The Negotiator
Disclaimer:
I don't own anything to do with When Calls the Heart – except this strange little plot bunny. Thank you, Jannette Oke and Hallmark for the awesome characters we get to play with!
I have this addiction with MeetCutes.
Synopsis: Elizabeth is a teacher, Jack is a hostage negotiator. Dangerous job, dangerous life. Can Elizabeth convince Jack to settle down? What about her own future?
Alternate Universe, Jack and Elizabeth meet for the first time. Incorporating some characters from the books and the show! Modern!Mountie!Liza Rated T
This originated as a oneshot but it grew on me!
More chapters and possible continuity fixes to follow…
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Elizabeth watched as her new sister-in-law bustled around the large kitchen like a woman on a mission. "Can I do anything to help, Mary?" It was probably her fifth time asking, but the look on Mary's face hadn't changed.
"Absolutely not! You are a guest in my house, not to mention you just arrived here yesterday. This dinner is for you," Mary insisted, throwing her a big smile as she cut onions and potatoes at the same time, her hands working double time.
"At least let me do the dishes?"
"That I can take you up on."
Elizabeth had only met her half-brother Jonathan's wife very recently, but she was already very dear to her heart – a special, lovely lady who she was proud to call sister.
Elizabeth had lived most of her life in Toronto, but she had finally decided that it was time to visit Jonathan – who had arrived in Alberta several years before – until she was ready to continue teaching. It had not been an easy decision to make, and while her parents had supported her move and her right to make her own decisions, they didn't necessarily liked it as much as she did and continued to offer her worrisome advice that Elizabeth had decided to take with a grain of salt.
No, no one had tried to rob, eat or kill her. Or at least not yet.
Mary cleared her throat and Elizabeth started, then slightly smiled.
"Sorry," she apologized. "Must be the jet lag."
Mary smiled back at her. "There's a few hours until dinner, you have time to take a nap, Liz."
Elizabeth felt tears gather in the corner of her eyes, pleased with Mary's use of her family's nickname for her and not used to hearing it outside of her inner circle.
"I think I'll take you up on that." Elizabeth gave her a weary but thankful smile and headed back to her room, collapsing on top of her bed as soon as she shut the door.
It was only a few moments before she was out like a light.
It seemed like she had just closed her eyes when a light and gentle knock on her door roused her and her older brother stuck his head into her room. "Hey, stranger. Dinner's ready, and there are some people I want you to meet."
Elizabeth yawned and stretched, sitting up. "How long was I out?"
Jon laughed and came inside, sitting beside her on the bed, ruffling her tousled curls affectionately. "Three hours. Take your time," he teased, "I'll regale my friends with tales of your childhood."
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "You wouldn't dare." Her eyes narrowed and her cheeks burned. A few anecdotes came to mind – none of them she wanted to make public knowledge. She was here to be a serious adult – a teacher.
Jon merely laughed and stood up, tapping her nose with his finger. "Then don't take too long."
Elizabeth couldn't help it – she childishly stuck her tongue out at Jon as he shut the door behind him, chuckling the whole time.
Elizabeth had never met any of Jon's friends before, but she had heard so much about them in his letters, she felt as though she knew them already. Mostly, she heard about Jack and Abigail. Jack had a wicked sense of humour and the tales Jon told about his adventures and pranks had kept her laughing until her sides had hurt, and Abigail was the most confident woman in the universe – doing what she could to make her world better. These were the people that Jon looked up to, and she wanted to make a good impression. Elizabeth wanted them to like her.
Elizabeth quickly brushed her hair, shaking off the sleepiness as she remembered Jon's promise to share some embarrassing stories, and quickly changed into her favourite outfit – a cozy red sweater and jeans – making her feel both comfortable and confident. After pulling her hair up in a half ponytail, she took a moment to stare at her reflection in the mirror, ordered her palms to stop sweating, and opened her door, steeling herself for an evening of entertainment.
Following the gentle timbre of low voices and relaxed laughter, Elizabeth first made her way into the kitchen, smiling at Mary who was still slaving over the stove. "Last chance?"
Mary laughed. "You can't hide forever, Elizabeth." Putting a glass of wine in her hand and giving her a slight shove out of the kitchen and into the living room where everyone else had gathered, Mary shook her head, turning back to make some finishing touches on desert.
Elizabeth gripped her glass as she stood behind Jon who was seated on one of the couches, still not looking at anyone but the back of his head. And then she focused on his words.
