Hannah did not like waiting. She especially did not like waiting for a man like Macks Droy, and the fact that she only had three days left to the end of the week made it much worse. She wondered endlessly if her brother really had done as she'd asked, assuring herself that he had. Rio might be a number of things, but he kept to his word.

What if Macks was still mad at her, for whatever silly reason? Was she going to have to go all the way to the station to seek him out? An embarrassing idea, but she couldn't bear the thought of not seeing him before he left.

"You've been very quiet since you got back, Hannah," Christopher said to her on the second night, at work. "You miss your mother?"

"No. I mean, yes, but that's not it."

"Oh? Then what is 'it'?"

"Nothing."

"Are you sure? You know you can tell me, right?"

Talk to him about Macks? Not on her life. "I'm probably just still tired from the trip."

"And still recovering?"

"What? Oh, yes."

"Then why don't you head home? We're just about done here, the rest of us can take care of things."

"Oh, well, I – "

"Don't worry. You think anyone else is going to come in on a night like this? It's freezing out there."

She sighed, not liking the thought of having to walk in the cold.

"Go on, go on, before I toss you out like the time that raving missionary came in here."

"Judy was the one who threw him out."

"Yes, but it was my idea."

"Alright, fine. I'll go."

"Yes, go. Get some rest."

She went to put on her shawl, smiling over at him. Sometimes, she would fantasize about meeting a man with Kurt's looks and build, and Christopher's attentiveness and humor. She'd waste no time marrying a man like that.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of the door just behind her, and she turned instinctively, staring into a chestful of black shirt. She looked up, and her throat froze when she found herself looking up at Macks. He's here, she thought, her heart lifting, until she saw the cool expression on his face – not like him at all. Normally, he was all smiles and jokes. Was he still upset?

Macks cleared his throat, passing a gaze between her and Christopher. "Sorry. I know it's late."

"Not at all," Hannah dismissed, aware of the others staring at them. It was still something she could not get used to – everywhere Macks went, he drew attention. "Um, you're looking for me?"

"I believe it's the other way round," he returned, and she could just imagine Christopher raising his brows behind her. Damn, he was going to question her to death about this tomorrow.

"Right, of course," she said, hoping she sounded normal and proper, as if they had something boring to talk about, like owing him money or something like that. "Come on then. We'll talk outside." She grabbed her coats, not waiting to put them on as she barged out. Macks followed calmly, and she saw that he'd not taken his mare out that night.

"You came on foot?"

He nodded. "Too cold for riding. I've been keeping her in the stables. I like walking anyway – I find it better for keeping warm."

"Ah." She paused, contemplating. Her first thought had been to head back to Magda's, but she now had a different idea. "Do you mind if we walk to the Corona for a bit? It's not far, and it should be quiet at around this time."

"It's a little late, don't you think?"

"Is that a no?"

He opened his mouth, but then shook his head. "Of course not. We'll go there if you wish." He spread a hand down the opposite way, and she walked first. He seemed to trail slightly behind her, which was also uncharacteristic of him, making her wonder if it was on purpose.

She tugged her coats tighter around her front, tucking her hands into her arms. "I heard you're going back to Dyon very soon."

"Day after tomorrow."

"Are you all prepared?"

"Almost. I've settled most of my work. All that's left is to simply get all my things together."

She nodded slowly, a bit unsettled by the tone of conversation. They sounded like bored acquaintances rather than good friends. She had to find a way to get through to him. "I'm glad to be back from Chell. I think my brother missed you," she joked. She stole a look at him, but he wasn't smiling. "Is it too late for me to come with you?"

"To Dyon? I thought you didn't want to come."

"That's not true. It was just a bad time when you suggested it. But my mother is recovered and back in Chell now. And as for work ... well, I'm not too sure how I'm going to ask Christopher, but I'm sure I can find some way to get him to agree."

Beneath their feet, the road opened, spreading out onto the open space of the Corona. All the shops and stalls sat asleep and shadowed, and even the fountain had been stopped due to the cold weather. There was not a soul around or a sound to be heard, so they were very much alone.

