Title: Body and soul

Author: Meg

Summary: Behind the bravado Zorro is the extraordinary mind of Diego de la Vega. Even if the body can't ride more, as long as the mind exist nothing is lost.

AN: Again, I'm not a medic, please, play along with me

The doors behind Victoria get closed. She didn't saw that Diego's cheeks were wet with tears.

How much he loved this woman... How could he allow her to sacrifice her life? To sentence her to nurse her husband every day of their lives? If only he could walk... If only his legs were all right. He bent his hand to a fist and hit his leg hard.

Then one more time... and one more time.

He leaned on his pillow to think. He refused to take the pain remedy. Even if they would like to cheat him, they couldn't, because he refused to eat or drink. His back should hurt him to unconsciousness. It didn't. Quite the opposite; it hurt him less and less.

He hit his leg one more time. He could feel the hit.

Praying that he didn't imagine it, that his hopes weren't in vain, he took off the cover.

He concentrated entirely on his right leg. His muscles were weak; he hadn't used them for over half a year. Exercises and horse riding couldn't be enough, he knew. Nevertheless, after a time which was like an eternity for him, he was able to slightly move his leg. It surprised him so much he lost his concentration. He gasped hard, taking a rest. Then he tried again. Finally he was able to move his right leg as well his left a bit.

This tired him so much he fell asleep until deep night.

ZZZ

When he woke up he thought it was only a dream. A dream like he often had; a dream about running. He didn't move, he didn't want to realize that it was only a dream. The house was silent, like the night three nights before. Finally he moved. He could still feel his legs.

He wanted to stand up. He wanted to be on his own legs. Some common sense in his mind told him, his legs couldn't carry his weight. Yet, he wanted to try. He put his feet on the floor. Slowly, firmly holding a pillar of his bed he lifted himself. After a few seconds he fell down on his bed.

He began to laugh. A silent, but heartily laugh. He was standing on his own legs.

ZZZ

"Good day, Don Alejandro. How is Diego today?" Dr Hernandez was worried for his friend. If his mood wouldn't change quickly...

"Excellent." Don Alejandro's face beamed of joy. "He ate his whole dish, he chatted with Felipe and he is waiting for you."

Dr Hernandez' brows rose. It was a great surprise.

"No, I don't know where the change came from, but I'm happy." Don Alejandro anticipated his question, and led the doctor to Diego's bedroom.

Diego looked at the good doctor and smiled. "Felipe, please excuse us." He said and even if the boy couldn't see his lips, he obeyed.

Dr Hernandez and Diego remained alone in the room.

"If you meet padre Benitez, you can tell him, he has prayed the miracle for me." Diego said as a welcome.

"What do you mean, Diego?"

Diego took a book from his night table and give it opened to the doctor. "Read it." He said.

The doctor looked at Diego, then read it and looked at Diego again, with comprehension. "It could lead to your death."

"Yes, but my second accident prevented it. More, somehow it even made me all right. No operation could be as successful as this second accident. It threw my disk on his place, releasing my nerves and veins. I'm not in pain anymore and I can feel my legs again." Diego said enthusiastic.

Doctor Hernandez examined him, in silence thanking the Lord. Yes, Diego was on his way to full recovery.

"You didn't tell your family until now." It wasn't a question.

"No. I wanted your opinion before I do. I am right, aren't I?" Diego asked seriously.

"Yes. You're right. Will you tell your family now?" Dr Hernandez asked.

Diego smiled a mischievous smile.

"I prefer you tell them. I would like to tell it myself to only one person."

"Victoria." The doctor didn't need a long time to reflect. Diego smiled at him.

ZZZ

Victoria went to Diego's room. Dr Hernandez had been visibly happy about Diego's health, so she wasn't worried anymore.

Diego sat in his bed. Seeing her coming inside his face glowed and he stretched his hand out to her.

She quickly walked to him and caught his hand. He pulled her to him so she landed on his chest. Before she could say something or protest she felt his lips on hers. She immediately responded.

"Oh, Victoria." He whispered. "My querida. I'm so sorry, so sorry." He whispered kissing her face.

"Diego..." She whispered back, overwhelmed.

"I love you Victoria. Will you be my wife?"

"Yes, Diego. Very, very much." She answered and kissed him again. "Why have you changed your mind?"

"My last accident... Victoria, I will be able to walk again." Diego said straight.

"You... you..." She was speechless. "Diego! It's splendid!"

"Yes, it is." He took her hands in his.

"Victoria, all the time you were the only one to keep me alive. Sometimes, at night, I wanted to surrender... only the thought of seeing you the next day kept me alive."

"You didn't... didn't want to... commit suicide?" Victoria asked, but Diego refused to answer.

"No! You couldn't do it to me..."

"No. I couldn't do it to you. I waited so long for you... I was so desperate. I want you... but I want to see you happy."

