Month after month passed, and not a single word about Daniea could be discovered. Yet Murtagh was fairly sure she wasn't in Scotland anymore. Recently he had caught wind of dozens of aristocrats that had met their untimely demise in brothels all over France and Britain.

During the day Jamie scoured the countryside looking for information on both her and Tarran; along with sparing with each individual who would give him a good fight.

At night he slept wherever his exhausted body laid to rest. Dreams of better days haunting him, condemning his mind to getting any bit of peace. Many a night he forced himself to stay away from drink and the company of others, and many a night Laoghaire would seek him out, begging for him to take her as his new bride. Disgusted by her advances he made sure to stay farther and farther away from Castle Leoch and those who damned him for his decisions.

As the colder weather began to descend upon them Murtagh finally rode out to meet Jamie.

"How long has it been?" Jamie inquired, not having seen him since the week Daniea left.

"Almost five months I believe. How are ye boy?" Murtagh inclined, not sure how to go about this conversation.

"I stare at my dagger each day wondering if it shouldn't be sticking forth from my heart, ye kin."

Murtagh simply sipped the ale brought to him.

"I know where she is." He stated.

"Where?" Jamie pleaded, leaning over the table towards the older man.

"Does it matter? She left for a damn good reason and I don't want to go spoiling her plans. Also why should you know? Do you even deserve to see her again?" Murtagh paused, trying to rein in his temper.

"No I don't deserve such a kindness but...I have to know she's safe and…. hopefully happy."

Murtagh contemplated this for some time, he too wanted to know she was safe and happy, and wanted to punish the fool boy for acting on his raw emotions.

"Paris, just follow the lines of corpses in the brothels."

Jamie nodded and ran to collect his things for the voyage across the ocean.

Weeks of torturous ocean passage, passed slowly, thankfully the letter he had sent prior to the voyage had arrived before his delayed vessel and his cousin Jared was more than happy to greet him at the port.

After a couple days of rest and concluding how Jamie would best serve his time in France with Jared; he finally began taking to the streets at night, exploring brothel after brothel in search of any sign of Daniea or the watch. Almost a week later with no sign of her or corpses, Jamie began to think he was too late and that she had moved on. As he began to pack his bag to continue down the way Jared burst through the door after making a large sale and demanded his cousin go out with him this night to celebrate. Reluctantly Jamie agreed.

Jared's carriage found its way to the most posh part of Paris and dropped them off at a closed off white brick townhouse.

"Where are we?" Jamie implored, not sure he was ready to drink and pretend to be merry.

"Heaven, dear boy, this is heaven." Jared joked pushing Jamie through the house and into the massive expanse of gilded parlor.

Jared ushered Jamie to a small table in the far corner, drinks and food were soon bestowed upon them as the night's delights began. Beautiful women lounged over every inch of the manor, entertaining all the wealthy gentlemen. Hours passed and Jamie barely partook in any of the splendor.

"Cousin, I do remember a healthy drinker the last time I was home." Jared mused, becoming aware of Jamie's strange behavior.

"Aye, yer right but I have since lost my taste."

"Pitty," Jared huffed, "What about women then? Or are you still…" he cleared his throat.

Jamie smirked, "No… no that has changed as well cousin."

"About time lad," Jared boasted cracking him on the back with a cheer.

"See anything that tickles yer fancy fer the night?"

Jamie casually looked around to try and sway him that he did indeed care, "ahhhh, everything is a bit too….light for my taste."

"Ahh blondes are not yer taste then?"

The image of Laoghaire popped in his head with the mention, "No, certainly not." he quipped.

"Well then it's almost midnight perhaps the darkest beauty of the house could entice you."

Jamie simply smiled, picking up his goblet to escape from answering a resounding no, once again to his cousin.

Minutes later, Jamie agonized leaving but couldn't come to abandon his cousin, who as of yet had not chosen between five women to bed that night. When the clock struck midnight a harp melody began from the hallway.

"Perhaps the night mistresses are more your taste cousin, I myself prefer the evening, gesturing to the remaining fair haired beauties.

"Ahh here she comes, this is the one I mentioned, the darkest of them all, they call her Le renard noir. The Black Fox.

Jamie slowly turned towards the stairs, descending in a blood red gown was Daniea. Jamie's breath caught in his chest and his hands began to shake.

"I knew it, you love the exotic ones." Jared laughed, waving Daniea over.

Jamie quickly turned hiding his face in the shadows of the corner.

Slowly she came over, speaking perfect French. Not a hint of her Irish accent to be found.

"Madam, you are simply stunning tonight." Jared cooed, kissing her outstretched palm.

"You are too kind, Monsieur."

Hastily Jared giggled as he reached into his jacket withdrawing a satchel of coins.

"Tonight is for celebrating, I shall take these fine ladies," he gestured to all the women surrounding him.

"And please Madam Renard, would you please entertain my cousin?"

Daniea smiled, quickly glancing around. "But of course, it would be my pleasure."

Jared gestured to the corner where Jamie slowly stood, taking Daniea's out stretched hand.

Daniea stumbled, just for an instant.

"Would you like to remain here monsieur or go somewhere with more privacy." She recited, trying not to look in Jamie's eyes.

"Privacy." Jared bolstered, "This one needs to learn how to live again, I fear he is turning into a ghost. Madam would you work your dark magic on him if you please."

