Author's Note: Outlander does not belong to me, but Diana Gabaldon and Starz. This is a short story about Brianna and Lord John (I really don't like Roger as a character) and the life they could start if Roger chose not to return. This is the prologue of a 10-chapter story. Please don't leave me reviews about how you love Roger and how OOC Brianna and Lord John are, as I've said this in the story summary. If this interests you, do please read it and leave me reviews on the writing etc - they always make my day. This picks up in the last episode of Season 4. I haven't done a lot regarding the historical events or context - it's a fluffy character story.

Happy Reading,

DaenerysTargary3n

Prologue

River Run Plantation, Cross Creek, N. Carolina 1769

First, there was crying. Then, there came silence. After that, it was screaming. Now, it was survival.

Ever since she had heard Phaedra tell her her parents had been spotted careening up the long drive to the house at River Run two days ago, Brianna Randall Fraser's world had been irrevocably changed. She had expected during her long wait for the return of her mama and da that Roger would be with them and the pair of them along with her bouncing baby boy only weeks old would have a happy future ahead of as a family.

That was not to be. Her parents had returned to her but without her handfast husband and also her surprise cousin, Ian, who had traded himself for Roger's liberty. Liberty that had enabled Roger to go through the stones once more back to 1969 and the life he wished for there. He had chosen his future and foresworn their vows to each other in the aftermath of discovering that the baby she had just birthed most likely was not of his blood.

Brianna could not bring herself to blame Roger for his choice. They had fought and things were said on both sides to make the other's heart bleed. She also understood from her mother that his suffering at the hands of the Mohawk - and before that, her own father - was great and he seemed much changed from the Roger that played guitar and sang with an angel-sent voice. That man was gone and that had been the man she had fallen in love with. This new Roger MacKenzie had been ravaged by the ferocity of the past into which he had ventured to find her and could not stomach further when he was meant for a time centuries in the future.

"Brianna," a soft, male voice called from the other side of her bedchamber door, "will you come down, please?"

"Yes, I'll be right down." She replied, wiping away tears she had not known fell on her cheek.

That voice that had roused her from her internal turmoil belonged to the man that was slowly balming the pain that came from the loss of Roger. He had come into her life as a surprise and a friend to her father, whom she had not yet forgiven for his role in Roger's suffering, but during her confinement at River Run and after avoiding a marriage to Gerald Forbes, Esquire, he had become indispensable to her as her confidant, unassuming hero and now...her fiancé.

As Brianna glided down the stairs, her dark green muslin dress trailing slightly behind her, she heard the raised voices of her parents.

"Oh, crap!"

Entering the room that contained Jamie Fraser, his temper flaring as red as his fiery hair and his wife, Claire, known in two times for her braw spirit, Brianna winced at her saviour's place on the receiving end of their combined ire.

"What in God's name did you think you were doing, ye good fer nothing blaigeard?! I sent ye to gi' her a letter and see she was alright. Ye had my trust - ye've always had my trust, John - to see her a'right in my absence. I cannae believe that you would use this moment to snatch away her chance for happiness wi'another and insinuate yerself further into my family!"

"Jamie, stop." Claire interjected after seeing her prey blanch at her husband's assault, "I am the least pleased by this whole...arrangement that Brianna and Lord John have made, but, I do not believe with all I know about him and you that he took advantage of her. And, if you were less angry and felt less guilty right now, you would see that too. Brianna, why don't you sit with us and we can discuss what to do for everyone's benefit?"

Jamie turned about to face his only daughter, having not realised she had joined their party. His expression softened instantly and he moved towards her to place a soft kiss atop hair that was as red as his own.

"Come, a leannan. We've been waiting for you. We have much to discuss the four of us."

Despite her father's arm leading her to sit beside her mother, she turned away and placed herself at Lord John's side. The subtle smile that graced his lips as she did so was not missed by any of the Frasers.

Once Jamie sat beside his wife and she took his hand in hers (whether out of love, comfort or to more quickly restrain him from violence against one of his oldest friends was anyone's guess), he asked, "Will ye both tell me what possessed ye to enter into this...agreement that we now cannae break without destroying yer reputations and any chance that sweet boy upstairs has of being respectable?"

"Da, put simply: I needed help. You and mama weren't here. Aunt Jocasta was lining up suitors to marry me in case he didn't come back so I would be left with a child born out of wedlock and ruin our family name. You very nearly came back to find me Mrs Forbes. To avoid that fate - a fate I would have left to avoid - Lord John came to my rescue and agreed to my proposal, even though I made it in the worst way possible. He forgave me and since then we have become friends and I would thank you not to speak to him as you were when I came in."

Claire's brow furled, "What do you mean 'in the worst way', Bree?"

Brianna made to speak, but Lord John patted her on the hand to silence her, "Mistress Fraser, your daughter is a tremendous credit to you. She is a strong and immensely capable and kind young lady. In a moment of fear, she attempted to use my particular weakness, which is no secret to anyone in this room, having become aware of it in a manner that is no business of yours. That is all to be said on that count. We have since put that moment behind us and I care a great deal for your daughter." Lord John looked over at Jamie, "and I only sought to protect her and give her - and her child - the benefit of my name and standing."

Jamie huffed, "Ach well, it's done now. I admit," he paused and held Lord John's gaze, "I was shocked when my aunt told me of your engagement. I left you wi' a letter and came back to find you my future son-in-law. After all we've been to each other, John, it's still a lot to digest. I do apologise though for me temper and for assuming the worst. I've always been a fool for my children, as well you know it, and after we lost Roger through a fault that was mostly mine, I couldna see my Bree hurt further. If ye have found some happiness together in friendship, then I can bless yer union."

Both men rose and embraced each other. Lord John smiling easily and relaxed in the knowledge that the soul he treasured most in the world (along with his boy) was no longer boiling mad at him.

"Well, that's that then," Claire announced with a smile. Her husband was at times a foolish lout with a fast temper and quick to violence, but he was also - and often at the same time - a man who would suffer anything, undergo any trial and swallow his Highland Laird pride for the love of his family.

Bree smiled at her mother and rose to embrace her da. "So, it seems we have a wedding to celebrate."