"I can't," Lillian protested to the doctor standing over Erik's stretcher. "I don't know how to remove it. Only he can."

"All right," the young Army doctor said as Erik was lowered to a makeshift examining table inside an aid tent. "We'll just have to work around it. Do you know if he might have sustained any head injury?"

"He hit the left side of his head against a brick wall when he was shot, but that was Monday. A doctor saw him Tuesday morning, but didn't say anything about a head injury." She thought back over the time since the earthquake hit. "He might have hit his head when we were thrown down during the quake, but I don't know for certain. He wasn't acting like he'd had an injury."

He wasn't acting like he'd been bleeding for hours, either. So much for her keen powers of observation. Damn you, Erik. Why didn't you say something?

The doctor looked into Erik's eyes and ran quick hands over his skull and down the back of his neck. "I can't feel anything, and his eyes appear to react normally. For now, we'll have to go on the assumption there is no head injury." Picking up a pair of shears he began to cut off Erik's shirt.

Lillian gasped when she saw Erik's exposed torso. She knew he'd been pulled over rough bricks when they were extricated from under the brick pile, but she had no idea how badly he'd actually been hurt. Aside from various scrapes and cuts, his torso was a mass of bruises and swellings.

The doctor sighed. "These wounds look consistent with the other earthquake injuries I've seen so far today." He ran his hands lightly over Erik's ribs and abdomen. "I can't feel any broken ribs, and you said he's been walking for hours, so I feel confident we can rule out any spinal injuries."

He turned to the corpsman waiting by the examining table. "Help me turn him to the side, so I can examine his back."

Lillian managed to contain her feelings when she saw more cuts and bruises along Erik's back. She hadn't realized how much he'd protected her with his own body when the wall fell on them. "He never said a word about being hurt so badly."

The doctor nodded, gently guiding Erik back over. "He probably didn't even feel it much. It's not unusual with people who are in danger to not even be aware that they're injured until the danger is passed. From what you said, he led a group of people out here to safety, stopping to help others along the way."

"Yes." She traced Erik's uncovered jaw with her palm. "His strength of will was amazing." She was only just beginning to realize that now. "He didn't give in until help arrived."

"I believe that. He's definitely one of the heroes of this day." He unwrapped the makeshift bandage Corporal Willis applied and studied the bullet wound. "I can see where the original stitches were. The bleeding's tapered off a bit and there doesn't appear to be any sign of infection, but I'll know more once I can get him cleaned up." He picked up the shears again, preparing to cut off the rest of Erik's clothes.

"Wait." Lillian reached into the pocket of Erik's evening trousers and pulled something out. He stirred at that moment, his hand moving restlessly against his leg. "It's all right, Boy." She whispered in his ear. "I have it. I'll give it back after the doctor is finished." He relaxed at her words, his head rolling to the side, eyes still closed. "You can continue, Doctor…. I'm sorry, I never thought to ask your name."

"Samuel Aaronson, ma'am." He looked at her hand, noticing the lack of a ring. "Is he your husband, ma'am?"

"No. Just an old and very dear friend."

Aaronson nodded. "Then perhaps you should leave ma'am." He gestured with the shears. "I'm going to have to cut all his clothing off in order to finish my examination."

Oh, bugger all. The last thing she wanted to do was leave Erik amongst strangers, albeit medical strangers who would treat him as a patient. She thought about arguing then realized it would do her no good. "Very well." She moved toward the entrance of the aid tent, then turned back. "Doctor Aaronson, I have had quite a lot of experience working in hospitals. Is there something I might be able to do to help?"

"Thank you, ma'am, but the Army has it covered." The look on his face was exactly the same look she'd seen on Mr. Sholokhov's face countless times before when well-meaning untrained people offered him assistance.

She smiled, letting him know she wasn't offended at his unspoken message. "Thank you, Doctor Aaronson."

"Get some rest, ma'am. If you head toward the front of the camp, you'll find supply tables and cook tents. Get yourself some food and find a place to sleep. We'll take good care of him, and you can see him again in the morning."

Lillian knew when she was being dismissed. Moving back to the table, she bent and kissed Erik's forehead. "Behave yourself, Erik," she whispered. "I'll see you in the morning."

