New York-1954

Henry stared up at the ceiling. It was very early in the morning but he was wide awake. Like many nights recently he found he hadn't slept well because of all that was on his mind.

It had been almost two weeks since he had met Ms. Bowman but he still couldn't get the encounter out of his mind. Really, he should say it had been two weeks since he had met her again because he was still sure that he had met her once before, a long time ago. With a frustrated sigh, he admitted to himself that his certainty mattered very little though because they had both been unable to admit to each other what they both were. He kicked himself now for his fear and all it had cost him.

He had really wanted it to be true. He knew that was why he couldn't manage to get her out of his mind. Almost since the beginning he had wanted to meet someone like him. He had never known if it was even a possibility but he had wished for it many times over the years. He had wanted someone who could actually know what he went through because they went through it too.

In a way, he felt disloyal still wanting that. Right now he had more than he had ever dreamed he would be allowed given his situation. With Abigail and Abe in his life he was happier than he had ever been. But the idea that he might have found someone with a condition like his had stirred up a different longing in him. In all the ways that Abigail was helpful and supportive and all the ways Henry was sure Abe would be one day when he knew the truth they still would never really understand the trials he went through. He didn't really want them to be able to either. He wanted to to share what he went through but he also desperately wanted to spare them the pain of what he endured. With a friend who was like him he wouldn't have to worry about that; they would already know.

As he lay in bed thinking about all of this he thought he heard a noise but was sure he must have imagined it considering the early hour. But a minute later he heard it again, a knock, at their front door. He got out of bed wondering who could possibly be visiting at this time.

When he opened the door he thought that his imagination must have completely taken over.

"Ms. Bowman?" he said in surprise.

He was stunned to find it really was her standing in front of him though her appearance was quite altered from the last time he had seen her. Her clothes were terribly wrinkled and her hair was wavy and frizzy like she had been soaked through even though she was dry now. There was still a bit of smeared mascara under her eyes and she was shaking slightly. "Are you…?" He had been meaning to ask her if she was alright but she very clearly was not. Something was terribly wrong.

"Dr. Morgan, I'm sorry to just come here like this. But I didn't know what else to do."

She seemed to grow more worried as he stared at her but he was still trying to overcome his shock at seeing her again.

"You said I could call you if I changed my mind, if I wanted to talk," she continued, hesitantly when he didn't speak. "I know I should have called before just showing up here…but I need help."

The desperation and hint of tears in her voice finally got his attention and he remembered his manners. "Of course. Of course, come in," he said shaking his head to clear the confusion he felt and motioning for her to come inside.

She followed him into the living room. She had a suitcase with her which she sat down on the floor as she sat on the couch. He found himself nervous and unsure of what to say as he sat in the chair opposite her. What could possibly be going on?

She was clearly nervous too and she brushed her clothes and hair with her hands trying to look neater though it didn't really work.

"Ms. Bowman…" Henry started, struggling with the best way to voice his swirling thoughts.

"Please, call me Adaline."

"Thank you, Adaline. And you may call me Henry. What's happened? Are you alright?"

She started to cry and shook her head. "No. No, I'm not. They found out about me. They're after me."

"Who's after you?"

"The FBI. They found out what I am."

"What…you…are?" he asked slowly, the words heavy and drawn out with expectation.

She looked directly in his eyes and hers said it all; he had been right about her.

Henry took a deep breath trying to calm himself. He felt such a strong rush of emotions he could scarcely identify all he felt. "You mentioned changing your mind about what I said. Have…have you?" he asked. His heart was nearly beating out of his chest in excitement and nervousness.

"Yes," she replied simply though the significance of this single word for both of them was great. "I know what you were trying to get me to say that day at the medical college. I know you were trying to get me to admit that we had met before. All the research I was doing on aging…you know what it means?"

"You're not aging anymore," he said.

"And neither are you."

It was finally out in the open though they had come about it in a roundabout way. Henry was nearly shaking with the unbelievably of the conversation he was having. "We did meet before. A long time ago. You came to my clinic with your daughter."

Adaline was crying again as she nodded her head. "So, you are like me?" she asked hopefully.

"I believe so."

Henry could hardly believe it. He felt both the impulse to cry and laugh and he found himself doing a little of both. Adaline was like him!

"I'm sorry," he said knowing he must be a sight. "I just…I've never met anyone else like myself. I've waited for this for so long I thought it was never going to happen."

"How long have you…how long has it been since you stopped aging?"

He blew out a breath as he calculated the years. "Oh, I guess it's been about 140 years."

Adaline looked shocked by this answer. "So, you're how old?"

