Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within; all rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Ms. Oke, Mr. Bird, Mr. Landon, and the creators/writers/actors of "When Calls the Heart". You inspired me to write and I'm not a writer! Feel free to use my story on the show, I'd be honored!

Love Never Fails

Episode 36

Jack had a look of sheer determination on his face as he marched toward the café. "Barth ran through the woods so he's got quite a ways to go in order to get back to the Pinkertons' quarters, and even further to get to the stable." Jack said.

"Barth won't be happy when he finds out that I took the horse from the stable. He doesn't have the getaway that he's planned." Lewis said rushed along with Jack.

Elizabeth walked between the two Mounties and stopped short. "Well he said he's not leaving town until he…gets me." Elizabeth said with distress in her voice.

Jack stopped right away and made eye contact with her. "That's not going happen!" He said as he squeezed her hand to reassure her.

"Well he's going to come back. He's been watching me all along. He knew that you and Constable Nelson were staying at the café." Elizabeth said her concern quite evident.

"That's why I'm planning to catch him there! He's going to be desperate and act quickly. We're burning daylight and I want to be ready by dark. Let's go talk to Abigail!" Jack said as he pulled Elizabeth with him.

Jack explained his plan once they reached the café. Everyone was in agreement to act as quickly as possible and Lewis left for his part. "Barth is likely staying here in the area and could be in the bushes watching us right now for all we know. Consider our plan underway, Lewis will be back soon." Jack said firmly.

"Well, I think I better make preparations for tomorrow's breakfast crowd just in case things do not go as planned." Abigail said as she moved to the cupboard.

"Yes, of course." Elizabeth said. The stress of her encounter with Barth was catching up to her and apparent in her voice and eyes.

Jack reached for her and ushered into the dining room, "Are you all right?"

"Yes...I am. I'm ok." Elizabeth said to convince herself. She inhaled deeply to try to squash the emotions that threatened to spill over.

"Come here." Jack said as he pulled her to him, "I'm going to get him, Elizabeth. I promise I will even if it's the last thing I do." Jack said with conviction.

"Please don't say that, Jack." Elizabeth said as she hugged him tighter.

"Hey, where's that tiger?" Jack encouraged her as he rubbed her back.

Elizabeth pulled back and smiled slightly in spite of herself, "I'm about as far from a tiger as one can get."

"No, I happen to know first-hand you see...my nose is sore today." Jack said with playful sad look.

Elizabeth cracked a smile, "I did get you good. I knocked you on your backside." She said as she gently touched his nose.

"Ouch." Jack whispered and pretended to flinch.

She kissed his nose gently before Jack leaned in and quickly kissed her lips.

"You definitely took me by surprise last night and I'm sure you surprised Barth too. I'm sure he never had anyone fight him off like that. The other women didn't know the things that you do, so keep reminding yourself that you got away. I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner." Jack apologized with a pained look.

"You can't be in two places at once, Jack. You taught me what to do and I got away. I'm here with you now, safe and sound." Elizabeth said now reassuring him.

"I promise that I'll keep you that way." Jack said.

Later, Constable Lewis walked into the cafe wearing civilian attire, so that if Barth was watching he would see him as a customer. Lewis walked into the kitchen and handed Elizabeth a bag. "I promise it's clean, ma'am." Lewis said with a smile.

"Thank you." Elizabeth said, a bit unsure.

"I'll wait for you." Jack said. "Make sure to get all of your hair up." He said as he touched a curl of her hair.

"I will." Elizabeth said as she quickly rushed upstairs to change. A few minutes later, Elizabeth descended the stairs but stopped midway, "I'm not so sure about this." she said as she fidgeted and tugged at the riding boots Abigail let her borrow.

Jack peered up the staircase and looked her over with a sly smile. "It's a good thing it will be dark, you certainly know how to fill out a Mountie uniform."

Elizabeth blushed, "Jack!"

Jack's smile disappeared as he moved toward her. He placed his hands on her shoulders, "Look, I don't want Barth to be anywhere near you but he may already be watching outside. Please remember not to say anything as you walk out! I'll meet you at the jail when we have Barth." Jack said. "Oh, and try to walk like me."

"Walk like you? How do I do that?" Elizabeth questioned.

"You know walk like a man, don't swing your hips like you do." Jack said.

