Ch 1 of 3 today …

CHAPTER 11

When Elizabeth walked into the café she saw Charlotte and Jack holding one another tightly. Tom, Julie and Abigail all stood by watching the emotional reunion.

Elizabeth walked over as they pulled away from one another. Charlotte rarely cried yet her eyes were full of tears.

"I can't believe it's really you" she said, her hand still holding onto her son's arms. "I never thought this could happen. How are you here?"

"I was held prisoner in the northern territories."

"For two years? You're skin and bone Jack!"

"Yeah, well you should have seen him yesterday! Elizabeth made you tidy up, hey?" Tom said laughing.

Jack saw Elizabeth behind him. "I did look frightful, didn't I?"

Elizabeth smiled back as she came to stand by his side and he wrapped his arm around her waist. She could feel everyone's eyes on them but she didn't care.

"I suggested Jack should go see Carson to get looked over."

"Yes, that is a good idea" Charlotte agreed eagerly. "I will watch over Jay if you want to go now."

Elizabeth looked sideways at Jack and he nodded. "Alright, we'll be back soon."

Jack took Elizabeth's hand and they walked out of the café onto the street. Within a few minutes, people came from all over to say hello again. A one minute walk turned into fifteen minutes by the time they finally opened the door to the infirmary.

"Jack! Elizabeth!" Carson said, standing from his desk.

"Hi Carson" Jack said stepping forward to shake his hand.

"What can I do for you both?"

"It's just for me. I need to have a physical done."

"Of course. Are you able to provide details of your living conditions over the past two years? That would help in knowing what to look for."

"Well I was kept in a small room for most of the time. I slept on the floor with a single worn blanket. I was fed bread and water and occasionally a piece of meat or a vegetable. That's about the extent of my existence for that whole time."

Elizabeth was horrified but she stood to the side, not letting him see her expression.

"So you didn't see much daylight?"

"No."

Carson indicated for Jack to move to the bed.

"Can you take your shirt off?"

Jack did as he was told and Carson held his stethoscope on Jack's chest.

"Did you get sick very often?"

"A few colds."

"You've been lucky then."

After a few minutes of checking Jack's breathing, blood pressure and a few other routine things, Carson sat down beside Jack.

"I'll be honest Jack. You're really underweight and likely malnourished."

Jack nodded as Carson explained to both him and Elizabeth how Jack needed to ease back into eating and modifying his diet to build his muscle mass and nutrition again.

"When will you be returning to work?" Carson asked.

"I'm not sure just yet."

"You need to be careful, Jack. You're nowhere near the strength you used to be. You need to be aware of that."

"Believe me, I am."

"You're very lucky that you were in such good health beforehand Jack otherwise you may not have made it."

Elizabeth stepped closer to the end of the bed, so she was nearer to Jack. He looked over at her and held out his hand. She took it and he squeezed it before turning his attention back to Carson.

Once Carson was finished they said goodbye and headed outside. They walked down the stairs, still holding hands.

"That's nothing you didn't already know" Elizabeth said quietly.

"No, but it is still hard hearing it from a doctor. It's going to take a long time to build up my strength and fitness again. And Carson is right … it could be dangerous going back to work until I am strong enough."

"You can't be going back to work any time soon. The Mounties owe you. They reported you dead for two years."

"I'm well aware of that but its still my job."

"What about your friend? Have you heard from him?"

"No. I should go and speak to Constable Grant."

"I can come with you."

"It's not necessary, Elizabeth. I will meet up with you back at the café soon."

Elizabeth knew what that meant. It's Mountie business and he didn't want her there. She was still reluctant to leave his side.

"Are you sure?"

He gave her a small smile and stepped forward to kiss her cheek. "Yes. I won't be long."

"Alright. I love you, Jack."

"I love you too."

They parted ways in the middle of the street as Jack walked up the stairs to the jail. He knocked briefly and opened the door to find Nathan sitting behind his desk and Neal opposite him. Nathan didn't seem surprised to see him but Jack immediately saw the hatred flash across Neal's features.

"Jack. What can I help you with?"

"I was wondering if you had heard back from Mountie HQ?"

"Yes, actually I have" Nathan said before turning back to Neal. "Can we finish this later?"

Neal stood. "There's not much to finish. The outcome is unchanged."

"Just don't do anything rash. I will meet you at the saloon later."

Neal nodded before brushing past Jack, his eyes narrowed on him before leaving the jail. Nathan waited a moment before waving Jack to the chair that Neal had just occupied. Jack took a seat.

