Chapter 36:

The Hamilton Search

Part 3a

Author's Note: Who is the man that Jack dreamt about? We know that Hank has taken care of the Billy Hamilton problem. Why did he keep it a secret? What will come of Hank? Good questions, all...Stay Tuned for the exciting conclusion of "The Hamilton Search".

Settle in for a regular diet of excitement and intrigue...I have taken an idea and run wild with it...bare with me, please, dear readers. This chapter is LONG! This is Part 3a. I have so much to tie up. I hope you enjoy Part 3a and Part 3b. This really was one of my favorites.

Twenty years earlier...

"Hank Marshall!" The captain of the Sea Treasure called to his newest crewman.

"Yes, sir, Captian Ames!" Hank stood to attention. "What can I do for you now?"

"You can get those three men in line. Our latest recruits are not so eager to learn a new trade." Captain Ames bellowed.

"Yes, sir. I'll have them whipped into shape in no time." Hank promised.

"That's why I chose you out of our recruits a month ago." Captain Ames replied, walking away.

"Who does he think he is, Hank?" Smythe belly ached. "We ain't willing because we didn't sign up for this pleasure cruise." Smythe sneered. "We 'ad no choice, is wot we 'ad."

"Stow it, if you don't want to spend another night in the brig, Smythe." Donaldson breathed.

"Come on, fella's it's not so bad." Carter chimed in. "We get three square meals a day and we have a place to sleep." Carter spoke up, being the eternal optimist.

"Alright men. Enough of that chatter. If you all want to sleep in those cots, instead of the brig, I advise that you get started on the daily chores. Captain Ames doesn't like lolly gaggers." Hank ordered.

"Why do you like him, Hank?" Smythe asked.

"Yeah, why do you cow tow to his every whim?" Donaldson remarked.

"You heard Captain Ames. He's his favorite." Carter answered.

"I am no such thing. I just do what I am told. You have to in order to survive Captain Ames' ship." Hank remarked stoicly.

After several minutes of swabbing the decks and repairing the nets, Smythe walked over to Hank to ask him some questions.

"Hank, we need to get out of here. Why do you put up with the Captain?" Smythe inquired.

"Captain Ames is a hard task master, but if you prove that you are loyal, he'll treat you well. You will do well to remember that, Smythe." Hank instructed.

Smythe who stood a few inches taller than Hank, hunched his shoulders and looked Hank square in the eyes. He was barrell chested and had a mid section that would make Santa Claus look thin. Despite his mass, he was limber and quick. He came aboard the ship the same time that Carter and Donaldson did, but he picked up how things were run pretty quickly. He tried his best to stay on Captain Ames' and Hank's good side. For the most part, he was a hard worker but Hank knew that he was wanting to cause trouble. It was only a matter of time.

Hank stared right back into Smythe's face. He was about to challenge him as he so often did when they acquired 'new recruits'. Hank set his jaw and creased his brow. He took a deep breath, waiting for Smythe's first move.

Smythe was known for his quickness, but he had yet to best Hank in a fight and today was the day that he would succeed. Smythe stepped back into his left heel and then springing into action, Smythe grappled Hank to the deck. He leaned on top of him, hitting Hank in the mouth. Hank took his foot and pushed Smythe off of him. Hank got to his feet and braced himself for Smythe's next assault. Smythe came in swinging his left, then his right and attempted to land a left jab to Hank's face. Hank bobbed and his right connected with Smythe's left cheek. He cut the skin open and Smythe swore.

"Cheap shot, Hank!" Smythey bellowed.

"You want cheap shots?" Hank spat. "I don't fight that way, Smythe and you know it." Hank circled him.

"I'll show you!" Smythe pulled out his knife. "This is how you fight dirty."

Smythe maneuvered his knife into a thrust position and barrelled towards Hank. Hank faked right and took Smythe by the back of the collar and his suspenders, pushing him to the deck. Smythe dropped the knife, skidding across the deck. He got up, a bit muffed up from the deck. He had a few splinters in his lip. Smythe lunged for him again.

"Now, it's a fair fight!" Hank remarked noticing that the knife was still on the deck.

