Jamie

It was a long ride back to Leoch for Jamie, he had quickly become addicted to his wife, any moment he couldn't be near her or be touching her was near torture for him.

Unfortunately, they had been gone for so long and had to ride through nights to make it up, at least with Claire with them now she was able to tend to Ned so his lungs wouldn't be slowing them down again.

It felt like years since he had last been inside the large stone walls of Leoch, now he felt he was returning a new man, he now was someone's husband.

Looking around he couldn't help but feel disappointed, he had always wished to take his bride back to Lallybroch, there had to be a way to get this price off his head so he could give Claire the new life she deserved, not saddled with a fugitive for a husband but someone she could stand tall and proud next to.

He swore he would find a way.

Claire POV:

I was a married woman once again, I was afraid belonging to someone once more would feel stifling but so far being tied to Jamie had been a completely different experience then I had with Frank.

Yes, we had our own dangers but we were facing them together, I felt as tho I didn't just belong to him but rather we belonged to each other, and for each other, we would fight to protect what was ours.

I didn't fear Jamie's moods or saying the wrong thing to him, being too slow or clumsy... if anything Jamie didn't look at me to find flaws or something to criticise but rather his gaze made me feel like I could do no wrong, his looks made me feel treasured and it was that feeling that gave me back my confidence.

Things weren't perfect for us by any means, we were often separated and seem to draw judgment and suspicion from all over, Dougal kept being wary of me and Gellis kept trying to worm her way closer, for what purpose I wasn't sure but I did not feel like genuine friendship and I was sure to keep my guard up with her. There was even Mrs. Fitz' granddaughter Laoghaire, who had been shooting daggers at me everytime our paths cross but for the life of me I had no idea what I had done to offend the girl.

I would have been fine to keep my head down and ignore these tiresome behaviors but it was an action of Laoghaire's that pushed me too far.

Jamie POV:

Christ, what on earth was the lass thinking, exposing herself ta meh.

I would have been quite happy ta never see a naked woman again aside from meh wife. Rage burned within me for Laogaire's disrespect of not only Claire but me as weel if she thought I would be of such low character to sin out of meh marriage.

I wanted to throttle the brat but first I needed to find Claire, my Sorcha, I needed my light. Needed to hold her close and know nothing and no one could get between us.

If I dinna let Black Jack's relative get the best of us, Laogaire stood no chance, I just needed Claire to reconfirm it, an perhaps we could reconfirm with each other a few time before supper was ta be called.

I found her in her surgery, thankfully she was by herself.

"Claire,"

She turned aroond at meh voice and smiled, meh God every one of her smiles felt like priceless gift ta meh. I cherished meh wife more then I could put inta words, I just hope she would remember that after telling her about Laogaire's attempts earlier today.

She came ta meh and snaked her long gracefull arms aroond by neck bringing meh head down fer a kiss.

Christ, my sassenach wife had the softest lips, she was a goddess I dinna deserve I only prayed fer her never to realize it. I couldna live without her, even breathing when she wasna near had become difficult fer meh.

I took her hands in mine and kissed each knuckle only to turn them over and place another kiss upon each palm.

"Jamie? Is everything alright?"

"Aye, everything is perfect but I needta tell ya something."

"Alright,"

"Laogaire approached meh today,"

"Mrs's Fitz' granddaughter? Has she taken to starring daggers at you as well now?"

"No lass, she tried to tempt me to her, even exposed her bossom ta meh, but I need ya to know Claire I dinna touch her. I love you, you are meh wife and I want no other."

Claire POV:

I suppose I had solved one mystery, Laogaire's problem with me wasn't my Englishness or suspicions I was a spy, it was that I had Jamie and she didn't.

I trusted Jamie, I did, but Laogaire was young and young girls can be vicious, I knew I couldn't ignore her actions.

"I want no other either, but we must talk to Mrs. Fitz about this."

"Are yeh soore thats the right thing ta do?"

"Girls that young are vulnerable and I understand why you stepped in to protect her once but just as they need protection they can also be the most vicious of creatures, we must tell someone and with a witness so her behavior does not escalate."

"I trust ya on this sassenach, I dinna want to embarrass the lass but I canna have anyone disrespecting our union."

I stroked Jamie's cheek, I had not told him yet but I loved him. I loved him so much. To be honest, I wasn't sure why I kept it to myself still, perhaps there was a part of me that fears the moment I voiced it I would awaken to cruelly find this had all been a dream, that would destroy me.

"Yes, you me Murtaugh and Mrs. Fitz... no one who would take pleasure in spreading gossip and seeing her reputation threatened but enough of us to let her know this is still serious and will not be tolerated."

We agreed after supper we would steal Mrs. Fitz away before she retired and have a talk with her and the girl.