This one-shot is a submission for the Suspenders Unbuttoned IG fanfic challenge. I chose to write a scene at the log. The title for this story was inspired by the SU gals' use of the phrase "coming home" to describe Nathan and Elizabeth finding their way together in S10.

Talk about a crazy few weeks! I never thought I'd watch WCTH again after the S8 finale, but got drawn in about halfway through this current season. It's been so good, with excellent storytelling and plotlines that fix everything that was broken in the S8-9 era. Or…almost everything. How it ends remains to be seen, but I'm hopeful.

That being said, I hope you enjoy this little scene!

Elizabeth rode hard, her breaths coming fast in the crisp autumn air. Sergeant flew over the grassy fields. She let him have his head, not sure where she was going but simply needing the sense of freedom riding provided. Too much had been left unsaid between her and Nathan last night at the celebration for Goldie's christening. The new awkwardness in their interactions left her feeling glum.

He'd been distant ever since he confronted her in the schoolhouse and asked what she wanted. She sensed she'd hurt him again that day. His pointed question sparked a flood of emotion within her, culminating in the realization that she'd made the safe choice in being with Lucas, rejecting the possibility of getting hurt again because of loving a Mountie. In hindsight, she knew it hadn't been fair to either man when she started running from Nathan's love. Lucas deserved so much more than she was able to give. He'd taken their breakup in such a gentlemanly manner. To her relief, neither one of them was heartbroken over it. Lucas had taken to campaigning for governor as if he were born for the role. Yesterday, when it was announced that he'd won, Hope Valley rejoiced, knowing their town was safe. He'd found his heart's calling.

Now Elizabeth had to find hers.

Sergeant slowed to a trot, then began to walk. Elizabeth took stock of her surroundings and immediately froze. Of all places … how had she ended up here?

The log. Their log. The one where Nathan declared his love two years ago, the one where she'd broken his heart, claiming she couldn't be with him. Even now, the memory tore at her. How could she have so effectively stomped on his feelings while ignoring her own? She'd long prided herself on possessing a courageous spirit, but ever since Nathan made his heart known, she'd been running in fear.

So much fear.

A tear rolled slowly down her cheek. Elizabeth dismounted, letting Sergeant graze. She stared at the log for a few quiet moments before sitting on it. Her eyes gazed blankly at the ground. So much had gone wrong, all of it her own fault. If only she hadn't let fear win. If only she hadn't hurt Nathan and Allie. If only she'd been strong enough to do the thing that scared her.

Always do what you're afraid to do.

The words from Nathan's plaque haunted her. It was like he'd known even then that she would struggle to accept another Mountie into her life, much less into her heart. The words had been a gift, an invitation to remain open, much like Jack's final letter to her had been.

Promise me you'll be open to love again.

She'd broken that promise. Instead, she ran to a man who, while good, was safe and comfortable. And in the process, she'd hurt him too.

So much hurt. Elizabeth's throat closed on itself. How could she possibly begin to make things right? Only Rosemary knew where her heart truly was, and she'd encouraged Elizabeth to follow it. But was it too late? Had Nathan definitively closed his heart to her? Had she hurt him one too many times?

Be safe.

His words from the school floated through her mind. She remembered the shock she felt when he said them, words that she often spoke to him. It had been her way of letting him know he mattered to her, even when she didn't realize why she said them. In that moment, when he used them with her, she'd known he still cared. It had been the key that unlocked her heart once and for all, releasing a tidal wave of emotion that culminated in her breakup with Lucas and her knowing that Nathan held her heart. She could no longer deny that.

The question was, what did she do about it?

The faint clip-clop of horse hooves met her ears. Sergeant looked up and whinnied. Moments later, a flash of red came into view. Elizabeth sucked in a breath.

Nathan.

He noticed her almost immediately. A flicker of doubt crossed his handsome features. For a brief second, Elizabeth wondered if he would pass her by. But when he reined in Newton and slipped from the saddle, she felt a new trepidation wash over her.

What should she say?

She stood to meet him, extending a tentative smile. "Hi."

