Erin McGuinness // An Outlander Fanfiction

Chapter Six

Authors Note: I just wanted to take the time to thank those of you who have taken the time to read the story I am putting together. I just wanted to apologize for the delay for this chapter. I am currently still working during this pandemic, though my hours have been reduced, it's all so scary and the unknown is the scariest! However, I am remaining positive and I hope you all are too. I'm going to try and make more time each day or every couple of days to write to you all! And work on making my writing better (it's been a while, I recognize I am a little sloppy right now). I hope everyone is staying safe during this time. And if you're still working, thank you. Also, what is everyone thinking of the current season?!

Cami x

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"Erin McGuinness." Stephen breathes out. I try not to flinch at him saying my name aloud. "It's been a long time hasn't it?" He thinks aloud. My hands clench by my side as I try not to shake. I stare at him long and hard, taking in everything. He was a man now that was evident. His blonde hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, a hat on his head. My eyes trailed down as I took in his body, fit as a fiddle.

I don't answer him but continue to stare as I focus on my breathing. Be strong Erin. He abandoned you. He left. He didn't even say goodbye. My bottom lip begins to tremble, I clench, stopping it.

My eyes meet his, I hold my head up high, praying my eyes aren't betraying me and showing the many emotions I am feeling right now. Something flashed in his eyes, sadness? I think. Probably not, he's the one who left after all. A traitor, Liam had told me upon his return from war. Left with a bunch of crooks. I suppose that's all he is now, nothing but a nasty crook.

With this thought, it brushes the sadness I felt away and is replaced with anger. He takes a step towards me, which causes Liam to step forward, his hands unclasped from behind his back, now showing Cal and Stanley that he is no longer restrained. Stanley pushes him back, I flinch as his body bangs against the wall. I look over, worried, Liam is unfazed and glaring at Stephen's back.

"Let him be," Stephen says without looking back. 

He takes in my face with wonder, I flinch as he brings a hand to a strand of my hair and tucks it behind my ear. "A Captain, aye?" He chuckles. "Who would have guessed? Destined for great things, my Erin."

"I haven't been your Erin for a long time," I growl, pulling away from him. "Don't touch her!" Liam says, stepping forward once again. Stanley steps in front of him, the big brute he is. Liam glances up at him and back at me. I shake my head and he stands down.

Stephen chuckles again, stepping away from me and turns around. "The McGuinnesses aye? Strong-willed, these two. This is interesting." He says with amusement. 

"You know them?" Cal asks, sounding surprised. "Knew. He knew us. He's nothing more than a dirty crook." I reply, seething.

Stephen's jaw hardens, he stops pacing. "You weren't calling me that, that last night. Under the old tree. Remember that night?" His eyes meet mine.

My heart quickens at the memory, a lump forms in my throat.

He has me cornered, my back against the tree. I let out a giggle as he makes his way to me, a playful grin forming on his face. Without thinking, my hand reaches up and holds his face. He freezes, his eyes meeting mine. My smile fades, however it's just nerves. His eyes travel down to my lips and then back to my eyes. Please. I think.

He takes my silence as a sign of approval and his lips meet mine. Hungry. Hungry for me. His hands are in my hair and his hips push into me, causing a moan to escape my lips. "Stephen," I whisper, pulling my lips away for a moment. "I love you." I sigh, against his lips. "I'll always love you."

He pulls away from me, meeting my eyes. "I've never loved anyone more than I love you, Erin McGuinness." I smile softly. His lips on my neck, just under my ear. "Always." He smiles against my neck, I squirm in delight. 

A few moment later, I'm straddling him on the grass. His lips soft against mine. I feel his hands trail up, under the hem of my skirt. "Let me show you how much you mean to me, Erin." He whispers pulling away. I nod slowly as his hands move further and further up.

"What night?" Liam asks, staring at us both. His eyes hard on mine, I look down. "What night Erin?" I shake my head, shaking away the memory. "It was nothing," I tell Liam, I know he doesn't believe me but it's not something I want to remember. It was the best night of my life but it was the beginning of my heartbreak. 

"I don't recall it being nothing," Stephen smirks, his eyes meeting mine. I search them, looking for anything. A glimpse of the Stephen I once knew. 

"Why are you here? Why are you doing this?" I demand, changing the subject. 

Stephen walks around the room, trailing his hands over boxes and crates. "It's another job." He shrugs. "Jobs have to be done." 

He claps his hands together, wiping dust away. "Anyway, I won't have you down here. You must return to your chambers."

"No, what about Liam? My men?" I cross my hands over my chest.

Stephen shrugs, looking unamused. "We shall see about them later."

"I'm not leaving them down here," I begin to step forward but before I know what was happening Stanley had me up and over his shoulder. I shriek, banging my fists against his back. "Put me down! Put me down at once!" 

It was no use before I knew it I was back in my room, the door locked behind me. After struggling with the handle for a few minutes, I took a few breaths as I try to comprehend everything that has just happened.

My hands shake as I look around my room, mostly untouched since the other night. Someone's baggage was placed on my bed, I didn't have to look inside to know who it belonged too. I walk over to the fireplace, lighting a fire to warm the room and to warm some water for a bath. I needed to keep busy, I needed to clean myself from him, from that night, from everything.

As I sit in the tub, running a bar of soap along my body I begin to sob. I bring my knees to my chest, holding them against me as I cry for Liam. My men. My past self. For what could have been.