Chapter Three---Katrina and Fergal, Part I J

It was late on a sunny Friday afternoon as Katrina strolled down the main street towards Molly's shop. The air was cool no signs of snow, as most of the snow had managed to melt away, leaving just a light dusting on the ground. Katrina loved to walk in the 'elements' as Golly would call them on the days they'd explore the bird aviary and also grounds of the estate. A week had passed since Hogmanay at the 'Big' House and Katrina continued to teach in Inverness and on weekends, she'd visit her 'uncle' and meet with Lizzie and Martha in the village.

"Katrina!" Lizzie called out to her as she waved over head after locking up the shop. Martha waved too as she smiled at her godmother, and shouted out, "Trina! Trina!"

"Hello Lizzie, Martha," Katrina gave them each a hug, kiss and smile.

"Long ride?"

"Not too bad, just not sure about being stuck in any 'freak snowstorms', but I can stay at 'uncle's' if the weather doesn't cooperate."

"You're gonna have a great night..." Lizzie began as she linked her arm with Katrina and held Martha's hand with the other.

"I am, am I? What do you have planned for me?" Katrina asked interested wondering what was up Lizzie's sleeve this time.

Lizzie's grin danced on her face, as she replied, "You'll see...I need a lift back to the house as Susan agreed to keep and eye on Martha for me tonight,"

"Not a problem, let's go then," Katrina nodded as the trio strolled towards her car.

Katrina, Lizzie and Martha eventually arrived at the Glenbogle house, driving down the lane and stopping just before the entrance, Katrina was nervous about getting out of the car as Lizzie hopped out and announced, "Come in, you should come in,"

"No, I can wait for you,"

"Well, I won't be long and we can go off, you should come in though..." Lizzie pressed as Katrina smiled, "Nah, just go on and I'll wait here,"

"Come a long Martha, let's get inside and find Susan,"

"Okay Mummy, bye Trina!" Martha waved at her as she followed Lizzie inside and Katrina waved back, and when Lizzie and Martha were inside, blew out a breath. Katrina climbed out of the car anyway and started to look around as she then heard...

You were the sweetest thing that I ever knew
But I don't care for sugar honey if I can't have you
Since you've abandoned me
My whole life has crashed
Won't you pick the pieces up
'cause it feels just like I'm walking on broken glass

Walking on walking on broken glass

"Is that a beauty I see standing before me?" Katrina didn't whip her head around in the direction of the voice, instead she replied, "Depends on which beauty you're referring too, I thought you were on way to London by now?"

"No, Archie and Paul offered me some work here for a week or two I can save my way to get down there and also they need someone to help fill in for Duncan."

"I see."

"..."

The sun's still shining in the big blue sky
But it don't mean nothing to me
Oh let the rain come down
Let the wind blow through me
I'm living in an empty room
With all the windows smashed
And I've got so little left to lose
That it feels just like I'm walking on broken glass

Walking on walking on broken glass

Katrina then turned around to face Fergal but didn't smile, frown, or smirk, she just stared at him.

"Aren't ya at least happy to see me again?"

"It's been what a week now? Go away for another eon, Fergal the great, and I'll be full of joy," Katrina quipped up, before adding," You showed up here, expecting to see me and I'm flattered, but Fergal, we're still a world apart even when you're inches away."

"I assumed you would have been married by now. I assumed it would have been to---?"

"Well, you assumed wrong, didn't you?"

And I've you're trying to cut me down
You know that I might bleed
Cause if you're trying to cut me down
I know that you'll succeed
And if you want to hurt me
There's nothing left to fear
Cause if you want to hurt me
You're doing really well my dear

"Do you understand why I have to go to London? Why I came back?" Fergal asked, staring at her some more wondering what she was thinking, what her reply would be...

"I didn't want to know at the party and I'm not---?"

"We went over this at the party and how you up a left me in Edinburgh at the train station. Katrina! I went into a bar and turned around and you were gone..."

"Lizzie was having a baby, and I felt I had to be there. After the fight, it just assured me, you wanted to go to New Zealand and run acres of a wildlife park alone, of course now that you've worn out that residence, you decided to return?" Katrina eyed Fergal closely.

Fergal turned away from Katrina and then waltzed up to her..."Kieran's the hospital, needs a new kidney transplant...the glomerular disease and lupus got worse..." Fergal began to talk about his younger brother, hoping Katrina would at least show some heart and she did.

"I see, and how bad is it?"

"Bad enough that I have to be there soon...it's all touch and go really, just needs a new transplant."

