AN: It's Memorial Day here in the U.S. so I'm dedicating this chapter to the men and women who have given their lives for their country. And to those who have served and are serving, Thank You!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the OC's, and no profit is being made. Just having some fun.

Maude was almost giddy as she retired to her room that night. Never before had she left a party feeling excited about the young man she had spent the evening with and her mood was not lost on Elsie as she helped her undress. "Miz Maudie, you sho in a good humor to be so sulled up earlier." The maid said as she went to put Maude's dress away.

Maude began to take the pins out of her hair and smiled. "That's because I didn't have to spend the evening in the company of a dull young man."

The maid gasped and turned back to her mistress. "Miz Maudie, you done meet you a man?" Elsie had been hoping the girl would be able to find her a man to suite her soon. By the time most girls were Maude's age they were married and many were already starting families of their own, but the black maid knew that Maude's head wouldn't be turned by anything but a very special man. It seemed the girl might have finally found someone who suited her fancy. "Who is this man got you smiling so?"

Maude looked at the maid through the mirror, her smile growing. "A prize fighter."

Elsie eyes widened. "A prize fighter! Oh, sakes Miz Maudie what we ever goin do with you? You is a lady. You don't need no brawlin' man callin' on you. Who invited him to Mister Charles' party?"

Maude laughed gleefully. "Nobody. He sneaked in Elsie. Isn't that the most delightful thing you've ever heard?"

"Delightful? Mister Charles ain't goin be happy when he finds out the man that done turned your head be a fighter who sneaks into parties."

Maude slipped into her nightgown and laughed again. "Oh, I don't think he'll be happy at all Elsie, but Patrick was far more interesting than Rupert Jones. Or any of the others for that matter and I wouldn't mind seeing him at another one of our parties."

"Patrick? That his name?"

"Yes. Patrick Standish. Is that not a delightful sounding name Elsie?" Maude was beaming as she ran over the events of the evening in her mind. She had never before met someone she actually wanted to see again but Patrick had changed that. She now knew how her friends had felt when a young man had caught their eye. It was no wonder Lucy Curtis like boys so much if everyone she saw made her feel like this.

"Sounds like any other name to me." The maid huffed. "Don't see how his name makes no difference."

Maude rolled her eyes. She didn't expect anyone else to understand her feelings, but that was just fine. No one understood anything else about her

either.

As the days passed, Maude's good mood didn't. She was in such high spirits that even her normally unobservant uncle noticed something was different with his niece and he approached her about it over breakfast one morning.

"Maude, you seem to be in an unusually good humor this morning. As a matter of fact, it seems you've been in a good mood the past several days." Carstairs said.

"The effects of the ball are just slow in passing, Uncle Charles." Maude stated simply. "It was a delightful evening. I believe it's the best ball you've ever given."

"Do these slow passing effects have anything to do with a young man?" Her aunt asked.

"Perhaps." Maude answered with a smile.

Her aunt and uncle gave exchanged a knowing look and, thankfully, moved the conversation to other topics. Maude hid a grin and spent the rest of the meal in silence. She knew what her aunt and uncle were thinking. Uncle Charles was undoubtedly thinking that his stubborn niece had finally seen reason and had realized just how much the suitors he had selected for her had to offer. Aunt Millie was most likely trying to guess who had caught Maude's eye while envisioning the upcoming wedding and writing out a mental guest list. Maude knew her aunt and uncle were both excited and she was barely able to contain her amusement. Oh, she could only imagine what they would say when they found out the man who had captured Maude's affections was a prizefighter of no social standing who had sneaked into the ball in the first place. Maude didn't have the heart to break the news to them just yet.

A few days after the conversation at breakfast, Maude went into town to do some shopping. She had finished up her own business and was waiting in the carriage for her driver, Jeremiah, when she suddenly remembered Aunt Millie had asked her to pick up some ribbon for her from the miller's shop. She thought about waiting for Jeremiah to come back and drive her over but decided against it. Jeremiah was at the blacksmith seeing about a harness and it would likely be some time before he returned. The shop was only a few blocks down and although close to the old town, a place it didn't behoove ladies to go into alone, Maude thought herself plenty capable of walking down there and getting back before Jeremiah finished up. Gathering up her skirts she climbed from the carriage and started down the boardwalk.

Unfortunately, the walk to the hat shop took longer than Maude had anticipated and she realized as she was leaving the shop that Jeremiah was probably done with the blacksmith and wondering where she was by now. She had started back down the street when a thought came to her; she would be able to make better time if she cut through the alleys and went behind the stores. It did occur to her that it wasn't the best, or safest, route to take but it would get her back to the smithy faster and at the moment that was all she cared about. Taking a sharp right she ducked down the alley.

Maude had been walking only a few minutes when she had the uneasy sensation that someone was following her. She felt her heart skip a beat but she didn't stop, if someone was watching her stopping was the worst thing she could do. Instead she kept her eyes straight ahead and walked a little faster.

The end of the alley way loomed in front of her like the light at the end of the tunnel, and Maude fought the urge to run to it. Without question, this was not one of her better ideas and she slightly cursed herself for thinking of it in the first place. When she got out of this she would never take another short cut again in her life.

