A/N: This particular chapter extends upon the scene in S2:E6, "I Protest Against Any Absolute Conclusion" and starts right after Anne and Gilbert blow out the last candle on the Christmas tree.

In this story, I bring up the issues of racism present in Anne With an E. However, I want it to be noted that, as a white person, I should not be considered an authority on these issues. I did my best to bring them up tactfully and respectfully, but if anyone thinks that the way they were handled could be improved upon, please call me out. I want to have opportunities to learn and grow so that I can become a better ally.

Copyright disclaimer: I still don't own Anne With an E, Anne of Green Gables, or Jane Eyre.

Chapter 2

"Come on Gilbert," he thought to himself, "Just kiss her."

He could practically feel the warmth rising up in Anne's cheeks as she looked into his eyes. The light from the candle had been extinguished, but a new fire had been ignited in Gilbert's heart. She was here, she was Anne. This beautiful, unearthly creature, who amazed him with the depths of sensitivity and passion she carried, was right in front of him. He longed to close the gap between them and wrap her in his arms.

His lips turned into a small smile, which she tentatively returned. He wondered what she was thinking, what she was feeling. Did she want anything more out of this moment?

He stopped himself. She might not even want a kiss. She might be disgusted by the act of kissing.

Well, he could at least ask. If she was disgusted by it, she could refuse and smack him. Anne had proven that she was capable of doing that the last time he had taken a step too far. Only, Gilbert hadn't asked for her permission when he pulled her braid and called her 'Carrots.'

He knew that Anne had high ideals for life, and that included romance. If he was going to kiss her, he wanted it to be magical for her. He thought that a stolen kiss in front of a Christmas tree might appeal to Anne's romantic sensibilities. It could be a perfect Christmas present for her. Well, he had already gotten her a Christmas present, but perhaps this could be a returning home present. Though, he had been the one returning home, not her. But there was no rule telling him that he couldn't give her a token of his affection after so long apart. Hadn't he been dreaming of this during all those months on the steamship and in Trinidad?

Not that he had indulged those dreams for very long. Dreaming of kissing Anne on the mouth might give Bash a strong counterargument to Gilbert's claims that she was just a friend. And she was just a friend, he reminded himself. Not someone that he should spend too long thinking about kissing.

But now, in this one, perfect moment, it seemed unnatural to deny himself of his longing. He wanted to create a moment worthy of storybooks with her. And that, he told himself, was because Anne loved storybooks and experiencing a moment worthy of one would give her such a thrill. Kissing her would really just mean that he was being a considerate person and making her dreams of romantical earthly delights come true.

Yes, that made sense, Gilbert decided.

But whether his reasons for kissing her, it would mean nothing until he made a decision. Should he or should he not?

Looking into her grey eyes, he felt all the feelings he had stored up over all the months of missing her and wanting her released from where they had bubbled up inside of him. Gilbert had denied these feelings for so long, and he was still reluctant to fully accept them. After all, she might not feel the same way. But in this perfect moment in front of the Christmas tree, it was now or never.

Bracing himself, knowing that in a moment he'd either feel pure bliss throughout his senses or a sharp whack on his head, he took a step forward.

Just as he was opening his mouth to ask for her permission, Anne bent over to put his gift underneath the tree, looking slightly frazzled.

Gilbert felt his chest sink, the spell broken. Now he might never again have another perfect moment, one that appealed to Anne's romantic sensibilities, where he could ask for a kiss.

Anne stood back up. "Thank you very much, for the present." She looked shy and avoided meeting his eyes. "Though I wish I had something to give to you."

"It's no trouble, really. Don't worry about it."

"But I must worry, because you gave me a gift out of the generosity of your heart and I ought to return the favor."

There she was again, looking like a bird that had ruffled its feathers in her distress. He opened his mouth to say some words of comfort, but shut it when he decided against telling her that seeing her was enough of a gift for him.

So all he said was, "I didn't expect anything in return."

Anne was silent for a moment before her eyes widened. Gilbert wondered what had set her off. But then her mouth broke out into a smile, and he was reminded that, in addition to feeling pain deeply, she also felt joy deeply.

"I've got it! I do have something to give you." Anne's eyes were lit up with a look of wonder at her realization.

Gilbert felt a feeling of contentment at seeing her smile mixed with a jolt of excitement over the bright look in her eyes. He would forever be in awe over the depth of emotion she brought to everything in her life.

"Anne, that's fine, you really don't have to…" he started

"Yes I do! Close your eyes!" she squealed.

"Why do I have to close my eyes?"

"Because-" she started, her tone suggesting that the answer should have been obvious, "I have to go get the present, and I haven't wrapped it up yet, and I need to make sure you don't see it until the moment when I'm ready to give it to you."

Gilbert suppressed a fond chuckle. "Would seeing it a second too soon ruin the effect?"

"Of course it would! Now close your eyes."

"As you wish." He closed his eyes and heard Anne's footsteps as she went to get this mystery present.

