The next morning Anne awoke to feel peaceful, well-rested and happy with a blissful beat in her heart.

Gilbert had stolen away the previous night following their passionate words and kiss, further words unfortunately evading them both for that time at least. They didn't feel that much more needed to be said, as they instead shared a special look as they stood there in the quiet and the moonbeams before Gilbert retreated up the road to Blythe farm. Anne had watched him walking for a while, her heart dancing and leaping gaily in her chest as her smile stayed stubbornly upon her face. Marilla and Matthew could tell the glow of love on Anne's face when she returned in to bed although neither said anything of it, opting instead for smug smiles to themselves. They had always thought Gilbert would make a good pair for Anne. He was a good, kind, hardworking boy.

Marilla saw to it that Anne bathed that morning and she cleaned Anne's wound, checking it was making good progress in healing before applying fresh balm and bandages. Anne slipped into a familiar, comforting grey cotton dress and stockings, tying her hair back in a loose ponytail. Her mind was too busy and her fingers lacked the calm needed to braid her hair carefully as she used to. Anne gazed at herself in the looking glass and thought deeply on the golden glint in her grey eyes and the supple bloom of pink in her full lips. She seemed much older, maturity dwelt in her face and even her freckles and red hair seemed not to bother her so much.

Perhaps that was partly due to the boy who gazed at her with such adoration in his brown eyes and enjoyed touching her hair and face with his gentle, careful hands.

After a joy-filled breakfast with much laughter and revels, they were graced by a hurried visit from dear Diana before she left for the meeting with her parents. Her arrival was a grace for Anne, who needed that boost for the coming meeting. She didn't like to be the centre of attention and the meeting promised just that. Diana was a reassuring, comfortable presence. After she had gone the Cuthberts hitched up the cart and drove to Avonlea Town Hall. The roads were dead, all of the townsfolk had probably arrived in the hall before the meeting. They reached their destination in good time, carts and wagons and horses parked up outside the large white building.

Anne felt nervous to go inside as she knew so many people would be shocked to see her and make an enormous fuss one way or another.

"Come now, Anne. It'll be alright." Matthew said gently, offering his hand for a help down from the cart.

Marilla had gone to the hall doors already and was looking back with a slight impatience as Anne hesitated, pausing on the cart. She looked down at Matthew and his familiar, comforting face. He had come from Green Gables to support Anne despite the doctor's express insistence that he stay in bed. He had been determined and couldn't be dissuaded by anyone, even strict Marilla. Matthew was such a kindred spirit, Anne thought. She could always count on him.

"Alright, I'm coming." Anne took his hand and walked to the hall, holding her head up high.

Inside it seemed that all of Canada had decided to show up, Anne thought. The pews and spare seats were bursting and the front of hall where the council members sat was cleared and somebody was speaking. It was Rachel Lynde, Anne realised. She wondered what it had been like when her testimonies were given, she wished she'd seen it and heard all the good things the people had said for her. Perhaps if she had then she'd have been spirited enough not to worry about their reaction to her return.

Anne searched the crowds for familiar faces and was pleased to see many - her school friends, Rachel Lynde, many families, Officer Wilson and at the back of the hall by the second exit stood Gilbert Blythe, handsome and loyal as ever. Anne felt a rush in her heart and a renewed confidence. He looked tired but he held a soft glow to his eyes and expression, almost an unspoken confidence and contentment.

Stepping into the room, all heads turned to Anne and Rachel Lynde stopped speaking. There was a moment of stunned silence. Ruby Gillis let out an audible gasp. Rachel Lynde muttered, "As I live and breathe!" For a second, Anne felt as though a burning spotlight shone upon her and it was unbearable. She didn't know what to say or do so she stood quite still against the glare of shocked stares.

Then all at once the people of Avonlea rose to their feet and rushed to greet Anne, the most fond came first - Ruby, Tilly Boulter, Jane Andrews, Rachel Lynde and the Barrys, including the ever supportive Diana... Other Avonlea residence joined the hubbub in welcoming Anne home and wishing her well. Even the victims of Joseph's robberies came forth and told Anne they were dreadfully sorry for all the misunderstandings and the unspeakable things Anne had endured from that. Anne felt overwhelmed.

Eventually, the rush ceased and everyone took back to their seats. They seemed to be waiting for her to say something. Eyes were still fixed upon Anne, including Gilbert's hypnotic dark ones. He had remained unmoving in the back of the hall, watching Anne calmly. She knew undeniably that he supported her and believed in her, she didn't need him to come over to tell her. Just being there was enough for her.

As everybody stared at her Anne felt the pressure mount into unbearable heights, before she stepped forward and walked along the pass between the aisles of chairs. Everyone watched as she made her way to the front of the hall and stood looking out at them. Rachel Lynde stepped back, realising Anne was going to speak.

