Alex took the lively little ten year old down to the Loch to look for food for her new friend. She was very, very excited

and chattered more than usual.

"Do you think Daddy will let me keep Ronan?"

"No I don't."

"Please don't tell him Alex," he little girl begged.

"Don't give me a reason to."

She gave him a questioning look. "What do you mean?"

"No more running off among other things."

"But I never run off from you."

"From your lessons, from the others."

"But what if they are like Wallace?"

"Then when I get back you tell me and I will deal with it. That's part of my job."

"You promise?"

"Have I ever lied when it is truly important?"

"No," Alison said as the continued to walk towards the Loch.

"And that is so you can trust me."

Alison was really small for her age but you would never know about it from her energy and resourcefulness. She immediately

hugged his leg.

"You're my best friend, Alex."

"You're not too bad as one yourself." She smiled up at him as he patted her back. "Now let's hurry with this. We

have a lot to do before your bed time."

She started walking along the shore. "What do we have to today?"

"We have to make a place to grow our own water plants and get some of these planted. We also need someplace else for Ronan

to swim and make a dry bed too."

"Why can't she stay in my bathtub," Alison asked as they started to dig out some water plants for the creature.

"She may be cat sized now, but she will grow fast, leaving you no room in there to take a bath."

"Can I take a bath with her tonight," she asked excitedly.

"I don't' know that soap and shampoo will be good for her skin."

"I don't have to use it."

"If you don't your father will know." Alex gently reminded her.

"How does he always know," Alison asked. Her hair was carefully out of her way so it didn't get dirty. She could

be covered in mud all over her body but if it got on her hair or her face she freaked.

"That's something you will have ta learn for yerself."

They worked for a while when she slipped and she fell into the mud and got mud all over in front of her but also in her hair

and she started to freak.

"Easy now. We're almost done. When we go back you can play with Ronan in the tub for a bit before washing up."

"But it's in my hair!"

"Aye, but it will wash out easily enough. You have to finish getting food for Ronan. She needs you to do this." She

nodded and forced herself to get back to work. "That's a good girl!"

They worked for awhile then were ready to go back inside. Alex was carrying a large bin with some water and the plants

they'd taken. Alison was skipping on their way back. Despite the fact that the grounds were secure, Alex still was alert for a problem. But he

always kept it hidden from his young charge, wanting to keep her upbringing as normal as possible. He also wanted to avoid the Laird.

"Alex hurry," Alison said excitedly.

"I am," he exclaimed good-naturedly

They made it back to the house and Alison started to run up the stairs. Alex followed, glad that no one was seeing them as they snuck in and back to her room. Alison ran right into the bathroom and he could hear her fall to the floor. Alex ran the last yards to the bathroom, worried. Alison was on the floor and the creature was on her chest and it looked like it was trying to lick her face.

"I think she missed you, and I would swear she's a bit bigger."

Alison was giggling happily which seemed to egg the little creature on more.

"Alright now." Alex set down the box and picked the creature up. "Go get clean clothing while I let this water creature eat and get a bath

ready for you."

"Okay," Alison said and ran into her walk-in closet and picked out a pair of pants and a shirt not noticing that they didn't match. She grabbed her under clothes and ran back into the bathroom.

"Purple and orange don't go together lass." Ronan was munching on a few plants in a dish. Alex had put the rest out of reach.

Alison looked at her clothes, it was obvious that she was very excited and happy because of how bouncy she was. "Oops" She ran out then came back with matching clothes.

"Wash well with soap, then let the water out and fill the tub again. Call me when you're refilling and I'll let her in," Alex directed, picking up the food and Ronan.

"I wish she could take a bath with me," Alison pouted, starting to get ready to take her bath.

Alex closed the door behind him, to Ronan's dismay. Alison quickly took her bath and got out. She let the water out and got dressed and called Alex

in.

"I didn't know if I should use cold or warm water"

"You'll freeze in there with her if it's cold. Go for warm," Alex pointed out, still holding Ronan.

"I get to get in with her," Alison asked excitedly.

"Aye. I told you that before but you were so excited you did nay remember."

"Do I need my bathing suit?"

"That might be better so I can check in from time to time."

"You checked on me before. But I did have lots and lots bubbles."

"Yes and you can't have bubbles in there with her."

Alison quickly went and put on her bathing suit and ran back in, bouncing with excitement. Ronan had already gotten into the water and

was swimming. Alex was at work fixing a place to grow the water plants. Alison walked over to the tub with a smile on her face.

"Move back Ronan, so I can get in." The creature wouldn't move because she was happy to see her little mistress. "Alex, can you help me get in? Ronan won't move."

Alex pick the creature up and held her long enough for Alison to get in and settle down. Alison climbed in the huge tub and splashed as Alex put the water creature into the tub. She hissed at Alex, as if upset over being kept away from Alison. This caused Alison to giggle.

"No respect from either of ye."

"You know I love you," Alison said with a bright smile gracing her beautiful little face.

"Aye lass that I do."

Little Alison pouted. "Dontcha love me," She asked, a game they often played. In her young life, a life where her father was often gone for clan business, clan fighting or on business Alex and Nora were her only constants.

With a look of humor and mischief he answered, "Now what in the world gave you that idea." It was very clear he was teasing.

She pouted more. "Then say it."

"I love you and care for you very very very very," he paused, "very very very very much." This caused Alison to giggle girlishly. Ronan kept trying to climb up onto her. "Tap her snout, tell her no, and put her back in the water. She needs to learn now before she as big as you to not to that."

