He watched her get out of the car, after almost a year since he last saw her it almost didn't register, the connection and who she was. She was different from how he remembered. Elizabeth grabbed her work bag from the boot of the car before heading to the door knocking.

"Hi," he greeted as he opened the door. Taken aback by the face that greeted her it took a fraction of a moment to acknowledge the greeting.

"Oh hey," she replied clearly surprised.

"Elizabeth," Nathan, her 7 year old participant greeted excitedly coming out of the kitchen in his temporary walker.

"Hey buddy," she replied beaming at the sight of him standing so proudly. He had come a long way since she first met with him. He watched as Nathan held out one of his arms as though asking for a hug to which she complied happily. Elizabeth greeted Nathan's Mum in a similar fashion.

"Elizabeth, this is Michael. Nathan's new support worker,"

"Hey," she said for the second time in 5 minutes."

The review didn't take long as it was a follow on from his initial one only a few months ago and from what he could see she was confident, thorough and enjoyed what she was doing. A far cry from someone who had hated their job all those months ago. As she finished, she stayed for a few minutes to catch up with the family for their personal update. He could see that the family were extremely comfortable with her as though they had known her for years even though he knew that wasn't the case from what Nathan's Mum had told him. Looking at her watch she looked at Nathan and Maggie apologetically.

"I'm so sorry I have another appointment. I will go through all the notes, if there's anything else I think may be helpful I will give you a call. Otherwise I will send you my preliminary to make sure I have captured everything."

"No problem. I'll walk you out."

"Great. Bye Bud, see you soon hey. Keep up the great work. You're such a champion." She said giving him a fist bump. She gave Michael a brief glance and a smile before turning for the door. He watched through the window as she got in the car and drove out of the driveway.

It was not how he had pictured their first meeting since everything had fallen apart between them. He expected some resentment, anger, something but she wasn't. She was just Elizabeth, just as he remembered but different.

As Elizabeth drove out of the driveway she saw him watching her through the window. Like clock work her personal phone started ringing,

"Oh you are so not going to believe who was support worker at my last meeting?" She greeted without so much as a hello. Auggie laughed,

"With that kind of an opening there's so need. Are you okay? How was it?"

"Truth be told, I don't think I've fully processed the last hour and a half. I saw him and then there was a list of things I needed to get through that I don't think my emotion had the luxury of kicking in."

"So this is a to explore at a later time?" He asked knowing her well.

"Definitely a watch this space," Elizabeth knew she was in no position to process what just went down and she didn't want to.

"Okay, we can do that later. I was calling however to confirm location for dinner."

"Diner?" She suggested,

"Comfort food?"

"Yeah but I will make you walk after."

"I expected nothing less."

Elizabeth returned to the office to finish off her tasks for the day. She had put head phones on to block out any thoughts outside the

tasks on hand and succeeded. She met with Auggie hours later who beat her to the diner. Like someone who knew her well, he was waiting with her favourite foods ready for consumption the moment she walked in the door.

"I do love you August," she said sincerely with a chuckle. Auggie grinned,

"Good to hear. Now sit and eat, I'm starving."

"Here I was thinking you ordered food for me," she teased.

"For you and for me, now sit sit and talk if you're ready. If not tell me something interesting."

Elizabeth loved Auggie. He was the single most easy person in her life. They were without condition and their friendship had been a slow burn, but the last year had brought them closer than before. She couldn't remember a time when he wasn't in her life and she was grateful for him.

"Thoughts? Feelings?" Auggie asked as he bit into a buffalo wing.

"It happened so fast that I don't think I had an opportunity to actually feel anything. Much like our could have relationship, though I felt a lot in that time frame of fast."

"I'm surprised you didn't punch him in the face,"

"So am I, but it also wasn't the right place to show any emotion connected to our history."

"Do you think he knows that you know?"

