Anne didn't say a word.

She was afraid this whole moment might shatter away like a fading dream if she spoke. Gilbert had been in denial, telling her to let it go as though it meant nothing and now he was standing there with pain screwing up his face as he gazed at her like his heart was breaking. She didn't think he'd been affected by their break up at all but he looked just as hurt as she was.

"It's my fault." He'd said.

"I have no choice." Gilbert continued, his voice wavering. "It's the only way. You don't understand."

"Tell me. Explain it to me, please. Help me to understand." Anne breathed, afraid he'd push her out again.

"I can't. I can't risk it-- no." He shook his head.

Gilbert felt like he was falling, plummeting faster and faster towards a certain doom... The doom of confessing the truth and putting Anne's life in danger. His heart stabbed as though Anne's words were knives. He took a deep breath as his head was spinning.

"Please, I-- I miss you." Anne's voice broke. "I miss us."

Anne suddenly stepped forward and grasped his hand, her soft, familiar fingers wrapping around his sending tremors of electricity through his arm. He felt it rush straight to his heart. He couldn't keep this up and stay strong if she continued, if he let her in again... He had to get away before she convinced him to tell her the truth.

"No, Anne. We can't be together. There is no us." He pulled his hand away and stumbled back.

"I miss you." Anne said it again as though she couldn't help herself. Her words were barely a whisper but they brought shivers up his neck like the breeze snaking between the trees around them.

"Stop! I can't do this." Gilbert cried out abruptly.

In the blink of an eye he turned and strode away through the trees.

What he'd really wanted to say was I miss you too.

...

In town, the hostel.

The Wolfsden gang had been busy.

That morning they'd risen early and headed to the local board house hostel to rent a room for the week with some money they borrowed from Peggy's sister Rosalie. Their plan was to stay in town for a while, to learn more about this gang of ambushers. Jerry Baynard was their only contact in Avonlea for information while Anne was at school so they intended to visit him after booking a room. They wanted to know everything they could about Avonlea and anybody who could possibly be in the ruthless gang who attacked them.

On the way up the steps to the hostel they bumped into a young man carrying bags. His luggage went sprawling across the ground and January scrambled to help him gather his things. Peggy stepped back, watching warily.

"Oh I'm sorry--" The man blanched before squatting down to help pick up his bags.

"No, it was our fault too." January said, straightening up once everything was sorted.

The man had a striking presence which captured their attention. He wore a dark-blue coat and his bright eyes gleamed with a grateful smile but anyone observant enough could tell he was masking a hidden sadness. He was handsome and charming, and held himself with a surprising confidence from one who had been residing in such a lower-class accommodation. His long, high-collared coat gave him the appearance of a traveller of sorts - somebody who had visited lands of more exotic fashions.

"The name's James Riley, thanks for helping out." He grinned broadly, shaking January's hand enthusiastically.

The group noticed that the young man had an accent, perhaps from Ireland. January narrowed her almond eyes in surprise at his brash introduction. She wasn't used to such bold familiarity with strangers. Pleasantly taken aback, she shook his hand just as firmly.

"Oh -- uh-- I'm January."

"A true pleasure to meet you." James said slowly. His eyes held her gaze almost a moment too long. Just as January thought he'd never look away he said, "And your friends are?" And glanced over her shoulder to greet them.

January hesitated. They were supposed to be keeping a low profile... this man could be anyone. Even police. It was risky sharing their identities with anyone. But something about him relieved her, gave her the impression of somebody trustworthy and decent.

"This is Kes and Peggy." January introduced them.

"Nice to meet you." James smiled and nodded his head in respect. Then he turned back to January, who he seemed most attentive of. "Are you looking to stay here at the hostel? If you are then I'm sad to miss out on friendly neighbours for a change."

"Well, just for a night or two." The heat of James's gaze was intense upon January and she felt almost flustered. For January this was a rare feeling.

