The next morning Marilla awoke troubled. She couldn't get John off her mind, nor the events that occurred last night. Was John going to kiss her? It had been many years since they had been together, so why did he want to kiss her. She wasn't the same marilla he knew when they were teenagers. All she knew is that she was feeling like her world had been upturned. She didn't need to focus on him. She needed to get herself together so she could make her plum puffs for the town fair this weekend. Rachael had said she intended a surprise auction for charity but wouldn't tell her what was in store. She was brought from her bought a by a knock at the door.

Knock knock

"Marilla? Are you ok? Can I come in?"

"Come in Anne. I'm fine. Why do you ask?"

"It's 7 am marilla. I've never known you to sleep in past 6"

"I am fine Anne. I just feel a little under the weather today. I'll be down in a moment."

"I already made you breakfast. I'm sorry I have to leave so soon but I have to meet the council to discuss staying on at avonlea school. Perhaps I can get Gilbert's father to stop in and check on you."

"I do not need anyone checking in on me. I told you I am fine, just a little under the weather is all. John does not need to stop by."

"Maybe he could help you though Marilla. You seemed so relaxed last night when I came in. If anything he could keep you company."

"I have Rachael if I need company. There is no need for him to come."

"If you say so Marilla."

"I do say so. I do not need anyone to hover. Go, you do not want to be late. I will be fine here. If it makes you feel better I will rest today."

"Thank you Marilla. I should be home this evening. I'm going to Diana's afterward. I may meet up with Gilbert as well."

"Be careful, and I'll see you later. "

"I will. I won't stay gone too long."

Anne left promptly leaving Marilla alone. She waited till she heard the door close before she got up. When she went to stand her feet were unsteady as the dizziness washed over her. She steadied herself on the bed frame and waited till it passed before she walked to her closet. Grabbing her corset, skirt, and shirt she began to get dressed. She felt lightheaded but she pushed on anyway. Finally dressed she walked down stairs carefully and made it to the kitchen when she heard a knock at the door. She walked to the door, feeling more lightheaded with each step.She did not wish to see the person at the door, but she opened it anyway.

"John B..." her world began to spin, literally, as the dizziness followed by blackness overtook her. He watched in concern as she began to sway. He caught her just before she fell. He hoisted her in his arms and lay her on the couch. He felt her pulse it was racing. He just caught a glimpse of Rachael Lynd. He had to get her to call for a dr.rushing to the door he called.

"Rachael. "

"John Blythe is that you. What are you..."

"No time Rachael. Fetch a dr. It's Marilla."

"Marilla? I'll go get Thomas. I'll be back in a few John."

He watched her leave and went back to Marillas side. She was still unconscious . Her breathing was far to shallow and she didn't seem to be able to take a deep breath.He didn't want to do what he was about to do, because he knew it wasn't right for a man to see a woman who was not his wife, but this was an emergency. Pulling her shirt from her skirt he turned her slightly and began loosening her stays. She needed to breathe and he knew she couldn't properly with the corset on. He didn't remove it completely for he wanted to preserve some of her dignity. Just as he got the corset loosened he heard her breathing become deeper. He lay her on her back and waited. It wasn't long before her eyes began to flutter open. She looked for a minute or so to take in her surroundings. Why was she on the couch? She had opened the door to John when.. then she noticed him.

"John." She felt weird. It took her a minute to realize her corset was loose. How did her corset get loose.

"Don't be alarmed marilla. You passed out. I got Rachael to call for a dr. I know you are wondering why your corset is loose. I had to loosen your stays marilla because it appeared you were having difficulty breathing."

"So I passed out in the door way but how'd I get here?"

"I carried you. "

"Oh.. "

"How do you feel."

"Like I've just been through fog. My mind is disoriented a bit. "

"You need to relax till doc andrews gets here."

"I don't have a choice, do I. If I get up I risk falling face first. I'm sorry you had to carry me."

"No need to thank me Marilla. It's a good thing I stopped by to check on you."

"Very good thing. What if I'd fallen coming down my steps!"

"Hopefully the doc can figure out what's wrong. "

"I hope. If Anne had found me lying in the floor I'd never hear the end of it. She'd want to smother me."

"Only because she cares."

" there is such a thing as caring too much ya know."

"How so? She is close to you marilla and she doesn't want to see you sick. She is afraid of losing you."

"I'm not going anywhere."

"Not yet. Your too stubborn to go without a fight." That made her laugh. She smiled as she thought how true his statement was.

" you are right about that...I wish the dr would hurry up.I'm tired of laying here."

"When the doc sees you, you can get up. Till then you'll have to be content lying there. " seconds later they heard the door open and Rachael talking to the dr. She looked up to see doc Andrews coming into the living room.

"Evening Marilla."

"Evening Dr." he began getting his stethoscope from his bag.

"Rachael tells me you fainted. What happened before you fainted. "

"I was dizzy slightly. I was making my way through the house when John knocked. I opened the door and it faded to black." He placed the stethoscope on her.

"Breath in for me marilla." She did as instructed and he moved the stethoscope a few times. "I'm going to take your blood pressure now. He placed the cuff on her arm. Listening for the thumps with his stethoscope as it deflated. "Hmm."

