Alex's Celtic Knot	Clan Wallace Crest

Part 1

The morning sun streamed through the hotel window as Alex Wallace woke to a new day. She dragged the fingers of her left hand through thick auburn hair, stretched and yawned?then she remembered? she was almost afraid to open her eyes in case it had been a dream but then, she felt the warmth of an arm across her chest holding her close to another source of warmth, and she opened her eyes to meet the gentle, sleepy gaze of Ellie O Brian.

"Good morning, blue eyes." Ellie murmured

"Morning, my love." Alex replied and marvelled at the ease with which the endearment slipped from her lips. "Would you like some tea?"

"Only, if you can make it from right here!"

"I have many skills, but I don't think that is one of them." smiled Alex and, dropping a gentle lingering kiss on Ellie's upturned lips then she swung her long legs out of bed.

Ellie watched as Alex walked across the room and mused on what had happened the previous evening. She was not normally a 'jump into bed on the first date' kinda girl and yet that first kiss had seemed so familiar, it was as if they were just picking up where they had left off, who knows when. Their lovemaking had been wonderfully gentle and they seemed to know each other's bodies of old. Ellie had never felt so safe and at ease in anyone's arms, let alone this complete stranger who was as familiar as her own heart.

Whilst making the tea, Alex's thoughts were whizzing about in the same vein. Where had all this come from? Alex, the self contained, 'I don't need anybody', 'my work is all I need' ice maiden, melted by this beautiful woman who had literally fallen into her arms in the hotel foyer yesterday. Was it really only yesterday? Despite all of the confusing myriad of thoughts jumbled up in her head, standing out clearly above all of these feelings was one, a feeling of happiness that was just busting to explode from her.

As they sat in bed drinking the strong tea Alex favoured, they found their eyes meeting.

"We've been together before haven't we?" Finally it was Ellie who grasped the moment and expressed what they had both discovered, the previous evening, in a flash of memories.

"Undoubtedly and most definitely, YES." came Alex's firm reply "does that spook you?"

"I can't be spooked by something that feels so natural, and right, and familiar and safe." Ellie's quiet drawl emphasised each and??"So I guess I'll just say 'Thanks' to whoever is responsible for bringing you back to me."

In answer, Alex simply held Ellie in the circle of her arms, feeling that her heart would burst, as gentle tears fell from both the green and blue eyes.

They had showered, dressed and had a long hug before leaving Alex's room. They both had commitments for the rest of the day but agreed to meet later.
Ellie went to the Conference Hall, where the day's events were unfolding and where she knew she would face the questions of her PA's. She had left them to handle things, the previous evening, when her need to see Alex again had overruled her usual consummate professionalism. Sure enough, she heard the clear tones of the two women ring out across the Hall.

"Morning, Ellie!!" smiled Ann, her voice heavy with innuendo.

"So good of you to join us, Boss." said Dany, "Have a good evening?"

Dany and Ann had been friends with Ellie since High School, and joined her when she started her company, 3 years before, and so. As friends, as well as employees, they knew how far to push the boundaries and both women were amused by the blush that changed Ellie's usual pale complexion, a crimson red.

"Hit that nail on the head, huh, Dany girl!!" she muttered, so that only Ann could hear, and got a dig in the ribs for her cheek.

Attempting to cover her embarrassment, Ellie shifted into organiser mode and all three women were soon immersed in their work.
Part 2

Alex was now in a cab, heading for her US Publishers office and thinking how blue the sky was, how sweet the breeze from the ocean was and ?

"Oh by all the fires of Hades, Alex." she berated herself," Stop it? NOW!!"

The cab driver looked around sharply, and she realised she had spoken the word aloud?
"Sorry, I was talking to myself." she grinned sheepishly. He threw her an odd look, but continued to drive.
Alex couldn't stop this silly grin from appearing on her face?and she chuckled quietly to herself?

Making it to her destination without further outburst, Alex paid the driver and gave him a good tip for his trouble. She made her way to her publisher's office where she was ushered in.

Two hours later, she was leaving with a very lucrative deal in her back pocket and the expectation of further revenue from the TV studios, for the rights to her book about the Warrior Princess of Greece.

Money had never been a driving force in Alex's life, because she had never been short of it. She was aware that this was an enviable position and never took it for granted. Her parents had been successful business people and had amassed great wealth. However, little good had it done them, when they were both killed in a car crash when Alex had been only 5 years old. Her memories of them, and the time of their death were few, and only photographs of them kept their image alive in her mind. She had been raised by her Uncle James in Scotland, where she had been happy and loved by him and their community, who had taken the quiet blue eyed child to their hearts.

So Alex had spent her childhood on the rugged west coast of Scotland in a village called Applecross where Uncle J, as she called him, owned the only hotel and Pub. It was right next to the sea and so fishing, swimming and exploring were natural pastimes for the young girl who, although an open and friendly child, always enjoyed the solitude of the rugged coastline with its many caves and ruins. It was here that she found her love for the past, and excavated her first fossils in the caves on the coast.

It was here, also, that Alex had built the walls around her heart and soul to hide the dreadful darkness that would came upon her, without any warning or reason that she could understand, for most of her life. She would find herself gazing out across the Applecross Bay with a great unknown weight hanging around her neck like an invisible millstone. Many the times, Uncle J would find her bed empty, and search for her, to find her hunched over in the driving rain, sleet and snow of the high coastline. Nothing he could do would quiet the racking sobs of the child as he held her in his arms, time and again. He would carry her home and put her back to bed and sit with her until her breathing slowed and she fell into an exhausted sleep. At other times, he would wake to hear her do battle with her demons in her bed and find her thrashing and crying out unintelligible sounds and using an invisible sword to slash at the terrifying dangers in her dreamscape. His efforts to reach and understand the pain that enveloped Alex at these times were fruitless, as Alex always said,
"I'm fine Uncle J, just leave it?OK."

As Alex grew older, the nightmares became less frequent, but Uncle J was dismayed to find that a large part of the open, gentle soul he had raised was hidden behind the ice blue eyes and inscrutable mask that people now knew, as Alex Wallace.

The only road to Applecross was a tortuous track of hairpin bends, winding its way up the steep glaciated valley from Loch Carron. The view back down the valley, from the top, was breathtaking and always filled Alex with awe. When the time came for her to leave Applecross and go the University, it was a difficult decision, but Alex's hunger for knowledge and her deep need to explore, overrode her sense of loss. She made some friends during her studies, but mainly she kept herself to herself and watched the world as an observer.

She had graduated from Edinburgh University with a First class degree in Archaeology and then spent three years on various digs, until she completed her thesis and became Dr. Alex Wallace. PhD.. Her favourite dig and the one from which she gleaned most of the data for her doctorate, was in Greece: It was the tomb of her old friend, the Warrior Princess. Alex had only been a junior on this dig, but her professor had trusted her to go with her instincts and she had been the one to make many rare discoveries. She found herself identifying with this woman's search for good and her need to right the wrongs of herself and others.

In homage to the warrior, Alex had copied the complex knot design found in her tomb and used it, with the Wallace Clan crest, as part of her own symbol. She had had a large gold ring made with the Wallace Clan family crest on it: The armoured arm holding aloft a battle sword, and the motto Pro Libertate?For liberty ?.was surrounded by the ancient design, and she wore it, always, on the pinkie finger of her left hand.

When Alex wasn't away on digs, her home was still in Applecross. She had found a small derelict croft, where shepherds would have lived, on the steep slopes above the village overlooking the bay. With her own hands, she had worked hard, whenever she could, to make the ruin into a small but cosy home for herself and her few treasured belongings. It was here where she felt she could battle the darkness and search for some peace. In her professional life and, in what little private life she had, her iron will kept the darkness away, but it was only in her croft that she allowed it dominion over her, and allowed the released of the dreadful pressure of its power.

Part 3

In the cab on the way back to her hotel, Alex realised that her business in the States was completed and that she was due to return home to the UK in only 3 days. Somehow that fact made her stomach churn and she shivered.

The Conference was coming to an end and delegates were leaving the Hotel. Many stopped to congratulate Ellie on a job well done and hoped to see her again next year. The Hotel manager Jenny, who had, the previous evening, told Ellie Alex's room number also stopped by to congratulate her.

"Did you get what you needed last night, Ellie? She asked.
Ellie's green eyes narrowed as she looked closely at the other woman but she saw no hidden agenda or subtext in the question, and so she simply nodded back.
"Yes, thanks again, Jenny."

This time, Dany and Ann's eyes were out on stalks,

"Ellie, are you going to spill, or do we have to kidnap you, and force you to eat jelly babies, until you do??" Dany's voice was a whisper of menace?
Ellie laughed at their standing joke about her weakness for sweet and sticky things?but replied

"No, I can't." she whispered "I haven't really worked it out myself yet."

The tone of her voice brought about a swift change in her friends attitudes and their faces reflected their concern for their little boss. They both knew of her past and were fiercely protective of her.

"Be careful, Ell. " Dany looked at her and squeezed her hand gently, "You know where we are, dontcha?"

Ellie returned the squeeze and smiled. "Yep, I sure do?always have."

As she turned away to talk to yet another departing delegate, Dany and Ann looked at each other.

They had been drawn to Ellie when she had first moved to their school in Dallas. There was something simple and innocent about her and it shone out from those expressive green eyes, for all to see. Sadly, as ever was the case, some saw her goodness as weakness and enjoyed taunting her. In common with most bullies, they were cowards and always waited until she was alone to begin their torture. She had been the target of one particular group of bitchy girls for some time, until one day, Ellie had had enough and had lashed out at the ringleader. The girl went down and looked up with a bloody nose, it was then that Ellie burst into tears and leant down to hold the girl in her arms and dabbed at her nose with a tissue.

"I am so sorry, but you can't treat people like this?it isn't right, what did I ever do to you? Huh? What? Why do you hate me so much?"

The girl pulled away from Ellie's arms and stalked away with her friends, yelling back, "This ain't over yet, you freakin weirdo."

