Once again I took forever. I'd like to apologize for that and the fact that I should have mentioned that the third chapter (if you could even call it that) was set a few days after Ben's return. I was even going to add a little on Felicity's cold disposition towards him, but since I most likely wrote it hurriedly, I didn't catch it. Someday I'll rewrite these because I feel I owe to you guys. But I feel that writing the fourth "chapter" seems more imperative at the moment.

By the way, thanks for all the reviews. I was surprised I got so many. But please, I can take constructive criticism, and I know I need to improve, so go ahead and tell me.

I think that's it. Fare thee well. –Gigi )

It was quite a big pile of breeches that Ben had. But that was understandable, since he had been in Washington's army for quite some time. Plus, what do men know about mending, mused Felicity on her way to the stable. The poor attempts at patching up the ratty things were worse than Felicity's first efforts at her sampler, back when she was studying with Mrs. Manderly. Ben was better off buying new breeches, but the General Store was waiting on a new shipment of wool, which, immediately after the war was hard to come by. Ben has to make do with what he has.

She entered the stable, and could not resist stopping to pet her beloved horse, Penny. "Penny, my love," whispered Felicity to her horse, after setting down the breeches and wrapping her arms around her, "you came back to me safely, and now, so has another dear friend. But 'tis not the same."

With a sigh, she let go, quickly gave Patriot a pat, and continued her task. She started climbing the steps up to the room above the stable and gave a rat-tat-tat-TAT at the door. She regretted her joke when the door was opened more quickly than she had anticipated.

"Did I startle you?" asked Ben to a clearly startled Felicity.

"Only a little," replied Felicity, noticing that his features were just beginning to relax them selves. She almost smiled.

An awkward silence was beginning to form, but was broken by Ben. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"Wha- Oh, I'm just returning your breeches…to you…here," Felicity said. She thrust the pile into his arms and started descending down the steps. This wasn't right. Felicity was sure she had come off more nervous than cold, as she was still trying to act towards Ben.

"Wait," called Ben after her. Seeing that she had stopped, he continued, "Umm…Thank you. That was very kind of you; you should not have troubled yourself."

"I didn't, Mother did," was Felicity's short reply.

"Oh. Well, thank your mother for me then. Uh…"

Feeling that, once again, her cold shoulder was being given off correctly, Felicity gave a look that said, I haven't got all day.

"I'm sorry I am taking so much of your time, I'm sure this task was already well out of your way. But I do feel we need to talk, Felicity."

"So it's Felicity now."

"I am truly sorry, I was nervous. It had been so long I didn't know how to address you, especially now that you've umm…grown-up." He saw her smile, probably at his reddening face, so he looked down and continued: "But I should have known better. Your nature is much less reserved than—"

"Aye, I do not follow the rules of decorum that are required of me. I do not always act very like a lady."

"No, that is not what I meant. I mean to say that you are…you have a warmer, more open nature, and I should have remembered that. I mean, I did, just not at that moment."

"I on the other hand did forget of your shy nature. I will forgive you, Ben, if you will forgive me."

"I will," he said beaming and took Felicity's extended hand. They shook on it.

"Well, then," concluded Felicity, "I truly must be off now," though she really did not have much to do.

"Yes. Well, I shall see you at dinner. More amiable, I hope."

"You shall," she replied, leaving the stable, not exactly sure of what her feelings were.

Please tell me what to do better. Oh, and James Manderly was my poor attempt of complicating Felicity and Ben's already awkward relationship. He's like the Mr. St. John to my Jane Eyre. No, I don't think I'll make him that cold. He's like the Mr. Wickham to my Pride and Prejudice. Well. I don't want him to be an ass either. But I think you get the point. So should I pursue it? I'm sort of thinking no. and I hope it's not like I'm messing up the story, because the title does kind of give away the ending don't you think?