Jack seemed able to perk Kate up a little when he came home and even Elizabeth took part in their card game that night as they made each other laugh. Though Kate was still not entirely herself for the next few days. Elizabeth noticed she suddenly spent very little time with James, opting to walk home with Laura or ride in the wagon. She felt sorry for her sister and for James, but knew it couldn't be helped. On Wednesday Jack came through the door whistling as he hung up his hat and coat.

"Someone had a good day." Kate said looking up from where she was making dinner.

"I did, I got a telegram from headquarters, I have some good news." Jack said as Elizabeth came down the stairs with the laundry basket in her hands.

"Are they sending us a washing machine?" Elizabeth teased as Jack hurried to take the basket from her setting it on the table.

"No, but they have asked me to go to Buxton to do some work."

"Oh but Jack you just got back hardly a week ago." Elizabeth sighed not hiding her disappointment.

"Which is exactly what I told them. I did some talking to my commander and I told him I couldn't leave my pregnant wife again. Which is why I now have a hotel for two nights for the three of us to take a little vacation." Jack smiled.

"Really?" Kate cried.

"If your up for it that is." Jack said turning to Elizabeth.

"When do we leave?" Elizabeth asked.

"I thought we could leave tomorrow afternoon. If we take the wagon we can drive for a while. I can put the tarp on so you can rest in the back but we should be in Buxton by dinner time. I will have some work to do Friday, but we can explore the city together Saturday and return home Sunday." Jack offered.

"Oh can we, please Elizabeth?" Kate asked.

"I suppose it would be nice to get away for a little while before the baby comes." Elizabeth smiled.

"Hurray! I'm going to go pack!" Kate cried running into her room making Jack laugh. He turned to Elizabeth kissing her forehead as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you sure your up for this trip?" He asked.

"Yes, you are right I can rest in the wagon. I will ask Rosemary to teach school for me Friday. This will probably be our last chance to go on a trip for a while." Elizabeth nodded as Jack ran his hand over her belly. It was noticeable now all the time no matter what she was wearing. Elizabeth used to battle with her skirts every morning but had since given up when Jack convinced her how beautiful she was.

"Good, I think we could use sometime to ourselves. Kate included, we have all been so busy I thought it would be nice to get out of town for a while."

"You are right, and this way she won't be here when James leaves, maybe this trip will help her take her mind off of it a little." Elizabeth nodded.

"Well then let's get packing Mrs Thornton." Jack smiled.

"I suppose the laundry could wait a few more days." Elizabeth laughed.


Alright everyone listen before I dismiss you for the day, I have some news." Elizabeth said as Kate looked up from her book as she addressed the class.

"Tomorrow I will not be here, Mrs Coulter will teach school tomorrow, I have left her the lesson plans and I expect you to all be on your best behavior." Elizabeth said.

"When are you coming back?" Opal asked concerned.

"I will be back Monday. Mountie Jack has some work in the city and he is taking Kate and I with him for a little vacation, but only for a few days." Elizabeth assured the younger children who watched her worriedly.

"Good" Emily smiled.

"Where are you going?" Laura asked turning to Kate who was avoiding James watching her from across the row.

"Buxton. Jack is working tomorrow and he didn't want to leave us again. So we are going for the weekend, leaving right now and coming back Sunday afternoon." Kate said.

"Alright everyone, have a wonderful weekend and I will see you all on Monday." Elizabeth said dismissing the class. Children started to gather their coats and lunch pails.

"Are you going to walk home with James?" Laura whispered. Kate looked over to where James was standing by the door with his sisters seeming to wait for her.

"No, Jack should be outside with the wagon right now, he wanted to leave as soon as school was out." Kate shook her head.

"You ready Kate?" Elizabeth asked.

"Yeah, I'll see you Monday." Kate said turning to Laura.

"Have a good trip, I'll help Mrs Coulter tomorrow." Laura said giving Kate and Elizabeth a hug.

"Thank you." Elizabeth gave her a smile as Laura headed down the steps.