The people of Avonlea waited with bated breath.

"I'm sure you all know, my name is Anne Shirley Cuthbert." Anne's words rung out loud and unwavering in the quiet hall.

"I have recently been accused of many things which I did not do... I was sent to Wolfsden Prison in Caipestown for these crimes of which I was accused. This happened because of many things but the most prevalent reason being that I was framed, by the late Joseph Bines."

You could have heard a pin drop.

"I know that the majority of you believed I was guilty until the truth recently came out about Joseph..." Anne paused and looked down at her hands. When she looked back up, there was a fierce bravery in her eyes. "I am sorry for all of the confusion, fear and loss you have experienced by the hand of Joseph Bines. I'm even more sorry that you thought I was capable of causing so much harm..."

The hall was silent, everyone hanging onto each word Anne spoke. They felt guilt lay heavy in their hearts as they thought about their actions and the hasty judgements which had been made. Anne Shirley had always been judged, from the moment she arrived at Bright River.

"I was released from the prison by a very noble officer, named Wilson." Anne half-smiled at him across the crowds and he nodded at her humbly. Everyone looked at him proudly and a few people patted him on the back.

Wilson, Diana and Gilbert knew Anne wasn't really released from prison but they kept quiet and kept her secret escape to themselves.

"Wilson knew I was innocent, he took the word of my brave friend Diana Barry and... Gilbert Blythe. I want to thank Officer Wilson, Diana Barry and Gilbert Blythe for believing in me and bringing me home. This is a chance for you all to see the bravery, trust and faith those closest to me held throughout all of this..."

Mrs Barry clasped hold of Diana's hand in that moment and felt very proud. Her daughter was certainly not the perfect image of a lady but she was brave and determined and loyal and Mrs Barry felt deep down that was better. She had been so affected by Diana's confessions about all that had happened over the past few weeks that she had quite changed her mind about being angry at her.

Anne continued, her word heavy with meaning and sincerity.

"I know more than most that it can be hard in dark times to see the good in anything... but I hope all this can serve as a lesson to give people a chance. To give them a chance to be proven innocent when all evidence points the opposite, to not judge a book by its cover and to be a little more open to people who are different..."

There was a flurry of nods, people were agreeing. Ruby Gillis sniffled emotionally in the middle of the hall. She was crying as usual. There was a murmur of support for Anne's words. Anne took a breath, suddenly thinking of Joseph again and his sudden death. It had affected her a great deal more than she realised. Anne pushed on with her unquenchable determination.

"I believe that everyone can be redeemed, given the chance. Not everybody gets a chance." She looked down at her hands, scarred and trembling.

Her mind was swimming with memories and emotions. She clasped her hands together and looked back up at the audience.

"I hope in the future, you will give people a chance to redeem themselves in your eyes."

There was a hush, as Anne's words hung in the air. They sunk in slowly, almost mulled over by the townspeople of Avonlea. They had been old fashioned and reserved for so long, resisting modernity and change. Anne's words rung true and bold and hit the heartstrings of near everybody sitting in the hall that day.

"I only have two more things to say." Anne said. "I hope you all recover the missing valuables Joseph stole from you. And I want to thank my family and friends again from the deepest part of my heart for being such a leading example of unconditional love and trust. I am the luckiest girl in Avonlea."

Then much to Anne's surprise everybody stood up and clapped, applauded the brave Anne who had gone through hell and back and come out the other side with an incredible outlook and such positivity. They were full of regret and guilt for their actions and they would do almost anything to make it better.

Gilbert watched Anne with pride swelling in his chest as he clapped. He wanted to stand on a platform and tell the world that Anne was his girl, that she was the one who owned his heart and that she loved him back. He beamed and cheered along with the rest. Marilla and Matthew smiled too, their hearts growing even more full of love for their girl.

After that, it was down to Rachel to organise the search parties to recover the missing valuables and Joseph's body. Gilbert volunteered to join them as did many other townspeople and some of the older schoolboys. Anne heard with much surprise Diana arguing with her parents to let her join, to no avail. Some things stayed the same, no matter the flurry of change Anne felt running through Avonlea. This wave of change had set many things into motion, which even she couldn't imagine.

Rachel Lynde also declared that Detective Ellwyn would never again be accepted to work in Avonlea on a case and she was personally penning a letter to the police force in the city informing them of all his failings and misgivings. The detective was standing to the side and Anne had never seen anyone look so grim as he did. She could tell he was full of regret.

"In the light of your moving speech, Anne," Rachel said. "I see it fit that he is given the chance to redeem himself as you say before he is sent away. Detective Ellwyn will be allowed on the search party to help tie up the loose ends of the case, so to speak..."

