Title: Trial by Fire Part II
Rated : PG
Synopsis: Victoria's suspicions are confirmed when a cave in threatens to take the lives of some very close friends.
Misc Notes: This is the continuation of Trial by Fire. Please read that before reading this one.
Written: 11/05
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.
Trial by Fire
Part II
Victoria wearily bustled around the tavern, glancing expectantly every few minutes at the door. To say she hadn't slept well the previous night was an understatement. She hadn't slept a wink after her suspicious mind connected the rocking chair she'd found in her room with her best friend, Diego.
José Perez had just recently begun advertising his services – thanks to Diego's offer to put an announcement in the Guardian – but her rocking chair had to have been commissioned weeks ago. Only she and Diego knew about José's woodworking talent, then.
That Diego could be the masked man she loved so deeply was – well, she'd thought in the past – impossible. But as she lay in her bed, unable to sleep, she was forced to admit that it could be possible. There were many similarities about the two men. But there were even greater differences.
In the light of a new day, Victoria found herself doubting what had seemed so obvious in the dark of night. Victoria shook her head with a puff of irritation. She would simply need to see her childhood friend to be able to put her tortured mind at ease.
But – he didn't come.
Victoria's mood deteriorated as the day wore on, upset that Diego hadn't set foot into her tavern today. It was a rare day when she didn't see Diego's kind smile and bright eyes and – she found that she missed him. But she simply attributed the unusual feeling as impatience to discover whether or not her suspicions were correct.
Victoria continued to work, a deeper frown creasing her brow as the cool morning gave way to the sweltering afternoon. Left alone in the kitchen during siesta, she contemplated and considered her implausible midnight thoughts. It just wasn't possible, the more sensible part of her mind whispered. But the part that was so connected with her heart felt differently. It was possible. And Victoria was torn in two, wanting to believe yet afraid to believe. Diego couldn't really be Zorro.
The workday remained uneventful other than waiting, with growing anticipation, for Diego to walk through the tavern door. He never did, and Victoria went to bed that night no closer to verifying her suspicions than she had been the night before.
She didn't see Diego the next day either and she wondered at his conspicuous absence. Her irritation with him grew, as did her curiosity. If he was Zorro, did he feel guilty over giving her such a gift, and the note promising their future? She couldn't remember the last time two days had passed without Diego coming into town and she was suddenly worried – and frustrated.
Masked beneath a thinly veiled cloud of concern, she began asking a few people if they had seen Diego. Even Mendoza, who ostensibly was more concerned with his tamales, had not seen the caballero in the last few days.
Irritation mingled with concern as Victoria bustled around the tavern refilling glasses. Just as she noted that Don Alejandro had not been into town in the last few days either, he stepped into the tavern and was immediately drawn into conversation with friends sitting at a table near the bar. Victoria crept closer to listen when she heard Alejandro mention his son's name. But she was too late and whatever the men were talking about regarding Diego was done by the time she was close enough to effectively eavesdrop.
She served the men at the table with a smile and waited impatiently for Alejandro's friend's to leave so that she could speak to the older man alone. Why Victoria was suddenly afraid to ask about Diego, she didn't know.
But yet again, something conspired against her, and she was distracted by other customers when Alejandro got up, paid Pilar for his drink, and left the tavern.
Victoria muttered to herself in annoyance. She wanted to speak to Diego. No, she needed to speak to him. Perhaps she would just take a ride out to the hacienda during siesta and corner him into – Into what? An admission? Victoria shook her head, angry with herself for letting this suspicion irritate her so easily.
As the days passed, the possibility grew even more ridiculous. But that nagging in the back of her mind, that little tug at her heart, refused to be silenced. Did she hope he was her masked man? It would certainly explain a multitude of perplexing thoughts and emotions concerning Diego. Thoughts she had shoved far to the back of her heart and locked away, refusing to admit there was some deeper emotion than friendship that bound her to her childhood friend.
Why else was she jealous – no, it was just concern – she'd convinced herself whenever an eligible señorita came into the pueblo? Don Alejandro had been trying to get his son to marry for years and thus far Diego had resisted. Why? Victoria wondered. Diego was handsome and wealthy; an excellent catch. But, he had shown no interest in a woman since he'd returned from Spain. Oh, there were a few comments here and there over the years but Diego never seemed very inclined to discuss his love life with anyone.
Victoria swallowed hard. Was it because his heart already belonged to another – an alter ego who had not long ago asked her to marry him? He had as much admitted that he was in love with a woman who – Victoria's eyes widened as she contemplated this – was in love with another man. Could it be? Could he have been talking about Zorro? But no, Victoria shook her head as she sliced vegetables for the evening meal – so she wouldn't have to do it during siesta – it wasn't possible.
