So I realize that the story's title has nothing to do with the story anymore. I'll take a vote:

Change?

Don't change?

If you're opposed to the latter, then give me a title. If you're opposed to the former, then just say so:

Anyway, sorry about all of these really long delays on the updates… Major papers due & stuff of the sorts… then there's the holidays... Whew, it's been a flurry of events here and there!

So, Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays to all of you!

Nine

I drifted in and out of consciousness. I could feel a wet rag on my forehead, a hand in mine. I heard voices around me. Each voice seemed to get more worried and frantic.

Shh… it's going to be fine, she'll be alright…

I'm afraid I've never seen this illness before…

No… she won't… she's much to strong to…

Regina, wake up, honey. It's me… Wake up…

I couldn't wake up. That voice was so familiar, I wanted to go to it immediately. I wanted to wake up so badly, but I felt so awful… So terribly weak…

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

Nicholas paced the hall as the doctor inspected Regina and spoke with Anna. Finally the door opened and the doctor left. Nicholas rushed into the room next to Anna. "What did he say?"

She shook her head, tears falling down her face. "He… he said that he's never seen this illness before. He said she will surely die from the fever and lack of proper nourishment."

He grasped her hands. "No, Anna. No, she won't die. She's much to strong to die. We will all nurse her back to health, I promiseyou."

She kept shaking her head. "I can't lose her like I lost my mother." She wiped the tears from her face and stood straighter. "I need to go check on Lottie." She left the room, leaving Nicholas with Regina.

He stood, looking down to her small figure. "Regina? Did you hear that? You can't die. You both lost your mother, don't let her lose her sister. She needs you, don't you understand?" He sighed and sat down in a chair next to the bed. He took her hand in his and gave it a small kiss. "Get better, Regina. Get better. Fight this! I promise you won't ever leave my sight. Just pleasedon't die. I never want to escort that silly Florence Porter to anymore dances."

Nicholas stood at the sound of footsteps in the doorway. Regina's father, Abel, walked in the room and stopped next to Nicholas. Bother were silent for a moment, then Abel said, "She was such a sweet girl, so strong and brave for her age. When their mother died, Anna could barely get out of bed. Not Regina, though. She got up and make breakfast for us all the next morning and every morning after, not shedding one tear. Weeks after my wife's death, Regina had felt she had enough of Anna's moping. One morning she made Anna get up and make breakfast with her. When I came back inside from my morning chores, I was shocked to see Anna setting the table. She gave me a small smile and told me take my muddy boots off. Regina just smiled brightly at us and served us breakfast." He sighed. "When Anna married Robert and I was called to duty, Anna was a much stronger person. Regina finally went back to being her old self, carefree and silly. I hate seeing her like this. I can't have her die… and I can't lose her."

Nicholas nodded. "Nobody wants her to die, Abel." He looked the older man in the eye. "But if she dies, I promise to keep helping you all."

Abel stared at his daughter's friend. "You're a great help with my family, thank you. I only wonder why you're not with your own family, and on a farm, too. A lord doesn't normally work on a farm, or start his own."

Nicholas gave a startled cough. "What?"

"Regina always wrote separate letters to me when I was in the war. She told me all about you, Nicholas. Besides, your manners are far too obvious. I used to work as a stable boy at the estate of a very rich man when I was very young. I learned the difference between nobles and the more impoverished very quickly."

"Anna and Robert don't know, do they?"

Abel shook his head. "They don't, and I won't tell them unless they ask. You've made everybody's life so much better, Nicholas. I still wonder why you're here, why my daughter and my family have struck such an interest in you."

"I'm here because I like to help, because your family is so close and my family isn't. I used to see my father every other week, even if we were home at the same time. I would disappear for weeks and he wouldn't care.

"When I met Regina, I was about ready to run off. She was so nice, I was happy to have a friend that didn't realize I was a lord. I was happy to talk with her, and when I met your family, they were amazing to me. They're so happy together… I hadn't ever seen that in a family before. I got attached to everybody, but especially Regina. So instead of running away as I planned, I stayed in the area." Nicholas looked at Abel. "I really want her to get better."

The older man nodded and looked down at his daughter. "I'm glad she had such a good friend, Nicholas."

"I was glad she was such a good friend," Nicholas added.

The two men stood silent for a while, looking down at the young woman. Nicholas left and as he left the room, he heard Abel speaking softly to Regina. He felt sorry for the man, happy to return home only to find his daughter missing and a strange lord helping run his son-in-law's farm.

