Ellie woke up to a gentle shaking, which became more persistent when she groaned and tried to cover her head with the pillow.

"There's bannocks. We leave soon," Jamie said, sitting on the bed next to her. "Come on, lass." He took the pillow from her head.

She made a startled sound, but managed to roll over and push herself up to sit. She looked around, taking in the 18th century furniture and the large man with red curls and stubbly reddish blonde beard in front of her. "I thought it was a dream. Oh, God." The past 24 hours came flooding back in a rush of images and memories.

"We can't just leave her, lad."

"She's all alone, mi Lord."

"I have to go back. I have to go back."

"I canna just take a lass home with me. Jenny would be mad with questions."

"Jenny willna question a wife once she sees yer content. And the lass needs yer protection."

"Ye marry her, Murtagh, not I."

"Tis the honorable thing. She will never survive. Look at her. And ye need a wife, lad. Ye need one badly, much more than I."

"I have a wife."

"No, lad, ye don't. She isn't even born yet."

"Damn yer meddlin. Give me yer hands lass."

"Why should I trust you?"

"I don't see ye have a choice in the matter. But I know yer secret. And I know the way of things."

"What's in it for you?"

"That's for me to know. But I will not force ye. Ye can leave us now and fend for yerself."

"Fine. You are right. I am way over my head."

"Just, let's get this over with, lass."

"Oh, Lord help me." she groaned as the memories flooded her mind. She had traveled through time and now she was married to a 18th century highlander.

Jamie's smile was small, "Ye need to eat, ye'll feel better with food in yer belly," He reached over and shoved in bannock in her hand. "Take a bite."

She took a small bite, then another. She eyed the man who she had just met a short 24 hours again. "How far is Lallybroch?"

"A few days ride," Jamie said, "We'll camp most nights. The weather will be wet, but not frigid at night."

She swallowed hard, "I feel like I am leaving the last link to my family."

Jamie nodded, "Aye," he said, standing, "I can see why you would think that. But technically speaking, they don't exist."

She made a face, "Comforting."

"I got ye some clothes."

"Thank you," She looked over to the garments draping the chair. "I don't suppose there is an instruction manual for those," she asked, wryly.

Jamie looked resolute, "I will help ye dress. Show ye the proper way. We can't risk ye revealing ye ken not our ways especially when we get to Lallybroch. The fire is still going. We'll burn yer clothes."

"Must we?" As silly as it was, it was one of her last links to home.

"It's the safest way. Ye dinnae want to be caught with that in yer possession and try to explain away this one. And let me take yer rings. I'll keep them safe."

At her stricken look, he continued, "The diamond ring, it will set ye apart when ye want to blend in. The silver one, ye can keep on if ye like. I know it must be hard to remove yer marriage ring."

She swallowed her bite of bannock, it lumping down her throat. "It is, but you're right. Just take both though," she began twisting her rings, trying to get them to loosen. When they finally slid up her fingers, she handed them to Jamie's outstretched hand. He slipped it into his pocket.

They sat in each others presence, Eleanor trying to choke down pieces of bannock, while Jamie continued to watch her. Finally, he said,

"Come Eleanor, it's time. The others are waiting."

Eleanor took a breath and stood. Another breath and she slipped off her sweater, handing it to Jamie who was by the fire, stoking it. She slipped the pink flowered blouse over her head and tossed it to Jamie.

"Claire told me about that," Jamie said, curiously looking at her bra. "Is that comfortable?"

"In a way, yes. In a way no," her blush was deep at his scrutiny. She had wore bikinis when she was younger, but since hitting her thirties, she felt more of the need to cover up, to hide the extra pounds that she was carrying. "I don't usually wear it at night, but I was so tired..."

Jamie adverted his eyes at her embarrassment and reached down to grab the shift from the chair and walked over to hand it to her. "First layer."

"Thank you," her voice was hoarse as she unhooked her bra, slid the shift over her head and then untangled her bra from under the shift and went to throw the bra into the fire herself.

"Like, so I wear nothing under it?" she asked, frowning slightly at the thought.

"Aye."

"Okay, how do I stay warm? she asked as she unbuttoned her pants and tossed them to Jamie and then slid her panties off and threw them in herself.

"Stockings," he said, handing them to her. "Put them on."

She sat down on the end of the bed and rolled up the stockings. "Now what?"

He cleared his throat, "Come and stand in front of me."

She stood and moved slowly next to him. He took the stays and wrapped it around her middle. "I'll lace them fer ye, but tell me if it is too tight."

She nodded, a lump in her throat. He was awfully close to her.

He talked quietly to her as he did, but she wasn't even comprehending what he was saying, her mind once again spiraling.

He slowly turned her around. "Arms up, lass."

She obediently raised her arms, and he slid the warm dress over her head. "There ye are. Questions?"

She swallowed again, "Loads."

A small smile again, "About this, lass."

"Nothing at the moment."

"Good," he picked up a heavy cloak which was nearby. He swung it around her shoulders and pinned it closed. "There ye are."