"I have some books for you three. I know this one is your favorite Molly, and James I want youth keep working on you science, I think you could do very well with it in your new school" Elizabeth said handing James and his sisters each a book.

"Thank you ma'am" James said as the girls smiled.

"You three will be just fine, be sure and write, we want to hear all about your adventures back east." Elizabeth said giving them a warm smile.

"We will" Nellie nodded as Jack pulled up with Abigail in the wagon.

"Be safe, we will talk soon." Elizabeth said going down the stairs to greet Jack and Abigail. Kate watched her for a minute before turning to James and the girls.

"Have a wonderful trip, I want to hear all about your school back east. I bet you even have your own classrooms for your own grades." Kate gave the girls a smile.

"Will you write and tell us about Miss Thatcher's baby when it comes?" Nellie asked.

"Of course, we will all write you." Kate smiled.

"You two should get home, Ma will need help with the packing." James told them softly.

"You too." Nellie frowned.

"I will be along in a minute." James nodded as Nellie took Molly's hand and they started down the dirt path.

"I'm sorry we have to go." James said softly turning to Kate.

"It's not your fault. I understand." Kate shrugged a little.

"Maybe we cold still write and be friends?" James asked.

"I would like that." Kate nodded giving him a little smile.

"I'm going to come back to Hope Valley some day. I will come and see you." James told her firmly.

"That would be nice." Kate forced a smile onto her face and James forced one onto his before giving her a warm hug. He didn't meet her eyes when he pulled away instead just walking down the lane his sisters had gone down with a little wave to Jack and Elizabeth.

"How are we doing?" Jack asked walking up to Kate.

"Good, let's go. I'm ready to be away for a little while." Kate said giving him a little smiled as Jack put a strong hand on her shoulder and they went over to the wagon.

"Here is some food for your trip. Some bread and cheese and smoked ham and a few cookies." Abigail said putting a basket into the back of the wagon.

"Thank you Abigail" Elizabeth gave her friend a smile knowing there was no use on telling her how unnecessary it was.

"Well, you three enjoy your trip. Cody and I will take good care of Willow, he is so excited to have a dog in the house." Abigail smiled making Jack chuckle.

"And Lee said he would look after the house and animals for use, we will be back Sunday evening." Elizabeth nodded.

"I will have a hot supper on your table waiting for you." Abigail gave her a smile before giving her a warm hug.

"Thank you" Elizabeth smiled as Jack took her hand and helped her slowly climb into the wagon seat and settled her with blankets and hot potatoes on her feet and hands.

"Have a wonderful time little miss." Abigail gave Kate a hug which she returned tighter then usual.

"I will." Kate smiled.

"Ready?" Jack asked. Kate nodded and Jack boosted her up into the back seat and handed her blankets to keep warm in the winter evening.

"Have fun!" Abigail called waving as Jack jumped up next to Elizabeth and whistled to Sergeant and Gracie who pulled the wagon through town.

"It is so nice to get away for a few days. And for you not to have to leave us again." Elizabeth smiled curling into Jack's side a little. Jack smiled leaning his head to kiss the top of her's gently.

"Do you think we can buy new winter shoes in town?" Kate asked leaning forward so the three of them could chat.

"We all certainly need them. Why don't you and I do some shopping while Jack is working tomorrow. And Saturday we can all explore the city together." Elizabeth offered.

"You sure you have the energy for that?" Jack asked raising his eyebrows at her.

"Of course, I will be fine." Elizabeth assured him making him smile.


"Is she warm enough out there?" Elizabeth asked as Jack came into the bedroom of their hotel closing the door a little.

"The fire is warm and she has plenty of blankets." Jack nodded. Their hotel room was beautiful, much more then they would have spent on themselves, but the Mountie must have felt guilty about calling Jack away again so soon, and he worked hard, he earned a nice place to stay when he was away from home. The big main room had a fire place and little table with chairs. Even a little sitting area with a sofa big enough for Kate to sleep comfortably on. There was also the bathroom they had to themselves and the bedroom where Jack and Elizabeth could sleep.

