed into the room. Diego and Victoria read his frantic signing. "The Alcalde," Victoria replied. "You'd better go, Diego."
Diego smiled again and quickly tied his mask back on. "I'll be back soon," he said with a wink.
3. 3
Poisoned
Part 3
Disclaimers in Part 1
* * *
Diego had just slipped into the secret passageway when the Alcalde entered the de La Vega hacienda. Alejandro met him in the hall. "Alcalde," he said with a nod. "I trust the man responsible for Victoria's illness is in jail awaiting the gallows?"
"Unfortunately, no, Don Alejandro. He was killed trying to escape. His accomplice is still at large, though."
Alejandro glared at him. "Accomplice? Surely you don't mean Zorro!"
"That is exactly who I mean," the Alcalde replied.
"Zorro would rather die for Victoria then attempt to kill her and you know it! He's most likely working on an antidote as we speak!"
He raised his hand to calm the Don. "Relax, I've just come to see how the senorita was faring. If Zorro can come up with an antidote, I will gladly reduce his sentence."
Felipe joined them a few minutes later. He signed something to Alejandro, who nodded. "Of course, thank you Felipe." He turned to the Alcalde. "It seems as if Victoria has fallen asleep."
"Ah, very well then. Please let her know that I'm praying for her. I'll show myself out. Buenos Tardes, Alejandro."
"Alcalde." When the man was outside, Alejandro went over to the fireplace to check on Diego. "Felipe, keep an eye on Victoria and let us know if anything goes wrong."
The Don found his son intently working on the task at hand. He took a moment to really look at the home of Zorro. He knew Diego was special, but he never would have guessed he was the masked rider.
"Father," Diego said, looking up. "How long have you been standing there?"
"A few minutes. How's it coming along?"
"I may have something here, I just don't know if it's going to work. What did the Alcalde want?"
Alejandro sighed. "The usual. He wanted to know how Victoria was and that he was going to arrest Zorro for attempted murder."
The beaker Diego was holding broke in his hands. He stared at the blood in fascination. "Are you all right?" Alejandro asked, grabbing a cloth from the desk.
Diego barely noticed as the pieces of glass were removed from his hand. "Victoria risked her life to save you, son. Don't dishonor her by feeling angry at yourself."
"Are you certain she just didn't risk it to save Zorro?"
"Diego, you surprise me. Didn't I teach you any common sense? Victoria hasn't loved Zorro as long as she's loved you. I saw it years ago after your mother died. You were so beside yourself, but when Victoria came over to convey her condolences, I saw how much she loved and cared for you. I saw it when you returned from Spain and you pulled that Corporal away from her, and I saw it Sunday after mass. Yes, she loves Zorro, but she also loves you. She loves different parts of the same man."
He nodded slowly. "You're right, Father." There was silence as he continued his work on the antidote. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you about this, but..."
"You had enough to think about without worrying something would happen to Victoria or I had we known. Although I am curious as to how you found out about things when you would be home before Zorro would appear. I take it you had help from a certain young man?"
The two turned to see Felipe standing behind them. He signed to them that Victoria was sleeping. Diego smiled. "I did have his help, although there is something about Felipe you don't know, Father."
"What's that?" he asked. Felipe walked over to him and pointed to his ears. "You can hear? That's fantastic, Felipe! No wonder you kept it a secret! That would come in handy."
"It did on many occasions."
Felipe nodded and signed again. *Any luck with the antidote?*
Diego held it up. "I don't know if this will save her, but it won't make her any worse off than she is," he replied with a sigh.
4. 4
Poisoned
Part 4
Disclaimers in Part 1
* * *
The three arrived in the room to find Dr. Hernandez finishing the exam of his patient. "Any change?" Alejandro asked.
"I'm afraid not, my friend. Unless Zorro has come up with an antidote, she will not survive the night."
Diego took a deep breath. "Then we're in luck because Zorro just dropped this off. He said he wasn't sure it would work, but it won't do any harm either."
"Let us pray that it will work."
He nodded to Diego, who walked over to Victoria and sat next to her on the bed. He shook her gently. "Victoria, please wake up, you have to drink this."
Victoria could hear someone calling her name. It sounded so far away. "Diego?" she whispered.
"Yes, it's me. I have what could be the antidote."
"Could be?" she asked. She was so tired and just wanted to sleep.
