The sound of hooves echoed through the dense Scottish forest as you and Jamie raced away from the Redcoats, who were hot on your trail. Your hands gripped Jamie's waist tightly as he guided the horse, his voice low and urgent.

"Hold on, Sassenach," Jamie muttered, his Scottish accent thick with tension. "We need to make it to the ridge."

You nodded, heart pounding, aware of the baby growing inside you. The ride was rough, but you trusted Jamie, knowing he would take every blow before letting anything happen to you.

Gunshots rang out behind you, closer now.

"Damn it," Jamie swore, urging the horse faster. Another shot fired. The horse stumbled, screeching as it fell beneath you both. You tumbled to the ground, the harsh earth meeting your body.

Before you could breathe, a sharp pain twisted through your abdomen. You gasped, clutching your stomach.

Jamie groaned, dazed from the fall, but hearing your pain, his blue eyes snapped open, filled with panic. He crawled toward you, his head spinning, but he was determined.

"No..." he whispered. Thick with worry. "Claire!" Jamie shouted, collapsing distance from you. His concern for you overshadowed everything, even his own pain. He tried to rise but stumbled back, the ringing in his ears overwhelming him.

You gasped again, the pain coursing through you. Please, not now... not like this.

Jamie's vision blurred, the dizziness from his head injury almost too much to bear, but he fought to stay focused on you. But the ringing in his ears only grew louder. He collapsed forward, the world tilting beneath him as his vision swam. Jamie could feel the blood dripping from his neck, his head was hurting but, damn, he forced himself, for you. But no matter how hard he tries, the distance between you is far, it's hard for two people who are both in pain.