"That he updated his profile pic to a picture of him and some random girl so close to our time frame? Allowing me to come to the conclusion that the reason why he walked away was because he got a better offer? Probably not, how would he? I doubt he's been keeping tabs on me when clearly he's been otherwise occupied." Auggie knew better than anyone how hurt Elizabeth was after whatever they had came to a sudden halt after such a promising start. How devastated she was to see that he had moved on so quickly after their tragic ending.

"I have to say I am relieved I didn't have the time to process right then and there."

"Does that mean you will be running into him regularly?"

"God I hope not. There's no reason for us to. Once I have Nathan's plan approved, there's no reason for me to be around when he is. I doubt I would need to go back to implement. At the most I will just have to call Maggie."

"Didn't you do a visit for the last implementation?"

"Yeah, but that was the first one and they have been self managing really well."

"Would you need to ask him questions about Nathan's progress?"

"No, he's just his support worker. He helps him with day to day stuff, feeding, personal care, maybe some exercises but Nathan's assessments would come from his Occupational Therapists, Clinical Psychologist and what not. There's no need for us to cross paths ever again."

"Until you end up assessing another participant who has him as a support worker,"

"Life would not be that cruel." She stated with a shrug of her shoulders.

The weeks that followed Elizabeth was able to shake off their encounter as a one off. She was confident that there would be no more encounters and just as she predicted, he hadn't reached out to her afterwards which she was glad and annoyed at.

"Hey Maggie, did you get the approval letter?" Elizabeth asked knowing that the funding for Nathan's next twelve months had been approved for more than they were expecting. She wanted to give Maggie the week to read through it before calling so when she did she could determine whether they needed a sit down or whether a phone conversation would be suffice,

"Yes I did, thank you so much. I had a couple of questions about a couple of things. Are you okay for me to come into your office to have a chat about it? I don't think it would take very long."

"Of course, when is good for you?"

"I'm actually around your area, Nathan has a specialists appointment near there." Elizabeth looked at her diary.

"I have the afternoon free if you want to drop by after Nathan's appointment,"

"That would be amazing. I know Nathan would love to see you too."

"Great, I will see you guys this afternoon."

Elizabeth finished up her to do lists before they came in case they ran over time and she didn't want to rush Maggie wanting to set her up well for the next twelve months. Elizabeth admired Maggie's strength and grit. She was a single parent who had faced some tough times in the last couple of years with Nathan's illness. Everything she did was for Nathan, to set him up for a win each time. Determined not to make her son helpless but making sure he was equipped for as much as he can be to maintain an independence. She knew as hard as it was for her to allow a support worker to step in, she had made that decision to ensure that Nathan learned to lean and trust others outside her. For that and so much more Elizabeth wanted to make sure that Maggie had all the information she needed and the support available to her.

"Elizabeth, Nathan's at reception for you." Kerry, her workmate advised standing over her pod drawing her out of her own trance. She looked up sheepishly realising that she had been trying to get her attention.

"Sorry. I'll be right there." She said standing to her feet.

"No problem, I figure you were in the zone." Kerry knew her well enough to know when she would get in the zone and it would be like a bubble she placed herself in to ensure she was concentrating on what she was doing and getting it done. Elizabeth picked up her tablet and the printed copy of the approved plan to go through it with Maggie. Elizabeth stopped short to find Nathan at reception with Michael,

"Elizabeth," Nathan greeted happily raising his arms for a hug,

"Hey Buddy, how was your appointment?" she asked.

"It was okay. Mom's just gone to the bathroom. Michael is going to take me home while you and Mom talk. I just wanted to say hi before we went home."

"Aww bud, I'm so glad. Are you back to school next week?" she asked knowing that school holidays were over and they were gradually increasing the number of days he spent at school.

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I miss my friends."

"I bet bud. Are you being good for Michael?" she asked finally acknowledging his presence.

"Yes, haven't I?" he answered looking to Michael who grinned,

"Yeah Slugger, you've been great. Hey Bea," he greeted. Elizabeth controlled her physical reaction to his reference to her by her nickname that only her closest friends referred to her by. He had no right to call her that, but she shrugged it off.

