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 37

Jack sat in the saloon lost in thought over Lewis' report which included a confession from Barth and the events leading up to his capture. Barth had confessed everything to Lewis last night while Jack got Abigail settled in the café and then spent the rest of the evening with Elizabeth.

Everything in the report had settled in and was now festering within Jack's mind. He sat with his head in his hands. It upset him to know that Elizabeth was targeted and that Barth wanted her more once he learned he was courting her. While Jack learned that yesterday, he only had a few minutes to think about it before Elizabeth and Lewis made him realize they had to act quickly to catch Barth. Jack had also learned that Barth ratted on Gowen's involvement and his encouragement to pursue Elizabeth. It disgusted Jack to know it was all in an effort to get even with him for starting the investigation of the mine.

The fact that something could have happened to Elizabeth because of him hit Jack quite hard; he couldn't take it.

Elizabeth closed the door of her room at the saloon and turned to walk toward the staircase. She looked over the balcony and smiled, 'There's my knight in red serge!' she thought as her heart skipped a beat upon seeing him. "Good morning, Constable!" Elizabeth said as she descended the staircase.

Jack immediately stood and walked to meet her, "Good morning! Did you sleep ok? No one here bothered you, did they?" He asked with concern.

Elizabeth looked around and noted they were alone. She giggled as she stepped close and ran her hands up his uniform and around his neck, "I think your warning last night kept them all in line. I was treated like royalty by everyone, except Rosemary of course. She wasn't very happy that you made such a fuss over me." Elizabeth said as she kissed his cheek and hugged him. "I guess you didn't do that when she arrived into town?"

"No, of course not!" Jack said as hugged her tightly and closed his eyes for a moment. "I wanted to make sure you would be comfortable and feel safe. It's bad enough with everything that transpired with Barth that you had to sleep here instead of your own bed. I just didn't want anyone to bother you." Jack said as he pulled back to look at her. He leaned in and glanced from her eyes to her lips and back again.

Elizabeth closed her eyes in anticipation of his kiss but it didn't come.

Jack swallowed hard and looked away. "I'm glad everyone behaved themselves. Did you sleep ok?" Jack asked as he ran his hands down her arms.

Elizabeth's eyes flew open in surprise and disappointment, "Um…no, not really." She said in a deflated tone. "Every time I closed my eyes I kept thinking about what happened at the schoolhouse so I thought about you instead." She said with a smile. "I thought about our last date at the jail and how you sang to me in my ear. I love when you do that." she whispered as stepped closer and softly kissed his lips. Elizabeth felt Jack respond as he put his arms around her and pulled her against him to deepen their kiss. Elizabeth savored the feeling of kissing Jack but just as she did, Jack pulled back abruptly and turned away.

"Jack?" Elizabeth asked softly with concern.

Jack ran his hand through his hair as he moved away, "Uh, this is from Abigail." He said as he quickly handed her two biscuits wrapped in a napkin. "I'm going to do everything I can to get Barth out of town. I'm also going to talk to Adam to fix the floorboards and the wall in your room so that you can move back to the café." Jack said as he turned and offered his arm to her. "Come on, I'll walk you to school."

Elizabeth looked at Jack oddly, unsure by his behavior. "Um…ok." She said. Jack offered her a small smile so she took his arm and they headed out the door. They began down the street toward the school. "Well I'm thankful that Constable Lewis was able to put the fire out or the whole café would have burned down. I have to admit that before all of this happened, I was thinking about getting my own place here in town."

Jack looked her, "What? Why?"

"Well, Abigail took me in when I lost my original housing…ironically due to a fire. I've lived with her for over a year now perhaps she'd like her own space." Elizabeth said.

"But you two look out for each other!" Jack protested. "It's better to live with someone."

"I don't want to over stay my welcome, Jack." Elizabeth said.

"You could never overstay your welcome and it's safer to live with someone." Jack said his worry was evident on his face.

"Well yes, it's just something I'm thinking about. After everything that happened, I certainly don't want to live alone but…"

"Good!" Jack interjected.

Elizabeth looked at Jack with surprise and stopped walking. "Are you all right, Jack? You're not acting like yourself; you seem quite different this morning!"

Jack realized his distress must be showing and did his best to recover. "I'm sorry…I just didn't sleep well last night." Jack said. It was true but he didn't want to get into things and possibly upset her before she had to teach. He felt as though he had to sort things out first.

