She wasn't sure what country was more beautiful. As Norway had the fjords and the winter wonders and magnificent waterfalls, Scotland was a rolling land of green and awe as the rocky scenes and sharp cliffs and castles were enough to have any little girl believe they were a princess.

"Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Traveling down the quiet street toward the address the woman in Norway gave her, she felt a strange déjà vu as she made her way. Not one of fear or worry, but of comfort. She felt as if this land was home. In truth, Siobhan was glad that she won her affairs from her father and gained her rights to her money and assets. For years, the man had his thumb on her and she dutifully did his bidding, of every sort sadly. Ever since her mother's death, her life was a bottomless pit of hell. She knew little of the woman and the land she was taken from as well, but once freed, she dug everything she could. Learning of her mother's Irish roots and what she did before her father and more, understanding what she really was and why she was named the way she was as well. She smiled at the thought of how her mother tried to give her the true Irish that she was before the Nordic. It was also a reason why she was picked on in school since the letters in both first and middle made no sense whatsoever. Siobhan Niamh. God's radiant grace was what she was after, sadly her father put out that flame.

Shaking her head, she turned down the final street as everything came to view and her nerves kicked in at an alarming speed. She could feel her heart race under her chest as she continued, her hands trembled as she looked at the paper once more hoping to find the place before she turned on her heels and booked out of the place. Finally, the numbers came to view as she saw the decent home before her. Not too big, not too small. It seemed homey and just enough comfort for one to call home, not bad really. With a shaky stride, she climbed the steps and rang the bell.

She knew the woman called ahead for her, did it multiple times really to ease her troubled mind after their first meeting. She didn't expect to fight in the courts like she did and for them to take so long. Kitty, she believed she said her name was, told her that it was fine and with how things were outside the borders with Genesis and more, it was better to have taken her time and let it all go as needed. She just wasn't expecting nearly a year of it.

Silence filled the space as her anxiety spiked back up, maybe she made a mistake coming after all. Maybe it was all a big joke to see if she was stupid enough to do this like he told her she always was. Maybe-

The door came open as a small little boy popped his head out to greet her, "Hello there! Who are you?"

"Kieran!" she heard someone within yell, "What have your father and I told you?"

"But mommy, there's a pretty lady out here."

Pretty, her? Not likely, but to her dismay the door swung open more revealing the little boy and a redheaded woman before her, "Oh sorry dear, I didn't mean to frighten you with my scolding to him."

"No, it's ok, I think I made a mistake anyway. I think it's the wrong place." she replied, slowly going back down the stairs as her mind screamed at her to get to a bathroom after the boy's words.

"Wait!" she heard someone yell from inside, just to see another woman come out, "You wouldn't happen to be Siobhan, are you?"

She watched as the two women looked her over, "Yes?"

"Oh!" the redhead shouted, "You're the one Katyusha told us about. Well, bloody be, get in here. You're no stranger to this home, come in. Come in."

Before she had a moment to speak, the woman grabbed her wrist and dragged her in the warm home, closing the door as she took her jacket.

"Jesus darling, you're a bit thin there, when you last eat?" she said hanging her things.

"Not long ago really." she replied, tucking her arms away in the sweatshirt, "Able to keep it off well."

"Lucky you, still trying to lose the weight from this turkey here." she said patting the boys head, "I'm Carine by the way, you already met my son, Kieran. And that one beside you..."

"I'm Juliet, pleasure to meet you."

"Our good nurse." Carine said as something crashed in the other room, "Oh those boys. Sorry, I gotta scold them."

"Use the wooden spoon, the solid one not the one with the slits." Juliet called out to her as the boy giggled, "Now you, young man, should be getting yourself set for bed."

"It's still too early Auntie Juliet, plus I want to see the pretty lady."

Siobhan laughed at him as his sweet blues stared at her, "I'm not that pretty."

"Of course you are, just like my mommy."

"Kieran, time for bed." she heard a man call out.

"Fine daddy."

With a huff, the little boy went up the stairs as Juliet shook her head at him, "Come on, we'll talk in the kitchen. The people you really want to speak with are in there anyways."

Nodding, she followed the woman to the room as she heard fighting from another room. Bickering of war and what to do and how someone's plan was stupid or that things wouldn't work like that. Political the more she got out of it, something she didn't really care for.

"That's normal here darling." Juliet said as they entered the bright room, "Right there by the stove is Isabelle and at the table is Ian."

The two within smiled and nodded, giving friendly hello's as she sat at the table with them.