Aaronson watched her go, admiring the way she handled herself. She was quiet, in control, and he knew it wasn't an act. Amidst all the chaos of the day, where others were given in to hysterics, she projected an island of calm. He looked down at his unconscious patient. "She's quite the woman. I hope you know how lucky you are." Then he lifted the shears once more. "All right, Corporal McCoy, let's get on with treating our patient." There would be many others before the night was over.

. . . .

Erik awoke with the headache from hell. He couldn't think where he was, only that he was lying on a thin narrow cot among a few rows of other men. He was in a tent, he surmised by the canvas ceiling not far overhead. Raising a hand to his face, he was relieved to feel his mask still in place. Then his right arm started throbbing in time with his heartbeat and the tympani in his skull. "Where….?" He could barely get the word out.

A strong hand raised his head and shoulders and cool liquid lapped against his lips. "There you go; sip it slowly." An unfamiliar voice spoke, then a hand patted his shoulder and lowered him back down. "You're in a hospital tent."

He blinked his eyes, waiting patiently until the hazy blob in front of him resolved into the freckled face of a very young man. "Who?"

"I'm Private Gable." the young man said with a trace of a flat midwestern accent. "I'm a medical corpsman with the Army. We were based on Angel Island and came over right after the quake."

"Quake." Yes, now he remembered. The sun was just rising but the birds didn't sing. Then the ground shook and he grabbed…. "Lillian." He started to rise, looking around.

"Easy, buddy," Gable said, "You've been in and out for a couple a days now. Doc says you lost a lot o' blood. Don't try to move too fast or you'll keel over."

"Days?" He couldn't remember anything. "How long?"

"Lemme see. You was in the hospital tent for two-three days, then they moved you over here." He gestured around. "I been taking care of you since Saturday night."

Saturday? The last thing he remembered was Wednesday morning. "How long?" he repeated.

"Today's Monday, so five days total."

Monday? "Five….days?" He couldn't comprehend being unconscious that long.

"Doc says you was running a fever for a while. Luckily you wasn't out all the time. You'd go in and out, you know? So we was able to get some food and water in you. You're real lucky, you know that?"

"Yes, I suppose I am." He looked into the earnest freckled face. "Thank you, Private Gable."

The young private grinned, ducking his head. "It ain't nothing. I'm glad you're finally up and talking."

Erik looked around the tent, seeing only men. "Lillian. She was with me. Where…?"

"Oh you mean that English dame? I mean lady." Gable smiled at Erik's affirmative nod. "Yeah, she's a real nice lady. She's been stopping in to see you whenever she gets a minute. She even brings in tea and cookies for the other guys and then sits and visits with you for a while."

"Cookies?" He couldn't have heard right. They were in a refugee camp for earthquake survivors. There couldn't possibly be cookies.

"She called 'em biscuits." Gable grinned, straightening the blanket over Erik. "From what I heard, she marched into the cook tent and demanded they make some sweets for the kids and the injured. Said the sugar was good for 'em." He shook his head remembering the story. "She's got everyone cowed, even the brass."

"Yes, I'm sure she does." Lillian was at her best when taking charge. But most importantly, Lillian was safe. Erik closed his eyes in relief. That's all that mattered. She was safe.

"If you want, I can try and find her. Bring her here."

"Thank you." Erik almost smiled, noting the blush creeping up the young man's neck when he spoke of Lillian. She'd made another conquest. He couldn't blame the boy at all.

He was dozing off again when he felt something soft touch his face. "It's all right, Erik, I'm here." He pried his eyes open and looked to his side. She was right beside him. "Safe?" he asked.

"Yes, we're all safe." She brushed her hand down his left arm, let it linger on his wrist a moment, then clasped his hand in both of hers. "You saved us."

"Don't remember." His head was spinning. If only he could make the tympanist stop, then he could pay attention. Something cool and soothing was placed along his brow and over his cheek. It seemed to help the pounding a bit. "What happened?"

Lillian sat on the ground next to his cot, still holding his hand. "You got us to the hillside. Then you collapsed just as the Army wagons were approaching. From what I've heard, some of the telephone lines were still working after the earthquake and Mayor Schmitz was able to call the base at the Presidio. It wasn't badly damaged and they mobilized almost immediately. They also called the camp at Angel Island and more troops and supplies were sent."

