This is my first attempt of a fanfic about one of my favourite cartoon couples in my chidhood and teens: Candy and Terry, from Candy Candy. If you are a fan of Candy Candy, you know that their love, as Kyoko Mizuki said, was great, but could not bear fruit. I have read many fanfics in which they did not forget about each other and rekindled their love.I wanted to give a new focus, about them having moved on with their lives, and meeting again and being friends for a while, only to fall in love again, or, as Terrence would say later "This is not Terry and Candy falling in love again. This is Terrence and Candice. We are different now." The ending definitely will be a happy ending.There will be the usual characters, as well as some new ones. Those usual characters include Terry's friends Mark and Charlie. Charlie in particular will be prominent in the story. There will be also some historic characters such as Al Capone, Robert Frost and Ernest Hemingway.The characters are copyright of Kyoko Mizuki. Other characters are based on historic figures. The rest of the story as well as new characters are all mine. Any similarity with reality or other works is all either coincidence or influence.

Scene 1 of chapter 1. Candice and Terrence find each other in a party.

Thanks to all my fellow fanfic-ers and readers for the inspiration and ideas.

Chapter 1 : Reencounters in a Winter day.

Moving down the fuselage
Toward the open door
Catch you looking down outside
To see what lies ahead

One by one
You watch them fall
Fall through cloud
One by one
You watch them fall
No idea where they're going
But down

Where they've gone
Where they've gone

Watching as the sun goes down
I sit inside this plane
Notice how the city lights
Are like the nerves inside the brain

One by one
They're going out
You watch them dim

One by one

You watch them fall
And wonder where they're falling to

Peter Gabriel, 2002, The Drop

New York, 1925

A young widow wearing a flapper dress and blond curls graciously styled was checking on the guests. The young widow usually hated this kind of social functions, but she needed to go along with it, because she was helping her cousin to host this dinner party. It was supposed to be for a charitable cause close to her heart as well as her cousin's.

Not too far from the widow was a tall man with brown hair, cut short but in a shabby way, and deep blue eyes behind round eyeglasses was walking aimlessly at the party. He found out his school friends were organizing it, and it was also for a noble cause, so he decided to go.

The man got close to the widow, and with his deep voice and odd accent, a mix of British pronunciations and New Yorker inflections, said to the widow:

I never expected see you again here in New York, Candice White Widow of Aldray! What a nice surprise!

The lady turn to the gentleman, but did not recognize him.

- Thank you! Now, who are you?
- Come on, Candice. Don't you remember me?
- Not really.

The man took his eyeglasses off...

- Terrence Grandchester! Good to see you! - she said with a smile, shaking his hand. - I didn't recognize you with those glasses and the haircut! Looks good on you, by the way!
- Thank you dear! Yes, a lot of people are shocked. I just thought I needed a change of image, now that I am nearing my 30's.
- What brings you here?
- I am told you moved recently, and then I met with Archibald yesterday. He told me about this event. I still don't like these kinds of events, but I decided to come to catch up and also to make a donation. You moved here recently, didn't you?.
- Yes. Barely a month ago. I accepted a position as a chief nurse in a hospital. I also wanted to forget about... The accident. - Her expression changed. She was melancholic.
- Yes. I read about it. Albert did not deserve to die that way. I was looking forward to meet you and him in Chicago a few months ago.

Terrence spoke sincerely. He thought he was ready to face Candice and not feel any melancholy. After all, it has been ten years since they separated. Also he thought that if someone deserved Candy, it was Albert. He and Albert had rekindled their friendship two years before, when they went together to three business trips, one of them to England. During the last conversation, Albert had invited Terrence to his mansion in Lakewood and Terrence was looking forward to see Candice, now with other eyes; the eyes of a friend. Candice was just a fond memory of his heart, and he believed that he meant that much for her now.
- How come you weren't in the funerals? - Candice asked him.
- I was in England at the time. I was attending my father's funerals. He was murdered by some terrorist Irish group during a revolt in Ireland.
- So now you are a Duke?
- No, my half brother inherited the title. But my father considered me in the testament, and left me the title of Earl of Grandchester. Quite ironic, considering I am still a bastard child.
- I also heard about your divorce from Susana two years ago. It was all over the papers.
- Don't tell me about it. The subsequent months were tormenting. She had tetanus and her mother was chasing after me all the time. I am not happy with Susana's death, but at least his mother left me alone after that! In fact, she told me I wasn't welcome in the funerals.
When did she die?- Candice asked amazed.
- The following year after our divorce.
- So that's the reason you traveled with Albert.
- Indeed. I needed to escape for a while of the torture that Susana's mother was inflicting. I felt guilty and offered help in other ways but she and her mother rejected it.

