AN: Okay, so I have been working on this for the last couple of weeks. It got started by a dream I had involving a later scene with Nathan and Dylan after reading ElizabethB88's New Dawn chapter about the Mueller gang. It was supposed to be a one-shot but it kind of expanded. I have finished it, though I have some editing to do on later chapters. There will be three or four chapters depending on how things get split - I wrote it as one file which is 26 pages long. Definitely not a good one-shot candidate.
So, some may have heard me say that as far as I am concerned, the show I loved ended with the Season 7 finale. There were some good parts of season 8 but all the storylines seemed to only touch the surface instead of going deep and some made no sense to me at all. Elizabeth's character was regressed to the pampered, self-centered rich girl that came to Coal Valley in season 1 negating all of her character growth. The inquiry episode was well done. Nathan and Ally's scenes were lovely. So with that said, this story picks up after the season 7 finale. It will be Nathan/Elizabeth though that is not the main focus of this story. The focus of this story is the relationship between Nathan and Lucas. (For those who read the kiss drabble between them no I am not going in that direction with their relationship).
I tried to write Lucas' character in the manner in which his character is first introduced - the self-proclaim gambler who has a mysterious past. His motives might sometimes be questionable, but he does have a good heart. He has the average flaws that a lot of us could recognize in ourselves at times if we were honest with ourselves. So, if you are looking for St. Lucas - go find another story!
That being said, I hope some find this interesting.
Disclaimer: the characters used are the property of the creators/producers of WCTH. Only the storyline is mine.
Lucas Bouchard was not intimidated by many people these days. Not that it was always that way. That particular characteristic was not intrinsic but had been learned after years of traveling. He had not been lying to Ally Grant when he had told her he'd had trouble making friends when he was younger. Moving around, and meeting new people all the time had once been a frightening prospect until he had learned how to make people see what he wanted them to see. Learning magic had only been the start of that. It was a lesson that continued to serve him well in life and in business.
However, right now, in a room full of high ranking Mounties, Lucas did feel intimidated. It didn't help that he was about to testify against one of those Mounties. It did not bring him pleasure to possibly helping bring about an end to a man's career. However, not speaking up could mean the end of the career of another Mountie. A Mountie that he had come to know. A Mountie who had stood by his side when he had been in trouble. A Mountie who someone he cared about was in love with, even if she was not ready to accept that love.
"Lucas Bouchard, do you swear that the testimony that you are about to give is the truth to the best of your knowledge?" Super Intendant O'Reilly asked as he stood in front of Lucas.
"I do," Lucas replied solemnly, trying to keep his voice steady despite the turmoil he felt. If this went in favor of Hargraves, Lucas knew that Constable Nathan Grant was not the only person the man would continue to make life hard for. Not for the first time he wondered why he hadn't just kept out of the whole situation.
As soon as the thought went through his mind, he saw two faces in his mind's eyes - Ally and Elizabeth. It was those faces that had inspired him to do the right thing. Ally idolized her uncle, as well she should. Lucas had seen the fear and uncertainty in the girl's eyes as Nathan met with superiors and made trips to Union City these last few weeks as the events of the prisoner transfer were scrutinized. Nathan Grant was that girl's whole world and Lucas knew he had to do what was right to keep Ally's world from shattering even more than it already had. As for Elizabeth, he had seen that embrace like so many others that day. Elizabeth had thought she had lost Nathan that day and in that moment, there was no denying the feelings she had for him. Feelings that Lucas knew he should stop trying to interfere with. Standing on the street in Hope Valley that day, Lucas had made the decision to step back. He hoped that without him muddying the waters, Elizabeth could sort things out.
A few days later, Elizabeth had decided to go to Hamilton. Nathan and Bill had been in Union City at Mountie Headquarters. Before going to the train station, Elizabeth had come to see him. She had told him she had found his attention flattering, and that their trip to Union City had reminded her of growing up in Hamilton. She had said she apologized if she had mislead him but that she had no romantic feelings toward him, though she did value his friendship. She had asked his forgiveness, to which he had told her their was nothing to forgive. He reminded her that she had stated quiet clearly that the Union City trip had simply been as friends.