"Hey," she replied. Thankfully Maggie entered reception leaving no room for the awkwardness she began to feel.

"Thanks for making time this afternoon Elizabeth. I know you must be busy,"

"No problem. I was going to be in the office for the rest of the day, and not to have favouritism but Nathan is my favourite." She replied in a conspiratorially to Maggie making Nathan beam.

"I've booked one of the meeting rooms for us. Are you guys staying?" she asked Michael politely,

"Can we stay Mom?" Nathan pleaded. Maggie looked to Elizabeth as if to ask if it were okay. Taking a discreet breath she smiled,

"I'm okay with it if you are. Actually, I have a new game on my iPad if you want to play with it." She offered, to which he nodded enthusiastically. Elizabeth excused herself to grab her iPad glad that her goddaughters regularly utilised and added games to her iPad for moments such as these. Elizabeth handed her iPad to Nathan after unlocking it and joined Maggie at the table.

Michael couldn't help but stare at her iPad wallpaper, it was a picture of her and who he recognised as her best friend Abigail and her boyfriend. The other person he did not recognise but looked familiar. It was a series of photos of the four of them in a collage, making faces, posing ridiculously and just having a great time. She stole a glance at his somewhat mesmerised face knowing what he would be staring at. Shaking it off she turned her attention back to Maggie so they could go through her questions.

Michael discreetly watched Elizabeth answer Maggie's questions and provide above and beyond information required. She was thorough, and passionate. He remembered conversations they used to have about the things they wanted to do, things they were passionate about. He remembered how their conversations were easy, honest and how hours would pass like a blink of an eye. He remembered it all. In all honesty, he had been remembering since he saw her a couple of weeks before. Her indifference to his presence took him by surprise. How they ended was not his best work and expected she would be angry, and she had every right to be. But she was polite, pleasant and understandably reserved with him.

Once their meeting was drawing to a close Jack knocked on the door,

"Hey Bea, sorry to interrupt. Do you still have the key to pool car?" She looked at him confused for a moment,

"Ahh yes, give me a few minutes?" she replied,

"Of course, no rush."

"Thank you Elizabeth," Maggie said standing to her feet.

"You're so welcome. If there's anything else don't hesitate to call me. I can talk you through it over the phone or I can meet you. You're doing great Maggie." Elizabeth said sincerely. Maggie nodded with gratitude as she drew Elizabeth into a hug.

Jack had opened the door for them as Elizabeth walked them out. Nathan hugged Elizabeth as he walked out with Michael close beside him. Jack stood beside her as she waved at them entering the elevator. Michael looked back to see Jack draped an arm around her.

"Dinner?" Elizabeth smiled and nodded wrapping her arms around his middle.

"Thank you." She said gratefully as the elevator closed.

"For what?" he asked innocently. Elizabeth knew that he had intentionally intercepted her meeting knowing she was almost done to minimise any interaction with Michael. He knew the history and he knew the recent exposure to him had unearthed what she had put behind her months before.

Elizabeth walked up the stairs to the concourse of Town Hall station running late to meet friends for drinks. She had lost track of time trying to finish a plan and now she was a good ten minutes late. Not paying attention to where she was going trying to communicate her location and ETA she didn't realise there was someone standing in front of her.

"Oh my gosh I'm so sorry," she said apologetically looking up as she bumped into them

"Michael," she said surprised.

"It seems we keep running into each other,"

"Life has a sense of humour like that I guess. Sorry I wasn't paying attention where I was going. I am running late to something, I should really motor." She said realising how disjointed her sentences were but third time was the charm and she wasn't up for conversations even if she wasn't in a hurry. She took a step sideways to head off when he placed a hand on her arm,

"Can we maybe grab a coffee. I mean not now, but maybe in the next couple of days? Or when you have time? I just, I didn't handle us well."

"It's okay. You don't need to explain," after all this time she continued only to herself. She met his gaze,

"It doesn't matter,"

"It does," he replied.