"Do I look presentable?"

Jamie studied her, "Aye, just maybe fix yer hair."

"I can't make it grow."

"No, but," he handed her a brush. "Brush it out and tie part of it up with the ribbon if ye can't get all of it. And eat more. And take care of ye needs before ye leave. It's a long ride and we won't be stopping often," he warned.

"Are men here always so bossy?" she asked, her lips pursed, but she was only half annoyed.

He winked at her, "I'll come back in a few minutes for ye."

"Very well," she said. "I'll be ready."

Murtagh and Fergus were outside with the horses.

Murtagh gave her a look over and a nod of approval. "That will do, lad," he told Jamie.

He put the blankets on the horse, arranging them carefully. "How are ye feelin, lassie? Did ye sleep?" he said to her, as Eleanor went to stroke the horse, gently while Jamie went over to prepare his own horse.

"I slept okay. I woke up thinking I was..." she paused, "somewhere else."

"It will take time to get yer bearings."

"I'm sure." She looked over at Jamie, who was talking to Fergus, putting blankets on an absolutely massively tall horse. She bit her lip, "I don't know how to ride." she confessed to Murtagh, a catch in her voice, "I didn't tell Jamie."

"Of course, ye'll ride with Jamie."

"His horse is so high," she didn't try to hide her worry.

Murtagh chuckled. "Jamie rides well, lassie. He won't let ye fall."

At the sound of his name, Jamie looked over to wear Murtagh and Eleanor where talking. He strode over to her, confidently and took her by the arm, pushing her with him. "Come with me," he said, his tone light, but at the same time, serious. He wasn't giving her time to dwell on her fears of the unknown.

"Give me yer foot."

"Jamie, there is no way, I can hoist myself onto that thing. Trust me, I'm not the most coordinated or graceful or..." she stopped at the look he was giving her- there was a twinkle in his eye, but his expression never waved.

"Don't argue with me," he said, but not unkindly. "not over something that cannae be helped. Give me yer foot, lass."

She stepped into his hand and she felt herself being lifted onto the horse, Jamie hopping up, behind her. His arms were tight around her waist, his muscles securing her in place.

"Do ye feel like yer going to fall?" he asked, in her ear.

"No," she whispered.

"Then relax, yer as jittery as a newborn calf," he said.

"Everything alright, lad?" Murtagh asked, not bothering to hide his amusement at their interaction.

"Just fine. Let's go home," Jamie steered the horse and they were on their way.

They rode in silence. After about an hour, Ellie finally broke the silence. "I'm an introvert."

"An intro-what?" Jamie asked, curiously.

"It takes me a while to talk easily to new people that I meet and I don't do well with lots of people. I usually won't say something unless you say something to me."

"I'm not really that way," Jamie said, "It's just I sensed ye needed the quiet."

She shifted her back.

"Try leaning back against me," he said. "The way ye are twisting yer back cannae be good."

Eleanor relaxed into him. "I wasn't realizing I was, but yes, you are right."

"An introvert," Jamie rolled the word over his tongue. "And what are ye if ye can talk easily to anyone?"

"An extrovert," Ellie replied. "My husband was more of one. He made friends alot easier than I did. I had a few close friends, but I wasn't one you would want to invite to a party."

"So, ye feel shy around me?"

She chuckled, "Yes, you could say that. Actually, I knew Will was the one, when I didn't feel shy around him on our first date."

"What's a date?" Jamie asked.

Ellie paused, trying to think how to phrase it, "when a girl and a boy are interested in each other, they ask each other to go on...outings. Like...courting, I suppose."

"Hum," Jamie said, his voice low, "Well, considering we are now bound to each other, maybe we need to talk to each other. My sister will be asking all sorts of questions if ye and I don't say two words to each other."

"Okay," Ellie said, slowly, "but first, you are going to have to give me a crash course on 18th century Scotland. Politics, culture, religion...I need everything."

Murtagh had fallen beside them and he looked over to her, curiously, "she is a canny lass, is she not, Jamie?"

"Aye," Jamie said, "Are ye educated, lass?"

"Yes. Actually, my college was one of the oldest in the America."

"So, it exists now?"

Ellie smiled at the thought, "Yes, it does. It's in the colony of Virginia."

"What did you study?" Murtagh asked.

"I'm a teacher, so I studied to become a teacher," Ellie explained, "And I also majored in Psychology."

Murtagh and Jamie exchanged a look.

"Studying people and their mind, the way they work and why and such," Ellie explained, "All aspects of human behavior. I took other classes with government and literature and history, but my majors where psych and education."

"I see," Jamie said, slowly. "And they send women to school for that?"

"Yes and men," She tried to crane her neck around to look at him, but Jamie held her fast, "Don't wiggle so, you'll likely fall."

"I thought you said I wouldn't."

"As long as ye stay still like a good wee lassie," Murtagh interjected for Jamie. "Now, explain this foolishness."

