Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. All original characters and plot are the property of the author. No copyright infringement is intended.

The review question I had about Albert came at the perfect time as hopefully there is some clarification for what I saw as his motives in this story. Thank you for the question and I'll put a bit more of my personal feelings about it at the end. I'll let Albert have his say first. :D

Albert watched the stirred ash settle on his pant legs as he sat on a blackened metal bucket in the burned rubble of the auditorium. He looked over to what remained of a table next to him; a charred disk on a stump and wondered if it was his lucky table. Many of the tables had come outfitted with secret compartments where you could hide a helpful card if you felt you needed the extra luck but he had never needed that at this particular table. His ingenuity had always been enough. Not that he was superstitious, but enough good memories had occurred here that he wanted to continue to build them by bringing the table to his new life in New Orleans. Well, there would be new memories to make in spite of all that. Black. He liked the black he decided as he looked around. Maybe he'd have all his new tables covered in black felt.

With a bandaged hand he reached up and tousled his own hair to break up the ash that had layered there. Laura had to cut it a little. The fire had signed the one side.

The footsteps were easily heard as they came in staggered intervals; stepping over the debris and getting closer.

Albert didn't bother to look behind him when the steps came to a halt a ways back.

"Pa said you'd come looking for me. But remember, 'Primum non nocere', 'first do no harm' it's in the hippocratic oath you took Willie." His voice was level even with the sarcasm intended at the end.

"No it's not. But this is, 'Noxamvero et maleficium propulsabo', 'but i will utterly reject harm and mischief' and I intend to do that Albert. You have caused plenty of both. I ain't gonna lie, right now I have a mind to give you a lobotomy. Might do you a world of good."

There was a brief pause in the frigid air around them.

Then he heard Willie walk closer to him, stopping right behind him. "How could you let me think I was responsible for that fire back then? For no rhyme or reason?"

Just the anger in his words sent a shiver down Albert's spine. There were so many answers swirling around in his head like the ash that vortexed in the open spaces around him.

All he could manage to say was, "Does it really matter now?"

"It wasn't a school yard game Albert! It was my life! Nine years Albert! Think'n I'd killed two people! How do you think that made me feel?!"

Standing up to face him with his own rising frustration and remorse Albert pushed back at him, "I knew exactly how you felt Willie! I did it didn't I!? Every day I knew I did it! I was practically out of my mind! I was scared and miserable. I guess I thought it was a way out at first...if you'd admit to it, the family I loved and was scared to death that they'd quit loving me might not abandon me. Do you know what it's like to be abandoned? Thinking you're not worth loving? My own Pa left me twice because I was no use to him! The Ingalls' are everything to me and I didn't want to lose them."

"But you told them the truth! I'm the one you lied to. Why Albert?" Willie brought his tone down as he considered Albert's words.

Putting a shaky hand through his hair Albert released his breath, "I didn't want to think of it at all. I wanted to forget it so bad. Every time it came up between you and I, I just let it sit. Denied it. It was almost like you knew how I felt, my best friend, and I wasn't alone."

They glared into each other's eyes. Albert had bandages covering the worst burns on his neck and the greater part of his cheek. Willie had deep bruises and scabs afflicting his face. They must be a sight standing out here bickering at each other in a burned down building.

"Company? It was for company?" Willie's jaw hardened in astonishment.

"It was more than wrong, but I didn't do it to be malicious Willie, no matter what you think." Albert said quietly, "At least my past and deception didn't almost cause us to burn to death ourselves."

Willie knew exactly who Albert was implicating. Albert should have known better than that as Willie looked like he was going to pull back and throw a punch at him. But he didn't.

"Don't you bring Elise or anyone else into this Albert, there is only you and me in this. Sitting in a burning building didn't hurt near as much as thinking I'd killed them. You know what? When I realized I wasn't leaving here, I thought I was finally going to be able to pay for what I'd done. I was practically relieved! That's madness!" Willie's chin trembled as he finished.