"How did this happen when you gave him a healthy one?"

"Doctor's aren't sure...they link it to everything...he's still really ill, Kat,"

"Oh," Katrina spoke up as Lizzie came out of the house with a huge smile on her face as she waltzed up to Katrina and Fergal.

Now everyone of use was made to suffer
Everyone of us was made to weep
But we've been hurting one another
And now the pain has cut too deep...
So take me from the wreckage
Save me from the blast
Lift me up and take me back
Don't let me keep on walking...
Walking on broken glass

Walking on walking on broken glass

(Annie Lennox)

"Hello Fergal! We'll be off and runnin', right, Katrina?" Lizzie smiled as Fergal added, "Off to where?"

"Off to a surprise!" Lizzie trumpeted with a smile as Fergal took it as his cue to walk on...

"Well then, I've got some work to do," Fergal couldn't take his eyes off of Katrina, but did. Katrina looked down at her feet, off into Fergal's direction and then to Lizzie, everywhere but her ex-boyfriend directly. Fergal then gave a nod of head and walked away as Lizzie gave him a mystified look and then peered at Katrina.

"What was that about?"

"Just an---?"

"A rather awkward ex-boy/ex-girl chat?"

"You can say it is so."

"Well, where we're going, you're not going to have to worry about those kinds of chats..." Lizzie winked as she and Katrina climbed into Katrina's car again...Katrina dazed for a moment before shifting the car into reverse.

"What's with the long face?"

"Just Fergal being back here...his brother has taken ill again..."

"That's too bad, but we've got to get off to the surprise---over to Ghillie's," Lizzie smiled, as Katrina noted the perfume Lizzie wore, new layer of make-up on her face, as she put on some lipstick to her lips while looking in the sun visor mirror, aside from the 'freshening' up she had done in the house (changing her clothes). Katrina then laughed as she watched Lizzie fiddle with her bow of flower scarf around her neck, "What?"

"You're going on a date and I'm going too? Don't you believe in three's a crowd, two's company---that being a third wheel to a two wheel bike won't help make it go and throw off the damn balance?" Katrina eyed Lizzie very carefully as her best friend turned her head...

"Okay, you caught me, you mini cyclist! When were you planning on riding in the Tour De France anyway? Fine! Compton's got a friend for you to get to know too,"

"Lizzie!" Katrina scolded her as Lizzie began to laugh.

"It's the same guy from the Hogmanay party...Graeme, I think? Oh come on Compton said he wouldn't go without setting up Graeme too..."

"So I came instantly to mind?"

"Katrina, you're my dearest loveliest mate ever, if you would just go with me here...it's gonna mean so much!" Lizzie begged as Katrina shrugged her shoulders and spoke up unevenly, "First of all, the weather keeps me from cycling and it's not like Lance Armstrong is banging down my door anyway besides you tricked me!"

"You always fall for it, my tricks, and not just me stealing your wheels!"

"Oh alright, we'll go,"

Katrina caved in and Lizzie exclaimed, "YAY!"

The car did a three point turn, shifted into gear, as the girls took off in the direction of Ghillie's Rest.

The most as you'll ever go
Is back where you used to know
If grown-ups could laugh this slow
Where as you watch the hour snow
Years may go by

So hold on to your special friend
Here, you'll need something to keep her in :
"Now you stay inside this foolish grin ... "
Though any day your secrets end
Then again
Years may go by

You saved your own special friend
'Cuz here you need something to hide her in
And you stay inside that foolish grin
When everyday now secrets end
Oh and then again
Years may go by

Rickie Lee Jones

Fergal made way down the path to the back of house, still thinking about Katrina. It wasn't easy to come and say stuff about his brother...but she always did listen...which was something he did miss about her. Fergal could hear laughter coming from the kitchen as the back door of the house was open and he decided to investigate.

"Take that!" Ewan tossed flour at his 'nemesis' whom stood in front of the kitchen sink as Claire managed to whip a cup full of flour back at him and then let out a huge giggle as Ewan stood there with white powder on his face, "Supposed to use the flour in the baking for your heart's desire, not wear it to see Megan..." Claire teased and ran around the countertop putting distance between her and Ewan...

"..." Ewan wiped his face with his hand and then took a look at the sugar in a small cup, Claire spoke out, "Uh oh..."

Ewan's cheeky smile formed on his face as he decided to toss sugar in her direction just as Fergal came walking into the kitchen.

"Ach! Hide me!" Claire shouted as she stood behind Fergal who was then hit with the sugar all over his face and down his front side as Ewan replied as he set the empty small cup down, "Um, whoops, sorry..."