"It wasn't all foolishness," Ellie looked at Murtagh who was giving her a skeptical look. "I learned to become a teacher. That's practical."

"And how can a lassie of yer size control yer pupils?" Murtagh asked.

"Quite well, actually," Ellie retorted. "I was actually good at my job, much better than..." she paused, "other things."

"I'm sure ye were, lass," Murtagh said, "I can see ye certainly have the mind for it."

"Will you tell me what I need to know?" Ellie said, "I know about American history during this time, but not much about European except when it affected the United States...like taxes and such and unfair government laws without representation."

"Aye, we ken all aboot that," Murtagh said. "Go ahead, lad, enlighten the lass."

"Aye, very well," Jamie said, "I suppose I must."

He began her crash course of Scottish history of the past ten years, starting at the battle of Culloden to the present, but omitted the details about his personal involvement with the rising and his abuse at the hands of the British. Then he began to tell her about the lands and the past clans and then about Lallybroch, the day to day life and expectations of how she should behave.

The three hours flew by with Ellie asking questions and Fergus and Murtagh interjecting their thoughts. Eleanor found herself relaxing with the men and entranced by the natural way they told their stories.

She shifted on the horse, trying to get comfortable, but she was hopelessly stiff and miserable. She winced as she shifted again. Jamie grunted and then steered the horse to the side. "We need to fill up the water jugs," he said, "There is a stream yonder," he nodded to Murtagh, who lead the way.

Murtagh hopped off his horse and then reached up for Ellie, taking her gently down.

"Easy lass, yer be right stiff, if it is yer first time on a horse," Murtagh said, holding on to her as she hobbled forward.

"Saddle sore," Jamie offered, hopping down easily, "that's the word for it."

"Damn," Ellie muttered and at the men's look of reproach, she said, "oh crap," and covered her mouth.

"Do ye usually curse?" Jamie asked, almost amused. "Claire said it was acceptable in her time."

"On occasion," Ellie held on to Murtagh's arm. "It is acceptable during mine as well, even more so, but I try not to, but sometimes it comes out. I'll try not to."

"Don't fash yerself, lass, yer among friends," Murtagh said, chuckling, "but I'd be careful around others."

"Noted," Ellie gingerly took another step. She bent down a bit trying to stretch in a way that wouldn't send ripples of pain through her stiff muscles, including those on her backside.

"Eleanor," Jamie reached for the water jugs and then gestured to her with his head.

Murtagh let go of his hold on her and she not so gracefully managed to walk in step with Jamie, who led her to the stream. He leaned down and filled up a water jug and then handed it to her.

"Drink, lass," he said.

She took a swig of water, it easing her thirst. "Thank you," she said.

He nodded and handed her another bannock. "Go ahead and eat."

She sat down on a nearby rock and ate the bannock, while Jamie filled up the other jug.

He stood. "Ye best find a place to take care of yer needs. Any place will do, but don't venture too far. We won't stop until nightfall."

"I understand," she told him, standing herself. She looked at up at the sky. "It looks like rain."

"Aye, its always pours this time of year."

"Bonny, Scotland."

"Indeed," Jamie gave her a lopsided grin.

She hobbled over in search of a place to take care of her needs.

The men talked over the fire that night, telling stories and jabbing at each other. Eleanor practically was falling asleep over her cooked rabbit. She pulled the cloak closer to her. It had rained all afternoon and she was cold. She shivered, her teeth chattering as her head drooped.

Murtagh looked over to her and gestured to Jamie, who stood.

"Eleanor," Jamie said, "let's find a warm place for ye to sleep lass."

He had brushed aside a spot for her that was well protected from the rains and built coverings around her, creating a makeshift shelter. He unwrapped a bundle for her.

"Lay down, and I'll cover ye," he said.

She collapsed on the ground and curled up.

"Are ye still sore?" he asked.

"Yes, but I'll be fine," she said as he tucked the blanket in around her.

"Try to sleep lass."

Eleanor tossed and turned, trying to get warm and the ground made her muscles that were already sore aching. She wished she had some tylenol or advil or motrin, or something. A while later, Jamie came back with a flask.

"Take this," he said. She managed to sit up a little to drink the whisky.

She sputtered, "God, that is strong."

"Aye, lass, but it will warm yer belly. Ye'll have to get used to it here. Take another drink," He crossed his leg underneath him, sitting there easily beside her. "Can't sleep?"

Ellie took another drink of the whisky, feeling the drink warming her. "Not really. I'm cold and stiff. I better not have too much of this," she gave it back to him, "I'll get all tipsy." She motioned to him and he laughed.

"Hum, scoot over. I'll sleep next to you. It should help keep ye warm at least."

Jamie curled up next to her and he was right, his solid body heat began to warm her, especially when he drew her against his side.

An animal howled and at her startled noise, he put his arm over her. "Yer safe with me. Go to sleep, lass. It will be a long day tomorrow as well."

With his warmth and protection and the whisky settling in her stomach, she drifted off to sleep. Somehow, she never doubted his word- she was safe with him.