"Can I help you open the cafe?" Kate asked walking next to Abigail after their early morning trip to the mercantile to get eggs for the day.

"Well you can't be late for school or Elizabeth will have both our behinds" Abigail said making Kate laugh as Lee and Paster Horgan were walking towards them chatting.

"Isn't that right Abigail?" Lee asked pulling her into their conversation.

"I'm sure I would agree if I knew what you were talking about" Abigail said giving them a smile as they stopped to chat.

"Well Lee here has promised to build a theater for Rosemary" Frank Hogan said.

"I heard that, I thought it was just a rumor" Kate said.

"The whole town heard it" Abigail smiled.

"Word spreads fast around here" Lee said surprised.

"Word spreads fast when Rosemary is spreading it" Kate smiled.

"Thats the beauty of it. Not only is she the performer but she does her own publicity, and since she writes that advice column for the news paper she has that behind her too" Lee smiled

"I can see she has you convinced" Abigail smiled.

"That women could sell ice in a snow storm" Lee said making them all laugh.

"If you will excuse us, I have to get back to the cafe and you need to get to school" Abigail said.

"Of course, have a wonderful morning ladies" Lee smiled as they continued on their way.

"I will take the basket you run along to school" Abigail said.

"Thanks, see you later" Kate smiled hurrying towards the school house just as Elizabeth came out to ring the bell.

"Almost late" Elizabeth said raising her eyebrows at Kate as she ran up the steps last into the school.

"I was helping Abigail get eggs" Kate shrugged.

"Don't think being the teachers sister gets you off the hook." Elizabeth put her hands on her hips.

"What are you going to do? Make me stay late and wash the boards? I do that anyway" Kate said holding herself back from rolling her eyes. Elizabeth gave her a look.

"Won't happen again" Kate said slipping past her into the school house. She moved to unbutton her coat and froze.

"It's freezing in here!" Kate said.

"I know, the children who came in on time, heard me say the stove was broken. Someone is coming to fix it but in the meantime children keep your coats and hats on, here Timmy let's button you back up" Elizabeth said reaching to help the youngest children as everyone took their seats.

"This morning we are gong to take a look at our thermometer, thermometer measures the temperature of the air. Heat makes the mercury inside rise. We can tell the temperature of a room by how high the level is" Elizabeth said walking around the room so everyone could see. Kate smile, one of the things that made Elizabeth such a good teacher was her ability to include their life in Hope Valley in with their lessons. A few times she had given a science lesson on weather during a storm or a lesson about bees when one flew into the classroom. Elizabeth's ability to make up lessons quickly was one of the reasons the children loved her so much.

"What's the temperature Miss Thatcher?" Emily asked.

"Colder then any classroom should be" Elizabeth smiled at them as the class laughed.

"I think I can help with that" Jack said coming in through the front doors.

"Do you know how to fix a stove?" Elizabeth asked giving him a smile.

"Well I think I can manage" Jack said holding up a tool box he had brought with him.

"Mounties can do anything" Timmy said.

"Give that man an A" Jack gave him a smile making the class laugh.

"Alright everyone, please take out your grammar books. Elizabeth smiled as Jack went over to the stove and Emily Montgomery raised her hand.

"Yes Emily?"

"Are you going to marry Constable Thornton?" Emily asked. Elizabeth's eyes grew wide and her face turned three shades of pink. Kate tried to cover her giggle as she and Laura glanced at each other. A few of the other older students laughed too.

"Emily we are working on our grammar now" Elizabeth said

"My Ma says she's going to marry the man from Hamilton" Albert said making the class gasp and giggle.

"Albert your grammar book" Elizabeth said more firmly this time trying to get order.

"Is he coming back Miss Thatcher? Are you going to marry him and move to Hamilton?" Rachel asked.

"No way!" Kate yelled as more kids started talking.

"Alright children! I am not marrying anyone" Elizabeth said.

"Ever?" Emily asked.

"Well not anytime soon, and certainly not until you have all learned to diagram a proper sentence, so unless you want extra homework, let's get to work and go over propositions" Elizabeth said and everyone burst out laughing.

"I mean prepositions" Elizabeth sighed.

"Page 35 in your books, we will read out lout, Laura you start" Elizabeth said. Kate glanced back at Jack who was smirking as he fixed the stove.