Claire laughed, Fergal stood there, not amused, "Making a mess of the kitchen again the both of you?"

"No, I just thought the head chef needed some help," Claire announced as Ewan gave her a very smart look, "Yea, my prep cook just likes to help."

"I get it..."

"How are you today Fergal?" Claire asked as she stuck out her tongue at Ewan who scrunched up his face and when Fergal turned to look at Claire, he then stuck his tongue back out at her. Fergal and Claire had met on Hogmanay...

"Fergal, what brings you this way?" Archie questioned as he returned to the party to send guests home and noticed Fergal sitting on the steps with the package in his hand...

"I came to deliver this from Duncan, is Lexie all right?" Fergal asked as he stood up from the steps and offered out the package to Archie who noted Duncan's hand scrawl on it...

"She'll be fine, fainted, needed some water and some rest, mother is looking after her..."

"Archie," a voice called out from behind him as he turned to face Claire carrying down an empty tray from the upstairs, "Lexie's coming to,"

"All right, I'll be up shortly," Archie noted Claire and Fergal looking at each other, "Claire this is Fergal Maclure,"

"Nice to meet you," Claire spoke up as she held out her hand to him.

"Pleasure," Fergal nodded his head as Archie gave them both a look, "I better see to Lexie, thanks Claire for bringing up the water..."

"No problem..." Claire smiled as Archie dashed up the stairs to check on his wife...

"I'm well, Claire and you?"

"Good here. Just up visiting Suzy for the day, I do need to go over to Killwillie's to check on Henrietta and her baby." Claire spoke of Killwillie's beloved 'mommy' cow and her calf which was born on New Years Day.

"Good, good."

Ewan then rolled his eyes, and started to imitate Claire behind Fergal's back, as he waved his hands and moved his lips. Claire tossed him another look, "Sorry Fergal, someone's not the center of the attention,"

Fergal turned back to look at Ewan and his strike a pose 'Madonna face' as he instantly stopped teasing Claire. Fergal just shook his head and actually gave a laugh.

"Sorry, I'm baking biscuits for---?"

"For his dearest Megan," Claire laughed again.

"Sure, you are," Fergal commented as Claire spoke up with a grin and peered back at Fergal, "It's my idea, my advice, what's with wrong that?"

"Nothing wrong with it," Fergal spoke up quickly and smiled at Claire.

"Claire says the way to a lady's heart is through her stomach..." Ewan replied dreamily as Fergal laughed again, "What?"

"Nothing wrong with it, I thought it was a way to a man's heart is through his stomach,"

"Lady, Man, what's the difference anyway, I say? Ewan, the chef, has his crush on the twin's nanny so let it happen with the best intentions..." Claire added prophetically.

Ewan laughed again, "My crush, you make sound like I'm some schoolboy."

"Well, you practically are one..." Claire teased which Ewan gave her another kiddy look and if Fergal wasn't in the room he would have probably tossed cinnamon at her in a small dish sitting on the counter.

"Hardy-har-har," Ewan rolled his eyes again as Claire made a 'neener neener' face with her hands spread in the air, her thumbs up at her ears, and stuck out her tongue again. Fergal even laughed at her face, "You know, you face will stay that way..."

"Yeah, yeah, sing me a song, piano man," Claire laughed back at Fergal.

"I would sit here and chit-chat again, but I have something to do for Archie...I need to go off to the village and get more birdhouses for the aviary and then I told Golly I'd tend to the wolves..." Fergal started to ramble, trying to hide what thoughts were going on in the back of his mind...he kept thinking of Katrina and their short talk...

"Great, so you can give me a ride over to Killwillie's," Claire added with a huge smile as she nominated Fergal to drive her there, "Since Suzy is babysitting Martha!"

"Yeah, sure, let's go," Fergal gave a simple nod of his head and Ewan shouted out, "Sure, leave the chef with a mess to clean up..."

"Oh, Ewan, I can get you a mop if you like...you know so you can sing with it while we're gone" Claire joked as Ewan made a face again.

"That's no fun, you won't be here to clap when I finish, where's the fun in that? Go, I'll save a biscuit or two for you..."

"You will? That's so sweet..." Claire smiled, only Ewan fooled with her this time...as there was a small tray of baked biscuits on the counter amongst the sugar and flour which covered every surface in the kitchen.

"No, I won't, an' keep yer mitts off...they are meant fer ma woman!" Ewan added as he watched Claire's hand swipe for the baked goods. Claire tossed him another sassy look, snagged two biscuits anyway, and stuck out her tongue at Ewan before following Fergal out of the door.

