Disclaimer: I do not own the characters within this story. All rights and much respect go to Crown Media, Hallmark, Brian Bird, Michael Landon, Jr., the actors, creators, and writers of the show "When Calls the Heart." Any real people or places noted in the chapter are just there for storyline purposes.

Chapter 5- Forget I Said That...

Recap of Chapter 4 ending…

Sunday morning arrived; hearing a loud boom, Elizabeth glanced outside to see the rain falling in sheets, and lightning putting on quite an impressive electrical show. Therefore, she wasn't surprised when Mr. Roseman contacted her to advise that the game had been rained out.

Elizabeth pulled her usherette contact list from her bag and proceeded to call everyone to advise that they were now off work until the next home game on Friday.

She sat down with a cup of coffee and her thoughts wondering how she so quickly moved from never wanting to date another baseball player to disappointment that due to the rain she would not see Jack for six days.

She pulled her journal from her bag, opened it to the next blank page and attempted to release the feelings and emotions she held inside…

"How is it possible to enjoy the present when you're constantly brought down by memories of the past? At what point do you say 'Let it go,' consider it a lesson learned, and simply move on?

I'm afraid of misplaced loyalties, repeated mistakes, and missed chances, all of which have now forced me down a road to self discovery. As I attempt to correct the missteps of my past, I am acutely aware of the assumptions made and the disservice they have caused.

Understanding the cause and correcting the actions takes courage, patience and strength. Unfortunately as the saying goes, you have to 'break them down to build them back up.' Is that even possible when attempting to correct our own mistakes? When they occur is it even likely that we will identify the problems before the damage is done?

Fear comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it's brought about by the fierce anger in a stormy sky; sometimes it's saying goodbye to something you thought you loved, believed and understood, and sometimes, when you least expect it, it's the gentle soul who comes knocking on your heart.

Whether or not you allow them inside is often based on experiences of the past. You choose to open the door, but only slightly, giving a little, but still feeling the need to hold back. As you realize that you are cautious for a reason, the past blips of embarrassment come flooding back, and you wonder how long it will be before you again find yourself lost, disappointed, used and ashamed.

Mistakes are designed to happen once, anything more than that and they become a pattern, a way of life, or something to be expected. However, should one person's betrayal, darken our skies forever? Is there a chance that the mistakes of the past simply open our eyes to see the beauty of future rainbows?"

Elizabeth closed her journal and slipped it back into her bag for safekeeping. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply as she sipped from her favorite coffee cup.

Her phone rang, shattering the tranquility of her peaceful morning. The disappointment she felt soon cleared when she glanced down and observed "Jack" and his Facebook picture covering her phone screen.

"Hello…"

"Good morning Elizabeth; it's me, Jack."

Hiding the fact that she already knew he was her caller, she simply said, "Oh Hi, Jack."

"I guess you know that the game has been cancelled."

"Yes, I just heard from Mr. Roseman. I feel sorry for the kids who were looking forward to Hawk Hat Day."

"Well, they can do it on Friday, right?"

"I'm sure they can, but they may choose another Sunday in hopes that more kids will come."

"Well, since neither of us has to work, would you like to go out for a cup of coffee?"

Elizabeth immediately placed her cup on the table, "Mmm, coffee sounds good. Where would you like to meet?"

"I'm already out. Why don't I just come and pick you up?"

"Um, okay, I'll see you soon…" Elizabeth stated as she jumped up and poured out the remaining coffee from her pot.

Jack stuffed his phone in his pocket as he ran out the front door of the hotel, feeling as though he was not being deceptive since he was in fact not in his room when he called her.

Now on with our story…

With the rain pouring, Jack sat in his car contemplating his second date with Elizabeth. "Is coffee technically a date?" he asked out loud.

"Of course it is. If we go somewhere, it's a date." Oh Thornton, this woman has you talking to yourself.

As he sat in his car waiting on the torrential rain to subside, he closed his eyes and wished that he could be immediately teleported to her driveway. Realizing that was not going to happen, he pulled out of his parking space and onto the highway.

Forty minutes later, he pulled into her driveway as the rain continued to pour. He slipped from behind the wheel and sprinted to her front door. Before ringing her door bell he felt the nerves settling in; his heart began to pound and he wiped his hands on his pants as he realized that his palms were sweating. Palms sweating? Maybe they're just wet from the rain, No, that's sweat…WOW, that's so weird.

Elizabeth opened the door wearing a pair of perfectly fitting jeans and a crop top t-shirt, and he quickly added 'being tongue tied' to his list of difficulties.

"Jack, please come inside before you get soaked."

He came in and took a seat as she grabbed him a towel.