"This is so nice Jack, I am so happy we came." Elizabeth smiled putting her book down as Jack slid into the bed next to her.

"Me too, I am sorry I have to work tomorrow, but all day Saturday it will be the three of us. I saw something in the paper about a train museum opening up, maybe we could go see that and have a nice lunch out and go to the park after, or perhaps we can see about attending a film or going downtown to look at the big buildings." Jack offered.

"Anything is fine with me as long as we are all together." Elizabeth gave him a smile as he lay down next to her.

"And anything is fine with me as long as you don't get to tired out." Jack said making her sigh and wrinkle her nose at him.

"Kate and I are only going shopping in the morning tomorrow. We thought we could have a nice afternoon tea at the hotel but after that our day was free to rest and spend some time together. I want to talk to her about James, make sure she is really ok with it."

"She seemed fine today."

"Yes but you know Kate, she bottles everything up and then she explodes and I don't know what to do with it all." Elizabeth sighed.

"I am sure you two will have a good talk, she's young, much to young to be falling in love." Jack said running his fingers through Elizabeth's hair as she lay her head on his chest.

"I remember feeling like fifteen was very grown up, plenty grown up enough for love."

"She's a little girl." Jack sighed making Elizabeth chuckle as they lay quietly for a minute.

"You know, I can't help thinking that next trip we make, we will have our little baby with us." She smiled running her hand over her belly.

"I can't wait." Jack whispered kissing her forehead.

"What if it's a little girl Jack?"

"Well then she will be the prettiest little girl anyone ever did see."

"But do you want a boy? I heard that men always want sons to pass things on to. To teach them how to do things and spend time with." Elizabeth said softly. Jack seemed to think for a minute.

"Seems to me Kate is a girl, and she did just fine at learning how to fish, and ride a horse and play baseball and do the barn chores. Boy or Girl I plan on teaching this baby everything I know." Jack said with a little shrug making Elizabeth smile up at him as he so quickly eased a fear she had been having for a few days.

"Were you worried about that?" Jack asked his eyebrows furrowing together as concern filled his face.

"A little" Elizabeth admitted softly.

"Elizabeth, having you in my life made it perfect. From our wedding day on, I could never want for anything more. Having a baby with you is more then any man could ever dream of. I don't care if we have a boy of a girl, I don't care if we have twenty girls and never have a boy." Jack said stopping for a minute as Elizabeth giggled lightly at the idea.

"All that matters to me is our family, whatever it maybe we create. You, me, Kate, this baby, other babies….I already feel so blessed, everything else is just extra blessings in my life." Jack said hand hand running over her belly gently as the baby kicked as if understanding him.

"I love you Jack."

"I love you too." Jack smiled kissing her.


"Oh Elizabeth look" Kate squealed as she stopped outside a store with a beautiful white christening gown in the window.

"Look how beautiful." Kate whispered holding herself back fro touching the glass.

"Kate, what ever would we do with such a think in Hope Valley? The baby would only wear it for a few hours and it would go back into a trunk." Elizabeth shook her head at her sister, though she had to admit it was breath taking.

"I suppose" Kate sighed.

"All the shopping you have done today had been for the baby." Elizabeth chuckled as they continued walking down the sidewalk.

"Well babies are more fun to shop for."

"They are, but let's be a little more practical." Elizabeth gave her a smile.

"Remember when we lived in Hamilton and we used to go shopping together all the time? We would buy things we hardly ever used."

"I do remember, life was different then."

"Now we have everything we need, shopping is boring." Kate sighed.

"Well, let's be thankful for that. Come on now, we have our new shoes, a new winter coat for you, a hat for Jack, I have a new blouse that will hopefully fit me until the baby comes… What else should we get while we are in the city?" Elizabeth asked rubbing her sore back gently.

"It's cold out here, why don't we go get tea at the hotel and rest this afternoon." Kate offered taking the bag from Elizabeth.

"Alright, and how about after we find you a new dress. You have stopped growing, but none of your dresses from Hamilton fit anymore. A pretty girl needs at least one beautiful ball gown. Besides the town dance is coming up this spring." Elizabeth said giving Kate a smile.

