A/N - Thank you all for your kind comments on Twitter about me attempting to re-write this story. It makes me happy to know that you enjoyed an idea I came up with and are willing to read this even though it won't be exactly the same. I appreciate all of your opinions and support and would love to know what you think. Your reviews are always so appreciated. I cannot tell you how happy they make me. Xxx

Henry had attempted to speak to Elizabeth the following morning when he'd seen her in the hallway, but she completely blanked him and refused to stop when he called after her. He had absolutely no idea what had upset her so much, but she was either spooked or angry or possibly both. His head was telling him to just let it go. She clearly wasn't interested and there wasn't even the possibility of a friendship of any kind... She didn't like him and that was that. But his heart had different ideas. He couldn't get her out of his head, and even though he'd barely spoken to her and knew nothing about her other than the fact she wasn't married, he couldn't just walk away. She had a mystery about her that was drawing him in and he had to find a way to break down the walls she'd clearly built up around herself.

By midday, Henry was more resolute than ever to try and get Elizabeth to talk to him. He headed for the canteen and noticed her sitting alone with her back against the wall, deeply ensconced in a tatty looking paperback that had clearly seen better days and her legs out on the chair next to her, feet crossed at the ankles - Her brown boots sitting at the bottom of her dark blue jeans. As she turned the page, she took a mouthful of coffee but ignored the big slice of chocolate cake that remained untouched on the plate. He was in two minds whether to disturb her as he didn't relish the idea of her screaming at him in the middle of a busy canteen - But this may be the only opportunity he got so he was going to take it.

"I like the boots! What happened to your converse?" Henry waited for a reply but failed to get one. "Do you mind if I take a seat?" He was tentative in his approach.

Elizabeth peered over the top of her glasses, her brow knitting as she did so "Some asshole ruined my chucks when he spilled coffee all over them! Now please leave me alone."

Henry was ready for that response and sat anyway "What did I say last night that upset you so much?"

"I know this won't be good for your ego Dr McCord - But I'm just not interested in you. So whatever ludicrous notions you have of us becoming anything more than colleagues, I strongly suggest you put them out of your head right now."

Henry slowly nodded his head "So I'm guessing friendship is off the table too?"

Elizabeth stood and gathered her stuff "You are the very last person I would ever want to be friends with. It's unfortunate that we work at the same university but it's a very big place so I'm sure we can easily avoid seeing each other. Please don't speak to me again."

Before Henry had the chance to utter another word, Elizabeth was gone.

Henry sighed and muttered to himself "But you didn't get to eat your chocolate cake."

Something just wasn't right with her and the more angry she seemed with him, the more resolute Henry was in figuring out what was wrong. He'd been given the brush off more times than he cared to admit, and if it was just the fact that she wasn't interested in him, he could chalk it up to experience and move on. But it was far more than that, he just knew it and he was pretty sure she needed a friend - Even if she wasn't quite ready to accept it.

Elizabeth slumped down into her office chair and threw her head back! Having been a CIA operative for most of her adult life so far, she had perfected the art of rarely getting flustered - But for some reason, Henry McCord was having that very unwelcome effect on her. He was getting under her skin and she couldn't work out if it was a feeling of loathing or attraction, but either way, she knew she had to stay away from him for her own peace of mind.

She closed her eyes and tried to steady the constant humming in her head. Her thoughts were all muddled up together and she had no way of attempting to untangle them. Each separate issue somehow bled into the next and now she couldn't decipher any of them.

Starting a new job had been her determined attempt to move forwards - To outrun the past just long enough to find some equilibrium. Yet, all of her issues had followed her and seemed to be multiplying daily. The question she now needed to answer was - Should she run again or face up to her demons and put down solid roots this time. It was arduously vexing and she neither had the time nor the inclination to give it any further thought.

Elizabeth opened her eyes and glanced at the clock. All she needed to do was get through her meeting with Blake and then she could escape the incredibly frustrating day she was having and go home where a bubble bath and a very large glass of wine would be her only company. At least they didn't want anything from her.

As soon as the clock clicked around to 3pm — There was a knock on her door and Elizabeth couldn't help but smile to herself. Blake was a very conscientious student who very much kept to himself but was extremely intelligent and articulate. In a way, he reminded her of the demure and socially awkward person she had been when attending UVA and her heart went out to him. He was always on time, always exceptionally dressed and yet lacked the confidence to convey his thoughts and opinions — That was something she never really had an issue with.

"Come on in Blake." She tried not to sound as tired and pissed off as she felt.

Blake entered her office and sat in the chair opposite. For the first time since he'd started attending her class, he looked almost dishevelled. His hair wasn't perfectly in place, from her rough estimation, he had at least a few days worth of stubble and he was wearing a sweatshirt. Now, this wouldn't usually set alarm bells ringing if it had been any other student - But Blake was different and she could instantly see he was struggling.

"How are you doing?" Elizabeth knew it was a ridiculous question given his uncharacteristic appearance, but they had to start somewhere.

Blake sighed and looked down at the expanse of flooring between them. "I've been better."

