Sorry for the posting delay over Christmas. I hope everyone is having a great holiday season! So now... She's here! I have been thinking for along time about how to write Christine. LMM gave her own conflicting views of her. In Anne of the Island, Gilbert calls her one of the nicest people he has ever known. But if you read further into Anne of Ingleside, Christine is not very nice all. So what's a fanfic writer to do? Was she faking her kindness to Gilbert? Did years an unhappy marriage make her bitter? Who knows right? That's the fun part... but anyhow here's my first Christine impression. Hope everyone enjoys! Thanks again for all the reviews and follows, they make my day!

Happy New Year!

~Lizzy

More than a week had gone by in an alarming hurry. As classes began, Gilbert found he had little time to think about Anne in his waking hours. He fought his every impulse to seek her out. He knew she needed time. But he would be lying if he said it worried him immensely that she had not yet come to see him. Unfortunately, this semester they had no classes together, although, they did happen to have a class at the same time in the same building. And this he only knew because they had discussed their class schedule together before the end of last semester. He had only caught a glimpse of her that first day classes began. She was walking out of Williams Hall, her red hair peaking out the sides of her winter hat. He almost called out to her, he wanted to, but he didn't. He wasn't sure why other than he was afraid of her reaction. He had told himself she needed time, and that was true. But it also scared him to death that at the first opportunity she had, Anne would tell him it could never be, they could never be. Something about his usual penchant for patient waiting irked him. He found it nearly impossible, even with his robust schedule and difficult course work.

Gilbert was now officially in full chase after the Cooper and with that meant all of the attendant work to earn it. He was not generally one to doubt his intellectual ability. He knew he was smart and he knew he could do it. But listening to the committee talk about the prestigiousness of the award was a bit daunting. Gilbert Blythe was not a prestigious man. He was just an island farm boy, built for a simple life. Could he do this? And then he thought back to the tender touch of Anne's hand on his as he told her about the possibility of the Cooper. He let his mind wander to that day when he might see her smiling face shining up at him as he accepted the award. It was all the encouragement he needed to allay most of his fear and doubt.

Gilbert stood smiling at the memory when a voice broke through his thoughts. "Gilbert, there you are!" Walking toward him was a tall, handsome girl with dark hair.

"Oh, hi Christine." He smiled at her.

"Oh thank you so much for waiting for me! Honestly, I got lost twice this morning on the way to my classes! How do you ever find your way around here?" she asked, clearly exasperated.

"You'll get used to it eventually. It just takes some time."

"I certainly hope so. I hate feeling so lost. I mean, Ronald told me it was a large campus, but I guess I just wasn't prepared for it."

"We all felt the same way at one time or another." Gilbert replied, sympathetic to her plight.

Gilbert had met Christine a or so week earlier. As they had planned in his letters back and forth with her brother Ronald, Christine came to the boarding house the day before classes started and her and Gilbert hit it off. Gilbert found her to be a pleasant girl to talk to, even if not all that interesting. But, in her defense, he found every woman lacking when he inevitably compared her to Anne. But Christine had a passion for music, which Gilbert knew little of and was happy to learn. They also shared affection for her brother. So there were several things on which to form a fast friendship.

"I suppose you're right. I just feel so out of place. I have met some very kind girls from our boarding house though so hopefully I will make more friends before long."

"I am sure you will. Unfortunately, you came at an odd time in the second semester. There won't be too many new faces that are going through the same thing. Most students start in the fall."

"I know. That's why I am so happy I have you to help me. I would be completely lost otherwise!" Christine gushed sincerely. Gilbert felt she was being a bit on the dramatic side, but realized how out of place she must feel. "I am happy to help. Do you have another class now?"

"Yes, it's in the music building though and I know where that one is!"

"Good! I will walk with you over there. It's on the way to the science lab." He offered Christine his arm, which she took eagerly. Gilbert Blythe was one of the most handsome men Christine Stuart had ever seen. Not that she had any intentions towards him, as she was quite happily engaged. But she had no aversion to going around with a kind and handsome man who just might help her pass her time in Kingsport with a little more fun and excitement. It was clear that Gilbert was a popular man on campus, even Ronald had told her that. Being away from home for the first time on her own might prove to be more interesting than she thought.

