Disclaimers: See Chapter 1
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Shipwreck and Beach Head made it to Flint's side at the reception after having worked their way carefully around the manor, studying the layout. "Come on, we have to get her out of here," Flint grumbled.

"Yeah...like loverboy's gonna' let you do that?" Shipwreck muttered, catching a glare from Flint's eye.

Scarlett approached, bearing a tray of appetizers. "They've had me setting up her room all afternoon. It's at the top of the right staircase and down the hall...the last door on the end near the servants' staircase. They were going to put her in another room but I took care of that," she grinned, recalling the plumbing nightmare she created for the handyman to repair. The other room's carpets were soaked when she left to report the busted pipe.

"Where's she going?" Flint noticed Ailíse head upstairs with a few maids behind her.

"I'll make sure she's alone. Find away to keep the others from following," she nodded towards Destro and Ian, talking with Daniel Buchanan.

"I'll be right up to take her out through the servants entrance. Shipwreck, go and create a distraction. Beach Head, steal a van or something and meet me at the back entrance." He delivered his orders carefully, watching Ian turn towards the stairs.
Ailíse was fighting a severe headache as she entered the room. "LEAVE ME!" She growled at the maids trying to assist her to change from her gown. Scarlett moved to the side allowing the others to pass. "I said GO!" She snapped, turning to Scarlett.

"Milady...are you all right?" She carefully moved closer to her.

"NO-my bloody head's ready to explode!" She cried, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held her temples in her hands. Scarlett wrapped a supportive arm around her, leading her to the edge of her bed to sit down. "I'll get you some aspirin." She headed for the bathroom; reaching into her pocket for the bottle Flint had given her, palming three pills. She returned, handing a glass of water and the pills to her. She watched Ailíse shaking as she tossed the pills and water back.

"It doesn't help," she grimaced. "It doesn't stop the images, the faces, the pain," gripping the sides of her head as she rocked back and forth. "Call my uncle-NOW!" She pleaded through gritted teeth. "Tell him... I'm ill." Scarlett flew out of the room, colliding into Flint.

"What's wrong?" He grabbed her shoulders, looking into her eyes wide with concern.

"She's in pain.... she sent the others away and told me to get Destro. I gave her three pills but it's not helping. He can stop it. He'll probably sedate her." She reasoned, breaking free.

"Get him---I'll relieve the guard," Flint walked to replace the grenadier at the end of the hall.

*****

"Ailíse?" Destro's rushed into the room, finding her curled on the bed in a fetal position. She was shivering, fighting the migraine. Flint watched as Ian followed him, pulling her into his arms.

Clenching his fists tightly, Flint fumed. I should be the one holding her, not him.

Destro went to a desk in the corner of the room, removing a vial and syringe. "This should help with the migraine." Destro raised the syringe, waiting for Ian to lower the shoulder from the gown. She moaned slightly as Destro injected it into her shoulder before falling into a deep sleep. "Leave her tonight. She's overwhelmed from the day. Come with me; we have a few details to work out with security." Destro pushed him ahead and out the door. "You will stay with her while she sleeps," Destro ordered Scarlett. "And you will guard the hall; make sure nothing disturbs her," he scowled at Flint.

"Aye, laird," they replied in unison.
Scarlett walked towards the bed, adjusting the covers around her.

"Is she?" Flint whispered.

"Sound asleep.... whatever he gave her worked." Scarlett sighed, looking over her sleeping form. "Time to go."

"I got her...come on beautiful," he whispered softly, lifting her into his arms.

"Scarlett, check the hall."

"All clear," she peered out the door. "No wait," she caught sight of a shadow at the edge of the hall. The figure had stopped to talk to someone she assumed, listening to their muffled voices. "Someone's coming," she ducked back inside.

"You better set her down and get back outside the door." She pulled back the covers for him to set her down. "Go...we'll get her out as soon as the coast is clear," she hissed, shoving him to the door.

"DAMN!" Flint muttered under his breath. "Ian's coming back."

"Don't worry...this may work to our advantage. Trust me," she smirked, toying with the bottle in her apron pocket

"You can go back to the party," Ian nodded, reaching for the doorknob with his free hand. The other hand held a champagne flute.

"Yes, sir," Flint nodded, relaxing his stance. He walked a short distance from the door, waiting for Ian to enter before hurrying back.

"How is she, Bridget?" He walked to the bed, setting the flute on a small table near Scarlett.

"She's sound asleep," she yawned slightly, covering her mouth. "I'm sorry, sir, it's been a long day."

"You can go. I'll stay with her," he smiled down at Ailíse, brushing her hair from her face. His back was turned to Scarlett as she slipped several pills into his drink. "I'll set this on the nightstand," she offered, swishing the flute slightly in her hand to dissolve the pills.

"Thank you, Bridget," he sat on the edge of the bed, reaching for the flute.