"Hmmm. What's hmmm mean."

"It means marilla your blood pressure is elevated. I suspect that is what caused the dizziness. Your lucky you didn't have a heart attack. Now I have this medicine which is fairly new but I need you to take a small amount each morning. About 1/2 teaspoon will do. You need to restrict the salt in your diet. You need to relax the rest of the day. I don't want you doing anything besides walking. No housework. When you take this medicine take it easy. It may have some side effects but it will subside once it is in your system. Do you understand."

"I have housework that needs..."

"She understands perfectly fine don't you marilla." John gave her a sideways look.

"Yes dr I understand."

"And I will see to it that your housework is taken care of Marilla till Anne gets home." Rachael said in her usual pleasant disposition.

"Thank you Rachael. Maybe you could help me tomorrow then."

"Ok then marilla. Is there anything else wrong that I should know about."

"NoI'm healthy otherwise."

"That's good to hear. Now if you need anything, or the medicine doesn't keep the dizziness down you come see me. I expect you to see me next Monday to assess how the meds are working."

"I will see you there dr. It's not as if I have a choice."

"See doc. She's feeling better already." John laughed after he spoke.

"Not funny John Blythe. "

"Well now. If that is all I shall bid you all good day. "

"Follow me dr. I'll lead you out. Marilla, I'll see you in the morning."

" good day dr. Good day Rachael." She watched them leave them turned to John. "Now can I get up off this sofa."

"Yes you may. I told you that you were too stubborn to go out without a fight." He laughed.

"Instead of standing there would you help me. Give me your hand. " he reach his hand out and helped her to sit up, then stand. She wobbled slightly but stayed in her spot until she was steady. "Thank you. " she looked down at her shirt which was untucked from her shirt."I guess there is no need to fix it now. You've already seen what is underneath."

"I was a perfect gentlemen marilla. I only loosened the stays on your corset. I promise I didn't see anything else."

"I know John. It's just not proper of a woman like me being seen by a man."

"Woman like you?"

"Unwed. An old maid. We aren't married. Only a husband should see his wife in a state of undress."

"I think there is a clause for when the woman in question requires medical attention."

"Yes. I suppose you are right. Although if Rachael had noticed my shirt she would have thought something else was going on between us besides you coming for.. what are you here for?"

"I came to talk to you Marilla. Would you rather I leave?"

"No I just wanted to know why you came. It's not like I get many visitors here. "

" I thought you could use the company. Besides I have it on good word that Gilbert and Anne may be meeting up this evening and I thought we could have some time together as well."

"Who told you Anne and Gilbert were meeting this evening?"

"Gilbert. Diana told Gilbert Anne was going to see him today after their tea."

"Ahh. So Diana is playing matchmaker."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No. Those two will work it out. I have all the confidence that Anne will make the right choice."

"I do too. Gilbert is in love with your girl. You do know that."

"I am aware. "

"He asked for his mother's ring."

"He's going to propose?"

"I suspect soon enough. He's quite scared to ask you though. I suspect you put a little fear in him." She laughed."you always were a force to be reckoned with."

"It's why I ended up old and alone ."

"Who says your old? Your as young as you feel marilla.".

" your not helping. I feel ancient."

"You don't look ancient marilla."

"I do. Time has taken a toll on me. My hair is grey, I have l more lines than my mother did at this age."

"It makes you all the more beautiful marilla. When did you start worrying about how you looked. After all you preach to Anne about vanity."

"Just because I care how I look does not mean I'm vain.I just wish I hadn't aged as much is all."

"You need not worry marilla. You are just as pretty now as you were when you were young."

"Thank you but flattery isn't necessary." She began to walk toward the kitchen.she turned back when he didn't follow." Would you like some tea?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"I'll be right back." He watched her walk away. She was still as pretty to him today as she was back then. He didn't know why he was revisiting the past but he couldn't help it. He heard the kettle whistle and heard the clinging of cups and saucers. He knew she would be back in a minute. He didn't hear movement and he went to check on her. She was sitting in a chair with her hand to her head.

"You alright marilla."

"Just a little dizziness. Nothing to worry about. I sat the kettle down before I burnt myself. I took some of the medicine the dr gave me a few seconds ago. Hopefully it will kick in soon. "

"Here. Let me take the tea into the foyer and I'll come back and help you." He made quick work of carrying the tea and returned in seconds. "Give me your hand marilla and I'll help you up. "She reach her hand out to take his. When he helped her to stand she wobbled and he grabbed her waist to steady her. When the dizziness passed she looked up to John.There eyes locked for a moment. His hand never moved. He was so close to her she could feel his breath on her skin. She felt John move his hand in hers to intertwine their fingers. She placed her other hand on his arm. She didn't know what was happening but it was as if they were in a trance. her heart beat faster. She broke the silence with her voice.

"Thank you. I don't know what I'd have done if you weren't here."

"No need to thank me Marilla. " she removed her hand from his arm and he stepped aside. Keeping his hand in hers they walked into the foyer.