The moment Lucas saw Elizabeth at the top of the stairs, his heart jolted, hammering so fast within his chest that it almost took his breath. What was she doing there? She was five hundred miles from home. And more importantly, what was she doing there with him?

As Calista pulled her date toward the dance floor, Lucas kept his eyes on the pair that had entered, mesmerized by Elizabeth's beauty and elegance as she descended into the ballroom like some mythical goddess descending from the sky. Her burgundy gown made of velvet with long matching gloves accentuated her frame. As he watched her, he recalled how smooth her skin was, the softness of her face…her lips – those warm, soft lips. But then he saw Charles extending his arm to her and watched her smile as she took it, and his thoughts shifted. Was she betraying him…again?

"Um…Romeo? Are we going to dance?" Calista asked, noting her date was not moving.

Bouchard turned his head toward her and blinked. "Excuse me?"

Calista smiled uncomfortably. "You were going to dance with me?"

Bouchard swallowed, nodding his head. His mouth was dry. He needed a drink. A distraction, but all he could focus on was Elizabeth. How could she do this?

"Hey? You, okay?" Calista asked, noting his disturbed look.

Lucas looked at her with an intense look and nodded. "I'm fine. Let's go."

About this time, Elizabeth and Charles were making their way across the room to find a business associate Charles was eager to see. Kensington had long resigned himself to the fact that he and the former Elizabeth Thatcher were fated only to be friends, so it was by happenstance that he was going to be in the capital on Thatcher company business at the same time she reached out to her father about the ball. To her credit, when Charles's name was offered up, Elizabeth hesitated, not wanting him to again get the wrong idea. But after the two discussed it, they were fine. They would go as friends.

"Oh! There he is," Charles said as they reached the midpoint of the ballroom. 'Hilston! Chadwick Hilston," he said, pressing past the crowd and meeting the man in the middle.

"Charlie Kensington, it's been a long time," Chadwick said. "Care to introduce me to your lady friend?

Charles smiled. "Elizabeth Thornton, an old childhood friend."

"Not too old," she laughed.

"Of course not," Charles chuckled.

"Pleased to meet you," Chadwick said. "Charlie and I go back a ways too. All the way back to college."

"Is that so?" Elizabeth replied.

The two men began engaging in a conversation that Elizabeth truly knew nothing about, but when Chadwick noted his wife was at home getting ready for a Canadian Thanksgiving celebration the following week, and Charles asked if they didn't have servants to perform that task, she had to roll her eyes. Poor Charles, he would never get it.

As the two men continued to converse, Elizabeth's eyes scanned the room for Lucas. The crowd was dense, so looking for him was like looking for the proverbial needle in a haystack. Stepping away from Charles for a moment, her eyes turned to the dance floor, where she thought she saw them, but before she could pursue it further, a familiar voice greeted her from behind.

"Elizabeth?"

Turning, Thornton smiled as her old friend, Henry Gowen, approached her with a broad smile.

"Henry! What a surprise!" She said, hugging him, then she stepped back. "My, don't you look handsome in your tuxedo."

Gowen blushed, then rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, I'll put on one of these monkey suits every now and then. What are you doing here?"

She looked toward the dance floor. "I've come to surprise Lucas," she said as her eyes again spotted them. He was holding Calista in his arms, dancing a basic waltz.

"Oh, he'll be surprised," Gowen chuckled. He moved beside her to see what she was looking at, then shook his head. "Don't worry about her. It's business. She's nothing."

Elizabeth nodded. "I see."

"Mr. Gowen, we need your assistance," a woman said, walking toward him. "The Premier's charity coordinator has forgotten some of the details for the governor's exchange."

Gowen turned toward her apologetically. "I'll be back." And she smiled, waving for him to go.

A minute later, a waiter with a tray passed by, and she quickly grabbed a glass of wine. Calista Bainbridge didn't look like nothing, she thought.

A jealousy that Thorton had kept at a simmer in the days since she'd seen Calista's photo in the paper suddenly became a roaring flame. The younger woman was holding on to him, her hands squeezing his biceps in ways Thorton did not like. Who did she think she was? Isn't she too young? But then, a taunting thought flowed through her. What if he likes her? What if their relationship is real? What if he's falling in love? Elizabeth clutched the fabric of her skirt and bit her lip as she strained to see them, then took a sip of her wine.

