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eclecticstarlightconnoisseur · 3 years ago

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EDINBURGH TO BOSTON - CHAPTER 21 - SECRETS AND TRUTHS

Hello all, Finally the new chapter of Edinburgh to Boston is ready.

As I said in my update this has not been betaed. Therefore, any mistakes. lack of continuity or general mess-ups are all mine. I hope you will forgive me and overlook them. It took some re-writing when I read it over several times and I hope I caught all the mistakes.

This has been my baby for a long time and honestly, I think that was another reason that took so long to finish it as this is the last chapter. There will be an epilogue to clean up some things that are hanging around.

Just because this is the last chapter, does not mean this is the end. I can't really let go of these two people. They are so dear to my heart. Besides that, as I wrote this I realized that I did not totally address the opening premise that I made. If you recall I said that Fate and Destiny had their hands in seeing these two come together. There are other stories to tell about how such forces brought them together. I do plan a Part II but how I will do it has yet to be planned out.

I can't thank you all enough for being patient with me during times of difficulty when it took so long to get a chapter posted. I am so honored that so many of you liked this story which I honestly thought was going to fall flat on its face. I never dreamed I would get the response to it that I did. I thank you all for reading, commenting, giving the story some love. I am truly overwhelmed by your kindness.

As always I need to thank my betas who helped me along the way and gave me the encouragement to continue when I didn't think I could do it. @scubalass you're the best.

Without further ado and a tear in my eye, I give you Chapter 21 Edinburgh to Boston.

Edinburgh to Boston

Chapter 21

Secrets and Truths

“Come On! Come On! COME ON!” Claire groused at the tardy lift. It really wouldn’t do to be late for surgery on her first day back to work. She wanted to give the damn thing a good kick but thought better of it since she would be standing for most of the day. The idea of standing on a sore foot did not appeal to her.

“Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, what is taking this thing so long? For a new building, you would think they would have installed a better lift system.” Finally, the doors slid open on the fifth floor where the cardiothoracic surgery department offices were located.

She ran down the corridor trying to free herself from her coat while hanging onto the bag containing her morning fix.

Claire ran through the building’s front door shouting a greeting to Eddie, the security guard on duty. She made a beeline for the Cafe to get her morning coffee before going up to her office. It would be a long and trying day and the caffeine jolt would serve as her means of survival.

Niall stood behind the counter and grinned at her. “Late Dr. B?”

“Whatever made you think so?” she replied rather dryly. Her face was flushed and her hair exploded out from her wooly cap.

“Just a wild guess,” he smirked.

“Humph!” she snarled. “I would love to stand and chat with you but I have surgery in an hour. I’ll have a…”

“Here it is Dr. B. Large black coffee with one sugar and a raisin scone.” Niall smiled showing her the takeaway bag with her name on it.

She looked flustered, “How did you…”

“Dr. Fraser came by earlier. He ordered for you thinking you might be...um, in a hurry.”

“You say Dr. Fraser’s here already?” Claire grimaced ashamed of her lateness. It seemed, however, that curiosity got the better of her. Doing her best to look nonchalant, she casually asked, “Um, how did he look? Tired was he?” Dark smudges rimmed her eyes from lack of sleep. Claire would have liked nothing more than to curl up in bed and pull the covers over her head.

“Nay, no’ at all. Dr. Fraser said he worked out in the gym first then ran here. He looked quite hale and hearty actually. A wee bit pink from the cold, but truly well.”

“Of course, he did,” mumbling with annoyance to herself, “the man is made out of steel.”

Opening her overstuffed slouchy bag, she began the ritual of hunting for her wallet.

Cocking his head to the side, Niall pushed the bag toward Claire, “Oh, and he paid for this too.”

“Thank you, Niall and I’ll thank Fraser when I see him.”

Grabbing the bag, she made a mad dash toward her arch-enemy, the lift.

As usual, the ride to her floor became an act of slow torture and unmitigated agony. Once the lift doors opened, she sprinted down the corridor shaking one arm out of her coat while juggling her purse and the bag with its precious contents in the other hand. As she arrived outside her office door, her other arm managed to jiggle out of its sleeve. Finding the key to her office would require a balancing act considering the disordered state of her handbag. Placing her coat between her teeth and the bag containing her coffee and scone between her knees, not the soundest of ideas mind, she rummaged inside her handbag. Of course, the key could not be found being buried in the deep recesses of the purse. Needing a little extra stability, Claire leaned against the doorway. The door swung open making her lose balance and stumble into the room. Her mouth opened, squawking in surprise causing the coat to drop to the floor. Flailing hands pinwheeled around trying to maintain equilibrium rather than land ignominiously on her arse. She managed to keep her footing but lost the grip on her purse and watched as the contents tumbled out spilling haphazardly around the room. By some miracle, the sack with the coffee and scone remained intact. Not a drop of the rejuvenating liquid spilled. Which, of course, was the most important thing.

Surveying the mess she had inadvertently created, Claire concluded it was going to be one of those days. No doubt about it. And to make matters worse, she would have to operate without Fraser. Not to have his strong capable hands there moving in concert with hers, well the thought just soured her stomach. Of course, Pound would be there to help, but he was still in training even if he was Chief Fellow and she would still have to monitor him.

Mumbling words that a lady should not use, Claire picked up her coat and tossed it on a chair. On her hands and knees, she crawled around picking up the scattered bits and bobs shoving them back in the purse.

Standing, she walked toward her desk and saw it. In the middle of the desk stood a small beautifully cut crystal vase filled with forget-me-nots, white heather, and baby’s breath. A handwritten card placed in front of the flowers was written in a distinctive script declaring, Tha gaol agam ort, J. Claire could not read Gàidhlig but she instinctively knew what it meant. Her eyes misted over as she touched the delicate blooms.

How do you do it, Jamie Fraser? You take a terrible day and turn it into something magical.

Claire put on her lab coat, grabbed the bag with her coffee and scone, and walked out closing the door behind her. She strolled toward her nemesis, the lift, smiling and humming happily.

****************

“Aye, that’s right. See how Dr. Beauchamp keeps her field clear. It gives ye an unobstructed view and prevents postoperative infection.” Jamie turned to look at his students and they all dutifully nodded in appreciation.

“Watch how Dr. Beauchamp creates the anastomosis. Then she’ll tie it off. See how she makes her knots! ‘Tis a thing of beauty, is it no’? Perfect technique!” Jamie praised. Peering at his beloved, he saw her eyes crinkle with pleasure and her cheeks blazed red above her mask.

He came alive while he watched her work. As a surgeon, she was smart, talented, and highly sought after. Not only because of her skill but because she deeply cared about her patients. Some colleagues thought her “too involved” or believed her gender would make her“too soft” to become a competent cardiothoracic surgeon. Other critics thought her involvement with her patients would undermine her professionalism.

They had made love. Legs twined together; her head rested on his shoulder while his arm curled around her protectively. Jamie turned on to his side just enough to allow him to see her nakedness gilded by the moonlight. She curled into him clinging to him like a limpet anchored to a rock. Her muscles tense where normally she lay in his arms boneless after their intimacy. Finding a particularly tight knot he massaged it and felt it go slack.

“Is something wrong, my own? Did I no’ please you?” he asked anxiously.

“No, you were wonderful, really, Jamie. It’s just me. I started thinking. I don’t know why. But it’s nothing at all truly. I’m fine, just fine.”

“Sassenach, I ken well enough what ‘I’m fine means. Why dinna ye tell me what’s upsetting ye.” Jamie pulled her closer, tucking Claire’s head under his chin.

“We need to go back soon,” she said in a voice so low as to be almost inaudible. “And I’m so happy here with you,” she looked up into those startling blue eyes. “Then I started thinking about what it took for me to get this far in my career. My residency. My Fellowship. And suddenly I wondered if it was all worth it. I wondered if they were right in the end.”

“Who was right, Sassenach?”

Heaving a heavy sigh, Claire shared her trials as a cardiothoracic fellow. The competition for the position had been fierce. Only the top five candidates were called back to interview for the one open position. Even though she was highly ranked among the candidates for the fellowship, her prospective mentors suggested that perhaps she would be more suited to pediatrics, dermatology, or aesthetics as one of those specialties might suit her female sensibilities better. They had suggested cardiothoracic surgery might be too rigorous for a woman. The hours too demanding for a married woman. What would her husband say? Wouldn’t she like to have a family someday?

“The only qualification I didn’t have was I didn’t have a prick,” she said with some bitterness. She never expected an easy time. A distinct amount of sexism existed in medicine and women were not welcomed with open arms. She worked the worst schedule and given the most complex cases. Evaluations were harsh and judgmental. All done in the hopes that she would quit. Instead, it just made her work harder. And she turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the mockery heaped on her. Claire succeeded where many others failed. She became their first female Chief Fellow; won several prestigious awards for her research. More importantly to Claire, her patients thrived.

“I am beginning to think they were right about some things. There is so much more to life. Much, much more,” she said drowsily. “And I want to have it. All.” Yawning, her eyes fluttered closed, and fell into a contented sleep.

“Aye, mo nighean donn, ye will. I’ll see tae it,” and leaned over kissing her brow.

Truly Claire is a woman of rare spirit, he thought. A woman who overcame many challenges and obstacles from an early age and was better for it. After all, she survived a plane crash that claimed the lives of her parents, lived like a vagabond with her archeologist uncle, and prevailed over a nightmare marriage. Many people would have been crushed under such hardships. But not his Sassenach; she endured. She managed to overcome them and emerge victoriously. A woman of rare spirit indeed. And one who deserved to be loved and loved well.

Jamie’s narrative kept pace with Claire’s every movement. Occasionally, he fired off questions at various intervals to his followers which they answered to his satisfaction. They remained throughout the entire procedure until skin closure finished and the patient made ready for transfer to the CSICU.

“Dr. Pound will accompany the patient to their room and start to write the postoperative orders. Please go with him. I will meet you over there.”

“Dr. Beauchamp, a word if ye please about yer next case,” called Jamie.

“Of course, Dr. Fraser. I would be delighted.”

The doctors exited the operating room on the pretext of being nothing more than two colleagues engaged in a discussion about a patient scheduled for surgery that afternoon. They approached an out-of-the-way corridor between the OR and the CSICU stealing down the passageway like two thieves in the night. Jamie’s head spun around looking for anyone who might have observed them. Deciding that they had not been seen, he seized her hand and pulled her into a little-used utility room. He locked the door behind them and drew her close, kissing her thoroughly.

“I missed ye.”

Claire cuddled into him resting her head on his chest. “I missed you too.”

Lifting her arms, she wrapped them around his neck. “Come here,” she whispered as she tugged his head down toward her.

Claire kissed him once, then twice.

“No’ that I’m complaining but what’s that for?”

“One was for the coffee, the other was for the scone. This one,” her voice turned provocative, “is for the flowers.” Her mouth latched onto his giving him a proper thank you kiss. The kiss, a searing flame, igniting them like a match to dry kindling. It left them both breathless and wanting for more.

She pressed firmly against him. He could feel her nipples rigid and taut through the thin scrub top. He knew she felt him; his hardness pressed against her body. If only I were home with her I’d carry her off to bed. This thought, naturally, made things much worse for him.

“How did you manage it?” she asked, her voice a sultry husky tone.

“Ewan gets the credit.”

“Be sure to thank him for me.” Claire crushed her body closer to his taking in his warmth. She buried he nose against him absorbing his smell. His scent was masculine, with the tang of antiseptic and just a dash of laundry starch hovering around him. Some things completely stirred her soul.

Clearing his throat, Jamie asked in a shaky voice, “Will ye, ah, will ye… Christ Claire, I canna think with ye so close tae me. Will ye take yer lunch with me?”

“Yes,” she said breathily.

“Why don’t ye go dictate yer op notes while on check on Pound? I’ll meet ye in about thirty minutes.”

“That’s a fine idea,” she leaned forward giving him a quick kiss. “Don’t be late.”

Jamie opened the door enough to peek out and found the corridor remained empty.

“Ye go first, I’ll follow after ye shortly.”

Claire slipped through the door while Jamie watched as she left. He noticed a little extra sway to her hips as she walked away. Damn little vixen. She did it on purpose. Sighing, he closed the door and leaned his head against it. He would have a wait a minute or two until his “problem” disappeared. It was becoming truly uncomfortable as he sought to adjust himself. “She’ll be the death of me yet.”

***********************

Walking into the CSICU after completing a successful surgery always filled Jamie with a certain satisfaction. He felt overjoyed that he and Claire helped patients return to their life, their work, their family, and without pain. He would tell patients, when he first met them, that this surgery was “enabling”. It would enable them to return to the life they wanted and not become a bystander.

With that thought in mind and a large grin on his face, Jamie swiped his badge across the electronic keypad granting him entrance into the Unit. The sounds of controlled chaos greeted him, voices raised, ventilators whooshing delivering needed oxygen, the soft beeping of heart monitors keeping time with healing hearts, IV pumps clicking as they delivered medication critical to the patient’s recovery.

He walked briskly toward the nurses’ station with gladness in his heart for he was back where he belonged.

“Fiona, ‘tis good tae see ye. How have ye been?” he inquired of the Unit’s charge nurse.

With the sound of his voice all conversation, all activity ceased, and every eye fastened onto him. The silence in the room would have been deafening if not for the continued mechanical sounds. Jamie became keenly aware of the absence of sound and the staff rooted in position. And just as quickly as it started it ended with activity resuming at its normal pace.

Fiona MacGowen kept her eyes glued to her computer screen, deliberately not making direct eye contact with the doctor. “Oh just braw, Dr. Fraser, just braw. Dr. Beauchamp’s patient is in Room 10 with Dr. Pound, Elspeth, and Iona getting him settled,” she said with her lips slightly turning up in a smile. “They’ll be waiting on ye.”

“Thank ye, Fiona. I’ll go and see how they are getting along.”

Jamie walked away, stopped, and turned back to look at Fiona once more. He thought her behavior a bit strange. Generally, one would say Fiona was a gregarious person with the reputation of being a chatterbox. Today, however, she acted more like a nun under a vow of silence. But to be honest, as he gazed around the Unit once more, everyone’s behavior seemed strange. And he had yet figured out what to make of it.

As Jamie approached the room the sounds of busyness gave the impression of a beehive humming with activity. As he stepped into the entryway, activity ceased. Again, all that remained was the soft mechanical sounds made by the life-sustaining equipment.

Elspeth stood quite still and uttered a little gasp. Meanwhile, Iona took a step back bumping into the ventilator; her eyes round with surprise. Dr. Pound cleared his throat glaring at the two nurses. They resumed their usual pleasant expressions with lips curling up into crooked smiles.

Jamie looked at the three of them thinking his team had gone daft.

“‘Tis good to have ye back Dr. Fraser,” declared the Fellow. “The ladies and I were just finishing getting Mr. MacNichol set up.”

Pound grabbed one of the portable workstations and began reviewing the patient’s current vitals as well as the orders he had written with the surgeon. They discussed the ventilator’s and pacemaker’s current settings, and when to call Dr. Beauchamp with any changes to her patient.

“Well-done, well-done. Mr. MacNichol is in very capable hands,” he smiled at his team. “I am off to lunch. Ye ken how to reach Dr. Beauchamp or me.”

Jamie walked out of the room and on impulse turned back to see the three heads buried in whispered conversation. He shook his head and left thinking about having lunch with Claire wanting to discuss the staff’s strange behavior with her.

Preoccupied with his thoughts, Jamie walked smack into his cousin Rupert almost knocking him down. Extending his arm quickly he caught his cousin by the shoulder steadying him.

“Sorry about that Rup. Doing a bit of wool-gathering I suppose.”

“Oy must be something awfully important to have ye so distracted.”

“I promised Claire I would have lunch with her and I dinna want tae be late.”

“Tae tell ye the truth, I am on my way tae find Geillis. We’re supposed to have a bite together too. Suppose ye two join us, aye?” He grinned broadly, “Twill be interesting to see if the plan

succeeded.”

“Sounds like a good idea cuz,” Jamie clapped an arm around Rupert’s shoulder as they strode off in search of the lasses.

************************************

Seated at one of the dictation corrals, Claire began her op notes. Her cardiac anesthesiologist, Geillis Duncan took the hutch next to her.

Dr. Duncan was a beautiful woman, with a trim figure, flaming red hair, and eyes as green as spring grass.

“Claire, ‘tis good tae have ye back. I’m sorry I dinna have much of a chance tae speak with ye this morning before the case. Did ye enjoy the conference?” Dr. Duncan gave Claire a sly side-long look.

“Wouldn’t you know it, Boston had a blizzard and the speakers weren’t able to make it.”

“No. What a shame. Ye flew all that way for nothing,” she sympathized.

“Too bad, right? Dr. Fraser and I were looking forward to hearing about those peripherally inserted heart valves.”

“Aye, but ye had the fox cub with ye. Perhaps it wasna so bad after all,” she leaned over jabbing Claire in the side. “Did ye maybe get tae share a room and have a go at him between the sheets, um?” She gave Claire a wicked smile. “I ken if I was snowed in with him, I would.

“Geillis!” Claire swore. She blushed from her hair roots to her toes.

Geillis gave her a sly smug smile. “After all, Georges X is an exclusive luxury hotel. Verra private, and verra, verra discrete. Or so I’ve heard,” she said shrugging her shoulders. “They have those flowers, all over the place. What are they? Orchids? she asked while tapping her nail against her white teeth feigning an attempt at recalling. I understand the lobby is decorated with a fortune in artwork. The rooms are quite grand, are they no’, with a fireplace, champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, fine whiskey. And I hear the bed is big enough to sleep an entire family. How could ye no’ entice him into yer bed, is what I want tae know?”

Claire glared at her friend, “What I want to know is how you know I stayed at Georges X. I know I never told you.”

Geillis chuckled nervously, “Why of course ye did. How else would I ken that?” Geillis became uncomfortable under Claire’s scrutiny.

“Spill it, Duncan. You know more than you’re telling.”

Geillis affected a look of innocence, “I swear tae ye Claire, I dinna ken anything.” She nervously scanned the area looking for any means of escape from further questioning. Her eyes latched on to Dr. Rupert MacKenzie ambling directly toward her, along with Jamie. “I need tae go. I promised tae meet Rupert for lunch. See ye later, Claire.”

Reaching out, Claire grasped Geillis by the forearm, “That’s a load of rubbish and you know it. I suspected there was something dodgy about that trip right from the beginning. I need answers and you have them, Duncan. You’re coming with me.”

************************************

The two male surgeons walked amicably through the corridor talking and laughing as Rupert entertained Jamie with tales of hospital gossip. As they approached the physician workstation, they noticed a loud commotion that seemed to be attracting a crowd. Jamie wondered what caused the kerfuffle this time. Most such squabbles centered around obtaining a certain OR room or available time for surgery. This behavior bordered on the ridiculous in his opinion.

As the men came closer to the center of the fray, they saw two female doctors engaged in a struggle. One of them had wild brown curls bouncing around her head. Claire? The second doctor had hair the color of flame. That head of hair belonged to the fiery Geillis Duncan. He quickened his pace needing to reach Claire.

“Claire! Claire,” he called, “What’s amiss?”

“‘Claire’ he calls her now. No’ Dr. Beauchamp,” Geillis snorted.

Claire’s posture had all the hallmarks of frustration and anger as she tried to drag her colleague toward the doctor’s lounge.

Claire’s eyes locked on Jamie, “It seems that Dr. Duncan knows a great deal about our trip. Particularly where we stayed and I want to know how.”

Rupert took Geillis firmly by the elbow and leaned over to hotly whisper in her ear, “Wha’ have ye done woman!?”

Cold green eyes glared fixedly up at him disliking his insinuation. “I may have spilled a bit of tea is all,” she said, wrenching her arm free of his grip.

“Sounds more like ye spilled the whole damn pot,” he growled at her. “Ye ken they were never supposed to find out, at least no’ this way. We were supposed to tell them gentle like. Now what?”

Dr. Duncan gave her shoulders the tiniest of shrugs. “Dinna fash. We’ll think of something,” and walked toward the lounge.

He squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth, “Aye, that’s what I’m afraid of.”

Rupert held the lounge door open for his co-conspirator trying to usher her quietly into the room. Geillis, however, turned to observe Jamie and Claire huddled deep in discussion.

“Are ye both going to stand there all day blethering, or are ye coming? I’m hungry and I want my lunch.” she snapped.

The crowd lingered about waiting for the fuse to be lit and the fireworks to begin. Dr. Duncan had a very volatile reputation easily flying into pieces like an unstable explosive device. Whereas, Dr. Beauchamp was a genial person, kind and caring. But, the one thing she was not was a meek individual. When pushed beyond her tolerance limits, she could be as ruthless as a she-wolf defending her pups.

Jamie placed his hand firmly on the small of Claire’s back giving her a little nudge forward. The crowd began to murmur heads close in a whispered discussion, Some rudely pointed a finger at his hand on her back, while others outright stared. Jamie flushed. He should have known such an intimate placement of his hand would draw attention. They saw he claimed her. Not knowing how Claire would feel about this public display, he thought he needed to break up this crowd before someone accidentally said something.

“Show’s over everyone. Just a private meeting among friends. Nothing tae see here. I’m sure ye all have some work tae do. Patients are waiting for ye. Go on with ye.” Jamie said dismissing the loitering group.

Following behind Claire, Jamie entered the room and shut the door.

Claire wanted to get to the bottom of things quickly and stormed up to her colleague in a blazing fury. “Alright Duncan, spill what you know.”

“I already told ye. I dinna ken anything about ye trip. As I said either you or Jamie must have mentioned where ye were staying. Beyond that, I dinna ken anything.”

Jamie looked at Claire and shook his head signifying that he had never mentioned the hotel to anyone.

“Um-hm. Since when does this institution send a chauffeured car to pick up two staff surgeons? For the Chief certainly but not for ordinary staff personnel. And we’re supposed to believe that the hospital made five-star accommodations with all expenses paid for us? Hmm? I think not. Did I not say so, Jamie?”

“Aye, ye did. Several times.”

“Claire began to pace while considering the other strange occurrences surrounding their trip.

“And what about my clothes? I most certainly did not pack away that nightgown. It was a mere scrap of silk and lace. And that lingerie! Those panties and bras were not something I would have packed for a conference trip.”

“I’ll bet he enjoyed it,” Geillis muttered under her breath a sly grin curling up on her lips lighting up her face.

Jamie leaned forward, his eyes narrowing, staring intensely at the female doctor, “I am inclined tae agree with Dr. Beauchamp that the circumstances surrounding our trip tae Boston were, tae say the least, most unusual. I also had clothes in my suitcase that I ken I dinna pack and I’m wondering how they got there. Can ye shed any light on this mystery?”

As Jamie questioned Geillis, an acrid odor caught Claire’s attention. Being a very astute doctor, she was used to the various malodors emitted by humans and knew what they meant. She raised her nose into the air and sniffed delicately. The pungent smell seemed to be coming from the direction of Rupert. A light sheen of sweat glossed over his forehead and there was a distinctive musky odor about him. Fear. Anxiety. Her intense scrutiny seemed to worsen whatever internal conflict plaguing him. Unable to withstand the intensity of her stare, Rupert turned away not wanting to meet her eyes.

Claire jabbed Jamie in his side with her elbow gaining his attention.

“I think Rupert has something to add to this conversation.”

Jamie walked over to his cousin and stared at him intently. Rupert took a few steps back, feeling the unconscious need to put some distance between them.

“Aye, I think yer right. Rupert, ye look like ye have something ye’d like tae get off yer chest. Out with it man.”

Deciding that the best defense is a good offense, Rupert widened his stance and crossed his arms over his chest.

“I dinna ken what yer talking about Jamie lad. As the lady said, I dinna ken anything about yer trip either. And dinna ask if I ken anything about how yer jeans, duck boots, and down jacket got into yer suitcase,” he replied, a self-satisfied look plastered across his face.

“Ye great dunderheid! Do ye ken what ye said?! Ye just gave it away,” Geillis shouted giving him a slap upside his head. “And ye were worried about what I said.”

“Wha’ are ye talking ab…” He had that startled look that one has when they realize they stuck their foot in their mouth. “Oh! Oh, shite.”

“Ye just admitted that ye changed Jamie’s clothes in his suitcase.”

“Dinna blame me for everything. You changed Claire’s clothes,” Rupert countered.

The two combatants escalated the argument going at each other nose to nose, eyeball to eyeball, tooth, fang, and claw.

