Lord, Ye Gave Me A Rare Woman,

How Did You Keep This By You?" Grey Demanded Abruptly. "you Were Searched To The Skin When You Were Brought Back." The Wide Mouth Curved Slightly In The First Genuine Smile Grey Had Seen. "i Swallowed It," Fraser Said. Grey's Hand Closed Convulsively On The Sapphire. He Opened His Hand And Rather Gingerly Set The Gleaming Blue Thing On The Table By The Chess Piece. "i See," He Said. "i'm Sure You Do, Major," Said Fraser, With A Gravity That Merely Made The Glint Of Amusement In His Eyes More Pronounced. "a Diet Of Rough Parritch Has Its Advantages, Now And Again.

He Splayed A Hand Out Over The Photographs, Trembling Fingers Not Quite Touching The Shiny Surface, And Then He Turned And Leaned Toward Me, Slowly, With The Improbable Grace Of A Tall Tree Falling. He Buried His Face In My Shoulder And Went Very Quietly And Thoroughly To Pieces.

I Talk To You As I Talk To My Own Soul," He Said, Turning Me To Face Him. He Reached Up And Cupped My Cheek, Fingers Light On My Temple. "and Sassenach," He Whispered, "your Face Is My Heart.

He Was Dead. However, His Nose Throbbed Painfully, Which He Thought Odd In The Circumstances.

Then The Room Relaxed In Cheers And Babbling, And She Turned In His Arms To Kiss Him Hard And Cling To Him, And He Thought Perhaps It Didn't Matter That They Faced In Opposite Directions - So Long As They Faced Each Other.' Roger Wakefield {drums Of Autumn}