"Hnmmm!" Smythe grunted as he shook his head.

Smythe looked to one of his friends for help. They averted their eyes. They were too smart to square off with Hank Marshall. Smythe was the one who didn't seem to get that Hank was the one to fear just as much as Captain Ames. Smythe swore bitterly and was about to circle around Hank, but then the captain came up on deck.

"Smythe!" Captain Ames bellowed. "You are due in the galley. NOW!"

"Yes, sirrrr." Smythe growled under his breath.

"What was that? You want to stay in the brig for a night?" Captain Ames challenged him.

"Nnnooo, sir." Smythe remarked.

Three days ago...

Hank Marshall had found the car that helped Billy escape, but Billy had not been anywhere near it. Hank followed his instincts and went back to where Billy's last known address was. He had been right that Billy would be there. That was when he decided to collect an old debt. Captain Ames was in town 'recruiting' and Hank had the perfect plan for getting rid of Billy Hamilton. Hank had vowed never to get back into this line of work, but he wasn't about to kill the man. This way, he would be out of the Thatcher's lives and hopefully have a fresh start. He would leave the 'changing of character' to Billy, himself.

There was great concern for someone finding out what Hank Marshall was about to do, but he had to risk it. This day twenty years ago, he had saved Captain Ames' life. He recalled that day now as he was waiting for the captain to meet him.

Twenty years ago...

The Sea Treasure was docked for it's bi-annual 'recruiting' for the next years missions. Captain Ames had been 'recruiting' men since he was a recruit, himself some thirty years prior to him meeting his right hand man, Hank Marshall. He could trust him. He had saved his life on more than one occasion, but this one day in particular had resonated with both men.

'Knock, knock.'

"You may enter." Captain Ames allowed.

"Sir! Smythe is up to something." Hank Marshall warned. "Since you stopped our fight, he has been acting strange."

"How so?" Captain Ames inquired.

"He is quiet, too quiet. Smythe usually being the instigator of these fights has become calm, less argumentative. It isn't in his nature."

"I see." Captain Ames expressed. He looked at Hank, who seemed to be waiting to say something else. "Is there anything else, Hank?"

"I believe that Donaldson and Carter are assisting Smythe in this plan." Hank acknowledged.

"What plan exactly?" Captain Ames pressed.

"Mutiny, sir!"

"Smythe wouldn't dare! He knows how we deal with mutineers." Captain Ames spoke with a dark conviction.

"I wouldn't be too sure, Captain. He has been quiet for a few weeks now." Hank shared his intel. "I'll keep an eye on them, sir." Hank slightly bowed his head as the Captain dismissed him.

The next evening...

"Donaldson. Carter." Smythe commanded. "We move tonight."

"Yes, sir." Donaldson agreed.

"I'm not sure that this will work, sir..." Carter trailed off as he noticed Smythe's darkened expression.

"Stow it, Carter. Are you with us or against us?" Smythe questioned. "I need you, Carter."

"Y-yes, sir. I'm with you. I don't want to be on the Sea Treasure any longer." Carter mustered his courage.

"Good. We meet tonight. You know where." Smythe dismissed his colleages.

It was midnight, when Hank had finished his meeting with the captain. He retired to his room. When he was about to turn out the lights, he saw a light moving in the hall. He swore softly. He was dog tired and he wanted to go to sleep. Hank quickly put his pants back on and his coat. He grabbed his pistol and stowed it in his waistband. His lantern provided just enough light to see a few paces ahead.

The light was approaching Captain Ames' quarters. Hank ducked behind the mess door. The man he had been following looked around to make sure he was alone.

Captain Ames was at his desk, drinking his one alotted rum for the day. He thought he had heard something, but shook of the feeling as he walked to head. There was a knock on the door.

"What is it?" Captain Ames bellowed.

"Sir, it's Carter. He's hurt. He needs the doctor." Donaldson spoke frantically.

"Do I look like the ship's doctor to you?" Captain Ames replied as he opened the door.

*Thwack* Captain Ames was hit over the head just as he stepped out of his quarters.

