I took down my golden dress and stepped back into the house. "Jamie, do you mind?" I lifted the dress. His face turned red.

"O'course." And then he followed me upstairs. I used magic to dry off my dress and then stripped quickly. Jamie faced the other way until I told him to turn around and help me with the laces. While he did that, I fixed my hair. I elbowed him in the face a few times by accident but he didn't say anything. "I should go wi' ye." He said when I was ready.

"You can't."

"I can." Stubborn bastard.

"I need you to watch Fergus, and you're only wearing a blanket."

"Right." He blushed again. "I wish ye hadn't agreed tae this."

"I know. But you can't refuse the king. I'll be safe." His hand trailed over my waist and he looked to the floor. "I promise." I rested my hand on his and then stepped away letting both our hands drop.

I rejoined the messenger and he led me to the carriage. Fergus hugged me tight. I kissed his forehead. "Be good for Jamie. Watch over him for me."

"Oui milady." He let go and I climbed into the carriage.

It took a while to get to the palace and then I was lead through to a large parlour. It looked like it was only used for entertaining in large quantities.

King Louis' arrival was announced and then he walked in and sashayed over to me. "La Dame Blanche," He said rather loudly. I was distinctly aware of ever pair of eyes in the room on my now, if they weren't before. "I was hoping for a demonstration of your gifts for my guests."

"Certainly my king." I curtseyed and then looked around the room. There must have been forty people there, easily. "What would you like me to do?"

"Something entertaining." He smiled and then stepped away from me, joining his guests. It made me feel weird, like he was hiding something, like he couldn't be trusted.

I looked around for an idea, shaking that thought from my head. It was treasonous. What was more entertaining than music, I thought? I turned to where some instruments were on display. Remembering one of the songs from the ball, one that everyone knew but no one knew the name of, I encouraged the instruments to start playing.

It only took a moment until they began to move. "Incroyable." (Incredible.) Louis said. I continued to focus through the song, hearing it in my head before I heard it out loud.

Back in the 20th century, music was an important part of my life. Uncle Lamb and I weren't picky, playing whatever we had on hand on the gramophone he brought with him everywhere. But this brought a smile to my face. I was never a creative person. I couldn't play music to save my life, but now I could apparently.

When the song was over, I received a round of applause and then Louis came over to me. "Parfait mademoiselle, you may go now, but I wait impatiently until I see you again." (Perfect.) I curtseyed again and walked through the palace.

At the door, I stumbled. I fell and rolled down the steps until the man from earlier appeared and helped me up. "Are you feeling well?" He asked.

"I… I'm not sure."

"Mademoiselle, your nose." I raised my fingers and found it was bleeding again.

"I have to get home now." I said, my urgent tone starting him into action.

"Of course."

On the ride back, I was vaguely aware of drifting in and out of consciousness. I felt cold and disconnected from my body. It was strange. My nose hadn't ceased bleeding, staining my golden dress red.

I couldn't think. It was all broken sentences. Brief images. My world was rocking, flashes of light.

The movement stopped, and then after a few minutes I felt strong arms lift me from the carriage and lay me down on my bed. I felt calmer, ready to fall asleep.

I wasn't bleeding anymore. A warm, wet cloth wiped the liquid off. Laces were pulled to allow me to breathe. With each moment, I felt myself closer to returning.

Calloused hands caressed my face. "Tha gràdh cho mòr agam ort. Thig air ais thugam Claire." (I love you so much. Come back to me Claire.)

It was hours before I gained enough strength to open my eyes. Jamie was peering over at me, lying beside me on the bed. "Claire!" He smiled and sat up.

"I'm alive." I breathed heavily, unable to move. Jamie looked like he didn't know what to do.

"So much fer a quiet day." He said eventually. I laughed until my head pounded. "Wha' happened? I thought ye hadn't been sick again."

"I wasn't. It was wonderful Jamie. I created an orchestra. The instruments played themselves and it sounded just like the original music."

"Tha's great an' all, but ye've been passed out fer hours. If I dinna ken it was magic I woulda taken ye tae l'hôpital."

"Don't worry." I reached out and placed my palm on his cheek. I ignored the glistening of tears in his eyes. "I'm better now. I didn't mean to upset you."

"Are ye hungry?" He changed the subject.

"No. If you can believe it, I'm really tired."

"I'm no' sure ye should go to sleep."

"I'll be fine. And if you go to sleep too, you can keep an eye on me."

I settled back against the pillow as Jamie did the same on the other side. I'm not sure when us sleeping together became normal, but it was. During this time if we were caught, I could suffer great loss because of it; reputation, trust, dignity, my business. I could end up penniless and shunned. But Jamie wouldn't lose anything.

