December 3rd, 1871

Arthur groaned as he opened his eyes slowly, squinting in the bright sunlight.

You stupid bastard, damn you for not getting curtains yet… He cursed himself as he rolled over trying to shield his eyes from the death rays. But the moment he moved, his stomach did about four flips and his head started to pound. He lay in fetal position until the queasiness passed and then mumbled another string of curses.

How can people drink every night? I hate this feeling. He thought bitterly. It was almost worse than the time he and Roy had found his dads secret stash of aged whiskey. They had been sixteen and stupid and finished the whole bottle, only to end the night throwing up in the field behind their house. When Roy's dad had found out he made them pay him back by working to put in the new fence around the boarding house.

Arthur tried to remember the night before. Bits and pieces started to come back to him. He remembered laughing with Eames and singing in the street with Roy. Strange that I remember having fun with Eames…He mused. After they had left, he remembered getting Roy into his house. And then Mrs. McCrery yelled at him… His heart gave a thump as he recalled seeing Miss. Nicola. She had been awake when they got back to the boarding house. Oh god, what did I say? Did I make a fool of myself? He thought as his mind frantically tried to remember. The only thing that came to him was her running up the stairs.

You need to go apologize. No doubt you said something too personal or something inappropriate and you scared her off. Or you made her mad. Shit… Arthur rubbed his eyes again and groaned as he sat up. If he wasn't careful he was going to upchuck all over his floor.

"Well if it isn't the drunkard himself…" Arthur ran his fingers through his hair and rubbed his hand over his eyes at the sound of Mrs. McCrery's words. Great… Arthur thought as he opened his eyes to look at her again.

"I feel as though I owe you an apology… And to Miss Nicola as well I believe." Arthur's head was still pounding, but at least after coffee and breakfast his stomach wasn't so bad.

"Do you even remember last night?" She said with a slight smirk. He wasn't sure he wanted to know what she did.

"Bits and pieces ma'am."

"Oh ma'am now is it? So polite… Well I like apologetic-Arthur." She said with a laugh, "Oh come on, get inside and I will go get Miss Nicola."

"Wait," Arthur wasn't sure how he could say it. "Did I… Umm, what exactly am I apologizing for?" She gave him a glare, "No! I mean of course, it was improper to act in such a drunken state in front of a lady. I know that Roy and I were a bit ridiculous…It's just that… I know I spoke with her, briefly, but I don't know what I said."

Mrs. McCrery laughed, "You just apologize for being a drunken mess. I don't tolerate that kind of behavior in my house, and you boys will do well to remember that."

About five minutes later Ariadne came down the stairs. She was in a pretty blue dress; the color was very nice on her. Arthur found it hard not to stare, but when was that ever not the case in her company? As she entered the room he jumped to his feet, only to realize that his pounding head did not approve of such movements. As he winced and squinted his eyes, trying to block out the light he spoke.

"Before you say anything Miss Nicola I just want to apologize for the state in which you saw me last night. It was a terrible impression and I fear not something many people have seen. I am not one to partake in drunken episodes such as that. Not on any regular basis, I assure you. Well I mean, of course I have the occasional drink, but it's not as though that happens very often…" Arthur hadn't been quite sure what he was going to say but before he knew it the words had tumbled out of his mouth. As soon as he had his wits about him enough to realize that he had been rambling he stopped and, with his head slightly bent down, he looked up at her.

"Mr. Wilde you look like a puppy that is being scolded. Perk up. I've already spent the last several hours listening to Roy apologize. I don't believe that either of you are drunkards, and you were quite funny actually." She said with a laugh. Arthur couldn't believe his luck. The beautiful angel in front of him had already forgiven him. "Don't tell Regina that though, or I will deny it."

He laughed with her at that comment. "Please call me Arthur, Mr. Wilde sounds so formal coming from a friend. That is, I was hoping that we could be friends." Oh God, please say yes… He thought as he looked at her.

"I'll only call you Arthur if you call me Ariadne. And I would like to be your friend too." Her cheeks got a bit rosy at that and Arthur could help but wonder if she was blushing. Does she feel this connection between us too? Does she even realize how beautiful she is?

"I can't exactly remember what I said to you… I just hope I didn't offend you" He said as they both sat down.

"You didn't, truly. In fact, you were…" Before she even had a change to finish her sentence he interrupted her again, a look of worry in his eyes.

"You see, men have the horrible tendency to say things they don't really mean when they get drunk. I don't know why but I'm sure I was saying some pretty ridiculous things anyway." He laughed and looked at her. "Just please disregard it as the drunken ramblings of my inebriated mind."

She seemed to pale at his last remarks and he wondered for a moment if she was actually upset with him. She looked sad, until she spoke and dispelled his worries.

"Arthur, I really must get back to helping Regina. She and I were cleaning the rooms upstairs." With a smile on her face, not looking at all unhappy as she had moments before, she said, "Thank you for coming over. I'm glad we got to talk."

She stood up and he followed, shaking her hand before he left.

After he had left, Ariadne had practically run into her room. She stopped for a moment to beg for a minute before returning to her work and Regina had, of course, agreed. As she closed her door she leaned against it and pressed her forehead against the cool wood.

Of course he doesn't fancy you. Miss Pretty… Those were just the words of a drunken fool. And you better damn well remember that, don't let yourself fall for someone who doesn't return your affections! She thought bitterly to herself.

At least you have made a new friend, she thought, trying to see the silver lining of this situation. With a sigh Ariadne turned around and took a deep breath before leaving her room.

