Lucas wrapped his arm around Grace's shoulders as they started to walk, pulling her closer to his side like he wanted to protect her from the outside world.

Mei Suo and Minnie came running toward them, completely breathless.

"Grace, are you alright?", Mei Suo quickly checked the young woman's head and hands for any injuries from that car almost hitting her. After a few seconds she breathed out in relief "Oh, thank God!"

"I'm still taking her to see Faith. Just to be sure", Lucas said looking down at Grace, swiping her long hair away from her shoulder and letting it fall onto her back.

Grace shook her head, looking down.

"No. I'm fine. I just need to lay down", she whispered.

Lucas gently squeezed her shoulders.

"Then Faith will come to see you", he looked up, cringing at the thought of taking her to the saloon.

This wasn't home. If they were in Capitol City he could take her to the mansion or to Lillian's and her place.

It really was the time to go home.

At that moment, Minnie spoke up.

"Lucas, why don't you take her to the cafe? There is a room upstairs. You can enter at the back doors. I will send Cooper to close the curtain to the cafe area", she said warmly.

Lucas looked gratefully at Minnie.

"Thank you, Minnie. That is a good idea", he turned to look at Mei Suo "Could you please get Faith to come to see her?"

Mei Suo nodded.

"Of course. I won't be long", she said, gently touching Grace's upper arm.

Lucas sadly smiled.

"Thank you, Mei Suo", he said softly and as the pharmacist nodded and headed toward the infirmary, Lucas looked back down at Grace "Come on, sweetheart."

Minnie looked around and noticed a group of children standing close to the cafe talking silently, Cooper among them.

"Cooper!", she called.

A boy came running toward them, his face serious.

"Cooper, go close the curtain at the cafe and then go get Judge Avery. Tell him I need his help in the kitchen and that it's urgent", she said silently and a boy nodded before he ran off.

Minnie gently put her hand in the crook of Grace's arm.

"Come on, Grace. Let's get you out of here", she said, shooting a look at the people who were standing aside and watched everything.

Minnie opened the doors and went in first, checking did Cooper close the curtain.

Nodding, she looked back at Lucas.

"Come in", she closed the doors behind them and said "Take her upstairs. I'll be right with you, just need to tell Anna to keep an eye on things until Bill comes."

Throughout all this ordeal Grace was silent, despondent, looking down at the ground. Lucas could feel his heart breaking at the sight of his love looking so lost.

He helped her to walk toward the stairs, but it was like she was working on an automatic pilot, not really knowing that she was moving.

As they reached the stairs Lucas knew that she couldn't walk upstairs now. Nor would he push her to do that.

And so, Lucas gently picked Grace up in his arms.

"Hold onto me", he whispered as he started to climb upstairs with Grace hiding her face in his chest, her hands holding onto his neck, her tears coming again.

Lucas gently kissed her hair as he reached upstairs and slowly placed her on the bed, covering her shivering body with a blanket.

Grace closed her eyes, crying silently. She couldn't stop.

Lucas reached out, brushing her hair away from her face. His other palm was in her hand as she held onto him like a drowning man held on the straw.

At the next moment, she sat up and sought his embrace. Lucas readily gave it, sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapping his arms around Grace and running his fingers down the soft waves of her long hair as she cried in his chest.

"We are going home, sweetheart", he whispered "We will be on the first train heading to Capitol City. You will see Lillian again. And the kids", he gently kissed her hair, her soft whimpers breaking his heart "Don't cry, my angel. Don't cry."

He rocked her softly in his embrace, feeling how her crying slowly calmed down. He kept on caressing her hair, his fingers getting lost in the soft brown curls.

After a few moments, Lucas felt Grace's breathing slowing down, becoming deeper as her body relaxed against his chest.

He looked down at her.

She was fast asleep.

A wave of love washed over him and he kissed her hair one more time before gently laying her back on the bed and covering her with a blanket.

Lucas got up from the bed, his fingers running over his face.

He heard steps and turning around, he saw Minnie coming up.

Minnie looked at Grace.

"Is she asleep?", she asked silently.

Lucas nodded, walking toward her.

"She didn't sleep at all last night. And that clash she just had with Elizabet…", Lucas shook his head, covering his eyes with his palm "I should never left her alone. I should have known that Elizabeth will try and have a go at her."

Minnie gently pulled his hand away from his face.

"Lucas, don't do that to yourself. You think that you being there would stop Elizabeth?", Minnie shook her head "I don't think so."

Lucas nodded.

"I know", he looked at his friend "Thank you, Minnie", looking over at his love fast asleep, he ran his fingers through his hair "I'll go to pack our things. Please, can you send somebody to get me in case she wakes up?", at Minnie's nod Lucas smiled weakly and silently thanked her before going downstairs.

Reaching the end of the stairs in the kitchen he nearly bumped into Faith.

"Lucas", the doctor gasped.

Lucas stepped down.