"I wouldn't recommend it," James said, furrowing his eyebrows in disapproval. "Not for decent folks like you. If they don't respect long-standing clients then Lord knows what they'll do for newcomers like yourselves."

"Really?"

"They said I had to leave when I was late for rent by just a day." James scratched the back of his neck, his charming smile falling.

"We don't 'ave anywhere else to go," Kes said. "We got to take that chance."

"Do you have somewhere?" January asked James with genuine concern. She was invested now.

James paused in thought. "Yes, I think so. I'd like to hope so, anyway."

"A friend?" Kes asked nosily.

"A good friend." James said. "I haven't seen him in a while, but it's about time I paid him a visit."

There was a comfortable silence as the mismatched group stood in the dark street beside the hostel, not out of place for once as the dingy board house held people from all walks of life, passing through. The Wolfsden gang saw something in James, a familiar sense of loss and perhaps a lack of belonging that they related to and trusted.

"Well, good luck to you." January said and smiled slightly.

"You too." James' cheeks dimpled into one of his dazzling smiles. "It was an honour."

"We'll you around, I'm sure. Avonlea is small." January laughed to lighten the mood.

"I hope so." He said, eyes locked.

It was like Kes and Peggy weren't there. His gaze was linked to January's and everything else faded away. James paused, almost not wanting to leave. Something about January made him comfortable, relieved.

It had been so long since he'd shut himself away in his room, hiding from reality - the reality of his deteriorating mental health and the reality of Scarlett being back. Now his funds had run out and he was forced to face reality, to move forward whether it was into a storm or not. This pleasant interaction was enough to ground him that not everybody in the world was dangerous, cruel and set to ruin other people's lives.

There were still good people. He still had friends. He could still make new friends.

James turned and set off down the road to seek out his old friend.

"Odd chap." Kes remarked, pushing his ginger curls out of his face.

"Odd doesn't matter. He was a good man." Peggy said, watching him go.

"How do you know he was good?" Kes frowned.

"I can tell," Peggy shrugged. "Laughter lines, gentle eyes, honesty. He wasn't afraid of being himself."

January rolled her eyes but deep down she agreed. She didn't want to say anything but she hoped she'd see James again.

"Come on you amateur detectives, let's try this dump for ourselves."

...

When Gilbert got home that day he felt emotionally drained.

He heard Bash cooking in the kitchen and he couldn't face going in, knowing the older man would pry and Gilbert couldn't explain it all again. After Anne's words, her touch, it was haunting him. Her soft hands, her pleading voice. I miss you. Gilbert couldn't explain it all to Bash.

Feeling out of place in his own home, Gilbert instead busied himself with farm work, hoping it would take his mind off things. He'd remembered Bash had mentioned a fence that'd broken in the old apple orchard. Gilbert hadn't been in there for a while, and not nearly as much as he used to before his father passed away. The orchard was inexplicably linked with his father and Gilbert thought about him every time he went into it, but he took his tools and set to work despite this.

As the sky darkened and the sun travelled lower in the sky Gilbert's mood darkened further too.

Try as he might he couldn't rid Anne from his mind. She plagued his thoughts endlessly, tugging at the fragments of his broken heart. Gilbert didn't even wish for mercy or relief from it because he knew he deserved every minute of agony.

Gilbert was angry with himself for nearly letting it all out and confessing to her the truth. How could he be so stupid? To almost put her in danger that way, risk that? He had to stay away from her, even at school. He clearly couldn't handle being near her.

After a while the turmoil of thoughts and frustrations led to giving up on the fence altogether, the patience he needed for the task completely deserting him. Gilbert sunk to the soft ground, sighing deeply. If his Father was alive he'd have been the one to fix the fence, he always took care of the farm even up until before they went away to Alberta when his health was deteriorating.

"I wish you were here, Dad." Gilbert whispered, dragging his fingers through the long, uncut grass. It was wet with dew, glistening like Gilbert's glassy eyes.

