Thanks for all the kind words about my story so far. I know I said the next chapter we would find out if Gregory comes to town but I decided to go another way instead. Don't worry; in chapter 10 I will reveal if he comes to Hope Valley.

Later that evening, Elizabeth and Jack sat on the swing outside the café. Both were thinking about the day's events. Abigail had been shocked by what happened to Elizabeth and said if they hadn't already planned to have Elizabeth stay with her for a while, she would have suggested it. Bill, upon hearing what happened, was almost as angry as Jack was. He also hated men who beat the women they supposedly love. Bill was eager to help and immediately began sending telegrams to come of his contacts.

Now, Elizabeth had put her head on Jack's shoulder and closed her eyes. She was exhausted after telling her story to Jack but she didn't want to go to sleep. She knew she would be plagued with nightmares that night. Right now, she was enjoying Jack's arm around her while he gently rocked the swing back and forth.

Jack looked over at her and saw her eyes were shut. He knew she had had a rough day and hoped she would be able to sleep tonight. He had a feeling she would have nightmares tonight. He wished with everything in him that he could be with her but that just wasn't proper. He loved her so much and wanted to keep this pain from her. "Elizabeth?" He said softly.

She lifted her head and smiled at him. "Yes, Jack?"

"Are you going to be ok tonight? I hate to leave you; I have a feeling you may have bad dreams tonight."

Elizabeth took a deep breath before answering. "I know I will have nightmares tonight. I will have to deal with them as they happen. I already told Abigail she may hear me scream tonight."

"Elizabeth, if you need me, I don't care what people say. Come and get me. I will sit by your bedside for the rest of the night."

Elizabeth giggled a little. "I will. Hopefully he gets captured soon and I can go back to my life without living in fear of him showing up here. I do feel a little better knowing I have you and Bill inquiring about his whereabouts.

"I hope so too and it happens miles away from here. I don't want him touching you ever again." He leaned over to kiss her but she yawned. Laughing a little, he said. "I should say good night. You need some rest." They both stood up. He lowered his lips towards hers and was able to give her that kiss. "I hope you have good dreams tonight. Dreams of the future we plan to have."

"I will try, Jack. I love you. Thank you for being there for me today."

"I wouldn't be anywhere else, Sweetheart. I love you so much!" They kissed and she entered the café, closing the door behind her. Jack walked back to the jail and got ready for bed. He laid down on the cot and tried to go to sleep but what Elizabeth had gone through was ever present in his mind. Eventually he drifted off.

A short time later, Elizabeth was tossing back and forth in her bed; she was dreaming that Gregory had found her in Hope Valley and he was holding her and Abigail hostage in the café. Jack and Bill were trying to save them but Gregory was threatening to kill Abigail if they didn't back off. "Elizabeth is mine! We are meant to be together. Step away from the door and let us go. I have wasted too much time away from Elizabeth. It's time for our lives to begin." He then grabbed Elizabeth by her hair and dragged her out the door. Jack was right there his gun ready to fire. Gregory raised his gun and pointed it at Jack's chest. "Step aside, Thornton! She is mine! You cannot keep her from me." Then he fired the gun.

Elizabeth bolted upright in bed, screaming Jack's name. She started crying and put a hand to her wildly beating heart as she realized it was just a bad dream. She jumped a little when she heard a knock on her door. "Come in, Abigail."

Abigail rushed in and sat down on the bed with Elizabeth. She put an arm around her. "Are you ok? I heard you scream. You know doubt had a nightmare."

"I did. I dreamed Gregory shot Jack." She reached over to the bedside table to get a handkerchief. She wiped her eyes and face of its tears.

"I am sorry, Elizabeth. I just know Jack and Bill will find him and put him away for good." She reached over and hugged Elizabeth.

"Thanks, Abigail. Thanks for checking on me. I think I can try to go back to sleep now."

"Ok. If you need anything, come get me." Abigail got up and left the room. Elizabeth put her head back on her pillow and attempted to fall back to sleep. When she did, all she could see what that image of Gregory shooting Jack. She quietly got out of bed, put on her robe, grabbed her shawl and went downstairs to go sit on the swing. She debated whether she should go down to the jail and wake up Jack. A part of her wanted to but then another part knew she would rather have him get a good night's sleep so he could be alert if Gregory ever made his way to Hope Valley.

At the same time, in the jail, Jack was having a nightmare too. Gregory has come to town to kidnap Elizabeth and start his perverted life with her. She was in the café when Gregory found her. He grabbed her by her hair and dragged her into the street. Elizabeth screamed out his name and Jack came running out of the jail to find Gregory with one arm around her throat and his other arm waving a gun around. "Williams!" Jack shouted. "Let her go. She does not want to be with you! Her life is here in Hope Valley, not with you." Gregory let out an evil laugh. "Stand back, Constable! Elizabeth is mine! Come one step closer and she dies!" He aimed the gun at her temple. She screamed. "Shut up, Woman!" He yelled as his grip around her neck tightened. Jack moved a couple of steps closer in hopes to sneak up on Williams while his attention was diverted trying to get Elizabeth quiet. Williams sense the movement and his finger pulled the trigger back on the gun.

"Noooooo!" Jack yelled as he bolted upright in bed. He looked around the jail and realized he had a nightmare.

"Jack, what is it?" Bill asked softly as the sound of Jack's shouting woke him up.

"Sorry to wake you, Bill. I had a nightmare about Williams." He got out of bed and got dressed. "I don't think I can go back to sleep right now. I am going to take a walk." He pushed open the door to the jail and started heading down the street to the café. Since he was up he may as well go check on things there.

As he approached, he thought he heard sobs and the sound of the swing creaking. When he got closer he realized Elizabeth was sitting on the swing, with her arms around her knees, crying. "Elizabeth." He said softly as he walked up the steps to the porch.

She looked up and saw Jack looking at her with concern in his eyes. He sat down beside her and put his arms around her. She returned the embrace and buried her face in his chest while she cried. "Oh, Jack! I had the worst nightmare. I dreamed he shot you."

There was no need to say who the "he was" Jack held her more tightly. "I had a nightmare too, only he shot you instead of me. I knew I wouldn't be to go back to sleep so I decided to come down here and check things out."

"I am so sorry you had the bad dream but I am happy you came down here. I needed to feel your arms around me." She pulled back from his chest and kissed him gently. They held each other for a long time after, just happy to be together despite the events that had led them to their middle of the night meeting.

Gregory comes to town! What does Elizabeth do when he corners her at the school house?