A/N: This story is based of the show When Calls the Heart. I have changed how Jack and Elizabeth meet, so that they arrive in Coal Valley together. Their characters will be slightly OOC, as I intend for their relationship to progress much more quickly than in the show (lets be real, it couldn't have moved ANY slower!). Enjoy and please read and review!

I unfortunately own nothing of When Calls the Heart, Hallmark Channel, Janette Oke, or Daniel Lissing. The last one is super sad...

Chapter 1

"Father, I don't need a Mountie escort. This is ridiculous" Elizabeth explained to her father for the fourth time that morning. She knew that her father would be upset when she accepted the teaching position in Coal Valley. She never imagined that he would persuade the Royal Northwest Mounted Police to assign a Mountie to the small mining town. And she was even more surprised to find out that the Mountie would be required to escort her on her trip West.

"He will ensure that you arrive safely. I trust you Elizabeth. However, you've never taken a trip this far, nor have you traveled alone. The train exchanges can be very confusing. Your escort will help you through the process so I won't be concerned when you travel home" her father replied without looking up from his paperwork.

"The position is for an entire school year, Father. I won't be returning for quite a while…" Elizabeth explained.

"We shall see."

Elizabeth heard the doorbell before she could respond. She was due to leave for the train station in less than half an hour and was still very upset by the last-minute information provided by her father. She moved towards the front door to meet her travel companion.

The man that walked through the door was not at all what she was expecting. When she thought of Mounties, she always thought of greying old men who were angry at everything. This was not an old man. This was a very handsome young man, no more than 26 or 27 if she had to guess. And he looked just as annoyed as she felt about the situation.

"Constable Thornton, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm William Thatcher, Elizabeth's father."

The Mountie's expression changed to one of respect when he shook her father's hand, but she could tell he was still upset.

"It's nice to finally meet you in person, Mr. Thatcher. I don't mean to be rude, but we should be leaving soon so I will have time to show Ms. Thatcher to her cabin" the Mountie replied.

"Of course, I won't hold you." Her father finally acknowledged her presence in the room by addressing her, "Elizabeth, I trust you have your trunks prepared?"

"Yes, Father." She moved to give her father a kiss on the cheek before finally making eye contact with the Mountie. "I'm Elizabeth"

"Constable Jack Thornton, ma'am." He replied, stretching his hand out to shake hers.

She accepted his offered hand and immediately felt at ease in his presence. He was strong, but had kind eyes. He dropped her hand and motioned towards the front door. "Do you have other family to say goodbye to?" he asked.

"No, I said goodbye to my mother and sisters this morning. I'm ready to go." They both made their way to the front door and Elizabeth took one last look at her father and the only home she had ever known.

Elizabeth was amazed at the ease at which Jack got her ticket, checked her trunks, and located her car for the long train ride. All of the trains looked identical to her, but Jack assured her that they would indeed be heading west. He set her overnight bag in her room and made his way back to the door.

"I'll be just next door if you need anything. I believe they will be having afternoon tea in the dining car if you are interested." Jack said.

"That would be lovely. Will you be joining me?" Elizabeth asked.

"Uh, I suppose I could" Jack replied, looking somewhat hesitant.

"It's fine, I'm sure I can find it on my own." Elizabeth turned her back to him and started arranging her personal belongings.

"I'll be ready at 3:30." Jack responded before walking through the door and closing it behind him.

Elizabeth sat on the bed and stared out of the window, wondering how miserable her trip to Coal Valley would become.

There was a knock on her door at precisely 3:30pm and she laughed to herself at his punctuality as she answered the door.

"Good afternoon Jack"

"Ms. Thatcher" came his short reply.

"You can call me Elizabeth. We will be stuck on this train for the next couple days. There's no need for formalities."

"As you wish, ma'am"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes as they made their way to the dining car. Jack chose a small table with two place setting and stood, waiting for her to sit first. Once seated, they ordered tea and scones and sat in an awkward silence.

"I'm sorry that you're stuck with me all the way to Coal Valley. I'm sure this isn't your dream assignment." Elizabeth started.

"No, it's not." Was his only response.

"I never asked my father for your escort or your assignment. I was just informed of both this morning. I assured Father that I can handle things on my own, but he would hear nothing of it." Elizabeth explained, obviously just as upset about the situation as the Mountie was.

His face softened before he finally responded. "I'm sorry. I know this isn't your fault. I just thought that I would be getting my own command, so this was quite the blow when I found out."

"So, how long have you been a Mountie?" Elizabeth asked.

Jack seemed surprised at her question but responded quickly. "Six years. I became an officer just last year."

"It's quite a feat to make officer so quickly. Has this always been your career plan?"

Jack seemed thoughtful for a moment before answering. "No, it wasn't my original plan. My father was a Mountie. He was the bravest man I've ever known. He was killed in the line of duty when I was thirteen. I knew from then on that I would join and continue where he left off."

Elizabeth sat in silence for a few moments, surprised by his story.

"I'm sorry. I can't imagine losing a parent at such a formative age. But you seem to have accomplished a lot in your career already. I'm sure your father would be proud of you."

Jack gave a small smile, but didn't respond.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher. Discovering how each child learns and adapts to new situations is astounding to me." Elizabeth explained, eager to change the subject.

"It's one of the most noble professions. My mother was a teacher, so I have great respect for what you do Elizabeth, especially taking on a school in a small town like Coal Valley. I imagine it will be very different from the schools you attended."

It was the first positive thing he had said about her, and it made Elizabeth happy to know that he at least respected her job, even if he didn't appreciate having to escort her.

"Thank you, it will definitely be a change, but I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Jack and Elizabeth's conversation flowed quickly and easily after that. They spoke of their childhoods and getting into trouble with their siblings. Elizabeth learned of Jack's younger brother, Tom, who also lived in Hamilton. Without realizing how much time had passed, they were surprised when a waiter came to clear their plates to make space for their dinner.

The rain started while they were eating dinner and continued to get worse as they were walking back to their rooms. Jack had just turned to face Elizabeth at her door when the wind shook the entire car and forced her into the wall beside the doorframe.

"Are you okay?" Jack asked quickly, putting his hands on her shoulders to steady her.

"I'm fine. Just surprised!" Elizabeth replied.

The wind shook the car once more and Jack saw the look of concern on her face. "Maybe I should sit in your room with you for a few minutes, just until the storm passes."

The look of relief on her face was immediate and he reached to open the door before she could respond. There was only one chair and a bed in her cabin, so Jack took the chair and Elizabeth sat on the bed, pulling her legs up in front of her, still not speaking.

"I'm sure it will pass quickly. No need to be concerned." Jack said, trying to sound reassuring.

Jack busied himself reading a newspaper he found in her room while Elizabeth stared out of the window, watching the storm. He was halfway through his second article when he realized the storm was getting worse, not better. He was just about to ask if she needed anything when the lights began to flicker…

End of Chapter 1! I hope you are enjoying it so far! I intend their trip to Coal Valley to be quite an adventure, so I would plan on at least a few chapters being just the train ride! As always, please read and review Hearties!