Warning: sexual situations

Timeline - Anne of Windy Poplars, The Second Year. This chapter would be lead into Chapter 4 but starts with a flashback.

Chapter 14: Bi-Location

Gilbert sat near Magog in the parlor room of Patty's Place as Stella finished reading highlights from her last letter from home. If truth were told, he wasn't really listening to Stella, as delightful as it was to hear news of Carmody. Instead, he and Jonas Blake were having a nonverbal conversation about their girls; specifically, Gilbert's Anne Shirley, and Jonas' Philippa Gordon.

Gilbert hoped that when he looked at Anne, it wasn't in the same obvious manner as Jonas' long glances at Philippa. Gilbert and Jonas traded notes the few times their eyes connected. Together they found themselves inwardly laughing and shaking their heads as they attempted to court their girls in a room decorated with entirely too much gold leaf. Jonas appeared to be a lot closer to achieving his heart's desire than Gilbert. Philippa was actually sitting next to Jonas and would sometimes touch his hand.

Everyone in the room knew Anne and Gilbert were close friends: they also knew that their chemistry hinted to something deeper than friendship. Gilbert didn't worry about Anne's physical distance from him. The fact Anne chose to not sit next to him was a thinly veiled protest to a heart that was warming to be his. He smiled thinking her coy. Anne who sat on the floor with her legs tucked up under her skirt. Anne who laughed the brightest. Anne whose auburn hair still beckoned for his touch. No other man was closer to her than him even if she sat the furthest away.

It was Anne's turn to share letters from home. She always gave the best readings. One could argue, that letters from Davy Keith gave her the best material. There was plenty of room to add vocal inflection and foot-stomping to Davy's unfiltered views of life. Gilbert was not surprised to hear rip-roaring laughter as she proceeded to read. She glowed in the mirth before refolding his correspondence for safe-keeping. When Davy's letter was slipped back into its envelope, she found a thin note she had missed.

She popped an eyebrow as she recognized the handwriting written on its front. "It's from Dora," Anne reported. "Don't know how I missed this. Supposed she tried to save a stamp."

"Read it to us, Anne," Priscilla requested.

"It's probably just a recipe. It's Dora!" Anne smiled at the crowd as she flipped over the note to inspect the back.

"Give the girl a chance," Jonas encouraged. Gilbert noticed Jonas was now holding Philippa's hand.

"Well..." Anne unfolded the square and cleared her throat.

"Dear Anne, I'm afraid I ruined your blue apron. I borrowed it after I heard someone..." Anne stopped abruptly as alarm took over her face. Her gray eyes welled with a few tears. Quickly, her hand went up to cover her eyes and she tucked her face into her chest. Her surprise was so complete the entire room grew instantly concerned. She stopped an incoming hug from Stella.

"No, just give me a second," Anne said. "I was caught off guard. That's all."

Gilbert began his countdown. He followed the rhythmic tick-tock of the clock and watched Anne's valiant struggle to remain calm. Hundred, ninety-nine, ninety-eight. He intended to reach zero before racing to her side. Eighty-two, seventy-one, seventy. His eyes never faltered from her bowed head and thus when she lifted her eyes, she found him there waiting. Fifty, forty-nine, thirty-eight.

Finally, Anne turned to the rest of the group and spoke calmly. "Excuse me. As you can tell, Dora's note really surprised me. I should have read it first. I apologize." She got up and exited the room, cloistering herself off in the kitchen.

Twenty, nineteen, eighteen.

Gilbert was rubbing his hands together, relieved that whatever it was, it didn't cause Anne to sob. The tears he could handle; she cried easily, happy or sad. It was her sobs that brought him to his knees. He absolutely hated it when Anne would weep.

Phil, who was nearest Gilbert, kicked him. He glared at her and she mouthed the word, "Go."

When he entered the kitchen, Anne was standing at the sink, her back to him. She watched her reflection in the dark window as her thin, flexible arm reached to her hair and removed hairpins. Her fingers raked out the twist. Gilbert gazed longingly as the knot tumbled down. Gravity straightened her auburn waves. The way the rounded ends swished back and forth at her hips made his face heat.

Gilbert looked away and saw Dora's letter on the table. He picked it up and read it.