"…and she jumped so high in the air, the geese went flying, which sent her screaming – "
Elizabeth smirked as she lightly brushed the back of Jon's neck with a finger – and Jon jumped, screaming himself.
Giggling, she came around to face her brother, while the whole room erupted in laughter, Jon now red-faced. "At least I don't scream like a little girl," she pointed out. The laughter continued, her smirking with satisfaction.
"Jon, dear, I need you," Mary called from the kitchen.
Jon grinned at his friends, recovering. "Elizabeth, my seat," he offered gallantly, and Elizabeth took his hand with a pleased smile, trying not to lose her balance when he almost tossed her down, almost falling on top of the person beside her.
"Jon! Oh, I am so sorry," she started, quickly shifting away, her cheeks burning. She set her wine glass on the other side of her and turned to finally get a good look at her brother's friends.
The woman sitting across from her was stunning. "Since your brother was so rude as to not officially introduce us, though I feel like I know you already, I'm Abigail." Her eyes and smile were kind and she held out a hand. Elizabeth beamed back, reaching forward to shake it, but Abigail gripped her hand in hers, covering it with her other one. "It is so lovely to finally meet you in person, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth felt her heart expanding, genuine affection for this wonderful woman she had only ever heard stories about. "I feel the same way. Jon speaks of you so often I feel as though we're family. It is so wonderful to meet you." Her smile was genuine, Abigail immediately putting her at ease. She could see them becoming fast friends.
"I want you to meet my husband, Frank." Frank leaned over and shook Elizabeth's hand with a warm smile that she returned. She liked him already.
A slight cough drew Elizabeth's attention to her left, and she turned, her smile freezing in place.
The man beside her took her breath away. His smirk tugged at her in places she didn't know existed, his blue eyes shone with mirth that made her wish she was in on his secret, and she already knew who he was.
"You must be Elizabeth." His voice was as charming as his smile, low and gentle.
"I know you're Jack." The words came out as a surprise to her – and a surprise to him, for his eyebrows raised before he chuckled in appreciation. The sound was rich and deep, bringing colour into her cheeks. From then on, Elizabeth was determined to make him laugh as much as possible this evening.
"Well, Jon's told me so much about you it's like we've already met," Jack acknowledged. "His stories are always very entertaining. Although, I must say, he was wrong about one thing."
Baffled, Elizabeth's brow furrowed, slightly distracted as Jon walked back into the room, replenishing Abigail's wine.
"What would that be?"
Jack took the moment of distracted chatter to lean in slightly closer, his voice now a slight whisper, "You are far more beautiful than he ever described."
Elizabeth's cheeks burned as she rolled her eyes and lightly pushed him away, causing Jack to laugh. "You were just what I expected," she replied, shrugging and taking a sip of her drink.
Jack was saved the trouble of answering by Mary, who blew into the living room like a whirlwind, apron and all, beaming.
"Dinner is ready!"
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Dinner was a happy affair, the group easily split into couples. Jack kept Elizabeth entertained with stories of Jon, and Mary and Abigail swapped recipes back and forth, while Jon and Frank were busy talking about sports.
During a lull in the meal, Jack turned to Elizabeth, curiosity written all over his face. "So, Miss Thatcher, what brings you to Alberta? Jon has often told us you're from the East, but he's never expanded on what was bringing you here."
Elizabeth laid her fork down, turning to face him. "I am a teacher, who's just stopping by to visit before I take my next assignment. I'm still waiting to hear back from a few places, so I figured this would be the perfect time to catch up with my family."
Jon, overhearing, quickly swallowed his food. "She's a shoo-in, Jack. Every single province and territory will be fighting over her." The pride in his voice was evident, and her affection was plain as she beamed back at him.
Jack couldn't help but feel a nagging sense of disappointment at the fact his best friend's sister wouldn't be staying in town – but then, it was his best friend's sister, and he most definitely shouldn't be having any of these thoughts in any way, shape or form. Besides that, he knew he would never settle down, so why bother dating? Although…
He cleared his throat, raising his glass and shooting a crooked grin at the beautiful, funny woman beside him. "To new beginnings?"
Elizabeth gave a slight nod, her cheeks turning slightly red. Hm. Jack decided he liked that a lot.
Through the cheers of the room, his eyes locked on hers as he took a sip, then held her gaze as she took hers.
