I will only tell this story from Irja's POV. Just as she is not a mind reader, so too her narration will not be able to detect what other character's thoughts or motives are-she will have to guess as much as the rest of us. I welcome critiques, requests, prompts, and the like. Again, just getting some stress out as I play with this so I'm ambling about and having fun. Hope you enjoy as well. Cheers!

I woke first and was glad for it. It seemed the time travel just worked with years but not time of day as when I opened my eyes and sat up, it was as much night now as it had been then. The only reason why I knew it worked, or at least hoped it had worked, was because as I pulled myself to a crouch I spied the lights of Inverness. To solidify my assumption overhead I heard the distant rumble of a passenger jet. I never thought I'd find the sound comforting but after the hell I'd just gone through, I did.

A moan had me looking back at my wayward companion. My pack lay on the other side of his sprawled body. I briefly contemplated disarming him of his sword and dirk but figured him waking up with my manhandling would only worsen the coming chaos. I instead knelt beside him and took to shaking his shoulder. When that didn't work right away, I took not just a little pleasure in slapping his cheek—the same side I'd punched earlier.

"Jamie," he moaned again and I saw his eyes start to open, "it worked."

His eyes shot open then and he sat up so quickly that if I hadn't good reflexes, we surely would've collided heads. The poor man looked around himself as if his wife would be there waiting. When he saw nothing but my pack and the stones, his frowning face turned back towards mine.

"Where is Claire?"

I sighed, "I mean it worked and we are in MY time." I pointed towards Inverness and waited until Jaime turned and saw the lights from the city. "That is Inverness." I watched as first confusion then shock played across Jamie's face. Taking pity on him I added, "It is lit with electricity, an invention from the 19th century. If you listen carefully," yes there was another jet passing over and the echoing sound could be heard, "you'll hear the sound of the engines of an airplane that's passing over 30,000 feet above us." Jamie's expression was hard to read but I thought I saw a note of panic start to creep into the edges of his eyes. "An airplane is a flying machine; in case you didn't know."

"Is Claire here?" his voice was softer, almost childlike when he spoke again, and that was after some moments of silence passing between us.

I shrugged, "I don't know. I don't know if Claire was from the 21st century or some other time, or if she was from your time and just passed through the stones." That seemed unlikely because why else would she have been at the stones and struggling towards them in the first place unless she knew of their power. Jamie continued to be eerily still and silent and I figured shock was starting to set in. "Jamie," I reached out and lightly touched his shoulder, withdrawing my hand quickly when he flinched, "I think you should try to go back to your time."

"What do you mean?" he blinked away the dazed look he'd been sporting just moments before.

"I mean there's no guarantee Claire is here. If you touch the stone again," I pointed to the stone that was mere feet away from us, "you should be able to go back to your own time. There's nothing for you here." Jamie looked ready to argue but I continued. "I promise I'll look for her. Just give me her full name and I'll do some research to see what I can find. If she's from this time I'll track her down and see if I can get her back to you. If she's from another time," I shrugged, "then you'll just have to accept that she's gone for good."

Jamie looked back towards Inverness and then up at the light-polluted sky above. He hesitated but a moment longer before he heaved a heavy sigh and nodded. "You have no reason to give me aid," his eyes held a new tint of sorrow and I felt for him as I knew the pain of losing a spouse, "but I thank you for it, Sassenach."

"Irja," I corrected with a smile, "and it's true you've been a bit of an ass to me but given the circumstances I understand, and all is forgiven." I stood up and held out a hand to him. He eyed it for but a moment before he accepted and came to his feet. "What is your wife's full name?"

"Claire Beauchamp Fraser," he passed a hand over his face before he gave another deep sigh, "I am James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser."

I shook a hand in front of me, "Not a fan of short names, your parents, eh?" He didn't seem as amused as I felt and so I sobered quickly. "Well," I nodded towards the stones, "take care of yourself James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser." I shook my head, "No wonder you go by Jamie."