Donaldson and Carter carried Captain Ames to the side of the ship where the life boat was tethered.

"Tie him up and get him in the boat." Smythe ordered.

"Yes, sir." Donaldson answered.

"Carter, keep a look out!" Smythe barked.

"Yes, sir." Carter acquiesed.

Smythe left them to search the captain's quarters for anything of value. He had planned to change course and head back to his home town. He could care less about the men who were helping him commit mutiny.

Carter turned and stared into the face of the one man they were trying to keep in the dark.

"Aagh..." Carter was silenced with a blow to the head. He slumped to the floor.

Donaldson, who had his hands full lowering the captain into the sea did not hear Carter scream. Donaldson turned at the sound of a gun cocking.

"If you shoot me, I'll drop the captain." Donaldson challenged.

"True." Hank remarked. "But you will also be dead. You decide!" Hank spoke menacingly.

Donaldson gulped as he looked into the eyes of the man who had never backed down from a challenge. Using his enormous strength, he hoisted the captain up onto the deck. The captain was slowly coming to and shook his head as he stared into the men's eyes looking at him.

"What the..." Captain Ames spoke, rubbing his head as he felt the throbbing increase. "Why am I? What happened?"

Hank looked from Donaldson to the captain. He listened for anyone coming up from behind him. He had taken care of Carter and he had Donaldson in his sight. Where was Smythe? He was undoubtedly the master mind of this coup.

Smythe heard the commotion, and crept out of the room. He saw his lackies and then focused his attention on Hank, who had a gun trained on Donaldson. Donaldson had just set the captain down on the deck. He was coming to, but Smythe couldn't have that. He took out his pistol, ready to shoot the captain.

"If you want something done right, you got to do it yourself." Smythe seethed inwardly, pulling back the trigger.

Hank heard the noise again. He looked behind him, there was nothing. Hank motioned for Captain Ames to be still and put a finger to his mouth to keep him quiet. Hank moved behind two barrells and waited.

Smythe came out from the hall way. He sneered at Captain Ames.

"I guess I'll have to take care of you, myself." Smythe aimed the gun at Ames' head.

"Drop it!" Hank spoke, coming out from the two barrells.

Smythe swore bitterly. He glanced at his useless partner, Donaldson, who had been petrified into inaction. He didn't know what came of Carter, but he figured that he was incapacitated. Smythe looked back at Hank.

"Now what, Hank? You going to shoot me...in cold blood?" Smythe spat. "It's not your style."

"You're right. That's not my style. I'll see you shackled to the walls of Medicine Hat Prison."

"Not if I can help it." Smythe bellowed, thrusting his body towards Hank. His move had taken Hank by surprise.

Smythe barrelled into Hank, causing him to drop his gun. Hank pivoting his body and crouching low, centered his gravity, grabbing Smythe by the waist, grappled him to the floor. He straddled Smythe, attempting to stop him from moving. Smythe thrust his fist into Hank's face, knocking him to the side. As Smythe was righting himself, Hank came in swinging. Smythe dodged his left jab and swung his right cross, connecting to Hank's side. Hank stumbled backwards, catching hold of some netting, almost falling over the edge of the ship. Smythe charged him, but Hank stepped to the side causing Smythe to clear the railing and plummet into the ocean depths.

Present Day...

"Jack?" Elizabeth asked searching the manor. "Jack?" She had looked through all the rooms upstairs and was making her way to the library, when Jack came into the house.

"Hello, Elizabeth." Jack came into the house, immediately wrapping his arms around her.

"Jack? What happened? I expected you hours ago." Elizabeth held him tighter as he nestled his head into her neck.

"I'm sorry I'm late. We still haven't found Billy Hamilton. It's as if he disappeared." Jack exhaled, leading her to the parlor and sitting her on the settee.

"I thought I heard you come in a few moments ago. I was searching for you upstairs." Elizabeth began, trailing off...

Half an hour earlier...

Elizabeth was at her dressing table, when she had heard someone outside her room. She sat frozen, waiting to see if it was just her imagination. Several seconds went by, but she felt like she had been sitting there forever. Elizabeth walked cautiously to the door and peeked out. Just as she expected. There was no one there. She breathed a sigh of relief, but then started calling for Jack, hoping that it was him getting home who she heard.