"175," he said and was surprised by the ease with which he stated it.

"Oh, wow," she said shaking her head and looking a little overwhelmed by this information. "Wow."

"I take it from your surprise you're a bit newer to this?" he said with a slight smile.

"Yes," she said nodding and returning it. "I only just figured it out."

This confused Henry a bit. How could there have been any doubt for her as to her condition? One death and a subsequent awakening naked in a nearby body of water was pretty definitive proof that things had changed dramatically. Still, he had no idea what her story was. He would admit his introduction to immortality had been a pretty dramatic one and it would be logical to assume that hers had maybe not been as intense.

"So, how old are you?" he asked.

"46. I've been noticing for a long while that people have been looking strangely at me, especially when I've been with Flemming, my daughter. She's in college now so the lack of age between us really shows. People have made comments for a long time but in the past couple of years those remarks have been less complementary and more suspicious."

"But," he asked, confused, "didn't you figure out something was different after the accident?"

"The accident?"

"Or illness or whatever it was. You know, the thing that started this all."

Adaline thought for a moment and then a light clearly went off in her head. "You think the accident had something to do with this?" she asked.

Henry shrugged since he didn't really know what accident she was talking about it. But whatever she was remembering was clearly helping her to put pieces together. "That would make sense. I had the accident when I was 29 and that is about how old I appear to be now." She was talking out loud but she seemed to be speaking to herself. "I never really thought the two were linked but maybe they are. I nearly died that night."

Henry had just been about to ask what she meant when Abigail appeared in the doorway, looking confused at Henry's frazzled guest. "Henry, what's going to on?" she asked sleepily.

"Abigail," he said rising as she came over towards them. He was nearly bursting with excitement as he got ready to tell her what had happened. "This is Adaline Bowman. I met her at that conference I went to a couple of weeks ago. She works at the medical college in San Francisco. She…she shares my condition."

"What?" Abigail's eyes widened in surprise as she looked Henry and then back at Adaline. "Really?"

Adaline looked embarrassed over her messy appearance as she stood and held out a hand to Abigail. "It's nice to meet you."

Abigail shook it with the same look of shock Henry was sure he had been wearing when he'd opened the door to find Adaline there. "You…too. Nice to meet…you," Abigail said staring at Adaline in complete surprise.

"I'm sorry I just showed up here like this. I didn't tell Henry I was coming. I apologize; it was inconsiderate of me to do."

"No, not at all," Abigail said shaking her head and coming to her senses. "This is a wonderful thing." She smiled. "Of course you're welcome here. Would you…like something to drink?" she asked for lack of anything else to say. "Maybe some coffee? I need some coffee."

Adaline smiled. "Some coffee would be lovely. Thank you."

A few minutes later Abigail returned with a tray of coffee. She also handed Adaline a blanket which she took gratefully and wrapped around her shoulders. Abigail was so thoughtful. Henry hadn't even thought to offer Adaline something to drink or a blanket even though she was clearly benefiting from both.

Abigail sat on the couch beside Adaline and it was clear she was trying, but failing, not to stare. "I apologize for my manners," Abigail said. "It's just…Henry's never met anyone who's like him before. This is very surprising."

"Don't worry," Adaline said. "It is for us too. We just admitted it to ourselves. We were both in a state of denial when we met in San Francisco."

Henry and Adaline related to Abigail how they had met two weeks ago when Henry was in San Francisco and how they had both been almost certain they'd met before but had been unable to admit it to each other. They told her of how they'd known the other wasn't aging because of that long ago first meeting.

Abigail was surprised but not new to this sort of thing so she took it all in stride. Henry was relieved to see that it was happy surprise she felt and glad to know Abigail shared his joy over finding this new friend. But when Abigail asked Adaline what had brought her to New York now Adaline's expression became distressed again.

"I'm in trouble," she admitted. "And I hoped Henry might be able to help. This is all so new to me but I hoped maybe you would know what I should do," she said looking at Henry.

"What happened?" he asked.

"It started about a year ago when I got pulled over for speeding of all things. When the cop looked at my license and saw my date of birth and compared it to my face he thought it was fake. He couldn't believe I was as old as I said I was. He took my license and told me to show up at the station with my birth certificate. I knew I was in trouble then and couldn't avoid the truth any longer. I left town.

"I've been studying at the medical college but I haven't found any scientific explanation as to what's wrong with me. Then yesterday, a few men showed up from the FBI. They took me and said they…wanted to run some tests on me."

Henry felt a shiver run through him as she related her story. It was one of his worst nightmares. Somehow he had managed to avoid such a close call as this but it was a constant fear in the back of his mind. But she was so much younger than him; how had this happened to her already?

