Rating: T

A/N: I was pleased to see so many of you caught the reference to the old Zorro movie in the last chapter! If you didn't – or haven't ever seen it – I sincerely recommend it! A must see for all Zorro fans (my opinion)! So…here it is – the very last chapter! I hope it lives up to all the expectations and excitement I've read about in your lovely reviews!

Disclaimer: I do not own Zorro in any incarnation. I am not sure who does, all I know is it is not me. No copyright infringement, or disrespect to the people who have made Zorro a legend, is intended. Thank you.

Secrets in the Night

Chapter 22

By: visions2share a.k.a Vi

Diego had instructed a manservant to see to his father through the night. He bid goodnight to Lieutenant Martinez when they met in the hall as the Lieutenant was already retiring for the night. Diego left Felipe with Sebastian in the library after telling them not to wait up, and made his way through the panel in the fireplace and into his cave.

Diego considered riding Tornado in his normal suit but decided he would be more comfortable and infinitely more able to blend into the night and slip into the pueblo unnoticed in Zorro's all black ensemble.

Diego rode, in all Zorro's finery except the mask, around the edge of the pueblo to the back of the Tavern. The plaza and Tavern had grown quiet during the hours he'd been away. He used Tornado as a mounting block to reach the second floor window in the high ceilinged kitchen. He pulled himself inside, moving silently in the shadows as he assessed the situation. Victoria and Pilar were finishing the last of the dinner dishes and they were chatting quietly. Diego settled into wait for Pilar to leave so he could speak to Victoria alone.

"I can finish the dishes this night, Senorita Victoria – you have not been out of this hot kitchen all afternoon." Pilar offered.

"No, thank you, Pilar, it will go all the quicker if we both work at it. You did lock and bar the front door, did you not?"

"Si. Why did you not come out and serve tonight? Many, many people asked after you."

"I know. I knew they would. They wanted to ask about Zorro. About Diego. But until I talk to him I do not know what to say. I felt it better to avoid the entire situation until then, if possible."

"Si. That is good. The town gossips are already getting started. No need to help them along, si?"

"Si." Victoria replied. Silence descended as they finished the last few dishes and Victoria bid Pilar a good night. Pilar would be back in time to serve at the midday meal the next day. After Pilar left, Victoria locked the back door behind her and when she turned around she came face to face with Diego across her work table.

"Diego! You came!" Victoria's voice was more pleased than Diego had had any right to hope.

"Si. I promised I would. You did get my note?"

"Si. I have always loved going upstairs at the end of a long day and finding a token from you." Victoria blushed.

This encounter was the most awkward Diego had ever had with Victoria – with or without the mask. He had been so busy thinking of what to say to bank the fire of her anger he had given no thought to how to deal with a calm, albeit bashful, Victoria. And he could not step back into the shadows and think of a plan. So he asked the question that was forefront in his mind, "are you angry with me, Victoria?"

"No, Diego. I thought about it – at first – but I have spent all afternoon and evening in this kitchen remembering every conversation with you in this Tavern, or at your hacienda, and every time Zorro rode into the pueblo to save us from de Soto. And you know what I realized? So many times if we, your father and I, had listened to you first, Zorro would not have been needed to clean up the messes of our making. So, while I could have been angry with you, I find it more appropriate to be angry with myself. You are a man of honor and have always conducted yourself as such. I have not behaved nearly so well. Throwing what I perceived to be your failings and your shortcomings in your face at every opportunity. You have done nothing to earn my anger and everything to earn my contrition. I am sorry Diego. For the trouble my actions have caused you and the hurtful words I have spoken to you. Will you ever be able to forgive me?" Victoria had spoken quickly in a great rush and, when she finished, she stood perfectly still waiting to hear her fate.