"Thank you. Hopefully it will stop soon," he stated as he ran the towel through his hair.

"Who's this?" he asked as Elizabeth's dog, Lizzie, came to meet him.

"Lizzie, leave Jack alone."

"Lizzie?"

"Well, I got her from someone who couldn't keep her and she was already named Elizabeth. Obviously I can't have a dog with my name, so I changed it to Lizzie."

"She is beautiful. Is she a Bulldog?"

"Yes, an English Bulldog. I'll have you know, she's a champion, but now she just lies around in front of the French doors and soaks up the sun."

"Well, given the rain, I assume she won't be doing much of that today."

"Somehow I don't think the sun is the only thing that has her lying around. Clouds and rain make her sleepy too," Elizabeth replied as Lizzie walked over to her favorite rug in front of the door and lay back down.

With his hair tousled by the towel, Elizabeth couldn't help noticing how adorable he looked. "Jack, it's nasty outside. Why don't I fix some breakfast here?" she asked as she walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator and looked inside.

"I don't want to put you out, Elizabeth."

There was something about the way he said her name; it was as if each syllable was its own musical note, so soft, so melodic.

"Elizabeth…"

"What? Excuse me; I lost my train of thought."

"Please don't go to any trouble for me," he offered.

"Jack, it's no trouble. Would you like an omelet?

"That sounds good."

"Do you like bacon?"

"Doesn't everyone?" he laughed as he joined her in the kitchen.

She joined in with her own laugh as she pulled the frying pan from the cabinet. She reached into the refrigerator and retrieved the bacon, eggs, green pepper, mushrooms and cheese before returning to the stove.

With a fresh pot of coffee brewing, she then filled the frying pan with bacon, listening to it sizzle before scrambling up the eggs for their omelets.

"Ouch," she yelled as the bacon splattered across her hand.

"Are you okay?" he asked as he immediately approached her.

She wiped one hand across the other assuming that the burning would stop.

Jack took her hand and held it under the running water, "Does that feel better?"

"Actually it does, thank you."

"You stay right here, and let me get the bacon," he stated as he removed the pan from the burner and placed the fully cooked meat on a plate.

He turned back to Elizabeth who was blowing onto her hand, "Does it burn?"

"Just a little. I'm sorry; I'm so clumsy."

Jack took her hand and brought it to his lips. Elizabeth wasn't certain if that really helped, but due to the butterflies that had now invaded her stomach, the burning on her hand had completely disappeared.

Jack stepped closer. Although he invaded what she considered to be her personal space, she did nothing but welcome him.

As his own butterflies fluttered, his lips met hers. In Elizabeth's world it was perfect; tender, gentle, and unassuming.

As their lips separated, Jack released a breath that sounded much like a soft nervous laugh, "I hope I didn't overstep my bounds."

"No, it was very nice, Jack," she stated as her hand ran down his arm. She couldn't help feeling that kissing him was quickly becoming one of her favorite things, but also knew her need to take things slowly, given their precarious situation.

Elizabeth returned to the stove to finish the omelets, which she placed on plates along with the bacon and handed them to Jack. She poured two cups of coffee, retrieved sugar and Spenda from the cabinet and several creamer flavors from the refrigerator before making several trips to carry them to the table.

"Do you need anything?" she asked.

"No, just your company."

Following breakfast, Jack stood to help her clear away the dishes.

"Jack, have a seat, just relax. I can take care of this," she stated.

"No, I was raised that cleaning up is part of enjoying a great meal," he responded as he grabbed their plates and placed them in the sink. "Do you want to wash or dry?"

"Well, as it turns out I have a dishwasher, so don't worry about them. I'll load the dishwasher later.

Elizabeth stepped onto the back porch to take Lizzie outside, "Oh Jack, look at the rainbow; It's beautiful."

He walked outside and unable to take his eyes off her he replied, "You sure are."

"Excuse me?"

"Uh no, you're right that rainbow is beautiful."

"I love rainbows…Maya Angelou once said 'be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.' I'm not sure why I said that, but it is profound…" she stated.

"Looks like it's clearing up. Do you have any other plans for today?" he asked.

"No, since I was planning to work and that isn't happening, I'm pretty much free all day."

"Good, will you go somewhere with me? I've wanted to try this place out, but didn't want to go alone?"

"Well before I say yes, where are we going?"

"How do you feel about rock climbing?" he asked. "There's a place called Earth Treks that I've wanted to try out."

His question brought about laughter from her. "Are you serious?"

"I just wanted to try it; you don't even have to do it if you don't want to."