He found himself very impressed, despite the horror of the situation, when Adaline shared how she had escaped custody by pulling out the back seat of the car she was in and escaping through the trunk. Adaline may have been significantly younger than he was and much newer to this life but he could obviously learn a few things from her.

Adaline was still visibly shaken by the previous night's events. Her hands shook as she held them in her lap. "I'll have to start over somewhere new. I won't be able to use my name anymore," she said sadly. "I-"

"Mom?"

Everyone in the room was startled by the young voice coming from the entrance to the room. Abe stood in the doorway still in his pajamas, looking sleepy and confused. "Hi, sweetie. Come here," Abigail said beckoning Abe.

Abe came over and stood beside her looking curiously at their visitor. "Abraham, this is a new friend of ours. Her name is Adaline."

"Nice to meet you, Abraham," Adaline said with a smile.

"Nice to meet you," Abe replied politely.

Abigail turned to him again. "Why don't you go in the kitchen and have some cereal for breakfast?"

Abe nodded his head and left to get ready for the day though he still looked very confused about why his parents had a visitor so early in the morning. Henry knew he would have to explain things to Abe later. Or explain as much as he could to someone so young who still didn't even know the truth about his own father yet.

Adaline looked thoughtful as Abe left the room. "How old is he?"

"He's almost 10," Abigail said with a smile.

"Does he know?" Adaline asked, looking at Henry.

"No. Not yet."

"I had to leave Flemming," Adaline remarked sadly. "I can't even tell anyone she's my daughter anymore. I told her she would have to tell people I'm a friend of hers."

"Flemming, that's your daughter's name?" Abigail asked.

"Yes."

"Do you have a picture of her?"

Adaline nodded her head and reached inside her purse. She pulled out a picture and showed it to Abigail with a pride that could not be mistaken as anything but that of a mother.

"Oh, she's beautiful," Abigail said with a smile.

Adaline smiled as she gazed at the photo. "She's all grown up of course. She doesn't really need me anymore."

"She will always need you; you're her mother," Abigail said, encouragingly. "But she is old enough to be able to take care of herself while you're gone."

Abigail always had the perfect words to say to people. She had such an ease with people that always escaped Henry. He cared deeply about people but there always seemed to be a disconnect between what he felt in his heart and how that translated into his actions.

He was also becoming troubled. What was happening to Adaline and Flemming would one day happen to him. It hadn't really sunk in that because of his condition he would not always be able to claim Abe as his own. The realization broke his heart.

Henry felt sympathy for Adaline having to go at this alone. Her daughter was the only person she had in this world and she'd had to leave even her behind. It was hard to remember the days he'd spent alone though they had far outweighed the ones he'd spent with his family. He didn't like to think about that past or about the possibility that his current happiness would not be lasting.

"I didn't tell her where I was going. I figured it was safer that way. I told her to tell anyone who asked that I'd gone to Europe on vacation and never returned. Oh, do you think I did the right thing?" Adaline asked growing worried. "Do you think they'll come after her?"

"I'm sure she'll be fine," Abigail said in a reassuring tone as she wrapped an arm around Adaline's shoulders. But Henry had to wonder. If they knew what Adaline was what lengths would they go to to reach her? Was her daughter really safe? Wasn't that the first place they would go to find her?

Henry grew angry over what had been done to Adaline. He had only just found her, someone like him, and he was angry that someone would attempt to dissect and study her. He was even angrier over the very real threat against her daughter. Maybe Adaline had been alone before but she wasn't alone now. She had reached out to him and he would do anything in his power to make certain that she and her daughter would be safe.

"We'll take care of this," he said with a sudden certainty. "I know of someone that can get you a new identity and papers. We'll find somewhere for you to start over. You're going to fine."

For the first time, encouraged by Abigail's and Henry's words, Adaline looked like she might believe it actually would be alright.

Later that day, Henry found himself quite literally looking over his shoulder as he walked back to his apartment. He knew it was unlikely he was being followed but he just couldn't help but feel someone was watching him. Even if the authorities knew Adaline had come to New York no one knew that she knew Henry. But everyone he passed on the streets still looked suspicious to him.

He tried to walk casually but the knowledge of what he was carrying in his briefcase weighed on him. Inside was a new identity for Adaline and all the papers she would need to support it. He trusted the documents since he had used this same man to provide him with his own false papers in the past; he knew that no one would question them. Still, after all these years, going to a person of questionable morals in order to evade the law never got any easier for him. He would never stop feeling guilty about it or worrying he would eventually be found out.