"If it doesn't work, you'll be no worse off than you are now. Try it." Victoria acquiesced. Diego gently guided her back to the pillow. "Rest, querida."
"Diego, will you send for Padre Benitez... just in case?"
He kissed her forehead. "Just in case."
As Victoria drifted off to sleep, Diego turned to face the people behind him. He looked up at Felipe, who nodded and rushed out the door.
Dr. Hernandez placed a hand on Diego's shoulder. He smiled sadly, "Now the only thing we can do is wait."
* * *
Sergeant Mendoza was heading to the tavern when Felipe hurried into the pueblo. His heart jumped into his throat as the young servant rushed into the church.
"Sergeant, what are you doing?"
He pointed to Felipe and the Padre, who was now getting onto his horse. "That can only mean one thing, Alcalde. Senorita Escalante will not make it through the night."
The Alcalde nodded slowly. That would mean he could pin her death on Zorro. He would have to think of the perfect motive, but that would come to him. "Come, Sergeant, we should pay our respects to the Senorita."
"Si, mi Alcalde," Mendoza replied.
Felipe glanced behind him and saw that Mendoza and the Alcalde were following them. With a shrug, he kicked his pony and was heading towards the de la Vega hacienda.
When they arrived, Felipe led Padre Benitez inside. "Padre," Diego said with a nod. Alejandro had gone to see what the Alcalde wanted.
"Don Diego. How is she doing?"
"Not well. Zorro found what he believes is the antidote, but we won't know for certain until the morning. She's been asking for you, though."
"If you'll excuse me," Padre Benitez replied with a nod.
Diego decided he could do nothing but wait so he joined his father, who was speaking with the Alcade and Sergeant Mendoza. The Alcalde was mentioning something about Zorro, but Diego wasn't listening.
No, his thoughts were on the woman he loved. Would the antidote work? Would he ever see her beautiful smile again, hear her sweet laughter? He didn't know... and that scared him the most.
"Don Diego," Mendoza said. "How are you holding up? I know that you and Senorita Escalante are good friends. The two of you grew up together, si?"
Diego nodded. "We did, Sergeant. I don't know how this pueblo would get along if she were to die."
"Or Zorro," Mendoza replied.
"Or Zorro."
5. 5
Poisoned
Part 5
Disclaimers in Part 1
* * *
Padre Benitez joined everyone in the parlor. "She'd like to see you, Don Diego."
The man nodded. "Don Diego, may I...?" Mendoza asked.
Diego smiled. "Of course, Sergeant."
"I should see her as well," the Alcalde said, following after them.
Alejandro put a hand on his shoulder. "That's not such a good idea. She's very ill, Alcalde. No offense, but she probably wouldn't care to see you."
His jaw dropped and he left in a huff. The Padre chuckled. "You're right about that, Don Alejandro."
Diego stood back as Mendoza walked over to Victoria. She smiled at him. She was very tired, but she didn't mind a visit from her friend. "Senorita," he said, taking her hand.
"Thank you for coming to see me, Mendoza."
"It's the least I could do for such a beautiful and kind lady. You will always be remembered."
"Mendoza, will you do a favor for me?"
He nodded. "Si, anything."
"Will you tell Zorro," she said, glancing at Diego, "if the worst should happen, it wasn't his fault and it was my choice to save him. Promise me you'll tell him, Mendoza!"
"I promise, Senorita Victoria." Mendoza bent over to kiss her forehead. With one last smile, he left the room.
Diego slowly moved over to her, pulling up a chair. "Will you lie next to me, Diego?" He hesitated, but saw the pleading look in her eyes and decided it couldn't hurt. She wrapped her arms around him. "I love you," she whispered, drifting off to sleep.
"I love you too, Victoria," he replied. As he lay there, Diego realized what his father meant when he mentioned the love he saw in Victoria after mass...
