Hi All!

Sorry I've been MIA these past few days, especially on a week where I think we all need a little extra Team Lucas motivation. I was fortunate enough to get my second vaccine shot earlier this week, so I've been taking it easy (thankfully my side effects weren't terrible at all)! But that being said, here's a bit of a longer one for you! This is set sometime in Season 8, but may slightly diverge from the episodes still to come just based on what we know already about this next week.

I've got a couple of other additions saved too, so I'm hoping to post a couple more before we hit that new episode on Sunday. Fingers crossed everything will work out in the end, even if we have a bumpy ride to get there!

Enjoy!

Something felt off, but Lucas couldn't put his finger on it.

The day, thus far, had actually gone surprisingly well. For a town so usually filled with drama, today Hope Valley was totally, completely, entirely uninteresting. The usuals had come and gone from the saloon, Gustave was whistling happily as he worked in the kitchen, the sun was shining outside, and a gentle summer breeze wafted through the open windows.

But still, something wasn't right.

Making his way into the front house of the Queen of Hearts, Lucas tried to shake the feeling of dread. Perhaps it was simply the fact that nothing was happening that made it feel like something was happening. Picking up the drinks from the counter that he knew belonged to Fiona and Hickam, who were sitting at a table nearby enjoying a late lunch, he moved in their direction just in time to pick up on what Fiona was saying.

"I just hope Elizabeth is alright."

Lucas' heart sank.

"I'm sorry, Fiona, but what did you say?" he inquired as he set the drinks on the table in front of them. His gaze darted back and forth between Fiona, who whipped around to look at him, and Mike, who looked apprehensive.

"Oh, Lucas, I didn't know you were here or else I would've told you. I just saw Elizabeth at the mercantile. She was on the phone, but after she hung up she rushed out without another word. Florence said she wasn't sure what was going on, but she looked upset," Fiona explained.

"Do you know where she went?"

The young woman shook her head. "I don't know for sure, but it looked like she was heading toward the schoolhouse. I'm sensing you don't know what's going on either then?"

"No," he responded curly. Fiona and Hickam watched him with concern as he attempted to process what might be going on, but he eventually cleared his throat. "I hope you both enjoy your meal." With a nod, Lucas quickly turned on his feet and headed toward the back of the saloon, where he let Gustave and the bartenders know that he was heading out for a while and that he wasn't sure when he'd be back. In no time at all, he was on his way toward the schoolhouse.

It didn't take him long to find her, seated on the dock at the edge of the pond. From a distance, one might assume that she was simply enjoying one of the cooler days of the summer, taking in the sun and the inspiration that came with such a beautiful afternoon. But as Lucas made his way closer to her, he could easily recognize the telltale signs of distress.

"Elizabeth?" he asked once he was close enough that he knew she'd hear him. She somehow hadn't noticed him walking toward her, obviously caught up in a world of her own. Lucas watched as she sat a bit straighter at the sound of his voice, running her hands over her face in an obvious attempt to wipe away the tears that had fallen before turning to him. His heart broke when he saw her expression, filled with panic.

He had her in his arms in a second, and he could feel her shaking, her breathing uneven. Holding her as tightly as he could, Lucas rubbed a hand over her back in soothing motions. She didn't speak, nor did she cry. She just shook, trembling in a way he never wanted to see her tremble again.

They needed to find some privacy, he decided. It was Saturday, so Joseph and Minnie would be preparing the nearby church for the following morning's service, which meant the schoolhouse wasn't an option. Plus, if Elizabeth had wanted to talk to the pastor she would've done so already. The rowhouses were so far away, and even if they did go back to her own home they'd have to face Laura and anyone else they passed during a trek to the other side of town.

Which left just one option.

"Elizabeth, do you think that you can make it back to the Queen of Hearts?" Lucas asked gently, still rubbing her back. Slowly she nodded her head, attempting to take in a deep breath without much success. He carefully reached down to grasp her hand in his, his other arm remaining firmly around her shoulder as he moved them in the direction of town.

Their pace was sluggish, but Lucas kept her tucked as close to him as possible, and eventually they made their way to the back of the saloon, somehow managing to avoid contact with nosy neighbors the entire way. He opened the door, letting her walk through first before he followed.

Gustave peeked around the corner, but quickly returned to the kitchen after making eye contact with Lucas.

Elizabeth moved automatically in the direction of his office, but he grabbed her hand once more and tugged her in the direction of the back stairwell.

She froze, her eyes meeting his in a moment of uncertainty. "Lucas," she whispered, "we can't."

