I do not own Little House on the Prairie or any of the original characters. As I have written more and taken an English composition class I'm no longer using a Beta reader, thus all mistakes are definitely my own. I put Reverend Alden with his wife, Anna…I never liked the fact they had him married for such a short time.

Stranger To Himself

Chapter Ten

Scene Nineteen

The children's laughter rang though the schoolyard as Hyrum and Maria rode by. They'd just made the rounds meeting people. Maria was growing more and more convinced the people of Walnut Grove knew more about her husband than they were letting on; after all, a body did not have to say anything for their eyes to speak volumes. On the other hand, he had seemed to have let the whole idea go.

The sun was high in the sky and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but it was still very much on the cold side. Fall was slowly slipping away and Maria knew they'd be dealing with winter snow soon enough. Once Hyrum stopped the buggy in front of the mercantile they climbed out of the buggy and up the stairs, Maria ran over the list of things that she and "Hayden" needed.

Nels was behind the counter when Anna and Hyrum shut the door behind them. Nels smiled, while it felt strange to call Dr. Baker "Mr. Johnson", it was good to have the man back in town. "What may I do for you?" Nels found himself glad Harriet had once again gotten a bee in her bonnet and had gone to visit her sister and wouldn't be home for another couple of hours.

Maria started rattling off the things they needed while Hyrum, for the first time, took a hard look around. A funny feeling started coming up him, then his head started hurting. It hurt so bad he had to grab the shelf in front of him with one hand and his forehead with another. Out of the corner of her eye, Maria saw him and hurried to his side, Nels hurried to his side too. "Hayden!" Maria grabbed a hold of her husband's arm, "What is it?"

Hyrum didn't answer at first then slowly said, "I think I best go outside."

Maria looked at Nels who wore a very concerned look upon his face, "I've told you everything we need. I'll be back in a moment."

"Fine." Nels said as Maria held onto Hyrum and walked out the door. Once Hyrum was sitting in the buggy, the headache seemed to ease up. "I know we were going to go the town social tonight," Anna stood next to the buggy, "but, maybe we best stay home."

Hyrum opened his eyes, he'd been leaning back with them shut, "We'll see." He hadn't had a headache this bad for over a week. It scared him as there were a million things he could think of that would be causing it. Maria went back into the store, paid for the items they needed then brought the items out.

Nels stood by window watching the couple leave wondering if he and the rest of the people in Walnut Grove were doing the right thing.

Scene Twenty

The music was playing and the people attending were either dancing on the floor or visiting on the sidelines. "Looks like he decided to attend after all," Nels watched as Dr. Baker and Maria entered the building, "there's got to be a way to get him to remember who we are, who he is."

Charles felt the same way, more than once he'd almost broke down and told "Hayden" the truth only he couldn't. He kept remembering the danger his good friend might be in if anyone pushed him. "Me too, Nels," he tapped the man on the arm before heading to get Caroline, "we just have to keep hoping."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Maria asked as she and Hyrum danced, "Maybe we should have Dr. Thompson look at you. He gets in tomorrow."

Hyrum looked around the room as he and Maria continued dancing. He'd finally started realizing his headaches came when he was trying to remember where, and when, he seen something or someone. "I don't think that's necessary," he smiled, "but, if it would set your mind at ease, I'll talk to him."

While the two of them talked, Harriet was busy doing her own talking. "I still can't believe Dr. Thompson and the others asked Dr. Baker and his wife to cover for him," she kept her voice low while she talked to one of her visiting relatives. He doesn't even know who he is! What if he doesn't his medical knowledge as well as the Millers says he does. What it…." Her words were cut shot by Nels once more.

"Harriet," his voice, once again, very firm, "I told you not to talk about Dr. Baker this way." Harriet stared. She was amazed. When it came to Dr. Baker, her husband was actually standing his ground.

"I meant no insult, Nels," she pasted a smile upon her face for the sake of her company; "I'm just worried is all. What if he gives us the wrong medicine for the wrong thing?"

Nels only glared at her harder, "Maria is one very capable nurse and Dr. Thompson told us last time he was here that Dr. Lee, from Burnsville, vouched for the fact that Hyrum Baker's knowledge of medicine has not bee diminished. So," he leaned slightly forward, "be quiet!"

Maria and Hyrum could see Nels chewing his wife out, though they could not hear them. "I pity him," Maria chuckled, "Such a nice man and with a wife like that, life can't be that pleasant for him."

"I wouldn't worry, he's always…" "Hayden" stopped abruptly as he realized what he'd started to say.

"Hayden?" Maria looked at Hyrum's somewhat pale face, "Are you all right?"