Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. All rights go to the actors, writers and creators of the show "When Calls The Heart".

To the readers: Thank you everyone for the reviews! I love hearing what you like (or what you don't!). For those asking how long this story might go for … I have a plan for where it's going and there will be a proper ending so keep checking in and we will get there eventually! It won't be for a little while yet though!

(20/07/2018)

CHAPTER 9

Elizabeth woke in the early hours of the morning hearing Eve calling to her. She slipped out from under Jack's arm and went to find Eve whimpering beside Elizabeth's bed.

"Hey baby, what's wrong?" she whispered picking her up.

"Where were you?"

"In the other room. I'm here now."

She placed Eve down on her bed and crawled in beside her. She ran her hand through Eve's curls until she fell asleep. Elizabeth lay there looking up at the ceiling, worrying about Jack. He had only been home for two days, but she had hoped that the familiar surroundings would stir something inside him. She feared that since it hadn't, his road to recovery might be a lot longer than any of them had anticipated.

Jack woke to find himself alone. He felt like something was missing. He knew Elizabeth had stayed with him for a good while through the night because he had woken up in the dark to find her still curled against him. He had kissed her lightly on the forehead before falling back to sleep.

Jack got up, threw some clothes on and walked down the corridor. He glanced through Elizabeth's door and saw her fast asleep with Eve. Downstairs, Halley and Gracie were glued to the television.

"Hi girls."

"Hi Daddy" they both sang in unison.

Jack smiled.

"Are you going down to the gym?" Halley asked, glancing at him.

"The gym?" he asked.

"Yeah. That's your gym shirt."

"Oh I forgot."

"Do you remember where the gym is?" Halley said with such innocence. Jack couldn't lie to her.

"No" he admitted.

Halley got up, taking him by the hand. "Come on."

Jack had no idea where she was leading him but she took him to a door under the stairs which opened down into what appeared to be a basement. Halley turned on the lights and led him down the stairs. Jack saw that the basement had been fully fitted out as an in-home gym. There was a treadmill, weight machines, a bench and dumbbells. Everything he could ever need. Jack looked around in amazement.

"Wow, this place is really something."

"You don't remember it at all?" Halley said, catching him out.

"No."

"You come down here almost every day. Except Sundays. That's your day off."

Jack looked around nodding.

"Okay, I'm going back upstairs" she said happily and left him alone.

He hadn't felt like he had worked out in a long time. He had noticed in hospital that his body was less toned once he realised he was ten years older than he thought.

He walked around the room, checking everything out. Well, there's no time like the present.

Elizabeth was heading for the kitchen. She rounded the corner past the basement door at the exact same moment that Jack came out. She ran smack into his sweaty, bare chest. He grabbed her arm as she began to fall backwards.

"Jack!"

"Beth!" they said at the same time.

"What have you been doing?" she asked in surprise.

"Halley showed me the gym." Jack stood back from her again.

"Right. Is your arm okay to be doing that?"

"Yeah, I just did some leg and core work."

Elizabeth's gaze ran down to his abs. Yes, his six pack was still there. She felt herself staring and carefully lifted her eyes back up to his. She could feel the heat rising in her neck as he looked at her curiously. This is so weird. I just checked my husband out and now I'm embarrassed about it. Seriously.

"It looks like it won't take much to get your tone back" Elizabeth said quickly and turned toward the kitchen but heard him following her. She went to the cupboard and grabbed a glass, pouring him some water.

"Thanks" he said. She watched him as he raised the glass and downed it in one go. There was still beads of sweat all over his neck and chest. Oh, he looks so good.

"Thank you for last night, by the way. I was just feeling really overwhelmed" he said, drawing her back from her daydreaming.

"Sure. What else is a wife for?!" she said with a nervous laugh, trying to drag her gaze away from him. Darn it! Why did he have to take his shirt off! He knows I can't resist him like that!

"Elizabeth?" he said closing the distance between them.

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay? You seem a bit on edge."

"Nope. I'm fine." She said backing away from him. "You want eggs for breakfast? Go have a shower and I will have them ready when you get back."

Jack looked at her uncertainly, before turning around and leaving the kitchen.

Elizabeth released a large breath, one that she didn't even know she was holding.

