A few days later, Elizabeth walks into the Mountie office and finds the chair behind Nathan's desk empty. Yet his hat and his serge are hung on a chair.

"Nathan?" she calls, thinking he might be in the other room. Although she finds the idea of him walking in unaware of her presence and partly dressed again tempting.

"I'm here," Nathan's voice says, coming from the cells. She moves a few steps forward and spots him kneeling in front of a cell door, a few tools lying around him.

The moment he sees Elizabeth, Nathan gets to his feet to greet her. "Sorry." He grabs a cloth to wipe his hands. "It's not used very often, but I still have to maintain it."

He drops the cloth and pulls her into his arms. She wraps her arms around his neck and he pushes her gently until her back meets the wall. He then captures her lips, his hands tightening slightly on her waist. Elizabeth blushes as they deepen the kiss, thankful that the office is empty.

When Nathan pulls away, he rubs the back of his head and clears his throat. This attraction between the two of them is definitely something. "To what do I owe this lovely visit?" he asks, trying not to stare too hard at those lips he just wants to feel against his again.

Elizabeth is suddenly glad the wall is here to help her stay on her feet so she can focus on speaking. "Well, I was on my way to the mercantile to see if Ned had received the last supplies I ordered for my students... And I thought I could use a devoted Constable to help me carry everything to the school."

"Oh, I see," Nathan smirks, leaning against the wall with one hand. "Is this some kind of excuse because you don't want to admit you needed to see me?"

"No." She shakes her head, pursing her lips in this way Nathan always finds adorable. "I don't know where you got that idea."

He breaks into an amused smile. "Fine. After all, I guess I can help a teacher in distress. Do you mind if I finish this before we go? I'm almost done."

"Of course, there's no hurry. Do you need any help?"

"Well, since you ask... I was just thinking that this screwdriver has seen better days," he says, kneeling back down and getting back to his task. "I think I have another one in my desk, maybe you can bring it to me."

"A screwdriver," Elizabeth echoes absentmindedly, her eyes focused on Nathan's arms. The arms that are distractingly exposed by his rolled-up sleeves. The arms that were around her just a moment ago.

She comes to her senses when Nathan gives her a quizzical look, seeing she hasn't moved.

"Sure, a screwdriver." She finally leaves the wall and heads for the desk.

"Look in the right drawer," Nathan suggests then stops, realizing what he has just said.

Unaware of the look on Nathan's face, Elizabeth opens the drawer and pauses. On top of some supplies, there's the birthday card her son made for Nathan. She takes it in her hands, smiling at the sweet sight of the drawing. Nathan, Allie, Jack and her holding hands together, Scout, Sergeant and Newton by their side.

Elizabeth meets Nathan's gaze, who is now standing next to her. "You've kept it here."

He smiles softly. "How could I not? It was the sweetest birthday present." Little does she know what effect this gift has had on his heart.

Two pictures fall from the card. Elizabeth bends down to pick them up from the floor, at the same time as Nathan. Their fingers meet on a picture of them, taken by Carson at Clara and Jesse's wedding years ago.

Elizabeth's lips part and she stares at Nathan, who blushes slightly.

"Um, I- I like to have my favorite people near me when I work," he explains, rubbing the back of his head.

Hearing footsteps in the room, they both stand up abruptly. A Mountie has just entered the office.

As Nathan welcomes the newcomer, Elizabeth takes the opportunity to take a look at the second picture. Her little boy is standing on a chair between Allie and Nathan at the first Hope Valley Community Dinner. Until now, she had no idea this photo had been taken.

Love overflows her heart. Once again, she wonders if it's possible for her love for this man to grow even more. Once again, she is surprised by the feelings that answer her question.

She puts the card and the pictures back in the drawer and turns to the two Mounties.

"Elizabeth, this is Gabriel Kinslow," Nathan introduces.

Gabriel takes off his hat. "Ma'am, it's a pleasure to meet you. I served under Jack Thornton in the Northern territories."

"It's nice to meet you too, Constable," Elizabeth smiles politely.

"Do you have a moment to talk?"

"Sure, is it okay if Nathan stays?"

"Of course. But only people you trust can know what I'm about to show you."

"That sounds serious," Nathan observes. "You didn't say much on the phone."

"I'm afraid it is. I didn't get it right away when I first heard about the inquiry. Then I heard that someone from Hope Valley was asking questions about Jack Thornton. And I knew I had to come. Especially after Nate told me what was going on." Gabriel takes an envelope out of his red serge. "I've got something for you."

"What's this?" Nathan asks as he and Elizabeth stare at the already opened envelope.

"It's from Jack," Gabriel explains, putting it on the desk. "You recall the time I stopped by Fort Clay to say hello? I ran into Jack and, well... we didn't just talk about old times."

"What do you mean?"

"He looked rather preoccupied. He gave me this envelope and asked me to look after it, telling me not to tell anyone. He made me promise to keep it sealed until the time came. He said I'd know but hoped I'd never have to. And now I assume the time has come."

"What's in it?" Elizabeth inquires.

"A letter and some documents. I haven't yet taken the time to examine all of them fully. I thought you should be involved, Mrs. Thornton. Or at least be part of the decision. That's what Jack would have wanted." Before she can ask what decision he's talking about, Gabriel takes the papers out of the envelope. "From what I've seen, these documents contain information about RCMP cases, but also about some Mounties. There are mission orders and mission reports, telegrams, letters, pictures, lists... He really seems to have collected a lot of information."

Nathan frowns. "You mean he did his own investigation?"

"It seems so, yes. In his letter, he asked me to find his wife and not to do anything without her consent. He said to be careful, and to use the documents only if absolutely necessary. He told me to put my safety and the safety of his wife first. This means that whatever's in these papers is not only important, it can also be dangerous." Gabriel sighs. "I believe in the Mounties—I've given them my life. But I'm not a naive idealist. As much as it hurts to realize it, I know some of us are corrupt. And judging by Jack's words, they could be quite powerful and influential."

"Wow. Thanks for all this Gabe." Nathan puts both hands on the desk and looks at the documents. "I totally agree with you. And I think it's our duty to get to the bottom of this."

Elizabeth sits down. Her eyes scan the papers without reading them. She takes the letter in her hands, recognizing the all too familiar handwriting. One by one, she reads the words written by her late husband. She pauses and puts a hand on her mouth.

"Oh my goodness!" she gasps.