"And after Jack fixed the stove, Rachel said, 'Thank you for keeping Miss Thatcher nice and warm'" Kate told Abigail about her day that evening. Abigail and Elizabeth both giggled as they took cups of tea over to the sitting area.

"What did Jack say?" Abigail asked.

"Oh nothing, what would you expect him to say?" Elizabeth asked.

"My pleasure!" Kate said in a deep voice pretending to be Jack.

"No that sounds like something more Charles would say" Abigail said making Kate laugh.

"I can hardly imagine Charles repairing a stove" Elizabeth said as they settled into the sofa and chairs.

"Can you imagine him keeping you warm?" Abigail asked.

"Abigail!" Elizabeth gasped as Kate wrinkled her nose.

"I am just asking" Abigail shrugged making them laugh.

"So many suiters, so many choices" Kate sighed.

"I think we have talked enough about my suiters" Elizabeth said shaking her head.

"It's far more interesting then discussing mine" Abigail said.

"We don't have to talk about Bill Avery either" Elizabeth said softly the room losing its joking matter. Kate wasn't exactly sure what had happened between Abigail and Bill. They were spending a lot of time together then suddenly they weren't. It had all happened while they were in Hamilton.

"Good" Abigail sighed.

"It's awful, you had only just opened up your heart again. I wish I had some great words of wisdom but all I can be is a good listener" Elizabeth said softly.

"That's all you have to be" Abigail said giving her a smile.

"Where's Clara tonight?" Kate asked.

"She was meeting Luke for dinner at the saloon." Abigail said.

"They certainly are getting cozy aren't they." Elizabeth smiled.

"They are, it's good to see her moving on. She is so young." Abigail nodded.

"I know, she's only a year older then me. I can't imagine being married and then widowed so young." Elizabeth said softly.

"I am just glad she is here with us and not alone in Hamilton. I have noticed her coming out of her shell more and more."

"She is, she is truly so sweet. I'm glad she's here too" Elizabeth smiled.

"Abigail, did you even imagine that one day you would have a house full of girls?" Kate asked.

"I never did, but I must say I am enjoying it" Abigail smiled.

"I will drink tea to that" Elizabeth laughed as they raised their cups.


"Thank you for breakfast Abigail" Elizabeth said as Kate started clearing the table and Clara started the dishes.

"Of course, I know how much someone loved my pancakes" Abigail said squeezing Kate's cheeks as she brushed past her moving to the stove to start cooking for the cafe.

"I'll open the cafe for you" Elizabeth said going into the large dining room and starting to put out the chairs. Kate followed her flipping the sign to open.

"Good morning" Rosemary said sweeping in with Lee trailing after her.

"Good morning, have a seat anywhere" Kate gave them a smile going to pour them coffee.

"Miss Thatcher" Ned Yost said coming into the cafe.

"Yes?" Elizabeth asked.

"Telegram ma'am" Ned said handing her the paper and hurrying back to the store.

"What is it? Grandmother?" Kate asked hurrying to her side as Clara took the coffee pot from her.

"No, it's from Viola. She says Tom and Julie were in an automobile accident" Elizabeth read.

"Tom like Tom Thornton?" Kate asked surprised.

"Yes, I should go find Jack. Abigail I will be back" Elizabeth said.

"Of course go" Abigail nodded as Elizabeth hurried out of the cafe.

"Jack!" She called when she saw him across the street coming out of the jail.

"You got the telegram?" Jack asked.

"Yes Viola sent it." Elizabeth nodded.

"Mountie headquarters told me." Jack nodded as Kate ran to catch up with them.

"Voila says Julie will be alright, how about Tom?"

"It didn't say" Jack shook his head.

"Are you going?" Kate asked.

"Yes, I need to go see him, are you?" Jack asked as Kate glanced up at Elizabeth.

"We don't have much of a choice, apparently Grandmother and her parents have never been so upset and Julie is refusing to speak to anyone." Elizabeth sighed. Kate wanted to sigh and complain, they just got back from Hamilton. But if anyone would get through to Julie it was Elizabeth and they had to go.

"What about school?" Jack asked. Elizabeth sighed knowing she had to go.


Later that morning she quieted the class before lunch explaining that she had to return to Hamilton again.

"Why do you have to go?" Emily asked.