Jack noticed that Elizabeth was much better once he returned. She had been acting strange before, nervous almost. He had watched her gazing at his chest and he had really liked making her all flustered, although he wasn't about to admit that.

Jack sat down opposite Elizabeth at the dining table. The girls were still watching television.

"The girls aren't joining us?"

"No. They don't really like eggs. Plus it's a weekday. You would have normally left for work by now so I normally just sit and have a coffee and make my lists for the rest of the day."

"Right. Well, what's on your list today?"

"Not much just your doctor's appointment with the specialist this afternoon. Is there anything you want to do this morning?"

Jack nodded. "Lee suggested I give that therapist a call and book in a session with her soon." Jack looked at Elizabeth expecting to see surprise but she just smiled.

"That sounds like a good idea."

Jack sat there quietly for a minute before continuing.

"You've been with me since the beginning of my army career?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"So I'm not a Corporal any more?"

"No, you were promoted to a Sergeant last year."

"And I have quite a few people under me?"

"Yes."

"How many people were hurt in the explosion that I was injured in?"

Elizabeth didn't answer immediately. "Three others were injured. One person died."

"Did I know him well?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"What was his name?"

"Corporal Andy Gaines."

The name was unfamiliar. "When is his service?"

"Wednesday."

"I should go."

"Jack, I'm not sure that is a good idea. There will be a lot of people there that you won't remember."

"What am I supposed to do then?"

"I was going to go on your behalf."

"I'm not a coward Elizabeth" he said quietly.

"I never said you were – and I know that you're not." She paused, reaching to put her hand over his. "Jack, I know you. Right now you are feeling guilty about everything. Not remembering me and the kids, not remembering your fellow officers and now finding out one of the officers died under your command. You cannot blame yourself. You don't remember what happened. Not to mention every time you've been away something has occurred that has been out of your control. That is the nature of your job."

"I need to go to the service."

"If that's what you want, then I will go with you."

Jack nodded. Elizabeth was the strongest woman he had ever known. She knew him better than he knew himself right now. Jack was thinking about everything. Has she always been this strong?

"How many times have I been deployed?"

"You just got back from your fourth."

"Which one was the hardest?"

"They were all hard for different reasons. The first time was early on in our relationship. We ended up breaking up altogether. The second time we were newly married but it was only for two months. The third time was when Halley was almost eighteen months old but that was complicated for a whole other reason" she said, a blush rising in her cheeks. "The most recent one was hard because you were leaving all four of us behind and it was your longest deployment yet, for nine months. We were both worried when you received your letter."

Jack sat there taking it all in. What Elizabeth must have gone through in all that time. She was a strong woman – he had realised that very early on. But the more he got to know her, he was truly amazed at her. How had he managed to find such a woman who loved him that much? Who stuck with him through all of that time. He realised what she had said about his first deployment.

"What did you say about the first deployment?"

"It was early on. We had been dating for only a few months."

"But you said we broke up. What happened?"

Elizabeth smiled nervously. "Well, that is a long story but it was all because of some misunderstandings and miscommunication."

"Tell me."

Elizabeth sighed.

Nine and a half years earlier … (Dec 2008)

Christmas was fast approaching and Jack and Elizabeth were making plans for the holidays. Elizabeth had been to Jack's mother's place a few times but was still yet to meet his brother Tom. Jack had never met Elizabeth's parents. They travelled a lot and that Christmas they were hoping all of the girls would come and meet them in Hawaii.

Elizabeth was torn. A cold and snowy Christmas was what she had grown to love but getting away for a couple of weeks to the beach during the school break sounded great too. Ultimately it was going to be Jack that made up her mind for her.

They had been inseparable for a few months now and Elizabeth found herself lost when he wasn't there. She couldn't understand how she had gone from being so independent to relying on him just being around. It actually scared her how much she missed him when their schedules didn't overlap and they didn't see each other for a few days. They had only been dating for a few months and she was worried about the strength of her feelings and scared to admit to them.

After Francie had moved out, they had spent more time together at her apartment, especially once the weather began to cool down. The thing was apart from the kisses, things never went further.

Elizabeth felt strongly about Jack. She knew she loved him but she was waiting for him to say it first. At that moment they were just really good friends with a few kisses thrown in.