"Sorry, Faith. Grace just fell asleep", he said silently.

Faith nodded.

"That's alright. I will check her later. Did you see her get hit anywhere? Did she complain about any pain?", asked Faith.

Lucas shook his head.

"No. I'm pretty sure that I pulled her out of harm's way on time and she didn't say that anything hurt. I just want to be sure", he said silently.

Faith nodded.

"Of course. Just send Cooper to get me once she is awake", said Faith.

Lucas nodded.

"I will. Thank you, Faith", and with those words he left the cafe and headed toward the saloon.

Lucas worked fast, packing his things and giving a key to Grace's room to Sally, asking her to pack hers.

Once the suitcases were ready, Lucas put them down at the reception. As he signed the check out papers he looked at Mike.

"Can you, please, check when is the next train due for Capitol City, Mike?"

Hickham nodded as he pulled out a train schedule and looked at it.

"Tonight at 23.00", he looked up at Lucas "Do you want me to get you the tickets?"

Lucas nodded.

"Yes, two tickets. Thank you. I will come back for the suitcases later", Lucas turned around to look at Sally "I'm sorry, we have to go. You stay and leave tomorrow evening, like you planned."

Sally nodded.

"As soon as I get the newspapers for the press clipping we'll be on our way", she placed her palm on Lucas' forearm "Take care, Lucas. I'll see you in Capitol City."

Lucas smiled weakly at his PR manager.

"I'll see you, Sally. Thank you", he said as he turned away and left the saloon.

Stepping out on the porch, he rubbed his forehead feeling the headache setting in.

Lucas closed his eyes for a second, trying to chase the dull pain away.

"Mr. Bouchard?", a silent voice was heard.

Lucas opened his eyes and turned around to see a young girl standing in front of him, her face troubled, her fingers nervously pressing against each other.

"Allie", he softly said, trying to calm down.

Allie stepped closer and looked up at him.

"Is Miss Grace alright?", she whispered, her voice etched with concern.

Lucas weakly smiled at young girl.

"She'll be fine", he said in his calm voice, not wanting to upset Allie "We are going back home tonight."

Allie's eyes grew sad and she chewed on her lip before starting to talk.

"I am sorry, Mr. Bouchard. So sorry for everything. I didn't know that Mrs. Thornton left you. That's not what she told us", she looked down, her eyes filling with tears "Jack is always asking about you and she never wants to talk to him about you. She just says that she is busy and that he shouldn't be a nuisance", she slightly sniffed "I try to be there when Jack is sad. My Dad tried to tell her that she should talk to Jack and explain everything to him, but she got so mad and they fought and she just left to Mrs. Coulter's place. Then when it was known that you will have a press conference here, she called Miss Julie and told her to come to get Jack", looking back up at Lucas, Allie whispered "You were right yesterday. She never asks how I am feeling when I hear her and Dad fighting. She is always mad because of something. Please, tell Miss Grace

that it's not her fault that they fought. It's always like that", tears in her eyes became too heavy and a few of them rolled down Allie's cheeks.

Lucas felt his heart break for Allie. She went through enough already, losing her Mum and her Dad abandoning her. She didn't need Elizabeth's selfishness and possessive jealousy to keep on ruining her young life.

Lucas gently brushed the tears away from Allie's cheeks with his fingers.

"Allie, listen to me. None of this is your fault. You are taking care of Jack and for that I am very grateful to you", said Lucas, his throat tightening.

Allie pressed her lips tightly together.

"It's not fair, Mr. Bouchard, that she doesn't allow you to see him. Jack misses you so much. He fell asleep in tears so many times, and I held him. I wish you could find a way to see him", whispered Allie "And I am sorry. So sorry for everybody believing in her lies."

Lucas smiled sadly at Allie and the next moment he was surprised as a young girl hugged him.

Something in Lucas broke and he hugged Allie back, holding her in a bear hug.

"Thank you, Allie", he whispered. As she pulled away, he gave her a sad, small smile and silently asked "Can I trust in you to take care of Jack for me?"

Allie nodded, her lips curling up a bit.

"I can teach him that card trick you taught me", she said, a sad smile on her lips.

Lucas let out a silent chuckle.

"Just make sure that Mrs. Thornton doesn't find out", he quipped and Allie went in for another hug.

At that moment, Lucas noticed Mei Suo coming toward him from the direction of the cafe.

Mei Suo's eyebrows slightly creased in worry as she saw Allie's tearful face.

"Allie?", she quickly came toward them and rubbed the young girl's back "Allie, what's the matter?"

Lucas pulled away from Allie and looked down at her.

"Why don't you go with Miss Mei Suo?", at Allie's nod, Lucas looked up at Mei Suo "Is she awake?"

Mei Suo nodded as she pulled Allie into her arms.

"She is. Faith is with her now", replied Mei Suo.

Lucas nodded.

"Thank you", and with those words he turned away and ran toward the cafe.