A/N: Hello all! Thanks to all of you for your wonderful reviews! So, please excuse me if I do not post as often after this chapter. School is starting, I'm afraid, which means I will have less and less time to write. Besides homework, add tennis and orchestra to it, and I'm doomed. So, I want to apologize if I don't keep up with my writing. I hope you all are enjoying the story thus far. I love your reviews and encouragement! And I hope you enjoy this chapter and leave a review please to tell me what you think. I wrote all of that and all my responses to your reviews about two months ago, so it's a little outdated. I'm so sorry I've been so busy. High school has just sucked all the energy right out of me, but I'm starting to find a rhythm and it's given me a bit more time to work on my story! Yeah! Hope you guys like it…please review.

Ruby: I'm so flattered that you like my story. :) I love yours. Kimmy is not Jane Andrew's daughter or granddaughter. I think that would be a bit too much for the story. You know—to have everyone be somehow connected to Anne might be odd, but I promise at least one housemate will have a connection to Emily. Robert Grant is Priscilla's son. I think I mentioned it last chapter. Thanks for the wonderful review. I'll update soon only if you do too! ;) BTW, there are a few things I forgot to say in my review for Chapter 19 & 20 of your story, so here it is. I love you for having Blythe play the violin! I play the violin! And Joyce is lovely, darling!

lovejag: Hello! Thank you for reading my story and reviewing. I know the oldest kids would see their friends head off, but I'm focusing on Emily who is only 13; therefore you are not seeing a lot of war action yet. In the earlier chapters, I talked briefly about Will and Alex considering joining up. I also mentioned that Harry who is 16, and not yet able to enlist, wanting to go to a military school. So, I am working a plan for these boys and I assure you there will definitely be WWII later on. Please keep reading and reviewing! Thanks so much! :)

Stella Maynard: I think life up in the east is just a bit busier. Everyone up there just seems goal-oriented. And it feels like there's more hope for people up there because they get more opportunities to do things. It's very bland in Texas. I don't believe Rory and Dean should be together. After all he is married. She needs to learn how to move on. This whole thing is going to ruin her relationship with Lorelei. Did you know that Christopher is coming back to complicate things with Luke and Lorelei? Talk about drama! I cried at the end of The O.C. finale. I love that Amy was waiting for Ephram on the plane! It was so romantic. Can you tell I'm a hopeless romantic? It's like every show on television has something to do with teen pregnancy. I think they need to come up with something new. I cannot wait for Harry Potter to come out. I'm dying here! They're filming the fourth movie too. The Goblet of Fire is my favorite of the series, so far. Order of the Phoenix is good too. Supposedly, JK Rowling is halfway through the sixth book! Yeah!!! You should check out It's an awesome website. Kimmy is going to stay around, but she'll be a lot more normal and nicer in the future. You like Jeff? Really? There's actually a guy I know—or have been in the same room with—whose name is Jeff Clark. The character is supposed to be like Tristan on Gilmore Girls, so I guess I'll have to keep him around. Professor Grant is cool. He's like Mr. Medina (Max) on GG. Can you tell I love Gilmore Girls? I don't like Melanie either, but she is Emily's sister, which means she'll have to stay. :( Yes, I'll be a freshman in high school, and I'm terrified! You don't start school for another TWO WEEKS? AHHHH!!!! BTW, have you been watching the Olympics? Tennis is my favorite sport, but I'm currently watching swimming. Michael Phelps is so hot!

The first few weeks of school withered down quickly. Emily and the rest of her friends soon found their stride and were all immensely busy with their new lives. Emily got along very well with her professors, which was already expected. She enjoyed the classes and the Queen's atmosphere. Harry and the rest of the boys at Pennington Place started their football season, and the girls cheered them on at a couple of games. Emily and Claire decided to take on a few extracurricular activities. Claire joined the student council and was elected the president of the freshman class. She made new friends, but was still close to Emily.

Em always loved tennis, so she decided to take it up. Queen's girls' tennis team was relatively new; therefore Emily had to spend some extra hours on the court. She was also recommended to the newspaper office, and Emily gladly accepted. She was a bit busier as well, but that's not to say that Mary and Kimmy weren't taking on other activities as well.

Mary joined the Junior Red Cross and persuaded Kimmy to come along. They were both usually at home, making care packages for the soldiers. Emily helped Mary and Kimmy whenever she could, but she also wrote many columns about the war and tried to promote younger generation involvement. Claire was working hard with the student council and staff.

