A CRACK IN THE ARMOUR Part 1 of 4 Author: Allysen Ok everyone, my first attempt at a fanfic. Hope you enjoy, please be gentle... Disclaimer: Catherine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the LeSourd Family. I am in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. I am continuing the story of Christy for my own amusement only. ORIGINALITY DISCLAIMER: (Annie, I hope you don't mind me using this. But you said it first, and you said it best.) With all the wonderful, exciting fanfic that's being posted every day. If my story uses situations or dialog or plot lines that seem very similar to others out there, please forgive me. A CRACK IN THE ARMOUR Part 1 Doctor Neil MacNeill was tired. He couldn't imagine ever being so tired before. He lifted his hand to scratch at his sweaty face. His beard was growing and he reminded himself to shave first thing when he arrived home. He had been so busy with the epidemic at Low Gap that he had no time for personal grooming. He sighed and kicked Charlie out of his plodding walk. I've got to get home before I fall asleep, he told himself. As he pulled Charlie to a stop at his front porch, he was happy to see Sam Houston feeding grass to bunnies he kept in a cage. Neil was exhausted, and sat on his horse for a minute before having the strength to throw his leg over the saddle and dismount. He stood rather unsteadily and gave Charlie a pat on the neck as Sam Houston ran to him. His legs hurt from riding and he stretched to take the kinks out of them, and heard his back crack protestingly. "Doc MacNeill, I'm mighty glad to see you!" the young boy shouted. Then getting a good look at the doctor, he exclaimed. "Doc, you look plumb tuckered out. We missed you somethin' fierce. You'd better scoot off to bed 'afore you fall over." Neil placed a hand on Sam Houston's shoulder and squeezed it gently. "Aye, that I will, lad." he said wearily. "But I need ta put Charlie ta bed first." Sam Houston took Charlie's reins out of the doctor's hands. "I'll see ta Charlie, doc. Don't you worry 'bout a thing, I'll brush 'im and feed 'im, too." Sam Houston was leading Charlie to his place in the barn when Doctor MacNeill stopped him. "Do me a favor, laddie, if you will?" Neil waited for the boy's blond head to nod eagerly. "Stop by the Mission and by Dan Scott's place, let them know I'm back." He slowly turned and pulled himself up the stairs of his cabin hoping there was no medical emergency that needed his immediate attention. ***** "Sam Houston!" Miss Alice smiled. "What do we owe thee for the pleasure of your company?" The child had come upon Miss Alice and Miss Christy hanging up laundry. He looked confusingly at the Quaker lady. "Huh?" Christy giggled quietly. "I think she means 'It's nice to see you, what can we do for you?'" Sam Houston's face cleared up. "Oh," he said and then went on. "Doc MacNeill sent me over ta tell you that he's home now." Christy pushed the sheet out of her way and looked at the boy. "Doctor MacNeill? Is he all right?" "Shorely! Right as rain, teacher, just tuckered out is all." The boy replied. "He went straight to bed, but he sure did look right sick hisself." He went on. "Seemed like he could sleep fer a whole week. I gotta tell Mr. Scott that Doc is home. He asked me to." Miss Alice looked thoughtfully, "Tell Mr. Scott to keep taking the doctor's patients until the he is up and about. The doctor needs to take care of himself first. That man forgets about everything else when someone is sick. But I guess that's what makes him such a good doctor." "Yes'm" Sam Houston scooted off to Dan Scott's place. "Do you think Doctor MacNeill is all right, Miss Alice?" Christy turned questioningly to her friend. "Yes, I'm sure he will be fine, Christy." Miss Alice answered as she pinned another sheet on the laundry line. "He probably just needs to catch up on his sleep, but it wouldn't hurt to stop by a little bit later to make sure he doesn't need a doctor himself." "He's so wonderful whenever anyone IS sick. It's a wonder he doesn't catch everything he cures." Christy answered. She remembered what Sam Houston had said. "just tuckered out....just tuckered out..." She sighed and reached for another garment from the laundry basket. "It's a good thing that nothing happened that required the doctor to take care of personally." "It is good training for Daniel Scott. Neil needs to take some time off and realize that he is not the only doctor in Cutter Gap." Christy smiled absently and nodded her head. ***** Later that afternoon, Christy went in search of Miss Alice. "Ruby Mae?" Christy stepped into the kitchen where Ruby Mae had her school things scattered about the table. She was leaning over, writing on a piece of paper, sounding out the words slowly and carefully as she was writing. "Lordy, Miz Christy!" the red headed girl exclaimed. "Ya 'bout scared the livin' daylights outta me. What is it that