Elizabeth's speech had saved him from having to try to explain what he had noticed that day. It saved him from having to admit that he had lost the competition to the Constable. Perhaps therein was part of the issue. Perhaps love should never be about who won or who lost. Would he have pursued Elizabeth like he had if Nathan had not shown an interest in her. His first notion when finding out she was a widow with a child had been to back off. If he had kept with that first notion, perhaps he could have saved Elizabeth a whole lot of confusion. Perhaps she would not have felt the need to return to her parent's home for an extended stay if he not gotten the silly idea to compete for her affections.
Lucas just hoped she had reached out to Nathan in some way before returning to Hamilton. Though he had been away when Elizabeth had left, her abscence had not seemed like a suprise to the Mountie when he had come home from that first visit to Union City. Then again, Nathan was good at being stoic. Lucas had always thought the man would be hard to read in a game of poker. About the only person who seemed to be able to evoke emotion from Nathan theses days was Ally.
"Have a seat, Mr. Bouchard," O'Reilly instructed.
Lucas did so, and while O'Reilly returned to his seat at the head table with the other two officers, Lucas took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He was doing the right thing. He was exposing questionable behavior by a person who had taken a oath to uphold certain values and standards. One conversation with Hargraves had told him that the man did not deserve to wear that uniform any more than he himself did. Though he had always thought of himself as a decent person, Lucas knew he bent the rules sometimes to get the outcome that he wanted. If a little white lie got him something and didn't harm anyone, then what was the harm? He knew it was an attitude unbecoming of a Mountie but then there was a reason he had never even thought about taking that oath to serve and protect.
But Nathan had. Nathan had taken that oath and even when upholding that oath had meant arresting his own father, Nathan had done that. Though he had struggled, Nathan had carried out both his duty as a Mountie and his duty as a son in that instance, searching out and finding the real thief. Yes, he and Nathan Grant might have their differences, but after all the sacrifices the man had made for others, he did not deserve to be blamed for something that was not his fault.
As O'Reilly led the questioning, Lucas told the panel of Mounties what had transpired. He told them about Hargraves coming to him a few days after the O'Rourke prisoner transfer. Told them how the man had fished for information about his relationship with Constable Grant. Hargraves had then asked him if he would like an opportunity to Nathan Grant gone from Hope Valley permanently and how all it would take was a fabricated complaint against the Mountie.
"Super Intendant Hargraves told me that he would type up the complaint and all I had to do was sign it," Lucas finished, carefully avoiding looking in the direction that Hargraves sat.
"What was your response?" O'Reilly asked.
"I told him I would think about it," Lucas admitted, casting a glance in Nathan's direction. He was looking for some indication of the man's reaction to that statement. Lucas knew that most others would have quickly refused the proposition. Perhaps he should have too. It wasn't like he had even considered doing it. However, Nathan's expression was as stoic as ever. "I was taken off guard by the request and simply wanted to get away," Lucas continued. "I excused myself, retreated to my office. After replaying the conversation in my head, that was when I sought out Judge Avery's counsel."
"Did Super Intendant Hargraves tell you why he wanted you to sign the complaint against Constable Grant?" O'Reilly asked.
"No," Lucas replied.
O'Reilly asked him some questions about his personal relationship with Constable Grant. Lucas admitted to the rough start the two got of to when teaching Ally the card trick had led to trouble at school. Admitted to the distrust a lot of towns people, Constable Grant included, had in him when he had first arrived. Told about the trouble he had found himself in with Amos Dixon and how Constable Grant had handled it with professionalism despite any personal feelings he may have harbored.
"Do you believe that Super Intendant Hargraves knew about the tension between you and Constable Grant?" O'Reilly asked.
"Maybe not all the details but I think everyone in Hope Valley knows things are tense between the two of us, just like they know that Judge Avery does not like or trust me." Lucas replied, noting that Bill didn't bother looking away as he sat beside Nathan. The words were true and both men knew it.