Jack kissed her hand and placed it back in the crook of his arm. "Barth is in custody, I have the most beautiful woman in the world on my arm and she's safe." Jack said.

Elizabeth blushed when she saw that familiar glimmer in his eyes that he held only for her. "Jack…"

"What? It's true." Jack said with a smile.

Elizabeth felt her heart and stomach do flip flops. "Well I'm safe thanks to you." She couldn't help but smile as she unlocked the schoolhouse and walked inside.

Jack watched her walk in with a pained look, "You wouldn't have been in danger if it wasn't for me." Jack whispered to himself before he followed her in.

Elizabeth looked over her classroom, "It was a good idea to come here last night to fix things. It looks as though nothing ever happened. I'm so thankful for that because I certainly want to forget about it!"

Jack nodded as he looked over the room and tried not to think about Elizabeth fighting Barth off.

Elizabeth turned around and took a few steps toward him. "I'm also thankful that it allowed us to have some time alone to make that new memory here." Elizabeth said with a shy smile as she thought about their little make out session last night.

Jack immediately thought about that and tried to hide a smile, "Well you…"

"Me?" Elizabeth said with her eyes-wide.

"Yes, you!" Jack smiled.

"Oh I don't think so, Constable!" Elizabeth said as she poked his chest playfully.

Jack couldn't help but pull her into his embrace, "Listen tiger, you…" Jack said mischievously.

Their lips were just an inch apart as they looked into each other's eyes. "What?" Elizabeth whispered as she touched his cheek gently. She felt her eyes grow heavy in anticipation of his kiss.

Jack felt his heart soar by her gentle way but it was quickly replaced by guilt and his concern for her. He suddenly pulled back. "I…uh, I better go." Jack said as he suddenly let go of her and walked away quickly.

Elizabeth was shocked by his actions, "Jack? What's wrong?" she called after him. That was the second time he did that to her.

"Uh…your students are coming. I'll see you later." Jack said as he opened the door quickly left.

"That's never stopped you before!" Elizabeth said to herself as tears sprang into her eyes.

"Good morning, Miss Thatcher." The children called as they entered.

"Morning." Elizabeth said as she moved to the window to watch Jack walk away. 'Dear God, please help me to figure out what's wrong with Jack. Please help us to solve any problem that comes our way, together.' She prayed and blinked her tears away. She inhaled deeply then cleared her throat, "Ok, let's get your spelling tests out of the way, class." Elizabeth said as she reached for her list and did her best to focus on her students.

Jack spoke to Adam about fixing things in Elizabeth's bedroom and then headed back to town. Jack walked back to the jail and saw Lewis come out of the mercantile. "Hey, Jack! You have a letter from Commissioner O'Keefe!"

Jack opened the letter and was surprised by the response. Jack wanted privacy and gestured to the opening between two buildings and Lewis followed him. "According to O'Keefe's records, the presence of a Mountie was requested by the owner of the Pacific North West Mining Company because of Gowen's shady record keeping and issues in his past. They had yet to get any details on Gowen but the owner is aware of wrong doings as a result of the mine explosion, and the amount of Pinkerton Officers he keeps on the payroll. He wanted a Mountie present so there was another authority in town that Gowen couldn't control." Jack concluded.

Lewis whistled, "Didn't you tell me that you thought Elizabeth's father sent you here?"

"I asked Mr. Thatcher about it when he was here; he suggested it was God." Jack said with a small smile.

"Well yeah, God did send you!" Lewis exclaimed.

Jack nodded slowly then held the letter up, "I guess I shouldn't be surprised, the snake!" Jack said referring to Gowen.

"How did it go when you confronted Gowen this morning?" Lewis asked.

"No surprise, he denied that he bailed Barth out or that he encouraged him to pursue Elizabeth. Gowen knows its Barth's word against his and that Barth is not exactly credible. We need to find Pinkerton Roberts! We need as much evidence and witnesses as possible!" Jack said with anger in his tone as he stepped back onto the street and quickly walked toward the jail.

Lewis knew Jack was angry and approached the situation carefully, "Jack…you have every right to be upset about everything that happened."

"Elizabeth is an innocent woman who wouldn't hurt…anyone! How dare they go after her because of me!" Jack said, clearly upset.

"She's ok, Jack! She's safe and sound with her class and…" Lewis said.