"Why? Why does it matter now when it didn't before?" She asked challenging him,

"Look, I really have to go. I appreciate you wanting to clear the air now, but there's no need. Not now. Actions always speak louder than words and your actions spoke loud, clear and true. Let's leave it at that. I'm okay if that's what you want to hear." With that she turned and walked away. He watched as she walked into the arms of the guy pictured with her on her iPad wallpaper.

"Hey Sweetheart," Auggie greeted her with a tight hug,

"Is that who I think that was?" He asked kissing her temple affectionately,

"Sure is, lets go get me a drink and I'll tell you all about it," she replied giving his cheek a peck before leading the way to the bar.

Elizabeth did her best to erase her encounter with Michael at the very train station that haunted her months after they ended. It had taken her so long to finally be rid of the residual feelings and in that moment he asked to address it, it was like she was relive it all over again, which maddened her. It had taken so long to just get to where she was, and now she felt it was all being undone.

"I am happy to meet you there. You don't need to pick me up. Chances are I will finish before you anyway." Elizabeth assured Jack as she walked into the conference room where she was about to endure the first of two days training about child protection. Everyone in her office had warned her it would be intense. She was meeting Jack after the training for dinner, she knew in large part because he wanted to make sure she was okay.

"Just pick the place, and I will meet…"Elizabeth stopped,

"Bea, you okay?" Jack asked as Elizabeth swallowed.

"Yeah, I'm good. Sorry. Please, please please pick a place."

"Okay, okay. Keep me posted hey."

"I will, and thank you." Elizabeth hung up and chuckled as she came face to face with Michael once more.

"Of course," she muttered mostly to herself with as she went to take the only seat available, which was beside him.

"Hey,"

"Hi,"

"Bea, you're here!" Cara exclaimed as she walked in. Elizabeth's face lit up to see one of her good friends from induction walking in followed closely by Alexis. The three of them were the three muskeeters of their induction.

"You guys! All this talk about you couldn't book the same training on the same day." Elizabeth and her friends hugged each other happily. Not being in the same offices limited seeing each other to their once a month non negotiable happy hour evenings. The three of them pulled out a couple of extra chairs and sat at the back like three teenagers catching up. To say she was relieved would be an understatement. For the most part Elizabeth got away with minimal interaction with Michael. She participated in the conversations in the group, addressed him politely and respectfully but she gave nothing away. In the ice breaker Michael learned how she finally resigned from the job she hated by taking a chance. How he admired that.

When the class had finished for the day Elizabeth grinned to see Jack reading his book in one of the lounges as they walked out to the lobby of the hotel where their class was being held. So engrossed in his book, he didn't hear their approach

"Hey handsome, fancy meeting you here." Elizabeth said softly as she neared his couch. Jack looked up and grinned. He stood to his feet and drew her into a hug.

"I was in the neighbourhood. Hey ladies." He greeted Cara and Alexis with a kiss on the cheek.

Michael who was on his way out caught their exchange, and felt somewhat confused. He had seen Elizabeth with the guy on the iPad on a number of occasions and assumed they were together however as Jack's hand slid to the small of her back somewhat intimately he sensed they were more than friends. When Jack entwined his fingers with Elizabeth's he was certain they were. Without glancing at his direction Elizabeth and her friends headed out the door. Jack had invited the girls out to dinner with them, who only agreed after much badgering from him.

"Did you drive here?" Elizabeth asked as the girls headed to their car and them to hers. Jack shook his head.

"Kerry dropped me off after the meeting," Jack had accompanied one of their colleagues to a meeting that afternoon. Elizabeth kissed his cheek as he looked at her surprised,

"What was that for?" he asked smiling,

"For being stubborn and pig headed because you care so much," she replied in appreciation. He was right to be. The topics were quite confronting and it pulled at Elizabeth's heart strings. He had been messaging her throughout the day checking in when he wasn't in his own meetings. Jack kissed her tenderly,

"Of course," he said softly resting his forehead against hers. Elizabeth handed him her car keys knowing chivalry would have him asking her for it momentarily. Jack merely grinned and took her keys from her and casually kissing her hand before he released it.

