#✶ ━━ verse two. { hope mackenzie. }

[ladylooch]

Enemies & Lovers - [Mack X David]

A/N: This took embarrassingly long. Mads, thank you for loving me endlessly despite that! Hope you enjoy babe! From this request.

Word Count: 4.1k

Warnings: 18+ Content

(David) 

The final verse of the national anthem has goosebumps breaking out on David’s skin. Anticipation begins to awaken his senses, rushing through his veins until little bumps protrude all over his body. He taps his stick against the ice, putting his helmet back on as he zooms around the Rangers zone, getting ready for puck drop. Tonight isn’t like any other game night for him. Tonight, Mackenzie Hischier sits 20 rows up from the ice with her older sister and niece. And while Lucie thinks Mack is there with her, she’s there for David. He knows it, can feel it in his bones that she said yes to tonight for him and only him. He hopes he will get the chance to thank her properly later.

On the other side of the ice, a white and red jersey with Meier across the back skates close to the red line. It’s the first time Lio and David have shared the ice since the concussion Lio suffered in the Fall. David isn’t worried about retaliation from the hit. He already answered to it that same night. But he wouldn’t put it past Lio to line him up in this opening shift to send a message. He’s ready for it, embraces it even. A big hit to start the game helps set the tone for him. Connor skates up next to David, giving his shin pad a tap before he exhales heavily. 

“Tight game today.” Connor says as they both skate to the blue line. Lio is at the bottom of the center face of circle. He wears his notorious smirk, zeroing in on Connor and David together. 

“Meier where is my thank you for putting your family back together?” David laughs. Lio has no reaction.

“Lee, heads up today, eh?” Connor calls as the puck drops. The Rangers win it back and it’s on Connor’s stick.

“Don’t be a dick.” Lio smirks as he skates close to his best friend, swinging his stick each direction, forcing Connor to make the pass across ice to David. 

“Love ya, buddy!” Connor chuckles as Lio follows the puck across. David moves the puck up the ice, then braces himself for the big hit from Lio. He exhales a heavy puff as he slams into the boards. He grins, watching the Meier skate back towards the Devils zone. 

“Let’s go baby!” He yells after Lio, howling with laughter. 

It’s gonna be a good fucking game tonight. 

The game is tight at first, not much space or offensive zone time for either team. Connor and David are shutting down Lio and his two line mates regularly. The Devils are trying to adjust match ups, but it takes them until most of the way through the 1st before the Rangers ice the puck, allowing for the second line to match up with them instead. 

A rookie, who David doesn’t even know, rolls up next to him and Connor at the face-off in front of the net. David spits onto the ice, waiting for the puck to drop.

“Ey, Woody. That your wife up there with the nice pair of tits?” He asks Connor. 

“Easy there, fella.” Connor laughs, popping this mouthguard off his teeth with his tongue as his blue eyes piece through the rookie’s face.

“She looks like fun. That her sister next to her?” The hair on the back of David’s neck stands up. “Looks just like her.” The puck drops, ceasing any more commentary from the little prick. David’s shoulders are still tense. Another icing means another face off in the Rangers zone. The rookie lines up in the same spot, smacking on his blue gum as David grits down hard on his mouthguard. 

“Be honest, you ever tap her sister in with you two? She seems wild… and like she enjoys having things stuck up her ass.” 

David can hear his growl belt out of his chest as he shoves the prick over. 

“The fuck did you just say?” David screams. He reaches out with his glove, face washing him with the wet leather. The rookie weakly shoves at David. David backs him into the boards as the linesmen try to pull them apart. 

“David! David! Come on, bud. Let’s keep it civil.”

“Watch your fucking mouth around me, boy.” David shoves the rookie’s face again, then lets the linesman move him away. His heart is pounding in his chest. A red filter covers the world, pulsing in his vision in sync with the blood in his veins.

“Chill. He’s known for this. Trying to give them some juice.” Connor taps David’s breezers as they skate off to the bench.

“You’re going to let him talk about your wife like that?”

“It’s not like it’s true.” Connor rolls his eyes. “I can’t get mad every time someone talks about Lucie’s perky tits. They’re… really nice. I get it.” Connor laughs, trying to lighten the mood. “Mack would laugh at that comment.” David bites his tongue, but shakes his head, then leans forward to watch the play rush out of their zone.

No, Mack wouldn’t like that comment at all. It would make her skin crawl with disgust. She would curl inwards on herself until she became mute then she would visibly beginning to shake from internalizing her anger. Deep down, those words would be branded into her heart where they would haunt, twisting her gut and keeping her awake until long after 2am. 

The red in David’s vision intensifies. 

“You wanna let that guy talk about your wife like that, fine. But I’m not going to.” David says as they head off the bench for intermission. 

In the second period, David comes sprinting out with a vengeance for that little prick. Every time he sees him, he checks him hard into the boards. Each hit elicits a groan from the rookie. Once David begins to lead by example, Connor has a change of approach, following up with a hard hit every so often too. Both David and Connor chirp the rookie when he is on the bench. At one point, there is a scrum with the three of them that has Lio standing tall on the bench, concerned. During the next TV time out, Lio skates close to the Rangers bench, tapping his stick to get Connor’s attention.

“Any chance you two old fucks could stop terrorizing my rookie?”

“Hell no.” Connor spits out water onto the ice.

“He dug his hole.” David agrees.

“Let him figure his own way out.”

“Gotta be a big boy with such a big fucking mouth.” David nods as they both stand up to get on the ice.

“Alright, well. I don’t wanna fight tonight. Sav doesn’t like it.” He grins at Connor when he says that.

“You’re whipped like cream, bitch.” 

“Fucking right!” Lio laughs. “You see her today? Looking like my next meal.” 

In that next shift, the Devils do a quick line change. David looks at the rookie, licking his lips.

“You ready to repent for your sins yet, boy?”

“If I fight you, will you leave me alone?”

“Sure, if you win.” David agrees. There is no way in hell that is happening.

And it doesn’t. 

David knocks his fist into the rookie’ face once. The boy drops to the ice in agony. His nose is broken, but he will survive. Message received. As David skates to the penalty box, he shakes out his right hand. During his skate, his eyes drift twenty rows up to the woman he just broke a man’s nose for. She has that look on her face. Disapproval rolls from her brown eyes in waves.

David can’t wait to fuck that off her face tonight.

- - - 

(Mack)

The final buzzer came twenty minutes too late in Mack’s opinion. The game had been stressful. She remembers this about Devils and Rangers games from when she was little. Her dad was always so worked up afterwards. Her Uncle T too. 

“Well! All the boys are getting off the ice safely this time. Yay!” Lucie claps around a sleepy Stella in her lap. “We will have to give David a reward for not going head hunting.” Mack smiles to herself. She is more than happy to give him a reward of her own kind later…. If he texts her. 

She has already texted him too many times asking for him to come over. It’s pathetic and uncharacteristic for her. If Mack isn’t careful, she is going to catch feelings. 

“I’m assuming you’re heading out?” Lucie asks her sister. The lower bowl is pretty much empty, besides the family members who wait out the crowd in their seats.

“Ah….” Mack trails off, making a show of looking around while contemplating. “I’ll come down and say hi to Connor.” 

“Oh. Okay!” Lucie says, surprised. “He will be excited to see you.” 

Although good intentioned from her sister, Mack feels a bit guilty about Lucie saying that. Even though Mack moved to New York full time this summer, she has been gone a lot for work and when she is in town, the last place she wants to be is here at MSG. No offense to her brother-in-law, whom she definitely adores, but she isn’t very interested in sports. She would much rather sit at home reading a great book or eating at a sushi bar somewhere in the city. Well… until recent developments with a certain defenseman.

Mack and Lucie make their way down to the basement of the arena. Stella continues to sleep on her mama, so Mack carries Lucie’s purse and jacket down with her. It isn’t a long wait for Connor, who comes beaming out of the locker room with wet curls wildly drying.

“Hi babies.” He grins at his wife. “And Mackenzie.”

“Why?” She wrinkles her nose at her full name.

“Cause I love ya!” He shouts, wrapping her into a tight bear hug that she didn’t ask for.

“Okay.” She pats his back awkwardly. “Please let go.” She mutters. He steps aside, going to Lucie to collect their daughter. 

“Did she see any of the game?” He asks his wife.

“A lot of it actually. It wasn’t until the third that she was really out.”

“Pretty good for our big girl.” Connor brushes his lips along Stella’s forehead. He tucks her more into his jacket, then looks at Mack and Lucie. “Ready to head out?”

Mack hesitates, looking over to the right where Connor had come from. She scans the people milling about, not seeing David. Damn. She hoped she could catch a glimpse of him, get a sense on if she will hear from him tonight or not. But he is nowhere to be found. She can’t exactly hang around without drawing suspicion from her family.

“Ah, are we going to see Lio at all?” Mack tries to stall.

“No, I talked to him after interviews. They have too tight of a travel schedule. They’re flying to Montreal.”

“Oh, I see.” Mack nods. She crosses her arms over her chest, then nods. “Yeah I’m ready then.” 

She falls into line behind the group, tossing one last unfulfilling look over her shoulder for David. 

- - -

The text Mack is waiting for never comes. 

Instead, it manifests as a knock on the door. She cannot help but grin to herself when she looks out and sees David on the other side of the wood, a white box in his hand.

“Hi.” He smiles at her when she opens the door.

“Hi. Do you always show up at people’s places unannounced?”

“Don’t act like you didn’t know I was coming, honey.” He chuckles.

“Presumptuous.”

“And yet I’m not wrong.” He grins. “I’m sorry I didn’t catch you after the game. And that I’m a lot later than I wanted to be.” He holds the box up. “But I wanted to get you some of these. I know you’re leaving in a few days and won’t have time to get over there before you go.” Mack steps aside, letting him in.

“And they are?” She glances at the box, then registers the logo. “Oh my god! Are these the seven layer brownies!?” She grips his forearm as he tries to walk past so she can verify her suspicion.  “Did you try them!?”

“No, I thought that might be fun to do together. Unless you want them both?”

“No! Oh my god these are the closest thing I can find to the ones in our hometown.”

In the excited haze of her favorite treat, Mack throws caution completely to the wind. Never mind that they are not supposed to be buddies without the fuck in front of it. Or the way her brain is trying to toss danger signs in front of her to slow her down as she marches to the kitchen for plates. She doesn’t care. She can’t care. How could she when he showed up here with a box of brownies from a place she mentioned to him once before they were ever anything more than enemies?

“I would have been here earlier, but they were sold out, and I had to bribe the teenager behind the counter to make a small, special batch for us.”

“What did that cost you?” Mack’s mouth drops open in awe.

“More than the $10 the menu said these were.” He chuckles. He sets the box next to her on the counter, then begins working on undoing his cuff links.

“Cuff links?” Mack asks with curiosity, then focuses on getting the brownies out of the box. They are still warm, which has the thick, ganache frosting melting down the slides. 

“I’m old fashioned.” He shrugs.

“I’ve noticed.” She smiles slightly. Silence consumes them as he watches her get the second brownie out. She gets a bit of frosting on her finger, lifting it to his lips. He sucks the sweetness off, keeping direct eye contact that has Mack’s stomach bottoming out.

“Mmm, sweet. Like you.” He drags his gaze down from her eyes to savor every curve of her body.

“Being that forward is not very old-fashioned.” He chuckles.

“I ain’t got time to waste. You’re heading out of town and there are least twenty positions I wanna bend you into tonight.” 

“We have to try these brownies before though.”

“Then what are you waiting on. I don’t need a plate.” 

“Farm boy, be civilized. This is not something to just hoover down.” David snatches one of the brownies off the plate and takes a bite, devouring half of the treat. Mack stares at him, mouth agape.

“Baby, I am not kidding. I got you these brownies as an appreciation for how hard you’ve been working lately, but knowing you’re leaving town has me feeling very  impatient.” 

“You gonna miss me?” She whispers, teasing, reaching up to smear some of the chocolate dotted along his bottom lip. David stills.

“Gonna be blue here without you.” He murmurs, putting a big paw on her hip to keep her close. Mack notices the bulge pressing into her thigh. “Anymore questions?” He wraps his hand along her lower back, skirting atop her ass just to hear the sharp intake of her breath from feeling more of his hard length. 

“Why are you fighting 19 year olds?” She says, more steadily than she thought she could, wanting to know what all the fuss was about earlier in the evening.

“Cause he said you like things up your ass and I know you don’t. Thought he should know what talking about you like that gets him.”

“Oh my god!” She stutters. “W-what! Are you kidding?”

“No.” David shakes his head, dead serious. “So he needed to learn that he doesn’t get to speak about you when I’m around. Or he will get my fist in his face.”

Mack isn’t sure if she should roll her eyes, smack David’s chest, or swoon off her damn feet. So instead she keeps standing there, dumbfounded, hands on his chest. 

“Why me?” She hears herself ask. A low chuckle rumbles his chest under her hands.

“How about I talk you through why?”

His lips collapse over hers, stealing an immediate whimper out of her mouth. He runs his hands along her back to her thighs, lifting her up and walking her over to her couch. There really isn’t time for her bedroom. The couch will be a perfect runway for her to be his pillow princess tonight. He lays her down on the couch, kissing her lips, pulling slightly away a little bit each time so she has to chase him, becoming as impatient as him.

“Because you look like this after I kiss you.” He says, thumbing her swollen bottom lip.

He drags that hand between her breasts, searching for the hem of her t-shirt. They maintain eye contact as he drags the fabric up her body. He slides back, placing open mouth kisses along her stomach. He gets to her jeans, popping the button open expertly with one hand, then he tugs her panties down.  His mouth continues south until his mustache brushes her throbbing clit. His tongue snakes out of his lips, crudely prodding her sensitive nub while she is still mostly clothed. 

“Because somehow, you taste even better than you look.”

His big hands come around her hips, then slide her jeans and panties off in one swoop. He works them completely off her ankles, then drops them to the side. He runs his palms up the backs of her thighs before pinning her knees almost to her ears. He licks his lips while looking deep into Mack’s eyes. Finally, he dips his head back to the task at hand. 

“Oh.” Mack moans immediately when his tongue tastes her folds. Her fingers curl into the cushions below her. Her inner walls convulse around emptiness, calling David’s tongue to it for a moment to satisfy the craving. “Oh fuck.” She groans when he licks up her slit again, vacuuming her clit into his mouth.

“Because you sound like that when I’m eating your pretty pussy. Mmm, taste so good tonight. Rook wouldn’t know what to do with a pussy this good.”

“Uh.” Mack wines as David goes back in for another pass. Her arousal coats his mustache as he alternates between sucking her clit and lapping at it with devouring flicks. 

“Be good for me and keep your knees up.” He commands, releasing one of her thighs so he can circle her hole with his finger. He plunges in, working in unison with his skilled tongue. He slurps and sucks, fucking her with two fast fingers as Mack squirms under his mouth. Mack’s thighs begin to shake against her abdomen. David curls his fingers up, tracing circles on her velvet spot. Stars blot Mack’s vision as she comes fiercely. David collects her orgasm on his tongue, gently cleaning her up with his mouth before he pulls away to undress himself. 

“Take your shirt off, honey.” He commands to Mack. “Wanna see those gorgeous tits bounce while I’m fucking you.” Mack complies, barely coherent, feeling drunk when she watches his cock spring free from his underwear. David grabs his shaft, stroking it while looking her over. “Because you look like that after you cum.” He smirks, then leans down to kiss her. She grips both sides of his head, forcing her tongue into his mouth to taste what he did to her. He groans, then pulls roughly away to grab the condom from his pants.

After rolling it on, he places the head of his cock against her hot, wet core. Her previous orgasm paves the way for him, allowing him to fit in snuggly with only a stitch of pain. He waits for her to adjust, doing gentle little movements to expand her until she is forcing her hips down harder on him for more.

“Mmm.” She moans loudly when he begin to move. “Feels so good.” She assures him, barely able to whisper with how intense their combined thrusts feel.

David grabs her left knee, hooking it around his hip as he begins his long drives into her pussy. He drops his lips to hers, eating up every moan, whimper and word that wants to fall from her pretty mouth. Mack runs her hands up his arms where they hold his weight over her. They eventually rest on his shoulders, feeling comfortable there as he watches the orgasm build on her face. Her eyes begin to shine brighter, her lips parted wider, and her chest heaves, making her breasts bounce even harder with each press of his cock into her.

“Yeah, because you’re a fantasy, baby. But then the real thing kicks that fantasy’s ass.” He moans the last part as her inner walls collapse in on him. He isn’t sure she is going to let go this time as she convulses up.  Then she releases, only to swallow him deeper than before, eager for her release. Mack grips his shoulders tighter as he adjusts her knee on his hip, driving into her at the angle she needs.

“David, fuck! I’m coming.” She groans, then comes undone in his next two thrusts. Her fingers clench onto his bare skin as she arches her back, opening her legs wider for him to go deeper. 

“Feels so good when you cum around my cock. Fuckin’ so good.” He grunts, pushing himself to his own climax. As much as he wants this to last forever, he knows he can’t last any longer. She feels too good. He let himself get drowned by the feeling of her quivering walls, releasing into the condom with a hearty, blissed out groan. 

David stays kneeling between her legs, rising up to his full heigh tiredly. Gripping the edge of the condom, he pulls carefully out of her used folds. She whimpers when he is gone, feeling so empty and incomplete without him. He leans down to kiss her tenderly, small open mouthed pecks, with light tongue strokes from each of them. Then he stands up, strutting across the apartment to the bathroom. 

