The journey from the university campus to Elizabeth's house had been an almost silent one. Henry had asked If she was ok a few times but she'd just nodded her head and she obviously had to tell him her address but that was as far as communication had gone.

When the car slowed to a stop, Elizabeth made no move to get out. She just sat there, her eyes fixed on her hands in her lap. Henry watched her and knew she needed to talk - But she was acting like a spooked animal waiting to bolt, so he just sat there, silently, waiting for her to either open up to him or get out and walk away.

Henry figured if she didn't want to talk, she wouldn't still be sitting there and he was more than happy to wait it out all night if that's what it took - He was just happy to be in her presence, however awkward it currently felt.

After a full ten minutes of nothing, Elizabeth turned her body ever so slightly towards Henry and looked directly at him.

"Would you like to come in for a coffee? Glass of wine? Or to watch me have a complete emotional freak out maybe?" There was the tiniest hint of a smirk as she said it. "All are optional of course."

"Coffee sounds great if you're sure that's ok?"

Elizabeth nodded "I think the company would be nice! It's usually just me and my friends - Merlot and Popcorn."

Henry smiled, "Are those your cats?"

"I don't have cats! But if I ever get any, those would be great names - Don't you think?" She smiled a truly genuine smile "Shall we?"

Henry followed her into the apartment and she slowly removed his jacket, handing it back to him "Thank you for being so chivalrous! I didn't realise how cold I actually was until you gave me this."

Henry shrugged "I have my moments! And usually when someone starts turning blue it's a good indication that they might be a little too cold."

"Blue huh? I would say that's not a good look but I can usually pull off cooler tones pretty well."

She wandered through to the kitchen, dropping her bag on the floor as she went "So - Coffee or wine? I think I have some scotch somewhere if you prefer that."

Henry leaned against the doorframe and looked around. Elizabeth's kitchen was spotless - So much so that he wondered if it had ever actually been used to prepare food. The wine cooler had a decent selection of whites and rosé's and there were plenty of take out menus stuck to the fridge door with a magnetic clip - But it didn't have the 'lived in' feel that Henry had been expecting.

His attention turned back to Elizabeth who was watching him "I'm driving so I'll stick with coffee. Plus it's a school night."

"You look intrigued Henry! Do you not like my kitchen?"

"Yes, it's lovely."

She narrowed her eyes "I'm sensing a but —."

"No, honestly, it's great! It just wasn't quite what I had imagined, that's all."

Elizabeth couldn't help but chuckle "You've been imagining what my kitchen looks like? Maybe I should think about that restraining order after all."

Henry was getting flustered and what was making it worse was that Elizabeth knew it.

"I just meant that it doesn't look overly 'homely' that's all."

Elizabeth glanced around and shrugged "Oh yeah — That's because I don't cook. So I guess everything has remained mostly unused. I bought this place brand new and all the appliances came with it. I do use the microwave though."

Her grin made Henry smile "You don't cook — At all?"

Elizabeth shook her head and then emptied most of the contents of a bottle of Rioja into a large glass while clicking the coffee machine into action.

"You do have a lovely home, Elizabeth."

She smiled in appreciation of his kind words "It's extremely modest — Just two bedrooms and not a huge amount of space! But how much room could I possibly need, right? And I quite like it here."

"Maybe you could use the second bedroom for Merlot and Popcorn when you get them?"

Elizabeth Laughed "A fair suggestion Dr McCord." She held up her glass and nodded towards it. "You don't mind if I partake, do you?"

"Not at all! I think you've had the kind of day that warrants a large glass of wine or two! I'm not adverse to drinking - But I won't get behind the wheel if I have been!"

"Me either! But as I'm at home and do not have my car here - I think I'm safe."

"Oh shit - I didn't think about your car! I'll swing by tomorrow and pick you up for work if you like?" Henry had been in such a rush to get Elizabeth home, he hadn't thought about leaving her without a car.

"Uhhh no it's fine - I actually have a day off tomorrow so I'll just pick it up when I'm back in. Thanks for the offer though."

She handed Henry his coffee and retreated to the couch - Wine in hand and bowl of popcorn in her lap "You see - Wine and popcorn!"

"Don't you want something a little more substantial? I'm starving."

"We can order in if you like? Although I'm more than happy with this —." She took a big mouthful of wine and slouched back against the cushions.

"What do you have in the fridge? I could make us something."

Elizabeth laughed "There's some ice-cream in the freezer I think."

"Ohhhkay then - Take out it is."

Almost empty Chinese cartons littered the coffee table and Elizabeth was already on her second bottle of wine. She was hitting it far harder than she usually would and it was going to her head.

"So tell me Dr Henry McCord — Am I the first woman you've ever sent shoes to?"

Henry relaxed back against the opposite end of the couch "Actually - You are."

"Wow! I feel special." She took another sip from her glass, only just managing to avoid sloshing it over the edge "Seriously though - You're an intelligent, articulate guy! Why aren't you married with several mini mccords running around?"

Henry considered that for a moment "I have been close to it in the past but it didn't work out. I guess I'm just waiting for that special kind of love, you know? The kind that you feel deep in your soul."

Elizabeth zoned out and was staring into space until Henry aimed the same question at her.

"I imagine you've had your fair share of admirers, Elizabeth. Have you never wanted the whole white wedding and a houseful of kids?"

"I — I'll get you another coffee. Remind me again how you take it?" She jumped up and headed for the kitchen, leaving Henry and his question behind.

"Black no sugar please." He knew avoidance when he saw it, and Elizabeth obviously had her reasons, but his intrigue was only growing.

As she came back in, she handed him the coffee and plopped back down against the cushions. "Were you born in Virginia?'