It made Albert feel the sick churning of guilt in his stomach. His eyes automatically flashed over to where the bar had been, wishing for something to drink.

"Look at me Ingalls." Willie began slowly, "Someday I'm going to get past this and all there's going to be left is just pity for you. What lies you've told that don't catch up to you will chase you into a drunken stupor because you can't seem to change Albert."

At first Albert bristled defensively. But he knew deep down the powders and the over drinking, even his gambling had been in an effort to forget painful memories of the past or smother the fear of what his family would think of how he wanted to live his life now. Albert knew the family he was a part of now was very special and his worst fear was to loose them. Why couldn't he just believe they wouldn't turn him away? He had lost so much in his life, his parents, Sylvia, Michelle...he couldn't bare to loose anything more.

Willie had let his breath out harshly as he waited for any response from Albert but only received his averted attention.

"Not that it holds much water with you but this is something I can forgive. But I can't ever trust you again Albert, not like a friend. So I guess I just came here to tell you I can't keep on being that. If you ever need anything I'll be there to help, but we really are done." Willie finished solemnly and turned, making his way back towards the front.

Albert kept his eyes on the ground and his hands in his pockets. He said he'd forgiven him. But somehow it felt like there was a solid wall in between them now. He felt the sting of being abandoned again and this time he couldn't deny that it was his fault.

"Wait!" Albert said almost like a child who was being left behind. "Where did I go wrong?"

The question was raw and he didn't even know why he asked it.

Willie stopped and turned half way but he remained quiet.

"I know I can't ever make it up to you Willie. But I'm willing to admit I've let whatever this is, bitterness or loneliness, do a lot of my thinking for me. And you're right, I've passed the blame on to most everyone else but myself. You've made up your mind that I've lost you as a friend but, just tell me, if there was something I could do to make it better…" The flow of his words were sporadic and jagged but he didn't know how else to put it.

Shaking his head Willie said, "You're right, you can't make it better with me. But you know it ain't right to take my sister, her leaving her family and going out there when you know there's nothing there for her. You've decided what you're going to do and that's fine. All I have to say to you Albert is you have a good family that does care for you and if you could just see your way clear to care for them, for anyone else more than yourself, you may be able to quit feeling so wronged and get a little peace, real peace in your life. You did it when you saved little Charles, you can do it again. You're a good doctor Albert. There's where you've made a difference."

It wasn't a lecture or an accusation. His friend Willie, well, just Willie now, was giving him his honest and potent opinion out of genuine concern. But he had moved on, walking out of the Nocturne and out of their friendship for the last time.


No amount of bribing or begging could convince Elise and Willie to wait until spring for a wedding. Harriet did manage to get them to wait a few weeks for her to send word for Nellie to see if she would come out for a Christmas wedding. Elise also sent for her mother and was surprised to get her enthusiastic letter; being nervous how she would feel about Elise not joining her after all, and an uncertain future of where they would settle. Her mother simply wrote that her the letter had conveyed the happiness and hope that the union would bring them and she only wished to be able to be there. This was no problem and a ticket was sent right away. Nellie and Percival also wanted to come with their children. Willie's elder sister wouldn't hear of missing his wedding.

The living arrangements changed somewhat beforehand. Willie moved his things into the river house and Elise stayed with Harriet. Nancy, to her own outrage, would also be in town as Albert had told her she was no longer to accompany him to New Orleans. Resolving to be as kind as possible to her soon-to-be sister-in-law, Elise had accepted that only time and Nancy would decide if they would ever be friends. But for now, she had everything she wanted.

On Christmas Eve, the town was to gather in front of what used to be the Nocturne. Now most of the burned timbers and debris had been cleared out, preparing for its renovation in springtime. But Mayor Ingalls wanted to present the building in a brief ceremony before the end of the year.

Without specifics, he had asked Willie, Harriet and Nancy Oleson to sit on the stand with him. Also on the stand was an easel holding a large, square-shaped object that was covered by a draping tarp.

The crowd gathered in the street, snow falling lightly as Charles raised his hands for quiet.