From that day, the bullies had mostly, left Ellie alone, due to the fact that Dany and Ann made sure that one of them was with her, at all times. However, they knew that that day had scarred Ellie and sometimes they would find her gazing into space, with a sad look on her face.

Out of school, they spent time together but Ellie always came to Dany or Ann's house, they were never invited to hers and they never asked why.
Dany's mother was always pleased to see Ellie and greeted her with big hugs every time she visited. In the beginning, Ellie had been stiff and uncomfortable with this but soon began to relax and even return the hugs.

Dany had once overheard her mother talking to her Father about Ellie.
"That child needs to be looked after; she's too thin and pale. I have a good mind to go?"
"No, you won't," her Father had spoken firmly, "You can't interfere in another family."

Dany was to remember that conversation within the year and wish, with all of her heart, that her Mom had gone to talk to Ellie's parents that day.

It had all begun, one Monday morning, when Ellie had failed to get the school bus. The asked their Home Room teacher, if she knew why Ellie was not in school, but there was no message or note to explain it. Dany and Ann had no choice but to wait until school finished and they went to Ellie's house. It was in a rundown part of town, the yard overgrown and littered with empty cans and other mess. They had knocked on the door and waited. Eventually, the door opened and a man, whom they assumed to Ellie's Dad, glowered at them.

"What do you want??" he shouted at them His breath washed over them and all they could smell was stale cigarette smoke and alcohol.

"Oh? Um..We're friends? of Ellie's?. and we wondered if she was alright..cos she didn't come to school today." Dany stuttered, her mouth drying up as she became the focus of his angry sneer.

"Mind your own doddamn business, don't you 'do gooders' come round here messing with my family, now get the hell off my property, Ellie will come back to school If, and when, I? SAY SO."

The two girls backed off and ran out of the yard into the street. They stopped at what they thought was a safe distance and looked back at the house. They saw a curtain open briefly in one of the upstairs rooms, and Dany thought she saw a pale face at the window, but it quickly closed again.

It was 3 days later that Ellie returned to school, her two friends asked her why she hadn't been in school and her eyes dropped to the floor as she whispered "Fell down the stairs, hurt my ribs."

She would not be drawn on the issue and her friends just gave her a gentle hug before going on to classes.

Over the next year, these absences became more frequent and Ellie became more and more withdrawn. One of their teachers had noticed and tried to get Ellie to talk but she never would, her grades suffered and from a straight A student, Ellie began to fail classes.

Dany and Ann spent as much time as they could with her, inviting her over to their homes for meals and sleepovers. It hurt them so much to see a gentle soul like Ellie being so obviously mistreated.

The terrible reveal of the extent of this abuse, came when Ellie was taken from her house by Social workers, one cold dark winter's night. She was put into a children's home on the other side of town. Neighbours had finally had enough of hearing her screams as her Father beat her in drunken rages. Two of the men had kicked in the door and found her father beating her with a bel, as she tried to hide behind the refrigerator. Her face was covered in blood and she was too whipped even to cry, as the men pulled her father off her, and she was wrapped in the arms of a woman from across the road.

Ellie was in hospital for several weeks as doctors healed the visible wounds and attempted to address the deeper emotional ones. Ellie just sat in her hospital room and gazed with sad green eyes in the middle distance, not engaging with the softly spoken doctors, until they left her alone with her thoughts. It was only then that Ellie allowed the bitter tears flow. The dreadful betrayal of trust that Ellie had suffered at her fathers hand, was to colour her abilities to trust and relate to others for a very long time.

Ellie's Father was sent to jail for 15 years for the 'attempted' murder of his daughter and her friends discovered that her mother had died, when Ellie was 10 years old,?.after a fall down the stairs?..

Dany and Ann continued to be her close friends and as time went on, with their help and support, Ellie began to recover and smile again. She had asked not to be fostered to a family, and preferred to remain in the children's home. There, she was not expected to make relationships with the staff members who changed by the week, and she had her own space where she would write her diaries and lose herself in her stories.

The three friends graduated High School together. Ellie went to college in California, where she had won a full scholarship to major in Journalism. Dany and Ann were not as academic as Ellie and both took jobs in local businesses.

The three friends kept in close touch and met up often. Ellie always joined Dany's family for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Ellie got a good degree and began to work at her trade as a journalist. She remained in California but would drop everything at the sniff of a good story, and travelled all over to be the first to bring them back to her paper. She had a small apartment, but it was just a place to eat and sleep and didn't really feel like home?Ellie had forgotten what a home felt like. She loved to write and had had several of her own stories published in magazines, but her dream of the big novel was always pushed to the background by the need to earn a living.

Finally, Ellie decided to set up on her own in the corporate world of Conventions. She had covered enough of them as a journalist and knew what made a good one and what made a Conference fail. Her business sense told her there was a market for a good organiser in her home city so she touted the Hotels until one agreed to give her a chance, and the rest was history.

Ellie had a way with people, and they all fell in love with this quietly spoken childlike woman who made every Convention she organised, a success. Dany and Ann had willingly given up their humdrum lives in Texas to join her, and the business had flourished.
Part 4

Alex had returned to the hotel and made a few phone calls to various colleagues. She had no digs planned for a few months but needed to be back in the UK, to meet the British Publishers of her book. Additionally, it was Uncle J's 70th Birthday and she could miss that, only, on pain of a fate worse than death!!.

Sitting quietly in her room, Alex's customary control wobbled and she couldn't shake the strange feeling that sat in her stomach making it roll and boil The phone rang and she jumped; she answered it and heard the soft drawl of Ellie's voice, with delight.

"How's your day been?"

"Fine, thanks, very successful?let me buy you dinner and I'll tell all!!"

They agreed to meet in the hotel restaurant and Alex found herself impatient to see the beautiful blond again. She showered and changed into a pair of dark blue trousers with a blue cotton shirt and her usual waistcoat with the Celtic designs: she pulled on a pair of freshly polished black ankle boots, and looked in the mirror. Fashion had never been Alex's strong point. She liked simple tailored clothes with no frills and hated to wear more than two colours. Her usual casual dress was jeans, a faded and battered Scotland Rugby shirt and heavy desert boots in the winter?and cut-off jeans, T shirts and sandals in the summer. Her wardrobe was small and that suited her fine.

Alex walked into the restaurant and her eyes swept the room until she saw Ellie. She was reading the menu and held her head at an angle that allowed the light to catch the gold of her hair, and the profile of her gentle face. Alex's stomach did a back flip and she stood for a few moments just drinking in the sight of this amazing woman whom she now knew, had taken her heart with her, when she had left that morning.

"Oh Boy, am I ever in real trouble." she whispered.

Ellie felt, rather than saw Alex and looked up to see her walking across to her table. Ellie gasped as the strength of her reaction hit her right in the middle of her gut. She stood and reached out to hug Alex and it seemed the most natural thing to do.
"You look gorgeous." Alex whispered in her ear
"You're not so bad yourself." she replied and her face broke into a smile that Alex was sure, lit up the whole room.

The two women were far too enraptured in each other to see that from the foyer, Dany and Ann were watching them together, looking at each other with concern.
Part 5

"OK, I'll toss you for it." Dany and Ann faced each other across their room. Their job was done and, in the morning, they were heading back to their homes on the other side of the city, but they were torn between their concern for their friend and her right to her own life.

"Whatever has this woman done to Ellie? We've never known her to behave like this, it just doesn't make sense." Ann voice betrayed her frustration.

"I SAID ?I'll toss you for it." Dany repeated loudly.

"What are you whittering about?" Ann squeaked.

"One of us has to talk to the Amazon and find out what she's up to. Our heretofore heterosexual friend has been seduced by this, I'll grant you, drop dead gorgeous woman?and we?"

Dany stopped and looked at her friends face?

"What???"

"She's got to you too hasn't she?Great Caesars Ghost?I am surrounded by raging hormones." Ann paced the floor and stopped to look out of the window.
"Look, Dany, lets stop and think here. When have you ever seen Ellie glow like she has all day? Huh? Huh? Maybe this is something really good for her."

"Are you saying we have to let this thing happen?"

"Yep, maybe that's just what I am saying."

+++++++++++++
Part 6

Alex and Ellie could have been alone in the restaurant for all the notice they took of anyone else, or the food for that matter: they were totally enveloped in each other and talked endlessly and without any awkwardness.

After their meal they decided to have tea, or in Ellie's case coffee, in Alex's room.

They walked arm in arm through the foyer and saw none of the furtive look, some admiring, some curious and some downright lustful that followed them.

They sat on the balcony in an apparently companionable silence until Alex looked over and was shocked to see pain etched on Ellie's face and tears tracking down her face. Some great protective instinct leapt from Alex as she reached for her and in a moment the tall woman had Ellie locked in her arms. Alex's hand cradled the back of Ellie's head and she crooned to her,

"Shhhh, it's alright, I've got you?schhh". She dropped gentle kisses on the pale forehead.

Alex had closed her eyes as she tried to absorb the pain flowing from Ellie and she felt herself slip to another time, a time that was barely a scent of a memory, when she knew that she had done this many times before. It was a tangible feeling and yet one that held no fear for Alex, just the desperate need to help the person in her arms.

Ellie began to relax within the circle of Alex's arms and she looked up to meet the questioning gaze from those blue eyes.
"Sorry." she sniffed.

Alex held her gaze, "What happened?"

"I just felt so safe for a few moments and it kinda overwhelmed me, then I thought about how I'm going to feel when you're gone again."

"Is feeling safe so unusual for you, Ellie?" Alex asked quietly.

Ellie seemed to gather herself and pulled away. She looked into Alex's eyes again for the longest time and exhaled a long breath.

Once Ellie began to talk, she didn't seem able to stop as all of the anger and pain flowed out of her, like an infection being cleansed.

All of Alex's well cultivated veneer of calm and reserve crumbled as Ellie opened up, she began to talk of things that had caused her such pain and left her unwilling to reach out to another person, for fear of another betrayal.