At that moment, Archie got close to his two old friends. Ever since he moved to New York, Archibald and Terrence became much friendlier than in the past. Archie was there in a "trial separation" from his wife Annie, although he often went to Chicago to keep an eye on the business of the Aldrays. With Albert's death, he was the new head of the family.
-Well, well well, finally a reencounter of the two former lovebirds. -He laughed.
- Yes. -Candy answered subtly pretending anger. - Thank you for not letting me know that Terrence was coming here!
- Come on Candy! I wanted to give you a surprise. Besides, lately Terrence has become a good friend of the Aldrays.
- You are talking as if the Aldrays were you and Albert only. - Terrence laughed.
- Anyway Terrence, any plans after the party. Charlie and I are planning to go to a new nice club downtown. It's supposed to have great music... and interesting people, if you know what I mean!
- I am sorry, I will have to decline. I need to keep up with my new play; check it with the editors, you know.
- You have been declining for the past month! Life is too short Terrence! - Archibald winked. Candice looked at him with an expression of discontent in her face.
Another guest suddenly called Archie and he left. Candy sighed.
- So this is what Archie has been doing for the past few months? So much for a trial separation. - Candice said with an annoyed tone.
- He said to me that he separated from Annie, but never said it was for a trial. And given his lifestyle since we rekindled friendship, this definitely does not seem like a trial at all.
- I will seriously have to talk to him.
- Candice, haven't you learn something after all these years?
- What do you mean?
- No matter how good your intentions are, you cannot keep fixing other people's lives, especially at our age. There only is so much you can do.
- Terrence, Annie loves Archie so much, and it hurts me seeing him in so much pain while he...
- Pain is an inevitable part of life Candice. But time does not stop and neither do changes out of our control. Let him be. If it is meant to be, he will come around.

Candice was impressed with Terrence. He definitely seemed more mature than the Terry she remembered. Although she did not like him being so complacent with Archibald. Archie had to be back with Annie somehow, Candice thought.

- I think I am going back home now. I am a bit tired and need to go to my first day of work- she announced.
- Where do you live? I can give you a lift, if you want.
- Are you sure? I don't live in Manhattan. I live in a neighborhood in Queens called Astoria.
- I live in the area. It will be my pleasure. - Terrence smiled.
Candice and Terrence said goodbye to some of the guests and advanced together to the car.

Archibald ended up closing the party, and went to Charlie.
- Hey Charlie! Ready to go?
- Always ready. Did you convince Terry to come with us.
- He declined... It seems like all these writers he is friends with are having a bad influence on him: that Hemingway and that Elliott guys, for example.
- Yeah, he changed a lot since he decided to take up writing, and succeeded with it. It's his loss. So Archibald, tell me about this new place.
- It is in Midtown. For what I have heard, a lot of interesting people go there. It is a great place to network with other wealthy people and colleagues. Also, aspiring actresses and the daughters from wealthy families in New York are swearing for it. Besides, it seems like the musicians playing there have been great too. So this is a perfect place to check out. - Archibald winked.
Charlie responded laughing. -You have not divorced yet and now you are looking for your next prey in wealthy girls.
- If you don't mind, I would much rather not talk about my marital problems. This is not the time, Charles.
- It's Ok. Let's go to your car.

After five years of marriage, Archibald Cornwell decided to separate from Annie. There was tension in the marriage for some time, which was reaching the heights when Archie decided to leave Chicago in order to protect himself from Al Capone, who has been menacing the Aldrays for sometime, especially when he got associated with Neil Leagan. It seems that the security they had with Aunt Elroy disappeared after her death. He had told the Brightons, as well as Candy, that theirs was a trial separation. However, in New York, not only Archie decided to continue his career in business, but also he joined forces with Charlie to open a jewelry. Charlie was introduced to Archibald by Terrence, and the three frequently reunited, although Terrence was not interested in the big frivolous parties or new clubs. On occasion, however, Terence would flirt and have fun with some of the attractive girls he was introduced to by Archibald and Charles.