It was then she saw a flash of discomfort on Lucas's face, witnessing as he ran his finger along his collar as if he were too warm. He looked uncomfortable, in fact. Something wasn't right. If they were together, why did he look as if he look as if he didn't want to be there? Studying them closer, she knew for sure something was off. Even their steps seemed off. Should she try to rescue him?

"Ouch! You just stepped on my toe." Calista stated, regaining her footing on what should have been a simple move.

"I'm sorry," Lucas replied, slightly panting. "I believe you were trying to lead."

"Lead?" Calista made a face. "No, I was just following you," she said, looking closely at her partner. "Hey, Lucas? Are you sure you're okay? You look sick."

Bouchard began to answer but turned his head in time to see Charles leading Elizabeth to the dance floor. His respiration picked up. "I'm fine." He took her and spun her in their direction.

Elizabeth and Charles joined in with one another, their personal familiarity lending itself to the seamlessness of their moves, but Thornton's mind was on Bouchard. She turned her head to try to see him but stopped short when Charles put his hands on her waist, pulled her close to him and, in an animated fashion, dipped her. Elizabeth squealed. "Charles!" she laughed.

"Well, I had to capture your attention."

But Elizabeth's attention wasn't the only attention he caught. Within a flash, Calista found herself standing alone in the middle of the dance floor, her eyes on her date, who was storming across the floor. At first, she thought it was because he felt sick, but when he approached another man and physically pulled his hands off of the woman he was with, in a most aggressive manner, she knew something else was going on. She scurried to join them.

"I beg your pardon?" Kensington said, throwing his hands up.

"I said get your hands off her," Bouchard stated, his face red and contorted in anger, and his finger pointed at Charles' chest.

"Stop!" Elizabeth stated, shocked.

"Elizabeth, step away!" Bouchard said wildly.

Elizabeth looked confused. "What?"

"Who are you?" Charles asked.

"My name's Lucas Bouchard."

"Lucas? Your Lucas?" Charles asked Elizabeth.

Elizabeth nodded, walking forward and touching Lucas's arm. "Lucas. Look at me. What are you doing?"

"What are you doing," he snapped, swaying slightly. His expression was almost mad, his eyes glazed over and dark. She took a step back. Something was definitely wrong. Turning, she looked for Henry. Meanwhile, Lucas returned his gaze to Kensington.

"Now, I want you to get away from her. Just get out of here and leave this room before you regret it!" he said loudly, slurring his words. Thankfully, the music was loud enough to drown him out.

"Are you drunk?"

A worried Calista motioned to Charles, shaking her head no, as Elizabeth finally got Gowen's attention. Then Kensington began to become concerned. "Maybe you should sit down."

"Don't tell me what to do," Lucas responded, the image in his head pulsing in and out, disorienting him further.

Henry rushed over to see what was the matter.

"He's acting strangely," Elizabeth explained.

Lucas felt the room spinning, and it seemed he'd entered a tunnel. Rapidly, his senses were failing him. Nothing made sense. He tried to focus with his heart pounding so hard that he could hardly hear and his knees feeling weak, it was all he could do but stand. He had to hold on. He had to save Elizabeth.

"Lucas, you need to come sit down," Henry stated, reaching for him. But Bouchard continued his confrontation.

"Not until he leaves," he stated, staggering forward.

"Now listen," Kensington stated as Lucas stumbled toward him, putting his hand on Charles's shoulder. The look in Lucas's eyes alerted Kensington that Bouchard was about to pass out, and he reached out to stop him.

"Get your hands…your hand…" The words died on Lucas's lips as he pitched forward into Kensington's arms.

Elizabeth gasped, and a small crowd of people started to gather, but Henry shooed them away.

Charles lowered him to the ground and loosened Lucas's collar. "He needs a doctor."

"I saw Dr. Wexell around here somewhere," Gowen replied. He's the official doctor for the legislative body. Lucas has seen him before."

"Good," Charles replied. "Find him, and get him here quick." Meanwhile, Kensington attempted to rouse him by gently slapping his face.