"Dear Anne, I'm afraid I ruined your blue apron. I borrowed it after I heard someone poured paint on Matthew's grave. I cleaned it up. Marilla said to send a note explaining what happened. I am sorry. Love, Dora."

Gilbert felt sick. Why would someone vandalize Matthew's headstone? Were there other monuments vandalized as well? He put the letter down where he found it. Anne had turned to face him. She watched for his reaction as she pushed a few wispy red threads of hair behind her ear.

"Anne, I'm really sorry someone did that," Gilbert said. "But it's got to be fine now if Marilla knew anything about it. It's probably so clean it gleams."

"Of course, you're right" Anne breathed. "It's what I thought too, but, it's Matthew." Did I ever tell you how much that man meant to me? "I miss him so much still and for someone to do that!"

Gilbert advanced closer to Anne. He picked up her hand and held it very lightly with the tips of his fingers. "Anne?" Gilbert voiced lovingly. "You know I'm headed back home next weekend. Would you like me to go look? I'd be happy to do that for you."

His lungs collapsed from the hug Anne gave him. "Gil, thank you!" She clung to him. Usually, her hugs were a flash in the pan, but this one lingered and he could feel her relax in his protective arms. He squeezed Anne affectionately and directed his mind to chant an all too familiar statement. I will not kiss you. I will not kiss you.

"I wish I had the power to be in two places at once because if I did, I would go there now and make sure," Gilbert heard himself say.

Anne chuckled as she loosened her grip. "My, Mr. Blythe. I didn't know your sense of imagination was so developed."

Gilbert's hands slipped down to her waist as hers remained on his strong arms. We're just friends, right? Anne usually fought this, but not tonight, he supposed.

Anne was refusing to look away from him. He marveled at the green flecks that glittered in the irises of her gray eyes. "Anne, there's a lot about me you don't know." Anne took a step back from Gilbert and her hands were again in his fingertips. "I...I" He wasn't going to tell her that his own Uncle Raymond was a master at bi-location. That would take too long to explain; however, there was something in her touch that made him want to tell her his story; and how he lost his magic. He wanted her to know, that if he had his powers, he'd stay up all night to figure bi-location out, just for her.

"Gilbert?" Anne called him back to reality. "Thank you! Please give your folks my best when you're there. Twenty-five years is nothing to sneeze at."

Anne half smiled as she re-twisted her hair and reinserted pins to hold a bun. She returned to the laughter of friends, leaving Gilbert to question what had just happened. Could it be, that she was falling for him? She stayed so steady in his embrace. Helen had assured Gilbert in her most recent letter that she saw him marry a red-head in a prophetic vision.

Anne Shirley instinctively rolled towards him when she realized Gilbert had joined her in her Windy Poplars bed. She was asleep, but Gilbert was never far from her thoughts and she was not afraid to act on her instinct. Anne squealed when Gilbert possessively pulled her to him. He crossed his hands behind the small of her back and he gently held her hips against his erection, not that she fought to escape.

Their heads collided and she found his lips on hers. His tongue provoked her soft moans. He attempted to smother her with his kisses. Anne felt herself grow light-headed trying to passionately return each one. Her heart pounded hard under her breasts. His hands were everywhere on her body now. Her soft skin molded to his touch.

As suddenly as he was there, he was suddenly gone.

Anne might have convinced herself her overactive imagination was at work; if it weren't for the covers being completely pulled apart and her nightgown pushed up to her chin.

"No...!" Gilbert shouted as he woke up from the most vivid dream in his life. He could still feel Anne in his arms and smell her sweet skin, but it couldn't have really happened, right? But he already knew it had, he had been there with her. The more awake he became, the more sure he was. But he hadn't meant to project himself to her, not really. His mind hurt realizing that his powers now included a new ability, the same as his uncle's. He could be in two places at once.

"Gilbert, what's wrong with you?" Eugene queried from the other end of their dark room. "Aren't you a little bit too grown up now to be having nightmares?"

"Nightmare? Hardly." Gilbert sat up in his bed and ran his fingers through his hair. His brow was wet with sweat. "Eugene, I was with Anne just now. I can't believe it! I've just experienced bi-location." He sounded both terrified and amazed.

