Notes: When I was in the sixth and seventh grade I wrote this. I don't feel like going back and rewriting it so please excuse the wrong timeline, the lame approach, the bad format, and the unusual writing style. This is merely the work of a real amateur and definitely, by far, not by best work. I never completed this story, but if I feel compelled to, I will.

Disclaimer: As of November 24, 2001. I own the story line and thus hold the right to remove this story if I ever feel an infraction of the disclaimer has been committed. I know that sounds like legal jargon and such especially for a fan fiction website, but I have already had my story line plagiarized. Kevin Sullivan owns the characters, the town, the timeline and everything. I own nothing but the story line and a few new additions to Avonlea.

Coming Home

August 1919, Avonlea

Part 7

Then something happened. The nay of the horse set the men on a mission. Felix knew it; soon he'd be toast. And that wouldn't happen to him. He had to let the horse go; as he clutched the reins squatted down behind the bushes with only his horse showing. He saw the men, guns in their hands, coming towards him. In his mind his thoughts mingled, save James or save your self. It may sound self fish, but Felix, did what he thought was best; he let the horse go, "Go home," he'd whispered before letting go of his one way to go home. Then the man stopped running towards him, and bullets flew from the golden black pistol. Bang! There was one. Bang! There was two. The horse shrieked even two miles away. Felix glanced back, then back at James, tied to tree, blood rushing from his wounds. His heart torn from its place, Felix, disgraced, watched on. "Don't shot the wild beast…it's not worth it." The fat one explained to the other. Menacingly he looked over at James Douglas Riley. Riley, sinisterly rough stared back…as young Felix King looked on, sweat fell from his pores. It heavily weighted on his head as he guarded his rifle, the handle enveloped with sweat from his gummy hands. His hair was damp and muggy, dark as it was; it was a brush all over his head. His heart could be felt as it beat, pounding its way through and out of his muscled chest. His brawn cringed as nervousness girdled him. He had this slight fear that rang through his body, a fear that he had had before, the same fear he had when he saw the German U-boats, the same fear he had when he was escaping the prison camp. Now he had the fear that someone was going to die yet again.

********

What had he gotten himself into? So much had happened all to fast, first of all he had started a new life with someone he cherished, but then he had to go and cheat on her. Bringing disgrace upon himself, his household, and his family. Soon he would have a son and soon would he also be dead. Thanks to his gambling problem, a problem that had once landed him in the slammer. A problem too addictive to solve, it was a dilemma that had caused him his life, now he was going to pay the price.

"What are you going to do with me?"

"Riley, I'll tell you the truth," spoke the skinny one, "I'm a father, and its close to Christmas. I don't really wanna kill ya, I'm not a killer, but I got to get money and Barns says the only way I'm gonna get that money is if I take care of you."

"We don't wanna kill ya, but we have too." The plumb one spoke. "Don't go holding anything up against us in heave now?"

"I ain't goin' to heaven." He spoke, James Riley had realized. Yes he had been to church and yes had he heard the gospel, sure every kind that grew up in the late 1800's and the early 1900's had heard it. Only few accepted the truth, "What that you say, Riley?" the plumb one questioned.

"Go to hell with me, Barns!" he yelled; though the man he cursed was not there. And then that was that. Felix froze, his heart beating heavily, he shut his eyes, he didn't want to be taken back to where he had been, but as the gun shoots went off. The bullets springing helplessly at James Riley, his best friends lover. Visions return to him as well, visions and sounds of war. The feelings of fear as defenseless cries yelped in pain. The visions of men dying, men going down as ammunition hit them in the bloody war field. He huddled low as he heard James shriek in pain and he heard the men run away, their footsteps quivering ceaselessly away from the dying man.

********

A guess there's always the time when your enemy saves you from the brink of something. And then there's always a time when you save your enemy, but Felix knew there was always a time. A time to save someone's life. Not hold onto a life, but rescue it from the brink of destruction, save it from the enemy. But as the men rushed away he rushed in, he had owed it to himself and to Izzy to save James. He had a chance to repay her for all that she had done for him. After all, you do all that you can to do, help someone you love. As he reached James, he saw the horror. Horror he had swore he would never return to. He saw James, red fervent blood running, gushing out everywhere, from his face to his chest. He looked dead, "James, are you dead?"