"First I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas for tomorrow. This time of year gives us all good reason to rekindle our efforts to spread goodwill amongst ourselves; in our families and in our communities.

"This town of Walnut Grove has a rich history of kindness and brotherly love. One outstanding example I'd like to speak of today was Nels Oleson. The Oleson family is one of the longest established residents of this town. I would like to say they have been more than just the local merchants. Nels was one of the souls of this town. His, and his wife's store not only supplied for the tangible needs of Walnut Grove, but it was also a center point of meeting, communication and much more."

Harriet sat regally, reveling in the praise that she of course felt was very deserved. Her son was attentive to the speech, sitting tall as Charles spoke.

Nancy looked bored and pouty, determined to punish everyone for her having to remain in Walnut Grove.

Continuing Charles looked around the crowd, "Nels was a selfless man. So often, when an emergency arose, like when my daughter fell down an old mine vent or when our children were caught out in a blizzard on a Christmas Eve long past, he donated what was needed to help. Most of the time the goods were returned in less than the condition they were borrowed in if returned at all. All at his loss. But he never hesitated or complained once. And most of the time it made no financial sense whatsoever as his wife will attest to…" Charles looked over to Mrs. Oleson who rolled her eyes but left the proud smile on her face. A collective chuckle rippled through the crowd.

"Nels was more than just an upstanding citizen, he was a good neighbor and a...a good friend." Misty eyed Charles blinked, the emotion caught in his throat but he pushed on, "Our town is growing now and we have a lot of wonderful new folks who didn't get to meet Mr. Oleson. So it is today that we want to show our appreciation of his memory by putting his name on this building. May it also be a center for the future of this town."

A man pulled the cover off of the large, bright plaque that bore the name: 'Walnut Grove City Hall'. Underneath was printed 'In memory of Nels Oleson'.

Applause went up and Harriet burst into tears, Willie putting his arm around her in comfort. In his mind he could see his father being modest and possibly abashed at the honor. His father had never been one for attention, that was his mother's forte, but Willie appreciated the recognition.

Looking out into the crowd, Elise stood next to her own mother clapping. He could see the resemblance in everything but the eyes. She must have her father's eyes.

Tomorrow she would be his wife and he her husband. He hadn't wished for anything for Christmas in a long time but he couldn't remember wanting anything more than to marry this girl.

Elise caught his eye and smiled. She was the most beautiful woman in the crowd to him, in any crowd.

That snowy night at the Christmas Pageant, Elise was able to sing and the children's choir and bell chorus played beautifully. It was decided that it would become permanent tradition to ring the bells every year.

They rang the next afternoon to Elise's surprise and she looked out a second story window of Nancy's hotel. Some of the children gathered below playing a perfectly practiced wedding march on the bells with mittened hands and rosey cheeks.

She opened the window to wave to them and they continued to play giggling.

Harriet was fussing over the irish crochet lace dress that Elise's mother had surprised her with and now shivered at the draft from window.

"Come away now! Do you want to catch your death before the wedding?" Harriet fussed.

Elise's mother was setting an equally intricately laid lace piece just so in her daughter's hair, banding across her forehead and affixed to a length of veil at the back.

The two of them looked at each other and smiled. It was nice to have their family growing and they had found Harriet very endearing even with her prickly ways.

Elise did look like her mother she thought as she closed the window again and stood still as her mother smoothed out her daughter's long curls that came from a loosely pinned bun at the back of her head. She had always thought her mother the most beautiful thing she had ever seen and her father had agreed with her. Still now, as she had aged some, the youthful twinkle was still in her eye and a quick tongue remained as vibrant as she'd ever remembered them. Elise tried to picture her as a young bride marrying her father in this dress. He must have been smitten.

"I love you Mama." She said quietly into her mother's ear who was standing closely.

Her mother smiled and blinked back the springing tears from her blue eyes, "Oh be off with ya. You look beautiful 'Lise. I'd have to drive your father down the aisle with a switch with ya on his arm was he here."

At this they both began to sniff back tears and they embraced.

