A fever was raging through my body, I slept off and on....with no concept as to how much time had gone by.

I vaguely recall liquids being poured down my throat, vomiting and being bathed while someone soothed me in a foreign tongue. At one point, I’d heard someone singing, the voice was so awful that I deliriously thought I had been put in hell.

I had many crazy type dreams, one where I accepted Jamie’s proposal. He had grinned and said I was making a “verra wise choice”. The ceremony had been simple and he slipped the most beautiful white gold ring on my finger. He had cut my wrist and we spoke more vows and then he put me back to bed. Of all the dreams I’d had, that was the most vivid.

I awoke early one morning, feeling solid heat against my slightly warm skin. I opened my eyes and could scarcely believe that James Fraser held me safely in his strong arms. I wondered if I was dreaming for the red haired Scotsman slept on the floor.

I shifted stiffly feeling extremely weak, but it seemed the fever was lower.

“Are ye awake, lass?” Came the rumbling voice of the handsome time traveler.

“Yeah,” I whispered, my throat coarse and dry.

He sat up, his muscles moving underneath the skin of his back in an animalistic way. “Would ye like some water?”

“Please....How long....have we been here?”

“Three weeks, I reckon,” he stated, handing me a glass of water that had been set on the night table. “Ye were verra sick, ye couldna keep anything down, I was scairt ye wouldna live through it.”

I sipped the water, very moved by his statement. “Figure out what was wrong with me?”

“Nay. The wound has healed o’er a wee bit and now we canna stay.” he answered my questioning look. “There were men lookin’ for us.” He gave me a stern look. “I will be drivin’ been reading the laws o’ the road, too. So ye will rest because ye are as weak as a newborn.”

I held up my right hand. “I won’t argue with you.” I stretched my legs, the sheets felt good against my bare skin. “Wait just a cotton picking minute! Why am I naked?!” I demanded as a blush crept up my neck.

“`Twas easier bathing ye....and helping ye to relieve your bladder.”

I groaned, drawing the blankets over my head. “Thank you. Didn’t have to do all that....” I could not begin to declare how humiliated I was even though I was very grateful for what he had done.

He pulled the blankets off of me. “We canna tarry for long. I will help ye dress and then we can eat.”

“I need to go to the bathroom.” Very weakly, I stood and ambled into the bathroom, feeling my head ache ever-so-slightly. I sat on the commode and relieved myself, staring at my hands, the ring on my left ring finger seemed a bit loose. “Oh my,” I whispered, studying the ring.

The band was of the most intricate design, the metal having been weaved into delicate Celtic knots. In the very center, were two tiny doves, holding a thistle in their beaks.

I flushed the toilet, washed my hands, and hurried as fast as I could into the bedroom grabbing a blanket to wrap around my now too slender form. I faced the Scotsman who was dressed and ready to go. “That’s why you slept with me, isn’t it?” I demanded, unsure if I was really angry or not.

“Ye agreed to it!” he defended himself. “Besides, `twas the most logical thing to do, considering that I have been around your naked body so much.”

I flushed bright red, narrowing my eyes. “And I suppose you took advantage of my nudity?” I snapped, though, I really didn’t mean it. I knew Jamie wasn’t that type of man.

“O’ course no’!” He stated harshly. “It was wiser marrying you....We are united, safer. And `twas more proper for me to be touchin’ ye the way I had too, lass.”

It was I who grunted this time as I dressed quickly. “I was fevered when I made vows.” I felt weak and awkward as I turned to the dresser to brush my hair, but I could vaguely recall a wedding taking place.

“Is the idea o’ being marriet to me so bad? I will be a good husband to ye,” he declared. “Besides, ye would have been mortified tenfold if ye know how often I had seen ye naked.”

I dragged the brush through my hair a few times. Jamie was right, I was terribly weak. “I don’t know whether to cuss you out or hug you,” I half growled.

I watched in the mirror as my new husband gathered our belongings, the gray t-shirt he wore was almost obscenely tight. I forced myself to look away, continuing to brush the locks that now seemed so dull and lifeless. I barely heard Jamie as he carried the luggage out of the room.

