Who We Were, What We Became

Life Needs A Bit of Madness

A/N- William was probably the most difficult to write for, only because he was such a major part of the story and the events that took place, his perspective is more important than others.

* $2,000 back in the 1920's is valued at roughly $25,000 in today's currency, for reference later in the chapter.

____________________

"...and there I was, eyeing the beast within my rifle's scope." William rehearsed, his hands holding an imaginary gun for demonstration. "I had barely enough time to check the wind's direction before it took off, barreling right towards me! Closer and closer it came, and I got off the shot just in time, dropped it to the ground with a single bullet!"

"Oh my, that must have been frightening." Celine raised her eyebrows, walking slowly beside her companion through the garden.

"Bully, I was petrified! Scared out of my wits." The Colonel agreed with a hearty laugh, his grin infectious. "But it all turned out alright. I checked afterwards, and it was close to being a record size moose."

"Hmm, were you disappointed?" She questioned, wrapping the shawl tighter around her exposed arms. He noticed this small discomfort, then cursed himself for leaving his jacket in the manor. Always the gentleman, he'd have offered it to her in a heartbeat. Remembering she'd asked a question, he shook his head.

"Only just. The beast was a great challenge to track down to begin with. I'd have been more disappointed had it gotten away."

Celine chuckled softly, and a comfortable quiet settled between them. William, kept stealing glances at the remarkable person walking beside him. Mark was certainly a lucky bastard for finding such a magnificent woman.

Of course, when he's actually here to enjoy her. His mood briefly soured a notch, a flicker of resentment crossing his face without him knowing.

Even now, Mark was holed up in his study, no doubt poring over movie deals and scripts meticulously. The man was obsessed with his work, often times neglecting anything and everyone else in favor of doing it. That included Celine, who would often times have nothing to occupy her time other than reading books she found in the library. It was a very lonely pastime, and William would hate for her to be bored while waiting for her idiot husband to remember even having a wife.

So, whenever William came visiting, he'd made it a point to accompany her on walks in the garden, or forays in the library, where they'd simply converse for hours. It was the least he could do for her.

Celine was quite the conversationalist when it suited her and enjoyed picking apart topics she got from the books that filled most of her day. Her mind was as deep as her soul, something William flocked to like a moth. He'd never met anyone quite as interesting and...real as her. So genuine and wholesome. He doubted there'd ever be another woman such as her in his lifetime.

"Are you quite alright, William?" She inquired, a tiny smirk playing at the corner of her lips. His eyes narrowed in confusion, uncertain why she was suddenly asking on his health. She chuckled quietly. "You've been staring at me awhile."

"Oh!" He blustered with embarrassment, shaking his head and gesturing placatingly. "I was lost in thought. I meant no offense."

"I know, but I do wonder what you were thinking about that had you so distracted. You've been doing that quite a lot the last few times we've met." She implied, silently asking that he tell her about it.

"Ah, well..." He trailed off, unsure of what to say. He couldn't exactly tell her she was too good for Mark, like he'd actually been thinking. That would do no good at all, but William was drawing a blank as to what to talk about in place of the truth. What story did he have that he could distract her with?