There was no immediate response but Gilbert heard a match strike and then he could see light coming from Eugene's side of the A-shaped dorm room. A half a minute passed before Gilbert saw Eugene's spindly legs attempt to navigate around the corner. His shadow loomed up like a monster over his head from the way he held the lamp. He looked at Gilbert with the oddest grin.

"Gil, what exactly do you mean you were with Anne?"

"I was in two places at once." Gilbert heard himself explain. "I was here in my bed asleep and I was over in Summerside, with Anne, in her bed." He breathed heavily, still not quite believing it himself.

"Oh dear!" Eugene's voice was filled with wonder. "And dare I ask what you were doing with Anne in her bed?"

"We weren't discussing the upcoming elections, I'll tell you that much," Gilbert exhaled. Gruffly, "I need to apologize to Anne. She deserves better than me treating her like..."

"Like a woman you love? How far did you go?"

"Once I realized my fantasy was a bit too real I was back here," Gilbert reported. "But that's enough of that. I have to get back there and apologize."

"Well, no one will ever say you don't at least try to live up to the ideals of chivalry, but Anne doesn't seem like a typical lady in waiting. Judging by the way you shouted 'no' your escapades were well received."

"Gene, I won't discuss Anne like this anymore with you," Gilbert said. "I'm still trying to understand how I did it. I mean, thoughts of bi-location have been nagging me for months. I've been remembering everything I've ever said about it, and trying to recall everything I ever heard Helen's father say about doing it." Gilbert slapped the mattress in front of him, finally accepting his newfound ability. "Gene, I can bi-locate. Oh wow, that's weird to say." He peered up from his bed looking for re-assurances from his newest confidant.

He was looking so intently at Eugene that Eugene thought perhaps there was someone else in the room with them. He turned his head to check and then attempted to provide Gilbert the sort of affirmation he needed.

"Well done then Gilbert! Hip-hip-hooray! Bi-location!"

Gilbert shook his head and chuckled. "Gene, that's not the response I was looking for."

Gene set the lamp on the desk nearby and pulled the chair. "What would you like to hear then, Gilbert?" He leaned the chair back and attempted to balance on its two hind legs. This, however, caused Gilbert to momentarily forget the reason why they were speaking at one AM instead of sleeping. Eugene was really testing fate.

Gilbert brought his hand to his face in chagrin. "I dunno. Just tell me what you think."

"Oh," Eugene said. "Well, I think perhaps, maybe you should learn to use the magic powers you already have, rather than find new ones."

"Meaning?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Eugene started to say a bit defensively. "You lack control Gilbert!" It was at this moment irony caught up with Eugene and he lost balance in the precariously tilted chair. Chair and man crashed to the floor.

"Dammit! Why do I have to be such a klutz all the time? I have a bone to pick with my creator. There's no reason for me to always be dropping things and falling down."

"You all right?" Gilbert got out of bed to help him.

"Yes, yes, of course!" Eugene pushed away Gilbert's hand indignantly. "And I'm not letting you Dr. Diagnose me, either." Eugene brushed his nightshirt straight. He picked up the chair and hunted for his spectacles.

"That wasn't my motive for offering my hand," Gilbert retorted. "But, you're right about the control part. If you were injured, I'd know pretty fast without any conscious effort on my part just shaking your hand. That is something I cannot control. It's quite inconvenient, to be honest."

"I'd say. You really need to cloak that ability better during patient casework, it's rather obvious anymore and so very hard for me to spin. But..." Eugene stopped talking in fear that his thoughts were too steeped in the subjunctive. What did he know about magic after all?

"But what?"

"Oh, it's probably nothing. I'm not the one with the powers am I?" Eugene found his glasses and slipped them on his head. He returned to his chair and this time he did not make attempt to lean it back.

"No, I want to know." Gilbert pushed.

"Do you have your powers in your second body?"

Gilbert felt his face furrow thinking it over.

"Why?"

"Well, if you could be Gilbart during patient casework..."

"Gilbart?"

"Oh, saying 'your second body' felt weird," Eugene explained. "So I thought you could be Gilbert and Gilbart when you're doing this bi-location thing."

Gilbert frowned, shaking his head.

"No? What should I say instead? Educate me, what are the proper terms for this magic business?"

"You'd be better off asking Helen those questions. She actually grew up with some magical guidance. I'm just winging it."