Daniea simply bowed low, grasped Jamie's hand and began to lead him to the farthest room away from the party. Careful to lock the door behind them.

They stood in complete silence for some time. Jamie's back against the door, and Daniea leaning on the bed post. He could visually see that her body was shaking ever so slightly.

" Are you alright Mistress?" he questioned.

A laugh erupted from her lips, "Mistress.. A bit formal for a highland brute."

Her accent returned, thick and enraged.

"I didn't mean to be here, it was pure accident."

"Accident, are you truly telling me James Fraser that you didn't come all the way to France to find me."

"Well," Jamie scratched his head, "I did, but not here, not tonight."

She couldn't help but laugh at the sheer stupidity of it all.

"I will go and you will never have to see me again, I just wanted to know if you were safe and…. and happy mistress."

"Oh, is that all. Safe and happy… safe and happy, you came across the damned ocean to see if I was safe and happy!" Her voice rose in ever growing anger.

"And to thankyou for giving me back my freedom."

She stepped towards him so fast he never saw the right hook that landed on his jaw knocking him to his knees.

"You mean the freedom I bartered my life for while you slept the night away with a whore!" She seethed, cracking her knuckles.

"Aye," Jamie replied, staying on the ground, blood beginning to well from his nose and busted lip.

"So... let's try this again James. Why did you really come to France? Because at our last meeting, checking if the assassin... that was.. How did you so eloquently put it? Was dead to you. Making sure if she was safe and happy seems a bit outlandish."

"It's true Mo fiadhaich…"

"NO, you do not get to call me that ever again! You know, I was so daft I actually thought you would come back to me that night. That you would actually talk to me, let me explain everything to you." She sneered,

He slowly stood, leaning against the door.

"I should have.." he breathed, his voice low and raspy.

"And I should have married Rupert, but you had to have your way James Fraser. It always has to be your way. If you couldn't have me no one could but to this day I can count.. Let's see, at least twice where you didn't want me and look what happened."

She threw her gloves on the table and began undoing her corset.

"Pardon me for not remaining in my finery while I argue with a complete bastard!" She growled,

stepping behind a dressing curtain.

She attempted to slow her breathing as to stop herself from simply yelling at the top of her lungs.

Once she reappeared, she sat at her dressing table cloaked in a silken black robe.

"Thats better," she whispered to no one in particular. "So is that it, is that all you came to say James."

"I…" he stuttered, unsure where to go with the conversation. He had known what he wanted to say for months but now that the time was upon him, he was speechless.

"If that is all. You are welcome. Yes I am safe and yes I am happy. Now don't let the door hit you on the arse on yer way out." She spat turning away from him to start letting down her pinned curls.

He could see the tears welling up in her eyes in the mirror as he glanced back from the door.

"You deserve all the happiness in the world Daniea, I hope this life makes you happy." Jamie told her before unlocking the door.

"Was she worth it?" Daniea questioned in a choke, trying to hold back her tears.

Jamie barely could hear her speak. "Excuse me Mistress?"

"Was the whore worth it?" She spoke louder now. "While I cried on the floor, begging whoever was listening that you would regain yer senses and just come talk to me. The whore you kissed and licked and stuck yer cock in, Was she worth it!"

"No." One simple answer.

"I was furious with you, and drunk, so drunk in fact I though you actually could have been sent by the fae to bewitch me. I had never felt such need and love for something as I did with you, it drove me mad woman. You drove me mad. Yet that is no excuse, so no, it wasn't worth it." Jamie stated, standing tall, preparing for the outburst she was famous for. "And just so you know mistress," he continued, "I haven't touched either since, no drink and no…"

"Yer a free man, you can do whatever you choose." She stated.

"Aye, but my temper, stubbornness and drink all cost me my life."

She turned towards him, her face stone.

"You are sounding of nonsense, you have your life. Free from the burdens of Randall, the watch and a villainous wife."

"No, you were my life. My only reason for being."

"Jamie…" She began, her voice softening.

"Please Daniea just can we talk, just this night." he pleaded, grasping her cold hands.

Tears welled up once again in her eyes, her voice catching in her throat.

"I'm sorry Jamie, but no. I can never forgive you, I can't ever be with you again. Everytime I look at you, I don't see the love I once had, only the thought of you entangled with another." She choked. "How could I become so meaningless to you that you would go and hurt me so."

He dropped to his knees, hands curling within the fabric of her robe by her legs.

"I'm sorry, so so sorry Mo fiadhaich aon. I will do anything, be anything for you." he gasped, unable to breath.

"No Jamie, I can't, you must go." She pushed, twirling around facing the bed once more.

Suddenly he was at her back, wrapping his arms around her quaking form.

"Daniea, please?" he pleaded into her shoulder, trying to calm his own racking sobs.

"Jamie, leave me be." She pleaded once more.

He knew she was right, he slowly moved his hands down her waist, holding on for one second more when he noticed a small bulge at her abdomen.

Daniea gasped at his hands, shoving him backward towards the door.

"Go Jamie, and never look for me again!" She cried, a mixture of anger and fear burrowed within her voice.

As he stood outside her locked door, his whole body trembled as if it was awakening after a long slumber. The way she was cautious, the way her mannerisms had changed. He knew she was afraid and angry but most of all he knew she was in danger.