'What just happened?' Nathan thought as he walked out of Elizabeth's home and paused after shutting the door. He couldn't help noticing the look of concern and even guilt in her eyes when he told her he should just give up on love. He also couldn't ignore how natural it felt as they settled Allie on the couch and just talked over apple juice. There had been something in her eyes and the tone of her voice as she thanked him for asking about Jack and how she was dealing with asking questions about his dad.

It really wasn't surprising to him because they were very close, especially when it came to the children. However, there was also a deep longing there, which did surprise him, given the current situation she was in with Lucas. Thinking about it created a pang in his heart, and his own longing for her grew. Despite her words in the jail, he saw the softness and the tears she was fighting as she had spoken them.

As hope once again tried to spring up Nathan immediately tamped it down since she was an engaged woman. However, as he continued the walk home, memories began flying through his mind of their past interactions. Her words from the previous years began to come to his mind, starting with those words in the jail when she made her choice known. But as quickly as that memory came, it was erased by others more recent. He and Elizabeth had finally sat down, cleared the air, and settled into an easy friendship, though his heart still longed for her at times. Until recently, he had figured that he was the only one, but tonight, he had begun to suspect he had been missing something all along. But what could it be? Was it possible that he had her heart all along?

Suddenly he recalled the day she mentioned that Allie pushed people away to protect herself from getting hurt when she lost them.

Allie has experienced a lot of loss. I believe she pushes people away before they have the chance to get close to her.

Why would she do something like that?

To protect herself? If she pushes people away, she doesn't have to worry... She doesn't have to worry about losing them.1

Then he recalled her words that day by the pond when he had made his heartfelt declaration.

Oh, my goodness. How was your trip?

Bill's land is beautiful. There's a-a level, clear spot surrounded by woods. Best of all the river's just a short walk away so Allie and I can go fishing. I can totally see us living there. Allie and me.

It sounds remarkable.

Yeah.

Nathan, I don't know where to begin.

Well-uh, here, let me- No, no, no.

Please. I need to tell you something that I've known for a while but I haven't been able to say. You mean a lot to me. You and Allie both. But I've sensed that you're hoping for something more than friendship.

I wasn't trying to hide it.

And I appreciate your honesty. But Nathan, when you were almost shot...

Elizabeth, just listen to me for a second, please.

You want more than I can give you. It would just hurt too much if I lost you the way I lost Jack.

I wouldn't let that happen.

You-you can't say that to me! You have no right to promise me that.

I would quit. I'd quit the Mounties.

No!

Elizabeth. Elizabeth!

I can't stay or it'll only make it harder for me to leave.

Well, then don't go! Elizabeth, look. I know you feel the same way that I do.

I can't.2

"I can't, not I don't," he mumbled as he fixed some chamomile tea for himself and settled into his overstuffed chair by the stove. "It would hurt me too much if I lost you like I lost Jack." Could it possibly be true? Did she push him away out of fear?'

Nathan pondered that for a while as he sipped his tea, sifting through the memories, both good and bad, and evaluated them with new eyes. Finally, he went to bed no closer to an answer about Elizabeth but knowing exactly why things didn't work with Mei or Faith.

The answer to that question was currently at the other end of the rowhouses, covering his child and ensuring she would be warm enough before turning to lock the door.

Elizabeth released a heavy sigh as she moved to clean up the kitchen and the remnants of the apple juice. As she passed by the couch, Jack Sr's Mountie hat caught her eye from where her son had left it lying before going to bed.

'What just happened between us? Why is it so much easier to talk with him than Lucas, especially about Jack? He asks, somehow knowing that I am concerned. Lucas says I can talk to him about anything… "Except Jack." She mumbled to herself.

Then she recalled his words from earlier when she mentioned Faith.

"I... I saw you dancing with Faith. You two seem really happy." It was a little hard for her to get the words out because saying them caused a pang in her heart. But he had asked about her night with Lucas, so she felt like she should reciprocate. Although her night had been okay, Lucas' lack of regard for her concerns without trying to understand her viewpoint regarding Bill's land and Montague bothered her greatly, especially when compared to Nathan, who immediately understood and listened to them and actually found her concerns had merit.

"Yeah. Uh...She broke things off just before that dance, actually."