"Nice to see the face we were told about." Isabelle said as she finished something up.

"I still feel overwhelmed in this place." Ian joked as Juliet threw something at him.

"Carine is the only girl in the family besides Elizabeth, and she's just a baby." Juliet said.

"We'll I don't know about you two, but I'm loving my holiday away from my rugrats." Isabelle said laying the tray down before them.

"Still shocked Logan agreed to watch them." Ian smiled as he ate.

"He and his Sheila are hoping to get some practice in before they plan on having one of their own." she stated, "You can have a bite sweetie, it won't bite."

"Oh no, thank you, I ate before I got here." Siobhan nodded to her only to see Juliet's eyes narrow at her.

That wasn't something she expected. Well, she didn't expect any of this really, but that watchful eye of a nurse was something she wanted to avoid at all costs really. The gentle cries of a baby tore the woman's gaze away, making Siobhan sigh in relief internally.

"Mother's call." Ian chuckled as Juliet left the room, "So Siobhan, what brings you here?"

"Hva?"

"What brings you here besides Katyusha telling you to come here, there has to be reason."

"Oh well, it's hard to explain."

"Sure about that?" Isabelle said to her.

"Well... it's just-"

"Something simpler than you think." she heard Juliet enter the room once more, this time with a little girl.

"Guessing Thomas is still sleeping?"

"Isn't he always after this time?" she smiled at the man, just to turn her gaze to her, "And it's not hard to explain."

She couldn't help but burst out in laughter as they looked at her, "Sorry. I just, well with you being a nurse, I believe I belong in the crazy house to be honest. It makes no sense at all what I saw and what keeps coming to me, no matter how much sense it makes or the facts behind it. It's just not real."

"How so?" she asked.

"Well, if I told you from an early age I dreamed of two women of high place and a man just to have it change or well become clearer as the women are Queen Mary of Scotland and Black Agnes and I not only see them but I see myself in them and the man that I see is somehow alive as they call his damn name. Every time I close my eyes to sleep all I hear is-"

"Allister." the three of them said.

Now that was shocking, "What?"

"They say Allister." Isabelle said.

Siobhan was shocked, there was no way. It wasn't possible. She just stared at them as they looked at one another and then at her, smiling of what they knew.

"How?"

"You think you're alone?" Ian asked, "Although I do find it strange girls. I think we are the only ones that heard our souls call out their names. Think the rest sat in silence."

"I think you're right there." Isabelle agreed.

"It's true though Siobhan, you're not alone here." Juliet spoke over the other two, "We were like you at one point too."

"Then why am I hearing and dreaming this way?" she got out.

"It's your real future. Yes, it takes time to get to that position but those dreams and voices are guiding you here for reasons."

"What reasons?"

"To be a capital." the other two chimed in.

"Capital?"

"Yes, normally we don't just drop the bomb like that, but since you have had Agnes and Mary talk to you and you seeing yourself in them, it's showing that they want you to see yourself before something comes up."

"Comes up?"

"You know that Genesis is running amok around the world." Ian said to her as she nodded, "Well, some have learned they are looking for people like us. People that dream and have past souls within them. Like you and I, we are a target for them. No real reason why either, just the knowledge of what we are and that we can be used as leverage really."

"So, I'm in danger?"

"Everyone's in danger of them, doesn't matter who you are or what you do." Juliet replied as she pulled a burp from the baby. "It's best to keep you safe before worse happens."

Siobhan let the conversation roll in her head, spinning her thoughts on all that was dropped on her and what would be. She was to be something she never knew existed and with it, she was in danger of it.

"So, what will happen to me?"

"Nothing dear." Juliet assured her, "You will just become the capital you are meant to be."

"Ok, be honest with me, what is a capital and why me? And what else is there that I need to do to be this...'capital'?"

"In all understanding, a capital is a personification of the city itself while you have a tie with the nation." Ian explained, "For example, me. I dreamed of the Celtic wars and years along with Charles Parnell, Earnest Shackelton, and Eamon de Valera. Once I understood their meaning and who they were, I made my way from New Zealand to Ireland and found my answers, and my wife."

"Wait, New Zealand? How long ago was that?"

"A wee over a year, maybe a year and a half."

"But your accent-"

"It changes when you change." Juliet cut her short, "I was born in the USA, Louisiana to be exact and had the southern accent to boot, yet when I became London, it changed to an English one. And for me my past soul was Queen Elizabeth I."

