Lucas spied Elizabeth in the rearview mirror as he drove down Main Street, away from Hope Valley, for what he'd sincerely hoped would only be for a night. She appeared to be rooted to the spot, unmoving, as the vehicle sped along, increasing their separation. He swallowed, the veins in his neck becoming tighter, as he pondered this situation, his growing distance from her, and some of her words.

She asked why he had to go, with a tone of disquietude, and he wondered what the significance of that was. Did she doubt his skills in self-defense? In the pursuit of these known criminals? He clearly wasn't as experienced as Bill or Nathan were but he'd dealt with plenty of difficult situations before. He had better aim than just about anyone else he knew, borne from years of practice duck hunting with his father and grandfather as well as the interest in it he developed at age twelve, wanting to learn to protect himself and those around him after an incident involving a petty thief who snatched his mother's purse when the two of them were walking the streets of Shanghai together. Though fortunately unharmed, she'd been very shaken from the event and he'd vowed then to never be ill prepared to protect her should she ever require that again. At that age, Lucas lacked his present stature; he was much shorter and rather rotund, and entirely unsure of himself in the world. He was so timid then, even raising his voice at another person, an adult no less, would have been near unthinkable to him. So he'd asked his father to teach him how to handle a pistol and also began fencing instruction, which he continued for about three years and was decent at, but far less accomplished than with a firearm.

But, he also had a great deal of experience diffusing tense affairs without ever having to resort to even unholstering his weapon. He'd halted fights in bars and, a few times, his own saloon: men who'd attempted to cheat their way out of a debt or who squabbled, typically over a woman. He'd interrupted the plans of unsavory men, like Amos, who duped the unsuspecting into trusting them and then tried to extract concessions. He'd negotiated unscrupulous businessmen, trying to con their associates in one way or another. He'd pacified the drunk or violent depraved men who had taunted his friends in the traveling circus. He'd learned how not to agitate his childhood bullies, who tormented him for his bookishness, physique or shyness. Indeed, over the years, Lucas fathomed he acquired a number of skills that could prove useful to Bill and Nathan in this. It bothered him that she may view him as ill equipped.

He admitted that he'd gotten a bit over his head with Amos, but his uncertainty in quickly figuring out how to deal with him was due solely to Elizabeth's involvement that evening. Sometimes using caution requires more thought; one must be less reactionary. And he'd wanted to be cautious where Elizabeth was involved. He did not want to do anything in haste that could have further compromised her safety; so though he was formulating a plan, he'd tried to go about it more delicately than he would have if Amos had caught up to him alone. When Nathan had shown up at the saloon entrance, though his heart didn't want the Mountie involved in her rescue, Lucas readily took the chance at requesting his backing because Elizabeth's security was his foremost rational thought then, as it was now, and he knew that more hands coming to her aid would be a good thing.

In spite of their rivalry, he and Nathan did work well together when circumstances necessitated it. They'd managed Amos, with a bit of assistance from Elizabeth's quick wit. They'd teamed successfully on less physically risky missions as well: transforming the saloon for Clara and Jesse's wedding and informing the townsfolk of the chicken pox epidemic. And he thought they'd also managed that affair with Fred Wilkens well; Bill and Nathan seemed to think so too. Still, he'd happily take a backseat on this mission, leaving the planning to the more experienced men. But he trusted his own abilities to know he certainly was capable of assisting in this and he absolutely wanted to, wanted to ensure at least both Terrell and Berry never had an opportunity to hurt another woman again. Fred's testimony and Bill's subsequent research had informed them that these two, as well as Fred and a few others in Terrell's gang, were responsible for at least a dozen similar crimes.

But did Elizabeth not think he was capable of helping Bill and Nathan with this? Maybe she did think he was capable. Maybe her concern stemmed from something else. He could hope it did, at least. It was obvious, given what she'd said to Bill, that she was worried about all three of them going after Terrell. Yet was this declaration of hers, asking him specifically not to do anything reckless, her way of suggesting that she didn't trust him to be prudent? Or perhaps she was saying that she was most worried about him because she cared for him the most? Could Elizabeth have finally decided to return his affections?

But if that was the case, what was she doing with Nathan and Allie this morning? And why did she look guilty about it when she saw him? He knew he had no right to feel jealous, since she hadn't made declarations to him, and as far he knew, to Nathan either; yet he recognized the emotion brewing up inside him. Any sign of preference from her for Nathan were as though his heart was being crushed in her fist, much like little Jack was so fond of crushing dry crackers in his little palms, watching the crumbs fall upon his high chair tray.

