Pranked, Loch, Hot Toddy & Matt's Wings


Day 3 – Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Breakfast Room

Sam and Jules had managed to get somewhat in order after last night. They were still wearing last night's clothing. They had managed one handed each to brush their teeth and hair. Using the bathroom while the other stood close by with eyes closed and humming was a bit of a challenge and embarrassed both of them. There were somethings that neither was quite ready to share and that was one of them.

They wandered into the breakfast room not really feeling like eating anything, being hung over and all. But they both declared they needed coffee.

Laughter burst forth from the assembled people who included Mason, Marsaili, Blaze, Winds, Jim and Heather.

Marsaili waved at them as she continued to laugh. She was freshly washed and in jeans and a light sweater. Most importantly she was on the opposite side of the table from Mason. Sam and Jules just stared.

Mason chuckled "Marsaili you are in so much trouble my lovely and devious sprite. They believed you about the twenty-four hours. I bet last night and this morning were rather interesting for them given their current state of dress."

Sam looked at Jules at the same time Jules turned to Sam. Both thought, that little minx. They laughed. Marsaili would fit in perfect with the group. Sam began to tug at the knots. When he couldn't get them undone Jules tried.

After fifteen minutes of both of them trying one handed Sam dragged Jules over to Marsaili and demanded in a humorous tone "Untie us you wicked wench."

Marsaili laughed and undid the knots as Mason chided "Now Sunshine where are your manners. You shouldn't speak to my wife in that way."

Sam responded "Well Gorgeous you were not the one to spend the night tied hand to hand and have to use the …"

"Sam" Jules said sharply stopping him before he said too much.

Mason and the guys got the drift and another round of laughter ensued.

Jules sat down next to Marsaili after getting coffee and commented "Here I thought you were so sweet but you have a devious side too I see. You and Spike would get along great. But even Spike has learned not to prank me and Sam too often. Sam thinks revenge is best served cold. He once waited three months to get Spike back."

Marsaili grinned and said "I remember Spike from Blaze's and Lizzy's wedding. I liked him. He was funny."

Sam downed his coffee then asked "Jules you want to shower first?"

Jules shook her aching head gently and said "You go first I'm just gonna sit here quietly for a bit and drink coffee."

Sam nodded and head out of the breakfast room. His mind was whirling on how best to get Marsaili back. Perhaps a quick call to Spike for ideas would be in order.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Loch Shoreline Near Gathering Meadow

Dressed in comfortable jeans and a long-sleeve moss green pullover shirt Sam walked hand in hand with Jules around the loch. Jules was dressed in jeans and had a lightweight red sweater on. Her hair was loose again. She preferred it that way when she was not working.

The two were enjoying a slow day and a long walk in the beautiful highlands. The sky was azure blue with puffy white clouds and there was a slight breeze. They approached a large rock near the shoreline and decided to stop.

Sam sat on the rock and then pulled Jules into his lap. They sat quietly gazing out over the loch enjoying the silence that was broken only occasionally by birds or the rustling of the trees. Jules leaned back against Sam reveling in the splendid feeling of peace and of just being with Sam.

Jules sighed.

Sam said "Penny for your thoughts."

She turned to look at Sam. He looked more relaxed and carefree than she had ever seen him. She responded "I like it here. It's peaceful and beautiful."

Sam nodded "I know what you mean. It's nice. But its beauty could never compare to the beauty in my arms."

Jules kissed him then settled back against him to look at the loch. They watched as a canoe with five kids in it glided across the loch. The kids looked to be between twelve and five and were all smiles and laughter as the eldest paddled the canoe.

Their peace was shattered as the canoe tipped over and the kids began screaming as they all fell into the loch. Jules saw the oldest one struggling to turn the canoe back over.

Sam was up instantly and kicking off his shoes and tossing his wallet and phone on the grass as he ran. Just before he entered the water Sam called back to Jules to run for help. He dove in and was shocked at the chill of the water. Sam swam with all his might. His breast stroke was smooth and easy. As he glided through the water Sam sent a silent thanks to Warren Pearson.