Gilbert lay back on the grass and gazed up through the leafy canopy of apple blossom. Anne would love it here, she would imagine something romantic about the white flowers. Gilbert wished everything was different. He wished there had been another way.

"Blythe?" Called a familiar Irish brogue.

Startled, Gilbert sat up. "James!" He exclaimed at the sight of his friend emerging from between the trees.

"I was going to knock at the house but I heard the hammering and here you are. I hope I'm not disturbing you with your rest." James joked lightly as he approached.

"Not at all," Gilbert scrambled to his feet to hug James. "I was just battling against this blasted fence."

"The fence won, clearly." James smiled.

Gilbert noticed that James still had that shadow in his eyes. The joking was for Gilbert's benefit to cheer him up. Gilbert felt part of the weight on his shoulders lift... A part of the loneliness that had enveloped him lately. He clapped his friend on the back and half-smiled.

"It's really good to see you." He said.

"I can help you." James offered.

After assisting Gilbert with the broken fence, James sat down on the grass to rest. Gilbert packed up his tools and joined James. The warm summer breeze shifted through the orchard, rustling the leaves above them and stirring the flowers in the grass from their sleep. It was peaceful and calm, with the fresh scent of rain in the air. They sat in silence for a while, gathering their breath before Gilbert spoke.

"So, if I'm not recalling poorly, I promised a few days ago I'd fix your problem." Gilbert said. "I presume the reason you're here with your bags and such a defeated expression is that you've been turfed out of that awful hostel?"

James glanced at Gilbert. "You're right. I can't hide anything from you, Blythe." He didn't seem annoyed, only tired. "I left this morning. I'm sorry for coming here - I didn't have anywhere else to go."

"It's alright, you can stay with me. My housemate Sebastian won't mind and besides, there's a spare room." Gilbert consoled him. "Tell me, are you feeling any better?"

James hesitated. Where the dim lighting hid his feelings back in the hostel, the mixed emotions swam plain as day in his bright eyes. His face was pale and grey, tinged with lack of sleep and sustenance.

"The truth is -- I'm struggling, Blythe."

It wasn't often that James opened up emotionally. Gilbert listened carefully. They hadn't spoken since James had told him that he was still grieving, still drowning in regret and that he was getting kicked out of the boarding house.

"Ever since I-- ever since that... I... I'm still struggling with sleep, I still don't have a job, I'm completely out of cash and the hostel finally kicked me out." James bit his lip, trying to keep it together. "I don't know what I'm doing with my life. I'm afraid I'm going nowhere."

"It's going to be alright, Jem. You can stay here until you find a job and get back on your feet. I know you're in a dark place right now but it won't last forever." Gilbert promised him, gripping his friend's shoulder.

"Gilbert - I'm still in debt, and the collectors will find me eventually." James groaned. "They could take me to prison."

"Let me help you," Gilbert said firmly. "I've been travelling around town helping Doctor Rooke as this fever is sweeping through families at an alarming rate so I haven't had chance to visit you again -- I'm sorry for that. But now you're here, I can help you."

"How could you help me? It's a lot of money." James gazed at Gilbert incredulously.

"I have money," Gilbert leant closer and lowered his voice. "It's a secret where I got it from, you can't tell anyone."

"Friends don't snitch." James said.

"After everything happened I went to Guardinia Cottage where the Bines family stayed -- perhaps I needed closure of sorts -- and there was a whole stash of gold, jewels and all kinds of stolen things."

Gilbert paused, anticipating a reaction yet James merely listened.

"I saw it all there and I felt so angry with the entire Bines family and I thought of all the lives they'd ruined..." Gilbert took a breath, and met James' eyes. "It felt wrong afterwards, but I had this urge to -- to make it all right somehow, to get something positive out of all the-- the trauma. So I took a bag of coins. I know it was wrong, believe me. I haven't touched it since, I didn't know what to do with it and I couldn't spend it on my own gain, not after thinking who it might have been stolen from. Maybe they needed it more than me? But now I can help people, I can help you... you can pay off your debts."