I was pale on the best of times, with a hint of pink in my cheeks, but now, it looked as if my skin had been bleached white. My face was gaunt with dark circles ringing my amber colored eyes. I did a once over of my body and gasped with shock. I tended to be a bit soft, not terribly fat or any such thing, but I had a terrible sweet tooth, and a was a staunch connoisseur of chocolate.

I wasn’t sure if I liked the very thin, new figure I had or not. Most of the men I knew, seemed to adore the anorexic look.

“Lass, let us go,” Jamie reentered the room.

“I look ghastly.” I faced him.

He beckoned me to him. “Ye have been verra ill, lass....”

Slowly, I reached his side, my joints felt as if they were held together by rubber bands that had been stretched out too far.

He wrapped a protective, supportive arm around me. “Dinna fash yourself, lass, we will get ye all fattened up.”

I made no comment, smiling slightly.

I leaned against Jamie’s form, emptying breakfast from my stomach for the sixth time. It had stayed down for only a half hour before my stomach decided it hated me.

“Ye need to see a doctor, calman geal, this canna continue...” His tone was grave.

I was too weak to protest, allowing him to bring me back to the truck. As he drove, I leafed through the magazine I had taken from the hotel. My gaze lingered on an advertisement. “Whoa....” I whispered weakly. “Some guy from New York is selling an island with a castle, out in the middle of the ocean....”

“Oh?” Jamie grunted, muttering about people who were driving too slow.

I smiled faintly, ignoring the stale taste of vomit in my mouth. “Yeah...I just cannot believe the price! Next place we stop, I am calling this guy.”

“The price? How much?” He questioned in a definite husband-type voice.

I rolled my eyes. “Fifteen thousand dollars. And that is cheap! Nowadays??? This is a total steal. The money I took from Dom will be more than enough to pay for it. I want it, then we are like a nation of our own, no one can touch us there....” I whispered dreamily. “We could offer a place for people like us....” I rambled on. “And to make money, we could offer some rooms as a resort for the very elite and secretive.....”

I was surprised when Jamie gave no word of protest. “We could do that. If the land is decent, we could grow our own food and raise livestock....” The redhead replied thoughtfully. “But I will talk to the man first.”

I bristled at his tone. “Why? I am perfectly capable of making a buy my--”

“Have ye ever purchased property before, lass?” he interjected.

“No, but I--”

“Ye could easily be fooled by colorful words, lass. I may no’ be o’ this time, but I do ken how to purchase land and t’ make sure nay one, as the people o’ today say, is ‘Taken for a ride’. D’ye ken?”

“I’m not stupid,” I grumbled, resting my head on his thigh.

“Nay, ye are a brilliant lass, to be sure, ye just lack experience in some ways, nay one knows it all. If I started in this time alone, I wouldna have done well, ye helped me.”

I closed my eyes. “I guess. So long as you know what you’re doing.”

“Someone has to, lass,” he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

“Just drive the speed limit, Jamie, if the cops stop us, we’re screwed,” I cautioned drowsily.

Jamie grunted in agreement. We were silent for about ten minutes before Jamie spoke again. “Um. Lass? There are many buildings here, where do the doctors reside?”

I sat up slowly. “A clinic....Oh hey, that’s one to the left....”

He parked near the clinic and I glowered at him. I was barely acceptable for parallel parking, I resented that Jamie seemed to have mastered that skill, but forgave him as he helped me out of the truck. “D’ye need me to carry ye?”

“I think I can walk if you hold me close,” I murmured and felt a bit warmer when he wrapped a powerful arm around me. A sudden premonition filled me as we walked into the building. And I soon found out why.

When we reached the lobby, there, on the wall, was a very large drawing of Jamie and I with our descriptions. “No.” I whispered as my gaze slipped across the drawing of my new husband’s stern expression.

Jamie muttered something in Gaelic as someone started for us. “Lass. Run.”

I glanced at the man running towards us and was filled with a sudden rage as I turned to the “Wanted” poster. I tore it off the wall, ripping it in half and wadded it up into a ball as I tumbled forward, too weak to run.

The large Scotsman lifted me in his arms and began to run for another door. “Damn them to hell, they got it wrong!”

“Damned hick town.” I gritted my teeth.

Two county officers met us at the door, their guns drawn. “Stay right where you are!” They declared, training the weapons in our direction.