"It's true for everyone there girl." Isabelle added, "I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but dreamed of Australia, Maude Bonney and Louise Mack. Once I got there, I fully understood and well, became Sydney."

"So, I dream of two queens of Scotland and the land itself, so will that make me Edinburgh, yes?" she asked.

"Yes. You will be Edinburgh." Isabelle replied.

"So, then there is a Scotland too?"

"Yes. Allister, he's the personification of the nation, just like our spouses." Ian smiled at her. "I have Ireland, while Bell here has Australia and Juliet has England. So now that you are here, you'll have Scotland. Bout damn time I say."

She tried to take everything in, "But how are there 'personifications'?" she quoted.

"There really isn't an explanation for them. It just is. And we are their capitals, the children are cities."

"So, you all are personifications then?"

"Yes." they said together.

So that was it. Everything that she dreamed and saw was the reason she was there, why it called to her, "So what now?"

"Well, you need to adjust to us first. It's a bit of a hectic life. We travel a lot and deal with government issues alongside them." Juliet explained.

"Ok, so here's the last question then, when do I meet him?"

"Gotta get him when he's not drunk." Ian spoke up, just to gain a slap to the head by Isabelle. "Oi, you know it's true. Ever since the first capital he's been in the bottle."

"What?"

Juliet sighed, "Look hun, the first capital was the souls of Jeanne D'Arc and Marie Antoinette. She later became Paris, but at the same time there were three other souls out there. One of China, one of Russia, and the last was Scotland. Back then the nations were told to leave the past souls alone for dreadful things happened when they interacted with them, especially if they remember. For Allister's case, it was William Wallace and the man remembered the times with Allister, and they interacted; acting as if time itself never was an issue with them. Drinking and having fun like they did all those years ago. But sadly, Allister watched him die once more before his eyes. It killed him really. After that, he was determined to make sure everyone in his family would be happy. I still remember that conversation with him when I fully learned what I would become. He was so sad back then, but he kept his word. For each family member, he made sure he was there when we changed, taking whatever precaution he could to see that everyone would be happy."

"Now it's his turn." Isabelle smiled.

"He's generous then?"

"Don't let him fool you." Ian chuckled, "He acts all tough and such but he's a softy when it comes to family. A bit stubborn and laid back, loud and a bit of a small temper when drunk or messing with his family, but and all around good guy."

"That's good then, yes?"

"Are you alright?" she heard Isabelle ask.

She looked up and saw all of them staring at her, worry laying in their eyes as they waited for her to answer, "Yes, why do you ask?"

"You look a little pale and a bit faint there sheila."

"Plus, you barely have an ounce of meat on your bones, seems like you're a wee bit ill."

"If not that, more."

Her gaze darted to Juliet as the woman gave a cross glare, she knew. She probably knew the moment she came in and now it was becoming noticeable with the others.

"Nah don't worry. Being this family of meat and potatoes, you'll be back to normal in no time. Couple of good meals will get you back-"

"Sorry, but I need to use your washroom quick."

"Oh sure." Isabelle said, "Upstairs to the left."

Siobhan gave a quick nod and left them in the room. Her mind screamed at her to get there. To relieve the pressure building within and the hurt that pressed against her muscles. She could hear the voices within her head telling her the truth, that everyone around her was just being kind and nothing more. Once within, she let go. Relieving the tension as she tried to bring up what laid within her stomach. From harsh fits to dry heaves, her body abused itself as she viewed the image she believed she was. It felt like eternity in there as she looked down within the bowl, seeing the proof that she ate too much earlier that morning. With a shake of her head, she cleaned herself up and gazed in the mirror, seeing what she detested most, herself.

A slam of a door echoed the home as voices filled the air, it seemed urgent as the tone grew louder and more doors came open and shut. Siobhan left the room, making her way down the steps to hear more of the commotion.

"As of now, the damn bastards are floating around us and the Nordics. Ya think they'd get the point of getting away from us after last time." she heard someone yell.

That voice, she knew that voice well, heard it enough to know it out of a crowd. Turning the corner, she saw him. That red hair, the strong standing body, the deep voice laced with the thick Scottish, it was him and Carine was beside him.

"There's so much we can do. When it comes to the full assault, it's in Arthur's court, not ours." she told him, "Besides, you have other matters here than Genesis."

"And that'd be?"

"She's here."

His body stiffened, slowly standing straight as he looked over at Carine. His face looked pained, yet cold as she listened to the two of them. A fluent spill of Gaelic fell before the two as his eyes became narrow and his voice harsher. She felt a small well of fear build up as she listened to them, just to see him stand over Carine.