Hannah went ahead, going to sit at the stone fountain, something she'd never been able to do with all the daytime crowds. Macks however, stood stubbornly in front of her, hands in his pockets.

"So?" she asked. "What do you think?"

"Actually, I think it would be better if you stayed here."

"What?" She drew back in surprise. "I thought you wanted me to come?"

"I did. But that was selfish of me."

"Selfish? If anything, I think you're being selfish now."

"Am I?"

She jumped to her feet, jabbing a finger in his chest. "You said you would take me. How can you go back on that?"

"I don't want to be responsible for you."

"What?"

"It's a long trip. Anything could happen."

"Alright. Now, you sound like my brother."

"I have to think about these things."

"Macks," she said his name in a low, steady voice. "I trust you."

He stopped at that, and she didn't miss the shift in his brown eyes. He looked away for a while, and she wondered what he was thinking. "Please say I can come."

He paused, taking in a long, misty breath. "Could anyone ever say no to you, Hannah?"

"Hopefully not you."

"No. Not me, apparently."

"Really? So … you'll take me?"

He did a small, silent nod.

"Oh, good. Thank you, thank you." She felt a surge of happy relief, so strong she moved as if to hug him, before she stopped herself.

Macks turned, motioning down the road. "Come. It's getting really cold. I think we should get you home."

She nodded, moving to his side. His shoulders seemed to ease a little, and he started walking, keeping his eye on her. Somewhere in the middle of the walk, Hannah curled her fingers around his arm, and he didn't move away.

Much later, when she lay in bed that night, she would wonder why she did that, and whether she should not have.

In the morning, she went to work agonizing over how to speak to Christopher and Judy. She would resort to begging if she had to. Maybe she could compensate them for the days she'd be away. But then, she didn't know how many days she'd be away. From her memory, Macks' trips home usually lasted a few weeks.

A few weeks! It seemed so long, to think of it, a long time to be all alone with him. It was starting to make her nervous. She just had to remember why she was going on this trip in the first place – to see dear Alyssa again. Everything would be alright once she and Macks were reunited with their old friends. And of course, she didn't mind the fact that she'd be getting a chance to see Dyon as well.

Walking into the tailor's the next morning, only a few of the women were already there. She didn't see Christopher anywhere on the floor, and was glad. That had to mean he and Judy were upstairs, so all she had to do was go up and start pleading. She dumped her things, a little anxiously, then slipped off while the others chit-chatted.

Christopher, I'll work for free for a month ... I'll do all the deliveries for the rest of the winter ... I'll clean your office?

She found herself rapping on the door to the office, even though her mind was still a mess.

"Yes," she heard his voice, and tentatively pushed the door open a crack. He was standing, leaning against the desk while Judy rummaged through drawers, searching for something. "Ah, Hannah," he went, nodding and beaming at her. "Good morning. You're in bright and early."

"Yes. Do you have a minute? I need to talk to you both."

"I'll bet you do," he said, still smiling and smirking for some reason.

Hannah frowned a little as she stepped inside. Why did he sound like he knew something?

"So," Christopher said, striding over and standing in front of her. The sunlight falling in through the window behind him made a faint gold halo around his frame. "Tell us. Are you two going to be getting married while you're in Dyon?"

"What?" she exclaimed, her voice coming out so loudly, she startled both of them."What are you talking about?"

"You and that handsome captain, of course," Judy pitched in.

"Macks?"

"He was in here a little while ago, before you came in. Told us all about your trip."

"He ... he did that?" she murmured.

"Yes. We didn't ask anything, but we assumed, you know. We thought it was because he'd proposed and wanted to have it done there."

"Proposed? Goodness, you have it all wrong. We're going there to see some old friends."

"Oh, so there'll be others in the party?"

"Well ... no."

"So it is just the two of you?" Christopher realized.

"Yes, but it's fine. Macks is a close friend."

"Who seems to take quite an interest in you."

