Outlander

Bear Your Pain

Beautiful Alice

Summary: Claire is out picking herbs for her medicine kit, when out of nowhere an enormous black bear approaches her. Story Complete. Very first Outlander fanfic.

Claire frowned as the flowers brushed against her hand. She wasn't sure if she should pick some dandelions or not. She had plenty at the moment, as dandelions were one of the few flowers that thrived where she and Jamie were currently located-which was Lallybroach. However, she knew that Jenny didn't have a lot of them, and that there wouldn't be many chances to go flower/herb picking later in the future, as they would be traveling a great deal. So, giving a sigh, she began to trim the dandelions, enjoying the familiar smell as she did so.

And that was when she heard the crunch of a stick behind her.

Thinking that it was someone she was familiar with, she turned around to greet them and the greeting died on her lips as she froze realizing exactly who was behind her.

Or rather, what.

An enormous black grizzly bear stood there, snuffling the ground in the hopes of finding something good to eat. The thing must be easily thirteen feet tall, she noted as she was frozen in terror where she was at. She could also see that the grizzly was, in fact, a male while it stood tall and roared at the sky, and then dropped back down to all fours, and began to trot towards her.

What on Earth was she supposed to do?

Shaking, she clutched her medicine kit in her hands. Jenny would have to forgo the dandelions, a part of her brain mused during this time, and she hissed at it to shut up while she considered fleeing or climbing a tree.

But bears climb trees!

She took a careful step backwards, not turning her back on the bear while doing so, and was surprised to hear a squeak and then a muffled curse.

"Don't turn around," It was Ian's voice, low and anxious as Claire started to turn her head. "Remain still, and don't panic." He advised softly, and Claire nodded slowly. She was suddenly grateful that Jenny had married, and that Ian was a big fellow, despite his conditions.

A few terrifying moments of silence passed, as the bear seemed to be contemplating what to do. Finally, after several moments of pure agony in thinking that the bear would sense an easy meal and come straight for them, the bear huffed out a loud breath, and turned around and began trotting back the way he had come.

Ten minutes later and the bear was completely gone from sight, and Claire collapsed onto the ground.

"Thank god," Ian breathed out a split second later. "I hadn't brought anything but my knife, and I always carry that. Lass, you were right in not fleeing and panicking. That bear would've easily mauled you."

"I didn't think that bears came out this far into civilization," Claire said quietly, her hands still trembling from the close encounter.

"Bears sense people and generally stay away, however we've got a farm also, and we're near the woods." Ian agreed, wiping sweat off his brow. "When I told Jenny that I would fetch you for lunch, I didn't think I'd be offering to save you from a bear as well."

"At least Jamie wouldn't have to bear our pain," Claire said with a sly look on her face. Ian looked startled for a moment before he roared in laughter.

He was still laughing even as they reached the kitchen and Jenny was demanding what on God's green earth was so damn funny?

End.

Author's Notes: Light swearing, for anyone who doesn't like the Lord's name being taken in vain. Also, this story takes place during the first book, Outlander/Cross Stitch, and it's during the time that Jamie and Claire are spending time with Jamie's sister, Jenny. I'd love to know what you think, but reviews aren't necessary for this story. Thank you for reading,

Beautiful Alice.