Detective Ellwyn nodded slowly. "Anything I can do to make it up to you all, especially Miss Shirley Cuthbert."

Anne thought it was so bizarre to see the usually intimidating man so placid and quiet, slumped by shame and failure. He couldn't even meet her gaze as she looked at him.

"Has there been any word from Mr James Riley about the whereabouts of Joseph Bines' body?" Mr Barry asked.

"Not as of this morning," Rachel Lynde said briskly. "He's still in shock, the doctor said. Give the boy time, I'm sure he'll come around. In the meantime we'll keep looking."

"I'm going to see him this afternoon," Gilbert spoke up for the first time. "We are good friends, I believe I can get him to open up."

"Well, we would be greatly obliged to you." Mrs Lynde smiled approvingly. "This seems to be a common occurance, being obliged to you, Gilbert. You've truly bloomed into a fine young man."

Gilbert felt a little awkward but nodded humbly to accept the compliment.

"Your father would be very proud of you." Rachel said quietly just so Gilbert would hear it.

Gilbert looked at Rachel in a strange way, almost longingly as though he wanted to hear more about his father. Nobody spoke about John Blythe anymore as they felt it was a touch subject since he passed away and truthfully it was but Gilbert missed his father a lot and yearned to find out more about him from anyone who knew him when he was alive... it made Gilbert feel closer to him.

Rachel was finished with sentimentality however and had moved on. There was a murmur of discussion as the last details were decided upon.

"Last but not least.... there will be a compensatory fund for Anne." Rachel said.

Anne was shocked. Even though Marilla had mentioned it last night she still didn't believe it. She was going to be given money? For her troubles? As though Avonlea could afford that, as though it would make up for the hell Anne went through... it wasn't something money could help.

"Sorry, what?" Anne blanched.

"Oh yes, my dear. It's what you deserve and it's the second best thing after Detective Ellwyn's head which was my first suggestion." Rachel laughed indulgently and Anne saw a wicked glint of humour in her eye.

"Well, it's not necessary --" Anne began.

"Nonsense, after all you've been threw." Rachel said firmly.

"Cuthberts don't accept charity." Anne said.

Marilla blinked as she heard Anne speak. She always forgot how observant and eager to please Anne was - she'd remembered Marilla's words from that hard winter and she'd taken those words upon herself, to become as much Cuthbert as she possibly could. Anne was a very loyal girl. Marilla was proud.

"It's not charity, it's a gift." Rachel brushed Anne's protests off as easily as a cat bats away a mouse.

"Well the next matter to discuss before you all leave is the search party." Mr Barry stood up and addressed the audience. "We are leaving here at 3pm sharp to scour the woods and roads for the valuables, splitting into five groups and covering more ground. If you are taking part please bring maps and delegate one person from your group to bring a cart or a barrow to carry any goods we uncover in."

The meeting after that was all formalities as Anne had initially expected. When it had finished Anne was bestowed many well wishes by some of the more reserved townspeople after her rousing speech earlier. They came forth in waves and she hardly knew what to say to most of them as they'd never spoken before. Suddenly everybody cared a great deal for her it seemed.

Gilbert was making his way out of the town hall when he was ambushed by Ruby Gillis.

"Gilbert," The small blonde girl spoke as quietly as a mouse. Her big eyes were full of admiration as she gazed up at Gil. "I want to say - I think you're awful brave for all you did for Anne."

Gilbert smiled slightly. "Oh - well thank you, Ruby."

Ruby blushed furiously. She thought Gilbert looked so grown up lately and he was especially handsome after all of the things he had endured... His bravery, dedication and passionate sense of injustice were very attractive traits to Ruby, who saw Gilbert as a type of avenging angel. She imagined it was her instead of Anne being taken away although she knew in reality she'd find the experience dreadfully frightening. She just adored the romanticism of Gilbert saving her...

"Will you be coming back to school soon?" Ruby asked in a rush.

Gilbert hesitated. "I don't know... I have a lot of things to go over and put in order. I'd like to return as soon as I'm able." He nodded.

"Well it'll be real nice to have some decent folk back in school. Diana has been missing days and it's been a little lonesome. Also there's been rotten talk about Anne for weeks and nobody to put them right, so to speak." Ruby spoke very quickly as though she'd run out of air.

Gilbert bristled. "Who's been talking about Anne?"

"Oh, the old crowd... Billie of course, with his friends. All the mean boys. Josie Pye as well of course." Ruby said chirpily, not noticing Gilbert's deep frown.

"Well, couldn't anyone else have put them right?"

