#outlander 01x11

Contemplating their future. On the verge of a tremendous decision.

No one will harm you.

Frank’s exact words are, “I didn’t force you to come to Boston, and I’m not forcing you to stay...Go, or stay, but please, do it because it’s what you really want to do.”

I *do* think he was being genuine - he’s right in that Claire chose to go with him to Boston (albeit under his condition to forget/never mention the past). Except that, pregnant with Jamie’s child and remembering her promise to Jamie that their child would be safe and loved, she didn’t truly have a choice. So she honors Jamie’s sacrifice by doing what Jamie wanted her to do - providing a father for the child.

This bit of dialogue between Frank and Claire just begs for comparison with the scene in 01x11 where Jamie takes Claire back to Craigh Na Dun. He says to her: “It’s your own time on the other side of that stone - you’ve a home there, a place, the things you’re used to. And Frank...There’s nothing for you on this side - nothing, save violence and danger. Now go.”

So - Frank’s words are about him (”I didn’t force you” and “I’m not forcing you”). Jamie’s words are about her (”Your own time” and “you’ve a home”).

Frank makes the choice ambiguous (”Go, or stay”) and makes it seem like he doesn’t care about the outcome. Jamie makes it very clear that there is no choice (”There’s nothing for you”) and completely removes himself from the equation.

Both men are genuine in their concern for Claire and their wish for her to make the right choice. Except that one selfishly wants to keep her with him - and the other selflessly recognizes that he can’t provide a life that is good enough for her.

To Jamie, there is no choice. So the fact that Claire does not heed his words makes her choice to stay with him that much sweeter - because it’s not an outcome Jamie had expected. So they rejoice in that choice, and celebrate just how difficult it was to make.

With Frank, there is a definite choice. And he knows that Claire is damned if she chooses him, because it brings her farther away from Jamie, and damned if she doesn’t choose him, because she would be homeless.

 "Don't move, Sassenach," Jamie's voice came softly, next to me. "Just for a moment, mo duinne —be still." 

I obligingly froze, until he touched me on the shoulder. 

"That's all right, Sassenach," he said, with a smile in his voice. "It's only that ye looked so beautiful, wi' the fire on your face, and your hair waving in the wind. I wanted to remember it."

In 01x11 “The Devil’s Mark,” Jamie slaps Claire’s hand away from the tall stone. Takes her in his arms. Briefly loses the ability to speak. Almost overcome with just the thought of losing her - and the very real prospect that she would choose to leave him.

In 02x13 “Dragonfly in Amber,” Jamie must do what his heart screams against - send her back through the stones. But not before he takes her into his arms, so overcome with the imminent loss of her that he cannot speak. For he will cleave his heart in two, and push her hand toward the stone, so that he knows it’s not her choice to leave him.

You need not be scared of me, or of anyone else here. So long as I’m with you.

Rest now. No one will harm you. I’m here.

I promise - whatever happens, you’ll never be alone again.