Gabriel mulled over Mayra's advice, trying to find the right way through the mess he'd made with Victoria. She'd heavily implied that the only way Victoria would stay was a proposal, and that Gabriel probably loved her and just didn't know it.
Her last warning stuck in his head, that he shouldn't do anything rash. He headed back to the Shermans' home with a heavy sigh, not entirely sure what to do. Should he try to talk to Victoria again? Maybe ask Mrs. Sherman's advice?
No, Victoria's mother was probably too close to the situation to be able to give him unbiased input. She would look out for her daughter's best, no matter what, as well she should.
Gabriel pursed his lips. He would have to try his best on his own.
Stepping into the house, he was greeted with… quiet. No one was in the entry, which wasn't unusual, but whenever Victoria was in the house it was never silent. She was always chattering with Mrs. Sherman, or singing to herself, or bustling about.
Had she not come straight home? This was the direction she'd headed.
"Hello?" He called. Dr. Sherman might be out on another house call, but Mrs. Sherman might be home.
There was no answer. He went into the kitchen and found a neatly written note on the table there.
"Mama, Papa–
I passed my exam! I had already packed my things to go sign up for the army, and I'm too excited to wait! I'm sure as the medical examiner for the military you'll be able to visit me soon. I love you both!
–Victoria"
Gabriel blanched. She had already gone? That–-
He was out the door before the thought was finished, sprinting toward the recruitment office. That impulsive little– The absolute– How dare she— What in the world was she thinking—
The disjointed thoughts tumbled one upon another as he ran. People in the streets jumped to the side as he wound his way through them, sweating and panting. He was near panic by the time he reached the building where she should be signing up now. Maybe he could catch her before she signed a year of her life away.
Who was he kidding? Signing up when 'the final battle' Gwen described was coming, that was signing her life away entirely.
He burst through the doors, his ragged breathing the loudest sound in the room while he waited for his eyes to adjust to the dimmer interior of the building.
"Can I help you?" Asked a man sitting behind a desk.
"Is she here? Is Victoria here?" Gabriel panted.
"A young woman did just come in to volunteer for service, if that's what you mean," He replied, pulling a piece of paper closer to himself, "her name is… yes, Victoria."
"She can't go," Gabriel stepped further into the room, ready to snatch the paper and rip it up.
The man yanked it back beyond where Gabe could easily reach it. "Why is that? She seemed of age, and there seemed to be no obvious physical infirmity preventing her from serving."
"She–" Gabriel stopped as the side door opened and Victoria stepped out, already dressed in a baggy uniform.
"Just go home, Gabe." She said. "You can't stop me from leaving. I already signed the papers."
"Female service is not compulsory," He argued, "You can still back out." He glanced at the registrar, who looked displeased by the display.
"I have no reason to," Victoria's eyes narrowed. "I've committed to a year, and I intend to give it."
"Please," Gabriel's voice turned pleading. "Please, don't do this."
"Please just go home, Gabriel." Victoria's voice hardened. "You don't have a purpose here."
"My purpose is to bring you home," He insisted. "I need you."
"Need me?" She shook her head. "I don't think you do, at least, not…" Her voice trailed off, and Gabriel's heart sank. He understood. Not in the way she wanted him to need her.
"Please, I can't stand it if you go. I'll do anything. Please, just stay," He said. "I'll move out, start my own practice, and you can be at home without me interfering in your life."
"No, but thank you," She shook her head. "It's kind of you to change your life around to make it possible for me to stay, but I've chosen my path now."
"Don't!" He insisted, moving towards her and taking her hand. She tugged it away, but he didn't let go. "I can't stand it, Victoria. Didn't we talk about me needing a nurse in my new practice? That could be you if you want!"
"You told me before that it would be improper, and I quite agree." She tugged at her hand again, and he became desperate.
"Then marry me," He blurted, and cringed at how the words came out.
Victoria froze. "Gabriel. Don't do this."
His better judgment fled in the face of losing her. "I mean it, then it wouldn't be improper for us to live together, we could–"
Tears filled her eyes, and he felt the crushing weight of what he'd just done to her tender feelings.
"That didn't come out the way I wanted. I'm sorry. I… care about you. Alot." He assured her.
"Stop it, Gabriel. Please." She turned away. "I may not be a prideful woman, but I'm not going to marry a man who doesn't love me."
"I… I do," He replied, quietly.
"Do you? The way a boy loves his sister, or the way a man loves a woman he wants to marry?" Her voice broke, and her eyes pled for truth.
"All I know is, I can't bear for you to go." He said honestly. "I'm not… not good at this. You've always been able to see through me. Always. Can't you do that again now?"
"I wouldn't trust myself," She shook her head. "Maybe I would see what I wanted to see instead of what's there. This is one thing you're going to have to figure out for yourself, Gabriel. Let me know when you do, and please don't talk to me until then. My heart can't bear it."
"I'll… I'll leave you alone," He closed his eyes, and finally let her pull her hand away, "as long as you don't go into the military. Come home. I'll move out. I'll leave you in peace until I can answer your questions for certain. For good. Please, Victoria!" He opened his eyes and stared into hers.
"I'm afraid she can't go home," The registrar interrupted, startling both young people. Gabriel had completely forgotten there was someone else in the room, and felt humiliated at airing so much of his soul in front of this stranger.
"What do you mean she can't go home? Women are voluntary members of the army, not compulsory." Gabriel shot back impatiently.
"That's no longer accurate," The man replied. "She just signed a year contract, and she has to keep it. There are no exceptions unless health or other extenuating circumstances prevent her from completing the entire year."
"She's not well enough to do it!" Gabriel declared. "I'll testify to it. I'm a fully certified doctor!"
"Since when??" Victoria cried.
"Since this morning when Dr. Sherman certified me while you were off at your exam," Gabriel shot back. "I was going to tell you, but you ran off."
Victoria shook off her surprise and chastised him. "Don't you dare abuse your new credentials and lie about me!"
"She's King Roland's sister, did she tell you that? You're going to let her put herself into danger, invoking his ire?" Gabriel turned to the registrar, playing every card he had.
"Stop it! What I do is not my brother's business!" Victoria stepped in front of Gabriel, fire in her eyes. "You don't control my life, Gabe. Stop trying to. It's not your role to interfere in what I'm doing or where I'm going."
"Sir, I really will need you to leave if you're going to cause a disturbance," The registrar announced. "I've tolerated your presence here long enough."
The man looked nervously at Victoria, and Gabriel wondered if he was going to privately talk her into rescinding the contract once Gabe left. Surely the man didn't want to get in trouble with the king? With no other witnesses here, they could pretend like the contract was never signed at all, couldn't they?
"Just leave, Gabe. Tell Mama and Papa I love them, and I'm sorry I left so abruptly." Victoria's voice softened a little. "If you do start your own practice, I wish you the best of luck in all of it. You deserve the life you want, no matter what else happens."
Gabriel looked at her, heartbroken. She was banishing him. Banishing herself, really. His lack of honest declaration of love drove her away, not once, now, but twice. Into danger each time. If she died, it would be his fault, wouldn't it? Just like it was his fault his mother died. Just like protecting him from wolves had put Finn in danger all those years ago.
"No," He said aloud. "I can't let that happen."
"What are you talking about?" Victoria shook her head.
Gabriel turned to the registrar. "I've already done my year of service, but I want to sign back up for the army, for whatever term is necessary."