“And whose ideas was this? Mine. Who made the hotel arrangements and spoke tae Joe Silverberg in Texas to get him on board with the plan should one of them call to discuss the meeting?” Geillis boasted as she swung her hair over her shoulder. A dreamy look took over her as she recalled the conversation with Dr. Silverberg. “I invited him to come to Scotland, ye ken. Told him I would show him the sights and a good time. Said he may take me up on that too.”

“Mmphm, so ye did,” Rupert grumbled with annoyance. He did not like the suggestion of Geillis showing the American surgeon a good time. “Ye forget I made the plane arrangements and got Kenny to print up the fake conference brochure. And who enlisted their secretary’s help to slip the vacation request under the Chief’s nose and have him sign it? Cost me a night out as payment for that,” Rupert griped.

The two doctors continued in their game of one-up-manship, oblivious to Jamie and Claire standing in the room.

Unable to take the bickering anymore, Jamie bellowed, “Haud yer weesht!!!”

Geillis and Rupert looked up in bewilderment having forgotten where they were and that Jamie and Claire stood listening.

“Do ye two realize that what ye did invaded our privacy? That ye had no right to interfere in our lives?” Jamie growled.

“So, that’s it then? The whole thing was a setup, some sort of game? None of this was real? ” Claire said as she looked at Jamie.

“I beg tae differ, hen,” Gellis walked over her expression softening and gently took hold of Claire’s hand, “it’s as real as it can get. We all saw the lovesick eyes, the secret peeks ye two gave each other, and the way ye fuss over each other. If two people were meant to be together it’s ye two. We just nudged things along is all, ” said Geillis.

“Aye, yer right,” Rupert chimed in. “‘Tis the truth that NO one could take watching ye two anymore. The whole hospital wanted tae see ye together.” Rupert smiled at Claire. He quickly turned his vexation on his cousin. “And if Fraser here was no’ going tae be a man about it and make the first move, well by God someone had tae,” he snarled at Jamie. “What are ye then, cuz, a man or a moose?”

Jamie ran his hand through his hair and rolled his shoulders as if trying to loosen his shirt that had suddenly become too tight. A shy crooked smile flashed over his face; his lip curling up on one side.

“Aye, yer right. I, ah, I… Well, tae tell the truth, I am a bit of a coward. Ye ken, I dinna think um, I dinna know if Claire felt the same about me.” Jamie turned and looked deeply in Claire’s eyes, “I was afraid tae lose ye. If being yer friend would be the best of it, then that would have been enough.”

“I was afraid of losing you too, Jamie. I’ve had feelings for you right from the start. Only now do I dare to admit them,” Claire turned toward Rupert and Geillis giving them a look of gratitude. Moving closer, placing her hands on his chest. “I love you and I always will.” Her arms went up around his neck, standing on tiptoe, she leaned in, and kissed him soundly.

The kiss finally ended, each blushing from making a display of themselves.

Geillis stood there making gagging noises as she watched their affection. Rupert looked at Geillis with a smirk on his face.

“What’s the matter, lass, jealous?” Rupert said with a grin on his face.

“Certainly not,” Geillis waved off that idea with a flip of her hand and turned away.

“Well then, ye won't be minding this. I've wanted tae do this for a long time.” Rupert turned her around, took her in his arms, and kissed her.

“And I dinna want tae hear about ye showing any other men a good time, either.” He gave her a look that told her he would not brook no for an answer.

Geillis, looking dazed readily agreed.

Jamie coughed loudly, reminding the other couple they were not alone.

Wrapping his arm around Claire and pulling her into his side, Jamie smiled at their friends, “We want to thank ye, both, for bringing us together. We are truly grateful.”

Claire nodded in agreement, forgetting about her anger with the unorthodox methods they used to bring her the love of her life.

“Since we are all telling the truth,” Rupert reluctantly admitted, “there’s a wee bit more to it.” “We were not the only ones involved in this. When other staff members heard what we about they wanted tae be part of it. And so...”

“And so everyone began to contribute money tae help pay for the trip. So that’s how ye had such fine accommodations and such.” Geillis huffed, “We told ye that people could no longer stand tae look at ye. They wanted ye two as a couple, no’ apart. Now can we stop havering about and get some lunch? My wame is empty. Besides, everyone is waiting in the canteen tae see ye both.”

“Oh, God,” Claire groaned as she grew red and buried her face in Jamie’s chest.

Jamie chuckled and rubbed her back in long soothing strokes.

“Are ye ready then, Sassenach? Let’s go give these good people their money’s worth,” he grinned.

“Yes. We should thank them all, don’t you think?” Claire replied, running her fingers through her hair trying to tame her wayward curls.

“Ye look fine, lass,” he bent to kiss her gently on the cheek and took hold of her hand.

Rupert and Geillis led the way, laughing and talking. Claire and Jamie walked behind them holding hands. Nerves were getting the best of her and her hands became sweaty. She surreptitiously wiped her free hand on the scrub pant leg.

“Dinna fash. Ye’ve faced worse and ye’ll no’ be doing this alone. We’ll face them as one.”

One.

ONE, he said. But. What did that exactly mean?

“What do you mean by that? Being one?” She held her breath waiting for an answer.

Jamie frowned, crease lines set upon his forehead.

“It’s like I’ve kent ye my whole life, even before that, if that’s possible. I mean yer part of me. I ken that sounds crazy, but I…”

“I know what you mean, Jamie. I feel the same way too. It’s hard to explain, but it’s there.”

“Aye, lass, it’s most definitely there.”

Approaching the canteen seemed a surreal experience. Normally, one would call the dining hall a lively place, with the sounds of laughter, chatter, mixed with the scrape of dinnerware against plates. Today seemed different. A thrum of excitement and perhaps expectation filled the air as if waiting for something to happen. As Jamie and Claire approached the door a steady vibration emanated from its core.

Geillis waved them back signaling she and Rupert would enter first. Rupert lifted his hand spreading his fingers indicating they should wait five minutes before entering. Jamie nodded and Rupert and Geillis entered the dining room.

Jamie and Claire waited in companionable silence. Who would think that five minutes could feel like an eternity? But it did.

Jamie looked at his watch; it was time.

“Are ye ready, Sassenach?”

“Je suis prest,” she acknowledged.

Their fingers reached out seeking their mate bonded the two hearts and souls into one. Turning they gave each other a nod and walked through the door only to meet with absolute silence.

All eyes turned upon them and it became unnerving. Claire inched closer to Jamie, if that was even possible, drawing on his strength.

Then the cheers began along with the whistles and applause. Someone from the back of the room called out, “It’s about time, Fraser.”

“Och why don’t ye just give us a bit of peace, aye?” came his laughing response.

They were rushed by a mob of well-wishers. Men clapped Jamie on the back wishing him well. Others made jokes, at his expense, about his manliness for taking so long.

The women embraced Claire telling her how happy they were for her. Some gave her sly looks while others made off-color jokes causing her to blush.

Eventually, people began to amble back to their tables and lunch, and the couple discovered themselves alone. Finding a table in an out-of-the-way corner, they sat to eat.

“I guess we are out as a couple officially. It’s no’ how I would have wished it tae become common knowledge, but…” Jamie shrugged. “They are good people and they meant well.”

Claire nodded in agreement as she moved her salad around on the plate not eating.

“It’s a strange feeling. Knowing that someone orchestrated this relationship. I know how this will sound, but I feel like this happened to me, to us before.”

Claire looked up at Jamie, eyes pleading for understanding.

“Forget what I said, it’s silly.” She stabbed a particularly tender piece of lettuce and ate it.

“Nay Sassenach, it’s no’ silly at all. I feel it too. It’s as if I am drawn to ye as if I kent ye from another lifetime. Like we were meant to be together, bonded if ye like.”

“That’s it, exactly.” Claire looked at him with a sense of relief. Looking up, she noticed the clock on the wall, reading 12:55 PM.

“Damn, we have to go. We’ll barely make it in time for Dr. de Gascogne’s appointment for your hand.”

Jamie muttered something in Gàidhlig which Claire really didn’t want a translation of.

“I dinna ken why everyone is making such a fuss over my hand. It doesna hurt and it will heal in a few more weeks.”

Claire blew out a breath of exasperation, “You know very well why Dr. Fraser. Your one of the best cardiac surgeons in all of Scotland. Well, next to me you are,” she said teasingly. Besides, the hospital needs you, your patients need you but most of all I need you. So that’s why.”

“I ken, but I dinna like being fussed over.”

“Yes, I know; you’re a doctor and doctors make terrible patients. You think you’re supposed to do the healing and don’t like when you need help,” Claire said with a raised eyebrow. “Now, let’s get your hand attended to, shall we?”

They hurried through the corridors, making it to the appointment with seconds to spare. Jamie was whisked off for X-Rays then he and Claire were escorted to an exam room. He sat on the examination bed while Claire took the chair next to him awaiting Dr. de Gascogne’s appearance.

Jamie studiously inspected an anatomical chart of the hand and wrist hanging on the wall in the room.

“Ye said ye need me,” he said almost inaudibly. “Do ye mean as yer surgical partner or as something more?

Claire noticed him drumming his fingers on his thigh anxiously.

“I need you, Jamie, in every sense of the word. As my partner, my friend, my lover, my everything. I. Need. You.” Claire stood and walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck pressing her forehead to his.

“Aye, weel I wanted to make sure, is all. Yer the prettiest lass in the hospital. Any man would want tae be with ye,” and gave her a shy smile.

“Jamie Fraser, you say the most…” There was a knock on the door, the knob turned and Dr. de Gascogne entered the room finding the lovers locked in an embrace.

She looked at the two, raised an eyebrow at Jamie’s hands on Claire’s hips, “Un jour, quelqu'un entrera dans votre vie et vous fera comprendre pourquoi cela n'a jamais fonctionné avec quelqu'un d'autre, mes chers. Et il semble que vous ayez. I believe congratulations are in order. My secretary tells me you have announced that you are a couple. You two made quite a stir in the dining hall?”

Claire jumped away returning to her seat cheeks and nose bright red. While Jamie’s ears went pink.

“Well, um, ah, yes. Thank you. I believe that we made quite a spectacle of ourselves and continue to do so, it seems,” Claire replied mortified having been caught.

“Ah, mon chéri never be ashamed to show that you are in love. We are born of love and seek out love. Many have sacrificed greatly for love even died for it. It truly is a treasure to enjoy. No?” Dr. de Gascogne said with a smile. “Now to business.”

Dr. de Gascogne opened the electronic medical record and began her inquiry. Jamie explained how he injured his hand - twice - causing Dr. de Gascogne to raise her eyebrows in total disbelief.

She reviewed the X-Rays; then removed the splints. She moved and wiggled the fingers finding them healing well and moving to her satisfaction. The splints were replaced and Jamie was dismissed with a caution not to hit any more people or trees. She instructed him to see her again in one month for a further follow-up.

The two surgeons graciously thanked Dr. de Gascogne for her time and casually left the examination room. As soon as they could not be seen, they bolted toward the operating suites as quickly as they could eager to leave behind another awkward situation.

The remainder of the afternoon went on as planned. Claire completed her second surgical procedure without incident. Jamie’s students doggedly followed him from place to place. Finally, the day came to an end. The surgeons tiredly returned to their offices, checked in for urgent messages and for their schedule for the next day. Each too exhausted to do much of anything else, except want the comfort of a bed, chose to go home. It was a short walk to Claire’s flat from the hospital and Jamie escorted her home. He wrapped his arm around her waist and she leaned into him. They spoke of this and that sharing different events of their day. Arriving at Claire’s flat, they walked up the stairs toward the front door. Jamie stood one step lower than Claire allowing them to be of an equal height.

A wave of fatigue washed over her, but Claire did not want Jamie to leave despite her tiredness.

“Would you like to come up? I have some soup in the fridge. Mrs. Bug made it. She’s quite the cook. Won’t take more than a moment to heat up. Or maybe a glass of wine or a dram? To help unwind?” she said looking at him hopefully.

He unzipped both their jackets and pulled her into the depth of his wrapping the jacket around her. He wanted her close to him and to share his warmth with her.

“Mo chridhe, yer completely knackered and ye need yer rest. If I come up with ye, ye ken neither of us will get any sleep,” he said pressing himself against her his desire completely apparent. “It’s no’ that I dinna want tae, but it wouldna do tae have ye fall asleep tomorrow during yer procedures.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve worked with little sleep, just like you have, during residency and fellowship,” she pouted.

“Aye, but ye need to set an example for the students and fellows. And what about yer patients? They need Dr. Beauchamp at her best. They’re counting on ye.”

Claire luxuriated in the radiant heat of his body and the knowledge that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. But, she still did not want him to leave. For to be alone with Jamie was bliss but to be alone was, well, to be alone. She racked her fatigued brain for anything that would keep Jamie with her. She blurted out the first thing that came to mind, “I love you.”

“I ken ye do, mo nighean donn. I feel it every time ye touch me,” Jamie took her hand tenderly placing a kiss on her palm. Gently, he folded her fingers over to seal his kiss against her skin. “And when ye kiss me,” he brushed his lips over hers. “Most of all, when ye lie with me. I ken the truth of it in our lovemaking,” he pulled her even closer to him until no space existed between their bodies. “Woman, ye’re like a live wire. Yer body fairly pulses with yer love and it flows out from you into me. It’s no’ just lust between us. ‘Tis love that brought us together and binds our souls. ‘Tis a thing that I never knew I wanted or needed until I found ye,” his hand moved to cup her face.

“It’s the same for me. I never knew it could be like this. Especially, after Frank. I thought all relationships would end up like that one. I see how foolish I had been to keep myself closed. To close my heart from love. If not for this trip, this may have never happened. We may have never happened.”

“Mo leannan, I would have found ye somehow. Whether I found ye now or even if I had to wait two hundred years to find ye, I’d find ye. We are meant to be together. I ken it.” His forehead pressed to hers each inhaling the other’s breath.

It began to rain lightly; a mizzle he had once called it. Tiny droplets of water clung to his hair. In the light of the streetlamp, his hair looked like a ruby adorned with sparkling diamonds.

They stood locked in an embrace for several moments; neither truly wanting to part from the other.

“Sassenach,” he whispered into her ear, “go on up. Ye need yer rest. Yer poor wee eyes are closing and there are dark smudges around them. Go on then. I’ll see ye tomorrow.”

He kissed her on the forehead and she nodded her head in agreement. Claire walked up the last two steps and slid the key into the lock of the front door. She turned to watch Jamie as he disappeared into the night walking toward his home and it occurred to her that this was just the beginning of their life and of their story.

The End - Part I

Tha gaol agam ort: I love you. (As if you didn’t know already.)

Anastomosis: An anastomosis is a surgical connection between two structures. It usually means a connection that is created between tubular structures, such as blood vessels or loops of the intestine.

CSICU/Unit: Cardiac Surgical ICU.

Blatherer: Chatterbox.

Dunderheid: An idiot, a stupid person.

Haud yer weesht: Be quiet.

Moose: mouse

Un jour, quelqu'un entrera dans votre vie et vous fera comprendre pourquoi cela n'a jamais fonctionné avec quelqu'un d'autre, mes chers. Et il semble que vous ayez.: One day someone will walk into your life and make you see why it never worked out with anyone else, my dears. And it seems that you have. (Google translation. If it’s wrong I apologise.) The quote is attributed to anonymous.

Mo nighean donn: My brown-haired lass

Mo leannan: Darling

Mizzle: A light rain

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. This Jamie and Claire will return. When I don't know. I also have several other stories in various stages of completion sitting in my files. I would like to give them a little attention too. And I still need to get through all the other stuff going on in my life.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading. 🧡🧡🧡🧡

#edinburgh to boston #chapter 21 #Secrets and truths #here goes nothing #ol fic #my writing #jamie and claire #I can't believe I finished it

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chronic-claire-universe · 3 years ago

Note

HI CLAIRE!!! I AM COMING BACK AGAIN TO JOIN THE MATCH UP 😩 I hope you don't mind!

CONGRATS AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEAUTIFUL CLAIRE!!! I hope Ran always come to your dreams every single night 😌💖 We should discussing our fantasy about him again soon 😌

And here is me! (I edited this so I can give you a complete description about me)

I'm 8w9 INTP sp/sx sun: Leo moon: gemini, my height is 153cm and I have a petite body. Mentally ill? Yes, I am bipolar and having anorexia (more like relapsing again after surgery). When I am at my manic episode, I almost kill my family at the car-crash because I got too irritated that I pulled my sister's hair while she was driving—luckily she's a good driver or I am gonna be in jail rn 😩 When I was a kid, I used to get into some fights with boys (I won ofc) but since my father died, I tried not to get into fight ( I don't want to deal with my mother's dramatic and victim-mentality ass ) and I (gladly) never fight again after that 😌 That's why I really good at sport ( as a female I always got the highest point—even when compared to the male, I still on the top 5 on sport ) I really good on art ngl that's the reason I am at uni rn because I got scholarship (I won several art competition)! Also, I did english debate competition back then, but we were this 🤏 close to get into semi-final but bruh we defeated by 0.20 point! 🥲 I can do all those things by self-taught!

When I feel sad or miserable, I punish myself by starving myself lmao. Or I will usually get quiet and cut people around me.

My social skills? Fine I think. I weirdly get along with a lot of people (everyone kinda knows me) but I never talk to them first. Even though I have a lot of friends, I only have one close friend ( tragic right:") )

My personality is rude—blunt in the rude way(?), I do whatever I want to because I seek freedom of expression, LOVE debating about certain issues, and surprisingly I'm quite a wise person. But, I have no jam. Right, I couldn't make any jokes since I usually use the wrong tone in my voice :( I prefer to keep my joke inside my imagination or write it down somewhere. I always try to dominate my man, but I want my man to dominate me too ( do you get what I mean here? 😭 ) I love to be alone too. I HATE loud voices, reptiles, and crowds. I'm not the type of person who easily shows my love to anyone. I think because I have a really high pride *sigh. I felt like my kin actually is Rindou Haitani. But when I took the quiz I got Kazutora, Getou, Mori, Eren, and Dio Brando (that's the funny one)

I'm working as a graphic designer. Which somehow makes me currently don't have any interest. But I love listening to music (pop-rock and r&b ) . I love watching wwe/mma and hate romance anime/movies.

I'd like JJK and Haikyuu match up, please🥺 NSFW and I want male!

—Sorry for long ask :(

Hey my sweet plum, I read your request thousand times, let me say that I got worried and a bit sad hearing what you had to face in your life. I hope your mental health, despite your bipolarism, it isn't too messed up, lot of genius such as Michelangelo suffered bipolar disorder and see what he was capable to create! Ran woke me up this weekend, he wanted company 😁

Anyway, here your escort for my birthday party:

Jujutsu Kaisen - Megumi Fushiguro

Babe it was him or Nanamin, I opted that Megumi could be better since he has more patience than Nanami for your bratty attitude.

Megumi has the sharp mind to get through your facade, to understand your struggles and cope without problems with your rythm.

When you're manic episodes appear, he knows how to support every idea you get, even the strangest one. The first times he was worried to see you this active and in the mood to do things but now he got used to it.

Talking about these episodes, he enjoys when you're in the mood to debate with him or others.

He often suggest to watch some educative documentaries or biopic movies especially the ones that involves human rights. You get in a fiery mood when you watch it and try to explain why the things that the characthers had to endure are atrocious and illegally and how we should fight to eradicate them from the society.

Going to the other facade of the your personality, the depressive episodes are quite difficult to handle, you stay a lot in bed, you don't want to do anything.

He always brings you a cup of tea and cuddles you for hour, sometimes he gives you a paper to let you draw.

He hates when he needs to get you up for work, he knows you struggle and sometimes even cry but in the end when you get a grip you feel a little bit better.

In these cases, he brings you out for a jog or just a walk with his divine dogs or the little bunnies ready to pet.

Overall Megumi has a lot of patience with you but he's repaid when he sees the portrait and the things you cook for him, the struggle worths the prize in the end!

Haikyuu - Daichi Sawamura

I decided you definitely need a calm but strict man in your life and Daichi is perfect for this!

In Haikyuu universe you definitely play in the female team and you met Daichi during a combined training! You're a middle blocker in your team and you can't get me think otherwise!

You are strong and Daichi is astonished to see this, but when Nekoma came for the second time in Miyagi and Kuroo got on you, to give you some advices for a better tecnique, that's where Daichi got really jealous! He saw you for first and he definitely doesn't want, that roosterhead to hit on you!

"Marv go out with me!" it wasn't a question, it was a statement "I guess asking isn't in your knowledge, but Daichi there are proper times when to ask me out. Not when I'm sweaty and in a middle of a training!" you say with sharp eyes, Kuroo laughed at your bluntness and went away, but Daichi reply "Yep, sorry I got carried away and I felt to say it know" you smirk and say "Jelous are we? Ne Daichi don't blush!".

Your relationship is pretty natural, your dates consist in training and homemade dinner

You're pretty active and energetic in Daichi's mind, that's why when you went in one of your depressive episodes he got really worried.

As Megumi he took a lot of care of you, but the difference is that he prefers that you recover from yourself, also, if you have a therapy it's really difficult for you to take it in these moments and he obliges you to eat something and help you bring down the pill.

Normally you would hate these moments, but Daichi knows really well how to handle them, comfort foods such as pizza, tacos, ice cream, sushi are there for you to help you improve your mood and somehow it helps.

When you get a bit better, you can't go out training but you definitely draw or play sports with the Wii at home, this is definitely quality time for him.

Overall it could sound strange but Daichi doesn't hate these episodes, because he can see that you can do chores or just have fun, and this is definitely a proof of strenght for him!

He definitely loves Marv the warrior girl!

I finished! Babe hope this wasn't too sad for you, but I figured out that seeing you needed fluff and comfort, thanks for opening up and join the event, if you want to help me with a little gift here this is my Ko-Fi!

#claire milestone #claire birthday event #haikyuu!!#jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen x reader #haikyu x reader #fushiguro megumi #fushiguro x reader #daichi sawamura #daichi x reader

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anotheronechicagobog · 4 years ago

Text

Connor Rhodes x Reader Motherfucking Done

requested prompt: Hey!😊 Could you write an imagine with Connor Rhodes, like the reader is a doctor, and he is jealous of her friendship with Will? Cute ending maybe. Thank you so much

written by: @anotheronechicagobog

warnings: swearing, pregnancy complications, this is shit, I’ll probably redo it later, but I’m so tired and stressed, oh and Cornelius Rhodes murdered his wife and no one can tell me otherwise

You and Connor returned to the U.S. as fast as you could. Connor more anxious than you, but then again, he had reason to. Two weeks ago you and your husband were at a party thrown by one of his patients at his penthouse. His massive, over the top, Fast and Furious 7 penthouse. It was three stories with a balcony with a pool. You and Connor always felt out of place at these parties, not even Connor had grown up around such extravagant wealth. But you made do, it was part of doctor-patient culture apparently, so you went. You hadn’t been feeling all that well, nauseous and with a skull-splitting headache. Connor had gotten another email from his sister, so you didn’t want to stress him out more than he already was. You and Connor had mostly stuck to the shade of the indoors, but eventually, you both had to go outside. Connor went to socialize with the host while you went to the third floor to the balcony that hung over the pool. There was a bar there, but you weren’t interested in alcohol. You didn’t think you could stomach it, but you hadn’t been able to stomach anything lately. You’d just sat at a table with a large umbrella and ordered a water.

You’d started feeling dizzy, the heat was suddenly beyond unbearable. You started panting and you knew that stressed out or not, you needed to tell Connor what was going on and leave. Something was very, very wrong. You turned in your seat, waving trying to get his attention. You leaned against the railing while still sitting down and he didn’t notice again. So and flimsy, shaking legs you stood up, clutching the railing. Sweat was pouring down your face and neck, it became so much more difficult to breathe, you were about to try yelling his name over the blaring music when, in a matter of seconds, you felt like you were going to faint, your entire body went limp, and you fell unconscious.

When you woke up you were, not only in a hospital, but the one you worked at. Connor, who was clutching your hand and praying in Hebrew noticed you stirring. “Y/N, sweetheart? Oh thank heavens, how are you feeling?”

“Groggy. What happened?”

“You fell off of the balcony at the top on the penthouse, three stories into the pool. Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t feeling well?”

“It wasn’t bad when we left for the party, for most of the time we were there even. It was just at the end, I tried to wave at you, but looking back on it I probably should have just gotten one of the waiters to get you. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. Please don’t be. The, uh, the doctors found out what was wrong though.”

