Title: When Death Calls

Rated : PG-13

Synopsis: When Zorro falls down a cliff, everyone presumes him dead. Felipe reveals the secret cave to a distraught Alejandro and Victoria.

Misc. Info: This story was written many years ago but I have since revised and edited it.

Updated : 9/05

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 sun was setting behind the vast ocean as two pairs of eyes gazed out into the horizon. The waning light cast an eerie glow upon the waves rippling before them. The wind blew their clothing about them causing her to shiver in the unaccustomed breeze.

"The wind is usually strongest along the shoreline," Zorro wrapped his cape around her shoulders and rubbed them, removing the chill.

She leaned into his embrace as he wrapped his arms around her, warming her body further. He pressed a kiss to her temple, lips sliding to her cheek when she lifted her head to meet his gaze.

"The meal was wonderful." He shot a quick glance at the empty bottles and plates they had cleaned earlier in the evening. "You are the best cook in the territory."

"I love to cook for you." She smiled invitingly at him. "I wish you gave me more of an opportunity."

"Oh, you do every day," he grinned and pressed a kiss to the corner of her mouth when she shot him a confused look.

"Ah, " she nodded, her eyes narrowing, "is that a hint?"

He smiled a bit nervously. He wanted so badly for her to know his secret. But it just wasn't safe. And he was more than a bit afraid she would be disappointed when she did find out.

He could express himself more comfortably with the mask covering his identity. He just hoped that when it finally came time to reveal his secret that she would not be upset or angry at his deception. Her rejection would kill him quicker than Toledo steel through the heart.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her mouth and whatever question she'd been poised to ask died on her lips. She turned quickly and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss.

He inhaled sharply and his arms wrapped tightly around her waist, taking in the beautiful fresh smell of her skin, the taste of the wine still lingering on her lips.

His body reacted to her more than it ever had and he longed to take her into his arms and make her his forever - even without the bonds of marriage. Overlooking the beautiful ocean, with only their love and the sound of the waves crashing against the beach to comfort them, he slowly leaned her back against the blanket that they sat on, his body shielding her from the winds that whipped along the coastline.

Zorro trailed long fingers down her neck and over her bare shoulders, his lips repeating the journey as he explored her delicate skin.

Victoria's hands rested lightly against his chest as his slid in her hair, pulling her lips closer to his own.

He finally broke the kiss struggling to calm the rapid beating of his heart.

Victoria rested her head against his chest, feeling his heart thudding sharply and wondering if he could feel her own erratic heartbeat.

She took a deep breath and pressed her lips to the bare skin at the base of his neck that his shirt did not cover.

She could feel him shiver and that excited as well as unnerved her. She could feel the heightened attraction their closeness caused and she couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to surrender her innocence to him. She'd dreamed of it, but sense of honor up until now had truly prevented that final act.

"The stars are especially bright tonight," he smoothed her hair.

Victoria settled against his side, resting her head on his shoulder so she could look up at those same stars. His black cape did not keep away the chill as much as her closeness to him sent enveloping tendrils of warmth throughout her body.

"Yes they are, " she agreed.

Victoria pondered over what it was about this man with whom she had completely fallen in love. One whom she only saw rarely and whose identity she didn't even know. But she knew, somehow, that he was the correct choice for her, no matter how long she had to wait to be with him. She had realized that, with absolute certainty, on the day that she had almost married Juan Ortiz.

The man would have been an excellent husband and could have provided well for Victoria. But when the time came for her to vow eternal devotion and love to the man for life, she found that she could not willingly speak the vows that would bind her to her childhood sweetheart for life.

And she had not regretted that decision in the years that had followed. She longed with all her heart and soul to be with the man she loved, but she also understood that his crusade against injustice in the pueblo was not over and until it was, they would have to live lives separate from one another.

Silence drifted over them as they watched the twinkling stars overhead. Each was lost in their own thoughts, undeniably thoughts that centered on their future.

He constantly repeated his promise to her and he could only hope she was comforted by his words. He simply wrapped his arms securely around the young woman and as he stared at the stars.

Very soon, they were both fast asleep in one another's arms.

The sound of hoof beats startled the masked man out of his slumber and he sat up quickly, fighting to get his bearings.

He had fallen asleep on the cliff with Victoria! Out in the open where anyone could have seen them! He cursed his carelessness and stood quickly. Victoria was awake now, shaking the momentary confusion out of her head, as he attempted to lift her onto Tornado's back.

Soldiers raced over the ridge and rushed the masked man before he could climb into the saddle behind Victoria.

Gunshots echoed around them, startling the stallion and he reared, nearly throwing Victoria to the ground. Hooves came crashing down as a lancer neared, throwing the man off balance and to the ground with a hard thud.

Shots bounced at the masked man's feet as he frantically avoided being hit. What he didn't realize, was how close the edge of the cliff was as he backed away from the lancers. As he noticed the last lancer discharge his rifle, Zorro steeled himself to charge at the men. He stopped in his tracks as De Soto and Mendoza came over the ridge, De Soto pointing the pistol directly at the man in black.

Fortunately the lancers were terrible shots, but the alcalde was a different matter. He was fairly good with a rifle and even better with a pistol.

A strong left hook flattened the nearest lancer to the ground and Zorro turned toward the rapidly advancing alcalde.

Zorro barely had time to react before the pistol discharged. He grasped at his leg as the bullet struck him causing him to loose his already precarious balance on the edge of the cliff.

Dirt and rock tumbled down the hillside and into the crashing waves. The dirt beneath Zorro's feet suddenly gave way and he dropped his blade to reach for anything along the edge of the cliff that would slow his fall.

Tornado whickered and shook his head, careful to not throw the rider off his back.

"No!" Victoria cried as she saw her masked love slide down the cliff wall with nothing to prevent him from falling.

"Tornado, go home!" Was the last thing Victoria heard as the masked man disappeared over the edge of the cliff.

The stallion raced off with its rider clutching the reins and the saddle horn tightly, her knuckles white with fear. She protested but could do nothing to pull the strong stallion off course.

Tears streaked her face, blown by the wind, as the stallion galloped off towards the only home he knew...the de la Vega hacienda.

TBC