Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within, all rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Ms. Oke, Mr. Bird, Mr. Landon, and the creators/writers/actors of "When Calls the Heart". You inspired me to write and I'm not a writer! Feel free to use my story on the show, I'd be honored!

***Hello Hearties! Thanks for your support and love for my other fanfic, "Meant To Be". Here's my take or predictions for Season 2. Many of the authors are writing their take on season 2 because of our excitement, as well as, the little bit that was hinted at online (i.e. meeting more of Elizabeth's family and a possible trip back home).

I saw the following quote on a sign (1Cortinthians 13:4-8 paraphrased) and my imagination went from there. I hope you enjoy it!

"Love is patient, love is kind. Love rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes and always perseveres. Love never fails."

Season 2: Love Never Fails

Chapter 1:

Jack and Elizabeth watched the comet in amazement and wonderment. They looked at each other the same way. Like two magnets they found themselves walking toward each other, neither could hide their smile of sheer happiness. They were so happy that their feelings were in the open and that the other felt the same way; no more misunderstandings or getting in their own way.

"Jack, can you believe that we saw the comet?" Elizabeth said with excitement.

"A once in a lifetime experience!" Jack said with a smile, he loved her enthusiasm.

"I'm glad I got to see it with you." Elizabeth said softly as she glanced down then up into his eyes.

"Me too." Jack said just as softly moving closer. Their eyes had locked and they closed in on each other. They were both aching for another kiss. Their lips were inches apart, their eyes were closed as they moved in when Rip barked and snapped them out of their trance. All at once they realized they were in the middle of the street and someone could see them. They didn't want to appear improper, especially since things were so new between them. They quickly stepped back from each other and smiled.

Jack looked back toward Rip and saw the dog chasing a raccoon up the street.

"Oh no, I left the door open! Rip!" Jack said chasing after him.

"Rip!" Elizabeth called following Jack.

"Rip! Come on boy!" Jack said as Rip came back and lay in the road.

"Rip, come on boy! Come on!" Elizabeth said as she patted her leg and walked toward the jail. Rip got right up and followed Elizabeth up the steps and inside.

"I can't believe he got right up!" Jack said. "How do you get him to listen to you?" Jack asked.

"I don't know, I asked nicely?" Elizabeth said with a laugh.

"Perhaps he prefers a beautiful woman over me." Jack said with a shy smile.

Elizabeth blushed, "I'm sure it helps that you had me take care of him while you were gone."

"Maybe." Jack said.

Elizabeth smiled and then glanced away feeling a little overwhelmed by the newness of their relationship. "Well I…" she began but stopped at the site before her. There on the corner of Jack's desk was a drawing of her. She picked it up and was taken back. Elizabeth couldn't believe her eyes and her jaw dropped. 'He doesn't just care for me…I think he's just as in love with me, as I am with him!'

"Uh…Elizabeth…" Jack said feeling awkward and moving to take the picture from her. He felt so exposed and didn't know how she would react or what to say.

"Jack…" Elizabeth said softly. "It's…it's beautiful! You're very talented but surely there are other things to draw than me." She didn't know what to say.

"I told you my heart is true, Elizabeth." Jack said quietly.

Elizabeth felt herself swoon. "Oh, Jack…mine is too." Elizabeth said as she moved closer to him and kissed him on the cheek. He pulled her close and they quickly became caught up in their kissing. They had to pull themselves away before they got carried away. Things were still new and they were still finding their footing.

"Well I should probably head back over to the café. Abigail is probably wondering where I am." Elizabeth said reluctantly.

"May I walk you home?" Jack asked extending his arm to her.

"I was hoping you'd say that!" Elizabeth said with a smile.

They walked back in companionable silence as they looked at the sky and then at each other. Jack turned to Elizabeth when they reached the steps of the café, "I guess you won't have to wait at the jail until the wee hours of the night to look for the comet anymore." Jack said.

"No but, perhaps I'll wait to make sure a certain Mountie gets home safely." Elizabeth said with a shy smile as she looked down.

When she returned her gaze to Jack, she thought his smile could have lit up the night sky. He reached for her hand and kissed it, "I'd be happy to come home to you, Elizabeth. Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?" Jack asked.

"I'd love to!" Elizabeth said immediately.

"Good!" Jack had to smile once again. They leaned in and kissed once again.

"Thank you for walking me home, Constable." Elizabeth said turning toward the door.

"Anytime." Jack said.

"Good night!" Elizabeth said as she closed the door. Jack turned around and smiled all the way back to the jail on cloud nine.

