If Jack Lived

Jack's Return

Author's Notes: I truly enjoy this show, and I trust the writers know what they're doing when it comes to Jack's death in the Hallmark show, but I just wanted the write the happy ending for all those Hearties out there that longed to see Jack and Elizabeth's happily ever after. So here goes nothing. Enjoy!

SCENE SETUP:

The story starts on Carson's birthday as Elizabeth leaves the Saloon to retrieve her present for him from her row house. Abigail is still with her.

"What did you get Carson for his birthday?" Abigail asked.

"You'll have to wait and see. Carson could be listening." Elizabeth replied.

"Oh, alright." Abigail replied.

Before Abigail could say much more, the sound of two horses pulling a wagon echoed through the streets of Hope Valley. Elizabeth and Abigail's attention was immediately drawn to the horses and wagon.

"Who would be driving through town this time of night?" Abigail asked.

Elizabeth looked closely and realized the person leading the horses was none other than a Mountie.

Elizabeth picked the edges of her dress up and walked closer to the Mountie with Abigail in trail.

The Mountie brought the horses to a halt and jumped down from the chair on the wagon.

"I'm looking for Elizabeth Thornton." the Mountie announced.

Elizabeth mentally prepared herself for bad news. She wasn't ready for bad news. She took a deep breath, then spoke, "I'm Elizabeth Thornton."

"Mrs. Thornton, I don't know how else to word this." the Mountie hesitated.

"No... please tell me he's ok." Elizabeth pleaded.

"Oh, no ma'am, he's hanging in there he's actually ---"

The Mountie was interrupted.

"E Liz a beeth...." Jack groans from inside the wagon.

Elizabeth hears Jack's voice and runs over to him.

"JACK!!!" Elizabeth called before turning to the Mountie, "What happened to him?"

"While leading a group of men through the forest on a stormy night, he noticed a tree was about to collapse on top of two young but unaware mounties. He screamed at them and pulled them out of the way. However, the huge tree fell on his arm and crushed his left leg. His leg is broken in two places and was tightly and securely wrapped. He also broke his right arm on impact. In time he will be ok, but until then, he should be in bed. He is expected to have a full recovery." the mountie explained.

"Abigail, can you ask a few of the men to help Jack out of the wagon?" Elizabeth asked.

"Of course."

Abigail disappears back into the saloon to gather a few men who can help with Jack.

Abigail walks up to Bill, Carson, and Lee who are talking to each other.

"Can you three men help me outside? Jack is back, but he's injured. We must not make a scene of it until Jack has recovered." Abigail asked.

Bill, Carson, and Lee walk outside behind Abigail and over to Jack who laid in the back of the wagon.

"Shouldn't we have the mountie transport him home to the row house? I don't think we can carry him across town." Lee suggested.

"There's nowhere for him to lie down without utilizing stairs." Elizabeth answered.