Thanks for all the reviews. I think there was some confusion when I mention the ending. Jack will live in this story all the way though and it will be a happy ending. I also wrote another ending where he died like in the show just to play with the characters. I will post both if anyone is interested in the one where he dies. (one chapter I will post separately) However the main and much longer ending to the story (probably 10ish chapters) I make up myself after the wedding and make it a happy ending where everyone lives.
Three days after returning home, life was settling in again. Kate was glad to be back and with her friends, Elizabeth returned to teaching school, her days were filled with getting caught up on work and helping Abigail. Jack wasn't around, he didn't come into Abigail's like he usually did for breakfast, and he somehow managed to dodge Elizabeth every time she walked down main street. If Abigail noticed she didn't say anything, but Elizabeth noticed Kate was quieter then usual and not totally herself. Elizabeth wasn't feeling totally herself either. While it was wonderful to be back home it didn't have the same feel to it has it had before they had left. She knew that had to do largely with Jack and their relationship seeming to be tearing further and further apart but she tried to move past it. Wednesday morning before school she and Kate were walking when she saw Jack talking to Rosemary their voices hushed.
"I need to speak to Rosemary" Elizabeth said softly.
"Now?" Kate asked glancing at Jack who didn't see them.
"Yes, there's no reason not to" Elizabeth said firmly making her way over as Kate followed her but Jack started walking away when he saw them. Elizabeth sighed but greeted Rosemary forcing a smile onto her face. Kate watched Jack walk away with a slight frown, unable to fake the same politeness as her sister.
"Oh Kate, Elizabeth, welcome back!" Rosemary smiled turning to them.
"Thank you, I hear you took over at the school house for Mrs Bleakly while I was away" Elizabeth said.
"No need to thank me, the children and I got along wonderfully" Rosemary smiled.
"Good... but for some reason they didn't do any of their lessons" Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, there is so much more to learning then what can be found in books, you have to educate the while child, encourage independent thinking" Rosemary said.
"Yes, you always have such a unique perspective" Elizabeth said pressing her lips into a tight smile. Kate glanced across the street where Jack had gone as Rosemary chattered on. She saw him talking to a man she didn't recognize at the stage coach stop when suddenly the man reached out punching Jack.
"Elizabeth!" Kate cried pulling on Elizabeth's coat pointing across the street as the man pulled a gun and Jack grabbed his hands, the gun went off firing into the air before Jack managed to get it away.
"Jack!" Elizabeth gasped jumping as a few people in the street screamed. Elizabeth pushed Kate behind her as she watched Jack continuing to fight the man both of them getting in a few good punches before Jack managed to knock the man to the ground unconscious. Elizabeth didn't realize she was gasping for breath her heart racing until Jack was safe.
"It's ok, he's alright" Elizabeth said turning to Kate who's face was a sickly pale color pulling Kate from behind her and into her side as a few other men from town rushed to help Jack take the man to into the jail.
"What happened?" Kate asked.
"I saw that man before, he was using counterfeit money, Mr Yost sent me to tell Jack. I guess the man didn't like being caught" Rosemary said she too was clearly shaken. Elizabeth hadn't missed how Rosemary had also stepped in front of Kate when the gun had gone off and she suddenly felt a bit warmer toward the women.
"Elizabeth you will want to go check on Jack, I can start school for you if you like" Rosemary offered.
"Thank you but that's alright" Elizabeth said softly still feeling her body shaking.
"Are you sure?" Rosemary asked surprised.
"Yes, Jack will have a lot of work to do and it looks like he has plenty of help. I will check on him later" Elizabeth said clearing her throat.
"Come on Katie we should get to school" Elizabeth said softly as she and Kate started walking again, Kate glanced back but Jack was gone.
It took all morning for Elizabeth to talk herself into it, but when she let school out for lunch and recess she left the children playing outside and made her way over to the jail. She was just walking up the steps to the porch when Jack came out the door.
