Johnnie started to panic. Could this be the end? He thought of his sister, friends, and his family. Was this what would happen to him because he had helped the Chief of the MacGregors? He was startled from his thoughts by a voice.

"Don't move." Johnnie didn't, he was too scared. At the sound of his the voice the mountain lion screamed and left. "We have guns and we are not afraid to use them. Tell us, where is the MacGregor you are hiding?"

Johnnie didn't answer. He had to protect him at all costs. He had promised him he would. He told them he didn't know what they were talking about. He decided to act fast. Johnnie saw them loading their guns, quickly ran at them, knocked the guns out of their hands, and pointed it at them. The thugs turned and fled down the hill.

Johnnie smiled in satisfaction. He really had no idea how to use a gun. Slowly, he turned and climbed in the direction Douglas and Merida had run off in.

                                                                                   ~=+=~

It was Merida who first saw Johnnie climbing up the mountainside. She jumped up and ran over to him. Merida was overjoyed to see her brother alive and well. She smiled at Douglas. He had been right. Johnnie would get out of any mess he go into.

Merida shot a double take at Douglas. There was something about him that she had never noticed before. She had never noticed how sympathetic he was. How he was so quiet and standoffish.She blushed and looked away. They could only be friends but when she thought about the kiss they shared earlier...

                                                                                    ~=+=~

Douglas was relived when Johnnie finally showed up. He knew he had told her it would be okay but, he had a feeling of doubt come over him too. What if they had had guns? He was glad not only for Merida's sake but also for Alasdair and Johnnie's whole family that he came back. Douglas went up to Johnnie and slapped him on the back. "I knew you'd come, but I have to admit you did have us scared for a wee bit."

The reunion was brief but joyous. Merida noticed that Johnnie was limping. She bent down to have a look. There was blood seeping through a tear in his trousers.A sizable gash was there instead. When she asked Johnnie what had happened, he shrugged it off like it was nothing. He said he never noticed it until she had pointed it out. It was obvious he knew it was there as he winced with every step. Merida insisted that they go back to the barn and get Johnnie bandaged up.

                                                                                  ~=+=~

Alasdair looked up when the trio walked in. His face lit up with anticipation but clouded over when they told him what has happened. "If I had known this was going to happen I wouldn't have let mere kids look for my treasure."

Douglas cast an angry glance at Alasdair and said, 'Were are not kids, we are 16 and 17 years old!"

"I know but when it comes to you chasing people with guns you should give it up. I don't want this to be another reason to get you all killed." He looked somberly at them. "Please give it up."

"No!" was the firm reply from all of them. They were determined to stick to the task until it was done. Johnnie stood up from the corner where he had been sitting. He told Alasdair they had to continue searching. They were already in this too deep.

"Come guys, we have a job to do. Remember there is still that treasure and map out there."

 The three teens jumped up and headed out into the night. 

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A/N: Don't forget to comment, vote and follow if you haven't already.