Alex's heart ached when Ellie told of the abuse by her father and her real fear that her father had killed her mother. She reached across and held the tiny hand, stroking it gently and trying to pass through their link, the strength that Ellie needed to enable her to get to the end of the story.
Alex moved her chair so that she could gather the weeping Ellie into her arms again. The gentle green eyes filled with tears over and again, and Alex wiped them away, and held her close to her.

Ellie eventually calmed her breathing and straightened up. She moved away from the safety of the tall woman's arms, and stood with her back to the balcony rail.

"So now you know that I am a screwed up head case and you should run a mile in the opposite direction."

Alex took a moment to gather her thoughts and spoke,
"Is that what everyone else has done??"

"The few I've gotten close enough to? to tell? the whole sad and sorry mess?..Yep, that's what they do. Too needy and insecure, I drive people nuts and they leave me."

Alex lifted Ellie's tear stained face up.
"Ellie, look at me?please ?look? at? me."
Unfolding her long legs, Alex moved towards Ellie and put her hands on her shoulders, kneading the tension she felt there.

After a few seconds their eyes met?and Alex spoke softly...

"Listen to me, I have never been so sure of anything, as I am sure of what I am about to say to you. I had almost given up on finding you? you are the other half of me. I know that I have always loved you with all that I am?I just KNOW IT. "

Ellie was suddenly riveted by the heart breaking crack in Alex's voice, as the tall dark woman struggled to drag the words out from her very soul.

"All my life I have felt something precious had been ripped from me. I have had nightmares all of my life when I see a bright light, that fills me with joy; disappear down a fiery deep pit, and now I have found that bright light again, I will never let you go?not ever. "

Alex took hold Ellie's hand as if her very existence depended on it, she swallowed hard and continued,

"We have trusted each other in past lives, haven't we???I know you can feel that, Ellie?so trust me now. I will never hurt you and I will spend the rest of my life, looking after you and loving you. I want to take all that hurt and lock it away from your heart so it can never hurt you again.. Let me do that Ellie, please".

Ellie dropped her eyes, she was hearing the words and seeing the depth of sincerity in Alex's eyes but more than that?she knew at that moment that this was her destiny and as her fears vanished, she knew she would follow this woman anywhere she went, and that Alex's path from now on, was her path too.

Alex waited and almost held her breath, waiting for a response?she had never said these things to anyone and ...Oh? by all the gods and goddesses ?she needed to know that this beautiful, wonderful gentle woman felt the same way.
It seemed like an eternity before Ellie's hand closed on Alex's, and she looked up to see the anxious look in those beautiful blue eyes?and she whispered..

"Yes, please?my love?Yes please?"

Part 7

The next day found the two women again, drinking tea.
"I have to be home for Uncle J's birthday, but I could fly back after that". Alex suggested conversationally.
She felt Ellie freeze beside her?
"What is it, Ellie? What's wrong, what did I say?"

Ellie's face was stricken with fear?
"You said you wouldn't leave me?you promised?"

Alex picked Ellie up and held her on her lap and rocked gently?
"My darlin girl, I want us to be together, more than anything, but we have to face it,? you have a home, a business and friends here?. and I have a home, Uncle J and my University work in the UK. It's going to take some time for me to sort things out, so that I can move out here, and then we can be together?".

Ellie realised what Alex had said and, in an instant, her thoughts became crystal clear.

"Alex, I have no home here, my business is just that?.a business?it's not my life's work and Dany and Ann can run it with both hands tied behind their backs. They have been the only constant thing in my life but I would follow you to hell and back, in a heartbeat. Apart from Dany and Ann and their folks?there are no happy memories for me here.
Take me with you Alex ?Don't leave me here, I can organise and write for you, I have talked with politicians and business people, all over the world when I was a journalist. I can be useful to you.
I want to see where you grew up Alex, I want us to live in your little croft and make a whole load of new memories?Where you go, I go, because you are stuck with me. First thing tomorrow, I'll get hold of my contacts at the Airlines and book two tickets for London or Edinburgh, or wherever is best?"

Ellie stopped and realised she was probably moving way too fast and kicked herself. "Goddammn it, Ellie, you've done it again", she screamed in her head, and gazed down at the floor afraid to look up, for fear of what would greet her.

Ellie felt that her heart would break as the silence seemed to last for hours?eventually, she could bear it no more and decided that seeing rejection would be better than not knowing, and she spoke, her voice trembling, "What do you think, Alex,?.is that what you want??"

The answer was loud and clear, and Ellie heard it as if Alex had yelled it from the rooftops?She couldn't help but laugh out loud, as she looked up to see the amazed and delighted expression on Alex's face. Ellie's held it in her hands and kissed her re-discovered soulmate, long and hard.

Continued in Ch 2. Part 8


Alex's Celtic Knot Clan Wallace Crest.


Knowing Her?again?Ch 2
Part 8-14

By Scribingbard52

Part 8.

Explaining to Dany and Ann what she planned to do, had been easier than Ellie had hoped. She got the feeling that her two buddies had discussed her situation and resolved to stay out of it.

"Are you sure?" was the only question Ann asked, and seemed content with the response. They had agreed to carry on running Ellie's business and, despite their own misgivings about how well they would do without their front woman, Ellie convinced them to give it a go.
Alex and Ellie were due to fly to Scotland in 2 days, so the three friends thrashed out their plans in intensive sessions until they were all happy with the result.

Alex had arranged the flights and phoned Uncle J to warn him of another guest at his party. Even stoical Uncle J couldn't fail to have picked up the tone in Alex's voice, but he decided to ask more questions face to face. He agreed to have Alex's 4x4 taken to the airport so she could drive herself home and promised that Jeannie, his housekeeper, would air Alex's croft and prepare it for her homecoming.

Alex had one final request, which left the Scotsman speechless, but he agreed willingly.

At the Airport, two days later, the two women sat waiting for their flight and pondered how much their lives had changed so quickly, absentmindedly, their finger intertwined and each rubbed the others hand gently. The flight was uneventful and they landed at Glasgow Airport with only a short delay. They separated at the Customs desk, where, Ellie as a US national, was asked her reasons for her visit.

"Purely pleasure" she told the uniformed official and smiled to herself.
She had to give Alex's address in the Highlands as her contact address and she smiled to herself as this gave her a nice, warm feeling.
They gathered their luggage and Alex led Ellie to the car park where she knew her vehicle to be. Ellie's eyes were out on stalks when she saw the monstrous truck,

"It's huge!" she gasped, "What do you use it for?"

"Listen, my wee one, wait till you see where we, are going to be living!!"

Part 9

They drove north from Edinburgh and Alex promised to show Ellie around at a later date. Ellie shivered, as the temperature of Scotland in early November was considerably different to California. She had wondered why Alex had insisted on stopping to buy a thick padded Wax jacket for her just outside the airport?now she knew why, and gave thanks for Alex's thoughtfulness. The city gave way to country roads that skirted large expanses of water Alex informed her , were Lochs,?not PONDS as Ellie had suggested!! Their journey of 200 miles seemed to fly by as Ellie marvelled at the beauty of the mountains and hills surrounding them.
They stopped for lunch and ate Scottish smoked salmon on fresh brown bread flavoured with lemon and black pepper.?

"I have always loved salmon." Ellie mumbled as she devoured her third sandwich.

Alex smiled with pleasure to see Ellie so relaxed and her own spirits soared to be back home in her beloved Scotland, with this beautiful woman.

As they drove along a normal two lane road, Ellie was surprised to find that Alex turned the truck onto what looked like a dirt track.

"Why, Doctor Wallace," Ellie drawled in her best southern belle voice, "Where are ya'll takin lil ol me?"

Alex grinned and gunned the truck engine as the road began to become steeper. In a few moments Ellie was gasping at the route they were travelling. The single track road was near vertical and long looping hairpin bends were the only thing that made it navigable ?Ellie now realised why Alex drove the big truck!! They stopped half way up the road so that Ellie could see the view back down the valley.

"Honey, it's just amazin'. " Ellie's voice revealed her awe in this magnificent scene. The waterfalls were cascading from the hanging valleys of the valley that had been carved through the land by ancient glaciers.

As they reached to top, the plateau before them had its own stark beauty, and small patches of water filled the tarns left from the ravages of those same glaciers that had formed this landscape, in the many ice ages suffered by this northern land.

They finally arrived in the coastal village of Applecross as the winter sun disappeared, and a few scattered cottages appeared in the gloaming.
Alex drew into the car park of the Applecross hotel where the sign showed an image of a Stag with full antlers, and proudly proclaimed,
"Proprietor James D. Wallace"

She stopped and as Ellie stepped down from the truck, Alex steadied her and asked,
"Are you OK to do this now? Would you rather rest and see Uncle J tomorrow?"
"I won't say I'm not more than a little nervous to meet your family, but I want to know them and your home ,Alex, I just hope they like me." She sounded worried.

"They will love you as much as I do?who could resist the long fall into those beautiful green eyes?they are the windows to our souls, my wee one. They will all be your slaves." Alex chuckled.

"There's only one person I want to fall into my soul?.and she has done that already." Alex felt her eyes fill with tears as she gazed at this wonderful woman who had left her life behind, to be with her.

The lights of the hotel lit their path to the door and, as they entered, they heard the gentle sounds of voices and laughter. This soon changed to loud greetings as Alex's arrival was noticed.

"Alex, welcome home!!"

"Hey Lassie, we missed ya."

Alex was surrounded by people hugging her and slapping her back and Ellie stood back a little, to soak up the love and pleasure,that these people felt?..just cos Alex was home.

Alex extricated herself from the throng, and searched for Ellie, their eyes met and Alex blushed as she saw the love shining out from her girls eyes.
They moved together to hands clasped when suddenly, Alex was pulled away from her by a giant of a man, with a huge beard streaked with red and silver.

"Darling Lassie of mine?..about time you came home "

This, Ellie realised had to be Uncle J and she could see the resemblance in the same startlingly blue eyes that so mesmerised her, when she looked at Alex.
"Hey, Uncle J, I missed you too?.let me down, I want to introduce you to ?"

