Thank you so much to my reviewers!

I just wanted to clear a few things up and say 1: No Briony and Leon (or any form of Cecilia's siblings) will be making an appearence in this story. 2: There is no crime that takes place, no one is falsely accused, which means no prison, and there is no war. (Some of you are thinking, What? Thats that MAKES the story! ...sorry folks.) Like i said, this is based, on Atonement, and its not the exact same thing, though, if you notice, I have taken some direct quotes from the book...I hope this doesnt take away from the story.

Read, Enjoy, Review!

-InnerSmile

Will drove the spade into the ground, lifted out the dirt, drove it into the ground harder…then lifted out the dirt, soon he found himself with a two foot wide hole that was suppose to only be big enough for a small framed shrubbery…of course his head wasn't in the right state. Why must he freeze or second guess himself every time he saw her there standing in front of him? He knew that she saw his bare feet sneaking across her foyer, and then he had to greet her with that goofy, guilty looking grin. Will shook his head at his own stupidity….He had to go talk to her and sort this out. Again he stood and brushed himself off, with the same confusion on weather to go through the front door, which was a disaster the first time, or walk all the away around the house and come in through the back, he hesitated. However, his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door closing, then a few seconds later, sight of Elizabeth going towards the pavilion, near the side of the house. She had changed her clothes and had the same book in her hand, a towel, as well as a small square object…he noticed she looked nice in that dress….perhaps he should tell her that. Her steps were deliberate, as if she was determined to make it to her destination unseen and undisturbed, as quickly, and seemingly effortlessly as possible. Will took a breath and made up his mind to follow her. First he took off his bandana and wiped his face and hands, then took a large gulp of his cool water (bought with his embarrassing price), and made sure his hands were sufficiently clean with both the cloth and the water, and pulled his hair back this the tie in his pocket. Now he felt a little more confident….he would need all the confidence he could get.

There was no one holding Elizabeth back, no one caring one way or the other if she left or stayed, it was merely the thought that she could be needed for something eventually. Besides, she always felt that sinking feeling every time she drove away from her father, waving from the drive, his hand raised Indian style in the air as she looked in the rearview mirror. Since her mother had died, she felt her responsibilities had changed…look after her father, make sure he isn't burdened with trivial matters that could be easily dealt with so he could be more focused on his work, be certain he takes his heart medication and check with his assistants that he makes all of his doctor appointments. Although, the thought of packing a suitcase and leaving a letter at her father's nightstand, telling him she's off to Paris for a week did excite her. – Just leaving for leaving sake. Just the thought that she could possibly do it if she really wanted to….but she had no motive, she didn't posses that sort of spontaneity. Besides, if she went away something bad might happen or, worse, something good, and something she could not afford to miss. Then there was Will who exasperated her with his habit of distance, and his grand plans which he would only discuss with her father, such as his art degree, and his plans to open up his own metal working studio one day. They had known each other since they were small children, and it bothered her that they were so awkward when they talked. Even though she felt it was largely his fault – she knew this was something that she must clear up before she thought of leaving…so much for spontaneous holidays.

Once she spent a few minutes in her room, going through the layers of semi-dirty and perfectly clean clothes strewn across her floor, she found her bathing suit. She figured that since Will was in the house, and would probably remain there while he had his lunch, she would go outside, get a breath of air and clear her mind. Perhaps take a dip in the pool and cool off, granted that no one was outside or near the pavilion when she did so.

She changed quickly and put a loose, thin sun dress over her two piece, then grabbed a towel from the bathroom, and her book from the nightstand. Her father's present, the watch, was sitting on her dresser, and she realized she had yet to set the time, or put her note inside the pocket of the lid….so she took it to, and told herself she might as well do something useful while she was outside – besides attempting to understand Clarissa.

Her towel was splayed out across the cement and her sunglasses were covering her eyes, it was hard to tell, especially not being right up next to her, if her eyes were open or closed, if she was dozing or completely awake. He shouldn't disturb her – he stopped…but he must talk to her – he continued. Her foot was faintly tapping as if she were humming to herself. He had been outside all day and was sure she could smell the sweat on him – he stopped…but he shouldn't ignore this unspoken distance – he continued. Before he knew it he was taking the couple of steps up to the pavilion and coming dangerously close to her. Will could tell she heard his approach because her foot ceased to move and her head tilted in his direction.

"Beautiful day" He said finally

"It is…." She said simply, then eventually added "bloody hot though. I don't know how much longer we'll all be able to take it."

He could tell that this was her attempt at making a joke, even if it was small, her attempt was what mattered. "Yes I know. The flowers haven't taken to it easily. I think the water bill might be double what it has been." And immediately he knew his stab at humor was the wrong subject, because her shaded eyes turned back towards the pool in front of her and she merely replied "Hmmm"

He took a seat on the lounging chair that was poolside; just a couple of feet away and let the silence resonate for a moment, feeling that the heat had risen a few more degrees.

"Are you enjoying Clarissa?" He asked, noticing the book at her side.

