A/N - Warning - Discussion of suicide! If this could be a trigger for you or it's just not for you then please do not continue reading xx


The rain trickled down the glass as the condensation misted the window. Elizabeth's forehead was pressed against the frame as she stared out into the gloomy autumn evening. Will had spent the afternoon with her and they had talked more in those few hours than they had in all the years since their parents death. It was the first time Elizabeth could remember seeing her brother cry over anything other than a grazed and bloodied knee.

Her actions had hurt him and that was never her intention. The problem was, the feelings consuming her were so strong she couldn't see past them. She couldn't feel anything but deep, crippling sorrow and that made it impossible to consider anyone else.

Elizabeth had spent so many hours going over and over the consequences of her planned actions but it always came back to the same conclusion - She didn't want to live her life any longer, and once that feeling had crept into her mind, it took hold and became her every waking thought.

The gentle knock on the door barely registered with Elizabeth and she had no intention of acknowledging whoever it was. She didn't want to talk, she didn't want to eat and she certainly didn't have the energy to answer any more questions.

When the knocking persisted, she muttered "I don't need anything so please leave me alone."

She was still staring out the window, letting her mind wander as she tried to plan what she was going to do next.

The hinges on the door creaked as it was pushed open.

"I said I don't want anything."

"Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth froze! She was pretty sure she'd heard that voice before. It had called her name by the gazebo. It was the last sound she had heard before everything went black. What she didn't know was who it belonged to.

She turned her head towards the door and stared blankly at the guy currently invading her space. She was pretty sure she'd never met him before — Although he definitely seemed familiar to her in some way.

"Who are you?"

"Oh - Yes, I'm sorry! My name's Henry." He moved further into the room "I wanted to come and see how you were doing."

"I'm just peachy." Elizabeth turned back to the window and continued staring blankly into the gloom.

"I'm so glad I got to you in time."

Elizabeth's head whipped back round "It was you? You were the one who picked me up?"

Henry nodded "it's lucky I saw you."

"Lucky? You think it's lucky that you stopped me from doing something I wanted so badly? You think it's lucky that my every move is now being watched and scrutinised because you couldn't mind your own damn business?"

Henry looked at her with bewilderment "I didn't want you to die Elizabeth. You have so much to live for."

"Why do you keep saying my name like you know me? I've never seen you before and yet you seem to believe we're acquainted."

"We take the same class - Symposium in religion and theology - Professor Jenkins —."

"I know who's class it is." Her voice held no interest or acknowledgement at all "But I have no idea who you are or why the hell you decided to ruin my life."

"I saved your life, Elizabeth."

"Ha! - Let me rephrase - You ruined my death."

Henry sat in the chair by her bed, not phased by her frosty demeanour "I'm glad I did! It means I finally get to talk to you."

Elizabeth glared at him in disbelief "So let me get this straight — You decided to play superhero and ruined everything I had planned just so you could say a few words to me? Are you insane?"

"Maybe a little - But I have been watching you in class all year and you are the most beautiful, spirited, opinionated girl I've ever encountered. I love the way your mind works, Elizabeth."

Elizabeth shook her head and laughed "Trust me - You wouldn't want to know what's swirling around in my mind. It's the stuff of nightmares."

"Why don't you try me?"

"Did you follow me here — The other night? Were you watching me?"

"Not at all. I volunteer with the local Catholic Church to sit with patients who don't have anyone to visit them — Nobody should be alone."

"So why were you outside in the garden? How many patients were you visiting out there?" Her sarcastic tone wasn't lost on him.

"I stepped out to have a smoke when I saw you. I wasn't following you, I swear."

"That's why I could smell cigarette smoke. Disgusting habit."

Henry laughed "Yeah, it is. I need to quit."

Elizabeth looked down and started picking at the remnants of polish left on her nails. "Why didn't you speak to me before now? Am I really so hostile that people don't even want to talk to me?"

Henry smiled "You're not hostile at all, Elizabeth. You're just guarded. I'll be honest with you — I was scared to speak to you because you are so far out of my league and I didn't want to crash and burn."

"You do realise hostile and guarded are the same thing, right?"

"No they're not. You're just scared of letting anyone get close to you."

"And what gives you the right to presume anything? I didn't speak to you in a class we take together so you think I must be damaged?"

"I didn't mean it that way." Henry held his hand out towards Elizabeth "Can we start again because I'm not making the best impression here - Hi, I'm Henry McCord."

Elizabeth looked at his hand and couldn't help but smile at his awkwardness. "I'm Elizabeth Adams." She pressed her palm into his and felt comforted by the warmth.

"There, you see - we're friends now so you can let me help you." Henry me smile was warm and sincere - Two things Elizabeth wasn't used to.

"What makes you think I need help?"

"Because you tried to end your own life Elizabeth. So you may not feel able to ask for help - But I'm here for you anyway."

Elizabeth shifted her body towards Henry "Why are you doing this? What do you have to gain?" She wasn't sure why tears were welling in her eyes, it certainly wasn't by conscious choice.

Henry thought about that for a moment or two and then smiled "I want to get to know you because you fascinate me — And you clearly have a lot to offer the world, even if you can't see it for yourself. As for what I have to gain — Possibly everything."

Elizabeth looked perplexed "What on earth do you mean by that?"

"You'll have to wait and see." Henry pushed that chair back and stood.

"Are you leaving?" Elizabeth felt oddly disappointed.

"I have to go and sit with Mr Potts. He doesn't have any family and sadly doesn't have long left."

"So that's why you're here right now — I'm a charity case?"

"No! I'm here because I want to be your friend. Can I come back tomorrow so we can talk some more?"

"I guess that would be ok."

"Great! I'll look forward to it. See you tomorrow, Elizabeth."

As Henry left the room and the door clicked shut behind him, Elizabeth couldn't help but wonder what on earth he meant by gaining everything? And why was he so interested in getting to know her when nobody else had ever bothered? One thing was for sure — She was going to find out.