Despite how she wanted to leave crab apple farm as soon as she got cooled off, that didn't happen.

She fell asleep on the couch, and the others didn't want to wake her. So she awoke a little before dinner, when Mart came bounding in after a exercising the horses down at the Manor stable. Which he took all day to do, did he ride every single horse, twice over? But she wasn't going to question him. She couldn't bring herself to.

He kept any remarks to himself, which she was very happy about, as she sleepily sat down at the table. Instead, he set the table, allowing her some peace. He was too preoccupied himself.

Not soon after, Brian joined his two siblings carrying Bobby on his back. Jim had left not too long before, declining the offer to join the Belden family at dinner. He wanted to share a meal with his sister. He wanted to spend more time with her, since school occupied most of his time.

Dinner went well without a hitch, no one bringing up what had happened early that morning. Even Bobby was at his best, perhaps he felt the tension Trixie was sending off.

Since Trixie didn't help with dinner, she and Brian washed the dishes.

Despite how she wanted to leave and see Dan right away, she kept getting stalled. After dishes were done, she gave Bobby a Bath. He had gotten really dirty earlier when playing with Reddy, their dog. Bathing him was in itself a huge chore.

It wasn't till after everyone went to bed did she have a moment to herself.

'Could he still be awake? I'd hate to wake him up at this hour.' She contemplated to herself.

She didn't know if he would be grumpy if woken up, but she herself could not sleep.

Then a little before midnight, she redressed herself and quietly exited the house, taking a house key with her.

She'd hate to get locked out.

'I have to do this' She pumped her self up. 'I have to do this.'

Now here she was, standing in shock, a large hand clamped down across her mouth panicking.

"You'll wake up Mr. Maypenny if you continue carrying on. He has ears like a fox." Dan Mangan whispered harshly in her ear.

The blonde gulped soundlessly and slowly turned around to find herself face to…..well his face. He must have been stooping down to her level a bit.

"Sssorry" She stuttered a bit a blush across her face "If I had known you were still out and about it would have had saved me a lot of trouble." She paused for a moment then stepped back a little, she was still a bit jittery. "Look Danny I am sorry I was being dumb, and I… I just am sorry. I should not have pried, please just don't hate me!" she whispered sadly, clutching his hands. He almost couldn't hear those words…for once she was quiet.

He really didn't know what to say. How could he ever think to hate her, how could she imagine him doing so?

"Look Trixie, I don't hate you…I won't ever hate you." He stooped to pick up a flashlight he had dropped previously and took her hand in his other. "There's no reason to be sorry…just learn to knock loudly is all. Come on, I am sure your parents don't realize your gone yet, but as for your brothers…well they are probably waiting up for you. I will take you home, come on."

Again she blushed; of course he couldn't see it. "Alright…hey what were you doing out so late Dan…I mean if you want to tell me you can…I am absolutely in no way snooping…um or I'm trying not to"" She couldn't keep the flustered sound from escaping her voice.

"When I have things on my mind I like to go for a walk no matter the time I guess."

The two continued for a few moments in silence before the darker boy spoke up again.

"Trixie I know you're curious about the scar and want to know about it…it is okay to ask. You had just startled me is all. No one has seen it in a long time besides myself. And if it gets to uncomfortable I will tell you so."

She nodded and clasped his hand tighter. "Did… did you get it when you were with the Cow-hands?" she was almost fearful to know the answer.

"Yeah, a few years back…perhaps I will tell you about itsometime…just not tonight. It is just a sore spot for me, hard to talk about. But you seem to make it easy. I don't know why opening up to you is so easy."

She smiled sadly, she didn't know either but she knew his story would be a sad one, a hard one.

"I'll be here when you need me Dan. You're my best friend, and I am so glad to know you don't hate me .I look forward to hearing it; I just wish I had a story to exchange you for. I don't want to be all nosey."

He smiled down at her, his heart thundering loudly "A listening ear is not being snoopy. "

He stopped as they reached the woods edge and looked down at her, letting the moonlight dance upon her face.

He gently cupped her face in his hands and bent down to lay a small kiss upon her lips.

"Perhaps you will not judge me harshly when you learn of my past"

She blushed heavily and touched her fingers to her lips, stuttering a quick goodbye she hurried off towards crab apple farm.

Without turning around she let out a yell "Tomorrow!"

'Tomorrow' Dan silently agreed. Tomorrow he would tell her; tomorrow he would finally bring his shame to light.