Disclaimer: "Christy" is owned by the Marshall and LeSourde families. I am 
simply palying with their chracters and in no way shape or from intend to 
make money off of them. Ever. This is only for my amusment.


Title: Impressions
Author: Sarabeth H.





Fanfic: "Impressions"
Summary: My Christy Fanfic Farce


It was a lovely day in Cutter Gap. The sky was blue, the trees were green, 
and the dreamy doctor was in the cove. Since Dr. Neil MacNeill had been 
known to come all the way down from his cabin to look after a girl's sore 
throat, Christy Huddleston decided it might be a good day to have one, and a 
headache, too. It wasn't being sneaky - after all, what David and Margaret 
had put her through lately would make any decent women ill.

Christy pondered the events of yesterday. Realizing that she loved Neil, 
realizing that he probably was taking Margaret back, and David's proposal in 
front of all the children had taken its toll on her. The gall of that 
preacher, proposing to her again. David's kisses were sweet, but surely he 
could tell that she didn't love him.

Once, Christy had been confused about her feelings for David, but not 
anymore. She knew now that Neil, tall, strong, Scottish Neil, was the only 
one for her. With his golden curls, bulging biceps, and passion to heal his 
people, how could any girl resist? But it could be too late - Margaret, 
Neil's first wife, was back in the cove, and in *her* Neil's arms! Now 
Christy really did feel sick.

"Alice! Alice!" Christy's moan was so pitiful and desperate that the Quaker 
missionary rushed to the upstairs bedroom. Alice observed the young girl. 
Christy's fingers massaged her temples and warmed her throat alternately. 
Not only that, there was a look on her face akin to someone whose favorite 
TV show had just been canceled.

"Christy! Thou art not well."

Christy collapsed backward on her bed. "I feel horrible, Alice. Could you 
please send for Dr. MacNeill? I think it might be serious."

"Of course, dear. I'll send David out right away, and return with a compress 
for your head."

Later -

David pounded on Dr. MacNeill's door, and pretended that it was really the 
Doctor's face he was hitting. Ever since yesterday afternoon, when he knew 
that Christy would never be his because MacNeill had stolen her heart, David 
had hated the physician. Now Christy was sick, and he was forced to deal 
with the one who stole his true love.

Margaret's head peeked out the door. "Why, hello, Mr. Grantland. What brings 
you here?"

"It's Christy! She needs a doctor. Where is MacNeill?"

"He went fishing. Said he wouldn't share a roof with the likes of me. You 
might try about a mile down the left of the river."

"Thank you."

David marched off in pursuit of Neil MacNeill. While most people understood 
why one wouldn't want to be in the same cabin with such a horrid witch, 
Neil's struggle with his wife gave David just one more reason to dislike the 
doctor as he did.

David eventually found the Doctor listening to Puccini by the riverside. 
When David interupted to mention that Christy was ill, MacNeill clutched his 
chest and declared, "Curse me for bein' to caught up in me own pity not to 
notice the Lass! We'll go immediately."

* * * *

Alice had interred Christy securely under a mound of blankets by the time 
the Doctor and David arrived.

"How is the lass, Alice?" Neil removed his stethoscope from his bag as he 
asked.

Shaking her head, Alice replied, "I'm only glad I'm a praying woman, Neil. 
She needs you."

"Christy?" Neil's voice was low and tender, the cadence of his brogue 
gentle. He laid a work worn hand upon her forhead. The musky smell of his 
cologne consumed Christy's senses, and before she could say anything to the 
man she loved, Christy fainted at his mere presence.

"Christy!" Was he losing her? An ordinary patient would not cause this rip 
in his heart to form - he'd be thinking of how he should treat them, not of 
his pain at the sight of his beloved in such a state.
Beloved? Did he really call her that? He sighed and knew that she was his 
beloved, whether he liked it or not and whether Margaret's appearence had 
destroyed all hope of a life with Christy or not.
Neil realized that he must put this love in a special corner of his heart 
and never tell anyone. He was Margaret's husband, and could not reveal his 
love for Christy with honor.

Speaking of the devil, who should storm into Christy's room but Margaret 
herself. She sneered and cried, "There you are, you unfaithful jerk! Leaving 
me alone and dying while you treat some love sick girl!"

Everyone in the room, even David, was shocked by Margaret's outburst, but 
they were more shocked when Margaret suddenly keeled over. Alice rushed to 
check her daughter's pulse, and then burst out in tears. "Oh, my girl, my 
girl . . ."

Neil decided it was best to treat Christy and let David comfort Alice. He 
could attend to Margaret's body later.

* * * *

Christy was in recovery by 4 o'clock that afternoon. Neil never once left 
her side during the horrible ordeal. David had moved Margaret's body and 
supplied Alice with tissues while Neil made sure he kept Christy's head cool 
and her throat coated with medicine.

Margaret's death, while heavy on his mind, had given Neil a spark of hope. 
He was a free man, and could marry again in a year or so. But no! Hadn't he 
seen his Christy take the preacher's ring yesterday? He coudln't bear the 
thought of watching Christy happy with another man, so Neil vowed never to 
return to the mission again.

* * * *

Unbeknownst to Dr. MacNeill, David was in his bunkhouse packing to leave 
Cutter Gap forever. He threw his shirts into his trunk, hurt pride evident 
in every motion. Christy could be happy with Neil, now that Margaret was 
gone. At least before he wouldn't have had to watch her romance!

And this place, Cutter Gap. What had he done here that was worthwhile? No 
one listened to him. No one cared. Ida was gone. There was nothing left for 
him in the mountains.

Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Little Burl Allen entered the 
bunkhouse, "Preacher, could you come an' help us with our baseball? Us boys 
ain't to shore of the rules."

Baseball. That was just what he needed! David abandoned his packing to join 
the oyung boys in the church yard. As they played, he watched the faces of 
the young boys he had come to love. They looked to him for guidance, in 
baseball and in life. He remembered the time that Rob Allen had come to him 
about Ruby Mae, and when Isaak McHone had sought counsel on how to forgive 
Lundy Taylor.

David filled with shame at the thought of his recent behavior. He'd been 
chasing Christy, not ministering as he should. Yes, his place was here. 
These children needed him. After the game he would call El Pano and cancel 
his train ticket, then he would go and wish Doc and Christy happiness. It 
was the right thing. It was what God wanted of him.

* * * *

Neil had finished his examination of Christy and was walking out her door 
forever when the sweet girl called after him.

"Neil? Neil?"

She had gotten out of bed and run after him in her nightgown. Throwing her 
arms around a stunned Neil MacNeill, Christy whispered, "I love you, Neil."

"But, David - " came Neil's stammering reply.

Christy smiled. "I said no. I don't love him. I love you, only you. It would 
be wrong to marry anyone but you becuase I wouldn't love them."

Tears of joy and happiness poured down Neil's cheeks as he held Christy 
tight. "Oh Lass! I never dreamed I could be so happy, for I love you too. 
Will you marry me in due season?"

"Nothing would be more delightful!"

Neil responded with the first of a life time of kisses.

*The End*