"Elizabeth, you know I never want to make you uncomfortable, but I don't care what's proper and what isn't right now. What I care about is you, so will you please come with me so I can guarantee we won't be interrupted?" he pleaded with her.

Her eyes searched his for a moment before she put her trust in him, letting him lead her up the stairs to his suite.

When they reached the door, he quickly unlocked it, ushering her inside. She'd never seen his suite, a simple two room abode with a parlor area and a door that she assumed led to his bedroom. It was decorated in much of the same way his office was downstairs, filled with treasures from his travels and photographs of family. The walls were a rich blue color, the stained trim the same dark finish as the rest of the saloon, and beautiful ivory colored curtains hung in the windows.

For a brief second, she forgot everything that had happened that day, enthralled by this glimpse into her suitor's life.

And then she saw the schoolhouse, perfectly framed by one of his windows, and it all came rushing back.

He caught her, his strong arms wrapping around her middle as the tears finally escaped and her knees felt like giving out. Lucas carefully led her to the settee in the middle of the room, helping her sit down. She was shaking again, and he still didn't know why.

"Elizabeth?" he questioned, his voice low and soothing. "Sweetheart, what can I do to help you right now?"

She didn't answer, too wrapped up in whatever hell she was going through to truly hear him.

At a loss for what else to do, Lucas knelt on the ground in front of her, situating himself as close as he could so he could grab her hands in his. He ran his thumbs gently along her fingertips. "Elizabeth?" he asked again.

She opened her eyes to look at him. They were bloodshot and, from his vantage point, looking up at this beautiful, inspirational, wonderful woman, he could see nothing but hurt written on her face. Tears continued to fall, and she gasped for a breath as her panic attack consumed her. When she finally found her voice, her words were broken, but he still understood.

Landis was at it again, and this time they were going to take over the school for good. Or at least, they were going to take it away from the woman he loved.

"The school is…" she started again before her body forced her to stop.

Lucas brought one of his hands up to cup the side of her face. "I know," he said simply. "And I won't let him take it."

"There's nothing we can do. It's already happening" Elizabeth choked out. Her hurt began to turn to anger, "they went entirely behind my back."

He studied her face. "They don't own that school. These aren't their children being taught," he continued, his thumb now running over her cheekbone methodically. "These children love you. Their parents love you. This town loves you. I love you. Never forget that. We would all choose you every single time. They can do what they want, but I know that you will always be the best teacher for your students no matter where you are. If they take the school, you can teach here in the saloon. If they try to force you out, we won't let them. You are not alone in this fight, Elizabeth."

Suddenly he thought he'd said the wrong thing as new, hot tears fell from her eyes, but she leaned into his hand. Her eyes were shut tight, even when he brought up his other hand to the opposite side of her face.

"Elizabeth, I'm sorry, did I say something wrong?" he asked quickly, shifting a bit closer so her. Her knees pressed into his chest, but he didn't care.

She shook her head before bringing her hands up to cover his, holding them to her face. Without opening her eyes, she turned slightly to her right, holding his hand as she gently kissed his palm. When Elizabeth turned back to face him, her eyes were open, clearer than they'd been since he found her at the dock.

"Elizabeth, I... " he began, about to apologize again, but she cut him off.

"Thank you."

Lucas' expression softened. He let her maintain her grasp on his hands, which she brought back to her lap as she finally found herself able to take the deep breath she'd been fighting for all this time.

"You know, when I first came to Hope Valley we didn't have a schoolhouse."

He tilted his head in response, a bit taken aback. "I know Jack built the schoolhouse, but if you didn't have one where did you teach?"

She laughed, the sound a blessing to his ears. "Here. In the saloon."

Lucas smiled, "I didn't know that."

They were both silent for a moment before Elizabeth continued, her voice a whisper. "You'd really let me teach in the Queen of Hearts?"

"I'd do anything for you, my love." He emphasized his declaration with a kiss to the back of her hand, just like he'd done so long ago in his office. "We'll figure this out, together."

With a sigh, Elizabeth let herself relax, tugging him up to sit next to her. The settee was slightly larger than the one in his office, but they were still pressed tightly against one another, and she immediately took his hand, weaving their fingers together. Leaning toward him, she pressed a kiss to his cheek before settling against his shoulder.

"Thank you for trusting me" Lucas whispered to her a moment later, pressing a kiss into her hair.

"Thank you for coming" she returned, and unlike the evening in his office, when she ran, terrified that she could be falling in love with him, she only snuggled closer.