Mack lays there with her eyes closed, legs curled back together as she waits for the soft aftercare she knows he will give her. David returns with a warm, wet washcloth, taking his time cleaning her up. When he is done, he tosses the towel to the floor, then maneuvers Mack to her side so he can rest on his back beside her. Their slick, naked skin binds together in a hot, sticky mess for a few minutes, until Mack shivers after coming down from her high. David grabs the blanket from the back of the couch draping it over as much of her body as it will reach. He turns his face into her hair.

“Can’t believe I got you to leave that brownie over there.” He murmurs against her temple. She bolts up with awareness, taking the blanket with her to run to the kitchen. She giggles the whole way excitedly. He props himself up on his elbows to see her face. She leans her butt into the counter, carefully balancing the blanket she clutches closed and the brownie as she takes her first bite. She moans, but nothing like she just was doing for him. 

“Oh my god.” She sighs, exaggerating her eyes rolling into the back of her head.

“Better than sex?” He asks.

“No.” She laughs. “And definitely not sex with you.” He smiles confidently, then lets his back hit the couch again. Mack wanders back over to the couch, straddling his lower abdomen as she takes another bite. “You want one?”

“No. I got it for you more than me.”

“Thank you.” She smiles softly, without teeth, worrying about goopy ganache teeth. 

“You’re welcome.” He responds, tucking some of her hair back behind her ear. His fingers linger there, then slowly work down her jaw, ending with this thumb sliding off her chin. His eyes never leave hers. “Because you are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, Mackenzie Hischier.”

Something hot and intense burns in her chest when he says that. It bursts through her veins and grows up her back until her scalp tingles as intensely as her toes. She swallows hard, feeling like the brownie is caught in her throat. She rips her gaze away from his, forcing a little cough.

“I’m going to get some water. Do you want some?”

“Mhm.” He murmurs, unfazed by her sudden retreat. 

She can run all she wants from him, but he isn’t going anywhere.

[currymanganese]

Here's another Sydcarmy song guys, 'Ajai Finale', it's used in Season 1 Episode 2 when Syd approaches Carmy with a business plan and COGS breakdown for revitalizing The Beef, which he brushes off initially. The spoken word intro of the song is not included in the episode, but it mentions a minor domestic dispute between the song's clothing obsessed protagonist (Carmy and his denim collection ring a bell anyone?) and his WIFE:

The full lyrics to the song are below, but the line that stood out to me most was,

"At my wife's business meeting and I'm showing them rap..." which plays as Syd enters the office with the COGS....

So.......This could just be me, but the next time the showrunners say Syd and Carmy are meant to be platonic I will just laugh and go about my day! 🥴

Lyrics from here:

[Intro Serengeti]

So at the Black Caucus Dinner, Dr. Mitchell is talking to Ajai about the reduction of drug costs, making it mandatory for federally qualified health centers to accept Medicaid

And then Ajai opens his phone and shows him the Doernbecher 8s,  and asks him, "Have you ever won a shoe lottery?"

Looks to his left and talks to Dr. MacKenzie also and asks him, has he ever won a shoe lottery?

Pro-shoppers guided by a website, Ajai is crazy to his wife. She knows that once a special ringer buzzes, Ajai is off. She knows there's no work emergency. She looks in the trunk in hope that the bags won't be there or a cedar closet in the basement

He holds up the entire line in security. Sprawls out his gown, and it won't fit inside the TSA body scanner. His wife, who's already at the gate, texts him his flight has left. She's furious, she's holding back tears. He texts "wa-wha-ha-jaaa-ha, did we put the extension poncho hanger in your bag or mine?"

Frustrated wife, kicking and banging on the master bathroom door, "Ajai, please honey, we're gonna be late, we're gonna miss the flight, you look fine, you look fine Ajai, you look fine, you look fine Ajai." "Uhhu," Ajai muffled through the bathroom door, "We have plenty of time, you don't need two hours for a domestic flight. Oh, who the heck is flying to Cleveland anyway?" Wife sighs, "He's such a weirdo." Twenty minutes later Ajai exits. "Oh sorry babe, I couldn't find my gloves. Uh, are you ready to go? Why are you crying?"

[Verse: Serengeti]

But I should be good

I see the Benetton green

They've been gone for minute

This collab is a dream

Grey Poupon had a thing

Eating meals in a car

It made you feel a certain way

When you held that jar

That's what I can achieve

I feel the same about drops

I feel a bit rare in the shoes and the watch

Or those Preston socks

Or that just don hat

At my wife's business meeting and I'm showing them rap

Question, "you seen this?"

Question, "you seen that?"

Cuz there's questions 'bout the culture that just ain't facts

Some people are cows and they sit and they graze

I'm like a hummingbird cause I'm simply amazed

We're all on earth just bidding our time

Some people like to read, some people like wine

Some people like both

I love my wife and my coat

Balenciaga trench angled words and my tote

I like to move to the rhythm cause I'm feeling engaged

If I chose a colorway, it'd be purple and sage

I like to chill on the yacht, talk to the people at drops

About the top ten cops they surprised that they got

Cause I got a spot

Number one on the list

It had to be the Abloh Five I thought that I missed

Cause I had alarms set

When I woke it was dead

That's the last time I sleep with my phone in my bed

So when I awoke, I put my hand in my fist

And I looked in the mirror, and said "you can do this"

In all of my years, I never wore those shoes

The Abloh 1s that had me confused

Cause I bought them online, but they never came

Store-side mix up and the address changed

And it wasn't my fault, and they settled me straight

Just a half size bigger; whoever got them felt great

And I think about that

If one day at the door

A delivery came and the Abloh 4

That I didn't expect

What the hell would I do?

Who even knows if

They knew the scope of the shoe?

So today I wore those

And take them outside

First time they hit the ground

So now they alive

And now I'm near the spot

6 blocks away

It's already gettin' a little crowded hours passed on drop day

I said to myself

"The fives will be mine"

Ones so bright

People sayin' they blind

I relaxed and I stop to get tea

Fella says "Yo, it's me"

[dynoliaeth]

hope mackenzie (aos) tag drop.

#✶ ━━ feat. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ inspo. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ mannerisms. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ interactions. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ likes. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ headcanons. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ verse one. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ verse two. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ verse three. { hope mackenzie. }

#✶ ━━ verse four. { hope mackenzie. }

[sablelab]

👻 Spooky meets Kooky 🎃

SUMMARY: Claire reminisces about the time when she first came to Scotland and fell through the stones on the eve of Samhain. Jamie tells her a story his da told them as bairns, and Claire recaps her favourite Halloween memory from the future which has James Fraser all engrossed in more ways than one.

A spoof of when the past meets the future.  Retelling parts of Chapter 1, pp 22-25 from Drums of Autumn, inspired by Halloween with the Addams Family and Vera Adxer’s artwork above.   

  AO3

PART 1 … The Tale of the Tannasg 👻

 It was nearing to Halloween time on Fraser’s Ridge, and as the Frasers prepared for a night beside the fire, Claire was reminiscing about times gone by on that fateful night that was to become her destiny.

“Jamie, Halloween, the spookiest night of the year, is almost upon us.”

“Don’t ye mean Samhain Sassenach?” he replied cheekily knowing that the two were indeed similar celebrations centuries apart.

“I do, but I was just thinking about the first time that Frank and I came to Inverness all those years ago … I remember it was on the eve of Samhain.”

She continued to tell Jamie the conversation they’d had in Mrs Baird’s Bed and Breakfast not realizing that her husband’s mind was elsewhere. “I can still recall what she said …”

“Well, you've picked a bonny time to be here. Just nigh on Samhain.”

“I take it that's Gaelic for "Halloween?”

“Well, Halloween is derived from Samhain. You're both welcome at the festival, of course.”

“Of course, what would Halloween, Samhain, be without a good ghost story?”

“Oh, and we have those, for sure. I hope you'll join us for Samhain tomorrow night.”

“What, the pagan festival?”

“Aye. There’s a circle of standing stones on the hill just outside the village, and there's a local group who still observe rituals there. It’s a place called Craigh na Dun and according to local folklore, the stones were carried there from Africa by a race of Celtic giants …”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Hmmph!  Not Frank …” Jamie mumbled under his breath tapping his fingers against his thigh in dislike.

The mention of Frank Randall’s name only brought back his feelings towards the man he had sent his Claire back to on the eve of Culloden knowing that he would surely die on the battlefield. His emotions were still raw about this man even after all these years and their conversation about him and their daughter Brianna echoed in his head as Claire was still speaking.

“I hadna thought ever to be so jealous of a dead man. I shouldna have thought it possible.”

“Of a dead man? Of Frank?”

“Who else? I have been worm-eaten wi’ it, all these days of riding. I see his face in my mind, waking and sleeping. Ye did say he looked like Jack Randall, no?”

“How? How could you think of such a thing?”

“How could I not? Ye heard her, Claire; ye ken well what she said to me!”

“Brianna?”

“She said she would gladly see me in hell, and sell her own soul to have her father back—her real father.  I keep thinking he would not have made such a mistake. He would have trusted her; he would have known that she … I keep thinking that Frank Randall was a better man than I am. She thinks so. I thought … perhaps ye felt the same, Sassenach.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser …!”  Claire remonstrated noticing that her husband seemed a little distracted, “… Are you listening to me?”

“Aye, I am Sassenach,” he replied sheepishly knowing that his mind had indeed been elsewhere.  “I’m intrigued about that night in Inverness, and what happen to ye before ye fell through the stones.” Jamie looked at his wife and gave her his full attention to what she might say next.

“Do you know that if I hadn’t gone to see the Druids that night, and returned in the morning to collect the Forget-me-nots, that I may not have ever gone through the stones and found you.”

“We were fated mo ghràidh.  Ye would have found yer way to the stones regardless because I was waiting for ye on the other side. I thank the day, Murtagh brought ye to me at the cabin.” He leaned towards his love and clasping her hand brought it to his lips placing a tender kiss to the top of her hand and knuckles.

Claire blushed at her love’s romantic gesture and looking at him explained about that night so long ago.  “I remember seeing those Druids dancing.  They were mesmerizing Jamie twirling in circles on top of the hill with their burning tapers. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled at the sight of them, but some small voice inside warned me I wasn't supposed to be there. That I was an unwelcome voyeur to something ancient and powerful.”

“Aye, ye were Sassenach, but that is the mystery of Samhain. It is all about the supernatural, witches, spirits and fire. During the celebrations, people dance around bonfires while the dances tell stories of life and death. What ye saw that night was something magical that drew you tae me.”

“I wouldn’t change anything Jamie except for you sending me back on the eve of Culloden, but we found each other again and that is all that counts.”

“Aye. You belong wi' me. We're mated for life Sassenach. I barley lived for those twenty years wi'out a heart when ye were gone. I lived half a man and accustomed myself to live in the bit that was left. Did ye feel the same?”

“Yes, I knew how that felt, and had it not been for Brianna I don’t know how I would have survived too. But I had you always close because our daughter was so like you Jamie. Your carved initial in the flesh of my palm was also a constant reminder of our love. It gave me comfort whenever I touched it.  When I closed my eyes, I could feel you touching me.”  

Claire looked at the man she adored thankful every day that they had been reunited and that their two-decade separation had been both painful and heart breaking for each of them.  “It was lonely without you, so lonely.”

“And me,” Jamie replied pensively, his voice a soft whisper.  “I saw ye so many times.  You came to me so often. When I dreamed sometimes. When I lay in fever. When I was so afraid and so lonely, I knew I must die. When I needed you, I would always see ye, smiling, wi’ yer hair curling up about your face.” He paused before an outpouring of emotion surfaced.  “During that time apart, I prayed every day that you and our bairn would be safe, for whether I’m dead or you, whether we’re together or apart Claire, I will always love ye.”

“And I you, Jamie.”

“Samhain was the beginning of our destiny Sassenach.  A pagan, Gaelic festival brought us together.” He kissed her palm and rested it on his heart.

Claire could feel his heart beating and her eyes misted over just thinking about the significance of this special time of the year. “All I know of Samhain is what Mrs Baird told us.  Please tell me more Jamie.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Samhain is a three-day celebration in preparation for winter mo ghràidh and a time for kin all around the Highlands tae come together and feast. People believe that deceased spirits and faeries of the Otherworld can easily come into our world, so ye would honour the dead and implore loved ones to bestow some blessing on them in return. Offerings of food and drink are left outside for the spirits, even portions of crops are left in the ground for them.”

Claire listened, attentive to everything that Jamie was telling her.  

“Tricks and pranks are played but blamed on faeries and spirits ye ken. Children disguise themselves as evil spirits by blackening their faces and dressing in auld clothes to go guising door-to-door reciting songs and verses in exchange for food.”

“Why do they blacken their faces?”

“’Twas so that they can venture out safely wi’out being detected by wicked spirits in hope of fooling them and to scare away the ghouls who might want tae harm them.”

“It is so like what happens at Halloween in the future too Jamie. A lot of Scots came to America in the 20th Century and brought these customs with them and they evolved to become extremely popular. There are many similarities to Samhain but also some differences too. In the future people dress up in masks and spooky costumes and the children go Trick or Treating for sweets.”

“Aye, it would seem so mo nighean donn. Samhain and Halloween do seem verra similar.”

“Mrs Baird said that you needed to be mindful for ghosts are freed on the feast days and wander about, free to do good or ill as they please.”

“’Tis true Sassenach. I myself have not seen a tannasg, but there are tales of others who have.”

“A tannasg? What, in Heaven’s name is that, Jamie?”

“Oh, a Dhia … where tae begin,” he exclaimed running his hand over his chin in thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Taking a deep breath as if calming himself before he started to explain, Jamie picked up his cup of ale and took a big swig before beginning.  He looked at Claire as she waited for his explanation.

“Some say a tannasg is a balding, six-foot-tall, hairy, Celtic beastie, normally only found wandering around the hills and glens at night. Some say it is eerily like a fogy mist that covers the moors on a dark night and is what ye may call an apparition, a spirit or a shadowy ghost figure. Nobody really kens what it is but, nae matter, a tannasg is verra scary and if you come upon one when out in the glens ye must be verra careful. Sometimes it’s an unfriendly faerie or nymph who may have been holding onto a grudge and means tae cause trouble.  A tannasg would put the fear of the Almighty in ye and scare ye witless.  If ye ever were to meet one it would make yer hair stand up like a man’s cock in the mornin’ Sassenach.”

“Jesus H Roosevelt Christ!  I’m scared with just the description of one.”

“And so ye should be a leannan.  They are verra scary beasties that ye wouldna want to meet.”

“Oh, I do love hearing a scary ghost story Jamie. Can you tell me any about tannasgs?”

Claire watched as his lip curved up into a smile. He had that twinkle in his eyes that she knew so well whenever he was going to tell a story.

“Aye, I will.  Sit yerself down by the fire and I’ll tell ye one that ma da told us wee bairns that scairt us truly.”

Settling down more comfortably in her chair, she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders and waited for her husband to retell the tale told to him, his brother William and sister Jenny long, long ago.

“I can tell ye a frightfully spooky tale of the past.  It’s a spine-chilling story guaranteed tae give you a good thrill and chill ye to the bones.”

“I think I best have a wee dram of whisky ready for the story you are about to tell then James Fraser.”

“Aye …”  He picked up his cup of ale and they both took a wee sip of their drinks.  “Sláinte. Are ye ready Sassenach?”

“I am.” Claire curled her feet up in the chair whilst Jamie began to tell the tale of the tannasg.

“My father loved telling this story.”

She watched as a muted glow descended over Jamie’s face as the light from the fire fell across his features and highlighted the animation she could see on his face and in his eyes. Claire looked at him waiting with bated breath ready for him to retell this tale, for she knew that she was going to enjoy this story very much indeed.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Tis the story of a man who was afraid of being alone in the dark and most mortally scairt of the spirits, ye ken, and how one night he met a tannasg. I remember when my da first told this story. I was mortally scairt too Sassenach.”

His body shuddered a little despite the heat in the room at the thought of the untold story he would tell. “I kept awake half the night, after he told us this tale, though it dinna seem to bother Jenny that much.”

“Oh, my,” Claire uttered her voice eager to hear more. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, her eyes round with the wonder and intrigue that he would impart with his tale as Jamie began to recount his childhood story.

Settling himself in his seat by the fire, he sat back, his ale cup in hand.  Thinking, he rubbed his hand across his chin collecting his thoughts. Jamie then smiled at his wife wryly glancing at her as he began to recount his tale of long ago.

“Ah, well, it was in the late, cold autumn in the Highlands, just when the season turns and the chill in the air tells ye the ground will be covered wi’ frost come morning.”  

Rolling the pewter cup slowly between his hands, he stared down into the dark ale as though seeing those Scottish peaks in the pitch-black night and the mist that floated across the glens.  Raising his eyes, he looked at Claire.  She was hanging on each word and so he continued.

“Well Jock MacBride’s son brought back their kine from the glen that night, but there was one wee beast missing.  The lad had hunted for it up the hills and down the dales but couldna find it anywhere, so his da sent the lad to milk the two others and set out himself tae look for the lost cow.”

“Go on …”

“The da went some distance, but his cottage behind him soon disappeared.  When he looked back, he couldna see the light from the window anymore and there was no sound but the whistling of the wind.  It was cold, but MacBride went on trapsing through the mud and heather as the ice crunched beneath his boots echoing in the stillness.”

Claire pulled her shawl around her shoulders. If her husband could see her eyes, he would have seen that her pupils were decidedly larger. She was so engrossed with his story thus far and took another wee sip of her drink. With eyes fixed on Jamie, she couldn’t wait to hear more of his tale.