My vision blurred as I grew dizzy. “Jamie, what are we going to do? I feel like I am going to hurl again....don’t want to be in jail again.” I fought gagging as heat crawled from belly to throat.

“Neither o’ us will be in jail,” he declared quietly. “Vomit soon, lass.”

I was questioning his sanity as he suddenly ran forward, his movements jarring my sickened stomach. I threw up harshly, my thin body jerking with the movement,and actually wanted to praise projectile vomit when I saw the look on the sheriff’s face, all covered with what my stomach had rejected.

Before the cop could react, my insane husband spun, making my limp legs hit the Sheriff’s deputy in the head. And he ran on, outside, down the stairs, and to the truck. He opened the door, tossed me unceremoniously on the seat and slammed the door.

“You’re crazy!” I exclaimed when he was in the driver’s seat.

“Mayhaps, but we are safe.” The tires screeched as we started down the street. “Ye have good aim, lass.”

Despite my rolling stomach, I uttered a small laugh, resting my head on his thigh. “I never thought I would puke on a cop....Jamie, you really are a savage.”

He made the familiar Scottish noise in his throat. “Maybe so, but we arena dead...”

“Yeah....That’s the truth....” I whispered and fell asleep.

I awoke later, retching violently and I couldn’t seem to sit up. Jamie stopped the truck, slipped out from underneath my head and turned me to the side. “This has tae stop, lass, ye canna hold water.” Concern filled his tone.

“I haven’t had.....” My throat and skin felt dry and hot.

“Ye did after ye called the man in New York,” he informed me.

“I don’t remember.....” I whispered, and began to shiver when he opened the truck door. It was cool and dark outside with only a thin sliver of moonlight as far as I could see.

“Ye did,” he insisted. “Then ye put me on.....We have the place when we meet him in New York.”

“Thank God,” I whispered, with a dry heave. “Jamie, where are you going?”

“To wave for help. I dinna want ye to die....”

CC yawned widely, blinking to clear her blurry vision. The red numbers of the clock on the radio proclaimed it was 12:18am. They'd been on the highway continously for over 4 hours.

"Vin?" she began quietly, continuing as he immediately straightened and looked toward her, "If it's open, I'll drive through that McDonald's," she pointed to the golden arches, "then find a place we can stop for a while."

"Tha'd be fine wit' me," Tanner rasped.

Ignoring the shiver his sleep-roughened voice induced, she turned the truck into the parking lot, "Thank goodness for 24 hour restaurants." She ordered, and Vin, well-versed in the prodecure, turned away, hiding his face in his coat as Dr. McKenna paid and accepted the sacks of food and drinks.

CC pulled off the main road and drove down a dirt road to a small clearing where she parked the truck. She and Vin climbed into the truck bed and she spread out a sleeping bag so they could sit comfortably against the cab. They ate in companionable silence with the physicist stealing occasional glances at the man beside her.

Lightly chewing her lip, she said, "I'm sorry we have to stay inside so much. You belong outdoors."

He shifted, his eyes an intense blue, even in the scant light offered by the sliver of moon and the stars. met hers, "I do miss bein' out, 'speci'lly sleepin' out, but it's nec'sary." She held his gaze, her eyes appearing almost silver.

Vin's hand slowly lifted to gently caress across her upper lip. She inhaled raggedly, leaning into his touch as he whispered, "Salt," just before his mouth brushed against hers.

CC almost recoiled from the tingle, then with a low moan, returned his kiss, her lips melding with his. His whiskers scraped her tender flesh as her hands moved up his arms, feeling the steel of his sinewy muscle, over his shoulders and finally around his neck. She finally fulfilled a desire as she buried her fingers in his thick, soft hair which curled around his shoulders. She trembled as his calloused hands seared down her back to encircle her waist before splaying against her lower back.

She leaned closer, her moan allowing his tongue to slip past her lips and invade the warm cavern of her mouth. She wound her tongue with his elicting a growl from the normally quiet man. The sound shot straight to her core and her fingers tightened against his scalp as she melted completely against his hard body, feeling his fingers travel up her sides to graze the sides of her breasts. She growled this time and straddled him, pressing into him, feeling the evidence of his desire. Her hands left his hair and moved over his chest and with one hand, she gently cupped his arousal. With a deep shudder, he broke the kiss, his breathing heavy and erractic.

