Hello, I am back, TheCarolean! Well here it is the new chapter! I do apologize for the time it took to bring you a new chapter, but due to unforeseen circumstances that I had to take care of first the writing process to this story came to a halt. Good news everything is fixed now…sort of, and I can get back to writing. I hope all of you had wonderful and safe Holidays (that's right I said Holidays lols), and I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and many thank yous for checking this story out and for any comments people have left. Enjoy and Happy Readings!

Chapter 6:

"Look I don't have a lot of time to explain," Addie's voice was just barely above a whisper.

Her sickly friend motioned for her to come closer to him, his eyes still filled with mistrust.

Obeying his request Addie moved closer and sat down on the edge of his bed so that he would be able to hear what she had to say. Her action caused him to scoot away from her quickly as though she had some sort of disease.

"Hey, you were the one who wanted me to move closer." Addie was in no mood for whatever game this man might want to play, "If you move away from me how will you hear what I have to say to you?"

He brushed off what she had just said and motioned with his left hand for her to continue.

"I've told the staff here that you are my cousin. Play along, and we can get out of here with no other questions asked of us." Addie halted in her speech momentarily, unsure of how to word her other half of the half baked plan she had created last night. She had spent the entire evening debating with her conscious about what she should do; one half of her mind told her that she fulfilled her duty by taking the man to the hospital for medical assistance, and that she should continue on with her own life. The other half of her mind disagreed; and while it still made no sense to Addie she followed the illogical half of her mind.

She broke eye contact, looking down instead at the starch white bed sheets and quickly blurted out, "You can stay with me while you are recovering."

Addie missed the momentary look of shock upon his face.

She looked back up at him with a nervous smile, his gaze still wary of her actions and motives. "Hell, I told them you were here visiting me anyway." She took a second to collect her jangled nerves, "Once you've recovered you can go about your way."

Erik couldn't believe what he was hearing; this girl-someone who knew absolutely nothing about him was willing to take him in (into her own home no less) until he recovered. Something did not seem right to him. Why would someone offer to help him?

Why?

It made no sense to Erik; she was not even afraid of him.

Why?

What was her motive? What did she have to gain by helping him?

With the small amount of strength Erik had gained with a nights rest he grabbed the girl roughly by the collar of her black dress, causing her to squeak at his sudden action, and pulled her down to him so that their faces were only a few mere inches away.

"Why should I trust you?" Erik hissed, his voice rough and cracked from illness and years of non use.

Addie glared directly at him, with a fierce look upon her young face. Though she breathed through her nose (in order to keep her anger in check, for she was not pleased with the way he had just handled her in such a manner) her breathing was even indicating to him that she was neither afraid nor intimidated by him.

"I never said you had to trust me." Addie growled, pushing his arm away from her.

Erik was not amused by her daring act to lay a hand on him.

Their eyes became locked with one another, like two dogs staring each other down to show who was the alpha.

Neither one willing to back down.

"It's your choice on whether or not you want my help." Addie said through gritted teeth.

Erik made no comment (he did not wish to speak anyway with the way his voice was).

"I'll go now, if that is what you want."

Addie rose and made to leave him behind, but he quickly grabbed her thin wrist. Before she could get even a breath out the main held up an index finger, signaling her to wait a minute.

With the little amount of time he had Erik thought very carefully about his current position; he was in ill health, and was in no condition to travel to Eastbourne on his own. With what happened down at the docks upon his arrival he had to find a place to lay low and hide for awhile, and this girl offered the perfect opportunity for him. For God's sakes she was telling people that he was her cousin! An advantage that could possibly work for him.

Do I even have a choice anymore?

Sighing in defeat, Erik held out his left hand to her, accepting her offer of help.

Her scowl quickly melted into a bright smile, no doubt she was enthralled at having won their little battle, and she didn't waste time in taking his long skeletal hand into her small frail one. He was surprised by how strong her grip was when she shook his hand.

She introduced herself to him in a polite manner, "I am Addie Hadleigh. Please to meet you…"

"Erik." He managed to croak out without too much difficulty.

"Have you a surname?"

He shook his head no.

"Even better," she smiled, Erik did not think it was possible for her smile to get any brighter, "since I am masquerading you as my cousin you may have my mother's maiden name, Annwyl."