"Oh, Nathan, I'm so sorry," Elizabeth replied, and a good part of her sorrow was because she could see pain in his eyes. But there was relief in her heart as well, and that made her feel guilty because she wanted Nathan to find happiness. He and Allie deserved it, so why did the prospect of him finding love with another woman bother her so much? She was engaged to marry Lucas, so shouldn't Nathan be deserving of moving on and finding great love himself? She studied him as he looked away, saying what was in his heart.

The ease and deep connection they had between them allowed it to be this way. She felt like she could talk to Nathan about anything…well, almost. There it was! That little niggling voice reminding her that she had one thing that she held back from everyone. The one that suspiciously sounded like Jack Sr.

"No, it's all right. It's ok, it's...You know, I don't think I'm very good at this thing. Maybe I'm not meant to be that kind of guy."

"You're done with love?" She kept her tone light and teasing, but inside, her heart was breaking for him, knowing she caused his pain.

"Maybe I should be." He said, averting his eyes once more as he chuckled mirthlessly and, as if coming to a conclusion, added, "Yeah, maybe I should be."

Their eyes had met briefly as she saw the unshed tears glistening in his eyes as he spoke, and she had to look away after a moment. She found herself unable to speak as her emotions were swirling inside and urging her to comfort him. Unfortunately, she currently had a ring on her finger that restrained her. They shared one more look as he walked to the door, and then, with a soft goodbye, he was gone.

As she passed by the couch, Jack Sr's Mountie hat caught her eye from where her son had left it lying before going to bed. Once more, she was reminded of his last words to her in the letter he wrote. With a start, she realized it had been too long since she had last been to see him. As she headed upstairs to check on her son and seek her own bed, she made a vow to visit Jack in the morning. Maybe it might settle the warring emotions in her heart.

"Any news in the mail?" Molly called out to Florence who was just coming from the back delivery door of the Mercantile.

"Robert says they've stopped all deliveries to and from Rock Creek," Florence replied as she reached her usual post behind the counter. "It must be the stand-off. Oh, and a constable has been taken hostage. And there have been reports of shots fired."

"How awful," Molly exclaimed.

Neither woman had realized the effect their words were having on Elizabeth, who was standing by the shelves gathering a few last-minute things Rosemary needed for the governor's visit.

"I wonder if Nathan's heard anything. Oh, I haven't seen him all day. Have you seen him, Elizabeth?"

"I'll see if I can find him," Elizabeth replied. It was all she could do to walk out calmly. She couldn't help thinking that Rock Creek was the town mentioned in the telegram he had received when they were talking earlier. As she headed to the jail, she prayed that he would be there sitting at the desk, but as she drew close, she knew that the chances were slim since Newton wasn't tied up on the hitching post outside. Walking inside, she called out his name, fighting the tears that welled up in her eyes.

"Nathan?" She called once again before heading over to his desk. Instantly, she saw the telegram that he had received and read it out loud. "Assistance needed in Rock Creek. Farmers' stand-off has escalated. Requesting RNWMP presence."

Perhaps he is just in the livery. That has to be why Newton isn't outside. She quickly pivoted and headed towards the livery, desperately trying not to break out into a run as she went. She was unaware of it, but Mike had seen her distressed look and went to let Lucas know.

Walking inside, she went inside Newton's stall and grasped onto the wall that held Sargent's saddle blankets. Suddenly, she couldn't catch her breath as she realized that her feelings for Nathan were deeper and stronger than she had believed, and ironically, they had come full circle again. Her mind drifted back to that day when she hugged him in the street and other encounters over the years.

Elizabeth realized that rather than seeing Jack in Nathan, it had really been Lucas who reminded her of Jack. Did she have the courage to set things right between her and Nathan while also correcting things between her and Lucas? Did she even have a choice with Lucas? Thinking about Jack and their love, she knew that she didn't have the same type or depth of love for Lucas.

As if the blinders were ripped away, she could hear that little voice say, 'But you do have it with Nathan. It's time to stop running, Elizabeth, and face your fears. You are stronger than you know, and I believe in you.'

She was broken out of her thoughts by Henry calling her name, worry evident in his tone. "Elizabeth? What is it?"