"Wh... why'd you stop?" CC murmured, sitting atop his whipcord thighs, her head resting against his shoulder as she willed her body to calm.

"'as't me'nt ta be this," he gestured with his hands. She smiled against him, seeing that his blush extended all the way down his neck. After gently nipping his throat, she reluctantly moved from astride him to snuggle into his side. He placed an uncertain arm around her shoulders.

"It's ok Vin," she assured him, so he tightened his grip, pulling her more securely to him. She sighed, then muttered, "Probably just as well. I'm not very good at this."

"'as doin' fine, near as I cou'd tell," he huskily whispered.

CC giggled, sliding an arm around his trim waist. "I meant what comes...next." Of course, she'd never felt this throbbing pleasure, this burning intensity, this longing to be one.

Tanner pulled back slightly, searching her eyes with his. She gulped, seeing the desire still burning within him, knowing he saw it in her as well. "What hap'n't?" He gently brushed the hair from her face.

Blushing under his scrutiny, but wanting to tell him, she began, "I'm not... I haven't... Aw, hell," she gritted, then burst out, "I've only been with 2 men and neither relationship -if you can call them that- lasted very long after we did it. I've wondered if it was me; that maybe I just can't please a man that way especially since the last one said I was cold," she finished with a whisper.

His eyes narrowed, "He 'as a fool. Prob'ly di'n't know what he 'as doin', 'cause ya sure a'int cold."

She reddened even more, but smiled shyly. "Really?" She continued without waiting for an answer. "I was 20 the first time and the man was a lot older, so I assumed he knew what he was doing, but... come to think of it, he was a scientist too."

"Too?"

CC nodded. "You met the other one." She grimaced, "Wyatt - the blonde scientist back at Quantechins." She shook her head, "Why I ever fell for his load of bullsh..." She paused, noticing the dangerous glint that had crept into his eyes. "Uh, Vin?"

He blinked, "M'am?" He sighed at her quirked eyebrows. "I 'as jist thinkin' I'd like ta h've a talk wit' him."

Giggling, the physicist curled against him again. "It wouldn't be fair. You'd kick his ass." She felt his smile against her head, then taking a deep breath asked, "What about you?"

Tanner was silent for a few moments then, "Only one seri's, but she 'as marr'ed. C'uldn't take 'nother man's wife." He gripped her chin and gazed into her eyes as he said, "Prom'sed ta not t'ke a .... r'spect'ble woman ta bed 'till I 'as marr'ed."

CC let that statement penetrate her still slightly foggy mind. "Oh!" she exclaimed, remembering her history of the early west. Saloons. Working Girls. Swallowing hard, she ventured, "So, this means," she gestured at both of them.

He ran a hand through his hair. "Ya a'int a whore. Won't treat ya like one." He abruptly stood and with feline grace jumped from the truck. After giving him a few moments, she joined him, placing a hand on his arm.

"Vin. Vin, look at me." He reluctantly turned to face her. "You didn't." She gently skimmed his face. "I ... was attracted to you from the moment I saw you lying on the floor of the Acceleration Chamber. As I got to know you, I wanted you even more because I..." She frowned, lowering her gaze, unsure of what to say.

"CC," he softly growled and she shivered, then raised her gaze to once again be captured by the azure of his gaze.

"Because I'm falling in love with you," she whispered, holding her breath as his eyes widened, a myriad of emotions flashing - disbelief, fear, joy.

He embraced her tightly. "Why? Ya don't ev'n know me."

She held him. "I want to." She trembled in his arms. "Vin, I'm scared to death. We're running for our lives from a powerful organization. You're from another century. I'm a scientist whose lived her whole life in labs. And... these feelings I'm experiencing are so new." She pulled away, "I don't want you to feel obligated in any way."

His slow, lethal smile caused heat to sluice through her, then he branded her lips with his. "A'int th't," he assured, tracing his thumb over her swollen mouth. She smiled back, understanding what he couldn't say yet.

"We need to get back on the road," she sighed. Tanner nodded in agreement, then leapt back into the truck bed to secure the sleeping bag. "Ya need ta te'ch ma ta drive tha' thing. Giv' ya time ta rest."