"Yes," he offered me a cockeyed smile despite the situation, "take care of yourself as well Irja," he hesitated and I offered my surname, "Jarvinen."

Without further ceremony, he turned and placed his hands on the stone. Nothing happened. He looked at me over my shoulder in confusion but I could only shrug. The thing didn't come with a remote or instruction manual. I did notice then that I didn't feel the same energy that had been there before we traveled. In fact, I felt nothing other than hungry and damn tired.

"Um," I didn't want to touch the stone again, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to see if it required two 'passengers' to work, "let's see if this helps." I stepped up beside him and placed my hands against the cold stone. Nothing. "Well, shit."

"How did you travel through the first time?" Jamie stepped away from the stone and circled around it.

I shook my head, "The same way we did just a bit ago. I came close, felt a strange energy coming from the stone and ground, then touched it. Did you feel the energy before we touched it?" He nodded his head as he came back into view. "Damn. Short of trying to recreate the exact emotions we were feeling at the time we touched it before, which weren't even close to what I'd been feeling when I traveled alone, I'm stumped. Maybe it operates at certain times of the day or only a certain number of times per day." As I rambled, I remembered the conversation I'd had with the Mrs. Baird and Graham only a few days before coming to the stones. If anyone knew how they operated, it would be one of them. I looked over to Jamie and sighed, "Look, I know it isn't ideal, but I think we should go into Inverness."

"I willnae leave here until-"

I interrupted, "It is stupid o'clock right now. I'm tired and hungry, and I'm certain you are too." Jamie continued to frown and even crossed his arms over his chest. I rolled my eyes and pointed towards the city. "In Inverness, we can have shelter, food, and I know of a few people we could covertly ask about the stones to try and figure out how to get you back to your time." I quickly added, "Not to forget you can be with me as I research your wife."

I knew that by taking him into Inverness, exposing him to the internet and other 21st century amenities, I was breaking nearly every single time travel code science fiction had ever taught me, but it couldn't be helped. He was human and I cared more about that than historical purity. I wasn't about to leave him here unless certain he could indeed travel back to his time. And the poor souls of the next tourists who came across him the next day if he couldn't get back before they showed up. No, he'd have to come with me.

"I dinae have any coin," he began to say as a new excuse for staying.

I waved it away as I bent and picked up my pack, "If you did all my financial woes would be over. An 18th-century coin could fetch a pretty penny these days. But don't worry, I got you covered." He raised his eyebrows at my choice of words, so I added, "I mean consider my help repayment for your not killing me back in your time."

He had the decency to look a bit sheepish before he fell into step beside me as I started down the hill. It was easy enough finding the road and heading back towards the city. It was less easy flagging down a car that was willing to pick up a bedraggled looking mongrel like me and a man who, by 21st century standards, was dressed like a reenactor. I didn't think much about walking alongside the road until after three cars passed by I noticed Jamie was no longer beside me. I turned and saw that he was still standing in the same spot he'd been in when the first car came by. Not only that but he was kicking at the pavement of the road. I sighed. This was going to suck major balls carting him around until who knew when we could get him situated back in the 18th century.

"James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser," I spoke his many names as I came back to stand beside him. He looked up at me with the same dazed and near panicked look he'd had for only a few moments back on the hill. "What am I going to do with you?"

"What was that?" He pointed in the direction the car had sped. "And what sort of material is this?" He stomped again at the pavement.

"Car, a 21st-century motorized carriage," I pointed over my shoulder then tapped the pavement, "and pavement. It is made from tar and is bloody hot when the sun bakes it all afternoon." He still didn't move so I tugged at his arm to get him moving again. "Ask as many questions as you like but for both our sakes, wait until we are alone before you do so. All we need is for someone to try to commit you."

"Commit me?"

I was spared from further explanation by the approach of a lorry. I quickly put out my arm and waved. Jamie didn't look thrilled with my actions and, in fact, looked ready to snatch me off the road. Thankfully the truck slowed and Jamie kept his hands to himself. The driver popped his head out and for a beat just stared at us.