Still, it felt nice having a warm body next to me on the bed. I noticed now that Jamie was wearing his clean clothes, not the blanket anymore and that reminded me of my idea.

When we were both asleep, I moved closer to Jamie. "Show me your old kilt." He humoured me and took us to a memory where he was wearing a Fraser kilt. I did everything I could to memorise the pattern, the fabric, the weight and the display of it on his body.

Satisfied, I brought us back to the hearth. "Do you ever miss it?" I asked.

"Miss what?"

"The countryside. It's so built up everywhere here. There's no space. There's no freedom."

"Sounds like ye miss it." He said.

"I do."

"As do I. But yer wrong. There is space and freedom."

"Where?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Here. We can go anywhere and do anything wi'out consequences."

"This doesn't count. None of this is real." I argued.

"Of course it counts. An' it feels real enough for me."

I looked out the window for a minute, taking in what he said. I had no idea these dreams of our were that important to him.

I sucked in a breath when I saw Master Raymond walking through the field towards us. "Wha' is it?" Jamie came to stand by my shoulder. "Who is that?" He amended.

"Master Raymond. He knows about my powers. The truth, not what everyone else thinks."

"An' how is he here?"

"I've no idea." I walked away to head out through the front door to ask him just that.

"Madonna, I need you to wake up. I have to speak with you." Master Raymond said when I got close.

"Where are you?"

"In your shop. Wake up Madonna."

I was thrown from sleep, breathing like I'd run a marathon. I wiped the sweat from my face and quickly laced up my dress again. Jamie was still asleep.

I found Master Raymond downstairs in the back room. "I am so glad you're alive." He said.

"I'm fine." It was true. I was completely healed, no pains or lingering nausea of any kind.

"Good, good. I suppose you are wanting answers."

"Yes."

"I've never seen this, but I've read a great deal about it."

"Seen what?"

"Your soul-bond. Jamie is akin to an energy source for you. I believe he triggered your powers when you met him, that's how you were able to use the magic to reveal the soul-bond connection. You can do magic without getting ill when he's around?"

"Come to think of it, I can."

"And when you're apart, you cannot."

"Yes."

"Keep him close and you'll be fine. You seem to have control of your abilities now which is good. I believe you were able to come through the stones at Craigh Na Dun" I froze. "because they recognised your magic and sent you to your soulmate so that your powers could be triggered."

"Ignoring the bomb you dropped about the stones for a moment, I've been here for three years. Shouldn't I have met Jamie when I first came through?"

"You were in Scotland were you not?"

"Yes."

"And Jamie was in Scotland?"

"Yes."

"Maybe the fates decided you both needed more time. He would've been fourteen. Perhaps Jamie needed to get ready for you."

"Okay… Why is this happening?" I was becoming somewhat hysterical.

"That is one question I cannot answer Madonna."

"Then… how do you know about the stones?"

"It's Scotland's worst kept secret. But if you're actually asking me why I believe in their power, I lived there for a time. I watched several women of Balnain appear and then disappear again when it was their time."

"Wait, their time?"

"Claire!" I heard Jamie yell and then heard his heavy footsteps as he thundered down the stairs looking for me.

"Are you saying I have to go back one day?" Jamie came into the room. Master Raymond stood.

"Goodbye Madonna. Until we meet again."

"No, wait! Please." I couldn't breathe. I could only hear my blood rushing through my ears. "Will I go back?"

"The future is unstable." He reached the door.

"That's not an answer." I yelled at him.

"I cannot say without disrupting the timeline." And then he was gone.

Jamie grabbed me as I fell trying to rush after Master Raymond. "Careful mo chridh." He lifted me back to stand.

"Where's Fergus?"

"No' here. I asked Murtagh tae take him when I dinna think ye'd wake."

"I need to see him."

"Alright Sassenach, I'll take ye tae him."

I was more steady on my feet now as Jamie led me to where he was staying when he wasn't with me. "My cousin Jared's a nice man, rather generous, he's letting all of us stay wi' him. Even Rupert and Angus even though they arena his kin. This is it Sassenach."

We walked up to a veritable mansion. It looked intimidating. "Are you sure I'm allowed to be here?" I asked self consciously.

"Aye Sassenach, ye are." Jamie brought me inside, ignoring all the servants and followed the sound of Murtagh's booming voice.

"Murtagh?" Jamie called.

"I want to know if my mama's alright." A small French voice said, Fergus. My heart clenched, it was the first time he'd called me that.

"Jamie'll come wi' news when he can. Give me back my sporran." Murtagh said.