CC nodded. "That's a good idea. I'll find some place we can practice when it gets daylight."

CC rolled her shoulders and twisted her neck. A glance at the clock told her it was almost 5am. They'd be able to stop soon. She snorted, realizing she was looking forward to another day in a sleazy motel.

"What the..." Dr. McKenna blinked as she focused on the man beside the highway, swerving as he nearly stepped in front of the vehicle. Vin, suddenly alert, sat up and swept the area. "Wh't happ'n't?"

CC had slowed down and was watching the man in the rearview mirror. "That guy back there. Nearly ran in front of the truck." Tanner turned around and frowned. "He seems ri'ht upset. Mebbe we sh'uld go back."

She chewed her lip, then turned the Dakota around. "It could be a set-up so he can rob us," she warned. Vin reached beneath the seat and retrieved his mare's leg as she pulled off the road in front of the other vehicle.

The red-haired man loped to her side and she lowered the window just enough to hear him.

"Tis my wife. She's verra ill."

CC's frowned. "Why not take her to the hospital?" As her eyes met his, she recognized that look as she'd had the same one since she went on the run with Vin Tanner.

Glancing over at her partner, she said, "It's ok. He just needs help."

She unlocked her door and the man assisted her out. The long-haired man had nodded, but as he climbed from the truck, he kept his gun drawn. The trio met in front of the red Dodge, then moved toward the redhead's truck.

CC gasped as she opened the door and peered into the truck. The young woman lying on the seat looked ghastly. Her skin was so pale it was almost translucent with dark circles ringing her eyes. Her hair was limp and lifeless as it fanned across the seat. And she was thin to the point of being gaunt. Her breathing was fast and shallow and when CC pressed two fingers against her neck, she found her pulse to be thready and erractic and she was shivering slightly. "She needs to be in a hospital," Dr. McKenna stated, turning to regard this very sick woman's husband.

The man shook his head. "Nay. We canna take her there," he stated, holding CC's eyes. The physicist sighed. "Ok." She glanced back at the woman. "But, we need to get her out of this truck." She looked at Vin, "I'll go check the GPS and see if there's a motel nearby."

Tanner nodded turning his attention to the sick woman. He frowned as he studied her. Leaning against the vehicle, he looked at the red-haired man. "C'uld she'd be'n pois'oned?"

The other man's brow furrowed. "Dinna know."

Both turned their attention to CC as she returned. "There's a Motel 6 about 20 miles from here. You can follow us," she paused, realizing she didn't know his name.

"James- Jamie Fraser. The lass is Tracy."

"CC McKenna and this is Vin Tanner."

The scientist checked them in, obtaining two rooms with a connecting door on the first floor and, luckily, around back. Even more luckily, there was no one in the parking lot this early, so they all got settled in quickly and without undue notice.

"What happened to her?" CC asked as Vin followed her into the Fraser's room.

She could see the internal debate, then he sighed and quickly explained that she'd been shot and had been very ill for several weeks.

"Cain't keep nothin' down. F'ver." Vin turned serious eyes on CC. "Pois'n."

McKenna swallowed hard, then looked to Tracy before slowly moving to the bed. "Where is the point of entry?"

Fraser gently lifted her, exposing her bandaged shoulder to CC's view, scowling and grunting when she called Vin over as she carefully peeled the tape holding the gauze in place. She glanced to Jamie, and said, "Mr. Fraser, Vin probably knows more about this than I do. And I assure you he has no lascivious designs on your wife."

His scowl lessened, but he hovered nearby as Tanner carefully examined the wound, delicately probing it with his fingertips, then leaning in to sniff it. "Def'nit'ly som' kind a pois'n," he stated as he moved away from her. CC reapplied the dressing, then gently lowered the unconscious woman to the bed, letting her eyes drift over her emaciated form. She frowned as she spotted the recent slash mark on her left wrist. "What's this?" She asked, holding the young woman's hand.

"Prob'ly blood vow," Vin supplied, noticing the same type mark on his wrist. Jamie nodded, regarding the dark-haired man curiously.

McKenna blinked, then placed Tracy's hand beside her and asked, "So, what do we do?"