Jack and Elizabeth had clicked from the moment they had met at work. They bounced off each other easily and there was an instant camaraderie that just came naturally. Elizabeth hadn't for a moment considered Jack, in part because she hadn't quite let go of Michael, the other was because they were literally the epitome of mates. After many months of getting to know each other, things began to change. Their feelings, how they regarded each other. All of a sudden things required more thought, and second thoughts. Until one day, Jack had asked her out to dinner. At first she thought as mates, which they had been known to do every now and again, but essentially after work, or plans with other workmates. He realised Elizabeth hadn't realised what he meant so he had taken her hand to still her,

"No Bea, I meant will you go out to dinner with me." Elizabeth swallowed.

"You mean as in a date?" Jack nodded somewhat shyly,

"Yes," she answered definitively whilst still in the midst of surprise. She noted that he had not let go of her hand,

"Yeah?"

"Yeah,"

Their date was the following weekend giving them both plenty of time to raise questions beforehand and Elizabeth did. They talked about how it would affect their work life. Were they going to be open. Was it something they just wanted to see how it would pan out before going public. So many questions, but they worked through them together. Elizabeth appreciated his honesty, and his willingness to be transparent.

"Elizabeth, I like you. Like a whole lot. Getting to know you as my friend and buddy these few months has been great. I love hanging out with you. Finding out more and more things about you. But, I realise I want more than friendship. So I would really like to take you out to dinner, see where that goes. I know that this could potentially screw up the amazing thing we have, but I want us to take a chance."

"I'd like that too."

As he picked her up from home, he didn't send her a text from the car or give her a call once he arrived, he knocked on her door. Surprised, she opened the door to find him in dark jeans, a collared long sleeve, button down shirt and leather shoes. His sheepish smile greeted her. His eyes fell to her floral dress and denim jacket. The sandal wedges she had on meant she was less short than normal. Her hair was down and she wore little to no make up.

"You look great Bea." Elizabeth blushed,

"You too." Jack was used to seeing her in jeans and shirts, never in dresses. At work, as a rule her hair was always up especially after she had it cut short months before. Having layered hair required more upkeep than the long hair she used to sport therefore as a fall back it was always in a pony tail.

He took her out to dinner to one of his favourite restaurants after confirming she had no adverse allergies or anything she didn't eat. He wanted to bring her some place he was familiar to because he didn't want to be nervous, as well as he wanted to take her somewhere he thought was special.

"Jack," Oliver, the owner of the Italian restaurant greeted as they walked through the door. Jack briefly released Elizabeth's hand that was in his to hug the older man.

"Oli, so good to see you." After he was released from Oliver's grasp he took Elizabeth's hand in his once more, somewhat habitually, as though it was something they had always done.

"I'd like you to meet Elizabeth, Elizabeth this is Oli."

"It's great to finally meet you. This one talks about you an awful lot." Elizabeth looked at Jack who looked adorably guilty and gave his hand a squeeze,

"It's nice to meet you too."

"Oli was my Dad's best friend. I grew up in this restaurant because my parents were always here. When I was old enough to step on a stool I started working in the kitchen. Oli used to pay me in all the pizza I could eat. When it was legal he paid me in more than pizza." Jack explained briefly.

"I have pictures of this one, I'll show you later." Jack groaned.

"Can we please sit down before you discredit me in less than five minutes?"

"What?" Oli asked innocently amusing Elizabeth to no end,

"Don't make me call Gigi on you." Jack threatened. Oli threw his hands up and pointed towards their best table by the waterfront.

Jack pulled out the chair for Elizabeth and kissed her head before sitting in his seat in front of her. As he did, it was like she was seeing him for the first time. Or at least seeing him in completely different eyes. She wasn't sure about their date and was worried it would screw up their friendship but in the little time from her apartment to them being in the restaurant there was a sense of peace that surpassed her own understanding so she went with it.