In the days that followed, Jack and Elizabeth enjoyed their courtship as they spent time together everyday; their romance and chemistry was palpable. Many of the town's people shared knowing glances when Jack and Elizabeth were together. People thought it was sweet and figured it was only a matter of time as many of the school children had teased that the Mountie and their teacher were sweet on one another.

"I'm fine with it just as long as they keep up with their respective duties!" Mrs. Blakely gossiped among some of the mothers. "We don't need either of them getting sidetracked and not tending to the needs of the town or our children!"

"Well they've been courting for several weeks now and I believe they appear to be just as dedicated to their duties as ever." Cat said. All of the mothers present nodded in agreement.

Gowen and Abigail had their day in court and it was decided there was simply not enough evidence to convict anyone on either side of the dispute. Jack figured that Gowen and his henchmen must have been burning evidence the night he went to rescue Elizabeth and Julie but he had no way to prove it. Gowen was not happy with Jack because he admittedly helped to start the investigation. Gowen promised himself that he'd make Jack pay some day but now would be too soon, too obvious. Ultimately, Gowen was able to keep his position in the mining company however, he faced charges of harassment and defamation of character as a result of going after Abigail. The judge ruled in favor of Abigail and Gowen was forced to give the café over in lieu of payment. Abigail was thrilled to be able to keep all of the café's profits and live a little more comfortably than she had in the past. She was also happy that she didn't have to work with Gowen anymore.

Rosemary began to work with some of the town's people to create the theatre group and enlisted many to be involved in the first production. Rosemary was in her element and made signs for auditions for the production. She asked Elizabeth to encourage her students to be involved and audition. Elizabeth was never comfortable with Rosemary although she tried her best to get along with her. Elizabeth had a nagging feeling that Rosemary still wanted Jack back and was simply waiting for her chance. When she spoke about it with Abigail, she was encouraged to have faith in her relationship with Jack who had made his intentions clear. "Jack has chosen you on more than one occasion." Abigail said. This fact gave Elizabeth great comfort.

As the days went on Rosemary made it clear that she would be casting the first production. She had auditioned a number of men in the saloon. She had yet to find a leading man for the musical production but she knew who she wanted in the show.

She cornered Jack one afternoon in the street, "Jack! You are the one we need for this production. None of the men can sing like you." Rosemary said. "I know you'd be amazing in the production!"

"Rosemary, I am not an actor. I can paint the back drop if you want but act? No thank you!" Jack said.

Elizabeth happened to be behind them and heard the exchange. She gasped when she heard Jack refer to painting. 'It was him all along! He painted us kissing!' Elizabeth thought recalling his calm and cool demeanor that day in the jail.

"Elizabeth! Don't you think Jack would be an outstanding leading man? Did you know he can sing? Jack has a very attractive singing voice, why it's music to my ears and my heart." Rosemary gushed.

Elizabeth wanted to roll her eyes at how dramatic Rosemary acted. She had no idea Rosemary was going to be the female lead and was curious about Jack's singing ability. Elizabeth turned to Jack, "Well it's up to you Jack but frankly, I'd love to hear you sing!" Elizabeth said with a smile.

"Perhaps I'll sing to you later on our walk, if you like." Jack offered.

"Yes!" Elizabeth said. "Oh and perhaps you could teach me to paint a backdrop, one with a hidden image?"

Jack's eyes went wide for a split second but he quickly recovered and smiled, "Guilty as charged!"

Rosemary felt the steam burst out of her ears. She was furious that the tables had turned on her so quickly. "Ok, ok, enough of that! Are you going to be in the show or not? We simply need you! It's the very first production and I've worked very hard to put this together for the town. There are so many people who have helped as well, we can't let them down!" Rosemary said practically whining.

"Uh…ok, I guess so." Jack said looking at Elizabeth who smiled at him.

"Wonderful! Practice is daily at 4:00 in the saloon. Show is Sunday night so we really need to get going!" Rosemary said pulling Jack's hand. "Come on we have a lot to do!"

Jack wasn't sure about all of this. "Elizabeth! I'll see you at 6:30."

Elizabeth thought Jack acted odd throughout the week. When she asked why he simply said he was not comfortable with the show but she chalked it up to nerves. In reality, Jack was doing everything he could to not be as actively engaged in the acting as he could. He had no idea it was such a romantic play when he agreed to it. He realized why Rosemary had wanted him in it. He confided to Elizabeth who was surprised but reminded him to stick to his word and do it for the kids in the production because they were so excited. "It's only pretend, Jack." Elizabeth reassured him.

Elizabeth was not ready however for the show. It was very romantic and she felt the pangs of jealousy in her heart as she watched Jack and Rosemary on the stage. There was a scene at the end where the leads were supposed to kiss but Jack turned his face away on purpose so that Rosemary kissed his cheek. He looked out at Elizabeth hoping she'd see what he had done, that he was trying to stay true to her even though he was pretending like she said. He saw a look of surprise and sadness on her face. He watched as Elizabeth got up as soon as the lights came up and walked out.

