Chapter 9

Jamie's smile was wide in both satisfaction and anticipation as he rushed through the TARDIS, clutching his prize in his arms. He hoped that if he'd just looked in the right spot, perhaps it would turn up, but it was still a long shot. Imagine his utter surprise, then, upon finding it when he'd rummaged through the cupboard in his room. The cupboard itself had gathered dust and cobwebs after not having been used for so long, but the object itself lie towards the back, free from dust and cobwebs and appearing almost like new, even though it was technically more than two hundred years old. It was as if someone had taken great care of it all this time and had left it for him to find.

Jamie was overjoyed, but there was still one thing he needed. He remembered when he, the Doctor and Victoria had first landed in Tibet and the Doctor had asked them to find that big bell … the Ghanta, was it called? They had rummaged through a large chest in hopes of finding it, uncovering a slew of different odds and ends the Doctor had kept for some reason. One set of objects in particular had struck Jamie's fancy, although the Doctor didn't seem quite thrilled about it. It was something he'd teased Jamie about from time to time, and Jamie had to admit there were times he wanted to sabotage the Doctor's recorder to get back at him.

Having found the first item, he'd found the large chest still in the back of the control room and had rummaged through it, hoping to find the rest of what he required. Luck was with him and he smiled as he uncovered the set of bagpipes at the bottom of the chest. Looking them over, he realized they were in better condition than he'd expected and it had dawned on him that he'd spent odd moments of down time in the TARDIS fixing them up (unbeknownst to the Doctor, Victoria or Zoe, of course).

As he'd set them back up, he gazed fondly down at his chanter. He'd had it ever since his father had taught him how to play as a wee lad. He'd sadly lost his pipes out on the battlefield at Culloden, but he still had the chanter and had kept it with him as he'd joined the Doctor, Ben and Polly in the TARDIS. Besides his kilt and tartan, it was the one part of him that reminded him of his family and his home.

Thinking on that last notion made him overly emotional and his gait slowed. His family were now gone. The Doctor – or at least one particular incarnation of him – had attempted to reunite him with them, but that hadn't happened. He missed them dearly, but the Doctor, Jo, UNIT, Ben, Polly, Victoria, and of course Kathryn, were now his family as well. He was more than thankful to have them in his life. Especially Kathryn.

Speaking of Kathryn, his gaze flew to his newly rebuilt pipes and he hurried for the TARDIS doors once again. He couldn't wait to show them to her. Once they'd returned to London, they'd gone back to UNIT HQ to debrief the Doctor and the Brigadier on the uneventful – in terms of strange happenings, at least – remainder of their holiday. Kathryn had submitted to a routine exam to make sure she was all right and emphasized once again how she'd felt fine emotionally. She was now seated in the lab while he'd gone to find his pipes and chanter, and he didn't want to keep her waiting. He hadn't told her exactly what he was searching for, only that it was special to him.

Pushing the TARDIS doors open, he leaped out into the lab. "Kathryn!" he exclaimed excitedly, hiding the pipes behind his back to surprise her. "I found it!"

She'd appeared to be fidgeting with her hands in boredom but had quickly looked up at him, her expression expectant. "What?"

"My chanter!" His smile was so broad he was sure it would crack his face in half, but he didn't care. "An' look!" He brought his arms around, revealing the bagpipes.

Kathryn's confused expression morphed into one of surprise, her mouth dropping open. "Oh! Are they yours?"

"Well, sort of," Jamie replied with a tiny shrug. "The chanter I've had since I was but a bairn and the Doctor had these pipes lyin' around the big ol' chest in the control room. I'd found them when we'd landed in Tibet. The Doctor didnae seem too pleased aboot that." He stopped and smirked ruefully. "I'd worked on them for a while an' got them back in good condition." He then smiled fondly at her. "I'll play for ye."

Kathryn's surprise seemed to melt away and she grew a smile. Some emotion seemed to pass across her face, as if she were deeply touched by his offer. "I would love that, Jamie." Her smiled then faded, her expression seeming tinged with concern. "But are you sure it wouldn't be too emotional for you? I mean, it must really remind you of your home, right?"

Jamie shook his head insistently. "No, it wouldnae be. I'm a piper, Kathryn. It's something that's been a part of me for as long as I can remember." Smiling, he reached out to smooth a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'm more than happy tae play for ye. I'm just so thankful yer all right."

Kathryn smiled affectionately. "Well, I'm honored you want to play for me." She held out a hand, prompting him. "Please, by all means."

Jamie nodded happily and for a moment he thoughts turned to what tune he should play. One immediately came to mind and he got into position, his fingers moving over his chanter. At first he was concerned the sound would come out a bit rusty or he'd not remember exactly how it would go, but as soon as he started to play that concern was a distant memory. Yes, it had been ages since he'd last played, but it was such a part of him that it came naturally. The music flowed through the pipes as he squeezed the bag underneath his arm, and he begins to get himself lost in the it. He knew the tune so well he'd kept his eyes shut a good deal of the time, but he'd briefly opened them to discover Kathryn appearing a little emotional, as if she were blinking back tears.

He'd played for some time, the music being powered by the emotions coming from deep within his heart. He'd shut his eyes again and had become barely aware of the tears that had started pricking at the corners of his own eyes. He felt as if he had been reunited with a long lost part of himself. He was proud of who he was and his traditions, but he was also proud of the way his life had turned out and the relationships he'd formed.

Reopening his eyes, he noticed a small group had gathered in the doorway, listening silently to him play. Jamie felt a bit of warmth rising into his cheeks as he found Jo, Captain Yates, and Sergeant Benton standing there. The Brigadier had even walked past and had stopped to listen as well. And … was that the Doctor standing in back?