Briefly, Bouchard's eyes opened. They seemed confused. But as they wildly scanned the room, they found their focus on her.

"Elizabeth," he gasped, barely lifting his head when he saw her. He stretched out an insistent hand.

"I'm here," she said, kneeling down beside him.

"I'm…I'm s_." He closed his eyes and was out.

Forty minutes later, Dr. Sebastian Wexell exited the bedroom of the luxury suite where the governor had been taken. Lucas's friends were in the seating area waiting for news on his condition. Wexell had everyone's full attention when he appeared.

"Doctor?" Elizabeth said, concerned.

"He's resting comfortably," the doctor assured. "The governor's blood pressure was dangerously high, as was his heart rate. This caused a certain delirium to set in. I've been warning Lucas for weeks that he needed to slow down, but sadly, he wouldn't listen to me."

"But he's going to be alright, right?" she asked.

"That's up to him. If he heeds my advice and gets some rest, then yes, he should see a full recovery. But if he persists in this maddening pace he's been indulging in the past several months, then he's going to damage his health – perhaps irreparably. It was close this time, and he's still not out of the woods."

"What can we do?" Henry asked.

"In cases of neurasthenia, which is my diagnosis, the best thing he can do is rest. At this stage, I'd say at a minimum for a week, though I may revise that upward when I examine him further. Lieutenant Governor Danvers can temporarily fulfill his duties."

"Lucas isn't going to like that," Henry stated.

Calista stepped forward. "Let's not give him a choice. The Highway Bill isn't the only legislation he is concerned about. It isn't worth anything without some of the smaller proposals that will make it profitable. One word to my uncle…"

Charles raised his eyebrows, surprised at her legislative knowledge. "So, you'll blackmail the governor into submission?"

Calista smiled coyly. "How do you think I got my date?" She then glanced at Elizabeth and winked. Thornton immediately understood the situation.

"Very well, then. We have a plan," the Doctor stated. "Henry, I need for you to go tell the press that the governor was dehydrated and is resting. We can give them the full truth later, but this will allow us to move him from here back to his room in the mansion without interruption. I need him under observation throughout the night."

"I can stay," Elizabeth volunteered.

"Are you sure? People might talk." Charles replied.

"Let them."

"I'll go too," Gowen said. "You know, in case he needs to get up for something during the night."

"That's a good idea," Wexell said, reaching for his jacket. "I will stop by tomorrow to see how our patient is doing. Until that time, remember, I want him to rest. Nothing stressful. Keep him away from government business."

Henry nodded. "I'll see you out. I'm sure the press is waiting."

As the two men left the room, Charles walked over to Elizabeth and put his hands on her arms. "I'm sure he'll be alright," he said. "But see to it that you are as well. I still care."

Elizabeth smiled softly. "Thank you for taking me, Charles. Have a safe trip home." He leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Turning, he stopped in front of Calista. "Might you need a ride home as well, seeing your date is incapacitated?"

A gleam of excitement sparkled in her eye. "Why yes, I do."

"May I?" he asked.

"Yes, you may," she said, taking his arm.

After the others had gone, Elizabeth quietly made her way into the bedroom where Bouchard was lying, his eyes closed. She teared up at seeing him in such a state. It reminded her of the time when he was shot. He always seemed so strong, but beautiful things are often the most fragile, she thought– regardless of how they appear.

Stepping forward, she silently touched his hand.

A moment later, a thumb brushed the inside of her palm.

"I'm sorry for ruining your evening," he whispered, keeping his eyes closed. "You and… Charles…"

She reached up and touched his face. "Are just friends. I needed to see you, and he was the means to that end. Nothing more."

Lucas was quiet for a moment. "I assume you read the newspapers – about Calista and I?"

"I did," she said quietly.

Slowly, he opened his eyes. "It was a business deal. That's all."

"I know that now," she responded. "But even if it wasn't, it wasn't my business, and I'm afraid that my presence exacerbated things."

"No. It's not your fault," he said. "It's me…It's all me."

Elizabeth sensed he was drifting into melancholy. "No, it's not, but let's talk about this later. Dr. Wexell says you should rest."

"Dr. Wexell says a lot of things that I ignore," he responded.