"Oh I-- I can't. I couldn't..." Ruby turned even pinker, if possible. She whispered, "I wouldn't know what to say and I get so frightened of them."

Gilbert clenched his jaw.

"I'll be back at school as soon as Anne returns," He said. "But I doubt it'll be for a while yet."

Ruby watched Gilbert carefully then and her heart sank a little as he spoke of Anne. She could no longer ignore the way his eyes lit up when Anne entered a room or the way he got nervous or protective talking about her, it was too glaringly obvious... Ruby bit her lip.

"Are you terribly fond of her, Gil?" Ruby's question came soft and the boy almost didn't catch it.

Gilbert looked at Ruby, quite calmly. He knew Ruby liked him, she always behaved so queerly around him and gave him the most enormous moon-eyes. He half-wished that Anne would look at him the way Ruby did... The other half of him respected Anne more for not. She was too independent and he loved her for it. But Gilbert was kind to Ruby, he thought she was sweet and good and he didn't like to upset her - which was very easily done.

"I'm very fond of her, Ruby. I think that-- she's fond of me too... Sometimes I can't tell. For the longest time we weren't even friends."

Gilbert paused.

"But we'll always be friends, you and I. Won't we?" Gilbert said it in a way that implied Ruby's friendship was a priceless gift which he treasured. He didn't want her to be sad.

Ruby's heart sank even deeper in her chest, almost painfully so at the words of her first love letting her down so kindly. Ruby almost cried again but the eager shine in Gilbert's eyes at the thought of being friends with her made her smile instead. He was desperately in love with Anne, she could see that now. She had always suspected he cared for Anne but she'd denied it to herself for so long. It was undeniable now, as his actions spoke louder than his words. Ruby had no chance of owning his heart, but a friendship was the next best thing. She could be happy with that, she decided.

"Of course, Gilbert. Good friends." Ruby beamed.

...

Gilbert stopped by at Doctor Grayson's house just before lunchtime. Doctor Grayson had met Gilbert once before when his late sibling was ill many years ago. Doctor Grayson was well known for being more of an experimental doctor who dabbled in herbal medicine and homeopathy than he was a doctor of traditional practice but he was closer to the centre of town than the other doctors so many people used him for their every day injuries and illnesses. Gilbert had grown up looking up to the man as a pioneer of sorts in his field of work.

"Well, I never! Gilbert Blythe, all grown up. You were just a half pint when I saw you last. I heard you'd gone travelling after your father's funeral. My prayers were with you on that dreadful day but I unfortunately couldn't attend as I had a seriously ill patient in. My apologies for not being there." Doctor Grayson said as he let him in.

"Oh, don't worry about it." Gilbert dismissed.

"I suppose you're here to see James Riley? They said he was a friend of yours. If you're looking to make him talk you'll need a miracle."

Gilbert frowned. "Everybody said that James won't talk - I understand he's in shock?"

"Yes, I believe it was triggered by the killing of Joseph Bines but it was a delayed result of extreme emotional trauma. It's what happens when you push things down and don't let yourself experience the emotions which instinctively come. I see it often, sadly. Who's idea was it to tell little boys they couldn't cry?" Grayson shook his head. "Absoloute nonsense."

Gilbert followed the doctor through the tidy house to the furthest room, where Doctor Grayson gestured.

"What trauma? What trauma caused this?"

"All James has been saying since it happened is a girl's name... I think that he lost somebody and never truly got over it." Grayson sighed. "I doubt you'll get any sense out of him. But it's worth a try, hey?"

"Well, I'll see what I can do." Gilbert opened the door to James' room. Doctor Grayson waited at the door.

The room was darkened, lamps out and curtains drawn. The only light was the afternoon sun creeping in through the gaps in the curtain. Gilbert could just make out James was lying on a bed in the middle of the room, motionless in the dark. Gilbert stepped forward, looking down at his old friend. Gilbert glanced back at Doctor Grayson who held a hopeless expression, sighed and left Gilbert alone.

"James?" Gilbert spoke gently. "James, it's Gilbert. I just came here to see how you are."

James stirred in bed, rolling over and opening his eyes. Gilbert's own eyes had adjusted to the dark and he saw how sad and tired James looked. He sat down on the chair beside the large bed and clasped his hands in his lap. Gilbert had patience enough for this, he was in no rush for once.

"I know what you did... to Joseph. It must have been so hard. I just wanted you to know that it wasn't your fault and you couldn't have done anything else..." Gilbert said slowly.

James stared up at his friend wordlessly.

"They all want you to talk, to tell them where Joseph's body is... but I know what he's like, how he gets in your head." Gil's eyes glimmered, his words coming out slowly. "I don't want to put any pressure on. I just know from experience that if you keep everything in you'll lose your mind. Talk at your own pace, only tell me what you can manage. I only ask where it is for my own peace of mind - I can't truly relax until I see it."

