Hope Brought Us Here

Starts from final scene of S5 ep9 (alternate ending)

It was mid-October in Hope Valley and winter was setting in. Elizabeth and Abigail noticed the cold as they stepped out of the Saloon and into the night air. They hurried out on the main street, laughing at a personal joke as they went to retrieve Carson's Birthday present which Elizabeth had forgotten.

Elizabeth looked up as she heard the sound of horse's hooves along the road. She stopped as she saw a horse with its rider cloaked in a red serge.

"Jack?" She called in desperation, hoping it was him who had come home early to surprise her.

The Mountie dismounted his horse and removed his hat. Elizabeth then noticed the familiar hazel eyes, smile, and dimpled cheeks and she rushed into her husband's welcoming arms.

Jack pulled her into him he recognised the familiar smell of her perfume and it filled his senses as he secured her in his arms. Their lips quickly met as she leaned into him, and quickly became more passionate.

She pulled back slightly, her mind reeling over whether this was all real.

"I'm home." He breathed, and although those words sounded like music to her ears, she also hoped that it would be the last time she'd hear them for a long time. Him leaving town so frequently the past couple years had really taken a toll on them, and now they were married there was a strong desire to settle in and make a home together.

Elizabeth sighed with relief upon hearing his words, her warm breath on his cheek relaxed him as he still firmly embraced her.

"I missed you so."

"I know, me too. I'm sorry." Jack apologised, knowing that his leaving had left her with a fair amount of worry and concern.

"It's ok. You're home now." She said, offering him a small smile.

"Let's go home." He said, a smile apparent on his face.

Elizabeth saw the deep inset of his dimples again and she ran a hand across them. She gave him a big smile and he offered his arm out which she gladly took. She wrapped both her arms around his one and leaned into him as they started the small walk back to their row house.

Jack's other hand-held Sergeant's reigns. The tired horse glad to be home, thankfully needed little of Jack's instruction, since Jack's attention was solely on his wife.

Elizabeth's eyes weren't leaving Jack, and although she hadn't yet uttered much to him, her eyes conveyed everything she felt and wanted to say.

"Let me take Sergeant for you?" Bill asked as both Jack and Elizabeth were broken out of their reverie. "It's good to have you home Jack."

"It's good to be home."

Bill nodded and took Sergeants reigns and went on his way to take the horse to the livery.

Elizabeth also noticed that Abigail had made herself scarce which she appreciated in that moment.

"You're home a week early." Elizabeth said, her voice almost a whisper, she kept herself so close to him that he could easily hear every word.

"I am. I wanted it to be a surprise." Jack grinned as he noticed the wind whip at her hair and he brushed back a wild tendril and tucked it behind her ear.

"Well it certainly was." She said, a smile on her face. "You must be exhausted though, I'm hoping that Sergeant is forgiving of you after what I imagine you went through to get here tonight."

"He's been through worse."

Elizabeth winced knowing that Jack was likely referring to something that happened months ago in the Northern Territories.

She nodded, knowing now was not the time to bring up such a discussion and was glad that Jack had at least been a little more open about the matter.

As they passed the pond Jack noticed Elizabeth shiver. He removed his serge and wrapped it over the back of her shoulders before pulling her close once more.

"Jack, you must be freezing."

"I'll be fine."

She gave his cheek a gentle kiss and noticed the stubble there, not letting it bother her. She sighed as she felt his familiar presence surrounding her, and they continued their walk home.

Jack saw the familiar Church across the pond and smiled to himself. Being back in Hope Valley felt wonderful, but what felt even more wonderful was the fact that he had a home. Jack had always returned to Hope Valley with the knowledge that Elizabeth was waiting for him - but he always returned to a quiet cold jail. Now however, he had a wife to come home to, and a place to call home.

As Jack and Elizabeth walked into the row house Jack relaxed even more as he felt the warmth from the fire. He took in the homey surroundings and recognised the familiar smells of his wife's cooking wafting through their house. The jail was a far cry from this place and he was glad to say good riddance to it, at least as a home. As for a work place, it was familiar and welcoming and did hold some good memories.

"You must be starving" Elizabeth said as she left his side for the first time since he'd returned. Jack followed her not wanting to be far. Once at her side again he was once more overcome with her perfume as it filled his senses. He was also familiar with all the areas of her body she placed it, and his thoughts began to distract him.

"Jack?"

He looked at her as he broke out of his reverie, his glazed eyes clearing as he focused on her.

"Have a little soup. You must be starving."

"Thank you." He said, following her direction, glad not to be the one giving orders and direction anymore. He knew he needed the food and was more than thankful to oblige, but he also had other thoughts of her that had been distracting him ever since they'd parted at Fort Clay. They were now coming to the forefront as her mere presence felt consuming.

Elizabeth sat his soup down on the table and she waited for him to be seated. Jack sat down at the kitchen table and pulled her down onto his lap, much to her surprise.

"I've been gone too long, I don't want you going far."

She nodded understandingly and gave him a small smile before placing her hand on his cheek and gently kissing him.

His arms slid around her small waist and he brought her closer to his chest. All while her hand ran through his tousled hair and she gently brought him closer to deepen the kiss. Eventually they pulled away and rest their foreheads on each others and shared an understanding smile.

"Eat up first." She insisted, worrying about his health before anything else.

"First?" Jack asked while raising an eyebrow at her and she playfully rolled her eyes at him.

"You know what I mean..."

"I do." He said with a grin.

Jack then wrapped an arm around her and took one of her hands and bowed his head against her cheek. He said a brief prayer, thanking the Lord for his wife, home and the food in front of him.

He then ate his soup and bread, feeling warmed, not just by the hot soup but also his wife and their home.

A/N Thank you so much for reading. Please leave a review if you have the time.

I will advise that a major steam alert is necessary for the next chapter. It may not be what some of you would be comfortable reading so just letting you know now, you may want to just skip over the next chapter when I put it up. Also I do not intend for this to be an ongoing fic. I just wanted to write it to sum about the Season 5 finale with me own happier version. Thanks again for reading.