[ Claire's sitting space is being shared, and she's been fine with the quiet between them. She's been good at pushing off the homesickness while there's something to do, but now that she's still, her heart feels like it's trying to squeeze out from between her ribs. It isn't just that she misses Jamie. It's that this time, she's sure the hurricane swallowed him up, breaking apart the ship and dragging him, Fergus, and Marsali into the depths of the ocean. Claire as well, but instead of being dead, she's wound up here.

When her company finally says something, it shakes Claire out of her thoughts and she glances over. ]

I've been in two wars and survived another that had nothing to do with me. At some point, it isn't just them you're trying to help and protect. It's yourself, and the people you've unwittingly started to care for.

[ Her gaze moves back to the fire. ]

If we're here long enough for the latter, in any case.