Jack sat beside her, waiting and watching Elizabeth as she seemed to be lost in thought. He took her hands in his, rubbing her knuckles. She began to shake and he quieted her shaking by pulling her into his side. At length, he brought her out of her reverie.

"What is it, Love?" Jack inquired. "Why are you shaking?"

"I was looking for you. I heard something or someone, but when I came out of my room, there was no one there." Elizabeth explained.

"Are you sure it isn't your overactive imagination, sweetheart?" Jack quipped.

"No! I'm, honestly, not sure. I didn't like that you weren't here. I felt like I was being watched." Elizabeth shuddered as she pressed herself closer into Jack's protective embrace.

"I'm here now. I'll look around for any sign of a break in." Jack got up to check the rooms, but Elizabeth gripped his hand.

"I'm looking with you." Elizabeth stood to her feet. "I don't feel safe being in here alone."

"Alright. Come with me." Jack took her hand as they searched the rooms.

Inside the closet of the room next to Jack and Elizabeth's, a man had hid, when he heard Jack come in the door. He had to wait. He hoped that they wouldn't look too hard for what he hoped Mrs. Thornton would brush off as her overactive imagination. He peeked out of the closet door and watched Jack and Elizabeth walk passed the room. He needed to find the documents that he knew the chauffer had to have, but he didn't know where to look. The chauffer was cunning and he knew that he would hide them in an unlikely place. The man swiftly left the house. He would have to come back when no one was home.

"I'll be seeing you again, Mrs. Thornton!" The man vowed as he climbed down the trellis outside Julie's room.

Hank Marshall made his way to the hospital. He and Mr. Thatcher had been visiting the older man for the passed few days. Hank knew that the man was his former captain. He just couldn't believe that he had changed so much in appearance. The only thing that didn't change about Captain Ames, was his surly disposition. Hank had wanted to tell Constable Thornton and his wife, but Mr. Thatcher was adamant to keep it quiet for now. The constable and his daughter didn't need to know who they were helping just yet. He knew that the constable was searching for Billy Hamilton and that they didn't need to be bothered by this man when he and Hank could take care of him.

"Sir?" Hank questioned Mr. Thatcher.

"No, Hank. I know what you are going to ask. I do not want to involve my daughter or son-in-law." Mr. Thatcher stated.

Mr. Thatcher and Hank walked into the room at the hospital. Captain Ames greeted them as they approached his bed. Hank sat in the chair beside his bed as Mr. Thatcher hung back respectively, listening.

"We hope you are comfortable here, Captain." Hank expressed. "We do have some questions regarding what had happened to you." Hank paused.

"Not as many as I do, I'm sure." Captain Ames quipped. "Not as many as I!"

"Shall we start from the beginning?" Mr. Thatcher coaxed. "I know I would like to know why this man had you tied up." He began, his voice trailing as he saw the expression in Hank's eyes.

"I had just sent my crew on leave for the week. They had all been working very hard and we just 'recruited' a half dozen men. They were staying on board the ship, under the watchful eye of my first mate, Mr. Fitzwilliam." Captain Ames began.

Hank and Mr. Thatcher listened to the events leading up to the captain's kidnapping. Hank was not surprised that the man responsible was one of his 'recruits' all those years ago. Hank had always admired the captain, but he knew that he was among the few who would ever see him as someone who saved his life. Hank was brought out from a horrible living situaiton, but most of the other men had been taken against their will. Hank listened to the captain and thought about his own experience in getting 'recruited' into the captain's employ.

Hank and Carter had been recruited along with Smythe and Donaldson. Smythe had rubbed Hank the wrong way from the beginning. He was always jockying for position, but was always falling short of the captain's expectations. Eventually Hank had won the captain's favor and after several months of seeing Hank be wined and dined by the captain, favored by the captain, Carter had changed loyalties from Hank and Captain Ames to Smythe and Donaldson.

"Carter? What are you doing?" Hank had asked his former friend as he held the gun up to him.