James slowly sat up, wincing at the injury in his shoulder. He was still in a lot of pain from his injury. Gilbert watched him calmly.

"I did it... for Jasmine..." James whispered. Gil barely heard his words.

"Jasmine?" Gilbert frowned. "Who is she?"

"She's gone. Joseph took her away..." James bit his lip, eyes swimming.

"Oh..."

Gilbert realised then that Joseph had killed a girl named Jasmine who'd meant a great deal to James. His heart broke a little. He knew then why this had been so important to James, why he'd wanted to help so badly and put Joseph to justice. Gilbert didn't like that James had killed Joseph but he tried to imagine feeling the same way as James, having lost Anne... Gilbert found it hard to speak all of a sudden and his heart contracted painfully.

"I had to." James said. "I couldn't let him go, not again..."

Gilbert nodded. He understood.

"Nobody blames you for what you did -- they only want to thank you." Gilbert told him. "They tried to find the body on the roads but nobody knows where to look..."

"Blythe... he's not on the road. Joseph is in the woods."

"His body, you mean?"

James slowly nodded. "She did it so he won't be found... He doesn't want to be found she said."

Gilbert's heart stopped. "She? Who do you mean?"

James winced again, clutching at his shoulder. He was gasping in pain. He lay back down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He didn't answer Gilbert's question, only closed his eyes. A grimace of pain was contorting his face.

"I'm worried about you." Gilbert said.

"My shoulder will heal, if that's what you mean." James said breathlessly, eyes closed.

"That and... how do you feel?"

"He's never really gone. Not even after all I did."

James' words were emotionless but his eyes held more feeling than words could express. Gilbert's mind was whirring a mile a minute. Who was the girl James spoke of? And did James mean that Joseph was still alive? Gilbert leant forward, heart pounding hard in his chest. James stared back, unblinking in the dark.

"He's in the woods, Gilbert."

...

"I told you, Blythe. He's not all there... You can't get any sense out of him."

Doctor Grayson was dismissive of James' words but they clung to Gilbert's mind even after he'd left the doctor's house. He couldn't get it all out of his head. He's in the woods. He's never really gone. It struck fear in Gilbert's heart worse than anything else. What if Joseph really was still alive? What if he was waiting in the woods for Gilbert?

Gilbert walked aimlessly through the meadows all afternoon, tortured thoughts running away with him. It was almost time to leave for the search, the parties were going to depart from the town hall in just over an hour's time and yet Gilbert was still in the fields, mind in diseray. He didn't notice that he'd walked all the way to the fields adjacent to Green Gables... It was as though his feet had unconsciously brought him to the one person who kept him sane.

Anne was in the fields too, getting some fresh air despite Marilla's insistence that she needed more bedrest. Anne was not one to be cooped up indoors all day, she revelled in the open fields and sunny meadows, the trees all blowing in the summer wind. She wanted to soak it all in, to enjoy being outside and being free... She couldn't be shut away indoors any longer, not after Wolfsden Prison.

Anne wandered through the grasses, humming to herself and picking wild flowers. Anne's singing was what drew Gilbert to her. Overhearing the song he recognised her voice and walked up through the meadow.

Gilbert went to the fence and looked up, instantly knowing the familiar farm and an even more familiar head of red-hair billowing like fire amongst the tall grasses. Anne's figure seemed more delicate than a few weeks ago, thinner and more fragile. She'd lost a lot weight. Gilbert thought Anne looked as though she'd be blown away in the breeze like one of the flower seeds she was picking and throwing around. Her song was nameless, wordless yet full of joy and contentment.

He wanted to speak to her, to voice his concerns and let out the awful thoughts which were spinning around and around in his head. Anne would help, he always felt better for talking to her.

"Anne." Gilbert called.

Anne looked up, frowning. She knew the voice but she wasn't expecting Gilbert to be there. She thought he'd be at home putting his life in order. She was glad to see him. Anne still couldn't quite believe that she'd kissed Gilbert and that they'd confessed that they loved each other. It was like a dream. She was so happy, for once. Nothing could ruin that...

Apart from, it became apparent, the look of distress painted on Gilbert's face. Anne's heart instantly sank to see him so sad and afraid. Worried about him, she ran across the meadow and reached over the fence, offering her hands to him. He took them, his grasp tight and his eyes fearful.

"Oh Gil, what's the matter?"

As soon as Anne spoke, Gilbert felt regret for involving her. It was so lovely to see Anne happy finally but the idea of drawing the carpet out from beneath her feet with a few words about what James had said... but who else could he turn to?