"I don't think I'm going to go." Kate said with a little shrug.

"Why not? You love going to the spring dance, you haven't missed one since we moved in." Elizabeth asked surprised.

"I guess I'm just not in the dancing mood." Kate said with a little shrug.

"Well its not for a few months yet. You might change your mind."

"I just don't think I will feel like it." Kate shook her head.

"Would this have anything to do with James?"

"I just don't feel like dancing with someone else. We were supposed to go together."

"I understand how you are feeling. You put on an awful brave face but James leaving is hard on both of you. But you are young Kate, as as much as it doesn't feel like it now, there will be other James' in your life. As you get older, you will have, more serious relationships and it will be different. You will see, James will always be special to you but that doesn't mean you close your great to anyone else because you are hurting. But I understand it is to soon to be thinking of things like that. Just keep an open mind, who knows maybe if we find you the right dress you will want to go." Elizabeth said gently.

"Will you go to the dance?" Kate asked.

"I fear by then I will either be very large or with a newborn."

"Well if the baby hasn't come yet we can probably borrow Mr Paterson's wheelbarrow and wheel you into the saloon." Kate teased making Elizabeth shoot her a playful look of annoyance as Kate laughed at her own joke.

"Don't tease, one day this baby will be grown and you will be having one of your own." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.

"Let's hope that's not for a long time." Kate shook her head.

"Agreed" Elizabeth smiled.


After lunch they did fine Kate a beautiful light blue gown that made her eyes sparkle and Elizabeth insisted on buying it despite Kate's protests that she truly didn't need it. They picked up a quick dinner at the cafe to bring home to eat at the hotel. Elizabeth knew Jack would be tired from his long day of work and if she was being honest she was feeling pretty rundown herself, though she would never admit that to Jack. Kate wrote a letter to Julie to mail, it was always faster when they sent it directly in the city. Elizabeth laid out dinner and sat down to the couch with her book to wait for Jack. When Jack came through the door just before dark he was greeted by Kate offering him a smile with a finger to her lips. In the dimly lit room Elizabeth was sleeping on the couch her head propped up on her arm as Kate sat beside her writing.

"Seems like you had a buys day." Jack whispered pulling off his boots and hat and going to sit in the chair beside Kate.

"We did a lot of shopping and walking, she insisted. But we brought back dinner so you both can rest the test of the day." Kate nodded folding her letter.

"Thank you." Jack smiled.

"She's very stubborn your wife, I tried to get her to stop after lunch and sis insisted on going out again." Kate teased making Jack chuckle quietly.

"I am glad you two had a fun day."

"We did, how was work?"

"Long, lots of questions, but it was a nice change of pace and I got to see some old friends."

"Good, we are excited to spend the day with you tomorrow, we got the paper for the films playing if it's to cold to be out." Kate handed Jack a piece of paper.

"Thanks, you writing Julie a letter?"

"Yes, I'm going to mail it now, unless you are hungry and want to wake Elizabeth up to eat?" Kate asked.

"No, go on to the mailbox, I will let her sleep a little longer. Do you know where it is? I should go with you."

"no, you just got in, it's right on the corner I will be right back" Kate nodded already putting on her coat and hat as Jack nodded sliding into her seat on the couch. Elizabeth awoke softly sensing him next to her.

"Hi sweetheart, go back to sleep a little longer" Jack whispered as she leaned into him. Without even opening her eyes Elizabeth lay back her head in his lap as Jack ran his fingers through her hair, already she was back to sleep.

"My Elizabeth Thatcher it seems you have met your limit after all." Jack smiled softly brushing a curl that had fallen in front of her face.


"Well I think we have had a very full day." Jack said as they made their way into a busy restaurant the next evening. The warm building was a welcome to the cold night air outside.

"We didn't see very much of the city though." Elizabeth sighed.

"Well, we saw the train museum, and that comedy film, and Kate and I even got some ice skating in." Jack said as they found a seat amongst all the people.