It was the night that the mutiny had been attempted. Smythe was just thrown overboard and Donaldson was on the floor. Captain Ames had been slowly coming to...

"Shut up, Hank!" Carter held the gun tightly. "I don't have to listen to you! I'm the one with the gun, not you. I'll be staying in the captain's quarters and you will take me back home. I don't want to be here any longer."

"Carter, listen. I know that you are not really with these men. You just wanted to get home. If you put the gun down now, we'll never speak of this again and I'll make sure that you get home. All of us. We'll start over and Captain Ames will let us go as we have done our best to serve him these past ten years." Hank negotiated.

Hank smiled at the memory of Carter putting the gun down and promising to move on and keep in touch. Over the next ten years, however, Carter had slowly faded from everything he knew. Hank had heard that he found a job on a ship in Africa. He was taking over the recruitment of men. Hank was glad that he had found something useful. Instead of shang-haiing men, he gave them a choice to join his crew and then were paid equally and treated well. It was Carter whom he had enlisted in shipping Billy Hamilton to Aftrica. He knew that he would make a real man out of Billy, given the chance.

He never heard of what came of Donaldson and Smythe, however, and that worried him. Donaldson was sent home where Hank assumed he tried to rebuild his life. Smythe was never seen again by any of his fellow recruits, so he surmised that the ocean had taken him. Smythe was very resourceful, however, so it was entirely possible that he had survived the fall into the ocean. But then again...no man was infallible.

Captain Ames had finished his account of the events and at length, Hank drove Mr. Thatcher home and they vowed to not let The Thornton's know what was going on...just yet.

In their room, Elizabeth was getting ready for bed. Jack had been searching all day and was asleep. She had come in later after cleaning his clothes for the morning. She didn't know how much longer the search for Billy Hamilton would take, but she hoped it would end soon. Jack had looked so dejected at dinner. He came in three hours after everyone, except Elizabeth had headed for bed. She had waited to eat with him. Elizabeth and Jack ate silently. She recalled their dinner and the conversation that had caused him to go to bed without so much as a good nights kiss.

"Did you find Billy Hamilton?" Elizabeth inquired.

"No." Jack simply replied. "I don't want to hear that name again, tonight." Jack took a bite of his chicken-fried steak.

They ate their dinner silently, keeping to their own thoughts. Elizabeth had thought of several topics of discussion, but Jack only grunted at any idea she had. The one subject that she had hoped to talk about was her pregnancy.

She had finally seen a physician in Hamilton to get a second opinion. Her mother had taken her two days prior to the Mountie Ball. She had been so afraid and wanted to keep it quiet as she watched Jack search tirelessly for Billy. His mind was occupied in the search, too occupied to know that she was in fact pregnant. She wanted him to stay sharp and focused on his self imposed task of finding Billy Hamilton. That night at dinner, she broached the subject.

"Jack, I have been wanting to talk to you, but you have been so busy with everything that I hadn't had the time." Elizabeth began.

"What?" Jack inquired, looking up from his plate. "I can't talk right now, Elizabeth. I am exhausted and I have an early start in the morning."

"This can't wait, Jack! I've waited too long to tell you, and I haven't wanted to distract you from finding Bi..." She broke off, reminding herself that he did not want to hear his name again that night.

"Elizabeth. Not now." Jack removed himself from their dinner so swiftly that Elizabeth had no chance to respond.

She was on her side of the bed. Jack was breathing evenly. She hoped he would wake up, but knew that he had an exhausting last three days searching for Billy Hamilton. They had hoped that he would know what came of Billy by now, but their hopes were dashed once again, when he came home with no news.

Jack had his back to Elizabeth. He had hoped that she would not want to talk anymore that night, but he knew that he had hurt her by abruptly leaving the dinner table that night. He was tired and he didn't want to talk about Billy Hamilton. He was the bain of his existance. He wanted nothing more than to have him removed from his life, completely. But, it wasn't meant to be, just yet. He could hear Elizabeth breathing on the other side of the bed. He wanted to take her into his arms and sleep that way for the rest of the night, but he had left her feeling so hurt that he didn't think that she would accept his embrace.