"Oli seems lovely,"

"Yeah, he and his wife Gigi they're the best. After my Mom died they really stepped it up. Gigi took me and Thomas on as one of her own. I mean growing up we were interchangeable with their kids anyway but after Mum passed, Oli and Gigi they made sure the Thornton boys made it to the other side."

"How old were you when your Mom passed?" she asked placing a hand over his as she did. Jack met her gaze and covered the hand on his with another,

"I just finished high school, and was on my first year of Uni when she was diagnosed. That year was tough. We didn't think she would deteriorate so quickly. But we got to spend a lot of time with her. Tell her how much we love her. Tell her goodbye." Elizabeth's heart went out to him. She knew first hand what it was like to lose someone you love.

"I'm sorry you lost her so young," Jack placed a hand on her cheek

"Thank you,"

The rest of their evening went well. They talked a lot. Jack introduced her to Gigi when she came out of the kitchen. Very much like Oliver, she was pleased to meet Elizabeth. As they were saying Goodbye Gigi pulled her into anyone to meet a hug.

"It was lovely to meet you. Our boy here doesn't ever bring anyone to meet us." Jack blushed and groaned.

"I'm so glad he did. I can see how proud you are of him."

"We are, we love this one as if he were one of ours."

"The feeling is more than mutual."

"You come again okay. You don't even have to bring him. Come for a coffee with me."

"Gigi," Jack exclaimed,

"I would love to," Elizabeth replied returning her embrace

"He's wonderful Gigi, he would make his parents so proud."

After dinner, he had taken her for a walk along the beach. He knew how much she loved the ocean. It was one of the many things they had in common. They walked in comfortable silence hand in hand.

"Thank you for tonight. For asking me out on a date."

"Thank you for saying yes. I'm really glad I did."

"I'm glad too." As they got to the end of the pier Elizabeth leaned against the railing facing the water and Jack stood close beside her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Elizabeth glanced at him and in that moment he leaned over and kissed her. Soft, gentle, intentional. As they pulled apart Elizabeth smiled at him,

"That's something we've never tried before." Jack grinned, before he could reply she leaned forward and kissed him again.

As Jack drove them to the agreed restaurant to meet the girls Elizabeth placed a hand on his leg. Jack placed his hand over hers and brought it to his lips glancing her way.

"How was the meeting you went to with Kerry, was it a scheduled review?"

"It was good. Yeah it was. It was an ABI and she knew I wanted to learn more so she invited me along this morning."

"That's great. ABI's scare me." She admitted,

"That's because we never quite know what comes with it. It's natural Bea."

"So I never got to tell you, Michael was in the training course."

"Wow, how was that?" he asked looking at her.

"It was fine. I mean, I didn't really have much to do with him. After the girls arrived, they were like a whirlwind and I admittedly forgot he was even there unless he piped up to answer questions."

"So no requests for a coffee to talk?" he prodded.

"No Jack and the answer would still be no." she answered.

Jack knew the whole story, the ins and out and everything in between. He knew how much Michael had hurt her even if it was somewhat inadvertently. How it had dented her confidence somewhat and made her question her moves. Jack drew her hand to his lips once more trying to coax her out of the mood she was about to slip into. Elizabeth looked over at him and smiled. She leaned over and kissed his shoulder before turning her attention back to the road. She didn't want to start a fight, especially about Michael.

As they got to the restaurant the four of them has a lovely time. As they were all in the industry they were able to talk shop and share ideas on difficult cases and situations. Whilst it wasn't the first time Jack had met the girls, it was the first time they were all able to sit down and actually get to know each other. He could see why Elizabeth loved them as much as she did. They were so supportive and so encouraging to her especially in the workplace and that transcended in person.

"Hey, do we need to talk?" he asked as they walked back to her car. Elizabeth stopped to look at him,

"About? Why?" Jack took a deep breath bracing himself.

"I'm not picking a fight with you," he assured her,

"And yet I feel like we're about to have one,"

"Then let it go," Jack answered

"Jack," it was never good sign when he didn't want to talk it out. He was the talker.