The big man looked at Ellie, and for a moment she felt his ice blue eyes assess her. Then he offered a huge hand and ,as she put her own tiny hand in his, she felt the full force of the charisma that must run in the Wallace genes, and smiled as he gently kissed the back of her hand.

"Welcome, welcome to my humble abode, beautiful wee lassie?. Cued Mile Failte, Ellie".

Ellie looked at Alex quizzically.

"It's an ancient Gaelic greeting?it means A Hundred Thousand Welcomes." Alex whispered as the greeting was repeated and reverberated around the bar, to the chink of glasses raised in toast.

"Now then, wee lassie, what can I get you." Uncle J reverted to his role as host, and walked to the other side of the bar.

"Now then Uncle J, we've just flown half way around the world and we need some sleep." Alex insisted, "There will be plenty of time to catch up tomorrow."

Although he pretended to grumble, Uncle J knew she was right and as he pulling his niece into a hug, he made them promise to come see him the next day.

Back in the truck, Alex cast a glance at Ellie.
"Are you OK, my love???..he's a big guy with a big heart, but he's gentle as a lamb. He wouldn't hurt a fly. You'll get used to him."

In the back of Alex's mind reared the spectre of Ellie's Father and her heart warmed at the young blonds reply.

"I love him already". Ellie smiled and wondered at the magic being woven around her that made her feel able to say and feelthese things.
Part 10

It was only a few minutes along another track before Alex pulled into an even smaller track, and came to a stop outside a single story, stone built building, .

Lights shone out from the windows and Ellie heard the gentle thrum of a generator from behind the Croft. Alex opened the door and she stood back to let Ellie pass her and enter. Alex held her breath, she was desperate for Ellie to like her home?She dropped the luggage on the floor and turned to shut the door. A big log fire burned in the imposing fireplace that almost filled one wall of the living room, and its warmth quickly replaced the heat lost when they had entered. The room was simply furnished. Two large, well worn, brown leather couches sat either side of the hearth. A coffee table made from rough wood and a pile of big brightly coloured cushions in front of the fie completed the inventory. Ellie was standing in the centre of the room and slowly turned in a circle ? She moved to gently touch the photographs and objects dotted around the room; she lifted the fossils and driftwood she instinctively knew her girl, had found, and treasured. She breathed in the atmosphere of this strange and wonderful world and felt the power of Alex's personality in it. For a brief moment, she felt a chill go down her back as something dark touched her soul and she sensed some pain amongst the stored memories in the room, but this passed very quickly as she turned back to see the anxious expression on Alex's face . She opened her arms and as Alex moved to hold her.

"I love it, Hon?it's just amazing!!"

Alex's relief was palpable and she kissed Ellie with the fervour of relief.
"Hungry??"
"Is Alex Wallace a Scot??" Ellie laughed as she noticed that Alex's Scottish accent, almost unheard in the States, was getting stronger by the minute.

"I'm sure Jeannie will have left something for us. Why don't you have a wander around?that will take all of 2 minutes?it's only a small place!!"

In the kitchen, which was small but well stocked, Alex went to the huge range sitting in a chimney breast surrounded by the logs which fired it. She took a casserole from the range and grabbing two plates and two forks from the cupboard, returned to the fire. She settled herself on the rug and waited for Ellie to finish her inspection.

Ellie walked slowly from the main living room into a small hallway where she could see three doors. The first was the bathroom and she was not surprised to see all modern conveniences. She felt instinctively that Alex didn't mind roughing it on digs, but at home, liked her comforts.

The second door led to a small study where Alex obviously worked from home. All the 21st century technology was there. Satellite phone and internet connection sat easily next to the bird feathers and driftwood that made Alex's home, so strange a mix of old and new.

A glint of metal caught her eye and, in the corner, Ellie saw the shiny metal of a large sword. It had a filigreed metal hand grip and seemed well cared for?she cocked her head to one side, and thought again about how things to do with Alex, awoke so many long forgotten memories.
Behind the door, Ellie noticed a gut strung guitar and sticking out of it's soundbox, a silver penny whistle. She smiled and thought that she still had much to remember about her love.

The final door entered the bedroom and in the gentle lamp light, Ellie saw the massive carved headboard where the motif that adorned Alex's favourite waistcoat, was clear to see. The bed was covered in a thick quilt and a tapestry bedcover, rich in the reds and greens of what Ellie assumed was the Wallace tartan. She smiled and realised that her woman was a Scot through and through. Ellie suddenly wanted to be in that big bed, wrapped up in Alex's arms, but her grumbling stomach drove her back to the warm fire.

As Ellie opened the door to the living room, she smiled at Alex, whose expression revealed many unasked questions.

"Fascinating? my love, you are an anachronism ?big time!!

Alex seemed happy with this and they ate the meal with bread fresh from the Hotel kitchen that day.

When they had finished, Ellie scooted over and put her head on Alex's lap as the tall woman stretched out her legs and leant against the couch. The firelight caught the reds and copper strands of the dark head and the golden ones of the blond. The only sound was the crackle of the log fire until Ellie whispered.
"Hmmmmmm"

"Happy" Alex asked gently.

"What do you think??" Ellie turned to face Alex and moved to begin a kiss that would soon cause them both to want to move to the bedroom?.urgently!!!!.....and so they did.

Part 11

The next day found them still cuddled up beneath the goose down quilt, just enjoying being together.
Alex spoke first, "We'd better get over to the hotel soon or Uncle J will send the boys over."
Ellie asked, "The BOYS??" her green eyes wide..

"Trust me, my darlin', you've a lot to learn about Applecross!!"

Finally, extricating herself from the warm bed, Ellie enjoyed a really hot shower then dressed in warm jeans and two sweaters, the latter at Alex's insistence.

"Trust me, this is the Highland winter, munchkin, .and you are gonna need all the warmth you can get."

Ellie just snuck up behind Alex and putting her arms around the tall woman's waist, murmured seductively, "I've got all the warmth I need right here."
Alex turned within her arms and enveloped Ellie in a big bear hug that left them both breathless. Alex seemed to be even taller as Ellie looked up and up into her lover's face.

She took a deep breath, "By all that's holy, Alex." she whispered, "You are BEAUTIFUL!!"

Alex was truly moved by the adoration she saw in that beautiful face and she gathered herself to whisper,

"As you Americans say. Back at ya ?bigtime ?my lovely, lovely girl."

After a few moments, Alex looked at Ellie and spoke,

"Ready for the fray??"

"Lead on Mac Wallace!!" Ellie grinned, and took the outstretched hand.


For the first time, Ellie saw the croft in daylight and she gasped as her eyes swept a 180 degree horizon of sea and islands crags.

"Those are the cliffs of the islands of Rona and Raasey, "Alex pointed to the west. She, herself, was drinking in the view as she re-connected with her ancient roots, and smiled at the look of awe on Ellie's face.

Looking back at the croft, Ellie could see how it lay in the lee of the equally impressive crags of the mountains surrounding it, protected on three sides from the wind and weather. The spring that fed the cottage water supply gushed from a natural stone conduit into a water tank, hidden by the rocks. The scene was timeless and could have been from any of the centuries past.
The sea was calm and the clear blue skies were disturbed only by a few wispy clouds.

"You know, we Scots have a saying."

"What, only ONE!!" Ellie teased

"Watch it, Yank," Alex grinned and continued "If you can see Raasay, it's going to rain?if you can't see Raasay?it is raining!!. So you are honoured, my love, the sea nymphs are too busy gazing at your beautiful face to make trouble today!!"

Ellie swatted Alex's rear and pulled her away up the track to the hotel.
Part 12

In the daylight, the Hotel was revealed as an imposing stone built building. Its windows faced the bay in the same way that Alex's croft did, and the view was just as stunning.

As they entered, Alex was quickly grabbed into a big hug, by a large woman with grey hair pulled into a bun. "I had left when you got home last night, Alex, How are you? How did it go in America? Will they publish the book? What about the TV series??"

"Whoa Jeannie, one question at a time." She smiled indulgently at the woman who had played such a large part in her life. "First of all, I want you to meet Ellie, my?.."

Jeannie stopped and looked at Ellie with clear, grey eyes; she assessed her, as Uncle J had done the previous evening, and obviously liked what she saw.

"Welcome, wee lassie" she whispered "Welcome home."

Both Alex and Ellie felt their throats tighten at the simple message and all three women turned to enter the bar together.

Although, only 11am, the bar was already populated by some locals and a few hotel guests. Alex waved returning the greetings she was receiving, and looked around for the imposing bulk of Uncle J. An imaginative curse echoed up from the cellar and shortly afterwards, J appeared from the trapdoor in the floor of the bar and rubbed his head.

"Forty years and I still forget to duck." He muttered to himself, and then he saw the smiling faces of the three women watching him. His attempt to gather his dignity, as he coughed and began to polish a glass, failed dismally as the three women all burst out laughing.

"Och, Away with you women, can a man have no respect in his own home??"

Alex soothed his ruffled feathers with a big hug and kissed his head better.
The big man melted at this display of affection and grabbed her in a big hug.

"Did you two sleep well?" he asked and catching the shy look that passed between them, he threw his head back and roared with laughter. "I'll take that as a yes, shall I??!"

Two men, dressed for the weather in warm padded jackets, entered the bar.
They both let out an ear splitting Highland battle cry, and as Alex whooped a reply, they hurried over to her to wrap their arms around her.

"About time you got back, big girl!! "

"Yeh, Yeh I know. You missed the fish I catch for you!!" Alex teased

"Fightin talk, Wallace?is that a challenge??"

Turning to include Ellie, Alex took her hand and drew her to her side. She wrapped an arm around the blond woman's waist and introduced her.

"Ellie, these two rapscallions are Hamish and Donald, the closest thing I have to brothers. Boys, this is Ellie."

The two men blushed; each took one of Ellie's hands and smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Ellie. "
They looked at Alex and grinned. "Big J tells us you have tamed this wild woman of ours!!"