yer needin'?" Christy laid a hand on Ruby Mae's arm. "I'm sorry, Ruby Mae. I'm looking for Miss Alice, have you seen her? She was supposed to go with me to check on Doctor MacNeill." "Yes, ma'am. I seen 'er. Bessie come by a short time back and said that old Mamie MacElroy was hankering for a visit with Miss Alice. Miss Alice seemed to think that she had to go at once. Said it wasn't often that old Mrs. MacElroy sends for her and that 'hit was her bound and duty to go to her. Do you think she's dying, Miss Christy? Do you think that's the reason she done sent for Miss Alice?" Christy put a finger up to her mouth, thinking. She wanted to go check on Doctor MacNeill, but knew she should not be seen alone at his cabin. "I don't know, Ruby Mae. But how would you like to go with me to check on Doctor MacNeill?" "Yes'm." Ruby Mae replied meekly. She stood up and gathered her school papers together in a heap. ***** Part 2 of 4 Christy Huddleston regretted inviting Ruby Mae after all. The girl's tongue had gone nonstop ever since leaving the mission. She'd ask her a question and then went right on talking, never waiting to hear the answer. Christy sighed to herself, then looking at the view of the great Smokey Mountains and soaking in the scenery, she forgot to listen to Ruby Mae's chattering. "Why, Miz Christy!" Ruby Mae admonished. "Why you ain't heard a single blessed thing I've been sayin' to ya. Oh looky, there's Bessie." She pointed. " S'cuse me, Miz Christy, I gotta talk to Bessie somethin' fierce." And off Ruby Mae ran. "I'll meet'cha at Doc MacNeill's cabin." she yelled over her shoulder. Christy was left to continue on to Doctor MacNeill's cabin by herself. Now how am I going to do this? She asked herself. I don't want to wake him up, just check to see if he is all right. Then I guess I shouldn't knock, but I don't feel right in just walking in. I don't want to intrude, I'm just being neighbourly. She thought about seeing Neil in the privacy of his room. She swallowed tightly and almost turned back. I can't do it, she argued with herself. Yes, you can. Stop it, she told her sternly. She stopped at the bottom of stairs to Doctor MacNeill's cabin. She looked at it critically, straighted her skirt, stood up straight and climbed the steps carefully. She held her breath as the door creaked open. She left the door open to let some light in. The place was a shambles! How could the doctor live in this condition? Papers, clothes, books strewn about. Dishes everywhere, clean ones, dirty ones, some soaking in a washpan in the sink. The door to Neil's bedroom was open and she could hear Neil snoring loudly. Christy supressed a giggle. "He MUST be tired." She said quietly. She tiptoed to his room and gazed into it. Neil was sprawled across the bed, fully clothed, muddy shoes on the bedspread. She glanced down into his face and smiled. He was exhausted. She could see the worry lines stretched on his weary face and the five o'clock shadow of fuzzy hair on his jaw. The wayward lock of reddish brown hair in his face as always. She lightly felt his forehead and made sure he did not have a fever. Then she couldn't help it,she smoothed the curly ringlet back into place, and then very carefully removed his shoes and covered him up with the comforter which had laid at the bottom of the bed. Then she went out and softly closed the door behind her. She leaned up against the door and looked around her. Imagine how Doctor MacNeill would feel when he got up and saw this. She could fell how disheartened he would be. Then she smiled as an idea came to her. She and Ruby Mae could clean up Doctor MacNeill's cabin while he slept. Oh wouldn't he be surprised? Of course, she'd have to make sure that Ruby Mae held her tongue long enough. What a task that would be, even harder than cleaning the cabin. Christy laughed and then grimaced. "Where do I start?" She asked out loud. She rolled up the sleeves of her blouse, and grabbed the bucket. She would get some water heating on the stove, and grab some firewood on her way back into the cabin. She found a clean square of cloth and bound up her hair out of the way. After starting a fire in the stove, she washed the teakettle and filled it with fresh water and set it on the back of the stove to heat. She emptied the washing pan of dishes, washed it out and piled all the dishes inside. She cleaned off the table while she waited for the water to heat up. She straighted the papers and left them in a pile on top of the desk. She cleaned his pipe and emptied the ashes into a newspaper and wadded it up and threw it into the stove. She placed the pipe in it's holder on the mantle of the fireplace. She walked to the door of the doctor's cabin and looked for Ruby Mae. If she'd known that Ruby Mae wasn't going to show up, would she have started cleaning? Now she felt foolish. What if Doctor MacNeill finds me here? What will I say? Her face