Chapter Four---Claire's 'Wee' Plan

Fergal sat on the steps in the front foyer while conversing with Claire just as Killwillie ran into the house...out of breath and replied, "It's here!"

Claire tossed him a odd look, "What's here?"

"Henrietta, the baby calf...I think she's..." Killwillie didn't have a moment to say the rest as Claire zipped out of the house with Fergal, Susan and Paul right behind her...

"What do you know? She was waiting for the new year!" Paul joked as Susan laughed, while Claire helped the laboring cow and incorporated Fergal into helping too...

Fergal and Claire were in the wildlife truck on the way back from Killwillie's as Claire spoke up quickly, "Good thing we both came, I think she was happy to see us."

"The cow?"

"Yes, the cow, we helped deliver her," Claire added as Fergal nodded his head and dazed in space.

"Something matter, Fergal?" Claire questioned as she glanced in his direction.

"I have to leave here a some point," Fergal began as Claire cast him another sideways glance.

"Oh,"

"Sorry, I have enough going on in my head that the mind ramblings seem to be taking over everything I'm trying to do,"

"I see, care to share them?" Claire inquired as she shifted in the truck seat.

"About two weeks ago, I got word from my mother that my brother Kieran is very ill again and that I should travel back, not to Dublin but onto London."

"Aye, keep going, you're starting to make sense," Claire joked as Fergal actually smiled.

"Why thank-you, I'll remember that next time we have sharing session of my thoughts."

"So your brother is ill, what exactly is wrong with him?"

"Needs a kidney transplant again...doctor's aren't sure it'll do much for him. I've already given on kidney, that I can't give my other one..."

"Right," Claire's mind went off in her own world of ponderings...

"You okay?"

"Well, the reason I'm still here is because of a transplant, you could say."

"I'm sorry, must've been hard?"

"Aye, well, hard for the donor, they died and I got their heart, works for me..."

"You had a heart transplant?"

"Wow, you catch on quite quickly,"

"Oh,"

"Dun, worry, I was ghastly for a good six weeks and then amazingly in no time a heart showed up, I had the surgery and it fixed me so I'm good as new..."

Fergal didn't take his eyes off the road as Claire smiled faintly.

"I didn't mean to bring it up,"

"Nah, come on now, I get enough of the babying from Susan about it all. I'm supposed to avoid all contact sports—no football, no dangerous activities---like climbing mountains, and I'm supposed to take meds on time."

"I see,"

"I assume Kieran went through something similar?"

"Yeah, I had to rest too since it..."

"Was your kidney? That's the best thing you could have ever done for him, you know?" Claire added with out thinking about Fergal's possible reactions as she then spoke up again, "Sorry, I pried,"

"Oh no, don't worry. I agree, totally, I agree," Fergal started to feel better and all from talking to someone, aside from mentioning it to Katrina...

"There's more going on in your mind, I can tell...penny?"

"Just seeing people again, it's nice,"

"Ah-uh, anyone in particular?"

"Well," Fergal wanted to talk to Claire about Katrina too...just to have someone else's input and finally he did, "Katrina."

"Oh Nigel's old teacher?" Claire laughed, "My sister had some issues with her and her assignment over Christmas holiday for Nigel..."

"Yeah, I guess."

"Oh, you're an item, great!" Claire caught on and Fergal cleared it up...

"Were an item, past tense..."

"Hmmmm..." Claire asked suddenly, as she remembered vaguely Susan mentioning Lizzie and Katrina were going out and Lizzie had said it was kind of a surprise for Katrina but they'd be on a double date...she remembered the mention of Ghillie's.

"What?"

"Let's go."

"What?"

"I mean it. Let's drop off the bird houses as you planned, you go tend to the wolves and meet me at the house in 30 minutes and we'll go find them."

"Find who? I dunno, Claire..." Fergal cast his eyes over to Claire giving her an odd look.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you don't want see Katrina again, besides Lizzie set Katrina up on a 'fascinating' date tonight."

"Ah, date?"

"Yes a date, are you hard of hearing too, Mr. Maclure? You cannot show up at Ghillie's without some female, might as well be me, if she cares, Fergal as much as you do for her, she'll be green with envy if you're with anyone else."

"I'll come get you in 30 minutes? You're sure you can handle being there?"

Fergal smiled as Claire joked back with a toothy-grin.

"Aye, you're a smart one, Mr. Maclure, of course I can."

