Nathan's brow creased as he went through the papers on his desk. He had been looking at them for a while and couldn't make sense of them. growling in frustration he stood from the chair and crossed the room to the door, reaching for the campaign hat that rested just to the right on a peg in the wall. Just as his hand touched the hat's crown he heard a shuffling come from the lone cell. Turning around he saw a pair of hands emerge from the deep shadow in the cell. The arms were covered in tattered sleeves that belonged to the red surge of the mounties. He approached the cell, a response to the call of a raspy voice speaking his name, enticing him forward. Standing at the door of the cell he saw a mountie in a tattered red surge and ripped pants. Shaggy black hair covered his face. The man's forehead was resting against the bars while his hands gripped them in fury, his body rocking with anticipation. When Nathan got to close the man reached out, grabbing Nathan by the collar. Nathan fought against the man's hold, but the man remained as still as a stone. When the man finally looked up Nathan's eyes widened in terror and fear. The man was Sgt. Jarrick Thornton. Nathan's heart froze in his chest, trying to figure out how this was possible. But he knew, ghosts don't care about what's possible. His spine seemed to to turn to ice when Jack opened his mouth to speak, blood spewing out with each word.

"You took my family and my life from me, and now I'm going to take yours".

And with that, Jack Thornton reached into Nathan Grant's chest and ripped out his heart.

Nathan Grant shot up in bed, his chest rising and falling with each quick breath. He put his hand to his chest, knowing his heart was still inside, but needing to know for sure. He looked to his right to find Elizabeth sleeping peacefully. No night terrors for her. Only sweet dreams. He smiled at that knowledge and kissed her forehead. Moving as silently as possible he pulled on a shirt and left their room. He walked quietly, down the hall of their new home, to Allie and Little Jack's room. Jack was still in a crib, but would soon, very soon Nathan thought, move to a big boy bed. Their son was growing very fast. Opening the door Nathan found Little Jack awake, and standing in his crib.

"Daddy", would Nathan ever tire of hearing that? He put his finger to his lips, telling Little Jack he needed to be quiet. Little Jack repeated the motion and, very loudly, shushed. Nathan didn't worry about waking Allie, an explosion wouldn't be enough to wake that girl, he worried about waking Elizabeth, and he just didn't want to have that conversation. He picked up Jack and together they walked into the living room. Lighting a candle Nathan noted the time.

4:30am

Looking at his son, Nathan noticed Jack's worried expression. 'Just like his mother', Nathan noted, smiling.

"It's okay", he said, "I just had a bad dream".

Little Jack silently higged his daddy and together, father and son, welcomed the morning.

Elizabeth smiled as she inhaled the morning air that came in with the open window. But that smile didn't last long, knowing that, once again, she had woken up to an empty bed. It was beginning to weigh on her to be experiencing this every day. She didn't question Nathan about it, she would always find him either making breakfast with Little Jack, sitting on the front porch with Little Jack, or out back chopping wood, with Little Jack safely on the porch in his playpen. She wished that she could know what was bothering him. This morning she had found Little Jack and Nathan sleeping on the couch. She smiled. Slowly she picked up their son and sat in Nathan's lap, bringing him back to conciousness with a deep kiss.

"Wow", he said, his voice deep with sleep, "that's a nice way to wake up".

"Really", she said, a facetious edge in her voice, "I wouldn't know".

Hanging his head, Nathan brought her hand to his lips.

"I'm sorry Liz, it's just been hard to sleep ever since we got back".

"I can see that. What's wrong"?

"Honestly"?

"If you don't mind".

Taking a deep breath Nathan spoke.

"It's Jack".

"Has he been crying"? Elizabeth had moved of of Nathan's lap, knowing full well that he wasn't talking about Little Jack.

As Nathan placed his hand on her shoulders she shuddered.

"I thought we were past this Nathan".

"So did I".

"So, what is it about Jack that's bothering you"?

"Im having dreams about him".

"Dreams"?

"It's fine, he's just there and I don't know why".

"Well, I tell you what, tomorrow's monday, we'll talk to Carson at church and see if we can set an appointment for you to talk to him".

"Liz I'm fine, really".

"Nathaniel Grant", she said sternly, "I'm not going to keep waking up to an empty bed the rest of my life".

"Elizabeth", he said, harshness beginning to edge his voice, "I'm fine, really".

Elizabeth looked into his eyes, edged with confusion and fear. Fear, why was it that that monster always crept between them.

"Okay", she said, not pushing the matter, "I'll get the children ready for church".

Sunday passed and Nathan woke early, again, and left for his office. He hesitantly stepped inside, a normal act at this point, and lit the lamp, then went to his desk.

It was their wedding night, Nathan and Elizabeth were exultant as they made their way to her home to begin their new life. Lee and Rosemary were watching the children and they were all alone. As they stood in the living room Nathan took in Elizabeth in her white dress, and a shy smile on her lips. Gently he pulled her in and began to kiss her. As his fingers began to unbutton her dress her heart raced, faster and faster with each loosened point. As Nathan began to gently slide the dress down her body she stopped him."Nathan, please", she said, pulling him and her dress back up."What's wrong"?"I'm...well","What is it", he asked, gently lifted her chin up to lock his eyes with hers.", Nathan, I'm a mother"."I don't follow", he said, trying to figure out her meaning."I mean, my body may not be what you expect"."Elizabeth", he said, slowly removing her dress inch by inch, "this body brought our son I to this world, and it's this body that, one day, will bring our own children into this world. And as long as you want me, I will want you too".Suddenly a battered, scarred hand grabbed Nathan by the throat and pinned him to the ground."This is my home, and my wife. And you're not welcome".

Nathan's body shot up so fast that he barely had time to stop himself from falling out of his chair.As his heart beat fast he held his head in his hands.

And Cried.