_The Alcalde stormed up to Diego. "What is the meaning of this?" he growled, holding up the latest edition of The Guardian. "Zorro does more to help the people of this pueblo than I do? This is an outrage! I order you to retract this article at once!"_
_Diego crossed his arms. "I'm sorry, Alcalde, but you can't hide the truth and you can't order me to do anything. As you may recall, I'm not one of your Lancers."_
_"You are under arrest, Senor!"_
_"What for?" Alejandro asked angrily._
_Padre Benitez walked over to them. "Alcalde, there is no need to arrest Don Diego. The Lord knows what the truth is whether it's in the paper or not."_
_The Alcalde thought for a moment, then realized the Padre was right (not that he'd care to admit it), and stormed away._
_"Nicely handled, son," Alejandro said._
_Victoria smiled. "Si, it was, Don Diego."_
_Her face froze in his mind and Diego could see all the love she had for him. Not Zorro, but Diego..._
Victoria held tightly onto Diego. She didn't want to leave him. Especially not after he had revealed his secret to her. She realized that she had known it was him deep within her mind, but she had refused to believe it. She then began to wonder what would happen to him if she didn't make it. She didn't want him to be in pain, she didn't want him to stop being Zorro, and most of all she wanted him to be able to love again.
Victoria suddenly opened her eyes to find herself standing outside of the De la Vega hacienda. The sky was a bright blue and the sun was shining. "Victoria." She looked around, but saw no one. "Hija..."
Her eyes watered. "Mama?"
"Si, it is me."
She rushed to her. "I've missed you so much!"
"You cannot hug me, hija," she replied, stepping back.
Victoria was confused. "But why?"
"Because you are not dead. In fact, you're not going to die anytime soon."
"I'm not?"
"No," she replied. "Diego has saved you, just as you have saved him. He needs you more than ever, my hija. Go to him."
She was torn between going to the man she loved and staying with her mother. "How can I leave you, Mama? I miss you!"
"I miss you too, but you have to go. He' says it's not your time. We will see each other again one day. I will always live in your heart."
Victoria nodded. "You are right. Will you tell Papa how much I love him?"
"I will. Adios, my Victoria."
"Adios..."
6. 6
Poisoned
Part 6
Disclaimers in Part 1
* * *
Alejandro sat down in the parlor with a sigh. It had been a long couple of days. He had checked on Victoria and found she was sleeping soundly in the comfort of his son's arms. It looked as if antidote worked after all!
Felipe entered a few minutes later with a letter. "Gracias," Alejandro said. He opened it and within the first paragraph, hope was kindled for the small pueblo.
_Alejandro, I bring you news from Madrid. After the many things you, as well as Diego, have written to me regarding your Alcalde, a new one has been appointed by the King himself! It is I who will be taking over._
_The moment His majesty read my report of the tyranny going on in Los Angeles, he immediately ordered the arrest of Luis Ramon and that I succeed him. We will arrive in two days time. After the arrest of Ramon, we will be granting a full and absolute pardon to El Zorro. I trust you will want to be present for this. I would appreciate it if you could keep this under wraps._
_Until then, amigo!_
_Pablo Cortez_
Alejandro smiled happily. Everything was going to work out.
* * *
Victoria opened her eyes to find Diego still lying next to her. She leaned forward and touched her lips to his. Diego opened his eyes and smiled at her. "Victoria!"
She attempted to sit up. She was still a little weak so he helped her. "No doubt you're hungry."
"Si, a little."
"I'll have Maria prepare something for you."
He was about to open the door when there was a knock. "Father."
Alejandro looked over Victoria. "Gracias, Dios!" he exclaimed. "There has been so much good news today. Diego, I just received a letter from Don Pablo Cortez!"
He went on to explain the details of the letter. "This last piece of information will be of most interest to the both of you."
"What is it, Don Alejandro?" Victoria asked. A new Alcalde was certainly the best news she could have hoped for. What else could there be?
"Don Pablo brings a decree from the King. A full and absolute pardon for Zorro."
Diego's eyes widened. The day he had been waiting for was at hand. Once Pablo Cortez took over as Alcalde, he could retire and live a wonderful life with Victoria.
"This is so wonderful!" Victoria exclaimed. "Everything I've been dreaming of is about to come true!"
Alejandro smiled at the couple. "Well, Diego, all you have to do now is decide whether or not to tell the pueblo who you are or keep the identity of the masked legend a secret."
* * *
Two days later, Diego, Victoria, and Alejandro went into town. Felipe had already arrived and hidden Zorro's things in the usual spot. Everyone was happy to see the tavern owner, especially Sergeant Mendoza.
"Senorita!" he said. "It is good to see you!"
"And you too, Sergeant," she replied with a smile.
The conversation would have to wait as horses came thundering into the pueblo. Alejandro immediately recognized his friend, Pablo Cortez. He turned to say something to Diego, but he was gone.