Annwyl? Erik though curiously as he released his grip from Addie's, Strange name.

"I'll go get Doctor Williams. Do refrain from hiding under the covers, please." Addie added before leaving Erik alone to ponder about the choice he just made.

Am I a fool, to accept the help of a stranger?

Knowing just her name meant nothing to him without knowing her.

Or are you the fool, Addie Hadleigh, for wanting to help a stranger?

XXX

After examining his patient Doctor Williams allowed Addie to take her ill "cousin" home with her, which was a huge relief to not only her but Erik as well (he wanted to be out and as far away from the hospital as quickly as possible). The doctor gave Addie strict instructions that Erik should at least have a peaceful week of bed rest, and after she had informed him of the condition of Erik's voice he recommended that Erik rest his voice for a day, even two if needed.

"I know your cousin just arrived," said Doctor Williams as he assisted Erik into Addie's awaiting coach.

Again Erik felt his pride shrink with the help from the doctor. Caring for his patient aside it still made him feel like a child.

I am not that weak! Erik had thought bitterly as the elderly man helped support his form.

"But you should consider getting him out of the city and getting him some fresh air."

"Perhaps I'll take him to my family's summer estate." Addie thought out loud, "I did love spending time there when I was little."

"Anything is better than this city air." Doctor Williams commented, causing the lightest of smiles to appear on Addie's lips.

"Thank you, doctor, for taking care of my cousin."

"He was no trouble at all." Replied Doctor Williams light heartedly, casting a devious sideways glance in Erik's general direction.

Erik caught the doctor's hint and was not amused. The scowl that now adorned Erik's mouth only caused Doctor William's to smile broadly, doing his best to contain the laughter threatening to burst out of him.

Addie ignored their silent banter; curious to know exactly what happened before she came to get Erik, but not curious enough to ask.

I probably don't want to know.

"If you do decide to travel, I suggest giving him a day or so to rest first." Doctor Williams advised.

"That won't be a problem. I would have to make arrangements first."

"Then I won't delay your time any longer." Doctor Williams turned his head slightly to address Erik, "I do hope you feel better soon, Mr. Annwyl."

Erik was polite enough to bow his head in response.

"And Miss Hadleigh," Addie turned her head away from the doctor's gaze. She knew that if she looked she would see that knowing glance, laced with sympathy. And sure enough when she did find the courage to meet his gaze there was that same look, magnified by the spectacles that he wore that were now slipping down the bridge of his nose. The same look he gave her when he diagnosed her when she was only seven years old. "take care of yourself."

"Don't I always?" she said with a false smile.

Doctor Williams gave her a friendly, yet sad smile in return before leaving her and Erik to attend to his waiting patients.

"One more thing." Doctor Williams called back over his shoulder to Addie, "Be sure to feed your cousin. The man is lighter than a feather."

His last comment made Addie smile genuinely while Erik rolled his eyes and sank into his seat.

She watched as the doctor made his way back into the hospital before turning to address her coachman, John.

"Let's go home."

"Yes, Miss Hadleigh."

Addie had just stepped onto the carriage step when she heard someone shout out her name.

"Addie!"

Addie felt as if her whole body had just frozen, and she would swear that her heart ceased to beat after hearing that voice.

"Addie!" They called again, this time they were closer.

She shook slightly at hearing the joy in that voice.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! She cursed, Why? After all this time, why?

Erik titled his head at the sudden change in Addie, he was about to ask her what was wrong when a handsome young man halted right by side her. He shrank back not wanting to be seen, but watched carefully for any signs of distress from Addie. He may not have trusted her, but he would not allow any harm to befall her either.

"Addie?" The voice was now at her side, breathless as though they had ran a great distance just to see her.

She couldn't ignore them now; even as her inner voice fought against polite protocol, advising her to leave immediately. Though it would have been the smart choice to ignore them and run she found that she didn't want to leave.

Addie's heart began to beat dangerously fast as she turned to greet her new visitor with a warm wobbly smile.

"Hello, Nathan."

And I bet some of you thought he wasn't going to make a reappearance, well HA!

Thank you for reading this chapter, I hoped ya'll enjoyed reading it, as it was an enjoyment for me to work on it. See you in chapter 7!