Those in the bar close enough to hear, laughed and clapped as Alex stood dumbfounded and Ellie's face lit up with a smile that she could see reflected in every face around the bar.
"Enough" cried Alex. "We are going for a walk, before I die of embarrassment. This is the equivalent of showing a picture of me naked on a rug as a baby, isn't it, you buggers!!"
Her indulgent smile took any sting from her words and her obvious affection for the two men shone through.

Jeannie came in from the kitchen with a rucksack which she handed to Alex.

"Your usual rations, Alex, and some extras too. Be back by 6, its J's party tonight and I'll need you two girls to help. The men here are hopeless."

She cast a disparaging eye at Hamish and Donald and they quickly melted away for fear of being roped in.

Waving goodbye, Alex and Ellie walked out of the hotel and surveyed the scene before them.
Ellie put her arms around her girls waist and asked, "Do you feel tamed, my love, cos I like the wild woman in there," she placed her hand on Alex's breast and got a sideways glance in return.

"I'm putty in your hands, Ellie, you melt me like an ice cube in a warm bath, but I think you already know that."
They stood for a moment, just resting in the warmth of the connection that bound them.

Part 13

The weather remained fine and Alex was happy to take Ellie on a walk around the headland, to the north of Applecross Bay. There she pointed out the remains of the Iron Age huts where she had played as a child. She waved her hand to the north, to the far distance where, she told a rapt audience there is a waterfall and a clear pool where they could swim in the summertime.

Alex led the beautiful blond to a small indent in the rocks of the cliffs and spread out a blanket taken from the rucksack. They were sheltered from the wind as Alex laid out the pasties and cakes provided by Jeannie. Ellie realised she was starving and filled her mouth with the lovely flavours?

"Hmmm Hmmm." She showed her appreciation of the delicious food and then turned her gaze to Alex, who appeared to be someplace else.

"Penny for 'em Darlin'." She asked and searched her lovers face with concern.
Alex shook her head a little and spoke quietly.

"I used to find myself here a lot when I was a kid, I was always drawn here but I never knew why. Uncle J tells me I used to walk here in my sleep and he would find me crying."

Ellie finished the mouthful of food and reached out.

"Honey, we both seem to be carrying some baggage, I wish I could have been here for you then."

"As I wish I could have stopped your Father?" Alex stopped and looked over,
"Sorry, didn't mean to bring that up again."

"Don't apologise, Babe, don't ever apologise to me for caring." Ellie's green eyes reflected the light, and the moisture in them twinkled briefly, before she wiped her hand over her face.

They drank some of the hot tea from a flask and sat close together watching the gulls soar overhead.

Part 14

They returned to the Croft at about 4pm and relaxed for an hour before getting ready to return to the hotel for J's party. Ellie suddenly put her hand to her mouth and gasped, "Alex, I don't have a gift, what will he think of me and him being so welcoming and all."

"Hey, no panic, His gift is from both of us, it's OUR'S and it's wrapped and ready."

Ellie, every now and then, would stop and wonder at this amazing woman who had plucked her from what she had though of as her life, to bring her here to this warm and gentle place. She savoured the 'OUR'S' and smiled at how simple a word could be so powerful.

Ellie decided to wear a simple outfit of black trousers and a white blouse .Alex had her usual blue outfit on and they stood and looked at each other.
"Boy, are we gonna knock'em dead." Ellie grinned.

Just a minute," Alex went to the bedroom and returned with a silk scarf that she proceeded to tie around Ellie's neck.

As she watched Alex tie it, Ellie realised that the scarf had on it, the same ancient design as Alex's waistcoat; she savoured the moment and its enormous affect on her.

"Wow, Alex, that is so beautiful." She murmured, "Thank you, my love, thank you for all of this."

"No, Ellie, thank you for making all of this come to life for me." They kissed the gentle kiss of two deeply happy people and gave thanks to their goddesses.

Part 15

Alex drove to the hotel in the truck as when they left, later that night; she knew it would be too dark and dangerous to walk back.
The Hotel was already filling with people invited to share J's Birthday party and the atmosphere was warm an inviting. A huge log fire burned in the inglenook fireplace and lamps lit the room, casting dancing shadows on the walls.
Jeannie bustled around and when she saw the two women, she gestured to them to come to the kitchen. Delicious smells wafted out and the table of food already laid out in the room, was groaning under the weight of it all.
Alex and Ellie set to, and helped to complete the job.

At 8pm, both women turned to the door as the skirl of the bagpipes heralded Uncle J's impressive entrance. Ellie gasped at the sight of the huge Scot, in full Highland Dress enter the room led by the Piper. It was the image of ancient Highlanders going into battle that she remembered from books as a child, and she smiled as she saw the rapt expression on her lover's face as she watched her Uncle in his domain.

The party got going, big time, the food and drink flowed and Ellie felt caught up in the sheer joy of life exuding from these wonderful people. Her throat tightened as she remembered Alex's offer to give all of this up to be with her, in America, and she knew her decision to follow Alex, had been the right one.

A small group of musicians were gathering by the fire and this appeared to be a usual thing for parties at the Applecross Hotel. There were two fiddles, several guitars and two women had the round drum like Bourans on their laps, with the drumsticks at the ready. They struck up a Scottish reel and people began to clear the room for dancing. Soon the tartans were flying and the floor shook as the dancers kicked and whirled around, the room echoed with their whoops and yells.

How the hell do they make that much noise without hurting themselves?" Ellie mused.

Alex had returned to Ellie's side with two glasses of beer and answered,
Lots of practise and bucket loads of single malt!!" She smiled and turning to Ellie, asked.
"Want to dance, lovely Lady?"

"Don't even go there if you want to keep your toes intact?I've got two left feet." Ellie responded wistfully. "Let's just watch, Huh?"

Time flew by and it was at 11pm when the floor cleared and a call went up.
"Alex?it's your turn, come on!!."

Ellie looked at her girl and saw her blush and shake her head.

Uncle J pushed his way through to her and taking her face in his hands, looked into her eyes without saying a word.

Alex returned his gaze and smiled. "OK?OK ? but only for you Uncle J!!"

She gave Ellie a fond look, shrugged her shoulders and walked to the musicians. She took the proffered guitar and sat on a stool. Her hands ran over the instrument and she strummed a few chords.
"Ok, what'll it be??"
From all over the room, people called out their choice of tune and eventually, Alex cried out. "Hey, OK. How about, Breisleach?"

Roars of approval greeted her choice and Alex smiled.

She nodded to the musicians and they smiled as they readied their instruments.

Alex took the guitar to her lap and strummed a chord, her eyes closed and Ellie was swept away on the sound of her partner's deep rich voice. It swept through her like a wave, she held her arms around herself; and she was relieved to feel the steadying arm of Jeannie who had come to stand behind her.

Alex's voice soared as she sang the ancient Gaelic words, soft and gentle was their sound and Ellie felt the emotion in the words. Gradually, the other musicians joined Alex, with subtle sounds, to complement her beautiful voice. Jeannie's voice whispered in her ear.
"Do you want to know what she is singing?"

"Yes, please," Ellie barely murmured?

Jeannie's voice whispered in her ear, loud enough so that she could hear the words but soft enough to ensure that Alex's voice was clear.

As Alex sang each line, Jeannie translated for Ellie

"I went to the hazel wood yesterday, seeking hazelnuts for food, but on every' branch and twig, was your pursuing face.
I went to the fertile shore yesterday to gather cockles for a meal; every single shell was filled with your beauty, my love.
I went Into the alehouse to expel you from my head, every glass I raised,
your beauty overflowed from it.
I went early to bed last night, to escape you in sleep,
but you kept me awake, til I'd make you a song.

I'd wish we were tom asunder, were we not apart.
Let your presence replace my image of you, and how I'd rejoice.
You've brought me to foolish babbling, tiring friends with praise of you.
When you return, they'll see that all my words are true.

They'll see mountains dance with ripples, mole and eagle step the reel,
Red rasp held by kind sea-eagle, sport before their eyes.
They'll see you and me make merry, lip to lip, our breath as one
caressing thus forever, together our reward. "

As Alex's voice held the last line, the room was utterly silent; a magical hush reigned for just a few seconds before it erupted in applause of clapping hands and stamping feet. Ellie opened her eyes to see Alex's blue ones gazing at her in open adoration, and she only kept her feet because Jeannie's arms were at her waist.

"More, More" yelled the crowd and Alex smiled.

This time Alex spoke to the other musicians and they nodded. The violins, guitars, bourans and penny whistles joined to create the toe tapping rhythms of the Scottish Reels, all hands clapped along and whoops swept the sounds to the rafters. Through all of it, Alex kept her eyes on the only face in the room that mattered, her girl Ellie.


Continued in Knowing Her?again. Ch 3.


Alex's Celtic Knot Clan Wallace Crest.

Knowing her ?again. Ch 3
Part 16-18

By Scribingbard52

Part 16.

The evening had left Ellie excited and moved. She and Alex had made love gently and the dark Scot had fallen asleep, wrapped in the warm body of the small blond.

Sleep eluded Ellie and after sometime, she decided that a cup of herbal tea would help. She slipped from the bed, trying not to disturb Alex and padded to the kitchen. She put a kettle on the range and stood with her back to the warmth of it. She was lost in her own thoughts when a terrible scream came from the bedroom. Ellie's heart was in her mouth as she rushed back. Alex was standing naked in the middle room; her eyes were open yet not conscious. Her whole body was rigid and her face revealed a terror that made Ellie shiver. Alex was screaming over and over.
"NO?NO?NO"

Ellie approached the terrified woman slowly and held out a hand to touch her arm. Alex drew back and screamed again.

"Gabrieeelllle?." And she reached down as if the pull something from the ground.

Ellie held the hand that seemed as cold as ice and gently pulled her lover to the bed. Alex's steps were uncertain and Ellie kept her voice low and soft.

"It's alright, I'm here, I'm here, my love. Schhhh. I'm right here."

In Alex's dreamscape the terror had returned, once again, to haunt her.
The sounds of the temple were as clear as ever, the smell of sulphur and the heat of flames licking up from the pit in the floor. She felt herself grasping a dagger and moving towards the small blond woman dressed in the red cloak. Her heart recognised the beautiful face but her soul knew she had to destroy this woman.