She had nearly made it out when a large shadow stepped in front of the alley's opening, blocking her way out. Maude skidded to a halt, stiffening a scream as a burly man advance on her. She didn't have to turn around to know that there was at least one more person coming up from behind. Again Maude cursed herself. How could she have been so stupid?

"Well, well, what do we have here? A pretty young thing like you shouldn't be out here all alone." The big man, known as Big John, said as he gave her a leering smile that showed off his yellowed teeth.

Maude's heartbeat quickened but she was determined not to let her fear show. "Please let me pass, Sir." She stated calmly with as much dignity as she could muster.

The man gave a cruel sounding chuckle. "Did you hear that, Milt?" He called to the man behind Maude. "The lady wants to pass." He took a step closer but Maude forced herself to hold her ground.

"I demand that you let me pass!" She said jutting her chin forward, trying to move past him.

Big John grabbed her arm and pushed her none too gently against the alley wall. "All in good time, Deary." He hissed, causing Maude to turn away from his foul smelling breath. "We got things to talk about, me and you. Ain't that right, Milt?" The other man reply was an equally wicked sounding laugh.

"Get your hands off of me!" Maude yelled, struggling to break the man's iron grip on her arms as she slightly prayed for a way out of this.

"Now that ain't no way to be." Maude saw the thug lean in like he was going to kiss her and she quickly jerk her head to the side. Fire flashed in the man's eyes and he grabbed her chin yanking her head back around. "Be nice." He growled. He leaned in once more as Maude gave a muffed yell. How was she going to get out of this?

"Excuse me." A new voice cut through the alley. The man stopped, turning his head simultaneously with Maude toward the voice. Another figure was propped against the wall of the alley. "I believe the lady asked you to unhand her."

Maude heart skipped again for a very different reason. She had heard that voice before. Thank, God. She thought as the man relaxed his grip on her.

"What did you say?" Her attacker asked, as though he couldn't quite believe someone would have the gall to interrupt him.

Patrick Standish straightened. "The lady told you to leave her alone. Now, why don't the two of you just move along and we can avoid anymore unpleasantness."

The two thugs exchanged a look and Maude took advantage of the moment and jerked free of Big John, fleeing to Patrick's side. "Hey!" The thug hollered as Maude ran off. He started toward her but stopped when Patrick stepped in front of him. "Out of my way, Boy." The bigger man growled.

Big John was at least a head taller than Patrick and outweighed him by a good fifty pounds but Patrick held his ground. "Leave. Her. Alone." He ground out through clenched teeth, his eyes narrowing. Patrick could tell the man was surprised, no doubt he wasn't used to people standing up to him, but his wicked grin returned as soon as his companion came up beside him.

"We'll just have to take care of you first. I think she prove to be worth the extra effort."

Patrick immediately dropped into a fighting stance. If they wanted to get to Miss James they would have to go through him first. "Run!" He called to Maude as Big John took a swing at him that he easily dodged.

Maude stood frozen in place as she watched Patrick bob and weave around the two men who continued to take wild, uncoordinated swings at him. Patrick was doing just fine until he noticed that Maude was still standing in the alley. "Go." He said chancing a look at her. It was a look that cost him as it gave Milt the chance he needed to clip Patrick's jaw.

"Patrick!" Maude gasped, shocked that her savior had actually taken a hit.

In his experience as a fighter, Patrick had been on the receiving end of far worse punches than the one Milt had just landed but it was effective enough. He didn't like the idea of Maude still being there but he knew he couldn't risk taking his focus from the two men again.

Milt wasn't the biggest, or brightest, of the thugs that ran in this area of town but he was fast and relentless in his attacks. Big John was just that, big. He wasn't a particularly good fighter and mostly used brawn to best his opponents. However, they both employed a dirtier style of fighting than Patrick was accustomed to and he knew he'd have to watch them. He had to figure out how to beat these two hooligans.

He noticed that Big John had pulled back; letting Milt do all the work, most likely thinking that Milt could wear him down before he began his own attack. Because of this, Patrick tried to ignore Big John and focus on Milt. The smaller, rat faced man didn't have much style, or skill, and Patrick noticed he didn't get in come close but rather tried to stay away from Patrick reach. As a result Milt had to reach too far when he threw his punches and they lacked the power to do any serious damage. The second Patrick noticed this he crouched down and went after Milt with everything he had.

Patrick focused more on body shots than Milt's face and it was an effective technique. It did mean that Patrick had to take a few hits in his own face but Milt soon dropped to try and protect his body. When that happened, Patrick went in for the proverbial kill. Two quick jabs and a left cross had Milt teetering and a left hook finished him up.

When Milt hit the ground, Patrick heard a growl come from behind him, followed by a yell from Maude. Patrick spun around but he wasn't fast enough to completely avoid the blow that Big John had aimed at the back of his head. The man's huge hand made contact with the side of Patrick's head making his ears ring. Patrick backed away trying to buy enough time for his head to clear, but the big man pursued him. Taking up his stance again, Patrick prepared for another bout.