"Elizabeth!" Jack called. Many people came up to Jack to congratulate him on a job well done but all he wanted to do was to follow Elizabeth.

About fifteen minutes later, Jack was able to get out and headed to the café. He knocked but Abigail came to the door. "Jack! You did a wonderful job tonight!"

"Thank you. Can I speak to Elizabeth?" he asked in rush. He saw the look on Elizabeth's face and had to rectify things.

"Um, Jack I think Elizabeth is tired now." Abigail said softly.

"I knew you were going to say that. I told her I wasn't comfortable with the show all week but she encouraged me to do it. She kept telling me that it was only pretend!" Jack said looking upset.

"I know, I heard her say that to you but Jack, sometimes what your heart and your mind see are two different things." Abigail said. "Give her the night; I'm sure she'll feel different in the morning."

"I hope you're right." Jack said looking down. "Good night." Jack turned and walked back to the jail.

"Jack!" Rosemary called. "You were magnificent! Didn't it feel good to be together again?" Rosemary asked.

Jack simply walked up the steps of the jail and turned around. "No, Rosemary it did not feel good. It felt awkward and wrong because my heart belongs to Elizabeth. I'm so glad it's over." He concluded.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. You did a great job. Thank you for being a part of it." Rosemary said.

"Good night." Jack said with finality and closed the door.

Jack headed over to the café after his morning rounds. He entered and nodded to Abigail. "Has sleeping beauty risen yet?" Jack asked Abigail as usual.

"She went to the saloon." Abigail said.

"Already? Safe to say she's still upset, huh?" Jack asked already knowing the answer.

"You know Friday was the last day of school so she still has to pack things away. Go talk to her, Jack." Abigail said handing him two biscuits. "Here's a peace offering!" Abigail winked.

"Thank you!" He said as he held up one of the biscuits and took a bite. Jack left and made a beeline to the saloon.

He walked in and found Elizabeth packing a box of school supplies. "Elizabeth, I know you're upset but you told me yourself that it was only pretend." Jack said slowly as he made his way toward her. "I tried to tell you…"

"I know I just…wasn't ready for it to be in my face like that." Elizabeth said looking up at him.

They both saw a stagecoach pull up out front and they looked at each other. It was far too early in the morning for a scheduled stagecoach. They saw a Mountie get out and they walked outside.

"Excuse me, may I help you?" Jack asked.

"Yes, I'm…" The Mountie started to salute Jack.

"Clayton? Is that you?" Elizabeth asked.

"Elizabeth!" Clayton said. He moved toward her, took her hand and held it up. "It's a pleasure to see you, Miss Thatcher." Clayton said and kissed her hand. Elizabeth and Jack were surprised by this. Clayton looked her up and down. "My you've really matured since I saw you last. It's been what…7 years or so?" He was always sweet on Elizabeth and their families knew that. He did ask to court her and Elizabeth had to endure two dates because of their parents' insistence. The truth was he bored Elizabeth to tears. He was an aloof man and lacked enthusiasm and drive. She was surprised that he was a Mountie these days and more handsome.

Elizabeth quickly pulled her hand away from Clayton. She was a little surprised by his obvious attraction and level of comfort toward her. She felt awkward but she quickly recovered. She looked at Jack who did not look happy.

"I'm sorry, who are you?" Jack asked looking back and forth between Clayton and Elizabeth. He saw Clayton checking Elizabeth out and he didn't like it. He suddenly understood all too well how Elizabeth felt about the play.

"I'm Constable Clayton Lowne." He felt Jack's eyes on him and thought better of it, "I'm an old friend of the Thatchers…and Elizabeth." He said smiling at her.

"What brings you to Coal Valley?" Elizabeth asked.

"You!" Clayton said with a smile.

"Me? Why?" Elizabeth asked stepping back to fix her shawl.

"To ensure your safe travel as you head to your new teaching post at the preparatory academy." Clayton said with eagerness.

"What?" Elizabeth and Jack said simultaneously.

"I have orders to bring you to the prep academy back east." Clayton said as his smile disappeared at their reactions.

Jack and Elizabeth both looked worried. "But…I…I wrote to my father and said I wasn't taking the position. I also sent a letter to the prep academy declining the offer!"

"Well I have orders Elizabeth; you're going to have to pack your bags." Clayton said matter-of-factly. He was really looking forward to spending the next several days with her to reconnect.

I promise you that action, adventure and a ton of romance await you...keep reading! ;)