This is a short (ish) story set during 'Anne of Windy Willows' which although its a great book, falls short somehow due to the lack of Gilbert. Please r&r. Sorry if you don't like it but it flowed better in my head (and my heart).

Unfortunately, I don't own Anne, Gilbert or Phillipa etc, fortunately I do not own Christine Stuart.

CHAPTER 1

"Anne Shirley! Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" Phillipa Blake threw herself at her friend as she departed the train and hugged her tightly. "I haven't seen you since the wedding, you haven't changed a bit, except, well let me see...there's something different...what is it? Oh..." she said with a michevious twinkle in her eyes, "Whats this on your finger? Don't tell me Gilberts finally making an honest woman of you!"

"Stop teasing Phil." Anne said exagerating a sigh. "You know I wrote and told you and yes, thank you again for telling Gilbert to try again. We wouldn't be at this stage without you and your matchmaking etcetera, etecetra"

"Oh fidlesticks. Fate intervened, I just gave you a shove. Anyway, have you told the delectable Dr Blythe about your visit?"

"Not yet. I wanted to surprise him."

"I think this will be the best surprise he could wish for Queen Anne. Come on, lets go back to the manse. Jo is looking forward to seeing you again too."

They set off in the direction of the home Phillipa shared with her husband, Reverend Jonas Blake, and their year-old twin sons Philip and Jonas. Anne hugged Reverend Jo and cooed over and kissed the boys - they really were adorable - then Phillipa showed her to her room.

"I'll leave you to settle in Anne," she said "come down in ten minutes and I'll have some tea ready."

"Thank you Phil, but I am really anxious to see Gilbert. I only have three days here and, sorry much as I love you, I love him more."

"As it should be my dear. Do you want me to come with you?"

"If you don't mind, just in case he's busy and can't spend any time with me."

Phillipa nodded in understanding, Anne was excited. She gave Anne a kiss on the cheek and closed the door behind her.

Oh I've missed you these four months Gil. Have you missed me? Do you still love me? Will my heart flutter when I see you like it did before we parted? Will I still make yours beat faster?

These thoughts and doubts were racing through Annes head as she changed and brushed her hair. There! she thought in satisfaction, I can't do anything about the colour but Gil has always claimed to like it.

Anne and Phillipa chatted about their days in Pattys Place as they walked the short distance to Redmond where Gilbert would soon be finishing his classes for the day. After a series of 'do you remembers' they entered the courtyard where the main enterence was situated. As they walked towards the door Annes heart started beating faster and her palms were moist. She was nervous.

Phillipa saw them first. (Anne only had eyes for Gilbert and he was standing with his back to them.) Phillipa heard a woman laugh and touch a man on the arm possessively, like he belonged to her, except in this case the man in question belonged to her dear friend beside her and who now, in realising the situation before her, had turned a deathly shade of white and had tears pricking at her - no not pricking - spilling out of her eyes.

Anne clutched Phillipa for support. Gil was there flirting with, if she was not mistaken, Christine Stuart. She had a flashback to one day, shortly after they had announced their engagement, an old college friend had said 'there is much more to Gilbert and Christine than you will ever know.'

She could stand it no more, Christine was...beyond contempt! Anne looked Phillipa in the face and then turned and ran - as fast as she could with tears tripping her - in the direction of Phillipas house.

Phillipa stood...what to do?

Impulsively she ran forward towards them.

"How could you?" she cried to a bewildered Gilbert. "I can't even know where to start with you!" she shouted at a smug looking Christine.

"Phillipa? Have you gone mad?" Gilbert asked.

"No! I haven't, but Anne might have gone mad into the 'depths of dispair' after what she's just witnessed!" Phillipa declaired, storming off in the general direction of Annes departure.

"A-Anne?" Gilbert chased after Phillipa, blood rushing through his body at hearing his beloveds name. "Phil, did you say Anne is here - in Kingsport?"

"Yes. She wanted to surprise you," Phil was still running "But I think she was the one who got the surprise. Really Gilbert, you are apart for a few months and you forget her, I expected more of you. Maybe not more of that spiteful cat, but Gilbert, I thought you really loved her. In my mind you two were the epitome of true love, the perfect couple, even more so than Jo and me, or any other couple I've ever met. My faith in providence has been shattered. I feel like my heart has broken too. Poor, poor Anne. I must find her."

"Wait for me. And Phillipa...don't ever doubt my love for Anne."