"Jack Thornton, if you're climbing a wall, I'm doing it too. I'll bet you that I'm faster." Elizabeth giggled silently as she had been to Earth Treks on a few occasions recently and had watched as her time dropped drastically with each climb.

"Deal, so what are we betting?" he asked.

"Oh, I don't know. It's just a term, Jack; we don't really have to bet," she replied.

"Trying to get out of it now?" he teased.

Feeling challenged she replied, "You name it, but you'd better make it easy on yourself, because you're going down Thornton…"

Jack laughed, "Okay, if I win, you'll go with me on an evening cruise in the harbor, and if you win…"

"I've got it, if I win, you'll go to an Art exhibit with me," she replied. However, she had to admit that an evening cruise in the harbor sounded quite romantic and much better than an Art exhibit.

Jack stuck out his arm and they shook hands. "Deal…" they both responded.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked.

"Let me get Lizzie back inside and grab my purse."

After a short drive they arrived at Earth Treks. They grabbed their gear and headed for the rock walls.

"What's this?" Elizabeth asked Ronan, the climbing expert and owner of Earth Treks.

"What do you mean?" he replied.

Elizabeth pulled him aside, "Um, I was here not too long ago and the wall looked differently."

"Oh, well we change the patterns regularly. You know, you don't get better if you don't challenge yourself."

Yeah, right… "Hmm," Suddenly Elizabeth felt less confident in her skills, "Hey Jack, if you want to back out of the bet, I'll let you."

"No, I'm good," Jack stated confidently.

"Yep, of course you are," she replied as she walked toward the wall.

With Ronan observing, Jack stood on the left and Elizabeth on the right. They started to climb, as Elizabeth's competitive spirit pushed her forward. Jack was slightly behind her, but his plan was to think through each move. Additionally, he had to admit that his view of Elizabeth from behind was quite exciting, possibly even worth a loss. Elizabeth, on the other hand, did not plan her climb and was simply moving as quickly as possible.

Halfway up the wall, Elizabeth became stuck, having made several poor choices along the way. She watched as Jack moved passed her. Although his dimpled smile always seemed to draw her in, it helped little this time as he continued on to the top.

As Jack stood on the top of the rock wall doing his best Rocky imitation, Elizabeth let go and the rope restraints gently lowered her toward the ground.

Jack watched as Ronan was there, arms outstretched, taking hold of her just above the hips and helping her to the floor. Jack knew full well that his intent when coming to Baltimore was to heal his knee, play baseball, and return to the majors. He didn't intend to become interested in a woman, but there she was, and for whatever reason, he was already quite smitten, and jealous.

Jack's rope rigging lowered him to the floor and he made note of the fact that Ronan was not there to help him. Not that he wanted Ronan's hands on him, but he knew for certain that he didn't want them on Elizabeth.

"I've got this," Jack stated to Ronan as he stepped over to Elizabeth to help her out of her harness.

"Okay, so you win; when do you want to do the cruise?" she asked.

"I'll be back on Friday. I know you agreed to have dinner with me on Saturday, maybe we could make it the cruise?"

"I'll keep a watch on the weather and if it looks good, I get the tickets."

"Elizabeth, I'm taking you out; I'll get the tickets."

"Not that I want to argue with you, but I don't think that's how a bet works. You won, so I pay up…"

"No, I won, so I get to have it the way I want. I'll buy the tickets," Jack sternly stated. "Besides, if I buy, it's a date."

"I can't buy the tickets and ask you out?"

"No, that feels weird."

"Okay, you get the tickets then."

As they walked toward the door, Jack took her hand. Just the feel of his skin pressed against the palm of her hand electrified the nerve endings throughout her entire body.

As they sat in his car he asked, "I know I won, but did you have fun?"

Elizabeth began to laugh, "Jack, I've been here several times, but I didn't know that they changed the configuration of the walls regularly. If we had come last week, I would have so beaten you."

"I guess I'm lucky that they changed the pattern then. But you know, if you'd like to go to an Art exhibit, I'd gladly go with you," he replied.

"Really? You'd still go with me, even though you didn't lose the bet?"

"I sure would. Elizabeth, can't you tell, I just love spending time with you," Jack stated as he leaned over and captured her lips. He knew that with every moment he spent with her he was finding more and more reasons to fall deeper.

As they continued to talk, his glance moved between her eyes and lips, her luscious lips, so expressive. It took him no time to realize that they were capable of unleashing a myriad of desires with just the simplest of manipulations. The pouty lips and running her teeth across her bottom lip were two of his favorites. He didn't realize it at the time but he was totally lost in her.

"Jack…Jack, are you okay?" she asked as he appeared to be staring at her but saying nothing.