“Soon up ahead of him, Jock saw a small grove through the mist and thinking the cow might have taken shelter beneath the trees, he went toward it. However, the trees were birches, standing there with nae a leaf, and with their branches all gnarled together, so he bent his head to squeeze beneath the boughs.”

“What did he see when he got through the branches Jamie?”

“He came into the grove Sassenach, and saw it was not a grove at all, but a circle of trees. There were great tall trees, spaced verra evenly all around him and smaller ones too wi’ saplings grown up in between the trees to make a wall of thick branches.  In the centre of the circle stood a cairn.”

Claire felt as though a sliver of cold ice had just slid down her spine.  She got chills listening to him and shivered imagining the scene, for his picture was very real in her mind. She had seen ancient cairns in the Highlands herself that Jamie had just described and found them eerie enough in the broad light of day, let alone to see one at night.  That would have been quite spooky indeed.

Jamie was getting that gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach he remembered feeling as a bairn when his father had told this tale. He looked over at Claire and she had an expression of foreboding for what he may say next on her face that he’d had too. He took a sip of ale to loosen his vocal cords for his mouth was dry before continuing.

“He felt quite queer did Jock MacBride, for he kent the place, everyone did and kept well away from it.  It was strange and it seemed even worse in the dark and the cold than it did in the daylight.  It was an auld cairn the kind laid wi’ chunks of rock all heaped round with stones.   He was scairt, but he slowly glanced up, and saw before him the black opening of a tomb.”

“Jesus H Roosevelt Christ!  Was there a tannasg in there?”

Her husband gave her a piercing look.  Jamie knew that Claire’s mind was thinking ahead and knew that he was getting close to revealing what Jock had seen.

“He knew it was a place that no man should come, and he was without a powerful charm to ward off any spirits. Jock had naught but a wooden cross about his neck, so he crossed himself with it and turned tae go.”

Jamie paused to take another sip of his ale to catch his breath. Claire saw his Adam’s apple bob in his throat as he swallowed and reached instinctively for her own cup with eyes fixed on her beloved. Holding her breath, she gasped, “Don’t stop there. What happened next?”

Giving her the semblance of a wink and a wry grin, he paused then spoke softly stating, “As Jock went from the grove … he heard footsteps behind him.”

“No…!” she exclaimed.

“He dinna turn to see, but kept walking and the steps kept pace wi’ him, step by step always following.  Jock came through the peat where the water seeps up and it was covered with ice, the weather bein’ so cold ye ken.  MacBride could hear the peat crunch under his feet and behind him the cr-ack! cr-ack! of the breaking ice.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

James Fraser was a natural born storyteller, animated and engaging like most Scots were and listening to him speak reminded Claire of their wedding night and the awkwardness between them. She remembered him saying, “You’re a Fraser now Sassenach.  You must learn to tell a story and listen to one.” So, to put her at ease, he’d told her story after story of his family and his life growing up and she in turn had told him about her life too. Her husband was in his element telling this story just like on the night they wed.  She knew, that Jamie was aware that she hung on his every word and was eager to hear the rest of the story.  The tension was building and placing her legs to the floor, Claire removed her shawl as it was getting warmer in the room and leaned forward eager to hear more of his tale.

“Jock MacBride walked and walked through the cold dark night watching ahead for the light of his own window where his wife had set the candle. But the light never showed and he began tae fear he had lost his way among the heather and the dark hills.”

“The tassasg was following him?”

“Aye, he was Sassenach. All the time the steps kept pace with him echoing loud in his ears. At last Jock could bear it no more and seizing hold of the cross he wore round his neck he swung about wi’ a great cry tae face whatever followed.”

There was apprehension in her voice for poor Jock. “What did he see?”  

Jamie glanced at Claire and when next he spoke, his voice was so quiet, almost like a whisper, that she needed to concentrate to hear what he was saying.

“It was a figure like a man, but with no body. It was all white like it might have been made of the mist, but wi’ great holes where its eyes should be. They were black and empty and fit tae draw the soul from MacBride’s body with fear.”

Claire gasped with a cry of anguish at the description, and placed her hand across her mouth. “What did he do Jamie?

“Jock held up his cross before his face and he prayed aloud to the Blessed Virgin,” he said leaning forward intently. “The thing came no nearer Claire, but stayed there watching him.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The dim firelight outlined her husband’s profile in a halo of golden aura which made his rustic hair seem like it had flecks of gold and crimson sprinkled in it as well. Suddenly, she was a little distracted by the man and was mesmerized by his intoxicating Scottish drawl. Claire’s eyes glazed over overcome with feelings for the virile man whose silhouette was oh so tempting in the fire’s glow, but also for poor Jock MacBride and how he would get out of his predicament.  She held her breath and waited for what would happen next.

“And so, he began to walk backwards not daring to turn around again. Jock walked backward stumbling and slipping in an effort to get away from the spirit, fearing every moment that he might tumble into a burn or down a cliff and break his neck, but fearing worse tae turn his back on the cold thing.”

“I would have done the same Jamie.  Better to watch the tannasg than not to know where it was,” she added with a little shiver of dread for the poor Jock MacBride.

“He couldna tell how long he’d walked only that his legs were trembling wi’ weariness. Then at last he caught a glimpse of a light through the mist, for there was his own cottage wi’ the candle in the window.  Jock cried out in joy and turned to his door, but the cold thing was quick and slipit past him tae stand between him and the door.”

“Oh no!”

“Dinna fash Sassenach, his wife had been watching out for him and when she heard him cry out, she came to the door at once.  Jock shouted to her not to come out but to go and fetch a charm to drive away the tannasg.  Quick as could be, Bessie MacBride snatched the pot from beneath her bed and a twig of myrtle tied with ribbons that she’d made to bless the cows.  She dashed the water against the doorposts and the cold thing leapt upward straddlin’ the door’s beam.  Her husband quick as a flash, rushed beneath and bolted the door shut tight.  He stayed inside in his wife’s arms until the dawn hoping that the tannasg would nae come inside the cottage. They let the candle burn all the night and Jock never again left his house past sunset.”

Claire sighed as Jamie finished speaking. “Did they find the cow?” she queried, keen to know the fate of the lost kine.

With a raised eyebrow he answered, “Oh, aye they did.  The next morning, they found the poor beast wi’ her hooves all clogged wi’ mud and stones. It was staring mad and frothy about the muzzle.  Her sides were heavin’ fit to burst. Jock said that she looked as though she’d been ridden tae Hell and back.”

“Jesus H Roosevelt Christ!” Claire exclaimed imagining the visual of what had happened to the poor cow.

Jamie glanced at his wife to see her reaction to his tale.  “Did ye like it?”

“Like it? … I loved it Jamie. It kept me in suspense all the way through.”

“Thank ye Sassenach.  I’m glad ye liked it,” he replied very pleased with himself.

PART 2 … Halloween Addams Family style. 🎃 

“So, what about you Claire? Do ye have a tale tae tell as well?”

“As a matter of fact, I do Jamie, and when I’ve caught my breath, I will tell you something about Halloween from the future. My tale will not be as scary as your story of Jock MacBride though,” she replied with a cheeky twinkle in her eye. “In fact, it is about something that you might find hard to wrap your head around.”

Intrigued with his wife’s words, Jamie sat back in his chair and waited for her to begin. With a curl of his lip and a sparkle in his eye he asked, “And what might that be Sassenach?”

“Television.”

His brow furrowed in thought and Jamie raised an eyebrow a little perplexed as he glanced at Claire. “Television? … Hmmph?” He tapped his fingers against his thigh in concentration and ran the word slowly over his tongue as if savouring a new morsel of information, he didn’t quite know enough about. “Television ye say.”  He looked at Claire again in earnest anticipation and waited for her to explain.

“Oh dear…” she sighed. “Where to begin?”  Collecting her thoughts on how to explain this invention to her husband, Claire finally had an idea.  “Remember when you rescued me from the Witch Trial and I told you I was from the future?”

“Aye, I remember mo ghràidh.”

“Well this is another one of those things from the future too. It is something from my time. You've never heard of it. No one here has, that is except for Bree and Roger.”

He grinned at her statement of the obvious.  “Well then, I may not understand it a bit, not yet, but I trust ye.  I trust yer word; yer heart and there is a truth between us. So ... whatever you tell me ... I will believe ye, Sassenach.  Tell me more.”

Claire bit her lip before she spoke. “Do you also remember the photographs I brought back to show you of Brianna?”

Jamie made a small inarticulate sound, “Aye I remember.”  

He remembered all too well Claire taking a small packet from her clothing, to show him the photographs of their beloved daughter Brianna, a fine boned, and delicate replica of himself.  He looked up at his wife wondering what the correlation may be with the photographs and this television.

“Well television is those pictures brought to life.”

He remembered how he had splayed his hand out over the photographs, with trembling fingers not quite touching the shiny surface. How was it possible that pictures could be brought to life? He was a little perplexed.

“Television is a machine with a small screen that shows moving pictures and sounds.  They were commonplace in many households in Boston during the 60’s and we had one too. The word "television" comes from the words …”

But before she could finish what she wanted to say Jamie butted in with his knowledge of the Greek language.

“Tele is the Greek word for far away, and vision would mean sight.”

A smile softened her lips, “Yes, that’s right.”

He shook his head in disbelief when Claire described something so unfathomable that it was hard to believe some such machine existed. He didn't understand it all, but he listened.   Claire had risked bringing the photographs of Brianna through the stones and thus brought something of the 20th century into the 18th century. However, although still a little mystified, nothing she had told him about the future fazed him now and he believed her despite how inconceivable what she was saying could be.

“Television was used for family entertainment and we would sit around in our parlour and watch the screen.” Claire’s voice was animated when she next spoke.  “There was a program on the television that you would have loved Jamie, called The Addams Family.  Brianna and I loved that show.”

He grinned.  “I would verra much have liked to see this television program too Sassenach.” If they loved it, he knew he would love it too.

“They were not your typical family; they took delight in most of the things of which normal people would be terrified.  They were kooky and eccentric but they were a very close-knit, extended family.”

“Ah, so just like us here on Fraser’s Ridge Sassenach,” he replied giving her a huge, big smile.

“Yes, I guess, but there was one difference though Jamie, they had decidedly macabre interests and supernatural abilities.”

He balked at that. “Oh, indeed they wouldna fit in well in this time then.  People believe in witches and things that go bump in the night, but they wouldna understand them at all.  They would have their heads on a pike before ye could count tae ten.”

Although Claire nodded in agreement at what her husband was saying for that was exactly what had happened to her.  As he spoke, she was momentarily distracted with thoughts of what had happened in Cranesmuir at the Witch Trial when she was tried and convicted of witchcraft.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

People’s superstitions of anything they didn’t quite understand, especially a person like her was met with fear for they thought her a witch. At the trial, the crowd was baying for blood and wanted to burn her at the stake, and had Jamie not rescued her, that would have been her fate. Nonetheless, he was a little skeptical as well because he’d seen the “devil’s mark” on her arm too. He had calmly asked if she was a witch, because what she had told him was far-fetched. His face throughout her admission was inscrutable and he’d sighed, then smiled ruefully down at her. She remembered their conversation well,

“Claire, are ye a witch?”

“I’m not a witch. Do you really believe me, Jamie?”

“Aye, I believe ye, Sassenach. But it would ha’ been a good deal easier if you’d only been a witch.”

“And if I were? If you had thought I were a witch? Would you still have fought for me?”

“I would have gone to the stake with you, and to hell beyond, if I must!”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Claire? … Claire?” Jamie said a little louder as she had been quiet for so long that he was a little concerned for where her mind must have gone, but on reflection it was probably to the Witch Trial when he’d rescued her and she had told him she was from the future.

“Oh, I’m sorry Jamie, I lost my train of thought there for a moment.”

“Nae matter … So, mo chridhe, ye were saying?”

Claire let her husband’s endearment wash over her. Jamie was always so attuned to her feelings and giving him a tentative smile, continued to explain about the Addams family members. “Their mother and uncle lived with them and their children, plus they had a 7-foot-tall butler …  their man servant called Lurch, and a disembodied hand that lived in a box called Thing.”

Jamie shook his head, as what Claire was saying was becoming more fanciful, but he kept an open mind as she described more.

“The husband, Gomez Addams was an extremely wealthy man and was able to indulge his wife Morticia's every desire, whether it was cultivation of poisonous plants or a candlelit dinner in a graveyard.”

He raised his eyebrow again at this piece of information. “That sounds verra interesting,” he murmured somewhat amazed.

Claire smiled indulgently at her love. “You are very much like him.  He was very romantic and he was madly in love with his wife and loved her to distraction.”

“As do I you, mo ghràidh,” before adding, “I think I should like this Gomez fellow.”

She beamed at him once more as Jamie seemed pleased as punch at what he had just said.  

He then blessed himself.  “A Dhia!  But … I willna have dinner wi’ ye in a graveyard, mo luaidh even wi’ candlelight,” he muttered under his breath. He chuckled at the thought of that idea, especially after having just told her the story of the tannasg who had come out of his tomb.  No, he could not come at doing that.

“I agree. I don’t think I would like to do that either, but Gomez and Morticia did. They also had pet names for each other, Jamie.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

His ears pricked up once more when she said this, knowing that his Claire had several endearing names that he called her.  He sighed his voice a little raspy, “Aye, I do that too Sassenach.”

Her smile was soft and dreamy for the loving man she had married, then she told him some extra information. “Despite what I have just said, this television show was very entertaining and so amusing. It had unconventional humour, sex appeal, the breaking and questioning of the conventions of conformity at the time, as well as looking at the world in a unique, offbeat frame of mind.”

“Well then, tell me more mo muirninn. I am an educated man as ye ken, and I can see that perhaps these Addams people were different but nae different from our family. Do they have something tae do wi’ Halloween then?”

“Oh indeed. Halloween was their favourite time of the year and they would bob for crabs instead of apples as most people would do. You see, they were not a conventional family.  They dressed differently to everyone else, they were weird looking and they had peculiar idiosyncrasies.  They even lived near a cemetery at 0001 Cemetery Lane in an ornate, gloomy mansion.”  

Jamie poured himself a whisky this time and laughed as her descriptions of this family were getting more and more unusual.  He refilled Claire’s cup as well and handed it to her, then sat back in his chair to hear more.

“Oh, Jamie I wish that you could have seen it.  You would have loved all the characters but particularly Gomez Addams.  Bree and I would laugh so much. They were so funny.”

Claire paused a little as if thinking about something she remembered then looking at her husband with a mischievous expression on her face asked, “Jamie?  Can you click your fingers?  Like this?” She then demonstrated a click! click! sound.

“I may not be able tae wink, but I can click my fingers ye ken Sassenach.”

She began to set the scene for her tale of the Addams Family. “Well then … Every time I say … da-da-da-da … you click your fingers okay?”

“Okay, I can do that mo nighean donn.”

“I will sing you the theme song that would play when the television show came on screen but I’m going to replace their family name with ours, however, … the da-da-da-da was really played on a harpsichord, but I’m going to improvise.”  

Claire grinned at her love and saw that Jamie was prepared and a little excited to know more of the Halloween tale she was about to unleash on him. “Are ye ready?”

“Always.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Da-da-da-da” … click! click!

“Da-da-da-da” … click! click!

“Da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da” … click! click

 Claire repeated the chorus … as Jamie was thoroughly enjoying himself while getting into the swing of things with gusto.

 “Da-da-da-da” … click! click!

“Da-da-da-da” … click! click!

“Da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da” … click! click

“They're creepy and they're kooky. Mysterious and spooky. They're altogether together ookey. The Fraser Family.

The house is a museum. When people come to see 'em. They really are a scre-am. The Fraser Family.

“Da-da-da-da” … click! click!

Neat

“Da-da-da-da” … click! click!

Sweet

“Da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da, Da-da-da-da” … click! click

Petite

So, get a witch's shawl on. A broomstick you can crawl on. We're going to pay a call on. The Fraser Family.

 They both fell back against their chairs laughing out loud as Claire finished the theme song and Jamie clicked the refrain part with enthusiasm.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“I see what ye meant earlier Sassenach, so, tell me more about the husband Gomez and his wife Morticia.”

“Gomez was the patriarch of the family, just like you Jamie.  He was a very dashing man who loved to wear pinstriped suits.”

She saw his puzzled look and explained.  “Clothing was very different in the 60’s to what it is now, but he was as dashing as you were in Paris.  Suits are a two-piece garment, long breeks and a jacket cut to the hip, made from the same material and worn together.  Gomez Addams smoked cigars and had a very quirky moustache. I’ll ask Brianna to draw you some pictures of the family if you like.”

Jamie nodded in reply to her statement for he loved the drawings Brianna did, and although he could picture them in his imagination, seeing a picture of the family would make them really come to life.

Claire knew that her husband would relish this next piece of information.  “He adored Morticia and would call her Cara Mia, Querida, Querida Mia, Tish, or Cara Bella.”

“Hmmph? … Querida is Spanish for "the woman I desire.”  I can relate tae that Sassenach,” Jamie replied with a sharp look that made her heart skip a little beat.   “I see now why ye think we are alike,” he proclaimed with a penetrating gleam in his eye. “And his wife?”

“She was very beautiful with long flowing, straight, raven coloured hair. Morticia was described as a witch; she was slim, with extremely pale skin.”

“A witch ye say? … a Dhia Claire! … It’s just like people called you because of yer healing powers.  I am seeing more parallels here … Querida,” he added in that sexy voice that always thrilled her.

Claire nearly lost her train of thought when her husband called her Querida and she bit her lip in response to the endearment once more. “Stop interrupting me James Fraser, I’m trying to tell you my Halloween story.”

