Disclaimer: I do NOT own 'Little House on the Prairie'. The only thing I can lay claim to is the story line and the 'guest star/s'.

Chapter Six

Scene Ten

Elizabeth sat behind the desk doing her best to keep her mind focused. She'd promised the students they'd have their test results back before Friday. When she heard footsteps she lifted up her head expecting to see one of the students returning for the few items that had been left in the classroom. Instead she was surprised to see Mr. Olsen, Mr. Ingalls and Mr. Hansen standing before her. What did they want?

"May I help you?" She smiled at the gentleman.

"We hope so," Mr. Olsen spoke up, "we're here on behalf of all the school board. We received word Miss Beadle has been delayed and won't be back for another two weeks. We were hoping you would stay until she returns."

'As soon as Friday comes...' she remembered her words to Reverend Alden.

"May I speak to Miss Elizabeth alone?" Charles looked at the other two men when she hesitated. By their turned down eyebrows he could tell they were puzzled. Elizabeth was confused as well.

"Sure, why not. I'll be at the mill." Mr. Hansen turned and left.

"I don't mind but what do I tell Harriet? The only reason she's not over here is because of illness. She'll demand an account of what took place."

'Tell her to go jump in a cold lake!' Elizabeth thought but only bit her tongue. Nels was too polite of a man to do such a thing, "Tell her I'm thinking about it." 'Okay, won't say what 'it' I'm thinking about.'

"I'll do that." Nels grinned as he too turned and left.

Once the man was gone she looked at Charles, "What is it that you seem to think you can say to get me to stay? I already told the Aldens I was leaving."

"You only asked the Reverend Alden to promise not to say anything to anyone who might let things slip to Albert or to people like Mrs. Olsen. You're letting the facts you revealed to the reverend chase you away from here. There's no need to leave. Albert won't be told a thing."

Miss Elizabeth sucked in her breath. She should have just flat out made the reverend promise to keep his mouth shut. He was a good man. He would have. "No reason not to leave? Are you sure?"

Charles didn't like being confused. Mr. Quinn? He figured what kind of man he was (and his motivations) were crystal clear but hers? She wasn't 'that kind' and she truly cared so what on earth was going on? Not to often did he show annoyance with anyone. After all he genuinely cared about his family and the other people in Walnut Grove, "I want to understand. You don't seem to be the kind of person just to turn your back on anyone." Unfortunately, the slight annoyance he felt at being confused was not successfully hidden. Elizabeth heard it instantly-and misunderstood it.

All the feelings she hadn't let out when talking to the Reverend gushed out like water going over a waterfall as she answered, "You don't know me at all! You want me to clarify a few things? I was first Albert's aunt then his stepmother! I agreed to my sister's dying wish out of his need for a mother and an education! Jeremy may have been on the harsh side Mr. Ingalls but he was not the kind of man you have allowed Albert to think he was," she took a breath, "Jeremy loved my sister the only way he could and respected her wishes. He agreed to let me give the lad an education at night in the privacy of our own home when he was older. What happened to change everything is not something I care to discuss right now! I'll stay until Miss Beadle comes back but maybe you should know how often I have seriously thought of telling a judge my story so I would stand a chance of getting Albert back!" she turned around and stormed out the back door.

Charles' heart froze. The Reverend had warned him not to push the woman to stay or for anymore information than she was willing to give. Would he now be losing his son due to not heeding the warning?

Scene Eleven

Caroline dropped into the chair nearest the stove as Charles told her what had happened at the schoolhouse between Miss Elizabeth and himself. Shock waves were running through her; clear from her head down to her feet. His aunt? His stepmother? She'd thought about what? She'd been willing to leave and now she'd be around for two more weeks? Would she change her mind and actually follow through on trying to get Albert away from them?

"Oh, Charles," tears came to her eyes, "what if she does go to a judge? After all; like she said-we don't know the whole story. What about his father?"

Charles sat with his upper arms on the table with his hands clasped, "She referred to him in the past tense. I am assuming that means he's passed away since Albert and I saw him at the court house. I'm thinking to talk with Reverend Alden. I am hoping he can, maybe, repair any damage I unintentionally did. After all, when I said the things I did? I didn't mean to upset her. She was willing to let well enough alone, she probably felt like she was being put on the defensive. Anyone in that position is going to be an unhappy camper."

"I sure hope he can keep her from doing anything other than what she originally planned on." Caroline

glanced up towards the loft, 'I can't imagine life without Albert with us. I was wanting us to be friends with Miss Elizabeth. I hope we don't wind up being foes."

0 0 0

Albert and Laura had just caught a fish when Elizabeth walked up to the stream where they were fishing. "May I sit down?" she smiled at the children.

"Sure," Albert grinned as he held up the fish, "they're actually biting today."

"Yea, we'll have plenty of fish for ma to cook," Laura beamed, "Maybe you can come over and have some with us." She liked the their temporary teacher and, while she was very eager for Miss Beadle's return, she sort of hated thinking of the day when Miss Elizabeth would be leaving.

Elizabethe shook her head as she thought 'I doubt your pa or ma would want me there; not after what I admitted to thinking'. Out loud she only replied, "I already promised Mrs. Alden I'd be more than happy to accompany her and Reverend Alden to Sleepy Eye. "

"Well, you can try to catch some fish with us." Albert handed her a long stick. The grin was still on his face and his eyes shown. Elizabeth found herself resenting 'having been pushed into a corner' years before. If only she'd known...

"Miss Elizabeth," Laura spoke up, concern was heard in her voice, "are you all right? You don't look so good."

"I'm fine," she smiled as she took the stick Albert was holding out to her, "I think fishing is a great idea."