“Really? What? Oh please tell me it’s not cancer, you know I’ve got a family history of that.”

“No, you don’t have cancer. You, uh... You’re pregnant.”

“I’m pregnant? Like with a baby?”

“Yeah, heat just doesn’t agree with some women and pregnancy though, so we need to move.”

“I’m pregnant.”

“Yeah, you are... We’re going to be parents.”

“We’re going to be parents.” The dam finally broke and happy tears flooded your face. Connor joined you seconds after, but his tears were a combination of joy and relief, after all, he did watch you fall three stories into a pool.

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You and Will had gone to med school in New York together. You’d been fair acquaintances, but he was a bit too cocky and you were a bit too serious. You both decided to have two specialties, the one you shared was emergency department medicine. You became Facebook friends, but that was about it. Truthfully, you didn’t think you’d see him in person again unless there was a reunion. So you were a bit surprised when you ran into him on your way to your OB appointment. “Y/N? It’s been a while, how are you?”

“I’m doing great. Really, really great, actually. I didn’t know that you came back to Chicago, though. When we were in school you always said you’d never come back.”

“Things changed. Congrats, by the way,” Will gestured to your obviously pregnant belly, “how far along are you? How are the symptoms?”

“Five months. Uh, the symptoms have been really bad. And I’m just on my way to an appointment though so I should get going. But maybe we could get dinner sometime, I’d love for my husband to meet you so that he’ll finally believe all the crazy med school stories I have thanks to you. He works here too, actually.” You weren’t kidding, pregnancy had taken a huge toll on you. You had wretched morning sickness, high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, and a pregnancy-related iron deficiency. It was a quick walk from the entrance to the elevator to the OB ward, so you thought you’d be fine, but you were starting to feel weak and Will noticed. “Hey, are you okay?”

“I need to sit down.” Will whipped around and grabbed a wheelchair for you, helping you to get in. “What’s wrong do I need to call your doctor or husband?”

“Honestly, I already feel better, but would you mind taking me to OB or getting someone else who can? This has just been a difficult pregnancy overall, so feeling faint really isn’t unusual for me.”

“Yeah, I’ll take you, don’t worry.”

“Thanks, I’m just gonna text Connor and let him know, he was going to try to meet me there if he can get away from work for a minute.”

“You don’t happen to mean Connor Rhodes, do you?”

“I do, why?”

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You found out why when Connor burst through the doors just after you and Will had entered. He kissed you on your forehead and gave you a once over. “Y/N, are you okay?”

“Connor, I’m okay. I just started feeling weak so Will got me a wheelchair. I think that I was just on my feet too long, well too long while pregnant. I really hate that I can’t do what I used to be able to...”

“I know, but you should have just gotten help at the door, here let’s go talk to Dr. Hajjar. Thanks, Halstead, I’ve got it from here.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Excuse me?”

“Will!”

“You heard me, Rhodes, why didn’t you meet her at the car or entrance? You can’t really think you’re too important to help your pregnant wife.”

“Will that’s not-”

“That’s enough Halstead, you should get back to the ED, where your obnoxious presence is actually required.”

“Okay, that’s more than enough jabs from both of you. Will, thank you for helping me get here after I tried to get here myself when I probably shouldn’t have, Connor, I’m sorry for being so stubborn and I’m glad you had time today to come to another of my appointments which are happening more and more frequently.”

Will and Connor begrudgingly nodded at each other. “Thanks for getting her here safe Halstead.”

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You decided to hold off on dinner together after seeing how little they got along. Having only realized at that first meeting that the ‘doctor douche’ your husband ranted about so much was your friend from med school. So instead you did what you could to keep the peace whenever you were in the hospital, which was frequent, but their pissing contest was grating on your nerves. It all came to a head the day you went into labour two weeks early. Connor was finishing up a surgery with Dr. Downey so Will was the one in the ED when you were rolled in. “Get Connor, Will.”

“Are you sure Y/N?”

“YES I’M SURE!”

Connor came running into treatment four minutes later and gently kissed you all over your face. “I’m here, Y/N. I love you so much.” Will, who had been holding your hand while you waited for Connor, scoffed.

“ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME WILLIAM?! I AM SO OVER THIS SHITTING CONTEST YOU HAVE WITH CONNOR. YOU ARE BOTH GROWN-ASS MEN GET OVER YOURSELVES. YOU ARE BOTH GOING TO APOLOGIZE TO EACH OTHER AND HUG RIGHT NOW BECAUSE I AM MOTHERFUCKING DONE!”

“Y/N-”

“WILLIAM SEAMUS HALSTEAD I KNOW THAT YOUR MOTHER TAUGHT YOU BETTER THAN TO INCUR THE WRATH OF A PREGNANT WOMAN!”

“I’m sorry, Will.”

“I’m sorry, Connor.”

“Y/N Y/L/N you are officially my favourite person in the world, I was just about to ring their necks!”

“No problem Maggie.” You gave a weak smile as another contraction hit and Dr. Hajjar looked under the blanket before nodding. “Alright, Y/N, it’s time to push. If you’re not her husband or part of the delivery team; get out.”

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Five days later you were still in the hospital, because of all the complications you’d had during pregnancy. Dr. Hajjar wanted to make sure your blood pressure wasn’t a high average before she discharged you. So when Natalie went into labour, you could hear her screams from down the hall. You’d also been where Will briefly went to hide with his tail in between his legs after Helen, Natalie’s mother in law, dressed him down. When you heard her screaming for Will, where he was, you gave Connor one look before he sighed and called Will.

Connor briefly appeared at his father’s ‘I-want-control-as-much-of-my-son’s-life-as-possible-so-I-donated-money-in-my-wife’s-name-for-mental-health-when-it’s-mostl-likely-that-I-murdered-her’ ceremony. He only went for the speech, and when it was over he approached his sister. “Connor, it’s nice to finally see you. You’ve been back in Chicago how long?”

“Almost four months. I, uh, want you to meet my wife and daughter.”

“You- what? Who? How?”

“Well I personally have absolutely no idea how I got lucky enough to have a baby with my wife Y/N, much less have her love me as much as I love her, but I’ve decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.”

“How old is your daughter?”

“Five days today.”

“Oh my God... When can I-”

“Now. You can meet them now.”

“I’ll get dad-”

“Claire don’t. Please. He’s the reason I left Chicago, you’re the reason I came back. I just don’t want the happiness I feel to end just yet.”

“Okay.” She hooked her arm around his as he led her out to the hall. “Did you really come back for me?”

“Well Y/N couldn’t stand the heat while pregnant, but you’re the reason we came back here and not to Seattle.”

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You were cradling your bundle of joy and poop, Aviva Nadya Rhodes, in the lounge chair when Connor and Claire came in. “Hi, you must be Claire, I’m Y/N.”

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you too. Is it okay if I hold- Aviva?”

“Sure, here just sit down on the loveseat and I’ll pass her to you.”

“Oh, she’s so tiny. And she looks just like you Y/N. Doesn’t look like she got anything from Connor. You sure are a lucky girl, huh?” Claire had Aviva’s head in the crook of her elbow and was giving the infant an unbridled, beaming smile.

”Hey! Stop trying to turn my daughter against me.”

“Connor don’t worry, you’re going to be an amazing dad and she is going to love you so, so much. I can feel it.”

“Y/N’s right, Connor. You’re going to do great, plus I’m only joking, I promise. Aren’t I, my sweet, sweet girl?”

“She loves my daughter more than she loves me.”

“I’d normally say no and try to reassure you, but she does,”

“And that’s not a bad thing.”

“Yeah, exactly. I love you, Connor.”

“I love you too Y/N.”

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Sorry this was so bad, I’ll probably re-do this at some point cause I really like the whole faint-cause-pregnant-move-to-Chicago storyline I came up with.

Again, sorry.

#One Chicago #chicago med #connor rhodes #connor rhodes x reader #will halstead #maggie lockwood #Natalie Manning

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isitgintimeyet · 4 years ago

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Just A Friend

The response to this story has been lovely, so thank you all for reading. liking, reblogging and commenting on this piece of fluff. Hope you continue to enjoy.

Thanks to @wickedgoodbooks for the beta

AO3

Chapter 6: From Irritation to Interrogation

And just like that, we’re friends, Jamie and I. It’s strange how quickly you can go from strangers to acquaintances to friends. After that walk in the park, something seems to have clicked with us, there’s an ease in our friendship that doesn’t happen too often. Despite our vastly different upbringings, we have many things in common: a shared love of irreverent comedy, a fondness for very good quality chocolate and wine and a determination to succeed in our chosen careers.

Of course, it helps that we don’t have the whole fancying-sexual-tension-romantic thing lurking in the background. As I’ve said before, Jamie is not my type and, judging by the pictures on his Facebook timeline, I am definitely not his, which appears to be doe-eyed, tanned, petite blondes— their pneumatic breasts frequently struggling to break free from their restraints. No tall, wild-haired brunettes with only-slightly-above-average breasts usually firmly encased in sensible lingerie.

I may even invite him to Geillis’ wedding as my plus one. We’ll see. I don’t think I’ll be dating by then, I quite fancy a few months without any of those complications.

********

One of life’s pleasures, for me, when I’m not on-call, is to walk to the local newsagents on a Sunday morning for the newspaper. If it’s fine, it’s another opportunity to sit on my balcony and read it at my leisure. A mug of freshly brewed coffee and a cinnamon bun enhances this experience.

Today, it’s not so fine, but sitting on my sofa while listening to the rain pounding against the window is pretty good too. I’m just about to start the crossword when my phone rings. I quickly swallow my mouthful of bun and glance at the screen—private number. I offer up a silent prayer that it’s not the hospital as I answer it.

“Claire Beauchamp?” The female voice sounds familiar.

“Yes.” I answer cautiously.

“Jes’ a wee word of warning. Karma can be a bitch, ye ken.” The voice grows louder and angrier. I recognise that tone, last heard berating Jamie. “Ye’ll get what ye deserve. Ye canna trust James Fraser, but ye’ll find out soon enough—the hard way, like I did… thanks tae ye.”

“Look, I—“ I begin, but before I can finish my sentence, she’s gone.

My initial reaction is irritation. Laoghaire, no doubt looking around for someone to blame for her recent break up, has cast me in the role of home wrecker, clearly using my carefully honed feminine wiles to lure Mr. Fraser from her clutches. Like Frank, she can’t quite believe that anyone could break up with her, without there being another waiting in the wings, ready and willing to take her place.

My irritation dissipates as I begin to see the funny side of this. She’s obviously thought long and hard about this—checking his Facebook friends, keeping records of his phone calls when they were together. Perhaps she sees herself as Jennifer Aniston against my Angelina. I hope Jamie can see this for what it is and laugh. Besides, in this scenario, that makes Jamie what? Brad Pitt?

*****************

Two days later, Jamie and I have arranged to have a quick drink after work in a mutually convenient bar. Summer has not yet returned to the city. Whilst not actually raining, the air is damp and there’s a definite nip in the air. I do a cursory check of the outdoor seating, just to see whether Jamie is heroically braving the elements, but there’s no sign of him.

I make my way into the bar and have a quick walk around before snagging a corner table. The seats are comfortable and it’s in a prime position for me to keep an eye out for his arrival. This bar has always been one of my favourites in the city. It feels grounded, like it’s been here forever. The stone walls and dark oak beams are unchanging and watching the inebriated trying to negotiate the uneven wooden floor on their way to the toilets always makes for good entertainment. In fact, people come from miles around to marvel at its very crookedness.

I check my phone for any messages. There’s one from Geillis, accepting my invitation for girls’ night on Friday at my flat. I reply and put the phone down just in time to see Jamie heading toward me. He’s obviously come straight from work as he’s still in his navy blue suit and white shirt. I’ve come straight from work too but am not nearly so smartly dressed. Having worn my blue scrubs all day, I’m now clad in jeans and a wrap around top which used to be orange, but has faded to a light amber colour. I feel somewhat underdressed next to him.

“Drink?” He asks, before even sitting down.

I nod. “I’m parched. Think I’ll have a shandy, please.”

“Lager shandy? Half pint?”

“Bitter,” I clarify, not being a great believer in girlie drinks. “And pint.”

He returns a couple of minutes later with a pint and a packet of crisps in each hand.

He takes a huge slug of beer. “Sae, what do ye ken? What’s new wi’ ye?”

And so, I recount my day of surgery to him. And, bless him, he looks interested all the way through my narration. He does turn a bit pale as I begin to explain my use of the bone mallet and chisel, and his crisps remain untouched, but he soldiers through.

“In other news,” I change the subject as his colour returns and he rips the crisps open. “I had an anonymous phone call from your ex, warning me about you and blaming me for your break up. But, never fear, I’ll get what’s coming to me when you do the same to me—“

A bout of coughing from Jamie breaks into my conversation. I get up and thump his back a couple of times. The coughing stops as he takes a swig of beer.

“Sorry,” he clears his throat and continues. “Crisp stuck in ma throat. She did what? How does she ken who ye are?”

“Presumably she kept a record of your phone calls and is monitoring your Facebook friends. Maybe you need to check your phone, see if she’s set up any other little apps so she can track where you are or what you’re doing.”

He shakes his head. “Aye, I’ll do that. I canna believe she would go tae such lengths. Although…” he pauses for a moment. “... mebbe I can. She was always the, er, suspicious type—asking me about women at work, convinced they were ready tae pounce on me. Perhaps I’m not the best judge of character, Claire. Ye need tae advise me.”

I laugh. “Ok. I’ll be your wingman, if you like. Or vet all your potential girlfriends. How about that?”

Jamie joins in with the laughter. His eyes twinkle and it’s funny the way he wrinkles his nose as he laughs.

“How about you? How’re the Spanish influenced dinners going? What are you up to?” I ask him.

“The plans are going grand. We’ve three dinner options planned out.” As usual, his face lights up as he explains the various menus to me.

“They all sound delicious. I’m looking forward to trying them.” And that's the truth.

“Weel, funny ye should mention that. We are looking fer people willing tae test them. How about it? Fancy trying one out? This week, mebbe? Free, of course.”

My weekend plans are getting better and better. Girls’ night at my flat could be turning into a bit of a Spanish fiesta, a mini replay of our Barcelona trip.

“I’d love that. Thanks. I’m having Geillis, Mary and Anna ‘round on Friday for a catch up. I could give you their opinion on the meal too.”

Jamie types something into his phone. “Great, I’ll sort it. So, good weekend plans then?”

“Oh yes, what about you?”

“Oh, I’ve got a sort of date type thing,” he mumbles into his pint and, to my surprise he goes a little bit red. Is he worried about telling me? Does he think that I will mind?

“That’s nice...isn’t it?”

“I dinna ken, really. I… I suppose so. It’s ma sister, Jenny’s, idea. A friend of hers from university. Ma sister canna quite believe that I’m no’ yet married and she keeps trying tae make it happen. And Jenny, weel, let’s jes’ say that she’s a force of nature. Ye dinna want tae mess wi’ her.”

***************

I’m not exactly the most gifted cook, but I think it would be hard to go wrong with the box of food and wine that Jamie has delivered. The asparagus is waiting to be cooked, the mouth-watering smell from the simmering chicken and chorizo fills my flat and bowls of juicy Spanish olives— some plain and some with garlic and chilli are dotted about the dinner table. Feeling inspired, I root out a large jug and begin to cut up fruit for sangria.

Like alcohol-seeking missiles, I’ve no sooner prepared the sangria when the doorbell rings. With many hugs, Geillis, Mary, Anna and I greet each other. I accept their gifts of wine, chocolate and flowers as we head into the flat.

As usual, everyone gravitates to the kitchen as I pass the drinks around, complimenting me on the wonderful aromas. Geillis’ stomach rumbles in eager anticipation.

When the four of us are together, the conversation flows as freely as the wine. Honestly, you would swear that we had not seen each other for months, when, in fact, I saw Anna on Tuesday in theatre, and squeezed in a coffee catch-up with Mary and Geillis only two days ago. The topics we cover are wide-ranging and random. Sangria and olives are accompanied by Anna’s search for a new flat, then the conversation turns to the destructive tendencies of Mary’s kitten as I serve the asparagus and Serrano ham starter.

For the main course, we have the tale of Geillis’ father refusing to wear a kilt for her wedding—he is prepared to don tartan trews but, according to Geillis, that will spoil the whole symmetry of the wedding photos. Neither, at the moment, seem willing to back down but, having known Geillis for so many years, it’s obvious to me who will win.

By the time I bring out the selection of Spanish biscuits and turrón, the conversation has moved on to men, more specifically Mary’s crush on a locum doctor newly arrived in the department. There’s a lot of good natured teasing about this—Mary seems to develop a new crush every couple of weeks, and why not?

Geillis drains her wine and turns to me. “Fantastic meal, Claire. Better than yer usual offerings.”

She pulls me close to her as she says this, and squeezes my arm to show she’s joking.

“Well, I have to confess. I did have a bit of assistance. I mean, I did the cooking, apart from the cookies, but everything came from FraserFood.”

“In that case, give me those chocolates back. I’m no’ sure ye’ve earned them.”

“But I have,” I moan. “I did all the cooking…and made sangria.” I reach across Geillis and help myself to another biscuit. They are melt-in-the-mouth delicious.

“It’s part of a new range they’re launching,” I try to explain as Anna and Mary start to squabble over the last biscuit. “Three course dinner party boxes. Everything you need. Jamie asked if I would test one of them out—“

Immediately Anna and Mary shut up, the last biscuit now abandoned on the plate.

“Woo-hoo,” Anna grins at me.

Geillis nudges me in the ribs. “Jamie, is it? And what else has Jamie given ye, eh?”

“Nothing, we’re friends, that’s it.”

“But we’ve seen pictures of him. Don’t ye want there tae be more tae it? I mean, c’mon look at him.” Now Mary joins in the questioning.

I sigh. “We can just be friends, you know.”

“Friends with benefits, mebbe?” Geillis isn’t giving up.

“No, just friends. Although…” my friends lean forward expectantly, perhaps awaiting some heartfelt confession from me, as if I’d suddenly realised my undying love, or, at least, a good bit of lust for Mr. Fraser. They’re going to be disappointed.

“...Although, I suppose you could say this free food and drink is a benefit. So,yes, I guess that makes us friends with benefits.”

Anna and Geillis look as if they don’t believe me, but say nothing. Mary isn’t prepared to drop the subject.

“So,” she starts. “So, suppose I meet yer—“

“Not mine,” I mutter under my breath.

Mary shrugs her shoulders and continues, “—yer Jamie Fraser. And suppose he asks me out and one thing leads tae another… ye’re telling us that ye wouldna mind?”

“No, I wouldn’t mind. Might be a bit awkward if you break up. I mean, can I still be friends with both of you?”

Geillis, laughing, joins in now. “Suppose our Mary marries Jamie Fraser and asks ye tae be a bridesmaid. Would ye mind then?”

I pretend to give this some thought. “Ah, now that does depend. Just how awful will the bridesmaid dress be, Mary?”

“Och, just hideous. We’ll be having a Disney themed wedding.”

All talking and laughing at once, we try to decide which would be the worst Disney outfit for a bridesmaid and finally settle on Moana.

I get up from the table to go and make coffee, but not before making one final statement on the whole platonic situation with Jamie.

“Look, I know it’s hard to believe, but I have no romantic interest in Jamie and neither does he. In fact, he told me that he’s got a date this weekend and that’s totally fine with me.”

Geillis grabs my hand in passing. “Ok, as long as ye’re fine. We jes’ dinna want ye getting hurt, Claire. We love ye too much fer that.”

I smile at my closest friends gathered around my table and feel a rush of warmth and love for them too. They’re my family, these girls, and, for all the joking and teasing, they have my best interests at heart.

“I know. Thank you for looking out for me. But, Jamie and I are friends, nothing more.”

And with that I head into the kitchen, giving Anna, Mary and Geillis, no doubt, the opportunity to continue to speculate about Jamie’s and my friendship. But really I don’t mind, they’ll get fed up soon enough when they see I’ve been telling the truth all along.

#outlander fanfiction #outlander fanfic #Just A Friend #Jamie Fraser #Claire Beauchamp #Chapter 6

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effiethebookworm · 3 years ago

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TSE Appreciation Week Day 3!

Hi again! Wow, almost halfway done with TSE Appreciation Week ALREADY? No way. If only it could be TSE Appreciation Month....... *wistful sigh* Here’s the fanfiction for Day Three! This one wasn’t my best one. I started out with a ton of motivation, but quickly lost it. Anyway, I hope you like it.

Idony and Melody

I sit next to the cold window, the smell of smoke wafting from the fireplace in the corner. I touch the windowpane, feel the frost seeping through, and quickly remove my hand. The children are out sledding today, but I decided to stay in. I dislike the cold, and wanted a bit of peace. The door to the room opens, and I hear my mother's boots stepping on the wooden floors.

“Idony, we have a new child with us.” I turn my face towards her, and get up from the window seat. I hear a smaller set of shoes now, coming into the room.

“Hello, what's your name?” I ask. My mother replies.

“This is Melody. Noah found her by the docks.”

“How are you doing, Melody?” Silence.

“Idony, Melody is mute.” I keep my smile on, although I no longer feel happy. Melody will be a new challenge. How will I keep track of her? I grope for my umbrella, and reach in Melody's direction.

“May I feel your face?” A hand grabs mine and squeezes. “I'm blind, you see.” The hand squeezes twice, and I reach up the arm and find the face. It has an upturned nose, long eyelashes that are damp with snow, full lips, and short curly hair.

“Mother, how do you know Melody's name?”

“She wrote it out in the snow for me when I asked.”

“So she knows how to write her name. Melody, can you read?” I ask. Her chin moves up and down.

“Wonderful. Do you know where your parents are?” Her chin moves up and down again.

“Perfect! Are they here in Greenway?” She pauses a moment, and then shakes her head. A moment later, she nods.

“Did you run away from home?” Another head shake.

“Did your parents abandon you?” Head shake.

“Did they die?” A nod. I reach onto her cheeks and feel tears. I grab a handkerchief from my pocket and dry her eyes. “I am very sorry to hear that, Melody.” She sniffles.

“Please take Melody to her room.” My mother says from the doorway.

“Yes, Mother.” Taking my umbrella in one hand and Melody's hand in the other, I take her upstairs to the girl's quarters. I don't really need the umbrella, I know the orphanage halls like I know the sound of my brother's voice, but it makes me feel safer. We get to the room, and I tell Melody,

“This is your new room. Find a bunk with nothing on it, and it's yours.” She lets go of my hand, and walks towards the bunks.

“The bell will ring at five for supper. The girls bathroom is the door to the right.” I point to my right, where I know the bathroom is. “Welcome to the St. Claire Orphanage, Melody.”

()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Baysmore! Welcome to the St. Claire Orphanage. You're right on time for your appointment! My name is Idony St. Claire, and my mother owns the orphanage. Are you interested in adopting a child?”

“Yes. May we meet some of the girls?” A deep voice says.

“Certainly. Please follow me.” I lead them upstairs to the girls wing. Most of the girls are downstairs, playing or helping with chores, but a few stay up here and read.

“We have visitors, girls.” I can hear them scrambling into a neat line.

The Baysmores pass me to look at the girls.

“Hello, what's your name?” Mrs. Baysmore says.

Anna speaks up. “That's Melody. She's mute.”

The Baysmores quickly move on to the next girl, and I sigh. Melody has been here for three months now, and she has gotten that response on every single visit. As the Baysmores move down the line, I hear the rejected girls go back to their activities. It doesn't seem to bother them, being rejected so many times. I've talked to a few who actually don't want to be adopted. They want to stay until the age of eighteen and then go out into the world on their own. I know a few who have, and become successful workers and even business owners. I hear the Baysmores walking towards me, along with a girl.

“Miss St. Claire, do you have a foster option? We don't want anything final quite yet.”

“Oh, certainly!” I say. “If you'll just come downstairs with me, you can fill out the paperwork. Also, may I ask which girl you chose?”

“Me!” Rebecca says. The Baysmores sound confused.

“Why did you ask? Don't you know her name?” I laugh a bit.

“Of course I do. Can't you tell that I'm blind?”

“Oh my, I'm so sorry,” Mrs. Baysmore says.

“No reason to apologize.” I say. “Let's go fill out those forms.”

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“Hello, and welcome to the St. Claire Orphanage. Today is our annual Adoption Fair!”