reddened as she thought of how tonguetied she'd be. Well, now that I've started, I'll just have to hurry up and finish before that happens. She looked around again for the sight of the red haired, gingham frocked figure before turning back around. Christy emptied some soap into the dishes and poured hot water over them to let them soak and then she filled another bowl with hot water to rinse the dishes afterward. She refilled the kettle, set it back on the stove and grabbed a broom and started sweeping the floor. By the time she finished sweeping, the water was hot and she grabbed another bucket, filled it with hot soapy water, found another clean scrap of cloth and washed everything she could, the table, the stove, and the wooden chairs. Then she tackled the dishes. She washed and dried them, and even put them away, hoping the doctor would be able to find them again. Then she got another brilliant idea. When was the last time the doctor had a decent meal. She knew that he didn't take care of himself when he was caring for other people. With Neil MacNeill, the patient came first. I wonder if I should? She knew herself to be not a very good cook, but she knew that she could make bacon and coffee. She rushed to the root cellar. There was a slab of bacon hanging from a rafter, she climbed on a keg and brought it down, she took it to the kitchen and sliced off ample pieces of the cold meat. She returned it to it's resting place and scavenged around. There in a cloth covered bowl, she found some eggs, grabbed four of them, thinking of the doctor's appetite. When she returned to the kitchen the second time, she threw more wood into the stove and started the coffeepot going. She fried up the bacon and eggs, found some bread in the box and cut off several slices and left it toasting on top of the stove. When she finished she heaped everything onto a clean plate, made sure the fire was out, but that the stove was warm enough to keep the food warm for when Neil awoke. It was getting dark. She pushed the coffeepot to the far back of the stove to keep warm but not to burn and left the doctor a note. It read 'There is food in the warmer and coffee in the pot. Enjoy!' She left a lamp burning on the table, she tucked a corner of the note underneath the lamp, looked around at the nice,snug, clean room and softly closed the door behind her. Oh, she would have liked to see the expression on Neil's face when he awoke. She stepped out onto the porch and wondered again where Ruby Mae was. Neil MacNeill stretched until he felt a cramp in his leg. He relaxed and sniffed. He smelled coffee. Oh it smelled so good! He had had a good sleep, but he still felt that he could drop off again so easily, except for that smell. It smelled so good he could almost taste it. He thought wearily of the trouble it was going to take to get up, and start a pot of coffee, almost more than he could stand. "Ah, but it smells so real." he said out loud. He groggily sat up and pushed the blanket off. He stared confusingly at the comforter and shook his head. He didn't remember pulling it up on him. He stepped onto the floor onto his sock clad feet. His muddy shoes were laying on the floor beside the bed. He frowned, he didn't remember taking off his shoes either. He must have been tired. Probably asleep before his head hit the pillow. He opened the door of his bedroom and heard the click of the front door closing. He strode to the window and peered out. Miss Christy Huddleston was walking down the road, her sleeves still pulled up and her hair hidden under a cloth scarf. Neil slowly turned, he did smell coffee, he rushed to the stove, grabbed a cup and poured himself some coffee. He brought to his lips and slowly sipped it. He gazed around in wonder at the changes in his front room and combined kitchen area. It was immaculate. He spied the paper on the table and walked over to it, picked it up and read it carefully. She didn't sign it, he mused. I wonder why. He walked back to the stove and pulled out the plate with a pad of cloth. It was still hot. He settled himself at the table and ate his fill of the best meal he had had in several days. His hand wiped across his mouth and again he felt stubble of beard. He had forgotten to shave after all. Neil went to check on Charlie after he had shaved. Sam Houston had done a real good job. He wondered briefly how Sam Houston had come to be there at just the right time, and was glad that he had. The young boy was probably there to get his ration of arrowheads. Neil smiled to himself thinking of the collection Sam Houston must have. He had a sudden interest to see the boy's arrowhead collection. He curried the brown horse until the horse nickered his thanks and measured out some oats and made sure he had enough water. Then he slapped the horse lovingly on his flanks as he left the barn. It was already dark and the night was clean, crisp, and fresh. Neil