One day, after tennis practice, Emily made her way to the newspaper office to turn in a new article. She walked past the town square, where many of the students enjoyed spending their time off campus. She decided to drop by the post office because she admitted it had been awhile since she checked for letters, but then again, she was a busy girl. A letter from Aunt Una, Mum and Dad, and one from Will.

Dearest Emily,

Darling, how are you? Good, I hope. Harry has written me regularly. He says you've been quite busy. Tennis, newspaper, not to mention all of your rigorous academics. Quite impressive, and you were worried about not fitting in. I hope Melanie and Madison aren't treating you badly, but if they are, I promise to write to them about it later.

I'm doing fine. Redmond is nice and I enjoy the atmosphere. Most of the boys have gone off and I can see the looks people give me behind my backs. It's becoming unbearable, Emily. I know you worry about the war, but I believe it is my duty to leave. Alex has already joined up and expects me to do the same. I have to go some time Emily, so it might as well be with Alex, my friend and family. Dearest, it will be fine. You must keep faith like Aunt Una told you and like Uncle Walter told her. I know it'll be terribly hard for you, but I have all the faith in the world that you'll make it through. You're such a brick, Emily. You need to be strong for Mum and our sisters. Tomorrow I will enlist and I'll get a few days to come home before I leave overseas. It won't be the end of the world, I promise. Alex has written to Sarah, so I know you girls will help each other through this.

Keep faith, dearest. I expect Mum and Dad to write you a letter soon. Until then…

Love,

Will

Emily was speechless. She knew there would be a time that the Piper would call for her brother, but somehow it just all hurt the same. She wondered if Sarah knew already and if she was avoiding her for some reason. She didn't even want to read what her parent's letter said. She wanted to run away and leave the world behind her. Just once, she needed an escape—a haven of her own. Emily wasn't sure what she loved. Sarah painted, Claire had her council of friends, and Mary and Kimmy could devour themselves in their work, but what did Emily have? She liked to write and play tennis. She also picked up playing the violin in the orchestra, which she loved, but she needed something.

She made her way to the newspaper office, which was empty now. She sat down and opened a book and started to read. Reading was a great way to escape. She read and read and read and cried and read, until finally someone came into the room. Emily looked out the window and realized it must have been the middle of the night. She quickly wiped away the tears from her eyes to look and see who was at the door. It was that rude boy in her English Lit. class—Jeff.

"What are you still doing here so late? Don't you know how to go home and read?" he asked in an overbearingly assuming tone.

"And what are you doing here? I came to turn in my column for this week, if you must know," Emily responded with the exact haughty manner.

"Well, if you must know, I thought I'd take a walk around because I couldn't sleep. It's nice to take nightly walks by yourself."

"Sounds awfully dangerous too." Emily's voice had changed. She was actually interested in what Jeff had to say, but she couldn't let down her guard. "I'm surprised you're not off with your fan club at this time of night. I thought that's what guys like you do—take a pack of girls to the movie and then break all of their hearts."

"You really don't think a lot of me, do you?"

"Well, you haven't given me a reason to think of you as anything but a self-centered, arrogant automaton, that girls just automatically swoon over."

"You wound me. So, do you just like to sit in the newspaper office every night to read or do you just like to come in here and cry your eyes out to the understanding company here?" He looked around at the empty room. "This is some party…"

"It's just a one-night thing. I usually stay in the house at this time like normal people do. I just lost track of time today."

"I get worried when you're not sarcastic. What's on your mind?'

"Well…" Emily started a little hesitantly, "my brother wrote me today. He's enlisting tomorrow. I don't know why I'm being childish and crying uncontrollably because I knew he would enlist eventually, but I think a part of me was holding onto the unrealistic hope that he wouldn't. And now he's going off to war and I'll never see him again and no one understands and I'm so lonely and now I'm blubbering all over you and you don't even deserve it." Emily was crying hysterically and Jeff pulled her into a hug. If Emily was thinking clearly, she would've pushed away, but she was desperate for some comfort.

"There, there. Calm down, Em. This will eventually pass and you'll be able to be happy again, I promise." Jeff was being so kind to her and she felt so bad for crying uncontrollably on his shoulder the first time they actually had a civil conversation. Emily pulled away after awhile and wiped her tears.

"I'm so sorry for overwhelming you with everything. I'm sorry. You're probably not used to it."

"Well, I have a younger sister, so I'm used to having a girl crying on me," said Jeff, as he flashed his charming smile at Emily.