Harriet had gone to the dresser and was stepping over with the polished lariat but she waited for the two of them to run out their happy and tender moment.

The dress was wide necked and wouldn't crowd the chain when Harriet settled it on Elise's collar bones and it hung down the front of the dress.

"Do I look alright?" Elise said to Mrs. Oleson looking down and holding the dress out. "I mean do you think Will would…"

"My dear, he already does. He practically walks into every wall in the room when you're around. He'll be lucky if he makes it through the day without a mishap or some sort if I'm any judge. And believe me I know my son." Harriet grumbled but an underlying smile gave away that she was pleased.

A knock at the door was followed by Hiram Baker's voice, "Almost time ladies. Are you ready?"

The mothers started to protest but Elise hurried away from their primping reach and opened the door. "Yes we're ready!"

Looking her over with a satisfied nod Hiram said with resolve, "I dare say you are. Even lovelier than I imagined your wedding day when I saw you hop down from the Ingalls' buckboard. I knew you two were for each other."

At Elise's look of confusion he elaborated. "Oh yes I predicted this a long time ago. From the look on Willie's face, it was only a matter of time. Practically branded his own hand with his tongs while he was ogling at you."

"See! I told you so. Bungling boy." Harriet affirmed.

"I didn't know that." Elise said with wide honest eyes.

"Well in my profession you see these obvious symptoms and it's easy to tell the end result and Willie had it bad. Now shall we get over there? I doubt we'll have to lock the doors to keep the groom in for this particular wedding." He put his arm out for her to take.

The two mothers looked at each other and Elise's mother did the same with her arm, "Well shall we Harriet?"

"Let's Kate."

The women hurried out ahead and down through the dining room where the celebration would happen after the ceremony. When Hiram and Elise got to the door, he helped her with her shawl and they stepped out into the porch. Then he picked her up and carried her so her dress wouldn't get wet from the foot of snow on the ground. The bell was being rung by Jason Carter, telling all those inside of the approach of the bride.

Victoria and Rose stood ready with a garland of white braided ribbon between them.

Waiting at the head of chapel stood Willie with Mr. Edwards and Andy standing beside him. He shifted anxiously as the girls walked in.

Giving Dr. Baker's arm a squeeze, Elise picked up her metallic bluebonnet that Willie had made for her, a white ribbon tied to its stem.

Kate O'Shea was at the organ and began to play. But for Elise when she locked her eyes on Willie's there was no one else in the room or in the world. Remembering she was holding Dr. Baker's arm she tried to keep her pace slow and her smile from reaching her ears.

Willie just looked in shock at first then a hopeful smile overtook his face as if he realized she was smiling at him.

The wedding was simple and plain. WIllie had set a small diamond into the dark metal of the nail.

And they held each other for a long time after they were pronounced husband and wife.

Note: I knew the question of Albert/Willie's role reversal of sorts was coming and it's a good one which I could write another 55 chapters about but I won't I promise!

I often wondered this question myself about the series accept vice versa.

Shallow answers:

Why not switch it up? I'll admit, it may have gotten a little out of hand...Albert was always my favorite and he makes a pretty awesome bad boy. He was never supposed to be the villain. But I do have to admit, he turned out to be a bit more of a stinker than I meant for him to be. (The reason I let this go on was because I thought of writing a story of what happens to him later on. A redemption piece and how he puts himself right and lives happily ever after etc.)

Depth answers:

He isn't so bad. In fact he's a very very good person. But I wanted him to be able make mistakes and not have to be the perfect Ingalls. It could be my weakness in writing but I wanted to try to show the difference between someone I thought was a horrible person (Vahn) and someone who was just in a place in their life where they didn't necessarily make perfect choices. At the same time, Willie, as a huge pain in the butt he had always been, I wanted to see how it would be for him to get to a place where he had changed himself for the better. (I'm going to blame the series for starting this as they showed Willie shape up a little near the end and Albert get into some trouble.)

I hope that Albert got to explain himself a little in this chapter.

Does that answer your question at all?