Jack was supposed to work right up until Christmas, so Jack and Elizabeth had decided to spend Christmas together at Jack's mother's place. Elizabeth would get to meet Tom and they would have Christmas lunch together. Elizabeth was looking forward to spending their first Christmas together and she had found a special present for him that she hoped he would love.

Jack had a few days off after Christmas that they could spend together before he went back to work. At least that had been the plan until two weeks before Christmas he got his first deployment notification.

Jack called Elizabeth as he left work.

"Hi Jack. How was your day?"

"Good. Are you on your way home?"

"No. I was going to go for a walk around the lake."

"It's freezing out. Are you sure?"

"Yes. I'm dressed warm. I'm already there."

"Oh okay. Well I will be there soon. I need to talk to you about something."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah. See you soon."

Jack drove straight to the lake and saw her parked car. He pulled his jacket and beanie on and jogged along the path trying to see her. Up ahead he saw a woman in black tights and running gear heading toward him. She was wearing gloves and a running jumper and as she got closer Jack could see her cheeks were red from the cold.

"Elizabeth, you are crazy being out here today! Come here."

He held out his arms to her and she ran straight into them. He leant down and kissed her nose. "Your nose is freezing. Come on sit in my car. I need to talk to you."

He took her gloved hand and walked with her back to his car and opened the door. He went around and got in the other side and turned the car on, turning the heater up.

Elizabeth took her gloves off and held them up to the vents.

"So what is so urgent that we need to talk."

"I received notice of my first deployment" he said slowly.

Elizabeth's eyes went wide with surprise. She had been expecting for it to come at some stage but had put it out of her mind, especially at this time of the year.

"I leave two days after Christmas" he finished.

"What?" she asked him, feeling somewhat dazed. He reached over and took her hand in his. Her hand was freezing despite the heater.

"I leave two days after Christmas" he repeated, rubbing her hand inside his.

"How long will you be gone?" she asked softly.

"A minimum of three months."

He watched as the realisation hit her face.

"Three months?"

"Yeah, up to five."

"Five months?" her mind was reeling. How was she going to survive without him for five months?! "I can't do this" she said as she pulled her hand out of his and grabbed the door handle before plunging back out into the cold air.

"No! Elizabeth!" he said, jumping out of his own door and running after her. "Elizabeth!" he called as he ran after her. He grabbed her arm as she rounded her car. "Elizabeth!"

"No Jack. Leave me alone."

"Elizabeth, we need to talk about this."

"What is there to talk about, Jack? You're leaving me!"

"No Elizabeth, I am leaving but I am not leaving you. Please, I need you. Don't walk away."

"Jack it's three to five months! We haven't even known each other for three months!"

"Elizabeth, I realise that we haven't been together long but the time apart will go quickly and then I will be back and we can just keep going where we left off."

"No. I don't want to keep going where we left off" Elizabeth said. She meant that she loved him and she wanted their relationship to go further, but she couldn't say that to him. Especially not now, knowing he was leaving in two weeks time.

Jack's eyes registered the hurt that he was feeling. He had thought things were going well but he hadn't wanted to rush her into anything. Clearly he had read everything wrong. He dropped her arm, letting her go.

She waited for him to say something, anything to make her stay, but he just stood there.

Elizabeth turned to her car, got in and drove away.

"So what happened?" Jack prompted her eagerly, wanting to know how it all panned out.

Elizabeth laughed at him. "What do you think?"

"I was a stubborn ass who ended up not chasing you, I'm guessing."

"That's about right. You know yourself very well, Jack" she laughed. "And believe me, its all about the chase."

"What do you mean?"

"Sometimes a girl likes to be chased. That was one of those times. I just wanted you to come after me and tell me that you loved me and everything would have been fine."

"I'm guessing it wasn't fine" Jack said in a resigned voice.

"No, it wasn't."

Jack didn't call. Elizabeth found herself checking her phone every five minutes for days. She ended up calling her sisters or one of her friends just to make sure she still had reception. That was not his excuse.

She wanted to call Lee but didn't know if Jack would have contacted Rosie so she left it. Christmas approached and still nothing. Not a single message or phone call. With every passing day, Elizabeth went from being hurt to becoming more and more angry.

