Having been unable to sleep, Lucas had gone out before the sun was up and walked around Hope Valley. Capital City was exciting, and he would admit to enjoying spending time there, but this small little valley was his home and that feeling would never change. He found himself walking around the property he'd purchased to build Elizabeth her purple castle on. Sadly, he looked around, remembering the excitement he'd felt making plans for their future. Looking back, he admitted surprising her with it was probably not the best idea, but the thought of making her happy consumed most of his thoughts and decisions. Thankfully, the hurt and sadness he'd felt, when she broke things off that night, was starting to dissipate, but there were still times when a memory would come back to him and bring up all those old feelings.

All he had wanted was for Elizabeth to be happy, to see the sparkle in her eyes and hear her beautiful laugh. He also knew he wanted to have her in his life, no matter what that meant. So on the long train ride to Capital City, following their talk that night at the train station, he decided that no matter what, they would still be friends. Sure, seeing the looks between her and the Constable had been hard, and he couldn't deny the jealousy that would overcome him at times, but it was mostly jealousy over what they shared. Lucas was lonely. Sure, he had a lot of close friends, most were like family to him, but he missed having that one special person in his life, especially now with everything that was going on. Many times he'd lie awake at night, staring at the ceiling, wishing for someone to stand beside him, even when he wasn't being the Governor. Someone he could trust his deepest fears to. Sighing, turned around and headed back to town.

He soon found himself sitting in the booth towards the back of the saloon, reading a newspaper, when he heard Rosemary call his name. Looking up, he watched as she began to walk towards him, and froze when he saw the person who was with her. As far as looks go, she certainly wasn't as beautiful as Jeanette or Elizabeth, but she was hands down the most beautiful person he had ever seen.

"Lucas, this is a good friend of mine, Jessica Harrison. May we sit?" Rosemary asked, gesturing to Jessie, and then pointing to the bench across the table from him.

Lucas sat there, unable to speak, but knowing Rosemary had said something and that he needed to respond, he invited them to sit down. Once the ladies had sat, Lucas felt a hard kick to his shin. Thankfully, it was enough to break the spell he was under and brought him back to his senses.

"Yes, hello ma'am. Lucas Bouchard." he introduced himself and then cleared his throat. "Where did Rosemary say you were from?"

"She didn't, but I'm from Capital City, Governor, and it's very nice to meet you." Jessie said, extending her hand. The moment their hands met, Jessie felt a spark of electricity race up her arm and go straight to her heart. Taken aback by this, she quickly pulled her hand away and placed it back on her lap.

Lucas had felt the spark as well, and couldn't deny the emptiness he felt when she pulled her hand away. It was like losing something very special, and he had to fight with himself to not reach back out for her hand. "Get a grip on yourself, man." he muttered.

"What was that, Lucas?" Rosemary asked. She had been watching the exchange and wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Jessie wasn't the type of woman Lucas had ever been interested in, but he was sure acting like a love struck little boy.

Finally able to get himself under control, or so he thought, he smiled saying "Nothing, at all. So, Rosemary, what can I do for you?"

"So, what do you think, Lucas?" Rosemary asked once she and Jessie had finished talking.

If Lucas was honest with himself, he really had no idea what they had been saying. A few words snuck in every once in a while. But really he had spent the entire time trying to figure out why the woman sitting across from him, whom he'd never seen before in his life, was having such an effect on him.

"I am not sure, Rosemary, I'll have to think about it." he said, getting up and leaving the ladies at the table.

"Well, that was not the reaction I expected from him." Rosemary exclaimed getting up from the booth as well, "Jessie stay right here, I'll be back."

She watched as Lucas went into his office and shut the door. Trying to figure out what just happened, she huffed and marched after him. Closing the door behind her, she exclaimed, "Lucas, what's going on?."

"Rosemary, I really am very busy right now, can you come back later?" Lucas asked, pleading with his eyes as well.

"Very well, but I really think you should take this opportunity, Lucas, it might be just what you need to turn things around." she told him before heading out the door.

His head started spinning, remembering the feelings that came over him when he was with Ms. Harrison. Lucas put his head in his hands, "Get a grip, man. Not only are you an adult, but you are the Governor." he told himself, looking around his desk for something official that needed his attention, something to occupy his mind for a bit. Settling on the growth report from Union City, he rubbed his forehead and began reading. He made it through the first sentence when Rosemary's parting words came back to him. "What opportunity would turn things around?" he asked out loud. Standing up to go find Rosemary, he saw the door open and in walked Henry and Bill. "Gentlemen, what can I do for you?"

"Was that hurricane Rosemary I saw storming out of here?" Henry asked.

Seeing Lucas nod and sensing something was bothering the man, Bill asked, "What did you do?"

"I really don't want to talk about it"

"Did you turn them down?" Bill asked

"Turn them down for what?" Henry asked, looking between the two men.

"That woman with Rosemary, Jessica Harrison, wants to interview Lucas, here, for a story from his point of view. I looked into her, Bouchard, and she seems to be the real deal. I was even able to confirm her story." Bill told them.