"I can understand your concern, but Macks is a gentleman." Most of the time. "I'm more worried about how the two of you are going to manage. I feel horrible asking you to let me off again, but I promise I'll make it up to you. Just name whatever you want in return, and I'll do it."

"Oh, that's not necessary. After all, it's winter, and you know we hardly get two souls in here these days."

"Oh. So that means you'll let me go?"

The couple glanced at each other, and finally, Christopher nodded. "Yes. But no more of this come spring and summer, understand? We'll need everyone then, so don't expect to get off unless it's life or death or something."

"I think that's fair."

"I still think it's improper for you to go, though."

"Not if he's going to propose," Judy pointed out, and Hannah could feel her face flushing.

"I really would prefer to have a word with him before you go … "

"I'm sure that's not necessary," Hannah said quickly, raising her hands. Since when had these two become her parents? She turned, popping open the door. "I think I'm going to go back to work, but – thank you again."

"We just want to make sure you're safe, Hannah," Judy explained.

"It'll be fine. I promise." She slipped out before they could come up with any other ideas. With a relieved sigh, she trotted downstairs, and as she returned to the floor, she wondered if any of the women knew about her trip as well. Perhaps she should have insisted that Rio come with them to Dyon, so at least she and Macks would not be alone. But she knew Rio wouldn't be interested, and somehow, she hadn't really considered bringing him. Was it possible that she actually wanted to be alone with Macks?

She tried not to think about the answer to that, picking up a broom and sweeping an almost dustless floor – anything to occupy her thoughts. It was all mindless, unnecessary chores for the rest of the day, after which she bid a quick goodbye to everyone. She would have liked to have said more to Christopher and Judy, but she was afraid they would try to discourage her again.

She hurried back to Magda's, puzzling over what to bring. Then again, she didn't have much. She stuffed some clothes and items into a large bag, the same one she used for trips to Chell, and went to bed, too tired to really think about the coming days.

In the morning, Hannah was up early and had to wait downstairs in the hall, wondering how long Macks would be. It couldn't be a mistake, could it? The day was correct?

She glanced at the young nun on duty and then turned away again, grateful at least that it wasn't Sister Vicki. She could certainly do without any questions.

At least, she heard the clop of horses outside, and darted out the door with her bag. A black carriage was on the lane, the driver well-bundled and blowing into his hands. Macks jumped out, his cheeks flushing from cold as he came up and yanked her bag from her. "Come on," he said, ushering her inside.

They climbed in, sitting together on a plush red seat, and she couldn't help thinking what a far cry this was from the ride she had taken with her mother to Magda's from the Williams'.

"Did you really arrange all this?" she asked Macks as the driver turned the carriage around.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, this," she said, gesturing at the polished interior. "This looks expensive. Will it take us all the way to Dyon?"

"Well, no, we will have to switch at Hunsdown. We'll spend a night there, get some rest."

"Oh."

"There's a very nice inn there," he told her. "I always stop there on the way to Dyon, and I'm quite friendly with the owner."

"You should let me share some of the expense."

"That's not necessary."

"Why not? I can't give much, but I can still help."

"I know. But I want you to let me take care of you."

She blinked at him.

"I mean, this. Take care of this. You know what I mean."

"Right." She folded her arms over her chest, focusing out the window. They were approaching the bridge now, and she soon felt the jerk of wheels across the beams. She watched as people tumbled aside to let them pass, before the bridge ended and she saw only trees and gray sky. She could see the trodden path that led into Chell, and stared at it as they went by. It was strange to think that she was leaving the only two places she had ever known, for something utterly new, different and faraway. And with no one but Macks to oversee her.

She glanced aside, and saw that he had leaned against the door on his side, shutting his eyes. The pale sun lightened his face, and she found herself staring at the cut of his jaw, his straight nose, and the way his hair curled and shone. She suddenly felt a strong urge to touch him, then scolded herself for it. Instead, she mimicked him, huddling in her own corner and falling into a lonely nap.