The rest of the evening was just as intense as dinner – at least for Jack. In spite of himself, he was hyper aware of Elizabeth's every move, every sway of her hips, every swish of her hair, every purse of her lips. Whether she found things happy or sad, entertaining or unfunny, or amusing but not wanting anyone else to know it – Jon's famous puns were a fantastic example – Jack became a scholar of Elizabeth Thatcher, mesmerized with studying her, quite subconsciously.
He had no idea he was staring so intently at her, when during one of her stories – that were fast becoming his favourite – he was startled out of his thoughts by a gentle tug on his arm. He followed Mary reluctantly into the kitchen.
"Mary, that was a wonderful meal. Thank you so much for having me."
Mary stood there gazing at him with a knowing smirk on her lips and her hands on her hips. "Jack Thornton, what is this all about?"
Jack blinked. "Pardon me?"
"You and Elizabeth," she whispered.
Jack's eyes widened and he took a step back, holding up his hands in surrender. "Nothing, I assure you, is going on." He too, kept his voice down, though nothing could be heard over the sound of Frank's booming laugh anyway.
Mary shook her head with a sigh. "Jack, I know you, and I care for you a great deal – but I love her. Please be careful."
Jack shook his head like he had no idea what she was talking about. "Nothing is going on." It can't.
Mary watched him, her eyes intent on him, so much like a hawk that it scared him. "Go on, then, and stop staring, you'll scare her off."
Jack sighed and leaned forward and gave her a slight peck on the cheek. "Thanks, Mar."
Mary sighed and smiled at him. "Go on, get." She shooed him out with her apron. Jack shook his head with a laugh and took hold of her hand.
"You too. You've fussed this whole evening wanting this to be the perfect dinner and introduction for Elizabeth, and you've barely spent time with us this evening. Come on, join us." Jack poured Mary a drink and offered it to her with a mock bow and a flourish of his hand.
Mary obliged with a laugh and took it, stripping off her apron and leaving it on the counter. "If you insist!"
Mary bounded into the living room with a lot more spirit that would generally befit a hostess who spent all night labouring over a stove, and Jack followed her, shaking his head and chuckling at his friend's behaviour. He grinned when he saw her sitting on her husband's lap, one arm wrapped around his neck and the other holding her wine, listening in rapt attention to one of Frank's stories.
As for Jack, he took up post against the doorjamb of the kitchen, watching his friends. His eyes drifted to Elizabeth on their own accord and he released a sigh. He had heard so much about her through Jonathan that he had believed her too good to be true.
The moment she had practically fallen into his arms on the couch earlier that day had stunned him and left him slight lost – she was this fresh, soft, alive girl that he had never seen before but at the same time felt like he knew her intimately. And, despite his tone, he had not been joking when he had told her she was more beautiful than he had believed her to be.
But that was him. Charm and joker. He knew she hadn't taken him seriously, and now that he had met her – had liked what he had seen – he was glad she hadn't. He had come to his senses moments later. In his life there was no room for a relationship, especially not right now.
No, Elizabeth Thatcher would be better off as a friend.
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Elizabeth walked Abigail and Frank to the door, her eyes shining with all the delight of having a wonderful evening. "Oh, Abigail, it was really a pleasure to meet you. Perhaps you would like to stay in contact?" Ever hopeful, Elizabeth clasped her hands in front of her.
Abigail laughed. "Of course." She reached forward and hugged her new friend, gently kissing her cheek. "It was a pleasure for me as well, Elizabeth. Shall we see you around?"
Elizabeth beamed back, squeezing tightly. "Absolutely. I'll come hunt you down at your café tomorrow."
During one of their long comfortable conversations, Abigail had revealed that she owned a café on the corner of sixth avenue downtown. It was a cozy little place, and there was always guaranteed to be a friendly face waiting.
"That sounds just fine," Abigail murmured, and putting her arm through Frank's, they bid them all goodnight and shut the door behind them.
Jonathan walked over to Mary and drew her into his arms. "Would you like to take a walk with me? I feel like I haven't seen you all day."
Mary giggled like a schoolgirl and gave him a quick kiss. "Let me get my coat!"
Elizabeth watched the two with a happy sigh. "Don't worry! I got the dishes remember?" She gave her brother and Mary a wink and shooed them out the door.
Elizabeth started to whistle as she began tidying the kitchen, lost in her own world so much that she didn't hear a voice from behind her.
"May I help?"
Elizabeth jumped and turned, eyes wide, a hand reaching up to clutch her chest. "Jack, you scared me!"
Jack frowned slightly, moving closer. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." His voice rang with apology, but his face belied a small smirk of amusement.