"Bill, what on earth are you talking about? I only spoke with Rosemary and a friend of hers." Lucas said, trying to keep his temper in check. One thing he did not like was being in a situation where he didn't know what was going on to some degree.

Having guessed what happened, Bill smiled and said, "Let's sit down."

Once all three were seated, he continued, "So who's the lady that has you all flustered, Bouchard?"

Watching the annoyance cross his face, followed by denial, Bill chuckled and continued. "Rosemary's friend, Jessica Harrison, or Jessie as she likes to be called, is a reporter from the Capital City Gazette, she is leaving the paper and for her final piece, she wants to tell your side of the story."

"My side of what story?" Lucas asked, still confused.

Waiving the newspaper he'd brought with him around a bit, Henry said, "This story, you know, the one about Jeanette, and Casimir Shaw, the resort and everything in between."

Bill was enjoying this game, but sensed it was time to back off a tiny bit. "Didn't you spend the last 10 minutes talking with Rosemary and Jessica?"

"Well, yes, but I didn't really hear much of what they said." Lucas confessed, quietly

Henry snorted, finally catching on to what Bill had discovered. "A little distracted were you ?" he asked.

Lucas felt the heat rising to his face and turned towards the window, even though there really wasn't anything to see. "Can we say the long night is finally catching up to me instead?"

"Lucas," Bill said, his tone serious enough to make him turn away from the window. "All teasing aside. Let Jessie explain to you how she wants to help, and think about it. For what it's worth, I think you should do it." Standing up, Bill headed out the door.

Henry sat watching Lucas for a moment, remembering the time he'd actually seen Abigail as a woman and friend, and not just another miner's widow. Knowing the struggle and confusion going on in the other man's head brought out a protective side of him. "I'm a good listener if you want to talk, otherwise, I suggest you take a walk and maybe find someone else to talk to. Clear your head, and then we can start this whole conversation over." He waited a moment, then stood up and left the room as well.

Lucas had been walking through the hazelnut trees, amazed at how well they were doing now that Henry was taking care of them. He then wandered towards the school and was surprised to see someone sitting on the steps. As he got closer he hesitated a little bit, it was Elizabeth, and he didn't know if now was the right time to see and talk to her. The plan to escape without her seeing him failed as soon as she looked up and saw him. He had always loved her smile, and the sparkle in her eyes that would come when she was truly happy.

"Lucas," she called out, "It's so good to see you."

Steeling himself, he pasted on a smile and made his way to the steps and sat down.

"Good morning, Elizabeth," he said.

"Good morning," she replied, "What brings you out here today?"

"Just trying to clear my head again."

"Care to talk about it?"

"You are probably not the one I should talk to." Lucas told her, sitting down beside her on the steps.

"Please Lucas, let me be your friend and help, if I can?"

Lucas turned towards Elizabeth and found himself opening up to her about everything. He told her about Jeanette and how he'd been struggling to wrap his head around all that had happened with her, how he was trying to remain positive and look forward, but the calls for his resignation really bothered him. "I didn't realize how much I wanted this job, until I faced the reality of losing it." he said. He went on to explain how he'd been trying to find a way to get his side of the story printed, in hopes people would understand what really happened between his time in New Orleans and becoming the Governor.

He then found himself talking about what had just happened in the saloon with Rosemary and Jessica.

"Elizabeth, for the life of me, I don't know what happened. Rosemary introduced us, I reached out to shake her hand, and this spark went up my arm, straight into my heart, then it was like time stood still, and these images started racing through my mind. Images of the future, and she was in every single one. Next thing I know, Rosemary is asking a question, but I had no idea what she was talking about. So I fumbled around and left."

Taking a deep breath, he realized how much better he did feel after sayng it out loud, and then realized who he was talking to. Putting his head in his hands, he moaned. "Oh Elizabeth, I am so sorry, you are the last person I want to tell this to, and I am probably the last person you wanted to hear it from. I don't know what's going on with me. Ever since that night in the saloon, I've been all over the place. Speaking of that night, are you okay? Have you recovered? I should have asked sooner, I know, and I am sorry. Please forgive me."

Putting a hand on his arm, Elizabeth smiled and said, "Lucas, it's alright, I promise. I'm doing just fine, a few cuts and bruises but moving forward seems like the best medicine at the moment." She smiled to herself thinking about everything that had happened with Nathan.

"We are friends, dear friends. I care about you a lot, Lucas, and nothing would make me happier than to see you happy. But it's not going to happen until you figure out what's going on in your mind and, more importantly, your heart. While I would love to help you with this, I get the feeling that you might prefer to speak with someone else. May I suggest Henry? He has a lot of life experience, and seems to also care for you very much. Or anyone else you feel comfortable around. If I've learned anything from this past week, it's that keeping things inside doesn't do anyone any good, but talking things out seems to be the cure."

"Thanks Elizabeth" he said standing up, "I'll take that under advisement."