Jules waited only one moment as Sam dove into the water. Then she took off at a sprint towards the gathering meadow. There should be many people to help there. She knew the water of the loch had to be rather cold. They needed to bring items to dry off the kids and Sam.

She saw Blaze first and yelled "Five kids fell into the loch. Sam is swimming to them. We need blankets."

In short order dozens of people were racing to the loch with blankets

Sam reached the canoe and the first thing he did was right it. He then grabbed the closest kid and heaved her over the side into the canoe. Sam swam to get the second closest kid and managed to get him into the canoe. He repeated this three more times.

His energy was waning as he pushed the fifth fearful kid over the side of the canoe into the bottom of it. Sam did not have enough energy left to hoist himself in. Even if he could get in, the paddles were floating too far away to be useful.

Sam decided his best bet and the best for the kids too was to hold onto the back of the canoe and propel it toward the shore. He could hear the shouts of people coming. He saw Mason, Blaze and Wallace cresting the hill as he kicked his feet moving the canoe forward.

By the time he made it close enough to the shore dozens of people had arrived. They began pulling the kids from the canoe and stripping their wet clothes off and wrapping them in blankets. Sam didn't think he could stand, he was shaking so badly from the cold water and he had spent everything he had to get the kids to shore.

His hand slipped from the canoe and he was just about to slip under the water when strong hands gripped his shoulders and held him up. Sam heard Gillebrìde's voice calling for Mason and Wallace.

Sam found himself lifted out of the water by Mason and Wallace. They set him down on the shore and Jules was there. She began to pull his shirt off.

As his shirt came off, Sam heard a collective gasp from the people on the shore. Sam knew it was reaction to the scarring on his back.

Gillebrìde and Ailis shared a sadden look after seeing the scarring on Sam's back. Ailis understood partially what may have driven Sam's reaction to the Ferguson motto.

Jules wrapped a blanket around Sam who was shivering violently. She looked at Sam and asked quietly "Commando?"

Sam shook his head which Jules did not see or could not discern from his already shaking body. Through chattering teeth Sam managed to say "No."

"Good" Jules sighed and then began to unbutton Sam's jeans. He was too shaky to stand on his own but Blaze and Winds helped him up as Jules pulled his jeans off and wrapped another warm plaid around his lower body.

Mason who had been helping the children came over as Blaze and Winds were lowering Blondie to the ground. He said "Blondie gonna carry you to the house."

Sam shook his head "Walk."

"Nope" was all Mason said as he scooped up Sam not giving him a choice.

Sam didn't have the energy to argue at the moment so did not resist even though it was embarrassing to be carried like some child. He saw Jim checking on the children as Mason strode toward the house. He was glad Jim was focusing on the kids. They had been so frightened.

Jim stopped a moment and caught Sam's eyes on him. He called out "I'll be up to check on you after I finish with the kids."

Sam nodded.

As Mason carried Sam he knew Sam was struggling with feeling embarrassed. So he informed him "You just saved two of Ailis' and Gillebrìde's great-grandchildren and three kids of the extended clan. You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You are a hero in their eyes. So just relax will you."

"Can walk" Sam chattered out.

Jules shook her head as she strode quickly to keep up with Mason's natural stride "Sam hush up. You are shaking so much your legs would not hold you up."

"Would too" Sam retorted.

"Would not" Jules responded. Then she put a hand up and said "Not another word Sam. Mason is carrying you and that is your wife's final word."

Sam was about to retort again but Jules' use of the word 'wife' stopped him. He got a dopey smile on his face. His wife. Jules was his wife. Sam leaned into Mason and relaxed as he let the word wife roll around in his head.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Heather Room

Mason walked right to the bathroom and deposited Sam on the chair. Jules slipped past him and turned on the shower. Sam shivered as he waited for the water to warm. When it was warm but not hot Jules nodded to Mason and removed the blankets. Mason picked Sam up and set him down in the tub.

