The sun rose bloody into the cloudy morning sky as Jamie tossed and turned, haunted by his thoughts. Each tik of the clock pounded his temples like a hammer as the hours dragged on and on. Finally when the bustling of the household became too much to bear, he dressed and headed slowly into town.

The stairs creaked as he ascended to the second floor of Master Raymond's shop. The door swung open as he reached for the handle. Daniea leaned against the frame, her arms crossed over her chest.

"I was beginning to think ye weren't coming." She snickered.

He stayed silent, unable to form words.

"Well do you want to come in?"

He gently nodded and stepped around her.

She poured him a whiskey, sitting the glass down on the table he stood beside and waited.

Minutes passed then Jamie pushed the glass away.

"I try not to touch it very often anymore." He told her as he took a seat.

"You said last night that you wanted to talk." She reminded him, moving to sit across the room from him.

"Aye I did… I made… I made the mistake of not listening to you in the past but today I'm ready to listen."

"I have never lied to you Jamie, I hope you believe that. I never wanted to hurt you, or deceive you." She began, " I loved my family more than anything, but when my grandparents passed away when I was younger I had very little choices in life. I ended up working for my mother in the brothel she ran… I helped the girls and did chores around the house."

She took a break, sipping the tea next to her.

"I have a temper, you know that better than anyone, but it has made me do unspeakable things Jamie. When the men in the brothel use to touch me I lashed out and...and hurt them...I even killed a few to escape their grasp. The very few times my father came back to us, he discovered my talent for violence. He eventually sent people to come train me, and if I didn't cooperate bad things would happen. If I did good and performed the tasks he gave to me my mother didn't have to work, and he kept her happy. For along time I thought he loved us in his own way…" A hot tear began to rise but she pushed it deep down. "But someone that loves you doesn't abandon his family then turn his daughter into a weapon."

Jamie stayed silent, listening to every sorrow filled word.

"I only ever did what he ordered to keep those I love happy and safe. It was almost three years that we were free from him when my mother got sick and passed. She knew there was nothing left for me in my village, and she thought he loved us so she sent me to Scotland to find him."

Jamie shook his head in understanding, "Why run from me?" He asked.

"The same reason I have always done what he ordered, to protect those I love. That's you Jamie. No matter how mad you make me, no matter what you do wrong, I love you more than life itself." She admitted, her voice cracking. "If I fail another mission, you can't imagine what he will do."

Jamie stood up, crossing the room in two long strides pulling her into his arms as he had on many nights.

"Dinna fash about me, I will take care of you and this bairn."

Daniea began shaking her head violently. "Jamie no! You must stay away if not for me then for your baby."

"What are ye talking about?" He spoke into her raven locks.

"He's given our baby away Jamie."

Jamie pulled away to look her in the face.

"What?"

"He doesn't want his prize possession having any burdens, so after I give birth he is giving it to a couple that is loyal to the watch, if I disobey...he will hunt me down and kill it"

Jamie suddenly swept her into his arms, drawing her as close to him as humanly possible.

"Daniea Fraser. You are my wife. The mother of my child. My only reason for living and I promise that we will find a way out."

Through tear stained lashes she glanced up taking his head between her hands and gently kissed her way along his jaw to his lips. Her fire reigniting his lost spirit, each breath consuming him, drowning him in her touch. As she deepened the kiss a growl ripped from his throat as he laid her down on the bed.

His hands shook as he torn her free from her dress and chemise, leaving her form sprawled out before him on the bed. Slowly he disrobed savoring her presence before him, then crawling towards her they wrapped themselves in each other. For hours they stayed there never going as far to make love, but entwined under the warm sheets, fearing to let go.

As they lie there, Jamie ran his hands along her blue and black skin.

"Training." Was the only word she muttered before falling asleep, cradled within his warmth.

That day he had the most peaceful rest he could remember in quite some time, as he rose from the bed he noticed something on the floor, an envelope with a single symbol stamped on the front. A black fox.