Blind Corner, I Can't Wake Sam & Rainbow


Enroute to the Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate

The rain started shortly after they hit the road and had not let up in the last hour and a half. The windshield wipers squeaked back and forth trying to keep up with the deluge.

Sam turned to Jules and asked "You want me to drive?"

Concentrating on the road Jules answered in a teasing tone "Nah. I know how you drive tanks now. Or should I say crash tanks. The conditions are too similar."

Stretching out his legs and leaning back in the spacious four wheel drive truck Sam laughed. Jeff had told Jules, Scott, Uncle Mark and Jules' family the entire embarrassing tank story before his family left Medicine Hat.

He looked out the passenger window and decided that the road conditions were indeed like the tank course. It was rather hilly, muddy and had various puddles of standing water both on the road and off to the side. The road to the estate was little more than a one lane track. According to Mason, Marsaili's grandfather liked to keep his land as wild as possible and refused to widen or pave the road to the estate.

Sam was glad he followed Mason's suggestion and rented a four wheel drive truck. He did not like to think about trying to get a two wheel drive vehicle unstuck given the terrain.

Jules rounded a blind corner and slammed on the brakes. Sam's head whipped forward to see why. He caught a glimpse of another truck coming the opposite way. Jules had to whip the wheel to the right to avoid a collision. The force of the motion snapped Sam's head into the passenger window.

After several moments of bouncing over the rough, rocky ground off the side of the road Jules brought the truck to a halt. Her fingers were tight on the steering wheel. She slowly let out the breath she was holding. That was close, too close. Whoever was driving the other truck was traveling at too high a rate of speed for this road. Anger welled up in her.

Jules turned to vent her angry words about the other driver to Sam but they died in her throat and we were replaced with deep concern as she breathed out "Sam?"

She unbuckled her seatbelt and moved across to Sam. His head hung down, his eyes were closed and there was a small trickle of blood on the left side of his face. Gently touching his face Jules said "Sam. Sam. Come on Sam. Wake up."

Jules saw that Sam was just starting to rouse when someone yanked open his door. She stared at the hulking young man that was handsome enough to be a model but was now soaking wet as he peered into the cab of the truck.

The man spoke to her in a thick Scottish accent. She did not understand him at first and asked "What?"

Slowing his speech down Wallace Mac'IlleMhìcheil said "Name's Wallace. Are you okay?" But then he noticed the blood and the less than alert look on the blonde man.

Jules looked to Sam and answered "I'm okay. Sam appears to have hit his head on the window."

Sam roused and blinked his eyes open "Jules?"

"Hey, hey hold still a moment" Jules crooned softly.

"You okay Jules?" Sam asked trying to focus on her. He felt the rain hitting his left side and the presence of another person. Sam turned his head and did not stop the short soft groan as his neck muscles protested the movement.

"Yes. Sam I said hold still a moment. Let me check you out" Jules said as she held his head still preventing him from turning anymore.

Wallace looked on as Jules examined Sam and he asked "Whiplash?"

Jules ground out "Yeah probably. Thanks to you. What were you thinking to be driving so fast in rain like this?"

Getting his wits back Sam looked at the man as Wallace answered "Sorry no one is usually on this road and this ain't nothing just a wee trickle. You headed to the estate?"

Sam answered "Yeah" as he gently brushed Jules hand away from the side of his head. "I'm alright Jules."

Jules' voice was concerned "You lost consciousness Sam. That is not alright. And you are bleeding."

So that is the wetness on his face not rain. He assured Jules "I'm okay."

Wallace asked "Who are you two?"

Jules answered as she dug a tissue out of her purse "Jules Callaghan and Sam Braddock." Then she gently pressed it to the source of the blood, a small cut just a little above his temple and in his hairline. She didn't think it needed stitches just a good cleaning. It wouldn't even be too noticeable unless you looked closely. If Sam was lucky there would be little bruising on his face too.

Wallace sucked in a breath. He ran Blondie off the road and he was injured. Wallace raked his hands through his short, wet, red hair "Oh bhràthair mi ruith Blondie far an rathaid. Mason a 'dol a mharbhadh dhomh. Tha mi an duine mhairbh airson cinnteach."