"Well, then, I'm entitled to also make it up as I go, aren't I?" Eugene stood and pushed the chair back to the desk. He paced instead. "I'm just thinking that if you could be Gilbart instead of Gilbert at certain times, you might be more successful in hiding your magical nature. Seems to me that you wouldn't have your powers as Gilbart since your magic is already in use to maintain this other corporal body."

Gilbert rolled his eyes, thinking about it. "I guess it would depend on how solid I felt in my projection, and how much consciousness I gave it, and how long I needed to sustain it, and the distance between the two.." Gilbert went on and on.

Eugene started to laugh. "Sounds like you're going to have to learn control. I know, not your forté is it?"

Gilbert sat on his bed. "You're right Gene. Do you want to help me then? You could help me improve. You seem to have a grasp on these matters, even if you're not cursed like I am."

"You're not cursed," Gene shook his head. "You've been gifted and yes, I'm sure it's hard, but you're not cursed," Eugene looked back to his friend who was now looking a tad insecure. "Gilbert, think about everything you have done with your powers. I only know the things I've witnessed and they're pretty incredible. You saved that lovely baby of Mrs. Wright's. And you healed me from that lung infection."

Gilbert looked at Eugene questioning him. "You just had a cold."

"No, I didn't," Eugene looked steadily back at Gilbert. His pale blue eyes were fixed hard on him. "I was about to drop out of school and check myself into a sanitarium. I had already purchased my ticket to Alberta. Prairie cure and all. I was writing my will."

"I never noticed it as being that serious," Gilbert replied. "I thought it was just a cold."

"Well, it wasn't," Eugene said quietly. "I knew then about you. Thank you. You saved my life, and I owe you."

"You don't owe me, Gene," Gilbert firmly stated. "But I'm to the point now where even I must admit I don't know what I'm doing and I need help with this. Will you help me?"

"How? I don't bring anything to the table with regards to supernatural powers."

"That's not true. You are a good friend. I need lots of those." Gilbert said. "You can watch for me when I attempt to bi-locate and protect my dormant body. I will need your help this morning, say around six, before breakfast? I still need to apologize to Anne."

A few hours later, just before sunrise, Anne woke up and found Gilbert sitting on the mattress next to her. He was wearing his brown suit, clearly ready for class. His right leg was folded between them and his left leg dangled over the elevated bed. His face was hard to read. He looked part man and part boy caught stealing cookies from the cookie jar. She didn't falter under his hazel eyes, but she did volley hers back and forth from him to the place on the mattress where they might have made love.

"Last night wasn't a dream, was it?" Anne coolly asked.

Gilbert shook his head. "No"

Anne's eyes enlarged as she remembered his sensual embrace. She looked away as her face heated.

"Anne, you must know how truly, utterly, ashamed I am with my behavior. I didn't understand it was real. I thought it just another dream, about you." Gilbert admitted bravely, "Please forgive me for using you. I'm so very sorry."

"Gilbert, I thought that I was dreaming too. Was I not kissing you back? Your apology feels unnecessary here."

His brows knotted. "Still. I want us to make it through this engagement with our virtue, whatever is left of it, unscathed. It's still important to me."

Anne's head turned. She could hear one of the other occupants moving downstairs. "Gil, what is going on? Just how did you get in my bed last night? If the Aunties or Rebecca Dew discover you, you'll be burned at the stake! Me too!"

Gilbert scratched his head trying to find an explanation that didn't sound foolish. "Well, Anne-girl, it would seem I've stumbled onto a new ability. Bi-location. Being in two places at once. I projected a second version of myself straight into your bed. And now that I know I can do it, I'm doing it now just to apologize for that."

Anne caught her reflection in his eyes. "You're here and you're..."

"Back in my dorm room at Kingsport Medical School."

"At the same time."

"Yes. Glad you understand."

Anne pushed the covers off her and crawled on her hands and knees over the mattress to be closer to him. She kneeled before him, balancing herself carefully on bent legs and sat upright over her feet. Her fingers combed his thick hair and her palm cupped his cheek. He felt real enough, just like last night. Gilbert kissed the inside of her hand.

"You're here and you're there. This doesn't seem like it should be possible."