"I said it once and I'll say it again Carine, I won't gain a capital. I made sure you all got one but not for me. It won't happen for a bastard like me." he said, turning on his heels as he left the home.

That was it. She knew deep down that this whole thing was a stupid idea and belief and there it was before her, he didn't want her. Dodging to the kitchen, she saw the trio sitting and waiting for her as she gave them a quiet nod.

"I apologize, but I have to go."

"What? You just got here?" Ian protested.

"What's the matter?" Isabelle asked.

"I'm just not feeling very well. I'm going to go home and have a lie down." she lied to them.

"Is that all?" Juliet questioned.

Damn that woman and knowing so well, "Yes."

"Oh well, if you aren't well, just take it easy then and know you are welcome whenever you like. Our home is your home now." Ian smiled at her as she turned to leave.

Once out, she practically sprinted down the street, doing whatever she could to get back to her hotel and forget this day. To forget the move even. Her head was screaming at her as everything her father and the people around her said were true, all that she really was. It was all true.

"Hey, miss?" she heard someone call.

Looking back, she saw a young girl looking at her with curious eyes, "Are you her?"

The girl held up a magazine and sure enough it was her. Looking at the camera in the barely there lace as she modeled out a new make-up brand and style to the young women of the world. How to dress and look was all she was ever made to do. Before she knew it, she shook her head and moved on from the young girl. That was a life that girls needed to live in, never in a million years.

Her mind screamed once more as her stomach cried out in pain as she felt the urge once more. After tonight, she was sitting down and thinking life over once more.

"Oi, Allister, aren't ya having a pint?" one of the men yelled inside.

"Not now, I'm the phone." he hollered back.

He wanted to drink his bloody headache away but the phone conversation with Arthur was pulling his chance away.

"Allister, are you listening?" Arthur shouted through the piece.

"I heard ya." he said back into the piece, "I already told Carine me thought as well."

"You are being a stubborn ass you know?"

"When don't ya tell me that?"

"This is serious, Al. You have a capital out there waiting for you. So, pull your ass together and be what you told the rest of us."

"And again, little brother, I told ya and Carine, I won't get one."

He didn't want to hear the capital issue again. The very thought of him gaining one sent him on a line of memories he wanted to forget. All the good times surrounded by absolute hell and that no matter what he did, it always went to shit.

"You bloody git, don't you realize the harm you are causing upon yourself and the woman?"

"I won't repeat myself." he got out, "Now if you'll excuse me, there's a pint in here with my name and the boys are getting a little rowdy as well. I'll see you later."

He hung up on the man, knowing he'd hear about it in the morning when he finally woke up. Well, if it was his nephews, he didn't mind them waking him. A shout echoed the pub as a few of the men got into it. Before he knew it, they slammed into him, knocking him out the door and onto the walk, crashing into someone as they screamed out in shock and fear.

"Bloody hell ya bastards!" he shouted as he threw the men back in, turning to see a woman upon the ground, "Oh my god, I'm so sorry lassie, I didn't mean it. Are ya alright?"

He lifted her up to her feet just to be awed and smitten as he looked at her face. Long mahogany hair fell past her sea green eyes with a set of cherub lips as she stared up at him in shock. Her sweet face took him by surprise, she was beautiful.

"I'm sorry lassie." he finally shook his head as he got her to her feet, "Ya alright? Ya need anything?"

"No, I'm ok."

"Ya sure? I could hail you a cab or get you a drink after that or hell even pay something for ya. Dry cleaning or whatnot. Please lass, ya sure?"

"Positive. Thank you though."

"Oh, alright then."

"Thank you, Allister, have a good night." she said, making her way past him.

"To ya as well then." he nodded, turning back to the pub when her words clicked in his head, "Oi, wait lassie!"

But she was gone, "She knew me name?"

Pulling his cell back out he dialed up Juliet, hoping the woman could lighten his mind, "Oh, now you're calling my wife."

"Put Juliet on Artie, no messing around."

A thwack echoed the piece as Juliet came to the line, "Sorry about that, he's still sour after your call."

"I bet, but Juliet, can ye help me with something?"

"Sure."

"The woman that was in the house today, the one that is to be Edinburgh, does she have long brown hair, blue-green eyes, a bit frail and skinny?"

"That sounds like Siobhan, why?"

"Siobhan." he let her name sit upon his tongue, "Well, I just bumped into her. Literally."