So Abigail thinks I care for Ariadne huh? Well no wonder she is mad at me. Eames thought as he processed what Arthur and Roy had told him the night before. He did have to grin at the thought that she was jealous. That meant that she did care for him, at least in some respect. It certainly explained her behavior over the last few weeks. Rather than the usual playfully annoyed attitude she typically had with him, she had seemed upset and had been avoiding him.

Well I'd say it's about time to right this situation. I can't tease her when she is mad with me. With that he got up and headed towards the Wilde house.

When he arrived it was Miles who answered the door. "Mr. Eames, what a surprise! Come in, come in. What can I do for you?" The older man shook his hand and led him into the sitting room. Eames had to compliment Miles as he sank into one of the most comfortable chairs he had ever had the pleasure to sit in. He then inquired after Abigail.

"Thank you, my lad. Clair and I got the set as a wedding gift. Quite a practical gift indeed. Now then, let me go get my daughter for you. I believe she is working on a quilt upstairs." Eames reclined back in the chair and closed his eyes, enjoying everything about the pleasant room.

His peace was interrupted by a snarky comment coming from the lovely voice that Eames had been missing as of late. "Well really Mr. Eames, when you come to someone else's house the least you can do is stay awake."

Abigail was wearing a vivid red flannel dress with a dark fringed shawl wrapped around her shoulders. The dress was cut to show off her slender waist and just a shadow of cleavage. Eames silently cursed as he looked at her. Damn she looks beautiful. Would probably look a lot prettier if she wasn't frowning at me. He thought with a smirk.

"Abigail darling, it appears we have a situation that I wanted to discuss with you." She stood with her arms crossed in the doorway. "Please come sit with me." He added, hoping that she would. Slowly, after sighing, she walked over and plopped down into the other chair.

"You seem to have an incorrect opinion about the relationship between Miss Nicola and myself."

"Really, I have no idea to what you are referring." She said, although she couldn't quite meet his eye.

"Abigail… Look at me." She reluctantly turned her head and he continued, "She is the little sister I never had. From the moment we met I haven't felt more than brotherly affection towards her. It's quite clear that she feels the same way too."

Abigail looked flustered and her eyes seemed to dart around, trying to find anything to distract her from this topic. She finally looked at him and said, "Well, really, why you think it is any of my business, I have no idea."

"Yes you do." He said looking straight into her eyes. He was surprised to see the pain and sadness that splayed across her face.

"Eames, Ariadne seems like a lovely young woman. Everyone thinks so, I'm sure she won't have trouble making friends in town." Abigail said as she sat regally, the pain gone from her eyes and her head held high. Eames smiled and started to nod when she spoke again. "However, with you going over to the boarding house so often for dinner… I wouldn't blame people for coming to their own conclusions…"

"Dammit Abigail!" Eames swore quietly. He couldn't remember feeling this frustrated at this young woman in… well, probably ever. She looked shocked that he would use such language at her. Just before she opened her mouth to speak again he shook his head and through up his hands in exasperation and got up to leave.

"Eames! Wait…" Abigail rushed after him and stood in front of the door, blocking his exit. After swallowing that damn pride of hers she spoke. "Fine, ok. I'm sorry. You really haven't been courting her?" Her voice was soft and she when she asked sounded like a child. He shook his head and smiled.

"Of course not darling," Eames murmured as he took a step closer to her. They were standing far too close together to be appropriate but Eames took her hand and heard her take a sharp intake of breathe. "You know I only have eyes for one woman in this town." He said as he kissed her hand.

"Eames, I just never know how to read you! You laugh and tease and joke with me all the time. How can I know you aren't just doing that when you say things like that? I know I'm prideful and I guard my heart and don't let people in… But… But I have my reasons and I'm afraid…" She looked slightly frantic, like she had had no intention of saying anything of that sort. To be honest, Eames was just happy that she was finally opening up to him. They had always flirted around it but for the first time, she was actually being truthful about her thoughts with him.

Eames looked down at her hand in his. He hadn't let go of her yet. "Abigail. I mean every word." He said staring into her eyes. Then he grinned and continued, "Regarding this anyway… But don't let it get around that I'm being serious with you, my reputation is on the line here."

Abigail rolled her eyes and smiled, but at least it was a genuine smile now. He squeezed her hand with a reassuring grip and she said, "Good day Mr. Eames," as he let go of her hand and she side-stepped around him and walked back through the house. She turned to look at him once more before she turned the corner and smiled and blushed when she saw that he was still watching her.

"Abigail!" He said with an afterthought. She turned and walked back into view. "Please spend time with Ariadne, just get to know her. I'm sure you will get along. She hasn't really gotten to know any of the ladies her age around here."

Abigail smiled and nodded. "Ok. I will."

Mission accomplished, he thought with a grin.

"Abigail, what did Mr. Eames want?" Her father questioned as she walked past his office.

She stopped and stepped into the room. "Oh he just wanted to let me know that he ran into Miss Nicola on Main Street and she asked if he could pass along a message for me. I am going to help her get settled in at the school tomorrow."

"Well that sounds wonderful dear." He said with a smile.

"Yes, I'm rather excited. She seems like a lovely girl. I haven't really gotten to know her yet." Abigail said, "In fact, I think I am going to run over to the boarding house and have a chat with her."

"All right dear, just be home for lunch. Whatever your mother made this morning smells delicious." Miles said with a grin.

"Of course, father. I'll only be a few minutes." Abigail said as she left.

Now to set my plans in motion. She thought as she walked down the road.

Thanks again for the reviews! I like to hear how you feel about the relationships Im building between the characters, any suggestions?! The next chapter is really going to be women-are-awesome when Abigail and Ariande go to the school. Women had the right to vote in Wyoming by this time so were going to talk politics a bit :) But back to the romance after that!