"My family needs me, but I will be back as soon as I can" Elizabeth said gently.

"How bad is Julie?" Laura whispered to Kate as Elizabeth went on

"I guess she's going to be alright, but she is shaken up and upset. Elizabeth is closest to her so she want's to go for her." Kate whispered.

"And you have to go?" Laura asked. Kate sighed and nodded.

"I want to see Julie too, and I think it will be a quick trip. Just long enough for Elizabeth to talk some sense into Julie. Jack is coming as well."

"Is it true his brother was with Julie? Are they courting like Jack and Elizabeth?" Laura asked.

"I think so" Kate nodded.

"I wish you didn't have to go" Laura sighed.

"I know, me too but we have to go for our family and we will be back soon" Kate nodded. She looked around, everyone in the class had long faces clearly not happy when Elizabeth told them that Mrs Blakely would be taking over teaching.

"I expect you all to be on your best behavior and I will be back as soon as I can" Elizabeth said. There were a few sighs of agreement.

"Alright, you may go to lunch" Elizabeth said gently as everyone got up slowly grabbing their lunch pails.

"You have to go Miss Thatcher? And Kate?" Emily asked.

"Yes, but we will be back I promise." Elizabeth nodded. Emily sighed wrapping her arms around Elizabeth's waist before heading out the doors.

"I know your not happy about having to go either" Elizabeth told Kate as she shrugged on her coat.

"It's fine, I want go see Julie, and you need to be there for her." Kate shrugged handing Elizabeth their lunch pail.

"I know, but we were just getting resettled, But Jack is coming, and we will be with him, just like before. Remember we had fun showing him around the city right? And If Jack leaves before I do, I will send you with him, Abigail already said she would look after you and Jack will escort you home." Elizabeth said taking out one of the sandwiches and some apples they had packed for lunch.

"No, thats ok" Kate shook her head.

"Kate, I don't know how long I will have to be there and you dislike it there so much, especially if Jack leaves before we do" Elizabeth said gently.

"But I would never leave you there on your own either. You and me remember? You promised" Kate said taking the lunch pail back

"I remember, you and me. Your a good sister, for that you can have my cookie Abigail snuck in the there." Elizabeth gave her a smile.

"Thanks" Kate smiled wrapping her arms around her sister knowing she was stressed about leaving school and Julie being hurt and having to travel back home. Elizabeth held her tight for a minute before letting her go. Lately their relationship was feeling more and more like Kate was her equal. Like they took care of each other more then just Elizabeth taking care of her anymore. Times like this she was grateful they had each other to lean on.

"Go eat with your friends, I'm going to talk to Jack about the Stage schedule." Elizabeth said gently.

"Ok" Kate nodded hurrying outside to join the other kids.


The next morning Abigail and Clara saw them off on the stage.

"I packed you food and some treats for Julie" Abigail said.

"Thank you" Elizabeth gave her a warm hug.

"Let us know when you arrive safely, have a good trip" Abigail said letting her go and pulling Kate into her as Elizabeth said goodbye to Clara and Jack was loading their bags into the stage.

"You young lady, no running off this time please." Abigail said.

"I won't" Kate nodded as Abigail hugged her tight.

"Here you are" Jack said holding open the door and helping Elizabeth then Kate up before turning to hug Abigail.

"Take good care of them" Abigail whispered.

"I will" Jack nodded before climbing in sitting next to Elizabeth.

"Have a safe trip, give Julie my love" Abigail called as they rolled away.

"I have a funny feeling, almost like we have been here before" Jack said raising his eyebrows as Kate making her giggle.

"Uncle said there will be a car for us at the station, and he booked you a room at the hotel close to the hospital." Elizabeth told Jack.

"I will be sure to thank him" Jack nodded.


Kate spent most of the train ride in her lessons. Now that school was still in session she was missing the lessons Elizabeth had left for the other children and couldn't fall behind. She was hoping to leave her latin and art and piano aside this whole trip so she didn't fall behind on her studies she needed for school. Charles picked them up at the train station with his car driving them straight to the Thatcher estate. When they pulled in Jack hopped out helping Elizabeth down before Charles could. When Charles reached up an arm to offer it to Kate Jack just lifted her up setting her on her feet.