He was flattered they'd stopped to listen to him, but he tried to block them from his mind for a moment and focus on Kathryn. She was the one he was playing for. He noticed that she appeared even more emotional than before, the tears spilling down her cheeks. Although he hated to see her crying, it touched him to see his playing affected her so greatly.

He'd finally finished the song and placed his pipes down, offering a smile and a slight bow to Kathryn. She appeared ready to say something when she was drowned out by a round of applause, even a few little cheers. Jamie felt his cheeks flame as he turned, regarding his audience in the doorway. "Thank you," he said, offering them an awkward bow as well.

"Not bad!" Captain Yates exclaimed, approaching Jamie. "Not that I'm a great fan of bagpipes, mind you, but from what little I've heard you've got a good sound."

"Thank you, Captain Yates … I think," Jamie replied to the somewhat backhanded compliment. Turning briefly towards Kathryn, he found her shaking her head and giving him a sympathetic smile. The Captain chuckled briefly, giving Jamie a pat on the shoulder before walking away.

"Nice work, McCrimmon," the Brigadier said with a smile. "I was not aware you could play like that."

"Yes, very nice," Sergeant Benton added.

Smiling shyly, Jamie nodded, thanking both of the men before they left the room.

"Oh, Jamie, that was lovely!" Jo exclaimed, reaching over to give him a hug. As she stepped back he thanked her, exchanging a smile with her before she too walked away.

Jamie noticed the Doctor hanging back in the doorway, an unreadable expression on his face. Finally he entered the room, regarding Jamie with a slight smile.

"Yes, that was a lovely sound," the Time Lord told him, sounding a bit impressed.

Jamie cocked his head in confusion as he studied the Doctor. "Eh? Ye never seemed tae think so back when I was travelin' with ye."

Appearing embarrassed, the Doctor shrugged. "Well, tastes change." Jamie's urge to roll his eyes evaporated once he caught the Doctor's disarming smile. He'd then turned to address Kathryn. "Once again, I'm pleased to see you looking so well, my dear."

"Thank you, Doctor," Kathryn replied with a smile of her own.

The Doctor moved to leave but then turned back to them. "Oh, I nearly forgot the primary reason for my visit: Did I ever tell you about the incident that took place at Devil's End? Dreadful stuff. My arch-nemesis the Master was heavily involved, of course. The Brigadier can fill you in on the details if you wish. The reason I bring this up is we may have something going on there again. I can't investigate this alone and I was wondering if you'd be willing to -"

"Och, Doctor, we jus' got back!" Jamie exclaimed, staring incredulously at his friend. "Can we no' take a wee rest instead of runnin' around somewhere an' tryin' tae keep from gettin' killed?"

"Now wait a minute," the Doctor said, holding up his hands in a placating manner. "I don't mean that, my lad. Of course I wouldn't want you going out there after all that has just happened. I only meant to ask if you would be willing to study some of the information Jo has collected. If it looks like something is going on, I'll have the UNIT chaps look into it." He then huffed with mock indignation. "To think I'd put you both in danger so soon after what you went through! What on Earth do you take me for?!" A mock pout on his face, he turned on his heel and exited the lab.

Jamie stared in disbelief at the space the Doctor had just occupied. Turning back to Kathryn, he gave a slight shrug, his lips twitching into a sheepish smile. The fact he'd rushed to judgment regarding the Doctor's request left him a bit embarrassed. "I suppose it wouldnae hurt helping Jo tae figure out if somethin' else strange is goin' on, eh?"

Kathryn nodded, an amused smile on her face. 'No, I wouldn't mind that. I admit I do find the research part of it fascinating, but as far as actively participating in a potentially dangerous mission? I'd rather sit this one out."

Jamie managed a slight smile as he nodded. "Aye, I wouldnae want you tae get tangled in anything so dangerous for a while." Suddenly realizing what he'd said and worrying he'd overstepped his bounds, he felt his cheeks flush and looked away.

Luckily his worrying was for naught. "No, I agree," she told him softly. Her gaze shifted to the tabletop and Jamie caught her eyeing his bagpipes. "I wanted to thank you for playing for me. It really was lovely."

Jamie ducked his head shyly for a moment and then nodded, gazing back up at her. "Of course," he smiled. He then gestured toward the door where his "audience" had just recently stood. "Sorry aboot the crowd. I meant that performance tae be just for you."

Kathryn threw her head back and laughed. "Jamie, that's all right, really! I didn't mind at all. You play so beautifully, I wasn't surprised you'd attracted such a crowd."

Touched by her compliment, Jamie felt a twinge in his heart as he gazed at her fondly. "That's verra nice of ye tae say, lass," he told her softly.

"I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it," she replied. Some emotion seemed to pass over her face before she rushed up to him, and he felt her grab him in a fierce hug.

Jamie wrapped his arms around her and began stroking the hair at the back of her head. "I'm so glad you're all right," he said, his voice faltering slightly as he fought back tears. "I'm so glad yer here an' still want tae be here … I mean, with me."

After a moment, Kathryn moved back at bit and he caught her tender smile. "Always," she told him. "No matter what happens, nothing can separate us."

Jamie succumbed to his tears and blinked them away as he wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly. He was so thankful to whatever or whomever had brought them together. Come to think of it, it was technically the Doctor who had done so. If he hadn't inadvertently dropped Jamie off in twentieth-century London, they never would have met.

'Wherever ye happen tae be now, Doctor,' Jamie said to himself before stepping back to gaze at Kathryn and capturing her lips in a kiss. 'Thank you.'

THE END

Note: Thanks to all who have stuck with this story! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I did writing it. I have plans for at least two more stories in this series and I hope to start the next one soon, so stay tuned!