Sam looked at the man and asked "Who are you and why?"

Realizing he introduced himself before Sam regained consciousness he said "Wallace Mac'IlleMhìcheil. Marsaili is my eldest sister. You understood what I said?"

Sam grinned "Yeah." Wallace was probably right. Mason would be none too happy.

Jules asked "What did he say Sam?"

Sam chuckled "Wallace here said oh brother I ran Blondie off the road. Mason is going to kill me. I'm a dead man for sure."

The tension broke and Jules laughed "Oh he is right about that." She looked at Wallace "How far to the estate from here?"

Wallace answered "Not too far. In this weather probably another forty five minutes or so. You can't miss it. The road ends at the estate. I'd follow you but I have to finish the errand I was sent on and …"

Sam finished "And you don't want to face Mason."

"Is it that obvious?" Wallace asked as he nervously bit his upper lip.

"Yeah but no worries. We'll just keep this little thing between us" Sam said and then flicked his eyes to Jules "Won't we?"

Jules nodded and said with feigned sorrow "Yes we will. I'd hate to see Marsaili upset losing a baby brother so close to her wedding."

Wallace paled a little not knowing Jules was teasing.

Sam took pity on the young man and said "She's joking."

"Really?" Wallace asked. The way Mason talked about Blondie Wallace was none too sure about that.

Jules smiled and said "Yes really. But slow down so you don't go running others off the road."

Wallace blew out a relieved breath and then bid them goodbye and closed Sam's door.

As Jules got the truck back onto the road she saw Sam rubbing his neck "Hurt?"

"A little" Sam answered but really it was a lot.

"I have pain reliever in my purse if you need one" Jules responded but kept her eyes on the road ahead.

Jules was almost certain Sam would reject taking a pain reliever. So she was quite surprised to hear Sam rummaging through her purse and hear him mumble "Damn how do you find anything in this thing? It's like a black hole."

After listening to Sam search her purse for what seemed like hours but was only minutes Jules reached over and grabbed her purse. Her hand reached in and pulled out the pill bottle and she handed to Sam without her eyes ever leaving the road. Jules realized that the whack on the window must have hurt Sam more than she originally thought.

Sam popped it open and shook out two pills. After he took them he leaned back and said "Thanks Jules."

Her hand rested on his thigh and she gave him a slight squeeze. "Just rest for now."

"Mmm k" Sam answered as he rubbed his sore neck.

Jules was surprised again ten minutes later when she heard Sam's slow regular breathing. He had fallen asleep. She worried a bit if he had been concussed. He was only out for a few moments. But Sam had said he hurt a little and he had taken pain meds. Taking pain meds meant it hurt more than a little.

She decided to let him sleep because there was nothing she could do for him right here and now. She was in the in the middle of the wilds of the Scottish highlands in the pouring rain and there was no cell service. The best thing she could do is get Sam to the estate. That way if it was more than a simple headache she could get help for him. Conversely if it was just a little headache the sleep would do him good too.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Outside

When they arrived at the estate Jules was blown away at the size of the house. It was a massive four story Victorian style mansion with gray stone work and extensive white trim. It had what appeared to be four spires or watch towers giving the mansion the impression of being a castle. She pulled to a stop under the canopy that extended from the front of the house to cover a good portion of the driveway near the massive double door.

Jules was relieved when the first person she saw exiting the house was Jim. Sam had not stirred at all and not woken up when she had tried to wake him as they approached the estate. She put the truck in park and turned it off.

She quickly rounded the truck to Sam's side as she called out "Jim I can't wake Sam."

Jim had been excited to come to Scotland, Heather and he deserved a holiday. Heather had been enamored of Scotland ever since she read some book about a woman traveling back in time and falling in love with a highlander. She was so enamored that she had named their daughter Brianna after the daughter in the book.

He had seen the truck approaching while talking with Mason in the front room. So they both headed out expecting it to be Sam and Jules since Blaze and Winds were not due until tomorrow. Jules call out set his heart racing.

Jim and Mason hurried to the truck. When he arrived Jules moved out of the way as he said "What happened Jules?" Then he got a whiff of the whisky "Ah Jules he's so drunk he passed out?"