Everything was in slow motion and she heard her name called as another blond head appeared at her side?A gentle voice seemed to cut through the horror of the scene whispering,

"Schhh, my love ?schhhh..I'm here, I'm here..it's alright?she can't hurt you any more?come back to me?come back to me ,my love.."

The horrific image of the Temple began to fade and Alex felt herself turn towards the voice, a bright light appeared and she felt compelled to move towards it.

For a brief moment, Ellie thought her words were having no effect, then the hand in hers squeezed back and her am around the rigid body, sensed some small relaxation. She sat them on the bed and put her back to the headboard drawing Alex's body to her chest and pulling the quilt over them. She stroked the dear head on her chest and dabbed at the sweat glistening on Alex's forehead. All the time, she was crooning to the tortured soul in her arms and begged all the gods and goddesses to release her girl from this nightmare.

The blue of Alex's eyes began to clear and Ellie felt her body become limp and rest against her.

"Ellie?Ellie?where are you?"
"Right here, my darling, right here."

Ellie just kept dropping gentle kisses onto the damp forehead and held her partner tightly to her breast.

A few moments later, Alex stirred and turned. She seemed not to know where she was and shook her head to clear it.
Realisation dawned and Alex groaned.
"Oh No?please?not again?"
Ellie brushed the dark hair back from the face buried in her shoulder and found the blue pools of Alex's eyes still filled with fear

She pushed her forehead tightly against Alex's and spoke firmly but coldly?
"Never again, do you hear me; never again will you do this to her. Get away from here and never come back."

She didn't know from what memory her chant had come, but she recognised its power and repeated it over and over until she thought she saw three dark shadows come from Alex's head, swirling in the faint light of the coming dawn.

Once again Ellie repeated the chant.

"Get away from her?never return?"

The dark shadows disappeared and Alex's eyes closed as she fell into a deep sleep. Waiting until she was sure that Alex was deeply asleep, Ellie changed her position to make Alex more comfortable, and covered her. She padded back to the kitchen, took the steaming kettle from the range and made her tea. She found that she was shaking and her legs were weak but she made it back to the bedroom and gathered Alex again to her breast. She sipped the tea and tried to make sense of what had happened.

She must have fallen to sleep eventually as the next morning found Ellie waking alone in the big bed in the croft. She sleepily reached for her soulmate and started when she did not find the usual soft warmth. She sat up and rubbed her eyes. A movement from outside caught her eye and she slid from the bed to the window. The dawn was just breaking and the rays revealed Alex, dressed in a loose fitting, black cotton suit, standing on the promontory outside the croft. Ellie gasped as she recognised the sword from Alex's study in her hands. Mesmerised, Ellie watched, as Alex began to twirl the sword around her head in ever faster and more complex patterns.

Alex moved around with such balance and grace, the fearsome weapon seemed to be an extension of her hand and her actions a ballet, rather than an act of violence.

After a few moments, Alex put the sword down on a rock and returned to the promontory. This time she stood with her legs apart, her shoulders square and her hands held in front of her body. Ellie woke from her trance and smiled as she recognised the movements Alex had begun. She went quickly to the bedroom and pulled out from the wardrobe a pair of loose cotton trousers and a long sleeved T Shirt. She left her feet bare and went out of the door onto the promontory. The morning was chill and she shivered as her feet touched the cool of the ground. She moved slowly and quietly until she was about 20 feet from Alex where she hesitated and wondered if she should interrupt this private moment, but then she heard Alex's whisper.

"Good morning, my love?.come to join me?"

Ellie moved behind the taller woman and put her arms around her waist. She nuzzled her back and whispered.

"Only, if it won't disturb you."

"You could NEVER disturb anything, that I wouldn't want you to disturb!!"

"Thank you" Alex murmured.

"For what my love?" Ellie replied, she slid around to face her girl and smiled.

"I remembered last night when I woke up. I hope I didn't frighten you too much." Alex's voice was hoarse and husky.

"I could never be frightened of you, Alex, just frightened for you. How do you feel this morning?"

Alex took a deep breath and looked into the green eyes gazing at her, so full of concern.

"Cleansed and free?for the first time in my life." Alex's voice trembled with the wonder of what she was saying and she leant forward to kiss the lips so temptingly offered.

Ellie broke off the kiss and smiled. She came to stand next to Alex and without another word; they both assumed the starting position that signalled the beginning of the series of controlled movements of T'ai Chi.
They flowed, together, from one move to another and each felt the peace of their unspoken thoughts and a wonderful calm come over them.

Later, when they had returned to the warmth of the croft, they both went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Ellie made the tea and coffee whilst Alex prepared the bowls of cereals, seed and fruits they both enjoyed.

As they munched on the crunchy goodies, Ellie asked, "Will you teach me to use that sword?"

Alex's clear blue eyes clouded over and she dropped her head.
Ellie noticed this and put her hand out to Alex. "What's up?"

The tall dark woman's voice was cool and a shiver went down Ellie's back as she withdrew her hand.

"First of all, it's not just a sword, it's a Highland Warrior's Claymore. Secondly, I doubt you could hold it and thirdly, you take up a weapon and you become a target, Ellie?..and I don't want that for you."

The atmosphere in the room fizzed with the electricity flowing between the two women. It was Alex who shook her head and seemed to come back from another memory, her eyes were clear blue again and this time it was she who reached for the tiny hand.

Their eyes met and an unspoken understating passed between them.

"OK?I guess I'll just stick to my kick boxing then."

This time it was Alex's turn to be startled, she looked over at her girl's beautiful face and reached to tuck away a stray blond hair.

Ellie's voice was calm and yet Alex sensed the hurt in it as she heard her words.

"After what my Father did to me, I swore no-one would ever have that kind of power over me, NOT EVER AGAIN. So I learned to defend myself?"

She glanced at Alex's face and grinned.

"Don't worry, Hon, I promise always to be gentle with YOU!!"

Alex picked up the change of mood and grinned back.

"I suppose we are still rediscovering one hell of a lot of things, Huh?"

Ellie's voice was soft yet strong.

"Yep and I say ?Bring it on!!"

They both laughed until the tears streamed down their faces.

Part 17

As the days turned to weeks, Alex and Ellie explored their new home and it gave Alex great joy to see her girl come to love the rugged countryside around them. She took Ellie to see the Golden Eagles fly above Loch Carron and the Ospreys at Inverness. She took her to Edinburgh, where they walked the cobbled streets and stood on the battements of the ancient castle.

Their evenings were spent around the fire in their cosy croft, playing word games and guessing games.

"so ?You are a great Scottish King?"

"Yep." Alex stated with a grin

" Hellfire Baby Blues Eyes?.I don't know any Scottish Kings."

"Then I win" Alex grinned

"Not fair!!" cried Ellie, "Cheat!!" she leapt on top of Alex and attempted to pin her shoulders to the rug?

"Suck it up Yank!!" and with no effort at all, Alex rolled her over and tickled her until she shrieked,

"Give, Give?.stop!!"

Their comfort with each other was complete; they occasionally went to the hotel to join the Boys, Uncle J and Jeannie for a meal. Ellie had even got to enjoy the traditional meal of Haggis, neeps and tatties that they served.
She had tasted it at Alex's insistence and enjoyed the peppery flavours of the dish. She had had second thoughts, however, when she found out what went into the Haggis, and had chased Alex around their croft with a broom until Alex had begged her mercy and they had both collapsed in a giggly heap.

Alex worked as a freelance lecturer in Archaeology, and her commitments to Edinburgh University were fairly flexible However, she had promised to present a paper, before Christmas, in one of a series of special events.

After breakfast one day, Alex reached for Ellie's hand and said.
"Sorry, little one got to leave you today and get this paper finished for the lecture next week. What you gonna do with your day?"

Ellie looked thoughtful and without another word went to the bedroom. She returned with a computer disk and waved it under Alex's nose.

"?..And what is this, my mysterious little munchkin??"

"Aha?.that's for me to know and you to drag out of me!!" Ellie chuckled.

It's database of Scottish kings and legends."

"Nope!!"

"It's a list of famous Texan delicacies?"

"Oh Ha ha ha!!" Ellie swatted Alex for her cheek. Her tall friend often teased her about her strange tastes in food.

"OK, give up." Alex grinned.

Ellie looked over at Alex and caught amused blue eyes gazing back fondly?

"It's my novel." She stated quietly and waited for a response.

The tall dark woman leapt to her feet, grabbed Ellie and picking her up in her arms as if she weighed nothing, swung her round and round until she was dizzy.

"About bloody time too!!" Alex whooped. "I thought you were never going to get round to telling me about it!!"

"How did you know??" the small blond asked.

"You are a Bard, my love; it's always been there inside?it just needed some space to find the way out."

Nestled in those strong arms, Ellie thought.

"This awesome, strong, complex woman holding her?really did know her, maybe even better than maybe she knew herself."

"Well, I can't do anything up here. Now, can I??" Ellie whispered in Alex's, all too accessible ear and she nibbled the lobe gently.

"I could think of one or two things" Alex croaked huskily.

"Later, lovely Scot of mine?later!!" Ellie twisted clear of the enfolding arms and, planting a kiss on the luscious lips of her pouting soulmate, she turned to leave the croft.

"Where are you off to?? Alex asked in a confused tone

"I asked Uncle J to use his computer at the Hotel."

"No need, Hon, I've got a laptop you can use. No sense in going out in the cold."

"OK," said Ellie, "but is this is the kind of place a girl can work without interruptions for kisses and cuddles."

"Yes" Alex agreed reluctantly

"Then I am definitely going to the hotel!!"

Alex threw a cushion at her girl and shrieked with laughter.

The next few hours saw the blond head and the dark head, each bent over their work, each aware of the other's presence and each so very happy with it all.
Part 18

The day of Alex's lecture dawned crisp and clear and the two women prepared for the 5 hour drive to Edinburgh.