Her head shifted towards him again. "Boring. I wish she would get on with it."

"It gets better." He said definitely.

"I'd rather read Fielding any day." As she said this she turned and saw how he was leaning forward in the chair, looking out across the pool. She liked his eyes, so deep brown, but almost gold when the sunlight came upon them just right. He was a fairly big man, with a broad chest and strong arms, his hands were rough and jaw was strong, and masculine. It was fascinating to see someone with the combination of sheer bulk and with such intelligence.

"I know what you mean, Fielding has more life in his work, but seems so crude compared to Richardson." As he said this he gave her a small grin.

Elizabeth didn't think Fielding was crude at all, and she knew that grin wasn't for nothing, Will knew what she thought as well and was just trying to find a way to draw her into a differing opinion, a counter for his statement. She didn't want to get into a discussion about 18th century literature, not today, it was too hot, she was too frustrated, and too much at a loss for words. With any other person it probably wouldn't have bothered her to continue with such a conversation but he always wanted to challenge her, to defend and she didn't feel like getting into one of their deep debates.

Instead she said, "You know my father's birthday is tomorrow."

"Yes I know. What time is the dinner tonight? I'll make sure and come a little early to help set up."

She shifted a little, and put her weight leaning against one of her elbows. "Oh, you're coming…I thought – well I thought you'd be too busy…"

"No I'll be there." He said, almost hesitantly, she noted. "Unless you don't want…"

"What?" She said, with a little laugh in her voice. "Of course I want you to come, why wouldn't I?". She smiled, hoping he didn't also notice the nerves that were creeping up into her stomach.

For some reason the question didn't sound rhetorical to Will. He shrugged and moved his position in the chair, opened his mouth to speak, and then closed it again. He glanced around, trying to find another subject to keep the conversation going. The last thing he wanted was to end it abruptly, and let the discussion die just as so many had done the past few months. He noted the case sitting near his chair.

He picked it up. "Oh, is this your father's gift?"

Elizabeth set up and got to her knees. Her note to her father was inside, and she didn't want Will to read it. Not just him, but anyone who would have happened to open it besides her father. It was personal and she wanted only him to know what it said, even if it wasn't anything particularly special. "Uh yes, it's just a watch, nothing too important."

Will nodded, amused. "He'll like that… mind if I take a look?" He started to open the lid, but Elizabeth came forward and shut it abruptly.

"Yes. – I mean. No….But – I – It's just a watch. And I haven't even set the time yet." She said chuckling, attempting to recover.

"I can set it for you." He said, again trying to open the lid.

"No! …that's alright. I can do it." She said, taking it in her hand again, his fingers still on the sides of the box

Will smiled, trying to get her to relax, unsure why she was being so persistent when he was trying to be helpful. He pulled it towards himself again. "Really, it's no problem."

"I've got it, Will." She said, slightly twisting this time, as she pulled it away from him. Instead of keeping a grip on the velvet box, his fingers slipped and the twist she gave it sent the box out of both of their hands and plopping into the middle of the pool.

Both of them stood, facing each other, their heads turned towards the water.

"Look what you've done!"

He looked at the water, then back at her, he shook his head and started to speak but was at a loss for words and couldn't think of anything that could make up for what had just happened mere seconds ago, sorry wasn't enough. "I – I'm"

By this gesture he had taken full responsibility and acknowledged that if he had just given the box back when she asked for it, it never wouldn't have ended up at the bottom of the pool. She watched him flounder for something to say, and then he looked back down in the water and took a deep breath, and quickly took his shirt over his head, preparing to jump in. Elizabeth set her jaw. Intolerable! He had come into the house and removed his shoes and socks, came to the pool just to mock her view of books and read sentimental notes she had written to her father- well she'd show him! She peeled off the sun dress quickly, threw it on the ground, revealing her spaghetti strapped bathing suit, and kicked off her sandals. Will froze, and saw what she was doing, then took a step back and went to the side of the pavilion. "Wait, I'll get the skimmer net and –"

Splash

She held her breath and promptly opened her eyes once she was fully submerged. The chlorine stung her eyes for a moment but she saw the dark, blurry object below her and pushed deeper with her arms. When she emerged a few seconds later with the box in hand, he knew better than to offer her help out of the water. She came up and stood by him, taking the towel from the ground and wrapping it around her quickly, then gathering her dress and sandals in her arms, and the box in her free hand and stormed off. Her movements were harsh and she would not meet Will's eye. He did not exist right now, he was banished, and this was his punishment. He stood there dumbly as she walked away from him, barefoot across the lawn and towards the house, her long, dark blonde (now almost brown) hair tumbling around her shoulders. He halfway followed her to the pavilion but stopped just to the side, putting the skimmer net back in its place softly, his eyes never leaving her shrinking form. Slowly he turned back towards the pool and saw the wet concrete where she had been standing, and the trial of drops leading just underneath his feet and behind him. He noticed next to the puddle was her book.