The year is 1968. Jamie Fraser of Clan Fraser of the Highlands of Scotland is the father of Claire Randall Fraser's twenty-year-old daughter. He was born in 1745.
Claire is transported back in time to the brutal and raw Highlands of Scotland as she leans against one of the standing stones twenty years before Brianna was born. To begin with, Claire is gone after by Jonathan Randall, who is really Plain's predecessor.
He tries to force himself on her as a rude captain. She is saved from Jonathan Randall by Jamie Fraser, who comes into the picture as her rescuer. His uncles Colum and Dougal are with him, and they take Claire in with caution.
Because it has been months since Claire took a leave of absence from her own time and because she has developed a loyalty to Jamie, she is fighting a internal battle of wills. She decides to stay with Jamie despite not knowing what to do.
Jamie worries for their lives when, in the end, Claire becomes pregnant once more. He takes her back to the standing stones and explains to her that she must go back to the future for their unborn child's sake. She goes for Jamie despite her hesitation.