Personally, I wasn't too happy with the last chapter. But I think I just reached that point in the story, where I know how its going to end (have those two chapters finished) its just getting there.

This is also a day or so late…blame it on the weekend.

July 1816

She missed the sea.

Sitting in the large gardens of Uppercross, looking out over the rolling hills, she decided that although she would always resent the sea for taking Frederick from her, it would always play a part in her life. She would always enjoy the countryside and the openness that it provided, but she couldn't see herself moving back here.

Lady Russell herself had offered her a place with her in Kellynch Lodge, and while she was honoured by that offer, it just didn't seem like the right option for her or her son. Not now, nor in the future.

It was the Musgroves who had invited her to spend some time with them and the reason she was here now. Rather than rejecting the offer outright when it arrived, as she had been apt to do in the weeks following the news of Fredericks death, she had set it aside and thought on it for awhile. Ultimately deciding that perhaps some time away would do her good.

It would give her the chance to spend some time with her family. The only branch she was still on good terms with.

She had not seen her younger sister or her family since Christmas when she had made a short visit to see her new niece. Amelia Elizabeth Musgrove had been born in late November and when Anne had arrived at the cottage several days before Christmas, Mary had still been confining herself to bed and proclaiming she might never move again.

She had quickly declared herself fit though, when the Elder Mr and Mrs Musgrove decided to hold a pre-Christmas dinner in honour of Anne joining them, and had joined them for the meal.

A long shadow appeared slowly on the grass at her feet, growing in size and distortion as the figure got closer to where she sat.

She knew who it was without turning round.

If she where perfectly honest, she wasn't all that surprised that he had sought her out.

She had been expecting it since her arrival a week ago and knew he had only been waiting till he found the right time, when there was no one else around and he could almost guarantee no interruptions. When he knew a bit of what he wanted to say while hoping that the rest would come naturally.

He sat down quietly next to her, not saying a word for a long time. She remained silent also and thus they stayed for a long while.

She eventually turned her head, observing him from the corner of her eye.

He was not the same man she had met over a year ago. Then again, neither was she.

She chuckled quietly to herself; it was such a reversal of positions.

He turned to her then, hearing her laugh.

"I am just thinking about the position we find ourselves now, and how different it was when we first met," she said honestly before he had chance to speak.

"You helped me out a lot. You let me see that there was a chance of moving on and coming to terms with my lose." he said, taking time over his words. "I'd like to help you in the same way. Will you let me know if there is anything I could do?"

"You are doing it right now," she told him, "Just by being here and offering me a listening ear when I need it."

He nodded but did not look all that convinced.

"You, my dear Captain Benwick, are showing me that in the darkness there is the possibility to find a small speck of light and holding onto that, watching it grow and following it out of the blackness. That I might live my life beyond what has happened."

He nodded again

"Frederick," she began after a pause, stopping to clear her throat of the lump that settled there each time she spoke, thought or heard his name. "He thought a great deal of you and considered you a most valuable friend. I hope that I can retain that friendship."

"I would be honoured to call you a friend." Benwick told her.

Anne smiled. "That is settled then."