"Okay, deal, agreed, 30 minutes in front of the house, you and me off to Ghillie's..."

"Good, gives me 30 minutes to come up with a plan," Claire grinned again, as the truck turned down the lane, over the bridge and onward to the estate.

Claire and Fergal arrived at Ghillie's just after the dinner hour at first Fergal wasn't sure it was such a grand idea to go inside but Claire coaxed him on. As they walked inside, Katrina, and her 'date' were back towards the door as Lizzie and Compton were sitting side by side facing each other.

"I'm not sure about this..." Fergal was about to turn around as Claire grabbed his arm, "Aye you are! Come on, let's go get her!"

Claire and Fergal strolled in as Lizzie noted Fergal and Claire's arrival, "I don't believe this..."

"What?" Katrina asked as she turned around to face Fergal and Claire, as Claire waved to them. Lizzie waved back, "Hello!"

"Hi," Claire smiled as Fergal added a flat, "Hello," too...

"What brings you both out? I thought you'd be at home..." Lizzie noted as Claire smiled, "Nothing much just needed to get out,"

Fergal gave a nod of his head in agreement.

Lizzie decided to do introductions, "Claire Mackenzie, Fergal Maclure..."

"Graeme Knox," Graeme gave a nod of his head as Compton spoke up, "Compton Macfarlane, Laird of Glencampbell," as they both shook hands with Fergal and bowed their heads at Claire.

Claire spoke up, "How do you do. Have a great dinner, nice to meet all of you," as Claire and Fergal were about to sit down at another table, until...

"Join us," Compton spoke right up as Lizzie smiled at him, "Have dinner with us..."

Katrina stared at Fergal, and Fergal stared back at her. Katrina then shifted uncomfortably in her chair, 'Sure sit with us...' Katrina's mind rattled as a flood of memories rushed back into her head...

Fergal added, "That's kind, but don't want to be a bother, right Claire?"

Claire nodded as Compton added, "No bother, we'll just pull up another table and sit together."

Compton and Graeme immediately stood up, snatched a nearby table, pulled it up to theirs and chairs too as Fergal sat down beside Lizzie and Claire sat down beside Graeme.

"This is very generous of you," Claire replied as Lizzie smiled, "No worries, I'm just happy you were able to join us, right Katrina?"

Katrina sat still, as she could tell Fergal continued to watch her as she spoke weakly, "Right,"

After ordering dinner, having drinks, Graeme had decided to ask Katrina a few questions, mostly about where she grew up, what she did for work and fun...

"So Katrina, how long have you been in Glenbogle?" Graeme asked as Katrina returned back to earth after staring out in space...

"All of my life, minus a few places, went to university in Edinburgh," Katrina replied, as Lizzie further explained for her...

"Katrina's mum was a maid at the house for a very long time,"

"Really?" Compton chuckled as Fergal's attention went straight to the Laird of Glencampbell...and back to Katrina.

"Yes, that's right. She actually spent time with a friend of Lizzie's father..."

"Secret fling," Lizzie commented as Graeme laughed, "Nothing wrong with that..."

"I was the result. Yes, the result of a rather passionate love affair, good thing to know someone had passion..." Katrina's remark was intended for Fergal who caught on...

"Even better," Graeme replied as Fergal's attention now went to Graeme's...

"That's not so bad, is it?" Claire asked as Katrina gave her a look, "My mother ran away before having me, met my father, Thomas Finlay and pretty much its history. I've lived here ever since..."

"She wants to visit many places...as a result," Fergal replied subtly as Katrina tossed him quick glance, "Right Katrina?"

"Yes, right, Fergal," Katrina added civilly, as her eyes caught his across the table and then she broke the stare and went back to talk to Graeme, "My mother died when I was young, my father died years ago, and well, my uncle is my closest kin right now..."

"Well, then, sounds complicated," Compton added, as Fergal stood up from the table, "I need a moment, Claire, I'll be right back," Fergal stated firmly as he decided he needed to step outside for air...

"Okay," Claire smiled as her plan worked and she could tell from the long awaited glances between the estranged pair, as Katrina stood up too, "I need the ladies, excuse me,"

Graeme smiled at Lizzie, "She's very nice,"

Lizzie grinned, "Yes she is..." as Lizzie stared at Claire, thinking she's been quiet all night, and had a hunch that Claire had been possibly up to something, Compton just gave a nod stood and spoke up, "I'll go cover the bill..."

Fergal stood outside, as he blew out a breath and could see it steaming up into the air. A door shut behind him as he stood on the deck. "You know coming here doesn't change anything,"

"I'm not here for change, Katrina, you should know that about me by now..."

