Hi guys! Wow sorry it has been SOOO long since I have posted an update! I have been so busy. Thank you all soooo much for reading and reviewing. It really does mean the world to me, especially since this is my first fanfic! ^_^ I really hope you enjoy this chapter! And as always I am grateful for any reviews 3 ^_^ xoxo-J

As Karen started to head back to town, she could feel her heart beating out of her chest. "C'mon Karen. Pull it together!" she muttered to herself. She pulled out a flask of grape liquor and chugged down some much needed liquid courage. She took three deep breaths, straightened herself out, and headed into the village.

Thoughts whizzed through her head as she took each step towards the clinic door. It was late and she secretly prayed to the Goddess that Elli wouldn't be home. Karen gathered her courage and knocked loudly on the door.

As she waited for someone to answer she scanned the area for a good hiding place just in case she tried to make a run for it. As she began to come up with excuses for Elli, the door opened- too late.

"Karen? Are you ok?! The Doctor isn't here right now…He went for a walk in the mountains… Do you need help?!" Elli looked genuinely concerned for her friend, but at least Karen knew where to go to track down Tim.

"Oh, I'm fine actually…I uhh….just stopped by to chat with…you…you know, since I haven't seen you in a while!" Karen was winging it.

"Haha, oh yeah since yesterday? You're absolutely right. It's been soooooo long!" Elli joked.

"Haaaahahaha!" Karen awkwardly chuckled along.

"Actually, Karen…I'm glad you stopped by…I have some random yet interesting stuff to tell you." Elli grinned.

"Oh, yea? What is it? Something new between you and the doc…?" Karen perked up a little.

"No, actually it's someone else. Long story short… I'm fairly certain I agreed to go on a date with… uhh…Gray." Elli looked nervous waiting for Karen's reaction.

Karen stared blankly for a minute as Elli grimaced at her lack of response.

"Wow! That must be a long story, indeed." Karen grinned. "And you need to tell your dearest friend allll about it. I think we need to break out a bottle for this one!"

"Sounds, great! After Saturday I will have even more to tell." Elli blushed as Karen winked at her jokingly. "Do you think the Doctor will be upset if he finds out? I know people sort of expect me to be with him…I don't know how he'd take it."

"I don't think he would mind and even if he did- who cares? No one expects anything of you and you don't owe anything to anyone. You deserve to be happy. I think exploring your options is a great idea…plus it can be fun!" She grinned. "Maybe you'll even have a date to the goddess festival this year." Karen smirked.

"Haha! Oh, Karen…let's not get ahead of ourselves now." Elli playfully stuck out her tongue.

"Ok, ok. But remember, if he pulls any funny business he will have me to answer to!" Karen held up a fist.

"Oh, I believe it wholeheartedly!" Elli giggled.

"Well I should get going I guess…it's getting late." Karen sighed.

"Yeah, I should be heading to bed… But, we will catch up again soon. Goodnight!"

"Goodnight, Elli." As she shut the door Karen's heart began to pound again. She bolted off towards the mountains.

Karen quickly realized that going up to the mountain at night defied her better judgment. The darkness and strange sounds of the forest made her shiver, but she was on a mission. She walked quickly as she searched for Tim. Sure enough, there he was lost in thought sitting against a tree.

Karen was out of breath from her hike. Tim stared up at her.

"You looking for herbs, too at this hour?" Tim said trying to make light of the situation.

"Not, exactly. Unless….you're an herb." Karen joked back.

Tim and Karen allowed themselves to smile just for a minute.

"Look, Tim…about what I said earlier…I don't know why I got so upset…It really isn't like me. To be honest, I haven't felt much like myself lately. And I don't hate you. I guess I just feel responsible for so many people these days…I feel like I am sacrificing my own feelings and my own goals to keep them happy. Sometimes, I feel like I am just surviving day to day. So, when you came in to tell me your problems I think it just set me over the edge. I'm…sorry… And I don't say that often! So cherish this moment forever!"

Tim nodded. "Once again, I admire you're honesty. Thank you for coming here. I meant what I said by the way…that I am going to change. I don't want to lie to anyone anymore…especially Elli. You're right. She deserves better."

"Well…good news then. You may not have to worry about leading Elli on for much longer!" Karen smirked.

"What do you mean?" Tim perked up a little.

"Well she may be…exploring her options so to speak. So, don't worry your little head too much over her romantic feelings for you right now. There's one thing off your plate, right?"

"Oh…wow…" Suddenly, Tim didn't feel as relieved as he thought he would. "I guess I never actually thought of her with anyone else before."

Karen felt strangely disappointed at his lack of excitement over the situation. "Well, whatever makes her happy, right?"

"Yes…yes, of course. Only the best for our Elli."

Karen and Tim exchanged awkward smiles.

"Yes. Well, I should really get going. Time flies when you're having this much fun. Are you heading back to the village?"

"No, I am going to stay out here just a little longer. Thank you again for coming to talk with me. This was…helpful" Tim's smile seemed to fade just a bit as he leaned back against the tree.

"No problem. See you around."

As Karen walked back towards town she surprised herself with the amount of confusion she felt. "Did Tim seem disappointed about Elli's feelings? And most of all… why do I care?" She shook the thoughts from her head, but just as she succeeded, that farmer-boy ran right though her head.