Henry hated lies and deception despite their necessary presence in his life. None were quite as troublesome as those that were close to home, like the ones he had with Abe. He'd had a talk with Abe this morning as he had walked him to school. He had told Abe that Adaline was trying to get away from some bad people who wanted to harm her and that she needed their help to get to someplace that would be safe for her. Abe seemed to understand; after all, even at his young age picking up and leaving town with little warning was, unfortunately, not a new concept for him. Henry could see that he knew there was more to the story than he was being told just as he often knew there was more to Henry's story than what was explained to him. But Abe also had a tender and kind heart and he was sympathetic to wanting Adaline to be safe and hadn't pressed Henry for more information.

One day Abe would know the whole truth and Henry was dreading that day. He wished he would always be able to shield Abe from the harsh realities of an immortal's life as he could today.

When Henry arrived back home Abigail came out of their bedroom and greeted him. "How's everything going?" he asked, after he had given her a kiss.

"Everything's fine. We're almost done packing."

This morning Abigail had helped Adaline dye her hair brown in an attempt to alter her appearance. They had also decided to send Adaline off with one of their suitcases and some of Abigail's clothes. This was probably overkill but Henry had learned over the years that when it came to these kinds of situations more caution than was necessary was always better than not enough. This was a closer call than he had ever experienced himself and he was taking no chances. Adaline would only be taking with her those items that were irreplaceable, like her photos and other sentimental keepsakes. Unfortunately, these would be the most condemning items if they were to be found but he knew that sacrificing such treasures were not worth the added security; they desired to survive but not at such a cost to their humanity. After she was gone her clothes along with all her personal documents would be burned and all traces that she had been there would be removed.

The thought made him sad. After so many years of waiting and wishing he'd meet another immortal he finally had only to have to send her away the very same day they'd found each other. He knew this was necessary for everyone's safety but he wanted nothing more than to sit and talk to her. He had so many questions. He had so many things he wanted to share.

"How did things go for you?" Abigail asked.

"I got everything she needs. Her bus leaves in a couple of hours."

Abigail noticed the sad tone in his voice. "What is it?" she asked coming closer and putting a hand on his arm.

"I know she has to go but I just wish I had a little bit more time to get to know her."

"You will. You just have to wait until after the dust settles. Then, you'll have all the time in the world," she said with a teasing smile.

He smiled at her and drew her close. He was so lucky to have her. She loved him despite what he was and she understood him so well. She knew how important it was to him to find someone like him even though he hadn't ever really said and she was happy for him. He was a very fortunate man indeed.

Henry walked slowly but steady with Abigail on his arm and a few steps ahead of them Adaline walked with Abe holding his hand. They were all doing their best to blend in and look inconspicuous. They walked as a group hoping it would better conceal Adaline who was now wearing an old-fashioned hat that set low on her head and a very plain dress to make sure she wouldn't stand out in any way. But Henry could still feel the tension among their group and hoped it didn't show.

The bus station was busy this afternoon and Henry found his eyes darting feverishly around for anyone who might be watching them, who might be looking for Adaline. He had done his best to reassure her that everything would be fine but secretly he was very worried. The FBI would be able to track her to New York and she wouldn't be safe until she had left town and assumed a different identity. He wouldn't rest until she was away and living her new life.

Adaline stopped and turned to face Henry and Abigail before boarding the waiting bus. She took a deep breath and forced a smile but it looked strained and slightly painful.

Abigail gave her a warm smile in return. "You'll contact us once you get settled, won't you? Once it's safe?"

"Yes. Yes, of course," Adaline agreed quietly. Her face was pale and her knuckles were white around the handle of her suitcase. "I…I just can't thank you both for all you've done. I don't know what I would have done without your help."

"It was our pleasure," Abigail said sincerely. "We've all got to stick together in this."

Henry loved Abigail for her encouragement and positivity in this moment. She reached out and gave Adaline a long hug. Henry found himself becoming more emotional about Adaline's departure than he had expected given that they had just met. But that was the problem; he'd only just met her and now she had to go. He knew she had to leave for her own safety and the sooner the better but he longed to have at least a little bit longer with her.

Abigail seemed to sense they needed a moment alone and she took Abe and excused them. Now it was only Henry and Adaline and he felt almost shy. He struggled to decide what he wanted to say before she left. What could he say in such a short time?

"It's a nice town from what I hear," he said, breaking the silence and trying to do what he could put a positive spin on the situation. "It's quiet and settled but busy enough I don't think you'll become too bored."