After standing there with his eyes closed for a minute or two, he heard Anne's voice, coming from a foot away from him, saying "Open them."

Gilbert opened his eyes to the sight of Anne, a smile of nervous excitement lighting up her face, holding a book in her hands.

"Here," she said, handing him the book.

Eagerly, he took the book and looked at the cover. "Jane Eyre. That's the book you were telling me about!" Gilbert smiled, remembering that conversation, the glorious day where Anne had offered a truce.

"Yes. As soon as you finish it, return it to me. I don't know how long I'll be able to last without one of my most treasured earthly possessions. And come to Green Gables too, once you're done. I want someone to discuss it with!"

"I'll be sure to do so." He met her eyes and they both laughed.

"Good. I'll have discussion questions ready for you."

"Then I'll just have to take notes on the story."

A dreamy look filled Anne's eyes. "When you're reading a story as magnificent as Jane Eyre, I imagine it'll be impossible to tear your eyes away from it long enough to take notes." Gilbert grinned. "I'm sure you'll just love it. It's amazing to get to read such a romantical and tragical tale about the faraway land of England! Though you've been to a faraway land, and I daresay Trinidad is far more exotic than England, and it's filled with exotic people like Sebastian…"

Gilbert cringed. "Anne." He took a deep breath, considering what words he should chose. "I know that you meant no harm, but calling people exotic is really not something you should do."

"How come? It's a compliment. I was given such a rush when I met Sebastian, his dark skin was like something out of a book on an African kingdom…"

"Anne," he interrupted again, more firmly this time. "Calling people exotic-well, it implies that they're different. It sounds like you're calling someone strange."

"But being strange or different isn't bad! Diana's great Aunt Josephine taught me that. Oh, her soiree was marvelous! Did I ever tell you about it..."

"Later," he said, impatiently. Anne looked hurt by his dismissive tone, but Gilbert would comfort her after he had done something to stick up for his friend. "Calling Sebastian 'exotic' and saying that you've never met a 'real colored person before' was very disrespectful of you." He hoped he didn't sound like a parent reprimanding a child.

Anne tilted her head in confusion. "Disrespectful? Do you really think so?"

"Yes, I do," he said through gritted teeth.

"I don't see why Sebastian would mind..."

Gilbert had had it."Sebastian would mind because he has to be afraid that people will blame him for things he didn't do or order him to do things for them, all because of the color of his skin!"

Anne opened her mouth, shocked at his outburst. But then her face fell, and she said in a small voice, "Oh." He felt his chest tighten when he saw that her eyes were glossed over with tears. "I never thought about that."

"It's fine. It really is." Anne bit her lip, still looking ashamed. Gilbert almost reached his hand out to touch her shoulder, but thought better of it. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to snap at you. I'm not angry, I've made mistakes like that, too. Over the time I've known Sebastian, I've had to think about a lot of things I've never thought about. About how the world works."

"I feel so dreadfully ignorant and foolish!" Anne put her face in her hands.

"Hey, I feel like a dreadfully ignorant and foolish white boy sometimes, but I'm learning." Gilbert knew that he had come a long way since he stepped aboard the steamship, and his learning process was still far from over.

Pulling her hands away from her face, she said, "Do you think that Sebastian will be upset with me?"

"No. He was just taken aback, by what you said, when you first met him. I'm sure if you just-think, think long and hard, about what it might be like in his shoes, and try to do better next time, he won't be upset."

"I suppose that's true for most things in life. We always have so much left to learn. And usually, it gives me a thrill, to think about all the knowledge out there in the world that I've yet to uncover. But sometimes I just wish I knew the proper way to do things without having to make a woeful mistake first."

Gilbert gave her a small, bittersweet smile. "I know what you mean. But the world isn't set up like that. We all make mistakes, and then we grow from them."

She sighed. "It would be fine to make a mistake if it only affected me. Hating myself and calling myself a wicked girl is far easier than realizing your actions hurt someone and can never be reversed nor forgiven."

"You can't reverse it, but I'm sure Sebastian will forgive you."

"Even if Sebastian forgives me, I can't bear to think about how dreadfully humiliated he must have felt after…"

Marilla's voice interrupted Anne from her flow of shame and anxiety. "Anne! Gilbert! How long does it take to blow out the candles? Come to supper."

Anne stayed there, frozen. "I don't know how I can ever face Sebastian after what I said…"

"Hey, it'll be alright." She looked unconvinced. "Think of Jane Eyre."

"What about her?"

Gilbert honestly had no idea himself. He started, "Well, you said that characters from your favorite stories inspire you, so maybe she can inspire you right now." He put the copy of Jane Eyre underneath one arm. "Can you face him?"

Anne looked thoughtful. "Yes."

"Good." Gilbert held out his hand for her. "Come on." Anne took his hand, then met his eyes and gave him a shy smile. Feeling his face heat up, he lead her into the kitchen.

A/N: As much as I love Anne, someone really needed to call her out on what she said when she first met Sebastian. I tried my best to handle the issue respectfully.

Thank you to everyone who reviewed the first chapter!