"Do you think Super Intendant Hargraves approached you thinking you would go along with the fake complaint without question?"
"I do," Lucas replied.
"And why didn't you?"
Lucas had not expected the last question. Why hadn't he gone along with Super Intendant Hargraves plan? It was certainly a better prospect to have a Constable with the Mounties upset with you rather than a Super Intendant. It also wasn't like he had done some questionable things in the past when it came to business or gambling.
However this wasn't business or a game. This was a man's career and reputation on the line. No matter his personal relationship with Nathan, the man was an honorable person. Nathan had stood by his side when he was in trouble. This was his turn to repay the debt.
It was more than that though, and Lucas knew it. If it was only Constable Grant who would have been affected by his actions Lucas knew he probably would have gone along with Hargraves. He might not be particularly proud of that fact, but he acknowledged it. He had learned to look out for himself foremost in all things. But Nathan would not have been the only one affected by Hargraves scheme.
"Because I could not be responsible for causing further pain on a young girl who has already loss so much," Lucas replied. "Constable Grant is the most important person in Ally Grant's life and I refused to be responsible for tarnishing her image of him with a lie."
Lucas saw Nathan look down at the hands clasped in his lap. It was the first sign of emotion Lucas had seen from him since being called into the room.
"Very well," O'Reilly stated. "That is all the questions we have for you at this time. Could you please wait out in the hallway. We would like you to stay until we have heard all the information in case we have further questions."
"Yes, sir," Lucas replied, as O'Reilly stepped aside.
Lucas got to his feet and headed toward the door. Glancing to the right he met Bill and Nathan's gazes. Both men gave him a slight nod. A glance to the left showed him that Super Intendant Andrew Hargraves was shooting him daggers. It was clear that he had made an enemy today. He could only hope that his path wouldn't cross Hargraves again after this.
Stepping into the hallway, Lucas reached up and loosened his tie. There was one other man out in the hallway sitting in one of the chairs against the wall. Though the man was in civilian clothes, Lucas was sure he had seen the man in a Mountie uniform the day of the prisoner transfer. Hearing the door open behind him, Lucas turned to see Bill at the door. He motioned the man into the room. Whoever he was, apparently Bill thought the man could help Nathan's case.
Lucas sat down in one of the chairs. Leaning his head back, he tried to relax. He had done what he had come to Union City to do. He had given testimony against Hargraves, who if he was not a bad apple in the Mounties ranks at least had it out for Nathan Grant. Lucas wasn't sure which way things would go, but he had a burning desire to return to the serenity of Hope Valley. At least there he knew where he stood with people, even if not everybody had a high opinion of him.
Nathan listened to former Constable Stephen Augustine's account of the prisoner transfer and his interactions with Hargraves following it. Apparently Lucas was not the only one Hargraves had tried to recruit to try to pin Constable Novak's death on him.
The initial debriefing of the prisoner transfer had been Hargraves responsibility. Nathan knew it was not going to be a pleasant experience for him as soon as he heard that Super Intendant Hargraves would be conducting the debriefing. What he had not been expecting was Hargraves accusation that he had been responsible for Constable Thornton's death three years ago, and he was not going to escape the blame for Constable's Novak death.
The accusation had taken Nathan by surprise as it had been Hargraves' command decisions that had put Jack on that training mission. Nathan knew the only thing he was guilty of was disobeying a command to wait for back-up because he felt the criminals would get away if he didn't. He had accepted responsibility for hat choice - a suspension and an inquiry. The inquiry had ultimately led to the board to rule in his favor. The board ruled that his decision to pursue the cattle rustlers on his own was a judgement call justified by the information he had gathered in the field and not a casual disregard for orders. He had been cleared for duty and the suspension expunged from his record. That had not sat well with Hargraves, the commanding office of Fort Clay at the time, who had retaliated by pulling him from his next assignment - to train the next batch of recruits. Nathan knew he could have fought it, claiming that it was a retaliatory move resulting from the previous incident. He had chosen not to. Nathan had not seen the point in angering Hargraves further. Instead, he had simply quietly put in a request for a transfer away from Fort Clay. Even then, he'd had Ally to consider, and keeping his head down and doing his job was what was best for the two of them.