James didn't say anything for a while. Gilbert waited, hoping James wouldn't judge him harshly for it. It was a decision he regretted and he hadn't used a penny of it so far but, surely of all the people he could have confided in... James would understand?

"I know you're struggling in more ways than financially, ways that are more important --" Gilbert went on. "But this is a way that I know I can help you. I can relieve some of the burdens you are struggling with... At least let me help you in one way I know I can."

"You're a good friend, Gilbert. And a good person. Don't tear yourself up over this any longer. I don't blame you." James said at last.

Gilbert felt a wave of relief. "So you'll accept the money?"

"After everything he did to us... everything he took from us. Why shouldn't we get something positive out of it?" James spoke in a quiet and oddly calm voice, as though he'd been contemplating his words for a long time. "I will accept half of the money to go towards my debts."

"Half?" Gilbert began, but James went on unflinchingly.

"Half for your college fund. Go to Medical School and live your life the way you want to. No more letting criminals change your path, ruin your future... We make our own paths now."

"No, I couldn't. After all, it was stolen. Whoever it belonged to before--"

"We don't know who it belonged to, we have no way of knowing. Don't you get it? It's too late to make it right for them." James said firmly. "But it's not too late for us."

"But I could use my half to help somebody who needs it. There's plenty poor, plenty sick in this town who need--"

"Then go to Medical School and learn how to help people forever. Money is not a permanent fix. There will always be more money but health is irreplaceable." James insisted. "You taught me that health is one of the most important things and should not be dismissed lightly."

Gilbert thought about it for a long time. James had a good point. His reasoning was sound. Gilbert couldn't afford medical school without these funds, no mind where they came from. With this money he could cut Queens Academy from his plan entirely and focus on his dream... He could take the test to Medical School that Fall, instead of taking the entrance exams to a teaching school.

It made sense.

"Alright," Gilbert said finally. "You're right."

James grinned. He was so relieved that some of his worries were irradicated and Gilbert had something good for himself after all he'd been through. He deserved it.

They sat in silence for a while, both lost deep in thought as the sun travelled lower and hung behind the orchard skyline whilst the breeze danced through the apple blossoms, shaking their branches and drifting petals down like weary snow. Gilbert thought about his Father again and for the first time in a long while he felt a lump come up in his throat. He missed him so much it hurt in his chest.

"My Father once told me I'd do something incredible when I grew up... do something that made the world a better place." Gilbert spoke softly, his voice quiet as the wind. He didn't speak of his Father ever, and it felt good to let out the thoughts he always pushed down.

"I remember when I was young, I planted some of these trees with him... and my brothers and sister." Ashen faced, Gilbert gazed up at the trees, now taller than he was. He was the last one left who'd get to enjoy them.

"I didn't know you had siblings. What happened to them?" James asked gently.

"A fever took them when I was a boy." Gilbert told James. "I'm the last one left... I miss them."

"That's dreadful. I'm sorry, Blythe." James put his arm around his shoulder and hugged him. "You're not alone."

Gilbert felt a pang in his heart when he thought about another person who would understand that loneliness... Anne. He wished he could explain why he lied to her, he wished he could tell her all his truths, she'd forgive him and they could go back to normal. She was his comfort, his light, his home. He felt lost without her, even for a short time. To know they were not on good terms and to know she was sad made him unsettled.

"I've made a terrible mistake, Jem. I don't know what to do." Gilbert said suddenly, overcome with missing Anne.

James frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"I love Anne, James. I love her more than I can describe. She loved me too, by some blessing... and I ruined it all." Gilbert's words spilled out like tears, thick and fast. "There's this woman -- this dangerous woman with a gang -- she threatened to hurt Anne if I didn't break off my relationship with her. I had to -- but now she's hurting and I caused it. I am afraid this woman might hurt Anne anyway, and I couldn't handle losing her."

James was shocked. "What? What woman? What did she look like?" He sat up straight, eyes wild.

