Jamie nodded in understanding. "I know, I know. I've got a mother and a sister, and I would hate the idea of one of them climbing into a car in a foreign country with a total stranger, but I promise you, I'm not a terrible person. I'm a terrible cook, and I'm terrible at picking out Christmas presents, but I'm not a terrible person." Jamie said with a reassuring smile.

"Why are you doing this?" Juno asked suddenly, cocking her head to one side and watching him closely. She couldn't resist knowing why a total stranger, who clearly had a life of his own, would take such in interest in her own increasing odd life.

Jamie shrugged a little and gave her a grin. "I've always loved movies with a damsel in distress."

"Jamie." Juno said warningly. "Why?"

"For the same reason I just said... I have a mother and a sister, and I would hope that someone stable and kind would take care of them. I love meeting new people, and you're someone interesting I'd like to get to know better. I also feel bad for kissing you in front of the all-male revue in there." Jamie grinned and Juno couldn't help but grin in return.

"I... I..." Juno looked away from Jamie, out towards the waterfront again. It was starting to get darker and cooler outside, and her only mode of transportation was now totally out of sight on the horizon of the water.

"Juno?" Jamie prodded gently. "Would you feel better if I provided a resume, a blood sample and a psychological profile?"

Juno giggled. "I would, but I don't think that will be necessary. Thank you, Jamie.
A ride would be great."

Jamie nodded and smiled. "Right away, milady."

"Oh, wait." Juno said before they had even taken a step. "Do you have a cell phone by any chance?"

Jamie nodded. "Sure, my mobile is in my car. You want to try and call your friends?"

"I probably should. I wonder if they've even noticed that I'm not there..." Juno trailed off, her eyes once again on the horizon.

"If they don't notice you aren't there, then they must not notice when the sun is behind the clouds." Jamie said, his voice serious and low as he steered her away from the cafe and towards a parking lot nearby.

Juno looked up at his handsome profile, grateful that he couldn't see the blush on her cheeks or the nervous knots in her stomach.

She had to be living a movie. Stuff like this just didn't happen in real life. Not her real life, anyway.

"Mind the step." Jamie said as he took her hand gently and helped her down a particularly steep curb and into the street, keeping hold of her hand for the briefest of moments before letting go.

Juno realized in a flash of insanity that she wished he hadn't let go.

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.

**

Juno stood in the parking lot, staring down at Jamie's black car and nodding slowly.

"It's quite reliable." He said evenly.

Juno nodded again and looked up at him.

"The gas economy is fantastic."

Juno cocked her head to one side, regarding him.

"I've named it Thor the Thunder Car." Jamie said, once again flashing his million dollar smile.

Juno giggled. "I think it's just a tad...smaller than I expected. Is it legal on the roads here?" She asked in all seriousness, looking around for other cars to compare it to, though there were none left in the lot this evening.

Jamie scoffed. "You Americans with your SUVs and your huge lorries. Of course it's legal here! We Europeans are just more concerned about the environment than you."

"It's very nice." Juno amended, eying the car and wondering where she was going to fit inside. Her left thigh alone would take up the entire passenger side…

"Of course it's nice, it's going to get you to dog town." Jamie teased, opening the front door and fishing his cell phone out of the glove box and handing it to her.

"Is it really called a Mini?" Juno asked, taking the phone from him.

"No, it's called Thor the Thunder Car." Jamie said seriously. "Pay attention, please." He nodded towards the phone. "Make your phone call and tell your friends I'm abducting you and taking you back to my laboratory."

Juno giggled and began punching in numbers, hoping against hope that Viv's phone had a really good coverage plan. She nearly pumped her fist in the air when the call connected, and seconds later, Viv was on the line.

"Hello?" Juno nearly cried in relief at hearing her friend's happy voice.

"Thank god." She breathed. "Viv? It's Juno."

"Jeez, girl. We were wondering if you were ever going to get in touch with us. Tell us everything! What's he like? Which cabin is his? And are you having dinner with us tonight?"

Juno wrinkled her brow in confusion. "Huh?" She asked stupidly. "Who? What cabin?"

Viv paused for a moment, and Juno could overhear her telling Darcy that she was on the phone. "We figured you shacked up for the night. Does his cabin have a better view than ours? See if he'll trade!"

Juno shook her head at her friend's obvious head injury. "Viv, sweetheart, I haven't hooked up with anyone. In fact, I'm not on the boat at all. I'm stranded. On land." She emphasized. "The boat left me here. Totally left me. Alone. On land." She repeated for emphasis.

There was such a long pause that Juno glanced at the phone's screen to make sure she was still connected. "Viv? Viv?"

"Holy cannoli." Viv said. "You aren't on the boat? Oh god, honey, I'm so sorry. I just assumed… well, we thought you'd met a guy and were spending the night with him."

Juno rolled her eyes. "I would never do that. Not with a guy I just…" Juno trailed off, realizing that Jamie was well within hearing distance. "Anyway. I'm going to catch a ride to the next port and meet you guys there. You're going to be in Nairn in two days, right?"

"Uh… I think so." Viv said, sounding unsure. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? I mean, we can…"

Juno strained to hear Viv's voice, but the phone was crackling and breaking up, and Juno only caught another word or two before the call disconnected altogether. She hung up slowly and looked down at the phone, suddenly feeling alone and afraid all over again.

"Alright?" Jamie asked softly, sensing her concern. "You talked to your friends?"

"Yeah." Juno nodded. "Everything's going to be fine." She said, more for her own benefit than for Jamie's. "Should we, um, should we go?"

Jamie smiled and opened the passenger door for her. "Your chariot awaits." He said graciously, giving her a bow and helping her into the passenger seat.

1183 / 6017 / 50000

before . after