Constable Jack Thornton had been chosen as his replacement by Hargraves. As his transfer from Fort Clay had come the day before Constable Thornton had arrived, Nathan had never even crossed paths with Jack. He and Ally had been on their way to a posting in Lethbridge when Jack and Elizabeth had arrived at Fort Clay. He had been serving in Lethbridge at the time of the landslide. Though he had not intended to tell Ally about the incident, she had learned about it in school. She had sought him out in his office, having left school crying, sobbing that it could have been him. As he had held his little girl tightly to comfort her, Nathan had felt as if God had been looking out for him even as he was saying a silent prayer for the comfort of the family members whose loved ones had been loss. He hadn't known her name at the time, but that had been the first of many prayers he had said for Elizabeth.
Hargraves had questioned Nathan about the prisoner transfer for over an hour. By the time it was through, Nathan had started to wonder if perhaps Novak's death was his fault. Upon leaving Hargraves office, Bill had asked what had taking so long. Nathan had told him that he didn't want to talk about it and to let it go, which with Bill meant that the former Mountie Inspector wasn't going to let it go. Nathan had eventually told Bill about Fort Clay and his history with Hargraves. When subsequent requests for his presence in Union City Headquarters had followed, Bill had been at his side. Even in headquarters he had refused to be dismissed from the proceedings, his past with O'Reilly helping Bill get his way.
That had brought them to today, where instead of Nathan's actions being scrutinized, it was Hargraves actions that the panel of three Mountie brass was looking into - his actions at Fort Clay as well as his actions while investigating the prisoner transfer.
"Super Intendant Hargraves informed me that if my testimony did not reflect that it was Constable Grant's actions that led to Constable Novak's death that he would make sure the inquiry into the prisoner transfer put the blame for Novak's death on me," Augustine said. "I could tell that Super Intendant Hargraves had an ax to grind with Constable Grant but I refused to change my testimony. I told him he could blame the whole thing on me if he wanted to and that I would resign."
"So, is that the reason you put in your resignation?" O'Reilly asked.
"It was, sir," Augustine replied without hesitation.
"What was your assessment of what happened during the O'Rourke prisoner transfer?"
"Jenny O'Rourke ambushed us. She had a rifle and demanding we get rid of our hand guns. We all complied and Constable Grant got off of his horse and was trying to talk her into giving her the rifle. I guess Constable Novak felt her could get the rifle from under the wagon seat out without Jenny O'Rourke noticing as her attention was focused on Constable Grant. Perhaps he could have if Elias O'Rourke had not shouted a warning. Jenny O'Rourke panicked and fired the rifle, hitting Constable Novak. Giving her shocked reaction, I do not believe she could have pulled the trigger intentionally."
"So, if Constable Novak had not made the choice to go for his rifle, you believe the situation would have had a different outcome?" O'Reilly asked.
"I do," Augustine replied.
"Why did you not bring Super Intendant Hargraves threat against you to the notice of another superior at the time of the incident?"
Stephen Augustine looked at the floor. "I should have but I did not want to go up against a superior. My father did, and though that superior officer was found guilty, very few in the ranks trusted my father after that. He retired early and even tried to persuade me to quit at the first opportunity that I got. It aggravated him that I didn't till the day he died. I simply wanted to leave quietly, with people remembering what I had done before hand and not that I had made an accusation against a superior officer."
"Thank you," O'Reilly told him. "You may leave now."
Augustine nodded and got to his feet. As the former Mountie reached the chair Nathan sat in he paused. "I'm sorry," the man said, looking Nathan in the eye.
Nathan held out his hand to the the man. He had been in a hard position and had taken the easier path. Nathan knew what that was like. He had chosen to transfer rather than fight a retaliatory reassignment by a commanding office. Augustine had chosen to resign rather than go up against that same officer.
"I understand," Nathan told him.
Augustine shook his hand and then left the room. As the door shut behind Augustine, Chief Super Intendant Monet spoke.