“Duilich … Sorry Sassenach, but I am just imagining the things ye are saying just like you saw on the … television. Tell me more about this Morticia Addams.”

“Her black dress matched her hair and it was skin tight and figure hugging with a fringe of octopus-like cloth "tentacles" at the lower hem that pooled around her feet.”

“That’s quite an outfit you have on there lady?” one of the robbers said to her Jamie.

“I always wear this for Halloween.”

“Looks great.  Real good for Halloween,” he replied thinking that she was wearing a costume but it was her actual clothing.

“Is that so?  Anything else …Tish?” Jamie grinned cheekily doing a mental checklist of the romantic names Gomez had called his wife.

“Morticia could easily excite her husband by speaking French and other languages. Her pet names for him were Bubula, Mon Cherie and Querido.”

“Ah,  Querido, the Spanish word for "the man I desire."  I like that too Claire.  Ye can call me that at any time my … Cara Mia.”

She blushed a little more at another one of Morticia’s pet names her husband had called her and felt a hot flush warm her cheeks.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“So, Sassenach tell me about the Halloween story ye and Brianna loved watching on yer television about the Addams Family.”

“Well Gomez received a new carving knife in the mail and used it to carve out a pumpkin with the face of his Uncle Fester on it for Halloween. They would put a candle in it to light it up at night and the face would shine through the holes in the Jack-o-lantern. This is very common in the future and people in Boston would put their carved pumpkins on their doorsteps at Halloween.  It was a fun thing to do and they would also decorate their houses with ghoulish things.”

“‘Tis similar to Samhain too Claire but people use turnips. I guess a pumpkin would be easier tae carve though,” he proclaimed. “Tell me more.”

“Their children, Wednesday and Pugsley, dressed up and went trick or treating with their Grandmama for sweets and treats that they would collect from their neighbours.  While they were out two robbers who were escaping from the police … took refuge in the Addams family garden.  Thinking they were their Halloween guests, they were invited inside for a Halloween party but unfortunately, they tried to steal money from the family instead of enjoying their hospitality. When they saw inside their spooky house they exclaimed,  

“You folks sure don’t hold back on Halloween.”

“It’s our favourite holiday.”

Then Gomez said, “Gentlemen come here and I’ll give you a treat.  Open your bag. They didn’t want to show him what was in there because it had the stolen money in it.”

“What happened next Claire?”  Jamie asked thinking this story of the future was a little bizarre but extremely interested in her Halloween story of a show she had watched on television.

“Now, now, there’s nothing to be scared of, I think it’s kind of heart-warming that adults get into the Halloween spirit, and when Gomez opened their bag, he found it was full of money, and he assumed that their neighbours had given them cash for a Trick or Treat. He took out several hundreds of dollars from an open drawer and gave it to them. The robbers’ eyes widened with surprise and decided to hatch a plan to steal all the money and their valuables from them.”

“Did the Addams’ ken they were planning tae steal their valuables?”

“No, they were in the kitchen getting refreshments, and whilst Morticia was stirring the punch, her husband Gomez became quite amorous towards her.”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This story now was just getting more fascinating for James Fraser by the minute.  He smiled at his Claire and asked a little provocatively, “Tell me more Sassenach. What did he do … in the kitchen?”

She was a little tongue tired especially with the way the man she desired was looking at her, but she ventured on regardless to how her insides were all fluttering with tingling feelings that she felt to the very core of her being. When Jamie was in this amorous mood, she was putty in his hands. How was she ever going to tell him what happened next, she thought, but she did.

“When Morticia called him “Bubula … darling” … he took her hand in both of his and kissed it before caressing each finger with his lips beginning at the little pinkie, then the ring finger, and then each other finger after that, until her whole hand had been caressed. It was something he always did.”

Jamie’s eyes were smouldering.  “How did she react tae that ... Querida?” he murmured with a little raspy grunt.

She took a deep breath before continuing. “Morticia swooned at the attention her husband was giving her and replied … When we are together darling, every night is Halloween.”  

Claire was starting to swoon a little herself. She was feeling a little hot and bothered, and bit her lip as Jamie’s gaze washed over her with intent, but she continued with her story.  Her husband knew exactly what he was doing with the way he was looking at her, and he couldn’t be more interested in what would Gomez Addams do next. Jamie hung on each word that came out of her mouth.

“Go on … Sass-en-ach.”

Her mouth was getting a little dry, so Claire took a wee sip of her whisky to also compose herself before she went on with her tale.

“Then while his arm was around her waist, and holding out her arm, Gomez slowly ran his lips up the length of it, kissing across the back of her neck … her shoulder, then down her back and …”

“Aye?  And … then what?”

“The punch exploded!”

Jamie couldn’t help himself.  He was not expecting Claire to say that, and doubling over in mirth, he burst out laughing as too did she.  The happy, raucous sound echoed in his throat and their combined laughter loudly resonated in the room.  

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

However, James Fraser suddenly stopped laughing.  

Looking up, Claire saw the explicit intent in her husband’s eyes that always made her catch her breath. She watched; eyes fixated on her virile man as he rose from his chair and made his way over to where she was sitting. Jamie was now standing in front of her chair.  He reached out his hand towards her, then placing her hand in his grasp, he slowly pulled Claire up and out of the chair until she was but a hair’s breath away from him.  She could feel the solidness of her husband’s chest.

“So, mo nighean donn, what happened tae the robbers?”

“I … ahh, … I … don’t re-member,” she mumbled, tripping over her words as Jamie’s penetrating gaze held her eyes captive with a look that had her feeling quite breathless.

Claire could feel the warmth of his breath as her love quietly spoke seductively against her lips. “I see … Well then ... What were ye sayin’ about what Gomez Addams was doing tae his wife … Sass-en-ach?”

Lost in the suggestive look that Jamie was bestowing on her, Claire Fraser found it difficult to breathe let alone speak as she felt the gentle but scorching touch of lips brushing against her own.

“Ahhh … Ahhh …” she murmured incoherently. “He kissed … her hand.”

“What? … Like this?”

Placing his arm around Claire’s waist, Jamie held out her right arm and proceed to place warm, fervent kisses to the top of her hand before trailing them down to her little pinkie finger.

“Ye-yes…” she purred closing her eyes in the bliss of his seduction.

Soft, warm lips lathed the small digit before continuing on to her ring finger.  His lips started at the tip of her fingernail drawing it into his mouth before releasing her finger. His tongue then skimmed up and over her knuckle to where his wedding ring, a silver band with a small thistle bloom carved in the centre of each intertwined Highland pattern, lay nestled against her skin. Jamie’s lips hovered over the ring, stopping as his eyes observed his token of love on his Sassenach's finger. Jamie hesitated for a moment, then bent his head over it, his lips barely brushing over her knuckles once more before they touched the silver ring and stopped there for one moment of remembrance.

At the same time, suddenly Claire’s thoughts returned to that day in the hospital recalling when Frank had tried to twist it off her finger and the panic that she’d felt.  The guttural sound she’d made was heart wrenching and she’d jerked her hand away and cradled it, fisted, beneath her breast cupped in her left hand.

“I never took it off …  mon Cherie,” she whispered, the love in her voice caressing Jamie’s ears as much as his lips had caressed her hand.

This ring was special to her and she had never taken it off even over the twenty years they had been parted.  During those long, aching years of separation, it was one of her very, very few tangible reminders of Jamie. The Latin phrase that he’d engraved inside her wedding ring was a brief quotation from a love song by Catullus, and she had recited it so many, many times just thinking of her love when she closed her eyes at night.

Jamie’s lips found and touched the silver ring once more before his tongue slid from one side of the ring to the other. His ring which she wore on this finger since the day they had wed was special to him. It was his ultimate love token to the woman who had stolen his heart from the very moment he had laid eyes on her at Samhain time.  This ring spoke to him and was a reaffirmation of how solid was their love and how strong their bond was.

Her eyes were closed, and Claire knew without looking, that Jamie’s were, as well.

“Da Mi Basia Mille, diende centum, dein mille altera, dein secunda centum …” he murmured, smiling before opening his eyes to stare piercingly at his love as he translated the Latin.  “Then let amorous kisses dwell on our lips, begin and tell, a thousand and a hundred score, a hundred …”

Claire’s eyes blurred with tears. Placing her hand at the nape of Jamie’s neck, she fisted it in his glorious red hair, slowly twisting the curls between her fingers. "Dein mille altera … then give me a thousand more,” she uttered breathlessly clearing her throat.  

He brushed away the tear that had trickled down her cheek with his finger, but two more welled up and overflowed; she felt them, full and round, roll down her cheeks.

This poignant romantic moment of remembrance between them was suddenly so overwhelming, that she felt her eyes well up once again. The reality of the power of their love and connection made the fictional one between Gomez Addams and his wife Morticia pale in comparison.  Perhaps the show she had watched when back in the future was a reminder to her of who she missed terribly and how much she missed so achingly the sensuous kisses that her beloved husband had given her.  Suddenly, she was overcome with emotion as Jamie continued to display his amorous kisses to her hand.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

However, he soon sensed that his Claire was feeling wistful.

“Cl-aire?” Jamie’s voice was gentle and his utterance of her name, spoken in tenderness, nearly made her break down again.

“Yes,” she whispered.

“Are ye okay mo ghràidh?  What’s the matter?  Am I not doin’ this right, like Gomez Addams?”

“Oh, Jamie, … You are doing this … so much better … than he ever could my love.”

Slowly he drew her close to him, taking both hands and holding their linked fingers just under his breast to where Claire could feel his heart beating in his chest. Jamie held his love close for a quiet moment and kissed the top of her head as it lay nestled against him.  Placing his finger under her chin, he lifted Claire’s face up to his, then cupping her beautiful cheeks with exquisite gentleness, he set his mouth on hers.

“I like yer Halloween story verra much mo ghràidh, in fact I like it sae much that I think we could … continue it in our bedroom.  What say ye … Querida Mia?” … He kissed his wife’s cheek … “Cara Bella,” … and then her other special name … “Sor-cha,” … Jamie muttered against Claire’s lips before trailing them down her throat in an assault that had her losing consciousness in his arms.

“Per-haps … we … could …” was her garbled reply spoken against his hot mouth as she wound her arms around her husband’s neck. Her eyes glazed over with emotion for this wonderful man as she succumbed to the sweet surrender of his embrace.  Jamie’s eyes too were shining with passion as he lifted Claire up into his arms and carried his love into their bedroom.

“This has been a verra good night Sassenach and one I think could be repeated each Samhain.”

“I approve … Querido,” she murmured seductively against his ear and cupping his cheek with her hand.

Touching foreheads, Jamie’s lips hovered over hers and he smiled with such a wicked look that Claire couldn’t help but smile too knowing that whatever came out of her husband’s mouth would be something profound.  However, she was not expecting his reply with the phrase Morticia Addams had spoken on the television program.

“When we are together darling … every night is Halloween. Now, I want to take ye to bed, and I mean to spend the rest of the night thinking what to do to ye once I’ve got ye there.”  

Then James Fraser proceeded to demonstrate the many ways that this Fraser husband showed his wife how he would seduce her every night … but twice on Samhain and Halloween.

 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The End

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

 The Addams Family Theme - Vic Mizzy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ5IWRz78DY

 Halloween with the Addams family (full episode)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LavY2K3-Vhs

 Endearment Translations:

Claire Fraser

mo chridhe - my heart

mo muirninn - my darling

mo luaidh - my darling, my dear.

a leannan - sweetheart, or beautiful woman

Sorcha – brightness

mo ghràidh – darling

mo nighean donn - my brown-haired lass

 Morticia Addams

Cara Mia - my beloved

Cara Bella – pretty face

Querida - the woman I desire.

Querida Mia – beloved

Tish – strong willed

 Gomez Addams

Bubula – sweetheart

Mon Cherie - dear heart, my dear love.

Querido - dear

[infinitestarsintheskye]

The Lady and the Chauffeur Name Thing

So at the end of my LAST installment of my FS Downton Abbey AU, Christmas at the Abbey, I promised that if ONE person wanted an explanation of the many new names that popped up I would write it. Well many weeks ago now the lovely @valentinaonthemoon asked for such a list, and I am a woman of my word, even if I completely forgot about and only remembered about it just now. I’m going to pop it under a read more bc it is going to get LONG  and also contain ALL OF THE SPOILERS for that series. 

OKAY SO

We’ll do this in birth order I think. Nicknames are in () 

Eilidh May FitzSimmons, born December 12th 1919 - The first of the many babies!! As many of you will know if you have been following me for a while, Eilidh May was, pre-finale of course, my utter ride or die name for baby girl Fitzsimmons. I think I have like three or four fics with this particular name in it, I loved it so much. Eilidh is the Scottish variation of Helen, and means sun-ray, which ugh wouldn’t that just be so perfect for a little FitzSimmons baby. I was just utterly in love with the idea of FS giving their baby a Scottish name (as you will see in the NEXT FS baby) and the fact that this had a space/star/sun/celestial twist to it just absolutely SOLD IT for me. I should add, for all my non-scottish followers that Eilidh is pronounced Ay-Lee. I have no idea how gaelic pronunciation works, I just know how to say it.  Her middle name, May, doesn’t need much explanation. I just loved the idea of them giving their little girl a middle name after someone on the team. 

George (Georgie) Lincoln Campbell, born 2nd October 1921 - Okay ngl, I got real lazy with this name. Mary and Matthew’s (who Daisy and Lincoln were in the place of in this fic) son was also named George, and I liked it, I thought it would be cute if he was called Georgie, as a bit of a variation. His middle name comes from his father, obvi, who, in keeping with BOTH canons (the noise I made when I figured out I could do that I swear. I’m so sorry Lincoln it was just far too good an opportunity to pass up), I killed off on the day he was born. My apologies. 

Hamish Phillip FitzSimmons, born 6th January 1922 - Oh this name. A lot of people REALLY don’t like this name, which is fine. As I said with Eilidh, I was really on a kick of giving FS babies Scottish names. I originally dismissed Hamish, and it just wouldn’t leave me alone, and just utterly grew on me. I actually went to school with a Hamish, he was a fair few years below me and he was just the tiniest, most adorable little toot! From what I can gather, Hamish is an anglicised version of Seamus or Seumus, which is the gaelic version of James, which is a very long and roundabout way of honouring Fitz’s middle name, but I still love having that connection. The middle name, Phillip, again, this name was a love of mine before this fic came about and it just seemed so natural to me that they would name their son after Coulson, and there was just no other name I liked so much with Hamish 

 Kathleen (Kathy) Skye FitzSimmons, born 30th May 1925 - I have no really grand explanation for this name, other than Kathleen is a special name to me, and I love using it in stories. It fit in well I thought with the 1920′s style of naming (yes I did that extensive googling) and as I say it is a very dear name to me and FitzSimmons are deserving of it. Skye, again, I’m just going through the checklist of names from the team. This was in NO WAY  a narcissistic naming, I promise, I just really think they’d give their child that as a middle name, as also this was my way of slipping a lil bit of Scottish into her name too. Just a smidge :)

 Hazel June Sousa, born 14th October 1926 - Oh Hazel. Hazel is just a name I really love. It is also the name of a dear friend of mine who I don’t get to see very often, and I just love it. Honestly I was just trying to find names that worked with the last name Sousa and Hazel just popped into my head. Again it works with 1920′s naming trends, (again with the googling) and yeah I just really love it. The middle name June comes from the fact that in this fic, Daisy and Sousa get married in the month of June. I thought that was a nice way of honouring their relationship, through their daughters name :)

Finley (Flint) Alphonso Mackenzie, born 28th May 1927 - So Mack and Elena adopting Flint is basically canon isn’t it??!?!? He is their son I will have no arguments. SO finding a name that Flint would work for as a nickname, bc lets be real no one was naming their child Flint in 1926, I had to find a roundabout way, was NOT EASY. I still have no idea how Flint could come from Finley, but it is close enough to make sense. By the time I got to Flint I had already named five children and was getting a bit lazy, and so his middle name is just the same as his fathers first name, which is still a very common middle name tactic. 

Emily Lorna FitzSimmons, born 12th October 1927 - Again, by the time I got to poor little Emily, I had named six children already. Emily I just like. Every Emily I have ever met has honestly been the nicest and sweetest person I have ever known. It has a good track record for me and it just sounds so nice with Fitzsimmons. Lorna, Lorna comes from my own personal headcanon for Fitz’s mum’s name, and so I think that’s where Lorna comes from, as a way of honouring Fitz’s mum.  It is also believed to derive from the name of the Scottish town Lorne, so snuck another bit of Scotland into baby FitzSimmons’s name :) 

Arthur (Archie) James FitzSimmons, born 14th August 1929 - If you all cast your minds back, at the very start of the Lady and the Chauffeur, I named Jemma’s dad, Lord Shieldshire, Arthur Simmons. So this was my way of honouring dear old Donk, but they call him Archie, just so he’s his own wee man. James, again, got a bit lazy, same middle name as Fitz. Also v Scottish name, we are 5/5 for Scottish baby FitzSimmons :)

Eve Margaret Sousa, born December 24th 1929 - Eve, well, she was born on Christmas Eve. I cast around for ages trying to find Christmasy names. She was Robyn for a little while, I considered Noel, but that felt a little too contemporary, so she was Eve! And yes, Margaret is my little wink to Agent Carter. I couldn’t help myself. 