"I want Barth out of here! Bill Avery is testifying in Calgary for his investigation of Barth's gang. Barth was supposed to be there so I'm going to deliver him there myself! I'm going to send him a telegram to make him aware." Jack said firmly.

"Are you sure?" Lewis said figuring Jack needed to do this.

"Yes, I need you to watch my post while I go to Calgary. The whole trip should take me about six or seven hours, there and back. I should be home around 6 o'clock. Will you walk Elizabeth home from school? I usually get there by 3:30." said Jack.

"Of course." Lewis said. "I'm going to send an all-points-bulletin out to the neighboring towns again in search of Roberts."

Jack nodded, "He had debts in Calgary so I'm going to look into things while I'm there. Chances are good he went the opposite way though. Be sure to alert the towns south of here, most people on the run try to cross the border."

"Consider it done, Jack." Lewis saluted him.

Jack softened and slowly smiled at his friend, "I know I'm leaving the town in good hands, Lewis." Jack said as he saluted him back.

"You're leaving Elizabeth in good hands too!" Lewis said with smile.

Jack stared at Lewis, "Keep your hands off." Jack said.

Lewis went wide-eyed, "I didn't mean it like that!"

Jack cracked a smile, "I know!" Jack said as he slapped his friend's shoulder.

Lewis shook his head, "Not funny."

"Yes it was! You should've seen the look on your face." Jack said over his shoulder.

Lewis sighed, he preferred to do the joking. "Ok, I'm going to prepare Barth for your date!" Lewis yelled sarcastically.

About a half hour later, Jack rode out of town with Barth gagged and tied to a horse beside him. Lewis stood in the street and watched them leave. He noted that Jack didn't tell Elizabeth he was leaving and knew that wouldn't go over well with her.

Later that day, Elizabeth was disappointed that Jack didn't come by at lunch but it wasn't unusual; he was likely busy. It was unusual though for her to look at the clock and see that it was already 4:22 and he had not come by to walk her home. She completed her lesson plan, grabbed her belongings and headed toward town.

Elizabeth was worried about Jack's behavior this morning; he acted so oddly. One minute he acted like he wanted her then he didn't, and now he didn't even come by to walk her home. "I need to get to the bottom of this!" Elizabeth said to herself as she rounded the corner into town.

"Ma'am!" Lewis said as he ran up to her. "I'm so sorry that I'm running late! I had to help Mr. Yost with something."

"What are you late for?" Elizabeth asked.

"Jack asked me to walk you home from school." said Lewis.

Elizabeth looked around but didn't see Jack anywhere in sight. "Is Jack making you do this to make up for burning my bed to the floor?" Elizabeth said. Jack suggested that she tease Lewis since he was such a jokester.

"I didn't set it on fire…I just didn't put it out in time!" Lewis said confidently.

Elizabeth put her hands on her hips and tried to hide a smile, "Mmhmm."

Lewis removed his hat, "I'm so sorry, ma'am!" Lewis said.

Elizabeth snickered, "Its ok. Where's Jack?" she said as she looked around again.

"He went to Calgary to take Barth to trial. He was supposed to be there last week and Jack wanted him out of here." Lewis said.

Elizabeth's face fell, "Jack left town? He didn't even say goodbye! When will he be back?"

"He should be back later as long as he doesn't have any issues." Lewis said.

Elizabeth looked away quickly, "Let's hope he doesn't!" she said with worry. "When he returns, please tell him that I need to speak with him. There's no need to walk me home, thank you." She said as pulled her shawl tighter and walked away.

"Ok, I'll let him know." Lewis said. He sighed, "Not good, Jack!" he whispered.

Abigail was happy to see Elizabeth when she entered the café, "Hello, Elizabeth! I missed you this morning. Did Jack bring the biscuits I sent you or did he eat them?"

"No, I received them and thank you!" Elizabeth said as she hung her shawl on the back of the door. "Abigail, did Jack act oddly this morning?" Elizabeth inquired.

"He looked exhausted…he said he didn't sleep well. Frankly, I was busy when he came by so I didn't get to speak with him for long." Abigail said as she added herbs to a pot. "Why?"

Elizabeth explained what transpired that morning and sought her friend's advice. "Well, perhaps he was feeling out of sorts from his lack of sleep. Talk to him, communication is important in any relationship whether it's a friendship or a romantic one."

"I agree!" Elizabeth said. "Thank you for listening. What can I do to help you?"