"Kid, just get me out of here!" Felix looked over at the older man, his face tore from its wary protective shield, his eyes a crimson bloodshot red, soak in a peeved fashion. Fear had outraged both of them. But Felix, his face pale, mortified in a shock. His hands trembling terrible looked over at James. Vision slide back in place, the blood running down Shannon's chest, the pain coming out of Elbert, even though he was never there, he saw, he experienced what they experience, he hurt when they hurt. "Fe..lix." this time James' voice wasn't strong, it was a depravation of weakness. Felix's eyes were paranoid; every emotion had disappeared like the sky teaming dark every night. Fear was seen in his eyes as it crept upon him. Suddenly superimposed when he had seen the terror the look that Izzy would have on her face, he had awakened to his deposition. He had to get James back home. To a home that was more then a couple of long deserted miles. Reaching simultaneously he grabbed James and began to drag him desperately away from danger.

********

She had tears streaming down her face. The time was almost the next day. The darkness over shadowed her feelings and the feelings of everyone in the house. As the tears continued to flow she felt the anxiety. As her family and friends prayed long and hard. She heard the nay of a horse that made her heart beat heavier and the faster. Her father glanced at her stepmother before looking back at Izzy. She, unfortunately, had made a burst for the front in distressed anticipation for Felix and James. But her father and stepmother knew that her going out there would only be an aroused and fearful commodity, they knew it would be painful. But they didn't really want to know; they didn't want to discover the truth. Reluctantly Arthur had dashed out with his sister, followed closely by his father; it was the truth that Izzy was going to need consolation.

********

She glanced through the fog, holding tightly to her chaw, the storm brewing in its heavily sky. Arthur, now by her side searched for the horse, he looked through the foggy street with dim town lights. Nay, Izzy inched forward as Arthur grabbed her arm. "Arthur, please!" he let go, he had too. She grabbed the horse's rein and searched for the rider, "No!" she screamed, "No!" tears now poured from her eyes, "Felix! Felix!" Arthur had rushed down to her side. She collapsed into someone else's arms though, Muriel's arms as her father and Arthur checked out the horse. Rain now pouring as Arthur Pettibone ran his hand through and across the horse. Final he found the wounds, "Father, two bullet shots." In horror, she was terrified now, "Felix!" her eyes full with tears and her face torn with emotions she cried out for her true love, "No! Felix!"

********

He dragged him farther and farther. He had to reach home. As he stopped his muscles haggard from the difficult travel as he dragged James along the side of the rode hoping someone would see them. As he stopped his breath was heavy as he gasped for air. He took a few deep breaths before looking down at James, now unconscious. Then he noticed the crimson blood on James and then glanced at his hands. They too with cover with that liquid, soon Felix knew he would have a dead man's blood on his hands. He had to get help soon. As he looked over at James he tore the sleeve of his own shirt and stuck the cloth over the wound. He knew he should have done that sooner, but now was better then never. Just as he did that a light flashed upon them. In the surrounding as James lay by the side of the rode with Felix hovering over him, any car would surely see them. A car did, but not just any car, Dr. Jameson's car found him and James, perched and peeved on the side of the rode.

********

He hadn't believed his eyes when he had seen them in the distance, but as he moved closer he saw it. Felix King, a Canadian Hotel Manager brought over to America to help a buddy and James Riley, an educational drop out and one of the most famous lawyers, not for his law, but for his kiss though sadly. Once he had seen them and a man in need he had raced his car there, even going over the speed limit, but with the Johnson's baby delivery over time he was forced to be sent packing early the next morning. As he reached the duo in the green weeds, he saw the situation before him. James Riley with gun shot wounds and Felix King with a gun.

********

He was still on his knees when the doctor arrived. As they hurried around James, the Doctor was inspecting his employer. The fear that he had had all night had withdrawn, "You didn't do it did you, Felix?" He stopped suddenly at what he was doing; a pale Felix King looked the man straight in the eye, "Sir? Of course not, I went out to look for Mr. Riley when he didn't come home and I witnessed this whole act of treason." The doctor looked over at Felix and then back at Riley, "He's gonna die isn't he doc?" Doctor Luis Jameson had known Felix because he was the one that had sewed up Felix's knife wounds during the war and he was the Riley Family physician, if anyone was sick, they went to him. Luis could only look Felix in the eye; "Yes…we must get him to the land." Felix only needed that answer before he got up and began to lift Riley all bye himself as he carried him like a baby the Doctor opened the back seat, his new leather finery in his automobile would be ruined.

