Set in the film Universe

Gilbert watched as Anne and Diana walked away Anne hobbling on Diana. He knew they would struggle back but what could he do? He glared at Josie before he took every effort to walk away in the opposite direction. How could Josie have dared Anne to do something so dangerous?! How could Anne have taken up the challenge?! Well he knew the latter really... Anne was incredibly ... everything! So stubborn and head strong... no one else was like her, could be like her! He stopped in the path. Yet he knew Anne was the flip side of these too, he'd seen her insecurities ... She got herself hurt on more then one occasion. His legs turned and started running towards the path Anne and Diana had taken. It didn't take long before he literally ran into Diana.

" Diana?!" He asked shocked. Firstly he couldn't believe Diana would leave Anne with a... what he thought was probably a broken ankle but then the tears falling from Diana's face. " what happened?" he asked calmly.

" oh Gil! I'm so glad I found you, when we started to walk through the woods and we were sharing ghost stories and then Anne fell into a well... and now I think she's hurt her other ankle. Gil she's back there in the forest and I'm so scared something will come and take her away!" Diana sobbed into him.

He put his arms around her shushing her gently. "Di, calm down." He soothed. He chuckled quietly "Anne is safe where you left her okay, ghosts don't haunt during the day." He said logically.

"but it's always dark in the woods." She cried.

"okay, its alright " he assured her then held her at arm's length. "You go back to Orchards Slope get your papa and I will go and sit with Anne." He assured her.

"but Gil she simply won't allow it! I don't know why she hates you so but she does and you know how stubborn she is."

Gilbert smiled. "Well if both her ankles are twisted she won't have much of a choice will she?"

Diana nodded agreeing with his logic.

"Tell me where she is I'll go and sit with her and you go."

She nodded told Gilbert where to find her and ran for home .

Gilbert walked quickly towards the spot Diana said Anne was, thinking up of all the excuses for him to be there.

He decided to take a stroll.

He forgot his pencil case and was heading back to school...

He...

Didn't need an excuse he found her unconscious lying on the woods floor. He took a sigh of relief and sat down beside her. He was there less than a minute when he gently lifted her head resting it on his thigh near his near his knee his legs straight out in front of him his back resting against the tree behind him.

He looked down gently at her and couldn't help but notice how beautiful she was as she slept. A pang ran through him. He... He loved her and he knew it! Quite subconsciously his fingers played through her long red hair admiring it. He imagined a world where those big orbs would open, those beautiful grey green eyes would look at him and admire him. She would softly hug into him closer. He sighed again .

Why did she have to be so perfect?

He loved her. He was certain of it at this point. How could he carry on knowing she hated hi...

"Gil." She stirred in a whisper. His heart pounded against his chest. Was she dreaming of him? "I can't let him win Diana." She mumbled. He looked down at her face and smiled. "Tell him." Gilbert couldn't help but laugh. "don't laugh at me Mr Blythe." She accused him. He looked to her and saw she was still sleeping at least.

"I'm sorry Anne." He whispered. "I don't mean to tease." She settled silently back down. He took a sigh knowing she was asleep... maybe he could unload it off his chest. "I never meant to tease either." He admitted. "Not in a cruel way." He told her. "I just wanted to get to know you and be friends... I know I messed up my chance. But please do forgive me." He whispered.

She didn't reply immediately instead seemed to have gone back deeper into her slumber . " Maybe one day." She mumbled.

He looked down to her shocked but an unfamiliar feeling of hope rose within him for a moment before he heard the far off voices of Mr Barry and Diana.

He moved round her and picked her up in his arms. He was surprised just how light she was! Her arms wrapped around his neck, he was too nervous to move but when Mr Barry appeared with Diana he was relived. Despite Anne's light body he doubted he could have carried her all the way back to green gables.

"a knight in shining armour." Mr Barry smiled at him taking Anne from his arms

"oh no not really, just guarding her really." He said humbly.

They walked to the clearing Diana grabbed Gilbert's arm. "Gilbert really thank you." She told him. "you won't hear it from Anne though she will be grateful really..." Diana told him they hung back talking while Diana's papa walked on with Anne in arms.

"Di, you can't tell her my part in this." He said gently.

" What? !" Diana asked. "but why?!"

Gilbert sighed. "You know what she's like and if she ever found out she wouldn't forgive me." He told her.

"forgive you for helping?" Diana said confused.

"Yes forgive me for helping." He reitterred. "imagine your loathed enemy caring for you in that situation rather then a gallant prince you always dreamed of. I'd ruin the dream for her... I. ..." he looked away blushing "can't do that to her Diana. Please? Keep this a secret, ask your papa to keep this secret... Please?" he asked of her. "for me."

Diana sighed. "alright." She conceded. "I'll make sure..."

"Diana, she's coming round." Her father called.

They both looked the way her father was walking. Diana looked back at Gilbert sadly. "Gil..." She trailed.

" Its okay." He assured her. "I know she's safe now, just go... and keep your promise." He asked of her.

Diana nodded then ran off up the path. "Anne darling your safe everything will be fine." He heard Diana assure her. He turned on the path and decided to walk back through the woods. Making sure he was walking in the opposite direction. After all, he didn't want Anne to find out he had been anywhere near the scene.

" oh Diana I dreamed a dream, my knight in shining armour came to me and whispered sweet nothings in my ear... isn't it romantic?"

For her sake.