Meanwhile, in another car, Terrence and Candice were talking.
- So, -Candice said - I see you have succeeded a lot as a writer. I read that the critics loved "Darkness and the Sunshine." They consider you among the most promising writers.
- Well, I have to thank my fellow writers for encouragement and support. Frost, Elliot and Ernie have been also toughest critics.
- So, you are abandoning acting?
- Not really. However, I am choosing characters more carefully. I want characters that are more complex. After The Picture of Dorian Grey and a few plays by Eugene O'Neill. I decided to make choices like that. Besides, I started to like writing a lot. I found it to be a way of self-expression that I enjoy enormously. I can be myself and speak my mind while writing. And I got to know like-minded people.
- I have read some of your books... But your vision is rather dark.
- I just see life as it is, Candice. So do my fellow writers. Anyway, let's talk about you, for it has been so many years. How have you been?
- I am still struggling, as you can see. Albert's death was too recent, after a month. I was very happy with him.
- I don't doubt how much he loved you. He used to speak so passionately about you when we rekindled our friendship... - Terrence wanted to ask Candice if she was still pregnant, but stopped himself. He suspected about what did really happen, but he wasn't sure if his friend knew about the circumstances that lead to the accident. She already was melancholic enough.
- What about you Terrence? - she asked trying to cheer herself up. - What else is happening in your life aside of acting less and writing more.
- What can I say... Talking to writers, philosophers and editors; sending publications, reading plays, and rejecting them this past month, and on occassion being an accomplice of Archibald and Charles, although more for openings related to art, theater or a book publication.
- Charles? You mean your friend Charlie?
- You seem to have a good memory. - Terrence smiled - Yes, that Charlie. When Archibald moved to New York, I introduced Charles to him. They seemed to get along quite well. In fact so well they opened a business together.
- To think that you and Archie has a rivalry in college - she smiled lightly.
- We grow up.
Candice kept directing Terrence, and he was amazed of all the coincidences. It was his way home too. It ended being more impressive when they arrived to the building where she lived.
- How couldn't I realized you moved here? - Terrence said.
- I just found the apartment two weeks ago. Why should you have realized it?
- Because I live here too! -
Now it was Candice's turn to be amazed.
- This is too much of a coincidence. I am in the second floor, the one in the right end.
- I am at the third floor. The one on the left end.
They looked at each other and started laughing. Then Terrence parked his car, opened Candice's door and they both entered. They excanged phone numbers, too.
- Candice... I know you have not seen me in a long time, but now that we have found each other, I hope you don't mind us being friends. I think you might need one, given your current circumstances. And I am a floor away from you.
- Thank you Terrence. I don't mind it.
They hugged each other and Terrence said to her. - If you feel lonely, please, don't hesitate. I am sure this is what Albert would have wanted.
- Archie is taking care of me too, but thank you!
Each of them went to their respective apartments.

Annie was seating in the garden of the Brighton house. Since her separation from Archie, she decided to move back to her parents. She stayed for a while with Candy until Albert's death, but once Candy left the house, she could not bear it anymore.

Tom was with her and decided to bring her some comfort.