"I swing my hips when I walk?" Elizabeth asked, surprised and amused.

Jack opened his mouth to speak but realized he was caught. "I've…noticed that your walk is very feminine, not that I'm complaining." Jack smiled shyly at her. "Look, just walk quickly because it will be dark and Barth will be focused on getting inside."

"What if things don't go as planned?" Elizabeth asked anxiously.

"Well tiger, I mean Mountie Thatcher, you may have to fight him off again. You did it before, I have faith you can do it again. Lewis and I will be right behind you." Jack said.

Elizabeth inhaled deeply, "Ok…I know you two will be right behind me and I have to look out for Abigail too." she said bravely.

Jack ran his hands up and down her arms. "I'm going to watch you from the window until I can see that you're safely to the jail. I promise that I won't take my eyes off of you and Abigail." Jack said as he leaned in closer. "I'm going to get him."

Elizabeth nodded, "I have faith in you." Elizabeth said as they came together for a quick kiss. "Please be careful. I love you."

"I love you, too. You need to be ready to go at any time and stay hidden in the staircase!" Jack said as he turned to leave.

The sun set and darkness quickly began to fall on the town. Lewis made his way upstairs and moved the dresser from the balcony door. He then climbed into Elizabeth's bed and covered himself with a blanket.

Abigail did her best to keep busy in the kitchen because she didn't want to let on how frightened she was for her friend's safety. She said a prayer as she hurried and turned down some of the lanterns and lamps inside the kitchen.

"I hope you're comfortable!" Elizabeth called softly to Lewis.

"I'm very comfortable, thank you!" Lewis said. He knew Elizabeth was nervous, "It's going to be ok, Elizabeth. We're going to get him! Jack is a man on a mission."

Elizabeth sat on the stairs with her hands clasped tightly in prayer. "I know."

Jack waited as darkness descended and watched for any sign of Barth. About an hour later, Jack made out a figure sneaking up the stairs of the balcony.

Jack's heart raced as he rushed to the café and entered the front door. He did his best to act casual, "Good evening Abigail! Are you ready to go to the saloon?" Jack said loudly so that Barth would hear him.

Abigail looked at him in surprise, ready or not it was time to go. "Yes…yes of course, let me get my shawl." Abigail said as Jack closed the door.

Lewis lay in bed and smiled when he heard Jack's voice. He knew their plan was in action. Lewis held his gun a little tighter when he heard the floor boards creak on the balcony. 'Come on in Barth, you dirt-bag!' Lewis thought.

Jack walked to the staircase and watched Elizabeth rush to stand. "Barth is on the balcony. I'll watch you leave. Remember to let Abigail do the talking, don't say anything and walk quickly!" Jack said handing his hat to her.

"Ok." Elizabeth said as she put Jack's hat on. They made eye contact and then she walked to the door with Abigail. Elizabeth extended her arm like Jack would and Abigail took it. They both took a deep breath and exited. "Thank you so much for escorting me, Jack! I'm sorry Elizabeth is in bed and not feeling well after her ordeal today." Abigail said as they headed down the street.

Barth watched 'Jack' and Abigail walk down the street in the moonlight for only a moment and quickly turned his attention back to the window. He saw what appeared to be Elizabeth under the covers.

Jack watched Elizabeth and Abigail for as long as he could see them. He stood in the silence of the room and heard the floorboards of the balcony creak as Barth moved around. Satisfied that Elizabeth and Abigail were out of harm's way, Jack sprang into action and positioned himself at the top of the stairs with his gun drawn and waited for Barth to enter. "Lewis." Jack hissed to signify he was ready.

Jack could make out Barth's silhouette as he pulled at the windows and moved to the door. Jack's anger grew as he watched Barth open the door with the intention to get Elizabeth. Jack clenched his jaw and determination took over but he remained hidden until the time was right.

Barth entered and wasted no time as he quickly crept over to the bed and grabbed the blanket. "Hello!" Lewis said as he brought the gun to Barth's face.

Barth stood in shock for a moment in the candlelight. He didn't see Jack come up behind him, "Hold it right there!" Jack said with his gun aimed and ready.

"Thornton!" Barth said as he turned to face him.

"You really thought I'd allow you to get Elizabeth?" Jack asked. "I told you it would be over my dead body."