Big John rushed Patrick, both hand flailing. Despite his size the man was quick and this resulted in Patrick taking more than a few blows to his body and face. But while he was blocking Big John's blows he realized this man lack any real style as well. As Patrick had predicted, he relied solely on his size to win and Patrick had fought his kind before. He wouldn't come out of this without some damage but he would come out on top, of that he had no doubt.

Big John favored jabs, it was really the only good punch he had, and Patrick took several above his right eye finally feeling a cut open. After a while Patrick felt the man's blows began to falter. Nearly breathing a sigh of relief Patrick intensified his attack. Big John's still landed a few good hits but Patrick knew the fight was nearing the end. With a final jab, Patrick watched the man sway for a moment before he joined his friend on the ground.

Leaning over, Patrick took a few gasping breaths before righting himself. Maude was still up against the alley wall, her eyes wide. Patrick tried to give her a grin but winced when the action pulled at his split lip.

Maude ran over to him, pulling out her handkerchief. "Oh, Mr. Standish, I'm so sorry." She cried as she began to dab at the blood on his lip.

Patrick chuckled and pushed her hand away. "I assure you, Miss James, I've had… much worse. And this is hardly your fault." He wiped at the blood coming from his nose before realizing he had nothing to clean his hand on. Maude cocked and eyebrow and offered her handkerchief again. Patrick took it with a sheepish smile. "Thank you, Miss James."

Maude sighed, relief flooding her that she was safe and Patrick was in one piece…mostly. "I think I should be thanking you, Mr. Standish. You may have very well saved my life."

"The pleasure was entirely mine." They shared a smile before Patrick spoke again. "I better get you back to where you belong. What were you doing wondering the alleys anyway? You shouldn't be out here alone."

"I was taking a short cut."

"Did it occur to you that the alleyways may not be the best shortcut to take?"

"I was in a hurry." Maude protested huffily.

"And how much time did you save?" Maude's blue eyes narrowed and Patrick grinned again. She was cute when she was pouting.

Patrick steered her back onto the boardwalk, adamant that they would be no more traveling through the alleys. She protested only a little and that was more from habit than any conviction. She couldn't begin to describe how thankful and relived she was that Patrick had found her when he had. It sent chills down her to think of what might have happened had Patrick not come by.

In no time at all they were back at the carriage and the black man called out as soon as he saw them. "Miz Maudie, where on earth you been?"

Maude felt a stab of guilt when she saw the worry in the old man's eyes. She had honestly planned to be back before he ever even knew she was gone. "I remembered I had to fetch some ribbon for Aunt Millie." She explained. "I thought I'd be back before you finished. I am sorry to have worried you, Jeremiah." The slave gave Patrick and quick glance but didn't inquire as to who he was or why he was in the shape he was in. Maude caught his look. "Oh, Jeremiah I had some trouble with some ruffians today but Mr. Standish," She turned to Patrick with a grin. "came to my rescue."

Patrick felt heat began the creep up his neck when the black man looked his way. "They were bothering Miss James, I just gave them some lessons on how a lady should be treated."

"You did much more than that." Maude said, a bit huffy that Patrick would downplay his role in such a way. The young man merely shrugged causing Maude to roll her eyes. She didn't understand why he was being so modest. She looked back to the slave. "Jeremiah, could you take us to the doctor. I think Mr. Standish could use his attention."

Patrick felt the heat on his neck intensify. Go to a doctor for this? Even undefeated he often came out of fights in worse shape than this, and he'd never had a doctor attend him for it. "Miss James, that's hardly necessary. I can take care of this myself just fine."

" But…"

"Please, Miss James. As I've said before, I had far worse."

Maude started to protest again and then he gave her another one of those smiles. That devastating smile she couldn't refuse. "As you wish, Mr. Standish, but you must let Jeremiah drove you home."

"No." He said quickly, looking over at the black man. "No, you don't have to do that." Their difference in social standing was already painful obvious to him without Maude seeing the small room he kept.

Maude put her hands on her hips, exasperated. "Mr. Standish."

He turned back to her. "Miss James, won't you grant your hero this one favor."

Maude crossed her arms and put her pout but into place. "Very well. But how will I know if you've made it home safely?"

"Don't let that worry you." He said, not really answering her question. "I've been seeing to myself for a long time. Let me help you into the carriage." He took her hand a lead her over to the carriage. He would very much have liked to have taken her up on her offer for the ride home but it was better this way. It was time for her to go back to where she belonged, and he would do the same.

"Take care, Miss James." He told her once she was settled. "And please stay out of alleyways."

"Is that another favor, Mr. Standish?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "No, just a request."

"After today I'll certainly have to see you receive an invitation to the next ball."

Patrick didn't have an answer to that so he replied with a smile. "Good day, Miss James."

"Good day, Mr. Standish."

Patrick watched the carriage drive off and felt a slight pang. He had told himself once that just seeing her again would be enough. He had been wrong; seeing her had only made him want more.

Maude spent the ride home in deep thought. She had been hoping to see him once more since the party and now that she had, she wanted to see him again. She was certain she could see those smoldering green eyes and that crooked smile every day and never tire of them. If only she could have the chance to find out for sure.