- He wasn't worthy of you, Annie! How could he not compromise with you where to move? - Tom said with some bitterness in his voice.
- Why did he decided to leave? Why was he so hell bent on New York? He didn't even consider my opinion on the issue. Just said "come with me or I will leave." - Annie was melancholic.
- Maybe he knew you were not coming. I did not like that Archie. He criticized Candy's boyfriend before marrying Albert because he left her for another woman and did not care about her feelings. Ten years later he is doing the same.
- Maybe it is not Archie's fault. Maybe I should have gone!
- No, Annie. It is not your fault! Has Archie got in touch with you at all? Tried to persuade you?
- No. He has not.
- Then you have the answer there!
- Thank God Patty is coming tomorrow afternoon to Chicago.- Annie Sighed-. I hope being with an old friend will help me to heal these wounds. Remember you promised me to pick her up at the station.
- And I will do, Annie. It will be my pleasure to see her after such a long time. I missed her at Pony Hill. I hope she goes back and spends more time working there... - Tom got absorbed in his thoughts.
- Are you still in love with Patty?- Annie looked at Tom intrigued.
- Like it matters - He said lowering his gaze. - Her parents would never accept me. She would never accept me. I don't come from a refined family like Stear does. I am a farmer. Besides, I am sure she must have found someone by now.
Annie did not know what to say. On one hand, she thought Tom and Patty would make a cute couple. On the other hand, she understood that social classes mattered for some people, and Patty's parents were among them. But Annie never talked to Patty about Tom or what she felt for him.
- What about seeing other girls?
- Come on Annie! Are you kidding me? I am not the type that goes to events just to get a girlfriend. I am content dividing my time between my farm and Pony Hill.
- But at your age you are still unmarried Tom. Jimmy Cartwright is younger than you and got engaged recently.
- Yes, and received a scholarship to study medicine too. He had chances. By the way, he already set the date of his marriage. It's supposed to be in two months. We have to call Candy and let her know.
- Not today though. It might be too late where she is. - Annie said.

Several hours later, Candice was having the same nightmare in the form of a flashback again.
Lots of shootings from guns and machine guns thundered at the place she was dining with Albert. She clearly remembered the men in suits carrying the weapons.
Albert covered Candice and ran with her to the car. She felt protected by him.
Then Albert started the car... As he was driving, he saw the car behind and increased the speed.
One man got half of his body out of the car, and started shooting like a maniac. Some bullets were piercing the windows.
- Candy, get down! - Albert yelled. She obliged.
More weapon noises thundered the atmosphere.
After some minutes, the car got beside Albert and a gun gave him repeated shots. - That's your lesson for messing with Al Capone.- A male voice shouted.
Candice moved up her eyes to find her husband's who was whispering her name and looking at her with love while blood was pouring from him.
- Candy... At least I am dying seeing you. - He said before his body became lifeless and fell.
- AAAAALBEEERT! - She cried mere seconds before feeling the car falling of a ramp...
The next thing she remembered was waking up at the hospital. She saw the doctors talking to Annie. She pressed her belly, where her unborn child used to be... And she felt nothing.
She started screaming and crying: - ALBERT... ALBERT... MY BABY...- And then sobbed.
Annie ran by her side. Candice told her between sobs: - Annie, I lost my baby! - Annie held her hand.
-Calm down Candy! - She said between tears. - I am here with you.
- Don't leave Annie. I feel so lonely!Candice woke up screaming, and then put her arms and face on her knees and cried bitter tears.

Thanks to sandybale for some inspiration.

While Candice woke up from her nightmare, in an apartment not far from her Terrence Graham also woke up, although for different reasons. He tried to go back to sleep for a while, but his attempts were in vain. Then he stood up to the kitchen to make some tea for himself.
"Tea and Writing." He thought. "I think this is what will soothe me to sleep."

For Terrence, his decision to take up writing as a side endeavour for his acting career could not be at a better time than in the 1920's. He was doing increasing complex characters in Broadway, and he was satisfied from moving from "the handsome tragic hero" to "The Frightening Broadway Villain," as he was called due to his last three roles: Iago in Othello; Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (doing Jeckyll with makeup and Hyde without it. He won an award for this); and Dorian Gray. In addition, he was acting for such playwrights as Eugene O'Neill and Elmer Rice.

Terrence first started with plays, given his theatrical background, but after reading again some of his favourite works from his teenage years, including Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Heart of Darkness by Conrad and Hunger, by Knut Hansum, he looked at his private writings and got inspiration to try his luck with prose and verse. He sent a few poems and one short story to a literary publication, and not only he was overwhelmed by the warm reception of his first written work, but also got to know some writers who thought like him and were using their writing to express such thoughts. He started to be particularly close to Hemingway and TS Elliott and rekindled his friendship with Robert Frost, whom he met in London during his teens. He was soon invited to recite some of his poetry work at several cafes in Manhattan, as well as any reunion with fellow writers. He started loving his newly gained reputation and friendships, and that encouraged him to write more. Terrence decided to keep Graham as his pen name. He liked the fact that introspective writing and acrimonious attacks to established institutions were en vogue at the time, because this is the way and these are the themes he enjoyed writing about. He could freely express his Atheism and cynicism in a more adult sort of way. Writing also liberated him in another way. He finally got the courage to leave Susana Marlowe behind. He realized he did not owe her anything anymore.

