When you're wandering, stumbling in the dark, fear consumes you. Your hands move deftly across the invisible objects surrounding you. Your heart races and your throat tightens, it's hard to breath. Once slivers of light are seen, your eyes widen, automatically your feet carry you faster and quicker. The lights grow brighter; the warmth of the sun on your skin becomes stronger. And when you see the edge of the trees nearing, you can't help but smile. All at once you're out of the woods and the dark and in the clear, you can't resist laughing with joy and praising God for his mercy.

This is exactly what Elizabeth felt when she saw Will reach for her hand and speak her name. Her hands cupped his face as she hovered over him, a smile spreading. Soft tears came to her eyes. "Yes love, I'm here."

Her voice was sweet and filled with security. He slightly smiled; his eyes were barely open as he looked up at her. Slowly he took her hand and placed it on his chest to bring her nearer. Elizabeth hugged close to him tenderly. When she raised her head from him she looked on his face once again.

"How do you feel?" she asked, a motherly tone lacing her voice.

Will paused a second and swallowed, then took a deep breath. "Tired."

Elizabeth quickly got up and started away from him. "I'll go so you can rest."

"No." he breathed, still holding her hand. "Stay"

She walked back towards him and approached with a smile, willingly coming back. She took a place at his side once more and lay on her side slightly above him. She knelt and kissed his forehead as he closed his eyes. Elizabeth felt his shirt – it was dry, his fever must have broken some time in the night.

After a moment Will opened his eyes and shifted slightly to try and sit up, but couldn't find the strength. Elizabeth helped him lay back down, as he did so defeated.

So to let him see her more easily, Liz moved down and lay next to him, their faces almost touching. Will put an arm around her as his hand traced circles on the small of her back lightly. He was still weak, but he wanted to be near her. Just her lying there made him feel as if his strength was returning. Elizabeth's eyes were locked with his, just relishing his hands on her, and him there – talking with her. As they lay there, unspoken sweet nothings were exchanged and Will moved his hand to her face and traced her jaw line to her lips, then moved it lightly down across her shoulder and arm. Lightly for a second his hand brushed her lower abdomen. Will swallowed hard as his eyes shot up to meet hers. Elizabeth felt him flinch and looked at him with worried eyes.

"Will?" she questioned softly

"The baby…. Have you been alright?" he asked apprehensive of the answer he might receive.

"We're fine." She replied reassuringly. Her hand lay atop his as she moved it across her stomach. His eyes were fixed on her middle, in awe. She smiled in delight at his reaction. She had forgotten that he hadn't seen her for almost a month. She was getting close to her fourth month of pregnancy now.

"You feel that? …" she asked.

He was silent as his brow furrowed. He nodded the looked back at her. "What is it? . . . Does it hurt?" He asked as she pressed his fingers harder against the bump. "No it doesn't hurt." She laughed. "… that's our baby Will."

His mouth fell slightly open as his eyes switched from hers to his hand. "That's – my baby ….Wow Liz, that's amazing."

She laughed again and hugged him close to her. "Just wait a few more months, then you'll truly be amazed." His eyes closed as he smiled and breathed into her.

She pulled back and ran her fingers across his tired features.

"Sleep Will, you need to heal."

After a moment of silence, Elizabeth assumed Will had fallen asleep. She lie there, simply feeling the warmth of the dying fire on her face. She fingered Will's shirt button and ran her finger around its rough surface. Slowly she took the sheets edge and pulled it closer to her and Will's chest, laying it down gently on top of them. Then Liz closed her eyes and breathed in slowly. For weeks she hadn't heard Will speak one audible word. He only lay there, either unconscious from the awful fever that consumed him, or vomiting, trembling, and coughing in all hours of the night. Now she lay next to him, speaking with him, knowing that he was going to be alright and that her place was by his side – forever.

"Elizabeth" Will turned his head further to look in the eyes

She was broken out of her dreamy haze by the sound of his tired voice.

"I'm sorry I wasn't here to take care of you." He spoke sadly.

Elizabeth smiled and touched his chin, his stubble rubbing against her delicate fingers.

"Will you needn't apologize. I was fine, really… You were so sick. Will I almost lost you. Every night I prayed by your bedside… You were the one who needed taking care of." She looked down and smoothed the sheets next to them.

Will moved slowly and touched her hand as he labored breathing started to regulate. "Just before I became ill… I remember you were getting sick."

