I wrote this as a one-shot for the July challenge but as so many people asked for another chapter I've written another quick one. But this is definitely the end!

Chapter 2

Elizabeth glanced up at the clock once more, wishing that the children would all hurry and get their homework copied before it was time to ring the bell. The days seem to have dragged lately and she knew that was because of the turmoil that never seemed to stop raging inside her head. She couldn't believe that this was happening to her. Hadn't she been through enough? Why was Nathan treating her as though she had done something wrong?

She looked across at Allie Grant, seeing the now familiar slump of her shoulders whenever she was in the schoolhouse as she studiously wrote into her book. The girl had a dejected, almost haunted look about her every day in school, yet whenever she had the opportunity to view her from a distance as she interacted with others that old bounce and happiness was still there. Just not for her. It really was time to force Nathan to speak with her about this. Whatever she had done it was not up to him or his daughter to judge her and the lack of civility from them was no longer just hurtful but annoying. She didn't deserve any of that.

Finally the clock struck the hour and she called out for everyone to close up their books. Usually she would have walked around the classroom, checking that each child had all the information they needed but not today. She was going to make sure Nathan couldn't avoid her any longer, even if it meant marching past all the other parents to where he was standing at the back. Why was it that she always had to confront him about things in public to get answers?

As Elizabeth nodded to Cooper that he could ring the bell a shadow appeared at the doorway. Probably a parent wanting to discuss something, she thought. Which was becoming irritating as all they seemed to do was complain. It was nobody's business but hers how she spent her private time. But when it opened she gave a little gasp. She was sure she had not forgotten an inspection from Mr Landis but there he was standing at the entrance, a serious expression on his face.

In the Mountie Office Nathan had been hurriedly trying to finish the report on the tracking exercise he had just returned from so that he could get to the school to meet Allie. It was the part of the day that he least enjoyed as it was becoming increasingly difficult to avoid Elizabeth and he had to move quickly once Allie was beside him. He could of course ask someone else to collect his daughter but he had a feeling that would just make the schoolteacher even more determined and he had had enough of shouting scenes on Main Street to last a lifetime.

As he pulled the last sheet of paper from the typewriter he stood, about to collect his campaign hat from the peg when a figure on the other boardwalk caught his attention. So this is the day, he thought. Could he be a coward for once in his life and call Opal's mother to request that Allie accompany them home? As tempting as that was he knew it was not the proper thing for him to do. Sooner or later he would have to face Elizabeth so he may as well get it over and done with.

Augustus Landis peered into the Hope Valley classroom before stepping through the door, noting an air of disarray that he had never seen before. Posters on the wall had clearly not been replaced for some time, there were no examples of the children's work on display and the floor looked as though it had not been swept all week. Then he looked up at Elizabeth Thornton and wondered what had happened to the feisty, committed teacher he had dealings with in the past. In her place sat a slightly dishevelled woman, the desk in front of her piled high with disorganised stacks of books and files. Even if there was no other reason, this would be cause enough for what he was about to do but her offence was much worse than that.

He had not been surprised when the letter had arrived from the parents of the Hope Valley schoolchildren. Written by the town constable as the representative of all the families it had apparently been a unanimous decision that he should be alerted to the actions of their schoolteacher. He had spoken by telephone to Nathan Grant and admired the honesty of the man when he explained how he had been the last one to agree, hoping that a means could be found to make Elizabeth Thornton see the error of her ways and give her time to correct her behaviour. He then added that this was something that he had stepped back from, owing to his fractured relationship with the teacher, leaving the conversations to others. However, when all approaches had been rejected he had no choice but to send the letter.

Never in his career, first as a teacher and then as a Schools Inspector, had he seen a more clear cut case for dismissal. He remembered how hard Elizabeth had fought in the past to defend the rights of her students to have a good education, no matter what their background or circumstances, and could not help but feel sad that she had lowered herself to this. But he was not here to question that as from all accounts she had been given every chance to correct her situation but hadn't. No, he was here to advise her that she was no longer licenced to teach, at least until she proved herself to be a changed woman. Six months was the amount of time they were giving her and if nothing happened by the end of that period then the ban would become permanent. Some may think that harsh but the moral education of their children was at stake and her liaison with a saloon owner and gambler went against every standard that they held high.

The crowd of parents waiting patiently for their children had been surprised to see a familiar figure walk up to the school doors and knock. Hadn't he been here before when Elizabeth Thornton had been deemed to not be sufficiently trained to teach a blind student, they asked each other? This time most of them knew exactly what the reason was and despite having been party to initiating the action they all felt uncomfortable to be witnessing it. When they saw Nathan approaching they relaxed, thinking that if there was trouble then at least he would be here to deal with it. Although there were those who wondered whether he would be the recipient of what was bound to be another of Elizabeth's vituperations once she learned what was happening.

There was silence from the schoolhouse as they all started the walk home, the children having come out alone before Mr Landis closed the doors behind him. Just as Nathan and Allie were about to turn towards town the explosion came, the screeching of a banshee the likes of which none of them had heard before. "NATHAN GRANT, I know this is your doing! How could you treat me like this after all I have done for you and Allie!"

