A/N: Thank you to the one reviewer of the last chapter for your thoughtful review. After reading it, I reworked some of this chapter. Hopefully it turned out okay! if you are reading, drop a line to let me know what you think and if you have any thoughts or ideas. Thank you! :)

Chapter 8:

When Murtagh brought her back, she retreated to the sanctuary of her room, but not before a quiet word from Jenny.

"If ye no feel like comin down for supper, I can have Janet bring ye up a tray," Jenny put her hand on her arm, rubbing it slightly.

Eleanor's eyes filled with tears and Jenny immediately put her arms around her, "yer heart was in the right place, Ellie. Jamie kens it too." She pulled away to look at her in the eyes, "Dinnae fash, sister. All will be well between ye and Jamie soon. Ye should have seen him when he were missin. I havena seen my brother that bothered about a women in a long time. And while it dinna feel it at them time, that should be welcome news."

She nodded taking a breath, "Thank you, Jenny."

"Aye, go rest. Ye look shattered."

She nodded and Jenny watched her to retreat to her room before turning to Murtagh and Ian Sr, who had appeared next to him.

Ian cleared his throat, "it no yer business, Jenny."

Jenny gave him a incredulous look and went to check on supper.

Eleanor fumbled with the laces to her corset trying to get relief from the stifling garment. The corset combined with her posterior was miserable. She collapsed on the bed and closed the curtains making the room dark. And then she fell asleep.

She had nightmares of Harry and Charlotte being in danger and she not being able to save them. Will was there, saying how she betrayed them all. He was shaking her by the shoulders when she was suddenly pulled out of her nightmare.

"Ye need to wake, Ellie," Jamie said. "It's supper time."

Ellie rolled back over to her other side, "I'm not going. Jenny said I did not have to."

"And is Jenny yer husband?" Jamie asked, shaking her once again. "Wake up."

"Go away," Eleanor moaned as she swatted at his hand. "I am not going."

Jamie finally just lifted her out of the bed and deposited her on the floor. "Ye are going. Get dressed. It's time for supper. I willna have ye hidin out in here."

"You are such a bully," Eleanor grunted. "I'm really not hungry."

"That's unfortunate," he reached for her corset and tossed it to her. "I'm famished."

"I'm sure you worked up quite the appetite," Ellie glared at him.

Jamie grinned at her, "I worked up an appetite in other ways though I no think ye will appreciate them." He went over to kiss her neck as she was fumbling putting on the corset.

She turned around and smacked at his solid chest, "Did you not forget that not only 3 hours ago, you and I had a massive argument?"

"Ach, no," Jamie said, "but I'm moving past it, I suggest ye do the same."

"You can not just ignore what happened," Ellie said, aghast, twisting to pull her laces.

Jamie took them from her and pulled them tighter, "Aye, I can. And ye can too."

"Yeah right, Fraser," Ellie said and pulled her dress on, buttoning it. She reached for her brush and brushed it out, before braiding and it and tying it together with a ribbon. "Let's get this over with."

He extended his arm to make way for her, guiding her out of the room, "After ye, lass."

Eleanor had entered the room, finding Jenny. She whispered into her ear and Jenny nodded. "Aye."

Ellie then sat down, somewhat gingerly, next to Murtagh, instead of Jamie. Ian looked amused and Jamie looked put out.

"Is that chair comfortable for ye, Mistress Fraser?" Jamie asked, his eyes on her.

"Quite, thank you," Eleanor replied, reaching to gulp her wine. Truth be told, sitting was uncomfortable, but she was determined to bear it in a manner of a wife from this century. More wine.

She turned to Murtagh and began to converse with him, wanting to show Jamie that she wasn't going to let this go easily. Jamie had a lively conversation with the children, but he would glance over to Ellie, aware of how comfortable she was with Murtagh. It dug underneath his skin that while things between them could be tense and stilted at times (thought it had been improving vastly) that Ellie was clearly so comfortable with his often taciturn godfather. Ellie had even charmed Lord John earlier today and given John's persuasions, it even annoyed him more. His own sister had given him scathing looks since he had returned to Lallybroch and it seemed to him that Ellie had created sympathy for herself that wasn't quite earned considering she had put them all in this verra position. He did notice that while she was talking to Murtagh and then with Jenny, she wasn't really eating.