********

As they rode home, images of the past and of the near future entered his vision. The sight of Izzy crying tore his heart, but soon or even now it was a true reality. He saw Shannon yelling at him to go on as the blood rushed out, it was the third time that night he had seen it, he saw the look in Jeff's eyes as Felix laid on the boat, blood coming out after saving Jeff's life. He saw the face of his mother as his train pulled out of the station and he saw his sister and Gus Pike as they were finally wed. He saw some major points of his life pass through his mind, as if flashed before him. He could feel the automobile trekking its way on the gray street under the Boston moonlight. He saw the ocean, the place that he had stared at some many times, here in Boston, on the shore near King farm, and on the boat in Europe haft way across the world. So many memories were tracing their way back to him. From where he left his boyhood to where he had first experienced way, they were all coming back now. And he thought he had put this all behind him; he was dead wrong.

********

When they go to the door, James in the Doctor's arms, Felix knocked faintly, his face still pale and his eyes were cold and harsh looking. He had seen hell again when he was out there with James. No he hadn't live in it he had relived it all, the trial, the perseverance, and the hardship. When Izzy answered the door she nearly screamed. He could tell by the motion, the movements, of her face as she wept seeing James dying. Collapsing on her feet in a motion that he was too scared to enter. He had never seen Izzy in as much pain. That was all he saw before he collapsed in the doorway.

********

When she had gone to get the door she had expected James to be standing there waiting for her to jump into his arms and he would gather her in love and they would kiss passionately. But she had been wrong, dead wrong. James wasn't at the door standing there waiting for her to answer it. No. He had been in the doctors arms shot. At that moment the world froze. Pain congregated inside of her and she expressed it fully outside. Her eyes were torn red from crying and her face was damp, from the tears that poured out her eyes. She didn't marvel at a joke like she had that morning. She only sat there, tears flowing from her eyes waiting for James to return. Just like when she had found out Jeff was dead and Felix was missing she waited up day and night waiting and hoping Felix would walk through her door. But when she saw James, she lost control and she collapsed onto the floor as Felix and Arthur, Muriel and Clive, and Cecily and Aunt Lillian came to comfort her, to console her, to help her deal with the agony. She had felt all the arms gather her and once the men had let go she new who was still holding her. Cecily, she had done the same thing when Cecily had found out Felix had been injured and might have been on his deathbed. Of course Izzy didn't collapse because then she had been engaged with Jeff. But in the past months she was Felix had grown closer, like a brother and a sister, like family members.

********

The sun came up and the dawn was born. Felix and Izzy went in to see the dying James Riley. Felix didn't know what to think and what to expect. The crimson color was in James' eyes as he talked with them, with the last string a life he had him. His father was on his way for the funeral so James wrote what he would have said to his father instead of talking face to face. James' mother lay in her cold grave and her son lay dying. Only his memories of her were with him. He thanked Felix for saving him then as Felix was about to leave he had one more thing to say before he had that heart to heart talk with Izzy. As he and Felix stared back at each other, once they were enemies now they were like brothers, the fear of the past night haunted them and the memories did anything but delight them.

"Felix…" his voice faded as Felix turned his head to look at James, "Felix…take care of Izzy for me. I know you will, you deserved her in the first place because you will and have always loved her." Felix King looked over at James and saw the heart that he had put into saying that. After all its not everyday a dying husband says that to his wife's former lover. But James' eyes were sadden like his were cold as Felix exited he turned once last time to Seaman-Recruit James Douglas Riley and whispered a loved, "Thank you…" As he struggled with the last part only he, Felix King and Mr. Riley would know what it means, "For everything."

********

He hadn't known Izzy as someone who cried, but he understood. If she had been lying in his place he would be crying. He noticed Felix standing there in the doorway, watching Izzy and him. James talked with her and talked some more, he confessed on cheating on her and she forgave him because now was not the time to be mad at him; he was dying. She looked him in the eye has he explained to her and then when he came time to say good bye. She had begun to cry again, but she was crying in Felix's arms as James Riley was dying. As Felix held her, James kept his eyes on them and he nodded to Felix. Because James Riley knew if would never be the husband Felix would have been to Izzy. "Good bye, my love." James spoke in almost a whisper but it was his strongest voice. He too was afraid of losing her and his life. Izzy looked down at him and then looked over at Felix his eyes were strained, "James…no…goodbye." And at that moment, James Douglas Riley, age thirty died at home in front of his wife.

