Title: Charlotte's Tumbling Time Travel

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters on Outlander.

CHAPTER 11

"Claire, can I work with you in the infirmary? You're mixing up medicine today, arent you? I wanna help. Please!"

Claire looked up as Lottie entered the dining room wearing a shirt and breeks and her red hair in a braid. She swallowed the water she was drinking.

"I suppose you can. Just make sure you're finished with your chores first."

Lottie nodded. It was Saturday and she was so happy there was no school that she almost danced over to the table and took a seat. As she sat down she flinched and vowed to sit down more carefully next time.

Jamie entered the room closely followed by Ian and Jenny. Little Jamie was already in his seat sticking his right hand fingers into the jug with milk in front of him.

"Och, ye wee devil. I should smack yer bottom fer you," Jenny said and pulled the little boy's hand out of there and went to get something to clean up the mess he'd made.

"So what are ye up to today, Lottie?" Ian asked, making conversation around the table.

Lottie took a bite out of a bannock and began to answer. She stopped herself remembering it was more important to remember not to speak with your mouth full in this time than in her own.

"I'm going to help Claire make medicine and things we need," she answered cheerfully.

She loved helping Claire. It made her feel like she was useful at the same time as learning something important.

Jamie and Claire exchanged a look and Lottie looked from one to the other waiting for them to say what was on their minds.

"What?" she finally said.

"I forgot," Claire said, giving Lottie a sympathetic look. "There is something you have to get done before you do anything else today."

Jamie took over.

"Before ye do anything else ye need to practice yer spelling. You and me are going to the study to do just that right after breakfast."

Lottie felt everyone's eyes on her, obviously waiting for some strong reaction in the form of an outburst. She had to admit she felt anger and disappointment flare up inside her at first. She battled them both down quickly though. There was no way she was going to get another thrashing today, for any reason whatsoever.

She looked up at Jamie and nodded.

"Fine whatever. Schoolwork is basically all I do so why not add some on Saturday and Sunday too?" she asked sarcastically.

"My thoughts exactly," Jamie answered back sardonically. "We'll start as soon as we're both finished here. However, after we're finished with that I have something else in mind fer ye to do. Unless Claire objects to me stealing her helper?"

Claire raised her brows and shook her head. She hadn't heard of these plans of his.

"What's that? Mock out all the stalls`?" Lottie sulked, drumming her fingers against the table.

Jamie chuckled and exchanged a look with Ian.

"No. I actually thought ye could go with me and Ian hunting deer this afternoon, if ye'd like?"

Lottie looked at all the adults around the table. Little Jamie started to parrot his uncle.

"Hunt deel, hunt deel, hunt deel," but failing to pronounce the last letter.

"Hunting? Me go with the two of you?"

The men nodded.

"Just me and the two of you?"

"Aye, unless you'd rather stay here of course?" Ian teased. He had obviously known about this when he asked her what she was up to from the beginning.

"NO! I mean, no sir. I want to go with you. I can help make medicine any day."

She gave Claire an apologetic look.

"I mean, no offense, Claire. You know I love helping you but…"

Claire smiled and waved her hand dismissively.

"I know, Lottie. You don't need to apologize. Of course you should go."

Jenny helped herself to some coffee before she spoke up.

"I dinna ken if I like this, Jamie. Why do ye need to teach the lass to hunt? That's not something she'll have use fer anyway."

Lottie became worried right away. Jenny's word had a lot of impact in the house and what if Jamie and Ian changed their minds when she disagreed with them? She didn't need to worry though. They had been prepared.

"Ye never know if she need the skill, Jenny. We both think it's good to be prepared for all eventualities," Ian said.

Jenny didn't seem convinced though and Jamie added.

"I seem to recall some other wee lass who used to follow us around demanding to learn everything boys learned at a certain age, Jen. And as far as I remember hunting deer and setting traps were among those things."

Jenny gave her brother an admonishing gaze, and then leaned back in her seat surrendering.

"All right, fine. But ye be careful all three of ye. I'll not have anyone returning injured or killed by any bores, do ye hear? Especially not you." She pointed a determined finger at Lottie.

Lottie couldn't stop grinning. She couldn't believe it. She was going to go on a hunt. Oh, she just couldn't wait.

"I promise not to die," she said and made a little enthusiastic jump in her seat, closely followed by a yelp. "Can I go practice my spelling now so I can go back after?"

The adults all burst out laughing.

To be continued

Authors notes: Sorry about the short chapter but I just started writing this story again and I wanted to give you something since it's been so long since my last update. I have had a break from writing during this summer but I've started up again now and I plan on finishing this story. Thank you so much for your encouraging reviews.