I hold my breath as the door swings agonizingly slowly forward. Could it really be him? Or is it just another dead end?

"Miss Liddy, back from practice already?"

My heart stops at the sound of his beloved voice. It is him, no one else in the world has that lovable accent.

"Miss Liddy?"

I am struggling to fight down the torrent of emotions. I feel extreme happiness at finding him alive after so long believing otherwise but rage, hurt and confusion at his allowing me to believe this. My brain can't seem to form a coherent thought, my body wont respond to any signal, such as breathe and blink.

"Who's there?" his tone is dark with suspicion.

Finally I manage to stammer out, "Gus" in barely more than a whisper.

His eyes go wide and I swear that I see a flash of fear before they harden to a look of anger. Those same eyes I had seen filled with passion and tenderness that would always send shiver down my spine.

"GET OUT!" I am startled by this sudden roar. Of all the things I'd imagined we'd say to each other this was not one.

"GET OUT OF HERE!" he launches himself towards the door. I stumble back, still in shock, too stunned to cry. I can hear his heavy breathing now, from the other side of the door. Every inch of me longs to rush in there and hold him close. I want to soothe his fear. What can he be so afraid of, my brave Gus Pike who risked his life to save those of his shipmates?

Then I hear his voice again. All the anger has gone out of it. He sounds more like a frightened child.

"Just go away…"

My heart breaks all over again.