"I-- I don't know -- she had a hooded cape and -- a knife and -- she had red hair." Gilbert stammered, trying to remember what little he'd seen of her as they'd held the knife to his throat in the woods.

"I know who she is." James said. "Gilbert, I met her. She came to my room, threatened me with a knife and asked me about Joseph Bines and Redmond--"

"You met her too?" Gilbert blanched.

"Yes -- her name is Scarlett Bines! She's the daughter of Redmond and the ex-partner in crime of Joseph. She's come to Avonlea for revenge for her Father."

"Revenge? What can we do?" Gilbert asked.

James was filled with conviction. There was no way he'd let Gilbert lose the girl he loved, not like he'd lost Jasmine Grace.

"Well I'm not afraid of her," James said with conviction. "I'm going to find her. If she wants revenge it's me she should be after, not my friends."

...

Once January, Kes and Peggy had secured a room at the hostel they headed back to Green Gables in search of Jerry Baynard.

He was their only connection in Avonlea who might be able to help them who's opinion of Anne wasn't affected by the awful rumours. They needed to find out information on the gang who attacked them. It was early evening when they made it back and found him sweeping out the barn, whistling to himself.

"Au revior, hello new friends." Jerry called. "Anne is in her room if you need to see her. But mind, she is still distraught."

"No, we came to see you." January told him. "We were attacked in the woods by a gang and we want to find out who did it. Is there anything you can tell us?"

"I don't know about any gangs. I stay out of trouble, most of the time." Jerry said. "Criminals have been known to pass through Avonlea but they've all moved on."

"What about this Joseph Bines person? We've 'eard about him... Is there a chance he 'ad any friends?" Kes asked.

Jerry almost laughed. "No chance. Believe me."

"Well, do you know anything that might help us?" January despaired. "They're still out there... they tried to drown us."

Jerry thought for a minute. "Well, there is one man who might know. During the investigation of Joseph, the man who killed Joseph Bines seemed to know a lot about him. He was the source of a lot information that helped Anne. It was in the newspaper. I read it."

"Really?"

"Yes... I think he was a friend of Gilbert -- although that doesn't go in his favour any longer." Jerry sneered at the mention of the Blythe boy. After upsetting Anne so much, Gilbert wasn't in Jerry's good books.

"What's his name? Where could we find this man?" January asked eagerly.

"I remember his name is James Riley." Jerry told them. "Gilbert will know where he is."

"Alright, we're going to Gilbert's house." January said. "It's time Gilbert made right for what he did."

...

"Why don't you go speak to Anne?" Matthew asked Marilla.

Marilla had been gazing out the kitchen window for the past fifteen minutes, her attention drawn from the task at hand - washing the dishes. Matthew had watched her repeatedly scrub the same plate that had been clean ten minutes ago. He knew what she was staring at, what was taking over her mind... It was Anne, who had returned home from school early, eaten supper in silence and left for a walk, settling on the top of the hill in the fields just about in view from Green Gables.

Startled from her thoughts, Marilla turned to Matthew who was sat sorting through paperwork.

"What's that now?"

"Go and talk to her." Matthew repeated.

"Talk to her? Anne? I don't need to." Marilla brushed it off.

"You've been staring out that window for the past ten minutes now. There's something on your mind and if it isn't Anne--'

"Don't be silly, Matthew. I have nothing to talk to her about." Marilla placed the sparklingly-clean dish on the rack to dry and flustered about with a cloth to dry the plates.

"It'll do you both good to clear the air." Matthew said, watching his sister avoid his eyes.

"Now, Matthew I disagree. Ever since she got back from school her head's been been in the clouds, with a face of thunder. She's brewing up a storm. She doesn't want to talk to me right now, if I go over there I'm sure she'll fly into one of her tempers and--"

"Well I'd go and speak to her but I haven't got anything to apologise for, see." Matthew huffed and stood up.

Marilla whipped around and fixed him with her shocked gaze. "Apologise? You'd have me apologise to the girl? I don't believe there's anything I need to apologise for!"