Ellie forced herself to engage in conversation and not get angry at Jamie who was acting like nothing was amiss. And it took everything in her to force food down and not squirm too noticeably. Jamie had yanked her stays tighter than usual and it made breathing even more difficult. And then Jamie was taking an insanely long time to eat his food.

"Have another bannock," Murtagh said, "ye need to offset the wine yer guzzling down," he whispered in her ear.

She reached for the bannock and then paused, taking another breath, trying to quell the nausea.

"Eleanor," Jamie said from across the room, his eyes meeting hers, "Can ye pass me more of the potatoes, lass?"

"Ye must be especially hungry, Uncle," Young Ian said, "that's yer third helping!"

Eleanor reached for the potatoes, the shifting heightening her discomfort. She noticeably winced and then flushed red. She was going to kill him, he knew exactly what that movement would do to her.

"Here," Murtagh said, giving a warning look to Jamie, "I'll take those, lassie."

"Thank you," Eleanor said and then glared at Jamie, who shrugged.

"Riding all over the countryside to go rescue yer Auntie made me hungry," Jamie said, sticking a forkful of potato in his mouth, his eyes still on Ellie.

"Clearly," Eleanor grunted, the flush heightening.

"Brother," Jenny said, his eyes between the two of them, "I think we should retire to the other room."

"I'm almost finished, Janet," Jamie said, "Eleanor, would ye like some more? Ye haven't eaten much."

"No, thank you, James," Eleanor grunted.

They all watched Jamie slowly chew his food, methodically, before Eleanor, unable to stand it any longer, stood, "Jenny, I'm sorry. I think I need to lie down." It wasn't even the pressure and uncomfortableness of her posterior, it was more the spar with Jamie in front of the others that was causing the strong desire to retreat to her room.

"Aye," Jenny said, her voice soft and calm, "Of course, Eleanor. I'll help ye to yer room."

Jamie looked over to her. "Do ye feel unwell, lass?" he asked, his voice light.

Her lip trembled, "You win. In a battle of whom can be the biggest ass, you certainly win hands down. I fear I could never compete with you."

Ian snorted from down the end of the table and Jenny tried to hide a smile as she rose and went to Ellie's side. Murtagh shook his head wearily, knowing Jamie would respond in a temper.

Jamie paused and then rose, crumpling up the napkin that was in his lap, "I wasna the one who brought shame to this family. I wasna the one who got taken by the English. But everyone is thinkin that I am a monster for doin right by my wife. I didnae leave ye to the English. I dinnae allow the situation with the schoolmaster to get out. Yer reputation is intact and that of our family, but I am wrong to think that there must be some reckoning for yer atrocious behavior?"

"I do not have the monopoly on atrocious behavior, but you go ahead and enjoy your third helping of supper," she said, with a toss of her head.

"For Christ's sake, Eleanor. Ye need to buck up, lass," Jamie said, his eyes on her, "we have all had our arses beat from time to time and even Young Ian manages to make it through supper."

"Jamie!" Murtagh snapped and then rose before Eleanor could respond. "I need to speak with ye. Now, if ye'd please."

Jamie followed Murtagh out of the room.

"Come along, Eleanor," Jenny said, after they left. She put her arm around her waist. "I'll help ye to bed."

"Wait, Mama," Young Ian rose and then went over to his aunt. "Auntie, I am truly sorry if I caused ye any pain. I shouldna have brought ye to Mr. Hodges."

Eleanor pulled away from Jenny to bend down and look in Ian's eyes, "The fault lies with me and me alone, Ian, darling. I am sorry I dragged you into it. Will you forgive me?"