"Then why are you here? The comment about visiting places, Fergal, that was quite a crack at me, is it not?"

"Not meant to crack, just meant to make you aware...aside from the crack about our relationship being passionless! I brought you flowers, I wined and dined you...I asked you to go away with me...that's fiery passion, is it not?"

Katrina stood there and felt awful for putting Fergal down...she didn't reply...

"A simple yea, it is, Fergal would do!"

Katrina crossed her arms across her chest, "Fergal,"

"See to it that Claire has a ride home, will you? It was just a mistake for me to return," Fergal shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the truck.

"Fergal, wait a minute," Katrina began as Fergal stopped in his tracks but didn't turn around, he gave up on trying to convince her he wanted her back...just as, "I'm sorry about your brother,"

Katrina walked back into Ghillie's leaving Fergal standing there as he climbed up into the truck. Katrina traveled back to the table with a solemn face as Lizzie could tell she was upset.

"Where's Fergal?" Claire asked as her face guiltily dropped with a look of 'Foiled?! How could my plan be foiled? Oh drat!'

"Lizzie, time to go, Claire, I'll give you a ride back to the house," Katrina announced as she gave the men a look, put on her coat and walked out of the restaurant.

"Did I upset her or something?" Graeme asked, wondering if questioning her childhood was such a great idea with an audience.

"No, don't be silly," Lizzie complimented, as she turned to Compton, "Thank-you for dinner, very kind of you,"

"Not a problem, I'll ring you later," Compton winked at Lizzie as Claire and Lizzie walked out of the establishment...

"Okay Claire out with it! Why did you bring Fergal here?" Lizzie snickered as her ESP noted that Claire had planned to show up her dinner with Fergal all along...

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Claire remarked, as she kept her lips sealed.

"You bought him here, not just to go out and have dinner..." Lizzie pried more before Lizzie and Claire walked over to Katrina's car.

"Lizzie, I don't trick, if that's what you're implying...you're one to talk after setting her up on a surprise date!"

Lizzie retorted, "Hmph!" as both women climbed into the car.

Chapter Five---Fergal and Katrina, Part II

It was a silent ride back to the house. The trio of ladies, Lizzie staring out the window, Claire looking out to the road before them and Katrina, puzzled about why everyone was so quiet, finally stated in baited breath, "Maybe I'm better off without a man!" Just as her mind added, 'I need to find Fergal,'

"Why?" Lizzie retorted.

"What do you mean why?" Katrina gave her a puzzled stare with Lizzie sitting in the passenger's seat beside her. Claire in the backseat with a smile planted on her face as she noted her plan worked...it's still going to work...

"Because someone wants you to be happy and Fergal's not allowed to do it for you?" Claire chimed in as Lizzie grunted, "No, I want her to be happy, but I don't want her to get hurt again, there's a difference, Claire!"

"Who said anything about me being hurt again? Who said anything about Fergal Maclure making me happy?"

"He did for you once...right? I mean he's still..." Claire smiled as Lizzie gave a nod of her head in agreement with a remark, "Claire's got a point, on the top of her head, but she's got one,"

"Better than saying I'm talking from my keyster!" Claire joked, as Lizzie didn't laugh but her face featured a small grin.

Katrina shook her head, "I'll deal with him, it's my life, which I've made a crockery of...I'll..."

"I don't believe it, you're still---?" Lizzie smiled, as Claire beamed...

"Don't!"

"No need to be stubborn at love's door, Katrina Finlay," Claire laughed as Katrina rolled her eyes.

"Yes, well, love's door hit my 'keyster' on the way out, did it not? I've been very blind about it all..."

"You're not fooling yourself and that's not the Katrina I know," Lizzie chit-chatted, as Katrina tossed her best friend a look..."What happened to burning diaries and starting fresh?" Lizzie commented, as Katrina replied, "That was you and not me!"

"You joined me a few times! You have burning and itching feelings for Fergal!"

"Stop trying to describe it, like some kind of a hemorrhoid flare up!"

"You still do have it for him. You've gone all pink now Trina and you can't hide it! You didn't even touch your dinner at Ghillie's..."

"I did not blush at Fergal's being there and I wasn't hungry!" Katrina nodded her head, grumbling, "Erhm..." as Katrina's mind stated finally with relief, 'I fancy that stupid dashing Irishman! The question is, I don't know how to get back to where he and I once were...it's not simple, I wish it was,'

"Go find 'im, talk to him..."