Not even trying to hide her tears, she breathlessly answered. "There's a stand-off in Rock Creek with a farmer. A constable was taken hostage. Nathan got this telegram this morning and went out there. Henry, they say shots were fired."

"He's cool-headed, I'm sure he'll be fine," Henry assured her. Unfortunately, she had learned the hard way nothing was guaranteed.

"I can't do this again. Not-not again." Elizabeth exclaimed as tears poured down her cheeks, and she struggled to catch her breath.

"I can't do this again either, Elizabeth," A new voice interrupted. Henry and Elizabeth turned to find Lucas standing there just inside the door, pain and anguish in his eyes. "I have tried, but I don't think I can continue. Henry, can you please excuse us?"

"Of course." Henry acquiesced after giving Elizabeth a look to be sure she was okay with that. At her subtle nod, he said, "I'll be in my quarters in the back."

Lucas turned back to Elizabeth to see the engagement ring that he had given her months ago resting in her palm. "I'm so sorry, Lucas. I wish that I could give you what you want and deserve, but I have been running, and I just can't do it anymore. It has been like a huge weight pressing on me."

"No need to apologize because I have known it all along, but I thought with time, I could make you fall in love with me. I knew that you were running after the last time, but when I came back, it seemed like you and Nathan were distant, and things were not good. It had given me hope, and I had ignored all the warning signs. But as we continued, I noticed that we began to change."

"I know, I have to agree. Lucas, I should have ended our relationship a while ago. My hope for you going forward is that you find your true love, which we know isn't me. Someone once told me that for you to do that….I need…to let you go and face my fear."

Lucas nodded thoughtfully, recalling the words that he once spoke to her on her doorstep. "Within a few days, you came back, and I probably should have questioned it. I don't know if I was just too distracted to notice or just willing to take what you were offering."

They smiled wryly at each other, knowing that at least they were on the same page.

Elizabeth's thoughts turned to all of the wedding plans that needed to be canceled, most concerning were the invitations. "Oh no, the invitations! Lucas, we need to see if we can get them back. I wish we would have had this talk before now."

Lucas put a comforting hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "I should also probably tell you that I have wanted to have this talk for a few weeks now but didn't have the courage; however, after you left the Mercantile, I went back and got the invitations back from Florence and Ned," Lucas said. "I could tell you weren't ready by the lack of enthusiasm for wedding planning, and honestly, I could see the ever-growing issues in our relationship. The housing situation is one of them because, as much as I said I could, I really can't stand the thought of moving into a row house. I need more creature comforts. I guess you could say I am more of the castle kind of guy."

"I'm sorry, Lucas. Can you forgive me for putting you in this situation?"

"If you'll forgive me for being a participant."

Elizabeth nodded, but before she could say anything else, they heard someone in the street shout, "Nathan's back! Nathan's back!"

Without waiting, Elizabeth was off like a shot, running towards the jail. As she approached, she could see him and Bill dismounting as Ned and Florence pushed forward.

"Excuse me. We heard that there was trouble!" Florence said.

Ned nodded and asked, "Is everything all right?

"Well, thanks to Nathan. He switched places with the hostage and outsmarted some Pinkertons." Bill said, pride evident.

"He saved my life." Mr. Stuckey said.

"After this man held our constable hostage," Bill added.

Nathan just shook his head and humbly replied, "All right, Bill. Nobody wants to be bored with your exaggerations."

Just then, Allie arrived and jumped into his arms for a warm hug. "Welcome home, Dad!"

"Hi," Nathan said with a warm smile as his arms wrapped around her. He would never tire of coming home to one of her hugs.

"Catch any bad guys?" she teased lightheartedly.

Nathan smiled, relieved to see that she wasn't worried. "Believe it or not, they were fresh out. I got to feed Newton. Why don't you take Hero from Uncle Bill?"

"I'll lock him up." Bill offered, gesturing to Mr. Stuckey

"Thanks, Bill."

As Nathan walked away, his eyes automatically scanned the small crowd looking for Elizabeth. When he found her, she looked distressed. She looked thankful that he was back, but tearful. As much as he wanted to comfort and reassure her, he had work to do and didn't think comforting her was something he should do while she was engaged to Lucas. Her subtle smile assured him that she would be all right for now as he moved his thoughts to the grim discussion ahead of them and the danger Montague posed to their town.