Ian nodded and Ellie reached to give him a hug, holding him against her.

"What the hell are ye doing, Jamie?" Murtagh asked, when they entered the study.

"She earned what she got tonight," Jamie said, "choosing to sit next to ye than me, making me look like the fool."

"Eleanor dinnae need do anythin to make ye look like a fool," Murtagh retorted, heatedly. He pulled his fist back and socked Jamie in the mouth. He leaned over as Jamie reeled from the punch. "For Christ's sake, ye are worse than ye were when ye were a lad of sixteen- cocky, arrogant fool."

Jamie wiped the blood from his lip and eyed his godfather. He took a deep breath and nodded at him. Murtagh hit him again. And then again. Then once in the stomach.

Jamie bent over, taking the censure from his godfather. "Yer right. I was cruel to her right now."

Murtagh stepped forward and put his hand on his shoulder, "Aye, ye were."

"She wasna exactly innocent either."

"Aye," Murtagh squeezed his shoulder, "but her pride is in tatters."

"I wasna cruel to her earlier," Jamie said, seriously. "I dinna lose my temper with her until when continued with her temper tonight."

"Aye," Murtagh said, his hand still on Jamie, who was leaning over. "Ellie kens that ye will never look on her they way ye looked on Claire. But she wants ye to be fair."

"I dinnae think I wasna being fair."

"Then ye have to explain it to her, Jamie. She dinnae ken what she dinnae ken, ye ken?"

"Aye, I ken," Jamie said, straightening himself up and wiping his bloody lip, "Ye didna have to hit me though. Ye could have just talked to me."

"Ye needed it ye are so hard-heided when yer back is up," Murtagh said, slapping him on the back, "Go make amends with yer wife."

Eleanor shifted back onto her stomach, trying to get comfortable when Jamie came into the room.

Eleanor turned back around and looked at him, "What happened to you?" she asked, noticing his swollen lip right away.

"Murtagh," Jamie rubbed his lip. "It looks worse than it is."

He went over to sit next to where she was lying on the bed. "I deserved the blows, Eleanor. To tell ye about Claire...it was cruel considering yer feelings about what just happened, but it isna what ye think."

Eleanor struggled to sit up, wincing slightly.

"It will pass soon. I should not have forced ye to supper and my behavior at supper was beastly. I'm sorry about that too. I was an arse. I dinnae ken what came over me."

Tears filled her eyes at his admission. "I may have pushed your buttons," she admitted, quietly, then adjusted, "Poked the bear. Encouraged you to anger."

"Aye, I ken," Jamie searched her teary face. "Still I'm old enough to ken how to act even when provoked."

"I am too though," Ellie swallowed hard. "I want to leave but I'm too scared to leave," she confessed.

He let out his breath, "Aye. I ken. Turn onto yer stomach, Eleanor."

"Why?" she asked, startled.

He raised an eyebrow, "I'm not gonna beat ye again, mo gharaidh."

"What does that mean?"

"My dear. Now do as I say."

"I really wish you wouldn't say such things to me," Ellie protested, the tears now spilling over as she didn't try to openly fight her emotions. She wanted to go home. But then she wanted to stay and understand him, to learn more about him and the way he worked. When it came down to it, she didn't know what she wanted. She rolled on her stomach, mainly to bury her head in the pillow so he couldn't see her choked sobs any longer.

Jamie lifted her shift. "Yer feelings are sore now, lass. Ye can either continue to fight me or listen to what I have to say. I promised ye that I would not tell ye lies so when I say, mo gharaidh, I mean it." He rubbed something wet, but soothing on her. "There, come now, I wish to talk to ye."

Eleanor rolled off the bed and went to where Jamie was now seated in the chair.

He patted his knees. "Come and sit with me."

She hesitated. "Your knees are hard, Jamie."

He chuckled and reached for her, "Come to me, mo gharaidh."