"And you see where that got you," she responded back.

A sardonic chuckle escaped him. "Touche." He closed his eyes again and was quiet for some time to where she thought he'd fallen asleep until his whisper again broke the silence. "Why did you come?" He again opened heavy eyes.

She paused briefly, nodding once. "I needed to see you."

"Why?"

Biting her lip, she looked away and then breathed her confession. "I suppose I was jealous. I saw her picture, and I felt I needed to stop it."

"To stop me from dating someone else?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"So…you said you didn't want me, but you don't want me with anyone else?"

"Lucas…I never said I didn't want you."

"Yes, you did," he responded. "When you left me at the train depot, your actions, your words…" he paused, his voice growing shaky. He closed his eyes, and tears formed within his lashes. "They validated my worst fears about myself. That I'm nothing, unworthy of love," he said, a single tear rolling down his cheek. "I just wanted to belong…somewhere…to someone…what's wrong with me?"

"Lucas, stop talking. You need to rest."

"They didn't love me."

Elizabeth paused, furrowing her brow. "Who?"

"Everyone. Everywhere I've lived…my parents… various acquaintances along the way…I tried to be worthy. I thought if I was good…perhaps I was cursed…But I'd hoped…my soulmate…I hoped. Just not enough…"

Tears rolled down Elizabeth's cheeks at his agony. He was speaking out of his head and was clearly disoriented, but she knew much of it was from the heart. She stroked his hair, and his features relaxed, telling her he had fallen asleep once more. Closing her own eyes, she felt an overwhelming heartbreak for the man that lay before her, the man she loved - who, despite his oft' strong appearance, had come to her broken.

And what had she done? She'd nearly destroyed him through her thoughtless and selfish actions. She hadn't meant to, but she did. Oh, if she could have taken it back – if only…if only. He deserved everything. She deserved nothing. What a wretched person she'd become. But that wasn't who she was – or at least it wasn't who she wanted to be. She prayed for wisdom on what to do.

When morning came, Lucas's first thoughts were toward the aroma of cinnamon filling his room. Elizabeth's cinnamon rolls, he thought blissfully, and then he opened his eyes.

A tray was set up beside him, and Thorton was standing there making his tea in preparation for him to wake up.

"Elizabeth!" he said, surprised. "What in the world?"

He tried to sit up but felt so weak he could barely manage. Thornton quickly moved toward him, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him up while grabbing a pillow from the other side of the bed to support his back. She turned with their faces just inches apart, and their eyes locked. Every fiber of her being wanted to kiss him, but she refrained.

Settling him against the pillow, she stepped back and brushed down the apron she wore with her skirt. Looking down, he could see she was blushing. "I commandeered your kitchen, which Marcel was none too happy about until I shared my secrets with him…he said you'd been asking for them?"

Lucas nodded. "No other rolls compare."

She smiled appreciatively. "Well, I can't take credit. I learned it from Abigail, just a little mashed potatoes in the dough…"

"Mashed potatoes?"

"Yes, and a generous splash of whipping cream poured on top before they bake," she said, setting the tray before him. "It helps to make them gooey." She turned to get his tea.

"Brilliant," he said, reaching out to pinch part of the roll off for himself. His hand was gently smacked.

"Wait…" she said.

Bouchard complied, and yet he found himself salivating over the pastry…or was it the baker? He couldn't be sure.

Elizabeth picked up a cloth napkin, tucked it into the neck of the union suit he'd been sleeping in, and then picked up a fork to cut the confection for him.

"You need to have the full experience," she said, spearing the cake and then lifting the fork to his mouth.

"Oh, now I'm a baby?" He looked at her with amusement.

"Just eat," she replied, happy he was feeling better.

Lucas took a bite and then grabbed her wrist, looking at her with a devilish glint. "I really prefer the middle," he said, licking his lips seductively.

She wasn't sure what he meant by that, but she knew by his tone he was being ornery. Her mouth dropped open, and its sides curved up.

"The doctor says you must rest," she said, spearing another piece and then picking up his hand to give him the fork. She stepped away and gathered her things.

"I'm going to call home and see how Jack is doing this morning. Finish eating. Dr. Wexell said he'd stop by around eleven," she said, turning toward the door.