Settling into the mega truck bundled in warm clothes, Ellie watched as Alex checked the emergency kit in the back.

"Are you trying to make me nervous, Hon?" Ellie asked.

Looking even bigger than usual in a padded jacket and walking boots, Alex smirked.

"Just takin good care of ya'll Ma'am. We caint be too careful in these here parts!!" She attempted a Texan drawl.

The little blond hooted with laughter and replied.

"Don't give up the day job, Doc!!"

The journey down the steep road from Applecross was no problem for Alex. She was a good driver and knew the road like the back of her hand. There had been some snow over the previous few days and a heavy frost, but the big truck took them easily on their journey.

They stopped for lunch after 3 hours and each relished the hot food they shared by the fire of one of the many pubs on the route.

Reaching the University with plenty of spare time, they went to the Senior Common Room where several lecturers were already gathered. Alex was greeted warmly and she introduced Ellie.
Ellie, these illustrious gentlemen are the Faculty of Archaeology. Gentlemen, ..my partner, Ellie O'Brian."

Ellie felt her breath stick in her throat as she heard these words. For a moment, she thought she was going to faint, but Alex's strong arm was around her waist.
The academics blinked once or twice and then all spoke at once.

"How wonderful to meet you."

"About time too!!"

"Excellent news, excellent!!"

Once again, Ellie marvelled at this new life and gave thanks for the steadying presence of her girl next to her.

The hubbub alerted others to their presence and soon, the two women, one so tall and dark, the other so small and blond, were lost in the warmth of greetings and congratulations.

Ellie was eventually escorted to the lecture theatre by one of the students of the Faculty, and she had a ringside seat as Alex strode on to the stage.
Her heart was beating so loudly, she felt sure that all around her would hear it, but as she looked around she could see that everyone's attention was on Alex, as she stood at the Lectern.

Although the content of the lecture was outside Ellie's expertise, she could feel the enthusiasm and confidence in her lover's voice. The sheer magnetism of Alex's presence was awesome and Ellie hugged herself and thought.
"Mine..all mine!!"

Applause disturbed her reverie and the theatre rang, long and loud, in appreciation of Alex's presentation.

They had stayed for drinks with the faculty and then made their way to the hotel. They enjoyed a light supper in their room and sat watching the lights of the Scotland's Capital City

Ellie cast a sideways glance and drank in the angled cheekbones and sparkling eyes of the woman sitting next to her.

"Have I told you lately that you are the most amazing woman I have ever met??"

Alex bathed in the compliment and replied.

"..and you, my love, are the most beautiful vision I have ever had the good fortune to lay my eyes on."

The blond head dipped and Alex lifted her chin, kissed her soundly and whispered,
"I'd say we were the luckiest people in this world?.and the last?..and the next, wouldn't you??

Her reply was another deep probing kiss.

Continued in Knowing Her?again. Chapter 4.

Alex's Celtic Knot Clan Wallace Crest.

Knowing Her ?again. Chapter 4
Parts 19 to end

By Scribingbard52

Part 19

One cold frost December morning just a few days before Christmas, Alex had left Ellie snuggled in bed, and walked over to the hotel to get the mail. As she entered the hotel, she was met by Uncle J with a package in his hand.
"Morning Alex, it's finally here!"

"Thank the good gods for that," Alex breathed a sigh of relief. "When I asked you to organise it before I left the States, I had no idea it would take so long."

It would have helped if you'd known the right size first time, my darling child." J grumbled.

"I know, I know?but what was I s'posed to do, tie a bit of string around it?? I had to find one she wears, and measure it when she wasn't looking."

She smiled in anticipation of giving this gift and collected the rest of the mail.
"See ya later, Uncle J."

He waved at her and she strode back to their croft, to find Ellie up and clasping a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, as she sat cross legged on the floor in front of the fire.
"Hmmm Hi Gorgeous," Ellie yawned and stretched. She always looked like a kitten when she did that and Alex watched her with open pleasure.
"What's in the Mail?"

Two for you, Hon"
Ellie looked at the letters and recognised Dany's handwriting. Dany and Ann were her two best friends who ran her business in America. The letter contained a cheque and Ellie looked at it.

"I feel really guilty, taking this when they do all the work."

"You started the business, my love; it still depends on your reputation." Alex quickly defended her partner's case.

"Yes, I know, you're right?but I really want to write and surely the incentive of earning a living might focus me, if I didn't have this income."

"You don't have to worry about an income, my love." Alex spoke quietly to finally raise a subject much on her mind of late.

She was aware that Ellie was looking at her and waited for the inevitable question. She had learned?No, in fact she had always known, that Ellie was a straight talker, and she took a deep breath for the next part of the conversation.
Ellie's voice was quiet but Alex felt the underlying tension and irritation in it.

"Alex, I have always been independent, and earned my own living since I was 18 years old. I have no intention of stopping now. Jus cos you are a 'rich bitch' who never needs to work again? don't start with me, Baby Blue Eyes or you will find out very quickly, that you can take the girl out of Texas, but you can't take Texas out of the girl."

Alex felt the rage from the petite blond and cursed herself for her clumsiness. She had not intended to insult her beloved and now it had all gone badly wrong?she knew she needed to do something very soon or Ellie would retreat behind her wall and be unreachable for days.

"Ellie, you don't understand?I'm sorry?I'm just such a Klutz when it comes to these things."

"Damn right there." came Ellie's stiff reply.

Alex knelt beside the love of her life?lives?and took her face in her hands.

Ellie resisted to begin with and the finally looked up into Alex's amazing blue eyes and began to forget why she was mad?

"Ellie, listen to me?.I want ask you something?I was going to wait until Christmas day?but?. hey?.I'm in so much trouble here?"

She drew a deep breath and took from her pocket, the package she had received from J that morning?she opened up the red box and held it up so Ellie could see it. Then she waited until Ellie reached out to take the ring from the box. She gazed at it and forgot her irritation. Shining at her was a smaller version of Alex's gold signet ring. She could see the delicate engraving of the Wallace Crest intertwined with the Celtic knot and her heart began to beat like a drum in her chest.

Alex's voice, hoarse with emotion whispered,

"There's an inscription inside."

Ellie turned the ring to see the words on the inside of the ring ?
"Together through time, forever."

Alex reached over and placed the ring on the pinkie finger of Ellie's left hand.

Ellie held up her hand and saw the firelight glint on the ring. She didn't trust herself to speak but turned to Alex and her tears overflowed, as Alex reached for her hand, and whispered,

"Will you marry me, Ellie???"

There was no reply other than Ellie's arms reaching up around Alex's neck, and holding on tightly, as she sobbed.

Part 20

The next few days were lost in the run up to Christmas and the two women helped Uncle J and Jeannie to decorate the Hotel with brightly coloured lights and the biggest Christmas tree Ellie had ever seen.

Taking a break, with a cup of coffee, Ellie sat cross legged on the couch in the bar and mused. Her memories of Christmases with Dany's family were good, but as much as they had all tried, Ellie could never really join in. She kept herself away from the 'family thing,' and she supposed it was her instinct to protect herself from the terrible memories of her Father. Strange then, that this year, she found herself really looking forward to the festivities

Christmas day dawned and Ellie looked out onto a winter wonderland of crisp white snow and blue skies.
"Wow, a White Christmas!!"
She stroked the arm that held her and listened as her partners breathing changed.
"Happy Christmas, Hon." she whispered, and a sleepy voice returned the greeting and followed it with several kisses.

They had a small Christmas tree in the living room with a few gifts under it. They had each, craftily, got gifts for each other. Ellie had cornered Hamish one day at the hotel, and got him to agree to collect the gift that she had ordered for Alex, when he gone to Inverness on business. She had known exactly what she wanted to buy her lover, and had researched it on the internet whilst Alex thought she was working on her novel.
She waited though, until Alex handed her a large box. She opened it and laughter bubbled up from her as she saw a toy Highland warrior in full Scottish regalia brandishing a huge Claymore above his head. Alex reached over and pushed a button in the base and a full throated Scots war warrior whoop issued from the toy.
"I thought you could use this to practise your yeeeehah's for the next ceilidh." Alex grinned
Ellie eyes shone with pleasure at the gift, she planted a big kiss on the luscious lips presented to her and reached under the tree.

She picked up the small package and handed it to Alex with another kiss.
"What is it," Alex asked.

The blond shook her head and smiled indulgently at her partner.
"Dumb question Babe!! Just open it and find out!!"

The dark head bent to the task and carefully opened the gift so as not to tear the paper. She opened the velvet box and looked inside.
She saw a thin band of white and yellow gold twisted together and
Ellie's voice whispered in her ear,

"I know you are not big into jewellery, darlin', but I thought this little ring could nestle right next to your big signet ring so that you'll always know that I love you, with all my heart and soul."

Alex reached out and took the big signet ring off her left hand; she looked at Ellie, her voice hardly a whisper.

"Put it on for me, wouldya??"

Ellie slid the tiny band onto Alex's pinkie finger, and then returned the big signet ring so that the two rings nestled together. They seemed so different and yet fitted together so well.

Alex lifted Ellie's left hand and brought their matching rings together, only then did she trust herself to speak.
"It's beautiful, my love, thank you. I will never take it off."

They sat and savoured the moment before hugging really hard.
Part 21.

The two women had agreed to keep their wedding plans secret until after Christmas. They had both gone to the local Registry office to post their intent to form a Civil Partnership and had only to wait the required time for the ceremony, so all was in place.

"Uncle J and Jeannie have enough on their plates. Christmas is always a busy time at the hotel; it's pretty much fully booked." Alex remarked as they left the croft to join their family for Christmas lunch...

The Hotel was buzzing with life and twinkling lights and, the joined locals and guests alike in the festivities. The wine flowed, food was plentiful and the carol singing was lusty and, for the most part, tuneful.

Uncle J was in his element and insisted on raising a toast every five minutes; Toasts to life, love, friends, Scotland and anything else that entered his head and each toast was greeted with roars of applause.

