A/N: SECOND CHAPTER TODAY. FLASHBACK CONTINUES…

He stomped by Solomon Creek without seeing it. He picked up stones and threw them. Bellowing in rage, he picked up a large stick and shattered it against a tree.

You've really made a mess. She hates you.

What she had said about Alice hurt. As if it wasn't bad enough that his wife left for long periods of time, now he was recounting what he had said or done. Maybe it was his fault that she left so often, and he was just too insensitive to realize it.

That's not true. You've bent over backwards with Alice to make her happy. Whatever the reason she keeps leaving, it's not your fault.

If only what Elsie had said about him using her didn't cut so deeply. Part of him felt he had. Why else had he kissed her? It was an accident, she said. He knew better.

Because you wanted to. Without thinking about what she felt or wanted. You only thought of yourself.

It was an accident to her. An unwelcome one. Obviously, it bothered her. And instead of putting her at ease, he'd let his own thwarted emotions vent and insulted her. He put his hands on his head and walked up to the cabin. Where his heart should have been, he only felt a void.

So this is the rest of your life, a voice whispered. Your wife would rather stay away from you. You made one genuine friend in the last year, and then managed to destroy that friendship.

He was tired. So tired.

There was already wood in the fireplace, as well as extra stacked on the front porch. Never mind it wasn't even noon, and the sun shone brightly. Everything seemed dark before him.

He lit a fire and sat on the couch. Watching the flickering flames, he cried.

He doubted he would get a chance to apologize.

0000000000000

She was blind to the beauty of the woods as she stomped up the trail.

How dare you. How DARE you! 'Finding gratification wherever she wanted to'?

It was as if he called her a whore. She wished she had punched him in the face, instead of slapping him. He deserved it.

Gasping for breath, she ascended the end of the trail and stopped. Her view was blocked by tears.

She bent over and hugged her aching knees, sobbing for several minutes. Regaining her composure, she stood looking at the view below her, of the narrow valley half-hidden by the fall foliage.

He'd moved on. He never wanted to kiss her. Or so he said.

Surely that should come as a comfort. He is married, as you so nicely reminded him.

The thought that he'd felt nothing hurt as though she'd been stabbed, and the knife twisted inside. No. It was the fact that she knew he'd felt something, but wouldn't admit it. How were they supposed to 'move on', as he put it, if they couldn't be honest with each other?

Perhaps he was as afraid of admitting he felt anything as much as she was.

She turned and started back down the trail. She reached the bend near his cabin close to an hour past noon. Her body ached with the day's activity.

He wasn't by the tree stump and the half-stacked pile of wood. She swallowed, feeling guilty.

I should not have said that about Alice. What he said was wrong, but he didn't deserve that.

I should apologize.

If he'll listen. We were friends once.

I don't know if we can be again, but it's worth a try.

She tripped over something in the deep leaves as she circled the hill below the cabin. Looking down, she picked up the ax. She carried it up the hill before leaving it by the front door.

She hesitated before knocking.

"Hello?"

She knocked again before turning the doorknob and poking her head inside.

The top of his head was visible from the couch. A fire crackled in the fireplace. She took a deep breath and went in.

The afternoon sun made shadows on the floor and illumined part of the red and yellow woven rug. Charles twitched, turning his head in sleep. Tearstains were visible on his face.

Her heart ached.

She sat in a rocking chair by the fire as he slept. He did not rest easily. Every minute she thought he would wake.

He mumbled, spoke nonsense. Then he clearly said her name.

"Elsie. Elsie," he whispered.

Her face flushed and she bit her lip.

Your instinct was correct, it seems.

Not that she expected for it to be confirmed. He would probably throw her out again when he woke up.

She started out of a sound sleep. The shadows on the floor had moved, betraying the time. Stretching, she stood up and stoked the fire, turning a log to let the other side burn.

He still slept, deeper this time. She resisted the urge to smooth back a wild curl flopped on his forehead.

Eventually, he breathed deeply and blinked, rubbing the heel of his hand over his eyes.

"Elsie? What are you doing here?" he murmured, seeing her. She got up, taking courage from his tone. He didn't sound angry. Just surprised.

"I wanted to apologize," she said in a rush. "I was angry and I should not have said what I did about…about Alice. Or...the other things."

"If anyone deserves an apology, it's you," he said, sitting up. "I was horrible to you. You had every right to slap me." His hair was askew, but she was distracted by a fine bruise visible on his cheek. She could make out a faint shape of two fingers.

"Oh my God…" she whispered. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you…I mean, I did mean to hurt you, but…I'm sorry I hit you." She put a hand over her mouth. He covered his cheek gingerly and winced.

"I've had worse."

She looked down at the bright patterned rug over the wooden plank floor.

"What made you come back?" he asked quietly, his hands resting on his knees. "I know, you said to apologize, but why now?"

She sighed, crossing her arms. "I didn't want to wait until later, another day, and let things go on the way they have been. We…were friends for a while. I thought – maybe we could try again? That's why," she swallowed, "I…wanted to talk before about what happened in the spring. I hope I haven't made too much of a mess." She wanted to be honest, but she also didn't want to scare him off immediately. If they weren't friends, there would be no reason for honesty.

He blinked for a few moments, focusing on the floor. He almost couldn't believe what he was hearing.

She's braver than you are. First to bring up the kiss, and now to apologize.

He was ashamed of himself, more than before.

"I'm surprised you still want to be friends with me," he said, not looking at her. "After the way I've treated you, and what I said."

"I accused you of using me to please yourself," she said, her face glowing bright red. "That was very, very wrong of me."

"I don't blame you for thinking that," he said quietly. "You deserved better, and then I didn't even try to explain myself."

You still can't.

"I forgive you," he said. "If you'll forgive me." Only after he said it did he realize he meant it. She looked up, a faint glimmer in her eyes. "I want to be friends again. If anyone's made a mess, it's me."

She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding.

"Of course I forgive you. Let me take some of the blame for what's happened. I can handle that," she said gently. The quiet was disturbed by a loud growling sound.

An amused smile grew on her face. "Was that you?"

He smiled back. "Yes. You've discovered my secret. I'm always hungry."

"We can't have that," she said, her heart feeling lighter than it had in ages. Picking up her backpack, she felt hungry for the first time all day. "If you want, I can share. I packed enough food to eat for a week."

"No, I'll make something," he insisted, moving past her to the kitchen. "It's the least I can do."

TBC…