Katherine Dixon and Connor MacLeod appeared in a cloud of sparks in the middle of the spacious bedroom that had been assigned to the newcomer. She staggered in shock and would have fallen if it had not been for Connor's strong arms holding her up.

"Easy! It's ok", he said soothingly, holding her tightly as she trembled in his embrace. "Rayden probably thought we needed to be alone. His mode of transportation does take a little getting used to." He swooped her up into his arms and carried her over to the huge four poster bed that dominated the room, pushed aside the lace canopy and laid her down. She shuddered and closed her eyes, trying to get her inner balance back again, still a little woozy from the sedative Doc Adam had given her.

"It would have been nice if he had given us a little warning before doing that!" she managed to grumble. Connor just laughed for a moment and then an intense longing look came over his face. He leaned down and would have given her a kiss had she not stopped him by placing her hand in front of his mouth.

"Do you think you can find me something else to wear? That nice young Father Alec was kind enough to release me from my vows, but I really rather not go any further with you while still wearing this nun's habit", she said. Her soft spoken words sounded apologetic, but the wicked little glint in her eyes told him otherwise. Apparently she was going to make him suffer a little for bringing her so abruptly to VIsland without any preparation whatsoever. Oh well, he thought, that was to be expected.

He reached up and took the hand covering his mouth into his own strong hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze, trying to broadcast his understanding of the situation to her. "No problem", he said, "We have an assortment of clothing in your size right here in the room for you."

He then stood up and crossed the room to a large wardroom on the other side of the room. He open the door and rifled through the outfits that were hanging up in it. Finding one that suited his fancy he pulled it out. He then held out the lacy cream colored Victorian style blouse and long forest green skirt to get her approval. "Will this do, m'Lady?" he asked, bowing slightly. Katherine had turned onto her side and was studying him intently from where she lay on the bed.

"Aye, Captain. 'Tis lovely", she replied, a soft smile on her face. He knew she liked old fashioned, ladylike things. He laid the outfit on the cedar chest that was at the foot of the bed. He then he returned to the wardroom and rummaged around till he found some undergarments he thought were appropriate for a woman who had just spent the last 30 years of her life in a convent. Katherine raised her eyebrow but made no comment when he produced some flimsy pieces of lace that barely qualified as such, placing them on the chest along with some stockings and a pair of short boots.

"Need any help getting changed?" he asked innocently. She just snorted and shook her head. "Then I'm going to leave you alone for awhile and let you get some rest while I go take care of some business. When you feeling up to it I'll take you on a tour on the castle."

He leaned down and gave her a tender kiss on the forehead and caressed her face for a moment. "Katherine, I can't tell you how much having you here with me again means to me. I really have missed you. Whenever you are with me it feels like a vital missing piece has been put back into my soul." He took her hand and gave it another squeeze. "Get some sleep, love. I'll be back in just a little while." He then stood up and left the room.

Katherine sighed deeply when the door closed behind him and sat up, her head still spinning a little as she pulled off her veil, running her fingers through her short curly hair while she looked over the room. There was a large picture window and glass door that lead out to a terrace with baskets of flowers along its edge. On the wall opposite the one with the wardrobe was a huge stone fireplace with a sheepskin rug on the floor in front of it. The walls of the room were covered with tapestries depicting castles and thatched cottages. Scattered around the room were scented candles and arrangements of flowers in stately vases. One sideboard had a fruit basket in the middle of it with a ribbon printed with the words 'Welcome to VIsland' on it. In the corner of the room by the fireplace, a door stood open revealing a small cozy bathroom complete with a clawfooted bath tub. It was a lovely room and Katherine felt very comfortable and at home in it already. In fact, the more she considered her situation the more right it seemed that she had chosen to remain here with Connor and his friends.

She slowly rose to her feet, not quite trusting her legs yet to support her, and she started to remove her clothes. Each piece of her order's habit was carefully folded and put aside. She then picked up the pile of clothing and the sturdy oxford shoes she had been wearing and placed them in the back corner of the wardrobe. She knew she would never wear them again but could not bear the thought of just throwing them out. Wearing nothing now but a simple pewter cross hanging on a leather cord around her slender neck, she crossed the room back to the bed and pulled back the sheets and the thick comforter on the bed. Curling up onto her side she closed her eyes and almost instantly feel into a deep and peaceful sleep.