"I think I need more practice." Kate said rubbing her sore knee from where she had fallen earlier.

"Well the pond at home is probably frozen over, we will check and see, if it is safe we can practice more there." Jack said making her smile.

"I enjoyed that film, perhaps one day we can take a trip to New York and see some movie stars." Elizabeth smiled.

"And the big buildings that look like they touch the sky. It must feel like flying to stand on the top floor of one of those." Kate nodded.

"I'll keep my feet planted firmly on the ground thank you." Jack shook his head.

"Afraid of heights Jack?" Kate teased.

"No, I just think if man we meant to live so high in the sky we would have wings." Jack said firmly making the girls laugh.

"Very well, Jack can wait downstairs with the baby in the pram while you and I go up." Elizabeth said making Kate smile.

"Fine by me." Jack agreed.

"I wonder what you have to do to get service around here?" Elizabeth sighed looking over the busy room.

"I thought I saw a women order at the counter on the far side of the room, should I go see?" Kate asked.

"Yes please," Elizabeth nodded unable to see past the crowed of people. Kate nodded leaving the table as Jack sighed looking around.

"I was not meant for the city life. It might be nice to visit but to live here would drive me mad."

"I agree, we never went to restaurants like this in Hamilton, there seem to be a lot of men here." Elizabeth nodded.

"Dock workers I'm sure, looking for a hot meal after getting off their shift." Jack agreed.

Across the room Kate made her way to the counter slipping past men who were drinking beer. Kate stood waiting for someone who was working there to notice her so she could ask for a menu to bring back to the table.

"Well isn't this a pretty young lady" Kate turned frowning at the voice behind her, closer to her ear then she was comfortable with. A man about Jack's age was hovering over her forcing her back against the counter.

"Excuse me sir" Kate said trying to politely slip past him but he stepped in front of her to keep her from moving, in the crowded room there was no where she could go.

"Where are you going? How about a drink?" He asked grinning at her.

"No thank you I have to get back…" Kate tried again stepping around him but again he cut her off. Kate felt her heartbeat picking up realizing she was in trouble.

"Listen I don't know what your doing but.." Kate started when suddenly he grabbed her wrist holding it tightly as she tried to jerk it away.

"My name is Tod, what's yours beautiful?"

"Jack!" Kate yelled having no idea where in the busy restaurant he was but really hoping he was close enough to hear her.

"Oh don't do that, now you went and made me feel bad" The man named Tod said taking a step closer to her.

"Back up sir! My brother is going to come and he won't be pleased to see you." Kate said trying to sound firm but her voice was shaking. Tod heard it and it made him smirk at her to see how frightened she was.

"You sure are stubborn huh? I have a room right upstairs, how about you and I go up and have a nice drink where it's quieter" Tod wrapped an arm around Kate's waist despite her struggling he was almost a foot taller then her and strong like Jack.

"No, get away, Jack!" Kate yelled again not caring now if she drew attention to herself as she felt herself lifted off her feet.

"Did you hear that?" Jack asked glancing behind him.

"Hear what?" Elizabeth asked looking up.

"It sounded like someone was calling me" Jack said.

"I didn't hear anything" Elizabeth shook her head.

"Maybe not" Jack shook his head clearing it.

"This was such a good idea Jack, thank you for taking us with you." Elizabeth smiled as he reached for her hand on the table.

"Of course, are you sure your not to tired?"

"No, I mean, no more then I would be at home and it's wonderful to be away for a few days, it really perked Kate up." Elizabeth said.

"Jack!" They heard a yell making them both look away from each others eyes.

"I heard that" Elizabeth said.

"That's Kate" Jack said standing up quickly glancing around.

"She went that way Jack." Elizabeth was on her feet now, faster then she had been able to get out of a chair on her own in a while. Jack hurried over to the counter in time to see Kate struggling with a man who looked like he was trying to drag her away.

"Hey!" Jack roared crossing the room so quickly as everyone around them turned. Kate turned to him and there was so much fear in her eyes Jack felt his blood boiling.

