A/N: Hey all! I apparently have no self-control when it comes to writing. I had no intention of posting another story before finishing Strength. I certainly didn't think I would ever write a story that wasn't centered on Nathan and Elizabeth. However, this story took hold of my imagination recently and wouldn't let go. It's different from anything I've written before, but I hope it's enjoyable. It's an alternate take on the events that play out at the end of S5 and beyond. Updates may come slowly since I'm working on several other projects and am in the midst of some massive edits for my novel, but I will try to get out a few chapters each month. I hope you like this story! :)

Carson Shepherd chuckled as he watched the children of Hope Valley crowd around the table for a slice of cake. Abigail doled it out generously, her smile wide. She was thanked profusely by a chorus of young voices. The cake disappeared quickly, making Carson grateful he'd already had a piece.

"Your cake was delicious, Abigail," he said as he put his empty plate on the table.

She turned her smile on him. "Only the best for our favorite doctor," she replied, winking at him. "I know how much you love chocolate."

He laughed.

Faith Cantrell appeared beside him with her husband, Shane. The two of them had organized the party. Though Carson wasn't always comfortable being the center of attention, he appreciated the thoughtful gesture from his friends. He hugged Faith, then shook Shane's hand. "I'm very blessed to have friends like you," he said, smiling at them in turn. "Thank you for this wonderful evening."

"You're welcome," Faith said. "It's high time we showed you some appreciation. You do so much for this town."

"That you do," Shane agreed. "You saved our Philip's life when he had influenza. I will always be grateful for that."

Carson sobered, remembering how close the child had come to death a few months back. He wasn't entirely sure it was his doctoring that had saved the boy. He'd prayed desperately for a miracle, as had most of the town. They'd received one, a fact Carson thanked God for daily.

"You've touched the lives of everyone in this town," a new voice said. Carson turned to see Elizabeth Thornton standing next to him. A smile lit her pretty blue eyes. Carson found it easy to smile in return.

"You're too kind," he said, flushing as he realized everyone in the group was looking at him with a sort of adulation that he was sure he didn't deserve. He coughed lightly, looking down at his shoes. His cheeks were turning red. The knowledge that he was blushing only made the red color deepen. He could feel his face burning.

Elizabeth took pity on him. She placed a hand on his arm. "I just realized I forgot to bring your birthday present," she said. "It's at the schoolhouse. I'll just go run and get that."

Carson was about to protest her going out at night alone, but he didn't have to. Abigail stacked some dishes, then wiped her hands on a napkin. "I'll come with you," she said. The two women linked arms, laughing as they walked from the saloon.

His attention turned back to Faith and Shane. He was about to say something when he noticed a decided sparkle in Faith's eyes, the kind that said she was happy about something.

"What is it?" he asked, raising a brow in question.

Faith and Shane exchanged a look. Shane nodded briefly. A smile tugged at his lips. Faith all but fluttered in her excitement. "Shane and I are going to have a baby!" she squealed, latching an arm around her husband's waist in sheer joy. "I think I'm about three months along."

Carson immediately broke into a grin. He pulled Faith into a hug. "Congratulations!" he exclaimed. "What a wonderful blessing!" He then hugged Shane. "You two are wonderful parents to Philip. This little one is fortunate to have you."

Faith beamed. "Thanks, Carson." She glanced at Shane again before turning her eyes back to him. "We'd like you to be the godfather," she said.

He blinked, not expecting such an honor. Shane and Faith were both looking at him expectantly. Carson cleared his throat. "I would be happy to," he said sincerely.

Shane joined Faith in smiling, opening his mouth to say something further. He never got the chance.

A blood-curdling scream sounded from outside the saloon. Every head in the building swiveled toward the horrible, mournful sound. Carson didn't think. He simply acted. Whoever had made that noise was in terrible pain. He ran out the door, then skidded to a stop.

A Mountie stood in the road, hat in one hand, horse reins in the other. He looked distressed. Another scream sounded. Carson's eyes traveled down to the ground, where Abigail was bent over a sobbing Elizabeth. His heart dropped like a rock. Looking back up at the unfamiliar Mountie, he suddenly knew exactly why the man was here. He knew why Elizabeth was crying as if her heart was breaking.

It was. The Mountie's demeanor and Elizabeth's tears made it abundantly clear that Jack Thornton wasn't coming home.

He moved forward, joining Abigail on the ground. Placing an arm around Elizabeth, he tried to help just by being there. His mind flashed back to the moment his wife died on the operating table. The pain of knowing she was gone had been excruciating. People had tried telling him it would all be alright, that time would heal his pain, all before Amber was in the ground. Carson hadn't been able to countenance it. That had been part of the reason he'd gone into a dark mood after her death. He couldn't abide people telling him everything would be okay when it felt like his entire world had shattered into a million pieces.