She allowed Jamie to pull her onto his lap and then she buried her head in his neck and he could feel her tears on him. His heart stirred. His emotions about all of this was just as messy as hers. He dinnae want to respond to her the way he was. He liked her and he dinnae ken what to make of it all.

"I need ye to listen to me and since yer feelings are still so sore, ye don't have to look, just listen, aye?"

She nodded into his neck. "I'll try."

"Yer so innocent, Eleanor. Claire had faced war. She had seen men die before. She had witnessed the worse of it all as a nurse in the war."

She nodded into his neck, "World War Two. That was a terrible time."

"Aye."

"I couldn't have done anything so brave as her," Eleanor mumbled. "She was fierce, wasn't she?"

"Aye, she was, but that isna the point. And ye can if ye want to. God kens ye are canny and carin enough. Ye chose differently and it wasna wrong. Ye helped wee ones learn and that is important in yer time just as much if ye had chosen to be a healer. And perhaps a little brave as well if all wee ones in yer time are as spirited as yer wee ones."

She laughed in spite of it, "I may have stories."

"Aye, I'm sure ye do. And I want to hear those stories soon."

"Really?" she lifted her head.

"Aye. I love yer stories," Jamie said, his voice low. "Ye have wit, lass. And it's charming."

She blushed. He smiled at her.

She raised her eyebrows at him, "I'm still pissed at you."

"I'm not done." he poked at her side. "Listen."

"Fine, go on then," Eleanor said, but her demeanor had considerably softened towards him. "Claire was in a war, so..."

"So, Claire and ye were different. Nothin could shock her. And when it came to using sound judgement, I trusted her more than ye."

Eleanor's mouth opened to protest, but Jamie quickly clarified, "Not because she is better than ye, it's just she understood life and death decisions because she made them often...Yer world was rosy. Ye never seen such hardship. The verra thought of the English shooting men after the battle or me being flogged or ye burning at the stake, it visibly affects ye." He took a breath, "And I wanna to protect ye from it, Ellie. I canna explain how much. The thought of ye hurt or broken, the thought of ye unsafe, it makes me feel things that I havena in a long time."

She bit her lip, "It's only because you are so honorable, James."

He shook his head back and forth, "It's more than obligation, Eleanor. I dinnae just think it, but I feel it too- in my depths. Do you ken what I mean?"

She nodded.

"And I cannae protect ye if ye dinnae listen to me. And I dinnae ken how to put that sense into ye except by threatening ye with this because ye haven't lived in dangerous times and Claire and I have. We ken our limitations, ye dinnae."

She paused, contemplating his words. She was silent for a few minutes and he waited, letting her process.

"You could teach me those limitations."

"Aye, what do ye think i was tryin to do when i told ye no?"

"Oh," she fell silent. "Crap."

"Dinnae fash over it, lassie," Jamie said, kindly, "it happens to the best of us."

"I still don't think ye should have beat me over it, Jamie," Ellie said, honestly, "and you aren't 100% correct about my time being so rosy. There were different dangers. I had been blessed not to face those things personally but every day, stories that even would horrify you are on the news...the television." She swallowed hard and hesitated.

"What kind of things?"

"They had to train us, Jamie, for active shooters."

Jamie looked quizzically at her and Ellie continued, "In my country, there would be mass shootings where a deranged individual would go into places and just start shooting everyone in sight. But the guns fire a whole lot faster in my time. It happened at schools, Jamie. At churches. And so, a couple times of year, we have to train the kids how to hide just in case. And every time we have those drills, I am faced that I could have to make a decision one day to forfeit my own life to protect my students, knowing my kids would grow up without a mother..." she paused, "which they aren't growing up with one any way, but that's besides the point. Anyhow, at least, you know your enemies. Our enemies come in surprising times and places and without warning often."

Jamie put both of his hands on her face, "That's awful, mo gharaidh. That makes no sense."