Vin was silent for a moment, moving to the window and staring out at the beginnings of the sunrise. "Firs' 'ave ta calm her belly. Spe'rment and ging'r root are the b'st."

"Dinna have any o that," Jamie exclaimed, sitting beside her on the bed.

CC snapped her fingers. "I might have something..." She rushed out to the Dodge and in a few minutes came back with a tin of tea leaves. "Amy - she's a very good friend of mine- is really into herbal remedies and she gave this to me to help when I was sick to my stomach." She read the ingredients. "Yes! Ginger root and spearmint. I'll heat some water." She walked across the room to the coffee maker. "It'll be a few minutes."

The time passed in silence. But, this silence was thick with tension, not at all like the comfortable, companionable silences CC had shared with Vin throughout their trip. Biting her lip, she tried to surreptitiously study this Jamie Fraser. While she'd never been the most adept at reading people, Dr. McKenna knew this man had secrets and could only wonder how much more danger he'd draw to her and Vin. She flushed, quickly glancing away and catching Vin's eye as the red-haired man looked at her.

"The water's ready," she stated softly, hurriedly preparing the tea, then moving back to Tracy's bed. Jamie gently propped her up and said, "Lass. Can ye drink for me?" The young woman moaned, nodding weakly. CC held the cup to her lips. "All of it at one time Vin?"

"Jist much as she'll drin'." CC nodded, allowing Tracy to sip at her own pace. After she'd completed the entire cup, the scientist stood and rinsed the cup out, leaving the coffe maker heating the water and placing the tea next to it. "What now?"

Tanner, who'd been leaning against the wall in one of the room chairs, righted himself. "Ne'd ta clean the pois'n fr'm her." He ambled across the small space and stood at the foot of the bed. "A'int sure wh't'd be b'st, seein' as I don't know wh't the pois'n is."

CC moved to stand beside him, smiling slightly as he met her gaze. "We have to do something if Mr. Fraser still insists on no hospital."

Jamie stared down at his wife, but said, "Nay."

"Thi' rec'pe works fer most pois'ns." McKenna sat at the desk, retrieved a pen and piece of paper and dutifully wrote down the ingredients Vin called out:

Senna Leaf Powder
Buckthorn Bark Powder
Licorice Root Powder
Alfalfa Leaf Powder
Fennel Seed Powder
Anise Seed Powder
Rhubarb Root Powder
Blue Malva Flower Powder
Culver's Root Powder

She blinked. "I know I don't have any of that. Not even sure what some of it is... We're in the middle of nowhere." She stood and said, "I'll go see if there is some sort of herbal/natural healing shop anywhere near here."

"Well?" Jamie asked.

"There is one. It's about 40 miles from here," she checked her watch - 7:15. "I'll go get us some breakfast, then drive there. It doesn't open until 9, so that'll give me time." She grinned as she studied the two men. "And if you eat anything like Vin, I'd best bring back 10 biscuits."

Jamie Fraser smiled and nodded.

After they'd eaten breakfast, CC changed clothes. Vin scowled as he circled her. "A'int keen on ya wearin' th't out."

She suppressed a smile, then answered, "Honestly, neither am I." She grimaced as she glanced down at the tight cropped tank-top and tight low-slung jeans which combined to reveal a good deal of her midriff. The black leather boots and short black leather jacket completed the look. "But, if any of those bastards chasing us should flash a picture of Dr. CC McKenna to anyone who sees me today, they sure won't realize it was me."

Tanner's jaw clenched, but he nodded. "Throw 'em off tha tra'l." She stepped closer, sliding her hands up his sides and over his shoudlers, thrilling to his sharp inhalation of breath. His hands encircled her waist, tugging her closer as she whispered, "They can look. But, only you can touch." He softly growled, claiming her mouth with his.

After breaking away from his kiss and splashing her face with cold water, CC had left. And as she drove in the solitude of the empty truck, she realized how much she missed Vin's quiet presence. She shook her head. "How did you get under my skin so quickly and efficiently?" Sighing, Dr. McKenna realized she couldn't resolve this question by designing and implementing an experiment. She turned on the radio, then inserted her Def Leppard cd. It'd been a while since she'd listened to hair metal.