"Let her go" Jack said firmly.

"Oh who's authority? There's nothing wrong with trying to chat with a pretty lady, she doesn't mind now do you darling?" The man said. Kate cringed at the term of endearment but Jack just got angrier.

"This girl is no where near age appropriate for you. Let her go at once." Jack said noticing the tight hold he had on Kate's arm.

"Look friend, your not her father so why don't we go back to minding our own business…."

"She is my sister and I demand you let her go." Jack boomed.

"Demand… you sir can't demand…" Before the man could finish his sentence Jack felt his anger boil over. His arm was pulled back and he was punching the man square in the jaw before he could get another word in. Tod stumbled backward almost landing on Kate who jumped out of the way as he fell to the ground. Around them people gasped standing up to see the man on the ground as Kate rushed into Jack's arms. He held her tight feeling her shaking.

"You ok? Did he hurt you?" Jack asked relieved when Kate just shook her head, her face still buried in his chest.

"Alright, go to Elizabeth, go on." Jack gently pulling her off him and nudged her towards Elizabeth who was watching horrified from a few feet away. She quickly gathered Kate up leading her out of the room as Jack shook out his smarting hand from connecting with the man's face.

"Call the constable please" Jack told the waiter as he reached down pulling the man back up to his feet as he held his face where Jack had hit him.

"That will teach you to leave women alone. If there is a women trying to break away from your advances you need to be man enough to own up to the defeat. Instead you were going to drag a young girl upstairs to do God knows what. Lucky for you I caught you before, because if you had touched one hair on her head you would be six feet in the ground by now" Jack was whispering harshly just loud enough for the man to hear him.

"And if that doesn't teach you a night in jail sure will" Jack said as the city constable walked in.

"Constable Jack Thornton, this man was harassing a young girl and trying to force her into a room upstairs with him." Jack said introducing himself.

"Constable Matthew Laurence, thank you Constable for stopping him we will take it from here."

"If it effects the punishment at all, the girl he was bothering was my little sister" Jack said.

"We will make sure he is punished effectively" Constable Matthew nodded shaking Jack's hand. Jack nodded glancing around the restaurant as everyone was still watching them. He hurried out of the room not seeing Elizabeth or Kate and not wanting to draw anymore attention to himself. He didn't think they would stick around and wasn't surprised when he found them outside the door waiting for him.

"Hey, are you sure your ok?" Jack asked looking Kate over now that they were alone.

"I'm ok" Kate nodded.

"She has bruises on her wrist where he grabbed her Jack." Elizabeth said softly handing Jack his coat.

"He what!" Jack yelled picking up Kate's wrist and seeing the faint start of a bruise that looked like fingers around her arm.

"I need to go make sure…" Jack stated to go back in but Kate grabbed his arm.

"Can we please just go?" She asked. Jack turned back to her watching her, Elizabeth's arm protectively over her shoulder, both his girls relying on him so much. He wanted to go back in and punch that man again but the look in Kate's eyes was holding him back.

"Yeah, of course." Jack nodded, he was eager to get Kate out of the way before the constable walked that man out the door and Kate had to see him again.

"We still didn't have dinner" Kate said softly as they started walking back to the hotel her sandwiched between Jack and Elizabeth.

"Are you hungry?" Jack asked.

"Not really, but Elizabeth should eat." Kate said softly looking up at him. Jack nodded, how was it that Kate was the one with the level head after what had just happened?

"We have some smoked turkey and rolls that Abigail sent with us." Elizabeth offered. She was hungry and the baby was making it known with another jab to her ribs but she just wanted to get Kate home and safe.

"I'll take you girls home and then go to the cafe down the street and see what they are serving for dinner. We can have a nice meal in." Jack said Kate opened her mouth to argue but Elizabeth said something first.

"That sounds lovely, I am feeling kind of tired, we can sit by the fire and play cards." She offered.

"Ok" Kate nodded.


"I'll be back soon" Jack said after walking them to their hotel room he made sure they were settled before going back out to get dinner.