She sniffled, "Just as the highlands make no sense to me, but I appreciate that you want to protect me. I do appreciate it." She traced the side of his face with her fingers. "But beating is not the way to force my submission. I can logically see it from your worldview and how it would seem just to you, but there were alot of things that seemed just at the time because they were the norm, three hundred years from now will be looked back upon as reprehensible. Right is right, Jamie. And I can't pretend it isn't." She took a breath, "I'm stuck here with you and I am grateful for you. So enormously grateful, but you and I have to find a way to compromise on this. I have no choice but to remain here. I'm aware that I can be difficult. And I'm sure there are times Will wanted to throttle me," she swallowed hard. "We have to both agree to it, Jamie. Please give me the choice to consent or not if you are in the mind to dole out some discipline."

Jamie reached to wipe the tears that were flowing down her face, contemplating his next move. Finally, he lifted her chin up to look at him again. "Aye."

"Do you understand?" Eleanor held her breath.

"Aye," Jamie said, "but i need ye not to fight with me. I need ye to respect and obey my wishes seein I am the one who kens what it is like to live in this time. I canna have ye be that reckless, Eleanor. I canna not have ye undermine me. But I willna lay a hand against ye without yer permission."

She let out her breath. "Very well. I can abide by that. I do not foresee that I'd ever give you permission, but..." she blushed. "Stranger things have happened. I may lose my mind one day and consent. Who knows?" her face got redder.

Jamie threw his head back and laughed. "How many years did ye say that ye were married and how many bairns did ye borne?"

"I grew up pretty sheltered," Ellie said. "It's only recently after many years of marriage, that I felt freer with things." She blushed more, "Until I met you, who can look at me and make me blush just with one glance."

He smirked at her, "I think I like ye, Ellie." he said, "thank ye for making me laugh again."

"Do you think I am very funny then?" Ellie said, her lip trembling, trying to ward of the laughter. She slid off of his lap and went to find a cloth. She poured the pitcher of water into a basin and dipped the cloth in it. Then she went back to Jamie. She dabbed at his lip. "It's bleeding a little now."

"Aye," Jamie said, his eyes on her. She dabbed at his lip again and then put the cloth aside and very gently kissed him on the lips. "Does that hurt?" she asked.

He gave her a smile, "Why dinnae ye try again and then I'll ken fer certain?"

She very gently kissed him again and he reached up and fiddled with the strings of her shift and this time, he pulled it off of her shoulders, it falling to a heap on the floor.

"What makes you think I am not still angry with you?" Eleanor twinged as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her back to sit on his lap.

"I dinnae ken if ye are angry or no," Jamie said, kissing down her neck, "I suspect no. However, I want ye Ellie. Will ye have me?" He stared into her eyes and while Eleanor had instantly nodded, he repeated his statement with more emphasis, "Will ye have me?"

She chewed on her lip, sensing they were at an impasse. She was so attracted to Jamie, even more so sitting there naked on his lap, but a sense of propriety and loyalty to Will had caused her to keep a reign in her responses to him. "You beat me this afternoon. I should be righteously indignant for a bit longer."

"Aye, but we still have to get ready for bed so," he lifted her up of the chair and carried her to deposit her gently on the bed. He quickly undressed himself."Tell me about this Fifty Shades of Grey."

"A bedtime story?" She asked amused as she turned on her stomach and he flopped down beside her on his side. "You want me to talk naughty to you then?"

"Was it entirely naughty, lass? Ye surprise me."

"i was curious," she defended, the blush increasing as she tried to hollow herself into the bed.

"Aye, yer curiousity can get ye into a wee bit of mischief, aye?" he carefully patted her bum. "Do ye mind?"

"Mind what?" Ellie asked, turning her head again towards him.

"Lying here with me like this?"

"Yes. I feel vulnerable."

"Yer beautiful."

"I'm fat. Baby weight that I never got over. Stress made me keep gaining the pounds. I was much thinner when Will and I first married."

"Yer healthy. And verra pleasing, lass," he patted her again. "Now tell me about this...story."

"It will shock you...even after everything."

He laughed. "Now ye really must."