"Anne, it's magic. None of this should be possible. It just is." Gilbert hesitated and he looked down a moment. He grabbed her hand deliberately, mustering up some courage. When he saw her supportive eyes again, he revealed. "Anne-girl, I'm a lot more powerful than I thought. It terrifies me if I stop and think about it."

"Why? Why are you afraid, my love?

Gilbert's eyes moistened slightly. "I don't know who I am anymore. Or what I am for that matter. I've never heard of anyone in my family having two major abilities. This is huge."

Anne leaned forwarded and kissed him on the cheek. "I know you Gilbert Blythe and you've always been exceptional. Could I love a mediocre Gil? Perish the thought! But, I know also how hard getting your powers back has been. No one sees the stress you're under better than I do."

Gilbert squeezed Anne's hand, "You're not afraid of me, are you?"

Anne smiled ear-to-ear. "Gil, are you kiddin' me?" She nudged him. "When it comes to you, I could never be afraid. I've been mad and angry at you. You've made me cry many times, and I've been deliriously happy with you too. But I'm not afraid of you. I am concerned and nervous. You're struggling to stay in control, and I see that. It has to be the reason why you did not ask me about leaving Avonlea. Unless you want to explain."

"That's what you want to talk about?" Gilbert said, almost relieved. "Not the fact I've sprouted this other major ability or how we almost made love. You want to talk about me buying Uncle Dave's medical practice?"

"No, I want to know why you didn't consult me about it first," Anne said. "I can see that it is a good opportunity but really Gilbert. It's my life too."

Gilbert blinked his eyes as if he was hearing Anne for the first time. "Isn't it my job as the husband to provide the home?" Gilbert asked. "I honestly thought I was providing for you by not giving you any cause to worry for our future." He studied her face as it frowned, "I guess it was pride, Anne-girl. I wanted to show you my prowess. I never meant to hurt you by not giving you the respect you deserve. I'm sorry. Do you want me to go back to Uncle Dave and say "no thank you"?"

Anne squeezed his hand this time. "I didn't say that, did I? I forgive you Gilbert. I might be a fool to, but I do. I can see how much you need me on your side. I can't be anywhere else when it comes down to it."

Gilbert's lips found Anne's once again. He brushed them lightly and cupped the side of her face. "I love you, Anne-girl. You will never know how much."

"I love you too, Gil." Anne returned. "I suppose your new ability doesn't include a time-bending attribute, does it?"

"No," Gilbert's head shook. "Don't be silly."

Anne chuckled. "Well, you should depart now." Anne kissed him again. "Rebecca Dew sometimes forgets to knock, and I am expected downstairs. She'll be up to check soon."

"I'm glad we've talked," Gilbert said as Anne watched Gilbert fade into mist.

Anne Shirley barely beat the tardy bell when she arrived at Summerside High School. She walked into her class straight from the street and began administrating the geometry exam before she had a chance to take off her coat. As soon as she passed out the test there was a rap at her door. She could see through the door's window it was Miss Brooke, looking sterner than usual.

"Excuse me, Miss Shirley," Miss Brooke forcefully said as Anne cracked the door open. "I was hoping you had those new maps of India for my class."

"Of course! I have them with me in my satchel," Anne whispered. Miss Brooke followed Anne in, two steps behind her. The heels of her boots clicked obnoxiously. The students returned their eyes to their papers when Miss Brooke turned to address their stares. Anne fished through her bag for the hand-colored maps of the exotic land. They were rightfully each a piece of art. Anne tried to smile at Miss Brooke as she handed them off. Miss Brooke only scowled, wriggling her nose in disgust.

Anne realized that Katherine was commenting on her scent and grew self-conscious, but no more was said between the two women. Miss Brooke had her own class to manage.

Anne could see that Katherine lingered at the door once it was shut. The door was hinged high enough that her black-patented, high-heeled boots were visible in the gap between the door and the threshold. Once again, Anne wished she could see through the door and know what was happening behind it. Instead, she had to suppose that the gray-suited woman was counting the copies she just supplied.

In actuality, Katherine needed a moment or two to cleanse her nose of that distinctive scent, faint as it was. She was sure, even though she hadn't smelled it in over fifteen years, that Miss Shirley had a been in the company of a witch. Her curiosity was peaked as was her apprehension.

to be continued