I hurried to finish this chapter and it feels rushed to me. I apologize but I'm not sure when I'll have time to write more in the next few days and it's been awhile since the last post, so I wanted to get something up. Typos probably abound and I apologize for that too. Despite all that, I hope you find the chapter worth the read. Thank you to all who are following and especially those who leave reviews or send PM's.

I also want to say a special thank you to a dear friend whom I've never met. our dear Baron. His continued support all through my Andith adventures keep me attempting new things but more than that, he's bee a sounding board for Andith and for RL. If you've somehow missed his stories, you've missed a real treat and I recommend you find them and start reading! We both lament the waning of the Andith community and are always on the lookout for new stories and writers in the fandom. The ship is afloat but in need of new recruits!

Now, on with the show...

Katie returned from her dinner. Sitting back in her chair, she nudged the cursor and the screen awakened. There lay Anthony and Kathleen, both asleep; happily so from their expressions. Katie sighed. She didn't want to go back to her previous save, she decided. She'd close the game, let it save the current status, and work the plot from where it stood. Now decided, she followed through, closing the game and turning off her computer. Meanwhile... Anthony and Kathleen continued to sleep.

The next morning Katie turned on her computer and started the game again. Anthony and Kathleen were just as she'd left them... except... their positions were reversed, each on a different side of the bed and... was that his hand on her breast? Katie zoomed in to confirm that it was. And those lovely long fingers of his were... Katie gaped. He was tweaking Kathleen's breasts even in his sleep. Or was he asleep? Katie watched his face for signs that he was awake. But it was Kathleen's face that gave away their little game. She had a smirk on her face! His fingers moved again, ever so slightly. They were pretending to be asleep, Katie realized. She wiggled the cursor. At that, Anthony's eyes opened and he seemed to glare straight at her. Kathleen giggled, patted Anthony's hand and slid from the remaining covers over them and padded from the room, wearing nothing at all. Anthony watched her leave and as soon as the door closed behind Kathleen, he sat up. "I will not let you spoil this," he said angrily.

Katie blinked. He was speaking to her! He glanced at the closed door and in an angry whisper, he continued. "The other one, the one who made me leave Edith... I've not forgiven him. And I will not leave Kathleen. I've asked her to marry me and she said yes. I will marry her and I will not let you stop me this time!"

Eyes widening, Katie sat back in her chair. Anthony was very determined, it seemed. Perhaps she should let him go on with his plans. But what of the game she'd intended, the one that eventually led him back to Edith? Glancing at the screen again, she saw his eyes narrow. "Edith is married now, happily so from all accounts. You can forget your manipulations to spoil that!" His expression was angry and determined and sent a chill through Katie, who was astounded that he seemed to read her thoughts.

She thought more about the situation. They had continued their... activities, even though she had turned off her computer. How could that be? They were characters in her computer game, Anthony had been created from a television program. They weren't real yet they seemed to controlling their own lives now, far more than Katie did. She had created game characters that now had taken on lives of their own. What should she do? What could she do? Turning off the game and the computer didn't seem to stop them. But they could only exist inside the computer box, as a part of the memory. To allow them to continue their lives and for their world to grow, they would need more memory. Katie knew she would need a new computer to accommodate that. But for now, she simply typed "understood" and watched as Anthony got her message. Then clicking off her monitor, she left the game running.

Meanwhile...

Lady Gertrude Burke was not amused by her cousin's announcement that she intended to marry Sir Anthony Strallan. "You cannot!" She declared.

"I can and I will," Kathleen replied is a far more calm tone than used by her cousin.

"But he's... oh, you just cannot!" Gertrude fumed.

"He's very kind... and attentive. We like many of the same things and he cares for me. And I care for him. I'm hardly a grand catch, Gertrude; my time has passed. But he appreciates me for who I am and to him, I am still young and beautiful."

"And how do you see him? Surely he isn't a Prince Charming?"

"He is my Prince Charming. And I won't hear any of your nastiness about him. He is a gentleman, he has a title and wealth, he cares for me, and I will marry him."

Gertrude looked at her cousin askance. What could the woman see in the older gentleman, she wondered. Thinking of him as a true gentleman after what he had done to Lady Edith Crawley was difficult for her. But obviously her cousin saw something in the older man. But then, Kathleen was an American... "Well apparently you are unwilling to listen to anything I might have to say, but I do object. I hope you do not regret this impetuousness," she concluded haughtily.

Kathleen smiled at her cousin. "Thank you, but I'm quite certain I will never regret marrying him."

"Well, perhaps. In any case, I shall not be here to witness this... this... travesty. I'll leave by the end of the week. I wish you well, cousin, but I cannot stay and see you throw your life away."

"As you wish," Kathleen said, relieved that Gertrude would offer no more opposition. She'd hoped Gertrude would be a part of her celebration but under the circumstances, perhaps it was best, Kathleen thought.

Anthony had ventured into the village to the registry Office and made arrangements for their wedding while Kathleen was speaking with her cousin. They met at a bench under a large oak tree near the cemetery. "How was your conversation with Lady Gertrude?" Anthony could tell by Kathleen's expression that it hadn't been a good meeting.

"She's unhappy but she gave me her opinion and is leaving. She said she won't stay to witness my wedding. I'm disappointed, of course; but I will not let her ruin my happiness. And I am so very happy, Anthony."

Anthony took her hand in his and held it. "I'm so very sorry to be that cause of disagreement between you and your cousin. But I am delighted you are happy... with me. And as for our wedding, we have an appointment on Wednesday. By this time next week, I'll truly be able to claim you as mine, my most precious darling."

"Oh Anthony, really? I'm delighted. I thought we might have to wait..."

"No, it seems their calendar is quite clear. But I thought you might wish to have a few days to prepare, buy a new frock and such."

"You do think of everything, don't you? I think I shall do just that. Oh Anthony, I'd given up on happiness and now... now I've found it with you. It is a dream come true."

"As it is for me, my darling." He looked up to see a passer-by giving him a knowing look. "Perhaps we should go to the pub for tea?

"Alright. But Anthony, after tea let's go to your cottage. I..." she blushed profusely, much to Anthony's delight. "I want us to..."

"Yes dearest," he interjected to contain her embarrassment. "I believe we are of like minds. And I can hardly wait until we will be free to do as we please... anytime we please."

Consequently, tea was a hurried affair and the couple strolled out of the village just a few minutes later. Anyone who might have been watching for their arrival back would have seen them return sometime later, looking a bit ruffled but quite blissful.