Parents grabbed hold of their children, hugging them close to hide the sight of their schoolteacher charging down the steps screaming abuse at the Mountie they all loved and respected. Worse words came out of her mouth as she rushed to catch up with him, her face so distorted with fury that she had almost become unrecognisable.

Nathan quickly told Allie to go home with Mrs Weise and Opal, who were just ahead of them, not wanting her to hear any of the onslaught he was sure was forthcoming. Then turning to face the figure that was closing in on him he spoke clearly and firmly, "Mrs Thornton, what can I do for you?" Elizabeth pulled up suddenly, realising that all around had stopped to listen. She waved the paper in her hand before speaking, this time in a slightly quieter tone but with vitriol still clear for all to hear. "Did you know about this? How could you do this to me so soon after telling me that you love me?"

He could feel the colour rise in his cheeks at her outburst but wouldn't embarrass her any further in public by saying how much he regretted those words once he realised she was not the person he thought she was. Determined to remain calm he hesitated for a moment before replying. "Perhaps we should go back into the schoolhouse to discuss this Mrs Thornton. There is no need for the children to hear what we have to say."

Suddenly the realisation of where she was hit Elizabeth and it had an instant calming effect, her voice dropping to almost a whisper as she said a small, "Yes, that is probably the best thing." With that she turned and walked back to the steps, not waiting to see if Nathan followed. Her head was down and those she passed could hear her repeat the word "why" until she finally reached the door. It was then she spun around to look out at the faces of the parents and children still watching. "Go home, you have gotten what you want. I shall not not give you the satisfaction of watching me fight this. There is nothing left in Hope Valley that I care about anymore."

When Nathan walked through the door he saw a broken and yet strangely still defiant woman, hurriedly grabbing her basket and placing into it the personal items she kept at her desk. He walked up to the front of the classroom, putting his hand on her arm to stop her for a moment. "Elizabeth, you must have known this was coming. I may not have spoken to you about your behaviour and the impact it would have on your position but I have made certain that enough other people did. They tried to make you understand the consequences of what you were doing. Please believe that I gave you as much time as I could but in the end the pressure from everyone around me was too great."

Elizabeth looked up at him then and for the first time in months the mist of anger and selfishness that seemed to have enveloped her was gone. In front of her was the "impeccable" Nathan she knew. She had no doubt that he would have tried everything to help her, for that was the man he was. Just like Jack. Perhaps that had always been the problem, she couldn't risk losing another honourable man and so she had turned to one who was nothing like them. She felt the sadness of "what if" but knew there could never be any going back. "It's time it was over Nathan, so perhaps these people have done me a favour."

There was a general feeling of sorrow along the row houses as the last of Elizabeth's possessions were loaded onto the truck to transport them to the station. Whatever they may have thought of their schoolteacher at the end there had been a time when she was a cherished part of the community and so there was also deep regret that it had come to this. But all agreed that it was for the best.

Elizabeth and Little Jack had departed on the train to Hamilton just a week after the visit by Mr Landis, her rush to escape meaning that she called on those friends she had left to deal with the final packing and shipping of their belongings. There was no grand farewell, just a quiet drive to the station when it was time for their train and a promise to stay in touch. Nathan had pondered the idea of going to say goodbye but in the end he realised that there were no more words to be spoken between them. Whatever connection they had was now well and truly over and with it he buried once again his memories of Fort Clay and what they both had lost there. For him and Allie it was the only way to move on.

As Lee escorted Elizabeth and Little Jack into their compartment, Rosemary holding the boy tight as she gave him another goodbye kiss, a young woman was just collecting her trunk from the baggage car to be loaded onto a cart and taken to Bill Avery's car. Georgina Winston looked around her, hoping that the town was as pretty and modern as the station. She still couldn't believe that she was here, having only answered the advertisement for a new school teacher in this country town a few days ago. In a way it had been a spur of the moment decision but she knew this new beginning was exactly what she needed.

At the Queen of Hearts Lucas Bouchard stood on the balcony, his favourite teacup in his hand, surprised to find himself alone in life once more. All that effort for nothing, he thought. When he heard of Elizabeth's dismissal from her teaching position his hopes were high as he knew that she would not want to stay in Hope Valley after that. Hamilton! What a life they could have there. As a member of The Thatcher family doors would open to him that would otherwise always remain closed and he was determined to make the most of every opportunity. Then Elizabeth spoke those words, "I am just taking my son, Lucas. Whatever there was between us is over", and his dream was gone.

The sound of Bill's voice along the street carried up to him as Nathan approached the car that had drawn up outside the Mountie Office. "Let me introduce you to Georgia Winston, our new school teacher. Georgie, this is Constable Nathan Grant. She is going to stay with The Canfields for a few days until we have the row house ready for her. Will you be coming along to the welcome gathering they are having this evening?"

Nathan's reply was lost to Lucas as he watched the pretty blonde woman step out of the car to shake the Mountie's hand. "Well, well!", he thought, "now if that is not a pleasant new addition to our town I don't know what is. Perhaps things won't be so bad here after all!"