Chapter 5:
 Friends or Not

Author's note: Hi Hearties. My chapter 5 is finally here. I am sorry to keep you waiting. My work kept me very busy lately. Despite this, I hope it will worth it.

Thank you for your kind reviews and private messages. It is really kind of you and it encourages me to keep going even when I have some troubles with my writing.

A special heartfelt thanks to Rebekahwrites for proofing for me again.

Read and review, please.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters within this story. All rights and respect go to Crown media, Hallmark, Brian Bird , Michael Landon Jr, the creators and writers of the show " When calls the heart".

As they headed to the forest, Elizabeth couldn't stop thinking about Charles' visit. When would he understand?

When Jack and she arrived in the forest, Jack gazed at her as he held her bike out to her. She wasn't very chatty this afternoon and he could tell that something was bothering her. She didn't seem to want to talk about it however, and he didn't want to push her. So he kept silent. They simply enjoyed each others company as they rode along the bike trail.

After an hour of riding the trail, they made their way back.

"Do you want to stay for dinner?" He asked her.

She didn't respond. He looked at her and noticed that she had a dreamlike expression on her face and hadn't heard him.

"Elizabeth?" He called several times.

"Yes?" She finally answered.

"What's wrong?" Jack inquired.

She avoided his gaze looking straight ahead. The incident in the school was bothering her again and she wasn't really pay attention to Jack. She was not sure if she should tell him. She knew she could handle this herself, but he did care and he would do anything for her. He would be the strength she needed.

"Nothing. I am just tired." She stated simply.

He knew that she was lying but he couldn't force her to tell him what was going on if she didn't want to.
"Alright. I'll accompany you back home and let you rest. I will call you later." He said, his voice thick with disappointment.

She knew that she was hurting him, but she wanted to be alone. She had to settle this.

He stopped in front of her building; she leaned in and kissed him lightly. He watched her walk up the steps.

Entering the hallway, she immediately saw it. At the bottom of the entrance way, there was a long, rectangular white box with a red bow wrapped around it. She slowly approached it and picked it up. She entered her apartment, setting her things down on the sofa she started to open the package. She revealed a dozen red and white gerbera daisies and a note that read:

Elizabeth,

I am sorry for my behavior today. I don't know what possessed me. I shouldn't have done that, but I love you like a madman.

Please meet me tomorrow at five o'clock at the city hall's fountain like when we were at the University. I want to talk to you. It's important.

Always Yours,

Charles

Her hands were shaking with anger. He had chosen to not understand. She would go tomorrow and make him understand.

She took the gerbera daisies and angrily threw them in the garbage. Then she went by the bookcase and took a big book off of the shelf, opened it and looked at the two dried roses that Jack had offered her. It made her smile. Then she realized how distant she had been today. Maybe she should have talked to him about Charles.

She had make amends. She was so lucky to have met Jack and she couldn't mess their relationship up, not now that she had him in her life. She hadn't told him yet, but she was sure that she loved him with her whole heart. She took her cell phone out and texted him.

*Jack, I am sorry for today. I have had a long day, I wasn't really myself. I was not really nice and chatty this afternoon. To make amends, do you want to come over for dinner? If you do, meet me at the city hall's fountain at half passed five tomorrow. Your Angel. Elizabeth.*

A half hour should be enough to resolve her problems with Charles once and for all. She was going to put an end to this. She had had enough! She was determined to have a wonderful time with Jack after that.

She didn't have to wait long for his reply.

*Angel, there is nothing to be sorry for. I perfectly understand. No worries. I will be delighted to see you tomorrow. I will be at the rendezvous point at half passed five. Good evening. Yours, Jack.*

The next day at five 'til five, she was waiting for Charles in front of the fountain. For now, a calm had washed over her. Then she saw him approaching, smiling brightly. As he reached her, he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek but she stepped backwards, stone faced. He looked at her in astonishment.

"Good afternoon, Charles." She greeted him coolly. She could feel her temper rising.

