Hello, everyone! Thanks for the positive reviews and patience! Life is always hectic during the school year.

Chapter 27

Prisoner Transfer

That Sunday, Elizabeth had decided to stay at home with Allie while Nathan and Jack went to church. Everyone noticed the absence and started whispering between them.

Florence and Ned both rolled their eyes at the gossip.

"Like you haven't been ill during a church service. We're just thankful that Elizabeth can help Allie while she is ill so that Nathan doesn't have to," Florence glared as she slipped into the back pew with Nathan and Jack.

Ned nodded in confirmation.

Nathan just smiled in thanks, while he held Jack in his lap.

Joseph's sermon was about not being judgemental.

A well timed service.

At the end of the service, Nathan quickly put on Jack's coat and mittens first, then he put on his own before putting Jack on his shoulders.

"Robert!" Nathan called out to Robert as he was standing outside.

Robert turned and smiled up at Jack.

"Sir," Robert said with a smile.

"Go to the livery and get Newton and one of Jed's horses, while I take this one home and change out of my church clothes," Nathan instructed quietly.

Robert nodded excitedly. He ran off in the direction.

Nathan and Jack walked home.

Allie was having another hard day and had curled up in her bed.

Elizabeth was sitting in a chair in Allie's room.

"How Awwie?" Jack asked when he saw his sister.

"I hurt today," she said softly with pain.

"Kisses make owwies better," Jack said firmly, then wiggled to be let down. Nathan carefully set Jack down and Jack walked towards Allie to give her a kiss on her head.

"Thanks, Jack," Allie said with a smile.

Jack looked at his mother as if she should have solved this problem this way a long time ago.

"I think your kisses are what make them special," Elizabeth said to Jack.

Jack glared at her.

Elizabeth shyly looked at Allie, her teenage daughter, she bent slowly and gently kissed Allie's head.

Allie smiled.

"Thanks, Mom," Allie whispered.

Elizabeth beamed before taking Jack from Nathan and leaving Allie and Nathan to talk in private.

"How are you?" Nathan asked quietly after Elizabeth had shut the door.

"Alright. Not as bad as the first night, but worse than yesterday," Allie admitted.

"Anything I can do?" Nathan asked as he leaned closer to her.

"Hold me," Allie said softly.

Nathan knew she had to be hurting pretty badly to ask him to hold her. She had told him to stop when she turned 11. Nathan just positioned himself behind her on her bed, and pulled her into his long arms. Allie found her favorite snuggle spot and listened to his breathing and quiet steady heartbeat.

Elizabeth and Jack returned to find Allie falling asleep in that spot. Elizabeth smiled admiring the view.

Nathan felt Allie fall into sleep, and that was when he pulled himself out from under her. He went into his room to change out of his church clothes, and then put on his winter riding gear. Just as he was about to leave to meet up with Robert, a knock sounded on the door.

Robert was on the other side, looking worried and with Newton and Winter in the road behind him. Nathan just gave him a look.

"Sir, I had full intention of waiting at the livery, but you were taking so long, and I thought that Allie was getting worse, and I...I...I...I," Robert blushed realizing what he was saying to Allie's Mountie dad.

Nathan sighed heavily.

"She's sleeping right now," Nathan said softly.

"Oh. Sorry," Robert whispered.

"Why don't we go and teach you some basics, and then if she is up to it when we get back, you can see her for yourself?" Nathan said.

Robert nodded before turning towards the horses.

Nathan followed him and shut the door firmly. He led Robert and the horses onto the road just past the row houses, but also out of sight of any one trying to watch. Nathan then went into a long explanation of how to saddle, then mount, then gently walk a horse. By the end of their first lesson Robert could saddle and mount the horse with confidence. He was smiling widely at his accomplishment.

They rode their horses to the lane of row houses and both dismounted at Elizabeth's...but was now the Grant's. It was hard to keep it straight in Nathan's mind, despite having been married over a month.

Nathan led Robert inside as Elizabeth was just starting dinner.

"Is Allie awake?" Nathan asked.

She nodded.

"Do you think she's up for a visitor?" Nathan gestured towards Robert.

"She might be embarrassed, but I will check," Elizabeth said as she stopped her meal prep to go and talk to Allie about allowing Robert to see her.