Violet Faith Mackenzie, born 6th April 1930 - I actually had a lot of fun finding this name. I briefly considered calling her Hope, but no, that felt a little too on the nose for me. The name Violet comes from obviously the little purple flower, but the flower itself means hope, which I liked. Out of the three surnames, I feel like Mackenzie is the easiest out of all of them to find names for, (maybe it’s because I’m Scottish and know a fair few people with that Mac/Mc sound at the start of their surname) and I played around with a few possibilities, but honestly I just fell in love with Violet. Faith comes from the fact that faith is very important to both Mack and Elena and I wanted to consider that and honour that in the naming of their little girl. 

 Edward (Teddy) Donald FitzSimmons, born December 1st 1932 - The last (for real this time) little FitzSimmons baby of this verse. Blame Fitz being forever broody and Jemma just loving their babies so much, and also being an easy burst when it comes to Fitz and their babies. This name, boy oh boy, this name was HARD. Girls names for FitzSimmons babies, for some reason, easy as pie for me, I have a list as long as my arm of girls names I love for them. As for boys names, Hamish is the only one that has really stuck long term for me. All of the names I found for this poor wee boy that I liked were just a bit too modern, so I had to go searching again. I saw Edward, realised it could be shortened to Teddy and fell in LOVE. Only in this verse would I really get away with calling a baby Teddy so I took the chance and ran with it, and now little dark haired blue eyed Teddy FitzSimmons runs around rent free in my brain. His middle name, is not really obvious why I chose it at first glance. Again I struggled. I couldn’t really find any more Scottish names that I liked, or at least ones that i could give poor Simmons a fighting chance of pronouncing properly (Lachlan is still on my list and I have NEVER heard anyone not Scottish pronounce that first syllable properly). So Scottish was out, and so I went to my next mainstain of family names. And Deke or Enoch were the only two male names I hadn’t touched. Enoch was going to be impossible to find a link (trust me I tried) but DEKE, comes from a common nickname for Donald. So Donald he was. 

I hope you enjoyed this little (haha) list! I just love putting thought and meaning into names, and this kind of gives you a little glimpse into my naming process. Yes I know I will be a nightmare if I ever have children. That is a whole SEPARATE and ever changing and evolving list. 

[newj2fics]

Random Fic Recs

Some Random Fic Recs in case you’re bored

J2 (For the Plot)

In Distortion Lies Beauty -  Jared works for his family's garden center as a landscape designer in Los Olivos, CA. He loves his job working alongside his sister Megan and his friend Stephen but at the end of the day he was no one to come home to other than his dog, Harley. One day, a young woman named Mackenzie walks into his shop and hires him to revive the grounds of the estate she just bought nearby. Jared then meets her brother Jensen, a reclusive former model and all around Hollywood bad boy who is now confined to a wheelchair and angry at the world after his losing his leg in a motorcycle accident. After taking the time to get to know him a little better, Jared realizes that there is something about this beautiful damaged man that he just can't get enough of.

I Put a Spell On You (Because You’re Mine) - Magus Jared Padalecki was just trying to study for his exams. He didn’t mean to let his magic claim the hot green-eyed stranger sitting opposite him in the library.

Oh When You Love It -  Wanting love is not exactly part of Jensen's Siren nature, but there’s a reason why he’s a half-blood after all. He has human DNA mixed up with the murderous, mythical blood pumping through his body.    There’s the part of himself that doesn’t mean to kill. The other side of the coin, the good part of himself. The other half that wants to be normal, a part that wants to stay far away from the mythical section of the library in his head and act like a human, have a job like a human, date like a human and fall in love like a human. But after some hundred years of trying to do that romance nonsense, life has proven that Jensen should probably give up on that idea. Finding love when he's half of a mythical monster doesn't seem very promising.    That's until Jared walks into the bar he’s working in on a Thursday night, proving Jensen that Siren or not, there's an exception for everything. And Jared is his exception.

Twists and Turns Verse -  J2 AU -- Jensen thought he was signing up for cartooning, but accidentally signed up for ceramics, a class that's pretty damn tough when you've only got one working arm. It's worth it to suffer through it, though, because damn the shaggy-haired wheel-throwing teacher is fine...

J2 (For the Fluff)

Luck is What You Make of It -  Jensen's day is off to a rocky start when he finds a sick dog laying in his driveway. But when he meets the gorgeous vet, Jared Padalecki, he realizes that it just might be his lucky day after all.

J2 (For the Smut)

A Loft With a View -  At first the hot guy in the condo across the street doing pull-ups was just distracting to Jensen. Then he became a turn-on. Jensen just hopes they never meet, because he’ll never be able to look the guy in the eye…+ Sequel: A Bed With a View -  Follow-up to "A Loft With A View." It's the morning after, and Jared's waking up with the guy he's been lusting after for weeks in his bed...

Patience Rewarded - When Jared's Mom and Jensen's Dad get married, the two teenage boys end up in bedrooms connected by a shared bathroom. Jensen thinks it's a nightmare because Jared (popular, a jock) is hot as fuck and Jensen can hardly look at him without blushing. Now he has to worry about seeing him walk around in a towel!Jared notices Jensen's blushing and embarrassment and figures out Jensen is gay and hot for him. He thinks Jensen's innocence and blushing is sexy and decides to play with him a little.To start with, he purposely leaves both their doors slightly ajar one day while he masturbates, putting on a show while he strokes his big cock, knowing Jensen will hear his moans and not be able to resist spying. He can start doing other things, too. Walk around half naked a lot, watch gay porn loudly enough for Jensen to hear it, etc.When they finally fuck, Jared should be totally turned on by Jensen's innocence and shyness, talking dirty while he claims his fresh, unused, pink little hole...

J2 Misc

Don’t Even Fix a Price -  Heroes sure have changed since Jensen became the ferryman of the dead. (hero!jared)

Jensen Is the Gayest Football Player Ever -  Jared and Jensen are Seniors in High School. Jensen's the gayest football player ever. Jared's a bit gay, maybe, probably. They have just adopted a pet egg and must keep him alive for a week. Madness ensues.

Can’t Point the Way to Your Heart -  AU in the vein of movies like Hitch - Jensen's an unofficial advice guru, and Jared's his latest project.  Except while Jensen's  supposed to be helping Jared end up with the woman of his dreams, he falls for him instead.

Wincest (For the Plot) 

Wincest (For the Smut)

Just Say My Name -  Dean turns into a complete and utter nympho. It takes Sam a while to notice the difference.

Teach You How - Written for the anonymous prompt: "Dean encouraging Sam to dirty talk or like teaching him how?" “Jesus fuck how do you—how d’you say all that stuff,” then, “Wish I could learn t-to do that, wanna drive you crazy like you do to me, oh fuck.” So, Dean's trying. Originally posted on tumblr.

Whatever You Say - Somehow, even when whammied by a spell that makes him do whatever Dean says, Sam still gets his way.“Let me make you happy, Dean,” Sam’s voice was deep and dark. “Let me give you what you want. I know you want this, and I’d do anything.”“Sam,” Dean tried to get back under control. “Don’t…”But Sam moved quickly, diving to push his lips against Dean’s, soft but demanding, muffling Dean’s protests.“Fuck Sammy,” he whispered as Sam pulled back.“What do you want, Dean?” Sam asked. “I need to give you what you want.”

[unscrxpted]

Solo Para: Persistence is Key

Muses: Mackenzie N'Livek-Kirk-McCoy-Chekov-Chapel-Verrin, S’Chn T’Gai Tayen, Eretria Guest Starring: Aoife Natal, Deema Capricole Word Count: 1396 Verse: Post-war

The team beamed down to the surface of the planet. Mackenzie looked around, taking a deep breath. “How far is this from that city James pulled Aida from?”

“Not very,” Deema said. She pulled out her tricorder, trying to scan the environment for any signs of life. She smacked the side of it. “Damn. My tricorder isn’t working. Looks like we have to do this the old-fashioned way.”

“Split up,” Tayen said, pointing different directions. “We’ll meet back up here if we find something.”

Deema and Mackenzie nodded, and the three went their separate ways.

“Hello?” Mackenzie called. “Is anyone alive? I’m with Starfleet. We’re here to help.” Nothing. She kept walking, peeking into the remains of buildings as she passed. “This is terrible… God, I hope we can get someone out of here.” She grabbed her communicator. “N’Livek-Kirk-McCoy-Ve- no. Nope. Mackenzie to Capricole. Anything for you?”

“Nothing yet,” Deema responded. “Tayen said she hasn’t found anything either.”

“Okay,” Mackenzie sighed. “I’ll keep you updated. Mackenzie out.”

The hybrid bent down to scoot into a partially collapsed building. “Hello? I’m here to help. I’m with Starfleet. Is there anyone here?” She walked further into the open space. “Well hello, that’s something.” She knelt down. Blankets, food dishes, and a makeshift fire pit were strewn around the room. It looked like someone had been living there, before or after the cave-in she couldn’t tell.

The sound of shuffling feet alerted Mackenzie to someone else’s presence. She stood, spinning on her heel to face the point of a sword.

“Who are you?” the girl wielding it asked.

Mackenzie slowly held up her hands. “My name is Mackenzie. I’m with Starfleet. Myself and two of my colleagues were sent down here to look for survivors.”

“Well you found her,” the girl said, narrowing her eyes when Mackenzie said who she was with.

“It’s just you?” Mackenzie said.

“Yeah. You got a problem with that?”

“Well, sort of, yeah.” Mackenzie sighed softly. “You’re alone. You’re barely sixteen.”

“It’s nothing new,” the girl grumbled.

Mackenzie pursed her lips. She slowly reached up and pushed the blade away. “Please, let us help you. My friend is a doctor.”

“I don’t need a doctor,” the girl snapped. “What I need is you out of my home and off of my planet.”

“I’m sorry but I can’t do that.” Mackenzie’s hand flew forward, reaching out to wrench the handle of the sword from the teenager. The girl jumped back, then kicked Mackenzie in the chest, knocking her to the ground. She brought up her sword and swung it down. Mackenzie squeaked, barely rolling out of the way in time.

Jumping to her feet, Mackenzie struck the girl in the face. Just once was enough, as the force of the punch knocked her out cold. Mackenzie shook her head. She grabbed her communicator. “N’Livek-Kirk-McKirk- absolutely not. Mackenzie to Orville. We’re gonna need a bed in sickbay.”

“Understood, standby. Just one?”

“Affirmative.” Mackenzie hoisted the girl over her shoulder. “Kir- Come on, on the first one? Mackenzie to Capricole. We’ve got a live one. She’s a fighter. Let’s meet back up.”

Tayen finished up her notes, glancing over at Mackenzie. She sighed and walked over to her. “Hey, she’s gonna be okay. We’ll find a place for her.”

“That’s not enough,” Mackenzie whispered. She stared at the biobed the handcuffed teenager slept on. “Tayen… You should’ve seen how she reacted when I told her I was Starfleet. She clearly doesn’t have a good relationship with officers.”

“Then we’ll find her a civilian family,” Tayen offered.

“No,” Mackenzie said. She shook her head. “No. She’ll just feel like we’re pawning her off on someone. She’ll run away. End up on the streets again. Alone.”

Tayen paused. She sat next to Mackenzie. “Then I think I know what you need to do.”

Mackenzie blinked, looking at her. “Me?”

“Yes, you.” Tayen nudged her. “Offer to take her in.”

Mackenzie blinked again. She looked back over at the girl. Take her in? Was Mackenzie prepared for that? She wasn’t sure… but this girl needed a home. She knew that. She was like that once. Alone, afraid, and in need of a place to be safe. And her favorite six people gave her that. She nodded.

“Okay.”

Tayen smiled and patted Mackenzie’s back. “I’ll be right back. I need to talk to Doctor Finn.” She got up, walking away.

Mackenzie took a deep breath. This girl would undoubtedly reject her. But she needed to be persistent. That’s what James taught her when Aida came aboard. Persistence was key.

The girl stirred awake. Mackenzie sat up, smiling softly. “Hey. Sorry about… you know… punching you.”

“You’re wicked strong,” the girl groaned, rubbing her face. She looked around. “Where am I?”

“You’re in the sickbay of the USS Orville,” Mackenzie said. “You had some minor injuries that needed to be treated, not to mention… you know…”

“You punching me?”

Mackenzie chuckled. “Yeah.”

“When can I go?”

“Not any time soon, I’m afraid,” Tayen said, walking back over. She smiled. “I’m Doctor Tayen. What’s your name?”

“None of your business.”

Tayen raised an eyebrow. She crossed her arms. “Young lady, I need your name. I can’t even think about releasing you until you answer my questions.”

The girl clenched her jaw. “Eretria.”

Tayen nodded, uncrossing her arms and recording it. “Thank you, Eretria. How old are you?”

“Sixteen. Ish,” Eretria said.

Tayen raised an eyebrow. She recorded the answer, taking a small breath. “How long have you been on your own?”

Eretria paused. “Most of my life. I was born on the streets. My mom died before I was old enough to really remember her.”

“I’m so sorry,” Mackenzie said.

“Everyone always is,” Eretria hissed.

Mackenzie stood, stepping over to the biobed. “Eretria, it’s not okay for you to be alone like that. You’re fending for yourself, stealing food, and living in abandoned buildings that could cave in on you at any given moment. You need somewhere safe to stay.”

“Yeah? And who’s gonna give me that? Starfleet?” Eretria scoffed. She tugged on the handcuffs. “Do I get to keep my new jewelry when I go to this magical safe place?”

Mackenzie winced. She cleared her throat. “I didn’t want to do that. Other security officers thought it would be for the best until you were treated. You’re a flight risk.”

“Not sure how you expect me to miraculously escape the ship, but sure.” Eretria leaned back, looking away from the lieutenant.

“Eretria,” Tayen said, “you’re very underweight, and malnourished. Is there anyone you know of that can take care of you?”

“Never has been,” Eretria said.

Tayen paused. “Until you’re healthier, I can’t release you-”

“What?!” Eretria yelled. She sat up, pulling on her cuffs. “No way! You and your stupid soldiers can’t keep me here!”

“Actually, we can, and right now we have to,” Tayen said firmly. “When your readings concern me less, then you can go. But until then, you’re staying right here. Get comfortable. I’ll be sending a nurse with food for you shortly.” The half Vulcan nodded once, tucked her PADD under her arm, and walked out of the room.

“You have to let me go eventually!” Eretria shouted after her. She fell back against the biobed and glared at Mackenzie.

The hybrid sighed. She wanted to help this girl. This lonely, scared, angry girl. She shook her head. “We’re going to help you.”

“I don’t need or want your help.”

Aoife stepped into sickbay, taking a sharp breath when she caught sight of the girl. She looked at Mackenzie and nodded toward Eretria. Mackenzie nodded.

“Isn’t it rude to telepathy about other people?” Eretria asked sarcastically.

Aoife smiled. “We’re not. We just know each other very well. Lieutenant, you should take a few minutes to yourself. Eat. Take a nap. You’re not a machine. You can’t run on fumes forever.”

“I really hate it when you’re right,” Mackenzie chuckled. She patted Aoife’s shoulder. “Thank you.” She looked to Eretria. “I’ll be back soon.”

“That’s what they all say,” Eretria mumbled, just barely loud enough for Mackenzie to hear.

Mackenzie stood there a long moment, then turned, heading out of sickbay. If anyone knew how to deal with stubborn teenagers who needed a home, it would be James. After all, he had Aida.

[ghaisgeach]

Quick Guide: Caiden MacKenzie 

Race: Half Dragon (Western), Half Human Color: Red Family: Father (a dragon, left when he was a teenager), Mother (a witch, deceased), Vivienne (his mother’s familiar, now his guardian of sorts) Special Powers: Offensive magic, Enchantments*

-Born to a powerful witch and a red dragon. Supposedly his father wanted a powerful child and sought to mate with a witch in the hopes that the child would have a large source of magic. He had a sense that his parents did love one another as his mother was heartbroken when his father mysteriously left them.

-His parents trained him in magic. His father also trained him on how to properly use his dragon powers. Due to what he was, his parents made him swear to never tell anyone what he was out of fear that someone may harm him due to his dragon blood. 

-However, during his childhood, he met a young witch who he immediately connected with. He told her what he was before they parted. Sadly the two never saw one another after that. 

-After his father left, Caiden began to work around his home village to help support his mother. The local blacksmith took him in and began to teach him. During this time his mother became ill and he began to tend to her whenever he wasn’t working. Sadly his mother died shortly after he turned twenty.

-His master retired and gave Caiden the smithy as he went to live with his family in another village. Now Caiden lives at the smithy on the outskirts of the village. Vivienne (a gray and white Norweign forest cat with a French accent who acts much like a French queen), his mother’s familiar, stays with him as his guardian and familiar of sorts. She mothers him often, making sure he’s taking care of himself and teasing him quite a lot. 

-Caiden is a bit reserved but is actually quite friendly. He’s always willing to jump in and help anyone. Most of the time if someone from the village needs help then Caiden immediately offers assistance. 

-Eventually, he’s assisted by a witch named Lyra ( @warsraging​). The two quickly become friends and he offers her a place to stay while she’s in the visiting. As time goes on he starts to develop feelings for them though he’s a bit too dense to realize it. And unknown to him, Lyra is the young witch he met when he was a child. 

-In Caiden’s main verse, he will either have feelings or already in a relationship with Lyra. He is open to shipping in aus or other verses. 

*Caiden focuses more on offensive magic than anything else. Fireballs, destructive spells, and the like are his specialty. Either his father and mother taught him or he taught himself the spells. He also knows, in addition to still learning, how to enchant things. Most of his tests with enchantments are done while he’s working by enchanting things like tools, weapons, and other such things. 

[teenybeanielinguine]

Outlander Season 5 - A Girl Can Dream

 It’s been a little over two weeks since the Season 4 finale... and DAMN, the withdrawal is hitting me hard.  I’ve rewatched all my favorite scenes, re-read all my favorite passages, and scoured Tumblr for every piece of fanfiction available.  But nothing seems capable of filling the Outlander-shaped void in my heart.

