KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Disclaimer - I don't own the rights, Zorro Production Inc does - I just like to play with the characters.

Plot – In response to Katie1999's Christmas Challenge.

Just a little something for the coming festive season. Set in the fourth season.

Chapter 1

Victoria was leaning against the bar in her tavern, reading the latest edition of The Guardian newspaper and the subject that Diego had written for his editorial, intrigued her. It was a curious article on the somewhat romantic legend of kissing under the mistletoe, which was becoming popular in Europe at Christmas. It was a strange topic considering who wrote it, for Diego de la Vega was not known for romantic inclinations and he seemed to have no real interest in getting married, so it was an odd subject for him to write.

Then again, Diego was a scholar and the more obscure the topic was, the better he liked it.

The article spoke of ancient Celtic and Norse legends. It spoke of a God named Höðr, who had been tricked into killing his brother Baldr with an arrow made from a twig of mistletoe. After the death of Baldr, darkness fell over the lands until he was brought him back to life and the Goddess Frigga then decided that no one else should suffer such pain because of the Mistletoe, so she made it a sacred symbol of happiness.

The ancient Celts believed that mistletoe was a scared plant that could cure illnesses and ensure fertility. They also considered it to be a symbol of peace and if by chance, any warring party met where mistletoe grew, they had to stop fighting until the following day or in another version they would kiss and put their differences behind them.

Victoria picked up the paper and read aloud, "...Although the real reason behind the legend of the Mistletoe has been lost with the passage of time, what has not been lost is the custom of kissing under it. There are written records of this custom dating back to 16th Century England and according to custom, a man and a woman who meet under a hanging mistletoe were obliged to kiss, if they wished good luck for the coming year, while a couple who did not, would have bad luck..."

"...This action was interpreted as a promise to marry and if an unmarried woman was not kissed while under it, she would remain single for another year. According to tradition, a man must remove one berry from the mistletoe branch before he kisses the woman and when all the berries are gone, no more kissing is permitted under the plant..." she stopped there and reread one part, "If an unmarried woman was not kissed under the mistletoe, she would remain single for another year..."

She placed the paper on top of the bar and stared thoughtfully across the tavern, "Hmmm, I don't like the sound of that," she muttered to herself. She gazed back down at the paper, "But a kiss under the mistletoe was a promise to marry," she read with a small secretive smile tugging on her lips, "I wonder if there is any growing around the pueblo."

"What is growing around the pueblo?" Diego said as he stepped up to the bar.

She jumped slightly, "Oh Diego, I didn't hear you come in," she replied with a smile.

He smiled back, "No, you were engrossed in the newspaper," he said as he glanced down at the bar. "So what caught your attention that you ended up talking to yourself." he teased her gently.

She ducked her head in embarrassment, "This article you wrote about the mistletoe. Was it true? I mean about the custom of...of kissing and...of good or bad luck for the couple."

He leant against the bar and nodded, "Yes, for the most part," he replied, "No one can be sure of the exact history but legend has it that kissing under the mistletoe can bring good luck."

She nodded, "Does mistletoe grow around here?" she asked casually as she folded the newspaper in half. She didn't want to seem to eager to know the answer, even though she was.

Diego gave her a small knowing smile, "Not the kind in the legends," he replied, "That kind of mistletoe grows only in Europe or in England." he added.

"Oh." she said disappointedly, "It would've been nice to have for my Christmas party next week, to hang in here somewhere. Are you sure we don't have any around?" she said hopefully.

Just what was she up to, he mused to himself, "Well, I do believe we have a plant that is very similar to the European mistletoe but the leaves are slightly different in shape. It could be from the same plant family for it also has berries," he said. He leant forward, "Why are you so eager to have the mistletoe? Are you hoping to catch a certain masked bandit underneath it to get a kiss." he said in a teasing voice.

Victoria felt the tips of her ears burn, "Of course not!" she replied heatedly, "I just thought it might be fun to have it, that's all."

Diego's expression was one of amused scepticism, "Of course," he replied, "But remember, it is the man who kisses the lady, not the other way around."

Her eyes widened as a strange thought crossed her mind, "Would you...kiss...a lady under the mistletoe?"

He shrugged, "Perhaps I would, if I happen to see her standing there." he replied.

"Oh, any lady in particular?" she asked highly curious as to what kind of woman would make Diego kiss her.

Diego noticed with amusement to her reaction to the idea of him kissing a woman, "I thought to give myself a chance with any available woman." Lately he had begun to notice her jealousy whenever another woman paid him any attention. While jealousy can be a destructive emotion but with Victoria, it meant that she was actually interested in him. This can only be a good thing, where he was concerned.

She narrowed her eyes, "I didn't think you were such a...a Casanova." she said with disapproval reflecting in her voice.

He chuckled and shook his head, "I'm not," he replied, "Would you like me to find some mistletoe for your party?"

She brightened up, "Could you? I would really appreciate if you could, Diego," she replied, "It will be fun to have."

He smiled warmly, "Then consider it done."