"I'll just set these in the closet," she lifted the sleeping woman's shoes and plaid into her arms, walking a short distance. She spied Ian finishing off his drink while she stalled at the closet. She silently prayed.

"What the..." Ian felt the effects creeping up on him. His vision began to blur from the accentuated effects of the pills mixed with the champagne. He caught a smug grin on Scarlett's face as she walked towards him. "What's happening?" He slurred.

"It's no fun when the tables are turned, is it?" She snorted, placing her hands on her hips.

"You put some..." His eyes rolled back in his head as he fell over on to the floor.

"Flint, get in here," Scarlett hissed from the door, pulling him inside.

"What happened?" He glared at Ian sprawled out before him.

"I slipped him some of that sedative in his drink," she groaned, grasping Ian's ankles to drag him around to the other side of the bed. "He's not exactly a light weight. They're going to assume he's in here with her so give me a hand will ya? Put him in the bed then grab a bunch of pillows from the top shelf of that closet," she pointed behind her, watching Flint throw the man on to the bed.

"What are you doing?" Flint scowled, observing her removing Ian's jacket and shirt.

"If anyone peeks in, they're going to see him sacked out from the door. Pick her up," she nodded towards the bed, taking the pillows from his arms. She plumped the pillows beneath the covers to hide the fact she was gone the minute Flint lifted her from the bed. Standing back to observe her handy work, she chuckled, brushing her hands over her skirt. "No one's going to bother them tonight. Let's get out of here."

Scarlett peeked out into the hall. "It's clear," she whispered, slipping over to the door to the servants' staircase. Flint cautiously crossed the hall, scanning the area for any signs of the grenadiers or staff.

"What's going on?" He paused at the bottom of the staircase, hearing the sounds of laughter emanating from the kitchen.

"You told Shipwreck to cause a distraction, didn't you?" Scarlett peered through a crack in the door at the bottom of the staircase. "He's got a party going on with...oh my God...they raided the wine cellar," she choked back a laugh at the site of several discarded bottles of cognac.

"He's throwing a party?" Flint rolled his eyes.

"C'mon...he's not drinking," she sighed, pushing the door open. Placing her finger to her lips, she nodded towards the outside door.

"A toast to the newlyweds," Shipwreck spotted them coming through the door. "How 'bout it, Jeeves?" He elbowed the butler, turning towards Flint. "Well? Give us one of those limericks you were singing a while ago."

Scarlett sighed heavily, opening the door for Flint while Shipwreck tugged at his collar, silently praying Flint was out of earshot of the butler's raunchy limerick. The door smacked shut, causing several heads to turn.

"I better see who it is," the butler stood up, straightening his vest.

"It's the wind...we're out," Shipwreck turned over an empty bottle, shaking a few drops onto the table. "Hey, Jeeves...how about getting us a few bottles?" Shipwreck nodded to the wine cellar door.

"Well ah..."

"C'mon...I'm a guest after all," Shipwreck smirked. "And...I insist you all join me in another toast." He grinned, listening to the others badgering the butler to get a bottle of the good stuff this time.

*****

"What's taking him so long?" Flint growled; looking up from the door of the black Mercedes CLK 55 AMG Beach Head swiped from the garage.

"I don't' know," Scarlett pulled Ailíse across the seat.

"Damn it," Flint fumed, watching the door fly open. "What took you so long?"

"Had to tie up a few loose ends," Shipwreck grinned, tucking a bottle of MacCallum Scotch under his arm. "Nice wheels," he grinned, running around the left side of the car to hop in the front passenger seat. "I got the butler and the others looking for the good stuff. They're gonna be awhile though," he chuckled, tossing a key from his pocket out the window.

"How we gonna clear the gates with her?" Beach Head grumbled, slipping the car into drive.

"Jason's handling the grenadiers at the gate." Flint sighed, pulling Ailíse over to him as he wrapped a protective arm around her.
They were approaching the back gates of the estate when a bright light hit the windshield. "Ah...Flint," Shipwreck raised his hand to shield his eyes. "We got company..."

"Who is it?" Scarlett leaned over the Shipwreck's seat, spying his bottle of scotch. "Give me that bottle and hit the moon roof."

"Not the scotch," Shipwreck groaned, grabbing the bottle for dear life.

"SHIPWRECK! Give her the damn bottle or I'll..." Beach Head swung the car into a sharp turn sending it into a tailspin. Flint kept his left arm holding Ailíse in place while grabbing for his sidearm with his right hand. Removing it from his holster, he unfastened the safety.

"ALL RIGHT!" Shipwreck tossed the bottle up to Scarlett.