"I'm not that blind!"Victoria muttered to herself. "He couldn't keep something like this hidden from me all these years."
But her heart raced even as her mind tried to find excuse after excuse why he could not be her masked man. One thought kept repeating through her mind, one that she could not silence. Could I be in love with my best friend?
She worked relentlessly throughout the day, glancing at the time far too often in anticipation of closing for siesta. Her irritation grew and then subsided as the time drew closer and no sooner had she locked the doors behind the last customer, was she rushing out the back door and toward the livery to procure a horse for the short ride to the de la Vega hacienda.
Alejandro greeted Victoria with a wide smile when she walked through the door.
"Victoria, my dear!" Alejandro pressed a quick kiss to her cheek. "How lovely to see you."
"Yes, thank you," Victoria glanced around the library, half expecting to see Diego sitting there reading a book. "I don't suppose Diego is home? I – I'd like to speak with him."
Alejandro's eyebrow raised and his smile widened. Perhaps his son was making more progress with the lovely lady than he thought. Now he regretted sending Diego to Santa Barbara to negotiate the sale of some cattle. His son needed to be at home, negotiating his way into the lovely señorita's heart!
"Unfortunately, he's not here, my dear," Alejandro began apologetically. "He should be back in a few days."
"Oh," Victoria looked away - disappointedly? - giving Alejandro hope that Diego had made further progress in his courtship than the reserved man had indicated.
"Don't worry, my dear," Alejandro patted her shoulder with a gentle hand. "I'll send him straight to the tavern when he returns."
Victoria's eyes brightened. "Oh, thank you. I would appreciate it." She moved to the door but Alejandro stopped her with a gentle hand on her arm.
"Victoria," Alejandro began with a soft, fatherly smile. "If Diego hasn't already mentioned this, you know you are welcome here any time. This hacienda has gone without the presence of a lovely lady for far too long."
Victoria blushed prettily. "Thank you."
"I don't suppose there is anything I can help you with?" Alejandro asked with an innocent gleam in his eyes.
If it was possible, Victoria's blush deepened. "Oh, no. It's just – something I need to speak with Diego about. Please send him to the tavern when he returns?"
Alejandro decided not to pry further. But he was unable to contain the joy that reached his eyes as he thought about the lovely señorita becoming a part of his family. If it were only possible. "I won't even let him out of the saddle!" He laughed as he led her to the door.
Discouraged that she would not be able to speak to Diego, Victoria instead rode out to the Perez' home, in hopes of speaking with José. Instead, as fate would have it, she found that he was not there.
"Victoria! What a surprise!" Malinda hugged the woman and drew her into the house. Malinda and the baby were just sitting down to play with some blocks that she and Diego had brought on their last visit. Drawn, yet again, to the little babe, Victoria decided to stay for a while.
"I actually came to see José," Victoria said quietly, hoping that her admission wouldn't insult Malinda. "But I'd love to sit and play with the baby for a while."
"Of course! I don't know when José will be home, though." Malinda said with a frown, allowing Victoria to pick up the cooing baby. "Don Diego didn't come with you this time?"
"Oh, no," Victoria found the rising color in her cheeks. "He is out of town for a few days."
"Oh, that's too bad," Malinda observed Victoria's reaction with a hidden smile. "He seems very attached to the baby."
Victoria nodded with a smile that reached her eyes. Diego had been very attached to the baby and would no doubt be jealous that she had come out to visit the little one while he was away. Victoria hid an evil smile. She would just have to tell him that she had been out to see the babe every day he was gone. Even if Diego wasn't Zorro, he needed a little more teasing in his life.
The afternoon wore on and soon Victoria had to reluctantly tear herself away from the little one and return to the tavern to begin the evening meal. She hugged Malinda with a promise to bring Diego with her next time, and was off before Malinda could make another comment about what a lovely couple they made.
The next day, Victoria was excited to see José walk into the tavern.
"Buenos dias, Señorita," Jose smiled warmly at the woman who had been so kind to him and his wife. "Malinda said you came out to see me yesterday?"
"Oh, sí!" Victoria glanced around at her customers and seeing that none of them needed attention at this very moment, she bade José to follow her into the kitchen.
Pilar gave Victoria a strange look but immediately left the kitchen to be available should any customers need assistance.
"José," Victoria began, tugging nervously at her apron. "I – the rocking chair is beautiful."
