Trip to Hamilton (S2E1 missing scene)

This story was inspired by a scene in WCTH S2E1: Jack & Elizabeth arrive at the Thatcher home and make plans to meet in town a mere two hours later. They seem quite at ease to kiss goodbye! I found myself dwelling on Jack & Elizabeth's unseen trip from Coal Valley and Hamilton. This is my version of that "missing scene."

CHAPTER 1 - STAGECOACH

Elizabeth and Jack sat silently side by side, bobbing irregularly with each rut in the earthen road as the stagecoach travelled three hours to the train depot in Buxton. Elizabeth stared blankly at the passing landscape, and grew more and more anxious. Certainly, she feared for her mother; to be called home like this, she must be very ill indeed. But, Elizabeth was also apprehensive about her family's expectations if her mother's illness lingered or worsened, and worried over losing the sense of awe and accomplishment that filled her life in Coal Valley should she be unable to return. Jack sat watching Elizabeth: watching her stiff spine, her hands clutched into tight fists, the hard set of her lips. Never had he seen her so withdrawn. He wished to ease her emotional tumult but he wasn't sure how. They really hadn't known each other very long and had been courting such a short time.

"Ouch!"

The stagecoach pitched and Elizabeth was thrown, banging her head hard against the wooden door of the vehicle.

"That really hurt!" Elizabeth cried, holding her hand to her head.

"Come here, let me see." Jack said as he gently pulled her toward him. Elizabeth moved willingly, lowering her head for his perusal. "Didn't break the skin, but you might be sporting a bump for a day or two," Jack declared as he pressed a gentle kiss to the injury.

Elizabeth peered up at him under her lashes and saw such tenderness in his face. Their eyes held for just a moment before Elizabeth lowered her head to Jack's shoulder. She linked their hands and began toying with his distractedly. He knew she was still ill-at-ease, and simply leaned his head against hers in a gesture of compassion.

When Jack next opened his eyes, the sun had shifted across the sky and he was overly warm. He looked down to see Elizabeth curled into his side, her face nuzzled into the vee of his neck and shoulder, her right arm wrapped around his. He smiled appreciatively seeing her auburn hair curl riotously around her beautiful face with its peaches and cream complexion. Thinking how much he enjoyed holding her like this, he pressed his lips to her forehead.

Elizabeth's lashes fluttered a few times before she slowly roused awake. Sleepily, she started to sit up, then gasped as she realized she was nearly blanketing Jack. Her eyes flashed to his face which wore a grin of teasing affection.

"Oh! I – I'm sorry." Elizabeth breathed.

"Don't be." Jack grinned.

To hide her embarrassment at falling asleep atop Jack, Elizabeth hurriedly turned toward the window opening and asked "How far have we traveled?"

Leaning close, he joined her to look out at the sky. "Based on the sun, I'd say we have about an hour to go," Jack replied. "We're making good time; we should be able to make the train to Hamilton with plenty of time to spare."

"Oh, thank goodness. I didn't want too many delays." Elizabeth spoke, continuing to face the passing landscape.

Jack's eyes darted to Elizabeth's profile. Again, her eyes were worried, her mouth tight. With a small sad frown, Jack rubbed her back.

"Oh, Jack!" Elizabeth cried. Tears flooded her eyes as she turned and threw her arms around his neck. "I'm so scared."

Jack closed his arms around her back, cooing "Shhhh. I know. I know." He paused before continuing. "It's hard to learn that your parents aren't indestructible. Shhhh, now."

"Oh, Jack, if only it was just that." Elizabeth pulled away. She bowed her head, shaking it back and forth. Jack watched, confused, as she swallowed back her tears. "I'm so selfish."

"No! No, you're not," Jack jumped to her defense. Rubbing his hands up and down her arms, he questioned, "why would say such a thing?"

With her head still lowered, Elizabeth explained. "I want to see my mother, of course; I'm so worried about her health. But…but," she halted to find the words. "Why did this have to happen now" she sobbed. "I feel like my life is finally starting. I love Coal Valley and the challenges and wonders each day brings. This place, it-" She breathed deeply and the words began to rush out "It's changed me. I've learned so much about life and myself! I feel different here. But to leave now? To go back to Hamilton, now?" Her voice broke as tears filled her eyes. "I'm not ready! I'm not ready to break the spell and lose everything and everyone I've grown so fond of."

"Oh, Elizabeth." Jack sighed has he pulled Elizabeth in close. Lifting her chin with the tip of his finger until their eyes met, Jack vowed. "You won't lose me." His eyes fell to her lips then fluttered closed as he leaned down to meet her with a kiss.

Their lips met in a delicate caress. Her lips were full and soft and achingly sweet. As the tender kiss waned, Jack started to pull back, but Elizabeth wasn't ready to end it. With eyes still closed, she reach around his waist and gently pressed him closer. Emboldened, Jack encircled Elizabeth's waist and renewed the kiss. Pulling her close, his mouth moved slowly against hers, his fervor growing when he heard her faint mewling. Elizabeth could not stop the sound from escaping as her pulse raced and her body warmed. His lips, hot against hers, made her body yearn. She wasn't completely ignorant of what passed between men and women in the night, but she never imagined feeling a kiss all the way to her belly.

They broke apart, both breathing heavily and staring wordlessly into each other's eyes, before sharing a smile. Jack wrapped his arm around Elizabeth's shoulders and they sat back on the stagecoach seat, side by side, bobbing with each rut in the road the stagecoach hit as they finished the three-hour ride to Buxton.