"Anne, I've been to see James. He said awful things - I don't know what to think or believe... I can't get it out of my head." Gilbert bit his lip, his voice breaking slightly as he spoke. "I'm so sorry, after everything that's happened, everything you've been through -- I thought it was over. Oh I can't bare this. To finally see you so happy and to know I could take it all away with a few words..."

"Gilbert, what are you talking about?"

"He's in the woods. That's what he said... Joseph is in the woods." Gilbert let go of her hands and ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. He was getting worked up.

"Joseph is dead, Gilbert. James killed him."

"I don't know if that's true anymore!" Gilbert cried loudly. "After what he said, I just keep thinking -- what if he's still alive?"

Anne was taken aback. She'd never known Gilbert to raise his voice unless he was afraid or very, very angry and he never raised his voice with Anne. It was awful to see Gilbert so agitated and upset and especially shouting. Anne felt uncomfortable and his words sent a shiver dancing down her spine. What did Gil mean, Joseph was in the woods? It felt like a nightmare. Anne moved back.

"You're scaring me," Anne felt a lump in her throat.

Gilbert blinked, looking up at Anne. He swallowed hard. He saw that look in her eyes and he knew he shouldn't have shouted. He hadn't meant to, he never lost control like that. He was embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shout at you." Gilbert's words were gentle and sincere and he slowly held out his hand for Anne.

Anne didn't take it, she just gazed at the distressed boy with watching eyes. Gilbert felt sick that he'd upset her. It made him even more stressed out to know that he'd triggered her somehow, drawn back the haunted look which used to frequent Anne's eyes. Gilbert was always the one to protect and defend her, to look after her when she was upset and now he had done the exact opposite.

"Anne, I'm sorry." His brown doe-eyes were pleading. "Please..."

"What's going on with you?" Anne's voice was ever so slightly shaky like she was trying to conceal it but Gilbert noticed.

"I think Joseph is still alive... I have to find it - the body." Gilbert passed his hands over his face, breathing deeply. "If I don't see it I think I'll drive myself crazy worrying about it."

"I'm worried about you." Anne murmured, her grey eyes wide.

Gilbert couldn't tolerate that awful look, the fear which has returned in Anne's eyes. After all she'd been through, why had he told her? Now she would worry too and neither of them could do anything about it! Unless... If he found the body they'd both get some closure. Gilbert had to find the body, he had to know.

Gilbert reached up and gently cupped Anne's face, gazing into her eyes for a second. It calmed him knowing she was safe, at least in that moment. She didn't recoil or pull away which set his heart at ease slightly. She still trusted him.

"I'm sorry, Anne, my Anne girl, you deserve better than all of this. Stay safe, please." His quiet voice was a soft plea.

Then Gilbert turned and fled through the grasses, heading for the woods. Anne called after him, worry setting firmly back into her heart and mind. Oh damn that boy! Damn her wretched heart for caring so much about him. There was no way Anne could follow him - Marilla would never let her go searching for a dead body in the woods, let alone a living criminal if Joseph really had survived! Joseph alive, bitter and seeking revenge -- oh what a dreadful idea, such that Anne could barely think it. She was stuck there, watching Gilbert disappear over the hill into the woods. Anne had an awful feeling that he was definately going to find something horrific, whether it be Joseph's dead body or the evil boy alive and well waiting for him deep in the forest...

...

Gilbert didn't join up with the town hall's search party, opting instead to set off into the woods by himself. He could guess roughly where the incident had happened - it must have been the main road as James had been heading back from seeing him when it happened, he'd arrived to the town hall shortly after himself so James must have been delayed on the main road...

Gilbert felt afraid. What if Joseph really was alive? What would he do if he was? He hadn't thought that far ahead. Adrenalin surged through him as he ran along the beaten track that wove inbetween the thick trees. Late-afternoon sun shone in strips through the branches in the canopy, casting shifting, stretching lines of gold and dark.

Eventually Gilbert came to the main road and followed it along for a while. Tired of running he kept up a brisk walk, thinking hard all the way. Shortly he came upon a cart, skidded to the side of the road. It was laden with all types of goods, valuables and a big chest with William Barry's initials on it. Well the search party would certainly find these, thought Gilbert. Attached to the cart was a horse, impatiently standing, grazing on the verge grasses. At the sight of this animal Gilbert smiled in spite of himself.

"Sandy!" He patted the light-brown horse fondly. It neighed in what must have been recognition. "Oh, you're a good horse. What are you doing out here? The things you must have seen... poor animal."