"Thanks, that would be great!" she said of his offered escort.

As they walked on they spoke about classes and Christine admitted she was already having some trouble in a math class she was taking. Gilbert was surprised to hear her say she was taking a mathematics course.

"I didn't realize you were taking courses other than music."

"Well that was the plan, but my father suggested that while I was here I may as well take a full load and get the most out of my time here. I suppose I could hardly disagree with him when I had to beg for him to let me come in the first place."

"You're father didn't want you to further your education?"

"Well, not exactly. I guess he just didn't see the point in higher education. He thinks because I am engaged to a wealthy man that I won't need to worry my pretty little head with book nonsense." Christine spoke slightly bitterly, but with an air of humor that she had learned to have when dealing with her father sometimes.

"Oh." Gilbert was unsure what to say. He remembered the reasons that Diana had not been able to attend Queens and he understood Christine's issues as much as he could. "So then why would he care that you took more than music?"

"Oh well that's the other thing about my father. If he's in for a penny he's in for a pound as they say. Once he agreed to let me come here, he insisted I make the most of my opportunity."

"Well, I suppose I can't argue with that."

"Me either. I just wish I wasn't already struggling in my mathematics course. It's going to be a long semester." Christine let out a heavy sigh.

Gilbert felt for her instantly. If he offered to help her a bit it might be another good way to keep his mind occupied from thoughts of Anne. "If you bring over your coursework to the boarding house tomorrow, I could probably help you."

"Oh, really Gilbert? Are you sure, I know how busy you are."

"I am busy, but I am sure I could spare a half hour."

"Oh Gilbert, you're too good! Thank you!" Christine leaned in sideways and gave him a half hug as they walked. Gilbert wasn't too sure he liked being touched that way by her, but he kept their arms linked so as not to appear he was throwing her off.

"It's no problem. I am happy do it."

They walked on through the sea of Redmond students, with one student in particular who was paying close attention to the pair walking way from his general direction. Gilbert and his raven-haired beauty made a handsome pair. And as he watched them walk away, Roy couldn't help the smile that lit his face that Gilbert Blythe may have just found someone other than his Anne with whom to spend his time.

"Anne, Anne are you listening to me at all?" Anne's head snapped up from her meal and she stared into Roy's eyes. His look and his tone had held an odd mixture of concern and annoyance. Anne immediately apologized, "I am sorry, Roy. I was lost in my own thoughts. What were you saying?"

"I was asking you if you wanted to come with me to the new art exhibit at Radley Hall?"

Oh, yes, the exhibit! He's only been talking about it since I've been back in Kingsport.

"Yes, of course I would like to go. I thought we already settled that fact yesterday."

"Yes, but we did not set a date for it. How about Thursday evening?"

"Thursday sounds fine," Anne replied absently.

Roy shifted in his chair as Anne chased food around her plate with a fork, seemingly disinterested in her food and her company.

Roy had taken Anne to eat at one of the nicest restaurants in Kingsport to officially celebrate their courtship. Given the time they spent apart over the holiday, Roy was thrilled to see Anne after such a long separation. He had arrived at Patty's Place two days after Anne with a bouquet of roses and a sonnet he had written her. It had all been very romantic and it was clear Roy missed her. What had been less clear to Roy was whether or not Anne had missed him. At first he thought it was because she was sad about being back in Kingsport and missing home. But as several days passed with Anne still in a rather melancholy state, Roy could no longer ignore her mood. Now they were at the nicest and most romantic restaurant in Kingsport and the look on Anne's face suggested to Roy that Anne would rather be anywhere else.

"Anne, if you don't want to go to the exhibit, we don't have to."

"What makes you think I don't want to go?" asked Anne, confused.

"Well, forgive me, Darling, but you haven't exactly been acting like yourself since you've been back at Redmond. I am just wondering if something is the matter?"