"Okay - What's been going on? You know this is a safe space Blake. You can talk to me about anything at all and it will remain confidential - Unless you are a danger to yourself or others, in which case I do have an obligation to divulge that information." Elizabeth inwardly chastised herself, even though she knew it was protocol, she certainly didn't want Blake to clam up before he had even started talking.

"I'm not a danger to anyone - Although I swear my mirror actually screamed at me this morning."

Elizabeth couldn't help but smirk "I had noticed you're not quite yourself. So, talk to me Blake. Tell me what's been happening and I will do everything I can to help you."

"I don't know where to start." Blake looked up and Elizabeth could see the exhaustion in his eyes. It was almost a reflection of exactly how she was feeling.

"Let's focus on what's happened this week and then we can go from there. Does that sound okay?"

"I feel so ashamed to be bothering you with my trivial problems."

"You're struggling Blake - Nothing about that is trivial in any way. I don't just care about the academic achievements of my students, I care about their welfare too and you are certainly no exception. I will never force you to share anything with me Blake - But you came back to talk to me which is an incredibly brave and positive thing to do.. So, let's just tackle one thing at a time and I promise you we'll figure it out." Elizabeth's heart ached for him. He looked so lost and bewildered.

"I don't fit in anywhere. I've tried to socialise and make friends but I find it so difficult. I've even joined an acapella group which I think has been a real low point."

Elizabeth smiled, "Well, if nothing else it's a good résumé builder."

Blake mirrored the smile "That's true. I guess there is always a silver lining."

"Other than the singing — What else is weighing heavily on you?"

"I feel like I'm wasting my time and my parents' money by being here. I still don't really have an idea of where I see my future and if all I'm going to do amble along for the next four years with no real objective — It all seems so pointless."

"I completely understand where you're coming from Blake. I was exactly the same when I first came here. I just wanted to go to the same college as my parents and that was the only focus I had. Once I got here - I didn't really know what I wanted. I just knew I had to succeed. The problem was - I put so much unnecessary pressure on my own shoulders with that mindset, I wasn't allowing myself to grow as a person. Once I relaxed and stopped waging so much on my future - It gave me a chance to figure out what made me light up inside."

"But what if nothing does that for me?"

"You won't know until you give yourself more time. You're only in your first semester Blake - There is plenty of time to figure things out."

"I've been seriously considering quitting."

"That's obviously your prerogative and I will support you in any decision you finally make. But I'm going to ask you to seriously think about this, don't act impulsively until we've talked some more. I will see what other classes could be available to you and we'll take this a step at a time."

"Why are you so determined to help me, Professor Adams?"

Elizabeth smiled and shrugged "Because I know how it feels to be lost — I still haven't quite found my own way in this life and to be perfectly honest with you — I've been thinking of quitting too. So, you're not alone and never need to feel that way. I've told you before and I'll tell you again - My door is always open and I will do whatever I can to help you."

Blake considered her words for a minute or two and then looked at her "How can you help me if you won't be here?"

Elizabeth was a little caught off guard "Well, I would —."

Blake did something highly unusual for him and cut her off "I'll seriously consider whether UVA is for me — If you do the same. You are the only lecturer that I've felt comfortable enough to speak to. It would be such a shame for this university to lose someone who sees students as individuals rather than just statistics."

Elizabeth couldn't help but chuckle at Blake's read on her. She'd shared her own dilemma with him in an attempt to keep him from doing something he would later regret - And he turned it straight back on her. She was already thinking of a few classes that may just be what he was looking for.

"Okay — You have yourself a deal. I have some free time next Wednesday for us to talk some more and it gives you time to think things over."

"And for you to do the same." Blake rose from his seat.

"Yes - I will do the same. And if you need to talk — Just knock on my door any time."

As if on cue, there was a loud knock on the door which startled them both.

Blake held his hands up "That wasn't me."

Elizabeth opened the door and came face to face with a courier.

"Can I help you?"

"Are you Professor Adams?" The guy was chewing gum as he spoke which annoyed Elizabeth immensely.

"That would be me but I'm not expecting anything."

He thrust a package towards her and held out the clipboard "Sign here."

She signed her name and he turned and disappeared down the corridor without another word.

"He was charismatic." Blake scoffed.

"Wasn't he just." Without thinking, Elizabeth tore open the box and found a brand new pair of black converse with a note attached. She peeled open the envelope and couldn't help the tiny smile that crossed her lips.

Elizabeth,

I'm sorry I thoughtlessly ruined your shoes.

Please accept these as an apology for not watching where I was going.

Regards

Henry

P.S - The boots do look good too!

Blake retrieved his bag from the floor and slung it over his shoulder "I always find a new pair of shoes bring a smile to my face too."

"Huh?" Elizabeth looked up "I'm sorry — I didn't catch what you said."

"New shoes! Always a source of happiness."

Elizabeth looked at the note again and nodded "Yeah - They can be."

As soon as Blake had closed the door behind him, Elizabeth removed the shoes from their box and shook her head. They were her exact size which made no sense. How could Henry possibly have known that and what a strange thing to send to her office. It should all have seemed weird and quite frankly, unnerving. So why couldn't Elizabeth stop smiling?