Disclaimer: Neither the book, television series or characters from either belong to me. This story was written for pure fun and love of the show and books and not for profit.

Author's Note: April 25th, 2018. Hello fellow Hearties. I know all of you are just as devastated as I am by the turn of events at the end of Season 5. We are all going to miss Jack Thornton/Daniel Lissing very much. After the bombshell at the end of the episode "In My Dreams" I needed to regain my footing with the show so I went back to Season 1 and starting to rewatch the entire series (something I haven't done in a very long time). I binge watched the first two seasons in the week between the last two episodes of Season 5. When I reached the end of Season 2 I remembered my long neglected story and decided to pull it out and reread it. Then after the Season 5 finale and the interview with Lori, Erin and Daniel sealing the fate as it were of Jack Thornton I started doing what I usually did when something upset me - I started writing again.

My first task was to revise the 23 chapters of this story that I had already written to adjust to some of the facts that we learned about the characters since the end of Season 2 (ie: Frank Hogan's real name and history; the fact that Ned Yost has a daughter who appeared in Season 3, etc). I am posting these revised chapters in one shot so that anyone who had previously read the story can get reacquainted with it and perhaps others who hadn't seen it when it was originally posted can see it. I am hoping to post a new chapter in the coming days. Needing to regain that 'good feel' I had for the show I am eager to complete the chapters I had mapped out years ago (fortunately I had made notes for each).

Please keep in mind that this story is set at the end of SEASON 2 so it will not completely follow cannon. In my story Jack and Elizabeth get engaged at the end of Season 2 and married a month later. There are actually not many chapters left of this story so I hope to have it completed within a short period of time. That being said, I am also plotting a new story that will provide an alternative ending for Season 5. Once I have completed this story and gotten my feet wet again writing "When Calls the Heart" fanfiction I will hopefully move on to the new story. That story will lay out the plot that I had fervently hoped we would see after they had announced Season 6 after Jack and Elizabeth's wedding. More details on that to come in the future. For now, on with "A Loyal Heart" and it's long awaited concluding chapters. - FanFicChick

Chapter 1: Confessions

(Missing scene in the mine after Jack and Elizabeth kiss but before they go back to town)

Constable Jack Thornton's heart raced as he kissed Elizabeth Thatcher tenderly. He had been wanting to do so ever since their first kiss several weeks ago; however recent events had caused him to fear he would never get to. Her family, his brother, Charles Kensington, Hamilton...all of it seemed to be conspiring to keep Jack and Elizabeth apart. Jack had almost bought into it too, feeling that Elizabeth didn't think he was good enough for her or her family. He was so grateful for the events of the last few hours which had pushed the two of them back together again.

I love you too.

Elizabeth's last words, whispered softly to him before he had leaned in to kiss her, echoed in his head. They were the words that he had been wanting to hear from Elizabeth for a long time, however when Charles Kensington had entered the picture Jack had began to think they would never be uttered. Now both he and Elizabeth had finally admitted to the other how they feel; They were in love. Elizabeth loved him, not Charles. He was so glad that she had opened up to him and admitted what was really bothering her. That thought made Jack realize that he had a confession of his own to make to Elizabeth.

Unable and unwilling to tear himself away just yet, Jack continued to kiss her for another few moments, his fingers moving to the back of her head and tangling themselves in her soft hair. Eventually he made himself pull back from the kiss, causing a mild sound of protest to come from Elizabeth. Unable to completely sever contact he leaned his forehead against hers as he fought to control his racing heart and catch his breath. From the way she was breathing, he could tell that Elizabeth was having a similar problem. Finally he lifted his head from hers so he could look into her eyes, which he noticed were shinning with unshed tears.

Moving his hand he stroked her face again. "Are you alright?" he asked with concern.

Elizabeth gave him a soft smile. "I have never been better in my life."

Jack felt his heart speed up again.

"And if it's not too bold of me, may I say that I wholeheartedly agree with whomever said that the best part of arguing is making up."