"I sent a telegram to Mountie HQ yesterday. Being late on a Saturday, I didn't expect to get much of a response but I was surprised to receive word back last night. They had already spoken to James Kingston who reported everything on Friday. They have assembled two teams: an investigation team who will work directly with you and Kingston and another that has been sent out immediately into the northern territories to catch the men responsible."

"Alright. What about an official apology to our families?"

"Fortunately Kingston's family were only told his body was missing so he was never formally identified as deceased. Commander Berkley who took over from Sam Collins will be issuing Elizabeth and Charlotte a formal apology and I believe you will receive monetary compensation."

"So what is the next step?"

"They want you to go to Hamilton."

Jack put his head in his hands.

"I know that's a lot to ask. You just got home after two years and they want you to go again. Maybe check your mail. They should be sending you an official correspondence."

Jack stood up and put his hand forward to shake Nathan's hand. "Thank you for following it up on my behalf."

"You're welcome. It wasn't just for you though. It was for Elizabeth too. She deserves to be happy, Jack."

Jack hesitated not knowing quite what to say. "I remember you from your days as a cadet in training."

"Yes, you were very close with Douglas Burke as I recall."

"Yes. Another good Mountie lost to the cause." He hesitated momentarily, stumbling over what he wanted to say. "I realise your loyalty probably lies with Neal as he seems to be a friend of yours."

"To a degree but Elizabeth is also a friend of mine. Honestly, I was worried that Elizabeth would cancel the wedding. It was no surprise when I heard that she had. I was surprised to hear the reason though but I don't hold that against her. I had heard a lot about you and, believe me, you left some very big shoes to fill. It has taken a long time for the people of this town to accept me and part of it, I believe, was reliant on Elizabeth's acceptance. The people of this town are incredibly loyal. They were welcoming but it seemed to change once people saw that she was okay with me being here. I had always heard that you were a good Mountie but when I arrived in Hope Valley, I heard from people in this town what a good person you were and how much you loved your wife."

Jack stood in front of Nathan listening, surprised at his honesty.

"I just hope you're not coming back to work too soon! This town has grown on me!" he said with a laugh.

"I don't think I will be back for a few months yet. I'm not in the physical shape I need to be and if I am required in Hamilton, you know how long this could take."

"Maybe by the time you come back, they might be able to leave us both stationed here. After all, Bill wants to retire anyway."

"Where is Bill? I haven't seen him yet."

"He should be around. He went out of town with your mother – didn't want her riding alone but you know what she would have thought of that!"

Jack laughed. "That I do."

Jack turned toward the jail door. "I'll let you get back to work. Thanks again Grant."

"No problem, Thornton."

Jack stepped out of the jail into the bright sun. His eyes hadn't quite adjusted to the direct sunlight since he had escaped. So far most of the days had been overcast but since he had been in the jail, the sun beamed through a gap in the clouds.

Jack squinted as he walked down the jail steps and headed for the mercantile.

"Jack!" Ned Yost said as he entered.

"Ned. How are you?"

"Fine, fine. I have some telegrams for you. I was just about to send Katie to the café to see if you had called in" he said as he went to a slot and pulled out some papers and handed them to him.

Jack stepped away from the counter and opened the first one.

Jack Thornton. Please come to Hamilton immediately for interview regarding capture. Mountie HQ.

Jack sighed before he opened the next.

Jack Thornton. I have reported case. They have interviewed me but need more information. They want you to come to Hamilton. I tried to persuade them. Sorry. Kingston.

Jack opened the third and final one.

Jack Thornton. Formal apologies will be sent to your wife and mother regarding the inaccurate reporting of your death. You will receive a lump sum payment of your wage for the last two years and your wife will receive a monetary amount to cover any emotional detriment for our error. Commander Berkley. RNWMP.

Jack folded the telegrams back up and deciding not to send a response until after he had spoken with Elizabeth, he left the mercantile and headed straight for the café.

When Jack walked in he saw Bill, Lee and Rosie sitting with Elizabeth, Tom, Julie, Abigail and Charlotte at a table.

"Jack!" Bill said as soon as he entered, jumping off his chair and hurrying forward to give him a quick hug. "I didn't believe them when they told me but here you are!"

"How are you Bill? Still Sheriff, I hear?"

"Yes, but not for much longer. I'm getting too old for this, Jack" he said laughing before pulling up another chair and sliding it in between Lee and Elizabeth before returning to his own seat.

Jack sat down and found Elizabeth's hand under the table and their fingers entwined and rested on his knee.

"What can I get you Jack?" Abigail asked. "I have a beef and vegetable soup on today."

"That would be perfect. Thank you."