"Not quite what I'd expect to see at this hour of night out 'ere." His accent denoted a Lowlander.

I laughed, "Yeah. I was hiking up near Craigh Na Dun when I took a nasty fall. If it weren't for James here," I looked to Jamie and gave another smile, "out there practicing for an upcoming festival reenactment I'd probably still be up there cursing my luck."

"American?" I nodded and he clicked his tongue against his teeth. "Your lot likes to get into scrapes around here, doncha?" He chuckled at his own inside joke before nodding towards the empty flatbed of his truck. "I can take you as far as Inverness if you like."

"Very much would like," I pushed Jamie towards the back of the truck, "much obliged."

It took some fancy footwork to get Jamie into the truck, his kilt got in the way and even without that nuisance, he had been hesitant to get in in the first place. Only after we were situated, with Jamie sitting far closer to me that he needed to, I banged on the side of the truck. While I wasn't surprised by the jerking takeoff, Jamie just about launched himself out the backside. I grabbed hold of his arm and jerked him back down beside me. I laughed but then sobered a bit when I saw just how petrified he looked.

"The speed limit here is over 50 kilometers per hour, James my dear. You wouldn't look near so handsome after that fall if you took a tumble." I patted his knee as he drew his legs closer to his body and took to staring at the passing scenery with a bewitched look upon his face. "We are perfectly safe here." I didn't bother to tell him that that safety was only so long as our friendly lorry driver didn't wreck.

Jamie looked downright ill by the time the truck came to a stop just outside Inverness. He was wobbly as we got down and though he seemed fascinated by the light the came from the lamppost, he seemed more interested in steadying himself against it when he first came to it. I offered the driver some money, but he waved it off then disappeared back onto the dark road after another quip about Americans. I dug through my pack until I found my phone, keeping an eye on Jamie while I powered it up and pulled up the maps app.

"This is a cellphone. It is a device that helps me do research like in a library, communicate with people over great distances, and it even serves as a map and a clock." I spoke to him as I typed in the address of the hostel I'd stayed at before. He didn't say anything in return, seemingly content with being overwhelmed for the moment. "This way," I held the phone in front of me and came up alongside him, "this route," I pointed to the blue line on my screen, "will lead us to the place we'll stay tonight."

Jamie nodded but kept tense and silent. His eyes stared at the phone screen as we walked then traveled up and around at all the lit storefronts, passing cars, and the dozen or so passersby we happened upon in our venture. As strange and threatening as his time had been for me, I knew that my time was so much more of a sensory overload to him. The ill and stricken look on his face didn't leave him even after we came into the comfortable lobby of the hostel. Although I told him to stay by the door for the fresh air, he stuck to my side like glue all the way to the front desk.

"Good evening," I smiled at the college-aged girl playing on her cellphone, "do you have any beds available?" I glanced over at Jamie, took in his tension, then added. "Preferably a private room."

"One room with one bed on the fourth floor." She spoke without looking up.

I pulled out my wallet, "I'll take it. Is card acceptable?"

I was amazed that the girl not only barely looked at us through the entire transaction but that she also didn't seem to bat an eyelash at Jamie's rugged and highly authentic look. Perhaps she was used to such things. I grabbed Jamie's arm and tugged him beside me as we made our way to the stairs. I was thankful for the late hour. We passed only one person on the stairs and they too seemed too involved in their own technological world to much care for us as we passed by. When we came to the end of the hall and opened the correct door, I found myself mentally laughing at what we saw. The room was small, barely big enough to fit the bed, a chair, and a nightstand. The bed could fit two people if they didn't mind touching. I waited until Jamie stood awkwardly by the bed before I shut the door and dropped my pack. He looked around the room, his eyes lingering on the digital alarm clock on the nightstand as well as the overhead light, but still said nothing. Definitely shock.