"Jack, I saw what happened earlier, are you alright?" Elizabeth asked. Jack kept walking and Elizabeth matched his steps as they walked down main street.
"I'm fine" Jack said.
"Who was that man?" Elizabeth asked.
"Counterfitter, wasn't to happy that the got caught" Jack said shortly.
"I could see that" Elizabeth added a little joking to her voice but Jack didn't smile.
"Jack you said you had a lot to think about on the train ride back from Hamilton but we have barely spoken since we got back" Elizabeth said.
"That's because there isn't much to discuss"
"It was a very long train ride there must be lots to discuss" Elizabeth sighed.
"You made yourself perfectly clear at the train station in Hamilton." Jack shrugged.
"Clear about what?"
"That we are two different people from two very different worlds and I don't belong in your world let's just leave it at that" Jack said stopping walking now to look at Elizabeth.
"I don't want to leave it at that, my world is here" Elizabeth said trying to sound firm and keep her voice from giving away how upset she was.
"I am not so sure you are being honest about that" Jack said.
"Not being honest? Jack Thornton you take that back" This time there was anger in her voice as she tried to keep from yelling in the middle of the street.
"Jack! Elizabeth! It's so good to have you both back!" They both turned as Molly Sullivan walked up greeting them with a smile.
"Great to be home" Jack said as Elizabeth forced a smile onto her face.
"So I assume I will be seeing you at the dance together?" Molly asked.
"Dance I hadn't heard?" Elizabeth asked
"me either" Jack said. Elizabeth glanced at him sideways.
"But I couldn't go even if I want to, I have so much to catch up on for school" Elizabeth said quickly.
"and I have a mountain of paperwork to get to" Jack nodded avoiding her eyes.
"In fact I should be getting back to the children" Elizabeth said.
"And I need to get started" Jack said.
"Lovely to see you Molly" Elizabeth said turning and walking back to the school house.
"Mrs Sullivan" Jack gave her a nod heading in the opposite direction.
That afternoon Elizabeth was nailing the railing to the cafe stairs as Kate held it firm. Abigail had closed the Cafe for a few days to do some repairs and spring cleaning and Clara and the girls were trying to help out at much as they could. Kate couldn't help but notice that Paster Frank had spent a lot of time helping out as well and he and Abigail were constantly smiling at each other.
"If Viola could see you know" Kate said with a little smirk. Elizabeth turned to her with a smile, they had both been out of sorts but she was hoping they would both get past this soon.
"Perhaps we should send her a photograph, that will sure to have her shrieking so loud we should be able to hear her from all the way over here" Elizabeth said making Kate giggle.
"Elizabeth, Abigail ordered these from the mercantile" Jack said walking up with a box full of things.
"Just put them here" Elizabeth said shortly nodding to the step behind her. Kate didn't look at him as Jack set the box down and Elizabeth turned her back to him reaching for another nail. Jack went around reaching for the railing giving it a little wiggle.
"Nice job" He said raising his eyebrows at how sturdy it was.
"Contrary to what you may think, I am capable of a great deal beyond my drawing room education" Elizabeth said with a frown. Kate got up going inside unwilling to witness yet another fight.
"I never said you weren't" Jack said turning to go.
"Why did you say I wasn't being honest about who I am?" Elizabeth asked stepping off the porch and marching up to him.
"Elizabeth I don't think this is where your heart is" Jack said.
"Why would you say that?" Elizabeth frowned.
"How long did it take you to come back here when your grandmother was sick?"
"Jack, I could not just pick up and leave, she needed me" Elizabeth said.
"I understand that, and that is why you stayed, not because of anything else?"
"Are you talking about Charles" Elizabeth sighed.
"You and Charles have a lot in common."
"and I suppose you have a lot in common with that nurse, Faith is it?" Elizabeth asked.
"Faith, Faith didn't try to change me into something I am not, in fact the last thing she said to me before I left was to remember who I am." Jack said his voice rising a little.