Elizabeth's eyes narrowed. "Fine. Wash or dry?"
"I'll dry." The smirk stayed as he moved past her, their shoulders lightly brushing against each other. Elizabeth felt his breath near her cheek and she swiftly moved to the sink, reaching for a washcloth to hide the fact that her hands were trembling.
Don't look at him, don't look at him…
They were silent for a while, but it was comfortable, her washing plates, him drying them, the two working side by side in a natural rhythm. Finally, Elizabeth broke it.
"So, Jack, my brother never told me. What do you do for a living?"
Jack hesitated for a moment. "I'm a police officer."
Elizabeth looked up at him, pausing in her task. "Oh?"
Jack smiled, lightly twirling his tea-towel. "I'm actually a negotiator."
Elizabeth's eyes widened. "What…what does that entail?"
Jack kept his eyes on his towel. "I talk people out of dangerous situations," he explained, "I try to reason with them enough to get them to stop whatever bad decision they're going to make. I try to save them, calm them down."
Elizabeth mulled that fact over in her mind. He was very kind, reassuring and patient, and that was only what she had gathered this evening. Even the tone of his voice was welcoming to listen to. That job would be perfect for him.
"Sounds like that's a good job for you," she murmured, eyes intent on the sink.
Jack gently nudged her shoulder with his, taking another plate to dry. "You're probably the first person to ever say that to me when they first hear what I do for a living," he acknowledged. "Usually they say it's too dangerous for me and I should become something else."
Elizabeth turned her head to look at him, the mood shifting serious. "Is it your dream?"
"It is," he conceded.
"Then I think it's a perfect job for you."
Jack was silent for a moment, and Elizabeth bent her head back to her dishes, letting it remain quiet.
"You, that…" he fumbled over his words at last, "Hearing someone saying that…that means the world to me."
Surprised, Elizabeth took a step back, raising her face to his. "Surely I'm not the only one who feels that way," she said simply.
Jack just gazed at her, an unreadable emotion in his eyes, and he was silent for so long that Elizabeth was beginning to worry. Then, just as she was going to try and take his temperature or wave her hand in front of is face – she had yet to think of which to try first – Jack reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Confused, Elizabeth could only watch him.
First, he draped the towel he had been holding over his shoulder and held out his hand. "May I have this dance?" Jack asked with a small smile.
"There isn't any – oh."
Jack tucked the phone on a ledge beneath the counter and the top of the fridge, now playing "Danny Boy". Elizabeth gave a soft laugh and took his extended hand, enjoying the fact that he wasted no time in pulling her body to his, his one arm gently wrapping around her waist, his other hand holding out hers and intertwining their fingers.
"Well, this is a new way to do dishes," Elizabeth murmured, smiling up at him shyly.
Jack laughed and gently swung her around before pulling her back in. "It's the oddest thing," his voice softened to fit the intimate mood, "I feel like we've known each other for ages."
Elizabeth nodded, her curls brushing against his cheek. "I don't know how, but I feel rather comfortable with you," she admitted. "Like with Abigail."
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Jack blinked. Abigail? What did Abigail have to do with anything?
And then he realized what he was doing. Who he was with. Where he was. His vow.
Jack abruptly let go of Elizabeth all together, running his fingers through his hair. "I am so sorry, I don't know why I did that. I should leave."
He avoided her gaze, not wanting to see if she was hurt, happy, or worse, indifferent. He didn't bother to examine his thought process or the pang that he felt at the idea of her being indifferent to him, when that was what he was telling himself that he wanted.
"It was really nice to meet you, but it's getting late and I need to go." Jack didn't wait for Elizabeth's response – instead, he hurriedly pushed passed her and charged out the door like a man on a mission.
He knew deep down what would have happened if he had stayed. If he had stayed one more song, one more dance, one more second.
What he didn't know, and what he couldn't possibly know, was that it was too late.
Elizabeth didn't know what had happened. She stared at the door for probably the hundredth time, positively baffled. Had she done something wrong? She could have sworn they were just dancing, but men were confusing creatures.
In the rush of whirlwind that was Jack holding Elizabeth so tenderly and close that there was no space between them, to practically being pushed away, from Jack grinning down at her like they were best friends to him rushing out the door so fast she thought the devil himself might be chasing him – basically, Elizabeth was absolutely confused.
Determined not to think much of Jack's strange behaviour, Elizabeth turned to finish the dishes, and she was lost in thought until the song ended.
The song ended.
Jack had left his phone.
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