Lucas smiled, thinking about the little boy who he lately seemed to miss more with every hour that passed in their daily separations. Now that Tom would be away, hopefully welcoming the help he needed at that sober house near Edmonton that Lucas had made a sizable donation to (with the agreement of the director that Tom could stay as long as necessary with only minimal monthly payments from Elizabeth that he guessed she'd be able to cover), Lucas knew he'd have less opportunity to spend with little Jack and that made his heart ache. His favorite sound now was listening to Jack's precious little giggle when they played. The thoughts that troubled Lucas' mind regarding work, Tom, Elizabeth's recovery, and their undefined relationship almost always abated when he romped with the boy. He'd come to fully embrace Elizabeth's opinion that children had a particular way of easing the mind and he didn't know how to continue easing his own without the daily encounters he'd had this last week and a half with little Jack. But he knew it would be improper for him to continue making unannounced calls to her house when she lived alone, so he'd sadly resolved himself to not being able to spend as much time with his favorite little man now.

He stole a glance over at Nathan, who was looking reflectively out the passenger window, considering how Nathan had managed to do just that today. He did not suspect Elizabeth to be particularly fond of fishing, them having never discussed the hobby in their many conversations. Yet he knew there was much of his own life, thoughts and desires she did not know about him and he suspected it was the same for her. He certainly wanted to know her inner workings more fully. He wondered why she'd gone with them this morning and believed, perhaps, she'd done it merely to provide Jack with a diversion given the likely upheaval in their household with Tom leaving that morning. Eyes back on the road, he stifled a smirk, recalling little Jack reaching out for him moments ago and how perturbed Nathan had been by that seeming show of preference. Lucas knew children well enough to understand that they loved attention, and therefore loved people who showered them with that. And he'd certainly shown Jack a lot of attention recently, so he didn't find that interaction surprising in the least, though it certainly had seemed to rile Nathan. Although his logic told him not to get too cocky about the boy's simple request, his sentiment couldn't help but hope that Jack really did prefer him, not because of the attention he'd shown him but because of something greater than that, because he felt a longing for Lucas' company in a way that Lucas did for his.

Lucas sighed audibly, thinking about that very special little boy and how he'd been severely hurt by the man who they were now driving towards. He'd be happy to just assist with his capture, or more preferably, his quick and final demise, but he needed to know what Bill and Nathan had in mind. He cleared his throat, asking Bill, "What do you know about Constable Northrop?"

Nathan turned his head from the window, so he could look at Bill in the backseat. Bill replied, "Nothing, really. Never met him. Haven't been to Wildwood in near a decade. Either of you been there?"

Lucas shook his head, noting from the corner of his eye that Nathan did as well. Lucas asked,

"So we know these men have a propensity for going after women, for fighting with other gangs for control of certain areas. What else do you know? Have they hit banks before?"

Nathan replied, his tone professional, "We think so, though they typically go after stagecoaches or businesses. A man matching Berry's description: medium-height, rotund, black hair, was involved in a bank robbery about nine months ago in Mackay."

"Just him?" Lucas inquired.

Bill shook his head, "No. Two others. But neither of them match the descriptions of these other two men they've been seen with in Wildwood. One is a middle-aged red-headed man, about five-nine with glasses. I don't think we have any warrants out matching a man of his likeness. The other is a short fellow, only five-three or so, brown hair, grey eyes, has a scar above his right eye. His name is Clifford Highton."

Nathan interjected, with a tone of surprise, "Highton's there?"

Bill nodded, "Yep. Supposedly."

Nathan whistled, "They've got to be planning something big then. The three of them together."

"I imagine they are," Bill mumbled.

Lucas stole a glance at Nathan again, who looked ruminative, then looked back on the road, asking, "So who is this Highton man?"

Bill answered, "Essentially he's the brainpower of Terrell's operations. We don't have evidence he's been involved with any of the physical crimes, the violence, but he oversees the financial aspect of their business." Lucas looked in the rearview mirror to see Bill's grim face as he remarked to Nathan, "I'd very much prefer we take him in alive; the intelligence he could provide could be invaluable to sourcing out the rest of Terrell's gang and possibly Shaffrey's too."

Lucas swallowed, wondering how they'd accomplish that. He and Nathan had an understanding that Terrell would not be allowed to escape with his life from this coming encounter; he'd personally extended that understanding to Berry as well, after hearing what Wilkens had to say on his past actions. His aim in assisting on this was to ensure no other woman ever had to experience the anguish Elizabeth had that night. If Highton wasn't directly responsible for causing anyone else that sort of pain, he was fine letting the man succumb to the workings of the justice system, but Terrell and Berry had no right to a fair trial as far as Lucas was concerned because what they'd done to that girl in Orillia was just about the farthest thing from fair he could imagine.

After they'd captured Fred, he'd asked Bill if he could read that report and he'd allowed it, telling him, 'It's gruesome, Lucas, but if it'll do anything to ease your conscience about taking that man's life, have at it.' He didn't really need the aid though; he considered that perhaps he should feel some compunction over the incident, but he didn't. Fred Wilkens had clearly shown what kind of man he was; and he was not the kind who should be allowed to roam this earth freely, destroying the lives and souls of those left in his wake. He had absolutely zero doubt that Squirrel Terrell and Berry fell even more firmly in that category as well. However, he wasn't sure where Nathan now stood, particularly after being told by the Judge that they needed at least one of these guys alive. Would Nathan want to change that unspoken agreement? Would he feel the need to apprehend all of them alive? Not want to risk leaving one or two men with their lives who might be able to inform against them and claim that a killing of Berry or Terrell was unjustified? Would anyone believe such an accounting of a criminal above Nathan: a man of the law? Or above him: a concerned citizen?

