Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters created by L.M. Montgomery and Moira Walley-Beckett. I do not claim any ownership over them and offer my writing to the world as a homage to their creations as well as an outlet of imagination to imagine an infinity of alternate storylines. This is just one of them!

Author's note: Sorry for slight delay...was waiting for edits and finally received them! Also just posted new cover art that I commissioned especially for this story.

V.

After Anne and Matthew brought Gilbert back to the Blythe farm, they did not arrive at Green Gables until it was nearly sunrise. Jerry saw them approach and opened the gate for them as he was already up doing his morning tasks.

Anne looked at the snow covered horizon tinged with the pink of the new day. It felt like more than a day had passed since they had left for Charlottetown. She felt a little more hopeful about Elijah, and was glad she and Matthew were able to provide some support. She was relieved too that Gilbert would finally get some much needed rest after his long day of helping care for Elijah. She knew she would need her own rest as well. Although it was certainly not the afternoon they had planned, she was happy she and Gilbert did have the ride from Charlottetown to his farm to converse and spend time together.

Marilla was already up when they arrived and after hearing about their journey, forced them both to get some sleep.

When Anne awoke in the early afternoon, she walked downstairs and found a note left by Marilla on the kitchen table.

Dear Anne and Matthew,

I have gone over with Jerry to see Elijah and Bash, and to bring them some food. We will return as soon as we can, but probably not until the late afternoon. I have left some breakfast in the oven warming for you.

Marilla

As Anne made some tea, Matthew walked into the kitchen. "Where's Marilla?"

"She's gone to the Bog to see Elijah and she left a note." Anne pointed to it. "Would you like some tea?"

Matthew nodded as he sat down and read Marilla's note. "I suppose she felt left out yesterday, but it's good she brought over more food for them."

Anne took out the food from the oven. "And she left nourishment for us as well. Thank goodness, because I am famished!"

About an hour later, Anne was drying the breakfast dishes when Hazel Lacroix walked in with Delphine and a large bag. Yesterday, it had been Bash, and today it was his mother! She set aside the dishes and greeted her.

"Hazel! What a surprise to see you here again so soon! And with Delly!" Anne paused as she saw the look of fear in her eyes. "What is it? What's happened? Is she all right? Why..."

"It's Mr. Blythe — Gilbert. He's not well, and he said Delphine and I should stay here, just in case he has what Elijah has. I made sure he had enough food and water before I went. I'm sorry, I just want to make sure the baby is safe."

Matthew came to her and took her bag. "No need to apologize, of course you are both welcome to stay here. Anne, where are you going?"

Anne had already grabbed a bag. "Matthew, I need to go to him." She rummaged for some items in the cupboard to put in the bag. "Thankfully we still have some medicine left from what I brought to the Bog yesterday. I hope we have enough. Hazel, does Gilbert have a fever? Is he awake?"

"Yes. He was sweating a lot, complaining of a headache. Then he told me to go and bring Delphine here."

"If he has typhoid fever like Elijah, he was right to send you here. Matthew, I'll walk over there directly. Can you please see if Dr. Blair might be able to come?"

"L-let me see first if Dr. Blair is in town and I can go right over before I head to Carmody. Please be careful." Matthew embraced her. "You sure you don't need me to come too?"

"I'll be fine. Matthew, how will we let Marilla and Bash know about Gilbert?"

"I'll just have to let Marilla know when she gets back. And Bash might just find out when he goes home."

"That's true. Please don't worry about me, I can take care of Gilbert until the doctor arrives." Ever since Hazel had shared that Gilbert was not well, her mind wanted to go in a thousand directions but she willed herself to focus and get what she needed to go to him and help him get well. She went upstairs to her room to finish dressing before coming back downstairs to put on her coat and boots.

Anne was going out of her mind with worry, but she took a deep breath as she lifted her bag of supplies and walked quickly in the direction of the Blythe farm. As she was about to enter the woods, she saw Diana walking toward her.