"Super Intendant Andrew Hargraves, please stand," Monet requested.
To Nathan's right, Hargraves followed the command.
Monet then proceeded to read off the charges being brought against Hargraves. "Is there anything else you would like to say in your defense?"
Nathan held his breath. Would the man still try to talk his way out even after both Lucas and Augustine had spoken against him?
"No, sir," Hargraves replied.
Monet nodded. "Very well. We will convene so this information can be discussed. Super Indentant Hargraves and Constable Grant, you will both be expected to be here in an hour for the decision of this review board."
Nathan acknowledged the command with Hargraves. Monet then dismissed them. While Hargraves quickly left the room, Nathan got to his feet more slowly.
"Let's go get something to eat," Bill suggested.
Though he wasn't hungry, Nathan nodded as he let Bill lead him from the room. In the corridor, O'Reilly was shaking hands with Lucas, having gone out to tell the man he was free to leave.
Nathan waited until O'Reilly headed back into the room before approaching the saloon owner.
"Thank you, Lucas," Nathan said, extending his hand to the man, unsure if he was more thankful that the man had chosen not to go along with Hargraves request or that he had been willing to speak against Hargraves.
Lucas shook his hand even as he shrugged his shoulders. "You took the time to convince me not to make a stupid choice a couple years back and risked your life when Dixon had Elizabeth and me hostage in the saloon. Telling the truth seemed like the least I could do in this situation."
"Just the same, I appreciate it."
"I guess there is some good in you after all, Bouchard," Bill said, standing next to Nathan.
"Coming from you, Bill, I will take that as high praise," Lucas told the judge. "Do you mind if I stay and see how things turned out?"
Nathan wanted to tell him no. The emotional strain of the last few weeks had been high. Dealing with Lucas tended to be a strain in ordinary circumstances. However, Lucas had taken a risk by speaking out against Hargraves. Nathan recognized that. He could not in good conscious tell him he could not wait to find out the verdict. After all, if Hargraves was exonerated, Lucas would be in the Super Intendant's crosshair himself.
"If that is what you want to do, feel free to," Nathan replied diplomatically.
"I planned on taking Nathan to the café down the street and try to get him to eat something," Bill said, bringing small smile to Nathan's lips. The older man knew him well and Nathan had a feeling he would be giving in and trying to eat something. "Do you want to join us?"
"Thank you," Lucas accepted.
Later that evening, Lucas drove toward Hope Valley. In the passenger seat beside him, Nathan had dozed off.
Though the review panel had decided that Hargraves actions had not led to physical harm and did not constitute criminal charges, the had found him guilty of violating his oath as a Mountie. The man had bee n discharged from the Mounties with a forfeit of all earned benefits.
Nathan's actions during the prisoner transfer had been deemed justified and not the cause of Constable Novak's death. His suspension had been lifted and would be paid for the time he had been suspended.
Lucas had thought Nathan would have been elated about the outcome. Instead, the man had still looked exhausted. Bill had wanted him to spend the night in Union City and then they would ride home the next day. Nathan had shook his head at the suggesting saying that he wanted to get home as soon as possible.
That was when Lucas had offered to drive Nathan home. Before Nathan could respond, Bill had chimed in with support for the idea. The judge had told Nathan he would bring Newton along when he returned the following day.
Lucas was a bit surprised when Nathan had simply agreed to the arrangement. It told him exactly just how much strain this whole ordeal had been on the Mountie.
What had not surprised Lucas was Nathan's silence during the drive so far. Nathan tended not to say much as it was. Given their relationship, Nathan only tended to speak with him when necessary. The longest conversation they'd had was probably the one they'd had when Nathan had convinced him to let the Mounties go to Janette instead of making the ride to Cape Fullerton himself.
The car jolted as Lucas ran over something in the road he had missed in the dark. The movement caused Nathan to wake.
"Sorry," Lucas murmured, glancing over at his passenger.
"Don't worry about it," Nathan replied, reaching up and rubbing the back of his neck with his left hand as he survey the area.