She went to her work Christmas party which was in town, to get out and do something, anything rather than sit at home and mope about Jack. After dinner a few of the younger teachers decided to go to a club down the road. One of her friends, Jimmy, who's wife Steph was a friend of Elizabeth's, begged her to come with him.

"Please, Elizabeth. Steph will feel so much better knowing you're with me."

She relented, and he grabbed her hand, pulling it into his arm. Elizabeth held onto him, using him as a wind break from the chilly air. He lead her into the club, past the bar. They found seats close to one another and began talking.

Jimmy asked about Jack and Elizabeth had to admit that they had broken up. Jimmy wrapped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her in for a hug. They sat close together talking for a bit longer about Jack and Steph and Jimmy asked her over for dinner after Christmas. Elizabeth nodded at him, before standing up, deciding to leave. He gave her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek and she slipped back out of the club.

She didn't see Jack watching from the bar.

Christmas came and Elizabeth spent it alone watching Christmas movies. It was the worst Christmas that she had ever had and she blamed Jack. His present still sat under her empty tree.

The day of his deployment, she laid in bed that morning and she thought about him constantly. Packing. Leaving. Getting on a plane and flying toward danger. The anger had faded and the dread had replaced it. She was about to let him walk away for good and she couldn't hold it in any longer. What if something happened and he never knew how she felt?

She picked up her phone and texted him.

"I miss you Jack. Be safe. I love you."

She was about to delete it when she thought about it. She had nothing to lose. He was leaving for three months. She pressed send.

Elizabeth put her phone down, pulled herself out of bed and went straight for a shower. She didn't want to be hovering over her phone waiting for a reply. Maybe he didn't even have his phone with him. He might leave it behind on the base or something.

She got out of the shower and after she pulled on a t-shirt, jumper and track pants she heard a knock at the door. Or rather someone was trying to knock the door down. It was too early in the morning for a visitor. She walked towards the door and tried to figure who it would be that had managed to get in the security door downstairs.

"Elizabeth!" he called.

She knew that voice anywhere. She flung the door open. He closed the distance between them immediately wrapping his arms around her and lifting her to him. His mouth captured her lips immediately, kissing her desperately with everything he had.

He pushed her against the wall, leaning into her. She kissed him back, pouring all of her feelings over the last two weeks into it. The hurt, the frustration, the anger, the longing, the love. They both pulled apart gasping for air, his forehead leaning into hers.

"I love you, Elizabeth, more than anything. Please wait for me" he said.

"I love you too. I'll be here."

He kissed her gently, his lips lingering.

"I have to go."

"I know."

He was moving back towards the door, his arms still around her taking her with him.

He kissed her once more before pulling away and letting go of her reluctantly.

"See you soon" he said with a smile as he walked away backwards.

"Come back to me Jack."

"I promise" he said before turning and disappearing down the stair well.

"So we broke up for two weeks?"

"Yeah. It was the worst two weeks ever. I was just so glad that we made up before you left. It could have been so much worse."

"And it all happened because we didn't talk."

"Mmmm hmm" she said. She is so cute when she does that.

"Would you have replaced me in three months?"

"I don't think so. I was pretty heartbroken. Although you thought I had!"

"That Jimmy guy?"

"Yeah you were pretty jealous about that. Took quite a few emails to convince you otherwise. In the end we took a selfie when we had dinner together with his wife."

"That convinced me?"

"Yeah. I made Jimmy and Steph kiss in the background of the photo."

"That would work." He paused. "So you fell in love with me after only three months?"

"Oh no" Elizabeth said to him with a serious face.

Jack looked at her confused.

"I was in love with you by the end of the second date I think." She grinned at him.

"Oh really?" he said laughing. "What about me? When did I fall in love with you."

Elizabeth laughed. "You know, I'm not sure. You would tell me it was a different moment each time I asked you. Sometimes you said it was as soon as you saw me at the theatre, other times it was our first or second date. That was one thing you would never admit, so I don't know."

Jack nodded with a grin. That sounded like him.

Halley came in telling them that Gracie and Eve were going outside to play. The sun was out and it was a beautiful morning. Elizabeth brought Jack outside and they sat on the outdoor sun lounges talking as the girls played. The more that they talked, the more Jack reminded her of how their relationship began. All those years ago, this is exactly how they had been. Really good friends.