Ellie was helping to clear the table and was on her way to the kitchen when Uncle J stopped her. He eyed her fondly and pulled her in to his arms for a hug. Ellie had come to love the feel of his arms around her and she felt completely safe there. She returned the hugs and kissed his hairy cheek.

"Great gig, Uncle J?.you guys really know how to party!!"

"Thank you for bringing a smile back to Alex's face." His quiet words brought an unexpected lump to her throat, her pleasure on hearing these simple words was off the scale and she beamed at the grizzled old Scot.

"Believe me, Uncle J, it has been my pleasure!!?What you don't know is that it was Alex who put this smile on MY face!!" They both smiled and Uncle J dropped a soft kiss on the blond head.

The evening continued in much the same vein and many were a little worse for wear. Iit was past midnight when the two lovers kissed J and Jeannie goodnight, returned to their croft and feel asleep in each others arms.
As they drifted off, Ellie, who was lying in the usual place, with her head tucked under Alex's chin, whispered.
"I can't remember a nicer Christmas, thank you, my love."

"Me neither, my wee girl, sleep tight, sweet dreams."

"Always when you are right here, Alex."
Part 22.

Two days later, the mail brought the date and time for their wedding and both beamed at each other.

"OK, now it's time to tell Jeannie, Uncle J and the gang." Alex's voice betrayed a little trepidation.

"Worried, Hon?"

"It's our day and I don't want a circus?Do you??"

"No of course not." Ellie replied.

The two women decided that they would tell only, Uncle J, Jeannie, Hamish, Donald and Dany and Ann in the States.

Ellie made a call to America and Alex was amused and delighted to hear the shrieks from the phone as Dany and Ann received the news. They were very happy and sent love and hugs.

The two soulmates then went to the hotel and were pleased to find Uncle J and Jeannie enjoying a drink, with Hamish and Donald.

When Jeannie had provided them with a drink, they all sat down together.
Uncle J looked at Alex and asked suspiciously,
"What's going on, Alex. You've got the same look on your face that you had when I caught you pinching my best malt, when you were 16."

"Never could fool you, Uncle J. Well, Ellie and I have some news for you."
She waited and smiled at the expectant faces gazing at her quizzically.
"We are getting married on 3rd January."

The two women sat back and waited. They were not disappointed as all hell let loose. J and Jeannie were hugging each other, Hamish had grabbed Alex and Ellie found herself being swung around by Donald as they all whooped with delight.

It took several minutes for Alex to restore order before they all sat down again. As had been expected, everyone began to organise the event, totally excluding the two guests of honour and, in the end, Alex yelled at the top of her voice.

"STOP THIS NOW!!!"

When everyone was quiet, she spoke again.

"This is our day and we will organise it. It will be a quiet affair with just the six of us. Then we will come back here for a meal. End of. Got it?"

Her tone left no room for argument and with Ellie nodding her support, the rest had no choice but to agree. However, one victory which Uncle J thought that he had won was that the wedding was to be held at the Hotel. Strange that he hadn't guessed that that was exactly what the soulmates had wanted all along!!
Part 23

In the intervening days, the New Years celebration so beloved of the Scots, Hogmanay, took the pressure off the two soulmates and they were left to plan their day in relative peace.

Hamish and Donald would stand as Alex's Sidesmen, in Scots tradition. Uncle J had nearly choked on his tea when Ellie asked him to give her away, and Jeannie was to be Ellie's witness.

They had stuck with tradition and Ellie had spent the night of the 2nd January at the Hotel.

Donald and Hamish had stayed at the croft and done their damndest to get Alex drunk, but it was they who had fallen asleep on the rug in front of the fire, while Alex kept a clear head.

The day dawned and it was Alex helping her Sidesmen to get ready, as they nursed sore heads.

"Hell, Alex," Donald muttered, "Why do we never learn, Huh?"

Hamish was adjusting the white rose Alex wore on her waistcoat, and he grinned ruefully.

"I never thought I would see this day, Alex. I never thought you would ever get married."
"You and me both." Alex replied.

The three of them drove to the Hotel, which had a room specially certified for civil marriages and Alex was delighted with the way Jeannie had dressed it. The flowers were simple white roses and some gentle Scottish music played in the background.

The Registrar had arrived in good time, and Alex stood ready with her Sidesmen and took a deep breath. The door opened and Alex felt her breath taken from her as Ellie walked in on Uncle J's arm. She wore a simple dress in a soft pastel green, the coat she wore over it, a darker green that matched her eyes perfectly. She carried a single white rose and her face shone as she saw Alex.

Alex had chosen to wear Highland dress. The Wallace tartan with a Bonnie Prince Charlie jacket was complemented by a white ruffed shirt and her trademark waistcoat with the Celtic Knot. The long cream woollen socks to her knees held the traditional dagger or Sgian Dubh, and soft black leather pumps completed her outfit. Hamish and Donald were dressed in their own tartans and stood full square at Alex's side.

As Ellie reached her, Alex held out her hand and Uncle J put Ellie's hand into it. He caught his niece's eye and she saw the pride shining from his face.

The registrar began the ceremony and the two lovers exchanged the simple vows each had written.

"Ellie, I promise that I will love you for all time, care for you through good times and bad and hold you in my heart, always and ever. Even in death I will never leave you." .Alex spoke the words as she held the gaze of the beautiful green eyes of her love.

Ellie's voice was trembling as she held Alex's hand tightly.

"Alex, I never dreamed that I would ever deserve the love that we have found. You are my family and I will spend my lifetime and beyond, showing you, how precious you are to me. You are the breath of life to me, my love."

They clasped hands and touched their matching rings together for a moment and the registrar announced that their partnership was complete.

They hugged each other, Uncle J, the boys and even the registrar and tears flowed from every eye. Arm in arm, they walked out to the sound of a piper.

They turned into the dining room and were greeted by a scene the like of which they could never have imagined. It was filled with their friends from the village and beyond; and Alex's colleagues from the University. They all greeted the couple with applause and whoops of joy. Alex and Ellie stood dumbfounded as Uncle J looked at them. "Sorry, you two, everyone wanted to share the day with you, I hope you don't mind?"

The newly weds smiled and J heaved a sigh of relief.

However, there was one more surprise coming their way. A pathway cleared through he crowd and Ellie could not believe it when she saw Dany and Ann standing there, with huge grins on their faces. The three women fell together and just stood with their arms around each other, shedding silent tears.
Eventually, they moved apart, just enough, to beckon to Alex to join the hug.

"Ya didn't think we'd let this day pass without a real old fashioned Texan shindig, didya??" Ann cried.

The party was a happy occasion and they realised how nice it was to have so many friends near them on this special day. Uncle J did his usual trick of raising toasts to the happy couple, their friends from America, the registrar and everyone there.

The music began and as more musicians joined in, the party turned into a ceilidh with dancing and even the Scottish Sword dance performed by Hamish and Donald. Thankfully, Alex reflected, they hadn't yet imbibed sufficient to make the dance a dangerous undertaking.

Dany and Ann appeared dressed in Stetsons and cowboy boots and dragged Ellie onto the floor for an impromptu demonstration line dance, accompanied by raucous rebel yells. Despite her protestations that she couldn't dance, Alex was delighted to see her lover really enjoying herself, and glowed with an inner joy.

When Ellie was returned to her seat to recover her breath, Dany and Ann were taken off by Hamish and Donald for a Scottish reel.

Uncle J came over and sat next to Ellie. He eyed her fondly and pulled her in to his arms for a hug; she returned the hugs and kissed his hairy cheek.

"I need to ask you a question, lassie." he whispered, and ensured that Alex was engaged in conversation with her neighbour.

"Sure Uncle J?.shoot."

"Has Alex had any nightmares since you met??

Ellie sensed the tension in his voice; she looked into his blue eyes and touched her hand to his face.

"Just one, Uncle J?just one and it was the last."
His eyes filled with tears and he smiled back at her.
"Och, Lassie, and you have no idea why that is so important do you??"

"Maybe, I do ....a little, Uncle J, and I promise you that I will spend my life making sure that that darkness never, ever tortures her again."

Their shared understanding of the promise Ellie had made, was to cement the relationship between the Big Scotsman and the little Texan closer than any blood tie ever could.

Alex had seen the interchange but had no idea what had passed between the two most important people in her life. She could see that whatever it had been could only have been good, and she smiled '

As the music began again, Ellie rested her head against Alex's shoulder and sighed.

"Happy sigh, Ellie??"

"You betcha, my love."

At that moment, Uncle J called silence for another toast, and as the room fell silent as he raised a special cup. It was silver with two delicate filigree handles on each side of it. A buzz went round the room as the cup was recognised as the Wallace Quaic. All Scottish families have Clan symbols and this one was known to be a potent symbol for James Wallace of Applecross. The Quaic had been handed down, from generation to generation, for hundreds of years and he held it aloft, brimming with fine malt whiskey.

Hamish and Donald came to stand on either side of the big man and their eyes shone with pride and love as they held above his head two Claymores, each heavily inlaid with intricate engravings and crossed together at their hilts.

Alex's eyes narrowed as she recognised her Uncle's intent; she reached for her lovers hand and pulled her to her feet. Ellie looked bemused but rose with Alex.

Uncle J's voice boomed across the room.

"I call upon all present to draw near and hear me. Today, I, James Duncan Wallace, of the Clan Wallace, welcome a new member to my family. She is to enjoy all the rights and privileges of my name and hearth, from henceforth and for all time."

He raised the Quaic and gazing into Ellie's eyes, he toasted her.

"To you, Ellie O'Brian-Wallace. Welcome, wee lassie."

He drank from the Quaic and then he, walked to where Ellie stood next to Alex. He offered the vessel to Ellie and, in stunned silence, she sipped the strong liquor. The room erupted into whoops and cheers as locals and guests alike, recognising the import of what had just happened, celebrated the tiny blond, standing in the circle of Alex and Uncle J's arms, with tears of joy streaming down her face.

The End..for now!!

And so, hopefully the scene is set for our girls to begin their lives and adventures together?again!!

Watch this space!!!. Mel R