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".

(20/9/2018)

CHAPTER 41

Charlotte was in her car driving to the hospital behind the ambulance when she called Elizabeth. It took Elizabeth all of a second to pick up the phone.

"Lizzy, they're taking Jack to the hospital now."

"Is he okay?"

"Yes. He's upset that he hurt you. He doesn't remember anything. What did he do to you, Lizzy?"

"He just held my arms a bit tight that's all and then I fell over. I'm okay. Really."

"If you're sure. I'm following the ambulance now."

"Ambulance? Is he hurt?"

"No. He's been sedated."

"Okay. I can't come until the morning. Will you stay with him until I can get there?"

"Of course, Lizzy. I will text you any updates."

"Thanks Charlotte."

Elizabeth couldn't sleep. She was exhausted from worrying but she needed to see Jack for herself to know he was okay.

Even with her eyes closed her mind wandered to everything that had led to the turn of events of the night. She over analysed every detail trying to work out what she could have done or said differently to prevent Jack's reaction.

After hours laying there, she eventually felt sleep overcome her in the early hours of the morning.

Someone shook her awake.

"Mommy?"

Elizabeth barely felt like her eyes had closed and yet the sun was streaming in the windows. She was on the downstairs couch and Halley was leaning over her.

"Hi sweetie."

"What are you doing?" Halley asked, looking puzzled.

"I fell asleep."

Halley didn't ask about Jack. He was normally gone by this time anyway so that wasn't unusual.

"Have you had your breakfast?" Elizabeth asked, her hand running down Halley's arm.

"No."

"Let's go."

Elizabeth pulled herself up off the couch, her body stiff from the stress and anxiety of the night before.

She set the girls up with cereal before heading upstairs. She had a hot shower to help clear her head which was still fuzzy from the night before.

Elizabeth called work to let them know vaguely what happened. Her boss, Molly, had always been very understanding since she was also a military wife.

"Take as much time as you need Elizabeth. Maybe just stay off until next week?"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. We have plenty of relief teachers that are eager for work right now. You need to be there for Jack."

"I had been so looking forward to today."

"I know. You're a great teacher Elizabeth, but we both know you would be preoccupied if you were here. Give me a call on Friday and let me know how he is."

"Okay. Thanks Molly."

"Take care of yourself Elizabeth."

Elizabeth finished getting ready before heading back downstairs to help Halley and Gracie get ready for school and Eve ready to go to her aunt's house. Elizabeth ran around packing lunches for school, since she didn't have time the night before.

All three girls were in the car waiting when Elizabeth came back downstairs with a bag of clothes for Jack and her own handbag. She drove to Viola's and Elizabeth ushered Eve inside as soon as she got there.

"My goodness Beth! Are you okay?" Viola asked as soon as she opened the door.

"No." The tears began to fall. "Jack's in hospital."

"Oh Beth. What happened?"

"It's a long story. I will fill you in this afternoon. I'm eager to get to him right now."

"Okay. Go. I will pick the kids up from school. Lionel can come home early today and give me a hand."

"Thanks Vi."

Elizabeth drove the next ten minutes to school in silence as the three children in the back chatted about their upcoming day. Oscar was excited because he was having music class that day while Halley and Gracie were just happy to see all of their friends.

Elizabeth stopped the car in the drop off bay. Gracie gave her Mom a kiss before climbing out the door and Oscar followed.

"Bye Aunt Beth!" he said before running into school.

"Aren't you coming Mommy?" Halley asked as Elizabeth hugged her goodbye too.

"No sweetie. I'm going to see Daddy. He's back in hospital."

"Is he leaving us again?"

"No. Not for long. He'll be home soon. Have a good day, sweetie."

Halley reached forward giving her a bigger hug than normal. "I love you, Mommy."

"I love you too."

Halley bounded out of the car, closing the door behind her. Elizabeth watched her run over to Gracie where she was waiting and the two of them walked into the school yard together. Elizabeth couldn't help but smile. She was so glad that all three of her girls were quite close. Hopefully that would last when they were older.

Elizabeth turned her attention back to the road and headed for the hospital.

Jack woke that morning feeling exhausted. Whatever sedative they had given to him had wiped him out all night but instead of waking up feeling restful it was quite the opposite. It felt like he had just run a marathon.

He saw his mother sitting in an armchair, asleep with her head resting on her hand. He felt bad that she had been there probably all night in a chair while he had been sleeping in a bed. She needed the bed more than he did. Or rather deserved it more than he did.

Jack sighed when he thought about the night before. He knew what he had to do though. He waited for Frank to come back so he could tell him about his proposal.

Elizabeth arrived at the hospital and went to the main reception desk.

"I'm here to see Jack Thornton."

"Psychiatric Ward. Room 103."

Elizabeth took a deep breath before following the signs to where the receptionist had directed her. As she neared the door, she could see Charlotte who looked up as she appeared in the doorway and stood up to greet her.

