School had been in session for about an hour, and things were going smoothly. The children loved having Charlotte and Julie in class with them. It was the first time that Elizabeth had seen Charlotte teach, and she was fascinated. As she watched, however, she realized she had forgotten something she needed for her lesson. She whispered to Julie, "I left some notes at the house that I need to run and get, but I'll be right back."

"No, Elizabeth, you're not going anywhere by yourself. I don't trust the Bouchards not to attempt to get you alone," Julie replied firmly. "Tell me where they are, and I'll go get whatever you need."

Normally she would have agreed, but Elizabeth knew the papers were in her journal, left there when she was working on it last night. It was highly unlikely that Julie would just collect them and not read the surrounding pages. "I'll be fine, Julie," she insisted. "They think I'm in the classroom with you and Charlotte for company. They won't try anything, and I'll keep to the side roads just in case, so they won't see me. I'll go straight there and come right back. I promise."

Julie studied her sister silently for a moment. She had to agree that Elizabeth's reasoning was sound, but she still didn't like it. "All right, but you better be back here before recess is over, or Charlotte will come looking for you," she finally conceded grumpily.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "I promise- no detours."

"I've heard that before," Jack muttered, rolling his eyes. He and Colleen had been watching the events unfold over the past two days.

Colleen laughed. "You don't think she'll do as she says?"

Jack smirked, shaking his head. "Colleen, where have you been? Have you been paying any attention?"

She laughed, trying to console him. "Maybe this time will be different. I sense that something in Elizabeth is about to change." She tugged his arm, gesturing towards Elizabeth's retreating figure. "Come on, let's follow her."

Elizabeth rose before Julie could say anything else and slipped out the door. She didn't blame everyone for their concern and reluctance to leave her alone, but the more they hovered, the more she realized just how timid she had become when she allowed Lucas and Helen to coerce her. She had spent last night going over their interactions and was determined to stand up for herself should they approach her again. Given the number of bodyguards she suddenly had, they were unlikely to try. Charlotte was as intimidating as she was protective, and she had been quite clear that they needed to keep their distance from Elizabeth and Jack. If that weren't enough incentive, there would be Bill and Nathan. The Bouchards had to know that both lawmen were aware of everything by now.

Elizabeth had been so caught up in her thoughts that she was unaware someone was following her. When she realized it, she was shocked to see Helen walking towards her.

"I think it's time we finished our conversation Elizabeth," Helen sneered, her eyes blazing with contempt.

Elizabeth quickly scanned the area, watching for Lucas to approach as well.

"Don't bother," Helen said snidely. "It's just the two of us. I knew it was only a matter of time before you did something stupid again. You would think that with all those people you have trying to surround you, they wouldn't all be so incompetent," Helen scoffed. "Especially when you consider one is a Mountie and the other a former Inspector."

Elizabeth had finally had enough. She might deserve the things they said about her, but she would not allow them to ridicule her friends. "I have nothing to further discuss with you, Helen, or your son. I want you both to leave and never contact me again."

Helen just smirked and said, "Well, that's where you are wrong. Or have you forgotten that I am in charge of your book deal? Without me, there is no deal, and it will remain unpublished just like your other pathetic attempt."

"That's fine with me," Elizabeth said, moving around her to continue home.

"That's better. I'm glad you see my point. Now come along so we can finish this conversation." Helen grabbed Elizabeth's arm in a vice grip, pulling her towards the saloon.

Jack tensed, visibly upset that there wasn't anything they could do about what was happening. Colleen placed a hand on his arm in comfort and soothed, "It will be all right, Jack. Watch."

Elizabeth stood her ground and jerked her arm from the older woman's grasp. "I think you misunderstand what I said, Helen. I have no intention of going anywhere with you, and as for the book, I would rather it never see the light of day than have you involved any further with it. I will contact the publisher, repay my advance, and cancel the book deal myself." She folded her arms across her chest to emphasize her words.

Helen glared back at her. "You don't have the courage to do any such thing, you little mouse, but should you try, I can assure you that you will regret it." The older woman gave a hollow chuckle. "Given your profession, you can't afford to make enemies of us. I'm done wasting time with you, Elizabeth. This is your last chance to stop your tantrums and come along like a good girl."

"Oh, boy," Jack grinned. "That was a huge mistake."

Hearing the older woman's demeaning comments, Elizabeth saw red, and it wasn't Nathan's serge. Any remaining hesitancy was gone as she uncrossed her arms and approached Helen like a hunter to its prey. When she spoke, her tone was deathly calm.

"You listen to me, Helen because this is your last chance. Whatever impressions you have previously made of me, be warned that they are far from correct. I will no longer be bullied and coerced by you or your son. You think you have influential friends who can cause problems for me or the people I love? Well, let me enlighten you. I am a Thatcher, born and bred, and we don't run from a challenge."

Helen tried to hide her unease as she retorted. "Oh, I know all about your family, dear, and they are no match for my people. You may want to rethink your decision before you are left with nothing and no one."