"Right," I stepped forward and tugged at his arm until he could see I indicated the chair for him to sit in, "I think food and a bath are in order." Jamie was sternly silent. "Will you be alright if I leave you here-" I ended my own sentence prematurely at the look Jamie gave me. "Okay, so then this is what will have to happen. The bathroom is down the hall," he gave no indication to know what I meant by that so I added, "it is where we relieve ourselves and also take baths." He nodded, the first direct response in communication I'd had from him since the road. Progress. "I'm going to take a quick shower and change. You stay here and when I come back, we can go find some food." I eyed his weapons. "You'll have to leave your weapons here though. People don't need to carry such protection these days and if I'm not mistaken it might actually be against the law to carry around a blade that big."

Jamie didn't say anything but after a moment he stood and unbuckled his sword belt. More progress. I quickly opened my pack and gathered my toiletries. I handed Jamie, and opened for him, a honey-based energy pack to hold him over until I was done, then rushed down the hall to make quick work of a much-needed shower. I would've taken longer, relishing the feel of the warm water on my sore muscles, but I didn't trust Jamie to be alone for too long without finding some sort of trouble.

"Good," when I came back and found him sitting on the edge of the bed holding the alarm clock, "glad you didn't wander off." He gave me a look that had me chuckling despite the situation. "True, you're not likely to are you?" I set down my toiletry bag and pointed to the alarm clock. "That is an alarm clock. It operates digitally." I came closer and pointed to the numbers. "There is a small computer inside that connects remotely with a satellite that orbits in space that keeps track of time and date and-" I stopped talking as his glazed look increased. "Food. We need food, not more small talk."

I hated taking him back out into the city while he was still so lost and shaken but he left me little choice. I led him out into the streets and again used my phone, though this time I let him hold it and lead us, to find the closest stores that were still open. He got us turned around but him having the phone and being charge, in a fashion, seemed to help him battle against the shock. Despite the late hour we found a shop where we got some staples for sandwiches, some drinks, and I even managed to find a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeved undershirt that he could change into.

By the time we came back to our room, I felt like I'd aged ten years just keeping a careful eye on Jamie. How much worse he must've felt. After I showed him how to operate the shower, and the toilet, I left him with his change of clothes and made us some food. I didn't bother to wait for him before I ate my share and drank down my well-earned beer. I would've preferred something stronger but under the circumstances, I figured a light beer would help the aches and pains and aid in sleep. I had gotten Jamie a small Fireball whiskey as well as a beer, figuring the same would hold true for him as well.

I must've fallen asleep in the chair waiting for him as the next thing I knew I felt a hand on my shoulder. I blinked up at Jamie, confused for just a moment before I smiled and stretched the kinks out of my muscles.

"Sorry about that," I pointed to the nightstand, "your feast awaits you, sir."

He managed a small smile before sitting on the edge of the bed. The man filled out the sweatpants and shirt nicely, much to my dismay, and so I kept my eyes as averted from down south as was humanly possible.

"Did you enjoy the shower?" Jamie nodded in between chews. His face scrunched up and he eyed the sandwich before looking over to me in question. "I know it isn't the best but peanut butter and jelly sandwiches got me through elementary school." Jamie ate the rest of his food in silence. I opened the whiskey and handed it to him soon after he brushed away the crumbs. He sniffed it and frowned. "It's cinnamon whiskey. And this is a beer." I twisted open the bottle and set it on the nightstand beside him. "It'll help you sleep."

"I-" Jamie shook his head before downing the whiskey. His face held a contemplative look before he set the small bottle aside and took up the beer. He sipped it cautiously first then took a long swig soon after. He leaned against the wall and faced me. After another deep sip he spoke, "I dinae ken if I will ever be able to repay you for all this."

"I would like to think that if the roles were reversed and I the 18th century person in distress that you'd do the same for me," he smiled softly before sipping some more at his beer, "and your thanks should wait until we figure out how to get you back to your time." He sighed and nodded. "And figure out about your wife" Jamie nodded then turned his eyes to the bed before studying the wooden floor. I smirked, "I don't mind sharing the bed with you, Jamie. I know you're a married man and I promise I won't take advantage of your vulnerable state." I crossed my fingers over my heart, "Your virtue is safe with me."