"Would you mind bringing this to Adam, he worked hard in your room today to make repairs." Abigail said as she handed Elizabeth a cup of coffee. "Oh and when you're done, would you mind chopping some vegetables for stew?"

"I'd be happy to!" Elizabeth said before she headed into the dining room.

Jack rode into town just after dark. He tended to his horse before he went to the jail to let Lewis know he was back, but he wanted to find Elizabeth. He thought a lot about things on his trip and he needed to talk to her.

Abigail took a pot from the stove and placed the cover on it. "Elizabeth, Tom and his barkeep have been a little under the weather so I made them soup. I'm going to run this over to the saloon. Would you mind cutting up those turnips and adding them into the stew? Be careful, they can be tough to cut!"

"Ok, give them my best and let me know if you see Jack." Elizabeth said before she tied on an apron and began to chop. She realized how hard they were so she pushed a little harder on the knife. Elizabeth was thankful for the distraction but her mind kept returning to Jack, like always. "Ow!" she yelled.

Elizabeth dropped the knife and clutched her hand as it bled. "Oh, no!" she said as she moved around the kitchen looking for a towel to wrap it with. Unfortunately, she couldn't find one so she had to use the apron she was wearing. Elizabeth was surprised by how much blood there was from the cut. She quickly went upstairs to retrieve the medicine box that held bandages.

Jack immediately went to the café when Lewis told him that Elizabeth wanted to speak to him, he needed to speak to her too. He passed Abigail on the way over who told him Elizabeth was home. Jack knocked on the door a few times but Elizabeth didn't answer. He tried the door and opened it slowly, "Elizabeth?"

He walked in but was not prepared for the scene before him. He saw a knife with blood on the floor with drops of blood that led all around the kitchen and toward the staircase. Jack stood in shock for a moment before he yelled, "Elizabeth? Elizabeth!" He quickly moved toward the stairway.

Elizabeth stepped into the room, "Jack! You're home!" Elizabeth said as she held her hand closely.

Jack saw the blood on her apron coupled with everything that had happened in past 24 hours and he thought the worst. "Elizabeth!" He croaked out as he felt his legs go slightly weak. "Oh, God!" Jack said in anguish as he reached for her.

Elizabeth saw the fear on his face and looked down at herself. She realized he thought she was seriously wounded. "I'm ok! I just cut my hand and had to use the apron! It looks a lot worse than it is." She said as she pulled the apron off.

Jack's expression of fear turned to one of relief, "Oh, thank God! Come here." Jack said as he took her in his arms and kissed her soundly. He ran his hands up and down her back as he placed kisses from her ear to her cheek, her lips and back again. "Thank you, God!"

"I'm ok, Jack." Elizabeth said. While she enjoyed his affection she found his behavior unsettling. "Jack…what's going on with you today?" Elizabeth asked softly.

Abigail entered the café, "Oh, I'm sorry!" She said noting their obvious private moment but gasped at the blood. "Oh my gosh! Elizabeth, are you all right?"

Jack and Elizabeth stepped away from each other but Jack stayed close. "Yes but the knife got me."

"I've cut myself more times than I care to count in the kitchen; the dangers of cooking!" Abigail said as she tried to add some levity.

"Let me see it." Jack said as he took her hand and un-wrapped the gauze. "I think it could use a few stitches or its going to re-open whenever you use it."

"Let me get my sewing box." Abigail said.

"And aspirin for the pain!" Jack called after Abigail.

Their eyes met, "Thank you." Elizabeth said softly.

Jack lifted her good hand and kissed it.

Abigail returned right away. "Excuse me, Jack. Come and sit here, Elizabeth. Please don't get discouraged about cooking. Kitchen accidents happen to the best of us, especially when you're learning to cook. You have to get right back in there and keep going. You're going to be a wife someday!" Abigail said as she threaded the needle.

"Yes…" Elizabeth said as she looked at Jack but he looked away and paced as he tried to calm down.

"I need to go do my rounds. I need to speak with you so I'll call upon you later. I'm so relieved that you're ok, Elizabeth." Jack said as he turned to leave.

"Ok…" Elizabeth said with disappointment in her voice. "Ow!" She yelled as Abigail began stitch her hand.

"I know how it feels, I stitched my foot the other night." said Abigail.

Jack shut the door leaned against a post. He ran a hand through his hair, "Thank you that she's all right." He prayed. He breathed deeply and sighed.

He kept hearing Elizabeth cry out in pain, "Ow!"