Since I clearly have nothing better to do (not true; there are A LOT of other things I should be doing), I’ve decided to grace you all with my unsolicited thoughts (no need to thank me).  Season 5 has no announced release date, but I’m not known for my patience, so I’m hopping on the crazy train a little early.  Destination: The Fiery Cross. (Spoilers ahead.)

About The Fiery Cross

I’ve read quite a few posts that label Drums of Autumn as the pivotal point in the series.  I respectfully disagree.

DoA felt like the next step in a gradual evolution.  It’s true that Bree and Roger gained their independence from the J/C plotline in DoA, but DG had been prepping us for this divergence for quite a while.  Claire was our only narrator in Outlander, and while she remains the only 1st person POV, other characters have been quietly adding their voices to hers.  Roger joined her in Dragonfly in Amber, followed by Jamie and John Grey in Voyager, and we finally get Brianna in Drums of Autumn (that’s RIGHT: in the main books, we hear Roger’s POV before we ever hear Jamie’s).  Because of these constantly expanding POVs, DoA just felt like a natural progression, rather than a huge departure from the status quo.

The Fiery Cross, on the other hand, feels like a turning point.  Not only is it the first book to not get a newly added POV, but the story starts to get a little... unpredictable.

All of the books have a fair amount of twistiness and unpredictability, but our characters have pretty clear goals in each installation so far: get back to the stones, save Jamie from Black Jack, prevent the Rising, prevent Culloden, make Brianna believe the truth, find Jamie after 20 years, rescue Young Ian, establish the Ridge, warn Jamie and Claire about the fire, rescue Roger...  I know I’m generalizing here, but you get the point.  Our heroes all have clearly defined end goals, and they’re putting all their energy into achieving them, despite the twists and turns that DG throws their way.  The characters may not always succeed, but you, the reader, always know where the story is headed.

By the start of The Fiery Cross, the goals are a little broader, more nebulous.  There may be unrest in North Carolina, the American Revolution may be looming in the distance, but basically the Fraser family just wants to live in peace on the Ridge.  That’s it.  No daring rescues, no dramatic reunions; they just want some peace and quiet.  Of course, they aren’t going to get it, because this is Outlander-verse, where Murphy’s Law is on steroids.

So the Frasers play it by ear, taking on every new challenge as it comes.  There is no clear path forward, they just have to react as best they can to the events around them.  In consequence, the reader gets a series of smaller meandering stories, with the distinct feeling that something bigger is happening in the background.  I personally love this, because I have no clue what’s going to happen next, so when something big happens, it takes me completely by surprise.  And you get to see the characters just exist in day-to-day life, which is the best.  Some of the characters still have personal goals (spoiler alert: Stephen Bonnet definitely did NOT die in that explosion), but the pursuit of those goals isn’t driving the story nearly as much as in past installments.

This is all to say that, while Season 5 is going to have to hit some major plot points, there is (in my opinion) a fair amount of breathing room for interpretation, and lots of fun to be had.  I’m fascinated to see the show tackle this new challenge.

My Wish List for Season 5

When I say “wish list”, I don’t mean to imply a series of demands.  I have no creative control over the adaptation, and I’m not listing these wishes in the vain hope that someone on the production team will notice.  This is just for fun, and I will be perfectly content if none of these make it into the show.  Also, not all of these are pulled from the book; some of them are just things I would love to see.

So here are my top ten wishes, in no particular order:

Roger the Fangirl.  In the midst of all the Roger-hate this past season, the OL fandom has forgotten one crucial fact: Roger is the ultimate J/C shipper.  This romantic idiot is the whole reason that Claire went back in time to find Jamie!  You’d think Jamie’s fists would have beaten the ship right out of Roger, but if last season proves anything, it’s that Roger doesn’t give up easily.  He’s gonna keep shipping like his life depends on it, and there are some really cute moments in TFC where he fangirls over how adorable Jamie and Claire are together (also, Jamie is going to become his new idol).  I suppose it would be unrealistic to hope that he and Murtagh form a fan club next season...?

Brothers and Sisters.  Am I the only one who wanted to scream when Brianna and Fergus were right next to each other in the Wilmington jail and they didn’t acknowledge each other?  By the end of S4, we don’t even know whether Fergus and Marsali know about Bree’s existence (I mean, Fergus helped capture Bonnet, but he and Marsali didn’t say a word about Bree), and that frustrates me to no end.  The books skipped over the getting-to-know-you stuff too, which is crazy considering that they are siblings (adopted or not)!  I would kill for a scene where Jamie and Claire are struggling to explain why they have a fully-grown daughter, as well as some bonding time between siblings.  Bree and Marsali are definitely going to get along, cause badass women stick together.

The Snake Bite.  The snake bite incident (aftermath included) is one of my favorite sequences in TFC.  It brings Roger and Jamie closer together, it shows the courage of the Fraser women in a crisis, and it rallies the entire Ridge community in their worry for Jamie.  I suppose it’s sadistic of me, but I loved watching everyone freak out when they thought Jamie was going to die or lose a leg.  And then the 20th century women come to the rescue!  An entire episode dedicated to that whole plotline would be amazing.

Grannie and Grand-da.  Claire and Jamie are not only adorable as grandparents, they’re relatable AF.  They might love their new grandson to pieces, but that’s not going to stop them from being honest about the realities of childcare.  Jamie in particular is hilarious; he builds an entire house at top speed to get away from the screeching baby (and his newly reunited parents), and then he compares Bree unflatteringly to the white sow (not to her face, of course; see Chapter 30 for a good laugh).  I’d love to see that side of Jamie and Claire next season.

Wolf’s Brother.  We might have said a tearful goodbye to Young Ian in the S4 finale, but we haven’t seen the last of him.  My guess is that he’s going to make a dramatic reappearance in the S5 finale, but I really hope we see him before then.  Showing Young Ian’s time among the Mohawk would give Outlander a chance to showcase the amazing First Nations actors that appeared in S4 (Braeden Clarke, anyone?) as well as explore how Ian slowly blends his Highland upbringing with Mohawk customs.

Claire the Science Nerd.  So far all of Claire’s medical expertise has been utilized in life-or-death situations, but establishing a medical practice on the Ridge gives her the opportunity to geek out over plants and experiment in reproducing 20th century medicine in the 18th century.  Over the course of TFC, she gives genetics lessons, performs two tonsillectomies, and produces penicillin (among other things).  This passion for her craft is one of the reasons I love Claire so much.  And her nerd moments aren’t always serious: one of my favorite scenes in the book features Claire and her microscope giving Jamie a hilarious lesson in reproductive biology.

Fraser’s Ridge.  We didn’t get to see much of the Ridge community in S4, although Jamie did allude to the farmers who contributed the grain to make whisky.  The community is comprised of a growing array of Scottish immigrants, and the drama they bring to Claire and Jamie’s lives wavers between amusing and disastrous.  I don’t think the show will have time to explore the entire cast of characters, but I’m hoping to see Thomas Christie and his children introduced, at least.  I’ve always found Tom Christie a strangely compelling character; his children, on the other hand, are nothing more than a necessary evil.  I also really hope we meet the twins, Josiah and Keziah Beardsley (Lizzie’s story is about to get really interesting).

The MacKenzie Bloodline.  Despite all the time-traveling she’s been doing, Claire has yet to meet any of her ancestors (that we know of...  DG might be holding out on us).  Roger, on the other hand, is not going to be so lucky (if you’ve read all eight books, you’ll know that Roger runs into his ancestors A LOT).  By the end of S4, I’m not sure Jamie is aware that his daughter is married to Geillis Duncan and Dougal MacKenzie’s descendant, but I wanna be there when he and Murtagh find out (a perfect opportunity for some good dialogue and tension).  And while Roger may be able to explain his ancestry to Jamie and Murtagh (both of whom are fully aware of the existence of time travel), he’s not going to be able to give the same explanation to Jocasta.  In the beginning of TFC, there’s a really great conversation between Jocasta and Roger where Jocasta is kinda fishing around for clues about Roger’s family.  Roger, of course, can’t tell her that he’s actually her great-great-grandnephew (give or take a few ‘great’s).  My hope is that the show includes some version of this conversation and continues to play around with Roger’s MacKenzie heritage (and all its implications).

Future Talk.  With three time-travelers in the family, there’s bound to be some discussion of the future.  Especially with the tension mounting in North Carolina and Murtagh aligning himself with the Regulators.  I am yearning for some deep discussion between Jamie, Murtagh, and the travelers about the events to come.  I have a hunch that either Claire or Bree has already informed Murtagh about the American Revolution, based on a comment he made to Jocasta about a “different ending”, but I want to see it actually played out on screen.  The interplay between the characters who know the future and those who don’t is fascinating to me, and I want more of it.

Jamie the Protector.  Jamie’s protective instincts have had some disastrous consequences this past season, but he is going to redeem himself next season.  Early on in TFC, Jamie claims Roger as the “son of his house”, and he proceeds to stand by that claim throughout the book, especially in the aftermath of Roger’s wrongful hanging at the hands of Governor Tryon.  This time, Jamie’s protective feelings aren’t going to result in a beating, though it’s a close call.  I love this shift, from Jamie beating Roger to Jamie protecting/avenging Roger; it’s a very satisfying development.

Bonus: Geese.  Brianna and Roger may have a child together, but they have never lived together as a married couple.  They also don’t have very much experience being in a serious relationship (S4 showed us that they really don’t know how to argue properly).  However, they have both grown up quite a bit since their hand fasting, and you get to see them learning how to coexist in Chapter 33 of TFC.  It’s a great scene, where Roger’s just come back with the militia, and he and Bree have a meaningless fight because she hasn’t had it easy since the militia left.  But they resolve their argument peacefully as Bree vents her frustrations to Roger and gives him a drawing of some geese as a Christmas present.  A really wonderful everyday moment.

There are, of course, more things I’d like to see, but these are my favorites.  I thought I’d list them out now, since this is going to be a LONG Droughtlander, and I am sure to get obsessed with something else eventually (the new A Discovery of Witches show looks promising).  Also, I’m going to temporarily forget about Season 5 if Bees comes out first.

What are your wishes for Season 5?  If you choose to respond, please be kind and respectful.

[ruffiorocks]

James Olsen is a terrible CEO

Sooo i’ve noticed that a few people have said James is justified in exposing Lena. That he has finally remembered what being a reporter is about. But i have a counter argument:

James Olsen to begin with has never been a journalist. He was a photographer. I didnt recall him ever writing an article pre-Cat leaving? Then he suddenly gets propelled from Photographer to CEO of the entire company? Ridiculous! But more than likely done because Calista had to leave. They needed someone to run Cat Co and it couldn't be Kara, it had to be someone recognizable and they really needed to give James a purpose. Snapper Carr would have been the better choice!

Now i said in a post recently that to be a good journalist you need to write both sides. Not just the side you agree with. Kara even said being a reporter is about finding the truth.

Ok so going off of that logic, then sure, James should have written the story about Lena’s experiments from the very beginning. he should have allowed Mackenzie to pursue with her lead instead of lying and squashing the story. But he didn't, why?  Because he supposedly cared about Lena. But now she’s no longer dating him and what? Now she deserves to be exposed?

James is a crap reporter! He is sitting on the biggest news stories of the age and he does NOTHING!

Clark Kent is Superman

Kara Danvers is Supergirl

The Multi Verse theory is real! The Blur/Flash was from another Earth.

The DEO is a thing!

The DEO used to lock up aliens with no trial, no jury and a life long sentence.

The DEO locked up Maxwell Lord.

Maxwell created the Red K and sent Kara off her rocker.

The Daxamites stayed and invaded because Supergirl couldn't bring herself to let go of her boyfriend, so the people of National City suffered.

Supergirls boyfriend was a Prince who refused to go and lead his people, resulting in an invasion.

Time Travel is real!

Sam Arias, CFO of L Corp was Reign

These are just a few of the biggest events that have happened and James/Kara haven't written stories on them. Why? Because they are personally involved and these stories could hurt the people they care about or them themselves.

Also what about the time the gang learned that Cat Grant had a secret son? No one exposed her then did they? Why? Because they had respect for their boss and owner of Cat Co. A privilege that James and Kara have both denied Lena in the past. Just think for a moment what cat Grant would do if James Olsen exposed her using her own company and her own resources? Exactly the thing he is about to do to Lena. Lena is now paying James to expose her and spill all her secrets.

So what about all the stories we havent seen James write about?

Supergirl is alive and kicking, able to keep protecting the Earth because of Lena Luthor.

Lena Luthor is responsible for the future survival of Argo City and the entire race of Kryptonians.

Lena Luthor was instrumental in stopping Reign

Lena Luthor is responsible for the Power Ranger suit Supergirl just used to save the day.

No? Doesnt want to write these stories? Seems Odd doesnt it? Is it because this could mean exposing that Lena has worked with the DEO and the government before?! Well nothing freaking new there then is there?!

Lena is getting exposed for sharing her research with the DEO and the Government?

You mean like that time she shared her research with the DEO and saved Supergirls life?

Or the time she shared her research with DEO and helped to stop Reign?

Or the time she shared her research with the DEO and created a device that could stop the Daxamite invasion?

OK, so will he be exposing Kara, Alex, Winn, Jonn and himself for working with the DEO? No he probably wont. Why? Because he agreed with what they are doing (although not always, but not expose eh?)

James is exposing Lena because he is butt hurt he’s been dumped. There is no ‘realizing im a reporter and need to report the truth’ here. Its ‘I want to write an expose on my boss who just dumped me before i could dump her because i disagree with what she is doing. If i disagree it makes it wrong no questions asked.’

Do we really think that the general public are going to have that big of an issue with the fact that Lena Luthor is helping the government make super soldiers to protect them from alien invasion? Or alien threats? I dont. Even if that isnt what Lena is really up to. Since clearly this government has a lot of  dodgy stuff going on.  I would say Lena is going to be praised and James Olsen will be booed! If this was real life James would be seen as the rejected boyfriend of a billionaire and looking for his 15 minutes. He would be seen as using his position to have revenge for being dumped. Complete unprofessional and a fool. James is a rejected WAG!

James's Headline ‘Luthor joins government to make humans Super!’

Follow up Headlines:

‘CatCo CEO dumped by boss, takes revenge by trying to expose her’

‘Luthor helps to protect Earth!’

‘James Olsen fired by former lover and boss’

‘Former vigilante James Olsen against the idea of humans having superpowers’

‘Luthor tries to cure cancer, discovers she can give Superpowers to humans’

‘James Olsen, best friend of Supers doesn't believe humans should have the same powers’.

‘James Olsen buries then steals huge news story from rookie reporter’.

This also proves that James NEVER supported or Loved Lena.

James: ‘I love you and you love me’

Lena: ‘Get out of my car!’

James not a day or two later ‘Im going to expose her and all her secrets to the world!’

Yeah... that isn't love. You dont love someone one minute then want to essentially destroy them and everything they have built the next, just because they dumped you. Or even because you disagree with what they are doing.

I really hope Alex goes to CatCo and lays into James, yelling at him for exposing Lena, ruining their plans, getting involved in DEO business at all. She then yells at him some more for bringing the super serum to the public and COL attention and the yells a little bit more about how he failed to mention in his article that he went along with Lena the whole time until she crossed HIS moral line. Then she hands over an envelope ‘Lena Luthor sends her regards’. Inside is his pink slip and papers saying he’s been served, not just by Lena but by the Government. We all know Lena can save the world and sue James at the same time.

[notameeksassenach]

Dirt In The Skirt - Chapter 3

Moodboard | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2

Many many thanks to @theministerskat for her beta skills and the title banner!

Charm and beauty school was almost as challenging as tryouts. While many of the girls were well versed in the proper conduct of being a lady, there were just as many girls who were not. But that didn’t stop Mrs. Graham from molding them into prim and proper shape. Starting off with the basics, the girls learned how to walk gracefully.

“Gracefully and grandly. Gracefully and grandly,” Mrs. Graham repeated, making them parade back and forth across the ballroom. Unwilling to settle for anything less than perfect, she chimed in again, “All right, lasses, now go back!”

When at last Mrs. Graham was satisfied with their walks, she moved on to table manners. They began by learning about the utensils on the table, and when it was appropriate to use each one, then the lesson quickly moved on to the proper way of sipping tea.

“And sip. Down. Don’t slurp, it isna ladylike. And sip.”

Last, but certainly not least, the girls were forced to repeatedly sit and stand to ensure that they did so with perfect posture. Keeping their heads up and backs straight, they were instructed on how to sit so that their legs were always together.

“Now place yer right ankle over yer left. A lassie avoids giving any laddie a wee keek up her skirt.”

Hearing a slight giggle from Geillis, Claire shot her a dirty look of warning before turning her attention back to Mrs. Graham.

I’d almost rather be doing drills in the hot sun than sit through any more of this.

Kicking the gravel beneath his feet, he made his way up the front walk. Jamie Fraser couldn’t help but wonder how his life had taken such a turn. He once had it all, a thriving baseball career with the Detroit Tigers, a home run record that no one could touch, and a shot at making it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. When he injured his knee, he had the promise of managing a team to fall back on. What did he have to show for it? His name was tainted by scandal. But at the end of the day, it had been his own fault. And now, he found himself at the mercy of his of his uncle, Colum Mackenzie. If he were honest with himself, he wasn’t particularly looking forward to this meeting. With a sigh, he rang the doorbell.

Weel, here goes nothing.

