On the third night neither child was surprised to see the other.

"Good evening Lizzie, you left quite suddenly last night"

"The baby has colic, she woke the whole house. For such a tiny thing she makes a huge amount of noise." Her tone was light and fed into a good natured laugh as she wandered over to the window.

"Georgiana was a quite baby. Peaceful, content. She's one and a half now and still so calm" Lizzie noticed that Wills voice always took on a gentle air whenever he spoke of his, obviously much adored, little sister.

"Could we take a walk outside?" she asked "It looks so pretty out there"

"Certainly not, its the middle of the night! And you only have on a nightgown. We really must do something about that if you are to keep visiting" His face took on a pensive expression.

"Will, this isn't real. It's just a dream!" She glanced up at him inquiringly "Do we all get so serious when we grow up?" He glared at her sharply, it took him a moment to register the lack of sneer in her voice. It appeared that she was genuine with her question.

"George says I'm no fun any more" She watched as his shoulders slumped noticeably "Since mother got sick I've had to focus more on myself . I didn't want to burden father with having to deal with my misadventures. He was already so worried and focused on mother and Georgiana the least I could do was stay out of trouble. So I focus on my studies and make sure I cause him no additional worry" Lizzie softened at his words.

"This isn't real Will. Come, run with me outside" She mad dashed for his bedroom door and slipped out into the hallway. "Oh my goodness!" She quietly exclaimed. The hall, if such a beautiful and grand thing could be called such, was huge. Its soft carpeted floor stretched on seemingly forever. " Are you sure you're not a prince?" she asked Will as he came to her side.

"Oh hush you!" He answered with a slight laugh, feeling lighter than he had in months. "If we are going to do this I'll lead the way" Ever the gentleman, just as his father had taught him, Will offered his arm to this strange new friend of his. And off they went through the house and out the front door.

As soon as Lizzie felt the soft grass beneath her feet she took off in a care free run.

"Come on Will, catch me if you can!"

Torn between his desire to join in and have a little fun and his new developing quiet, almost adult like, nature. He held his position watching her for a minute. But it wasn't long before Lizzies joyous laugh became to strong a pull and he took off after the girl. She was speedy, he'd give her that. More than once he lost sight of her in the moonlight as she made her way to a dense treeline. And then she was gone. No sight nor sound of her. Will walked into the trees quietly calling.

"Lizzie? Lizzie, where are you?" He was met only with silence.

"Lizzie!" he called again louder this time "Lizzie, are you gone again?" He cautiously stepped deeper into the woods. The only light was the moon sliding between the branches overhead. A rustling above him caught his attention. Squinting slightly he looked up.

"LIZZIE!" He called out in surprise "How on earth did you get up there?"

"Have you never climbed a tree Will?"

"Of course I have" The question irritated him "But YOU shouldn't, you're a girl. You might fall! Get down immediately" He demanded in his most authoritative tone.

Lizzie only laughed again "Don't be silly, I never slip. And if I did, I know you're down there to stop my fall. Here, like this. Catch!" In what seemed to be slow motion Will watched the tiny girl drop from the branch she'd perched herself on. Heart in his throat he reached out and just about managed to brace himself to catch the insane child.

Wriggling from his arms she once again made to run off into the trees. But the laughter that wanted realise died on her lips as she felt Wills grip firmly tighten on her wrist as he started to pull her back towards the house.

"Will? What's wrong?"

He stopped just before the front door and turned to look at her. Extreme anger clearly written on his face.

"Were you trying to hurt yourself? Do you have any idea how silly that was? You could have broken a bone, you could have DIED!" He struggle to control his disproportionate rage

"Is that what you wanted? To split open your skull and die?" The intensity of his emotion startled Lizzie no end. She tried to take a step back but he still had her in a vice like grip.

"You silly, silly girl! If you think I'm going to be there to catch you whenever you feel like risking your life throwing yourself from trees then you are very much mistaken. I can't even look at you!" He finally let her go as he turned from her " Be gone with you and NEVER return here" He stormed the steps up to the large front door and marched in slamming it behind him. Lizzie stayed stock still, frozen in shock. And there she stood until the sun began to rise, when suddenly she disappeared.

He knew she was there before he even opened his eyes. He felt awful for the previous night. Eventually he risked it, just opening the one eye he peeped out at her. She stood in the room as she never had before. Awkward, almost fearful. His already shattered heart broke just a little bit more. She must have noticed him move as she took a back step further from his bed. He sat up slowly

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to come back Will. Honest I didn't" her voice cracked, was she close to tears?

"Ohh Lizzie" He let out horsely. "No, its me who should be sorry. Last night I was unforgivable. You were just playing, and I was so afraid" Once again he felt himself choke up, but fought back the tears. Real men don't cry "I think I just see death everywhere" He was losing the battle and a single tear escaped and ran its cause down her cheek.

This was more than Lizzie could take and as fast as her little legs could carry her she was beside his bed.

"I should have thought" Was all she could think to say.

"Mothers funeral is tomorrow, maybe after that I'll start to feel more myself"

"I promise not to do anything like that. Well not until you are happier" she whispered.

They stayed in their spots as still as statues each trapped inside their own heads. Unsure of what to say.

"Lizzie" Wide brown eyes looked at him expectantly "I'll always be there to catch you"