Victoria looked around and shrugged. "That's Zorro for you," she whispered in his ear.
7. 7
Poisoned
Part 7
Disclaimers in Part 1
* * *
Cortez dismounted from his horse, two of his officers following. They strode purposefully towards the Alcalde. "Luis Ramon, I hereby arrest you in the name of King Ferdinand of Spain."
The Alcalde wasn't too thrilled. "Under what charges!" he exclaimed.
Pablo Cortez sighed. This guy was either playing dumb or he really didn't know he'd been doing anything wrong. Cortez believed the former. "Tyranny, attempted murder, robbery, soliciting, et cetera..."
Zorro arrived a few minutes later. The Alcalde looked up at him. "Don Cortez, are you certain that's not the man you want?"
Cortez shook his head. "The King said Luis Ramon."
"Buenos Dias!" Zorro exclaimed, riding over to the men.
"Zorro, it's good to finally meet you," Cortez said as the masked rider jumped to the ground.
Zorro nodded. "Forgive me for being a little surprised, but these good people have been cheated out of so much that they are not certain what to believe. Why has the King waited so long to stop this man?"
"Every moment I could, I would send Don Alejandro's letters to the King, but I recently found out that they had been intercepted. So, I rode to Madrid myself to speak with him. Our fathers were good friends and after I explained what had been going on over here, he immediately sent me out here. I was appointed as the new Alcalde of Los Angeles while Ramon is to be arrested and sent back to Spain."
"Oh," Cortez added with a smile, handing Zorro a piece of parchment, "I'm to give you this. It is a full and absolute pardon!"
The people of Los Angeles cheered. Zorro smiled at the man. "I thank you, Don Cortez," he replied, accepting the paper.
"Lancers, you are asked to either join my ranks or retire your muskets. No one will be held accountable for the Alcalde's actions."
Sergeant Mendoza stepped up to Cortez. "I would be honored to join you, Sir."
Only Zorro saw the flash of anger in Ramon's eyes. The former Alcalde jabbed one of the soldiers in the stomach. He was about to attack Mendoza, but Zorro suddenly stood between them.
"Alcalde, I don't think escape is your best option right now."
"You! You have always been a thorn in my side!"
Zorro smiled. "It's been fun while it lasted," he replied, punching him. Ramon went out like a light. Everyone cheered again. This was definitely a day to be remembered!
Zorro nodded at Cortez. "If you'll excuse me, Senor." He whistled for Toronado as he walked over to Victoria. "Would you like to accompany me, querida?"
She smiled. "Si! I would be happy to." Zorro saluted and they were off.
The people looked expectantly at their new Alcalde. "Lieutenant Sanchez, please see that Ramon is sent back to Spain in chains." Sanchez saluted and set to his task.
"People of Los Angeles! Gather your family and friends. There is to be a town meeting tomorrow afternoon. Sergeant, if you'll come with me."
"Si, Mi Alcalde!"
After things had settled down somewhat, Cortez took a walk through the pueblo, greeting people as they walked by. He finally spotted his good friend and headed over.
"Don Alejandro!"
The Cabarello grinned and shook his hand. "Don Pablo, it is very good to see you!"
"And you as well. I see you've survived Ramon's cruelty."
"There were days when I feared we would not." The two men went to the tavern for a cool drink. "Where is the lovely innkeeper you've told me so much about?"
Alejandro sat down and ordered two glasses of juice. "That's who Zorro rode off with."
Cortez nodded in understanding. "No doubt feeling free enough to tell her his identity. You know, Alejandro, he need not tell me who he is. I'd be just as content to have him help me now and then when things get too heavy for my soldiers."
Alejandro smiled and held up his glass. "If I were Zorro, I'd accept your offer!"
End file.
| Poisoned by MacGateFan | Zorro |
Zorro's decision drabble
**Zorro's decision**
"I've been thinking, you should have a husband, someone like Diego, perhaps."
"Like Diego? But I thought we shared certain feelings?"
Zorro knew he could tell her his feelings or he could finish it before it went any further.
"No, we don't. You're in love with this mask, but there can't come anything out of it. I'm sorry, Victoria."
Crying, she looked at him. "I believed you cared for me, but I now know that I was wrong."
Quietly he slipped away. It was Diego's turn now to dry her tears and show her his love.
End file.
| Zorro's decision drabble by katie1999 | Zorro |