Elizabeth stared at the ceiling. She glanced at Jack from time to time, but his back was still towards her and he had not given the slightest inclination to hold her. She was devastated. She was pregnant and the one man she wanted to tell, was upset and wouldn't talk to her. Elizabeth let out a deep sigh as tears welled up in her eyes and escaped angrily down her cheeks. Her body shook so violently that Jack could feel it on his side of the bed. He turned towards Elizabeth. It was dark so he couldn't see her, but he could feel her body shaking and knew without a doubt that she was crying.

"Elizabeth?" Jack inquired as he reached his arms out for her to pull her closer into him.

"Not now!" Elizabeth threw the words back at Jack.

The words that made her retreat into her own thoughts as she tried not to think about their dinner earlier that night. She was deeply hurt that he wouldn't listen to her and let her tell him what she had been dying to tell him for the passed three days. He had no clue as to the nature of her news and that made her fear for his response when she finally told him.

Jack tried to hold her, but Elizabeth pulled away from his embrace almost as soon as he pulled her into his body. He didn't know what to do, what to say. She was clearly upset and he had really hurt her with his rejection of their conversation earlier at the dinner table. He didn't want to talk. He just wanted to eat and then take his wife to bed. He needed her to just be with him.

"Elizabeth, please understand that I have had a rough few days and I just didn't want to talk. I just needed to be with my wife...until the morning when I would have to go on the search yet again." Jack explained, hoping that she would understand and let him hold her.

"Jack, I know that, but I have had a rough few days as well." Elizabeth sighed, scooting closer to him. "I have been worried sick for your safety and I have..." She trailed off, uncertain if she should tell him her news.

News that she had been so excited to tell him a few days ago, but now it seemed like if she told him, he would not receive it well while on his own personal 'assignment'. Her tears flowed freshly from her eyes, but she still wouldn't let Jack hold her.

Elizabeth cried as she relived their conversation from the night before. Jack had been so determined to find Billy Hamilton. She recalled their conversation and the love that overwhelmed them after alleviating their worries. She wanted to tell him last night, but it was not the right moment. 'Would there ever be a right moment?' She wondered to herself as she cried into her pillow.

Jack laid there in silence as he listened to his wife, whom he loved with every fiber of his being, cry into her pillow. He thought back to the night before when they had talked about their fears and then recaptured the 'wedded bliss' they had experienced on their honeymoon.

Unbeknownst to the other, Jack and Elizabeth were recalling their previous nights conversation. Jack laying on his side of the bed and Elizabeth plastered to the edge of her side. Both feeling so...ALONE.

"I'll look for the man tomorrow. Maybe he is connected to Billy Hamilton somehow." Jack thought out loud.

"You think so?" Elizabeth shuddered. "I hope not." She pressed her face to his chest.

Jack felt her tears fall onto his chest. He held her tightly into him and rubbed her back. Elizabeth continued to cry.

"What is it, Sugar? You know that I won't let Billy Hamilton near you, ever again." Jack soothed.

"I know. It's just that...if he is connected to the man you found, then you may have to face him again." Elizabeth looked up into his eyes.

"I'll be careful, Sugar. You know I'm good at my job, right?" Jack inquired, a bit concerned that she didn't have faith in his abilities.

"Yes, I know that, it's just that, Billy Hamilton scares me. He was so dangerous. I didn't know he was capable of what he had done and when I was in the ship, I couldn't bare the thought of never seeing you again, Jack." Elizabeth melted into a puddle of fear as her tears flowed anew.

"Hey! It will be alright." Jack soothed, gathering her into his arms. "What has come over you? Why are you so afraid? I'm here, Love. I won't let you go and I will be careful when I go out there." Jack lifted her eyes to his.

"I'm sorry." Elizabeth breathed. "I'm tired of being afraid of Billy Hamilton! I want you to be done with him so I can stop worrying about your safety, Love." Elizabeth kissed his neck.

"I'll be careful. That is a promise." Jack vowed and then lifting her face to his, he covered her lips with his own and they soon drifted to their private island...then having their needs met, drifted off to sleep.