"He won't talk to me now..."

"I bet he would," Claire confirmed as Katrina looked back her through the rear view mirror before turning towards the back seat, "You think?"

"Just go find out fer yerself," as Claire got out of the car and headed towards the house with Lizzie not far behind her. Katrina sat still contemplating her next move...

Fergal found himself stacking bird houses and boxes of supplies at the back of the house when Katrina came right around the corner, "Cold out here for January,"

"Not New Zealand weather, that's for sure..." Katrina kept saying things and Fergal didn't acknowledge her back...he just kept stacking...

"You think we could actually converse now instead of stalking me?"

"I'm not out to stalk you unless you're Bambi...see I have no gun, just bearing a bird house!" Fergal spoke up as he handed a box of bird houses over to Katrina, as she helped unload the truck, "Someone once told me it was a free country to state our feelings and see what we want to see..."

"You were stark naked in a river, Fergal...that was a long time ago..." Katrina simplified, as Fergal stopped stacking and started again as Katrina continued to help him out...

"Fergal, I really am sorry about Kieran,"

"I heard you the first time,"

"I miss you and you were right!" Katrina shouted and then whispered, "There was once undying passion," Fergal stopped piling up boxes and stared at her.

"What?"

"Say that again..."

Katrina's heart called out again to Fergal's...between beats, 'I miss you...'

"Say it Katrina Elizabeth Finlay. I want to hear you say it again," Fergal gave her another look of possible contentment.

"Fergal, I miss you! I didn't find it all that easy leaving you on the train, it wasn't my intention to just take off on you, but I had too. Lizzie was going to have Martha and I wanted to be there. I also wanted to stay here, not go off to some exotic foreign place, to visit yes, to live, no, Fergal. I didn't know how to tell you that so I charged on," Katrina stared at him while he set a box of supplies down at the kitchen stoop. "You know you could say something..."

"I was beyond hurt when you took off, Katrina. I decided it was probably for the best, I romanced you as much as I could, yet you were heart set on being with---?"

"Oh for Pete's Sake, aye, I've nothing to deny! You know, Archie and I go way back and when he first became laird I helped tend to the estate books and I pushed him to see the community's views, but it's all in the past. I was never meant to be with Archie, Fergal, as he's with Lexie, and he's always been meant for her. They are good people... Look, I didn't come here to chat about Archie or Lexie, Fergal..."

"Who do you think you're meant for?"

"Fergal," Katrina didn't answer his innocent question but instead replied, "I came to chat about us,"

"Oh..." Fergal dismissed Katrina and kept working, only to now make her more aware of...

"---I hurt you, I'm really sorry. I care---?"

"We hurt each other and you said, what was it earlier, we're a world apart even when we're inches from each other..."

Katrina stood still, before Archie and Alex appeared at the kitchen back door, "Fergal, grand for the help, Katrina?"

"Hi Archie, Hello Mr. MacTavish---I'm going now..." Katrina handed her box over to Alex and walked away...Fergal turned his head to watch Katrina stroll off, before feeling guilty for letting her leave.

Alex stood there, "Where's she going?"

"Home I guess, anyway come along now, let's getta move on with these boxes before it snows..." Archie announced as Fergal and Alex complied as they toted boxes into the house.

Lizzie and Claire hopped into the kitchen with bright beams on their faces as she peered over to Fergal carrying in a box, but then her brow puzzled, "Where's Katrina?"

"I don't know, she went home," Fergal stated sharply as he set the box down in the pantry.

"You two didn't chat?" Claire marveled, as Fergal avoided her smile and added,

"Ah, so you're both the culprits for getting her to talk to me!"

"No, Fergal, she came around on her own and rather quickly and suitably, like I said she would..." Claire added as she rolled her eyes and Lizzie backed her up.

"She's right, her plan of bringing you together at dinner did work, or it should have...I'm just sorry I tricked her into a date with Graeme in the first place...oh the anguish, you're putting her through! Katrina doesn't need it you know..." Lizzie remarked as she then noted, "What did you say to her to turn her away?"

Fergal sighed, "I said nothing. I appreciate the help, Claire. I understand why you set her up with Graeme, Lizzie...just leave it be as I'm not suitable for her, I never was...we fell into love just as swiftly as we fell out of it. I came back to speak to her ten days ago and well...she didn't seem want to until now...I mean it leave it be..."

"Leave what be?" Claire remarked, "You came back for her, did you not? You came back to proclaim how much you adore her and can't picture her with someone else, if you say differently then blimey, you're giving out ridiculous falsehood!?!"