Jack couldn't resist the laugh that bubbled out of him at her comment. He also couldn't resist leaning in and kissing her again. This time when he pulled back he whispered, "I also agree wholeheartedly. I may just have to argue with you more often if it means I get to kiss you like that again."

Elizabeth gave him a cheeky look and replied, "We don't have to argue for you to kiss me like that."

Jack lifted his hand and caressed her face again. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Jack," she assured him. "I have never felt this way about anyone else, not even Charles. You mean everything to me Jack. It really hurt when you seemed to decide on your own that our relationship was over."

Jack was silent for several moments as he considered the best way to make his confession to her.

"Elizabeth," he began solemnly, "There's something I need to tell you."

Her expression grew worried as she looked at him. "What is it?"

Jack reached over and took both of her hands in his. "I feel that since you were honest with me earlier that I need to be honest with you too."

"What about?"

"You know how you said that you're afraid of losing me; that you're afraid I'm going to die."

"Yes," she whispered softly, distress filling her eyes at the thought.

Jack took a deep breath and continued, "Well I've been struggling with similar fears. I haven't been afraid that you were going to die on me - though after what happened today maybe I should be." He gave her a teasing look and she made a face at him in reply.

Then sobering he admitted, "My fear has been of losing you to Charles and your life back in Hamilton."

Elizabeth gripped his hands tighter but before she could speak he said, "Ever since I saw your family's home and met your family I've felt that I couldn't measure up to their expectations for you. It's quite clear that your father has been grooming Charles to be his future son-in-law; Charles even said himself that he feels as if he's the son your father never had."

Once again Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak but Jack hurried on before she could. "All I could ever offer you is a life with very little materially. I'll never be rich, Elizabeth, and to be honest I don't want to be. Life in upper crust society doesn't appeal to me."

"I don't want a life in upper crust society, Jack," Elizabeth finally managed to interject. "If I did I would have never left Hamilton. I found that lifestyle very shallow; very unfulfilling. That's why I came West, to try and find some purpose for my life. I'm not saying I don't enjoy visiting Hamilton and being pampered from time to time, but I wouldn't want to go back permanently. I don't think I could stand it."

Jack smiled at her. "There are very few women who come from your world who would be equally comfortable in a mansion with servants and a prairie homestead with no indoor plumbing. You are truly amazing, Elizabeth and the more I learn about you and watch you try new things here in Hope Valley the more I fall in love with you...and the more afraid I get that something or someone is going to cause you to leave Hope Valley and go running back to your old life. Charles has been at the top of that list."

It was Elizabeth's turn to place her hand on his cheek. Gently stroking it with her thumb she promised softly, "I'm not going anywhere, Jack. Contrary to what you said before, my heart is very much here in Hope Valley and with you. I am so sorry that I caused you to doubt my feelings for you, Jack. I will admit that I enjoy Charles' company. He has been a constant feature in my life since we were children, but my feelings for him have always been of the brother-sister kind. He has basically been like the brother I never had. Yes he was my escort to Julie's debutante ball, but even then I never thought of him as my date, just as an old friend who was escorting me to a party."

Looking deeply into his dark eyes, she continued her tone full of emotion, "It's you that I'm in love with Jack, only you. I don't care that you don't have a lot of money or a position in Hamilton society. The only reason I wanted you to even consider my father's offer was because I wanted to keep you safe. I realize now how selfish that was of me. You're a Mountie and a very good one and I hope you know how proud I am of you."

"You are?" He gave her a surprised but pleased look.

"Of course I am, Jack," she assured him. "Just because I'm scared of something happening to you doesn't mean I'm not proud of you for what you do. I'm just going to have to learn to trust that you know how to handle yourself in difficult situations and that you will always find a way to come back home to me. That doesn't mean I won't be doing a lot of worrying…and praying, but if that's what I have to do in order to be brave enough to spend my life with you than I will."

Jack covered the hand that was still resting on his cheek with one of his and squeezed her other one as he reminded her seriously, "You know I don't blindly walk into dangerous situations and I've been trained how to handle the ones that I do come across."

