AN: We are back in Cat's time line until farther notice. Sorry for the long wait. Short staffed at work and too tired afterwards to write.

It was early morning when I woke up to excruciating pain all over my body. Light was just starting to break the darkness. I crawled towards my pack and dug around in it with my good arm for the pain meds. Considering the pain I was feeling in my left arm and side I was glad we had decided to stock up. Grabbing my water bottle from the side pocket I downed two pills and gently rolled onto my back. It was easier to breathe in this position. Could mean broken ribs or a punctured lung? I prayed to God or whatever supreme being that it was the former. If I ever met up with Nicky again, I would have her take a look at it. For now though I wanted to fall back asleep.

At that moment though I heard rustling in the brush. I immediately sat up though it was painful. Nessie raised her head and pinned back her ears, she was now up and grazing. Her tail swished from side to side. She cocked her head as if listening closely then she let out a big nicker and raced into the bush. I knowing a bit about horses took this as a sign that one of the boys had tracked us down and decided that I would just lie back down against my pack. My breathing was not getting any better.

Through the brush I heard Iwan, "Oy there you are you great loaf. Where be the gal?"

I tried not to laugh. Laughing hurt. He just called Nessie a loaf. As in a loaf a bread. Well at least I could still laugh when all that shit happened to me.

As Iwan came into clearing, led by Nessie, I couldn't help but think my knight in shining armor had come to save me. Even though he was filthy and probably smelt of wet horse. Well that is what a night alone in the Scottish woods would do to you.

I think I freaked him out as I was lying down covered in my own blood. Actually I was still bleeding from somewhere I just didn't know where from.

"Lassie," he asked sounding concerned.

"Don't worry you haven't gotten rid of me yet," I replied all cheek.

He seemed to sigh in relief as he got off his pony. I guess it would be hard to explain to Nicky that her best friend died. Wait Nicky? Was she alive?

"Nicky?"

"Fine a little shaken, but fine. Rhett took her to our family home. You look like you've been through hell and back again Sassenach."

"Oh you know just the normal falling off a horse while going at full speed down a hill, breaking bones, facing redcoats, and spending a night in the woods." I left out the part about the redcoats wanting to rape me. I didn't feel like this was the time or the place.

"So those two lobsters were your doing?"

"Well Nessie and I."

He nodded, not surprised at all by the fact that Nessie was involved, "Well let me take a look at yah. We can talk about your adventures later."

He set off looking me over though I noticed he was very proper about it always asking permission before he touched me in an area. Oh if only men in the twenty first century were like this. He spent quite a bit of time on my left arm.

"Broken for sure," he stated, "You also have a nasty cut on your palm. Probably didn't notice it because well frankly you are covered in blood."

"I know my arm is broken. I was there when it happened," I said bluntly. My sass level was rising.

"Alright Sassenach let's get out of here before you get any more moody. We'll head to the family home about a day and a half away. My brathair-athar's wife should be able to sort you out. You'll ride with me though; don't think you'll be able to ride with a broken arm."

With that Iwan started to load both packs onto Nessie. She didn't seem pleased. About half an hour later Iwan lifted me onto Drostan. It was bloody hell. The breath went out of me as I grabbed onto the pony's mane trying not to fall off. Iwan was quickly behind me pulling me towards his body.

"Lean against me lassie. I'll get us home as quick as possible."

"That would be good."

As the day went on breathing got even more difficult. I think I would have been okay if I hadn't been riding for hours on end. I became less aware of my surroundings. I would fall into bouts of sleep often waking myself up by crying out in pain. Iwan keep checking in on me. Asking me if I was okay or if I needed a break, but in honesty I didn't want to stop because I feared I wouldn't get back in the saddle.

Around sun set Iwan stopped the pony and forced me to get off. He also forced me to eat and drink something.

Looking at the water he handed me I asked, "Do you have anything stronger than this?" No reply. "Oh come on you must have some whiskey?"

He sighed and handed me a flask full of whiskey. I took a big swig. Bad idea. I started to cough violently, which hurt like hell. It was like some was hitting the inside of my rib cage with a bat.

"CHRIST sakes woman," he yelled at me. "I knew I shouldn't have given that to you."

I was now doubled over in pain. I had actually fallen to my knees, which didn't help the situation. I was starting to get light headed. I stumbled slightly and Iwan was immediately by my side.

"I had hoped to avoid this but yah need medical attention lassie. Wanted to give yah a nights rest, but looks like we'll be riding the rest of the way tonight."

With that he started to break down the camp he had set up. When he was done he again put me up on his pony, climbed up behind me, and urged Drostan towards Inverarnie. I didn't think that night would ever end. To put it simply it was pure hell.