After lunch, Elizabeth dropped all three girls at Viola's place so that she could go with Jack to the specialist appointment. She pulled the car up out the front and the girls jumped out.

"Come on, Jack. Do you want to say a quick hello to my sister Viola?"

"Sure" he said getting out.

Gracie was already at the door pressing the doorbell non-stop until her aunt finally answered.

"Gracie, of course that would be you!" Viola said when she opened the door. "Hi Halley."

Eve was holding onto Jack's hand until she caught a glimpse of her cousin and then she pulled away and was racing up the stairs.

"Hi Eve" Viola said as her youngest niece ran past.

Elizabeth walked up the stairs, with Jack trailing behind.

"Hi Vi" she reached out giving her sister a hug. "Thanks for minding them for me. We should be back in about three hours." She stepped back and turned to Jack.

"Jack, this is my oldest sister Viola."

"Hi Viola."

"Hi Jack. How is everything going? Difficult, I would imagine?"

"Yes, its been hard trying to remember everyone. Sorry."

Viola just waved her hand at him. "Don't worry about it. We all understand."

"Thanks Vi. See you later."

Jack and Elizabeth had to drive an hour into the city to see the specialist at the hospital. They arrived early and had to wait for some time. Finally, Jack's name was called and they were led into a large office where Dr Shepherd was waiting.

"Jack. Elizabeth. Nice to see you again. Please take a seat."

Jack sat down opposite him, Elizabeth sitting next to him. Jack could tell that she was more nervous than him. He reached out taking her hand in his, as they waited for the doctor to begin.

"How has the last week been Jack?"

"Fine."

"Any headaches? Black outs? Dizziness?"

"Nothing."

"Have you had any memories come back?"

"No" Jack said quietly.

"You're back home with your family now? With your wife and children?" Dr Shepherd asked nodding at Elizabeth.

"Yes, Elizabeth and my three daughters."

"And still you don't remember anything? No flashbacks? No odd feelings that you've been there before."

"No. It's like a blank slate" Jack said disappointedly.

Elizabeth squeezed his hand and he glanced at her. She was nodding at him, encouraging him.

"I am quite surprised" Dr Shepherd said. "Normally in cases of retrograde amnesia, many events are removed from the mind from before the trauma occurred. Normally these memories begin to return quickly when in familiar surroundings. Certain smells, music or other triggers can help your memories to return. It is unusual that you have not had any recollections, no matter how small. Your diagnosis is still better than if it was combined with anterograde amnesia. You remember the last few days spent with your family?

"Yes."

"What did you do?"

"I met my girls again on Saturday and I went home to the house. We went to the park and then on Sunday we had lunch at an old friend's house."

"See. That is all a good sign. You are making new memories and are able to retain them."

"So where to from here?"

"Since none of the other triggers have worked so far, I'm going to recommend that you try some hypnosis."

"Hypnosis? Are you serious?" Jack said a bit surprised.

"Don't worry. It is not like what you would see in a magic show" Dr Shepherd laughed. "It's perfectly safe when done by a professional. We will make an appointment for a few days time and if you haven't had any improvements then we will go ahead. Elizabeth, do you have any questions or concerns? Have you noticed any different behaviour?"

Jack realised he was gripping Elizabeth's hand tightly. He loosened his grip as he turned to her.

Elizabeth smiled at Dr Shepherd. "Not really. There have been a few instances but I would just put things down to him feeling frustrated or overwhelmed by the situation. It's unusual behaviour but only because Jack is normally able to take control of those things and now he can't" she said honestly.

"That sounds perfectly reasonable. Okay, Jack, we will organise the hypnosis session and see you in a fortnight. If you do have any progress or other symptoms please let me know straight away."

Jack stood, shaking the doctors hand before taking Elizabeth's hand back in his and leaving.

As they walked back to the car, Jack didn't talk. He didn't know what to say. He was disappointed that the doctor couldn't do more for him. He felt Elizabeth squeeze his hand and he looked over at her.

"It will be okay, Jack. They will come back eventually."

Jack just nodded and kept walking. He hoped that she was right.