"Charles, thank you for picking us up" Elizabeth said as Jack unloaded the bags.

"It was the least I could do" Charles said.

"This is not going to be easy is it?" Elizabeth asked softly.

"I have never seen your Uncle so upset. But I suppose I can't blame him this time."

"I suppose not" Elizabeth nodded.

"Alright, I best be off" Jack said putting his backpack over his shoulder as Kate and Elizabeth turned to him.

"Jack if you would like a ride to the infirmary it's no trouble" Charles said.

"Thank you but I will make my own way." Jack nodded.

"Will you telephone and tell us what happens with Tom?" Kate asked before Elizabeth could.

"I will, it's going to be alright. Stay with Elizabeth alright, I will see you soon" Jack said pulling Kate into a hug. When he let her go she turned picking up her bag as Elizabeth was watching him.

"It's alright" Jack told her softly and Elizabeth just nodded wrapping her arms around him. He felt her melting into him a little, the way she did when she was seeking comfort in his arms. And he held her tightly trying to give it to her.

"I will see you soon" Jack whispered. Elizabeth nodded letting him go noticing, that Charles had turned away.

"Come on Katie let's go inside" Elizabeth said softly leading Kate into the big house.


"Your aunt is upstairs, this whole ordeal is terrible for her. Your Grandmother was back in bed for two days after in happened with fainting spells. She just left for London this morning. " Uncle Henry said as Elizabeth and Voila followed him into the parlor Kate trailing after them.

"I will go up in a minute, where's Julie?" Elizabeth asked.

"She still won't come out of her room." Uncle Henry said.

"Well at least she can't cause any trouble from there" Elizabeth said.

"I wouldn't put it past her" Viola muttered as they sat down. Kate perched on the sofa next to Elizabeth.

"Tell me everything that happened?" Elizabeth said.

"Apparently the Thornton boy broke into the garage. He convinced her to take a joy ride before running the car off he road. The fool! He could have killed them both." Uncle Henry was madder then Kate had ever seen him.

"You'r not planning on pressing charges against Tom are you?" Elizabeth asked.

"He also took Julie to a dance hall, broke into there as well, God knows where else he has taken her. Julie may be head strong but the young man needs to be taught a lesson" Uncle Henry said as Elizabeth and Kate shared a glance.

"If Julie continues to spend time with the wrong sort of people it could be disastrous" Viola said.

"The wrong sort of people? Like the Thorntons?" " Elizabeth asked raising her eyebrows at her.

"I didn't say that, I sent you the telegram because this is serious. Your the only one she listens to Elizabeth. You may think I am cruel at time but I have Julie's interest at heart" Viola said.

"I know you do" Elizabeth said softening her voice.

"Talk to her, make her understand" Uncle Henry said.

"I will do my best" Elizabeth nodded.


"My life is over" Julie wailed dramatically 30 minutes later.

"It is not" Elizabeth rolled her eyes from where she was perched on the end of Julie's bed.

"Father had forbid me from seeing Tom. And if I can't see him I will wither away and die" Julie said.

"You won't die" Elizabeth said.

"Then I will just wither" Julie said. Elizabeth reached out slapping her arm.

"Thatchers don't wither" Elizabeth said firmly.

"But breaking into that dance hall and taking father's car, what were you thinking?" Elizabeth asked.

"One doesn't think when one is in love" Julie said.

"Well one had better start. Didn't I ask you to promise not to see Tom again?" Elizabeth asked.

"You asked, I didn't promise"

"Julie, you know I only want what is best for you."

"Then take me to visit him, he needs me" Julie said sitting up.

"Jack is with him, he will be fine." Elizabeth said gently.

"Honestly Elizabeth I thought you would understand how I feel being in love with the wrong kind of man" Julie said.

"I am not in love with the wrong kind of man" Elizabeth said firmly again.

"Jack is Tom's brother"

"Yes and that's where their simulateries end" Elizabeth said.

"Tom is a good person inside."

"Yes he is, but he should have been a lot more careful behind the wheel of that car." Elizabeth said.

"It wasn't his fault, the mud was slippery and the tiers skidded. It could have happened to anyone."

"You shouldn't have been out with him in the first place" Elizabeth shook her head.

"I will do as I please with who I please. And if my father presses charges I shall never speak to him again" Julie cried.