He simply smiled.
"Can you tell me who commissioned the piece?"
José hesitated a moment, as if that was not the question he expected. He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Señorita. The order was placed by a note only. Paid in advance."
Victoria sighed, anticipating this answer. She tried a different approach, hoping to trick the farmer. "It's – well, very extravagant for my little room. It would fit better at the hacienda."
It worked. Sort of.
"Perhaps you should move it there."
Victoria's breath caught. Was José admitting that a caballero had commissioned this piece? But, if he truly didn't know who had paid for the work, he could have simply answered the way he had because he thought she and Diego would be marrying one day.
"I must be going," José said suddenly. "The orders are coming in faster than I can complete them."
"José, wait!" Victoria grabbed his arm. "Did – Diego ask you to make this for me?"
"I truly don't know, señorita." As an afterthought, Jose added, "Perhaps you should ask him?"
Victoria sighed. She couldn't come right out and ask him. There had to be another way.
"You do make a good couple." José offered.
"Oh – but we're not – Diego and I –"
Jose smiled knowingly. "No need to make excuses or deny it. I know what I see. And so does Malinda. I see the way he looks at you, and how you look at him when you don't think he is watching." José winked.
Victoria frowned and narrowed her eyes. José took this as a good opportunity to make his escape and muttered a few words about looking forward to her next visit with Diego before hurrying out of the kitchen.
Victoria picked up a dishrag and flung it into the dishwater. Why didn't she deny José's claim instantly? Why had she hesitated? Simply because she thought that perhaps Diego could be Zorro? Or was there another reason? If Diego turned out not to be Zorro, would she still feel the same?
Diego had better get back, and soon. He had a lot of questions to answer.
Diego didn't see his father when he returned three days later so Victoria's message had went undelivered. Instead, he rode out to see José, curious to find out if the young farmer had found any more iron pyrite. After various tests on different pieces of the yellow rock, Diego had been more than a little perplexed about the metal content of the stones. Each test had produced slightly different results, causing Diego to think that perhaps there was an impure gold buried deep within the mine.
Diego only hoped the farmer had not tried to enter the mine itself. José would need help to stabilize the entrance as well as the interior of the shaft before anyone could safely work inside.
Malinda greeted Diego with a wide smile as he tied Esperanza to a nearby post. She was outside with her laundry, the baby cooing in her bassinet. "Don Diego, what a surprise!"
"Buenos tardes, is José around?" Diego dismounted Esperanza and knelt beside the baby, drawing a long finger down the rosy cheek. A growing longing to have a little one of his own threatened to re-surface and he determinedly pushed it to the back of his mind. Soon, he told himself.
"No, he's up at that mine. He's been so determined while you've been gone to find some real gold, instead of that fool's gold." Malinda's worried gaze held Diego's for a long moment.
"I hope he's not gone into the shaft. That mine is very unstable." Diego stood and rested his hand on Malinda's arm. "I'll ride over there and check on him."
"Please tell him to come home!" Malinda called as Diego rode away.
Not more than a few minutes after Diego left, Victoria arrived, her wagon filled with baby clothes and a few more toys she'd been able to gather. Since the Perez family had lost everything they owned in the fire, they were starting anew with very little money to buy anything but the essentials with which to live.
She'd had an ulterior motive for coming, however, since she'd seen Felipe in the tavern earlier and he'd mentioned that Diego had returned. But he had immediately left for the Perez house, apparently not having received the message she'd left with his father.
She'd scowled at poor Felipe but then realized the boy hadn't known that Diego was supposed to come see her the moment he returned.
When Diego reached the mine, he was surprised to see the blocked entrance cleared of its debris and a crude framework built around that entrance to support, very poorly, the loose sand and rock. Diego looked around, hoping that José wouldn't be inside the mine. The man had done a lot since he'd last been out here and Diego was rather afraid to find out just how deep the mine ran.
As he neared the entrance, sand and loose stone rained down from the wooden frame surrounding it. Diego sighed heavily and examined the work, noting that while it was a good design, it would not be strong enough to indefinitely hold the weight pressing down upon it.
Diego resisted the urge to call out and simply waited for a few moments, glancing uncertainly into the dark hole. When he heard a slow rumbling from within, his heart thudded sharply in his chest and he took a step closer.
Diego groaned in frustration and called out. "José!"