Robert looked around the living room nervously, but also engaged in Jack's play.

"I have a little sister, Jack. So, playing with you helps me feel like I know what a brother would be like," Robert said as he watched Jack playing with his Mountie and toy horses.

Elizabeth had gently knocked on Allie's door. Allie was reading a book when she opened the door and walked in. Allie looked at her in confusion.

"Robert is here. Are you up for a visitor?" Elizabeth asked.

"Dad's letting him?" Allie asked in shock.

"Apparently," Elizabeth said with as much shock. "But I also think that he knows that he wouldn't do well if I were stuck in bed for a mysterious illness and he couldn't check on me."

Allie looked at Elizabeth.

"Yeah, that would be hard," Allie admitted.

"So, are you up for a visitor?" Elizabeth asked as she looked around.

"Not like this!" Allie said frantically.

Elizabeth just smiled and chuckled as she helped Allie get cleaned up and more presentable.

"Allie is ready to see you," Elizabeth said as she went back downstairs.

Nathan led Robert upstairs and into Allie's bedroom. He then stood in the doorway, but didn't say anything.

"Allie? How are you?" Robert asked softly.

"Ok," Allie said shyly. "I'm sorry I couldn't make it today."

Robert smiled.

"It's okay. I would rather you get better. You ARE getting better?" Robert asked as he looked over her.

"This time," Allie said softly.

"This time? It will happen again?" Robert asked in confusion and horror.

Allie nodded.

"But…" Robert looked back at Nathan.

"This is something you need to speak to your own parents about," Nathan said, not wanting to have that conversation with his daughter's crush.

Robert nodded but looked back at Allie.

"You're going to be okay, though?" Robert asked.

Allie nodded.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Robert asked softly.

Allie shook her head.

"Alright, well I hope you get better soon," Robert said as he turned away from her.

"Thanks. Goodbye, Robert," Allie said with a blush.

Robert waved before leaving her room and following Nathan down the stairs. They left the row house and went back to the livery where they went about putting away their horses. Richard Wolf came by to pick Robert up.

"How was the lesson?" Richard asked Robert.

"It was good. I managed to sit on a horse and not take it into a gallop," Robert said.

Richard and Nathan both made eye contact at the reminder of that escapade.

"I also got to see Allie for a little bit," Robert said with relief and happiness.

"Allie? I thought she was sick?" Richard asked.

Nathan nodded.

"She's doing better, but she also said that it will come back," Robert said in confusion.

Richard looked at Nathan.

"Allie is suffering from being a girl. You may want Mary to explain," Nathan said.

Richard just looked like he understood and was definitely passing that conversation onto his wife.

"You're handling it more calmly than I will," Richard remarked.

Nathan shrugged.

"Not really, but I'm thankful it waited until we had Elizabeth in our lives. Neither of us would have handled it well if it were just the two of us," Nathan admitted.

They all said their goodbyes and went in their separate directions.

The next morning in Bill's office, were a slew of people all happily standing with Lee and Rosemary as they watched the adoption ceremony for Fred. Fred would now be Fred Coulter. They all signed in the appropriate spots, and gave extra hugs and it was with much fanfare and celebration that the new family went through town.

Lillian was the one traveling with him and was carrying his small suitcase.

Fred was so taken with his new parents that he didn't even notice that he had left Lillian and the others behind.

"This is the hard part of your job," Gabe said in a whisper into her ear.

"Yes, but it is also a good thing. We want them to find permanent homes," Lillian said as she held back some tears.

"I know for a fact that you and Grace love each one of them as if they're yours," Gabe said.

Lillian looked at him in surprise.

"I would be a poor Mountie if I missed obvious body language," Gabe said back.

"And you are anything but a poor Mountie...Corporal. Do you think you will regret not wanting to go to a city and climb the ranks?" Lillian asked.

"Just about as much as Nathan does, and he threatened to quit twice already," Gabe said.

Lillian and Gabe both watched as Nathan was staring at his recruits in horror.

"How's it going?" Gabe asked as he gestured to the green horn.

"Well, he might be ready by the time I'm 70," Nathan whispered and grumbled under his breath.

Gabe laughed.