Henry shook his head as he placed the cup on the table "I was born in Pittsburgh but honestly, I couldn't wait to get out of there. I wanted a very different life to the one my father had planned for me and it caused a bit of a rift. I go back when I have to but Charlottesville is my home now. Your accent tells me that you're a local girl."

Elizabeth smiled "I didn't realise I had an accent. I guess it's not something you ever really think about until someone mentions it." She placed her own glass on the table and drew her knees into her chest "I am a Virginian native — My parents met at UVA which is how my own story began I suppose so it was almost pre-determined that I would go there too."

"I'm surprised our paths never crossed back in our student days."

Elizabeth looked at Henry quizzically, "You studied at UVA?"

"Yeah — Did I not tell you that?"

"No! But then we haven't really spoken all that much."

"Because you keep yelling at me Elizabeth." Henry playfully pushed her knee "It's hard to converse when you're being shot down."

"I've already said I'm sorry. I've had a lot going on in my life and I'm not looking to get caught up in anything right now — Or at all actually." She nudged his thigh with her foot and smiled "But I shouldn't have shouted at you and It won't happen again."

"Caught up? What do you mean?" It was nice to finally be able to have a conversation with her and Henry didn't want to mess it up, but Elizabeth was being so guarded and careful with her words that it was only a natural instinct to want to know more.

"I am not interested in dating or falling in love. I have no place for that in my life now and I want to make that perfectly clear to you, Henry."

"And what about friendship? Do you have space for that in your life?"

"I'm not sure that's a good idea either — But the jury's still out." Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at him and Henry felt his heart leap into his throat.

He ignored the goosebumps that had pricked his arms and changed the subject. "Do you want to tell me why you got so upset earlier? I know it can be hard when a student is struggling, but you can't let yourself get too personally involved, Elizabeth!"

"So — what? We're just meant to teach our classes and not care about these kids as individuals? Because that's all they are Henry - They're just kids who are away from home and some of them don't have the confidence and bravado to make it through unscathed."

"I didn't say we shouldn't see them as individuals - But you got so upset! That can't be good for you to take on so much! There are other people on campus that can help him too - It doesn't all have to be up to you."

"Maybe I just know what it's like to struggle! I've been through it and I can see the turmoil he's in - I still have that now being back there and I'm no longer a student. If I'm not willing to go the extra mile, then who will? Do we turn a blind eye until something terrible happens and then pretend we did all we could? I'm sorry Henry, but that's not who I am."

Henry digested her words and nodded "I can see that! And I agree with you - I really do. Maybe we should all follow your example and do more for our students! But there are only so many hours in the day and you have to be able to switch off when you get home or you'll end up being the one who needs help."

Elizabeth filled up her glass again and muttered "Maybe I already am."

With a tangible silence now evident between them, Henry took the opportunity to glance around the room. It was far more what he imagined Elizabeth's home to be like. There was a floor to ceiling bookcase filled to bursting with every book imaginable, a large television up on the wall, a turntable with a stack of vinyls underneath and a cosy looking cuddle chair in the corner with a reading light above and a deep purple blanket thrown over the back.

Henry looked across to the opposite side of the room and noticed the photos on Elizabeth's desk. There was a graduation picture with Elizabeth in a cap and gown, one of her on a horse when she was a lot younger, a sweet family photo which he assumed was Elizabeth with her parents and brother and a silver frame that had been placed glass side down.

"You have some lovely pictures — You really don't look much different now than you did in your graduation photo."

Elizabeth wrinkled up her nose and let out a throaty laugh "I think maybe you do need some of this wine to help you see a little clearer."

Henry laughed himself "I'm serious! You're so beautiful."

Elizabeth froze and her whole demeanour changed. It was as if someone had snuffed out fire and the light had disappeared.

"I think maybe it's time for you to go, Henry. It's getting late and I have a headache coming on. Thanks for driving me home." She got herself up from the couch and moved towards the front door.

"Elizabeth — What did I say? Are you angry that I said you were beautiful?"

A physical shudder went through Elizabeth's body "Please go Henry! I'm not sure this was a good idea and I just want to go to bed."

"I'm sorry — Please just tell me what I did wrong? I want to be your friend so why won't you let me?" Henry was bewildered. It was the second time she had flipped so suddenly and he had no idea what was going on.

"I appreciate the shoes and the ride home Henry — But let me be very clear! I don't want any kind of relationship with you. Not friendship and certainly not anything romantic."

"Then tell me why?"

"I don't owe you an explanation. You don't know me and that's the way I would prefer it to stay."

Henry gently touched her arm "I'd like to get to know you, Elizabeth."

"Trust me when I say you really wouldn't! You would be sorely disappointed because I'm not a good person. So please — Do yourself a favour and leave me alone. I mean it, Henry."

Elizazbeth pulled the door open and gestured for him to exit.

"Elizabeth — Please talk to me,"

"Goodnight Henry." As soon as he stepped outside, she closed the door and double locked it.

Henry stood outside in disbelief. They had finally been communicating and he really thought he was getting somewhere and then the door had been slammed in his face both figuratively and literally. He walked slowly back to his car but turned around halfway down the sidewalk and attempted to go back. He was caught between respecting her wishes by leaving her alone and going back to try and be there for her.

He raised his clenched fist to knock on the door but froze without making contact. What was he doing? Putting himself through endless rejection for someone he barely knew and who clearly had no interest in him. His head was telling him to walk away and never look back, it would be the sensible thing to do. But his heart had different intentions and the kind of love he had always been searching for was on the other side of the door.

He rested his hand against the wood and sighed "Elizabeth — I don't know what's going on with you and god knows you've given me every possible reason not to care. But I do care! I care way more than I should and I just want to be here for you. So — If you need me, just call me — okay?" He scribbled his number on the back of a gum wrapper and popped it through the letterbox. "Goodnight Professor Adams."