Then he stood back and said "I'll just be in the other room. Jules call if you need help."

Jules patted his arm and said "Will do." Then she closed the door to the bathroom giving Sam privacy. She asked "Need help with your boxers?"

Sam shook his head as his shaky hands moved to lower them. The warm water was starting to drive the bone deep chill from his body.

Jules put the tub stopper in and said "As you warm we will increase the temperature of the water. A warm soak will have you feeling better soon."

Ten minutes of soaking was all Sam could stand. The warm water was making him drift off. His voice still a little shaky Sam said "Ready to get out."

Jules slipped into the bedroom to gather Sam dry boxers and his warm pair of sweats and socks. When she got back in Sam was already sitting on the chair drying his body. Jules helped him dress.

As she was slipping on his thick, warm socks Jules asked "Can you make it to the bed on your own or should I ask Mason to help?"

Sam considered this for a moment. He was feeling warmer but his energy was still sapped. "Get Mason please. Last thing I want to do is face plant."

Jules opened the door and called to Mason.

Mason entered and was relieved to see Blondie not shaking so violently now. He was still a little waxy looking though. Mason helped Blondie stand and walk to the bed. Jules had pulled back the covers and arranged the pillows at the head of the bed on one side. Mason guided Sam and helped him get into bed.

After Sam was settled in the bed Jules covered him with the warm blankets. There was a knock on the door and Jules called out "Come in."

Ailis breezed into the room with a worried look and a large steaming mug in her hand. She went straight to the bed and held out the mug to Sam and instructed "Drink this, it will do you good and warm your insides."

Sam took the mug and wrapped both his hands around it for two reasons. One he was still shaking enough to spill it if he tried to grip it one handed. And two the warmth from the mug felt good on his hands.

He asked "What is it?"

Ailis answered "Hot toddy. Tea, whisky, honey and cinnamon. It is good for you and will stave off a cold from your swim in the loch."

Sam took a sip and then smiled as the warmth made it all the way to his belly. He sipped again and looked to Ailis "Thank you. It is very good. How are the kids?"

Relief washed her face and she sat on the edge of the bed and placed her hand on Sam's knee "Very well thanks to you and Jules and Jim. They are all being tucked up in their warm beds and none the worse for the wear."

Sam shook his head "No need to thank me Lady Ailis. I did what anyone would have done in the situation."

Ailis was about to respond when Jim and Heather entered the room. Instead she stood up from the bed and made room for them to attend to Sam. Ailis moved to the corner of the room and stood with Mason.

She tilted her head up to look at him and said softly "You care a great deal about Sam don't you?"

Mason nodded and unconsciously rubbed at his chest as he replied quietly "He saved my life many times at great risk to his own. Blondie is my little brother and I can never do enough to repay him for all he has done for me."

Ailis patted his hand "He will be fine. A hot toddy, warm blankets and a nap and he should be all well. A cold dip in the loch while rather unpleasant it no real cause to worry unless someone has a lung condition."

Mason looked at Ailis "That is what I worry about. His lungs were damaged badly when he was shot in the chest several years ago. Blondie has to take care not to get sick. Pneumonia is always a fear for Blondie."

Looking back at the bed Ailis saw Jim with his stethoscope on Sam's bared chest. She could see more faded long thin scars and one rather large one on his chest. Oh my Ailis thought.

Jim listened to Sam's lungs and then sat back "Sounds good."

"Told you they would Jim. I didn't swallow any water. Just cold" Sam said.

Heather smiled "Humor him Sam. We were worried."

Sam smiled at Heather "I know. Sorry about that." He turned back and asked "So what are your orders?"

Jim grinned and handed Sam his hot toddy back "Warm drinks and maybe a nap. You also need to let me know if you begin to feel any tightness in your chest. We don't want to let pneumonia get ahold of you."