Claps from the small crowd.

“This year, we decided that instead of having the girls' line on one side and the boys' on the other, they are grouped by age. Remember to look at all ages, not just the babies. All of the children are wonderful, and many would find amazing homes with your families. So, let the annual Adoption Fair begin!” More claps, and a few whistles. A very loud, high frequency squeaking noise.

“Enel, please stop. No one wants to go deaf today.”

The squeaking stops, and I hear giggles. I grab hold of my umbrella, and walk down the wooden ramp of the outdoor stage. The air is warm and at a perfect humidity level, perfect early summer weather. Child voices mingle with adult voices, and I hear laughter and even singing.

“This might be our most successful fair yet,” I hear a familiar voice say from a few paces away.

“Noah!” I rush towards my brother, and his arms envelop me. “How long have you and Papa been back?”

“A few hours. I have great news.”

“You and dad can stay forever?” I touch his face, and feel a slight frown. It disappears quickly when he says,

“Nope. I got accepted into medical school in the East!” I gasp. “That is amazing! Now you'll get to be a doctor, just like you've dreamed!” And maybe help me see again, I think, but don't say.

“The bad news is, I'll have to leave in the fall.”

“Oh, okay. But you usually do leave in the fall.”

“I'll have to stay until next spring.”

My face falls. “So long? Don't you get Christmas off?”

“Yes, but only two weeks. It takes a month to sail from Gallitan to Cedulan, where the school is.”

“Oh.” We are both silent for a while. “Well, I guess I'd better see how the fair is coming.” I say.

“And I ought to go unpack.” Noah squeezes my shoulder, and then lets go. I walk towards the noise of the crowd.

“How are you doing?” I ask a person at the edge of a cluster.

“Pretty well.” She responds very slowly and nasally. It is very hard to understand her.

“That's good!” I say. “Have you met any of the kids yet?” There is a long pause, and then a male voice says, “No, we haven't. I know this is an odd question, but do you have any deaf children here? We specifically want a deaf child.”

I am confused. “No, I'm afraid we don't. Is there any particular reason you want a deaf child?”

The woman speaks again, very slowly, and with a slight stutter.

“When I was a child, until r-recently, I was deaf. I had a surg-g-surgery last year so that I could hear. That is why I s-speak so s-s-slowly. I only learned to talk last year. I have-have been making a kind of speaking, but with hands. I call it S-Sign Language, and I want a child that I can teach it to. I al-also know the hardships of being deaf, so I might be a better mother than someone who has h-heard all her life.

“Oh, my. I am sorry that we don't have any deaf children.” Suddenly, an idea hits me. “We do have a mute girl. She can read and write, but she cannot speak. Do you think that she would work?”

“Yes!” The man says enthusiastically. “May we meet her?”

“Right this way, please.” I tell them. I walk over to a voice I recognise as Kulie, one of Melody's roommates.

“Kulie, do you know where Melody is?” Kulie looks around, at least, that's what it sounds like, and says, “There. 2 o'clock, straight shot.”

“Thank you Kulie.” I lead the couple over to Melody.

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“Melody? Melody! I know you can hear me!” I almost trip over a see-saw, but catch myself with my umbrella just in time.

“Melody! Come out. You need to go home with your new parents. Please, Melody.”

I hear a small whimper from inside the slide tower, about twenty feet away. The orphanage playground is huge, full of nooks and crannies and tiny secret passages perfect for hide-and-go-seek, but terrible for finding kids. I walk slowly over to the tower, carefully sweeping my umbrella in front of me before every step.

“Melody, please. You will love it with your new family, they have a big house, and a cat, and a big yard, and a big family of kids next door who you can play with. The mom used to be deaf and mute, and she can teach you how to speak with your hands. You liked her when you met her, remember?” I use the voice that I use to comfort sick babies. I am at the foot of the slide now, and I can hear Melody whimpering at the top.

“Melody, I know that change is scary, but you need to accept it. It's going to happen whether you like it or not. You need to come down by yourself. It's your choice. You don't have a choice on whether you're adopted or not, but you need to come down on your own. I'll wait for you.” I stand at the bottom of the slide for a moment, and then I hear the squeaky whoosh of Melody coming down the slide. She takes my hand, and squeezes. I take my handkerchief out of the pocket of my pinafore, and use it to wipe her eyes.

“Come on, sweetie. Let's get you to your new home.”

The End

#tseweek2021 #tse appreciation week #idony st claire #noah st claire #savannah st claire

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renee-writer · 3 years ago

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Utterly Ridiculous Chapter 2 A Wee Bit of Raddish

AO3

She tries to hide away. It is fairly safe in her surgery, the place that her and Frank thought a dungeon. It does have that quality despite being a bit more clean then it was when she and Frank saw ( or is it will see) it. Thoughts of him and what they did on the table she now uses to pound herbs doesn’t help her libido or the drawing she feels towards Jamie. That drawing is why she feels safer in her own space. Her patients come to her. She still gets some strange looks but they aren’t as frequent. With everyone she helps her reputation as a true healer grows. In her element here and away from fleshly temptations, she is able to think and plan. Or try to.

After a productive day as a healer but a frustrating one when it comes to planning an escape, she is lured out by the temptation of Column’s raddish. She walks into the Great Hall and sits beside a young lady she has seen about. “Hello, I am Claire Beauchamp.”

“Loaghaire McKenzie.” She nods to her. They both get quiet as the entertainment for the night starts to sing in a haunting way.

“It is so beautiful.” She whispers to her seatmate. She nods then her eyes light up. Claire follows her glance and sees Jamie walking in. He starts to them when he sees them. Ahh. Well she would be better suited then Claire herself. “Mr. Mactavish cuts a fine figure, doesn’t he?”

“Aye,” she hears the longing in her voice. “But I dinna think he sees me the same way.”

“Men rarely know what they what. That is what us women are for.” She says just as Jamie walks up to them. He nods to Loaghaire before taken a seat by Claire. “Jamie?” he immediately turns to her. “I was just telling Miss Mackenzie how fetching she looks this evening. Don’t you agree?”

He gives her a quick look. “Aye. She is bonny “ Claire feels the lass’ excitement but it is short lived as he immediately starts talking to Claire. “Is that Column’s raddish?”

“Yes,” a small giggle. “Would you like the rest. I’ve had two, no three glasses of it.” He takes it and drowns it.

“Impressive it is very few people that can drink as much as Column. Fewer still who are lasses.” He twirls the glass around in his hand as they listen.

“It is quite beautiful.”

“Aye.” He wasn’t just talking about the singing.

“Even though I can’t understand a word.”

He leans closer as a thrill goes through his body. “It is about a lass who falls through the stones. She lands in a time not her own where she meets strangers that turn into friends and lovers. But alas, she can’t stay and travels back to the life and love she left behind.”

Claire is awestruck. Was he singing about her, about people like her. “She goes back?”

“Aye, most do.” He shrugs.

“I need to go.” She starts up and Jamie thrusts the empty glass at Loaghaire.

“Take this back, will ye lass?” He stands and hurries after her. “Hold up Mistress Beauchamp.” She looks back and several people shush him. He gives them sheepish looks of apology as he catches up with her in the main corridor. “Would you mind if I walked back with you? I would like for you to look at my shoulder. It is itching quite intensity.”

“Of course Jamie, come.” They walk together. He is close enough to touch her, to breath in the smell of her hair and skin. He feels his heart pounding and wonders if she can hear it. When she stumbles on a loose stone, he catches her arm, keeping it as they walk the rest of the way to her surgery. “Thank you Jamie. I think the raddish is affecting me more then I realized.”

“You are quite welcome Mistress.”

“Claire please. Let me see that shoulder.”

He flushes. “I am sorry Mi.. Claire. It isn’t really bothering me. I just wanted to see you back safely.”

“You could have just said that.” She pushes off the table she had been leaning against. “But while you’re here, let me have a look anyway.” She starts forward and stops in front of him. She watches him swallow as she reaches up to loosen his clothing. What was flowing between them gets stronger as their eyes meet. She swallows and her tongue comes out to lick her lips. A quick inhale of breath from Jamie.

*Claire, I am sure it is fine.” He isn’t sure he can stop himself from kissing her if she is to touch his bare skin.

“I an the healer. I will check, if you don’t mind.” He is helpless. Completely under her spell and quite happy to be there. He can just nod. Her hands soon have his shoulder exposed. His eyes drift shut as she feels around the wound. “It is healing well. You may take the bandage off in a few days.” She sees his closed eyes and touches his face. They fly open. “Or I can. I know if it was really bothering you, you would have just ripped it off.”

“Nae, I would be in fear of getting my arse scalped. Not without your permission.” It breaks some of the tension and they both laugh.

“To right, I am the healer after all.”

“Aye, you are.” She realizes her hand still covers his cheek and goes to move it. His hand lands on top, holding her in place. “If ye dinna mind. I have craved your touch.”

“As I have longed to touch you. But before anything else happens, I must tell you something.”

“Aye Sassanach?”

“I have been lying.”

#my writing #outlander fanfic #utterly ridiculous #a wee bit of raddish #jamie and claire #outlander fandom #mostly cannon compliant

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ydolanssss · 4 years ago

Text

A hood love story: G.D

Warnings: violence, sexual innuendos, a lot of cursing.

Pairing: Grayson Dolan X female reader.

Summary: bottom line is... remember where tf you came from.

-------------------------------------------------

Friday night lights.....most basic ass idea for a football game.

Just a whole shit-ton of rich ass white kids, acting like they hard when in actuality they have no awareness of anything outside of thier little gated community.

They weren't aware of the situation Grayson was in.

They either villainize him and where he's from, Or they romanticize where he's from. Either way they never talk to him.

They talk to ethan though, because unlike his brother he decided to just forget who he was and where he came from...that including his brother.

But you didn't think like them, you didn't treat people differently because of where they come from, or where they live. So you became friends with gray, best friends, and y'all were together all the time.

"hey gray you tryna go to the game today? You asked leaning on the locker next to his.

"there's a game?"

"yea against the cougars, you wanna go?"

"....mmm" gray never really went to any school event because well...he was kind of a loner, you didn't blame him tho.

"pleeeeeaaaseee, gray can we?" You asked with pleading eyes, and a quivering pouty lip.

"...fine"

"YESSIRRR, let's goo" you shouted, and skipped to class.

You went through the next couple of classes pretty quickly, went home, did some homework and waited for Grayson to come over.

"when you coming over hoe"

"I'm already outside, come on"

You run outside lock the door, hop in the car and head back to the school. The game had already started, but no one had scored yet. You and gray sit on the bleachers, and eat some popcorn.

"who you think finna win?" Gray said shoving food in his mouth. "I don't know, but prolly not our school, they haven't won a game in like...ever."

"true true" gray nodding in agreement untill his phone starts ringing. "Ayo hold up I gotta take this."

"hmm oh okay, I'll stay here" reassuring him. He walks to the back of the bleachers, "yo, wassup?"

*Anonymous* "Ayo when I see you, you getting lit tf up".

"Whoa, what? Who is this?" Gray asked confused as too who was tryna kill him.

"you know who this is lil bruh, it's daymen, oscars brother. You stole some shit from him the other day, and gave it to ya lil rich ass friends."

"what? Rich ass friends? Ion got no rich ass friends."

"okay okay, so you gon lie to me now huh?, Alright look, bring my lil brother his money or you getting lit tf up, and I take ya lil bitch for myself. You know the fine one, wit the braids."

"Don't you fuckin touch her."

Meanwhile you on the bleachers

"bitch what the fuck are you talking about?" Looking at claire and her lil posse.

"you know what I'm talking about, how long you been fucking my boyfriend."

"claire....who's your boyfriend?" You ask genuinely curious, because you do not keep tabs on miss bam-ba-lam-my-cars-a-hundred-grand.

"Grayson is duh." Because apperently that was common knowledge.

"g-grayson, Grayson Dolan the brother of Ethan Dolan, correct, just to make sure, Grayson with a "a" and a "o" not a I or a E. That Grayson?" Ya know...just to be clear.

"yes that Grayson, god are you dense?!"

"Oh no ma'am very much I am not, because the only grayson i know, don't fuck with bitches like you. Oh hell no, cuz yall don't fuck with people like him. And out of the mother fucking blue, he's your man, sweet-pea, i-is that what you telling me?" Because miss ma'am got you fucked alllll the way up.

"oh really how are you gonna tell me who I'm dating, I had sex with and who stole weed for me?" You pause....

"bruh what? Ugh now I know you tripping because Grayson don't fucking smo-"

"Aye, come on! Games boring anyway." Grayson yells from the bottom of the bleachers.

"alrighty well, miss. Thing I don't know what to tell you. Gods speed finding your Grayson because mine don't smoke." You picked up your things and walked with gray back to the car.

"hey what was the call about?" You asked

"huh? Oh it's was just my mom asking how long we were gonna stay at the game, I told her for the next hour so we could go do something else." He said.

You notice he kept looking around a lot, like he's was paranoid, waiting for something to happen.

"gray you good? You keep looking around, what's wrong?" You out ur hand on his shoulder concerned.

"huh?! Ohh nothing nothing let's go, come on"

He drags you to the car, and open the door for you, and he gets in the driver's side and drives off.

"ok I guess, um whatcha wanna do, wanna go to the park, or that on abandoned house that has a perfect view of the sunset, or ice cream, or ice cream and sunset. You looked at him, lip pouting head turn to the side, waiting for answer.

"uhh...ice cream only I wanna get you home okay?" He sighs, hands gripping the wheel tight as hell.

"umm what no I don't wan-"

"No! I have to get you home. I just, I just do, okay? Please I'm sorry for yelling come here." As you two pull in to the ice cream parlor's parking lot.

You lean in and he kisses you on your forehead, " I just need to be safe okay, it's late I don't want you out at night okay?"

"what? What do you mean I'm with you?"

He walks to your side of the car to open the door, "I know but....you cant be around me now at night at least it's not safe." After you get out he walks to the counter and tells you the get a table, you stand puzzled for a bit but you go anyway.

when he gets back with two oreo milkshakes, you ask him, "gray wait why isn't it safe? Why can't I be around you? What going on?." You ask frantic, worried your friend is in some sort of trouble.

"just because you can't don't- who is that?"

He asks leaned down a little.

"who is who? You turn around, and see a car speeding towards you both." Gray grabs your arm and pulls you down.

"GET DOWN! GO RUN BACK TO THE CAR!"

You do, you get to the car get inside and lean down, then you hear gun shots fire.

*bow bow bow bow*

The car skids off and everything is quiet, you look up and you see Grayson laid out on the ground. "oh my god...".

You get out hesitantly walking towards his body, "g-gray...baby, please oh God please no, god don't tell me he's gone" tears streaming down your face, you can't bare to walk any closer, and you drop to your knees and sob.

"no..please not my best friend." As the smoke clears you say this, the sun is setting in the background, it's a somber feeling somehow you feel safe and sad at the same time, while in that same moment your best friend, very much could be breathing his last breaths.

Then, like the miracle baby he is, Grayson wakes up, with a hell of pain in his shoulder. "Wha-? Ohh fuck my shoulder, holy shit, wait where's? Hey, hey, pretty girl why you crying?" He asks litterally sitting up looking at you holding his shoulder.

You stop crying, eyes shoot open. "Wha- GRAY!!" you run over and hug him, crying.

"i-i thought you were dead, *sniff* you were-*sniff* laying there not moving." Say sobbing into his shoulder.

He holds you with his good arm, "shh shh, it's ok, I'm not dead baby, I'm right here, I'm bleeding out of my shoulder and I should probably go to the hospital, but im not dead." His head sitting on top of yours

"oh shit, yea okay let's go." You help him to the car and start driving, you drop him off at the hospital and tell him you're gonna go take care of something.

You get back in your car and drive to a harbor, you then park and start disassembling his gun.

"god...I don't even know why he has this thing, granted he did get shot at but for fucks sake." You mumbled to yourself.

You speed back to the hospital,the doctors tell you he already out of surgery and he's doing fine, and they tell you his room number.

You walk back to his room. "Hey...Grayson baby, you okay?" You whisper not wanting to scare him.

"hmm? Oh yea hey come in." He's sitting up in bed both of his arms in slings. "Can you do me a favors and grab my juice box?"

You look on his tray and there's a little apple juice, juice box on it. "Oh yea sure sweetie." You poke the straw through the hole and hold it up to his mouth.

"Thank you."

"your welcome lovie." The doctor came in. "Ah, I see your already on it, that's good, very sweet of you." You look at him confused.

"um care to explain sir, or am I slow."

He chuckles, "my apologies, um since your friend, I'm assuming has two bad shoulder that have made him unable to move his arms at all he will need around the clock assistance."

You set down the juice box that he basically breathed in. "What do you mean both shoulders I thought he only got shot in one?"

"oh he did but his other shoulder is slightly sprained it's should heal up in a around 2 and a half weeks, while the other shoulder should take at most 4, but normally three. So due to his situation, his arm mobility is hindered untill a later date." He says with his arms crossed over his clip board.

You sit next to gray and look at him, "well I'm down, it's not like we don't spend every single second with each anyway." Gray laughs, "yea I guess thats true."

The doctors clear him and you help him get dressed but since it was late you threw a hoodie on him since there was no use for the sleeves.

You both get in the car and drive to your house, "come on gray we gotta get you to sleep." You tap and rub his tummy to wake him.

You get him up and walk up stairs to your bathroom. "Ok lemme brush your teeth." You sit on the sink and brush for him.

"okay that's done. Um alright it's 2 am ur tired I'm tired we can do the rest tomorrow okay?" You ask Grayson who's barley keeping his eyes open. "Okayyy." He says yawning.

"all right let's go to bed." You walk him over to the side of the bed and help him sit down.

" all right be careful and don't drop all the way down be careful not to lose your- oh fuck!"

You both lost your balance and fell on the bed, your on top of him millimeters away from his face. You never really looked at Grayson that way, never really looked at his eyes, dark as the ocean pulling you deeper and deeper to the point where you don't care if you drown.

Or his lips, they look so soft and smooth, if you were to kiss them it would feel like silk pillows. His lips..."oh fuck his lips."

Grayson catches your eyes staring at his lips and he sits up. "My lips baby, hmm that what you want?" You both sitting up on the bed. "Where? Your neck, cheek?" He drags his nose up the side of your neck to your ear.

"or that pretty little pussy?"

You gasp and get up off of him. "Um okay time to go to bed for real this time. Uh you good? you okay? Need any thing?"

"uh nah, nah I'm good. I guess...I'm laying flat then?" You turn to look at him.

"um yea I think that would be best."

You both start to relax and go to sleep.

"hey gray? I gotta ask you something, you know what's up with clair because she came up to me claiming I'm fucking her boyfriend, who's apperently you and also you stole some weed for her and that just dosent make sense to me."

He jerks his head to look at you "wait what!? When?"

"when you left to answer the phone she said your her boyfriend and she would know the person's she's been fucking and the guy who stole weed for her."

"so that's why- ughh fucking ethan."

"what? What about him? And what was that phone call about?"

He sighed "okay so I got a phone call from this guy named daemin, and I guess he thinks I stole weed from his little brother oscar, and I guess he's been watching me or something he said if I don't get his money he'll light my ass up and he'd go for my lil bitch himself, the one with the braids."

"oh shit so it was Ethan who stole the weed and prolly gave that guy your number, and prolly claimed he was you...now what the fuck wrong with claire?"

"Claire don't know that theres two of us and she don't talk to people he's friends with so he probably lied to her to."

Laying there in shock you think to yourself. "What kinda fucked up shit you got going on to lie about your whole identity and pretend to be your twin brother that you treat like shit?"

"ion know ask him."

You said it outloud.... again. "Oh shit my bad. But I will actually."

"what? No don't-"

"no gray this shit is crazy. YOU GOT SHOT! I'm not gonna let him get away with that shit gray! Now go to bed."

He sighs and closes his eyes.

——————————————————————

Next morning comes around. You wake up early to make grays' breakfast. A protein shake with some greek yogurt mixed with fruit.

You go back upstairs and he's awake.

"hey boo sorry to keep you waiting. I was making your breakfast. Need help?"

"yeth please."

"okay silly, sit up, legs out, and stand up on three okay? One, two, three...theeeere we go."

You walk over to the bathroom. Brush his teeth, wash his face and...help him pee.

"okay so how do you wanna do this gray?"

"umm you could hold it? If you wanna."

"seriously grayson. But that's like-"

"look your gonna have to bathe me at one point within these three weeks so like might as well get used to it."

"mm true, gosh okay."

You pull his pants down quickly trying to get this over with as soon as possible.

"okay so do I just like h-hold it or something? Or like do I just let it hang there?"

"no no you got to hold it bro otherwise I'll piss on myself then you have to change my pants and my underwear and wipe my legs down."

"ewww... Okay okay I guess this is better. Um sorry if my hands are cold."

"your all good."

"speaking of shower, let's just get that out the way because you haven't showered in a brick."

He sighs "alright"

You help him get his clothes off and turn on the shower.

"alright hop in big dic- oop- I mean big head." You giggle to yourself.

"ouu ok baby, oh and just for pure curiosity, which head?"

You slowly turn to him. "The one that made you think of that dumbass question, goofy get in, naughty ass."

"okay! Okay! Shit you the naughty one." Said with a smirk followed by a failed and painful attempt to slap your ass.

"ow! Ow! Fuck my shoulder!"

"and that's what ya get, hop in." You say giving him a pinch on the ass.

"what a nice butt, good for you!"

"thank you queen." He smiles

"your welcome king." And proceed to bathe him

-------------------------------------------------

A couple hours later you left Grayson at home with him and a tv and left out all the snacks on the counter at a reachable level, whole you went out and....handle some business.

On the phone: "hey, meet me at the bleachers okay I need to talk to you about something."

"uh yea sure I'll be there."

A couple hours later, your sitting on the bleachers with the cold New Jersey air, causing your nose to become ice cold.

"hey." You jumped.

"oh shit! Oh hey sorry you scared me."

"ha, yea um sorry about that, so what did you wanna talk about?"

Now to most that seems like a very obvious question, it'd go something like 'hey why the fuck did you lie about your identity and completely drop your twin fucking brother'. Right? No.

The problem is you and Ethan have history, which also adds to the reason why your a lot closer to gray than Ethan and was like the breaking point of Ethan and Grayson relationship.

Basically in freshman year of highschool you and Ethan....dated?? Well no you did date but...it was shorted lived because he decided to cheat...on you. Crazy right? I know. And you'll never guess who he cheated on you with.....Claire!!! Isn't that amazing, what a coincidence.

So the day you found out was kinda intense.....

"What is wrong with you!"

"Why would you do that to her!"

"As long as we've know her!"

"Huh Ethan! What's the matter with you! Who raised you! It wasn't ma! I most definitely wasn't dad!"

Grayson being the lovely, kind, understanding soul that he is decided to give Ethan a piece of his mind after consoling you in the living room.

"Jesus Grayson! It wasn't even that bad!"

With his hands on his hips, mouth ajar and eyes bugging out of his head.

"you've gotta be shitting me. You made out with the bitch ON SNAPCHAT! THEY GOT YOU IN 4K BRO! What do you mean it isn't that bad!"

"look why does it bother you so much? Like it's not your relationship. It's mine."

"Because your my brother and I love you and I love her to, I want her to be loved and appreciated the way she deserves, and I expected better from you, I never thought, my brother, a fucking scumbag of a man. Had the audacity to cheat on his girl. I guess I stand fucking corrected."

They sit in silence for a while. Your in the living room nervous because you've seen them fight of course but, never this heated.

"well if you love so damn much you be with her, I don't fucking want her if there's gonna be this much drama."

Time for you to get angry.

"First of all motherfucker you cheated! Don't you fucking switch this around on me."

Grayson stands in front of you, tear filling your eyes by the gallons.

"I fuckin loved you....so much, so hard...I did. And this what you fucking do...this the last time I love someone as much as I loved you."

And with that you stormed out. Grayson followed disgusted with his brother.

--------

"....so what did you wanna talk about."

You snap back into reality.

"umm well one your fucking brother was shot!"

He jumps back. "What?! Was he really? When by who?"

"a few days ago. most likely by a guy named oscar...who shot him because apparently, Grayson 'sober4L' Dolan™, stole weed from him. Now the only people in this damn highschool that smoke are those rich ass kids you hang out with, and gray got a phone call about this whole situation and claimed that if he didn't get his money or the weed back, he was gonna shoot up him and take his lil girlfriend, 'the one with the braids'."