"Jack when have I ever tried to change you?"
"You wanted me to take the job your Uncle offered me"
"No I didn't" Elizabeth frowned. Jack just gave her a look.
"Alright I thought you should at least consider it and hear him out. There could actually be some advantages to working for him" Elizabeth said putting her hands on her hips.
"And that is the problem right there" Jack scoffed.
"I don't see any problem at all except that you are not being very open minded and I do not understand why" Elizabeth cried.
"Elizabeth." Jack sighed. Elizabeth looked away not meeting his eyes.
"I have to get back to work" Jack said.
"So do I." Elizabeth said quickly going back up the porch as Jack walked away, she picked up the hammer again pounding the nail into the railing.
"Are you girls done outside?" Abigail asked walking into the cafe seeing Kate sitting at one of the tables with her head in her hands.
"Not yet"
"Abigail glanced out the window seeing Elizabeth and Jack talking angrily.
"How about a cookie break?" Abigail offered sweetly.
"No thank you"
"Kate, I know it's hard for them to be at odds, I know you love your sister, and Jack means a great deal to you as well" Abigail said gently sitting across from Kate.
"I just wish they would figure it out, I hate how upset it makes Elizabeth, and I hate not being able to spend time with Jack. If they aren't going to be courting fine, but can't we go back to the way things were before?" Kate asked.
"I am afraid it doesn't work that way. Jack and Elizabeth are both hurting and they need to work through it, these things just happen sometimes" Abigail sighed.
"I suppose" Kate nodded. They heard the hammering again and both looked out the window to see Jack gone and Elizabeth pounding on the rail.
"I should go help her" Kate said standing up again.
"Why don't you take a break, I'll help her and you can wash the windows" Abigail offered.
"That's ok. She's grumpy, I think your to sweet to put up with her." Kate said softly giving Abigail a little smile before going back outside. Abigail sighed shaking her head.
"Gabe can you close the windows please it looks like there is a storm rolling in" Elizabeth said as she rang the bell calling the children in from lunch and recess. Gabe nodded starting to go around the room closing the windows.
"Miss Thatcher is it going to thunder?" Emily asked looking concerned as they took their seats.
"It may Emily, thunderstorms are common this time of year, but do you remember last week we talking about thunder just bring the clouds and it can't hurt us" Elizabeth said gently.
"I still don't like it" Emily sighed.
"You know, Kate didn't like thunder when she was your age either, do you remember what we used to do during a thunderstorm Kate?" Elizabeth asked smiling at her.
"You used to read Edgar Allan Poe, it was always perfect during a storm." Kate smile.
"And since it is now time for English why don't we read some." Elizabeth said picking up the book she had brought with her.
"Miss Thatcher this window is stuck." Gabe said pushing against one in the far corner.
"Oh dear, Christopher can you help him?" Elizabeth asked sending another of the older boys to help knowing that they were both stronger then she was. The tow boys couldn't close it together either.
"I think it's jammed, we need some tools" Gabe said.
"Yes, Gabe can you please run to the mill and ask Mr Coulter if he can spare a man to come fix it after school, I think the rain will hold off until then."
"Yes Ma'am" Gabe nodded hurrying out the door.
"Alright children now Edgar Allan Poe wrote short stories and poems. Who can name anything they know that he wrote?" Elizabeth asked.
A few minutes later Gabe came back in as Elizabeth was in the middle of reading to the class. They all turned as Jack followed Gabe in with a tool box.
"Mr Coulter said all his men were out but he asked Mountie Jack to help do it now" Gabe said taking his seat.
"Sorry to interrupt." Jack said setting the toolbox down.
"Do you have to do it now?" Elizabeth asked.
"I'm not going to have time later" Jack said.
"Well we are in the middle of reading" Elizabeth said. Both their voices were sharp and Laura glanced at Kate with raised eyebrows catching on to their attitude towards each other.