Anne was not surprised that Roy noticed a change in her. She laughed a little to herself that Roy would say she was not acting like herself. It wasn't his fault of course, but she wasn't sure Roy knew her well enough to say one way or the other that she was out of character.

The truth was she knew she had not been acting like herself since she returned. Poor Rusty had paid the price her mood on more than one occasion. Her friends were either good enough to pretend otherwise or oblivious to her new mood. Of course Phil knew the real reason. But she had chosen not to disclose anything to Stella or Priscilla. It wasn't because she didn't trust them or want to confide in them. But the fact that she still had no answers to all the questions she knew they would ask of her caused her to keep her mouth shut.

How was it that more than two weeks had passed since she had read Gilbert's letter and she still held no clearer understanding of her feelings than she had that day he walked out of Green Gables? Anne tried to logically sort out all she had felt in the entire span of their friendship. But it was hopeless. It wasn't that Anne could not be logical about things, even if that wasn't always her first choice. But so much of this situation defied any logic at all that she was hopeless to put it in terms she could weigh and measure.

And now, here she was, having to answer to Roy for her mood. "No, nothing is the matter. I am just feeling a bit off that's all."

"As in sick?" Roy asked concerned.

"No, not sick, just not myself I guess. I am sorry for being such poor company."

"Did something happen over your break? You've been a bit different ever since you returned." Roy would appreciate some answers, but he didn't mean to push her.

Anne thought about what to say. She could obviously not tell Roy about what was truly bothering her. But she did feel she owed him some sort of explanation.

"I guess I am just missing home more than usual this time around." Anne hoped her reasoning would put an end to the inquiry.

"I can understand that. But did you not miss home before as well? I wouldn't think it would affect you this much having been away so many times before."

Anne was instantly annoyed with his statement. "Roy, I am allowed to miss home to whatever degree I choose, whenever I choose." Her tone was mildly irritated.

Roy was instantly taken aback by her reaction. "Darling, I didn't mean to upset you or to imply you weren't permitted to miss your family. I only meant to ask why this time in particular is so different."

Anne felt instantly foolish for her riled reaction. "I'm sorry Roy. I didn't mean to jump down your throat."

"It's alright, Anne. I just want to know what is bothering you. I want to know if there's anything I can do to help you." Roy reached over the table and took Anne's hand in his own, gently caressing her fingers as she spoke. As he touched her, Anne waited for the reaction she knew by now was not coming. She waited for the tingle she had felt when they first met, for the blush to rise on her cheeks as his fingers glided gently over hers, for the shiver that would run down her spine as he gazed deeply into her eyes. When it didn't come, her first reaction was anger. Anger at Gilbert for yet one more thing he had ruined because of his foolishness.

"Roy, you're very kind to worry about me. But I am really fine. I just had a small disagreement with a friend over break and it's just been on my mind."

Roy looked at her, still holding her hand in his, seemingly trying to discern if that was really all there was to this story. "I am sorry to hear that? Would you like to talk about it?" Anne again laughed to herself. Yes, Roy, let me tell you all about how I kissed another man and how now I either think it was a horrible mistake or the best thing that's ever happened to me!

"I really can't talk about it Roy." Anne felt her cheeks go red and she thought back to the feeling of Gilbert's lips on hers and she immediately pulled her hand from Roy's.

"Why not?"

"Well, because it's a private matter, one I would like to keep to myself." At this statement Roy's curiosity heightened dramatically.

"I understand, but don't think it might help to talk about it with someone. I am here for you Anne. I want you to share what troubles you with me."

Anne looked at him again and saw the concern in his eyes. She could not help but feel guilty. She felt guilty not only for all she allowed to happened in Avonlea, but for the secrets she now kept for him and for the obligation she felt to him as the woman he was giving his heart to. Roy Gardner was a good man. He deserved better than she was giving him.

"Roy, I appreciate your concern. I really do. But I think this matter is better left private. It won't bother me so much soon and I promise I will try not to let it affect my mood." She was pleading with him to drop the subject.