"Anne! I was just about to call on you! What's happened?" Diana stared at Anne, her hair loose and her clothing a bit disheveled.

"It-it's Gilbert. He's sick now and I'm afraid he might have what Elijah has. Not sure if you've heard but he has typhoid fever. Matthew can explain everything to you at Green Gables. I'm sorry, Diana, I have to go and take care of him!"

Diana offered to help, but Anne did not want anyone else to get potentially exposed, just in case. She reassured Diana that she had taken care of someone with the affliction in the past. She just left out the detail that that person had passed away. Just that thought made Anne want to run the rest of the way to Gilbert.

Diana eventually relented and let Anne continue on her way.

"Oh Anne, do be careful!" Diana was at a loss of what else to say. She had never seen Anne look so worried. She watched her hurry away before continuing on to Green Gables.

Fortunately, there was no new snow and the paths were relatively clear, enabling Anne to make good time in reaching the Blythe farm, found the front door unlocked, and raced up to Gilbert's room. She knocked on the door. "Gilbert?"

"Anne? Y-you're here?"

Anne opened the door and found Gilbert in his bed, pale and feverish. The food and water on the table was untouched. She rushed to fill a glass of water. "Here, you need water."

Gilbert needed her help to drink the water. "Th-thank you."

Anne put her hand on his damp forehead. He was indeed feverish, but to her relief nowhere near as hot as Elijah had been.

"I need to help cool you down." Anne thought of the basin of snow that was at Elijah's bedside and wondered what else she needed to get for him.

Gilbert looked at Anne, her hair flowing down her shoulders. It was clear she had come in a great hurry. "Anne, w-why d-did you come? I-I d-don't want you to get sick too."

"There is no one here to take care of you yet with Bash helping Elijah. Hazel and Delly are both safely at Green Gables. You are far too weak to be here on your own. I have a pretty strong constitution and have seen many adults and children through many ailments."

Gilbert still looked at her with concern.

"I promise you, I'll be fine."

Gilbert relented, knowing that Anne would not give up and that he didn't really want her to go. "My Anne. I love you so much…" His eyes closed for a moment. "I felt fine when you brought me home. It was only when I woke up that I felt feverish and dizzy. I feared it was typhoid, s-so I told Hazel and-and she was able to get herself and Delly to you."

"You said that you feared it was typhoid. So you don't think it is typhoid now?"

Gilbert smiled weakly. "I don't have all of the symptoms Elijah had, s-so I suspect this is a d-different, not so s-severe f-fever."

"I hope you're right. We don't need two members of the family to have typhoid. Matthew went to find Dr. Blair…"

"R-right, he's far closer than Dr. W-ward at the moment." He grew silent as he passed a hand through his hair. "Oh Anne, I must look a fright right now."

Anne saw his curly hair stick up in various places, there was stubble on his chin, and he did look more sweaty and paler than usual. His usually bright eyes were slightly dimmed, but he gazed at her with such affection, she still felt butterflies in her belly.

Despite a pallor of illness, Gilbert still looked as handsome as ever to Anne. She put her hands on her hips, feigning a scolding tone. "You are not feeling well, there is no need to worry about your appearance!"

"I just h-hope I haven't fr-frightened you away." They both laughed.

"Gilbert, this Christmas holiday has certainly not turned out the way we had planned."

"N-no. N-not at all." Gilbert paused, and then all of a sudden, he had a grin on his face. "I certainly d-did not anticipate finding you here in m-my b-bedroom."

Anne laughed and she allowed a little sliver of hope to enter her heart, as she saw that Gilbert had certainly not yet lost his sense of humor. He was still her dear droll Gilbert Blythe, as she had always known him to be.

"And quite unchaperoned. How scandalous, what would Rachel Lynde say?"

"Hello? Gilbert, Anne? Not to worry!" A familiar voice rang clear as a bell as they heard footsteps ascending the stairs. The very person Anne named appeared in the doorway of the bedroom. "I am here to help!"