Abigail disappeared into the kitchen before returning with a steaming hot bowl of soup and a plate of biscuits and setting it in front of him. Jack reluctantly let go of Elizabeth's hand to eat but she left it there, resting on his knee.

Jack heard a noise behind the table and saw Jay playing with a little girl about the same age. Her blonde ringlets indicated she must have been Rosemary's daughter.

Jack turned to Lee. "Is that little person yours?" he said motioning towards the children playing on the floor.

Lee looked over. "Oh goodness. I forgot to tell you. That's Ellie Rose" he said, putting his fork down and getting up to go and pick up his daughter and bring her over. "Say hi to Uncle Jack."

The little girl with the blonde curls grinned at him. "Hi."

"Hi sweetie."

Lee put her back down and she walked back over to where she had been sitting with Jay.

"She's three months younger than Jay. Sorry, I forgot I didn't introduce you to her yesterday."

"It's fine. I was distracted anyway."

Everyone was eating so Jack turned back to his soup and ate a spoonful. It tasted rich but the flavour was still good. He had really missed Abigail's cooking. The conversation continued around the table. Rosie said something to Abigail and Lee laughed at her. Rosie gave him a look before Abigail and Julie were laughing as well. Tom was talking and laughing with his mother and Bill while Jay and Ellie were playing happily on the floor. Jack took it all in.

"You alright?" Elizabeth whispered to him.

"Yeah. I missed this though. Our family and friends."

Elizabeth squeezed his knee. "I know it's all a lot to take in. We missed you too."

He leant over and kissed her on the cheek. "I missed some things more than others though" he whispered in her ear.

He saw the blush in her cheeks and her eyes dropped in embarrassment. She looked beautiful.

"Take a walk with me after lunch?" he asked.

Elizabeth beamed at him. "I would love to."

Conversation continued over lunch, with everyone trying to catch Jack up on all the important details that he had missed over the last two years. Elizabeth was talking to Charlotte when she felt Jack take her hand. She glanced over at him and she could tell from the look in his eyes that he was overwhelmed.

"Maybe we should get going?" she asked him, to which he nodded appreciatively.

"Elizabeth, why don't I take Jay for the rest of the day?" Charlotte asked.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. You two have a lot to catch up on and Jay can stay the night since I'm looking after him tomorrow anyway."

"Okay. That makes sense, I guess. I will pick him up after school tomorrow."

Elizabeth stood up and walked over to Jay. She scooped him up off the ground and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Grandma is going to look after you tonight. Does that sound like fun?"

His face lit up and he reached his hands out to Charlotte as Jack came to stand beside Elizabeth.

"Say bye to Mama and Daddy" Charlotte said as she took him.

"Bye bye Mama. Bye bye Daddy" he said, waving happily to both of his parents.

Elizabeth and Jack said goodbye to everyone and as they walked to the door of the café, Jack put his arm on Elizabeth's back. They grabbed their coats and Jack helped Elizabeth put hers on before they stepped outside. She waited for him to close the door and then he took her hand in his.

"The lake is still in the same place, right?" he said with a nervous laugh.

Elizabeth leant into his shoulder as they turned down the street that led toward the lake.

"It must be so overwhelming for you. I understand, I really do. So much has changed and everyone feels the need to fill you in."

"Yes, but some things stay the same too. The people are all the same. Rosie is … well Rosie. Bordering on eccentric. Lee is still calm and patient with her and still fun to talk to. Abigail still watches over everyone and Bill pretends to be tough but you can tell he's a big softie underneath. None of those things have changed."

They had reached the edge of the lake now, overlooking the church.

"And you … you're still my Elizabeth" he said, leaning in to capture her lips. One hand cradled her face as his lips pressed against hers softly at first, but as the familiarity of each other came back, the intensity in their kiss increased. They pulled back from each other breathless and he leant his forehead against hers.

"I have missed you so much. I know I have said that before. I don't know how else to explain it."

Elizabeth knew exactly what he meant. She wanted to be close to him again and these kisses were nowhere near enough.

Last night they had slept beside each other in the same bed, but that was all. Elizabeth now understood that the Neal obstacle was the cause of that and now that had been cleared away there was nothing standing in their way.

Elizabeth wanted Jack more than ever before. Since they had only been together a few weeks from when they were married to when he left, that desire to be closer to him now took over her body. She just hoped he felt the same way.

As they stood there, leaning into one another, Elizabeth pulled back.

"Take me home, Jack."

Instead of seeing shock or disappointment in his eyes like she feared, she saw nothing but love and desire. Without a word, Jack took her hand and led her home.