AN: Okay, so in my other story I've made the joke about Gabriel asking Elizabeth to marry Nathan. A friend wanted me to actually write the scenario out and this is what I ended up writing. Hope you enjoy it.

"I am glad that is over," Gabriel said, preceding Nathan into the Mounted Police Office in Hope Valley.

Gabriel had escorted a prisoner from Brookfield to Hope Valley. The prisoner had spent the night in the Hope Valley jail, while Gabriel had slept at the Queen of Hearts, as they waited for the prisoner wagon that would take the man to Union City to await trial.

"Looking forward to getting home," Nathan commented.

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Gabriel asked, as he sat down in the chair at Nathan's desk. Taking off his hat, he placed it on the desk.

"Why would I be doing that?" Nathan asked, hanging his own hat up on an empty hook before turning to face Gabriel.

Gabriel leaned forward. Opening the top drawer of the desk, he pulled out a little black, velvet box.

"Because I keep reminding you that instead of holding onto this, you should be asking Elizabeth a question."

Nathan opened his mouth to say something but another voice spoke up first.

"Ask me what?"

Both Mounties looked to see Elizabeth standing in the doorway. Gabriel left his gaze drift from the pretty school teacher to his friend. Nathan looked nervous as he stumbled for something to say.

"Um . . . well I . . . I was just wondering how Ally was doing in school," Nathan said.

"She's doing fine," Elizabeth replied, looking from Nathan to Gabriel as she heard the latter snort.

Gabriel tried to keep a straight face as he met Nathan's accusing gaze.

"However, I get the feeling that isn't the conversation I walked into."

Before Nathan could stammer out another excuse, Gabriel got to his feet. The little box was still in his hand as he made his way over to Elizabeth.

"Giving that I know he's been carrying this around for two months, and will probably keep carrying it around for at least another two if I don't intercede, I have a question to ask you on behalf of my tongue-tied friend," Gabriel said.

Nathan said something unintelligible, proving Gabriel's description of him correct.

Stopping in front of Elizabeth, Gabriel went down on one knee, opening the box as he did so. "Elizabeth, you are the first woman that my friend has ever shown any interest in. When he is around you, it is the only time he doesn't fit the description of unflappable. Nathan loves you, and if he wasn't so worried about you saying no, he would have asked you this already." Gabriel paused long enough to open the box. "Elizabeth, will you do Nathan the honor of becoming his wife."

Elizabeth looked from the ring to Nathan. Despite looking mortified that his friend had asked the question that he should have himself, she could see the expectation on Nathan's face. He had shown her on more than one occasion how he felt about her. Granted, the closest he had ever come to saying he loved her was when he had told her that she mattered to him.

"I do love you, Elizabeth," Nathan finally managed to say. "I'm just not good with words."

"Obviously," Elizabeth replied, laughing. This was definitely the most unorthodox proposal ever and yet somehow it was all the more special because of that. "And I would love to marry you, Nathan, on one condition. You put that ring on my finger and not Gabriel."

Nathan smiled, his face not much lighter than his Mountie uniform. "I can do that," he told her, reaching for the box.

Gabriel handed it over, a huge grin on his face. Taking the ring out of the box, Nathan reached out for Elizabeth's left hand. With his right hand shaking slightly, Nathan slipped the ring on her ring finger before leaning in and pressing his lips against hers. He might not have been able to ask the question, but the passionate kiss told Elizabeth all she needed to know.