Roy acquiesced, not because he wanted to, but because when a lady says she doesn't want to talk about something he knew it was wise not to push. "Very well, Anne. Consider the matter dropped." Then he gave Anne a wide smile, revealing this most handsome feature. "As long as I can have the charming girl I rescued from the rain who captivated me with her beautiful eyes and her love for poetry back, then I am happy to say no more on it."

At this, Anne did smile and blush slightly. "Thank you, Roy. And I promise I will be as charming as ever from now on."

"Wonderful! Then how about we order some dessert?"

"I was thinking perhaps we could skip dessert and go for a stroll by the water. It's a full moon tonight and the water will look beautiful like with the night's lights.

Roy frowned at her suggestion. "Anne it's freezing out there! We would catch our death walking around in this weather. I would much rather stay here where it's cozy and then take the carriage to Patty's Place."

Anne looked at Roy and realized he had the same look on his face now that he had when Anne had asked him if he had ever had a snowball fight. It wasn't quite a look of disgust, but more of amused indignity.

Anne attempted to be amused and tease him bit for his reaction, "Well, heavens Roy, we would not want you to catch a chill now would we? How would I ever be able to face your mother one day if I allowed that to happen?" Anne chuckled as she spoke.

Roy, however, kept his impassive demeanor. "I am pleased you see it my way, Anne. Shall we order dessert?"

Anne's smiled faded and she looked over the menu. Does he ever laugh? Apparently, instead of brisk walk to lighten her mood and clear her thoughts she would need to settle for chocolate cake.

Some time later, Anne and Roy were seated comfortably in Roy's carriage as it rolled through the streets of Kingsport. They began to chat lightly about classes and schedules.

"The only one of my housemates I have any classes with this term is Stella."

"Do you have any classes with any of your Avonlea friends?" It as an innocent enough question and Anne answered honestly. "Yes, I do have my humanities course with Charlie Sloane this term," Anne said with slight groan.

"That's doesn't sound as though it pleases you. Are you not good friends?"

Anne laughed, "I'll just say we have a rather interesting past, but for my part we are friends. If you were from Avonlea all I would have to say is that he's a Sloane and you would understand." Roy looked at her confused. "And these Sloane's are bad people?"

"No, not at all, there are good, fine, upstanding citizens. They're just Sloane's that's all."

"I see," said Roy not all understanding Anne, nor hearing the humor in her voice. Changing the subject Roy said, "I did happen upon one of your Avonlea chums today."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I saw Gilbert Blythe today." Roy's arm was linked with Anne's and at the mention of Gilbert Blythe he felt her whole body tighten. "Actually, I've seen him a few times so far, we have another class together. He appeared to be waiting for someone, but before I had a chance to go speak with him he had already walked off with her."

Anne felt her throat constrict. "Her?" Only after did Anne realize she said the word out loud.

"Yes, he had a rather pretty dark-haired girl on his arm. They appeared to be getting along very well. Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to speak with him…" Anne knew Roy had kept talking, but she heard not a word he said.

She felt her heart begin to race a bit as she wondered just what dark-haired beauty Gilbert Blythe was escorting around Redmond. Oh why am I being such a fool? What does it matter to me who he walks with? Gilbert has many friends. It's doesn't matter to me. But it did matter to her, very much. Anne never realized until that moment what jealousy truly was. She had always known that she didn't like it when she found out that Gilbert had corresponded with Ruby Gillis, or when he paid attention Josie Pye. But in that moment she had insight into herself she had never had before. I've been jealous all this time! How could I not see it? How could I not realize that's what it was? Anne reigned in her unrestrained thoughts quickly and attempted to pay the proper attention to whatever it was that Roy had been saying. Whatever he had said, he was clearly waiting for her to respond. She merely looked at him with a repentant face and she saw Roy scowl a bit as he realized she was once again not attending the conversation. For the first time since they spoke about it, Roy began to wonder just what friend back in Avonlea that Anne had quarreled with and about just what did they quarrel over?