Jules huffed "No. He hasn't had anything to drink. I went off the road in the rain and he hit his head on the window."

Mason turned to Jules and scanned her looking for injury "You okay Jules?"

She appreciated the concern of Mason but said "I'm alright."

Jim was looking over Sam as he asked "Has he been out since he hit is head?"

"No. Sam was out for a few moments but then he roused and was lucid. He took two aspirins and then within ten minutes he was asleep. He's been out for about thirty minutes now" Jules reported.

"Mason will you carry him in? I'll go grab my Sam pack" Jim said as he moved away from the truck door.

Moving forward Mason unclipped Sam's seatbelt and then scooped him up. Jules grabbed her purse and followed Mason into the house.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Sam's Room

As Jules entered she was in awe of the splendor and age of mansion. Jules followed Mason up a wide staircase in rich cherry mahogany. The walls were adorned with what appeared to be family paintings, crests and all sorts of old weaponry. The carpet in the second story hallway was deep crimson red. Everything bespoke a long history and wealth.

Jules looked around the room that Sam was laid down in. It was very masculine. It contained dark wood furniture that looked to be hundreds of years old. The room was done up in muted greens, blues and burgundy. It contained a twin sized bed, a small desk, a dresser, a small round table and a comfortable looking chair near a large window that looked out at the loch and the mountains beyond.

Mason carried Blondie to the room that had been reserved for him. Gently laying Blondie on the single bed Mason was worried because Blondie had not stirred at all as he carried him or laid him down. What was wrong with Blondie?

A small sense of relief ebbed in as Mason reminded himself that Patch was here and Patch always knew what to do with Blondie. Patch would take care of him. Mason shook his head, Jim, Jim not Patch. He would hate to slip and call Jim, Patch. It would bring back too many painful memories for Jim. Jim had needed to move away from that name to put his ghosts to rest.

In a way they all did. But they all approached it differently. Blondie's years in JTF2 had been hard on all of them. It was hardest on Blondie but he, Blaze, Winds and Jim had their share of emotional and physical scars from that time too. There were so many times that if they had just spoken up, broken the chain of communication or even lashed out at the General that all the shit that Plouffe put Blondie through could have ended.

Mason turned to Jules who stopped at the foot of the bed. "Jim's here. Blondie will be okay. What happened? How did you go off the road?"

Jules turned her attention to Mason. She had promised to keep Wallace's secret. She did not want there to be animosity between Mason and his bride's family. She said "The road was slick from the rain. Went around a corner a little too fast and ended up going off the road."

Jim and Heather rushed into the room. Heather first hugged Jules and asked "You okay Jules?"

Jules nodded as a distinguished old gentleman entered the room. He was tall and broad shouldered. His white hair was long and brushed his shoulders and he had a full white beard.

He was wearing a kilt with a black shirt and black hoses. The tartan was mostly red with an intricate pattern of small black squares and lines running through it. There were also thin cream lines that were wide spaced running both horizontally and vertically through the red. He was an imposing figure of a man.

His voice had a thick Scottish brogue as he asked "Mason what is going on?"

Mason turned and said "Sir, it appears Blondie was hurt in some manner on the trip here."

Laird Gillebrìde Mac'IlleMhìcheil looked at the young man on the bed. Mason had entertained the family with tales of this young man. It was clear Mason thought of him as a younger brother. He asked "Is there anything that you need? I can send for a doctor if need be."

Mason replied "Thank you for the offer Sir, if Jim thinks that is needed we will. But Jim is an expert when it comes to Blondie. As you may recall me telling you Jim is a paramedic and Heather is a nurse Sir."

Gillebrìde nodded and stood silently in the door as Jim and Heather examined the young man. He glanced around the room and saw a worried looking young lady at the foot of the bed. That must be Jules, Sam's fiancée. She looked just as Mason had described her.

Mason had spoken very highly of the young lady. According to Mason Jules was feisty and a fierce warrior in her own right but she also had a heart of gold. Gillebrìde could see that she was indeed very worried but held herself strong. She was no weeping woman. Ailis would take an instant liking to Jules he was sure of it.