"Don't you remember being that green?" Gabe said.

Nathan shook his head.

"We were greener," Gabe reminded him.

"We had mentors who cared," Nathan added.

"And that is why Collins is sending them to you," Gabe added.

Nathan glared at him.

"I really hope I don't get them all," Nathan grumbled thinking about the sheer number.

"Only the hopeless ones," Gabe said with a smirk.

Nathan glared at him.

"Alright, but while I am dealing with the increasingly hopeless Mounties, you will be investigating Hargraves, Croaker, Boyce...away from Brookfield...again…" Nathan pointed out as he gestured towards Lillian.

Gabe finally glared at him.

"And when I come back, the first thing I will do is sit in my rocker all day," Gabe said with a faraway look on his face, already dreaming of spring.

Nathan gave him a quick smile.

Gabe tipped his hat in good-bye and followed Lillian towards the Coulters' home.

They got Fred settled in and then let the new family get used to each other.

The sound of Fred Coulter's laughter and joy at being with his new parents seemed to be something that sounded like a normal occurrence in the row houses.

When Hargraves, Boyce, and Croaker's prisoner transfer came into town, it seemed like the Mountie presence escalated even more. Kinslow, Monroe, and Nelson were are all ordered to guard one transfer wagon each. As it had been decided that they were to be transferred in separate wagons.

Nathan was completely ready to have his office a little less busy, as the Hope Valley jail wasn't large enough for the people who had been arrested. Cadet Baker and Cadet Cross were expected to participate in the prisoner transfer in as far as they were expected to keep their weapons steady on their prisoners as they were escorted one-by-one to their individual wagons.

Hargraves was first. Gabe, as the Mountie in charge of this investigation, was the one who was following Hargraves. Gabe led Hargraves out first. Many people hadn't seen the man since his arrest (he hadn't been allowed to work on the livery). He looked weary, but also dangerous. He was frog marched in his clamps and irons to the first prisoner wagon. Then, he was locked securely to the locks in the floor. Gabe and Monroe both triple checked each lock and each cuff making sure he wasn't able to move before they both shut and locked the wagon.

Gabe mounted Apollo and moved to be in the back of the first wagon. Nathan saluted him goodbye. Gabe saluted back and then ordered the wagon's forward movement.

They waited until the wagon was no longer visible before bringing around the next. For Croaker. Croaker was brought out by Monroe and Nelson in much the same manner, and he looked like he had expected something, anything to have happened. He was expecting his father to have had an escape plan...and they watched as he slowly realized that Hargraves hadn't implemented anything. Monroe and Nelson both went through the same process as Gabe had with Hargraves.

Monroe then mounted his horse, and left with Croaker's transfer wagon.

This left Boyce.

Boyce was brought out by Nathan and Nelson. Nathan could feel his rising panic as he realized that Hargraves hadn't done anything to escape either. Nathan immediately sensed that Boyce would be the dangerous one in that day's transfer. Not two seconds after Nathan realized this, Boyce head butted Nelson and wrapped his chains around the younger Mountie.

"Let me go! Or I kill him," Boyce demanded with a wild eyed look on his face.

Cadet Baker and Cadet Cross were closest and had their weapons steadily aimed at Boyce.

Nathan immediately tried to use common sense to deescalate the situation.

"Boyce, running away or killing him, will add even more time to a prison know you've been played, like we were, the judge will know it. You won't have as long a sentence if you go quietly, but what you're doing right now, isn't helping your case," Nathan pointed out calmly.

Boyce gave him a skeptical look.

"I'm serious. The notes all say that you were being played," Nathan said as he took a gentle step towards Boyce.

Boyce looked at him in a long glare.

"Let Constable Nelson go," Nathan urged calmly.

Boyce looked around as if he was weighing his options. His eyes widened in horror as he looked over Nathan's shoulder.

Nathan took a moment to look over in that direction. Cadet Baker, the former soldier, was a steady hand, and waiting for the moment that Boyce would let go of Nelson to clear his path to making a kill shot at Boyce. Nathan stepped between Boyce and Baker.

"Let Nelson go," Nathan said in a firm whisper to Boyce, making sure that Boyce was focused on him and not the cadets around him.