"Don't worry Mr Poe won't even know im here" Jack said picking up a mallet. Elizabeth went back to reading at the children turned back to her. She only got a few words in before Jack started banging. Elizabeth jumped as everyone turned back to him.
"School is over in an hour couldn't you come back then?" Elizabeth asked pressing her lips together.
"Noise now or wet floors later" Jack said. Elizabeth sighed going back to reading only able to reread what she had read before when Jack started banging again. Elizabeth sighed in frustration and Kate bit her lip as all the students turned back to Jack no-one able to hear Elizabeth over the banging. Jack put the mallet down and closed the window firmly.
"When the rest of heaven was blew, of a demon in my view" Elizabeth finished reading, raising her eyebrow at Jack pointedly. Jack slipped on his hat flicking his finger on the rim in the least polite goodbye his could manage before leaving the school house. Kate sighed sliding down in her seat.
"What's going on with them?" Laura whispered.
"Who knows." Kate sighed as Elizabeth turned to Emily who had raised her hand.
"Are you mad at Constable Thornton?" Emily asked.
"Of course not" Elizabeth shook her head.
"Then why did you make a funny face at him?" Emily asked.
"I don't make a funny face"
"Yes you did, like this" Little Emily said putting her hands on her hips, pursing her lips in a tight smile and shaking her head. Kate couldn't help but laugh with the rest of the class, Emily did look just like Elizabeth.
"I was just thinking about the storm and how I hope we don't get wet, alright now where were we? Who would like to read Tell Tale Heart?" Elizabeth asked hoping the class would move on.
The sky was getting darker as the early summer storm rolled in and Elizabeth dismissed class early hoping to get all the children home before the rain hit.
"Go straight home don't dawdle it looks like it will be bad" Elizabeth said as everyone gathered their books.
"Miss Thatcher I don't like the storm" Emily said again close to tears.
"It's alright Emily, it is just noise remember, and after the storm you can go out and look for the rainbow, I bet there will be one" Elizabeth said softly.
"Gabe, take her hand and go straight home" Elizabeth said as Gabe nodded taking his little sisters hand pulling her down the path to the row houses.
"Come on, we should go before it starts" Elizabeth said as Kate grabbed their lunch pail and they hurried down main street the wind already picking up. There pond was making Kate seasick just watching it and there was a thick smell of rain in the air as they hurried into the cafe.
"Oh girls! I'm glad you got out early" Abigail said greeting them.
"That storms looks bad, where's Clara is she home?" Elizabeth asked.
"Mrs. Sullivan isn't feeling well and Clara went to stay with the children so she could rest, she will likely ride out the storm there" Abigail said.
"Good" Elizabeth nodded.
"Frank finished the floors and I want to move the furniture back. Kate can you go upstairs and close all the windows and shutters? I want to get everything in place before this rain hits" Abigail said. Kate nodded hurrying upstairs and Elizabeth moved to help Abigail move some of the cafe tables.
"I hear things are a little frosty between you and Jack" Abigail said when Kate was gone.
"Who told you that?" Elizabeth asked setting the table down.
"Oh Elizabeth, you girls have been back for almost a week and he hasn't been around, used to be he was here at least once a day. And Kate might have mentioned something about it being difficult for you" Abigail said gently.
"We just can't seem to get over what happened in Hamilton, and I don't understand why." Elizabeth sighed putting the tablecloth over the table.
"It's never easy when you have an argument with someone you care about" Abigail agreed.
"And I care about Jack a great deal" Elizabeth admitted softly leaning against the wall.
"I know, I think you have to get to the heart of the matter. It's not what's on the surface it's about what is going on underneath." Abigail said as Elizabeth helped her move and lift another table.
"Jack says we are from two different worlds."
"Not very specific but its a start" Abigail gave her a little smile as they set the table down.
"It was like pulling teeth getting that much from him" Elizabeth sighed.
