Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters created by L.M. Montgomery and Moira Walley-Beckett. I do not claim any ownership over them and offer my writing to the world as a homage of appreciation to their creations as well as an outlet of imagination to imagine an infinity of alternate storylines. This is just one of them!

XI.

Diana was determined to overcome the initial feeling of helplessness she had when she first saw Anne in her sickbed, asleep and altogether too quiet. Her bosom friend had always been one of the strongest people she knew, both in body and spirit. Diana also knew about Anne's difficult life before coming to Green Gables, and how it shaped her compassionate, determined, and resourceful nature.

Diana couldn't help but recall how she had felt when Minnie May got sick with the croup. She and Aunt Jo hardly knew what to do, other than ask Mary Joe to go find the doctor. But Diana was afraid for her sister, and she knew instinctively that Anne would know what to do. Indeed she did. Anne saved Minnie May's life. Now Diana wondered who would save Anne's life...

Learning about Anne being ill initially frightened Diana, but actually seeing Anne ill paralyzed her. Diana feared that her life could possibly be cut short so soon after her 16th birthday. The very thought brought more tears to her eyes. Then she felt both anger and guilt for having had such thoughts. Anne was the strongest person she knew, even Gilbert had reminded her of that just that morning.

Diana watched Gilbert leave the room and realized that all the anger she had felt toward him had almost completely dissipated. Gilbert had helped awaken Anne; her eyelids stirred when he spoke to her. Diana had watched Gilbert transform from tight anxiety to redolent joy as Anne's eyes opened and focused on him. Then, just as they had been getting used to Anne being awake again, she fell back asleep.

It was shocking to learn of Anne's memory loss. Diana thought about everything that had taken place since Easter and Mary's death—all of the business with the newspaper, the Queens examinations, the dance and county fair, her own flirtation with Jerry, Gilbert's confession to Anne...

Diana also thought of what Anne had recently confessed to her—she loved Gilbert Blythe. Diana was not much surprised; she just wondered why it had taken her longer to realize what seemed obvious to her. She also wondered why it had also taken Gilbert so long to act. This had been her source of anger towards him: that despite his obvious admiration for Anne, he had not acted on it and moreover, made romantic overtures elsewhere. Just when she had been thinking he was somehow unlike any other boy, he turned out to be exactly like all of them: focused more on outer beauty than inner beauty.

Diana couldn't understand or reconcile the two Gilberts she had observed within the span of a few days—the Gilbert who had spoken to her father about marrying Miss Rose and going to the Sorbonne, and the Gilbert who was clearly devoted to Anne. Which was the true Gilbert? But who was she to make the judgment?

Diana then came to realize she had no right to judge Gilbert for his actions with Miss Rose anymore than Gilbert could have judged Diana for her conduct with Jerry. Diana also felt ashamed and guilty for having toyed with Jerry's affections. She treated him badly, and in hindsight, she knew that she encouraged the situation without allowing herself to fully comprehend the consequences.

Diana had to end the flirtation with Jerry. It wasn't just the unsuitable nature of their different social circles. It was also the uncomfortable fact that their mutual attraction was more infatuation than any sort of connection of hearts and souls. Jerry was clearly besotted with Diana's beauty while Diana admired his tall, handsome profile. Beyond this, they shared very little in common other than their conversation en français and ability to make the other blush. Diana had been so embarrassed about the whole situation that she had lied to Anne and her family. She hated what the flirtation had turned her into—a deceitful best friend, daughter, and sister. And now she'd have to tell Anne all over again about this embarrassing episode. Unless it just didn't come up…

Diana's face grew crimson as she startled herself with such a thought. She took a deep breath. She knew that there was no way she would ever dissemble anything to or withhold the truth from her best friend. Diana found it intolerable, the time they spent not speaking to one another once Anne had found out the truth from Jerry and discovered Diana's deception. In the end, Diana couldn't blame Anne for reacting the way she did. No, Diana was certain that she would never again give Anne any reason not to trust her.

Diana had once told Anne she would give up her looks for a measure of intelligence any day. Anne didn't believe her at the time, but Diana had been quite serious. She knew that her beauty had always provided her with many advantages, including many mentions on the Take Notice board and a large share of attention from boys. But she also understood how fleeting it was, how inconsequential in the end. She felt fortunate to understand that, and she remembered how her Aunt Jo had reminded her of this. It was one of the reasons she eventually decided to take the Queens examinations and risk the wrath of her parents who had every intention to send her off to finishing school so she could be married off well.