Boyce sighed heavily before releasing his prisoner. Nelson rubbed his neck, but stepped away without physical harm. Nathan took over making sure that Boyce was attached and locked securely to his locks in the prisoner transfer wagon. Then Boyce was led away, as well.

Nathan had his focus mostly on the wagon until he couldn't see it anymore. But when he looked at his main street again, the people who had watched the prisoner transfer with bated breath all started cheering at Nathan and coming over to slap him on the back for a job well done.

Bill was smiling proudly, and so were his family members who were in town.

Nathan, never liking being the center of attention, made eye contact with Cadet Baker and silently instructed him to ride out of town. He nodded and mounted his horse.

Cadet Cross was looking between them in confusion, but didn't say anything.

Nathan took off on Newton after the recruit. He found him in the woods sitting on a rock next to his horse.

"I'm sorry," Cadet Baker said as he looked down. "I've tried to forget my army training. I know that as a Mountie we are supposed to kill only as a last resort, and I also know that I was seconds away from shooting Boyce dead."

Nathan nodded.

"How do you keep your head? How do you stay rational?" Cadet Baker asked in a whisper.

Nathan sat beside him.

"I'm not actually. In the moment, in a fight, I feel the anger and the need to fight back all the way to my toes," Nathan admitted quietly.

Baker rolled his eyes in skepticism.

"I was quite the hot head as a teenager. My mother can tell you stories about the scuffles I would get into because I couldn't control it," Nathan said.

"So, what helped?" Baker asked.

"Boxing. I learned to box. And my coach said something that still resonates with me when I'm fighting," Nathan said.

He paused as he waited for Baker's full attention.

"He said that I will never win a fight if I charge in recklessly and without a care for the end result. He would tell me that I needed to find why I was angry and with who, and then I needed to put it aside for a minute to assess how I can win the fight. Sometimes that is through negotiation. Sometimes it is through fighting back. And rarely it is a kill," Nathan said.

Baker looked at him.

"With all due respect, Sir, you haven't been to the front," Baker growled out.

"No. But because of Boyce, Hargraves, and Croaker I was tortured," Nathan admitted.

Baker looked at him in surprise.

"And if anyone would have the right to be a little less lenient in our rules, it would have been me. Don't you agree?" Nathan said softly.

Baker nodded.

"But if we don't hold everyone, and I mean everyone, to the same rules, it makes me just as wrong as them. No one is above the law," Nathan said in a whisper.

Baker nodded.

"So, what makes you angry?" Nathan asked.

Baker looked at him.

Nathan raised an eyebrow back at him.

"That these old and decrepit men felt it necessary to MAKE us fight for them! It's not fair!" Baker said angrily as he walked angrily on the path.

Nathan nodded.

Baker got the rage look in his eyes again. Then he started lashing out the trees and kicking them hard.

"The trees didn't do anything to you," Nathan pointed out.

Baker glared at him.

"Who are you angry at, and how can you win?" Nathan asked.

Baker turned his anger to him and began to swing punches. But Nathan was back to full health and just dodged them easily before he put Baker in a headlock.

"Who are you angry at, and how can you win?" Nathan whispered into his ear.

Baker struggled against the lock.

"Who are you angry at, and how can you win?" Nathan asked again before releasing him.

Baker dropped to his knees.

"How can I stop war when it seems like the only constant thing?" Baker said.

"War is inevitable, unfortunately. But you win by not letting the anger, hurt, and rage of the unfairness of your situation make you a negative person, filled with hate and anger. You win by choosing to do something better, and you are. You just need the skills to overcome them. I think you have a lot of potential Cadet Baker, but we will need to work on your gut reaction," Nathan said softly.

Baker looked surprised.

"You think you can help retrain my instincts?" Baker asked.

"Not all of them need to be retrained, just the automatic need to have a killshot," Nathan said. "And that will be a lot of hard work, but I think once you do, you have good instincts that would make you a good Mountie."

Baker looked at him in surprise.

"But you have to be committed to making the changes. This will mostly be on you," Nathan said.

Baker nodded.

"I want to change, Sir," Baker said as he slowly stood up and mounted his horse.

Nathan smiled before mounting Newton and leading them all back into town.