His eyes returned to the young man on the bed. Gillebrìde hoped whatever was wrong was nothing serious. He could read the worry in Mason too.

Gillebrìde had instantly taken the measure of Mason when he first met him. Mason was a brave warrior of the highest caliber, real chieftain material. Gillebrìde wanted Wallace to learn a thing or two from Mason. Like how to use his intelligence, strength and size to protect the clan but to remain gentle of heart too.

Gillebrìde's thoughts were interrupted as the young man on the bed awoke and spoke.

Sam opened his eyes. It took a moment to process the change and he was surprised to see Jim staring in his face and Heather on the other side looking intently at him. "Where? What?"

Jules rushed to the side of the bed and Heather stepped back making room for her. "Sam?" Jules said softly.

Sam blinked and focused on Jules "Jules?"

Jim asked with a measure of concern "How do you feel Sam?"

Sam looked to Jim "Confused."

"What is the last thing you remember?" Jim asked calmly.

Sam closed his eyes and thought a moment then opened them and looked at Jules "Offering to drive."

Jules turned to look at Jim and shared "That is a little before he hit his head on the window."

Confusion clouded Sam's cobalt blue eyes as he looked at Jules "I hit my head on a window?"

She reached out and gently clasped one of his hands in both of hers "Yeah, I … skidded on the road around a blind turn and we went off. You whacked it pretty hard just above your temple. It bled a tiny bit and there is only a tiny bump." She turned to Jim "Why can't he remember? Sam was wake and talking before he slept."

"How long was I out?" Sam asked looking at those in the room recognizing everyone except an old man in a kilt.

Mason answered "About forty minutes according to Jules."

"Any pain, nausea or light sensitivity?" Jim asked Sam.

"Head and neck level three, not nauseous and no light sensitivity" Sam answered truthfully.

Jim looked to Jules "Did you two get any sleep on the flight?"

Sam answered "Yeah, most of it."

Jules answered "Yes like Sam said. But we've hit overtime a lot in the last week. Neither of us has gotten much good sleep in last month."

Jim nodded then he patted Sam shoulder "I'm thinking it was mostly exhaustion Sam. Not seeing signs of a concussion. I think you just need a good rest after the last month or so. I'm thinking you should remain in bed today and see how you are feeling tomorrow morning."

Sam looked at Jules and he could see the careworn expression. He gave Jules a small smile but directed his comment to Jim "Okay Jim. I'll do as you suggest." He saw a little of the worry slip from Jules' eyes. He squeezed her hand.

Gillebrìde Mac'IlleMhìcheil nodded feeling a sense of relief for all "Good."

Mason breathed in relief. Then realized introductions were in order and introduced Marsaili's grandfather to Jules and Blondie.

Gillebrìde took an instant liking to both of them and was soon ushering Jules out of the room along with Heather, whom he really liked too to go get some refreshments.

Jim, Mason and Sam were left in the room alone in very short order.

Sam turned to Jim and eyed him closely. With one raised brow Sam stated "I've never forgot anything when I was exhausted before Jim. I know you said that for Jules' benefit. What's really up?"

Mason looked to Jim a bit puzzled. He had not picked up on Jim's deflection. Mason sat heavily on the bed "Is there something to be concerned about Jim?"

Jim looked at Sam and then at Mason. He sighed and said "I'm not sure Sam. It might be nothing but … you should take it easy while you are here. I also think you should make an appointment with a neurologist when you get back."

Sam frowned "But it is just a small bump and you said no sign of concussion."

Jim blew out a breath "But you have had so many concussions. Multiple concussions are not a good thing Sam. They come with many risks. You already suffer from occasional migraines due to them."

Mason said softly "And you did lose your memory after a signification one."

Jim tried to lighten things a bit "Just check it out when you get back Sam. And rest and relax while you are here. After the last few months you have had you really do need to relax."

Sam agreed with Jim that he needed rest after everything that had happened since he and Jules were trapped in the trawler. So he nodded but made no answer or commitment. What Jim just suggested scared the hell out of him.

But he was here for Mason's wedding. He was here to have a good time with Jules. So Sam decided to push those fears away and ignore them for now.