Lucas knew he did not need to tell Nathan where they were. The Mountie was probably more familiar with the area surrounding Hope Valley than he himself was. Nathan would know that they would soon be in their little town.
"Can you stop by the Weiss' instead of taking me home, Lucas?" Nathan asked. "If it looks like someone is still awake, I would like to let them know I am home even if Ally is already asleep."
"Of course," Lucas replied, not at all surprised by the request.
The rest of the drive was in silence. Soon though, Lucas pulled his car to a stop in front of the Weiss home. Light in the front window indicated that someone was still out.
"You don't need to wait, Lucas," Nathan said reaching for the doorhandle. "I can walk home from here."
Lucas shook his head. "I told Bill I would see that you get home all right. I plan on doing just that. I can wait and there is no need to rush."
"Thank you," Nathan murmured opening the door and walking toward the front door.
Lucas watched from the driver's seat as Nathan knocked on the front door. It was soon answered by Walter Weiss who motioned for Nathan to step inside. As the door closed behind them, Lucas got out of the car himself, planning on stretching his legs a bit while he waited. He was not surprised when about ten minutes later, Nathan exited the house with Ally at his side. Lucas was not surprised to see Ally. He'd had a feeling the girl would want to be with her uncle tonight.
"I actually get to ride in a car!" Ally exclaimed as Nathan led her from the front steps of the Weiss' home. She looked up at Nathan. "The fact that you are home is still the best part of the night, but this is a close second."
Lucas had walked around to the passenger side of the car, intending to open the door for Ally. As he rounded the car he saw the smile on Nathan's face. It was the first genuine smile that Lucas had seen on the man's face all day.
"At least I came in first," Nathan said lightly, his arm around Ally's shoulders.
Ally leaned into him. "You will always come in first in my opinion, Uncle Nathan."
"At least until you get married," Nathan countered softly.
As they approached the car, Lucas opened the back door for Ally. "Your chariot awaits, my dear," he told the girl, motioning toward the car with the hand not holding the car door.
Ally giggled as she climbed into the back seat. "Thank you, Mr. Bouchard," she told him.
"My pleasure," Lucas assured her before closing the door as Nathan got back in the passenger seat with no comment.
With his passengers in the car, Lucas walked around to the driver's side of the car. He climbed behind the wheel and started the car. A glance over at Nathan revealed the Mountie rubbing his fingers over his temples. Lucas chose not to comment. He had a feeling that any attempt to offer sympathy might just perplex and cause more stress for Nathan at this time. There was no missing the toll these last few weeks had taken on Nathan.
Instead of addressing Nathan, Lucas started a conversation with Ally. The talk of childish happenings was able to fill the car with easy chatter for the short drive to the row home the Grant's lived in.
"Thank you for the ride home, Lucas," Nathan said as he opened the door to get out of the car.
"You're welcome," Lucas replied. He wanted to extend the offer that if there was anything else he could do all Nathan had to do would ask. However, their past relationship held him back. Nathan would not ask. Lucas knew that. If he wanted to be further help to Nathan Grant, Lucas knew he would need to simply watch for an opportunity.
"Thank you for the ride, Mr. Bouchard," Ally replied. Lucas turned his head to look back at her. "Any chance I could get a longer ride sometime?" she asked with a pleading look in her eyes.
Lucas chuckled. "I would be happy to oblige anytime," he told her. "Perhaps you should bring it up in town one time when your uncle is in a good mood, so he'll allow it," he told the girl, giving her a wink.
Ally grinned. "I can do that," she said.
Lucas looked at Nathan. The look on the Mountie's face clearly said he wasn't about to let Ally go anywhere alone with him. "You would be most welcome to tag along," he told him.
"We will, see," Nathan said. "Good night," he said before closing the door.
"Good night," Lucas replied, waving to Ally as she finally climbed from the car.
Lucas watched uncle and niece head toward their home. His intention was to simply make sure they were inside before driving off. However, as Nathan walked to the house, Lucas noticed that the man's normally good posture was not there. His shoulders were hunched and something told Lucas that despite the favorable outcome in Union City, Nathan Grant was still carrying the weight of something on his shoulders.