"Diego. I would be happy with you. And I will." She stroked his hair and embraced him.

After a while in comfortable silence Diego decided to make a final confession.

"Victoria, I'm sorry..."

"Don't be." She interrupted him, but he shook his head.

"No. I must tell you. Victoria, Zorro didn't die. Not in the way you are thinking."

Victoria looked at him surprised and angry at once. She tried to stand up, but Diego didn't let her go.

"You tell me, that he wasn't killed? You lied to me?"

"I never lied to you. I never said Zorro was killed." He defended himself.

"The rider, whom was killed by the outlaws..."

"Was one of governor's couriers." Diego explained.

"If he wasn't Zorro, then... where did Tornado come from?"

Diego looked in her eyes in silence. With hesitation she began to understand. Her mind wanted to refuse, however her heart already knew.

"You? All the time?" She looked hard at him. "How could you think I would love you less only because you couldn't walk? That I love you only because you are able to fight with injustice..." Victoria started to sob. She always praised the action in Zorro and disdain idleness in Diego.

"Victoria... Victoria, it's not true... I told you why I decided to not marry. Though, I always wanted to marry you. Please, believe me. I'm sorry. I never wanted to cause you so much pain." He hugged her and said enamored words. Eventually Victoria calmed herself.

"I love you, the whole you. Never doubt it." She said firmly to him, before she leaned in to kiss him again.

ZZZ

ZZZ

"Diego! Diego, where are you! I never know where the boy wastes his time." Don Alejandro explained to his guests.

From the garden came the wheelchair, pushed by Victoria.

"What happened father? Carlos!" He cried seeing their guests. "Don Luis Corazon. Welcome in Los Angeles."

"Good day, Diego." Answered Don Carlos.

"Good day, old friend." Don Luis said with a knowing laugh.

"You know each other already?" Asked don Carlos surprised.

"Yes, I wanted to ask the same question. Diego, you know magistrate from San Jose and governor's secretary?" Don Alejandro was surprised as well.

"We are old friends with Diego." Answered don Carlos. "After Zorro's death he asked me to send some troops to patrol around Los Angeles. I heard from people and travelers he also made DeSoto's life hard."

Diego shrugged. "Someone had to try to stop him."

"You did very well, my friend. However I didn't know you already know the secretary."

Don Luis smiled.

"It's our private joke. I have long looked for a man named Diego, who rides a black Andalusian, has a Toledo saber and in his free time saves people... Somehow no one seams to know him. All the people I asked wanted to know if I had met Zorro's ghost." He said, one brow rising.

"Diego should have a Toledo saber and saves people?" Don Alejandro asked, not really surprised, but rather worried for his son well being.

"He definitely saved my life over two weeks ago. Thank you once again."

"We have come here to talk with you." Don Luis looked at Don Carlos and then back at Diego.

"I ordered to arrest alcalde DeSoto today. You were right in your letters. This man is as cruel as evil and his behavior could only lead to a revolt."

"I'm happy to hear it. The people here deserve a good and peaceful life." Diego bowed his head with gratitude.

"I have done something more. In case Zorro's ghost would want to revive to life I have a pardon for him. I think I leave it here with you, don Diego."

"Thank you. But as you know, he is dead. If the new alcalde will be just, I think he will remain dead." Diego answered and looked at Victoria who squeezed his arm.

"Do you know who will be the new alcalde?" She asked curiously.

"To be honest... As I left the governor he made a proposition. Diego, he wants you to be the new alcalde." Don Luis looked at Diego. Seeing surprise in Don Alejandro's and Victoria's eyes he explained. "He heard about Diego's concern for the people here, his everyday help. Not to mention his splendid scholar work. The governor values his paper, you know."

"I'm honored, but..." Diego pointed at his legs.

"I heard that you are on the way to full recovery. And, after all... this wasn't a hindrance for you in the past half year." Don Luis smiled seeing he had a point.

ZZZ

Two months later Diego, with the help of crutch, but on his own feet said "Yes, I will" to his beautiful wife. The same day he took the oath and became alcalde of Los Angeles. For the solemnity almost the entire pueblo and neighborhood came, and no one of them thought of Diego as an improper or strange choice.

Then, a year later don Alejandro finally got his grandbabies. From Victoria and Diego, both.

END

Author ramble: Does anyone more hate the fact that don't allow two lines break between paragraphs?

AN:

Thanks for reading my work. I hope that even with the absent of our black clothed hero you enjoyed our 'not so plain' Diego.

:D

Again thanks to Josta for beta-reading.

Baerabas, MaryBeth, WolfDaughter, smithcrafter, zeilfanaat, Amy V
pamz, Fanta3, Felicia, SMRobyn, Amy, lwolf, D. Jenks and kmk

Thanks for all the reviews through the story!

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