"Julie, if you want to be treated as a grown up, then start acting like one, now get out of bed and stop acting like you are five years old" Elizabeth said standing up.

"But what about Tom?" Julie asked.

"We can talk more about him when you are dressed and downstairs and not until them" Elizabeth said firmly.

"Elizabeth!" Julie wailed.

"Julie! I dragged Kate, an actual child back here to come and take care of you because you are acting like a child and pouting. Now get up and get yourself together. I have to go find Kate before your mother signs her up for the coming out ball next month and we end up stuck here. " Elizabeth said firmly walking out of the room.

Elizabeth found Kate playing piano with Viola when she went downstairs.

"Any luck with Julie?" Kate asked as they stopped playing to look at her.

"She's convinced she's in love" Elizabeth sighed sitting in a chair next to them.

"Not with that scoundrel" Viola shook her head.

"I wouldn't call Tom a scoundrel" Elizabeth said softly.

"Of course not he's Jack's brother you have to defend him" Viola said.

"This isn't about Jack" Elizabeth said.

"Isn't it?" Viola asked and Elizabeth shook her head quickly. Viola glanced at Kate who was watching them and Elizabeth knew she wanted to talk about other things not appropriate in front of Kate.

"Katie why don't you go and unpack" Elizabeth said gently. Kate nodded leaving the room as Elizabeth turned back to Viola.

"Forgive me, but everyone is asking, do you and Jack have an understanding?" Viola asked.

"an understanding about what?" Elizabeth frowned.

"I'm asking if he has made a proposal." Viola said.

"That's none of your affair" Elizabeth said flipping her hair over her shoulder.

"Oh, so he hasn't." Viola said.

"I am not in any rush to meet an understanding with anyone" Elizabeth said.

"And clearly neither is he" Viola said.

"Jack is just shy" Elizabeth said quickly.

"Oh maybe he knows how difficult it would be for the two of you because you come from such different backgrounds" Julie said.

"We're not so different, I have adapted quite well to life in Hope Valley" Elizabeth said

"The real issue is when will you make up your mind about who you are and where you belong" Viola said.

"I know perfectly well who I am!" Elizabeth cried.

"Really? Have you told Charles? Or will you continue leading him on?" Viola asked. Elizabeth frowned.

"I am not leading him on, Charles. Is one of my dearest friends"

"You have lot's of friends in Hamilton yet you choose to spend most of your time here with him. I think you need to ask yourself why" Viola said. Elizabeth turned from her frowning.

"I am going to unpack, please tell Uncle, Kate and I are going out to dinner tonight." She said firmly leaving Viola alone.


Jack came by the next day and Kate watched out the window as Jack and Uncle Henry looked over the car that Tom and Julie had been in when they had crashed. Their conversation did not look happy to say the least.

"I would like your assurance that your brother will stay away from Julie" Henry Thatcher was saying as Jack looked over the car.

"I can only say that I will advise him to, but I can't promise anything on my brother's behalf" Jack said.

"The relationship between the Thatchers and the Thorntons has proven to be very ill advised as a whole." Henry said.

"Are you asking me to stop seeing Elizabeth?" Jack asked lookin up.

"I am simply hoping that you will take her best interest into mind and act upon what is best for my niece" Henry said.

"Mr Thatcher, I care a great deal about Elizabeth" Jack said firmly. He turned seeing Kate in the window watching them.

"Thank you for letting me see the car" Jack said said before turning and walking away towards the house. Kate hurried to the door letting him in.

"How's Tom?" Kate asked him.

"On the mend, he will be fine" Jack nodded.

"Can you stay?" Kate asked.

"Yes, get your coat, why don't we take a walk through the gardens" Jack said not really wanting to be in a house with all the Thatchers no matter how big it was.

"Elizabeth, Jack is here" Kate hurried into the piano room knowing Elizabeth was a alone. Kate hurried to get their coats as Elizabeth went to great him. With in a few minutes they were walking through the gardens.

"Hows Julie?" Jack asked.

"Oh, devastated that Uncle won't let her see your brother" Elizabeth sighed.

"She thinks she's in love" Kate said walking along the other side of Jack.

"Did she say what caused the accident?" Jack asked.

"The road was muddy and the car skidded. I knew things wouldn't end well between them. Last time we were in Hamilton I told her to break things off with Tom" Elizabeth sighed.