"Sleep on it Bea, we're good. We can pick this up later. I'm going to bus it home." He kissed her on the forehead before he could turn to leave she grabbed his hand.

"Jack," Jack paused and turned back, the look on her face made his heart hurt.

"Talk to me," she pleaded. Jack placed a hand on her cheek and kissed her.

"Every time you run into Michael you get into this head space. Like I lose you for a moment. I just can't help but think,"

"Jack no."

"Elizabeth, I love you and I walked into this, into us knowing I wanted something serious. I don't want to lose you. But I also don't want to be questioning whether you have unresolved issues with your first love." Elizabeth launched herself in his arms hugging him. Jack's arms encircled her tightly against him. That was the first time he had told her he loved her, and she hated it was in those circumstances. Elizabeth looked up at him,

"I love you too. Before you came along I thought my chance to love anyone had passed. That it wasn't in the cards for me in this lifetime. Then you came along, so unexpectedly, so perfectly at a time I had given up. You showed me what it was like to actually know what love is, what it was to love someone. I don't deny that Michael conjures up an insecurity within me, that every time I see him it brings up a wave of emotions I thought I had put away. So when I see him, I get frustrated to realise I haven't. It makes me mad because I'm happy. I love you. I want you and even then he messes with my head. I hate that you telling me you love me is in the midst of wanting to walk away."

"Hey, I never said I was going anywhere. Didn't you hear me say I was here for the long haul?" He said taking her face with both hands wiping the tears that fell down her cheeks.

"You love me?" he asked, as she nodded.

"You're wrong you know. Michael wasn't my first love. You are." Jack kissed her deeply as she wrapped her arms around her his neck. Breathlessly and reluctantly they pulled apart.

"You should get going." He whispered as she remained in his arms,

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" she asked noting that he had not released her from his arms.

"No Baby, it's late. I don't want you driving home late. You have an early and a long day tomorrow. You still have a full day of training ahead of you. The second day is always the worse day of that training." She shrugged not making a move.

"Bea…"

"Fine, if you're so insistent on sending me home." She said with a sigh stepping out of his embrace.

"Why don't I drive you home and bus it home from yours." He offered not wanting to leave her at loose ends.

"That's silly. Just take my car. I'll bus it to the training tomorrow or get the girls to pick me up. I don't want you taking a bus at this hour."

"Why don't I pick you up and drive you to training?"

"That's not necessary,"

"It's my condition to taking your car home or I'm bussing it from here."

"Are you giving me ultimatums Jack Thornton?"

"Whatever it takes."

"Fine, you win." Jack grinned and kissed her. Elizabeth snuggled into his embrace. It took a few moments before they got in the car to go. Jack drove her home and walked her to her door as he always did.

"Jack, I'm sorry."

"No Elizabeth, I'm sorry." He said solemnly.

The following morning Jack arrived early with coffee on hand as he knocked on her door. She opened the door to find him leaning against the wall waiting for her,

"You sure know the way to my heart Thornton,"

"You're talking coffee aren't you?"

"Maybe," she replied kissing him good morning.

"Thank you for picking me up this morning."

"You know I'd pick you up every morning if you'd let me."

"Yes, because it's reasonable for you to drive a half hour to pick me up when you live five minutes from work."

"Yeah, but think of all the time we get to have together."

"You tempt me." She slid her hand into his and hugged his arm as they walked to the car.

Elizabeth leaned against her car as she said goodbye to Jack. Jack placed a hand on either side of her as he stood close in front of her.

"We're okay, you know that right?" Jack said looking her right in the eye. The uncertainty in her eyes troubled him.

"Baby, we are. I'm not going anywhere. You just need to keep talking to me."

"I never meant to not talk."

"I get that, you just have to remember that we can have disagreements but it doesn't mean I'm going anywhere."

"Thank you Jack, for being so patient."

"Well, I seem to recall telling you that I love you. I mean it. I love you."

"I love you too. Admittedly I like hearing it in this context instead of last night's." Jack chuckled.

"Have a good day. Let me know if you need anything. I'll pick you up when you're done."