Jamie snorted and I felt a flutter of tension ease from my stomach. His showing of emotion was a good sign; it meant that the shock was wearing off. "I would think you to be more worried about me," he gave me a long study before he added, "but then again you have already proven yourself to be a capable fighter."

I laughed, "And you didn't even catch me at my best." He gave another, this time weaker, smile and finished off his beer. As I fought a yawn, I saw him do the same. "Bedtime?" He raised his eyebrows at my question so I motioned for him to scoot over, which he hesitatingly did before I turned down the covers and crawled in. I waited until he haltingly did the same on his side of the bed before I switched off the light. A knife could've cut through the tension I felt rolling off him in the few moments that followed in the darkness. Though I knew there was a risk in the asking, I figured getting him to talk about something familiar would help. "Tell me more about your wife," I rolled onto my side facing him, more so to give him more space than to give him more attention, "it'll help me research her more readily."

It took a few moments, but soon enough Jamie filled me in on their complicated history. The more he spoke of the woman, Claire, the more I felt confirmed in my assumption that she was from a modern era. She sounded far too modern in her reactions, as he described them, as well as to her sudden appearance in the cottage and her knowledge of healing. Though their marriage and relationship had been only over a short time I could tell from his voice that Jamie felt strongly for the woman. Whoever this Claire was, she'd left behind a man who loved her dearly. I felt a strange stirring of frustration towards her. Why would she abandon him like that? Unless, I frowned, unless she had another life and another love waiting for her in her own time.

"Who is Iain?"

Jamie's question, asked only a few moments after his tale had ended, startled me out of my thoughts. "What?"

Jamie shifted on the bed and faced me, "You murmured that name right as I woke ye."

Old habits. I sighed and rolled onto my back. "Iain was my husband of four years. He died from an illness two years ago."

"I am sorry for yer loss," Jamie's voice indeed held sympathy in it when he spoke again, "did you have any children?"

I chuckled, "He understood my reasons for not wanting any. At least, for a time. I figured we had all the time in the world to get around to it. But," I sighed, "obviously not."

"Why didnae ye want children?" I could hear the sleepiness in his voice; his lilt got stronger and his voice deeper the sleepier he got. It was a pleasant sound.

"Well, it was because of my job. I work for SWAT," I turned my head towards him and smiled, "it is a specialized police force that can be very dangerous and actually, I'm in Scotland because a few weeks ago one of my teammates was killed by a criminal." I felt a wave of heat rush over me and I looked back towards the ceiling. "Logically, I know it wasn't my fault. I followed protocols, as did he, and all the others. But," I patted my heart and looked over to Jamie again, "my heart has not quite caught up to my mind about that." Jamie nodded, his face open to my words though again I saw clear fatigue lining his face. I realized then that I was rambling and I shrugged, "So, with a job where every day I put my life at risk it just didn't seem like the right time. Iain knew he could get that phone call at any hour during my shifts, the one telling him that his wife had been killed in the line of duty. It was hard enough sharing that burden with my husband," I shook my head, "I wasn't ready to share it with any children."

Jamie was silent for some time and I figured he was valiantly trying to make sense of the terms and concepts I'd just described to him. It would be as foreign to him I supposed, my job and my husband's support of it, as an alien to me.

"Your husband sounds like he was a very strong man." He finally spoke and I knew from the sound of his voice that he meant every word. "And you are a very strong woman."

I smiled, "He was. And I am only as strong as I am for the people who helped to train me and who believed in me. Like Iain did." I looked at Jamie out of the corner of my eye. He'd probably fall asleep, but I figured telling him about Iain was fair. "Let me tell you about him."

Not only did Jamie fall asleep to my stories but I fell asleep in the telling of them.