He smiled at Jim and Mason and decided that he needed to change the mood completely for the three of them. With heavy innuendo Sam remarked "Well a little extra time in bed has some real advantages I can think of."

Mason and Jim both chuckled clearly understanding Sam's meaning. Sam was not a kiss and tell man but he was no saint and they all knew that Sam's passion for Jules ran deep.

But Mason shook his head and sadly said "Blondie this is your room. You and Jules have separate rooms. Laird Mac'IlleMhìcheil and his wife are very traditional. I'd appreciate it if you and Jules adhered to their wishes under their roof. I do not want to show any disrespect to the Clan Chief or his Lady."

Sam took in the fact he was laying on a twin bed. He nodded and said seriously "Anything, anytime for you Mason. You have my word Jules and I will not show any disrespect for their wishes."

"Thanks Blondie" Mason said sincerely. "Now you get some rest. I'll send Jules back with some food for you." Then he looked at Jim "You think it would be okay for Blondie to join us for dinner tonight?"

Jim nodded "Yeah if he rests all day that should be okay. I'll stay here until Jules comes back though."

Mason stood and said "I'll catch you at dinner. I gotta go help setting up things for the gathering." Then he headed out of the room.

Jim looked at Sam and said "So how did you end up smelling like whisky?"

Sam chuckled and launched into the story. When he was done both of them were laughing and Jules was entering the room with a tray of food.

Jim stood and said "You have the worst damned luck on planes Sam."

Sam grinned "Or it could be considered the best damned luck. Free upgrade to first class for a face full of whisky seems a small price to pay."

Jules set down the tray and handed Sam a glass of water. Then she pulled the comfortable chair close to Sam as Jim said "See you two later at dinner. Get some sleep Sam. Jules if you need anything I'll be out helping Mason."

"Thanks Jim. I'll make sure Sam gets rest" Jules stated.

When they were alone Jules dropped her smile façade and said "So what is really going on Sam?"

Sam reached for the plate Jules brought him and said "I'm famished. This looks good." He took a huge bite.

When he was done chewing that bite he had composed what he would tell Jules "Jim just worries. He said it was nothing but exhaustion but he wants me to get a full checkup when we get home."

He took another bite and changed the subject "I guess we will be sleeping in separate bedrooms. Mason asked us to follow the Mac'IlleMhìcheil's wishes out of respect."

Jules nodded "Not only separate bedrooms but actually separate wings of this place. My room is as lavishly appointed as this one. But it is all done in pink and ivory."

Sam gave Jules a WOW smile and said "A roll in a heather field is looking like the best bet now."

A chuckle slipped out of Jules and then she kissed his forehead. She loved Sam so much. Jules could see the deflection but allowed it for now. She would make sure Sam got a thorough check up when they got home. Jules was glad that Jim was here because if it was anything serious he would know what to do.

Jules waited until Sam was finished with his lunch then said "Alright now time to rest. I'll run these down to the kitchen and then come back and sit with you."

Sam shook his head "No. Hang out with Heather and Marsaili and the others. I'll be joining everyone for dinner. No need for you to sit here doing nothing but watching me sleep."

"You sure?" Jules asked.

"I'm sure" Sam said scooting down and adjusting the pillows to his satisfaction.

Jules leaned down and kissed Sam then caressed his face "Okay. I'll check on you later though."

Sam nodded and closed his eyes. He listened as Jules left the room. When the door closed he opened his eyes. He got out of bed and went to the window. He unlatched it and allowed the cool spring breeze to blow in. It had stopped raining and as he gazed out the window beyond the loch at the mountains. Sam smiled when he saw a rainbow.

He pulled the chair back over to the window and sat down to gaze at the rainbow. Sam knew the risks of multiple concussions. There was a higher probability of early onset of dementia. Could that be what happened to him today?

Sam focused on the rainbow. All the good in his life was all the more sweeter because of all the difficulty in his life. He sighed and wondered what awaited him in the future. Sam hoped the worst of his difficulties were over and that it was time to enjoy the good things in life.

Good things like getting married, having kids and growing old with Jules. Sam nodded off in the chair with a smile on his face and with thoughts of what Jules would look like on their wedding day.