"I gave him the same advice" Jack nodded.

"Good, Julie has always been attracted to men who are trouble" Elizabeth said.

"Well do you ever think Julie is responsible for some of that trouble?" Jack asked

"She's not the one who broke into the garage" Elizabeth said.

"No but it could have been her idea" Jack said. Elizabeth stopped walking and Jack had to turn back to look at her. Kate busied herself smelling Grandmother's flower bushes knowing they were on edge.

"Are you blaming my cousin for what happened?" Elizabeth asked.

"All I'm saying is there could be more to the story then you think" Jack said.

"When someone as promenade as your Uncle threatens to press charges against Tom the consequences could be serious" Jack said glancing up at the big house.

"Maybe the consequences need to be serious for Tom's own good" Elizabeth said.

"Well maybe they need to be serious for Julie as well" Jack said tuning away.

"Kate! Come show me where these award winning roses you went on about" Jack called. Kate hurried to show him as Elizabeth trailed behind.


Later that afternoon Kate sat in the tea room relieved that all the adults in the house were out and it was just her sister and cousins. Kate wasn't sure how Elizabeth had done it but she had somehow hardly seen her aunt and uncle their whole two days here. They ate most of their meals out and the rest of their time had been spent studying or out of the house. Kate enjoyed it much more then last time.

"I'm glad to see your appetite has returned" Viola said as Julie reached for another tea cake.

"Well I can't just wither away, I have to be strong if I am going to fight for the man I love" Julie said

"I thought you talked some sense into her!" Viola cried turning to Elizabeth.

"Let's just be thankful she has come out of her room" Elizabeth said.

"And bathed" Kate teased wrinkling her noes at Julie.

"So what have you heard about Tom?" Julie asked.

"He is better, but they are keeping him in the infirmary just to be sure" Elizabeth said.

"You must convince my father to let me visit! I need to see him to know he is alright" Julie said.

"Jack will let us know if there is anything to worry about" Elizabeth said firmly.

"Apparently Constable Thornton has struck up a friendship with Tom's nurse" Viola said putting her tea cup down.

"Who told you that?" Kate asked.

"Lionel and I were having dinner downtown last night and we spotted them together at a restaurant" Viola shrugged.

"Jack didn't say anything about that" Elizabeth shrugged her off.

"Humm, she's very pretty, and they were deeply involved in conversation I am surprised he didn't mention it" Viola said frowning a little as Elizabeth glanced up at her again.

"I am sure Jack has more important things to think about" Elizabeth said as Kate watched her her face turning a bit worried.


That night Jack picked up Elizabeth to take her to a fancy dinner. Usually it was not something Kate would tag along with but Elizabeth had been keeping her especially close this trip and Jack had insisted she come instead of being left in the house alone with their family. So the Thatcher sisters dawned their fancy dresses and left the house leaving a message with one of the maids to pass along that they would not be here for dinner again, slipping out before anyone saw them.

"I need to talk to you about something important" Jack said after they had finished dinner.

"Of course, is it Tom?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, well yes kind of. When I was looking over the car today I noticed the crack in the windshield is on the passenger side. Tom's concussion is from hitting his head forward. When I talked to him about it he wouldn't give me a straight answer. I think that Julie was driving the car. That's the only thing that makes sense with Tom's injuries" Jack said.

"Jack! There's no way" Elizabeth said as Kate looked up surprised.

"It would explain all Tom's injuries as well as why he wasn't being straight with me and why Julie is so wrecked with guilt as you say she is" Jack said.

"But Julie wouldn't lie to me" Elizabeth said.

"She was driving without a license, and she's scared to death of what her father will do." Jack said gently.

"Is that what Tom said?" Kate asked.

"No, he doesn't want to get her in trouble. But I convinced his nurse to show me the doctors report and…"

"Oh yes, the nurse" Elizabeth interrupted him. Kate looked down biting her lip wishing she had taken her chances with Aunt Agatha and Viola tonight.

"What about her?" Jack asked.

"I heard you two have been spending some free time together" Elizabeth said.

"We happened to be having dinner at the same place. She was alone I was alone we started talking about Tom. Thats all" Jack said.

"It's wonderful she has been so helpful" Elizabeth nodded.