"I don't know if I can do this," she admitted. She looked terrified and there were tears in her eyes. His heart broke for her; she looked so alone standing there, her head hung and holding on to her suitcase like it was life raft. He wished for her sake she didn't have to do this alone but given how things had gone for him right after he found out about his immortality he wondered if alone was the only way it could be done. He was so blessed to have Abigail and Abe now but he had spent a lot of time on his own and he feared Adaline would have to do the same.

It was a strange sensation to feel he had experience in this. When it came to his condition he felt like he was always lost and confused, always searching for answers and making things up as he went. But he had been where Adaline was now. It felt good that what he had gone through might be a help to her now. When he had found out about his secret he truly had been alone but at least Adaline had him. Things would still be difficult for her but he would endeavor to be as much help as he could be for her.

He put his hands on her shoulders trying to be comforting and get her attention. "Listen, I know this is scary but you're going to be alright. I really believe that. I've been doing this a long time and I've had some close calls. But I got through them and so will you."

"It just feels so overwhelming."

"I know but this is what it all boils down to: Make wise choices. Be aware of what's going on around you. Be cautious of what you do and say and careful about who you let in. Do all of that and you'll be just fine."

She looked at him and made a brave attempt at smiling. She nodded her head like she believed him even though he knew she still had doubts and wasn't feeling confident.

"And remember," he added. "You're not alone in this. We're here for you. Please, if you have any questions or you need anything at all let me know. Don't be a stranger," he said with smile.

She smiled genuinely this time. "Thanks Henry."

He reached out and gave her hug. He closed his eyes and held on and it was only the announcement over the intercom that her bus about to depart that forced him to finally let go.

Adaline got on the bus and Abigail and Abe joined Henry as they all waved goodbye to her. As it pulled away Adaline Bowman disappeared from existence except for in the minds of her daughter in California and her three new friends in New York who knew the truth.

"You think she'll be alright?" Abigail whispered to Henry.

"I really do." Henry was almost certain of it. He'd known her only briefly but he could tell she had a good head on her shoulders. She was clearly smart and she seemed strong. It wouldn't always be easy. In fact, it would rarely be easy. But as someone who had gone through this already he knew that she would make it because she had to make it. Immortality did not remove that strong human instinct to do everything necessary to survive and that drive would pull her through the worst times.

Henry walked over to Abe who was staring into the distance where Adaline's bus had disappeared. He rested his hand on Abe's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.

"It was nice of you to let her hold your hand." He knew it mustn't have been easy considering Abe was in the stage where he was doing everything he could to prove he wasn't a 'little kid' anymore.

"She looked like she needed it," Abe replied simply, shrugging his shoulders.

"Abe," Henry began uncomfortably. "You understand that you can't tell anyone she was here, right? Not a single person can know. No one at school or any of your friends. She would be in a lot of trouble if someone found out. Me and Mom probably would be too."

Guilt twisted up in Henry's stomach. It felt so wrong. Teaching his son to lie, to keep secrets, to not trust authority seemed to go against all his strong paternal instincts. He hated doing it. He always had. But it was necessary to keep them together as a family. Now it would also be necessary to preserve their friendship with Adaline. He didn't regret what they had done for her but, as always, he regretted the deception that came along with it.

Abe looked at him. He was giving Henry that look. "Of course I do. I'm not going to tell anyone," he said sounding very determined and mature and acting as though Henry was insulting his intelligence by even asking the question.

"Of course," Henry said smiling and nodding his head; Abe really did understand. He understood much more than most children his age would. He knew far more than any child his age should. He didn't yet know Henry's secret but he did know that there was something different about is father than others. He knew it was the reason that they'd already moved a couple of times and the reason he had to be careful about how much he told others about his home life. Henry already hated the amount of secrecy and isolation that existed in Abe's life and he knew it would only get worse as time went on and Abe learned the whole truth.

Henry thought about Adaline and her daughter. It pained him to think that one day he would find himself in the same position as Adaline. One day, when Abe was man, Henry wouldn't be able to tell anyone that Abe was his son. He already dreaded having to tell Abe that they would have to tell others they were friends as Adaline had just had to do with Flemming. Of all the secrets he kept and the lies he told Henry already knew that would be the one he'd hate the most.

"Do you think we'll see her again?"

Abe's voice brought Henry out of his worried thoughts about the future. "I hope so."

"Me too," Abe agreed.

Given everything Adaline had just been through and the hard journey that was ahead of her it hardly seemed decent to be happy but Henry was undeniably happy. He felt that he had just met someone who was going to become very important and dear to him and he looked forward to getting to know her better. He hoped the future would provide many more opportunities for them to meet again.