"Fire?" He remembered thick black smoke billowing over parts of the city. "Gas lines blew?"

"Yes, the city was on fire but it's out now. Isn't that right, Private Gable?"

Gable stepped over to the cot, slipping another pillow under Erik's head. "Yes ma'am. The guys from the Presidio had explosives experience. They used dynamite to blast the buildings around the fires."

Erik nodded slightly. "Created a fire break. Stop the flames from traveling."

"Exactly." Gable looked to Lillian. "If you'll stay with him, I'll go get him some food." She smiled and nodded as he hurried off.

"He's really a very sweet young man." She said, laying her head against Erik's hand for a moment. Then she looked him straight in the eyes. "Damn you for scaring me like that, Erik. Why didn't you tell us you were hurt?"

"No matter," he answered. "Had to keep moving. Get away."

"I know. But I'm still angry with you." She saw his eyes slipping shut. "Erik, stay awake. You've got to eat."

"Not hungry."

"Don't argue with me, Boy."

He knew that tone. It was her I'm-in-charge-here-and-will-brook-no-opposition tone. It was the same one she'd used on him back at his apartment when she was patching up his arm. Was that only a week earlier? He wasn't sure. It seemed like just yesterday and a lifetime ago. Maybe the best thing to do was change the subject. "Tom? The others?"

"Everyone's fine. We all made it here safely. Some of the elders needed a little more care to regain their strength, but they're doing well now." She shifted a little, trying to find a more comfortable spot on the ground.

He noticed and couldn't help a wicked thought from crossing his mind. "Shall I make room for you here?" He patted the side of his cot.

"Now that tells me you're definitely starting to feel better." She rose to her knees and kissed him, not caring who might see. Then she turned serious. "You scared me silly, Erik. I don't think I've ever been more terrified than when you collapsed. Why didn't you say something?"

He couldn't answer. He hadn't even realized he'd been injured beyond a few bruises. All he remembered was the constant thought that he had to get her away. Had to get her to safety.

"It's all right now." She patted his chest and sat back down. "I understand."

"Here's some chow," Private Gable said, walking up the narrow aisle. He passed a tray to Lillian and then helped Erik to rest a bit more upright against the pillows.

Erik suddenly realized his chest was bare and he felt himself blushing. How embarrassing, he thought, forty-one years old and blushing like a young girl. He caught Lillian's eye and saw her grinning. Slowly, he raised the sheet and blanket covering his lower torso and legs, then sighed with relief to see he'd been dressed in clean drawers.

"Thank you, Private." Lillian favored the young man with a bright smile. "And I see you've brought a little extra for me. You're very kind."

"It's just a ham sandwich, ma'am. I thought you might miss lunch if you were staying for the afternoon. You just yell if you need anything else, ma'am." Gable nodded and walked off to see to other men under his care.

If he had a forelock, he'd tug it. Erik thought, amused at the soldier's reaction to Lillian's charm. "I think you made a new conquest, Your Ladyship."

"Oh hush. He's just a puppy. And don't try to distract me from feeding you this delicious bowl of… I think it's oatmeal. If you lose any more weight, you'll be positively skeletal." Lillian pushed an oatmeal filled spoon to Erik's lips. "Eat it. You need to gain your strength and replace some of the blood volume you lost."

He almost gagged on the warm cereal. It reminded him all too much of the thin gruel that was his usual meal with his gypsy captors. Still, he managed to force it down. She followed the oatmeal with a cup of warm tea which he took from her hand. "I'm not helpless," he growled, holding the cup precariously against his lips. He managed to get the tea down without spilling it and felt positively triumphant handing her back the empty cup.

"Thank you," he said softly as she ate her sandwich. "You didn't let them take the mask."

"I didn't know how to remove it, remember." She waited until he nodded. "But Erik, I think you should take it off for a little while. I want to make sure there's no damage to the skin underneath."

"It's not any more uncomfortable than usual," he said. "I won't take it off in front of all these people. I won't be on display."

"I understand." She rose up from the ground, picking up the tray. "You get some more rest and I'll see if I can get Dr. Aaronson to let me take you on a short walk after dark. We'll find a quiet, private spot and you can remove it there."

