"I'll be leaving- for about a week or so," Symon states, coming up beside me. I look up from the stew, raising my brows. The heat of the stove has made the hairs curl around my flushed face. Ann moves to another table, giving us privacy.

"... Where to?"

"To meet with the associated clans in the Chattan Clan. The gathering is approaching fast."

I nod, trying to contain my glee. "Alright... when do you leave?"

"Tonight. I wanted- to let you know. I'd bring you if I could but there really wouldn't be much for you to do." I watch as he glances down at the food around me, then to the apron around my waist. Lowering his voice, he murmurs, "You do realize that it's not proper for a lady to cook and clean."

"It gives me something to do. I mean, honestly, would you rather I bugged you all day?"

"You know, I would, actually."

Rolling my eyes, I chuckle. "I'll quit once we're, um... married."

"Thank you," he says quietly, squeezing my shoulder comfortingly. "It smells good."

I stare at the wall as he releases his grip and I hear his pleasantries to the rest of the ladies in the kitchen while he makes his way out of the kitchen. I barely wait two minutes before I begin to remove my apron, turning to Mildred.

"Mildred, can you take over?"

"Aye, milady," she replies, ceasing chopping carrots. I smile wide to Ann, who glances at me curiously as I exit with a sigh. I knock on MacCallan's study, waiting for a reply. When I get it, I pull open the door and enter, fixing my hair as best I can.

"Callan-"

He glances up, and smiles unsurely. Before him is a woman sitting on the chair, her knee exposed, bleeding from what looks like a fall. She's crying, her hand over her mouth.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean-"

"You've impeccable timing. Do ye think you could help me with something?" he says, startling me. I nod, stepping into the room further. It's my first time inside his work space. While mostly bare expect for necessary furnishings and tables, I'm surprised by the scents. His shelves are covered in medicines and herbs.

"Yes, what do you need help with?"

"Do ye have a problem with blood?"

I press my lips together. "I don't think so..."

"If you could hold the skin together while I sow. Blood will rise from the gash, fair warning."

The woman stifles a sob when I nod, settling down onto my knees beside her. I try to smile at her as calmly as I can. "I just cleaned my hands," I state, realizing then that she probably doesn't even know why I'm telling her it. Sanitation is not a key element of surgery in this century.

"I'm going to touch you now," I whisper, reaching for her leg. I clasp the folds of skin open, pushing them together gently.

"With more force, Gillian," he says, bending over my hands with the needle. I nod, pulling until the skin connects together. Slow blood cascades onto my hands but I keep them still, watching as he pierces her skin, despite her cry. She's obviously more frightened than feeling the pain.

"Did you fall?" I ask, hoping conversation will help her.

"Aye, got the skin caught on a stone. Nearly went blind from the pain."

She sucks in a breath, biting her lip. I grimace, nodding. "Yeah, once, when I was little, I fell off a porch, right into a bush- it was full of glass."

She chuckles, breathlessly. "Why would a bush be full of glass?"

I blush, and lie. I didn't think this one through clearly. "You know... I really don't know. But, I had to have my arm sown back together as well. I was screaming the whole time."

"You're doing verra well," MacCallan says, completely immersed. He's almost done now. The woman nods, glancing down at my arms.

"There's no scar?"

I nod. "On the back of my arm. A long gash."

"Is mine going to be permanent?"

"Maybe. But, at least, you can say you barely even cried through it."

She looks down as MacCallan pulls back with the bloody cloth and gapes. I smile, removing my hands.

"Christ! That's all? I thought I'd be here hours."

Wiping the blood off his hands, he shakes his head. "Naw, you're gonna have to be still for a few days. Bed rest if ye can manage it... Gillian, can you wait with her while I find her husband in the kitchen?"

"Of course."

He exits the room hastily, shutting the door halfway. Awkwardly, I sigh, smiling to her.

"What did ye need from Mr. Mackenzie?"

I gape for a moment, then murmur, "How to cure a headache. I've had one all day and I just can't seem to get rid of it."

"Ah, he'll be able to help ye with that, for sure. The man's the best healer in Scotland."

"So I've heard," I reply, smiling. "He did this rather fast."

"Aye, I'm quite relieved, as ye can probably see. I dinnae do well with blood."

"Oh."

"You do though. Are you a healer too?"

I shake my head. "Oh, no. No. I'm- I don't do too well with blood either I think. I nearly passed out when I saw them- kill chickens this morning."

"Surely, where you're from, they eat meat?" she asks, brows furrowed in confusion. I nod, chuckling.

"Yes, they do. I just never saw it happen before. I'd just eat it."

She laughs, nodding. "Aye? Well, it's no fun- killin' them but after a while, ye won't mind it so much."

I doubt it. I smile, clearing my throat. "I haven't gotten your name?"

"Lillian."

"Pretty name."

"As is yours. You're rather beautiful... you must have many men after ye."

Blushing, I shake my head. "Men will be men."

"Aye, you are right about that."

The door opens wider and MacCallan enters with a gentleman, who smiles at Lillian.

"All better?"

She nods, proudly. "And I barely cried."

"You're a brave lassie," he says sweetly, coming up beside her. He lifts her up in a fair swoop, like a baby cradled to his chest. She looks to MacCallan.

"Thank ye kindly, sir... And miss."

"'Course," MacCallan replies as they exit, quite noisily. When they're free of the room, I turn, grabbing the towel and wipe my hands, realizing I'm only spreading the blood further.