Downstairs, Anna sat at the kitchen table with Scarlett in her arms. As Nicholas walked into the room, Anna looked up. "Where had you found her?" she asked.

"She was standing in the middle of the road, looking into the woods," he replied. "I should've asked her about everything…"

Anna sighed. "Nicholas, how could you have known she was sick? You were only making sure she was comfortable."

He shook his head. "No, Anna, I mean we might have found out where she got this. They might have the cure."

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

I realized I was sick. Was it pneumonia? No… that voice… It said he had never seen the illness before. Was it a doctor that had said that? It began to worry me. Had Master passed on his sickness to me?

I realized I still had the list. I tried to move my hand to my skirt pocket, but the covers were too heavy. I panicked. I needed the list.They needed the list. I couldn't open my eyes, I was far too sick to. My mind could only focus on one task: getting the list.

Look, her hand! It's moving!

Is she reaching for something?

Maybe she's too warm. Pull the covers back some.

A whole conversation. My mission for the list was temporarily forgotten. I could hear people speak to each other!

Suddenly the weight on me was gone and I realized I could reach my pocket. Immediately I went for my pocket. I could feel the paper between my fingers.

It was taken from my hand and with relief, I let myself drift out of consciousness.

o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o.O.o

I opened my eyes and found the light unbearable. I quickly shut my eyes. I felt a hand on mine. "Regina?" Was it Nicholas? "Regina! Anna, come here. I think she opened her eyes. Regina, are you awake?" I nodded slightly.

"Are you thirsty?" It was Anna. I nodded more eagerly.

Then I felt a cup being held up to my lips. I drank eagerly and gave a small cough when it was gone. I felt the cup return to my mouth and I drank several cups of water before I was satisfied.

"Can you open your eyes?" I shook my head. "Does the light hurt your eyes?" I nodded. "Nicholas, shut the curtains and get everybody."

I heard footsteps leave the room and I tried to open my eyes once more. The light wasn't as bright, but it still hurt my head. I shut my eyes again. "Anna…" I gasped.

"Regina, shh. You're okay now. You're not sick. Your fever's gone. Do you want some soup? I can get Nicholas to make some." I nodded. "Oh Regina, I'm so happy you're okay."

Loud footsteps were heard soon and I winced. I felt Anna leave my side and say gently, "Don't stomp! Her hearing is sensitive."

At once the footsteps were less loud and a voice said, "Regina? Oh sweetheart, you're awake!"

I nearly sobbed when I heard the voice. "Father!" I rasped.

I felt his hand on mine and smiled. I couldn't speak, but felt comforted by his presence.

"Nicholas?" I heard Anna say. "Go make some soup for her, would you?"

He said he would and promptly left.

I shivered and Anna sent Robert and Father to get firewood as she stoked a fire. I tried to figure out where I was that would have a fireplace on an upper level. I had a vague recollection of the Master's manor… A fireplace here and there… a million dusty rooms…

…the woods… the road… Nicholas… the beautiful and grand farmhouse…

I suddenly felt shy. I was staying in Nicholas's farmhouse?

I heard Father and Robert come back with firewood and then Father told his war stories. Some were funny, some were sad, and some were happy. When Nicholas returned with the soup, I managed to open my eyes. I blinked quickly to make the light less harsh and was able to keep them open. I smiled at Father, his face as I remembered it. Nicholas, though, was darker skinned and looked altogether more rugged. I wondered how I missed it when he found me.

Anna had a rosy face, one of a happy and well-fed woman. She glowed with enjoyment of the company and closeness. Lottie, cradled in Anna's arms, had grown since I last saw her. Robert as well seemed happy with his family and glad for the group of people gathered.

I wondered what changes they saw in me, whether it was good or bad.

I laid in bed, looking on at the people in the room. Their faces were so happy, so carefree. I had forgotten how wonderful life here had been, and it seemed to only have gotten better for them all.

The doctor came later in the day and announced I was back to good health. He warned I might not be strong enough to do things for a bit, but should start trying to do normal things in a few days' time.

The next day Father carried me downstairs to have breakfast with the family. I sat in the parlor while everybody worked in the barns or went to town. Nicholas came in and made sure I was comfortable and satisfied every so often, then hurrying back out to one of the barns.

After lunch, Nicholas sat in the parlor with me. We didn't speak right away, he just studied the fire blazing in the fireplace. I looked over at him and I realized that it wasn't just his appearance that had changed. It was his personality. I had remembered him as an energetic and unsettled person, but now… Now he seemed content and at peace.