Terrence served himself a cup of tea and walked to the room he decided to use as his studio. He grabbed his round glasses, which he put on, and started pressing his fingers in his typewriter, sometimes interrupting his typing to sip his tea. A grey cat was getting close to him several minutes later, jumping on his lap and purring. Terrence smiled at the cat.
- Looks like you can't sleep either my dear Nietzsche can you?- The author petted his cat for a while until he decided to curl on one corner of his desk, still looking at him. Terrence continued typing and drinking his tea.

Suddenly, Niestche, as if he was sensing something, went to the window, jumped at it and started to play with the knob, as if he wanted to open it.
-Niestche, stop that!- Terrence said looking at his cat, who seemed to ignore him. He frowned and went to pick his cat up, when he looked down and noticed someone at the entrance of the building, A woman with a winter hat that revealed a few blonde curls, and a matching coat was there crying. Then it downed on him!
- Oh My! Candice. In this cold weather! - he exclaimed. He left his pajama shirt on but put some dressing pants and a jacket on, and walked downstairs to the entrance of the building. Candice was still there, still crying. He got close to her and put a hand on her shoulder.
- I think you need a shoulder to cry on right now. - He said.
- Oh Terrence!- Candice replied by raising her glance towards her old friend. He sat beside her and hugged her as she put her face on his shoulder. He just let her cry for a while.
- Why life has to be so cruel? Why Albert had to die this way? Why couldn't I at least have my baby? Is it that I did not have enough faith in God? That I did not pray properly?
Terrence was going to reply "because there is no such thing as God, and religion is a load of bollocks," but he contained himself. This was not the time to discuss his opinion about God and religion. Instead he replied: - Life can be random, dear. Random and beyond our control no matter how much we wish for the contrary. Don't blame yourself.
- Albert was such a good man.
- I know... Candice, know that I am here to listen if you care to talk.- He said huskily.
- Oh Terrence! Ever since Albert died, the same memory haunts me every night in the shape of a nightmare, and I get tormented by everything that reminds me of it. Chicago was such a constant reminder of Albert.
- Accidents always occur very suddenly.
- I wish it was really an accident, as the official version rather than the reality. - Candice replied posing her eyes on Terrence's.
- What do you mean?
- Albert was murdered! MURDERED! The men of some Al Capone shot him to death! I can still hear the noises from the guns.
-Al... Capone!- At that moment, Terrence's memory flew to his last conversation with Albert. They were both in Central Park. Albert was telling Terrence about Neil Leagan's involvement with the Chicago mafia, and Albert's decision to investigate the issue.
- I think he suspects,- Albert told him -Because I have received threats from Capone. But I won't give up.
- Albert! - Terrence replied with some concern in his voice - I would suggest that you and Candice move out of Chicago. At least for a while.
- If I run away right now, I would be a coward.
- This is not a matter of cowardice but of safety, Albert! Capone is as clever as he is dangerous. And you are in Chicago, the very city where he operates. And you told me that Candy is expecting, so she needs you now. You are putting her in danger by remaining in Chicago.
- Calm down Terry. I don't think we are that much in danger. I will figure something out.
- Aren't you listening to me? - Terrence slightly raised his voice.- We are talking about a very dangerous man with networks of moles and spies. That's why it's called organized crime. You really don't know Capone!
- And do you?
- Not personally, but some actors in my troop work with him undercover. They are seeking wealthy and powerful men to kill or kidnap in exchange of money. And unfortunately, you do fit the profile! And having that bloody bastard of Leagan as his mole does not help any. I insist that you and Candice need to get out of Chicago!
- Don't worry, Terry. I will be fine. I have survived worse things than this. Have a little faith!
Terrence gave up. He realized that there was no use in arguing with Albert. They moved to a happier conversation, and Albert invited Terrence to visit him and Candice to Lakewood. Several months later, Terrence would find out that such visit would never happen.
"Albert, you bloody idiot!" Terrence thought. "What have you done to yourself and to Candy? Why didn't you heed my warning? ... And you Candy, how cruel has life been to you!"