"Very well," Eleanor said, "I'll start from the beginning."

Jamie listened to Ellie give him the cliff notes version of Fifty Shades, his jaw dropping at certain parts.

When she finished, he said, "People printed this and others read it?"

"Yes," she said, with a blush.

"And ye read it?"

"Yes," she blushed deeper.

"Did yer husband ken?"

"Of course."

"And did he approve?"

"Yes, actually," she tried to slide off the bed, but Jamie reached quickly to grab her pulling her back onto the bed. "Not so fast, mo gharaidh."

"I'm cold. I want my shift."

He held her fast, "What do ye like?" his voice was measured.

"I thought I told you not tonight."

"I dinnae think ye said that outright," Jamie answered, evenly, "And I dinnae think ye meant it at the time. I dinnae think ye mean it now. Do ye?"

She gave him a look, "I suppose i could be persuaded..."

"If," Jamie relaxed his hold and gently pushed her back on the bed. He began to kiss down the length of her body, gently rubbing her leg as he did, "it is only fer me to apologize properly, lassie. Ye willna deny an apology, would ye? That wouldna be against yer..." he raised his head to look at her mischievously, "righteous indignation?"

She wiggled. The sting had long gone down, but she could still feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Ach, I do need to apologize, mo gharaidh," he gently cradled her bum, easing the pressure, before leaning over her and burying his face in her.

"I don't think..." Eleanor began to protest, but she stopped when she realized she very much didn't want to stop him. And for the first time, she allowed herself to be free with him and give into the seeds of desire that had been slowly cultivated every night for these past few weeks.

Afterwards, Eleanor traced her fingers along his back, her tips dancing over the scars. He had fallen asleep on his stomach soon after both of them breaking under the weight of their passion, her for a second time that night as he made love to her. She had tried to do the same, but twently minutes later, she realized that she was wide awake, thinking of all that transpired that day. All she learned about Jamie and his past. She leaned down and kissed them, softly, her tears falling over the criss cross lines.

Jamie opened an eye, "They dinnae hurt any longer lass."

"I know that."

"Then why are ye crying?" he asked, but did not move to stop her from touching him and kissing him.

"I'm thinking of you cold in that cave for seven years. Of how you must have felt. And after the battle. And before that when you were being whipped almost to death. And after that having to part with your children...I know you will never be happy without her, but I want for you to never feel those things again. The pain and loneliness," the sob caught, "And I only know that I haven't heard the half of it."

"Aye," Jamie said, his tone measured, "Ye haven't."

"I'm sorry I did not take you seriously, Jamie. I was prideful and I was wrong not to listen. And I'm sorry. You know that, right?" she leaned her head to rest on his back.

"Aye, I ken."

"It's just people would look at him differently," Ellie said.

"Ah," Jamie shifted gently and she lifted her head. He sat up and reached to pull her to lean against his chest, him supporting her. "Harry?"

"Yes."

Jamie sighed, his breath blowing her hair. "Why dinnae ye say anything, lass?"

"I don't know," Ellie admitted. "Maybe it was too close, too soon. He made such progress when there was somebody behind him believing that he could. He was so bright, but some couldn't see past his jumbled speech. Rupert sounds remarkably like him before Harry got help. Hearing his little voice, my God. I had to do something to help him, Jamie. I just had to."

"Oh, lass, I'm sorry. Truly." He kissed her head softly, then reached to smooth down her hair, in a comforting motion, "I should have ken somethin was amiss by yer instance."

"Would it had changed something?"

He pulled her tightly against him, "Perhaps I would have been a wee bit more patient in explaining it to you and made sure ye were settled with it before dismissing the discussion. Ye should have said somethin."

"And you should have told me about your back instead of hiding it every night. Trust goes both ways. I know I have to earn it, but I am trying...with your family, with the tenants."

"I ken ye are," Jamie said. "And I appreciate it." He kissed her hair. He shifted her gently out of his arms. "Eleanor," he looked weary all the sudden.