Fergal stood there and Claire eyed him intently for an answer, serious answer to her question, as he sighed again, "I'm not a liar, Claire. Ya I did search for her,"

"Then ya daft bonehead, go on, scat an' talk to her!" Claire exclaimed and tossed another 'I mean business' look at him.

Fergal stopped unpacking boxes and zipped out of the door...before returning, "Wait, where's she---?"

"Oh for heaven's sake, Fergal, old yellow brick house in the middle of the village—it's the only one, you can't miss it. Mind you, have you forgotten that Glenbogle is only four blocks long? Her uncle bought it weeks ago so get going!" Lizzie laughed, pressed, and smiled as Fergal nodded his head, "Oh right..."

Lizzie and Claire laughed in sync as they both nodded their heads in approval...

To see you when I wake up
is a gift I didn't think could be real.


To know that you feel the same as I do
is a three-fold, Utopian dream.

You do something to me that I can't explain.
So would I be out of line if I said,
"I miss you"?

I see your picture
I smell your skin on
the empty pillow next to mine.


You have only been gone ten days
but already I'm wasting away.


I know I'll see you again
whether far or soon.


But I need you to know that I care
and I miss you

Miss you by Incubus

Fergal showed up at the doorstep of an old yellow brick house in the middle of the village as he noticed Katrina's car and decided it was time to pay the piper and ring the doorbell...

"Good evening," Fergal announced to an older gentleman as he asked, "Yes, may I help you?"

"I'm sorry to come at this hour unannounced, but I am looking for--- Katrina," Fergal's eyes caught sight of her as she traveled down the hall of the old house to the front door.

"Come in," The elder man, Xavier, let Fergal step inside and he nodded to Katrina, "Gent's here for you,"

"Fergal," Katrina replied as Xavier nodded his head and walked out of the room to give Katrina and Fergal a moment in the front entrance of the old house.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came for you..."

"Fergal, I can't..."

"Katrina listen to me, I told you the truth that I came back for you. I'm sorry I bullheaded turned you away. I'm not sorry I crashed your date, but I'm terribly---?"

"You are such a treacherously frustrating Irishman," Katrina teased as Fergal caught on...

"Hey! Don't go overboard. You're no prize either, Bold-headed Goldilocks!"

"Unless I send a lifeboat?"

Fergal laughed, "Treacherously frustrating Irishman seeks a lifeboat from Bold-headed Goldilocks, how's that for a headline?"

"I guess, depends on who'd read that paper..."

"I know I would," Fergal stated honestly.

Katrina spoke up quickly, "I had all of these dreams with you, about us, and they came back to me again when I saw you Hogmanay night—Years ago, I was so good at turning down proposals of marriage and in the past I kept telling my 'suitors' I don't love you, how can I marry someone I don't love? I usually scared them away and they fell for it hook, line and sinker. Of course, you came along and I pushed you away even when I still had feelings for you—stronger ones than I've ever had for someone else. Love changes, transforms, blooms into something worthwhile and new, but it doesn't fade away, Fergal...I mean..."

"You're sure about me now? You still love me?"

"I am sure. I've been sure, Fergal. As for love, I feared it...if I allowed myself to walk with you hand and hand, I'd be on a path I wasn't ready for years ago and I didn't want to turn you away so I got scared and I ran. You came back weeks ago and I buried myself in school reports, projects and lesson plans, none of it worked, I still thought about you. I just didn't know how to get back to where we were years ago," Katrina stated firmly, "But I mean---?"

Fergal stared at Katrina with a goofy smile forming on his face...Katrina stopped rambling and glanced at him, "What?"

"You've switched the subjects and going off on run-on sentences, where's the hill race, Kat? I'm sure you won it hands down with your words..."

Katrina blushed as the words stuck in her throat, unsure of how to reply, "I..."

Fergal then leaned in and planted a firm kiss on her lips, leaving her lips in an 'o' as she didn't know what to say or do next...Fergal did, he pulled her in for a hug, and gave her a warm squeeze...

They both broke free...

"So exactly how many suitors did you turn down?" Fergal inquired with a chuckle, as Katrina stood there...

"Two," Katrina laughed, "I'm sorry I didn't allow you to speak with me..."

"It's okay you needed your time. Of course, there's no one else right?" Fergal winked as his face went serious, "Kat, there really isn't anyone else I have to duke out for your affections?" Katrina laughed...

"No, I scared them all away remember?" Katrina shook her head and laughed again.

"Good, good."

Katrina and Fergal kissed again...