Liz gave him a sympathetic smile and squeezed his hand in return. "Yes I was getting sick in the morning and evenings, but I expected as much…" When she spoke she looked up at him, he had a worry full expression on his already exhausted features. "It's all part of it." She soothed, as she smiled to show him her security. Liz watched him as he just nodded. So she prodded his side to make him smile. Will laughed and caught her hand. She tilted her head with a chuckle. "Don't be so serious Will, you shouldn't be the one taking care of me now, you're still very weak."

He showed her a sincere but reluctant nod and smile.

"Now." She said, starting to get out of the bed. "Are you hungry? Thirsty? … I'll make you anything you like." Liz bent over and touched his nose.

Just then the Doctor knocked on the frame of the bedroom doorway. "Mrs. Turner, the breakfast is already made, I took the liberty and made it myself. I hope you don't mind."

Will sat up with great trouble and looked quizzically at the man.

"That's wonderful, thank you" Liz said kindly as she helped the struggling Will.

"Mr. Turner! How are we feeling this morning? I'm glad to see you awake." He said as he approached the young man with a bright smile, taking a seat next to the bed. He noticed the odd look he was receiving.

"F-Fine…thank you." Will said quietly

Dr. Adams nodded silently for a second and looked at his shoes, then to Elizabeth and back to Will with the same smile. "Glad to hear it… I'm Jeremiah Adams. Mr. Turner. Your lovely wife sought my assistance a couple of days ago. We haven't had the chance to have a proper introduction"

"He came all the way from Vanceboro to help us." Elizabeth added

Will nodded and shook his hand slowly. He still looked curiously at the man. Elizabeth sat down on the bed. "What is it Will?"

His eyes switched from Dr.Adams to his wife. In thought and contemplation he ran his fingers through his matted hair. " Sorry… its nothing. He just reminds me of someone is all."

The Doctor smiled and got up from his chair. "Well if you don't mind, I'll be downstairs gathering my things. It seems as though Mr. Turner will make a full recovery."

That night, the Doctor had brought up his carriage to the Turners house and was preparing to leave. Will had made it downstairs with the assistance of Elizabeth to tell the man how grateful he was for his help.

Will was leaning against the stairs' banister as Dr. Adams put on his coat.

"Will, the best of luck to you." He said as he gave the young man a nod. Then he turned his attention to Liz. "And to you… you truly are one of a kind. I shan't forget everything you've taught me."

Liz smiled and handed the doctor his bags. "You have been wonderful." Then she leaned in a bit closer. "I do hope you keep practicing medicine. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose a loved one in the way you have. But you have a gift."

The Doctor smiled and patted her lightly on the shoulder and nodded knowingly with a slight twinkle in his eyes. Then he walked over to his patient and stuck out his hand.

Will looked at him with a small smile and shook the man's hand slowly. Will paused, and froze as he looked at their hands gripping. He opened his mouth, as if he was trying to speak but nothing came out. A flash of light and images were going through his mind, as it all came too fast, but Will could decipher it. Dr. Adams showed him a secretive smile and leaned forward, just as Liz had done moments before. "Yes I know… mercy is a powerful thing. God has spared you for a purpose Mr. Turner… I'm just a messenger."

His grip was loosened and he turned away from the stunned young man. Dr. Adams placed his hat on his head as he said his goodbyes to Elizabeth once more. Just before he went out the door he stuck his head in from around the corner.

"Take care Will. You're far too young to be doing anything other than living your life."

Will nodded with wide eyes and gave him a small wave.

Elizabeth shut the door behind him and turned to her husband as she put an arm around him to help him up the stairs. As they walked, Elizabeth studied him. "Are you sure you're feeling alright?"

He nodded.

"William Turner, don't lie to me…"

He paused on the steps and swallowed hard. "Dr. Adams…"

"Yes –"

"I knew I had seen him before… his voice – his hands – the way he moved. I had seen him…" he stumbled slightly

"What are you talking about Will? … You're still not well, you need to lie down."

"No." he said, not moving from his position in the middle of the stairs. "I had seen him Liz… in my dreams. He had pulled me back."

"Pulled you back?" she asked, confusion and curiosity written on her features.

"Jeremiah Adams was my angel."

Elizabeth almost laughed at his reply. But listened intently. "Dr.Adams is far from being anyone's angel. I know – I had to spend the whole ride up here with him."

Will shook his head with vigor. " He's just the messenger. He was God's tool. The Doctor was sent to us… maybe he didn't even know it until he got here."

Elizabeth looked into Wills eyes. They were dark, darker than usual. Filled with compassion and other emotions uneasy to explain. She wrapped her arm around him tighter; she noticed his muscles were taut. She bit her lip in thought and looked at the ground below her. Will breathed heavier and looked away.

Elizabeth found his gaze again and conviction in her voice. "Yes Will, I believe it too."