He rocks back and forth anxiously, knowing he was caught.

"and of course the only girl he's around with braids is me."

"okay look i-"

"Aht aht wait, I'm not done."

"because at the same time grayson was on the phone I had and interaction with the lovely ms.claire. She claimed I was 'fucking her boyfriend' and I asked who and she said 'grayson the one who stole weed for me'."

He puts his head in his hands.

"so now I'm looking at her like she dumb because we both know Grayson dosent smoke, so a couple hours later I ask grayson about the situation and then he tells me about the phone call, so we put two and two together."

"so gray got a call from someone claiming he stole thier weed, claire your lovely girlfriend enlightened me on the fact that I was sleeping with her boyfriend, who stole weed for her. Knowing Grayson is neither dating her or smokes. So who on earth, could have Grayson's number, steal Grayson name and identity and create a whole new fucking life. Oh hmm let's start with the fuck-amato who made the fuck sure no one knew he was a twin and also dates the girl that my ex boyfriend cheated on me with...who just so happens to be the fucking twin. what do you have to say for yourself?"

There is a pause between you and him.

"umm....I'm sorry."

"y-your sorry....SORRY YA BROTHER GOT SHOT AND ITS ALL YOUR- you know what here what we're gonna do."

You pull out your phone and you had saved daemin's number.

"you are gonna call oscar and tell him the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth, and tell him you'll get his lil cousin his money back okay?" Because if not I will..."

"okay, okay, call him."

You call and the phone starts ringing. He picks up.

"hello?"

"hey daemin I have the actual guy you wanted to shoot at and damn near kill"

"word? Who is it then?"

"his twin brother."

"ohhhh shit. Aw damn aye is gray good man I feel like shit he didn't deserve this."

"he's fine but his brother ethan, on the other hand is the guy you should've got, but look since I don't want both of them shot the fuck up he is gonna over there and hand you the money okay?"

"shit alright"

You end the phone call and he sends you the address.

"alright let's go."

-------------------------------------------------

You and Ethan pull up to daemin's house.

"look when we get in here don't say shit give him the fckn money and don't say shit."

"alright alright"

You walk towards the door and knock on it. It's opens and there stands a guy around Ethan's height.

"um hi are you daemin?"

"yea that me, you got my money?"

"oh yea we do, Ethan give it to him"

He pulls 85 dollars out of his pocket

"here you go man, um sorry for-"

The door slammed in our faces.

"umm I guess that it-"

"how's Graysons shoulder?"

"oh it's good it's getting better I gotta get back to him though, he can't do everything by himself."

"alright cool I just wanted to make sure, does he need anything like I got bandages and a first aid."

"oh no no its fine my mom's a nurse I got all the stuff I need thank you though."

"alright bye drive safe"

"okay thank you!"

You and Ethan get back to the car.

Ethan turns to you. "Um he's nicer than expected."

"yea...um okay, I'm gonna take you back home. "

"yup okay sounds cool. "

The drive to Ethan's was awkward and quiet. He still stayed at him and Graysons childhood home. You haven't been there in years.

"well here we are. God it still looks the same."

"yea hasn't changed since the last time you've been here."

You turn to look at him.

"alrighty well- mphm"

Ethan kisses you holding the side of your face.

"I miss you. I do. I'm so fucking sorry for hurting you. You didn't deserve that, I took you for granted. Please give me another chance."

Your in shock to say the least. Staring at him in disbelief.

"...no Ethan."

"what? What do you mean?!"

"I mean no, I'm not going to go back to you I don't feel that way about you. And honestly once a cheater always a cheater, I just can't give myself back to the same person that changed me emotionally, to where it's hard for me to love people as much as I used to. Like what you do if I cheated on you, would you come back to me? And be honest with yourself."

He moves his hand.

"...no"

"exactly...so don't expect me to be the same. Goodbye Ethan."

He gets out and goes inside and you drive back to your place.

-------------------------------------------------

You come back home Grayson in the living room, on the couch.

You sit next to him and talk to him about what happened, he was worried and frustrated at first with the fact that you went but understood it was your life at risk to. A couple of weeks pass, Graysons wound is fixed and you guys are let out for winter break.

Spending time with Grayson made you realize, what you deserved in a relationship, the love, appreciation, affection, loyalty. All of it, you deserved it.

And you got it, you and Graysons infatuation with one another, grew bigger and bigger over winter break. The Christmas vibes, sleeping in onesies and making cookies. Making love next to the fire place, trails of kisses going down both his and your body.

Afterwords..."hey Grayson? Can I ask you something."

"of course beautiful what is it?"

"how would you feel if we went back to school, ya know together?"

"when were we going separately?"

"nooo silly like together, a thing, an "item". We go back in a relationship. If that's something you want?"

"Are fucking joking! Of course I would baby. God, I've been waiting." And with that you finally found the love of your life, whom which in the future you had your two twin daughters with. Inez and Felicity.

You've never been so content.

#gray #grayson dolan #grayson and ethan #grayson #love story #ethan dolan #bw #dolan twins

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wafflesetc · 5 years ago

Text

I’ll be there for you, Chapter 6 (previously)

A/N: This one is long. So buckle up! I owe a kidney to @kkruml who has looked at about 6 different versions of this. And to @walkinginland and @happytoobserve who also read multiple versions, held my hand through some tough parts, and gave encouragement along the way. I couldn’t do it without you guys. And you know, the end of this chapter is a little NSFW. I mean, most people are working from home now.. But you’ve been warned.

The One With The First Fight (Part 2)

Jamie 2:30 AM

He looked down at the screen of his phone.

‘Just tell me you are safe.’

He had said things he hadn’t meant. He had said things that were sore. He had said words that he knew would haunt him for the rest of his life.

He thought back to growing up and having fights with Jenny. His Mam used to tell them to take back the words they had spoken to one another, that they were brother and sister, by tomorrow all would be forgotten because- that’s what family does.

He closed his eyes and took a sip of whisky. The bar was still somewhat alive, even for a Tuesday night. He could picture her right there almost as if she were standing right next to him: The bright red hair he had inherited from her, her soft grey eyes and that strong brow his sister had. He could see it: her hands on her hips, the small raise of her brow and a glare in her eyes that scared him deep into the marrow of his bones from the time he was a small lad.

“Ye are not here to help me with this one, mam.” He whispered to himself.

He knew better than to storm out in a rage, yet this was uncharted territory. He and Claire had moved so fast there had barely been time to realize that they had yet to set some boundaries in regards to their relationship. And Claire- the stubborn, fierce, strong woman that she was, was carrying newfound cargo- a life that was half of him, half of her. It was a surreal and sobering thought, the idea of bringing a new life into this world. Someone he’d have to love unconditionally, someone who’d need him for the rest of his. And by some miracle, it was also not just this small life, but Claire that was in it with him. She was no doubt his forever, surely he did have a small say in some matters.

He took another drink of his whisky, emptying the contents. He raised the glass signaling the bartender for another round.

Just this one more and then he’d go home.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and a familiar voice in his ear, “Fancy seeing you out.”

He turned to find Mary smiling at him. He saw the glimmer of a ring on her finger. A small sense of relief flooded through him. It wasn’t that he’d dodged a bullet, but in some ways he was thankful for Mary for letting him go- for she was the reason his daft mind finally made all the pieces click- that he’d been in love with Claire from the beginning. He was thankful she’d seemed to find the same happiness he had found.

“Looks like congratulations is in order.”

“Ah yes,” She took the seat next to him. “It was rather quick but I guess when you know, you know.”

The bartender arrived asking what she wanted. “A whisky, neat please.” She hung her purse on the edge of her barstool and smiled, “How are things with you?”

“Och,” He let out in a small Scottish grunt. “I am sitting alone in a bar in the middle of the night, how do ye think it’s going?”

“I know you, Jamie…” The server placed her drink in front of her and Mary reached for it, taking the first swig. He looked at her with pleading eyes, a sense of helplessness running through him.

“You’re a good man- a loyal one no less. I also ran into John at the store a few weeks back, he said you and Claire were finally together.”

“We are.” He smiled ruefully and took a sip of his own drink. “Happened rather quickly, but we are… And uh, we’re actually expecting too.” Jamie felt the tips of his ears burning.

“Seems like you sure move fast then too!” Mary grabbed her tumbler and tipped towards him, “Cheers then.”

“Uh…Cheers.” He attempted to seem like he was in good spirits, but he could tell Mary knew it was just a facade.

“Still, you’re not a man who tends to sit at a bar, alone, in the middle of the week.”

“And ye are no’ a woman to be here in the middle of the night like this either.”

She laughed at that and nodded, “You’re right. My fiance’s flight is delayed because of a mechanical problem… If I had gone home I would fall asleep. Figured I would catch a dram before I get him.” She took a swig of her own beverage. “But you, look like you need to talk.”

“It’s a long story…” He tried to stop there but she raised a brow at him and ordered another round of drinks.

And it came pouring out him-all of it. He hadn’t known he needed to talk about- least of all his ex girlfriend- but apparently he did. He told her about Claire- how she grew up, how she became a doctor, how he had moved in with her, how they had happened. She listened and listened, and finally once he was done speaking shook his head at her in sheer exasperation.

“Ye are a smart man, Jamie Fraser, but ye sure are a daft one sometimes.” He saw her laugh at him.

“I need ye to explain that one, lass.”

Her breath shook as her phone buzzed on the counter. “You are right- she needs to be more careful and she needs to listen to your concerns… But Jamie, she also is right. She’s a doctor and a good one from what I hear. She won’t do anything that would harm her or your child intentionally, but it’s her body. Only Claire can be the one to know when enough is enough.”

Mary stood and pushed her barstool in. “Neither one of you wants to concede to the other and I’m not saying there’s a winner in this fight, but Jamie… Giving her space and allowing her to be in control seems to be a big piece of who she is. This is all as new to her as it is to you, except she’s the one who’s growing the human.”

“So what is it ye are telling me to do?”

“Weel, I am telling you, that you need to tell her how you feel- but you need to be okay with whatever her decision is. It’s teamwork and compromise. You’ll find your balance, you both will.”

And with a smile she hugged him and was on her way. He felt a sense of peace rush through him, in some ways he thought it was almost relief. He would forever owe Mary for making him realize what he had with Claire. Mary had been good and kind to him, nurturing his soul in ways that he wasn’t sure he would ever fully understand. Yet, through the ups and the downs there had always been the one constant piece in all of it.

Claire. Sorcha.

He threw the cash on the bar top and shook his head knowing exactly where he was headed.

Ye wee daft man, ye must go and repent yer words while you still can.

Claire 4:45 AM

I heard the deadbolt.

He turned it slowly and opened the door. I knew he would know I was waiting for him. He always had a keen sense of things like that.

“And just where do you think you’ve been?” I finally asked once the door was closed.

I watched as he tossed his keys onto the table and shrugged his shoulders, “Out.”

“That doesn’t answer my question…” I sat up on the couch and wrapped the plaid blanket tighter around me.

“Sassenach… It’s late. Ye havena had a good night’s sleep in at least two days and I am exhausted. Go sleep in our bed. We can talk when yer rested.”

That was the last thing I wanted to hear. Just earlier he had reprimanded me for coming home and wanting to sleep and not talk- now I was the one who wanted to talk and he was telling me to go to sleep.

Circles, we were running around each other in circles.

It was infuriating me.

We’d talk, now, whether he liked it or not.

“James.” I rose from the couch and crossed my arms. I seldom used his full name like that.“You were out all night after getting mad at me when I said I didn’t walk to talk. I think I am owed the decency of knowing where you were!”

I could feel frustration oozing out of me.

I had worked nearly three days in a row. There had been accident after accident, trauma after trauma. I had nearly doubled my surgeries from my last three rotations earlier that week with this weekend stint at the hospital.

I barely had time to enjoy a cup of coffee, let alone a minute to tell Jamie what was going on. I hadn’t come home to eat, sleep, shower, or give him the knowledge of what was happening.

“Claire,” He breathed. I could hear a small sense of anger rising in the pronunciation of my name. “I went to clear my head, I stopped at the place down from here, the one that is open late.”

He took a step closer towards me and came into the dim light. He was still in his office clothes from the day before- he wore a solid white button down with khaki pants, but now he looked tired and worn down. Though the small light from the lamp on the end table didn’t illuminate the entire room, it was bright enough for me to still see a small piece of red lipstick on the outside of his collar.

I kept my arms folded, standing my ground. The anger and exhaustion was catching up to me. Tears were near the surface.

“Och!” He threw his arms up in frustration when he read the look on my face. “Ye really want to do this, then?”

I pursed my lips and nodded.

“Like I said,” He hissed through his teeth, “I was at the place down the street, I have receipts if ye must see them!”

“That’s not what I want to talk about and you know it!” My voice was louder than usual but cracked at the end. It was taking everything in me to remain even the slightest bit composed.

He fisted his hands and took a step closer to me. We were now just a foot apart. I could smell the whisky coming from him.

“What is it, then?”

I scanned his eyes and saw he was completely helpless- he really had no clue.

“There’s lipstick- on your collar.” I could feel the tears rising to the surface. It was a mix of exhaustion and hormones, that I was sure of.

“Sassenach…” He whispered my name, I could hear the plea behind it, “Ye dinna think, that I…. Ye mustn’t?”

I shook my head and sat down on the edge of the sofa, “No….NO.” I put my face into my hands. “I know you didn’t…”

“Let me explain.” He took a seat next to me but kept some distance away, but placed a hand on my knee.

“I was sore, said things to ye before that I dinna mean.” I turned my head and looked at him. His face was earnest and I saw a small hint of a smile. “I went there to clear my head, hoping ye’d get tired enough and just crash… But I see no’ telling ye where I was was no’ wisest choice.”

That earned him a laugh as I shook my head, “No, you bloody Scot. You kept me up worrying!”

“Aye, I see that.” He scanned my face and scooted a little closer. “I was finishing up when Mary walked in.”

That sent a flash of anger through me and caused me to stiffen in resposne.

“Let me finish.” His voice was shaky but I could hear the determination in it. He closed the distance between us- our knees were touching, my hands in his. “She’s engaged now… And she was waiting to pick up her fiance from the airport. We just talked. I told her all about you.”

It still wasn’t enough to make me feel better.

“I told her about the wee lass.” He reached and put a hand on the small swell of my lower abdomen. “And she helped put things into perspective for me.”

“And just how did she do that?” I was jealous. I had never disliked Mary- she was a kind, smart, well rounded woman. Her helping my Jamie in a way struck a chord in me that I didn’t know I had.

“She gave me warmth, when I was questioning all of my choices.” He took a deep breath and tilted my face to his so we were eye to eye. “She gave me understanding and a sense of enlightenment when I needed it most.”

Daft man. I laughed out loud and could feel my own fists clenching.

“That’s what I am supposed to be, for you! You bloody Scot” My voice was louder than usual and cracking.! I took a breath and shrugged my shoulders, “At least, I think that’s the way this is supposed to go!”

I laughed again and steadied my voice. “This is our life we’re working through. Our relationship, our child, our future! I know we went from zero to one hundred rather quickly.. But you need to talk to me and no one else!”

He laughed at me and I let a tear fall. “Ye are just as daft as I, mo nighaen donn.”

He wiped the tear with his thumb. “Ye are for me what I am for you, but this..” He rubbed my stomach, “Has turned our world upside down rather quickly and we dinna ken what we are doing, together. We ken what we would do when we were alone and no’ together, but it’s no’ like that anymore.”

Slowly, I was starting to realize what he meant.

We had both been overworked, over tired, and stretched thin. He hadn’t been understanding of the requirements of my job and I hadn’t been receptive of his issues, especially since I was carrying our child. Instead, I had walled myself in and closed myself off. I had thought only of myself through all of this, with little regard to Jamie’s concerns at all.

This was new to me- new to him. We were in uncharted waters and if it was scary for me then I knew it must be for him, as well. But at the end of all of this, I knew there was no one I’d rather navigate treacherous waters with, than him.

“I have you, and we have her.” He kissed my forehead. “We dove into this head first and havena stopped since. We need to set some boundaries- and I must be more understanding of the circumstances of yer job.”

“And I need to clue you in a bit more…” I turned my face to his, nuzzling our noses. “And be more cautious of the cargo I am carrying.”

“Aye.” He breathed.

He kissed me, soft and slow. His tongue traced my bottom lip and I reached for his neck, pulling him on top of me.

Swiftly, his hands were on the waistband of my scrubs. In one fluid motion he had them off and strewn somewhere in the room. It was a flurry of events: my hands were in his hair and then I was scrambling to lift his shirt over his head. I could feel the sense of urgency pulsating through him. The need for reassurance, the closeness we were both seeking. Our lovemaking was always a risk- exposing our most vulnerable parts to each other, yet my soul was safe in his hands. I always knew that.

His mouth was hot and heavy on my neck as I fumbled with the button on his khakis, “I want ye Claire. I want ye so bad I can scarcely breathe. Will ye have me?”

I laughed into his next kiss, surprised he was asking, but finding it oddly romantic, “Yes… Yes I’ll have you.”

It wasn’t like I was going to say no, bloody Scot.

He trailed kisses up my chest as his hands found their way to my scrub top. Slowly he pulled it over my head and tossed it into the abyss. I laid my back down onto the couch as I watched him discard his shirt. His muscles tensed and even in the dimness of the room, the moon illuminated his every definition.

By some miracle he was mine.

His shirt fell just between the coffee table and couch. My eyes followed the curve of his abs as his hands hastily pulled my undergarments down my legs.

“Mo Chridhe,” he whispered, “Mo nighean donn.”

His hand worked quickly to rid himself of his clothes as I took in his full form. He wanted me, he wanted me badly.

Jamie lowered himself onto me trailing kisses from the small swell on my stomach until he reached my mouth. He fisted his hands into my hair while reaching for my hips so he could align my body just right.

He stopped for a moment, his fingertips pulsing against my skin, but his eyes locked on mine. His face scanned mine looking for something. What- I didn’t know nor did I care.

All I wanted was him. Body and soul.

I was quite literally bare and naked before him- nothing to protect me. Yet while I was in my most vulnerable state, Jamie saw right through me, as he always did.

Whatever he was searching for he found the answer. He situated himself between my legs and guided himself into me. We were as close as we could be, yet it didn’t seem like it was enough. It never was.

His movements were slow and methodical. He was taking the time to make sure I knew he was mine just as I was his.

As his pace started to gradually pick up, I could feel the wave building and building. Our eyes met and I saw a small smile form on his lips. We rode it together knowing whatever murky waters we might face in the future, so long as we were together, that was all that mattered.

#Outlander #Outlander Fanfic #Jamie x Claire #Jamie Fraser #Claire Beauchamp #I'll be there for you AU #IBTFY II #YEAH IMMA DROP THIS AND THEN JUST LEAVE #craigh na queue

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the-hidden-writer · 4 years ago

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A Phone Call

Whumptober 2020 - Day 29

My other sitcom wildcard! Had a weird dream where Phil was dead once, so this is partly inspired by that.

@whumptober2020

Prompt: Emergency Room Fandom: Modern Family Character(s): Claire Dunphy, Mitchell Pritchett, Jay Pritchett Words: 848 tw: car accident, hospitalisation

Claire was in the kitchen when she got the phone call. Alex had just gotten another commendation for her schoolwork so, as was routine, Alex got to choose the meal. Today was spaghetti bolognese.

The phone rang just as she was chopping the garlic, and she cursed quietly as the knife almost got her finger.

It was an unknown number. Half-expecting it to be some salesman or other, she picked up.

“Hello?”

“Is this Claire Dunphy?”

Claire’s stomach dropped at the serious tone of the voice on the other end. “Yeah. Who is this?”

“Hi, I’m Alan calling from the hospital. I need to inform you that your husband’s been in an accident and is currently undergoing emergency surgery on his spine, if you’d like to come as soon as possible.”

Alex ran over and picked up the knife that had clattered onto the floor dangerously close to her mom’s feet.

“Mom? Mom are you okay, what’s wrong? Who is it?”

Claire was shaking as the man gave her details, reality suddenly shifting around her until it felt like she was in a dream. Or more like a living nightmare.

It was a good few seconds after the man had hung up that she lowered the phone from her ear and faced her daughter with eyes brimming with tears.

“Y-Your Dad’s in the hospital.” She said, her voice uncharacteristically quiet. Alex immediately began bombarding her with questions, and Hayley and Luke somehow stopped what they were doing and joined her. But none of the words were coming through to Claire. It was all just noise. Meanwhile her husband was in hospital.

She snapped into action-mode.

“We gotta go.” She ordered, ignoring the fact that her hands stank of garlic and grabbing her car keys and rushing to the front door. “Come on, we’ve got to go now!”

In a daze she raced into the car, quickly followed by her three terrified children.

Their three terrified children.

~-.-~

Lucy poked her head around the door while Mitch was in the middle of an important meeting with a client.

“Mr Pritchett?”

Mitchell sighed and squeezed his eyes shut in annoyance. He could not afford to screw up yet another meeting. “What is it? I’m kinda busy here.”

Lucy looked at him apologetically. “Sorry, it’s just that your sister’s on the line. She says it’s an emergency and you’re not answering your phone.”

Biting back a retort that he’d turned his phone off for a reason, Mitch put on a tight-lipped smile and clenched his fist.

His client looked confused.

“Sorry,” Mitch apologized reluctantly, “I just need to take this. I’ll only be a second.”

He practically stormed to the desk out of the office where the phone was waiting.

“What is it Claire? This had better be important otherwise I’m gonna-”

“Phil’s had an accident.”

Mitch felt his next words disappear off his tongue. Claire didn’t sound angry or worried like she constantly did… instead she sounded emotionless. And he knew what his big sister sounded like when she was holding in her tears.

“Oh my god! Is he okay?”

“It’s serious. He’s- He’s in surgery and we’re at the hospital and… I really need you. Please tell Dad and hurry.”

“S-Sure, yeah. I’m on my way.”

The meeting could wait. Mitch dropped the phone and briefly explained the situation to Lucy, before texting Cam and darting out of the building.

~-.-~

“Yeah, hello?”

Jay wasn’t a fan of answering the phone. Usually it was one of Gloria’s many friends that he was expected to know, and that usually left him in a very awkward position of talking to someone who was practically a stranger as if he’d known them all his life.

“Dad! Thank god you’re at home.”

It was Mitch. That was odd. “Left my cell in the office, Gloria’s gone to get it now. Hey aren’t you supposed to be at work? Why does it sound like you’re driving?”

“Listen, Phil was in a really bad crash and he’s in the hospital.”

WHAT?!

“...What?”

“I dunno the details but Claire’s freaking out. Just- just come as soon as you can. Me and Cam’ll meet you there. Hurry.”

Slowly, Jay put the phone back. His excitement to watch the football was long forgotten. Though he’d never truly liked Phil, he knew that Claire adored him. And, as much as he hated to admit it, he was a good dad and Claire could have picked worse. Probably.

“Manny!” He called upstairs.

“Yeah?” His stepson’s voice called back.

“It’s time to move.” He said gravely. “Phil’s had an accident and we need to meet the others in the hospital.”

Manny’s already serious tone amplified itself as he appeared at the top of the stairs. “What sort of accident? Is he alright?”

Jay sighed. “We’ll find out when we get there. Call your mom.”

With a nod, Manny pulled out his phone, giving Jay a few precious moments to reflect.

Phil had better be awake when he got there. Because Jay needed to do something he’d been putting off for years.

An apology.

#whumptober2020 #no.29 #emergency room #modern family #fic #car accident #phil dunphy #claire dunphy #mitchell pritchett #jay pritchett #day 29

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owlways-and-forever · 5 years ago

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Not Giving Up

Summary: With Neil going into septic shock, Claire is desperate to try anything that might save him. Now she just has to convince Dr. Lim to do the same, and see if her gamble will pay off. Starts after the conversation about religion.

A/N: I have very little medical knowledge, so I'm skipping right over the surgical bit. This is just a short, quickly written little one shot because I just finished s3 last night, and I just cannot deal with that. I'm sure there will be more Melendaire to come though, because I desperately need them.

Idk if y’all are interested in this but figured I’d tag yall @shaunthegooddoctor @neilrnelendez . If y’all (or anyone else) want to be tagged in any future TGD fics (in which Neil will never die before he’s 80) let me know :)

WC: 1651 | Read on: AO3, FFnet

o . o . o

“Claire, he’s got severe sepsis,” Audrey commented, her expression beyond sad. “Even if he did recover, he’d be immunocompromised. He’d never be allowed back in an OR.”