"I'm sorry!" He faintly heard Abigail say.

"Well please hurry, it hurts!" Elizabeth whimpered.

Jack could hear the pain in her voice, "What am I doing?" Jack asked as he quickly turned around and rushed back into the café.

"Jack!" Elizabeth said in surprise.

"Don't move!" Abigail said to Elizabeth.

"My rounds can wait, Elizabeth. I can't leave you like this!" Jack said as he sat down, took her good hand and kissed it. "You're more important to me. I'm so sorry." He said sincerely.

After Elizabeth's hand was bandaged, she asked Jack to take a walk with her. They headed down the street in the bright moonlight.

"I'm glad I took Barth out of town, you won't have to worry about him anymore." said Jack.

"The only man I'm worried about is you, Jack. What's going on with you today? You're not acting like yourself. Please don't say that you're tired or that it's nothing, because I know that's not true!" Elizabeth said.

Jack stopped walking but Elizabeth continued before he could say anything. "You're like a different person today! We started yesterday with you telling me your intention for our courtship is marriage, and you were certainly affectionate last night. Today it's like you can't decide if you want anything to do with me or not."

Jack looked at her, "Of course I do."

"Well what am I supposed to think? One minute you act like you love me and the next minute you act like you don't want to be near me. You even left town today without saying goodbye! Did I do something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.

"No!" Jack said firmly.

"Well then tell me! What kind of relationship do we have if you can't or won't tell me what's wrong? Communication is important for our relationship if we're going to make it. You told me once to come to you for the smallest problem." She said. "I don't understand, Jack…have you changed your mind about us, about me?" Elizabeth asked with tears in her eyes.

"No! I am so sorry! I am just as in love with you as ever, Elizabeth. Please forgive me, I had no intention of making you feel that way!" Jack said.

"So what is it then?" she asked.

Jack swallowed hard, "I read Barth's confession today and I've been so upset about him going after you. I learned that Gowen had Pinkerton Roberts bail Barth out and blamed it on me. Gowen encouraged him to pursue you to get back at me for the investigation of the mine. I can't stand the notion that you were targeted by two men because of me!" Jack said, clearly upset. He stroked her cheek with his hand, "You're everything to me, Elizabeth…everything! I can't lose you because my life revolves around you."

"Oh, Jack…" she said as she hugged him, "But why did you act like that toward me?"

Jack pulled back to look at her, "I was so upset over that report that I thought maybe it would be better for you and your safety, if we were not courting. I thought that would keep you safe so I tried to resist you this morning." Jack said. He could see that Elizabeth was about to protest. "I can't do it though; I can't stay away from you! I love you and all I want to do is be with you, kiss you, hold you and protect you. I didn't even like leaving town today but I wanted Barth gone. I meant what I said yesterday, I want this courtship to lead to marriage." Jack said as he kissed her hand.

"I want that too, Jack." Elizabeth said as she kissed him and hugged him again. "I love you so much but if we're going to make it to marriage someday Jack, you can't leave me guessing. You need to tell me what's on your mind so we can solve our problems together. It's no different than when you asked me to come to you." Elizabeth said.

"You're right and I'm sorry. Sometimes I have to sort things out first. It's not always easy for me to say how I feel but I'll do my best, for you."

"That's all I ask and you're much better at it than you think you are." Elizabeth said.

"Well I usually like to show you how I feel instead of talking about it." Jack said as he brushed his lips over hers. "I'm so sorry for upsetting you. I love you so much, Elizabeth. I couldn't stand to see you hurt, to hear you in pain." Jack said as kissed her bandaged hand. He then brushed his lips against hers again softly at first, but their kiss quickly became much more passionate. He trailed kisses to her neck and whispered in her ear, "I was so foolish to think I could resist you. I can't resist you, Elizabeth." He returned his lips to her neck.

"I can't…you…either." Elizabeth said breathlessly.

After some time, they were able to break away from each other. Elizabeth took his arm and they continued their walk, "So, is there anything else you want tell me?" Elizabeth encouraged him.

"There is something I need to discuss…" Jack said. "I had time to think on my trip to Calgary. I left here thinking it would be for the best not to court you but like I said, I can't stop. I realized that it's not me that's creating enemies, it's my job. I think I'm going to resign my commission as a Mountie and do something else for a living." Jack said determinedly.

Elizabeth stopped short in surprise and shock, "What?"