Snap out of it, Thornton… "Oh, I'm fine…"

He pulled out of the parking garage and headed for Elizabeth's townhouse. He'd have spent the rest of the day with her but he knew she needed to get home to turn Lizzie out.

The day had gone beautifully and it could only be assumed that he had no idea that his next question would have the effect that it did.

"If I do get called back up to the Mets, will you come visit me sometime?"

She glanced in his direction and he observed her expression change. Her arm rested on the console as his right hand covered her left. He closed his fingers as his thumb gently rubbed up and down the top of her hand. She was looking out the window, and although he wondered what was going through her mind, he allowed her to be quiet.

As they pulled into her driveway, he placed the car in park and turned off the engine. "You've been rather quiet. Do you feel like sharing?"

Seeing her hesitancy, Jack added, "If it's about you coming to New York, I'd get you your own hotel room."

Hearing him talk about leaving made her realize that whatever time they spent together or however close they became, it could end next month, next week or tomorrow. Although she couldn't deny her interest in him, the inevitable of him leaving loomed heavily.

"Jack, it's not that; well, it is that, but it's also…Oh, leave it to a man to ruin a moment."

"What are you talking about?"

"Jack, I had so much fun today. I even lost a bet and still had the best time. You almost had me thinking that you're a regular guy and you aren't leaving."

"Elizabeth…"

"But we both know you are. Here we are making plans for dinner cruises and Art shows and the fact is, they could call you up tomorrow and we'll never see each other again."

She took a breath before continuing, "Jack, we need to slow down and realize what this is."

"What is this, Elizabeth? I know what I'd like it to be."

"I don't know."

He glanced back in her direction, "All I know is that I feel closer to you than any woman I've ever known?"

"Why is that, Jack?

"I think it's because most women I meet are plastic; they say what they think I want to hear. You on the other hand have told me like it is from the beginning, and I don't want you to stop now."

"Okay Jack, if that's what you want, here goes…We've known each other for such a short time. You don't know that much about me."

"I know more than you think I do, and what I don't know, I want to learn," he stated, his voice sounded honest as it was full of emotion. "I know I might leave at some point, but it doesn't mean that we have to stop seeing each other."

As he leaned back into his seat he observed the slight upturn corners as she attempted a smile and realized that they were absolutely perfect for hanging her halo and her cloak. Ordinarily he would have been concerned about her cloak, but at this point he was more worried about her halo, and her need to follow her head instead of her heart.

She glanced down, "Jack I enjoy spending time with you, and I am thankful that we met, but we can't let things get ahead of us. You're only here for a short time, and I need to protect myself."

"I won't hurt you."

"I know you won't intend to, and you certainly won't if I don't get too close, but I have to admit that what I don't know about you, I want to learn, and that scares me," she stated as she turned away from him.

Jack's finger under her chin turned her back to face him, "Why do I scare you?"

"Jack I know the women you usually date; I've seen pictures of some of them," she stated as she caught his glance, "I googled you. Don't look at me like that, everyone does it."

"I didn't Google you," he added.

"Of course not. I'm a regular girl, nothing special, and there's no reason to find me on internet," she stated as she opened the door and started for her front porch.

Jack walked with her up the steps, "Elizabeth, you are far from being nothing special. In fact, you are the most special woman I've ever met."

"Jack, you don't have to say that."

"Elizabeth, you said that you had fun today, right?"

"Even though I lost the bet I had a great time."

"Well, I have a great time whenever I'm with you. So, can't we enjoy our time together and if I'm called back up we'll decide what to do then?"

She caught the green with brown flecks in his hazel eyes, and his dimples were so deep she felt as though she could fall into them. She knew that this wouldn't last; that he would leave when the call came, and she worried that she'd be left to pick up the pieces.

However, part of her couldn't back away. Maybe it was the butterflies who returned to her after being gone for so long; maybe it was the pounding of her heart whenever she thought, spoke or heard his name, or maybe, just maybe he would be different and wouldn't forget her as if she meant nothing.

Jack moved closer, backing her up into the entryway. He saw the hesitation in her eyes before whispering, "I don't want to stop seeing you, Elizabeth. You are all I think about."

He released a harsh breath that came across much like a soft laugh, "Well, you and baseball, but mostly you. My God, Elizabeth, there has never been a time in my life that I can remember that I thought about a woman more than baseball."

He moved closer still; the mint scent of their breaths was in the air as their lips were eager to do their own silent talking.

"I'm sorry that I brought up leaving; I clearly wasn't thinking. But that's what happens when I'm around you…I don't think."