********

As the weeks passed after the funeral Felix had returned home with Cecily. Izzy was making a trip to see the family that James had had that affair with. As Cecily and Felix walked up the long rode to the King farm, both still silent, "Felix…don't you think Izzy is a brave person?" Cecily with one hand she pulled the brim of her dress away from the snow and the other one rested on her side. While Felix looked out over the horizon, "Izzy's a brave kind of person." He was distant in though, Cecily could tell. She looked over at Felix; "You miss her don't you."

"No." he scoffed sarcastically.

"Felix?" He looked over at his sister; "She and I spent a lot of time together when James wasn't there and even when he was dead."

"She comes back tomorrow."

"I know, I'm picking her up at the station…do you think she'll still spend time with me?" Felix looked his sister in the eye and all Cecily King could do was smile a yes as their family came to greet them.

********

There is always a person that shows love to someone that they were supposed to hate. After all her husband had had an affair with this women, but the child would be as much of hers and it had been of his. Besides that child was the only thing left of her departed husband. But she had once longed to return to her childhood life after James had gone away to Cleveland. But now she was returning to her past, it scared her, the past…coming back to her, Felix coming…returning to her-her returning to him. But still in all she did, she still missed James. Somehow he had become part of her, just like Felix had become part of her. Izzy knew she could leave that part of her behind. But James would always be there with her, even when she was married and had kids. Her first marriage would be remembered, her first fiancee would always be in her heart, and her future husband would always be beside her…she knew for a fact that next time she would only choose a man who dearly loved and cherished her.

********

She stepped off the train on Prince Edward Island, Canada. Felix had done it before, so had Gus, so had Elbert, so had so many other people she had known throughout her life, Arthur, Sara, Morgan, Felicity, Aunt Lillian, Muriel, even her own father had done the exact same thing. They had all walked off the train and had been welcomed by their friends and family. Upon her arrival, she was met with friends and family. She was gathered in their arms and hugged tight as they embraced her. She felt the warmth of their hearts, close to hers. Once everyone had said everything they wanted to say to her they all started home. Once the dust had cleared, only two figures remained.

********

His tampered hair was fine looking though it was a mess. His brown bark eyes were saddened deeply as he looked at her. She was so vulnerable, yet so strong. Remind m of warrior or an angel. Stories he had heard while in the navy as men moaned for their own lovers. How they looked like angel when they were happy and they looked like fighting warriors when they were sad or anger. He had realized it then but they were describing Izzy. His features changed when he saw they were the only ones there. He had so much to say to her, he loved her. He knew it, as he had always known it, but she had only known it for some time. But was she ready to know the truth forever? His muscles had found their way to bulge themselves out of his thin white shirt. He had been discussing this conversation since the day he set foot back on the island. She had to know he loved her.

********

She had never known him to look so handsome when overcome with fear. She knew Felix all too well. They were connected to each other some how. From the day she laid her angelic eyes on him she had felt that desperation of connection. When they had shot his dog, she had felt his pain. When he had got a job she felt him grow. When he changed, she changed. When he became a man, she, herself, became a woman. When he wanted her to bid on him, she felt the passion that he had for her. When she had a crush on him, he had a crush on her. When she was hurt, he was hurt. When he loved, she loved. Her brown hair was twisted on her head. She knew he must have had a lot to say to her. After seeing the woman James had had that affair with she realized that she cherished Felix. The woman held the love for James that she really had for Felix. Somehow it had become a part of that woman, just like Felix had become a part of her too.

"Izzy," he looked over at her. They had had a conversation like this before, the whistling train in the background.

She had never seen the determination he had in his eyes before; he was grasping on to some truth that even she didn't know about, "Felix." She thought he would be more then happy to welcome her home.

"Izzy…I'm really sorry about James."

"No need to extend your condolences, Felix, you were there when he died…"

"I held you in my arms…you never tried to leave."

"I didn't have to…you know we both have felt something."

"I can't disagree, Izzy."

"Felix…"her voice cracked and trailed on and off, "I…well…uh…" again it trailed off as she searched for words. She didn't know how to tell him that she needed him.

"Izzy," somehow she knew he had read her mind, "I don't hope I'm too sudden, but when you're ready…"

"I'd love to go out with you again Felix."

The town was more then happy to welcome back Izzy Pettibone she had most certainly changed her last name back to her former last name. Everyone was pleased to have her back home. But as Christmas was approaching and slowly the news got around that Izzy had started dating Felix King once again. The town wasn't shocked, but neither were they surprised. But as the holidays emerged and the season of joy and gleam grew closer everyone started to welcome Izzy, the once rich wife of James Douglas Riley, back into their community and back into their life.

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Tell me if you want me to finish the story.