"You've changed," I decided to tell him.

He turned to look at me, with a curious expression. "Oh have I?"

I nodded. "You seem so happy, so content. Not like before. You were always so… restless."

He shrugged. "I guess I found something worth while. I suppose I really do feel content compared to then. A lot has changed, Regina."

"I can tell," I said. I sighed. "So how did you get all of this in such a short amount of time?"

He didn't answer right away. "I loved working with your sister and Robert. I decided I wanted to start on my own. My father agreed to fund the building of this house and the barns. I found a lot of men that had their farms taken away, so I hired them to help me start the farm and keep it going through the winter. I still have a lot of men begging me to hire them, but with it being winter and all… I just don't have enough things for them to do here."

I nodded and added, "You sure do look like a farmer now."

He smiled. "You should hear some of the comments people make when I go to my father's parties."

I laughed. "I couldn't imagine." I shifted my gaze to the fireplace and wrapped my shawl tighter around me.

Nicholas shifted in his chair. "What happened… when you disappeared?"

I didn't move. "A man tried to take me when I was going to the village. He chased me in the woods until another man stopped him. That man said I had to keep him company as a payment for my rescue. I cleaned his house for him. I made him meals. Then he got sick. I had to get medicine for him. That was the list I had in my pocket. Then he let me go. You found me in the road. There is not much else to add to the story."

"I see." He didn't speak for a while, then said, "I'm glad you're back, Regina."

I looked back at him. He stared at me with the same intensity I remembered he always had before I had left. He looked reckless again, like the paper vendor I knew. He grinned as if a thought dawned on him.

"What would you say to a trip to see the opera?" he asked. I laughed and his grin faltered. "What?"

"There's the Nicholas I know."

He laughed, too, and asked, "Well? What do you say? My father says I have to go, because he is the theater's sponsor and our family is expected at this specific showing. Please say you'll go."

I shrugged. "What will people say?"

He shook his head. "They will say nothing. It doesn't matter, because I am not in the public eye. If I were, I would not be here and you would be sitting in your sister's home."

I sighed. "I have nothing to wear."

"You know the solution to that."

I frowned. "I am not strong enough yet."

He laughed in frustration. "That's no excuse, and you know it. You will be better when it is time to go to the opera. We will make sure you will be. You're just being difficult. If you don't want to go, say so!"

"I want to go! I do, Nicholas. I enjoy spending time with you, and youknow that. I just don't know if I like people all that much, Nicholas. That last event made me a complete nervous wreck," I said.

He moved to the sofa next to me. "You will be fine! There won't be very much interacting, and my sister is coming, too. She can help you through anything, if it helps. I have told her everything about you, Regina. You don't need to worry. Now say you'll come, please?"

I studied his pleading face. "I would like to meet your sister."

He grinned and squeezed my hand. "Thank you, Regina!"

I laughed. "Why was this so important to you?"

He looked down at his hands. "My parents want to meet you. We're having dinner at their town home before we head to the theater."

I felt my smile fade away. "Nicholas… You didn't tell me that. What if they don't like me?"

He squeezed my hand again. "They will, Regina. Stop worrying about it. They will love you, I promise you. Don't change your mind, please. I really want you to meet them."

I looked away. "This is… huge. What would I say to them? I wouldn't know how to act, Nicholas! That should've been the first thing you told me."

"It won't be a problem. Trust me, please. I need you to do this for me."

I looked at his face when he said this. He looked so hopeful and he really did seem like he needed me to meet his parents. "Why?"

"My parents are afraid I am wasting myself away… I have to show them I have made friends, that I am not a failure. Having a young woman with me at the opera would make them less unsure of me."

I sighed. "When is it?"

"In one month," he replied. "I can send for my aunt tomorrow so she can get your measurements for a dress. She'll ship the dress to my parents' home, where you will get dressed with help from my sister and her maids." He paused. "Will you come?"

I smiled weakly. "Of course I'll come, Nicholas."

He grinned happily and stood. "Thank you so much, Regina," he said, and bowed. "I promise you won't regret it. Now I must return to my barns. Are you comfortable? Warm enough?"

I nodded. "I'm fine, thank you."

Once he had put his coat, gloves, and hat back on, he said, "I'll be back in soon."

As I watched him dash across the barnyard, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.


Review? Please?

It'd be much appreciated.