I giggled at the sight of my six year old staring down Murtagh and clutching the bag that was usually attached to Murtagh's belt. "Mama!" Fergus noticed me and ran over, dropping the sporran.

"I missed you." I said, lifting him into my arms.

"I missed you too. Murtagh wouldn't let me come see you."

"He was right to. You would've been bored. All I did was sleep." I kissed his cheek.

"But you're better now?"

"I am." I nodded. Fergus wriggled out of my grip.

"Then we can go home?"

"I thought," Jamie stepped in. "maybe ye could both stay here fer the night? Yer mam will be needing rest and she can do that wi' people here tae take care of ye both."

"That sounds great." I smiled at his thoughtfulness. I moved over to Jamie and whispered in his ear. "But if we stay here, it wouldn't be appropriate to share a room."

"Aye Sassenach, but that doesna stop us from sharin' our dreams." He stepped back.

"Fine. I'd like to talk to Murtagh for a moment alone."

"O' course. C'mon Fergus, let's leave yer mam tae talk."

Soon I was left alone with Murtagh. "Thank you for looking after him. I'm sure he was a handful."

"The lad was jus' worried fer ye."

"I know Jamie lost his kilt, but I wondered if you still had yours."

"Och, no' fer a while. It was left at Lallybroch by mistake."

"And was it the same as Jamie's?"

"Aye. Fraser colours." He beamed proudly.

"Do you think you could find me two bits of old cloth that no one wants?"

"O' course. I'll be right back."

Murtagh disappeared but returned quick enough. I figured Jamie was close enough to be doing this. I took the first bit of dirtied and torn fabric and closed my eyes. I pictured it turning into a Fraser kilt. I saw the heaviness of the material, the pattern and the way it flowed. Murtagh was speechless. He had seen me do magic before but not with any obvious effect. This was quite different.

I turned the second piece of fabric into another Fraser kilt and then opened my eyes. "Here." I passed Murtagh one. "For you. For everything you've done for me." He looked like he was about to cry.

"Thank ye Claire. I… thank ye."

"Well go on, try it on. Make sure I didn't mess it up." I smiled at him as he escaped to try the kilt on. "I think it's your turn James Fraser." I could feel his presence in the doorway.

"Aye. I believe it is." He too looked like a kid on Christmas as I passed him the bundle.

"Off you go then."

Both men came back with huge smiles on their faces, wearing the kilts. I never thought I'd be attracted to knees before. But holy hell.

"I dinna ken this is what ye wanted tae do when ye wanted tae see my kilt. Yer a wonder mo chridh." Jamie walked closer to me, the fabric swishing at his knees. I licked my lips. "Ah, I see. T'is a selfish gift, like the bench." Jamie was smirking.

"No." I said, acting outraged. "I just thought it was important to you. If you're quite finished," Both he and Murtagh were trying not to laugh. "I have to find Rupert and Angus. They both deserve something for Fergus' bedroom.

"Relax lass, all they did was drink the whisky." Murtagh said.

"Fine."

Jared was in fact a nice man I later discovered. He put me up with Fergus in a room down the hall from Jamie. Rupert and Angus returned after dinner smelling a lot like alcohol. "Och Claire, we dinna ken ye'd be here." Rupert said.

"Aye, if we did, we mighta come back sooner. I'm sure ye missed us." Angus said.

"Like a rash." I said smiling. "I though you both might be deserving of payment."

"Payment?" Angus was all smiles and the picture of innocence.

"For the work you did on Fergus' bedroom."

"Aye, weel, it was nought." Rupert said and then Angus elbowed him in the side. "Nought but hard tiring work."

"Here." I extended my arm to Rupert and dropped a few coins into his palm. I did the same for Angus.

"Thank ye Mistress."

"You're welcome. I think I might retire to bed now. Thank you for your hospitality Jared."

I lifted a sleeping Fergus into my arms and then carried him up to bed. Jamie followed close behind. He knocked on the door frame. "I think it's time we talked." I said as I pulled the blankets over my son.

"Aye." He came into the room and closed the door behind him. It was only mildly inappropriate seeing as Fergus was in the room with us.

We sat down at a small table that held a decanter of whisky. I poured us both a glass and then cleared my throat. "I've a lot to tell you. Just… give me a chance to explain as best as I can."

"Alright." Jamie looked anxious now but I began anyway.

"Three years ago, I went to Scotland after I lost my baby. I visited Craigh Na Dun and I fell through the standing stones there. Jamie, I was born on the twentieth of October in 1918."

"What?"

"Master Raymond said it was something to do with the women of Balnain."

"Balnain ye say?"

"Yes, do you know it?"

"Aye, women appearing at the faery hill, lost in time."

