"I'm leaving Hamilton in the morning," Jack told Mr. Thatcher.

Elizabeth was stunned. "That seems kind of sudden." She stared at Jack, questioning what was happening.

"Well, you're safe and settled with your family, and I have a job to get back to. I've arranged for Constable McGinty to escort you back to Coal Valley when you're ready to return."

"That's very kind of you," Mr. Thatcher acknowledged.

"Its very nice meeting you sir." Jack shook Mr. Thatcher's hand. "Ms. Thatcher." Jack looked at her, staring as if he knew he might never see her again, that this might be goodbye.

Elizabeth was speechless for a moment as she watched him walk away, the man she loved, her best friend. "What just happened? Why is he acting as if he doesn't know me at all? Like we never kissed each other that day?" she asked herself. She had to go after him. She started to leave the foyer but her father stopped her. "Elizabeth, where are you going?"

"I'll be back soon." She didn't care, at this point, what propriety allowed, she was going to talk to him, even if it meant following him all the way to the place he was staying. She ran out the door to the side of the house, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. He was just leaving the gated driveway on foot when she saw him. "Jack! Please wait!" She ran to catch up. "Jack!"

"Elizabeth, what are you doing?" He was happy to see her, but he really didn't want to discuss his feelings at this point.

"We need to talk, Jack. I don't know what happened tonight, but we need to figure this out. Please don't leave."

"Nothing happened. I need to get back." He wasn't going to tell her all that had happened, what her father said, how it made him feel when she was flirting with Charles, how glaringly unsuited for each other they were. He needed to leave and see what she did. It was up to her.

"Jack, something happened, or you wouldn't be leaving. I thought we meant something to each other. We kissed. People don't kiss unless there's something there."

He looked at her, admiring the way the moonlight bounced off her hair. He could see tears pooling in her eyes, threatening to fall at any moment. She was exquisitely beautiful and he wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms and tell her he loved her. He couldn't. He didn't see how that would fix anything. They were so different. Her family didn't accept him, and never would. Who knows what's going on with Charles. "Elizabeth."

"No. I won't let you go without telling me what's going on. Please talk to me." She stepped closer, reaching for his hand, looking at his face for some indication he was still willing to be with her.

"Not here. I feel like everyone's watching."

"Let's go for a walk, then."

"Its late, Elizabeth."

"Jack Thornton, we need to talk now. Come with me." She pulled him gently with her to the garage where her father kept his cars. "Now, we are alone. Let's sit down." Elizabeth gestured to a vehicle.

"I'd rather stand actually." She shivered, not sure if it was nervousness or the fact that it was cold in there and she had nothing covering her arms. He took his suit jacket off and gently placed it around her shoulders. He loved her so much and being so close to her at this moment was torture. He had to maintain a proper distance, until he knew…until they sorted out everything that had happened.

"Thank you, Jack." She just wanted him to say he loved her. She wanted them to go back to Coal Valley together, with a clear understanding of what they meant to each other. "Why are you leaving, Jack?"

"I told you."

"Jack, I know you better than that."

"What does that mean?"

"Your work is important to you, but I know you and I know that if I asked you to stay, really asked, you would in a heartbeat, just to be with me. Am I right?"

"Elizabeth.."

"Am I right?"

"Of course I would, but you don't understand."

"I want to understand, but that means you have to actually tell me." She slipped her hand into his.

"Ok. What's going on with you and Charles?" He let go of her hand and walked away from her.

"Charles? We have been friends since we were children, Jack. Only friends. Is that what's bothering you?"

"What I saw was more than that."

"What you saw?" Elizabeth was confused. Jack walked back to her.

"At the piano. I thought I knew what you felt for me, or I wouldn't have kissed you. I saw how you were looking at each other. It looked like you wanted to be with him, and I know he wants to be with you, it's very obvious."

"Jack, I'm so sorry if I did something to make you think I wanted him. I don't, I promise. You are the only one for me." She put her hand on his face, searching his eyes. "I only want to be with you. I love you, Jack."

"I love you too, so much." He pulled her into his arms. Oh, it felt so good, she fit perfectly right there. He kissed her with more feeling than she had ever felt before. She knew then, she wanted to be with him forever, no matter what anyone did or said to try to stop them. They broke apart to catch their breath, their foreheads touching. "Your family, Elizabeth. They don't want me in your life. Your father made that clear tonight. He thinks you and Charles…"

"I don't care. I will tell them, I only want you." He kissed her gently, running his fingers through her hair, causing the pins to come loose.

"Marry me, Elizabeth. Be with me, forever," he whispered.

"Of course I will."

"It won't be easy."

"I know, and I don't care. As long as we are together, that's all that matters."

"That's what I mean. I won't always be home. They could send me anywhere, for who knows how long."

"I know. Could I come with you, I mean can't wives travel with their husbands?"

"Maybe sometimes, but not always. Are you ok with that?"

"I'll miss you, but I'll be ok. Just promise to always come home to me."

"I'll will try my hardest to always come home to you."

She nodded and smiled at him. She watched as he pulled something out from behind his shirt collar. It was a necklace, with a wedding ring. "Jack, it's beautiful."

"It was my mother's. She gave it to me, to give to the woman I was going to marry. It's not much, but it would mean a lot to me if you would wear it."

"Its perfect. I would be honored to wear it." He took the necklace off, and slipped the ring on her finger. It was a simple gold band, but that represented so much in their lives. It was not the life that she grew up wanting, or that her parents wanted for her, but it was the life she knew she needed now and he was the man she wanted to be with forever.