A few moments passed and just as he was about to go in after the farmer, José stumbled out, covered with dust. "Don Diego!" José exclaimed happily. "Look at this!" he dropped a piece of yellow rock into Diego's hand. "This piece looks different! Do you think it could be –"
Diego grabbed the man's arm and pulled him away from the entrance. "Not so close, José. This mine is not stable and that framework you built is not going to hold –"
"But, if it has gold in it I can give Malinda and my baby a much better life!" Jose interrupted excitedly. "I have a whole bag full of these stones. But they are all different kinds. Some are harder than others. The color is different in some of them."
"I will ride home, get my supplies and come back and test each and every one. But you need to promise me," Diego gripped Jose's dirty shirt, forcing him to met his eyes, "that you will not go back inside that mine. It's too dangerous."
José opened his mouth to protest but one look from Diego silenced whatever objection he had forming on the tip of his tongue. Instead, he frowned, which made Diego only continue his lecture.
"Jose, no amount of gold is worth your life, is worth Malinda having to go on without you, or your daughter having to grow up never knowing her father."
"But if I can –"
"José –" Diego began, but was distracted by the sound of an approaching wagon.
Both men glanced down as the wagon came to a stop and Victoria hopped out of the driver's seat and took the baby while Malinda jumped down. Giving the baby back to her mother, Victoria pulled a crate from the back.
Diego's eyes narrowed when he noticed the disapproving look on Victoria's face as they approached. What had he done to earn that?
He walked swiftly toward them and took the crate from Victoria. "What is this?"
"We thought you might be thirsty." Malinda answered with a smile. "Victoria arrived right after you'd left and she insisted on bringing you and José some water."
"Oh, well, thank you." Diego smiled warmly a bit bewildered by the chill radiating from the woman he loved.
Victoria pulled glasses from the crate and uncorked one of the bottles she'd earlier filled with water.
"Take this." José shoved the small pouch into Diego's hand and hurried back into the mine. "I'll be right back!"
Diego's glass tumbled into the dirt as he reached for José's arm, but his fingers simply brushed the man's baggy shirt.
"José no!" Diego made a move to follow but stopped. He cursed beneath his breath and turned back toward the woman, warning, "stay back. The mine is very unstable."
Malinda's gasped. "My José just went in there!"
"I know. I tried to deter him but he's obsessed with finding gold." He rested a hand on Malinda's shoulder not noticing Victoria's scrutinizing gaze as it swept over his face and body. "Even if it means –"
A low rumbling began deep inside the mine and Diego's eyes narrowed. "Get back. Away from the entrance!" He pushed the woman further away and the baby began to cry.
"What's happening?" Malinda cried, tears threatening to spill out of her eyes.
"It's rumbled like that since I arrived." Diego breathed, glancing back up at the puff of dust that fell from the wooden framework. "I think José's digging is loosening the soil even further. He shouldn't be in there. It's too dangerous."
"Please get him out?" Malinda begged, her eyes boring into Diego's. "Please?"
"Yes, all right." Diego nodded. He shoved the small leather bag into Victoria's hands and implored. "If you hear anything, don't go up there. Stay here. Do you understand?" His tone, the serious gaze he leveled in Victoria's direction caused her breath to catch in her chest. She'd seen that look and she'd heard that commanding voice before.
Sudden fear gripped Victoria's heart and she wrapped her hand around a surprisingly muscular arm. "Wait, Diego."
He glanced down at her and noted the worry in her eyes. "I'll be fine." He said confidently, a hint of a grin tugging at his lips.
"No, please," Victoria pleaded, surprised at herself for the sudden possessive reaction. "I –"
"Victoria, what –" Diego trailed off, recognizing that look in her eyes. It was the same look she wore in the plaza every time Zorro faced the alcalde's lancers. Fear that he would be harmed. Fear that he would never come back to her.
The need for haste pushed him to bend and press his lips to her cheek in reassurance. He gently squeezed her hand before turning and striding quickly into the mineshaft after José.
"Oh, Dios," Victoria clutched the bag he'd handed her and closed her eyes, praying fervently for his safe return.
After a few minutes, they could hear the ground rumble again and the woman gasped, their eyes squinting into the darkness of the mineshaft.
"Oh no!"
Sand and rock began to fall from the framework and Victoria took a few steps forward. They could hear rock striking the ground from deep within, and as the sound grew, Victoria couldn't contain her fear. She pushed Malinda and the baby further away and when she turned to run toward the mine, sand billowed out from the entrance, shoved out with such force that it nearly knocked Victoria off her feet. Stone and rock rolled out of the darkness of the mineshaft.
"Diego! No!" Victoria cried as the rumbling continued around her ears and the fine grains of sand blinded her to any movement near the mine entrance.
TBC