"Come here, let me look at you, are you sure your ok?" Elizabeth asked pulling Kate to her.

"I'm fine, just a little shaken." Kate said softly. Elizabeth searched her face, shaking her head when Kate didn't meet her eyes.

"Come here, you don't always have to be so brave Katie." She whispered wrapping her arms tightly around her, feeling her sister clinging to her hard. Whatever brave face Kate had put on was now lost as Elizabeth felt her body shaking.

"It's ok, your safe, it's ok" Elizabeth whispered stroking Kate's hair calming her down.

"I want to go home. I want Jack and I want to go home." Kate whispered.

"We will sweetie, we will go soon" Elizabeth whispered. They stayed curled on on the couch until Jack walked in with a basket of food.

"The lady from the cafe was so kind, she sent over a lot of little goodies." Jack said as they both looked up.

"I'll set the table" Elizabeth smiled untangling herself from Kate and taking the basket.

"Let's see that arm" Jack said as Elizabeth put the plates on the little table in their room.

"It's aright" Kate shrugged as Jack rolled up her sleeve, the bruises were turning darker now.

"It's my own fault, I tried to pull my arm away, he was much stronger then me. I just didn't want to cause a scene" Kate shrugged.

"This should help some" Jack pulled out an ice cube wrapped in cloth placing it on her arm.

"Where did you get that?" Kate asked surprised.

"The women at the Cafe had it in her icebox and I asked her for a piece. It must be a rule that all women who own little Cafe's are all so kind and sweet." Jack said making Kate smile.

"No one like our Abigail though." Kate said.

"Oh no, no one measures up to her" Jack shook his head as Kate laughed a little.

"Kate, in the future, if something like that happens again, you need to cause a scene. You need to yell and fight and forget being a lady alright? You yell for help, make everyone turn around and see you. If I am with you you scream for me with everything you have do you understand?" Jack asked. Kate nodded.

"What could have happened tonight, it could have been awful." Jack said softly.

"I know" Kate nodded.

"You yell Kate, truly until I or someone comes to get you."

"I understand" Kate nodded.


Jack woke up in the middle of the night and reached out without opening his eyes. He sat up straight when his hand found the end of the bed before it found Elizabeth. He squinted in the dark finding the bedroom empty.

"Elizabeth" He called softly surprised she had managed to slip out of the bed without waking him, he wasn't usually a deep sleeper.

"Elizabeth" He whispered getting up and wrapping his robe around him making his way into the sitting room of their hotel. The oil lamp was dim and he could just make out Kate asleep on the couch and Elizabeth sitting in the chair next to her also seemingly asleep though he couldn't imagine she was comfortable.

"Elizabeth" Jack whispered again running his hand down her cheek waking her gently. Elizabeth slowly opened her eyes glancing up at him.

"Hi" She whispered.

"Hi, what are you doing here love?" Jack whispered kneeling beside her chair resting his arm on the arm rest and his chin on top of it.

"I kept thinking she was having nightmares, that I could hear her crying, and then that gave me a nightmare. I didn't plan on falling asleep I just wanted to check on her." Elizabeth sighed sitting up a little rubbing her back.

"She seems ok" Jack looked up glancing at Kate who was sleeping soundly.

"Your right, just me worrying to much." Elizabeth nodded.

"Come on, let's get you back to bed" Jack said softly pulling her up from the chair and following her back to their bedroom.

"Is it possible I was more scared then she was tonight, I don't know Jack just seeing her like that, and seeing you…" Elizabeth trailed off as Jack sat beside her against the headboard.

"No, she was scared, I'm surprised I fell asleep after seeing the look in her eyes. I regret punching that man. I think it made it worse" Jack sighed.

"Jack no, he wasn't letting her go, I know he left you no choice. You so rarely get physical with people I know you use it as a last resort."

"I think I jumped at it today. He was making me so mad. Holding onto her, and arguing with me. Trying to talk to me like… like she was his. She wasn't, she's my sister!" Jack felt himself getting worked up again as he was brought back to a few hours ago.