"I appreciate that you are not angry. In fact, you have no idea how relieved I am. But there is nothing to forgive you for. I always understood why you and my father acted thusly – even when I did not think it wise or particularly care for the results. And I should thank you for so many of the things you have said, being so publicly supportive of Zorro and so equally publicly frustrated with Diego. Your comments went a long way to removing any suspicion about my being Zorro. So, apology unnecessary but accepted, and my sincerest thanks."

Diego wanted nothing more, now that was settled, than to take Victoria I his arms and ask her if she still loved him, if she would still agree to be his bride, but as he began to step around the work table that separated them, to follow his impulse – something in Victoria's manner and expression stopped him.

"What is wrong, Victoria?" Since she professed not to be angry he did not know what the problem might be.

"There is just one question I need answered."

"Anything, Victoria."

"Why did Zorro have to pretend to be in love with me? I would have helped him regardless." Tears streamed down Victoria's cheeks unhindered and Diego was too shocked to know what to say. "You made me think you loved me. That we had a future together. That you wanted us to get married and have babies. When I saw your face and heard your name I was so excited. What more could a girl ask for than to be in love with, and loved by, her best friend? But as the day wore on I remembered something you told me just days ago. You are a member of the Spanish Royal Family. Related to the King by blood. And I am just a commoner. You could never marry or even love so far below your station and I could never marry so far above mine. I have enjoyed all our time together – and I would not trade my memories, though bittersweet, for anything – I just wish you had not let me raise my hopes." When Victoria finally ran out of heartbreaking words she covered her face with her hands, hung her head, and wept.

Diego was at her side instantly. He took her beautiful face in his hands and tilted it up. Her hands fell away and as he held her chin in his left hand he used the mask he had stashed in his cape earlier to dry her tears with his right. As she continued to cry and he continued to try to dry her tears with silk he spoke. With no time to plan what to say, he spoke from his heart.

"Victoria, Querida," she sobbed all the harder at the endearment, "I do love you! With all my heart! I know you are the only one for me! Dios has formed us for each other and no one else. Please stop crying. I could not care less what kind of blood is running in your veins or mine. How could I ever wish to change who you come from – when it would mean changing you? You are perfect for me right now. And always." Victoria finally opened her eyes and locked her gaze with his. "Oh, my sweet Victoria, I do want all those things with you – a marriage, babies, a future. I can see the life we will build together so clearly. It is the dream I have clung to these past four years. The only thing that got me through the fights, the injuries, the recoveries, the only thing that made fighting the injustice worthwhile was the belief that when we won we would be together always. Please Victoria, Querida, please do not take the dream away from me now!"

When Diego finished speaking Victoria was smiling so prettily it was like looking into the sun. With her smile his hopes rose again to a new dawn.

"You really do love me?" she asked.

"Always. And you? Can you love the man behind the mask?" he replied.

"Always."

His right hand dropped the mask forgotten to the floor and took a hold of the back of her head to draw her in for their first true kiss. No secrets, no illusions. He drew his left arm around her waist pulling her flush against him as she wound both her arms around his neck. When they finally broke the kiss they stood reveling in the feeling of simply being in the other's arms.

"Victoria will you marry me?"

"Si." She nestled her head into the place where his shoulder met his neck that was her favorite place anywhere.

"As soon as the arrangements can be made with Padre Benitez?"

"Si."

"So soon as to be before Sebastian returns to Spain?"

"Si. Any time. I would marry you now if I could."

"As would I you, Querida."

"And we will always be happy, will we not?" she questioned.

"Always."

And they were.

Always.

End Chapter 22

THE END

A/N: Thanks for sticking with me through this story! I hope everybody leaves a review so I know what you think of the ending! It has been such an uplifting and self esteem building experience posting this story. I wasn't sure at first that I'd ever do another one – but now I think I will. I don't know what for sure yet – but something. I can't respond to all the guest reviews that have been left along the way so I just want to take this final opportunity to say a sincere "THANK YOU!" and "I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT!". That goes for everyone. Thanks for reading! ~ Vi