"Give me a rag or something and that lighter," her eyes trained on a gold Zippo resting in the ashtray. "Flint, rip a piece from her gown," Scarlett snapped, breaking the seal on the bottle. She was reaching out for a cloth to use as a wick for the Molotov cocktail she was fashioning when Shipwreck grappled for the steering wheel yelling, "STOP!"

"DAMN IT SHIPWRECK!" Beach Head barked, knocking his hands away from the steering. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Look..." The sailor pointed across him.

"Huh...who's that?" The ranger growled, glaring at several men heavily armed.

"It's Jason," Flint sighed, holstering his sidearm.

"We haven't much time," Jason stalked towards the car, pulling the rear passenger door open. "Give her to me."

"No...I'm not letting her out of my sight," Flint rebuffed, stepping out of the car.

"Damn it...we don't have time for this. They're going to be looking for that car," Jason snarled, studying the young warrant officer for a moment. "Riordan, take him to the doctor." He called over his shoulder. "You'll go with her but the others stay behind...the fewer that know where she is the better."

"I need Scarlett with me," Flint argued. "If she wakes up before we get there, she's going to want some answers. Scarlett's the only one of us that she's seen."

"Aye...you've got a point. The lass can go...but the two of them stay behind for now."

"Have you lost your mind? You can't just go off with these bozos," Beach Head sneered, pulling Flint around to face him.

"We don't have much of a choice. We can't take her out of here without his help," Flint argued.

"Hawk said..."

"Look, I'll take the flack if that's what eating at you Beach Head," Flint growled. "You take Shipwreck and head back to the pub. I'll report in to Hawk once we have her hidden."

"We can't just split up," the ranger countered.

"You're not...they'll be lookin' for him when they find her gone," Jason stepped forward with a box. "You're going to stay at the pub until we get her out of the country."

"What the ..."

"They'll think you're him," Jason nodded to Flint, watching Beach Head lift a latex mask from the box. "You're nearly his height so you'll have to do. Now, Seamus, take him and the sailor back to the pub while Padraig dumps the car in the loch. Flint and Scarlett are going with Riordan."

"The loch?" Shipwreck sputtered, ruffling the back of his hair beneath his cap.

"Aye...we'll leave them no trail to follow," Padraig grinned, hopping into the driver's seat.

"Where are you going, Jason?" Flint's eyes narrowed on Jason.

"I've got some business to attend to. I'm trusting you to keep her safe," he warned, walking a short distance to a waiting car.

*****

"How is she?" Flint whipped around to face Doc entering the hall.

"I don't know...it's too soon to say," the doctor looked over Flint's shoulder.

"Come on...we'll talk downstairs."

"I need to see her," Flint reached for the door.

"She's sound asleep. Let Scarlett and Maggie take care of her," Doc pulled him by the arm, leading him to the stairs.

"I remember when she was born," Maggie sighed, walking to the closet. "She was just a wee thing, so tiny...but she 'ad tha loudest set of lungs, she did. She 'ad Jason runnin' in circles each time she cried." Maggie softly chuckled, returning with an extra blanket from the closet. "She's shivering....this should help with the chills," she shook an uneasy feeling, flinging the blanket out over the bed.

"How long have you known her?" Scarlett helped to tuck the covers.

"Since tha minute she entered this world," she smiled, brushing a few hairs from her face. "Jason and Amanda sent for me ta be 'er nanny shortly before she was born."

"Her nanny?" Scarlett's eyes went wide with shock. "So, you know everything about her childhood?"

"Aye, I was with 'er 'til she started school...oh she was a 'andful, she was. She kept her parents on their toes.... a veritable tomboy she was. Always climbing trees and getting herself inta' trouble." The old woman chuckled softly, guiding Scarlett to the door. "Get some sleep, luv. I'll stay with 'er."

"I have to check with Doc and Flint."

"Flint...is that 'IS name?" Maggie raised an inquiring brow.

"Uh...that's what we call him. Sorry, I really can't tell you more," she shrugged apologetically, heading off to find Flint.

*****

"What aren't you telling me Doc?" Flint paced the small study of the large cottage Jason had sent them to hide.

"If I remove that necklace, I could harm her more...I tried. It shocked her system," Doc fumed. "Mindbender really outdid himself this time. Her vitals were stable until I tried to remove it, then..." He gulped, smoothing his hand over his face to his chin.

"WHAT?" Flint growled, turning to see Scarlett in the door.

"Doc, she's asleep but she's still shivering. Maggie threw another blanket over her." Scarlett rubbed her right shoulder with her left hand to ward off a sudden chill.

"DOC?" Flint turned on his heel.

"Flint...we have to wait it out. Maggie's sitting with her now...FLINT WAIT!" Doc raced to follow him out of the study. "She needs to rest," he growled, pulling on his shoulder.

"I need to see her NOW," Flint growled through gritted teeth, wrenching his arm free.

"Scarlett, call Hawk," Doc snapped, chasing Flint up the stairs and into her room.