"Just keep the conversation going, not talking about it is the worst thing you can do" Abigail said gently.
"Thank you Abigail" Elizabeth gave her a kind smile as Kate came down the stairs.
"I left my math book on my desk" Kate said.
"Oh Kate" Elizabeth sighed.
"Can I go get it! I will be quick, I need it for the homework" Kate said.
"The rain hasn't come yet you might have time" Abigail said glancing out the window.
"Come on, grab your coat I will walk with you. Hurry" Elizabeth said as Kate rushed to put her coat on and Elizabeth slipped on her own and they hurried out the door. Elizabeth hesitated as they passed the jail.
"Come on" Kate said.
"Hold on, I just want to talk to Jack" Elizabeth said and Kate followed her up the steps into the office.
"Jack?" Elizabeth called opening the door sighing when she found it empty.
"Rip, what are you doing under there?" Kate asked slipping past Elizabeth and going over to pet the little dog who was hiding under Jack's desk. Elizabeth went over to Jack's desk picking up a pencil as a clap of thunder shook the windows and Rip whined.
"Don't worry Rip it's only thunder" Kate said scratching his ears.
"Elizabeth, Rip is afraid of the storm" Kate said looking up at her.
"Rip you sure are the worst guard dog I ever did see" Elizabeth chuckled and started writing on a piece of paper.
"What are you leaving a note for?" Kate asked leaving Rip and standing up walking up to Elizabeth.
"Excuse me" Elizabeth said giving her a look moving the paper away from Kate.
"Well how was I supposed to know your writing a love letter, you two have been at each others throats! I just wanted to make sure you weren't black mailing him." Kate crossed her arms.
"It's not a love letter, it's just note asking Jack for a chance to talk soon." Elizabeth said. Kate sighed going over to look at the wanted posters hanging on the wall giving Elizabeth space. Neither sister saw Rip slip past them going outside.
"Look Elizabeth this one looks like Great Aunt Martha" Kate giggled pointing to one of the pictures.
"Kate, you are impossible" Elizabeth couldn't help chuckling, Kate wasn't wrong.
"Come on, let's go get your book and get back before we get soaked" Elizabeth said as they hurried out of the jail and down the street.
"Rip!" Jack called coming out of the jail whistling for the dog as the sisters walked past him on their way back Kate's math book tucked under her arm.
"Jack, I was looking for you" Elizabeth said
"Have you seen Rip?" Jack asked her, he surprised them both by reaching out and tugging on the end of Kate's braid in his teasing playful way as he always used to.
"He was in the jail earlier" Kate said.
"You were in the jail?" Jack asked.
"Yes" Elizabeth nodded.
"Did you leave the door open?" Jack asked.
"No, I don't think so.. maybe I did" Elizabeth thought back unable to remember.
"Jack the door is always open, Rip is always in and out" Kate said.
"He hates thunder, he runs off if I don't keep the door closed during a storm." Jack said.
"Oh no" Kate whispered.
"Jack I am so sorry I will find him for you I promise" Elizabeth said.
"I bet he is at the mine, that's where I found him the last time he got spooked by the thunder" Jack said grabbing the lantern from his porch.
"Well I will go get him, it was my fault" Elizabeth said.
"The storm is coming in, I will get him" Jack said. Kate was worried about Rip, however she was pleased Jack and Elizabeth were no longer snipping at each other for the first time in a week.
"Jack I am perfectly capable of riding out to the mine myself" Elizabeth said reaching for the lamp from Jack's hands.
"Elizabeth!" Jack called after her.
"I will be back before you know it" Elizabeth said determined marching off to the livery to get a horse.
"I want to find Rip." Kate yelled after her.
"No you go back, the storm will be here any minute! Help Abigail, I will be back". Elizabeth said as Kate stood in the street watching her go. She turned back to Jack who was slipping on his coat.
"Your not going alone!" Jack called after her rushing to grab the other lantern.