"Lizzy. How are you?" she said giving Elizabeth a hug.

"Good. Are you okay?"

"Yes. Tired. I might just go get a coffee. He's asleep at the moment."

"Okay. Thanks for being here last night."

"Of course."

Charlotte walked off down the hall.

Elizabeth approached slowly, peering around the corner to see Jack asleep, propped up in the bed.

This was all too familiar. Besides his arm not being in a cast, the scene was very much the same as when she saw him over six weeks ago.

Elizabeth stepped closer to the bed and ran her hand along Jack's arm, his eyes opened instantly. She could see the pain and it made the tears come back to her own eyes. She moved closer, her hand running up to his neck.

"Don't" Jack said as he pulled away from her.

"Don't what?"

"Come any closer."

"Why?"

"I hurt you. I can't trust myself. It's better this way."

"Better what way?"

"I can't be near you like that."

"What are you talking about? You're my husband."

"Yes and a husband should never touch his wife like I did last night. I'm so sorry."

Elizabeth went to put her arm on his and he pulled away again.

"I'm not going to let it happen again" he said adamantly.

Elizabeth could sense his discomfort so she didn't push him any further.

"Jack, you didn't hurt me. Truly."

Jack looked down as her arms, which she had strategically covered with a cardigan.

"Show me your arms."

"Jack, I …"

"Show me."

Elizabeth pulled off her cardigan and the deep blue bruises were evident on both her arms. Jack cringed. There was no point denying what was evident in front of them.

"I trust you, Jack."

She watched him look at her with a puzzled expression.

"That's foolish when I don't even trust myself. It could have been so much worse. No, this will be best for everyone."

"What will be?"

"I'm going to move out" he said with an affirmative nod of his head, as if trying to convince himself.

Elizabeth couldn't believe her ears. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm going to move onto the base. I've discussed it with Frank and he thinks I should try it for a few weeks and see if that will make things easier."

Elizabeth heard him but she was struggling to comprehend. "Wait. You're leaving me and the kids?"

"It's for the best" he said looking back down at his hands.

"The best for who?" she said angrily.

"Elizabeth, I know this doesn't make sense but I hurt you …"

"No Jack …"

"Let me finish. I hurt you and what's more, I don't even remember doing it. I can't be in the house with you or the girls knowing that it could happen again and the outcome could be far worse. I need to get help. You realise that."

"Yes, but you don't have to leave" she said as the tears rolled down her cheeks. "Please don't go."

"I don't want to go but I have to. I have told you why I have to do this."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know."

"Are you going to come back to see us?"

"I'm not sure yet. Frank is discussing things with Dr Shepherd. They're trying to work out how to proceed from here."

"Jack, you've been doing so well and now after one incident you're turning your back on us? What happened to our vows? We promised - in sickness and in health. I'm standing by you here. It's my choice."

"Yes, but I figure hurting my wife is against my vows anyway."

"Enough" she said firmly. "I'm not listening to any more of this. You're coming home with me. I'm going to get a coffee. I'll be back."

Elizabeth turned, walking straight out of the room but she didn't get very far. She made it out of the door before she broke down and collapsed into a chair. Charlotte came back moments later.

"Oh Lizzy. What happened?"

"He said he's leaving me."

"What?"

"He's moving out" she said between the tears. "I can't do this Charlotte. I'm not strong enough for this. It was always me and Jack but these past few months I have felt utterly alone. I thought things were getting better and now this" she said waving her hands towards Jack's door.

"It will be okay Lizzy. You can get through this. You are one of the strongest women I have ever known. He just needs time. You can see that right?"

"Yes, but he was fine until he went back to work."

"Maybe but his work is a big part of him. Just give him time. It might only be a week or two and then he will be back."

"What do I do in the meantime?"

"Maybe pretend he is deployed and wait for him to come back to you."

Elizabeth thought about it for a moment. Charlotte was right. She was strong and she would get through this.

"What if he doesn't want to come back home?"

"Frank and Dr Shepherd see that as their number one priority."

As if on cue, the two men appeared at the end of the hall. Seeing Elizabeth's distraught face, Frank automatically became concerned and as he neared he put his hand on Elizabeth's shoulder.

"Elizabeth, everything will be okay."

"He just told me he's going to move out."

"Jack feels as though he needs to do this. You have to give him time to come to terms with everything."

"So that's it? I just let him leave and don't see him until he wants to see me?" Elizabeth said, the anger inside her growing now.

"We're going to have to take this day by day."

"So what about my daughters? When do I tell them that their Daddy is coming back?"

"I don't know. That will depend on Jack."

Jack sat on his bed in the room, straining his ears to hear the conversation. He could hear Elizabeth's voice. At first it had begun softly as she spoke to his mother but once Frank arrived he could hear her anger building.

Jack knew he was causing her so much pain but the alternative was worse. This was emotional pain but the physical pain he could potentially cause could be worse. Couldn't it? Right now he wasn't so sure.

Don't panic. Things will get better soon :)