"Elizabeth I am trying to keep my brother out of jail. And Faith agrees with me that Tom wasn't driving" Jack said.

"Kate, I left my handbag with my coat but I think I want it, will you go get it please?" Elizabeth asked. Kate sighed knowing she was getting chased out of another conversation as she stood making her way to the coat check.

"So you two are on a first name bases?" Elizabeth asked turning back to Jack when she was gone.

"Elizabeth, you spend time with Charles, so why shouldn't I spent time having dinner with someone who is trying to help my brother?" Jack asked.

"Charles is a friend" Elizabeth said firmly trouncing each word because if someone implied something about her and Charles one more time today she thought her head might explode.

"A friend who would ask for your hand the very second I was out of the picture but I never questioned your intentions, not once" Jack said.

"I have never given you a reason not to trust me" Elizabeth said coldly.

"Neither have I" Jack said.

"Then why didn't you tell me about your new friend?"

"Because your family doesn't get to run my life" Jack said.

"That is unfair" Elizabeth said. They weren't arguing, there were no raised voices, but she felt her emotions raising to the surface and tears threatening her eyes. This was something she and Jack had never done before, it was far from their playful back and forth teasing, and also no where near their bickering they started out with when their first met. This was something different, it felt worse then that. Like they were trying to see eye to eye but there was something between them and try as they might, they were not finding the way around it.

"You need to talk to Julie about telling the truth."

"And you need to talk to Tom about growing up and taking responsibility" Elizabeth said.

"I will" Jack nodded.

"Good" Elizabeth said shortly

"Good" Jack nodded and they sat in silence for a minute.

"Well if that is all I think I should be going" Jack said raising his hand for the check.

"Don't let me keep you" Elizabeth said and they sat in silence again for another minute.

"Jack, what's happening?" Elizabeth asked her voice soft this time. She watched Jack's face soften as he turned to her.

"I'm not sure" he said.

Kate returned to the table as Elizabeth was putting her coat on. Jack handed Kate her coat and she put it on in silence feeling the tension in the air. She followed Elizabeth out of the restaurant in silence.

"Do you have a car?" Jack asked.

"Yes" Elizabeth said nodding in the direction of their car and driver.

"Alright, see you later then" Jack said reaching out to place a hand on Kate's head before walking down the street. Kate saw the tears threatening Elizabeth eyes as they climbed into the back of the car and headed for home. The ride was silent and they slipped into the house heading right up the stairs.

"You should get go to bed. It's late and I want you so study more tomorrow, your falling behind." Elizabeth said shortly as Kate went into her room.

"Ok, do you want to talk about that happened with Jack?" Kate asked softly.

"No" Elizabeth said.

"Well is he leaving us again?" Kate asked.

"No, he is taking care of something" Elizabeth said stepping into Kate's room and closing the door.

"Do you think Julie crashed the car?"

"I don't know Kate, why so many questions!" Elizabeth said raising her voice losing her temper.

"Because I am sick of keeping track of you and Jack!" Kate shot back. Elizabeth's face fell and Kate immediately felt the guilt wash over her.

"I'm sorry, that was an awful thing to say" Kate said just as quickly. Elizabeth had been on the verge of tears the whole ride home and Kate had just made it worse.

"It's alright, I lost my temper first" Elizabeth sighed.

"You have a right to"

"Let's just chalk it up to a bad night and start again tomorrow" Elizabeth said.

"Ok" Kate nodded starting to unbutton her dress as Elizabeth turned to leave. She hesitated before opening the door turning back to Kate.

"I know that you want Jack and I to work, but I also need you to remember that it might not. Courting is not engaged, its a way of finding out if you could be engaged and spend your life with someone. And sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn't" Elizabeth said softly as Kate pulled her night gown over her head.

"Elizabeth, I don't care about Jack. I mean I do, but I thought he would be the one to make you happy. But if he's not, that's ok. Your my sister and I just care that you are happy, no matter who it's with, or where we are living. If your happy then I'm happy." Kate said. Elizabeth nodded pulling Kate close holding her for a minute.

"I love you" She whispered.

"I love you too" Kate said.

"Get some sleep alright, it will be better in the morning." Elizabeth said.

"Good night" Kate said.

"Good night" Elizabeth sighed going into her own bedroom.