"Well I'm one of those women. That's what the memory was before. In my time, they have invented this thing called a telephone. It allows you to speak to anyone in the world as long as you know the number that corresponds to their telephone."

"Right." He swallowed thickly. I then went on to talk about what Master Raymond had told me about our bond. "So ye got sick because I wasna there?"

"I suppose."

"Then whenever the king wants ye, I'll be there. Murtagh can watch the lad. I'll no' be letting ye risk yerself again."

"You seem way more calm than I would've thought you'd be."

"I want ye tae show me. When we're asleep, I mean."

"Show you what?"

"Craigh Na Dun, the future. As much as ye can."

"You don't believe me." My chest hurt.

"I do. I jus' need ye tae help me understan' better. I believe ye Claire."

"You believe me." I breathed. "Of course I'll show you. You'd best get to your own room then." Jamie nodded and left. I finished my glass and then joined Fergus in the bed. I couldn't wait to get to sleep.

Jamie and I were at the top of the hill at Craigh Na Dun. He watched as I walked around examining the flowers until I heard the buzzing sound. I touched the tallest stone and began to disappear.

He watched awe-struck as I woke up on the ground. I showed him how I hid in the bushes at night and walked during the day to Inverness, amassing enough money healing on the road to buy passage to France.

I showed him planes and cars and telephones and gramophones and everything I could think of to convince him that I wasn't raving mad. "It's certainly somethin'." He said. "Why did ye no' go back through?"

"This is my home now. Other than Uncle Lamb, I have no one to go back to. But I think if he knew, he'd approve."

"Weel, I'm glad ye did stay Sassenach."

"Yeah? How glad?" I moved closer to him.

"So verra glad." Jamie stepped into my space so that we touched from chest to toe.

"Yeah?" I breathed.

"Aye." Jamie tipped his head and captured my lips in his.

We were standing before the hearth now, our minds taken over by the kiss. Jamie slid his arms up my waist and I looped mine around his neck. One of my hands played with the hair at the nape of his neck.

I sat down, leaning my back against Jamie's chest, watching the fire crackle and trying to catch my breath. "Is it usual, what it is between us when I touch ye? Is it always so between a man and a woman?" I could feel Jamie's lips against the back of my neck.

"No, this isn't usual. It's different."

"Aye. I dinna want tae go back."

"We don't have a lot of choice about that. We can't sleep forever."

"Aye, maybe no'. But we can have this now." I turned my head and felt his lips press against mine again. I smiled.

I was more than a little disappointed to wake up alone but for Fergus. "You don't mind me calling you mama, right?" His voice was soft and vulnerable in the still room.

"Of course I don't." He curled up in my arms and rested his head on my shoulder.

The next week or so was spent with as much normality as possible. Jamie tried to limit the sleepovers, I worked in the shop with Fergus helping me with deliveries here and there. We were trying to create a routine. Jamie never kissed me when we were awake apart from that first time, however there were many nights spent together before the hearth, his lips finding mine in the light of the fire.

But all that we had worked so hard to build shattered with a single demand from the king.

Jamie was waiting by the carriage as I made my way into the palace. There were no guests this time. The king was alone. I was directed into a ridiculously decorated bedroom. "I've never taken a witch before. Lie down." My stomach clenched but I laid back on the bed. He was the king, he could have me killed. I could end up without a head, or drowned, or burnt. I had to let him do this. It was the only way to survive.

I looked up at the ceiling, unable to close my eyes as I felt my dress being bunched up at my waist by the wrong man. Britches were pulled down and I tried to think of something arousing so it wouldn't hurt so bad. But all I could think of was Jamie waiting outside for me. Tears filled my eyes as I felt Louis push into me.

He was quick and didn't expect anything from me but to lay there with my legs open. His hands were tight where they gripped my waist. I would almost certainly end up with bruises. When he pulled out, he didn't waste time and dismissed me. I pulled my skirts down and hurried out. I could feel his come sliding down my legs as I walked.

"Is everything okay mo chridh?" Jamie asked when he saw me.

"Fine. I just want to go home." My heart was breaking and I couldn't look him in the eyes.

He didn't ask me any questions like he would usually, seeing the shame in my face. He didn't even say anything when the carriage dropped me off home.

Jamie engulfed me in his arms. I pressed my head to his chest and let myself cry. "Maybe it's time to return to Scotland mo chridh?" I nodded into his chest. "Take a bath and then pack. I'll go find us a ship." He kissed the top of my head and then stepped back.

"Thank you." I said, eyes shining with tears.

"I shouldna have let it get this far, I'm sorry." He sounded almost as bad as I felt. And then he was gone.