"What brings you out so late?"

"I'm not used to everything at Queen's yet and I'm not someone who can sleep easily in an unfamiliar space, so it's been a habit to get up in the middle of the night and walk around campus until I get tired," he said while reaching for Emily's book and turned it over to look at the cover. "Pride and Prejudice? Not a bad choice. At least you have good tastes in books."

"Thanks, I guess. Books are practically all I have. I usually just sit in my home and read."

"I'm far from home. My family lives in Pembroke. It's just me, my mom, and my sister. I never really had time to sit and read, although I wish I did. But now, I'm on my own, so I've been reading a lot too. What about you? What's your family like?"

"Mmm…we live in Kensington on the Island. I have three older brothers—Will is at Redmond, well, actually he's going off to war, but Harry and Matt are here at Queen's. My sisters, Melanie and Madison, are here too. My mother is an author, but mainly a great Mum and cook. I really miss her cooking. And my dad is a minister, like my grandfather. I really miss him too. Where's your Father?" Emily asked sincerely.

"Oh, well, my father died when I was young…in an accident. I never really knew him."

"I'm sorry…I shouldn't have brought it up—"

"—oh no, don't worry about it." Jeff smiled at Emily, and she smiled back shyly. For some strange reason, Emily's heart fluttered just a tiny bit. She would never admit it, but there was definitely a flurry of excitement. They sat in silence for awhile until Emily broke the silence.

"I should get home. It's getting late or rather it is late. Thank you for keeping me company. You took my mind off of…things. It was really sweet of you," said Emily, honestly.

"Well, it's nice to have a companion on my midnight walks as well. I'll walk you home. It's not safe for a lady to walk home by yourself."

"Why, that's very noble, kind sir, but it's not too far and I'd rather walk by myself. Thanks for offering, though. Good night," said Emily, quietly.

"Good night, Emily." Jeff smiled and looked meaningfully at her until she left. Somehow, Jeff had taken Emily's mind off of Will, and although her heart still ached over it, Emily was a bit more reassured that there was someone else who she could relate to.

Emily reached Summer's Landing quickly. She quietly slipped in and shut the door and leaned against it. She wasn't sure how she felt. Sad over Will, but she felt something about Jeff. She silently walked upstairs and closed her door, plopped herself onto the bed, and fell asleep.

"Good morning, sleepy head!" Emily stirred at Claire's bubbly voice. "You got in late last night. Where were you anyway? I was looking for you after tennis practice, but they said you left already."

"Too early. Go away. Must sleep," Emily groaned into her pillow.

"Emily! Seriously! Wake up! You were the one who said we need to go study today!"

"I did? Oh right, I did. Fine, I'm getting up. I'm getting up." She yawned and slowly crawled out of bed. Claire went downstairs to wait while Emily dressed and gathered her books. She slowly came downstairs and Claire joined her on the way out the door.

Newbury Street was filled with warm, autumnal colors this time of year. Emily loved walking to Queen's. The other boarding houses seemed cheery and welcoming this morning, and as they made their way towards the library, Claire noticed many students abuzz at the bakery.

"Emily, what do you think is going on over there? Why are there so many people at the bakery?"

"I don't know. Maybe we should go take a look," said Emily, as she guided Claire over to the bakery. She noticed Sarah was reading the paper aloud with a distressed look on her face.

"Sarah! What's going on? Why is everyone—"

"—Shh!" everyone turned and yelled in unison.

"Canadian Humanitarian representative, Una Meredith, has been sent immediately to London to work with British government officials along with other members of the Canadian government. Meanwhile, back at home, a record number of boys have enlisted in the forces for the next departure at the end of the month, harassment of those who aren't enlisting has increased, and it leaves you all to wonder, who's going to handle our affairs here in Canada in the midst of this growing war while Miss Meredith is in England handling the affairs of our soldiers and the fate of their families here in Canada."

"Sarah, I don't understand. Why is Aunt Una being sent to London?"

"Apparently, things are getting worse in Europe. They've just set up a court body in France and they're executing everyone who's committing crimes against the state 24 hours after sentencing. Since some of our boys are in France, they want to send Aunt Una to London where she'll be able to receive information on them if anything is to happen quicker. Plus, supposedly, people from Germany, Italy, and Japan met in Berlin for some meeting. They believe that the Axis is planning a huge attack or invasion soon and they want Aunt Una in England just in case there's some massive number of dead Canadian soldiers in the near future, she needs to be able to keep track of them and inform their families."