Gilbert looked around the clearing, spotting hoof-prints riding into the woods. A horse must have rode away, loosened by its rider or -- ridden by somebody. Gilbert scanned the road and saw a body lying a little way up. Gilbert froze for a moment, looking it over. It was too big to be Joseph. Gilbert ran over and discovered it was a tall, broad man with a beard... It must be Redmond Bines. He was lying in a pool of dark blood. The blood wasn't fresh, Gilbert knew instantly that Joseph had done this. Flies had gathered in the warm afternoon sun to dance around the gunshot-wound and crawl on Redmond's palid face.

Gilbert felt sick. He squatted down and closed Redmond's eyes with his fingertips. Seeing it was a strange feeling, this was the first dead body Gilbert had seen since his father's. There was a twist in his chest at this thought. He had a strange urge to stare at it for a long time, perhaps leading from losing so many close ones before and seeing death so often at such a young age.

"Where is he?" Gilbert muttered to himself, searching his surroundings for any sign of Joseph's body.

He's in the woods. The words rung back to him and he stood up, turning to the trees. Maybe Joseph really was in the woods, literally amongst the trees. Gilbert stared into the shady forest anxiously. Joseph -- the body could be anywhere. He glanced back at Sandy and bit his lip. The horse watched him hopefully and breathed hard out of his nostrils.

"I'll come back for you, girl." Gilbert promised before walking into forest, following the horse tracks.

...

Officer Wilson was not quite finished helping Avonlea.

In fact, after Anne's wholehearted gratitude and his successful retrieval of her from the clutches of Wolfsden Prison he was embued with a new confidence to aid anyone who needed him. So Wilson was leading one of the search parties which had left Avonlea town hall at Three O'clock. The party was made up of Mr Gillis, Mr Davies and Wilson.

They'd been searching the woods for almost an hour when they saw it. A dark-coated horse was grazing amongst the trees, laden with a saddle and reins.

"Who's horse do you think it is?" Mr Gillis asked as they approached.

"It could have belonged to Joseph Bines, or even Redmond Bines." Wilson guessed. "Perhaps somebody else but it's unlikely. We'd better take it back. Somebody lead it, we will take it to the hall. Let's follow it's tracks, come now."

The man named Mr Davies grabbed the horse's reins and patted its neck, soothing it. He was fond of horses, he owned three himself and helped out at many stables in Avonlea as a consultant and equestrian. The horse appeared a little shaken up, distressed by the sight of strangers. The poor animal had been through something traumatic recently, Mr Davies could tell.

They proceeded with caution, trailing Wilson who was tracking the horse's faint path through the trees. Up ahead there was an outcry of shock and the path was forgotten. The group ran towards it, not knowing what to expect. They saw two figures through the trees. It was like a scene from a thriller novel - a tall man, angry and brandishing his fists. Opposite him was a dark-haired, pale boy with his hands raised in defence.

"Calm down!" The dark-haired boy was saying.

Wilson realised the boy who spoke was Gilbert Blythe. The search party stopped in the trees, surveying the situation anxiously. The tall man was smartly dressed but his clothes were in a state and his voice was raised when he spoke. Who was he?

"Stay back, you meddlesome pest!" The man yelled angrily.

"It's alright, Thompson." Gilbert's voice was clear and calm. "I won't tell anybody you were here if you just promise to calm down and leave now."

Gilbert had been so afraid of finding Joseph still alive. Then something else had happened - he'd been tracking the horse and he'd found Thomson instead, walking in the woods. What had he been doing there? Gilbert had called out to him, staring at the figure in shock but his fear had deserted him. He was strangely calm. Thomson on the other hand was angry and afraid of Gilbert telling anyone what he was doing there.

"It's Thomson, who works for Mr Barry." Mr Gillis gasped.

"Just stay back! You don't understand this, or any of it. I have to do this. Leave now!" Thomson pulled something out of his jacket pocket.

"You don't need to use that. Put it away, friend." Gilbert said softly.

"He's got a gun!" Hissed Mr Davies to Wilson.

"You don't understand. I need to find it, it's my only chance!" Thomson was desperate.

Wilson could see the tremor in Thomson's hand as he held up the weapon in warning. He could tell that Gilbert wouldn't back down, he was too brave and maybe too naive.. But Wilson knew Thomson well as their families were old friends so Wilson knew that Thomson was not as good a person as he seemed. He was cold-hearted and nothing stood in the way of him and his ambitions.

"We must apprehend him before he shoots the Blythe boy--" Wilson said. "Quickly!"

"I'm not afraid to shoot!" Thomson cried.

"Thomson put it down--" Gilbert was interrupted by a surge of men through the trees.

The group ran forward and Wilson brutally tackled Thomson to the ground, their bodies thudding hard onto the dirt. Thomson groaned and shouted, trying to push Wilson off. They easily outnumbered, therefore overpowering him and Wilson produced handcuffs.