Elizabeth chuckled mirthlessly and moved to stand over the other woman, her eyes like blue steel. In a glacial tone she uttered, "I have stood up to people far tougher than you, so challenge accepted. You do what you feel you must, and I will do the same, and we will see who remains standing when the dust settles."

Without another word, she turned, striding confidently back to her house. On her return, she noticed with a smirk that Helen was nowhere in sight. She made a mental note to go see Bill and Nathan during the children's recess to fill them in on everything that had been said and done. She was through hiding and keeping secrets. She could finally feel herself, the real Elizabeth, coming alive again for the first time since Jack's death.

"Welcome back, my sweet Elizabeth," Jack murmured happily. "I had begun to think you were gone for good."

"That was pretty impressive, I must say," Colleen said. "I just wish my brother could have seen it."

"Don't worry. At some point, he will," Jack chortled. "The Bouchards don't know what, or should I say who, they're dealing with,"

"From what I just saw, it won't be long," Colleen said with a laugh,

"No, it won't, and we have a front-row seat," Jack added with a grin. "Maybe it's time that we begin our next step."

"What are you thinking?" Colleen asked.

"Have you ever read A Christmas Carol?" Jack said with a raised brow. At his smile, she pictured exactly what he was thinking.

"After you," she replied with a laugh. "This will be fun."

Elizabeth returned to school just as the children ran out for recess. Charlotte and Julie followed quickly, looking for Elizabeth. They were speechless when they saw the smile on her face. The woman before them now was the complete opposite of the one they walked to school that morning. Looking around to ensure the children were safely occupied, the three gathered at the bottom of the steps.

"Okay, what happened on your little errand?" Charlotte asked. "Which, by the way, I am not happy about."

"I'm sorry, Charlotte, and I understand, but there was no other option," Elizabeth replied. "I was nearly to my house when Helen ambushed me." She quickly added, "Don't worry, she was alone."

"She has some nerve approaching you after yesterday, Sister," Julie scowled.

"What did she want?" Charlotte demanded.

Elizabeth told them about their whole interaction, the insults, the threats, and her determination to fight back. By the time she was done, that anger was blazing in her eyes again.

"Well, judging by that look on your face, something tells me you corrected her misguided assumptions," Charlotte smirked. "I see the woman my son fell in love with looking back at me."

"I told her I accepted her challenge and that in the end, we would see who remains once the dust settles." Elizabeth glowed with pride and determination.

"Welcome back, Lizzie. We sure have missed you," Charlotte grinned. Julie was beaming beside her, proud to see her sister strong and confident again.

"I need to talk to Bill and Nathan, let them know what's happened," Elizabeth continued. "Then I intend to reach out to my parents. Helen's comments about our family struck me as odd. I also need to talk to Lee, because I suspect they will be going after my teacher accreditation if they haven't already. Can the two of you cover classes for the rest of the day?"

"I'll be fine here, Lizzie, but Julie is going with you. I don't want you to go off alone again. They could still try again to force you around to their way of thinking," Charlotte insisted.

"Well, they can try, but I'm done being pushed around," Elizabeth retorted. "The Bouchards are about to find they've stirred up a tiger instead of a timid mouse."

Charlotte went to the top of the stairs, watching the children play as the Thatcher sisters strode off giggling. As they approached Main Street, Elizabeth paused. "Julie, can you wait for me at the café?" She gestured across the street. "I'd like to talk to Nathan alone."

Julie glanced up and down the boardwalk, taking note of all the people bustling around town. It would be nearly impossible for Lucas or Helen to get close to Elizabeth here. "I suppose that will be alright. Do you want me to reach out to our parents while I'm waiting?"

Elizabeth beamed. "Actually, that's a wonderful idea. Perhaps Father can inquire around and see if he can find something we can use."

"Well, the Bouchards appear to have money, so they are probably known in the Hamilton social circles. If they are, perhaps Mother or Viola can be of help there," Julie mused.

"You may be on to something," Elizabeth said as they reached the middle of town. She saw that Newton was tied up outside the jail, so Nathan was not on rounds. She peeked over at the saloon and saw that the balcony was empty. "Now is a good time to report all that's happened."

Julie waited while Elizabeth stood on the boardwalk, debating between the judge's office and the jail. "I know you're nervous, Sister, but I'm sure it will go better than you think," Julie encouraged, nudging her to move. "You'll never know if you just stand there. Besides, you did promise not to hide anything else from him, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did."

"You want him to know he can trust you, right? Julie goaded.

"Of course I do," Elizabeth replied, exasperated by her sister's questions.

"Well, telling him about what happened today is a good place to start, so get moving," Julie insisted with a smirk. "Otherwise, I might be forced to drag you over there myself."

Elizabeth gave her sister one last glare before heading off down the street. She decided to start with Bill, since he was the most likely to welcome her presence. As she was expecting Nathan to be at the jail, she was pulled up short to see him in Bill's office instead.