"What is it?" she searched his eyes.

"I still have dreams about what has happened in the past."

"I'm know you do." She bit her lip, "Who is Jack Randall?"

Jamie looked horrified, and Eleanor said softly, "you said his name the other night. You were having a nightmare. I tried waking you up, but couldn't. I cuddled up next to you and rubbed your back and you quieted down."

"Aye," he frowned, remembering something.

She blushed. "You thought I was Claire. You said her name right before you relaxed."

"Aye."

"It's okay, Jamie. Really. We can't help our dreams. I'm just thankful I was able to stop the nightmare. It sounded so heartbreaking."

"Ye are a remarkable woman, mo gharaidh."

She smiled at him, "Thank you. Will you tell me about Jack Randall?"

"Aye," Jamie nodded. He kissed her head again and then went over to find two glasses and the whiskey, pouring the drinks. He handed one to her.

"He's the devil himself and I ken he is burning in the fiery pits as we speak. He gave me the scars on his back and so much more." Jamie took a drink, "Do ye really wish to ken about him?"

She nodded, "But only if you feel like you can tell me."

"Aye," he nodded, "Ye gave yerself to me tonight, Eleanor. Ye dinnae have to. Ye could have continued to let me in yer bed but kept yer distance, but ye dinnae. I ken what that cost ye even if ye dinnae say it."

"Yes," she said, simply. She would not deny that it was true. She allowed herself to be passionate with Jamie, not simply submit to his wishes. And that action did cost her. It cost her the memory of something sacred between her and Will as she felt herself edging further and further away from her old life.

He traced her face before tapping her nose, "And now I will give another part of myself to ye, my past..."

He dived into the story of Jack Randall from start to finish, all the torrid details, Eleanor listening intently. And when he got to Wentworth, he didn't hold back. And then it was Ellie's turn to wipe his tears as she let her own fall.

"I dinnae ken why I am cryin over this, I dinnae usually. It has been long buried."

She nodded. "I don't think it is just over this..." she said, quietly. "You have let me in, Jamie."

"Aye. It isna easy."

"It never is," Eleanor said, reaching for his hand, "thank you."

He nodded. "I canna go to sleep now though or the dreams wlll be fiercesome. It is always like that when I am reminded of somethin, it finds its way in."

She squeezed his hand and then placed it on her chest, "then perhaps, we can replace those thoughts with other ones. Are you open to a distraction?"

He caressed her gently, "Aye, mo gharaidh." He leaned down to kiss her as she put her arms around him.

"I have a request," she said, afterwards as she rested her head on Jamie's chest.

"Verra well," Jamie said, "Ye ken how to get me in an agreeable mood."

"Can I just go talk to Mistress Kirby about Harry and what we did at home to help him?"

Jamie paused for a few moments, "Ye are set on this."

"Yes. But I won't if you tell me it is not appropriate."

"Nah," Jamie said, "I think it would be fine for ye to do so seein it seems that ye and Mistress Kirby got along fine to begin with."

"And," Ellie listened to the thumping of his heart, "Young Ian is having trouble with his lessons. It would be fine as his Auntie, with Jenny's permission to do them with him, don't you think?"

"Aye, if Jenny says so," Jamie said, "but she likes ye so I dinnae think she will have a problem with it."

She lifted her head, "Thank you."

"Aye, lass. Now put yer heid down and go to sleep."

"Yes, sir," She plopped her head down on her pillow and onto her side but Jamie turned towards her and pulled her, against him.

"Ye figured out a way to get exactly what ye wanted," Jamie said, "me wee besom."

"Jenny said that was an insult," Eleanor mumbled.

"I dinnae mean it as one."

"She said that too after I told her the way you said it," Ellie responded, "She thought it was quite funny actually."

"She's been called that plenty of times before," Jamie said, "Sleep, wife."

Suddenly, she felt quite warm and sleepy with Jamie's body weight against her. 'Goodnight, Jamie."

"Goodnight, lass."