walked to the river and settled himself on a rock by the bank. He listened to the music of the river, gurgling, splashing, and tripping over stones. He heard the chorus of frogs, insects and birds still awake. He sighed contentedly and thought about Christy. Why had she come? Why had she cleaned up? Why didn't she want him to know that she had done it? "Oh Christy, Christy." He murmured softly. "You sure do know how to confuse a man." He stood up and walked back to his cabin, back to bed, back to sleep. ***** Part 3 of 4 ***** Neil MacNeill dismounted Charlie at the mission stairs and tried the reins to the post. He ran up the stairs and looked in the open door. Miss Alice and Christy were standing at the table peeling apples for the apple pies they were making for supper that night. "Neil!" She exclaimed. "Come in, Sam Houston told us thee was home. Are thee well rested?" Neil came into the kitchen, nodded at Christy and helped himself to several slices of apple. "It's good to be back home, Alice." he said between mouthfuls. "I can honestly say that I am back to my normal self. It's amazing how a good night's sleep can make all the difference." Christy smiled. "Welcome back, doctor, we missed you. How are the people in Low Gap?" Neil shrugged. "Ah, as well as can be expected I guess. I lost one... an elderly man." The doctor wiped a hand across his face, trying to dismiss the scene in his mind. "Actually, I came to find out if you knew something about my cabin?" Miss Alice looked confused. "Your cabin? What's wrong with it?" Neil looked at Christy who opened her eyes wide with innocence. "Ummmm, seems I had a little visitor." Neil went on. "An elf, perhaps, a fairey, a pixie, a sprite...." Neil paused dramatically. "Or perhaps it was the silkie, looking for a lost love?" He waited and peered at the ladies before him. Christy and Miss Alice looked at each other in bewilderment and back at Neil. Christy couldn't say anything without coming out and denying it so she didn't say anything at all. She knew she shouldn't have done it. No one could have a secret in Cutter Gap. Wait until she got her hands on Ruby Mae! She thought of how Ruby Mae had appeared after Christy had arrived at the mission house near dark last night. Poor Ruby Mae apologized profusely about forgetting to meet her at the Doctor's cabin. She glanced at Miss Alice and raised an eyebrow. Alice cleared her throat and answered for both of them. "And what did this fairey do, Neil?" She looked questioningly at him. "And wouldn't you like to know?" Neil said teasingly. "If you don't know, then I guess it wasn't you." He turned to go. "But if you happen to find out..." He looked at Christy and narrowed his eyes at her. "tell 'her' that it was a very nice thing to do and that I appreciate it very much." He turned to go but was interrupted by a shout. "Doc MacNeill! Doc MacNeill!" Neil, Christy and Miss Alice ran out of the house and onto the porch. Miss Alice still had the paring knife in her hand. It was Ben Pentland, the mail carrier for the cove. "Am I glad to see you, Doc." He was out of breath. "Hit's the little one, yonder at MacDougall's. He's havin' trouble breathing, and he's startin' to turn blue..." Neil didn't bother to let Ben finish his sentence. He jumped down the stairs in one bound. He grabbed Charlie's reins and and with a bounce vaulted onto his back. Christy ran down the steps after him, she grabbed Charlie's reins with one hand and grabbed Neil's pants leg with the other before he could coax Charlie to go. "Let me go with you." she demanded. Neil shook his head. "No, Christy, let go. I've got to go." Christy's face was worried. "You might need me. Please Neil." Neil shook his foot out of the stirrup and leaned a hand down to help Christy mount behind him. It was faster than arguing with her, he decided. Christy grabbed onto Neil and held on tight as he urged Charlie into a run. ***** Neil was examining little Seth MacDougall. He was thin and light for his 3 years of age. His black hair and black eyes contrasting sharply against his bluish tinged face and lips. He was lying weakly in the doctor's arms, straining to take air in his little lungs. "Sarah!" Doctor MacNeill called the little boy's ma. "What happened?" Sarah MacDougall was wringing her hands and crying. She wanted to take Seth into her arms and cuddle him close to her and make everything all right. "Don't rightly know, doc." she was shaking her head. "Was right as rain jest a short while back. 