Elizabeth's body shook violently as she cried. Her hands clenched the gravel beneath her. Carson could already see blood trickling through her fingers, telling him the small rocks were breaking her skin. She probably didn't notice, so great was her grief.

A crowd was gathering. People stood in shocked silence, reading the situation just like Carson had. All around him, he could hear the beginnings of weeping. Abigail, for all her motherly poise, had rivers of tears streaming down her cheeks. Shane and Faith stood together, faces pale, while Philip looked at them in confusion.

"What's happening?" the little boy asked, a note of fear in his voice. Faith could only shake her head, gathering her stepson into her arms.

A movement caught Carson's attention. Lee and Bill stood on either side of the Mountie, conferring with him in low voices. Carson could hear the strain in their words. To his shock, he saw tears falling onto Bill's cheeks. He'd never seen the tough sheriff so ruffled, but Jack had been like a son to him. He knew his friend was hurting. The entire town was hurting.

But no one more than the woman beside him. Elizabeth's wails smote his heart. She tried to push herself up, but her arms wouldn't hold her. She collapsed onto the ground, her head hitting the gravel with a sickening thud.

Abigail let out a cry of dismay. Carson lifted Elizabeth, resting her head in his lap. She didn't stir. He patted her cheek, trying to rouse her, but it was useless. She had fainted.

"Carson, what happened to her?" Abigail whispered, clutching his arm.

He slid his hands under the unconscious woman, taking her into his arms. "She's in shock," he said. "Sometimes that can cause a person to faint. I need to get her to the infirmary. Will you come with me?"

Abigail nodded. Carson stood, holding Elizabeth firmly but gently. He began walking with long steps toward his destination. When they reached the infirmary, Abigail darted ahead of him to open the door. Carson thanked her, then walked into the room and gently lay Elizabeth on the bed. She emitted a groan, but she didn't wake. Carson knew he needed to clean and bandage her hands. They were raw and blood-streaked. There was also a trickle of blood dripping from her forehead where her head had hit the ground. The left side of her face was scratched. Carson washed up, then began ministering to her wounds.

It didn't take too long, but each minute felt like an eternity. He was almost glad Elizabeth wasn't conscious right now. The pain from her cuts would sting, but it would be nothing compared to the knife of pain in her heart. When he finished bandaging her head, he sat back.

Abigail was trembling, tears sliding down her cheeks. Carson moved to the other side of the bed to put an arm around her. "Is there anything I can do for you?" he asked gently.

She sniffed, shaking her head. "Only time can heal this wound," she said sadly. "Jack was such a stalwart member of this community. Everyone loved him. His loss will hit us all hard." Her throat worked as she looked at Elizabeth. "Especially her." She choked on the words, turning her face into Carson's chest. He simply held her as she cried.

His mind turned to their fallen constable. Jack Thornton had left for the Northern Territories shortly after Carson arrived in Hope Valley. He'd not had the opportunity to become friends with the Mountie, though he'd gained a deep respect for Jack based on the things he heard of the man. The few interactions they'd had told Carson that Jack was a good person with a large heart, a ready smile, and a determination to fight for justice.

Sadness smote him as he realized that determination had led to Jack's death. He tried to piece together how it had happened. From all accounts, the mission that had called him from Hope Valley days after his marriage was supposed to be safe. It was a prestigious position, requiring him to train new recruits. So how had he died at Fort Clay? The injustice of it all struck him. Jack had spent nearly a year in the Northern Territories, fighting a foe that claimed the lives of far too many good men. Carson had watched as Elizabeth spent that year terrified that something would happen to Jack. He'd seen her pour over newspapers and watch diligently for letters. When Jack came home, she'd finally been able to relax. When he left for Fort Clay, she hadn't thought there was any reason to worry. Elizabeth had been cheerful and patient as she waited for her husband to return once again. Jack was supposed to have been home in less than a week.

The unfairness of it all made Carson close his eyes. Elizabeth had been completely blindsided by this news. She was enjoying a pleasant evening, having fun and spending time with friends, when her life had been cruelly upended. Barely married, she was now a widow. Carson knew from experience that it was going to take time for her to heal.

And so, as he held a crying Abigail in his arms and looked at a pale Elizabeth on the bed, he vowed to be there for the schoolteacher in whatever way she needed him to be. He understood her pain all too well. Maybe, just maybe, he could be a comfort to her in the difficult days to come.