He reached for her hand and brought it to his lips to kiss. "You are a dear friend to me too, Elizabeth" and headed back to town.

Lucas had made it back to the saloon, and after asking Mike for a coffee and some breakfast, he went back to his office. He was still annoyed at himself for opening up to Elizabeth like that, but he was grateful that someone took an interest in how he was doing. He'd find a way to make up for the awkwardness later. Hearing the door open, she smiled as Henry walked in. As usual, he had a newspaper but kept it to himself as he sat down.

"What can I do for you, Henry?" he asked.

"Well, I've been a bit worried after this morning and wanted to check on you. You okay?"

Lucas chuckled to himself. Even when he was with Elizabeth, he never entirely felt like someone was firmly on his side, but lately he found himself trusting Henry more and more. And not just with political things, he'd also confided in him about his past with Jeanette, and what brought him to Hope Valley.

"You know Henry, all this other stuff aside, I don't know that I've thanked you for staying the course with me. I know things went way off track for a while, but you never left, and I hope you know how much I appreciate it."

"I'm just happy I can be of some help, and that you didn't throw me out on my ear for standing up to you." Henry said with a grin.

"While I can't promise, I won't threaten to toss you out, I will never follow through with the threat." Lucas told him with a grin of his own.

"Do you have a few minutes to talk and maybe impart some wisdom, Henry. Not just Governor stuff, but personal as well ?"

"Shoot." Henry told him, "Although I am not sure what kind of wisdom I can impart to you, my friend."

"Have you ever… Well, what I mean to say is what does… How do you know…. ?" He could feel the heat burning through his cheeks. Never in his life had Lucas been unable to express himself, "You know what, never mind. It's okay."

"Lucas, if I've learned anything in this life, it's to not ignore what the universe puts in front of you. We both know I am not a very religious person, but there have been moments in my life that make it really hard to deny He is real. I had a dark cloud hanging over me for a very long time, a very long time. But I also had moments where it seemed I couldn't fall any lower, and then I'd be offered rope to help me get out of the mess I was in. One of those times was a certain Woman, who no longer lives here, but you have met her. Abigail Stanton. We didn't have the best relationship for a very long time, but she always managed to see some good in me, and would remind me that she believed in me. One day had been particularly bad, I was to blame of course, but Abigail brought over some muffins and gave me a hug. The minute she embraced me, I saw it, the future I could have with this woman, and let me tell you, I wanted it. I chose to ignore it and other signs that came along, telling me she was the path I should choose and well, we both know how that turned out for me."

"You deserve to be happy, Lucas, and being happy is really hard to do on your own. If the universe is giving you a rope, and the rope seems like a possible way out of a bad situation, take it. Who knows when, or even if, it will come around again."

Henry stood up, and placed the newspaper he'd been holding on the desk before heading towards the door.

"Henry?" Lucas called out, "Do you believe people can find their great love?"

"I do, Lucas." He said, "When the stars align, things can turn out pretty magical."

"Thanks Henry."

"Your welcome, son." and with that, Henry headed out the door.

Looking down at the newspaper on his desk, Lucas began to read.

"Rosemary, can I talk to you for a moment?" Henry asked, entering the office of the Valley Voice.

"Of course, Henry, please have a seat" Rosemary told him, pointing to the empty chair in front of her desk.

"Now, what can I do for you?" Rosemary asked.

"Well, that's actually what I wanted to ask you. How do we get Lucas to see reason and agree to this story Ms. Harrison intends to write?"

Rosemary couldn't help the shocked look that appeared on her face, how on earth did he know about this, she wondered to herself.

Henry smiled and told her, "I might have gray hair now, but I still can get to the truth fairly quickly. Now, let me see if I have this straight. You and this Ms. Harrison spoke with Lucas this morning, and seeing how she is a reporter, it's a logical conclusion that she's here to do a story on Lucas. You seem to be pushing it pretty hard, which leads me to believe it's in Lucas's best interest, and Lucas managed to make a fool of himself when you introduced him to Ms. Harrison. Did I get it?"

"You did, Henry, I am very impressed. I might wrangle you in for my next exclusive, who dun it story." Rosemary laughed. "I just don't understand what happened with Lucas, I thought for sure he'd be on board with this."

"Well, I think he will be, once he actually hears what you're proposing. You see, sometimes distractions come along and the more we fight it, the more trouble we find ourselves in."

"Henry, what are you saying exactly?"

"Maybe go back through the chain of events, and see if there might be a reason someone would be distracted after meeting a pretty woman." With that, Henry stood up and once left the person in the room deep in thought.

After finishing the newspaper article, and his breakfast, Lucas returned the plate to the kitchen and refilled his coffee mug. Normally he wasn't a coffee drinker, but today he found it helpful. Walking back to his office, he found himself crashing into someone and feeling the burning sensation of coffee splashing back on his hands. He looked up and found himself face to face with her again, only this time, instead of just shaking her hand, he had dumped his coffee all over her blouse.