"Who do you think you are, jus' bargin' in 'ere?" Maggie stood blocking Flint from the bed.

"I need to see her right now," he steadied his voice, moving Maggie to the side.

"Nay...yer not seein' 'er till ye learn a thing or two," she grabbed his arm, turning him to face her. "I took care of 'er when she was jus' ta babe...and I'll be damned if..."

"Maggie, let him go. He's got every right to be in here," Jason's voice echoed from the hall.

"But Jason," she scowled, allowing Flint to pass.

"SHE'S FREEZING!" Flint growled, brushing the back of his hand over her cheek.

"Scarlett, find some more blankets."

"You let 'er be," Maggie charged at him from behind, reaching for his arm.

"Maggie, come with me," Jason caught her by the waist, pulling her towards the door. "The rest of you follow me." He nodded towards the door.
Flint searched the closet for more blankets to place over her while Jason took the others downstairs.

*****

"Jason, you canna' leave 'er with 'im. She belongs ta tha Buchanans," Maggie argued, entering the study.

"If she did so of her own free will, I'd agree and stay out of the matter," he fumed, opening his sidebar. "Scotch?" He offered, watching the others nod a refusal. He poured himself a glass. "As it is, Destro manipulated this farce and it's one he's going to rue...mark my words, Maggie. Two can play the laird's game." Jason raised his glass to his lips, slowly savoring the scotch.

"Jason...I'm having problems stabilizing her," Doc complained.

"Any idea what she's fighting?" He walked behind his desk.

"The device is designed to suppress her memories...it's like something was triggered. She's fighting it," Doc speculated, scanning his notes from the first time he'd seen her inside the castle. "She was calling out to Flint the first time..."

"Calling Flint?" Jason raised a brow. "Why would she be doing that?" He pondered rhetorically. "Hmmm?" He watched a knowing glance shift between Doc and Scarlett. "She didn't call out to Flint, did she? She called him by name." He harrumphed. "I may be old but I'm not blind. She doesn't recognize any of you...but for some reason she remembers him."

"Jason, let me go back ta 'er," Maggie pleaded, wringing her hands in her apron.

"Maggie..." Jason's words were cut off by the sound of his phone ringing. "Just a minute, I have to take this call," he stood, walking to the hall.

*****

Flint sat in a chair next to her, watching her as she began to toss and turn. "Easy," he shushed her softly, leaning forward in his chair. He rested his elbows on the edge of the bed, his hands clasped over each other bearing the weight of his chin. He watched a slow smile twitch over her lips as a sigh escaped. "Allie, honey, can you hear me?" He lowered his voice to a whisper; unfolding his hands to readjust the covers she'd thrown aside.

"Ian..." She whispered.

Flint blanched. He looked away, catching sight of a blanket Maggie had left thrown over a chair.

"No...can't go through with this...can't go..." She began tossing back and forth. "Not Ian..." Her whispers were becoming more of a ragged cry escaping from her lips. "Who?" She began to thrash, struggling to sort out whatever it was she was seeing.

Flint paused, holding the blanket over her. He growled softly, settling the blanket over her. "Shhh...it's ok," he sat down, brushing aside a few tears that escaped her eyes.

"No...can't do it...have to...must obey.... know my duty to the clan..." She bit each word as it came out in a haggard sigh.

Flint fumed, reaching to steady her as she continued to thrash in her bed. "Allie...Allie...ALLIE," he shook her slightly, attempting to wake her.

She fought to open her eyes, winning the battle for a brief moment. She smiled up at him. "You...just a....dream..." she yawned heavily, leaning into his chest. "Why?"

Slowly shaking his head, he bit his lower lip as he held her tightly. The sound of the door opening brought his attention up. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw Jason approach him.

"We need to have a talk," Jason scowled, placing his hand to Flint's back.

"I'll be right there," Flint nodded, gently laying her back against her pillows.

"She's having nightmares..." He gulped, rising from the bed.

"Come with me. If we don't act fast, there may be no way to stop Destro," Jason motioned to the door.

*****

"When the two of you were in Aberdeen, you were at the Highlands festival. Weren't you?" Jason exhaled, narrowing his eyes on Flint.

"We were, right after we wrapped the assignment. Why?" Flint cautiously replied, studying Jason's countenance.

"Where did YOU stay?"

"At a small inn there...."

"And, Allie?" Jason raised a brow, watching Flint shift uncomfortably where he stood.

He closed his eyes a moment, slumping his shoulders slightly as he gathered his thoughts. "She was with me." He slowly looked up into Jason's eyes to see them filling with the last thing he expected.

"Don't take this the wrong way lad," Jason grinned, clasping a hand over Flint shoulder. The sound of footsteps on the stairs interrupted them. "But...grrr...Maggie's coming...DAMN...follow me and I'll explain."