Minutes later, Roy's carriage pulled up to Patty's Place and Roy helped Anne out and walked her to the door.

"I had a lovely time tonight, Anne," Roy said sincerely. Roy said everything sincerely. He managed to put the last few minutes out of his mind and remembered the lovely time they had together.

"Me too. Thank you for dinner." Similarly, Anne gave Roy all the attention he was now due and smiled at him sweetly and quite sincerely.

"My pleasure," he said as she kissed her gloved hand. Not stopping there, Roy bent down slowly and placed a feather light kiss on her cheek. Anne again waited for the feelings to flow through her, for the reaction she longed for. Other than the slight tickle of his lips on her cheek, no other sensations coursed through her. "I will see you Thursday," she heard him say.

"Goodnight, Roy," was all she replied.

"Good night. Darling." Roy walked down the lane, into his carriage and was gone quickly. Anne gave a heavy sigh and walked inside.

Bracing for people, Anne was surprised to see the house rather empty. Apparently it had gotten later than she thought. She found she was rather glad to be alone. After making herself some tea, she made her way upstairs, stopping when she saw the light from under Phil's door. She thought about knocking and talking to Phil. But she decided against it when she remembered that Phil had early classes on Wednesday's she did not want to keep her up.

Finally in her room and dressed for bed, Anne forced herself to think back on the evening with Roy. It was a pleasant time and could not say she didn't enjoy herself. But it was as if a cloud had been hanging over their time together since she returned. Roy had obviously noticed and Anne realized that she could no longer go without speaking to Gilbert. The situation between them was affecting more than just the two of them and it needed to be resolved. The problem was that Anne still didn't know exactly what she wanted to say to him, what she should say to him, what she needed to say to him.

Anne walked over to her notebook and pulled out the letter she had started to him. All she had still managed to write was 'Dear Gilbert.' She wanted to write more, but she was afraid of what would come out on the paper if she did. What was a cathartic exercise for Gilbert felt like a leap off a bridge with no tether to Anne. How did he have the courage to be so honest?

But Anne did have courage, at least courage enough to talk with him, courage enough to face the uncertainty. She owed it to him and to herself. She also owed it to Roy. But what would she say? What did she know? Could she honestly say she felt nothing for him? For that was what she knew she wished she could say. But she knew that would be lying to herself and to Gilbert.

What she did know was that she missed him terribly. But that wasn't all she knew. She knew that not a night had gone by since she had returned to Kingsport that unwanted dreams had invaded her nights where Gilbert's arms were around her passionately. They sometimes felt so real that she woke and needed several minutes to realize it was all an illusion.

In her waking hours she tried to fill her thoughts with other things, books, classes, Roy – But Gilbert would not be so easily cast aside. She was tired of thinking, tired of trying to make her head decide what her heart already knew. As a character flaw stubbornness was not an uncommon trait. But Anne had perfected it masterfully over the years. It was a stubbornness that even she found daunting at times. Trying to work through it was difficult.

Anne thought about what she would be giving up if she gave up Roy – another childhood dream gone… But did that even matter? Could Roy make her happy? Did Roy make her happy? Could she survive a life without Gilbert? Of course she could, but did she want to? Could she really have feelings for him? Did passion equal love? Was the quiet, uncomplicated love Roy could offer her all she would need? Was she trying to talk herself out of being in love with Gilbert?

More questions than answers all led her to one conclusion. Phil was right, she needed to talk to Gilbert and she needed to do it soon. Tomorrow. Whatever she might say, whatever might happen she did not know. But the uncertainty was untenable. She told herself the image of a raven-haired beauty on Gilbert's arm did nothing to sway her decision. It was the right time. He would need to face her without walking away. She would need to face her own feelings; feelings she was beginning to admit were more than friendly. But did everything she felt for Gilbert Blythe amount to love? The whole idea was ludicrous! Wasn't it? It was a question that could not be answered in any other way than by seeing him face to face. Something told her she that would know when she saw him, that one way or the other she would have her answer.