"Thank you. You have a good day too."

Jack waited until Elizabeth was inside before getting into her car and heading to work. Whilst he knew that they were certainly a work in progress, he took what she said to heart. That she loved him and that was enough.

Elizabeth took a deep breath before walking into the training room knowing the chances of Michael being there already was a high one. She sighed with relief to find that he was not. She had sat at the back table where she, Clara and Alexis had sat the previous day. Her mind wandered to her discussion with Jack the night before. She was horrified at the realisation that he would think that she was in love with Michael. That he was the love of her life. He wasn't. But he was right to call her out on the funk she would slip into after seeing Michael. She realised maybe sitting down to a coffee wouldn't be a bad idea. If that meant she was released from him.

"Elizabeth," Michael said interrupting her thoughts. Elizabeth looked up startled,

"Oh hey," Unbeknownst to Elizabeth Michael had witnessed her whole exchange with Jack from his car.

"I'm really sorry I keep popping up in your life."

"I'm starting to think until we have a proper conversation you're going to keep popping up in my life."

"I'd really like the opportunity,"

"How about this afternoon after we're done here,"

"Sure," Elizabeth nodded. Before they could say anything else Alexis and Clara had walked in and sat beside her saying hello to Michael. They weren't aware of the history and as far as they were concerned she had only just met Michael.

"Bea, Jack is great." Alexis stated and Cara agreed vehemently making Elizabeth smiled.

"He's wonderful and he thinks you guys are pretty awesome too."

Elizabeth knew that Jack was in the office for the day. He had a few plans he had to build which meant he would be at his desk with head phones on. Whilst the training was on she had signed into her work skype from her laptop. As expected he was on do not disturb. She sent him a quick email.

"Do not disturb, does that apply to me too?" she smiled as she sent it. Jack grinned upon reading her email and immediately sent her a skype message.

"Are you bored?"

"No, I just miss you." Jack picked up his phone and sent her a text.

"I miss you too Baby."

"Are you too embarrassed to tell me you miss me on Skype? Scared it would mess with our reputation." She teased.

"Not a chance. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, I wanted to bounce something off but I'll call you on the break?" He paused worriedly,

"Everything's fine Jack, I swear."

"Okay, drop me a text when you're ready to call so I can head out and take your call."

"I will do."

Elizabeth excused herself at lunch to call Jack. She dropped him a message as promised and waited a few minutes. Before she could call him, he called.

"Hey,"

"Hi Baby, what's up?"

"Michael asked to sit down and talk. You're right. Until we talk I won't feel freed of whatever we were. There's no question on my mind that it's not him, but you know me I'm all about closure and I guess that's all I've been waiting for. A chance to shut the door on this once and for all."

"Baby, I didn't mean this is something you had to do right now this minute."

"I know, but I want to."

"Are you sure?"

"Jack,"

"Sorry,"

"I just wanted to let you know."

"I appreciate that Sweetheart."

"Okay, I'm going to go."

"Bea,"

"I need to go back, and so do you."

"Elizabeth, thank you."

"Sure, no problem." Elizabeth hung up feeling a little foolish. She took a deep breath before heading back upstairs. Before she could take a step her phone rang again, she looked at her phone and considered letting it ring out,

"Hey," she answered hesitantly.

"Let's start that conversation again. Sweetheart, if this is something you need to do, go for it. I just wanted you to know that you don't need to do it for me. I never want to push you in doing something you're not ready to do."

"Thank you."

When Jack hung up from his conversation with Elizabeth he was a little worried that he wasn't able to convey what he truly meant. Elizabeth could feel his unease and dropped him a message before going back inside,

"I get what you're trying to say and I appreciate it more than you know. We're good. Yes in part I'm doing this for you, but more for us. I want us to move forward without this hanging over my head. Reality is, I pushed him out of my head space because I've had to. It wasn't until he started popping up in my life now that I realised I never dealt with it. It's not until now that we're together did I realise I needed a closure."

"Sweetheart, I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."