Lucas suddenly became serious. "Elizabeth."

"Yes," she said, turning toward him.

He paused. "Let's try not to involve Jack in all of this while we're still trying to figure things out. I don't want him to be hurt if things don't…"

Elizabeth considered, then nodded. "I understand."

After his examination of Lucas at eleven o'clock, Dr. Wexell called Henry and Elizabeth into the Governor's office, leaving his patient resting upstairs. They both were anxious to see how things had gone.

"His mind is clearer, though he did tell me he doesn't remember the moments leading up to his collapse. I suppose that's just as well," Wexell said.

"But he's recovering?" Elizabeth asked, concerned.

"The tachycardia has abated, but Governor Bouchard's blood pressure is still dangerously high. Unfortunately, I see this a lot in patients with chronic over-working. Until we can bring that back to a safer range, my recommendation is no work."

"And he agreed to this?" Henry asked, knowing of his own stubbornness in his battle with hypertension.

"He wasn't happy," the doctor replied. "But, given that he has trouble with the most basic of tasks, such as walking to the bathroom, which he says makes him feel lightheaded, he knows it's not something he can fight. He has agreed to sign over duties to the Lieutenant Governor on a temporary basis. He'll need for you to draft the letter for him to sign, Henry."

"Alright. Then what?"

"I'd like to see him leave Capitol City for a while. Go home, to Hope Valley, away from the stress and expectations."

Elizabeth lowered and raised her eyebrows. "There's stress in Hope Valley, too," she said, secretly worried that right now, she might be one of his highest stressors.

"But there's also love," Wexell replied. "Henry has been a good friend and assistant, but aside from him, the governor is largely isolated – and with all of these politicians pulling at him…it's better that he be away from that and with people who truly care about him."

"For how long?" Henry asked.

Wexell picked up his medical bag and walked toward the door. "I'm transferring his care to Dr. Carter for now. She will determine when he's ready to come back. But, with the holidays coming, I'm going to suggest that he stay away until the new term begins – the beginning of February. Lieutenant Governor Danvers can fill in for him until that time. He understands the governor's priorities and can carry out what needs to be done.

The rail trip home commenced a full day before the press was informed that there had been a transfer in power. This arrangement was to allow Lucas to have as quiet and as stress-free of a trip as possible. Staying in a private cabin, he slept soundly for the first half of the trip as Elizabeth watched from the couch that was next to the bed. Few knew they were traveling together and the few that did know would say nothing about their accommodations, a second small private cabin being purchased in her name just in case.

Around the time they reached Oke Gap, Bouchard had awakened and needed to eat. He stood up against her wishes, then sat beside her – not against her wishes. They conversed a little, and soon, he was back to bed. It was uncomfortable, and yet understandable, as Elizabeth knew Lucas had a lot on his mind. She decided to give him space.

They arrived in Hope Valley at nine o'clock in the evening, and the Queen of Hearts Taxi driver took them straight to Bouchard's door. Lucas invited her in out of the cold while he started a fire in the fireplace and the driver brought in his things, then left. She'd call Lee to pick her up when she was ready.

"Are you thirsty?" she asked when he sat down on the couch, his eyes closing as fatigue began again to overtake him from the little amount of activity he'd done from the train station to his residence.

Lucas shook his head no. "Why don't I have any stamina?"

Elizabeth sighed, walking over toward him but standing next to the couch. He opened his eyes and then motioned with his head for her to take a seat next to him.

"You've been through a lot – much because of me." She waited to hear him protest her words as he normally would have, but the protest didn't come. Finally, he looked at her, his eyes sincere and sad.

"I can't go back, you know," he said softly. "Not to the way things were."

Elizabeth's heart sank, but she willed herself to be strong. "They weren't so bad. We were happy."

"But we were lying," he replied. "You lied to me about being ready to move forward, and when you pulled away, I lied to myself about something being wrong. I was…I was always afraid of what your answer would be if I asked, and so…I avoided it."

Elizabeth nodded. "I agree. We need to communicate."

"I wish that were the only problem," he said. "But it's not, and I'm not sure what to do."

"Maybe…we can decide together?" she said.

