############################################## DISCLAIMER: Catharine Marshall's beautiful story of Christy is owned by the LeSourd Family. The writer is in no way seeking profit or credit for her story. The writer is continuing the story of Christy for amusement only. Any additions in story and character were invented by the writer. ############################################## Title: A Still Night---For the David Dames Author: Kelly O ############################################## This scene is to take place just after Christy leaves Miss Alice's room in the episode, "Judgement Day." Miss Alice has just given Christy the "remove me from thy pedestal" speech. ############################################## David decided to check the wagon one more time before going to bed; he had an odd feeling that he was forgetting something. He walked out into the dark, holding up his lantern to light the way. The weather had turned cold, and he hoped that the snows would hold off for a few more weeks or at least until he and Jeb could finish with the telephone. He smiled thinking of Christy's happy face when she got to call her parents for the first time. He knew how much she missed them. Setting the lantern down on the edge of the wagon, he began his survey. The telephone poles and wire filled the back of the wagon. He was sure that he had packed enough equipment to finish the last few miles to El Pano. He had the lamps, tools, and insulators packed tightly at the front of the wagon bed. He perused through the things again, mentally checking off each item---his gloves, the canteens, shovels, saw, hammers, blankets, first-aid kit. He looked down at his arm that he had cut earlier that day. If he and Jeb had had more help, none of this would have happened; Alice would be well and his arm would not be injured. After one last check, David still did not find anything missing, so he picked up the lantern again and turned to go back to his bunkhouse, but as he stepped away, he heard something in the barn. Alarmed, he froze, thinking of Bird's Eye and Lundy, the burning schoolhouse, and Christy. He crept to the barn slowly. "Come out!" He said bravely. "I know you are in there." "David?" It was Christy's voice. "Christy?" He said with surprise and then rushed into the barn. Christy was inside, standing next to Prince. He held the lantern up so that he could see her. She had her fingers in the horse's mane. The tears that soaked her cheeks reflected the lantern's glow. "Christy? What's wrong? What are you doing out here?" Christy quickly brushed her tears away and leaned a hand against Prince's steady flank. "Oh, David, I'm sorry, I came out here to be alone. I didn't want to trouble anyone." David set the lantern down and walked closer to her. He touched her wet cheeks softly. "What is it Christy?" He asked with a soft voice. "Dr. Ferrand disapproves of me, David. Everything I do turns into a disaster. Maybe he's right, maybe I don't belong here." "Christy, he doesn't know you, he---" "I just went to talk to Miss Alice about it, and I don't know, but she's upset with me too." Christy lowered her head. Even with her face hidden from him, David could tell that she was crying. He drew her into his arms and hugged her. "It's okay Christy. Don't let Dr. Ferrand get you down. He's a hard man sometimes, but I know when he finally stops for a minute and really looks at you, he won't be able to miss the light that I see in you. You are a wonderful person, Christy Huddleston." There was stillness in the deep purpling night; David listened closely, but there wasn't a sound except for Christy's soft sniffling. She pulled away and looked up at him with a smile. "Thank you, Daivd." She said, rubbing her nose with the back of her glove. "Wait, come with me," David said. He took her hand and led her outside. "Where are we going, David?" She asked. He stopped at the wagon and took out one of the blankets. Then he took her hand again and led her out to the pond. They sat down in the cold grass. David wrapped the blanket all around her, and then turned his eyes to the stars overhead. "Look at those beautiful stars," he said. The night was crisp, and his breath escaped as white steam when he spoke. "It is a nice night." She said, following David's gaze skyward. "Christy, what are some of the little things that make you happy?" He asked. "What do you mean?" "You know, little things that make you happy. Like for me, it's the stars on a clear night, relaxing after a hard day of work, hot apple cider with cinnamon sticks and orange slices, and oak trees." David looked at her. She was not looking at the sky, but at him. She wore a modest smile. "My teddy bear," she said. "The magnolia tree outside my parent's house in Asheville, flowers just after a spring rain, blackberry cobbler, and hats---" "Aha," David said with a laugh. "I knew you liked hats." Christy giggled; the starlight was in her eyes. She placed her hand over his timidly. "Thank you, David. I feel so much better now." She said. "I'm glad to see you smiling." He said. "And I hope that you know anytime you're sad, Christy, you can come talk to me. I'm always here." The End!