"If that's what it must come to!" Barth said as he looked at Jack then at Lewis who still lay in bed with his gun drawn. Barth didn't see another way out so he intentionally knocked the candle off the nightstand and onto the blankets.

"Lewis!" Jack yelled as the blanket quickly caught fire while Barth ran for the door.

"Ah!" Lewis scrambled out of the bed. "Go!" Lewis said as he attempted to put out the fire that quickly grew.

Jack ran after Barth and dove on top of him. The two men fought but Jack hit Barth and he fell out of the doorway and onto the balcony. Barth recovered quickly, hit Jack and he stumbled back. Barth suddenly pulled a knife from his belt and swung the knife at Jack but he blocked it causing it to fall. Jack hit Barth in the jaw and the two men continued to fight but were close to the staircase. They continued to tussle and fell down the stairs onto the street.

Elizabeth and Abigail watched from the porch of the jail. "That's Jack!" Elizabeth said in a panic and she ran down the steps.

Abigail grabbed her arm and pulled her back, "Elizabeth, stay here!"

Jack made it to his feet faster than Barth did and he quickly struck Barth's temple, took his feet out from under him and pinned him to the ground. Jack breathed heavily over Barth, "How dare you go after my Elizabeth!" Jack said with anger. "I saw everything you had in that abandoned stable; the rope, her things!" Jack said in anger as he pointed his gun at Barth's head.

Lewis came up behind them, "Jack! Jack, stop! He needs to be brought to justice." Lewis encouraged him. He touched Jack's shoulder, "Think about his victims, they need justice."

Jack breathed heavily, "You're right." Jack said in disgust. Jack rolled Barth over and pinned his hands down as Lewis cuffed him. Jack got up and walked away to catch his breath and calm down.

"Wow, Jack! Your hits are already showing their mark." Lewis said as looked at Barth's bruised nose.

Jack smiled slightly, "That's not from me, that's from Elizabeth!"

Lewis whistled, "Oh, great! Now I'm afraid to tell her about her bed."

"The whole thing?" Jack said in surprise as he recalled the blanket caught fire.

"Her bed is kindling but I put it out. I couldn't let the whole café go up in flames, but now I'm scared to tell Elizabeth. I can't see Lorelei all black and blue!" Lewis said with a smile, hoping to lighten Jack's mood. "We got him, Jack." Lewis said as he slapped Jack's shoulder.

"Thank you for stopping me. My emotions got away from me." Jack said. "His victims need justice."

Lewis nodded, "How about you go check on that lovely lady of yours? I'm sure she's worried. Get her and Abigail out of the jail before I bring this dirt-bag down there." Lewis suggested.

"Tell her she would have enjoyed it!" Barth said surprising them both that he came to. Jack spun around, hit Barth and knocked him out cold.

"Couldn't you let me get a hit in?" Lewis asked.

Jack suppressed a smile and jogged down to the jail. "We got him!" Jack yelled when he saw Elizabeth and Abigail on the porch of the jail.

"Oh, what a relief!" Abigail said. "Good job, Jack!" she congratulated him.

Jack smiled but he and Abigail noted that Elizabeth remained quiet. "Elizabeth?" Jack said.

Elizabeth smiled but tears came quickly. She turned away, "I'm sorry, I'm just so relieved!" she said as she wiped the tears away.

"Oh, Elizabeth." Abigail said handing her a handkerchief. "I know, I am too. Perhaps I should give you two a few minutes."

Jack nodded, "Meet me in the saloon? Lewis needs to bring Barth down here and we need to discuss the café."

"I don't like the sound of that." Abigail said as she headed across the street.

Jack and Elizabeth turned their attention back to each other. "Oh, Jack you have a cut by your eyebrow. Come inside!" Elizabeth said as she pulled him into the jail.

"I'm ok." Jack said as he stopped her from walking away.

"Ok. Should I go to the saloon too?" Elizabeth asked as she took wiped her eyes and removed his hat from her head.

Jack took the hat and tossed it to the side. "Elizabeth, I need to hold you." Jack said as he pulled her to him.

"Good because I need to hold you." Elizabeth said as she cupped his face and kissed his cheek, then his lips. "I'm so relieved that you're ok and that Barth is under arrest." Elizabeth said as she hugged him.

"Me too, it's over." Jack said as he hugged her tightly. After a few moments, their lips came together as their fear, relief and love for each other took over.