I do not own any characters, plots, or anything else pertaining to "Outlander". Wow, I'm blown away by the number of people who are following/favoriting this story. Thanks for the support, I really appreciate it. As always, thanks for reading.
Chapter 2
Fathers and Daughters
Brianna rushes out of the hospital, looking for the father she's never met. She searches the immediate area and stops suddenly, when she sees someone hunched over on a bench in the distance. She hopes its him. Brianna makes her way over to the figure slowly. The notion that this could be her father both terrifies and excites her in the same breath. She almost arrives at the bench, when the figure looks over at her. Brianna freezes right in her spot. She's close enough to see that it's a man, whose eyes are filled with more despair than she can bear. "Who are ye?" A warmth spreads through her at the sound of his Scottish accent. "I'm looking for someone, maybe you've seen him." There's a momentary pause between them that's filled with mistrust and she makes the decision to step into the nearby lamplight. Brianna knows that this is certainly a gamble, but it's worth the risk, if it's really him. She stands bathed in light and the man's eyes widen.
Brianna's heart stops, as the man stares at her in wonder. She takes a shaky breath and they stay like that for a few moments. No movements, no words, no…Her thoughts are interrupted, as the man slowly stands and takes a step towards her. Brianna's first thought is to turn and run away, back to her home, where she feels safe. "Breeh" She can hear the emotion within his voice and she can feel the tears fill her own eyes. Jamie takes a step into the light and he reminds her of a scared little mouse. Brianna's breath catches, as the contours of his face become illuminated. Growing up, she had always wondered why she had red hair and her parents didn't. Now, she doesn't have to wonder anymore. Light dances on Jamie's red locks and a lone tear falls down his cheek. He gives her a smile. "Is't really ye?" All Brianna can manage is a nod.
Jamie tentatively puts his hands on both her arms. It's a gentle touch, but it's enough to make the tears flow down her cheeks. "Let me look't ye." Brianna's heart warms, as Jamie looks her over with so much love in his eyes, it brings a smile to her face. "Ye mother showed me pictures of ye as a wee bairn n lass." He takes a breath filled with laughter. "Ye more beautiful in person, mi nighean." Brianna's smile widens, as he tentatively opens his arms wide for her. This is the moment she's been waiting for since she found out that Jamie Fraser was her father. Brianna holds her breath, as she finally steps into the warmth of his arms.
Brianna doesn't know how long she stays in Jamie's arms, but time doesn't seem to matter. When she finally pulls back, he gives her a gentle kiss on her forehead. Brianna has never felt so loved in her life. "What were you doing out here?" His eyes grow dim and his smile fades. "There's a wee bit too many people for mi taste and they were starin at mi clothes. I dinna wanna draw attention to mi self." Brianna nods at his words. "What happened to mama?" His eyes grow even dimmer, as he lets go of her arms and takes a seat on the bench. Jamie pats the spot next to him and she complies. Her heart drops into her stomach, as he turns to lock eyes with her. "Ye mother and aye were bein chased by bounty hunters." Brianna stares at her father for a beat. "I didna kent what else to do, but push ye mother to the stones." Brianna's heart stops at Jamie's words. She can picture him trying to save her mother from the brigands, just as he had saved them both before the Battle of Culloden. Brianna can see the utter torment and anguish radiating within his eyes.
She instinctively grabs his hand in hers. Jamie looks down at their hands and then gives her a small smile. "What happened next?" He takes a sharp breath. "When aye placed ye mother's hand on the stone, aye felt a strong sensation." Brianna nods at his words, remembering what her mother had told her about the disorientation one feels when traveling through the stones. "Why were you and mama being chased?" Jamie's eyes suddenly avert from hers, when he hears the sirens of an ambulance in the distance. He instinctively shoots up and blocks her from danger. Brianna can't help but smile at how protective he is over her, as the ambulance pulls up on the other side of the hospital. Jamie stands with his arms out and his knife out in ready position. He quickly turns to her. "What the devil was that?" She can't help but smile. "It's just an ambulance." Jamie puts down his knife and lowers his defense position. Brianna pats the bench next to her, as he did earlier. Jamie shakes his head and takes a seat. "Ye so much like ye mother." She gives him a smile. "That's funny, because she's says I'm just like you." He gives her a broad smile in return. "Aye, ye like us both." Brianna gives him a small smile in return.
They sit in silence for another few moments, just enjoying the company of each other. "Are you going to tell me the reason why you and mama were being chased, or am I going to have to wait here all night?" Jamie snorts at her words. "Aye, ye just like ye mother, stubborn n determined." Brianna nods, thinking of her mother lying in the ICU in a coma. The thought still doesn't seem real, even though she saw her with her own eyes. "A lad that ye mother was tendin found the pictures of ye and started accusin her of witchcraft." Brianna's eyes go wide at Jamie's admission. Her mother getting accused of witchcraft and only finding safety in this time. "We cannae go back, Breeh. They wannae ye mother's head on a stake." Brianna nods, understanding how difficult the eighteenth century was when witchcraft was questioned. "Did they investigate?" Jamie gives her a nod. "Aye, they went searchin through her practice." Brianna looks at him in confusion. "Mama had her own practice?" Jamie gives her a big smile. "Aye, she was runnin the practice for nearly a year when't happened." Brianna takes a breath. "You could have left mama, but you didn't?" Jamie locks eyes with her and she can detect the seriousness within them. "Aye'd never leave ye mother." Brianna nods at his words. "Your exactly how she described you." Jamie let's out a laugh. "She's a spit fire, ye mother." The mood shifts between them and she knows they're both thinking about the missing piece in this long-awaited reunion, one Claire Randall Fraser.
Jamie adamantly refuses to leave her mother at the hospital, but after twisting his arm a little, he finally relents and comes with her. He knows, as well as she does, that finding him proper clothes is the only way he'll be inconspicuous in this time. Brianna explains the concept of visiting hours and he seems to perk up at that. Jamie is willing to be with her mother any way he can, even if it means dressing up in clothes he's bound to be uncomfortable in. Brianna smiles, as father and daughter walk to her car, finally in the same place and time.