“‘He’d be alive ,” Claire protested, desperation creeping into her voice. “Dr. Lim, are you really going to deny him a life-saving procedure just because his quality of life might decrease?”

Audrey hesitated, trying to figure out what she would do if this were any other patient. What if it was a stranger? It was too hard to imagine. What if it were Andrews? Or someone who wasn’t so deeply entrenched in her heart? But it was no good, she just couldn’t untangle her feelings for Neil.

“Please, Dr. Lim, just let me take it to Melendez and see if he wants it,” Claire pleaded. “If I talk to him…”

“No,” Audrey interjected firmly. She pulled the resident aside, to a miraculously empty patient’s room. She dropped her voice, no longer speaking as Chief of Surgery, but woman to woman. “Claire, he will do anything you ask him to, even if it’s not in his best interest. He won’t care, he’ll do what you say without batting an eye. You have to know how he feels about you.”

“I…” Claire stammered, not sure how to answer that. Being in love with your boss was awkward enough, but it was even more so when his ex-girlfriend was his boss and the one standing in front of you arguing about how to save his life.

“It’s okay,” Audrey soothed. “It doesn’t bother me. I care about him immensely, but it’s different with you. He’s different. It’s fine, I’m not in love with him. But you are, Claire, and that means you can’t be impartial about this. You’ll do anything to save him, and he’ll agree to anything to make you happy. That’s dangerous.”

“Then you talk to him about it,” Claire bargained, not giving up that easily.

“Frankly, I don’t think I’m impartial enough,” she replied, fixing Claire with a wry frown as she considered the options carefully. This was the hardest part of being Chief, putting aside your feelings to make big decisions. “Murphy just got back to the hospital. Tell him your idea and have him pitch it to Melendez. Without you in the room. If Neil consents I’ll get Andrews to do the surgery.”

Claire opened her mouth to protest, but Audrey cut her off.

“I can’t do it, Claire, I just can’t. Andrews may not be as good as me, but he’s still a damn good surgeon,” she said, attempting a joke.

Claire nodded and scurried away, on a mission to find Shaun as fast as possible. Time was of the essence, after all.

o . o . o

She sat in the chair reserved for family and friends, bouncing her leg up and down, elbows on her knees and her chin resting on her clasped hands. Waiting was agony, and she needed it to be over. She needed to know, one way or another, what was going to happen. But mostly she needed him to be alive.

Claire’s eyes flicked from his body, laying complacent on the bed, to the monitors that were beeping his vitals. Still no change. Which was good, because he wasn’t dead. But he wasn’t awake yet either.

She lost track of how long she had been sitting there, waiting for Neil to wake up. Exhausted, she was beginning to drift in and out of consciousness, not quite sleeping, but not entirely aware of the room around her either. She didn’t see his eyes flutter open, just narrow enough to see her figure sitting there, holding a vigil, the rosary she’d gotten for him tightly clasped in her fingers.

“Geez, you’d think I was dying or something,” Neil quipped, his voice barely a whisper.

Claire’s eyes snapped up, meeting his and taking in his full, conscious state. He had the ghost of a smile on his lips, and his eyes were hinting at their usual sparkle. Neil was awake, and his vitals were still good. She felt like hyperventilating and crying with happiness. He was going to be alright. She stood, hands still clasped in front of her face, tears building up in her eyes.

“Hey, come here,” he beckoned, his tone soothing.

Claire obediently crossed the little room until her thighs bumped against the hospital bed’s mattress. She wanted nothing more than to curl up next to him and rest her head on his shoulder, sob her relief into his papery gown. Neil reached for her as much as he was able, only strong enough to lift his arm a few inches from the bed, but Claire caught his hand in one of her own, sitting down softly on the edge of the bed.

“Thank you,” he croaked, his throat still raw and dry from the surgery. “Shaun told me it was your idea.”

“Thank you for doing it,” she whispered in reply. Suddenly, Claire felt overcome with guilt. Had she been selfish to insist on this procedure? He was alive but it might have changed his whole life, and not for the better. “You might not be able to operate again though.”

“I know,” Neil replied, nodding slightly, the oxygen tube bunching under his chin at the motion. “But there are worse things.”

“Yeah? Like what?” she sniffed, having trouble believing that there could be anything worse for him than a life on the sidelines.

“Like never telling your friend that you’re completely in love with her,” he said, his eyes flicking up to the ceiling as if he was asking god to give him the courage to say what he needed to. Or maybe he was just in pain, his abdomen had been carved open hours earlier, after all.

Claire tamped down any hope she felt at the statement. He had, after all, stopped her when she’d tried to tell him about her feelings earlier in the night. Why else if not to save her the embarrassment of confessing her love to someone who didn’t reciprocate? Even if it had saved his life, she was still a fool for falling in love with her boss.

“Claire?” he asked, looking at her significantly as his voice pulled her out of her thoughts. “Was ‘friend’ too vague? Should I have said ‘star resident’ instead?”

Well there was absolutely no way he was talking about Morgan.

“Me?” Her voice failed her, but it didn’t matter. He understood.

“Yeah, you,” he whispered, a shy smile appearing. “I love you, Claire.”

“Ohthankgod,” she breathed, her body relaxing a little at his words. “I love you too.”

“I know,” he answered, confident in a way that only Neil could be. “Why else would you try so hard to save me?”

It was meant to be a joke, but they both knew there was some element of truth to it. She loved him so much that she just couldn’t let him go. She smiled and snuggled in next to him, encouraged by his words and his prognosis. After that night, she just wanted to hang onto him and never let go.

“Claire?” Neil said hesitantly, brushing his nose softly against her forehead and following the touch with a gentle kiss over the same spot.

She craned her neck to look at him, smiling at him to prompt him further.

“When I get out of here, I don’t want to take things slow.” His expression was thoughtful and sincere, conveying that he meant every word he said with utter certainty. “I don’t mean physically, that’s… I’ll follow your lead, and there’s no rush there. Hell, my doctor may not clear me for much exertion for a while.”

They both grinned at the stupid joke.

“But,” he continued, “I don’t want to hide things or take it one day at a time or anything like that. Which is maybe stupid, given how many relationships I’ve killed in this hospital. But I know you’re different, Claire, and I… I just want to be with you.”

“You sound like you’re about to propose,” she teased, mostly because she wasn’t used to hearing him take that tone. Sure of what he wants, but nervous how she might react.

“If I had a ring, I might be tempted,” he replied, laughing a little. “But you can go ahead and take the spare apartment keys that are in my office, because I want you there as much as you want to be. Always, if I’m really honest.”

“That sounds nice,” Claire answered, fighting a yawn.

Despite her desire to stay awake and continue their conversation, exhaustion was finally catching up with her now that the adrenaline had worn off. She wriggled a little bit until she was lying on her side, her arm draped over his chest so that her hand could curl around the far side of his neck, and one leg resting gently on top of his. Neil slid his arm beneath her ribs, wrapping it around her waist so he could hold her tight as she dropped her head against his chest, savouring the feel of his heart beating.

“Get some sleep, Claire. I love you,” he whispered, even as she was already drifting off into a dreamland, and he pressed a kiss into her curls, breathing deeply. He was more than content holding her like that, falling back asleep with her small frame clinging to him.

Dr. Lim appeared in the doorway to check on her patient, smiling at the setup she found. Quietly, she backed away, sliding the glass door just so that the couple wouldn’t be disturbed. They’d had a long road to get to where they were, and they would have a lot of challenges ahead of them. The least she could do was give them one night of peace, where it didn’t matter that he was an attending and she was his resident.

#the good doctor #neil melendez #claire browne #melendaire #audrey lim #gen writes #tgd ff #tgd fic

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dopescotlandwarrior · 5 years ago

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Unforgettable-Chapter Four

Previous chapters on AO3 A special thanks to @statell for all your help

Chapter Four

Claire pulled her mascara wand out and it was dry. Damn she thought, I don’t suppose there’s anywhere to buy makeup around here. She threw it in the waste container and dabbed on some lip gloss. The laptop was set up on her small table and she dialed the number with shaking fingers. She sent Jamie a text early in the week asking to Skype on Friday night. She wondered how he would get away from what’s-her-name, but he agreed so she didn’t care.

Her laptop flickered a couple of times and then he was there, smiling at her like she was right in front of him.

“God made eyes that color for one person only Sassenach.”

“Who?”

“Ye of course. How is it going over there? Is the hospital in a safe zone?”

“Sometimes. The second night I was here we had casualties from a raid nearby. Quite an initiation.”

“What kind of work are ye doin there, do ye like it?”

They stared at each other and their mouths moved but the action was happening in the heart. Jamie felt himself slipping back under her spell and Claire wanted to tell him about all the feelings, wars, doubt, and capitulation she was going through. They kept the conversation light.

“How can you be so far from the laptop and I can still see you clearly?

“I use my smart TV, and you are life-size as I watch ye.”

“Wow, that is awesome. Tell me about Edinburgh.”

And so it went, the benign conversation of two people in love that were not willing to expose themselves to the other. They would both feel the immediate vacuum sucking them out of the happy zone the minute Skype was closed.

They talked every week on Friday, afternoon for Claire, evening for Jamie. A package arrived for Claire and she ran to her room to open the box, so thrilled because it could only be Jamie who sent it. She pulled out a state-of-the-art laptop with a seventeen-inch screen and an exceptional camera. It was loaded with trending software and numerous picture files of his football team, Lallybroch, his camping trips, the fish he caught and the amazing sunsets from the top of the world. The card was handwritten; For the Sassenach, to remind ye of civilization and Scotland. I hope it makes ye happy. Claire hugged the card to her chest and rolled her eyes when someone knocked on her door.

“Claire! Let us in!”

Joe grew impatient and Claire finally opened the door to both of them. Kevin’s eyes lit up when he saw the new technology and he rushed to the laptop to investigate.

“It’s just lovely, I think Jamie is more than a friend all of a sudden.”

“No, it’s a friend present, nothing more. He is getting married, remember.”

“What, so he’s gonna Skype with you all the way to the alter?”

“Something like that.”

“Hey, he set up a gmail for you and sent a message.”

“Really? Claire rushed to the laptop to read it.”

Sassenach, I dinna ken yer email and I dinna like to wait. Send me a picture of the jungle! JF

Someone was knocking on the door but this time she could hear the urgency and pulled the door open.

“Report to OR on the double, Doctor Anderson is waiting.”

Cutter had already completed ten hours of surgery today, and so had she. She closed the door behind her and ran to the surgical wing. For the next two hours, she, Cutter, and another nurse worked hard to save a young man who came in with a meat hook stuck in his abdomen. Claire was clamping blood vessels as she found them, her arms deep in the abdomen, hands, and forearms covered in blood as they raced to stem the bleeding from multiple ruptured vessels. She and Cutter on opposite sides of the table, both suturing tissue as fast as they could.

Claire was the last to leave the OR and she was exhausted as she pushed into the scrub room and pulled her gown and gloves off. She held onto the scrub sink like she could collapse any moment and closed her eyes with the water running in front of her. The room was dimly lit, and she washed quickly so she could collapse in her Lazy Boy.

Joe’s phone had a high megapixel camera and he was quite good at using it. The close-ups he took of Claire, her eyes tired and grim, as she leaned over the washbasin on her forearms. Asleep in the Lazy Boy with her hand on Luna, surrounded by villagers, all needing something, were telling the story of Claire’s existence in this place.

Kevin joined the cause and had a folder full of Claire in action. Cutter was recruited to catch Claire with her two favorite men, Joe and Kevin, goofing off and teasing each other.

Joe recognized the signs of a man in love and sent Jamie the photos from Claire’s new laptop while she was working.

Claire pulled her new laptop closer and dialed Jamie. His face looked different, contemplative, and Claire’s heart rate shot up making her feel weak. He’s going to tell me he’s getting married she thought. Her instincts were shouting for her to disconnect. When you don’t want to hear something, don’t listen. She stared at him with wide eyes and he stared back.

“What is it Jamie, you look different.”

“Sassenach, I dinna have words to describe what your pictures showed me.”

“What?”

“Ye are the bravest lass I’ve ever known and the strongest. I had no idea what life was really like there. I am in awe of ye lass.”

“So far, you have not made a lick of sense Jamie. I didn’t send pictures to you. What are you talking about?”

“Well, someone did it for ye. They were in my email yesterday.”

Claire grabbed her phone and checked the sent emails, there were numerous emails to Jamie with picture attachments. Claire opened them and flipped through the pics with mounting concern.

“Jesus Christ, I wasn’t aware these were being taken, or sent. I’m sorry Jamie. My friend Joe had a very bad idea. I was not aware.”

Jamie leaned closer to the camera, “this is the real you as ye go through the day. I have an accurate account of the struggles ye face. Your work in the OR, yer haunted eyes when yer about to collapse and those two guys who hang on each other and make ye laugh. It’s incredible what I’ve learned about ye with these pictures. Yer amazing Sassenach.”

Jamie’s comments broke through her fantasy of killing all who conspired in this clandestine photo shoot. She heard compassion, pride, and love in Jamie’s voice. She looked up at the camera again and suddenly felt overwhelmed with love for the guys and appreciation for Jamie’s reaction.

“Ye dinna ken how special ye are, or how much ye deserve the best life. I…I will be happy to know ye finally get it, Claire. I feel emotionally invested somehow, please agree to be my video friend or pen pal for life. I’ll always wonder if ye don’t.”

Claire was surprised at Jamie’s reaction and she tried to rally her friend-face, control her expressions, and maintain composure in front of the camera. She looked into his eyes and wanted to shout at him that she was more than a friend. Jamie’s words were hitting her like bullets because he was now an observer trying to help her somehow, not harboring his own crush. At that moment she subconsciously jettisoned away from him, to the place she had been since the video calls started. In a box of his acquaintances he would remember from time to time.

Jamie continued to sing her praises and Claire did her best to cover the disappointment and hurt from misunderstanding his interest. She tried to rally but finally begged off with an excuse to feed the baby.

“Until next week Sassenach, take care of yourself.”

Claire slammed the lid on the laptop, “like you’re my psychiatrist or something? No thanks, I’ll be my own support thank you. If this is your entertainment to share with miss perfect, you will have to find something on television from now on. I am out.”

When Jamie saw the blood drain from Claire’s face, he knew she was completely in the dark about the pictures. That made it even more real for him and he silently thanked Joe for letting him into their world. No wonder she couldn’t settle in Edinburgh, it would be like putting a gorgeous butterfly in a jar, to slowly die from the lack of flight. He was deeply troubled that he had touched a dream girl, his dream girl, and the world had no equal.

The door opened and he looked at Geneva, here for a night of cat and mouse, and he was the mouse. He took a deep breath and suddenly wanted to be in a meadow, full of fish, where he could spend time with his memory of Claire and say his truth.

Jamie rose from the couch and kissed Geneva, promising a five-minute shower before they left. But the whole time, he was missing the girl who danced with a fish in his kitchen.

Claire looked at Joe with a laser sight on his fertile brain and fantasies of torture danced in her head. Joe retreated and disappeared before she got to him. She would have followed him, but she was pulled away by an unexpected visit from Luna’s mother.

Claire felt her tears drop onto her shoulders making her scrubs wet. She was always afraid this day would come, her miracle baby leaving with her biological mother. She pulled the baby to her and kissed her cheeks, repeatedly. She assembled multiple bags packed with food, diapers, blankets, and supplements that would sustain her. She would send her away and never know what happened to her and that was breaking her heart. Cutter pushed into the nursery and looked at Claire with compassion.

“Let me take her Claire. Kiss her one more time, then give her to me, he said quietly.”

Luna held Claire’s hair and yanked it trying to get her mother’s attention, the only mother her infant life knew. In her limited world, one face had always been there to give love and smiles and food. Claire broke down and Cutter pulled the sweet baby from her, pulled the bags of supplies onto his shoulder, and then left.

Claire sank into the Lazy Boy arms wrapped around her stomach and cried like she was mortally wounded. She bent over and her tears puddled on the linoleum floor. Her heart was breaking and there was no comfort to be had, just misery, her miracle baby was gone forever.

Claire laid curled up in the Lazy Boy and wondered how much grief one person could take in a day. “UNCLE”, she whispered, “no more for today.” The room grew darker as the sun set, and Claire remained until the door opened and a hand pulled her into the lighted hallway making her squint painfully. The hand pulled her forward and outside where it was easier to open her eyes.

Claire looked at the picnic table with a lantern on it and looked up at Cutter.

“What’s this?”

“A request from Joe, to get you talking and forgiving before you end his life for the pictures.”

He pushed her onto a bench and sat across from her with his hands folded on the table.

“Shall we begin, I rather like Joe, so let’s figure this out together.”

Cutter smiled and waited patiently.

“What? Um, I was mad at him for sending the pictures to Jamie. It was a sweet gesture, but it brought out Jamie’s true feelings for me and I was mad about that. I have the right to punish Joe because he’s my best friend.”

“What true feelings did Jamie reveal?”

“He wants to be pen pals, or video pals, so he will know when I find happiness. He doesn’t want to wonder about me for the rest of his life.”

“Jesus Claire, you had to let go of Luna right after that?”

“She wanted and needed my attention as I got her ready, but I couldn’t stop crying. I miss her so much already and I will never know what happened to her. I can’t take not knowing, Cutter.”

She stopped abruptly and looked up at her friend. The comparison of the two statements sinking into her brain. Her eyes got wide as she compared Jamie’s statement to her own. She loved Luna with her heart and soul, and it broke her heart realizing she will never know how she was. Could Jamie feel the same about her? She stared straight ahead and climbed out of the picnic table. She patted Cutter on the shoulder but missed and patted his face as she left.

“What about Joe? Can he come out of hiding now?”

“Mission accomplished soldier, he’s safe.”

Claire had a strange look on her face, but it wasn’t sorrow that Cutter saw, it was more like she just figured out the double-helix of DNA. Something wondrous.

Claire laid on her bed for the first time in four months and sighed deeply. Whatever Jamie felt for her, was big, that she was certain of. She will keep Skyping on Friday nights and maybe send an email occasionally if there was something exceptional or interesting that happened.

Jamie climbed in a thickly wooded area with a punishing pitch, feeling strong and healthy, as long as he didn’t start thinking. The woods were healing him of the past months of partying, drinking to excess, dealing with Geneva the shape-shifter, and his little Claire showing her heart and comfort to him. Breathing deeply in the crisp mountain air he felt capable of anything. Later in the afternoon, he laid back in the sun to rest. Winter was well on its way and pushing through his comfort limits, so this would be his last trip for a while. He would miss his time out here in nature. He paid dearly for it with Geneva but he didn’t care, it was bringing him back to who he really was.

Claire sat down next to Joe and across from Cutter at dinner. They had been in this medical camp for nine months, she could hardly believe it. The guys were displaying an air of excitement and fist-bumping Joe, well, Kevin was giving cheek kisses and Cutter did the bumping.

“Wow, I’ll bite, what is all the excitement about?”

“Jamie entered one of my pictures of you in a competition, and I won!” Joe was laughing. “Something Apple was doing to promote the camera in the new iPhone. Pretty cool, ha, and I get ten grand for first place!!”

“Jamie did that for you? Interesting. Whatever would make him even think of such a thing?”

Claire stared at Joe, letting him know she would not look away until he explained himself. She was making him antsy and nervous so this would not take long.

Joe sighed and told Claire about the photo lab tech who blew the picture up for Jamie asking all kinds of questions about the camera.

“He called me, told the lab tech it was an iPhone camera, tech said put the picture in the contest, he did, I won, and that’s about it.”

Claire picked up her tray and stood up, “Imagine that.”

The three men gaped at her as she walked away. They didn’t know what to expect from her, but it wasn’t that.

Claire smiled inside wondering how Jamie and Joe became telephone buddies. She was the common denominator and that’s all that mattered to her. She wiped the sweat off her face about to say goodnight to the guys when she thought of some cool relief.

“Cutter, remember that swimming pool I jumped in and you morphed into the incredible hulk?” What was that place?”

“Cutter looked around the room thinking about honesty versus a good night’s sleep for her. “It was my overreacting is all. I thought it was something different.”

“I do believe that is first time you have lied to me Cutter. I’ll ask again, what was that place, and…be honest.”

“It’s a rebel stronghold Claire. The attack on the villagers when you first got here, was perpetrated by that group.”

Claire’s eyes went wide, and her voice panicked, “they’re right here in our backyard? Jesus Christ, it’s no more than a few miles from here! If I had been caught in that pool they would have killed me, wouldn’t they?”

“Drop it pea,” he growled. “That’s enough on the subject.”

Cutter left the table cursing himself for telling her, thankful he left out the torturous death of women prisoners. They would have made it last before she drew her last breath and he would be dead trying to protect her.

Claire stared straight ahead, trying to wrap her head around their proximity to the enemy. She shivered with a full understanding of Cutter’s reaction that day.

“Jesus Christ,” she whispered.

Joe had heard things, from the villagers, delivery drivers, and the news when they could get it. He had already put in a request to get them out of there. It was first come first serve and everyone was bugging out of Honduras. He intended to talk to Claire and Kevin tonight about leaving their post before replacements came. It was feeling creepy around here and his instincts were screaming it was time to go.

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soul4art · 4 years ago

Text

Hunted

Warning: horror, zobies, death, blood, killing, 18 +

Chapter one : How it all started

My name is April, I'm going to tell you what happened in the year 2317. There were riots people were dying, soldiers and civilian's. We called it the new dark age. There we're sicknesses, no food and radiation poisoning. One by one the human race was dying and we couldn't do anything about it, until 3 years later, the government started experimenting on people, they called them The Hunters, but they wanted to upgrade them to be more stronger, they wanted to make them weapons . The government took sick dying people from the streets and experimented on them. A couple years ago I was in a group and that is were I met Cole my best friend, he has short brown hair and bleu eyes and a sarcastic attitude, he was one of the scouts. I woke up and then headed to the weapons tent and got my gun to go on a patrol with Cole "so where are we going today" Cole asked me. "the north side of the city, we have to pickup something there" I answered. "What is it that we have to pickup?" he asks "they didn't say" I told him "must be something important" he said. "Must be" I said, we took our stuff and started heading out.

We saw the city and parked the car and headed there. We were walking down a dark and awry street, there were people siting on the ground and building debris everywhere. "How far is it still, I don't like walking trough this part of the city, it gives me the creeps" Cole said. "Not far anymore, it's on the end of the street" I answered "why did we have to leave the car?" He asked. "We can't risk bringing it to the city" I answer. As we walked down the street every body was looking, of ones out of now were a woman walked up to me grabbing my arm, she was in here late 40's and was blind on her on eye. "have you seen a young girl she's about 7 years old and has short brown hair?" the old lady said. I looked shocked at her "No, I... I'm sorry" I answered. "LET GO OF HER!" Cole shouts and points the gun at her. The woman than stepped back and looks angrily at Cole. "Cole put down your gun" I say and calm him down, he nods and continues walking. Finally we reached our destination. There was a wooden box on the floor with the name "New World Corp" on it, Cole and I looked at each other in shock. "Why do we have to pickup something from NWC?" Cole asked me. "I don't know but i have a bad feeling about it" I answered. We brought the box back to camp.

When we got to the camp we went directly to the commander. " What the hell, why didn't you tell us what we were picking up?" Cole asked the commander "I didn't tell you because I new you would react like this" He answered. "We would have anyways reacted like this so what was the point." Cole said. "We should have just left the box, there might be a tracker on it or something" I said. "They wouldn't do that it would be to obvious" The commander said. "We still have to get it out of the camp" Cole said. "I'm the commander of this camp so I make the decision!" The commander shouted. "Your not the only one in this camp, there are families here your wife is here, do you want something to happen to her?" I said. "I'm doing this for my wife and all the sick people, in that box there is the cure to the radiation virus" the commander says. Cole and I look shocked at what he said. "What do you mean a cure?" I Ask "Are you saying that they generously gave you it" Cole says. "This is ridicules why are we even discussing this" I said. "This is not to discus, gourds get them out" the commander says and the gourds grab us and drags us out the cabin. "We have to worn the people they wold want to know" Cole says. "No, we cant stir up a panic" I say. "What should we do than" Cole asked. "I don't know" I answer.