"But I don't want to hurt her."

"A tap with a finger or two won't hurt."

Alison did it. The creature uttered a surprised and confused sound, then tried to climb on Alison again.

"No," Alison said and tapped her nose again. She made a sad sound, very loud for her size. Alison kissed the top of Ronan's head

from where it swam in the water.

"Remember, what is cute now won't be when she's dog or pony sized." Alex stood there with his hands on his hips.

"She'll always be cute to me." Alison said as she took one of her squeaky bath toys and squeaked it before throwing it for her pet.

"Will it be cute when she's the size of a pony and pushing you under the water, and maybe pining you

there," Her guard pointed out.

Ronan bit the toy and shook it, hard.

"She calmed down." Alison said.

"Aye for the now."

"She'll be good." Ronan was still trying to 'kill' the toy. "She likes my toy."

"She's no playing with it lass."

"Huh?"

"Have ye no watched a wild hunter try to kill its dinner?"

"But she's not a hunter."

"She's no exactly prey either."

"But I thought she ate plants."

"How do you think they protect themselves," Alex always tried to turn things into a lesson.

"I guess this way," he little girl said with a shrug of her shoulders.

"Aye."

"Can we show her to Nora?"

"When Nora is better."

"Why won't Noah let me see her," Alison asked as she pulled gently on the toy in Ronan's mouth.

"Because she's sleeping a lot right now."

"Why?"

"Her heart is not very strong lass."

The toy flew across the room, except for what was still in Ronan's mouth. "Because of me," Alison said very softly.

"No! It has nothing to do with you," Alex exclaimed and gently stroked her wet hair.

Alison looked up at him with pain filled eyes. "Then how come she collapsed when she was here with me?"

"Because she did nay listen to the warnings her body gave her."

"Will she be okay," Alison' voice almost sounded pleading.

"I hope so lass. If she listens to the Healers she will."

Alison nodded. She played for a little bit longer with Ronan. The baby Water Horse finally moved a short distance away and settled for a

nap. "I think she's tired."

"The young eat and sleep a lot."

"Did I," she looked up at her caregiver.

"When you were nay crying your head off." He smiled at her. She grinned at him and started to get out. He handed her a towel. Ronan opened an eye and hissed at him. Alex lifted her out of the water and rapped her nose hard, then held her snout shut. "No Ronan."

"Alex..." Alison said.

"Aye?"

"Why did you hit her?"

"She threatened me. That was not a friendly hiss."

Ronan was struggling in Alex's firm grasp.

"Maybe she thinks she's protecting me?"

"That may be but she needs to learn not to do that to people like me right now."

"She'll learn."

"If it doesn't start now what happens when someone is brushing your hair and hits a knot?"

"You're right."

Ronan had stopped fighting and Alex set back in the tub. She glared at him, which he

ignored.

"You take a nap now Ronan," Alison said, petting her head.

Ronan settled back down and closed her eyes. Alison went back to her main room. Alex followed. Alison went

to her closet and got dressed. Alex turned his back working on the plants. She came out.

"Can we try to see Nora?"

"I'll call." He went to the other room to do so.

Alison started to brush her hair. A few minutes later he came back in. "We can see her but no stay long."

"Yea!!!" Alison said excitedly.

"Quiet and clam lass."

"I'm sorry." Alison said calming down. "I just miss her."

"Here that's ok, but with Nora it's not." She nodded.

He offered her his hand. She took it. They went down stairs to the Healer's wing. Alison was visibly nervous. Alex gave her had a gentle squeeze.

She looked up at him and smiled. The Healer came out of Nora's room. Alison went behind Alex's leg to hide thinking he wouldn't let her in. The Healer pointed

to her and beckoned. Slowly she came out from behind Alex's legs.

"Nora gets tired very easily. You need to be quiet with her and not stay long."

"Is she okay," Her voice sounded pleading.

"With quiet and rest she will get better."

"Promise?"

"I can nay do that. I will tell you that if she listens to me she will."

"I'll make her listen." Alison said, her shoulder's squaring, looking just like her father.

"Go in then."

Alison looked back at Alex. He nodded to her. Alison walked in. He was right behind her. Nora seems to

be sleeping. She slowly and quietly walked over to where she was laying. There weren't any machines,

only a single IV line. She sat down in the chair beside the bed. Slowly Nora opened her eyes. Alison

smiled at her, tears glistening her eyes.

"Allie."

"Nora." Alison said, tears starting to flow.

"There's no need to cry lass."

"You scared me."

"I did nay mean to lass."

"I know. Does it hurt?"

"No lass."

"You sure?"

"Aye."

"I miss you so much," Alison said, reaching out and taking her hand.

"I'll be back before you know it. Did you give Alex grief over the bath?"

"No," Alison said, "My hair got dirty." She was notorious about not wanting her hair dirty.

"I can nay tell now that it was. You did a good job."

"Not as good as when you wash it."

"You will get better with practice."

"I want you to come back." Alison cried softly.

"I will."

"You need to get better. Do what Noah says." Nora smiled at her. "I love you Nora."

"I love you wee one."

Alison felt Alex's hand on her shoulder. She looked up. "I don't want to leave."

"We can come back later."

"But..." He gave her shoulder a squeeze. "Alright."

She bowed her head then stood up. She kissed Nora's forehead.

"Stay out of trouble lass."

"I'll try."

Nora smiled as Alex drew Alison from the room.