Work Text:
INT. ENCAMPMENT TENT - DAY
Jamie and Lord John are leaning over a sizable MAP, various
outposts marked, DRINKS on the table.
JAMIE
John, I'm asking you to fight wi'
me instead of against me.
JOHN
How can I? I have laid low, I have
delayed troops, I have sworn an
oath on a Bible to the United
States of America to spare my own
life -
JAMIE
Will ye never forgive me for that?
JOHN
Who do you think I did all of that
for up until now?
JAMIE
I know your king and your country
are your first concern.
John scoffed.
JOHN
And is that why I married your wife
to save her life, when you were
thought dead? Is that why I raised
your son who might otherwise have
been known a bastard? Or got
engaged to your daughter to ensure
her child had a father if Roger
didn't make it home? Did I do THAT
for my king and country?
JAMIE
Don't pretend ye dinna have your
own interests.
(beat)
And that you dinna love William as
your own.
JOHN
He IS my own. I may not have
contributed my blood to his, but I
have given my sweat, tears and soul
for him, and you know I will
continue to do so, no matter who
wins what war.
JAMIE
I'm only asking you to fight this
battle with me. Alongside me.
John gave him side eye.
JOHN
Is there anything you wouldn't ask
of me? Haven't I done enough?
Jamie stepped infinitesimally closer to him, taking a rare
opportunity to use the leverage he knew he unfairly
possessed.
JOHN (CONT'D)
(whispered, slightly more
intimately than he
should)
Why are you doing this to me?
JAMIE
So I can protect you. And you can
protect me.
JOHN
All I've done is protect you. And
him. And Claire. I have been your
constant shield. Something Claire
calls a "get out of jail free
card", whatever that means. I
assume it's more or less in the
title.
JAMIE
I havena heard her say that phrase
myself to know.
He studied John then. Was this a phrase he learned while they
were married? What else had Claire told him during that
window of time? During their pillow talk, had she told him
anything of the future? Had she let something slip and John
simply hadn't known enough context to hear it for what it
was? Would he realize later?
He tried not to picture them in bed together in some repose,
as if he were in the room with them - excluded.
John studied his face, seeing a dozen thoughts cross his eyes
but not being able to identify one fully.
JOHN
Does Claire know you want me to do
this? Does she want me to go?
JAMIE
Would her request curry more favor
with ye ... than mine?
That was unfair.
JOHN
I'm only thinking she may prefer to
lose just one husband in battle.
John's words stung Jamie exactly the way he'd intended.
Jamie leaned intimidatingly closer, towering over him.
JAMIE
Do ye want me to injure your other
eye?
John smirked, satisfied he'd made him jealous, regardless of
which party - or parties - the jealousy really landed on.
JOHN
If you did, I couldn't say yes to
your request. To fight with you.
He gave him a knowing grin. He may feign resistance, but
ultimately Jamie knew if he asked, John would do it. He
always did.
JAMIE
So you will?
JOHN
Have I ever said no to you before -
He considered once or twice at Ardsmuir, and before
Prestonpans.
JOHN (CONT'D)
- when it was in my power to give?
JAMIE
(victoriously, but warm)
Nye.
Jamie offered his hand for a handshake, which John hesitated
only briefly before taking in his.
He very much hoped he wasn't walking into a death trap for
Jamie, that he wouldn't rob Claire of being the one by his
side if he died. He would do everything in his power to
prevent it - for all their sakes.