He nodded, suddenly too tired to keep his eyes open. "All right." He felt her light kiss on his brow before sleep overtook him.

. . . .

His strength amazed her, Lillian thought as she and Erik walked slowly through the encampment. He'd slept all afternoon and then eaten the light supper she'd brought. Then he let her help him into some clothing. Luckily, she'd somehow managed to keep his boots while he'd been unconscious, so he didn't have to deal with ill-fitting footwear along with the ill-fitting garments. He noticed she was still wearing the traveling suit she'd changed into before they left the hotel for his club. It must have been easier for the supply soldiers to find men's clothes than women's.

They'd wandered a bit away from the camp until they came to a rocky outcropping overlooking the remains of the city.

"It's so sad," Erik said, feeling the loss deeply. "It was such a vibrant city."

"It will be again, I'm sure." Lillian dampened her handkerchief with a little water from the canteen she carried and held it out to him. "Here. We're quite alone. Take off your mask and wipe your face. Then let me have a look."

He did as she asked. He couldn't help the reflexive flinch when she touched his ravaged skin.

It hurt her heart seeing his reaction. How badly he must have been hurt through the years to fear the slightest touch, even the touch of someone who cared about him. She couldn't say 'loved,' couldn't even think it. She would not fall in love with Erik Dantes. He wasn't the future she had planned. No. That future included marrying a perfectly nice, if somewhat dull, member of English nobility, putting all her energy into continuing her work with the Danby Foundation, and never seeing Erik Dantes again.

Besides, Erik wasn't in love with her. She was sure of that now.

He didn't know she came back and sat by his bedside that first night in the hospital tent after Dr. Aaronson was done treating him. He didn't remember holding her hand and calling out for another woman. Christine. It wasn't the first time Lillian heard the name from Erik's lips. Christine held his heart, not Lillian. Even if he wouldn't admit it, she knew it to be true.

She decided to change the subject, to ask a question she hoped would let her learn a bit more about the man she'd come to care about so deeply.

"Erik?"

"Hmm?" He pulled his mind from the devastation to focus on her.

"That was you, wasn't it? At the church."

He looked away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Liar." He wouldn't look at her. "I saw you slip in and sit at the organ. It was you who played and sang the Ave Maria. Oh Erik, your voice is glorious. Why are you denying it? Why won't you admit it?"

"Because I swore I'd never sing or play again." He faced her full on. "I broke that vow for you. Only for you."

"Why?"

"Because I—"

He bit off the words and just looked at her, letting her read the truth in his eyes. He did it because his feelings for her and her needs at that time were stronger than whatever made him make that vow. He looked away once more and she rested her head against his shoulder. He'd given her a gift and she would honor that as long as she lived.

They sat in silence for a while, then a sound behind them warned that someone was coming. Erik slipped his mask back on just as Tom Walsh stepped around the rocks and sat beside them.

"Hey Erik, it's good to see you up and about. You feeling better?"

"Much better, thank you Tom." It wasn't a lie. He realized he was feeling better, stronger than he'd felt the past few days.

"I heard some of the guys talking about going back down to the city." Tom sat on the ground beside them, wrapping his hands around his knees. "The Army's been there for days now, they been clearing out a lot of rubble and fixing some of the buildings that weren't too badly damaged. I hear they're setting up soup kitchens and putting up small camps so people can go back and be closer to their homes."

"That's good to hear," Erik said. He'd been thinking about his last view of Club Incognito. Surprisingly, it didn't seem to be as bad as he'd first thought. He knew the roof had fallen in and the brick walls surrounding the two upper floors had toppled. He remembered that part of the wall of Nasir's apartment had also collapsed, but other than that, he couldn't remember much else wrong.

"They're also getting supplies in by train," Tom continued. "So the station's opened up. I think people are coming in, too. Lots of volunteers and of course residents who were away at the time."

"Isn't that awfully quick after a disaster?" Lillian asked.

"Seems like it, but the way the Mayor and police are coordinating with the Army, things are under pretty tight control. There's a massive amount of people who want to help and start rebuilding right away."

"It says a lot about the spirit of San Franciscans." Erik said, stretching his back and then standing. "In fact, I think I'd like to get back there and see how I can help."

