Title: Charlotte's Tumbling Time Travel: Lottie of Lallybroch

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters on Outlander. I'm only borrowing them for the story.

Author's notes: Hi everyone! Thank you for your reviews and feedback. Here comes the third chapter of the story. I hope you'll honor me with some thoughts on it. I'm doing my best with my work on the next one.

CHAPTER 3

Lottie reluctantly opened her eyes and took in her bedroom bathing in the early morning light. It was the first day of school and she wanted to just crawl back under the blankets and covers and go back to sleep. Or possibly…

Another idea entered her mind and she threw the blanket aside and jumped out of bed. She quickly pulled on a pair of breeks and a shirt and shoes. Then she padded almost soundlessly downstairs and past the kitchen to the front door. Everyone was asleep except for Mrs. Crook who was causing the clattering of pans and cauldrons in the kitchen while starting to prepare breakfast. She opened the door and closed it carefully behind her before heading out to the stable. Seoc wickered softly in greeting when she entered his stall and she handed him a carrot that she had nicked from the kitchen the night before. She knew she wasn't allowed to do that and that Mrs. Crook would tell Jenny if she caught her, but her horse definitely deserved a snack. He munched it contentedly and swallowed as she stroked his silver grey pelt.

A few minutes later she was in the saddle and passing under the Lallybroch archway on her way to the forest trails.

"Go, Seoc!" she yelled and the strong horse gladly broke into a gallop, reading her body language and tone of voice right away.

It was Lottie's intention to only be out riding half an hour and then return Seoc to the stables before anyone would notice they'd even been out. However, the morning sun warming her face and the soft breeze rustling the trees made her feel calm and happy and she found herself continuing forward instead of turning back when they should.

"I'll tell them I lost my way," Lottie said to Seoc as they trotted on down the dirt trail. "Jamie will never buy that though. Oh, never mind. We'll at least be back before it's time for me to leave for school."

At Lallybroch

Jamie stood arms crossed over his chest wearing a frown, staring out at the road leading to Lallybroch. He tapped his middle finger impatiently against his upper arm as he waited. He had spotted Lottie a few minutes ago as she was approaching.

"It wasn't intentional, honest!" Lottie objected s she saw the look of anger on Jamie's face as he fixed a stare on her.

Jenny came out on the stairs and gave Lottie an exasperated stare as she dismounted Seoc.

"Honestly, lass, where have ye been? We wake up and find ye gone and nowhere on the farm..." she said.

Lottie was just about to start explaining that worrying everyone hadn't been her goal at all when Jamie took three strides and reached her side. He grabbed her arm and turned her sideways before he delivered four heavy swats with his hand to her backside making her gasp in surprise at the sudden sting.

"Hey!" she objected to his treatment of her and spun around to face him when he let go.

"Dinna "hey" me, lass! This was a mere taste of what will happen if ye try that again. I warned ye not to try anything to make yerself late fer school or to get out of going there."

Lottie opened her mouth but Jamie leaning closer to her face made her close it again.

"I'm not stupid so dinna try telling me this wasna an attempt to stall. Now git yerself inside and change yer clothes. Mrs. Crooke has a bannock ready fer ye that ye can eat on the way since ye missed breakfast."

She lowered her head and studied the ground in slight shame for a bit. He inclined his head indicating the front door where Jenny had just disappeared inside. Lottie started towards there but then decided to make one last desperate attempt.

"Please, Jamie. I just can't go."

On his way past her with Seoc Jamie stopped in front of her and fixed her with a look of finality. She almost anticipated a fifth swat of his heavy hand but relaxed after a few seconds of it not arriving. She met his blue eyes and they had a spot of sympathy in them now.

"I know ye don't wish it, Lottie, and parts of me understand it verra well. But ye're going. I've vowed to myself that I will always do what's best fer you and this is indeed that."

Lottie sighed and accepted his extended arm and went into his embrace. When they parted she went up the stairs and into the house, having accepted her fate. Behind her she heard his voice reminding her to hurry or she'd be late for school.

Lottie ambled the forest path while swinging her satchel back and forth near the ground with her fully extended arm. In the satchel she had a light lunch and Jamie's old History book, which he had sent with her not knowing for sure that would be the book they used nowadays but figuring nonetheless that it was better than nothing. Lottie had sighed and accepted it before she headed out, reluctantly passing through the Lallybroch archway with a wave goodbye to Jamie, Claire, Ian, Jenny and wee Jamie. She had looked over her shoulder at them with a longing stare for as long as it was possible until she had no choice but to look ahead and let them pass out of sight.

She had never actually been to the school building but she had been in the area accompanying Jamie so she felt sure she could find it without any problems. She had wanted to ride Seoc there but Jamie had told her she could walk to school and not wanting any more arguments with him today she had accepted without arguing. He had seemed pleased with that.

It wasn't long though before she heard yapping behind her and turned around. Coming up the path behind her was Mathanas running with his pink tongue tangling out of his mouth.

"Oh no. Mathanas! Boy what'r you doing here?"" she stooped and patted him as he yapped and barked and bounced around to show his happiness at their reunion. "You can't come to school with me. Jamie will kill me. You have to go home."

She stood up and shifted to a determined voice as she pointed back in the direction of Lallybroch.

"Go on, go home!"

The little border collie pup jumped and started to sniff around on the ground, ignoring her firm order.

"Oh please, boy, you have to go home. I'll play with you right away after school. I give you my word."

She continued to try to get him to turn around and go back, but her attempts were futile. At last she tried picking him up and walking back to the last bend in the road and dropping him there with a firm "go home" before turning around and running towards the school. When she heard him whine and follow her she stopped with dropped shoulders.

"Fine," she said, resigned to her fate. "Come on then. But you're not coming inside with me. You'll have to wait for me outside."

Mathanas caught up with her and walked beside her all the way to school, glancing jovial up at her now and then, looking for approval. Exiting the woods they entered a meadow and then there it was. A small stone house, with one single floor, made of grey and brown stones. Outside lay a couple of logs where some children were seated while others were playing in small groups spread out over the meadow.

"If I survive this day I'll be thrilled," she said as she approached the house.

To be continued

A/N: Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter. It wold be greatlty appreciated.