'A runnin' and jumpin' with the other young'uns." Neil held the stethoscope close to the boy's chest, and looked helplessly at Christy. An older boy pushed his way to the doctor. "He done snitched some cherries." he said whispering into the doctor's ear. "Ma's makin' a cherry pie and she done tol' us not to eat 'em. But don't tell, he'll get in trouble." Doctor MacNeill laid the boy down "Cherries?" he asked the boy. Seth nodded his head once. Neil felt the little boy's neck gently. "There it is." He said to Christy and she knelt down to him. "It's lodged in his throat, he's not getting enough air." He lifted the boy in his arms and started into the cabin with him. "Bring ma bag." He yelled over his shoulder. Christy grabbed the doctor's black medical bag and ran into the cabin with it. Neil laid the boy on the bed nearest the door. The next few minutes were bewildering. Neil was explaining the surgery to little Seth's mother. Sarah was insisting that her husband be there. "Jim's just gone huntin'." She cried "He'll be back soon." She turned to Seth's older brother, "Davy boy, go find your daddy." The little boy ran out of the house. "I can na' wait, Sarah." The doctor said gently. "I've got to do it now, we can na' lose this little lad." He nudged Mrs. MacDougall to the door. "Take the wee ones out of the house until we are finished." He told her. He glanced at Christy and nodded to her. "Water, Christy." He took charge as soon as the family walked out the door. "Boil ma instruments." With his arm he cleared the table in one swoop and proceeded to wash the table down with cold water and alcohol. He couldn't wait for the water to heat up. He picked Seth up gently and laid him on the table and proceeded to tell the boy what he was going to do. Christy was boiling his instruments and plucking them out one by one, she lined them up on a chair next to the table. She couldn't bear the thought of little Seth undergoing the surgery. She felt sick just thinking about it. Neil was washing Seth's neck very gently. "Now, I'm going to put you to sleep laddie, and when you wake up, you'll be as good as new." He told the little boy. Seth reached out a hand to Christy, his little eyes frightened and beseeching. Christy grabbed his hand tight and tried to smile though the tears that stung her eyes. "You'll be fine, little one." She smoothed his hair as the doctor applied the either. She smelled the sweet, sickly scent and turned her head and held her breath and prayed to God. "Please God, let him be all right." Neil broke through her thoughts gently, "Okay Christy, I need you now." ***** Part 4 of 4 Summary: In 3, Neil questions Christy, Christy helps Neil with surgery. In 4, Christy cracks Neil's armour, Neil talks and talks, and doesn't let Christy get a word in edgewise. (but she doesn't pitch him!) ***** Later that night, Neil came to the mission house. Little Seth MacDougall was going to be all right, luxuriating in all the attention and get well presents. He smiled, thinking that it would be awhile before Seth would be up to eating cherries again. He knocked on the mission door and was pleased to see Christy open the door. Christy had a dishtowel in her hand, she had been drying the supper dishes. "I need ta speak with you, Christy. Can we take a walk?" "Of course, Doctor MacNeill." Christy dropped the dishtowel in a chair and followed him out onto the porch. Neil was very quiet, he had his hands in pockets and walked down the steps toward the pond. He led her to the gazebo and sat down in the wicker love seat. Christy dropped into a chair where she could see Neil's face. He looked tired. "Is anything wrong, Neil?" She asked him gently. "No, no." He answered swiftly. "Everything is right Christy, and I just felt the need ta come and tell you. You did a good job today. I'm proud of you." "Well, thank you, doctor." Christy was pleased with the compliment. Neil lapsed into silence and looked out onto the pond. Christy waited, sure he was going to say something else, but he just sat there almost like he had forgotten she was there. It was starting to get dark. "A penny for your thoughts." She broke the silence teasingly. Neil sighed. "You don't want ta know, lass," was all he said. Christy wanted to know about the sad look in his eyes. She tried again. "Yes, I do. Tell me." She waited. "Neil?" Neil sighed again. "I was thinking of Margaret." Christy was disappointed then felt ashamed. She had wanted Neil to be thinking of her, not Margaret. Christy had a sudden urge to jump up and run off. She didn't want to hear Neil speaking of Margaret. She steeled herself to sit quietly. She shut her eyes, clenched her fists and waited. "When we first got married," Neil started. "Margaret was so beautiful ta me. So wild and adventurous. I think that's why I loved her. The wildness in her called out ta the wildness in me. But Margaret didn't love anyone but herself. It took me awhile ta realize that. I did everything I knew ta please her, it made me happy just ta see her happy. I was always doing for her, and never getting anything in return unless it pleased her in someway. I see that now. Always taking and never giving. I'm angry at her, Christy. Angry for stealing my life from me. Angry for never once understanding my role as a country doctor. It was always 'my' people, they were