"What can you do, Erik?" Lillian asked, standing with him and brushing off her skirt.

He took her hand, guiding her down the rough trail as Tom followed them. "If the club is in the shape I think it's in, then the kitchen should be fairly intact. It's a perfect location for a soup kitchen for starters. And I am an experienced architect. Who better to be involved in rebuilding?"

"You're just recovering from some bad injuries," she protested. "You can't expect to go out and start putting up buildings."

"Not in the way you're thinking, no. But I can offer my services as an architect and construction supervisor. That won't be too demanding physically, and the skill set is needed to ensure the buildings are safe. I can even think of some modifications that could prevent excess damage in case of another earthquake in the future."

"Architect, huh?" Tom spoke up. "You build anything I might know about?"

Erik shook his head. "Nothing in the city or even in America. I did work on some buildings in Europe and southwestern Asia."

"Wow." Tom looked at Erik with wide eyes. "And here I thought you was just some weird guy in a mask running a gambling club. Who knew?"

"You're not wrong, my friend. I am some weird guy in a mask running a gambling club, but I've got a few other talents as well."

They'd arrived back at the camp. Lillian noticed there seemed to be more activity than usual. People were bustling around working with the soldiers to load wagons.

"Well, I'm off to see about getting a spot in one of those wagons for tomorrow," Tom said, shaking Erik's hand. "Want me to save you a place?"

"Yes." Erik made up his mind. There was no reason to stay at the camp any longer.

When he'd first come to San Francisco with Nasir, he'd decided to make it his home. This was his chance, his best and last chance, to truly find a home. There was no reason to hold off any longer.

"I'm leaving, too," Lillian said, waving good night to Tom as he walked off. "It's time to get back to my life."

He was expecting it, but still her words took him by surprise. He'd been thinking about his own future, completely forgetting that she had plans too. Plans that didn't include him.

"You've got to let your family know you're all right." Erik suddenly found he couldn't look at her. "Your fiancé must be worried sick."

"They already know I'm fine." She looked down at her shoes. "Private Gable helped me send several telegrams through the remote communications tent they have here. And Dr. Aaronson arranged for me to catch a transport to Chicago tomorrow so I can get back to work."

"Don't you want to go right back home to England for a while?"

"Of course, I miss then all terribly, but I came to America to do a job and I must finish before I go back." She couldn't explain it, but there was an urgency rising in her to complete the work she'd begun and secure funding for one more Foundation hospital in the United States. "Getting caught up in an earthquake sets one's priorities straight. I must finish what I started. Delaying my trip back to England for a few more weeks won't change anything. And they'll be there when I return home."

"I see. Good." Erik squeezed her hand, looking over her head at the organized chaos that was the survivors preparing to go back to what remained of their homes. "That's good. You should go back and be with your family for a while. Besides," he forced himself to speak through the lump that formed in his throat, "don't you have a wedding to plan?"

"Yes, I suppose I do." She let go of his hand, brushing her palm absently against her skirt.

There was nothing else to be said. They'd both known they were destined to part, they just didn't know an earthquake would delay that inevitability.

"I don't know if I'll see you tomorrow." Lillian's voice was low. "Perhaps it's best if we say goodbye now." She put her fingers to his lips. "Don't," she warned, "don't say a word. Don't say you'll write and I'll write back. Don't say we can plan to visit each other. We both know that can't happen. Let's make a clean break and walk away with the good memories we've made, for both our sakes."

Erik nodded as she moved into his arms for a final embrace. "I shall miss you, Lillian. Despite everything these past several days, I'm so very glad we found each other again."

She reached into her pocket and pulled out the piece of ribbon she'd given him so long ago. "Here," She took his hand and pressed it into his palm. "I held on to it for you while you were ill. I thought you might want it back."

He shook his head holding the ribbon out between them. "I want you to have this. It's the most precious possession I own."

She started to push his hand away. "I can't take it." A tear slipped down her cheek as she looked up at him. "I gave it to you. I don't want it back."

"Think of it as a loan." He pressed the ribbon into her hand. "Someday, you'll return it to me." Then he kissed her gently on the lips one last time. "Goodbye, Girl."