I'm so sorry for the short update, especially since it's been so long! Writers block is never fun to deal with :( This is more of a filler chapter but the next one will be better I hope (it will be longer and will certainly be up sooner).

Chapter 2

Anne gave a groan as she blinked her eyes open, a dull pain coming from her stomach. What had happened? She searched back, only to remember a strange man asking for directions and nothing else. Had she been attacked?

"Gil?" she mumbled before feeling a hand stroking her face softly.

"Oh Anne," he whispered, kissing her forehead softly. "I was so scared I lost you again."

"I'm still here," she mumbled back, "Can't get rid of me that easily."

He gave a quiet laugh, "I would never wish to darling." He paused before glancing at her. "Do you remember what he looked like?"

"He had a yellow scarf and a hat that was pulled low to cover his face. I think he had.. brown hair? Long coat? Quite short. He wanted to go to… Charlottetown I think?" She finished with a shrug, irritated she couldn't be more useful.

Silence reigned between them for a bit, Anne casting her memory back to try and remember who it was, while Gilbert was battling the dread that had inhibited him ever since Marshell had entered his house with Anne.

"What's wrong Gil?" Anne said softly, breaking the silence. "I'm still here, but you seem…" her voice drifted off.

He looked at her sharply, eyes glimmering slightly. With tears? Anne could count the number of times she had seen Gilbert cry on one hand. "Anne girl," his voice was a harsh whisper, "You were lucky. If I hadn't come home early that night you – you –"

He couldn't finish his sentence. Guilt swirled in Anne but she pushed it aside, laying a hand on Gilbert's arm instead. She had to be strong for him. "Gil darling, this has never happened to anyone I know. It was just unlucky. It's not like this will be an everyday occurrence. That would be a little disruptive," she finished, a small grin on her face.

Her light jest was met with stony silence and she sighed. "Gil –"

"I can't lose you Anne," he whispered, his gaze trained at the carpet. "Remember when I was ill, back after we graduated? How you felt? I'm not strong enough to go through that pain. I've almost lost you twice now, first with Joyce and now this time. Losing Joyce felt like ripping out my own heart, like a part died with her. I can't lose you to."

His voice was firm as he raised his head, eyes glimmering with determination.

Exasperation was beginning to build up in Anne. She could completely understand where he was coming from, how could she not? But what could he do about it? When voicing such, he just shook his head and mumbled something she couldn't hear – about him being an idiot? – before jumping to his feet. Going to grab the phone, he proceeded to ring someone after telling Anne to remain there and she sighed. Straining slightly in attempt to hear, she swiftly gave up due to the pain the movement caused. Maybe he had a point about the whole not moving thing after all.

Letting Jem climb up on her lap, she resigned herself to looking out into the back garden but not even her imagination could save her from wanting to know what Gilbert was doing. A small knock on the door to the living room diverted and she saw Leslie and… Diana?

"Di? What are you doing here?" Anne cried, moving to get up before giving a small cry, grasping her abdomen. Both women immediately darted forwards, Diana helping Anne sit back down while Leslie caught Jem who had fallen off at the sudden movement.

The three women played with Jem, Anne asking about Fred jr and small Anne Cordelia before gossiping about Owen while Diana and Leslie tried to avoid the real reason why they were there. Eventually however, as usual Anne's curiosity got the better of her and she asked in a low voice, changing the subject abruptly "Did you hear what Gilbert was doing on the telephone?"

Diana shook her head, having only been thinking about Anne and unable to observe anything else but Leslie nodded, casting a furtive glance at the open door into the hallway before whispering "He's already alerted the police to what he and Marshell knew about the attack but there wasn't that much they can do."

"Why not? What are they here for then?" Anne said before wincing at her own bluntness. However she was slightly mollified to see Diana nodding in agreement.

"Well, as they apparently are understaffed they said without more information they couldn't use it as a priority. Gilbert was furious about it and well, you know what four winds like. Everyone knows. Basically, everyone is looking for him and pressuring the police about it and have been sending you gifts. I think Gilbert is talking to the police about it."

Suddenly Gilbert darted through the door, startling them, causing Anne's grip to instinctively tighten on Jem.

"They've caught him."