“Ah, Jamie lad,” Colum said as he opened the door. “Come in, come in. Let us head to the back, I want to show ye the grounds.”

Never wanting to be indebted to his uncle, Jamie could barely stomach the thought of having Colum bail him out yet again. If he had kept his head on straight, this magnificent house could have been his. Instead, mistake after mistake had led him to rely on what family he had left. With his thoughts so wrapped up in where his indiscretions had led him, he barely registered what Colum was saying to him.

“Jamie. Jamie, come now. I’m showing ye around. ‘Tis beautiful is it no? This place used to be a golf course. Now, I dinna fancy the game but the grounds are breathtaking.”

“Aye, uncle. It’s quite a sight,” he agreed amicably.

“Shall we get down to business then?” Colum asked, “I ken yer no’ here to see the landscaping. I’m thinking of giving you another managing job.”

“Ah. Thank ye, truly. I’ll do my best no’ to let ye down this time,” he replied sheepishly. “I ken I did on the last job.”

“Let me be blunt with ye. Are ye still a fan of the drink, lad?”

“No, sir. I’ve given it up.”

“Given it up, ye say?”

“Aye, on account that I canna afford it,” he said with a chuckle.

“Look, Jamie, I want ye to manage one of the new teams in the girls’ league.”

Jamie’s face formed an instant frown, taking his uncle by surprise.

“Come now, yer still a household name! Ye just need to step outside the dugout at the start of each game, and give the crowd a wave and a smile.”

“So ye want me to be your monkey? Will I be given an organ grinder as well?”

“That is my offer, Jamie. Take it or leave it. It matters no’ to me what ye choose.”

As the Boston Beauties busied themselves with preparations for their first game, you could almost feel the excitement that filled the locker room. There was a buzz of conversation, ranging from looking forward to taking the field, to curiously wondering about the elusive Jamie Fraser, who they had recently discovered to be their team manager.

“I canna believe that we are going to be managed by Jamie Fraser,” said Geillis as she placed her foot on the bench to tie her cleat.

“I remember listening to the radio when he hit the home run that clinched the pennant!” exclaimed Marjorie Mackenzie, who was the team’s right fielder.

Glancing at her watch as she placed it in her locker for safe keeping, Claire wondered where Mr. Fraser was. It was nearing game time, and he had yet to make his appearance.

As if her thoughts had summoned the man in question, Jamie Fraser came into the locker room like a man on a mission. Opening the door with such force, it crashed against the back wall, causing the team to jump in surprise. Without saying a word to anyone, or acknowledging anyone at all for that matter, he made his way to the rear of the room, and straight for the nearest urinal.

A collective gasp could be heard, as the women tried to comprehend what was happening.

“I can’t believe he is doing that. Louise, you’re the closest, do something!” demanded Annalise.

“Anna! Just what would you suggest I do?”

“If you won’t stop him, time him at least!”

Louise did as she was bid, and grabbed ahold of the watch that Annalise was holding out to her. Trying to keep one eye on the hands of the clock, and the other on Jamie, she began to time him.

When he was finally finished, he adjusted himself accordingly and without so much as a word to the team, Jamie exited the locker room.

Once she was sure the door was closed behind him, Louise proudly proclaimed her findings.

“Boy, that was some good peeing!”

After the awkward laughter died down, the girls stood there for a moment, not sure what to do.

“He didn’t g...give us a lineup. We can’t p...play without a lineup,” Mary managed to get out.

“Ye dinna need to worry,” Geillis said stepping up. “I’ll pitch.”

“But I thought I was going to be playing center field,” interjected Louise.

Within minutes they were all trying to shout over one another, in the hopes that they would be picked to play the position of their choice. Already feeling a headache coming on, Claire knew she needed to put a stop to this nonsense as quickly as possible.

“ENOUGH!” she yelled, gathering the team’s attention. Everyone fell silent. “There is no reason for us to be yelling over one another. How hard can it be to make a lineup?”

“Oh yeah? If you think it’s so easy then, why don’t you do it?” questioned Annalise.

“Alright then. Geillis, you take the mound. Louise, you’ve got center field. Now then, it’s time to play ball.”

“Welcome one and all to the first game of the newly formed All American Girls’ Baseball League! Playing today are The Hillsborough Hitters and your very own Boston Beauties! And now, let’s give a warm welcome to the manager of the Boston Beauties, former National League home run champ, Mr. Jamie Fraser!”

Jamie made his way out of the dugout. He wasn’t thrilled about being here. Especially after being out all night, drowning his sorrows in whatever whisky he could find. The last thing he wanted was to put on a show for a stadium that was only half filled with spectators. Taking his baseball cap off his head, he waved in the direction of the bleachers giving his best half smile.

“And now,” the announcer continued, “Let’s meet your Boston Beauties!”

The announcer began the roll call of the girls and their position as they made their way out onto the field. Claire noticed that the crowd was light, and tried to reason that it was only the first game. Attendance was sure to pick up. It was likely that most people would still be under the assumption that baseball was on hold. Those that did come out to see the game, however, seemed to be more interested in heckling the players rather than enjoying the game.

“Hey, glamour puss! What makes you think you can play baseball?” one particularly rude spectator shouted.

“A...are they l...laughing at us?” Mary squeaked out.

“Yes, Mary, they are. But we aren’t going to listen, okay? We are going to go out there and play ball,” Claire said trying to reassure the younger player. The last thing they needed now was Mary to lose what little confidence she had. “We can’t stop the hecklers, but we can keep our focus on the game.”

True to her word, the hecklers continued their abuse from the stands. Several remarks were made about the lack of abilities they were sure the girls had, as well as snide comments about how playing baseball would ruin their beautiful legs or cause them to break a nail.

Claire could tell that the team was doing their best to ignore the comments. As much as she wanted to throttle some of them, she knew it was inappropriate. She didn’t have to worry about it for long when she noticed that Marjorie seemed to have reached her limit, and lobbed the ball in the direction of the vilest offender. The ball was thrown with such precision that it connected directly with his head, causing him to sit down with his mouth now firmly shut.

Trying not to let the crowd see the smirk that formed across her face, she turned her attention back to the task at hand. This was their first game of the season, and Claire wanted to win. Punching the inside of her glove, she took her post as the team’s catcher, right behind home plate.

We’ll show ‘em how baseball is played.

They had played a good game, but we're currently tied 2-2. The tension was getting thick, neither team wanted to face defeat, especially for their first game.

It was the bottom of the ninth. Claire was at the plate, waiting for the perfect pitch. She currently had two balls and no strikes. Tapping the bat on the mound, before bringing it above her right shoulder, she took a deep breath and readied herself.

You’ve got this Beauchamp.

The result of her efforts barely registered in her mind before she was off, running as fast as she could around the bases. It wasn’t until she rounded third that she realized she had hit a home run, allowing the two Beauties already on base to make it home. As her feet hit home plate, she could hear the announcer call the game, marking that the Boston Beauties had won with a score of 5-2.

“Great coaching Jamie lad. I especially liked that part in the fifth inning where ye scratched yer bollocks for an hour,” stated Dougal Mackenzie, who was less than impressed with the management skills of his nephew before him.

“Weel, anything worth doing is worth doing right.”

“Aye. Up until that point, however, I dinna ken if ye were gone with the drink or gone for good.”

“Colum made it clear that I was to smile and wave at the crowd. He didna say I was required to do anything else. And while we are on the subject, when should I expect my first paycheck?”

“Maybe you should put some more effort into your ballplayers Jamie. Ye’ve a good group with strong players if ye’d only give them a chance.”

“I dinna have baseball players, I have girls. Girls are who ye sleep with after the game. Not who ye coach during the game, ye ken.” he grumbled.

“I ken ye used to be a household name lad. But now yer just washed up. Give the girls a chance, and ye might be able to save yer reputation after all.”

And with that final piece of advice, Dougal turned and left Jamie to think, alone in the dugout.

[facesdcwn]

(  brie larson  /  twenty nine  /  female   )   I think that’s  CECELIA “CEE” HARSHA  in the COMFORT STATION  who grew up in  DAYTON.  Hopefully the apocalypse hasn’t shaken HER  up too much. They’ve been in the group for  TWO YEARS  and has taken the job of a LEADER  within the group. Apparently they’re  GROUNDED  but they can also be very IMPULSIVE  I’ve heard.

 hi!! i'm mackenzie and i also play mason. under the cut you'll find history, personality, and some wanted connections! feel free to come plot with me 

too lazy to read? just want the gist? small farm girl that got caught here during an agriculture convention. misses home, but took her knowledge and became leader of comfort station.

before

cee grew up on a small farm in dayton, ohio. herparents looked like they were dragged straight out of american gothic.

she was always a trouble maker at school, and would have rather been out cutting wood with her dad than inside cooking with her mother.

once she hit her teen years, she realized the value of what her mother did and became well versed in the world of physical labor and domestic life.

she was content with her small farm life and planned to take over once her parents got too old, but her parents insisted she see the world.

they came to a compromise: she goes to all the agricultural conferences in chicago, and wherever else they pop up, and she still gets the farm.

she never thought the Executive Women in Agriculture conference would change her life.

after

she took shelter in comfort station, a nearby art gallery, with some other members from the convention. along with other chicago natives or those just passing through, the small space filled up quickly.

one woman in particular had taken charge, but was later overtaken with the virus.

cee saw this as an opportunity to step up and take charge, although she did grieve the loss of her fast friend.

however, she does feel like she gave up on her parents. she can’t make a trip to dayton in these conditions, and knowing they are out there on the farm surviving on her mother’s jarred goods is the only thing that gives her hope.

playlist

wish by diplo // “maybe you should find your chill, cause boy does this shit get real.”

the bodies, the zombies! by mal blum // “i heard your heart is about the size of your first, but that’s not true it’s just a myth.”

headcanons

cee loves children! she has a soft spot for any of the children her manage to work their way into comfort station

in her free time, she locks herself away to knit. it reminders her of her mother.

wanted connections

i think we’re close enough // cee really likes this person, loves even, but chicago is currently not a good place to be in love and it’s not her priority at the moment. (and guess what.. she has big Pansexual energy)

you’re in my space // this person always manages to make themselves too at home in comfort station, and while cee is definitely no dictator, she’s a bit territorial.

i won’t let go of you // cee’s right hand person. 

i have nothing in particular for her! but if she can fill any of your wanted connections, hmu!

[sojourner-between-worlds]

Albatross, Archery, Castle, Cordial, Dragon, Father Christmas, Golden Chessman, Horn, Lion's Kiss, Silver Sea, The King, Winged Horse! (or any of the above if you don't feel like answering them all haha)

What? Nonsense! Of course I’m answering them all! lol (But under the cut because there are so many, haha. :P)

Albatross: What’s one Bible verse that encourages you?Jeremiah 29:11-13 “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and nor for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.’”

Archery: What is one special talent or gift that God has given you?While I wouldn’t say that I have spectacular voice, I do believe He has given me a bit a talent for singing. As for spiritual-gift wise, teaching! Ironically since I hate getting up in front of people, but specifically teaching young kids (like, ages 3-6 young, haha). I have found that bringing the Bible to life for young kids is a passion of mine, and I really love it.

Castle: How has being in a Christian community helped you, or what would you want to experience in a Christian community? The groups I’m currently a part of are everything I could have hoped for. We encourage each other and pray for each other, but we can also have a good time and laugh together, and know that it’s going to be good clean humor.

Cordial: What is one time you have been healed and refreshed by God’s Word?There have been soooo many times, but ladies’ retreats at camp always fall into that category. The devotionals and workshops are always geared specifically for women, and that’s just always really nice. It also always seems to be exactly what I need to hear when I need to hear it, even before I know I need it, haha.

Dragon: What’s one sin you struggle with?PRIDE. And, honestly, everything else comes out of that. Pride demands that I be perfect and that everyone notice what I do, and when things aren’t perfect or no one notices or acknowledges, then other ugly things like anger come roaring in. It’s a constant battle of reminding myself that what I do, I do for Christ and not for myself.

Father Christmas: What is one sign of hope you’ve been given by God during a long “winter” that a difficult period of your life will not last forever?I’ve always been hugely into and involved in music, so that sign usually comes as hearing just the right song at just the right time. I got through high school because of some of the Christian artists I found and listened to at the time.

Golden Chessman: Do you have a spiritually significant item passed down to you (e.g., a grandmother’s Bible, etc.)?Not in my possession, but my dad has a really old Bible in German that belonged to his... great-grandfather, I think, and I hope it’ll be mine someday.

Horn: What’s one prayer you’ve seen answered?When I decided to go to Bible college, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to afford the tuition for the two years I wanted to attend. But, by the goodness of God, I was granted several scholarships from the school, cutting my tuition by over half. Between that and the money I had saved up for years from my part-time job combined with what my parents had put away for me, we had enough so that I didn’t need to take out any loans.

Lion’s Kiss: What expression of God’s love in this world touches you most deeply?Okay, I lied. I already answered this one, lol.

Silver Sea: What is a promise you have seen God keep?“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Over and over and over again, I have seen this to be true. Even when I turn away, He is still there when I finally go running back. (For the sort-of full story, I sort of answered this in Mackenzie’s ask, haha.)

The King: What attributes of God are your favorite to study and to encourage yourself with?Love and Sovereignty.  What better thing to dwell on than the love of God? But also His sovereignty: knowing that He is in control of all things and that nothing surprises Him is one of the biggest comforts to me when it feels like everything is falling apart.

Winged Horse: What is one way God has noticeably changed you?Changing into a true servant. One of the requirements of the college I went was Christian service -- or, serving in the local church. I’ll be honest and say that my first year there I didn’t want to for the sole reason that it was a requirement; in other words, my attitude about serving was completely wrong. But, by the end of the year, God had changed my heart, and I was desperately wanting to serve. So when someone at my home church asked if I wanted to help with VBS that summer, I was like, “YES, YES, YES, THANK YOU.” 

Thanks for asking!!

[outlanderfanficrelay-blog]

Outlander Fanfic Relay: Part 18

Previously, on the Outlander Fanfic Relay:

17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Hi all, @thescarlettpeacock here. Slightly over the limit - sorry!   @internallydeceased you’re up next darling! 

It felt entirely too much at once.

Too much revelation, too much honesty – too much hope where before only confusion had lain. Questions sat heavy in the air like a dense fog across a loch. 

“Ye canna – Ye don’t - “ Jamie began, his words tumbling gracelessly from his mouth.

“- Do you know what you’re offering us?” Claire finished, her eyes wild.

“I know it seems impossible – hell I know it sounds mad, but you have to trust me.” With a short stride she knelt beside Claire, placing a hand atop her mothers. “I’m sure you have questions, and having some woman appear from nowhere claiming to be your child and offering a no strings attached kidney isn’t what you were expecting, but you must understand there’s only one more chance to get this right. If you die again, I’ll be lost forever.”

The statement rang again in their ears; the memories of existences, of timelines marred by loss and suffering pulsing through minds.

“Can you explain – tell us what you know?” Claire enquired, looking first to Jamie and then again to Brianna and Roger.

Brianna nodded simply in return, moving a chair toward her parents to begin the story she and Roger has painstakingly tried to solve.

-------

Somewhere across the infinite universe, the timelines of each universe existed simultaneously. Each universe was a product of a thousand different factors but seemed to always have a fixed point within it. At some point, in some universe, a singular choice or error had occurred that had caused a tear between the fabric of these realities. This error, this instance had then bled through into each timeline like water through cracks. For them, it had almost poisoned each of their timelines, leaving in its wake unending misery for the two of them where once before bliss and joy had reigned.

When flashes of a life unlived came to Brianna and to Roger, they had found themselves in the company of Master Raymond as Claire and Jamie had. Their ramblings had seemed wild; children they didn’t have, accidents and losses they could barely comprehend. Brianna’s parents tortured within the inches of their lives over and over, each version more terrifying than the last.

Raymond had known about the situation at hand but could only advise them to look within the pages of history to find some context, perhaps, for their visions. So, they had searched endlessly, finding names and images, secrets hidden between the lines of verse in text books long forgotten about.

Finally, when all hope had almost vanished into the ether of existence, Raymond had sought out Brianna with instructions to visit the hospital.

“And here we are, with the knowledge and visions we have in the hopes somewhere amidst it all, we can find something to help all of us.” Brianna finished, smiling somewhat half-heartedly.

“Do ye have a place? A name? Something for the stones?” Jamie asked, his words half rushed, burning with fear.

Brianna turned to Roger to answer, her heart thrumming loudly in her chest.

“We’ve done better than that.”

From the bag that had been slung across his shoulder, Roger removed a package of papers; scrawling, scribbled notes and sketches of faces, dialogue and research. He cleared his throat, turned over a typed page and began reading;

“In the month of April, in the year of our Lord 174, James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser was convinced of aiding treasonous rebellion against the crown of His Majesty King George II. For that, the punishment of one hundred lashes was given – to be acted out at Wentworth Prison by Jonathon Wolverton Randall, Captain of His Majesty’s Dragoons.”

Claire and Jamie’s eyes grew wide. Brianna took her turn to speak, leaning to Roger to pick out a piece of paper that she placed into Jamie’s quivering hands.

“He’s the catalyst for all of this. He’s the one who began it all.”

[imagineclaireandjamie]

Of All My Parents’ Friends

@heartthesouth asked: 

Imagine Roger describing 1960s Claire (and possibly his remembrance of 1940s Claire from his childhood) to Jamie.

One-shot; takes place just after the Gathering in book-verse (The Fiery Cross).

Bear in mind, this means Jamie and Roger are only *newly* on solid-ish ground after all the unpleasantness between them in Drums of Autumn. If you haven’t read the books, just imagine the very worst start a man could get off to with his father-in-law. (YIKES.) 