"Jack" Kate said as he stepped from the porch just as the rain started.
"Look I'll take care of her, we may wait for the storm to pass in the mine if it gets bad. Just go home and stay dry alright." Jack said.
"Ok" Kate nodded squinting in the heavy ran as Jack ran down the street after Elizabeth.
Elizabeth raced into the mine holding her coat over her head as Jack ran in after her leading Sergeant and the horse Elizabeth had borrowed into the mine and tying them up.
"Rip! Rip!" Elizabeth called not seeing him.
"This is where I found him last time. Rip!" Jack called whistling for him again.
"He doesn't seem to be here now" Elizabeth sighed. The entrance to the mine was bright but the tunnels leading off were dark and she didn't think it was a good idea to just start wondering around the abandoned mine.
"I guess we should keep looking in town" She said turning back to Jack.
"It's coming down buckets out there, he probably took shelter somewhere and we should do the same" Jack said. Elizabeth glanced around, there was a little fire pit on the ground with some unused wood and branched.
"Looks like someone was here before" Elizabeth said.
"Passerbys use this as a shelter at night. I have seen a few people camping out here on their way west" Jack nodded.
"Well there in no sense freezing to death" Elizabeth said walking over to the fireplace she picked up two sticks and started to rub them together.
"What are you doing?" Jack asked.
"I'm starting a fire, I read a book on camping and this is how it is done" Elizabeth said firmly.
"You know I have matches in my saddlebag" Jack said after a minute, she could hear the smirk in his voice even with her back turned to him.
"Why didn't you say so?" She sighed.
"It's more fun watching you" Jack chuckled that Elizabeth noted wasn't altogether friendly, however it wasn't entirely unfriendly either.
Elizabeth set the sticks down rolling her eyes as Jack went to get the matches.
"Good heavens, look at you your wet to the bone!" Abigail said as Kate ran into the cafe closing the door behind her against the wind.
"It started coming down all of a sudden" Kate said taking off her wet coat and taking the towel from Abigail to dry her hair.
"Where's Elizabeth?"
"She went with Jack to find Rip, they think he got spooked and ran off to the mine to hide. Jack said they would stay there if the storm got bad so they may not be back until after the rain passes" Kate said.
"She went with Jack?" Abigail asked raising her eyebrows.
"More like Jack went chasing after her. You know how stubborn Elizabeth is and Jack didn't want her going alone" Kate said with a little smile.
"Well if Jack is with her they are sure to find cover somewhere warm and dry." Abigail said. Kate nodded, truth was if Elizabeth was out alone, she and Abigail probably would have gone out looking for her. But they both knew she would be perfectly fine with Jack, even if they were at odds.
"Why don't you and I pop some popcorn and warm up by the stove until this storm passes." Abigail said
"To bad we can't go fishing today like we planned" Kate sighed.
"We can still go, the storm might pass quickly, oh Paster Hogan was also looking to fish, do you mind if maybe I invite him along today?" Abigail asked.
"Sure, Paster Hogan has been spending a lot of time around here lately" Kate said giving Abigail a little smile as they went into the sitting room and sat by the stove.
"He was very helpful with all the spring cleaning we needed done." Abigail nodded not meeting Kate's eyes.
"He's also very helpful at making you blush." Kate giggled.
"Kate!"
"Well his is, are you going to start courting him?" Kate asked.
"It's much to early for any talk of that. He is a kind man and a good friend." Abigail said.
"Abigail, you do so much for other people, you deserve to be happy too. Make sure you leave time for your own happiness." Kate said.
"Tell me little Miss Thatcher when did you get to be so grown up?" Abigail asked giving her a smile. Kate shrugged.
"You have been through a lot, you have grown a whole year since you got here and I don't just mean turning twelve, you are becoming a wonderful young lady and it is a pleasure to watch you discover so much about life and yourself, you are wise beyond your years Kate."