Jack had suddenly realized what he had said the night before.

"...What has come over you? Why are you so afraid? I'm here, Love. I won't let you go and I will be careful when I go out there."...

Jack had asked her why she was so afraid and she had told him...

"I'm tired of being afraid of Billy Hamilton! I want you to be done with him so I can stop worrying about your safety, Love."

Jack knew that there was more to what Elizabeth was worried about, but he had been so tired that he didn't give it much thought. Besides, she soon distracted him from any other thought entirely, except for the thoughts of loving her through the night.

"Elizabeth?" Jack tried to get her attention again.

"Yes?" Elizabeth replied between her sobs.

"I can't take it anymore, Love." Jack reached out for her, crushing her body to his, enveloping her lips with his own.

His kiss was demanding, hungry. He moved his lips against hers and his tongue caressed hers as he pulled her in deeper into his embrace, his love, his soul. He needed her and he could sense that she needed him just as much, if not more. She had been upset and he did not know the whole reason behind her tears. All he wanted right now was to erase the distance between their hearts and love her, love her as she deserved to be loved. Completely! Passionately! He would ask her what she was worried about. He would get to the bottom of this...but for now, he was pleasantly distracted by her lips, her arms as they explored his body and her body so close to his that he truly felt that they were the only two people in the world.

In the early morning hours...Jack was laying on his back, Elizabeth pressed firmly to his chest. Her hair was strooned over his shoulder as she breathed deeply in her sleep. Jack couldn't sleep. After their conversation and the romantic interlude that interrupted said conversation, he had still needed to know why she was so upset. He was about to ask her, but she had fallen asleep. She was so tired lately, but he hadn't noticed in recent days, being so consumed by searching for the man who had threatened the one woman he held so dear. His Elizabeth! He was so focused on finding him that he had neglected his wife. He came to this conclusion several hours ago, but she was asleep. He couldn't wake her. She needed her sleep. She had been exhausted as well...emotionally exhausted. She acted as if she truly were...'Pregnant! Pregnant? Pregnant!' He suddenly came to the conclusion of her anger and hurt. 'I've been so stupid! No wonder she has been so upset, or rather, angry.'

"Elizabeth? Please, wake up, Love!" Jack coaxed, hoping to tell her what he had finally discovered.

Elizabeth stirred to the sound of Jack's voice. She tried to come back from her dream. It was so vivid. She and Jack were deep in their love and she didn't want it to end.

Jack continued to try to wake her, kissing her earlobe, he whispered. "Elizabeth? Elizabeth!"

"Jack?" Elizabeth opened her eyes and looked up into his. "Jack!"

Elizabeth pulled his lips to hers. He gladly accepted her kisses. He returned them and was distracted for a time before he pulled back to look into her eyes.

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth! You don't know how sorry I am that I didn't realize sooner what has been going on with you. You're..." Jack began, but Elizabeth interjected.

"Pregnant!" Elizabeth breathed.

"Why didn't you tell me, sooner?" Jack replied.

"I couldn't. I wanted you to stay sharp and focused on finding and apprehending Billy Hamilton." Elizabeth began.

"Elizabeth." Jack spoke softly as he pulled her closer into him. "You can come to me for anything, regardless of what is going on at work. You are my first priority, Love." Jack expressed as he leaned in and captured her lips for a few passionate moments.

"Jack." Elizabeth spoke a bit breathlessly. "I love you more and more each day. I can't believe that you are mine. When you leave to go look for Billy, I cringe every time." Elizabeth sobbed into his chest.

"Shh. Shh. It's alright, Elizabeth. I'm here and I will never leave you." Jack held her tightly as she drifted off to sleep.

Jack laid there with his wife wrapped protectively in his arms as he prayed that he would find Billy Hamilton soon and be done with the man.

"I vow to keep you safe, my love." Jack spoke softly to the sleeping Elizabeth. "I'm a Mountie and a Mountie always keeps his word." Jack drifted off to sleep, joining his Elizabeth in dreaming the night away.

Author's Note: Did you like where I left off? I hope you like the next part...I loved writing it! Happy Weekending!