"Anne, please awaken and open your eyes," said Diana as she approached Anne's side once more. She felt there was no time like the present to try to help Anne recover her memories. "There's so much we need to catch you up on. The summer's going to be over before we know it, and well…" She paused as she thought about what would happen at the end of the summer: she would have to leave for France and Anne would go to Queens...

"Go on," said Aunt Jo softly.

Diana looked over at her aunt, startled. She hadn't realized anyone was still in the room with her. Marilla and Matthew had gone just outside into the hallway to chat. Her parents had gone downstairs, and Gilbert and Cole had left the room not long after Anne fell back asleep.

Aunt Jo smiled at Diana knowingly and Diana couldn't help but smile in return. Her great aunt was the only one besides Anne who knew her true ambitions.

"Well, Anne, there's still time for you to help me convince my parents to let me go to Queens instead of Paris. I can't do it without you." Diana then looked over again to her aunt, who had tears in her eyes.

"So my dear Diana, you took the exams after all?" Aunt Jo looked at her grandniece with pride.

Diana nodded. "Yes, but Mother and Father don't yet know, which is fine, because I may not pass anyway."

Aunt Jo held Diana's hand and squeezed it affectionately and firmly. "Diana, you tend to be successful in anything you set your mind on to do. So I refuse to hear any talk of you not passing."

"I—I agree," added Anne, in a gentle but firm tone.

Diana and Aunt Jo turned to see Anne's eyes slowly open as she looked at them with great affection. They waited for her to continue speaking.

"Although I currently have no memory of taking the exams, I am certain that you, Diana Barry, did all you could to pass. You are a better pupil than most, and—and Queens would be fortunate to have you."

"Oh Anne! You're awake again!" Diana came and embraced Anne carefully. "Oh, how do you feel?"

"My head still aches but I feel better." Diana could see that Anne's eyes seemed far more focused and vibrant, as she scanned the room.

Diana didn't have to guess about who she might have been looking for, but she let it go this time. Instead, she giggled with delight, as she was so happy to see Anne awake once more. "Do you need anything? Are you hungry or thirsty?"

Anne smiled as she took Diana's hand. "Now that you ask, I do feel quite ravenous at the moment."

"And it's no wonder," replied Aunt Jo as she put her hand on Anne's shoulder. "You haven't had much to eat at all, as of late. I'll ask Rollings to bring you nourishment and drink right away. Oh Cuthberts, she's awake once more!"

Aunt Jo turned to address Marilla and Matthew who had just reentered the room. They rushed to Anne's side, beaming with relief. Anne seemed to glow even more as she greeted them. Diana let go of Anne's hand and stepped back to give them space.

As Anne reassured her family that she was feeling better, Aunt Jo pulled Diana aside. "Let's give them some family time, and then you should let Cole and Gilbert know she's awakened again."

Diana nodded. "Of course!" She then saw the door open again. "But perhaps that's them coming now?"

Rollings then entered the room to announce that Dr. Holmes had returned. The doctor himself then came in.

"Miss Barry, I heard the good news," said Dr. Holmes after greeting her. He then walked over to Anne while Marilla and Matthew stayed nearby.

"Hello Miss Anne, my name is Dr. Holmes. It is good to see you awake."

"I'm glad to be awake and glad to meet you, doctor. I feel very fortunate to be alive and surrounded by my loved ones. And thank you for taking such good care of me. Naturally, I have so very many questions for you." Anne spoke so quickly, that it astounded everyone in the room. Diana was more subdued, as she felt her bosom friend sounded more like herself than ever, and felt encouraged by this torrent of words.

It was apparent that Dr. Holmes wanted to laugh out loud, but he smiled broadly as he responded. "Miss Anne, I am happy to answer as many questions as you have, but first you will have to answer some of my questions so I could find out how best to continue your treatment."

Diana didn't want to miss any of this conversation, but also knew that it would be important for Gilbert and Cole to join in, as they were there when Anne first awoke. "Excuse me, Anne, let me go fetch Gilbert and Cole as they will want to hear what the doctor has to say."

"Indeed!" said Anne brightly. "They were here when I first awoke, and Gilbert was a great help when I couldn't catch my breath. Dr. Holmes, Gilbert aspires to be a doctor as well, and I think he may also have more questions for you."

"Very well," responded Dr. Holmes, still smiling. "I am prepared to face any questions as is within my medical expertise to be able to respond to."

"Thank you, I am sure they have not gone too far!" Diana took her leave and went to find Cole and Gilbert.