"Jack, it's ok." Elizabeth said softly reaching out and rubbing his back soothingly.

"I just keep thinking of what could have happened if I didn't get there in time. Just a minute more and he might have been able to drag her up the stairs. She's to tiny, we need to feed her more!"

"Jack!"

"Well she is, the fact that someone could so easily pick her up and carry her off is unsettling"

"I know, but you were there, you saved her today and we're all alright." Elizabeth assured him.

"I know we said we would leave tomorrow afternoon, but I would like to get back home sooner" Jack said as he lay down and lifted his arm up out of habit.

"I agree, the sooner we get out of the city the better we will all feel." Elizabeth nodded laying beside him tucking herself under his arm as it went around her, resting her head on his chest.

"Remember a few years ago when Billy Hamilton came into town. After he was in the jail we sat up taking Kate fell asleep and I carried her back to the row house? Tonight I was wishing she was still small enough for me to just pick up and carry home." Jack said softly.

"You? I remember rocking her to sleep as a toddler. I was glad she let me hold her some tonight. But she is safe, we all are, it could have ended much worse but you saved her Jack."

"Not one other person in that restaurant saw a problem there, that is what makes me even more mad. The city, it's to busy, there are to many people, no once cares about each other." Jack shook his head.


"Tomorrow at dawn we can start back to Hope Valley, we will all feel better when we are home safe." Elizabeth nodded gently.

Rosemary and Lee were at the house when Jack pulled the wagon up to the front.

"Hi!" Kate smiled jumping from the back to greet them both with a hug. Jack hoped down and reached up to help Elizabeth down. She was clearly sore from the long ride, none of them had gotten much sleep last night and he had been in a hurry to get the girls out of the city this morning. After that happened to Kate last night they were all just wanting to get home and be back in the safety of Hope Valley.

"We just came to check the horses, we weren't expecting you until later tonight." Lee said shaking Jack's hand as Rosemary pulled Elizabeth into a hug.

"Slight change of plans, but since your here theres some trunks in the back do you mind helping me move them into the barn?" Jack asked.

"Sure thing" Lee nodded as they went around to the back of the wagon.

"Can I take Gracie for a ride?" Kate asked. As Elizabeth rubbed her sore muscles. It had been a long and cold ride on her already tired body.

"alright, but stay close, or head for town. In fact will you go tell Abigail to expect us for dinner, don't think I have it in me to cook a meal" Elizabeth said.

"Sure" Kate nodded heading for the barn as well.

"Oh you poor dear it must have been such a long ride" Rosemary clicked her thong linking arms with Elizabeth as they walked towards the house.

"It wasn't awful, it was a wonderful trip, we just had an incident last night that left us all a little sleep deprived and on edge." Elizabeth sighed as they went into the house,

"What happened?" Rosemary asked guiding her over to a chair her curiosity bordering somewhere between being concerned for her friend and wanting to know the gossip.

"Kate was in a situation with an older man. She ended up having to yell for Jack in a restaurant and then Jack ended up having to punch him to release her, the man was trying to force Kate upstairs to a room with him." Elizabeth shook her head as Rosemary put the teapot on the stove.

"Oh the poor dear!" She cried horrified.

"It was awful. Kate was so frightened, Jack was so angry, I just felt so helpless. Kate put on such a brave face but she had nightmares. Jack just wanted to get us out of the city at first light. The rest of the trip was wonderful, but the ending put a damper on it" Elizabeth sighed.

"Well you home now." Rosemary said comfortingly putting a tea cup in front of Elizabeth and joining her at the table.

"Yes, I just can't help thinking of what could have happened. What if Jack wasn't there? What if he had just picked her up and carried her off?"

"Oh Elizabeth don't dwell on it. Jack was there and Kate is back safe and sound and no worse for the wear." Rosemary assured her.

"I suppose, one thing we all learned on this trips for sure." Elizabeth said taking a sip of her tea.

"What's that?" Rosemary asked.

"There is no place like home." Elizabeth sighed feeling content for the first time since last night as Rosemary offered her a warm smile.