Lucas looked at her, love and again sadness in his eyes. He touched her neck, caressing her face with his thumb as he had done so many times before. "I love you," he said earnestly. "With all of my heart, which I never got back when you left me." He then lowered his arm. "But the truth is, you terrify me."

"Lucas…" Elizabeth said, her heart again breaking at the pain in his voice.

"Elizabeth. I don't believe you realize the power that you have over me. With one smile, one laugh, you can send me soaring and make me feel I could conquer Everest with a single leap."

She smiled at his reference, knowing that climbing the Mountain was an unfinished goal.

"_ Or you can destroy me. I know that seems overly dramatic, and perhaps that's part of the problem. What you think affects me…affects how I look at myself and what I think of the world in general. It's as if I need your approval or something – to earn your love."

"You have it."

"But if I don't feel it… Elizabeth, I have tried to come off as strong, confident, and assured – because I felt that's what you needed me to be. In truth, I'm anything but."

"It wasn't your confidence I fell in love with."

He paused, then smirked. "Really? Was it my dashing good looks?"

Elizabeth laughed, then pursed her lips. "I will say, I have no complaints in that area either – but no, it wasn't your looks or confidence or even your strength. It was you. I saw you, and you're the same man now as you were then. There's no need to hide."

Lucas smiled a wistful smile. "I'm not sure I know any other way. It's how I was taught. My parents never indulged my hurt feelings and encouraged me to deal with them privately."

"Oh…" she said empathetically. "Then that needs to be unlearned."

"How?" he asked.

Elizabeth squeezed his hand. "Lucas. You can always be honest with me. You never have to fear revealing to me how you feel. I want to know."

"Even if you scare me? And even if the scars of what happened are still so fresh that I'm not sure they can be healed? Even if we fail?"

Elizabeth looked down toward the floor. These were not words she wanted to hear but she knew they were a risk, albeit one she was prepared to overcome. "Even if…yes."

Bouchard shook his head, his chest tightening with emotion. "Then, if you're after the truth, I feel I'm in a bit of a bind here. I can't go back to the way we've been. That road is fraught with too much danger and …for my own survival…I simply can't…I wouldn't survive a repeat performance.

And yet…I can't go forward either. The idea of traveling that road with anyone - anyone else but you -just leaves me empty.

I'd say that I'd rather be alone – but that, too, is a lie. Loneliness is a companion that I'd rather do without." he sighed. "So, I'm stuck. I don't know which way to go. Up…down…left…right…I feel so lost."

Elizabeth leaned into his side, and he put his arm around her, the warmth of their physical presence bringing comfort to them both. It just felt right, even though, at that time, so much was uncertain.

She considered her words carefully.

"Perhaps…we could take a different road?" she suggested.

"A different road?"

Elizabeth's small hand traced a vein on the inside of his finger, and naturally he turned his hand over and took her fingers in his as she continued. "Maybe…when you've recovered… you can return to Capitol City, and Jack and I will go with you."

Lucas's lips parted, and he lowered his brows. "Elizabeth, I couldn't ask you to do that."

"You're not asking. I'm offering."

"But Hope Valley is your home," he replied. "Are you certain?"

Elizabeth sat up with an expression of love on her face and shook her head. "My home is with you, be it in a row house, or a governor's mansion…or a purple castle on a hill with a beautiful view – my home is where my heart is, and my heart is with you."

"But you'd have to give up your teaching position. Jack would have to give up his friends."

"For now," she responded. "And, I can always find a place to teach in Capitol City, and Jack can always find new friends.

I guess what I'm saying is this is your decision. I was wrong, and I hurt you terribly, so if you never wanted to speak to me again or you decided that it just wasn't worth it, I could not blame you. But, if your heart can find forgiveness – maybe we can start from where we are and move forward together?"

Bouchard's throat tightened as he looked at this woman he loved with so much emotion. "I think I would like that," he replied, pulling her toward him, then kissing her forehead as a single tear escaped down his cheek. "But we'll have to take things slowly."

"I understand," she said, pulling back and looking up at him. Her fingertips wiped away his tears. "I love you, Lucas. With all of my being. And I'll wait for you as long as it takes."

Lucas smiled softly, then slowly he lowered his lips to hers, joining her in a kiss.