"Good afternoon, Beautiful." He responded trying to keep it civil.

The pet name made her angrier

"Don't call me that!" She retorted.

"But Elizabeth..." Charles trailed off as he saw her expression grow darker.

"You heard me! Now, what do you want?" She cut him off.

"I think that there is a misunderstanding between us." Charles offered.

"A misunderstanding." She laughed in his face. "YOU don't want to understand. I thought that I had made myself clear!" Elizabeth seethed. "Apparently not as clear as I should have."

"But we can't end it like this. I love you like a madman and I cannot see my life without you!" He admitted sincerely.

She inhaled deeply, trying to steady herself.

"I. DON'T. LOVE .YOU. Is that clear enough for you? We have been friends for a long time, but I am not sure that I can go on like this, if you keep behaving like this. Your actions for the passed few days have not been acceptable. You have to understand that I have met and fallen in love with someone else and he makes me the happiest I have ever been." Elizabeth stated with conviction.

Anger was building deep within his chest. Charles was seething as Elizabeth professed to love another. He couldn't take it any longer.

"You lie!" He accused.

"There's nothing for you to say. I am a grown woman and I live my life the way I want! You're neither my father nor my brother!" She retorted.

"What do you know about him? What does he know about you? He is a stranger! I know you better than anyone. We have known each other since we were kids and I am working with your father. Our families have been waiting for this! Don't you see? We are made for each other. It's perfect!"

Then he forcefully held her hand, bended on one knee and opened a black velvet box.

"Miss Elizabeth Thatcher, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife?" Charles smiled determinedly at her.

Shock took over her features. She shook her head trying to release her wrist from his strong grip.

"No, I don't want to be your wife. Now that's enough. I don't want to see you ever again. Let go of me! You're hurting me." She stated boldly.

He got up, but instead of releasing her, he took her in his strong embrace, pulling her tightly into his chest.

"I won't let you go, my love. You are mine! I have your father's blessing so we are getting married."

She tried to free herself as anger took over her face. As she was going to answer, they heard a voice behind them.

"You let go of her!" Jack roared. "Now!"

Elizabeth turned her head toward him, a mix of fear and relief washed over her features.

Jack had finally decided to come early, thinking that they could maybe take a walk around here before dinner.

Charles didn't move and looked at Jack with disdain.

"Who are you to give me orders?" He spat.

"I am Officer Jack Thornton and I can arrest you if you don't do as I ordered you to do." He spoke with authority, revealing his badge.

"Besides, you detained MY girlfriend against her will. She was asking you to let her go. So, I suggest you do it quickly." Jack added, taking a step towards him.

Anger boiled in Jack's veins. His patience was running thin. He looked hard at Charles. He finally released her. Jack immediately took Elizabeth's hand, squeezing it tenderly, he stepped protectively in front of her. With his other hand, he grabbed Charles' collar.

"If you ever lay a hand on Elizabeth again, I'll take care of you myself. You hear me loud and clear?" He challenged him.

Charles glared and nodded at Jack who released him. Charles turned around and walked away without saying another word.

Jack instantly spun around pulling Elizabeth into him. Elizabeth muddled against him, shaking. He put his arms around her and kissed her hair. Neither of them spoke, the others presence was enough. They just needed to cool off. After several minutes, Jack pulled back, feeling his wet shirt. Tears were rolling along Elizabeth's cheeks. He took her by the hand and headed towards his car. They drove to his flat. When they arrived, he sat her on the sofa and knelt in front of her, taking her hands in his.

"Please talk to me, Elizabeth?" Jack pleaded.

She stayed quiet for a few seconds without meeting his gaze and then she told him about Charles. His visit yesterday, their childhood, the university and his increasing love he felt for which she tried to squelch by her continued refusal of him. She explained to him that she only ever had feelings of brotherly love for Charles. When she was done, Jack kissed her softly, tenderly.

