Author's Note: Ok everyone, here is chapter 3, finally! I hope you enjoy. It's a shorter chapter, but the next one should be chalk-full of Christy and Neil moments, so hang in there, more is coming!

Disclaimer:This is a fan fiction work. I by no means own the rights to Christy the novel, TV series, or movies. I have just borrowed the characters. These characters belong to the Marshall-LeSourd family. This story is for entertainment purposes only and I do not seek any profit. This is strictly for personal enjoyment only.

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Chapter 3

"No Christy, I'm the one that should be sorry," David interjected, before I could say anything else. "I'm the fool here. I was discouraged and said a lot of things in the parlor that night that I shouldn't have. When I saw you collapse, well, I just felt sick inside. All of this was my doing Christy, I should never have burdened you like I did. Christy, you know I love you more than anyone else on earth, I never meant to hurt you like that. Please forgive me?"

I had no idea how to respond. David's face was a pool of conflicted emotions that I couldn't help but feel responsible for. His apology was sincere and heartfelt to be sure, and I did care for David, but I knew that I could never come to care for him in the way he cared for me. How could I possibly tell him that, knowing it would only hurt him more? Somehow I needed to find the strength to be fully honest, for the first time. If there was anything I was sure about, it was the fact that I couldn't go on pretending I didn't understand my own heart.

"David, you needn't apologize to me. I know how much you care for me, really, I do. Perhaps that is what makes this so incredibly difficult." Out of the corner of my eye I could see David's face flinch. "David, you do have a gift, but you need to figure out where you stand with God, and you need to stop running from him. There's a lot of fear in you David, but I know that you can overcome all that, and you're a fine pastor. I'd hope that after all this is over, you would choose to remain here in Cutter Gap, but I'd understand if you didn't." My eyes had to look away from David; I was almost too ashamed to go any further. There was a long, painful pause before I could look up again. When I did, David's eyes had turned pleadingly toward my own.

"Christy, that's what I meant to tell you. I have decided to stay here. When we thought we were going to lose you, well, I was just beside myself Christy. I felt so selfish, so guilty, and so powerless to do anything. I truly believe that the good Lord used your illness to help me see him more clearly, and see how much you mean to me, that is, if you will still have me Christy. Please, will you marry me?"

"David, I, I, I just can't." My tears were flowing freely now. "You must know I care about you David, but I don't share the same feelings you do. I've spent too much time being dishonest with myself and denying my own feelings that I knew were there all along. I simply was too afraid to act out on them, and too afraid that it would ruin the friendship we shared. Please David, please try to understand, it's all for the best, it really is."

"It's Dr. McNeil, isn't it?" David stood quickly; he was now cold and bitter. Was that anger I saw flashing in his eyes? "You've been in love with him all along, I could see that clear enough. He doesn't deserve you Christy. All he has managed to do is confuse you, otherwise you would have been mine already."

Arrogance, pride, selfishness flew freely from David's lips. He hadn't changed all that much after all, he still had so much to learn, and it pained my heart to see him struggle in this way. David's response only solidified my resolve that the decision I had made was the right one.

"David, how dare you think that I am just some object to be owned? My voice was rising now, and I'm sure nearly the whole mission could hear me. "I'll have you know that I didn't come here looking for a husband. I came here with a vision and a purpose. There are people here in Cutter Gap who need me, and in many ways, I need them. I came here because God sent me here, not because I wanted something for myself, but because for once in my life I had something to give to someone else. Neil McNeil is none of your concern, and even if I didn't share feelings for him, which I do, I still know that marrying you would be the wrong thing to do. David, please, I love you like my own brother, I couldn't bear losing your friendship. Please try and understand."

"I understand things perfectly clear now, Christy. Be my guest then, you two deserve one another." With that, David marched out of the room, leaving the door to slam shut behind him. I was devastated. Inwardly I knew I had done the right thing, but that didn't always mean the right thing was easy to do. Why did David have to complicate things, why couldn't he see that I didn't love him? I arose from my bed, the first time on my legs in weeks. All I wanted was to see those beautiful Smokey Mountains I had come to love so much. I need, no, I wanted the fresh air; I wanted to be reminded that I really did belong here, that this all wasn't some huge, horrible mistake. My vision was blurred with tears and my body weak. Suddenly, the room around me began to spin. From the corner of my eye I caught the door open, and then the last thing I remember was a deep Scottish brogue yell, "Christy!" before I collapsed in a heap onto the floor.