He asked Bill, "So are you not planning on going after them tonight?"

Bill mused, "Ideally, we'd be able to catch Highton in the act. My gut tells me they won't hit that bank today. Likely tomorrow or Tuesday, when it's open."

Nathan nodded in agreement, "You're probably right."

Lucas wondered, "So what are we going to do tonight?"

Bill grumbled, "Try to speak with Northrop and the bank manager without being noticed by anyone and find somewhere inconspicuous to rest the night."

Lucas noted merrily, "Oh well, in that case, I'm glad I packed my tent." He'd bought it only a few weeks ago from the mercantile, wanting to test his own skills in 'roughing it' now that he lived out in this supposedly 'Wild West.' Elizabeth's stories on the picnic they'd shared in early September of how she'd grown her own skills in living out here independently had rather inspired him to expand his own. He'd imagined that, one day, if he were blessed enough to be entrusted to raise little Jack, that the boy would probably want to go camping. So he'd figured he ought to learn just how to do that soon lest he embarrass himself in front of what he'd hoped would be his own family one day.

In a rush this morning, he also brought a few changes of clothes, a toothbrush, a lantern, a knife, some blankets, three pillows, and a few other items he'd thrown in his trunk in the few minutes Bill had given him to prepare. He wasn't sure what they'd need, not knowing what this excursion would amount to beforehand.

Nathan puzzled, smirking, "Have you ever even slept under a tent before?"

Lucas huffed, "Sure. Plenty of times!" He didn't bother telling Nathan that the only tent he'd ever slept under was a circus tent, not wanting to give the man satisfaction in goading him. But he now wished he'd at least practiced setting up this tent he'd so recently acquired. Trying to pitch it in front of Bill and Nathan for the first time without appearing unruffled was going to be a test of his inscrutability.

Bill laughed, "Well this is turning out to be a rather luxurious assignment with your provision of not only food and transport but shelter as well!"

Lucas smiled, shaking his head at the absurdity of all this, "Well I'm happy to assist. You two just let me know how best you think I can do that."

Bill noted seriously, "Well the one thing I do need from both of you is your assurance you'll try to leave the personal out. It'll cloud your judgement."

Lucas looked quickly at Nathan, pondering what exactly he meant. Though he and Nathan were both pursuing Elizabeth and differed significantly in how they approached life and interacted with others, Lucas respected Nathan. He respected the uniform the man was entrusted with wearing. And though he did not exactly know what place Nathan had in Elizabeth's heart, he knew that his rival was in there somewhere. And Lucas would never want to jeopardize any person who she held in esteem. If Bill was insinuating that he'd ever do anything that would compromise Nathan's safety, Lucas needed to end the concern immediately. He grumbled, "Nathan and I may not always see eye to eye, Bill, but I hope you both know that I'd never let that jeopardize our goal here."

Nathan added seriously, speaking to Bill, "Nor would I."

Bill scoffed, "That's not what I meant. You two seemed to have set aside your issues before; I expected no different today!"

Nathan interjected, "Well what did you mean then?"

"What I am saying," Bill said tersely, "is that you two got hot headed with Wilkens last time." Lucas swallowed. Right. They'd both lashed out and hit the man at various points. "You cannot let Terrell get under your skin. I need you to forget about what he did to Elizabeth and focus your minds entirely on what our end goal here is." Lucas resolved to do that, but he really wished he had a better understanding of what that end goal was exactly. He knew he couldn't ask directly, particularly not with Judge Avery in the backseat, but he was hoping he'd be able to suss Nathan's opinion on it before the moment came when they'd have to make decisions regarding how they approached this.

Lucas sighed, "I'm sorry about that, Bill. I'll certainly do my best." He saw Nathan nod in agreement by his side.

After a moment of silence, Nathan bit his lip, and looked over at Lucas, questioning, "Lucas, how would you feel about losing that beard?"

Lucas rose an eyebrow, curious, drawling, "Why?" Where did that suggestion come from?

Nathan shrugged, "Well, if we had someone inside, that might aid our endeavors significantly." Lucas wondered what exactly he meant by that. Inside what? Did he seriously want him to try to infiltrate Terrell's gang? He was more than willing to assist with this mission, but he was not willing to do anything that would break the promise he'd just made to Elizabeth. He was not willing to do anything reckless and him trying to pose as a seasoned gangster would unquestionably be reckless.

His anxiety at whatever Nathan was considering peaked as he heard the relief in Bill's voice, "Yes. That could work; if we're right about how they're planning to approach this. How good are your acting skills Mr. Bouchard?"