never hers. Never once did she accompany me on my rounds, never once tried ta get ta know 'my' people. Never tried ta get ta know me. When I'd come home from tending 'my' people, there was never any welcome home. She was always bitter at me for leaving her at home. She lash out at me, blaming me. It was all my fault for bringing her ta these god forsaken mountains. She came ta hate me because I was never there. She never understood, Christy. She never understood what I am, she never took the time ta know me." Christy opened her eyes to find Neil looking at her. Her blue eyes watering to see the hurt in Neil's hazel ones. She ached to go to him, to comfort him, but she held back. He wasn't finished, she saw a tear, like liquid fire trace a line down his cheek. He didn't seem to notice. He seemed so very vulnerable and Christy didn't know what to do or say. "That's why your kindness at the cabin meant so much ta me yesterday , and today when you helped me with the little MacDougall lad. That's what I need, Christy. Someone who understands. A helpmate. Someone to share my hopes, my dreams, my work and my home." Neil opened his arms and Christy flew into them. She laid her head on his shoulder and held him tight. Christy's heart ached with compassion and soared with elation. Neil enclosed her with a bear hug and held on tight. "I wish I had met you first, Christy." He whispered, hoping that she hadn't heard him, but wanting her to know at the same time. ***** Neil was embarrassed. How could he face Christy again? She had seen him in his most vulnerable state. He had never let his guard down before. What must she think of him? But he had to face her. She hadn't much to say last night as he walked her back to the mission. He needed to know what she was thinking, feeling. Neil was watching the schoolhouse, he wanted to make sure all of the children left before he made an appearance. When he was sure all the children were gone, he made his way to the door of the schoolhouse. Christy was cleaning the blackboard. She finished, turned around and noticed him standing there. "Doctor MacNeill" she stated. "I'm just leaving." She grabbed up her school things and started for the door. He felt awkward. He didn't know what to say. He stepped aside and closed the door as Christy walked out. She tripped down the steps and then turned to wait for Neil to join her. He felt uncomfortable, he scrubbed at his neck with one hand and then impatiently pushed the lock of hair out of his eyes. Christy smiled. She loved that wayward ringlet of hair and wished she had been brave enough to sweep it out of his eyes. Her fingers tingled with regret. "Ah, about yesterday, lass..." Neil trailed off uncertainly. He took a deep breath. He started walking away from the schoolhouse, away from the mission, away from her. He stopped in the meadow in front of the schoolhouse and gazed at the Smokey Mountains. Eleven mountain ranges were folded one behind the other, in the foreground, patches of emerald green: behind that, deeper forest green showing through; on beyond, snow covered. On the smokey blue of the far summits, fluffy white clouds rested like wisps of cotton. Christy had followed him, waiting patiently. "Well, Christy, you cracked through my armour. You saw all of me, for better or worse. Just being able ta talk ta you about Margaret... She hurt me Christy, and I couldn't forget it. Every morning, every hour, I would think about what Margaret had done ta me. Getting angry and madder by the minute. It got ta the point where the anger was all I had. I fed upon it, gained my strength from it. I became a madman, keeping everyone away, ta keep myself safe, afraid ta let anyone in for fear of losing myself all over again." He turned to look at Christy. "You helped me ta find my way again. I'm not angry with her anymore, Christy. I realize that I am ta blame as much as she. And I'm not angry at God anymore, either. I needed you, and I thank you for that." Christy didn't know what to say. "Well, we all need someone once in a while." She said lightly. Quick tears stung Neil's eyes and he turned away so that she wouldn't see the hurt in his eyes. He had offered himself to her and felt hurt and rejected once again. Is that all she can say, he wondered. He started to walk away, not too fast, he didn't want her to think that he was running away from her, but he couldn't stand being next to her any longer. Christy ran after the doctor and touched his arm. "Neil," she paused "I need you...too." Neil stopped and looked down at her with amazement on his face. "You do?" He asked unbelieving. "Yes, I do. I... I..." she hesitated briefly. "I love you, Neil MacNeill!" then she finished more firmly, "And you love me, too." Neil's face beamed. "Aye, that I do, lass. That I do." Christy reached up her hand to twine the curly lock of Neil's hair around her finger as Neil reached to hold her close. THE END