"Ah, that willnae work. Use this," he says, grabbing a damp cloth. I reach for it awkwardly but he takes my hands and moves the cloth over my fingers gently. I smile softly, remembering the events of last night in the woods. We were together most of the night, just talking, getting to know one another. I, of course, couldn't say much without giving my origins away so I basically asked about him whenever I could.

"Ye did well- extremely well."

I chuckle. "Well, thankfully, it wasn't a really large cut. I was already running out of conversation."

He smiles wide as his eyes flicker to mine. My hands now clean, he sets the cloth down on the table. "I could listen to you go on for days and not tire of it."

"You'd get tired, believe me."

"Aye? Well, we'll see about it."

At his words, I feel both of us shrink, aware that those are false words. This time is limited. Remembering my reason for coming, I grin. "I have good news... Great news."

"Dare I say wonderful?"

"You may... Lachlan will be gone for the week- beginning tonight."

His dark brows rise. "Where to?"

"To meet with the other clan leaders."

"Aye? Well, that is good news, indeed."

I rest my hand over his slowly, entwining our fingers. "When can we see each other again?"

"We're together now."

"Yes, but I have to go... If he came in here and found me, I don't think he'd be happy about it."

"No? I could tell him you're my assistant," he replies with a smirk. I roll my eyes.

"Yeah, I don't think that would work either."

He smiles and his dimples crease, showcasing surprisingly well-kept teeth. Nodding, he touches my hair, glancing to the door. "Tonight, then."

I feel a swarm of emotions rush towards my heart and nod. "Same place?"

"Aye, same place."

"Okay... Till tonight."

His head turns with me as I move for the door. "Till tonight."

...

"You'll not miss me too much while I'm gone?" Symon says, by his horse. He paraded me out in front of the villagers, wanting a spectacle of his goodbye. I roll my eyes as he shuts his bag tied to the horse.

"I'll survive."

He smirks, shaking his head. "I'll write if anything changes."

"Okay."

"Well, I'll tell you- I'll miss you while I'm there."

"Why would you miss me? We're at each other's throats all hours of the day."

"I take what I can with you, Gilly."

I look down, uncomfortable. His uncle is already mounted beside us, staring. Symon looks in the direction I am and his uncle immediately turns away.

"Once we're married, there won't be so much speculation."

Forcing myself to, I nod. "I'll see you in a week."

He nods, staring at me intently. When he realizes I'm not going to offer more than that, he turns to his horse, mounting. "Aye. You'll be careful? Keep yourself out of trouble?"

"Of course."

"Give me your hand."

My brows furrow in confusion but I extend my hand anyway. He takes it in his and bends, pressing his mouth to my ring finger in a extremely gallant gesture. I stare at him wide-eyed at the display amongst the clan and press my lips together. He pulls back and squeezes the fingers.

"One week."

He lets go of my hand at that and takes ahold of the reins. My face crimson with embarrassment, I look down as he gallops away, side by side with William.

Eyes linger on my form, even when he's clear of the castle. In a swift movement, I turn and make my way inside, shaking my head at the man's audacity.

...

"Tell me about your family," I whisper, my cheek pressed against MacCallan's chest. He smells of firewood and tea leaves, a wonderful combination. His hand is soft on my hair, stroking over it softly.

"My father and mother died when I was but a lad, eight or so. Yellow fever... I also lost my youngest brother to it."

"My god, I'm so sorry."

"'Twas a long time ago, lass. Dinna fash. I have two other brothers- Ennis and Macadie. They live with my uncle on Mackenzie lands."

"Do you get along with them?"

"As much as brothers do," he murmurs amusedly. "Aye, we get on... I would like to learn about yours, actually. And the colonies."

I hum, closing my eyes. "Uh, I didn't get along with my family too well."

"Didn't?"

I blink, seeing them suddenly in my head. We'd always had our ups and downs but it hits me suddenly that I'll never speak to them again. I move back from his embrace and wrap my arms around my knees. "They're... not here anymore."

I hear him sit up behind me and his hand is on my shoulder. "I'm sorry, Gillian... is that why you've come to Scotland?"

I nod, biting the inner part of my lip. "Yes."

"It's a grave feeling, losing someone."

I rest my hand over his on my shoulder. "... It is."

"I loathe to think of- when I cannae see ye any longer."

I turn enough to look at him. "Why wouldn't you be able to see me?"

He presses his lips together and looks down, uncomfortable. "I-I wouldna be able to stay here- after ye marry him, Gillian."

"You're going to leave?"

He nods. "Aye, the day before."

I stare at him, fearful. I know the fear is plain on my face because he makes a noise and grabs my face between his capable hands.

"I cannae watch it happen. Watch him tear ye from me before my verra eyes. I cannae."

"Callan."

We reach for each other at the same time, embracing so tightly we're gasping. I press my face into his shoulder. Pulling back together, he clasps my face and crushes his lips to mine for the first time. The soft skin electrifies and I sigh into the kiss, relaxing.

He pulls back, swallowing deeply and takes a minute before he looks into my eyes. I press my hand to his chest, feeling his rapid heart beat beneath his clothes. He looks down at my hand and his mouth curves slightly. He's not ashamed of losing control.

I take his hand and place it against my heart to let him know that I'm losing control with him.

A/N: Hope you guys are liking the story so far.