Sam sipped the warm whisky concoction and nodded "Will do."

Blaze and Winds crowded into the room and looked at Blondie. Blaze stepped to the bed and looked long and hard at Blondie. He blew out a breath "Good to see you okay kid. That loch was ice cold Blondie. You need anything?"

Sam chuckled. He would forever be a kid to Blaze. Hell he could be sixty years old and Blaze would still call him kid. But that was okay. A weird thought crossed his mind. At one point he felt he had no father. Now though he really had three men in his life he considered his father; his Dad, Blaze and Wordy. Yes that Ferguson motto sure fit his life.

"Nah, I'm good. Just gonna follow Jim's orders and rest here a bit though. I'll join you all in a few hours" Sam responded.

Blaze stood "Good." Then he turned and saw that the room had collected even more people in it. Many of Marsaili's relatives had all crowed in to check on Blondie. Using his command voice he started to usher them out "Blondie is okay. Just needs a rest. Why don't we all leave and let him get it."

The crowd started to leave and Winds leaned down to Blondie "No more swimming in the loch you hear me?"

Sam just grinned and said "No promises."

Winds said in a long suffering tone "I know, I know. You'd do it again in a heartbeat if someone was in trouble. Not saying I'm not glad you were there but I am saying that you are important too and to take better care of yourself brother."

Jules sat on the bed after digging through Sam's drawers to find his watchcap. She put Sam's watchcap on his head and pulled it low over his ears to prevent excess body heat escaping. Then Jules smiled "Oh he will now. He has a wife to care for now. I don't plan on being a widow for many, many decades."

Sam's eyes snapped to Jules' eyes. Widow. His wife a widow. That burned deep. He could not allow that to happen. Perhaps it was time to readjust his thinking a bit. Maybe time to look at things like Ed did.

It would be tough to change who he was and how he reacted instinctively. Could he? Looking at Jules he decided he would try. She was worth it. Sam wanted to grow old with Jules.

That thought brought a long ago thought of Matt to mind. He had wanted to grow old with Matt and race wheelchairs in the old folk's home with him. His eyes looked into Jules. His mind conjured up an image of him and Jules racing in wheelchairs. She was beating him of course. He couldn't stop the chuckle that burst forth at that image.

Jules asked "What's so funny?"

Sam grinned and patted the bed next to him and said "Sit with me while I rest and I'll tell you all about it."

Jules crawled up next to him and he put his arm around her and started to tell her about Matt and the wheelchair race. Jules lightly laughed and snuggled closer to Sam.


Mac'IlleMhìcheil Estate – Outside Heather Room

Winds backed off seeing that Blondie truly was okay. It was so good to see Blondie so happy. The newlyweds needed some time alone. He was the last one out and he softly closed the door. Mason, Blaze and Jim were waiting in the hall.

Jim said "That was good to see. There were so many times in that past I wished for happiness for Sam and it is wonderful to see it come true."

Winds nodded and looked at the faded thin scar on his palm. Seeing Blondie's whipping scars always set off a surge of anger. He and Blaze had made good on their blood oath. Every animal that had whipped and beaten Blondie was dead. He traced his scar then looked at Blaze "Yeah it is really good. I bet Matt and Ripsaw are happy too."

Blaze grinned and put his arm around Winds "I'm sure of it. Who knows, maybe Matt is now Blondie's guardian angel. He had certainly survived things that would have killed others."

Mason laughed as the four headed down the hall "If Matt is his guardian angel I bet he is run ragged with Blondie as a charge."

The rest laughed and Winds said "I can see it now. Matt's wings are probably waterlogged right now."

Blaze chimed in "Well the few feathers that are left are probably soaking wet."

They all warmed to their subject and joked with one another as they headed out of the house to go sign up for competitions.

Matt sighed as he watched his brothers head out "You don't know how true your words are my brothers."

He floated back into the room and smiled. If he had anything to say about it, Sam and Jules would be racing those wheelchairs when they were very, very old.