"Jack, living for right now is not something I'm used to doing, so all I can say is that I'll do my best to relax. Besides, what's going to happen will happen, right? It's just that not having control is a hard one for me."

"Elizabeth," he whispered before his lips met hers. His lips were soft, gentle and for the first time, his tongue pressed through the slight opening in her lips.

As he pressed her body against the entryway, she could feel his full weight upon her. His tongue swept through her mouth; it was eager, but carefully moved along the tender skin, eliciting soft moans as he felt her body relax into him.

"I'm so sorry that I ruined today."

"You didn't ruin it, Jack. It's just something that we have to realize is likely to happen. Besides, you may hate the sight of me by then anyway."

Jack was momentarily silent as his eyes caught hers, "I don't see that happening."

The team was leaving tomorrow for a four game road trip to Rhode Island, and they both knew that this break would give them each time to think.

"I'm going to call you while I'm gone," he assured her.

"And I'll see you at the park on Friday."

His lips met hers one final time. It was hot and more passionate than their previous kisses. Possibly his intent was to give her something to remember, as well as something to look forward to.

Elizabeth stepped inside and immediately headed for the back door to turn Lizzie out. While standing in the doorway, her doorbell rang. She closed the back door and returned to the front of the townhouse.

As she opened the door, Jack stepped back inside. No words were said, there were really none needed. His hands on her arms pulled her into him as his lips met hers. It was hot and demanding as his hand cradled the back of her head, urging her face closer to his.

"Don't forget me while I'm gone," he whispered.

"I don't see that happening," she whispered in reply as she watched him open the door and walk away.

If she thought that the kiss on the porch was something to remember him by, this one certainly was worth writing home about. Well, maybe it was best to keep it to herself, writing about it only in her journal as she did her best to keep the memory alive. Whether he meant to or not, he had left her with a feeling that she hadn't experienced in quite some time.

She walked to her bedroom and grabbed her journal. Hoping to seal this memory forever, she pulled her favorite writing pen from its case, poured a glass of wine and invited Lizzie back inside.

They both took a seat on the sofa as Elizabeth flipped to the next blank page. As she thought about the day, the fun she'd had, and how much she enjoyed spending time with Jack, she was suddenly brought back to reality and the fact that nothing lasts forever.

She clicked her pen and attempted to put her innermost thought s down on paper…

"Swept away; that easily happens at the beach as the waves crash over us. However, we don't plan for it in real life. But much like the waves, our emotions take us down, making us feel as though we are going to drown. We pick ourselves up, only to be brought to your knees again and again as life, and circumstances change. We learn from each experience, praying that with every time we stand, and every disappointment we encounter, that our hearts become stronger, as we push past the sadness and allow the happiness to find the light again.

Unfortunately I've learned that you can't depend too much on many people in this world, because sadly when you are thrown into darkness, even your shadow disappears. Personal happiness cannot and should not be dependent upon the actions of others. Although our mood is often enhanced by their presence, placing the responsibility of our own happiness into the hands of another is not only foolish, but unfair to all parties.

Finding joy in the simple pleasures allows us to accept the hand we're dealt; opening our hearts completely, expecting nothing, but experiencing everything. Individually, we must seek that which brings us the most joy, realizing that life is unpredictable and what we desire today may no longer be available to us tomorrow. So, we must enjoy it while it lasts, but never allow it to define us. For we are much more than what is visually seen; we grow as a result of our fears, our failures, our trials and our triumphs.

As we venture through life, we will experience emotions that thrill us, surprise us, frighten us and excite us beyond measure. However, along with those emotions will come change, some good, some bad, but always meant to move us forward. Expecting change without putting forth any effort is much like waiting on a snow storm in Hawaii. It's possible, but certainly not likely.

Therefore, we are tasked with finding within ourselves that feeling of inner peace, our comfort zone, that "happy to be me" satisfaction we feel when our reflection is seen in the mirror. Then, and only then will we be content with the hand we're given. We will then realize that much of life is not within our control, but if it is meant to be, it'll be."

She closed her eyes as her finger brushed across her lips thinking back to the kiss that she wouldn't likely soon forget.

Note: Michelle posted a review with a question, but maybe she was not signed in so I am unable to respond to her in a PM. So, I will answer her question here in case she reads this again.

She had asked about the halo and cloak comment, and my interpretation was that the reference meant good vs. bad. Jack knew that the "Good" Elizabeth would be likely to listen to her head, whereas the "Bad" (Cloak-Rebel) Elizabeth would be likely to do the opposite. Elizabeth's head would likely be telling her that he is too much of a risk, whereas the Rebel in Elizabeth would be willing to take the chance.

I hope you see this Michelle, and that it answers your question.

To be continued…