She arrived back at the Motel 6 a little before 10am and glancing around, entered her room, removed her jacket, then quickly went through the connecting door, smiling as Vin tipped his hat to her. She almost giggled as Jamie frowned at her attire. "How is she?" CC asked as she placed the ingredients on the counter.

"Drank more o that tea," Fraser said. "Tis resting."

"Um," the physicist licked her lips. "The proprietor of the shop told me that these ingredients will," she paused, "well... make you go. That's how it cleanses the body. So, after she drinks it, you might want to take her into the bathroom. Vin and I'll go to our room."

Jamie nodded, so CC carefully made the tea, grimacing as she smelled it. "I bet this is noxious." Tracy's husband once again lifted her up and she stirred, murmuring thickly, "Jamie?"

"Tis al' right lass. Just drink a little more."

She swallowed the first sip, but then pulled away and turned her head as CC tried to place the cup at her mouth again. "Don't think she likes it."

"She has ta tak' mor' 'en that fer it ta work."

"Mr. Fraser?"

He nodded, his jaw set as he held Tracy's head and forced her mouth open, "Tis for your own good lass," he whispered as CC poured more of the conconction down her throat. Jamie then held her against him, clamping her mouth shut until she swallowed. They continued until she'd drank the whole cup.

"Thank ye."

CC smiled wearily at Jamie, then moved to rinse this cup and place it on the counter. "We'll be next door if you need anything."

The red-haired man nodded, then carefully lifted his wife to take her to the bathroom.

After closing the connecting door, CC fell onto one of the beds. Vin settled on the other one. She shifted to lie on her side and met his azure gaze. "Do you think that will work?"

"I dunno. Sh'uld cle'n her out rig't good." His eyebrow quirked as she sat up and thrust out one leg.

"Boot."

A slow grin spread over his face and he tugged the footwear off, then gently massaged down her ankle and across her arch, pulling the sock off. She moaned, then giggled, extending her other leg. He removed that boot, then slowly lowered the sock, his thumbs pressing against her flesh. She sighed, then with a yelp yanked her foot away as he began to tickle her sensitive flesh. She glared, pulling her legs on the bed, but then Vin laughed and she stared. "Wha'?" He regarded her questioningly.

"First time I've heard you laugh." She smiled, trying to ignore the heat settling low in her belly. "Vin," she quietly began, "come over here."

"M'am?"

She giggled. "Not for that." CC blushed, but pushed forward, "Just want..." She paused as she felt the bed dip. Tanner wrapped an arm around her and with a yawn, she snuggled against his side, snaking her arm around him.

CC bolted upright, blinking rapidly as she realized that someone was pounding on the connecting door and that Vin was standing and had his gun drawn and cocked before she'd even been fully aware. Shaking the cobwebs from her head, she unsteadily made her way and opened the door, smoothing her hair as she met Jamie Fraser's gaze.

"Is she all right?"

He nodded, waving her and Vin into the room. She smiled as she saw that the young woman was awake and sitting upright propped against several pillows. She was still very pale, but not deathly white.

She returned Tracy's smile, walking toward the bed.

Small town in Washington State - 17:00 hours

Dr. Wyatt Quinn held the plastic baggie containing the tracking devices aloft as he jumped from the dirty rail car. He dusted his linen trousers with the back of his other hand. "Here are your transmitters," he said as he shoved the bad at the psychiatrist.

Her jaw tensed. "This McKenna woman," she ground out, "how the hell did she discover that these devices had been implanted?"

The blonde scientist glared. "How the hell would I know?"

As he started to stomp away, she grabbed his arm. "You said she was just a physicist."

He yanked his arm away. "She was... is." He continued walking as she said, "You determine where we should begin our search."

He paused briefly and replied, "Santa Fe."

MOTEL 6

She settled into the chair, extending her hand and saying, "I'm CC McKenna." She nodded to her companion. "Vin Tanner." He touched the brim of his hat.

Gripping her proferred hand with as much strength as she could muster, Tracy answered, "Tracy... Fraser. And you've met Jamie."

The physicist nodded, laughing. "Almost ran him over."

The young woman glanced to her husband, then quietly said, "Thank you."

