John certainly makes it difficult not to feel softer toward him; the one awkward and stilted meeting shouldn't have colored her opinion of him so heavily. It hardly seems fair now, when he's done nothing but help Jamie, repaid with a smashed in face. It makes her frown to wonder about, but she meant what she said about truths coming out later. There's no need to force it all out tonight.

"I'm glad I was able to take care of you, then. And now," Claire adds with a smile that's genuine but still unsure. Still, she finishes and gently ties the eyepatch back around his head.

"Speaking of, I have something else that will help you sleep." When she puts the salve back, she returns with two pills and glass of water, handing both to him. "Swallow those with the water; this is effectively willow bark in a concentrated form that's stronger than any tea. It should bring the swelling down and take away the pain temporarily. Perhaps not all of it, but dull enough to get rest."

How many times had she wished to have medicine at her disposal with Jamie? Now she does—one of the positive differences about this place. It's such a mix of modern and old that she doesn't need to worry as much about infections.