 -Mod Bonnie

Fraser’s Ridge, North Carolina

October, 1770 

“Puiff-ee?”

The word sounded absolutely stupid coming out of his father-in-law’s mouth, which (infuriatingly!) made ROGER feel the foolish one. “C’mon, ye know. Poofy? Like—voluminous?—”

Jamie Fraser snorted violently into his lunch of bread and pickle and Roger felt a wave of anxiety. Was the word somehow offensive in this time??  But surely ‘poofy’ was more easily misconstrued than—

But Jamie—seated on a log next to Roger’s boulder—came up grinning, still coughing on crumbs as he choked out, “Ye mean to say there was a time when Claire’s hair was MORE voluminous than it is NOW?” 

They both laughed and Roger drank in the relief of the camaraderie, flimsy as it might be. 

“Christ almighty,” Jamie swore with feeling as the laughter subsided, shaking his head in genuine incredulity, “however did she manage THAT?”

“I dinna ken exactly,” Roger admitted with a hopefully-easy shrug, passing the stone bottle of cider, “Claire’s was sort of—” he made a swooping gesture overtop his own crown “—um...I dinna ken how to describe it.. Kind of—”

“A bouffant,” Brianna interjected helpfully, plopping down next to Jamie (well, as much as a six-foot-tall woman with a sleeping baby strapped to her front could ‘plop’) and doing a quick sketch in the dirt with a stick.  

“Oh, aye, a *bouffant,*” He grinned, leaning over to kiss his wife and son, grateful for the buffer. “I definitely knew that’s what it was called.” 

“How does—? But—where do the curls go?” Jamie kept tilting his head from side to side like a puppy as he peered down, clearly having difficulty translating the rough illustration to his wife’s head. “And how in hell did she get it to stay all rounded and puffed up?” 

“HAIRSPRAY,” he and Bree said in unison, though he left the task of explaining aerosol cans and their uses to the engineer. 

By the end, Jamie was grinning like a fiend. “Claire would glue her hair into place every day for fashion??”

“Yep!” Bree laughed, expertly cupping Jem’s head as she bent forward to reach for a hunk of bread, “unless she was doing an operation that day, obviously. Not much call for style under a scrub cap.” 

Shaking his head in gleeful wonder, Jamie turned back to Roger. “What else was different about ‘Sixties Claire,’ to your eye, other than the hair?”

“Oo, her groovy makeup!” Bree said through a large bite.

“Gr–? Cosmetics, ye mean?” 

“Aye, just so!” Roger said, hoping to win some son-in-law points, meagre as they might be. “And ‘groovy’ just means daring in an admirable way.” 

“Well, that sounds like Claire, right enough. Does every woman wear the Greuvvy Makeup, then?” 

Bree shrugged. “Pretty much.” 

“I tell ye what, though,” Roger said emphatically, seeing the opportunity and seizing it, “Claire certainly didna need all that. Not one bit.”

It was like a horror film. 

Two identical faces swiveled on tall, twin necks, fixing him with identical expressions of amusement. Or possibly menace. Either way, absolutely TERRIFYING.

“What?” he snapped, his face flushing as he looked back and forth between them.

Jamie’s eyebrows were raised. “Why should Claire not have needed the cosmetics?”

Bree raised hers to match, her lips quivering with suppressed laughter. “Yes, Roger: do tell!” 

He made a scoffing sound. “Well, no, I mean—”

“If ‘pretty much’ all women wore it,” Jamie asked, face completely inscrutable, “why should Claire have been any different?  

“No, she’s—Well, I mean she IS—” This was not going well. “All I was trying to say is Claire’s very—She’s got very lovely—” 

The movie had shifted into one where the out-of-control-robot car had locked you inside and was accelerating top-speed into a canyon. Cannot—BRAKE—

“—SKIN!”

“OH. MY. GODDD!!” Bree whooped with glee, making Jemmy jump in his sleep and thump his forehead against her chest. 

Jamie said nothing and only sipped his drink, but damn him, there was an effing GLEAM in those cats’ eyes. 

Bree coughed through her giggles and waved her hand in a ‘hold on, hold on’ gesture. “So—wait: when we met in Inverness....were you checking out my mother’s ‘skin’?”

“I wasna CHECKING HER OUT,” he insisted with a mocking tone to show what a ridiculous suggestion it was (but SHIT if he didn’t sound all kinds of guilty AND if he didn’t want to fling himself into a hole and never come out). Pull yourself the fuck together, MacKenzie. 

“Look,” he sighed, “Claire’s a very attractive woman, and—”

“So we’ve gone from verra lovely to verra *attractive*, have we?” 

“It—I—” Damn that fucking ginger hide: Roger couldn’t tell if the man was poking fun or literally about to bash his head open against a tree. 

“Wait, wait, didn’t—oh JEEZ, it’s too much—” Bree was clutching Jem tight, dying with laughter, and was NOT giving this up. “Didn’t you tell me once that Mama reminded you of Anne Bancroft??”

ffffffffffucking hellllllllllllllllllllll

“Who’s that?” Jamie demanded, his narrowed eyes snapping to Roger.  

Yep, it had now become the kind of horror movie where the supporting actor looks at the camera and gets in that *one great scream* for their reel right before they get eaten alive to thicken the plot for the protagonists. 

Bree was on a roll. “A famous, very *sexy* actress! She was in a—play (sort of) with Dustin Hoffman who has the role of this university boy who is seduced by an older wo—”

“—S’QUITE ENUFF’A’THAT!” His voice cracked on the panicked outburst (can a man not catch a BREAK???), at which his wife dissolved into further spasms. “Oh for God’s sake, Bree, it was YOU that I checked out, if ye need reminding!!” 

“And just why were ye ‘checking out’ an unmarrit lass?” Jamie said, turning expertly on the conversational dime, “A guest in your home, no less? MY daughter?” 

“I wasna—I ABSOLUTELY did NOT—Oh, for fuck’s SAKE!” 

They were both quaking with laughter where they sat. 

Roger threw up his hands up and stormed to his feet. “You two bloody deserve each other, ye know! Twisting a man’s words, ‘til—Oh, willye shut up and LISTEN, THE BOTH OF YE!” 

They knocked heads as they slumped against each other, tears streaming down their ruddy cheeks. 

Roger made huge, sweeping gestures to left and right for emphasis. “CLAIRE IS VERY BEAUTIFUL. BRIANNA IS VERY BEAUTIFUL. WE’RE ALL FAMILY NOW, CAN WE BE *DONE* WI’—”

“What on EARTH are you lot bellowing about!?!” 

He whirled around to see Claire, flushed and dirt-streaked, gathering basket in hand, her eyes wide. “Is everything alright?” 

Roger gave both redheads a sidelong glare that HE would have said could have melted steel, but just make Brianna shake even harder. She was suppressing outright cackling only by pressing her lips into the top of Jemmy’s fuzzy head. 

“Nay, all’s well, mo nighean donn,” Jamie said, surprising Roger by getting to his feet. He came over to put a hand on his wife’s waist and kiss her on the cheek. “Roger Mac, here, was only singing the praises of your great charm and beauty, mo ghraidh, much to the credit of ye both.”

“Oh! Well!” Claire flushed, sounding both surprised and pleased. “That’s very sweet of you, Roger, dear, thank you.” 

Roger, stunned, scraped up enough presence of mind to give her a smile and a little self-deprecating bow. 

She didn’t bother to suppress a grin as she went on her way toward the drying shed. “I rather needed that, today.”

Once she was out of earshot, Roger met Jamie’s eye and inclined his head with a sincere, "Thanks.” 

“Think nothing of it,” his father-in-law said, clapping him on the shoulder in passing as he headed back to the woodpile “…Dustin.”

[jandjsalmon]

What other fics are your faves/masterpieces?

Oooh grayface! You ask the hard questions.

I struggled with answering this over the last couple days for a couple reasons. FIRSTLY - as I tried to compile the list, I got caught up rereading a bunch. I’ve spent the better part of three days either refreshing my Instagram to flail over lilicole at Coachella, or rereading old favourite fanfics. Total time!suck. lol.

Also, like I’ve said in the past, I read A LOT of fic. Like, I think I was several thousand fics last year (Completed and WIPS) on top of the 53 original novels I read for my goodreads challenge in 2016). I read a lot of fic and honestly, I *like* most of the fics I finish because if I hate something or it doesn’t give me joy, I’m not going to continue reading it. (As an example, just recently, I stopped reading a fic by a friend of mine - not because it’s terrible writing (because it wasn’t) or because I don’t love my friend (cuz I do - she’s talented and wonderful and kind and every good thing) - but because every update of the story was giving me anxiety and literal rage at the characters to the point where I was unproductive in real life because I was so mad. Fic is supposed to be fun - even angsty and emotional fic - so I literally had to unsubscribe and take a step back a bit. I still love her, and will read other stories by her - just not that one anymore. It’s a complex thing. So, there’s that.

And then there is the fact that I like a lot of fics that I wouldn’t call MASTERPIECES but… I *liked* them. It’s hard to know what crosses that line into epic awesomeness. I generally bookmark my particular favourites but again - does that mean I think they’re all MASTERPIECES? What does being a MASTERPIECE entail? And maybe there is fic that I absolutely am over the moon about - that other people wonder “What’s the big deal?” There are several favourites of mine that could be like that.

And what if a fic is short? Most Masterpieces are usually Tolstoy length, aren’t they? Sometimes. But sometimes they’re short and perfect and speak to me RIGHT NOW (before more canon makes them suddenly AU) but reading them after isn’t as gut punchy. And sometimes they start as AU and yet they’re still freaking spectacular.

And I hate to throw even one more wrench into the problem - but here’s another: I’ve been around fandom in general for a LONG time. Like 12 years. 12 years where I was really active in fic writing/reading/reviewing/betaing/reccing etc. That makes for a LOT of different specific fandoms. Are you interested in the fics I fell in love with 10 years ago when all I read was Draco/Ginny? Or what about my Sherlolly love? Or Hiccastrid? Or Gendarya? Or Violate? Or Shenny? Or Reylo? Or most recently Bughead? Like - I have a lot of favourites that I read and reread over and over again in all of those fandoms.

And what if a MASTERPIECE is a fan favourite? Does it HAVE to be a fan favourite? Maybe it was written by a BNF and maybe it wasn’t. I was accused of BEING a BNF once (which is laughable - as I’ve mentioned in posts before, I’m a collector of BNF friends - I don’t claim to be one myself) - but does that colour whether I think something is a MASTERPIECE or not?

Does my opinion even matter for that matter?

One last thing before I actually give you a mini list of just a FEW of my favourite “Masterpiece” fics. As I’ve said, I like to collect writers. It’s kinda selfish of me - but I like to surround myself with fandom friends who have so much talent that the metaphorical room is thick with it. Probably because I’m only a mediocre writer myself - but I sure do know how to fangirl people who deserve praise. So, sometimes I love an author so much that every thing they write is a Mastepiece to me. How can I choose when everything they write is so perfect?

You see why this is a SUPER tough question?

ANYWAY - if you got through that, you deserve some links. Remember, some of these will be in fandoms that you aren’t into, greyface. But I hope one or two of them catch your eye. I loved each and every one of them.

And if you’re a writer, and I’ve loved on one of your stories with comments and praise and yet it’s NOT mentioned right here - that doesn’t mean that in the eyes of “Jandy Salmon” it’s not a Masterpiece, it just means that I had so much to choose from and such conflicting feelings about which/how many to share that it didn’t get mentioned. But remember, I’m sincere in every review I leave - and I try to leave at least fangirly squeeing on like 95% of the stories/chapters I read (which is a freaking lot). It’s been a while since I posted fic, but I /still/ receive reviews that make my heart happy and I think being actively engaged with reviews helps build connections with the authors I love.

Right? Okay Right. Here’s the list of just a FEW of my favourites (fics that I would probably call MASTERPIECES) that I read over and over again because I love them THAT much:

List Compiled April 17/2017

Jane Austen

The Effect Series by Shem (Kitty Bennet/OC, Lizzie/Darcy)

http://archiveofourown.org/series/115954

Everingham by katharhino (Fanny Price/Henry Crawford)

http://archiveofourown.org/works/279556

Mansfield End by Ione (Fanny Price/Henry Crawford)

http://archiveofourown.org/works/1072559

How to Train your Dragon

Simple Gifts by Ecoutez (Hiccup/Astrid)

http://archiveofourown.org/works/1925469

The Element of Surprise by Ecoutez (Hiccastrid)

https://archiveofourown.org/works/4343291

Game of Thrones

Not Today by ebmordecai (Arya/Gendry)

http://archiveofourown.org/works/407295?view_full_work=true

Pretty much any (Jaime/Brienne) fic by SigilBroken but especially these two series’:

Honour Thy Regard http://archiveofourown.org/series/48322

In this Light http://archiveofourown.org/series/53759

Sherlock (Sherlolly)

Longer Than the Road That Stretches Out Ahead by sunken_standard

http://archiveofourown.org/works/434802

In the End by Lono

http://archiveofourown.org/works/671569/

The Deaf and the Blind and the Color Red by Solshine

http://archiveofourown.org/works/375335

The Falling by Petra Todd

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8455202/1/The-Falling

The Full House by Emcee

http://archiveofourown.org/series/18800

That 70s Show (Hyde/Jackie)

Hyde’s Long Way Home by MistyMountainHop https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7072364/1/Hyde-s-Long-Way-Home

Sky High (Warren/Layla)

Why Villains Have A Better Life By  KFD

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/4297395/1/Why-Villains-Have-A-Better-Life

It Just Takes Some Time By Half-elf

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3878294/1/It-Just-Takes-Some-Time

The Office (Jim/Pam)

Oracle Mom By time4moxie https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3893458/1/Oracle-Mom

In My Life, I Love You More By bluelimit https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6420571/1/In-My-Life-I-Love-You-More

Laugh this Life with Me by shannanagin https://www.fanfiction.net/s/2853729/1/This-Life-With-Me

Big Bang Theory (Shenny)

the paladin protocol by spaceanjl https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5623923/1/

miles to go (before i sleep) by medusa20 http://archiveofourown.org/works/250535/chapters/387524

& light is only now just breaking by allthingsholy http://archiveofourown.org/works/154681

the road ahead is clear again by notalwaysweak http://archiveofourown.org/works/250525/chapters/387513

Doctor Who (mostly Ten/Rose)

Chaos Verse by earlgreytea68 (The whole collection is AMAZING) http://earlgreytea68.livejournal.com/82528.html

Welcome To Your Life by cenowar https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3130472/1/Welcome-To-Your-Life

Life As You Know It by cenowar https://www.fanfiction.net/s/3575257/1/Life-As-You-Know-It

Battlestar Galatica (Lee/Kara)

Alone Time by alissabobissa http://beyond-insane.livejournal.com/601124.html

Any and EVERY Starbuck/Apollo fic by hackaddict  (Freaking MASTER of BSG fic) http://hackaddict.livejournal.com/tag/starbuck%2Fapollo

Harry Potter

For our allotted time is the passing of a shadow by florahart (Cedric/Hermione *whut?*) http://hp-springsmut.livejournal.com/79314.html

Under by Tudorrose1533 (Draco/Ginny)

http://dracoandginny.com/viewstory.php?sid=5065&chapter=1

The More is My Unrest by Arabella and Jedi Boadicea (Draco/Ginny)

http://www.sugarquill.net/read.php?storyid=848&chapno=1

American Horror Story (Violate)

Sucker Love by Tjoek  *Incomplete but still a Masterpiece* https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7612662/1/Sucker-Love  

You have been Weighed by Shootingstella http://ahs-exchange.livejournal.com/8634.html

Then anything written by @lolableu (who also writes awesome Divergent fanfic btw), GrayGlube @whatwouldflorencedo (also awesome GoT fic), ScarletWoman @feelavalanche (also started one of my fave Veronica Mars WIPs), and OhYellowBird @ohhyellowbird (also wrote a freaking AMAZING Reylo fic too). These girls are my Awesome Nerds - my Lunchtable girls and I love them. There is no higher praise than that. Read them.

Veronica Mars (Dick/Mac)

Sinclair-Mackenzie  by BIFF1 https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10127131/1/Sinclair-Mackenzie

Mercy on the Undeserved By LVfangirl https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10310550/1/Mercy-on-the-Undeserved

Star Wars (Reylo) - probably the hardest section to choose from - because I’ve literally read over 1000 fics in the last year and bookmarked nearly 100 which I *liked/loved*.

Firstly - read anything by diasterisms (kylorenvevo) - especially Ghostwalks (Gin and Fog) http://archiveofourown.org/works/6931657 (there are only like a dozen stories so I’m serious when I say read them all. *waves fangirly flag*

when there’s nothing left to burn, you have to set yourself on fire. by ohyellowbird (told you she’d show up down here) http://archiveofourown.org/works/5564245

Forms by Trebia  (a fandom staple) http://archiveofourown.org/works/5454443

Isolation by TearoomSaloon http://archiveofourown.org/works/5937457

Sky Marked Souls by AnonymousMink http://archiveofourown.org/works/5816995

On a White Horse by ms_qualia http://archiveofourown.org/works/5863972

Ahgh - there are just so many Reylo fics. This is definitely not a definitive list. Read terapid, corariley, and perrydowning too. I promise I love SO many and all of you writers are freaking brilliant.

OKAY - and lastly Bughead (Riverdale). I am still very active in this fandom, and it's constantly evolving - so I recommend you check out my Mod Faves tag at the @blueandgoldoffice for my current favourites. 🤙