Matthew stared at Marilla in silence, many unspoken things flittering across his wide eyes. He understood where Marilla's opinion had come from, why she had forbidden Anne from seeing Gilbert but Matthew felt that the girl had suffered enough. That was if she even had done what the rumours said... Matthew for one didn't believe them.

Marilla was about to speak, but before she could say a word there was a knock at the door. Jumping on the excuse to escape the tense conversation, Marilla went to answer it. She was surprised to be greeted by Ms Stacy, Anne's kind and forward-thinking teacher from school.

"Miss Cuthbert! I'm so glad you're in." Ms Stacy smiled warmly, yet her eyes were sincere on a serious matter. "There is something I'd like to discuss with you, concerning Anne. Is now a good time to talk?"

"Uh-- of course. Do come in. Anne is in the meadow at the moment so we're guaranteed privacy for some time yet." Marilla said cheerfully, although the teacher's visit was most unexpected and she knew uncomfortable topics were bound to be touched upon during the discussion.

The two women settled at the kitchen table, Matthew having long-since deserted at the first chance.

"Do excuse the state of the place, we weren't expecting company." Marilla said.

"Nonsense, your home is beautiful, Miss Cuthbert."

"Do call me Marilla."

"So, where to start..." Ms Stacy paused with uncertainty trickling into her tone. She seemed weighed down with much on her mind but no knowledge of how to wade into it all. Finally, she began. "Anne is not herself lately... Her usual focus, dedication and enthusiasm has been missing for some time now. I understand she went through some traumatic things last winter, but she had applied herself very well up until recently. I sense she is struggling with some feelings of -- of -- anxiety, perhaps related to social expectations, her upcoming exams and her relationships with certain peers... I wonder if you could possibly enlighten me on any of it so I could better understand what she's going through now and therefore help her?"

Marilla was surprised by how observant and compassionate Ms Stacy was. Marilla almost softened, at the thought of Anne suffering at school too... But Matthew's insinuation that it was she who should apologise riled her again, and she steeled herself.

"Well, I know Anne is definitely not in her best spirits at the moment, but I don't see how you can help her. You see, she is indeed struggling with some feelings but I assure you they are merely the bitter aftertaste of being dealt a firm punishment. She will recover. I regret how this has affected her school work but I will speak with her and hopefully see an improvement." Marilla sat straight, her face emotionless and her tone firm.

Ms Stacy had the impression that Miss Cuthbert was a strict woman but she had always seemed so understanding of Anne's emotional temperament and it came as a shock to see her so desensitised to it.

"Oh, I see... Uh, do you mind if I ask what punishment she received and what for?" Ms Stacy asked timidly.

Marilla bristled with discomfort. "You must understand that she has behaved in a shameful way, Ms Stacy -- she had to learn."

"I see." Ms Stacy said gravely, although she did not entirely see.

"She is forbidden from seeing Mr Gilbert Blythe. They are not to speak or socialise in any way." Marilla revealed curtly.

"Ah," Ms Stacy bit her lip. "That certainly enlightens me somewhat..."

Marilla turned to look out the window to the meadows but she could not make out the redhead anywhere to be seen.

"Are you aware of their, um..." Ms Stacy hesitated. "Well, it is my belief that the relationship between Gilbert and Anne, the friendship and academic competition is highly positive and beneficial to both parties."

"So we all thought." Marilla scoffed. "Unfortunately, it no longer is that way. They are no good for each other. That's my final say in it."

Ms Stacy analysed the stern older woman for a few moments and came to the conclusion there was no use pushing it. Marilla was just as stubborn as Anne was and she would have to be faced with cold hard evidence of the truth to put aside her outright opinion. Enlightened, but partly defeated, Ms Stacy bade Marilla goodnight and set off home.

On her way home, a thought kept going over in her mind. It wasn't only Anne's anxiety that troubled her... Gilbert Blythe was struggling too. She made up her mind to help them both in any way she could.