That night the commander opens the box and sees injections with a red substance in it with a name tag The Syntphtesia cure, he grabs one injection and goes to his wife "What is that?" His wife asks "It's okay Clair this will heel you" he says and injects her with the substance. Here eyes became heavy and then she fell asleep. "Goodnight my love" the commander says to his wife, just as he walks out the room. A few minutes later Clair`s eyes shot open. They were as red as the substance in the injection, she stands up and walked towards the door, she opens it and she saw her husband sitting.

Chapter two : The attack

Clear sees her husband sitting on the couch and starts growling. The commander hears something behind him he looks and sees his wife standing in the door way, he stands up and looks at her, he looks at her blood red eyes and sees her drywalling and growling "Clair what`s wrong with you, are you okay?" he asks in shock. She starts running towards him screaming and pushes him to the ground, she starts hitting him and tries to bit him "STOP!" the commander shouts but Clair starts hitting him even harder, blood goes everywhere. "HELP...PLEASE HELP ME!" he screams over and over again but no one hears him. I couldn't sleep so I get out of bed "What`s wrong?" Cole asks me. "I cant sleep" I answer. I go outside for some fresh air and of ones I hear screaming coming from the commander's cabin. I hear him screaming "HELP" and run towards the cabin. I open the door, there's blood everywhere and I see Clear on top of the commander. She looks strait at me and starts charging at me, I run outside and grab a stick that I saw on the grounded and hit here in the face. When she hits the ground I run towards the commander's cabin to see if he was okay, I sit on my knees and feel his pols, I felt nothing.

I ran back out side and saw that Clair was gone, I ran to my cabin to tell Cole, I walk through the door and woke Cole up "April...l what is it, you got blood all over you?" He asks worried. "Something happened to the commander's wife, she attacked him, his dead, I nocked her out and went to check on him and when i walked back out she was gone, I think he injected her with that "cure" I say in shocked. "Ow shit, we need to find her before she hurts some one els" He said. Of ones we her screaming coming from outside, we run out and see someone on the floor, we run to the woman, her arm was bleeding and head "What happened" I asked. "Someone attack me, when you ran out she was gone" the woman said. "Witch way did she go" Cole asked the woman pointed towards medical. "Doc is in there" April said. We told the woman to hide in the cabin and to lock the door then we ran to medical. When we got to medical we saw bodies everywhere, we checked for a pols by everybody only a few were alive. We asked one man were the doctor was he pointed to one of the surgery rooms, we ran to the room and saw the doctor on the floor "I will check if his okay try to find Clair" I said. Cole stood up and started looking around. "Doc, hey are you okay" I said "What happened?" he asked. "You got attacked by the commander's injected his wife with a some kind "cure" that he got from NWC, his dead" I said.

Cole was looking around and he of ones heard something behind the desk. When he looked over the desk he saw Clear scratching the wall, she stopped and looked at Cole. Just when he wanted to call out to me Clair tackled and pushed him on the floor, she started hitting him, he tried to push her off but she was to strong. I looked up and took a bone cutter from the table and stabbed her in her neck, I grabbed Cole and helped him stand up "I found her" he said. "She's nocked out, Cole can you help me get her on the surgery table?" "yeah" We grabbed her and put her on the table and strapped her down. "Are you okay" I asked Cole. "Yeah just a few cuts and browses" he answered. "Come I will get that cleaned up, doc can you check what it is she has?" I asked. "Yes of course" He answered.

I took Cole to the room next door and grabbed a few things to clean his wounds. I took a peace of cotton and put some disaffected on it and pressed it on the wound "ouch, that burns" "don't be a baby" I said. Then I grabbed a surgical needle and stitched his cut on his eye brow up. "Why didn't he listened to us?" Cole asked. "He was worried about his wife, it's normal, love blinds" I answered. "True, but still he put everyone ells in danger and did you notes that there was no gourds around, don't you find that weird that we haven seen one of them on patrolling?" he said. "Your right" I said. We walked around the whole camp ground and found not one gourd "that`s weird normally Frank is on watch tonight" Cole says. "What if they were in this with the NWC" "I heard some of the gourds talking about the radiation virus but I didn't here much so didn't think much of it" He said. Out of nowhere we something behind us "bravo you are smart, but to bad no one wanted to listen too two kids" a strange man said he had black hair up to his shoulders and a peace was in a pony, his clothes were dark but was decent that means he was from the central, that is were all the rich people lived, it's a couple. He had ten body gourds and one of them was some of our gourds. "Who are you?" Cole asked the man. "I am Jonathan" He said. "Why are you doing this, this is murder" I said. "No this is how we life, now follow me or..." "And if we say no your going to kill us anywise, so why don't you just get it over with" Cole interrupted. "Ha, I like you, what`s your name kid" He asked. " Cole, and I'm not a kid I'm 16" Cole said. "Wow, you have one hell of a moth on you, take him" he ordered. " No wait let him" I shouted. "I almost forgot about you, so what`s your name?" he asked. "April, now let him go please" I said. "PLEASE ha, how polite" he says "That wont get you far in this world sweaty" he said and grabbed my chin, I pull back. "If gotten this far" I said. "With you boyfriends help" "his not my boyfriend were just friends" I said. I then grabbed a log from the floor and hit him across the head, he fell on the ground, Cole starts hitting the gourds and grabs my hand. We run in to one of the cabins and hide behind a wall. "GET THEM" Jonathan says "that bitch!!." We hear some gourds walk in the cabin pushing thing around.

"We need to get out of here" Cole says. "How, where surrounded" I say. "I will distract them, then you can get out" Cole says. "What about you, I'm not leaving without you" "Don't worry I will be right behind you" Cole then stands up and starts running and making noise. I try to grab him but he was to fast. Cole then ran towards the door and pushed it open, the gourds grabbed him and pushed him to the ground "APRIL RUN NOW...GO!" Cole shouts. I hesitated for a few minutes then I ran towards the gate, I looked behind me and saw Cole on the ground looking right at me but i just go on running, I make it out of the camp and I hear Cole screaming. "She left you behind, what a great friend she is" Jonathan says. "That`s not true she will find you and kill you so i would watch your back" Cole says. "Thank you for the advise" Jonathan says and nocks Cole out " Put him in the car." I hide behind the wall and hear the car pull out, I see someone throw something out the car. When they drove away I went and looked at what the person threw out, I kneel down and grabbed the thing I look at it, it was Coles neckless. I take and put it on I start walking, I take a few weapons and a car. "I will find you and get you back i promise." Chapter Tree : On the road

I drove a couple hours and then stopped at a gas station. I walk into the store by the gas station and look around. I grab some food and eat some thing. Then I hear something outside, I grab my gun and point it towards the door I open it and walk outside of ones a gun is pointing at my head I look next to me and put my hands up and look, it was a girl she had long hair one side was shaved. "Who are you and what are you doing here?" the girl asks. "My name is April, I was just looking for some food and fuel please I didn't mean to intrude, let me take my stuff and I will be out your hair" I say. "I don't think so leave your stuff then i will let you go" the girl says. "Just let her go V, she didn't hurt anybody" Some one said. "Why, she stole from us, the least she could do is give us her stuff" the girl says. The guy pushes the girls hand away. "So ... April was it, where you headed?" The guy says. "No were" I say. "I don't believe you, if your going no were why all the weapons?" he asks. "You looked through my stuff?" I say and he looked at me and hfs. "So were you going?" he asks. "I don't have to tell you, who are you anywise?" I ask. "Ow, sorry were are my manners, my name is Aiden" He said wile holding his hand out. I ignore his hand and he'd to my car. "If your going to central you would need help" he says. "What, were not helping her" V says, Aiden ignore her and walks towards me. "How do you no were I'm going?" I ask. "No one with so many weapons is just going looting" he answers. "You don't even no me so why would you want to help me?" I ask. "Good question" V says. "You can't fight them on your own you will die" He says. "Why do you care, look it was a "pleasure" to meat you and thanks for the offer but I can do this by my self I don't need your help so goodbye" I than get in the car, I start the engine and drive.

Central was quit far from the city because of all the riots that happen so they build it on a more secure aria. It's about a 4 day drive. A couple of hours later I reach a small town, it looked like a ghost town. I get out the car hide it underneath something and start walking towards it, I look around and see stray dogs and rats running around. The buildings were broken down and old, the paint became really dal. I walk into one of the bars, I look around if there was anyone but find nothing. I went behind the bar and took something to drink, it then I saw a fireplace and looked for some wood, I found some and set it on fire. It got darker and darker and became night. I was eating some caned beans that I warmed up on the fire, it was not the best food but it was better then nothing.

It was morning again and I woke up from the sound of something braking outside. I went outside to look what happened and a dog runs past me when I threw the door. Then I heard something coming from the building in front of me, I took my gun and walked slowly towards the building. As I open the door I heard something run so I pushed the door open and pointed the gun towards were the noise came from. I started walking into the building and looked around, I came accrues a room were there was glass broken from a window. I looked in the room and saw a person, I hide behind the wall. It came and I heard it growl so I grabbed a pipe that was on the floor and hit the person with it, I didn't knock it out but did distracted it for a little wile so I could run out the building. I got out the building and saw two people in front of me, it was the two from the gas station "Aiden, V, what are you doing here, did you follow me?" I asked. "Yes" he answered and pointed the gun a me "duck now" he said and I ducked, he shot the person behind me, I stood up and looked behind me wile backing off.

"Why is there a hunter all the way out here?" I asked. "His not a hunter, it's an experiment, but your right what is it doing all the way out here" he says "how do you know that it was an experiment?" I ask "he wouldn't be so wild and there would be a guard nearby and we saw nothing when we walked in to town" he says and investigates the body, he took something out of the front pocket from the mans T-shirt. "What's that?" V asks. "It's his ID, his name was Mark he was a teacher, we need to bury him" he says, we go to the towns cemetery and bury the man. "let us help you, you could use our help" he says. I look at him "Why do you want to help me?" "Because were headed there to" he says. "Fine but don't get in my way" I say "fine, and pleasure by the way" he says "for what" I ask and look at him "for saving you" "you didn't save me I had it under control" I say and walk past him. "Do we have to go with her, she said that she didn't need our help" V says "were safer in numbers Aiden says and follows me. I took everything that was covering my car out and got in "Are you just going to stand there or are you going to get in" I say, they step in and I start driving.

Chapter four : Central

We drove another 2 days and saw central, there was a big grey building at the back of a massive wall. "There it is" "I'm going to save you Cole" I say to my self wile looking at the building. We get out the car and and take the weapons out. We the wall and we hide behind a couple of rocks. Jonathan take out a pear of binoculars and looks through them. "I see a few gourds by the entrance and some military cars going in" Aiden says and gives me the binocular. I look through them and zoom in, I looked in one of the cars and saw Cole, I put the binoculars on the ground and run towards the wall, Aiden grabs my arm and pulls me down "what do you think your doing running off like that" "Let go of me!" I shout and push his hand off. "You can't be careless and run towards the surrounded by gourds with really big guns, we will get in but we have to make a plan and running like headless chicken wont help" he says "your right I was being careless, I wasn't thinking but how do we get in" I ask. "There are tunnels that they use for sewers, they go under the wall normally" he says and takes out an old map and puts it on the ground. "I'f I'm right there should be a manhole right here, aha" he says and opens it. We jump in, took out our flash lights and started walking.

Cole wakes up, and was stupid down in a chair in the middle of a white room and there`s one white door right in front of him. Of ones a guard walks in, he recognises him "were am I?" he asks but got no answer, the guard just looked at him. Another guard walks in and following him was Jonathan. "Your awake, good, how are you feeling?" He asked. "Why would you care, your the one who nocked me out" Cole answered. "You must be wondering why your here, well your a perfect test subject for the new hunter drug that were testing but the only way we can give it to you is if you allow it" he says. "And of I say no" Cole asks. "You will die, but no worries I will make sure you will take it" He says and looks at me he walks to a table with surgical tools on it and he grabs a scalpel "what are you going to do to me?" Cole asks "Like I said I will make sure you will take the injection" he says and looks at me and grabs Cole's arm.

We were walking for 15 min and finally found a ladder up "I will check if the coast is clear" Aiden says "Wait, I just wanted to know why your here" I asked "I'm looking for my mom, they took her a few weeks ago, why are you here?" he asked "I'm looking for my friend but, but I need to find him it's my fault his here and I'm freaking out..." Aiden grabs my shoulder "it's okay we will find your friend and my mom I promise" he says and goes up and opens the man hole and looks around to see if there was anyone. He gives the signal to say that it was clear, we all go up and hide behind a half wall. "Nice work Aiden, now what do we do" I said. Aiden looks around and sees a way to get in the building without getting detected "there, you see that there are soldier uniforms, we could use those to get in the building without getting detected" he says. We head to the uniforms and put them on. We walk towards the building and open the door "STOP" we hear someone shout behind us, we turned around and look at the guards. "Were are you going?" the one guard said "Um, we were assigned to the 30 Th. floor" Aiden said "What were you assigned to do?" he asked "Guard the prisoner" Aiden replied "aah yes, the boy that came in today the one that there going to put The Syntphtesia virus in, they have been torturing him all day, he might just brake" he answered, when I heard that my hart dropped "Go on ahead" the guard said and walked away. We walked into the building "I need to get to him" I say and stand still "We will but i need you to move" He says, I nod and start walking to the elevator.

The door opens to Cole's room he looks up, he had cutes and browses everywhere "Hey Cole, wow you look terrible" Jonathan says "You look worse" Cole reply. "You still got sas don't you, untie him and bring him to the lab" "Yes sir" the guards say and take Cole. They walk down the hall and through two big doors, there was a huge room and a glass were there was a room in and people were sitting watching the lab. The guards put Cole on a bed and strap him down "your not really co-operating" Jonathan said "Piss off" Cole replies, Jonathan looks at Cole angry "Inject him" "But sir he might... Jonathan Grabs the doctor "you want me to put you in the building!" he says "no sir" the doctor says "than do it" Jonathan says and puts the doctor down. The doctor grabs the Injection and walks towards Cole "I'm sorry" the doctor whispers and grabbed Cole's arm "No...please!" Cole shouts the doctor injects the red substance into Cole's arm and he blacks out.

Chapter Five : the building

We get to the 30 Th. floor "Witch room is it" V asked "We should check all the rooms, there`s not that much" Aiden says. We start looking threw the small hole in the door, his not here" I say and sit against the wall on the floor "your looking for that one boy aren't you, I saw him when they brought me here" we hear of ones someone say, we look to see witch room it was, V opens one of the holes in the door and found the person "hallo" the man says "guys come her" V says, we head to the door where V is. "Can you tell us were they took him" I ask the man "Yes, I heard them say something about a lab, they brought him there, It's down the hall on the right" the man says "thank you and we will help you get out of here" I say and head towards the end of the hall. I see to big white doors with a sine saying Lab, I open it a bit and look "there are a few people, I think there doctors or scientists, I don't see Cole" I say ,Aiden walks towards me and looks "Do you think the boy might die?" "He should have just said yes, They brought him to the hunting grounds" "were is that" "It's the black building next to central" he hears a few guards say and looks at me with a shocked "what's wrong?" I ask with a confused look "nothing, come need to go ,I think I know were he is" he answered and walks towards the stairs.

When we get down we head towards this big black building "wait, how do you now he might be here" I ask Aiden "I here'd the guards say something about a boy being brought here" he answered "is that all they said?" I asked "yes" he said and continued walking. We get to the building it was big and very weary, we open the door and walked in. In front of us there was a long hall, we closed the door behind us. "Now what?" V asks "start looking" Aiden answers. We look in every room we pass, then we head to the second floor. On the the second floor we see cell like rooms with people in them, as we walk past them someone grabbed V's arm and pulls her against the bars "let go of me!" she shouts and tries to get free "get me out of here or I will brake her neck" the man said and look's at us with a scared expression "let her go and we will help you" I say "no let me out first then I will let her go" he says Aiden starts walking towards the bars and tries to pick the lock on the gate. "FASTER! they will be back any minute" the man say "who... who will be back" I ask "Jonathan and his men, there taking people for "the hunt" as they say" the man answers "what`s the hunt?" I ask "it's were they put people on one floor to test how good the drug worked, the strongest and most reliable hunter they use for there army" he answers "army?" I say and look at V and Aiden.

Aiden gets the gate open and the man let's V go "wait before you go... can you tell as if you saw a boy here, he as short brown hair and bleu eyes?" I ask the man "No I'm sorry but I would look on the there'd floor they take everyone there for the hunt" he tells me "thank you" I say "find your friend and get out, you don't want to be here when it starts" he says and runs towards the stairs. We get to the 3d floor and look around we see again sells but they were empty, the walls are full of blood stains "what happened here?" Aides asks "what do you think" V replies "we need to find Cole and your mom fast" I say "did you hear that?" Aides says and walks towards were he heard the noise. He looks around the corner "MOM!" he shouts and runs towards the woman "mom....mom are you okay" he says and pushes her head up, she had cuts and bronzes all over her "Aiden, what are you doing here" she asks and looks at him "I came to save you" he said "do you think she would be able to move?" I ask "no, she's to beat up, you should go find Cole, we will try to get my mom out" Aiden says "okay, be careful" "you too"

I start walking to the end of the hall and open a big wooden door, I walk threw the door and hear of ones a voice coming from a speaker "April, nice to see you again" a man says, I recognise the voice, it was Jonathan "were is Cole?!" I ask "I can't tell you yet, look to your left" he says and I look "do you see douse people in the cell, you love saving people don't you so try and save them" he says "what, just tell me were he is" I say, the door closed behind me, I walk forward and look to my right and see a long dark hallway with a red flickering light "PLEASE HELP US!!" I hear the people scream, I run towards the them and try to open the gate "QUICE, THERE COMING!" a woman says, I start hearing screams and running coming from the hallway, I get the gate open and everyone starts running towards the door, I look at the hall way and see people with red eyes running towards the people "We need to get in the cell, that's the only place wear safe" I say and, we run to the cell and close the gate. The hunters try to brake down the gate. "What do we do now" the woman asks "we try to keep them back"

Aiden gets to the exit, he puts his mother on the ground "I need to help April" he says to V and heads in "don't risk your self for her okay, you come back to me" V says and hugs him "don't worry I'll be back" he says and hugs her back. He walks back in the building and hears screams coming from up stairs, he starts running, when he reaches the 3d floor he runs down the hall and went to the door, he tried opening the it but it was looked. He looked around for something to brake the lock with, he finds a crowbar with blood on it and grabs it he goes to the door and brakes the lock, he pushes through the door and I see him "Aiden... what you doing, you need to get out of here NOW!" I shout at him, he looks at me with a scared look on his face. The hunters look at him and start running towards him, I open the gate and grab a pipe that broke off, I start hitting hunters on the head and I see Aiden fighting back too. "Aiden... you need to go, get your mother and get out of here!" I say "NO" he says. Blood was flying every were, then a loud siren goes off and all the hunters run back to the hallway, than guards with big guns and armor walk in and grab people. I look next to me and see someone standing in the doorway "Cole?"

Chapter Six : Getting Out

"Cole?!" I say, I walk towards him "what did they do to you?" I asked "we heeled him" I hear Jonathan say "what do you mean?" I ask "I made him into a soldier, well a test" he says with a smile "Cole?" I say "he doesn't hear you, he only hears me because of a chip that I put in his head" he says "please just let him go" "I can't do that, take the rest out off here" he says and walks out the room along with everyone ells "No wait April his going to kill you!" Aiden says; the guards drag him out wile I just stand looking at him. A few minutes later I hear Jonathan again on the speaker "lets see if you can survive long enough, kill her" he says and Cole starts walking towards me "listen to me, you don't have to do this, please" I say and he pushes me against the wall and hits me in the stomach, I fall to the ground "I don't want to fight you please...stop!" he hits me again and grabs me, he pushes me against the wall again and strangles me. "Kill her" he says "Don't... listen...to him" I say straggling to breath. I start seeing my hart beet in my eyes, I try pushing his hand away "It's me...your best...friend, I love you" I say and kiss him.

He loosens his grip, I brake the kiss and look at his eyes, I see them change into there normal colour. "April?" he says and I hug him "did...did I hurt you?" he asks "I'm fine it doesn't hurt" I say "NO, WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED" we hear Jonathan say. Guards burst in surrounding us, Cole stands in front of me. "You bitch, what did you do" Jonathan says "she saved me" Cole replies. Of ones we here gun shots coming from outside "HEADS UP" V shouts and throughs a gun to Cole, he caches it and starts shooting guards. Blood flies everywhere, I grab the crow bar on the floor and start hitting guards, I see Jonathan and shot his arm. V unties Aiden and runs to the door "come on, we need to get out of here" she said, we started running towards the exit. When we get out Aiden grabs his mother and run to a car, Cole grabs my hand and takes one of the military tracks "Come, get in!" Cole says. Guards start surrounding us and start shooting "Give me that!" Jonathan say says and starts shooting civilians, we were able to get through the gate but lost a lot of people. "If they want a war they get one, get the haters ready" Jonathan says "sir, your hurt, you need a doctor." a guard says "I'm fine" Jonathan says.

"lets stop hear we need to talk" we hear Aiden say from the radio. We pullover and step out the car, we walk towards Aiden and V "what's wrong?" I ask "there going to come after us and the only way we can survive is if we stay together so are you with us or not" Aides says "No, were fine thank you for but we should go home" Cole says and grabs my hand "WAIT, Aiden's right, if they come for us we need help fighting them" I say and pull away "April we can't trust them" Cole whispers to me "you don't even know them, they helped me and save you" I said angrily at him, he looks angrily back "we will rest here for the night, just sleep on it tell us your answer tomorrow, ow and can you guys get some fire wood" Aiden says and I nod. We head towards the forest and look for firewood.

"I'm sorry" I say "for what?" Aiden asks "for leaving you and being a coward" I say and sit on the ground "no, hi I told you to go" Cole says and sits next to me and hugs me "I should have helped" I say "you did you saved me didn't" Cole says "yes but if I helped you at the camp then you would not been infected" I say "don't worry I'm here now, don't blame your self, it's not your fault" Cole says, I put my head on Cole's shoulder "OW, I forgot here" I say and stick my hand out "my neckless, I was wondering wear that went, were did you find it," he asks and takes it "I found it on the floor outside the camp" I say "thanks" he says, I then stand up and look for firewood. When we walk back to the camp grounds Cole stops "wait can I ask you something?" he says "yeah, of course" I say "back there in the building... umm... did you kiss me?" he asks, I look shocked at him, I start getting red "yes... but It was just..." I say "It's okay" he says, I got even more red and look at the ground, I look at him, everything went quiet "we should head back" I say and start walking back to the camp, "yeah" Cole says and picks up the firewood.

Chapter seven:

Fort Collins

"What took you so long?" Aides says "what do you think" V says with a sassy attitude "just bring the wood to the fire" Aiden says and we bring the wood too the fire "what`s her deal?" Aiden asks "she hates me, and now you to, for no reason" I say. A couple of hours past and everybody went to bed except for me, I was sitting against a tree and kept watch, Aiden comes and sits next to me "can't sleep?" I ask "yeah, so what are you going to do...about staying" he asks me "I don't know, I haven't spoken to him about it yet" "you should stay" he says "I know... it's just Cole is scared" I say, Cole hears that and wakes up, he gets out of bed and hides behind a car and eavesdrops "please I want you to stay" Aiden says and kisses me, Cole sees that and looks angry, he walks away and goes back to his bed, I brake the kiss "we shouldn't do that" "why... are you and Cole..." he says "no... I don't know" I say and stand up "we should go back too bed" I say and head back, I get back in bed and try to fall asleep.

The next morning I wake up and get some food, I look for Cole and see him packing his bag, I walk towards him "what are doing" I ask "what do you think, I'm leaving" he says "can we talk about this" I say "no... just stay here with your new boyfriend" he says, I look confused "yeah, I saw you kissing him" he says, I look at him in shock "that was nothing, please can we just talk about this" I say "no I think I'm better alone" he says and grabs his stuff and walks to one of the smaller cars "what`s going on?" Aides asks "his leaving, he" I say to Aiden, he starts walking towards Cole "we're you going to go" Aiden said to Cole "why do you care" he says "if you want to leave fine but just know you leaving April, the girl who saved your life" he said, Cole looks at me and back at Aiden "I don't care" he says "well you should care, we could have just as easy left you there" Aiden say with an angry tone in his voice "you should have done that, then I didn't have to see you two together" Cole says "is that what this is all about or is Jonathan still controlling you" he says, Cole looks angrily at Aiden and hits him, I look shocked at Cole and then see Aiden run towards Cole and pushes him against the car. "STOP" I say and push Aiden away from Cole, I turn around to look at Cole "can we talk" I ask "why so you can..." "Now!" I shout and grab his hand. "You kissed her" V asks, Aiden ignores that and walks away.