"You're welcome." She looked the other woman over, taking in her gaunt appearance. "Do you think you could eat a little something? Maybe some broth?" CC glanced to Vin, who nodded in agreement.

Tracy grimaced as Jamie said, "Aye, lass. Tis a good idea."

"I'll try," she acquiesced.

CC smiled and quickly retrieved some chicken broth. "Vin," she quietly said, "why don't you take Mr. Fraser into our room and get better acquainted?" She suppressed a grin at the slightly panicked expression in his deep blue eyes as he nodded.

Once the two men had moved to the adjoining room and the scientist had warmed the broth, she settled on the chair next to the bed. Scrunching her face, the sick woman accepted the cup and slowly sipped. Tracy eyed her companion over the rim. "Why did you stop? Assist total strangers?"

The physicist sighed. "You were so sick. And your husband was so obviously worried."

Tracy nodded, slumping against the pillows, after setting the cup on the nightstand. "That's all I can take for now."

CC nodded and worried her lower lip with her teeth, her thoughts colliding. She was much better with formulas and calculations than people... Her reverie was broken when the other woman quietly said, "Wondering if Jamie and I will bring you more trouble?"

The scientist glanced up in surprise and the supine woman continued. "I can tell you're running too." She held up hr hand. "From what isn't important right now. Maybe we could help each other?"

"Maybe." She stood and paced around the small room. "It's possible Vin and I could bring you and your husband more trouble." She ran a hand through her hair. "I think we've covered our tracks well, but..."

Tracy sighed. She struggled to sit upright, patting the bed, so CC crossed the space to sit beside her. "We're going to New York to buy an island." She laughed as the physicist's eyebrows shot up. "Sound crazy, I know."

McKenna smiled. "Could work though. Now, we just need a plan to get to New York..."

A couple of hours later, CC opened the connecting door, her eyes widening as she peeked in. Jamie and Vin each clutched a tumbler and were laughing. An almost empty bottle of whiskey sat on the nightstand. She stepped in, saying, "Sorry to interrupt the party boys."

Fraser stood. "Tis al'right. Tracy?"

She smiled. "She's drank some broth." CC moved to the small frig and retrieve a couple of jell-o cups, handing them to Jamie. "See if she wants these later."

He nodded, turning to Vin. They clasped forearms before the red-haired man returned to his room.

"Glad to see you two bonding," she said, wiping the nightstand. She sniffed the contents of one of the glasses and grimaced.

Tanner laughed, taking the glass and swallowing the rest of the whiskey, then nodded. "He's seems ta be nice fella."

CC settled on the bed beside him. "Tracy suggested that we get a motorhome and travel together. Be vacationing friends traveling the country in a Winnebago. What do you think?" She studied his eyes. "You're not too drunk to make a decision, are you?"

The long-haired man shook his head. "A rig't good plan, I'd say." He frowned. "What's a winn-e-bago?"

She giggled, hugging him.

"Are ye sure ye'll be ok?"

Tracy sighed deeply. "Yes. I'm sure. Mr. Tanner will be right next door. Just go and find us transportation."

Jamie nodded and kissed his wife briefly before reluctantly following CC to her and Vin's room. He noticed that both beds had been slept in. He nodded to the other man, then averted his gaze as the blonde woman moved close to him.

"Mr. Fraser and I will be back as soon as possible Vin." She brushed his lips with hers, melting against him as he wrapped his arms around her.

They returned several hours later with CC driving the new motorhome. The red Dakota was hitched to it. The duo entered the Fraser's room and Tracy said, "Well?"

CC smiled. "We found a beauty!" She opened the door which connected the two rooms. "Vin come over here."

When all four were gathered, McKenna said. "We need to get moving as soon as possible." She glanced to Tracy. "Are you up to riding yet?"

The young woman nodded.

"Good. There is a master bedroom. You and Jamie can take it."

"No! We should flip for it or something," Tracy insisted.

Flushing, CC said, "No, really. You're the married ones."

Jamie spoke up. "Aye. She tis right."

Sighing, Tracy nodded in agreement.

"I'll start loadin' up," Vin said.

CC sat behind the wheel with Jamie in the passenger seat. Vin and Tracy were sitting behind them. "So, we agree on an indirect - very indirect - route to New York?" At their nods, she asked, "So, which way?"

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