"Thank you for having such a safe place for Elizabeth and I to grow Abigail, if it weren't for you we would have been back on the stage home after our first night" Kate said. Abigail gave her a smile.
"I think you girls would have been just fine, but God has a reason for everything he does, even if we don't understand it at the time. I think his testing you when you first got here made you so much stronger and determined."
"Do you think God is testing Jack and Elizabeth?" Kate asked.
"I do, and I believe this storm is giving them the perfect place to be forced to sit together and figure it out." Abigail gave Kate a wink making her smile.
"This should keep us warm for a good couple of hours, storm should pass by then" Jack said building up the sticks around the fire.
"Mother Nature rarely played by anyone else's rules, she can be very headstrong." Elizabeth said fighting her coat around her against the chill of the damp mine.
"Like someone else I know" Jack said not taking his eyes from the jumping flames.
"You used to like that about me."
"Still do" Jack shrugged.
"But you resent who I am and where I am from" Elizabeth raised an eyebrow.
"I never said that" Jack said softly.
"Then what did you mean when you said we come from two different worlds? you couldn't wait to leave Hamilton." Elizabeth asked almost throwing up her hands in frustration.
"I don't want to become someone I am not just to please your Uncle and Grandmother." Jack said.
"This is not about pleasing my family" Elizabeth shook her head annoyed.
"The truth is, it feels like you are a different person when you are in Hamilton." Jack said turning to her. Elizabeth just rolled her eye.
"I am not sure you know who you are yet" Jack said softly.
"Now you sound exactly like my Grandmother" Elizabeth muttered.
"Elizabeth the women that I helped pump water on that homestead is not the same women that has a servant set out her clothes for her everyday." Jack said firmly.
"Jack! Can't you see it's all a part of me. I enjoyed being on the homestead. And I enjoy living in a big house in Hamilton!" Elizabeth cried. Jack watched the fire again not looking at her. Elizabeth felt tears coming into her eyes as she shook her head gently.
"You just won't accept me for who I am" She whispered.
"You have got that backwards" Jack shook his head still not looking at her.
"Do you really believe that?"
"I'm going to see if I can find some more firewood" Jack said softly not answering her question as he stood up and took the lantern with him a little deeper into the mine. Elizabeth turned to the fire trying to keep her emotions from showing.
Jack came back a few minutes later not looking at her as he knelt by the fire putting the dry sticks on.
"This isn't about wanting you to be something you are not." Elizabeth said softly. Jack looked up at her and she saw the emotion in his face too even if he wasn't showing it.
"And this isn't about wanting you to fit in in Hamilton, and this isn't about the fact that we come from two different worlds." She went on.
"What's it about then?"
"Jack, do you remember when you told me that Mounties don't get married? And that if they wanted you to have a wife they would have issued you one?" Elizabeth asked. Jack looked away from her for a minute and she knew he was trying to help his face stern even while he was regretting what he had once told her.
"I think you might be right, when I saw that man point that gun at you the other morning, it was like I couldn't breath. It was like my whole world was in slow motion. What if he had shot you?" Elizabeth whispered her voice cracking as her emotions made their way to the surface her will to keep them down not nearly as strong as his.
"He didn't" Jack said softly.
"Not this time. It scared me Jack. It scares me to think that one day you might not come home. That what happened to your father could happen to you. I need to be able to sleep at night knowing you are safe" Elizabeth said softly.
"I will be safe" Jack said firmly.
"You can't guarantee that."
"No one can. But I am good at what I do, and I am not afraid to face my fears." Jack said. His face was firm but his voice was soft when he saw how upset she was getting.
"And I never want to change that about you." Elizabeth nodded.
"That right there, you saying that, it means the world to me" Jack said gently. Elizabeth ducked her head as a tear rolled down her cheek.
"But Jack, I don't know if I am brave enough to spend my life with someone as brave as you." Elizabeth whispered looking back up at him.
