On we go
Bill Avery had spent the morning back down in the settlement, the families there were concerned over the shooter but with one of the Mounties from the South now stationed there, their worries had been eased, but it didn't stop Bill worrying
'How is every here Mr Grayson' He asked as he approached the Mountie stationed there
'Nothing to report as of this morning, I've been keeping watch but there have been no shots heard or any sign of Mr Weaver'
'Good, just please be vigilant'
'Of course, I will inform you of any developments'
Bill saluted the Mountie and headed back to where he had Jack had found the bullet casing earlier that week, he had insisted on working alone, not only was it the way he preferred it, but after Elizabeth had gotten hurt he felt this was the best way, he didn't want to risk anyone else getting caught up in Weaver's vendetta against him, there had been to many innocents hurt already. He had agreed with Jack that morning that if he truly needed support he would not argue or put up a fight but until that time he was alone.
His thoughts turned to the night of the robbery, was there anything he could have done differently apart from the obvious of not going along in the first place, but how was he to know Weaver would move, no-one knew Molly was there.
Then there was Jesse, if he hadn't had moved Weaver wouldn't have got spooked and turned his gun and Jesse wouldn't have gotten hurt, thankfully though he was getting released from the infirmary later that week, his injuries had healed, he was awake, and Carson was happy with his progress.
He was finding it difficult to rationalise Elizabeth though, this was the one time where it could have easily been him instead, it should have been him, if she hadn't had such a wonderful caring heart it would have been, it should have been him, until she was awake he couldn't forgive himself for what had happened to her
Bill kicked at the ground, the shining sun glaring his view making it difficult to determine what was dust, what was dirt and what was rock, he knelt to the floor looking at the ground in front of him, 'nothing' he thought to himself looking at the ground, he had his forensic kit with him so took a few samples,
'It couldn't hurt to check things out' his musings didn't stop him watching around, he was on edge constantly and had a feeling he was being watched, a feeling that didn't leave him until he walked back into the jail.
Jack had spent the last few days at Elizabeth's bedside, she wasn't awake yet, but the infection was coming back under control and Carson was hopeful it was only a matter of time. He knew he was needed out on patrols with the other Mounties, but this wasn't just anyone, this was his life and heart, there had been enough keeping them apart for those first few years, he couldn't leave her, not when she needed him the most. He looked up the bed at her, the colour had started to come back in her cheeks, she was coming back to him, she just wasn't there yet
'Elizabeth, Elizabeth, I know you're ready to wake up now, you just have to give it some more fight. I don't want you to rush, I know I kept you waiting when I was sick with pneumonia, but we all need you to get better, the students need you, Opal, Philip and Emily are missing you a lot, all your students are, there are lots of cards here for you to see, Rosemary has had them creating all week, but now they need you to come back, they need you, I need you. We need to get back on with our lives, I have many plans for us, engagement, marriage, a family, a large house on our land big enough for all the Thornton's, but I cannot do any of that with out you, so pleaseā¦'
Jack moved up closer to her ear and whispered in her ear
'Pergisci'
He smiled at this memory from one of their first meetings together, but again she didn't wake, he took her hand back in his where he stayed for a further two days, waiting, sitting and talking to her, looking for the words that would get through to her.
'Do you remember our camping trip, you looked at ease there, you had truly become a Hope Valley woman. I know it was only a night, but I do believe you could live out there, that's why I bought the land, our land and I will build you the house we spoke about, the kitchen, the stove, the bath tub, as many ice boxes as you want, and the best feather bed I can find, I cannot wait to spend every moment waking up next to the one I love'
Jack closed his eyes briefly, this was his perfect life, his thoughts were interrupted by a voice he had waited almost 7 days to hear, he looked her straight in the eyes as she spoke, the relief shining through
'Still sounds heavenly' she smiled a small smile at him
'Elizabeth' he couldn't believe she really was awake, he had to hold her, he had to kiss her, moving to her he gave her the softest of kisses, she really was awake
'Its good to see you' he smiled at her
'You to' she looked back at him, their lips meeting once more
The two had to part when Carson come back in, he had to check over her, yet again Jack was forced to look at that white screen that had started haunting his dreams, but this time he knew she was going to be fine
'She's going to be fine, Jack, we'll keep her on the quinine for now to make sure it doesn't come back, but I'm confident that you will be able to take her home in a few days'
These words had healed Jack, knowing she was going to fine, he could relax again, he would also know that if the other Mounties did need him, his heart would let him leave her, he just didn't it would be sooner that he hoped, not with Bill heading his way right at that moment.
Bill had sent his findings to Cape Fullerton almost 48hours before and had finally got word from them that coal dust had been discovered amongst the samples, it had got him thinking. The mine was secluded, it was close, it was closed in enough that he wouldn't want to stay there long but also open enough that he could cope with it. He was convinced this was where he was hiding out at night and with the day drawing in fast he knew that this was the perfect time to strike, he round up the Mounties around the forest area and informed them of his findings before heading to the infirmary, an unconscious Elizabeth or not, they needed Jack for this one.
So will all go to plan, they know where he is, they have the Mountie back up to take him down, but we know how cunning he is are Jack, Bill and the other Mounties smart enough to out smart him or will Weaver take that one last shot
review and I might just tell you