He swept his hat from his head. "Hi." His eyes darted to the log before returning quickly to hers. "I didn't expect to see you here. Considering the history and all." The words held a slight teasing note, but his eyes flashed with remembered pain.

Just like that, she knew where to start. "I'm sorry, Nathan."

Confusion wrinkled his brow. "For what?"

"For everything, but two things in particular." She swallowed, tears building in her eyes. "One, for running away two years ago when you laid your heart out here at this log. I took the coward's road that day. It was the biggest mistake I ever made, and I beg your forgiveness for it. I owe Allie an apology too."

He remained silent, his jaw slightly slack. Elizabeth rushed on before she lost her nerve. "And for that day in your office, when I told you I wasn't in love with you, that I was looking for Jack in you." Twin trails of tears slid down her cheeks. "That was a horrible lie, one I told to protect myself. I never saw Jack in you. You might share some traits, but you are two completely different men, and I'm sorry that I used him as an excuse to run from you." She drew in a ragged breath. "I am so, so sorry."

Silence stretched between them. Elizabeth kept her eyes training on the buttons of his serge, afraid of what she might see in his eyes. After all she'd put him through, she wouldn't blame him for rejecting her the way she'd rejected him.

In her peripheral vision, she saw him toss his hat and gloves aside. His hands came to rest on her shoulders. "Elizabeth. Look at me."

Inhaling softly, she let her gaze meet his. Deep emotion simmered in his blue eyes, emotion that cut straight to her heart. He stepped closer, his grip tightening ever so gently. "I forgive you."

A half sob escaped. "It can't be that easy."

His lips turned up in a little smile. "Love makes a man do funny things."

Her breath caught. "Love?"

His throat bobbed as he swallowed. "Yes. I never stopped loving you, Elizabeth. I couldn't help myself. I tried so hard to move on, to accept that you were with Lucas, but my stubborn heart wouldn't allow it. It is – and always will be – yours."

She closed the distance between them, hugging him as close as she had the day she thought he'd been shot. Tears poured from her eyes, soaking into his serge. Nathan's arms encircled her and simply held her. He let her cry, his hand running gently through her hair in a comforting motion. Eventually, her tears ran out, and she rested against him, listening to the sound of his heart beating beneath her cheek.

"Elizabeth."

Nathan's soft whisper sent butterflies through her chest. She pulled back just enough to look up at him. "Yes?"

"I asked you a question once, a long time ago. If I ask it again, will you know the answer?"

A slow smile spread over her lips. "I think so."

His answering smile warmed her thoroughly. "What's in your heart?"

She slid her hands up so they locked behind his neck. "You, Nathan. You're in my heart. I … I'm in love with you."

One of his hands found her cheek. His thumb softly traced her jaw before he lowered his head. Elizabeth met him halfway. Their lips joined in a sweet kiss, full of gentle passion that weakened her knees and fluttered her heart. Nathan explored her lips tenderly and slowly, not rushing. When he pulled away, Elizabeth kept her eyes closed, reveling in the sensation of being fully loved. She rested her head against his chest and let out a quiet sigh. "Thank you for being patient with me."

He chuckled. "You're worth the wait, Elizabeth." His hands settled at her waist. "We don't have to decide anything now. You're just coming off an engagement. Maybe it would be best to take things slow."

She wrinkled her nose. "I don't really like the sound of that."

His chuckle became a laugh. "Alright. How about one day at a time?"

"We've already lost so much time because of my fear. I don't know if I want to stretch this out. We've known each other for more than five years, and I think we both know what we want. I don't want to waste more time."

Nathan smiled, brushing back a strand of hair from her face. "Then let's not waste it. Elizabeth, would you like to get dinner with me at the cafe? Tonight?"

She laughed, the sound free and full. "We're long overdue for that dinner, aren't we?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Then lead on, Constable. I'd be happy to have dinner with you."

He grinned. "Finally."

They each took their horse by the reins. Nathan gathered his hat and gloves, and they began walking down the path that led to town. Hand in hand, they settled into an easy conversation full of depth and sprinkled with laughter. Elizabeth felt an overwhelming joy fill her entire being. This was right.

Her heart had come home.