Candice - Terrence asked- Aren't you supposed to start working tomorrow?
- I am. - she replied more calmly. - I will manage, I guess.
- It is cold in here and you don't want to get sick. Why don't you come to my flat? I have some tea that is good warm the bodies and soothe the nerves. I will prepare some for you.
- Are you sure, Terrence? I don't want to bother you.
- Helping an old friend in need does not bother me at all. - He smiled at her. - Come!
Both went upstairs to Terrence's apartment. He made Candice seat in a Tuscan-style sofa, and left to the kitchen for a few minutes. Then Candice saw a gray cat getting close to her, purring and meowing.
"A cat? I didn't know Terrence liked cats!" she thought. Then she started petting the gray cat when she saw Terrence coming back with a trey. - "Tea with biscuits on the side. English style!" He chuckled. While he was serving tea in the cups, he observed Candice petting his cat, who was too delighted to pay attention to his owner.
- Looks like Nietzsche likes you a lot. - He chuckled.
- You named him Nietzsche? Like that philosopher you adore?
- Either you have a good memory about me, or you have been following my interviews.
- Both, actually. I remember seeing books of Nietzsche with you at some point in the past. Also, when I read in interviews that he was one of your main influences as a writer. It does show in your stories and novels.
- So, you do read my written work? - Terrence asked amazed.
- On the days I wasn't over you, it was safer for me to read your work than to see you on the stage. But yes, I have collected all your stories and books.
Terrence felt touched by this statement. She still thought highly of him.
-It is funny, you know. - He said lowering his gaze. - I never thought such a cheerful woman like yourself would be interested in the dark and complicated writings of someone like me.
- Why wouldn't I? You are as talented a writer as you are an actor. Besides, thanks to you, I got to appreciate all the other people writing, like your friend Hemingway. Albert met with some of them through you, and got some of their works. I used to read them at night.
- Yeah. I remember Albert being a devoted fan of ours. One thing I liked about him was the ease with which he could adapt and talk to us tortured souls, and managed to be liked by my friends.- His eyes turned melancholic.
- You miss him too!
- I do. We became much closer during his last two years alive.
- He told me that you recite some of your poetry from time to time. I would like to see you recite sometime.
- Really? Well that can be done if my acrimonious criticism against God and religion does not offend your prudish Christian sensitivities! - He laughed
- Oh you! - She frowned and then laughed with him.
- Candice! I feel so happy now that I managed to make you laugh! Your eyes are too beautiful to be eclipsed by all those tears.
- Ever the smooth talker! - They both laughed again
- You know... There is an irony here. When we separated, 10 years ago, Albert was giving me comfort. And now I am mourning Albert, and of all people you are the one here, giving me the same comfort.
- I want to remind you that I want to be there for you, regardless of what happened in our past.
They talked and laughed for a while longer, until Candice started to feel sleepy. Terrence offered to give her company to the door of her apartment, and she accepted. When they arrived to her door, she said to him:
- Thank you for appearing at the right time!
- No need to mention it dear.
- Terrence, can I ask you something?
- Yes?
- Don't tell Archie that I know about the whole Al Capone mess. He will become too overprotective.
- Isn't he aware that you know?
- No. He isn't. He believes I went in shock and believe everything to be an accident.
- I won't. You have my word. As for you, promise me that if you have those nightmares again, you will knock on my door, or at least call me on the telephone.
- I promise! Good Night!
The two hugged and each went to their apartments. When Terrence went to bed, he thought before closing his eyes. "Archibald can't know about Candice's knowledge. It's all the more reason for me to take care of her. Albert, if you knew you were going to die and we would meet afterward, I know this is what you would have wanted. I will protect her as a friend."

what can you say?

a million ways to stay the same.

day after day,
a million ways to pass the blame

you catch me and hold me.
no more fountains, only rain.

Tim Bownes through No-Man: Only Rain