"I know, but 'time and unexpected events befall us all'," she quoted. "I just can't help but worry that something you didn't expect could cause you harm; but I've decided I would rather worry by your side than let my fears drive us apart. I miss you so much when we're apart. I know you probably don't believe me, but I missed you very much when I was in Hamilton and you were here. I was so glad to get back home so we could be together again."

"I missed you too," he told her with a smile relieved to know that she had been thinking about him while she was in Hamilton all that time. "I think that's why I was so focused on building the school. It gave me something to do while I waited for you to come back." He looked at their joined hands as he confessed. "There were times I wondered if you were going to come back. I couldn't help but worry that your family was going to convince you to stay where you were; perhaps even find you another tempting post in Hamilton to convince you to stay and forget all about your life in Hope Valley, especially me."

Elizabeth looked horrified. "Oh, Jack, I am so sorry that I caused you to think that way. It was never my intention to remain permanently in Hamilton. I was very conscious of getting back as soon as I could. Believe me, Jack, you were never far from my mind. I missed you very much. Charles was a poor substitute."

Jack smiled at her and said, "I'm so glad we're getting all of this out in the open instead of letting it fester like it has been. I know I was thinking all sorts of things that apparently weren't true. I'm sorry I didn't talk to you before about what was bothering me. After your eagerness for me to accept your father's job offer I was convinced you had decided I wasn't good enough for you as I was, especially after what happened with Tom and Julie."

"You are not responsible for your brother's actions any more than I'm responsible for my sister's," Elizabeth reminded him.

"Either Julie's impulsiveness or Viola's pretentiousness," Jack said teasingly.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at the mention of her older sister. "Well, Viola should be happy now since she's managed to get a man with a title. She'll be holding it over us for a lifetime."

"Ah, but does he have a moat?" Jack couldn't resist teasing.

"If he doesn't I'm sure Viola will insist he build one," Elizabeth replied in amusement.

"Just so long as you never want me to build you one," he said.

"Actually, I'm more into ponds myself," she replied. "I understand they're great spots for picnics."

"Why, Miss Thatcher are you saying that you would like me to take you on a picnic by the pond?"

"Why, Constable Thornton that sounds like a wonderful idea," Elizabeth said coyly. "I would love to accompany you on a picnic. Thank you for asking."

Jack grinned broadly, "You're very welcome, Miss Thatcher." Then leaning forward he said in a conspiratorial manner, "And just to let you know, you don't need to invite any eight legged friends to have an excuse to jump into my arms. You're more than welcome to do that at any time you wish."

Elizabeth gave him a slap on the arm and pretended to be offended by his remark but her dancing eyes gave away her amusement. "I'm sure I have no idea what you're talking about."

Jack grinned at her. "Oh, I'm sure you don't."

A comfortable silence fell over them as they stared into the fire gently burning before them. After a few minutes Jack looked at her again and asked, "How are you feeling now? You up to facing the outside world again?"

Elizabeth smiled. "I think so." Then after a pause she added, "Abigail was right."

"What about?" Jack asked curiously.

"When she heard that we weren't really on speaking terms she told me that it wasn't healthy to bottle up our problems; that we needed to talk them out. She also said that sometimes you have to dig deep to find the real root of a problem, not just what appears on the surface. I think we did that today."

"I guess we both had some buried issues to face," Jack said.

"I'm glad we faced them instead of letting them tear us apart," she told him sincerely.

"So am I." He looked at her, his heart beginning to beat quicker. "I love you so much. I never want to lose you."

"I love you too," she echoed. "I don't ever want to lose you either. You mean everything to me."

"Let's promise each other that we will never bottle up our problems again," Jack said solemnly. "Let's promise that we will always talk out what is bothering us and not just assume that we know what's going on with the other person."

"I agree," Elizabeth replied eagerly. "Communication is very important for a relationship."

Jack smiled and leaned in to kiss her again. When he pulled back he urged, "Let's get out of here and back to town."

Elizabeth agreed and helped him put out their fire before they headed for the mouth of the mine and their waiting horses.

Chapter 2: Pictures in My Head

Missing scene after Jack and Elizabeth return to the café.