They soon discovered the reason Thomson was wandering the woods.

"You were looking for Joseph Bines' body?" Mr Barry was horrified to hear this when they brought Thomson to Barry estate for questioning.

Thomson was ruddy-faced and humiliated as he stood there in front of Mr Barry like a naughty schoolboy. Really he was something even more pitiful - a grown man, behaving like a child. Thomson had been searching the woods for the body and was determined to find it and claim the credit for killing Joseph. James had done it of course but nobody knew that for sure - he was in shock and raving about revenge, he was not in his right mind and Thomson knew that if he just had the right words and circumstance everybody would dismiss James Riley and believe him instead. Or, they would have done...

"I just wanted to be respected, is that too much to ask?" Thomson blurted out angrily.

"Respected?"

Mr Barry was furious that a man of his employment had once again brought shame to Avonlea and especially to their family. At a time of such public embarrassment as well...

"Respect has to be earned, respect has to be deserved." Mr Barry hissed. "These actions are so far from deserving of respect that I feel positively sickened at the thought that anybody knowing about it."

Mr Barry paused and passed his hand over his face slowly.

"The truth is, everybody will know about it - Mr Gillis saw the whole thing and that man can spread secrets like wildfire." Mr Barry said. "It runs in the family to gossip."

Thomson just stood there, not knowing what to say. He felt anger, more than his shame. He wanted to make it up to Mr Barry somehow, to prove himself still but how could he? Why did he even want to prove himself to such a man who had humiliated him? Thomson was angry he had been caught, he was angry that Anne and Gilbert had thwarted him so many times before and he was most of all angry at himself for caring about what Mr Barry thought.

"You will have to be fired, of course. I think that is quite the lesson you need. Leave me now, Thomson." Mr Barry sighed irritably.

As the very dejected and furious Thomson was leaving, he walked passed the parlour where he heard Mrs Barry talking to her daughter Diana. Something about their tone of voices made him hang back and listen. They never usually spoke so gently to each other, there always remained a thin layer between them - the high-class reservations of social expectation. But in that moment they sounded almost vulnerable and open-hearted.

"--everything's changed now... in light of this and your actions of late - Your bravery, I think you deserve it." Mrs Barry was saying softly.

"Really Mother? This is just the thing we need to cheer everybody up after all the unpleasantness recently." Diana gushed.

"You can hand out the invitations tomorrow at school and stop by at the Cuthberts and Gilbert Blythe's home too - I doubt they'll be back at school for a little while."

"This is wonderful, I'm so excited. Thank you!"

"There's no point in letting all the party preparations go to waste is there? Especially after all of the things you did to help Anne's innocent be proven..." Mrs Barry paused. "I always knew you were a bright girl but you truly are a miracle. You bring me so much pride, Diana."

There was silence and Thomson heard Diana shift in her seat to hug her mother. So they were having a party? Diana's birthday party for that Sunday was going ahead after all... Thomson knew how important parties and gatherings were to the Barrys... They were a great social event, talked off between all of Avonlea for weeks beforehand and afterwards.

Suddenly Thomsom had an idea of how to make it up to Mr Barry... He smiled a sly smile to himself before laying his plans into place and making his leave of the Barry estate but it wasn't the last time he'd enter the house - no he'd be back there very soon to ignite the final step of his plan.

...

It was never destined to be Thomson who found the body of Joseph Bines, it was Gilbert Blythe later that day.

Once the group had left for Barry estate the determined boy set off again, soon discovering blood smeared on a tree trunk not far from where he'd stumbled upon Thomson. Further on he went and there it was -- Gilbert didn't realise it was a grave at first, it just seemed to be a mound of dirt, freshly dug with a large rock placed on top of it. Then the pieces came together... Somebody had dragged Joseph's body off the road into the trees and buried him. But who? James certainly couldn't have done it, not with his wounded shoulder and traumatised state of mind. Somebody else came after and did this... Thomson? No, he hadn't made it this far into the woods and if he had he'd have definately wanted to keep Joseph's body out of the ground to prove he'd found it.

Gilbert leant down beside the mound, a strange feeling rising in his chest. He had hated Joseph, even feared him a little and most of all feared what he would do to Anne. To know he was truly in the ground was a relief but it was horrible knowing somebody died for this peace of mind. Gilbert wasn't glad that Joseph had died. He had wanted Joseph in prison, definately but death was so final. It didn't seem right.

As he was looking at the grave mound, Gilbert noticed a long, curling strand of hair caught in the earth. He pulled it out easily and held it in the sunshine. It was red, he observed with a shocked expression. There was only one person with red hair in all of Avonlea... But it couldn't be Anne's, could it?