"What`s your problem" Cole asks "what`s my problem, your the one who starts a fight for no reason" I say angrily "no reason, he insulted me" "you know maybe his right" I say, Cole looks angrily at me and walks away "hey, don't walk away from me" I say "why what use am I to you like this, thy did something to me I don't feel the same" he says and I see tears in his eyes "look at me Cole, shh, it's going to be okay, I'm right here" I say and hug him. After a wile we head back. "Is everything okay?" Aides asks "yeah everything is fine"

I reply "so what`s going to happen?" he asks "were with you guys" I say "good cause were heading out in 15" he says and starts walking away "where are we going by the way" I ask "to my home" he says.

"Lets head out" Aiden says, and start driving. "So how long is the drive?" I ask "About 4 hours" Aiden answers "so how is Cole?" "his doing fine, I think" I answer "and you" I ask "I'm fine, you know he really hits hard" he says "yeah" I say. After a wile of driving we finally reach our destination. "Well everyone, welcome to Fort Collins" Aiden says and drives the car threw this huge iron gate surrounding a colony. Aides stops the car and everybody climes out "Aiden, V your back" a man with white grey hair tide up says and gives Aiden a hug "uncle, I would like you to meet April and Cole they helped us" Aiden says. We walk towards him and his uncle "Hallo welcome to Fort Collins, my name is commander Rowlins, you must be April" the commander says and sticks his hand out "yes It's nice to meet you" I say and shack his hand "and your Cole" he says "yes" Cole says "please make your selves at home, my nephew will show you your accommodations" he says.

Here we are this is your room and two doors further in Cole's room, you can get settled, there are showers, the water is not that warm but it's something, if you need anything my room is all the way on the end of the hall, ow yeah and dinner will be in an hour" he says and gives us the keys to our rooms "thank you, for everything" I say "no thank you I wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for you" he says and walks away. I open my door and look at Cole "if you need me, I will be right here okay" I say, Cole nods and walks into his room. I walk into my room and close the door behind me, it was a medium sized room with a bed and closest and there was a door that led to the bathroom. I grabbed my bag and took everything out of it, I took some clothes and went in the bathroom to take a shower, I turn the shower on and take my clothes off, I get under the water "It feels nice to get all the dirt off of me" I say to may self. After 5 minutes I get out the shower and put some clean clothes on, I get on my bed and relax.

Cole puts his bag on the bed and explores his room, he then turns on the shower, an hour past fast and we head for dinner, we saw everyone heading to a building it was a school, we looked for the cafeteria and bump into Aiden and V "hi guys, are you lost?" Aides asks "yeah" I say "come on" Aiden says, we get to, the cafeteria and walk in "you can sit by us my uncle wants to talk to you" Aiden says and leads us to our chairs "aah, April Cole i hope my nephew as been good to you" the commander says "yes sir he has" I answer and we sit down "so if I understand you two were scouts in your old camp" he says "yes we were" I reply "if I may ask, what happened there?" "our commander send us to pickup a package but we dint know that it was from NWC, when we got to our location we saw there name on it, we brought it back to camp and took it to the commander, he told us that it was a "cure" but actually it was the Syntphtesia virus, that night he injected it into his wife she killed him and started killing everyone from the camp, we try to tell him that it was a bad idea but he didn't listen" I say "you don't need to worry about that here" he says "Aiden said you wanted to talk to us about something" I say "aah yes, I would like you two to be scouts like in your other camp, we could use skills like yours" he says "we would love to" I say and Cole just nods "good I would like to go over a few things tomorrow, so rest today and meat me in the gym tomorrow" he says and stands up, I nod and continue eating. After eating I head to my room and get in bed.

Chapter Eight: There Here

I wake up the next morning and dress up, I go to Cole's room and knock on the door "Cole are you awake" I asks, the door opens "yeah just need to get dressed, come in" he says and lets me in, he closes the door behind me and starts getting dressed "are you okay" I ask him "yes, why do you ask?" he replies "you've been quiet lately" I say "I'm fine you don't have to worry about me" "I worry" I say. After he gets dressed we head to the school. I see Aiden and walk towards him "morning" I say "morning... my uncle said to wait for you guys here" he replies "thanks" I say. We start walking the gym, there were two soldiers standing next the door, they open it and we walk trough. "Your here" he says, we walk to the desk, there was a map "so we all know what the NWC is doing and you guys saw it first hand" he said "that's true and after what happened at central they will come and they would want a war Aiden says "we should make a plan to defend our selves" I say "and how will we do that" V says "you have good fighters here, I have seen it" I say "yes that`s true but we're not ready for a war" the commander says "but you can train them, you have enough time" I say "yes and then what, we fight, we die" V says "that's what happens" Cole says "how many hunters do they have" the commander asked "100, 1000 we don't know for sure" I say "we can send out scouts" Aiden says "we could do that, but who will volunteer" the commander asks "I'l go" I say "Me to" Aiden says to "I also volunteer" V says "I'll want to go to" "no, what you need to do is rest, your already not your self" I say, Cole looks angrily "fine" he replies and walks away. "We have our team than" the commander says.

"Sir, there ready" a guard says, Jonathan follows the guard to this massive room "how many hunters do we have?" Jonathan asks "1000" the doctors says "good get them ready, we leave in an hour" he says "yes sir." After an hour guards start loading trucks with the hunters and started driving. As we walk I hear cars driving "do you hear that" I ask "yes" Aiden answers, I look to my right and see military cars "it's them" I say "we need to get back" V says, we start heading back. We get back and had to the gym, we find the commander "sir, we have a problem, there coming" Aiden says "how far are they?" he asks "there about 1 and a half out" Aiden says "okay we have enough time to get the woman and children in the bunker and everyone that can fight ready "I'll get all the woman and children to the bunker" V says "and I'll get everyone who's able to fight ready" Aiden says, we head out "I'll look for Cole meet back here in a half an hour" I say, he nods and walks away.

I head to Cole's room and knock on his door, after a few minutes he opens "is everything okay" Cole asks "the hunters are on there way, we saw the NWC trucks curing them" I say "I thought they we're still far how did they get here so fast?" Cole asks "I don't know, maybe a shortcut or something, we need to head to the gym" I say, he nods and follows me. We get to the gym and see Aiden "is everyone ready?" I ask "yes" he says "now what" V asks "we wait" Aiden says "I'll head to the gate, to keep watch" I say " I'll go with you" Cole says. We head to the gate, grab some guns and keep watch "April, I just wanted to say sorry for how I was acting" Cole says "no , it's okay you cant do anything about that" I say "I should have tried" he says "you did and I know that" I say, Cole smiles at me. After 3 hours we hear cars "there here" I say and look at the thousands of cars driving towards us.

Chapter Nine : The Battle

"There here" I shout and grab a gun, I aim at one of the cars in front and shoot the driver. The car looses control and crashes into the wall, the hunters clime out of the car and start hitting the wall. Out of no were a tank comes and I see it aiming for the wall I grab Cole's hand and hide behind one of the barricades, we hear the wall explode and feel the ground beneath us tremble. "They've breached the wall" someone shouts, I look down and see hunters run in, I start shooting them, blood flies everywhere. I look beyond the wall and see more trucks coming, I head down with Cole, I see Aiden, he had blood all over his face "more are on there way" I worn him "there's to many of them " he say, I look around and see people dying one by one "we need to fall back" he say "no, I have a plan" I say, he looks confused at me "I was exploring one night and saw boxes of grenades under us, we can lore them to were the grenades are other them and have someone ignite them" I say "I'll do it" Cole says, I nod "Okay but how do we know if they still work" Aiden says "we will just have to find out where we have to go?" Cole asks "head down to the school basement, go to your right and you will se boxes there" I say "how do I know when to ignite them" he asks " you will know and when you take the pin out just run and hide behind the wall, okay" I say "Okay, stay save" he says "you too" I reply, he runs towards the school and heads in. "lets hope this works" Aiden says "it will" I reply.

Cole heads down to the basement and looks for the grenades, he finds them and waits for the signal. "We need to get the hunter's to the front of the school" I say, we start making noise to attract the hunter's "find coffer." Cole hears running on top of him, he grabs a grenade and takes the pin out, he throughs it in the middle of the room and hides behind a wall and coffers him self. "Get ready" I shout, we hear a huge explosion, the ground was trembling and we saw bodies fly everywhere. "It worked" I say, Cole runs back up and looks chocked. Out of nowhere we hear a siren, the same siren that we heard in the hunters building, I look at Cole and see him fall to the ground, I callout his name and run towards him. "Hey, Cole, look at me" I say, I look in his eyes and see them turning red again "I can feel it, it's starting to control me again, I'm trying to ignore it but it hurts" Cole says "look at me, I'm not loosing you again okay" I say and push his chin up, his eyes start going normal again. The sirens stop, I look behind me and se Jonathan standing at the gate. "Hallo again" I hear him say and stand up. "Why are you doing this" I ask "because it's fun and I needed to test them out and how better them the people who killed half my guards" he says "you have a grudge on us so you don't have to hurt these people, they didn't do anything wrong" I say "your right, grab those four" he says

The guards take us to the school and bring us to the gym "get on your knees" one of the guards say. We try to refuse but they push us to the ground. "Now who do I kill first" he says and and walks past everyone but stops by Cole "shell we start with the accident" he says and grabs Cole by his arm and throws him on the floor. "Just get it over with" Cole says "I want to have a little fun before" Jonathan says and takes his knife out, he grabs Cole's arm "stop please, take me" I shout, Jonathan and walks towards me "your braver than I thought" he says and grabs my chin "DON'T TOUTCH HER!" I hear Cole say "don't worry I won't" he says and walks back to Cole. He grabs Coles hand again and cuts Cole, blood drips from his arm "STOP IT!

Chapter Ten : End

A half an hour past "now who`s next?" Jonathan says, I look at Cole and see him unctuous and blooding "your a monster" I say "yes, I am sweet hart" he says and grabs my chin, I hit my head against his face and run towards Cole "YOU BITCH!" he shouts "Cole... Cole wake up" I say, I tray waking him up, Jonathan grabs me "fine... your next" he says, he thrown me on the ground and takes out his knife "were should I cut you first" he say, of ones we hear an explosion "find out what that was" Jonathan says, the guards head out "your going to die and I will be the one to kill you" I say, we hear the door open and see commander Rowlins with a gun to one of the guards head "let them go or I will shoot him" the commander says, Jonathan grabs my hear and pulls me up and put the knife against my neck. I try to get away but he grips me tighter "let her go" the commander says "kill him I have more guards" Jonathan says, the guard looks shocked.

The commander pushes the guard away from him and shoots him in the head. I see blood coming from his head and look shocked at the commander, he starts pointing the gun at Jonathan "let her go or I will shoot you" he says "you would have to shoot her first" Jonathan replies, the commander looks at Jonathan, I move my head a little and he shoots right in Jonathan's neck, I pull away and take his knife, I start stabbing him in his chest. "wow ... stop, his dead okay... his dead" Aiden says and hugs me "what happened" Aiden asks his uncle "we started fighting back, I'm sorry we didn't get here earlier" the commander said, I look at Cole and walked towards him, I look if he has a pols "his still alive but barley, we need to get him to medical" I say and look at Aiden, he picked Cole up and heads to medical.

We get Cole to medical, we see body bags everywhere "we need help" Aiden says to one of the doctors "put him here" the doctor says, Aiden puts him on the hospital bed "what happened to him?" the doctor asks "he was tortured" I say "need to stop the bleeding, I need some room so if you guys could wait in the waiting room" the doctor said "okay please just help him" I say, we all leaf the room and head to the waiting room. A half hour later the doctor comes, he wakes me up "how is he" I ask "his still unconscious but if you want you can go to him" the doctor says, I head to Cole and sit on the chair next to him "please wake up Cole" I say and take his hand, I feel a small grip from him "Cole?" I say, I see his eyes start opening "your awake, how are you feeling?" I ask "I feel a little dizzy but otherwise fine, what happened, where am I?" he asks "your at medical, Jonathan is dead" I say, he looks at me relieved "are you okay, what`s that on your neck, is that a cut, did Jonathan do that?" he says "I'm fine it doesn't even hurt anymore" I say "are you sure" he says "yes, you should rest, okay" I say, "okay" he says and closes his eyes, I fall asleep in the chair next to him.

I wake up the next morning and look for something to eat. I see V and Aiden at a table with food and water "morning guys" I say "morning... how is Cole?" Aides asks "his fine... better" I say "that`s good" V says "and you" Aiden asks "I'm okay too, just hungry" I say, I grab a plate and start filling it up and take one for Cole too. I head back to him and wake him up "you need to eat something" I say, he sits up and I hand him the plate "how do you feel?" I ask "still a little tiered and I still hurt everywhere, but other wise fine" he says and grabs the plate. "What do we do now?" Cole asks "we make this our home and protect it" I say, he looks at me and smiles. I head out for some fresh air and see Aiden, I walk towards him "hi" I say "it's nice out here isn't it, quite, peaceful" Aiden says and sees me looking a little unsettled "don't worry his gone" he says, I look at him "I know, it's just... it feels weird not having to worry about him anymore" I say "that's true, we do still have the rest off the hunters to hunt down and try to find a cure for them" he says "what if there is no cure, it only worked by Cole because I have feelings for him" I say "we will just have to try right" he says "your right" I reply. "It is nice out here" I say all we need to do now is survive.

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bee-kathony · 6 years ago

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Four Years | Year Three “January 24th, 2016″

a/n: this chapter deals with a sensitive subject regarding pregnancy, i’ve put the enter chapter under the cut (sorry if you’re on mobile) xx

Year One | Year Two

January 9th, 2016

January 24th, 2016

11:48pm

It was quiet.

My hand slid over my belly, feeling the roundness and I pushed gently.

“Hello?” I whispered.

It had been some time — days — since I had felt any movement inside. Any kind of flutter or tug like a fish on a string.

A tear slid down my cheek as I sat up in bed and pushed back the covers. Then I heard my heart break, like the clean snapping of a flower’s stem. The blood.

“Jamie,” I pressed my palm against him, urging him to rouse from his deep slumber. “Jamie, please…”

Muffled groaning came from beside me in the bed and then the covers shifted as Jamie opened his eyes and faced me. One look at my face had him leaning over to turn the lamp on and then he saw it too.

“Sassenach?”

“We need to go to hospital, Jamie,” I said quietly. The shock began to course through my veins and I sat there immobile as Jamie began to move around the room. He gathered a bag, filling it with clothes and things he thought we would need. Next, he carefully peeled my soiled pajamas off my body, hastily throwing them aside before covering me with a clean shirt and sweats.

“I’ve got ye, Claire,” Jamie had lifted me into his arms, the bag around his shoulder and was now carrying me through the house.

“I’ve got ye both.”

++++++

There are days in my life that can easily be called the worst days. I had two. Now… I have three.

“Claire?”

I lay frozen in the uncomfortable hospital bed. One foot stuck out from the protection of the scratchy blanket and all I could think about was moving my leg.

“Sassenach?” Jamie tried again and this time I moved my eyes to look up him.

I hadn’t spoken since I told him that we needed to go to the hospital and I wasn’t sure if I would ever find words again. After Jamie placed me in the car, he had ran back inside to get Fergus, quickly buckling the sleeping boy into his car seat. He was sitting in the corner now, curled up with his thumb in his mouth, sleeping as if he was still tucked safely away in his own bed.

“Joe has gone to get Clary and he said it shouldn’t be too long,” Jamie squeezed my fingers and I nodded. “Do you need anythin’?”

My hand moved from his to over my belly and I heard a sound sort of like a sob and when I looked up at Jamie, his face was pinched together, his eyes shut tight as tears flowed down his cheeks. I didn’t know what else to do except reach for him and pull him down to me where he laid his head in my lap and his hand splayed on my stomach.

“God shield my beloved, my white dove and the child she bears,” Jamie whispered against my stomach, almost inaudible through his tears. “Preserve her from violence and from harm, in this place and every place. On this night and every night.”

Laying my head back against the pillow, I shut my eyes and allowed myself to weep as Jamie continued to pray in Gaelic. As comforting as it was to hear his voice, I almost preferred the silence. Only so that I might be able to hear the heartbeat of my child and know that everything would be okay.

Jamie held me close to him, smoothing my hair and stroking my stomach, but both of us felt the awful helplessness in the face of physical disaster that made his actions futile. Strong as he was, he couldn’t protect me or the baby; willing he might be, but he couldn’t help. For the first time, I wasn’t safe in his arms, and the knowledge terrified both of us.

++++++

“Hello, Claire,” Clary stood at the end of my bed, a soft warm smile on her lips but her eyes were filled with sympathy.

Jamie rose from his spot on the ground and before facing Clary and Joe, he wiped his face on his t-shirt, staining it with salty tears.

“I’m going to do a sonogram and from there we will find out what’s going on,” she said as she came around the side of the bed and started preparing the machine.

My eyes followed her hands and then drifted over to Joe who was watching me with fearful eyes.

“Hey, LJ,” he smiled. “You’re gonna be okay.”

The last thing I felt was okay. On the outside I was frozen — too stunned to move even the smallest muscles of my lips to smile back. But on the inside, I was screaming. Every cell in my body ached and my heart was breaking for what I could not control.

Even though I was a doctor, it seemed I could not save my own baby. I wondered as Clary put the cold gel on my belly if I had lost Jane because I had been stressed about welcoming Fergus into our home. Or because I had pushed it too far by going back to work three times a week. Perhaps I hadn’t been taking the proper vitamins or getting enough rest.

Whatever the reason, I knew she was gone. When I whispered “hello” only an hour ago, I felt no response from the depths of my womb.

When I found out I was pregnant those many months ago, I had known it before taking the test. I didn’t feel so alone anymore. While I had Jamie and would always have him through anything, there is a certain feeling of being alone you feel when you are quite literally sitting by yourself.

There was a moment — one single moment when I knew that Jane was suddenly there and that I wasn’t on my own. That I was growing life inside my body.

Just like there was a moment I knew that she had left me.

“Is she there?” Jamie’s voice startled me and I jumped. His hand came to rest softly on my shoulder.

I dared cast my gaze up at the screen and saw her there, but heard no heartbeat. Not a sound. Not a movement.

“I’m very sorry,” Clary said softly and then was pulling back the wand. “There is no heartbeat.”

“Why?” Jamie asked, his grip tightening on my shoulder and when I flinched, he pulled it back with a sad expression. “What’s gone wrong? What can we do?”

“We won’t know the exact cause until after the labor,” Clary said as she rose to wipe the gel off my stomach.

“Labor?” Jamie questioned and I felt my heart stop. Of course.

“Jamie,” I croaked and he looked down at me. “I’ll have to be induced.”

“Yes,” Clary nodded. “We will induce you here in the next several minutes and then it’ll come time to push.”

“But… but if she isna alive, what—“

“She has to come out somehow, Jamie. It’s either this or surgery,” Joe stepped forward.

Jamie nodded, understanding that the next several hours would only be worse than the last. He once again knelt down beside my bed, took my hand and placed it over his heart.

“I canna lose ye both today, Claire,” Jamie kissed my hand and bent his head, resting it on the bed.

“You won’t lose me,” I whispered and moved my fingers into his curls. His body shook as fresh waves of tears came and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep mine at bay.

As promised, a few minutes later, another doctor came and I was induced for labor. I shut my eyes and hoped that one day I would be able to forget the words the doctor said. “Stillborn… most likely genetic I think… the baby was never going to grow past a certain point…”

++++++

She was perfect, her ten fingers and ten toes.

Jane’s eyes were closed and I wept knowing that they would never open. That I would never feel the clutch of her hand on my finger or to watch her grow as I should have.

After I was induced, Jamie reluctantly left my side to take Fergus out to Jenny and Ian. I had no idea what time it was now, but it had been nearly midnight when we came to the hospital.

Jamie had been there beside me, gripping my hand as I pushed and pushed. My body was exhausted, having not been prepared to give birth for several more months. After the last push, there had only been silence. Not the cry of a newborn.

The cord had been cut and Jane had been cleaned up before someone placed her delicate body into my arms. She was so small — so fragile, she barely just fit in the palm of my hands.

I stroked her tiny cheek with my finger, mesmerized at the translucency of her white skin. I thought I saw little bits of red hair on top, but I could have imagined it. I could have imagined many things as I looked at her too small body.

My heart ached to let her go, but I knew that Jamie needed a chance to hold his daughter. I just didn’t realize how much it would break me even further to see him swaying gently with her little unmoving body.

“Mo chuisle,” he whispered, placing a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Yer Mam is so brave and so strong.”

Hot tears slid down my cheeks and then Jamie carefully laid her down next to me, all wrapped up in her soft pink hospital blanket. “I don’t think Fergus should see her,” Jamie said and I nodded, agreeing that it might be too scary for him to see a baby so small.

“She’s so beautiful,” a tear rolled down my cheek as I looked down at her again.

“Jane means ‘Gift from God’,” Jamie said a moment later, his finger stroking her little hand. “Did ye ken that, Sassenach?” I shook my head. “I looked it up after we decided on the name. It’s rather fitting. Our gift.”

“I can’t bear it, Jamie,” I sobbed then as I began to feel the ache in my body of her loss. He picked up Jane into his arms and then came to sit beside me in the bed, wrapping one arm tightly around me.

“She was a gift, Claire. We may no have had much time wi’ her on this earth but I ken that we will see her in heaven on day,” he sniffed beside me and I looked at her again. “The time that we have had though has been so special, Sassenach.”

“It’s not enough.”

He was quiet and I thought he hadn’t heard me but then I saw a tear drop down onto the blanket.

“No. It wasna and it isna fair,” Jamie kissed the top of my head. “We must no forget her, no matter how painful it is to think of her, so wee.”

“I could never forget her,” I said and leaned against him. “Our daughter.”

“Aye, our precious daughter.”

++++++

The next day we left the hospital with a picture of the three of us to keep; a chilling picture with no smiles, but only sadness and a piece of paper with her tiny footprint on it.

I had never intended to go into the hospital pregnant and not leave without my baby in my arms. And as we drove home, I prayed that I would have the strength to survive without her. To see her half built nursery at home and not want to break everything or to hear the name Jane and not break down.

There was nothing but a hollow feeling in my chest. My fingers itched to touch her but it was impossible now as she was being prepared for the family funeral we would have in two days at Lallybroch.

A numbness settled into my bones and I feared it would never leave.

Two weeks later…

I was a ghost. Or at least I felt like one. A thinly veiled configuration of myself — barely there, on the outskirts of life. I had lost my child. My love. My baby. Jane was gone. And there was nothing I could do to get her back.

So I lay in my bed.

Jamie would tip toe into the room, his eyes scanning me for any need I might have. I didn’t. I felt nothing.

He would feed me, give me water and dab my forehead with a cold cloth. And being a good husband of a doctor, he would stretch my arms and legs while I lay in bed so my muscles wouldn’t waste away. I knew I should move — should say something, anything. But every time I tried to think of a word and open my mouth, no sound came out.

He saw my lips trembling one afternoon and only pressed his thumb against them, nodding as tears of his own fell to the bed underneath us. I felt useless. Fergus needed me. But I felt that I was better off dead than what I was now — a shell of who I used to be. A mother… no more.

And that’s why I cried. Because of Fergus, I was a mother. But not a mother to my own child — my own flesh and blood. I never thought it mattered much, that is until I lost Jane — made up of Jamie and me, her perfect little body.

When Jamie would leave my side, his presence was replaced by Annie, a shaggy comfort to be sure. And when I didn’t cry, I slept. And I dreamed. Fever dreams almost of weariness and desolation. Of loss. Unceasing pain wracked my body, now barren. And I would wake in the night, my chest heavy and my breathing quick. My eyes would water with fresh tears and I would slip back into a dreamless sleep.

He was worried about me. I saw it in his eyes. I felt it in his kiss. Did he blame me I wondered… for losing her?

Surely not. But I did. I blamed myself. I think I always would. For all of my days, I would blame myself for losing her.

#four years #year three #outlander fanfic #outlander fanfiction #jamie x claire #jamie fraser #claire fraser #baby jane #pregnancy #january 24 2016

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