"Do you have to put it so crudely, Sarah?" shuddered Claire, who was a little disturbed.

"Won't it be even more dangerous for her in England rather than Washington?"

"Well, yes, but I don't really think the governments care about our Aunt Una's safety," said Sarah, sarcastically.

"And what's this about a departure at the end of the month? Will didn't say anything about a departure at the end of the month!" cried Emily, frantically.

"Alex said he'll get to come home for a few days before he leaves overseas, but he didn't say when that would be. Isn't it just like them? To beat around the bush about it. It'll be fine, Emily. Out of all the boys who are over there fighting, what makes you think Will and Alex are going to get hurt? It's a highly unreliable ratio. It's a two in a million chance."

"What makes you think they won't get hurt, Sarah? What makes you think they'll be spared?"

"Emily, I know you're upset, but there's no need to get haughty."

"What about you, Sarah? I've never seen you more busy or rude. So, if you just let your work consume you, it'll all go away? Why haven't you talked to me, Sarah? I would've been there for you."

"You didn't come find me, Emily."

"I didn't know! I just got a letter from Will yesterday! I had no idea that Alex had joined up already!"

"Well, it doesn't matter now because our selfish brothers are heading off whether we like it or not. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have errands to run." Sarah quickly stood up and walked away from the group in a very briskly manner. Everyone returned to what they were doing and Emily stood there aimlessly.

Claire broke the silence. "Emily, let's go home. I don't think it's a good day to go to the library."

"No. I won't change my plans for some war half way across the world from us. You can go if you wish."

"I'm going to go home. Be careful. Don't stay out too late." Claire parted from Emily, who continued to the library.

The campus was surprisingly quiet and empty and the library was even emptier. There were one or two people spread out around the large room, but Emily liked the quiet, even spooky feeling. She headed towards the back of the room when someone caught her attention.

"Jeff? What are you doing here?" whispered Emily.

"Just studying for that English test. What about you?"

"It's the Saturday before a test. Where else would I be?" said Emily, a little coldly.

"What's wrong, Em?

"Nothing. Why are you assuming something is wrong?"

"You seem upset, that's all."

"Well, I'm not."

"And I'm dropping the subject…"

"Good." Jeff returned to studying, while Emily impatiently tapped her pencil. "It's just…I got into a fight with my cousin, Sarah, over the war, but that's it."

"Hmmm…" said Jeff, without looking up from his book.

"And my Aunt Una is going to London and my brother is enlisting."

"And that's it?"

Emily finally gave in. "And I'm really scared."

"Thought so. How are you feeling about it? Are you and your aunt close?"

"Very. I'm worried about Aunt Una, Will, and Sarah."

"That's a lot of people to worry about. Do you want to pour your heart out on me?"

"Not today. Thanks, though," smiled Emily.

"I'm here for you if you want to talk," Jeff smiled back.

They both studied for awhile. Emily continued to tap her pencil and Jeff continued to smile amusedly. Suddenly, a pack of boys and girls came up to their table.

"Hey Jeff. What are you doing in a library?" asked some tall, blonde guy.

"Studying, what else?" Emily noticed that Jeff seemed a little annoyed.

"Sorry. I didn't know you were on a date, Jeff." Jeff really seemed irritated, especially at the boy's comment, but he just rolled his eyes.

"Didn't know you were into the bookish type…"

"I'm not! It's just Emily! I barely even know her!" Finally, he lost his cool. The group seemed shocked at Jeff's sudden outburst. Emily saw the librarian coming toward them. "Just go. I'll meet up with you later."

"Fine. We're going."

Jeff turned to Emily after the group left. "Sorry about that."

But Emily was a little distracted. "Are you really that embarrassed to be around me?"

"What? No, Em, it's not—"

"Because you seemed really mad that they saw you here—with me—at the library. If you don't want to talk to me, that's okay. I'm sorry I dumped everything on you yesterday and today. I'll just go. Good luck with everything." Emily hurriedly gathered her books and walked out. She felt so sad and guilty now. Jeff didn't do anything to her and she blew up at him! She was just so overwhelmed with everything that it was inevitable that everything would come out eventually. So, the search for that something would have to continue…

A/N: Well, what do you think? I really hope you liked it. Sorry it's taken me so long to finally update. What do you think? What do you think? I hope its okay. I've been so worried about how it would turn out. Anyway, I have to go. Everwood is on! Yeah! Please review.