"I trust you, Elizabeth, but he had no right to treat you like that and to behave as he did. You should have told me yesterday afternoon in the car. I knew something was bothering you but I didn't want to push you so I didn't say anything. Just know that you can count on me for anything, day or night, even for the smallest of cares." He spoke sweetly, rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

"Jack, I am so sorry. I thought that I could handle it myself .He hadn't been like this before. I don't know what got into him. He always was nice and respectful toward me until yesterday. "

"You don't know the power you can have on men, Angel. You're smart, beautiful, caring and any man would be proud to have you on his arm, especially Charles. I can assure you of that and as your father gave him his blessing, he thought that you were his regardless of your feelings for him."

She didn't respond immediately.

"Perhaps it was my fault. I should have told him more clearly and behave better with him so that there wouldn't have been any confusion regarding my feelings. I never felt the slightest inkling of love for him, he is just a childhood friend. How could I have been so naïve?"

"Don't torture yourself. We sometimes don't choose the person who we are falling in love with."

She smiled. He was so nice and understanding with her. She didn't know what she ever did to have him in her life, but she was sure of one thing. She would do all that was in her power to love him, care for him. He was all she wanted in a man.

After dinner, Jack asked her to join him for a walk. He decided to take her in front of the gazebo in the park. It was a beautiful and sweet night. The sky was full of stars and this place was very romantic. When he invited her to dance, she looked at him questioningly.

"There's no music, Jack." She offered.

"Who needs music to dance with the most beautiful woman?" Jack laughed as he pulled her closer into his embrace.

As they danced slowly, Jack whispered into her ear.

"I care about you. You have made me so happy and I am glad to have met you." He caressed her cheek with his lips.

As midnight was approaching, he drove her home and she promised him that she would come to his place to cook him dinner the next evening as should have done today.

Jack and Elizabeth had been going out for three weeks. They were thrilled and especially since they took Charles out of the picture.

The next afternoon, Jack was in his car in front of the school waiting for Elizabeth. His current case was bothering him. He had a weird feeling. He was under the impression that it would prove to be a challenging case, but he didn't know why, his officer's instinct was on alert.

He chose not to say anything about it to Elizabeth, he didn't want to worry her and he hadn't the right to tell her anyway. It was official police business. It wasn't the first time and it wouldn't be the last. He again looked around him, trying to be in the moment. Trying to be at peace. He promised himself to keep an eye open. Then Elizabeth got in the car.

"Hi, Jack!" She greeted him happily, leaning in to kiss him.

"Hi, Angel! Did you have a nice day?" He inquired, returning her kiss.

"Yes, the children were good and worked hard on the science project for the contest. How about you?" She answered joyfully.

"Nothing special. Paperwork today." He said gloomily.

She laughed at his lack of enthusiasm.

"Poor dear. Someone needs some cheering up."

Elizabeth put her hand on the back of his neck and brought his lips to hers, kissing him passionately. He pulled back, giving her a dimpled smile.

"I feel better, but it's not enough. I am still sad." He teased.

"I can fix that." She laughed. "What about a nice dinner at my flat then we could end the evening by cuddling on the sofa by a warm fire?"

"I would love that." Jack replied as he started his car and drove them to Elizabeth's flat.

Saturday night had arrived and Elizabeth was happy. She had sorted things out with Charles and felt relieved, more at ease, now that he was no longer her concern. She was going to spend a wonderful evening with Jack. This week, they had seen each other almost every day and they had shared so many romantic evenings together.

If the opportunity presented itself tonight, she would tell him what she felt in her heart. As she was walking up to his flat, she saw them. She stopped dead in her tracks, staying in the building's shadow, watching them intently.

Jack had his arms around a pretty blond woman. She had her head in the crook of his neck. Elizabeth felt the jealousy boil in her veins. She couldn't bear seeing him with her; she turned around, crying as she ran as fast as she could away from Jack and this woman. How could he do that to her? Why had he not told her, he was in love with someone else?

To be continued …