I went inside and took his advice. I scrubbed until I was red all over and my skin was burning, and then I packed up some clothes, herbs, food and my hidden grimoire.

"Mama, are we going somewhere?" Fergus asked when I came into his room to pack up his things.

"Yes. We're moving to Scotland."

"With milord and Murtagh?"

"Yes."

Fergus seemed excited which only got worse when Jamie returned with tickets for us all to leave tonight. "I dinna think I would get us passage so soon, but I got lucky. Have ye everything packed?"

"I have, but how am I meant to sell the shop?"

"Perhaps ye could ask Louise or Madam Elise tae sell it fer ye and get them tae send the money over."

"I guess I have to visit Louise then." I liked Madam Elise but that doesn't mean I trusted her with my money. Louise was far more likely to give me the money seeing as she had too much to know what to do with.

"I'll watch the lad."

My final visit to Louise's house was hurried and a little frantic. "You're leaving? C'est terrible."

"I know, I'm sorry to put this on you and disappear, but the boat's leaving in a few hours."

"I understand. Maybe I'll bring the money myself and catch you up on what happens."

"That would be wonderful. But there's something else."

"Oui?"

"You can't tell anyone where I've gone. Not even the king."

"What have you done Claire?"

"Nothing. But I can't stay. And he can't know where I've gone."

"He will not find out from me."

"Thank you. You've been a great friend. I have to go now."

"Of course. Au revoir Claire."

I ran home, unable to stop my legs from moving so fast, cringing at the pain. Jamie was loading up our bags onto a carriage. Fergus and Murtagh were inside. "In ye get Sassenach." Jamie opened the door for me. I sat opposite Fergus and then Jamie climbed in next to me. "Rupert and Angus will be meeting us on the ship."

"I'm sure they don't want to cut their trip short." I argued.

"They dinna have much choice. Because we are leaving at the last minute, I havena had a chance to send word to Castle Leoch. There'll be no one tae meet us, so we'll need Rupert and Angus."

"Is that where we're going? Castle Leoch?" I vaguely remembered visiting the ruins on my trip to Scotland before I went to Craigh Na Dun.

"We'll stop there, aye. But our final destination is Lallybroch."

The ship was much bigger than I expected. Rupert and Angus were, in fact, waiting on board for us. They didn't help with the bags, left that to the Frasers. Fergus watched the ocean waves with a happy curiosity.

"Have you ever seen the sea Fergus?" I asked smiling as he laughed at the foam.

"Non mama, I haven't."

"It's beautiful isn't it?"

"Oui." We both sounded starstruck. But it didn't last long.

Murtagh appeared then. "Jamie's never been a good sailor. He may need a few of yer herbs. I'll watch the lad."

"Alright. Fergus, be good."

We hadn't even left the dock and Jamie's face looked pale and shaky. "Don't move." I said as Jamie tried to sit up when he saw me come into his cabin. I moved to sit behind him, his head resting on my chest. I stroked his hair and used my magic to put him to sleep.

It wasn't long before the rocking of the boat sent me to sleep. "Tell me something good." I repeated my words from weeks ago. How had I only known Jamie a couple of weeks? It felt like a lifetime.

"I'll show ye, if ye like." He said and I nodded. We were back at my shop. Was the boat a dream? Was I home? No. I thought firmly. This was the dream.

Jamie was lying, bleeding on the floor and I was kneeling over him. It was hazy and our movements shuddered. His memory of that night was in pieces. But I remembered and filled in the gaps.

It was our first meeting. Jamie was dying. "This isn't a good memory. I was stressed and you were unconscious." I said.

"It is." Jamie was smiling. He was staring at me. "I kent I loved ye then."

"You love me?" I asked, emotion clawing at my throat.

"Yer verra hard not tae love."

"I love you too."

Jamie's arms wrapped around me and he kissed me. I was out of breath and yet I couldn't pull myself away. After a moment though, Jamie pulled back and began to litter my face with kisses. I laughed.

It didn't matter what had happened before. There was him, only him. It should've been crazy, thinking about tying myself to another man after all that I had been through. But Jamie was not Frank. He was nowhere close.

I was lying behind Jamie, the big spoon, when I opened my eyes. I choked back a laugh. He spun around to face me. "I would verra much like tae be yer husband Claire. Would ye choose me?"

"I've already chosen you."

"Ah Dhia. I fear my heart canno' take it." I leant in and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "When we get tae Lallybroch, will ye have me?"

"Yes." I pressed a kiss to his other cheek and then snuggled into his firm chest. Jamie's arms came up to wrap around me.

The boat journey to Inverness was far more enjoyable than I could've thought.